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TDM 012: SLINGING IN THE RAIN
| TDM 012: SLINGING IN THE RAIN |
00. Arrival You come out of the water, the Nameless Island's own inherent energy drawing people in. It's like being suspended between realities and abruptly pushed from behind through a rift in dimensions. It may make you sick, or that might be the motion of the ocean, lifting you to the surface and carrying you to shore. Waterlogged and covered in sand, new arrivals will be greeted by robots who welcome them with towels and bracelet devices. The A5 card is already loaded up. If you don’t manage to get away from them quickly enough, they may even usher you toward the Laid Bare Spa, where new arrivals will be offered free massages, a sauna, hairstyling, and their clothing may come up permanently missing. But you will be given a complimentary towel to leave with if needed! Feel free to explore the Island, though there isn’t much to see beyond what arrivals before you have helped to rebuild. Most of the buildings are abandoned and in dire need of repair, and beyond the city lingers a thick fog that obscures much of the wilderness from view. Wander too far into this fog, and you will find yourself mysteriously looping back to where you began, your memories of what you were doing and how you got there erased. With that in mind, it may be wise to stake your claim on a place to live in the now, whether a rundown apartment in the City, a tent on the beach, a bed in the barracks, or your own space at the House of Worship. Your inventory will be found a day later, wrapped up haphazardly and delivered to each person's makeshift home. I. THUNDERBOLTS AND LIGHTNING Erku's new arrivals may not be the only residents left dripping wet. Although the weather on the Island is almost always dreary, clouds begin to multiply and darken over the days before that first arrival, turning ominous shades of purple and blue which may look familiar to Islanders who have been around since Erku's beginnings. Perhaps robots will advise Islanders to fortify their shelters and get ready to accept refugees, and they hope their charges take the warnings to heart! When the rain finally falls, it is a non-stop torrent. Even though the weather is warm, the rain itself chills to the bone. Shacks and beach tents won't stand up to the downpour for long, and the shabby apartments may leak and flood. New arrivals who aren't handy enough to make quick repairs may be forced to take shelter in the homes of current Island residents, or else huddle together in the 12 rooms of the barracks for the full week that rain falls on the Island. Cats, dogs, and little dragons will also be begging Islanders for a warm place to stay! Beware of lightning strikes, too, because the skies rumble with thunder throughout the storm. Buildings and residences are frequently damaged by strikes. They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and that's very true on Erku - Islanders who are struck by the lightning might find themselves temporarily blessed with god-like super strength. Such power might not always be a good thing for those who aren't used to wielding it, so please be careful not to damage your friends or property! Islanders may choose to keep their new powers, but a bingo square can be used to wish them away. II. A TASTE OF ERKU In need of shelter and credits? Then the robots have a task for you! Erku's robot population has taken note of how much Islanders seem to love the humble potato, and they want to contribute! Ready as always to please, the robots have filled the hospital cafeteria with mountains of potatoes in every imaginable variety and color: russet, red, gold, purple, chartreuse, sweet, savory, spicy, and so many more! But wait, there's more: they have provided knives, cutting boards, and peelers too, and are eager to see Islanders work their magic in their open cafeteria kitchen! Robots will monitor every dish produced, as they are eager to improve their food replication repertoire. No worries if you aren't culinarily skilled, however. Islanders will be rewarded in credits for whatever they can contribute, whether it's a gourmet meal or simply a basket of peeled potatoes. Robot-provided potato preparations are also freely available to snack on while you work, though as always, they're liable to be spiked with something to encourage Islanders to get more "friendly" with one another. Of particular note is an invention the 'bots are quite proud of, sure to delight your organic tastebuds: the potato cocktail, which packs quite a punch and - strangely enough - tastes just like a hearty steak dinner? III. NOSTALGIA FOODS Seeking a bit of refuge and some comforting food to warm you up? Signs and flyers are out informing residents of the Straight From Home Special going on right now at the Flashbang diner! Come In For All The House Favorites! For the next few days anyone can walk in and receive a free meal (or two if you’re really nice) from the robot cooks behind the counter! And it just so happens that they know exactly what you want. You will be served a meal of your favorite foods from home just the way you like them. Did you tell them? No. How did they know? Don’t bother asking, they’ll just say that the Cook Always Knows. The robot waitresses will make sure your drinks are topped up and you have everything you need, just like any hometown diner or pub you may have heard of. Eating any of the foods will bring out such nostalgia. Feelings of fondness, sadness, longing, anything when you think about the memories of your past and even of recent events. You won’t be able to stop yourself from sharing those thoughts and feelings with those around you. You’ll want to talk about your life, your opinions on the weather, the sex you just had last night and in great detail. The waitresses are listening and so is everyone else nearby. When you leave the diner you might just have to keep on sharing your thoughts about anything that comes to mind. Walk by someone you think is attractive? You’ll have to tell them. Don’t like someone’s outfit? Definitely have to tell them. Suddenly remembering having sex on the beach? Maybe the person next to you on the trolley won’t mind hearing all about it! The effects of the nostalgia will last for half a day or until the completion of an auspicious act. N A V I G A T I O N |
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"Da-ge... I have come to realize a few very nasty truths about the world we're from. No matter how much you rise, nothing can erase the blood one is born with.
The only way to live happily in the cultivation world is to leave it." He was happier on fuck island, even if he had to come across some awful truths here. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"At least here, no one will act as if my touch is disgusting just because of who my mother is. My mother who had worked so hard to feed me and love me, and was spat on for wanting to survive. She would have been celebrated in a place like this..."
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Because that... "If the cultivation world were not filled with corruption, we would not have had a war—two wars, you said—within years of each other." With the memory of frustration, the bright living of the world he'd been pulled from and that man whose head he'd love to cleave from his shoulders with Baxia, his voice roughened. "Your mother shouldn't come into it. And if I could do more than fight a war and make sure you're in a place to show how clever you are, to put the cultivation world to rights, I would be doing it."
With a heavy breath, he went to pull his hands away, lingering for a moment. The last thing he wanted to do would be to reinforce A-Yao's perceptions of other cultivators thoughts on his bloodline.
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Though upon hearing his words, really listening to him, and knowing his future, he could barely keep the tears from escaping, running down his face. It used to be easier to keep his mask in place, but there were so many things he's faced that made keeping the facade up so hard.
Jin Guangyao looked up at his eyes watery, brows knotted together. "Da-ge, if everyone else in the cultivation world were like you there would be no wars." but even righteous Mingjue had his blindspots, the tendency to black and white thinking he had prescribed to in his later years, he used to be so afraid of him.
But like this, when he was young and so passionate, it was no wonder that he had led the war and so many followed him. You are an irredeemable son of a whore. he had said to him back then, before kicking him down. Guangyao was caught in a snare back then, between his father's wrath and Mingjue's.
It was when he had made the choice to kill him.
It was the wrong choice and he was here now. He was going to do better. He was going to be the kind of person that would be worth Da-ge's regard.
He wanted to touch him, it was greedy but he was inherently a greedy person. But somehow he felt safe now. As his hands fell away, Guangyao wrapped his arms in for a hug around Mingjue's broad torso. I'm so sorry Da-ge.
Nie Mingue was here. He was real. They can make it better.
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Ah. This was...
Mingjue curled down around around him, arm wrapping A-Yao's shoulders. He rested a hand on the back of A-Yao's head to keep him tight to Mingjue's chest in the best damn hug he could offer. He'd never done this with Meng Yao, wouldn't ever have taken advantage of someone that young and vulnerable, nor dreamed to. This A-Yao wasn't young like Meng Yao had been young, and the difference of years and cares and life-lived made him a pleasing weight in Mingjue's embrace. A little pulse of that protective fire in Mingjue's chest made him squeeze A-Yao a little more firmly.
"Hey," he said, stroking A-Yao's hair. What could he say when A-Yao's words were self-evident? "I've decided. You seem real. I'll accept it."
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Melting into the hug, feeling the warm arms around him. This safety is what he had stolen from Huaisang, no wonder the man had plotted his murder for a decade. Never again. He had an agreement with the younger Nie now. They were going to protect their people and make certain they prosper. Guangyao gave Nie Mingjue a tight squeeze. He was going to make certain this man was safe and happy. Both of them. He owed them that.
Resting his head on his chest, he was somehow laughing through his tears. "Glad to know I exist. I was a little worried there." He wiped at his own eyes rewarding the man with a smile.
"Though now I am covered in sand and your sweat. It's not really a becoming look for a sect leader huh?"
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Gruff, he muttered, "You shouldn't worry. It's not your fault that whoever dragged me to this island rang my head like a bell. Or that we're different people from the last time we saw each other."
He smiled back down at A-Yao until the end of his question, when he froze. A fission of...something went down his spine. Because his gut response to whether it was becoming for A-Yao to be covered in sand and (his) sweat was 'yes, actually,' with a side order of possessive. The thought caught him entirely broadside and completely by surprise. He sucked his breath in.
Unsure whether he should be flustered by it or not, he stared for longer than it should have taken to formulate a reply. Because this older Meng Yao was very lovely, handsome and careworn all. He'd already had that notion, had that lovely face in his hands, and with that face upturned with a pretty smile on his lips, he was very forcibly reminded that this person was everything he'd admired in the younger plus no longer his subordinate or too young.
He had no idea what his expression showed—something too open and too focused—but he let out his breath in a slow, measured exhale and blamed Fuck Island for the whole damn train of thought.
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He looked up through thick lashes, gauging the odd look that Mingjue was giving him. He was so incredibly handsome when he was focused like that, with a sheer intensity that few people had. When he was a younger man he was swept by it and then ran from it. As he was now, he could meet it, with both of his feet planted on the ground. He leaned forward, to brush away a bit of sand-encrusted hair from his face.
Fuck.
Fuck fuck fuck. He wanted to kiss him so badly. Had he always admired him so much? He had. There was a time before everything he could do nothing but admire him. Even recently he had told a friend about how the man was a force of nature.
He bit his lower lip, his eyes still fixed on him as intensely. His voice a soft whisper.
"Da-ge..."
His gaze was fixed on that lovely mouth of his.
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Because from the way that A-Yao's gaze was fixed upon his mouth, that was the choice: push forward or pull back. He lingered at the decision-point, basking in the warmth of the man in his arms, and tipped his head when A-Yao brushed at his hair to scatter the sand from it. If Mingjue had been brought to the island at the whim of a god for a purpose he did not approve of, claiming something for himself without obvious interference had its appeal.
Like a kiss.
He didn't get opportunities like this, times where the barriers had been stripped as aggressively as possible. At A-Yao's breathy little 'da-ge,' he shifted his hand on the back of A-Yao's head to cradle it more appropriately so he could lean right down, swift and decisive, and press their lips together.
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Never in his last life or this one had he ever imagined that he would kiss Nie Mingjue. He had in the secret recesses of his mind imagined what it would have been like if things were different. His arms wrapped around the back of his neck, as he stood on the balls of his feet to help make the distance in height.
While he certainly had kissed more in the last month than he had in his entire adult life, this still gave him a breathless heady feeling. His heart pounded in his chest. Even if he was expected to do such things, it really did feel different when it was people he was close to.
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The impulse to take more ripped through him and left him ready to pick A-Yao right up off the floor, but he stopped himself, pulled away to look A-Yao in the face, and contented himself with petting the back of A-Yao's head with his hand. He didn't bother to school away the interest on his face.
"That alright?" he asked, low and very deliberately careful. And as he asked, he watched A-Yao's expression.
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He would love to do that again sometime, he decided. He pressed his hands against his shoulders squeezing playfully, before saying.
"Nie Mingjue... How you haven't just swept up all the eligible bachelors and bachelorettes in the cultivation world is the truest of mysteries. You really should be higher than number seven if you kiss like that."
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And his words.
"Flattery," he said, but in amusement. "What would I even do with anyone who placed me seventh?"
Enough of this, though, if only for sanity's sake. Mingjue stepped back, attempting to put some space between them, and let his hands drop to his waistband. "Stop distracting me."
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"You really should be higher. However, I'm glad they don't know how well you kiss. More for those of us who do know your secret." He gave an almost coquettish wink, certainly easing into a comfortable space now.
"Ah I am distracting you, am I? Well, I suppose the water is probably cold by now. Just turn the left nozzle to allow more hot water in, after you drain it a bit. there should be soap on that shelf next to you.
I will do my best to go wash your clothes and then distract you properly with dinner. I still need to see what the state of your rooms is, they may not have any furniture. If that is the case you can sleep in here tonight."
With a playful smirk, he added.
"In a completely platonic non-distracting way of course."
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Mingjue prods at the faucets with an air concentration before he turns another drily amused smile A-Yao's way.
"Non-distracting. Right." He snorts lightly in amused doubt. "We'll see who distracts who—"
Pausing, he frowns lightly. "My rooms?"
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He didn't mind too much, just going to sweep the sand off the floor. "Well yes, both you and those abs of yours are indeed quite distracting.
Hmm? Ah yes, the central residence should have your old rooms, Huaisang has his own space I believe. Though I don't know if they are furnished or not. furnishing anything here requires a square to be filled."
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"Now I'm not sure I want to take off my pants," he said, dubious, pulling his attention back toward A-Yao and frowning lightly at him for...basically everything he'd just said. Mingjue had rooms here. Huaisang had his own space. Furnishings required squares which meant...
Nope. No, he was done. That was going to be a problem for clean and redressed Mingjue.
"Show me my rooms when we're done. I won't take your space."
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He swept up the rest of the sand and moved to the door, his mind whirling with logistics.
"Well, I know we can get probably get something arranged. This room was furnished before I got here... I'm certain we can find a bed somewhere and toss it in. Or in the worst case, I can always find another room to sleep in.
I'll leave you to your bath. These decisions can be made after we have more information. I'll arrange everything for you to be comfortable Da-ge. " And with that, he was off.
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There'd be time to figure out lodging later, he supposed, after he figured out hot water and eased some of the aches out of his bruises. That and it wasn't like A-Yao didn't know exactly how to arrange everything for Mingjue in the first place, despite the hat business and everything else.
Pants off, Mingjue finally relaxed into the tub. It'd been a strange fucking day.
~Fin~