TDM 012: SLINGING IN THE RAIN

[erkumods]

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

Comments

[unimpeachable]

The shift has him shivering but it's only when Guangyao's thrust hits absolutely right that he cries out, Guangyao's name on his lips as his hips buck and he clenches around the other man.

"A-Yao" It's a gasping moan as he shifts, chases that rush of pleasure again.

[taintedpeony]

Something about his own name on his lips like that...Sent shivers down his body. He moved forward, working t a rougher pace, making certain to hit that spot again. He reached up and kissed him again hard, drinking the name from his lips.

[unimpeachable]

He's lost in he sensations by now, the way A-Yao's moving driving more sounds from his lips, his fingers digging into Guangyao's back as his breathing turns more ragged, breathless whispers of Guangyao's name slipping from his lips.

And then his back arches, Xichen shuddering through his release before sagging against the vanity, panting quietly.

[taintedpeony]

Guangyao, couldn't really hold on that long. It had been so many years after all, as Xichen shivered with the release, all he could do was hold on and shudder through his own. His legs trembling at the intensity of it.

He broke the kiss to breathe heavily.

"Xichen..."

[unimpeachable]

"A-Yao." He murmurs it after the kiss, a little dazed but moving to stand on his own feet after a moment, wrapping an arm around Guangyao to help support him if he needs it. Then he's just leaning down to kiss him again, fingers tangling in his hair.

[taintedpeony]

He pulls out gently and shifts into his arms. His arms wrapped around his neck and he kissed him in earnest. He loved being kissed like this, being wanted by a man who was as wonderful as Lan Xichen.

After a bit he broke off, leaning against him. "Thank you. That was really good. Sex with you is so so so good."

[unimpeachable]

"You made it good, A-Yao." A hand smooths up his back, Xichen brushing lips against his forehead. "Just like you make everything else good." It's a soft murmur against his skin before Xichen tilts his chin up to brush another kiss over his lips.

[taintedpeony]

"Er-ge is too kind to me." He leans into the kiss again, a small smile on his lips, before stepping away.

He looks over to the mirror and gives a breathy laugh, slipping out of the messy chemise, standing naked in his heels and thigh highs alone. He tossed the fabric into the wash basket. He looked completely sexed up, but for some reason, it wasn't as hard as it was the last time. Maybe it was because he was with Lan Xichen.

"Perhaps a bath may be in our future. I don't think either of us is fit to go back like this..." and maybe he wanted to kiss him some more.

[unimpeachable]

"I can't argue with you there." Then Xichen moves, comes up behind Guangyao, sliding arms around him before lowering his head to press a kiss to his hair. "You should realize your own value, A-Yao. I'm so glad you're here."

[taintedpeony]

There was something about being embraced by him that made him forget everything about himself. He wondered if he would say the same thing if he knew the truth of the kind of person he was. He closed his eyes and leaned back against him.

"I am a little worried that you are here. But I'm happy too. Are you going to be okay in this kind of place?" he looked up at him. "I want to make sure you'll be safe."

[unimpeachable]

"I have you here." His fingers trace over skin as he leans down for another kiss.

"And we'll find a way to make things work here, A-Yao."

[taintedpeony]

He leaned up and kissed him again before breaking off.

"Xichen, you keep kissing, we should go bathe." He was giggling slightly and he playfully pushed him away. "Come on." He walked up and moved a row of maid dresses to the side to reveal the teleportation array that Master Xiao had shown him.

"One of the cultivators I reside with creating this. It'll take us straight to the bathhouse."

[unimpeachable]

"I like kissing you." It's quiet and then he turns to collect his robes before following Guangyao to the array, eyeing it for a moment. "Do we just step on it?"

[taintedpeony]

He looked at him his eyes soft. "I like kissing you too Xichen. I can kiss you forever, but I don't want our mess to dry." He picked up his Jin robes as well, he doubted anyone will be coming in today and he had already locked up.

"I think I just touch it and it should take us there?" He activated the array as Xiao Xingchen had shown him. The scene disappeared and they were now in a bathhouse there were showers on one side and baths on the other.

[unimpeachable]

Xichen blinks a few times once they're in the bathhouse and then looks around, his gaze taking in the room. The baths he can figure out but the rest is foreign to him and he turns back to Guangyao after a moment.

"What are those?" Gesturing to one of the showers as he looks for a place to set his clothes down.

[taintedpeony]

Guangyao gestured towards some lockers that they could put their clothes in, After settling his and Xichen's clothes in there he grabbed a few towels for the both of them.

"Oh. These are called 'Showers'. Here, if we turn these knobs, it's like controlled rain. We don't have to heat water or anything. It's like a miniature waterfall!" His eyes were wide and he was beaming. He loved the technology that was available here and showing it to Xichen was amazing.

[unimpeachable]

Xichen eyes them for a moment before he glances back at Guangyao, lifting a hand to his ribbon and then letting it drop back to his side. It's not ideal and not necessarily something he's considered before but Guangyao is the one person in the world he trusts most and considers his closest friend.

But he's still quiet for a few more moments before he finally speaks. "...Will you remove my ribbon and put it with the rest of our clothing?"

[1/2]

[taintedpeony]

.........

Re: [1/2]

[taintedpeony]

What?



Wait.......What? He knew what that meant to a Lan, only their parents or spouses were supposed to touch that sacred ribbon.


Why did his heart twist so painfully in his chest? His hands went over the scar.


"Xichen."


"What if I dirty it with my hands? It's sacred. You don't know who I am?! I'm dirty Xichen. Please..."

Re: [1/2]

[unimpeachable]

"I know you won't dirty it, A-Yao." Fingers catch his chin, Xichen leaning down to brush a kiss against his lips gently. "And given everything you've told me about this place, I'd choose you over anyone else. I want it to be you." Fingers skim down the line of his neck before dropping to catch one of Guangyao's hands, bringing it up to the ribbon's knot at the back of his head.

"I want it to be you." He repeats quietly.

[taintedpeony]

His eyes looked up at him, searching. How could he be so sweet so loving and patient. He had betrayed him. Stolen from his sect and killed their sworn brother. But the gods here brought him back...brought both of them back. Perhaps it was a chance to do things over. To be able to protect them both. He'll fight for them.

He took a deep breath, eyes not wavering from his.

"Okay." He said finally. "I'll do it for you. Would you lean down a little bit?"

[unimpeachable]

Xichen leans down, catching him in another kiss in the process, this one slow and lingering, Xichen taking the chance to practice proper kissing again, deepening it slowly. Although he's more confident than before, fingers stroking over the back of Guangyao's neck.

[taintedpeony]

In all truth, Xichen was a fast learner in this skill as well. Not that Guanyao would mind teaching him. He gave a soft hum against his lips his hands reaching behind him, with dextrous fingers, reverently untieing the ribbon and carefully holding it in his hands.

"Should I put this on our clothing?"

[unimpeachable]

"Please." His fingers brush along the ribbon briefly before he steps back, going to investigate one of these 'showers' A-Yao had told him about. He's just eyeing the taps before reaching to turn one carefully, watching how the water falls from the showerhead.

"...This is .." Xichen trails off, glancing over when Guangyao rejoins him. "Is it some form of spell or?"

[taintedpeony]

He moved to place it in Xichen's robes, folding it in properly before he returned. He watched him for a moment smiling. He was in awe himself when he had first worked the showers.

"I think it's a type of advanced technology. Someone told me they have things that heat the water up and they come out of that. Isn't it amazing?" He stepped in next to him and took his braid out.