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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 |
no subject
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."
no subject
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."
no subject
"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."
no subject
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."
no subject
"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.
no subject
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~