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TDM 013: BARING IT ALL
| TDM 013: BARING IT ALL |
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. THROW IN A TOWEL? Erku's new arrivals may be encouraged to seek out the Laid Bare Massage & Spa for some specialized attention and relaxation, but they and long-time inhabitants will also be offered a chance to earn credits. Anyone interested in earning robot wages will be tasked with being the resident towel person! You’ll stand inside of the room while the patrons are receiving their massages, hot scrubs, or relaxing in one of the saunas holding towels for them should any be requested. Or you may be asked to help with the regular cleaning of the Spa, wiping down all of the tasteful nude statues to free them of the grime and filth (or… other things) that builds up over time. You might even be asked to help lovingly clean the murals of nude patrons (that is to say, fellow Islanders) all over the Spa. But this is a job that requires a very specific uniform. Robots will provide you with your very own chiton or toga. The chitons happen to be very short, not covering nearly as much as they reveal, but the togas might be entirely too long. They brush or drag along the floor and what with being barely held together with the thinnest and most fanciful of ropes, who knows how often they might be untucked? Take care, please, or else the robots might pull you into being the next model for their latest mural portrait instead. II. GRIN AND BARE IT Erku’s resident mental health professional, Dr. D. Love of Healthy Body, Healthy Mind Therapy Center, has taken a keen interest in ensuring that the relationships of you Islanders are progressing in a productive, healthy, and open-minded fashion. And to ensure this, he’s tasked his robot staff to pay close attention to anyone who looks like they are having trouble with relationships with other people on the Island. And after months of so few (none) clients, these robots are very motivated to seek out people in need of their therapeutic assistance! Arguing with a friend? Telling someone to stay out of your life? Being a hermit who refuses to come out of your apartment? Accidentally bump into each other on the street? Make a joke at your friend’s expense? Playfully punch someone in the shoulder? Walk by someone you don’t know and not tell them hello? Well clearly all of you need help in repairing whatever may be damaging your relationships! Before you know it, you’ve been bundled off by the robots right to Dr. D. Love’s office and sat down to talk it all out. The fact that you may not even know the other person the robots think you need to work your troubles out with doesn’t matter. Dr. D. Love is here to make sure everyone goes home happy and satisfied. You may have to play along with this confusing farcical situation, even making up wrongs and slights you claim you have done to one another before finally coming together in reconciliation. The more you deny there is anything wrong, the more the good Doctor will insist you need even more help than they first thought. They might even have to send you into one of their Privacy Rooms and work out your frustrations with each other with their wide array of therapeutic sexual devices and supplies. III. BARE NAKED AMUSEMENT TOUR The trolley is making its rounds as usual with announcements echoing from the loudspeakers that it’s Bare It All Week at Six Flagellants Amusement Park and to kick it off there will be a grand concert at the Loudinus Outdoor Amphitheater that lasts all week long! Not sure what that means? Well, come to the concert and enjoy hours and hours of music played by robots who seem to have taken their songs right from the pop rock crazes of old. Whose old? Who knows. The music may not be completely to your taste, but something about it may make you feel energized and overly dressed. You might even feel the need to strip down until you’re not wearing anything at all! But don’t worry, the robots performing on stage will give you new clothes to wear by throwing skimpy, sexy underwear and lingerie right at you! How did they know your size? Don’t ask questions, just give into the urge to put it on while you rock out until it’s time for the trolley to take everyone right to the gates of the amusement park! Anyone dressed in less for this week will receive free entry, rides, and food and might even receive special prizes at various booths of sex toys, candies that act as an aphrodisiac (meant for sharing of course), stuffed animals, or even a free sex doll! Those are super hard to win from the ring toss, so you should really take advantage and enjoy all the perks of baring yourself for everyone’s viewing pleasure. N A V I G A T I O N |
grin and bare it.
[ cecil may be at a loss of his surroundings or totally unfamiliar with the denizens of this strange island, but the firm, slightly caustic voice that can be heard through the door might ring a bit familiar to him. the sounds of a slight struggle and a defeated sigh soon follow as the strange robotic creature unwaveringly and sweetly urges this other subject along with its tinny voice.
the door opens, said robot first in line as it proudly proclaimed another subject was procured, followed shortly by a very stubborn looking blonde man. who apparently hadn't been finished griping at his temporary captor. ]
This is utter nonsense, I don't need any head doctor to—
[ kain's demand-in-progress was clipped short. possibly because his narrowed gaze had swept across the room, finally landing on cecil. his expression wavered, from annoyance and anger to something nearly bewildered and unprepared. the edge to his voice softened just slightly as he spoke again. ]
Cecil? When did you arrive to this place?
am already laughing
It's not stopping Cecil from trying and he even starts his protests again, cutting off abruptly when someone comes into the room. That voice, it couldn't be... Cecil is already up and out of his chair, turning to face the dragoon with an almost relieved expression. This place was strange and foreign but to see a familiar face, even in such circumstances! Cecil can feel guilty over being glad later.]
Kain! Not long, though it has been hard to tell, my feet have barely touched ground since arriving here.
[ It's been a veritable whirlwind but for now things seem that little calmer now the dragoon is in sight and Cecil turns to fix the doctor with a gaze, unaware that even now his protests are doing nothing but making the situation worse.]
They are my childhood friend, there are no problems here that require discussing. We shall be taking our leave now.
good, laugh at kain's foolishness
though the robot only seemed to get distressed over the bid to leave, saying something along the lines of "this is worse than i imagined! trying to run from a disagreement with a childhood friend! you must work this out immediately!" in its grating voice.
...all to which kain openly grimaced. this was embarrassing. though he'd been there for only a handful of months himself (or at least that's what they'd told him), kain was getting all too familiar with these creatures's lack of understanding of the word "no." ]
Cecil, I don't think they'll let us leave here undisturbed.
[ normally, that wouldn't be an issue for him, had he been permitted to carry his lance around. such instruments were quite firmly prohibited, at least in this establishment. ]
cecil ain't far behind on this one
The happiness (and dismay) at seeing Kain in this place is starting to fade a little as the reality of the situation is starting to sink in. It had seemed innocent enough at first, some over eager creatures wanting to be helpful in some way, but the more Cecil stands there and looks around, listening to the doctor as it buzzes away in alarm, the more he realizes that this can't be good. Not one bit. For all intents and purposes it was a hostage situation and the look Cecil throws Kain borders on concerned.
Just how much trouble were they in? His own sword had been confiscated. Thankfully he has some armor though when Cecil had queried about his cloak, the staff at the spa had simply pointed out that it now belonged to the patron who would have the next mural modelled on them. If that had been a hint, Cecil had not picked up on it.]
I see, though I am still unaware of any disagreements we have here.
[ It is tempting to say no again and to attempt an exit, but another look around lets Cecil know that it won't be so easy, especially since the doctor seems even more agitated that Cecil is seemingly unaware. What does it want? Could it be upset that there was nothing here to fix?]
Do we have any disagreements, Kain?
the dumbass duo strikes again
kain's perpetual frown only strengthened as the robot flailed about in distress. he couldn't find a scrap of empathy for the creatures that he was blaming for his and edge's (and now cecil's) kidnappings. being defiant seemed to be the logical choice, though he knew it was a dead-end.
which was why he looked at cecil with a bit of a strain in his eyes. playing along... well, it seemed foolish but it was better than any ideas kain was coming up with at the moment. ]
No. Nothing.
[ quick and to the point. he fixed the robot doctor with a pointed glare, hoping that the context was enough to trigger it to let them go. ]
how do they even exist?
The paladin can feel his own frown starting to take hold (though it's mild compared to Kain's own). It seemed that this being wouldn't listen to either of them and Cecil knows they're going to have to try some kind of a different method.]
I believe you are being too harsh in saying that we are the worst you have ever seen. You cannot talk about my friend that way when you do not know —
[ Whatever Cecil has to say abruptly cuts off when the sound of the door locking clicks loudly through the air.]
one of life's great mysteries...
and then he was over to the door, swift as the wind, hand coiled at the handle tightly. he knew in his mind that the door would not be opening easily, but it was as though he had to confirm it for himself by shaking and rattling at it with all his strength.
though confirmation didn't make him feel any better. whipping his head around to the doctor, kain seethed. ]
What is the meaning of this? You intend to trap us in here?
practically unsolvable
A strange attempt at doing so and yet we seem to be here nonetheless.
[ Cecil turns to stare at the doctor again, unsure as to if they should even be doing what is told or not. Something about it doesn't ring true for it to be a hostage situation, the things that he's heard have sounded earnest despite being untrue. Even as Cecil looks around for another other ways of exit he can still hear the doctor, buzzing away about how unresolved tension could be detrimental and that if neither of them could overcome it they would be sent to work it out in a private room.
Whatever that is. Cecil isn't even sure he wants to know and bites back the question on just that, doing his best not to look like he wishes to ask.]
Then we shall have to work this out. [ With that Cecil promptly takes a seat, looking as if he wished he was anywhere but. How did this happen? He should be home with Rosa, dealing with the fallout from a large battle and helping to mend broken bridges. Or watching the twins get up to all kinds of mischief as Edge pointedly ignored Rydia yet again.
Or wondering how his best friend was faring....] At least we are in this together.
guess we'll never know...
jaw set firmly and lips pulled taut, kain reluctantly stepped to another chair upon cecil's unspoken cue, sitting down in it as though he expected it to bite him. given the predilections of this place, it wouldn't have surprised him.
taking a swift breath, kain glanced cecil's way. trying to find the positives, eh... well, that was commendable. too bad that kain's negativity was going to be such a dark cloud in this particular situation. ]
Indeed. Though I haven't a clue as to where to begin.
[ to which their "doctor" made a somewhat pleased trilling sound, beginning to rattle off "ideas" such as "it's clear that you're being avoidant of something! i can see it in your eyes! or maybe there's some deep, dark secret waiting to boil to the surface! it's best to get these things out rather than hold onto them!"
kain grimaced. nope. ]
no subject
Maybe there was a way around this without things being spilled? Cecil isn't sure, a hint of perturbed concern flitting across his face before his expression settles to a more determined one. The doctor seems happy in some way at the fact they have both taken a seat and Cecil once again wonders if they are meant to play along in some way. It's hard to tell when being in such a new and strange environment. Some things looked familiar and some were just so far beyond anything Cecil could imagine that it becomes difficult to strategize and take stock of everything.]
Avoidant? [ Contrary to everything, Cecil actually gives that some consideration. There are a few lunar whales in the room when it comes to things being avoided or needing to be said, but he's not so keen on airing such things.]
I suppose everyone has a secret or two, but I don't believe that means they need to be spoken out loud. [ Cecil hesitates before glancing over at Kain.] Right?
no subject
precisely why he visibly relaxed when cecil seemed to edge that tactic elsewhere, giving him that cover he so desperately wished to hide under.
like the coward he was. ]
...I'm in agreement with that, yes. Some things need not have a voice put to them.
[ though the robot didn't seem to know how to deal with that answer. kain swore he could hear the proverbial (or perhaps literal?) gears working in whatever it had for a brain and for a moment, it seemed to consider that as valid...
...before it started to flail around again, shouting, "no, no! hiding things is never the answer! the rift between you two is miles long! this is horrible!"
kain gave a long-suffering sigh. ]
Then, what would you have us do? Rake each other over the coals, unearthing every pointless detail?
no subject
From the way things sound, that is what they want and yet I cannot help but fear in wishing to help they will only cause more problems.
[ Why yes, Cecil is going to say it out loud, not at all minding if the doctor is listening or not. He has no clue what a therapist is and had he any notion on how they worked or what the point was, he would be choosing his words even more carefully. What does he have to even complain about? Nothing, he was blessed, truly. But even as Cecil thinks that he knows it's not quite the truth. How nice it would be to ask Kain outright if he intended on coming back from Mt Ordeals, nice, but even Cecil can't think of a way to ask that without it becoming a larger issue. He gets it, but at the same time....
The paladin shakes his head, gaze leaving the doctor to fixate on the dragoon.]
I have nothing to rake you over the coals for. [ Nothing that Kain doesn't drag himself for at any rate. Though... what if...? How would this doctor know that they were telling the truth? Lying is naturally bad but in this instance? Perhaps it could just be useful.] Though I will admit, when we share a tent you sleep too heavy.
[ Hopefully Kain gets the hint.]
no subject
though it was hard to prevent himself from scoffing quietly at cecil's ever-present forgiveness. that wasn't a kindness he deserved, but that was neither here nor there.
shifting in his seat, kain crossed his arms over his chest. so, this was the route cecil intended to take... he'd try his best to follow along. ]
Oh? My sleeping habits are a point of contention, are they?
[ ...he tried very hard not to smile, but it was a losing battle. horrible actor. ]
no subject
He can see that expression on Kain's face, mind instantly racing to try and figure out what else to say. There had been the small hope that admitting to one thing would have gotten them out of there but all that had happened was a positive noise coming from the doctor. An expectant noise if Cecil had to name it and he awkwardly pauses before continuing on.]
Yes, they are. I'm sorry to say that you snore.
[ It's the dumbest thing ever but Cecil knows the only other option would be to talk about their past, about Golbez, about Rosa. He would like to walk out of this with his friendship intact; Kain has only been back in his life five minutes and Cecil is already loathe to let anything threaten that so soon. Such would the strategy be until the doctor lowered his defences or the door unlocked. ]
Loudly.
no subject
he, too, would rather not dwell on things that needn't be said.
though this gripe of cecil's, whether or not it was genuine, still managed to elicit real indignation from kain, which at least would be a push in their favor. the more believable it was, the more likely this creature would be satisfied, right? ]
Come now. It can't possibly be that bad. Are you certain that the true issue isn't more that of you being a rather light sleeper?
[ utterly foolish, but at least the robot seemed to be calming down from this... bizarre discussion. ]
no subject
It's wrong to wish this place upon any more friends and Cecil simply can't help himself from doing so. Finding a way out together would always be more efficient and he briefly wonders who else is even around. He hasn't had time to ask Kain that yet, too busy being shoehorned into a therapy session no-one asked for.]
A light sleeper?? [ Cecil doesn't even need to act surprised at that, though said shock is twofold. One he's not a light sleeper and two was that a pun? Did Kain just make a joke and no-one else was around to hear it??]
I am not a light sleeper, it is just difficult to catch some rest when it sounds like Titan has come back to finish the job.
no subject
it was nice to have a chance to ruffle his feathers like he may have in the past, before everything.
of course, he expected a rebuttal worthy of a paladin, and kain was not disappointed. shaking his head, kain scoffed while the robot doctor seemed to be brimming with excitement. apparently these sorts of squabbles were what it may have been looking for? kain could only hope so as he continued on with the charade. ]
Then one would think the solution would be to sleep outside the tent, perhaps in the bushes? I would think that would place you well out of earshot of my apparent snoring.
no subject
[ Even if it is an act, some kind of banter between two people who have known each other since childhood, the response from Kain has Cecil just a little indignant. What kind of an answer was that? Surely the correct response would be to offer to roll on one's side.
The look Kain gets is nothing short of disappointed. If it's an act or not would be hard for most to tell, even if Cecil knows it's all an act.]
How easy it is for you to kick me out from the tent. You would have me sleeping terribly outside rather than you having to roll over?
[ Cecil chances another look at the doctor. They still seem excited but is it starting to wind down a little? Or was it simply enjoying the drama?]
no subject
their robot companion appeared to be taking notes of some kind, almost transfixed. he wasn't sure if that was a good sign or not.
oh well. best to keep it up, since at least it didn't seem like the robot was getting any more distressed than it had been. ]
It's the first I'm hearing of such a complaint. But I suppose turning over could solve the issue... should it exist at all.
[ just for good measure, he gave cecil another wry smirk. yep. this was entertaining. ]
no subject
At the end of the day it doesn't matter overly much. Cecil knows the beings here are doing this in a misguided attempt to help and if someone didn't offer forgiveness then they would be here all day; Kain certainly wouldn't back down, fake argument or not. It was just how the dragoon was in the same way that Cecil could be considered the quieter of the pair and he gives a small nod as if to steel himself.]
Alright then, if it matters that much to you then I shall sleep outside of the tent should your snoring bother me. That or look for a tavern.
[ There. Compromise. That had to count for something and Cecil is already looking over at the doctor, taking note that the being seems to be writing a small novel. Suddenly it pauses before asking a question.
"It sounds like you both spend a lot of nights together in tents. Do you both make sure enjoy it?"
i'm sorry for kain
what an odd question to ask. kain's brow furrowed slightly, a look of slight confusion flickering across his face. ]
We had traveled a lot. Best to make do with what you can when you're miles out from an inn.
[ maybe that was dodging the question, but kain was trying his best not to read into whatever this robot was hinting at. all of them seemed to have this strange desire to make every possible interaction with others as awkward as possible. he leaned back in his chair, leg crossing over. ]
It's not what I'd call an enjoyable experience, but necessary at times.
kain doing his best, meanwhile cecil -
I agree, when in such situations it is not always about having an enjoyable time but making sure we do what is required of us. It may not be the most comfortable night but sometimes there isn't a choice.
[ Cecil isn't sure why that comment warrants the doctor to start furiously scribbling some notes and he shoots Kain an uncertain glance. Was he missing something?]
i'm deceased
the robot continued to jot note after note, line after line, and kain had to admit he was a bit curious as to what the big deal was. then he remembered the bracelets each and everyone one of them was outfitted with. further, he remembered what those bracelets actually had on them. those... "acts," as they called it.
suddenly, kain was a little more apprehensive as to what the doctor would spout next. ]
That's... an awful lot to notate over—
[ as if on cue, the robot erupted forth and cut kain's sentence short, spouting, "i see, i see! i'm beginning to understand the root of these issues! you're treating the occasion like a task rather than as a bonding experience! there's a distinct lack of passion...!" ]
he tried.
— Lack of passion? Pale brows draw together in a puzzled expression. What did that even mean? Even as Cecil mulls it over a suspicion starts to creep in. The place he'd arrived at had been pretty...blatant. But that didn't mean everyone or everything was. He absently touches the side of his bracelet, uncertain as to if he's reading the room wrong or not.]
I did not know there was passion to be had in sleeping, which is what we are talking about. [ Cecil can't bring himself to look at Kain right now, somewhat galled he's had to clarify this.] Now then, unlock the door. You have had your information from us.
[ Getting out of the room would be a huge boon, especially considering Cecil knows Kain is around. They can look into getting home, back to everyone who would be waiting for them. That and the paladin has so many questions.]
poor cecil having to deal with this
cecil's answer, innocent as it was, only made the situation worse. the doctor tapped its pencil against the clipboard and made a tutting sound, as if to chide cecil for being so foolish and naive. "of course there should be passion when you're sleeping with someone!—"
okay, that's it.
it was at that point that kain could no longer hold in his distress over this stupid incident. he regretted playing into that line of questioning as it only seemed to prolong their imprisonment. he sat up in his chair and scowled at the doctor, cutting it off this time around before it could try to say anything else. ]
Alright, that's enough. We've reconciled our differences, I don't think there's much more to be done of this.
[ hopefully... that would be enough? ]
he can brood over it later