TDM 014: A DAY AT THE FAIR

[erkumods]

TDM 014: A DAY AT THE FAIR

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. HAY FEVER A new mode of transportation has made an appearance! From one end of the fairgrounds to the other, and even sometimes off the beaten path and into the wilds, robot-horse-drawn hay wagons shake, rattle, and roll. And, of course, what are hay wagons great for? Anyone fancy a roll in the hay? Anyone who is taking a hay ride will see their A5 card flash - and they will be given the option to trade one square for the vehicles square. (New players engaging in this prompt can call it a freebie.) But beware! The wagons roll at all hours of the day and night. At night, the spooks come out to play! Rides will be "haunted" by frightful spooks played by machines and your local Islanders. The 'bots will hire anyone interested to don their favorite slasher costume or ghostly garb. After all, everyone knows that fear and adrenaline are related to attraction, right? Just another thoughtful service provided by your generous benefactors. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● II. Acute Beef Poisoning How about an eating contest? Multiple competitions are held throughout the fair: hot dogs, hot dogs, pies -- just use your imagination! Of course, there's always the chance that you've been recruited to be "eaten"... So sit back and enjoy the ride. For those of you with an exhibitionist streak, all contests are held in front of an audience. Be careful, ye who eat here, because the pies in particular have been known to have the following effects (with a two-hour duration): Meat - A simple aphro pie; a character finds themselves craving a very different kind of meat. Apple - Temporary amnesia befalls those who've tried the apple pie. The effects can be as great as forgetting your entire identity or as minor as forgetting what you've had for breakfast. Cherry - Look upon the very face of innocence! All guile falls away from this character, making it impossible for them to lie. Strawberry - The compulsion to follow orders may be strong sometimes, but the strawberry pie comes with the compulsion to give orders instead. Blueberry - Oh no! You're looking a bit... off-color? The blueberry pie turns a character's skin blue for the next two hours. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● III. BRODEO Last but not least, try the mechanical contraptions of various sizes - equipped with equipment of various sizes as well! The objective of this game is to last as long as you can. Thirteen Hand Sam is the smallest of the mechanical horses. It has no attachments, but instead vibrates until the rider orgasms. Mechanic Mike is the second mechanical horse. With a modest six-inch dildo, it bucks its rider around until orgasm. For those who like a real challenge, the mechanical bull -- the Bonine -- is a two-person contraption that straps each rider in with their own dildo. They sit face-to-face on the thrashing machine, within touching range, able to encourage each other to come (and to lose) more quickly. Ride like you've never ridden before, or comfort someone in the aftermath of a job well done. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● N A V I G A T I O N

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claude von riegan | fe:3h

[deerhearted]

I. ARRIVAL

[ Well, waking up on an unknown island wasn't exactly in his plans today.

Or really any day, but that's besides the point. Of course, the very first thing Claude decides to do upon being washed ashore is to poke his nose in any place he can - to find information, as usual. But, hey, he's also taking the time to really enjoy the sights out of his own curiosity! There's a lot to unpack here, namely the amount of abandoned buildings and areas there seem to be. But, his main sense of attraction seems to be towards the rather thick fog over yonder. ]

So, what kind of dangerous threat is in there? Dragon? Giant wolf-like being? A Golem? C'mon, don't leave a guy in the dark.

II. HAY FEVER

[ The horse was new. Nothing he's ever seen before - most horses he knew were pretty fleshy in being. Still, it has his attention now, so he's going to investigate a little. It seems to be offering free rides at the very least, but... ]

You think there's something weird about this whole thing? I've never ridden a carriage led by a non-living horse before... Or ridden one like that.

[ With how much it squeaked and rattled, Claude wondered if it was really safe. ]

III. WILDCARD

( feel free to throw anything random at me! )

II

[nuvellity]

Claude? Claude, is that you?

[ Constance swoops down on her pegasus. There's a huge chance that he might not even know that she exists, she's been through this before several times with the other people from Fodlan. That doesn't meant she won't help.

Better her as a representative of the Ashen Wolves as say... Dimitri or Edelgard. At least she's relatively neutral. ]

I would offer you a ride to wherever you plan to go but you know how pegasus are.

[deerhearted]

Oh, Constance!

[ Not to worry, Constance. Claude knows exactly who you are... and thankfully, it is Constance who spotted him first. He's not sure how he'd react if Dimitri or Edelgard found him instead, or what that would mean for him. ]

Can't be worse than wyverns, can they? Wyverns are pretty stubborn creatures. Still, I appreciate the offer. Have you been here long?

[nuvellity]

[ Oh thank the progenitor goddess, he knows who she is. She doesn't have to do that entire spiel of greetings I'm Constance von Nuvelle and I've been living in the church sewers for more than a year, you conspired against my family, prepare to--. ]

Long enough to ask for my pegasus back. [ And ask for the sun back, for an entire building, for several research supplies... ] I arrived here around ten moons ago.

[ Ten months of shacking up with Ferdinand and Edelgard. ]

Have you found a place to stay yet? I shall bring some supplies over.

[deerhearted]

[ To be fair, she's more than welcomed to if she wants. Don't want to get rusty, plus it gives Claude a pretty good show. ]

A long time, huh? Almost a year... And yet, I just saw you not too long ago myself. [ Absolutely no way Constance, House of Nuvelle, would pass up the chance on meeting with the King of Almyra, now would she? ]

Nah, no place yet. I've been covering as much ground as I can. I like to know what goes on around me, y'know?

[ And, y'know, find a deer or two. ]

[nuvellity]

[ Well, the last time Constance saw the King of Almyra was when he left Failnaught with Lady Edelgard. But do give her a call when the war is over and he wants to establish diplomatic relations with the reunited Fodlan. ]

I could ask Lady Edelgard if you could stay with us. But Lorenz might get jealous. [ Undiplomatic, but also true. ] Lorenz is here. Hilda used to be here. [ She sighs. She misses her greatly. ]

There are free lodgings at the apartment building. I can also turn a blind eye if you wish to sleep in the stables. [ It was the first place she decided to stay at when she got here, guarded by the fiercest of yellow raptor mounts. ]

I

[dadministrator]

There are indeed a significant number of monsters out there--but I would consider the disorientation and amnesia it causes more threatening, myself. You don't remember?

[Were you actively looking for a familiar face, Claude? Hoping to startle him, maybe? Seteth is (actually pleasantly) surprised to see you, but he's willing to take it in stride. Far stranger things have happened than someone returning here after they had vanished, haven't they?]

[deerhearted]

You're right about that. I can fight against monsters; I can't fight against the unease of forgetting where I am or who I was. [ Wow, deep. Speaking of which... ]

Was there something I was supposed to remember? You might have to jog my memory a little, Seteth.

[dadministrator]

As far as I'm aware, the effects are not quite that severe, thankfully. It seems to be limited to forgetting the time you spend traveling through the fog--or wandering lost in it, as the case may be.

Although..... you should be aware that you were here already at one point, before I arrived. Whether the fog has some influence on those memories or not, I couldn't say.

[Would you like a side dish of paranoia with your deep existential entree?]

[deerhearted]

Still not always a good place to be. Even slight amnesia can be troublesome!

[ Oh, that next bit catches his attention. The jokes and lightheartedness seems to fade just a little bit, though to say what Claude is feeling... Nothing on his face is really shown, either. ]

I was here before and I forgot? Hm, that's troublesome too. I might have to look into that. [ Any tombs here he can break into? ]

[dadministrator]

I quite agree.

[He's made a few attempts to see what's out there, though none successful. Even his wyvern hadn't fared any better than him. Just how high does it reach? But who knows what might be hidden in the fog? There could be plenty of tombs for the searching, hidden maddeningly just out of sight and out of reach.]

It may also have been simply a different you, rather than you yourself--it's difficult to tell, in a place like this. Either way, I will do my best to answer any questions you might have and help you settle in, of course.

Arrival

[houseofgildarts]

[ Cana, on her way to the local fair, heard the man talking to himself in the middle of the city street gazing towards the fog-enshrouded forest.

She laughed lightly. ]

I don’t think there’s actually anything in there. You walk out there… you forget what you were doing and you find yourself back here.

[ She shrugs nonchalantly like it’s nothing out of the ordinary. ]

You new here? There’s all kinds of crazy stuff that happens in this place. The fog’s just the beginning.

[deerhearted]

That's all? Talk about anticlimactic. And here I was hoping we'd get a monster or two running out.

[ Though, should he want that? He just fought a zombie-fied legendary hero not too long ago... and the other ten that came along with him. Maybe he should be looking for a vacation rather than a new adventure. ]

Just arrived. I take it crazy is kind of the ordinary here? I'm pretty used to crazy myself, so I think I'll get along with everyone here just fine.

[ Famous last words? Probably. It's always a surprise with Claude. ]

[houseofgildarts]

I like your enthusiasm. [ Cana laughed. She was a guild wizard for the best guild in Fiore; adventure had been way too large a part of her entire life. ] But I’m pretty sure this place is going to redefine crazy for you. I thought I’d had a pretty solid handle on it myself before getting pulled here.

[ She held out her hand. ] I’m Cana Alberona. I only arrived last month, but I’ll be happy to help you as much as I can. It took me a while to get my answers here.

[deerhearted]

Can't go through life always dreading the next dreadful encounter, now can you? Life tends to redefine a lot of things for me, so I'll be sure to take it in stride!

[ His hand meets hers, a firm shake. ] Claude von Riegan. It's nice to meet you, Cana. I guess the best place to start is at the beginning? I really only got a bit of a rundown, but I think I might need someone to run it by me again.

[ The robots are nice, but sometimes you gotta hear it straight from a fleshy being. ]

[houseofgildarts]

[ She laughed again. She liked the way he talked. He was so positive, it was refreshing. ]Well, I’m not sure what the robots told you, because they never told me squat.

[ She tilted her head as she contemplated where to begin. ] It’s honestly a bit to cover. Want to wander while I fill you in? I’m not super familiar with the island, but I’ll be happy to show you what I know.[ She tapped her bracelet, and after fumbling with it for a moment, brought up the map, with hearts around select locations, and stars drawn on two others. ] I can definitely point out the best drinking spots.

II. HI HELLO I'm so sorry for this loser

[silky_bearing]

[The entire thing is absolutely atrocious. He's actually texting Ferdinand and Zechs both about the outrage of calling these terrible golem things "horses". In fact he might just have to go collect Darby to offer rides of his own because her beauty would be all the more impressive alongside these things.

Except he stops short when he hears that voice.

One hand comes up to cover his mouth as he gasps, violet eyes going wide and for a fleeting moment he's afraid he might just lose his composure. Seeing Claude again after these long months without him... only now that Hilda's gone. But... this man likely doesn't remember a damned thing from before. Probably it's best not to even mention that he was ever here before.

Yes, best not to overwhelm him.]

This is hardly the weirdest thing you'll encounter on the island, Claude.

[Voice raised just enough to be heard as he finally allows himself to step closer, smile faint but worried. Partially about his reaction and partially because... well he suspects Claude will immediately tease him about the shift in his wardrobe never mind the length of his hair.]

HELLO HI!! lorenz is always welcomed he's #1 loser in my heart

[deerhearted]

[ Well, that sure was a face he recognized.

And thankfully for Lorenz, not an unwelcomed face either. Claude and Lorenz have a funny history together, but if there's one thing Claude knows now, it's that Lorenz is someone he cares for, just like the rest of the deer. He's grateful to have someone like him at his side - him and Hilda were always some good halves to him ( alongside byleth, of course. ]

Weirder than Nemesis rising from his grave or Rhea turning into a dragon and actually being the famous Saint herself? C'mon, Lorenz, don't leave out the details!

[ Though the smile on Lorenz's face is faint and worried, Claude returns it with one of his own - not as bright as the one he gives Byleth, but bright enough. Claude takes a moment to really look at his friend, the smile turning from warm to his usual teasing smirk. ]

I see someone's gotten comfortable here! You sure know how to dress yourself, huh?

[ Never malicious teasing from Claude, but... He doesn't pass up the chance to tease Lorenz just a little. ]

He's sort of learning to be slightly less of a loser... slightly

[silky_bearing]

Definitely weirder.

[Something he insists so easily that it might actually be a little worrisome. Just wait until you see his boyfriend's gundam, Claude.

Of course the tease, even gentle as it is, has Lorenz' face flushing and he has to fight down the urge to immediately retort with something scathing. As much as he's largely gotten over the constant shame this place tormented him with at first there's always a new wave of it when anyone from Fodlan arrives. That it's Claude only makes it that much worse.]

Yes, well. It has been nearly a year. One cannot remain so bound to the past that they cannot adapt... strange as adapting to a place like this has been.

still always a loser at heart

[deerhearted]

[ Claude's gonna have to learn a lot, clearly.

Seeing Lorenz's face flush with embarrassment only makes Claude's grin wider. Hands behind the back of his head, he hums a little at what the male says. If he's surprised, he doesn't show it. He's gotten wind that time here is a little weird. ]

Nearly a year, huh? You must be busy. And what has the great Lorenz Hellman Gloucester been up to in my absence? Don't spare any details, now!

[ please tell him all of your embarrassing stories, bestie. ]

He'll never live down the bowl cut

[silky_bearing]

[Of course Claude would take the time difference in stride. He has been busy thank you and he will certainly tell Claude all about it-

But the way he phrases it, what he's been doing in Claude's absence, makes his breath hitch just a little and he promptly looks away looking at the distant skyline as though he can stop himself from at least looking quite so affected.]

Hilda and I were getting along just fine without you. [As though they hadn't both spent the days after he'd vanished in a pit of despair, especially when Lorenz had lost another at the same time.] But... I have to admit I've not been at my best since she-

[A careful breath, definitely not sniffling. Not at all.] It seems she and Mercedes have both left us, only a couple weeks ago. I suppose that makes your timing quite ideal as she had been tending your house... in case you came back. Not that I expect you'll remember anything of the like.

[It also meant that he at least... would have one of them, even if he couldn't have both.]

ii

[nobiliteatime]

[ Ferdinand has heard from Constance that Claude is among the new arrivals, and given that the war in Fódlan is worlds away, there is no reason for Ferdinand not to be as polite and friendly as he ever is. There's also the matter of the war being over for him anyway, so what does it matter to him that some of his former classmates remember him dying on some bridge somewhere? He has no reason to bear the grudges of some other version of himself.

Having approached in a friendly manner, he nods at Claude's assessment, arms folded most nobly across his chest. ]

Believe me, there is nothing about this place that is not strange in some manner. Though I suppose this is a better use of technology than some of the war machines certain groups had access to back home in Fódlan.

[deerhearted]

[ Ah, there's the man himself. It's almost shocking to see Ferdinand, here. But Claude's good at masking his emotions pretty well at this point, so his former schoolmate receives a smile from him and a two finger salute in greeting. ]

Advancement in technology for the good has always been an aim of mine. [ It helps that Almyra's pretty technologically advanced compared to Fodlan. ] I'd definitely take this over the war machines we've had to face back home.

Anyway, [ he fully turns towards Ferdinand, now. ] It's good to see you're well, Ferdinand.

[nobiliteatime]

[ Ferdinand may not be the most observant person out there, but he is able to glean some perhaps unintentional meaning behind that particular choice of words. Claude need not say any more about it, as Lorenz has already given him quite the earful. The Great Bridge of Myrddin was, to some people here, the place where he lost his life. He'll not overwhelm the poor man by discussing the nature of branching timelines, partially out of consideration for Claude's mental well-being and partially because it still gives him a headache to think about. ]

Likewise, Claude. [ He gives a kind, polite nod, one befitting a former schoolmate. He has not seen Claude since the Empire's capture of Derdriu, though he always suspected that would not be the last he saw of him. ] As... [ how does he say this gracefully ] distasteful as I find the entire situation here, I must admit that it is a welcome change from the devastation of war.

wildcard - please lmk if this isn't cool!

[crestsidestory]

[ Word tends to travel quickly when someone new from Fódlan arrives, especially among those who live in the same building. This Claude may not have lived the same life as the Claude who was here before, but he is new enough.

Unwilling to spend time guessing his username, she finds a minimalistic new profile for him on the island's matching app and sends him a message that way. Late in the evening on the day after she has heard of his arrival, he receives a message from vonhresvelg: ]

Hello, Claude. I trust that you have heard about the existing truce.

I also suspect you have heard that a Claude was here before. This is not the first time such a thing has happened. I have met two Dorotheas, for example, and neither of them has been the Dorothea I worked with before my arrival here. You need not worry, however - he and I barely spoke.

In fact, that is why I send this message. I would like to hear of the circumstances you left behind in Fódlan.