ercookies | TDM 015: IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PARADISE

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TDM 015: IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PARADISE

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.

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I. Beach Episode

Welcome to your beautiful and sunny island paradise, Erku! ...wait, it's sunny? That's right! For about two weeks, the Island will enjoy unusually warm and clear weather, just perfect for enjoying the cool waters of the beach. Don't swim out too far, however, lest you stray into hazardous choppy waters or get lost in the fog that still lingers beyond the peaceful cove. Just stay close, and you're golden! Once again, friendly robots have erected beachside food stalls for grilling fish and crabs, and encourage any enterprising Islanders to help hawk foods for credits.

If gutting and cleaning fish isn't your forte, however, never fear. The robots are recruiting for a very important task! You see, they have very thoughtfully set up swimming and snorkeling lessons for any Islanders who are doubting their skills at staying afloat, or who just want to have some fun in the waves. There is only one complication: the robots are too heavy to swim.

Enter, you! Earn credits by instructing your fellow Islanders in the marvels of the ocean. Not just swimming and snorkeling, but also fishing, clam digging, and sand castle art - among other things - are valuable skills you can sell.

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II. Sand Sport

For the more competitive sort, the robots of Erku are happy to share a bit of culture from the planet's ancient past: wet sand wrestling! Volunteers (or any innocent Islander roped off the beach by an enthusiastic 'bot) don their skimpiest swimwear and duke it out for dominance in the wet sand by trying to throw their opponent outside of a ring. Knock-outs count as an automatic lose, so be careful! Oh, and no worries if you aren't particularly strong. Before the match, competitors are offered a a special drink - simply named "The Creamy" - an ancient recipe which is said to temporarily increase your strength and vitality. One shot of this, and anyone could take on Goliath! (And not just in a fight.)

By the way… those who lose the competition are mysteriously compelled to accompany the victor for the day, waiting on them hand and foot, anticipating and fulfilling their needs before they are spoken. Did the 'bots forget to mention that?

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III. Graciously Given Gifts

While swimming in the nude is completely acceptable on the Island, the robots know that many residents still (for some reason) value their modesty. That is why they are happy to encourage beachside revelry and communion by making sure scanty swimwear is readily available to Islanders who are in need of something to cover up with - while still showing off your assets, of course. Islanders may purchase for themselves, but they are especially encouraged to gift swimwear to their fellow Islanders... in fact, any swimwear to be given as a gift is free! Not only is it a lovely gesture to let a friend or lover know you appreciate their body, but also, swimwear received as a gift is said to be very good luck in wet sand wrestling competitions.

Naturally, the robots are sensitive to the emotional needs of their organic charges, and thus they wouldn't want any new, recent, or less personable arrivals to the Island to feel left out for not receiving gifts. That's why some Islanders will find surprise swimsuits in pretty gift wrap sitting on their literal or metaphorical doorstep… addressed with love from a random Islander! With thoughtfully written messages included, of course, usually complimenting the recipient's figure in graphic and/or poetic terms.

If you have any manners, surely you'll find these mystery admirers and thank them for the lovely gift! (If you're really a person of culture, maybe you'll even show it off for them.)

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N A V I G A T I O N

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

00. Arrival

"Fucking great." Came the low, sardonic tone of a man currently being washed up on the shore. Facedown, with a mouthful of wet sand and seafoam. With a heavy grumble, he started to roll himself over onto his back, sighing as tired eyes stared up at the sky. It was honesty actually peaceful, for the longest moment in his life, Trevor actualy felt relaxed. Closing his eyes to the sound of water gently sloshing, distant chatter, and the wind passing through the trees around the beach.

Only, nothing good lasts for long, not for a Belmont anyways.

An errant wave broke, crashing over his body and splashing down heavily against his face, causing him to splutter and cough, the taste of saltwater flooding his mouth, burning his nose as it came out of both nostrils when he coughed. "Alright. Alright, I'm getting up now. Washed up in paradise and still can't catch a break. C'mon then, Trevor let's see which local wants to pick a fight with you today then shall we." Talking to himself as he came to a stand, wringing out the end of his waterlogged cloak as a small mechanical man came in his direction, arms out holding a dry, clean towel. "Ah, thank you, that'll ma--" Stopping midsentence as the robot completely avoided him and instead passed Trevor by to hand its towel to another newcomer a little further down the coast. "Well, that's nice, isn't it... Fucking, typical."

He was about to ask you a question as made his way along the beach, raising a finger like he had something to say, only to shake his head and flap his hand before bending over and vomiting out the litre of seawater he'd accidentally swallowed. Not a great first impression there, but it follows his track record at least.

I. Beach Episode

Trevor wasn't interested in swimming or teaching anyone anything really, what he was most interested in was the food stalls! He'd not had a good meal in ages and some of the food here had him drooling at the sight and smell of it. Being as fresh as wet paint, he had little to nothing in his name here, not even two credits to rub together.

So, instead, he was rather humiliatingly going around and asking certain people if they had any credits to spare. Now, he wouldn't call it begging, after all, he truly intends on paying it back, but desperate times call for desperate measures and all that.

"Ah, I don't s'pose you have two of those do you?" Pointing at the freshly bought snack you had just purchased from a small beach stall a few feet away.

II. Sand Sport

Now this Trevor could do!

Though he had been a mere spectator, for the most part, a few of the contenders didn't like his tone of voice when yelling out totally constructive criticism to the wrestling pair currently in the ring. "Kick him in the balls." and "Don't be afraid to fight dirty, you're grappling in bloody sand for God's sake." Standing there with his arms crossed over his chest as a small robot ushered him towards the edge of the ring. "Ringside seats?" He thought to himself as he watched, not realizing the robots had lined him up to be the next fighter until his opponent was eyeing him up. "Well, I've never backed down from a fight in my life. Actually, no, that's not true...Oof!" Tapping his chin as he was pushed forward into the righting arena.

III. Graciously Given Gifts

Holding up a pair of tiny, tight little swim trunks to his face, pulling them with both hands as they stretched then shrank back down to size as he stared at them, before tossing them over his shoulder, arms folded across his chest, eyes closed and voice unimpressed.

"Nope. Sorry. Not happening."

Edited 2021-07-18 15:59 (UTC)

Sunny days were a rarity on the island, usually, they only got one once a week, so Peter's always determined to make the best of them. Dressed in a blue swimsuit, his bracelet, and nothing else, he's been sunbathing to his heart content until the smell of food got his attention.

It didn't look like the food has any weird side effects, so he got himself a plate with different small grilled fish and crab legs. He is just ready to sit down at one of the nearby tables and start eating when Trevor interrupts him.

"Not really, no." Peter looks at his plate briefly and then at the other man. It's not a face he recognizes, and the clothes are also unusual. What he does recognize is the hungry look and attempt at politeness, despise of it. Peter's been in Trevor's place before and gives him an understanding smile."But we can share, I don't mind. New here, I take it?"

See, this was the reason why Peter has been working on getting a community pantry started, so the newbies had somewhere to get food.

Honestly, Trevor couldn't give a shit about the weather. He'd not been here long enough to realize the rare treat it was, to see the sun shining down through a cloudless sky. It was hot and he was hungry, that's all he knew. Maybe he should have kept those little shorts he'd been anonymously gifted, to change into when his belly was full and his mood lighter as it is now, this thick cloak is going to become a burden eventually.

"Ah, right then. Sorry." The Vampire Hunter turned around, a sad, pathetic look on his face as he was just about to wander off like a vagrant and beg at another table when Peter continued to talk after a short pause. His pale blue eyes sparkled as his expression lifted, turning back around and raising a brow. "We can? God yes, thank you, I could eat a scabby rat I'm that hungry." Taking a seat across from his new tanned savior, Trevor shrugged his cloak off and visibly sighed in relief. "Ah, yes, just arrived earlier today in fact. Strange kinda place, not yet sure if I've been cursed or I'm dead maybe."

Trevor's nonchalance about the sunny day is another way to clue in Peter that he's not been on the island for long. Of course, the Guardian doesn't expect everyone to be as hyped to see the sun as he is, but after spending almost a year on the island and seeing very few blue skies, Peter wants to enjoy this treat.

Now, now, if Peter hadn't already offered to share, he would have done so after seeing Trevor's heartbroken look. That was just so sad, and the way the expression brightens once it dawns on him that Peter is happy to share almost makes the Guardian self-conscious.

"Yeah, it's no problem, rats aren't very tasty." Does it sound like Peter has tasted those in the past? Maybe, maybe not. Growing up with the Ravagers wasn't exactly a luxurious life. He sits down and places the plate of food between them, pushing it towards Trevor. "We can always order more food later, I don't mind. Do you like beer?"

Since he's got company now, Peter motions towards one of the nearby robots working at the stall to approach them and ask for a couple of drinks. With so many clothes on, even without the cloak, Trevor will need it.

"It's all very real and just as weird as it seems. Some people who died in their home world are resurrected here, so I can't tell you for sure if that happened to you. Names's Peter Quill, nice to meet you."

The face the sun is out and is so bright, is indeed a good thing. It means there shouldn't be any vampires around. Which means Trevor doesn't have to worry as much. That's about it though, he's unimpressed by the weather otherwise. The Belmont was used to sleeping rough, so the idea of making his own shack and hunkering down somewhere on the beach also didn't seem to bother him. No, it was just the lack of food and personal belongings that he was missing.

Listen, Trevor's probably ate a rat or two in his time. Food is scarce sometimes back home and even when he does have the cash to pay for it, people don't like to accept money from a Belmont. Peter may as well have been a Saint! Grabbing a handful of crab meat and shoving it ceremonially into his mouth, chewing, then stopping to savour the taste before gulping more of the stuff back down. And then the magic word is said. " Beer? You have beer? God, yes, I'm parched." His eyes light up at the mention of alcohol! It's been far too long since his last drink!

Always watching and paying attention, Trevor took note of the strange little mechanical waiter and how it seemed to do whatever this guy wanted. "Did you make him? Or are you some kind of Lord here? You're well-fed, relaxed, seem to be listened to."

"Huh... Sounds batshit crazy if you ask me. Even the dead you say?" That's not great news, is it? "Would you know you'd died and came here? I mean, if I'd died back home, riiiight before getting washed up here, would I have known?" He has a theory, not a great one, but a theory on why he's here nonetheless. "Peter?" Offering his hand across the table after wiping it clean on the side of his pants. "Trevor, just Trevor. No relation to anyone."

Peter has met a variety of curious individuals in his life: aliens, gods, wizards, whatever Groot is...but vampires would be a new one. As far as he knows, there's none in the city (as far as he knows). There are free places available to crash that are more comfortable than the beach, it shouldn't be too hard for Trevor to find them. Less sand getting everywhere when you're sleeping inside an apartment, even if it needs to be refurbished.

This is a rat-eating-judgment-free zone, okay, they both did what they needed to do to survive. Life doesn't always give you grilled fish and crabs to eat while chilling on the beach of a sex island.

"It's one of the few alcoholic drinks we have here, there's not a lot of variety." He asks the robot to bring them a couple because he's also thirsty. The hazards of actually staying under the bright sun, Peter has almost forgotten that happened. He takes one of the grilled fish on a skewer and starts munching on it; it's quite good, which probably means another islander and not one of the robots cooked it.

"Nah, they do call me Star-Lord in my world, but not because I'm a noble. I've been here a long time, you could say I'm used to the robots's antics and how to handle them. The best approach is a direct one, they're not much into conversation or jokes. The Augur made them, is the entity who runs this place, but we don't really know much about it, or about the island in general. " He shakes Trevor's hand and chuckles.

"Batshit crazy is the usual here. Nice to meet you, 'just' Trevor." Way to fail at looking suspicious, Trevor, but Peter isn't going to call him out on it. "I died once back in my home, and I was resurrected. Since I had no memory of what being dead was like, it felt like it had only been seconds, when in reality it had been five years. I imagine it is the same for those who arrive here after death, they might not realize it immediately. What's your world like?"

00. Arrival

I. Beach Episode

II. Sand Sport

III. Graciously Given Gifts

Trevor Belmont | Castlevania

I. Beach Episode

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Sand Sport

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00 - Arrival

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