TDM 015: IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PARADISE

[erkumods]

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. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 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. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 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? ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 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.) ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● N A V I G A T I O N

Comments

[fierceprotector]

Her own chopsticks are set down and she reaches over the stone table and places a hand over one of his trembling hands, giving it a firm but gentle squeeze.

"You have me and A-Xuan to remind you, A-Yao. If someone wants you to break for them, just for your happiness, then they will deal with me," she tells him softly. She might not seem like much on the outside, but when it came to family she could be the fiercest out there.

However, at the mention of the other small thing that makes him happy, she nods," I'm sure that your garden will flourish too." She had no doubts about that.

She doesn't comment about her strength and determination, merely smiles at the words. To let him know that she heard him," Well, no more of that. From now on, A-Yao, we will cook double. One batch for us Yunmeng children and another for those who can't handle our spices."

[taintedpeony]

This gentle kindness was enough to make the tears spill from him. He did cry so much easier these days. He wasn't used to this kind of care. He was slowly learning that there were people who loved him and look out for him but it had been a long and hard battle.

"O-Okay."

He nodded quietly, looking down. He was so grateful for his brother and his sister-in-law. Family meant a lot to him. It was what was denied to him over and over and he yearned for it so desperately. He wiped his face with a sleeve.

"M-May I call you Saozi?" he asked in a small voice.

"Alright. I would like that a lot. Thank you." he moved to serve her a bit more, refilling her tea. He didn't know what to say in the face of such kindness.

[fierceprotector]

Yanli gives his hand another squeeze when she sees those tears. Luckily, for the both of them, she knew the difference between tears spilt. She understands that sometimes, just sometimes, a kindness can cause a person to ache. To cry. She doesn't, however, make a fuss over it. The last thing she'd want to do was embarrass him.

Family was everything. She would make sure that he could have that from her, he already had it from Zixuan.

A soft smile," Of course, A-Yao, I would like that." She does, however, give a slight nod of thanks when he serves a bit more. "Thank you."

That was fine if he didn't know what to say. They could sit in companionable silence, content with each other's company and good food.

[taintedpeony]

Jin Guangyao was grateful to her. Nie Mingjue had pointed out to him that the onset of his tears these days were like the ones of soldiers after a battle. He was here and had been focused on healing. He allowed them to come as they would.

He ate in silence for a while, just enjoying the sun and being in the presence of family. He looked forward to the dinners they would make and share with the rest of the household. It felt like family.

"Are there any dishes that are your favorite Saozi? While you are healing, I would love to make things that will help."

[fierceprotector]

There was nothing wrong with tears, even when a person was happy. Anyone who dared to say otherwise would not like the outcome. Hopefully, no one was stupid enough to mess with her family.

This was nice. They'd have to drag her husband out with them the next time they did this. However, she's also content with it just being the two of them, as well.

"You mean other than what I'm eating now?" She asks watching him. "Maybe some laziji. Bao is always good. A-Yao, how many of our dishes does this place have? Also, we'll have to see about hawthorn and mooncakes."

[taintedpeony]

He would love to drag Jin Zixuan out for a nice family meal as well. Perhaps once she had settled more he could share stories of their child, how he grew up. He wanted to share with them the years they had missed. He missed Jin Ling, something fierce but would never want him here. She would be so proud of the young man he had grown up to be. He certainly had her kindness.

"That would be lovely. I can make that. I already have bao prepared. It is an easy breakfast on days I work so I make them in the evenings.

Not that I have found as of yet, but I can certainly look into asking for the ingredients if they aren't available. I have a lot of unused squares so if there is anything we need I can ask the diety."

[fierceprotector]

They would just have to do that, at some point. The three of them out for a family meal. Something to do. Or, maybe they'd just have to do that every couple of weeks or so. Make it strictly a family thing.

"Don't put yourself through too much hassle if they're not available, A-Yao. I'm sure that we'd be able to find something suitable," she states with a slight smile. The idea of the diety was still interesting to her, even if she wasn't sure that she wanted to find out much more about it, not yet.

"Let me know if you need any help, though. I know I'm healing, but you're right. I'll get restless if I'm not helping in some manner."

[taintedpeony]

"I know. We can explore what they do have and make substitutions if we need to." he smiled softly, he would leave it to her husband to explain the particulars of this place and what is required of them here. It was not his place to.

"Of course. I can find things for you to do to help, or even things if you wished to occupy yourself. And please let me know if you need any help, getting settled in, or just to talk. I've resided here for nearly four months so I am fairly acclimatized and I would be happy to help my family."

[fierceprotector]

They would do what they could with what this place gave them. If that meant that they had to substitute things, then so be it. No matter what it would still be good. They knew what they were doing in the kitchen. If they found something unfamiliar... well, they could easily figure out what it was or what it was used for.

"Anything would work, A-Yao, as long as I'm not just sitting idly by," she tells him with a soft smile. "I'll let you know if I need help." Unlike her younger brothers she had no problems asking for help, if and when needed.