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TDM 015: IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PARADISE
| 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 |
no subject
But the supposed requirements of the land...
"Ah, I see," Hakkais hands folded together on the table. The soft smile he held not once changing despite the drop he had felt deep in his gut.
Was this man serious? Or was he messing with him? There was no way he could be serious.
"So when you say you're willing to offer a square you're meaning to tell me that you wish to sleep with me."
Oh boy.
no subject
"If you wish to, the offer is there. There is no real pressure in such a thing but we do tend to offer assistance when we can." it had taken him some time to learn to be more casual about sex. He pressed the end of the brush against his lips.
"Though if that is something you want, I usually request some negotiations beforehand. But you don't have to decide on that now, or anything. We can stick to credits if that is more comfortable, of course." he said casually. He had some plans for expansions that needed to be made to Koi tower as well as some assistance to the community pantry.
no subject
He decided he'd just have to wait until this conversation was long over and Ziyao was gone before he'd run off and figure out how to access that.
"But credits alone are fine. I'd rather not wish to over complicate our contract with a back and forth of necessary clauses detailing each of our sexual requirements in order to set up such a payment system. I dont wish to give you any excess work after all."
And this in turn saves him from talking in embarrassment about his own awkward sexual hang-ups with a man he only just met. A man who's intentions were hard to read, especially considering all he was already lavishing Hakkai with.
"And the timeframe in which this initial contract period will last?"
no subject
None of this showed on his face, however.
"Of course." He began drafting the final document, his hand moving in fine lines.
"I think two months should be reasonable as a trial period. It would give you enough time to gain your bearing and to see if this is an arrangement that you may wish to continue pursuing.
Is that amenable to you Master Cho?"
no subject
But for Hakkai, sex was something sacred. A way to love and be one with a person. A way in which souls intermingled and collided to create something perfect and whole. For Hakkai, the thought of him being forced into a world where even he would be made to partake in such a thing so casually... Was somewhat horrifying.
Cho Hakkai was a romantic after all. A romantic who's only experience had been with someone he loved without question.
"Mnn, that sounds perfect," He did nothing to project his own inward struggles though. Instead nodding his head calmly as he watched Guangyao continue on with his writing. Focusing on the pen as it danced against parchment paper was a nice visual distraction from his thoughts. "The only other thing I can think of is matters of personal, physical, or property based damage should they arise."
no subject
It was easier to view it as a transaction with most and saving the sweeter lovemaking with Nie Huaisang. Talk about the feeling of souls merging, he tried to not allow himself to be distracted by the thought of his lovely boyfriend. Trying to refocus on the conversation at hand instead.
"Hm, well property damage can be fixed with a quick request to the deity and a square trade. Personal and physical damage may be a bit harder to pin down. At least from what I have heard if one dies here, they only disappear for seven days. So there is that I suppose. I haven't experienced it myself yet."
no subject
And here he had thought the sex-trade was an information overload! Did Mr.Ziyao just casually tell him that this place had a cure for death!?
Like, death?!?
Okay, well, this wasn't his first time experiencing that one. But usually every cure for death he ran across came with some serious repercussion or price.
"All right, the inevitable contemplation of one's mortality aside, are there any precautions or attentive procedures you wish me to follow should myself or anyone else be hurt on the premesis? My knowledge in first-aid is fairly comprehensive and I can tend to most wounds just short of anything that requires surgical need, but I think it's best to run that through you first.
And in terms of damage, I understand repairs are apparently easily fixed in a place like this. But what about compensation for payment? I take it the credits will be deducted from my expenses?"
no subject
Welcome to life on the nameless island, Hakkai. It is a surreal and horny place. The sooner you accept it the better for you.
To be fair, he himself was dead and now he wasn't.
"Oh, that is good to know. Well, yes Please notify me as well. I have some medical knowledge but most of it comes from the battlefield, I can offer aid. And if it is less severe I know some good folk remedies.
There is a hospital here as well, I think. I haven't really sustained injures since coming here.
That sounds reasonable for now. Hopefully, by the time the two-month period is up, I will have added some more residences to Jinlintai. Shall I show you the location before we sign? You should have a look at the location and make sure it is something you can handle. There are robots helping maintain the premises, as well." he made the final adjustments and slipped his seal in his sleeve.
no subject
Standing up, he adjusted his robes slightly before properly setting the dishes to his meal to the side. Cleaning what he could before tossing a cheerful and resilient smile in Ziyao's direction.
No matter how odd or how stressful things may seem, Hakkai always at least had his skill to smile on through it. After all, stressing over a situation wasn't going to resolve anything.
"Well then, I suppose I am ready when you are."