TDM 016 & 4th WALL EVENT: NO WALLS BETWEEN US

[erkumods]

TDM 016 & 4th WALL EVENT: NO WALLS BETWEEN US

00. An Arrival and a Broken Wall?! You should be coming 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 should be greeted by robots who welcome them with towels and bracelet devices. The A5 card already loaded up, and if you don’t manage to get away from them quickly enough, they should 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 should be given a complimentary towel to leave with if needed! Should. That’s how things are for newbies - and maybe today, some newbies will arrive the usual way. Others might be surprised to hear that there is another "you"... already here! If and when you finally meet this other "you," there's simply no way to agree on who the so-called real version is. Your histories may be the same or they may be wildly divergent, but those little differences don't change the fact that you are who you say you are. Some islanders might even find themselves running into a much older or younger version of themselves. Duplicates and doppelgangers, you say? People who look and sound familiar but are just a little bit off? What strange anomalies have washed up from the ocean! On the other hand, maybe you’re not new here at all, or so you think. You’ve definitely been on this Island for months already. You can't exactly remember what you were doing here before, but you have the modest home and personal effects to prove that you existed. You’ve always been someone who greets new arrivals at the shore. You know very well how things work on the island, and how many of the buildings are abandoned and in dire need of repair. You know that 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. You know all of this. You’ve already claimed 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. You’re a veteran at this by now. Aren’t you? ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● I. A WHOLE NEW YOU The fog has thickened off the shores of the Island and in the areas that have still been obscured. So thick that it looks not unlike the heavy clouds of the recent storm. But late into the night and early into the morning, the fog seems to encroach on the Nameless City even more, blinding and catching Islanders traveling through in areas normally free of its effects. Anyone who gets caught in the especially heavy mist might find themselves suffering from more than just the usual amnesia. The fog no longer only takes memories, but can also alter your memories... and you. You may forget your time on the Island. You may forget your life before. But you’ll remember something else. You’ll remember a life entirely different as if you lived it yourself: you are a merperson who has always lived here, in the waters around the Island. Those grand underwater cities look like ancient ruins to others, but to you? You still see them as beautiful and palatial as the day they were built. You are a Native whose memories are fuzzy, but you certainly remember living your entire life here in great happiness and luxury. And once you step out of the mist, you might even find yourself physically changed to match what you recall, with fins or tentacles and gills to allow you breathe beneath the waves. You might be completely transformed, or just enough to make life underwater as easy as it's ever been. Someone else attempting to free you of these delusions will find that the more they try to force you to remember your true life, the more real and convincing your undersea life begins to feel. You must embrace this new (old?) life, embrace this new you in all ways and live it to its fullest. Completing Auspicious Acts will help bring out glimpses, hints, flashes of memory and recognition that perhaps this is not who you once were, and allow you to return to your former self. But the longer you take to embrace this, the harder it might be to let go. Some of these changes could become permanent. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● II. LET XXX BE YOUR GUIDE Things have been strange, not just for the people of the Island, but the robots as well. The typically welcoming robots that offer their assistance in guiding new arrivals or encouraging Islanders to visit the various locations seem to be scarce. There are fewer of them running around the entertainment district and other establishments. To ensure that new arrivals continue to have a pleasant Island experience, robots will be recruiting Islanders as mentors and guides: mentor guides, if you will! Volunteers will lead other Islanders around the Island as a means of helping them become better acquainted with the locations available here for your fun and entertainment, and they will be rewarded with credits for their hard work. Guides and sightseers alike could be someone fresh and new to the Island, someone who insists they’ve been here for years, or even someone that a robot randomly dragged off the street. Mentor guides will all receive a very form-fitting and revealing uniform - no two are the same! - and, of course, a glossy paper map of all of the available sights on the Island. The pictures are big and detailed, and cute sex toy icons point out various key sights such as the recreation center, the bath house, and the library. There are even suggestions for which Auspicious Acts are the best for each location! Strangely, none of the maps list the same suggestions, so each map encourages its own unique experience. Mentees will also find that their mentor’s voice is very appealing. So appealing that just listening to them speak is enough to get you feeling some kind of way. The more they talk, the more of a reaction you have. Your body begins to burn or itch and it’s very hard to pay attention to their words when thoughts about all the things you could be doing to them instead keep coming to your mind. The only way to relieve these thoughts might be to make your mentor stop talking altogether, or follow through with some of those helpful map suggestions. Maybe you need them to mentor you in more ways than one? ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● III. SITCHES GET GLITCHES You’re walking down the road, or in your own home, or visiting a friend and suddenly something happens out of the corner of your eye. There’s a soft pfzzzzzzt and the feel of static on the skin. You turn and realize that the wall is suddenly gone. Or, maybe the glass in a store window disappeared. Perhaps someone’s clothes just vanished off of them in the middle of the street, or the chair you were sitting in at the cafe suddenly poofs right from under you. It’s as if the world around them is malfunctioning - little glitches that can last for seconds, hours, or even days before returning to normal on their own. Nothing that could seriously harm someone, but enough to be quite inconvenient. At least completing an Auspicious Act in the affected area or with the affected person seems to put it to rights immediately. Unfortunately, this doesn’t stop these glitches from happening again. You may be concerned, and the robots understand, but if asked they will insist it’s just the world adjusting as the Augur welcomes so many new people! Nothing to be worried about, obviously. It will take time for fluctuating energy levels to adjust, that’s all. Some robots might even say it’s the perfect time to enjoy having so few barriers between you. Embrace the open nature of the Island and share yourself and your home with others. Walls are only meant for keeping out what you could be letting in! ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● OOC Notes: Enjoy a mini Fourth Wall event, Islanders! As such, this test drive meme is open for anyone to create top levels, not just prospective players. Current player characters, characters you want to play in the setting but can't app full-time, drive-by castmates, duplicates, canon AUs, characters that normally would not be allowed such as fandom AUs and genderswaps (not including characters under 15), formerly dropped characters, etc. are all encouraged to come in and play! As all other test drive memes, this one will be game canon. Characters who fourth wall but do not app will disappear after a few days to a week, along with their home (if applicable) and all of their possessions. Please label your top levels as to whether you are test driving [TDM] or fourth walling [4W]. (Of course, you are allowed to change your mind! But our rules regarding appable characters will still apply.) Since auspicious acts are an integral part of this event, potential and current players can swap one Auspicious Act on their card for one of their choosing, if needed for any of the prompts. As usual, prospective players can use an Act and swap it onto their card if they choose to app into the game. If you have any questions, please ask them below. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● N A V I G A T I O N

Comments

[scramordie]

[ He laughs at the "revenge" and bites down lightly on Xie's lower lip.

He allows the other's body to press to his own, pressing back. There's almost a hint of amusement in those eyes. ]

Problems, A-Xie?

[thescorpionking]

{Groaning deeply, he grazes Kexing's tongue with his little fangs.

But then he discovers a problem. Breaking the kiss, he runs his hands down his body and instead of finding the usual...ah...protrusion, he finds a slit instead.}

How...

[scramordie]

[ There's a taste of blood when those fangs graze his tongue. Though, he's mildly amused at the 'How' question. ]

You're the merman, not me.

[thescorpionking]

{Of course that makes sense. He is the merman. However his memory isn't helping him and his brow furrows as he tries to understand...}

Maybe - {Xie slips a finger into the slit and his eyes widen. Grinning suddenly, he throws his arms around Kexing again.}

I found it.

[scramordie]

[ What was there to understand? Xie was human and not a merman. He wraps arms around him, kissing him and letting that kiss deepen. He needed his A-Xie to come back to him. ]

Did you?

[thescorpionking]

{He can't help moaning, memories of a soft bed and strong hands following that kiss. His cheeks are red when they part and he stares at Kexing fixedly.}

I've never left the sea... I've never laid on a human bed...

[scramordie]

[ Instead of dignifying that statement in any way, he presses as close as he can. Even as he does he lets his hands wander and the kiss deepen, those hands pulling the merman as close as possible. ]

[thescorpionking]

{And Xie can do nothing but melt. The scales begin to fade at his waist, glittering for a moment before his skin takes their place. He has no concept of it, however; he is much too busy kissing Kexing until his head spins. Xie's fingers bury themselves in his lover's hair and when his tail has become legs again, he shudders from the chill of the water.}

A-Ah...

[scramordie]

[ When his hands wander he feels those scales recede. The kiss, itself, is passion and heated. Kexing deepening it until they need to breathe. ]

There's my A-Xie.

[ He loves the feel of those fingers in his hair and gives a soft smile, pressing close to that naked body. ]

Cold, A-Xie?

[thescorpionking]

{The kiss brings back wonderful memories and no spell can compete. Xie had already been fighting the effects - he isn't easily bewitched - and when the veil is lifted, he drops kisses over Kexing's handsome face, his teeth chattering.}

A-Xing...! {He doesn't care about being cold!

But he is.}

You found me.

[scramordie]

[ Kexing smiles at being peppered with kisses. Xie's kisses in any form were welcome.

The chattering of teeth have him shaking his head, fond smile on his lips as he leads them to shore. ]

I will always find you, A-Xie. When we get out put the robe on.

[ He would just have to grab his fan from within the outer robes. ]

[thescorpionking]

{And Kexing was made to be kissed! He loves coaxing those smiles from the other man. Whenever he sees one, it feels like standing in the sunshine.

Xie holds onto Kexing as they swim back and he has little difficulty lifting himself from the water. But oh he's cold! Bending to pick up the offered robes, he wraps them around him and smiles impishly.}

Come and get your fan.

[scramordie]

[ Xie and Zishu were the ones to get that genuine smile, the small laughs, and the joy that comes from the immortal. ]

Better?

[ He, himself, is drenched but the cold doesn't bother him. No, he merely walks over and kisses Xie softly before taking his fan from him, snapping it out and lazily fanning himself. ]

Do you want to walk around or do we want to go home?

[thescorpionking]

{Xie nods, rapidly gaining color to his cheeks when he feels the warmth of Kexing's skin still imprinted in the cloth. The fan is handed over without a fuss and the kiss is returned sweetly. To make up for poor Kexing being drenched, he wraps an arm around him as they survey the beach together.}

I think I left my robes...over there. {He points at a group of rocks.} I would like to look for them.

[scramordie]

[ Kexing did not mind being drenched. He does, however, return that sweet kiss and smiles at that arm that wraps around him. ]

I wonder if your robes will even do you any good, seeing as you had a tail.

[thescorpionking]

{Xie nestles their heads together and he sighs woefully.}

Do you think they're ruined? I can't remember what I did.

{But he knows he is avoiding that fog. All fog, actually.}

Stay out of the fog, A-Xing. That's how it happened.

[scramordie]

It's possible that they were ruined, we'll find out.

[ Honestly, there was no telling if they were ruined or not. They'd have to find them first. ]

Is that what turned my A-Xie into a merman and made him forget me?

[ It had also made Xie forget that there were topics not meant to be talked about too, but Kexing was trying to ignore that. Ignore the words that still floated in his mind. "You want part of you to die." As well as "You keep him chained, don't you. I wouldn't." Those were words that could be left on distant shores. ]

[thescorpionking]

Alright. {Xie sets off, barefoot, across the sand, letting go of Kexing only to search for the pieces of clothing. The questions, however, bring him back to Kexing's side and he touches his cheek softly.}

It was like I was drugged, A-Xing. Like the part of me that knows me and you was asleep. Instead I had new memories to replace everything.

{He points at the water.}

There is a whole civilization under those waves.

[scramordie]

[ Kexing takes the hand that touches his cheek and brings it to himself, kissing the palm of it. ]

I am just glad that my A-Xie is back with me.

[ There's a distant look in the immortal's eyes even as he looks towards the water. Xie is given a soft smile. ]

Is there?

[thescorpionking]

{Xie leans in, nuzzling his nose against Kexing's cheek, his focus entirely on him.}

I never left. Just...something else took over.

{He doesn't understand the distant look, but the smile is returned tenderly.}

Mm. They look like ruins, but they're not. Many live there.

[scramordie]

[ If asked, he would explain the look, but until then he has no intentions of explaining it, and merely holds the other close to his side. ]

We will have to keep that in mind. Go check on your robes, A-Xie. You got distracted.

[thescorpionking]

{Unlike the merman, Xie is careful. Or, at least, he tries to be. His lovers have wounds from the past. Wounds that shouldn't be touched.}

You always distract me.

{He kisses Kexing's cheek and pulls away, searching the rocks. Eventually he smiles, tugging the robes from between two rocks. He even finds his boots! Shrugging off Kexing's robe, he gets dressed.}

Here... {Xie wraps Kexing's robe around its owner, kissing Kexing's nose.}

[scramordie]

[ Xie could still ask, they would just have to let it go the moment he got his answer. ]

Not always.

[ His tone is teasing even as he watches the other. Though, he slips his outer robes back on and kisses the man before him softly. ]

At least they were not ruined.

[thescorpionking]

A-Xing... What's the matter?

{Xie finally voices his concern, smoothing his hands over Kexing's robe. His eyes close briefly at the kiss and he smiles faintly.}

I like my robes. I must have taken then off when I first noticed a change.

[scramordie]

[ He could deflect and say nothing, but Xie was like his A-Xu now. Knowing when he was hiding something or holding it far too close. ]

The merman side spoke of things he shouldn't, A-Xie.

[ There's a soft laughter at the mention of liking his robes. ]

I'm rather fond of your robes too.