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erku mods ([personal profile] erkumods) wrote in [community profile] ercookies2021-08-16 05:01 pm
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TDM 016 & 4th WALL EVENT: NO WALLS BETWEEN US

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

invigorates: BURN MORE STUFF. (In the winter  you can always)

[personal profile] invigorates 2021-08-19 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
She took one of the towels and did her best to try and dry herself off; unbraiding her disheveled hair and wringing it out into the cloth. All the while she listened intently, trying her best to keep up with the long list if things Keyleth spouted off.

"I am not cold, but I suppose it would be a superior alternative to standing here on the beach." She said, not really in a position to argue. It would take her a moment or two to respond to the myriad of questions suddenly asked, her cheeks darkening with a blush at the whispered mention of sex. Well, let's just...table that for later. Noted, though. "Ah...Valsheria. I have not heard of Tal'Dorei, but I suppose that stands to reason, given everything."
passedthroughfire: (Default)

[personal profile] passedthroughfire 2021-08-19 03:05 am (UTC)(link)
"I've never heard of Valsheria, either, but you can tell me about it." Keyleth led her back to the little compound of houses that the Mighty Nein and Vox Machina shared, heading into the house she technically shared with Percy, Vex and Pike (although she spent most of her time elsewhere). "Can I offer you something to drink? I know this is an awful lot."
invigorates: a shotgun connoisseur. (I am what you would call)

[personal profile] invigorates 2021-08-19 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
"I would be glad to, once I have my wits about me." And perhaps Keyleth would tell her about this Tal'Dorei she mentioned; her curiosity piqued despite the confusing situation she had found herself in.

The Lunari did her best to memorize the path from the beach to the house she now stood within, nodding absently. "Do you have any sort of tea, perhaps?" A longshot, maybe. This whole city looked like it did not have much of anything.
passedthroughfire: (Default)

[personal profile] passedthroughfire 2021-08-19 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
"I'll draw you a map to the house, and once I talk to the others perhaps you can stay here," Keyleth offered. She didn't want to invite complete strangers in without asking, but Lioriley seemed nice and she was sure that they wouldn't mind, especially since her bedroom at the Voxhaus mostly sat empty.

"Oh, we have lots! Caduceus and I grow plants and dry it into tea, so there's all kinds--here's one I made out of lavender." She pulled it down, starting to boil the water. "The house is pretty well stocked. The rest of the town is iffy though."
invigorates: (I wanna date EVERY boy.)

[personal profile] invigorates 2021-08-19 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
"I would not wish to be a hindrance." She said, even though a very prominent voice in the back of her mind screamed for her to take the offer, lest she find herself alone in this strange world.

She smiled, uncertain if Keyleth was nervous or simply existed dialed up to eleven. Whatever the case, the druids demeanor was calming enough despite the intensity; welcoming, warm, gentle. She could appreciate that. "And that is to be remedied by our participating in these acts you mentioned? Was that how this building was restored?"
passedthroughfire: (Default)

[personal profile] passedthroughfire 2021-08-19 03:31 am (UTC)(link)
"You would not!!" Keyleth said firmly, hoping that it was clear that she meant it with her whole chest. She finally got it--why it upset Vax and the others when she said things like that--because she was completely affronted by the idea. "I have a bedroom in this part of the house I don't really use, I'd be happy to lend it to you."

The answer to that, of course, was "both". Keyleth was always a little nervous, but there was part of her that was just like this, too, and she didn't know how to shut it off. "Yes, I guess so. I'm not really sure how it works, if we're being honest. I'm not very, um, good at that part. But yes, in part. And through some foraging and stuff, too. I'm better at the foraging."
invigorates: (wow that lady don't give a fuck.)

[personal profile] invigorates 2021-08-19 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
She startled a bit at that, her eyes going wide with surprise. Alright, lady. Damn. "Very well. I truly appreciate your generosity, Keyleth." She would have to make it up to her, once she got her bearings. "Do you sleep elsewhere, then? I would not... I do not need to sleep much, if at all most nights, and I would not wish to take your bed from you."

Ah yes. A kindred spirit in that regard. Lioriley did not understand how it all might work either - then again, she just got there, so maybe she would in time. "I see. What an odd place this is."
passedthroughfire: (Default)

[personal profile] passedthroughfire 2021-08-19 03:44 am (UTC)(link)
Keyleth softened a bit. "I didn't mean to startle you," she said, touching Lior's arm lightly. "I often feel like I'm a burden to people and I would hate someone else to feel that way, that's all." She poured the tea, offering Lioriley a mug. "When I do, I mostly sleep in the other wing. My hu--f--boyfr...I prefer to stay in a room there. I don't need to sleep much, either, so when I'm not there, I'm outside."

She nodded, taking a mouthful of her own tea. "It's...I don't like it. I mean, in some ways, I do. But mostly I think it's awful."
invigorates: (I'm a sneaky little bitch guy)

[personal profile] invigorates 2021-08-19 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
Lioriley's expression seemed to soften in turn, a hand raised to pat Keyleth's reassuringly. "So far you have been quite the contrary, helping me so willingly. I cannot imagine how you might burden anyone." She said, taking the offered mug and sipping it slowly, using a small breath of magic to cool it enough to not burn her mouth. Keyleth's inability to pin down whatever relationship she was trying to establish was noted, but mercifully not addressed by the Lunari for now. She nodded.

"What do you like, if you do not mind my asking?"
passedthroughfire: (Default)

[personal profile] passedthroughfire 2021-08-19 03:54 am (UTC)(link)
"It's the least I can do. It can be a very overwhelming and scary place."

Keyleth sipped her tea again, considering. "About this place? Or in general?"
invigorates: on a Friday night. I can relate (Default)

[personal profile] invigorates 2021-08-19 03:56 am (UTC)(link)
"You are very kind to so eagerly aid new arrivals. Perhaps I can assist once I am better acquainted." She'd try, at the very least.

"I had meant the city, but you are free to tell me of your hobbies and such if you like."
passedthroughfire: (Default)

[personal profile] passedthroughfire 2021-08-19 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
"I would like that." It would be nice to have a friend.

"Well..." Keyleth shrugged. "I like being with Vax. He was...he'd died, where we came from, so...that's..." She bit her lip. "And I like discovering the island, since so much of it is undiscovered. I've found some really beautiful places. I spend most of my day outside; sometimes I wildshape, sometimes I just walk. And I've met some really nice people. But that's about it."
invigorates: for all those harsh-browns you're servin' right now. (I'm gonna need some ketchup)

[personal profile] invigorates 2021-08-19 01:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Lioriley's expression faltered, her brows furrowing. With how casually Keyleth had said it before moving on, Lioriley had to wonder if she had even heard her correctly. Did she say this Vax person was dead where they came from? She wanted to ask for further clarification on that, but stopped herself short - maybe focus on something more pleasant first. "Wildshape?"
passedthroughfire: (Default)

[personal profile] passedthroughfire 2021-08-20 01:29 am (UTC)(link)
Keyleth nodded. "Wildshape! You know, like, turning into animals? I'm really good at it. I can turn into pretty much anything I've seen before."
invigorates: (You have to mash it to murder.)

[personal profile] invigorates 2021-08-20 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
"You are an animist, then? I have never practiced that brand of magic myself." But she was always willing to learn. "What is your favorite animal to turn into?"
passedthroughfire: (Default)

[personal profile] passedthroughfire 2021-08-20 01:37 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, sort of. I'm a druid, so...yeah, basically!" She nodded, and then thought for a moment, taking another mouthful of her tea. "Um...I like dogs a lot, and my tiger form, but lately my friend Caleb and I have been doing housecats and it's so nice? We curl up together in the sun and nap, and it's really nice and relaxing. What kind of magic do you do?"
Edited 2021-08-20 01:37 (UTC)
invigorates: (You gotta try this dude; it sucks!)

[personal profile] invigorates 2021-08-20 01:43 am (UTC)(link)
"That does sound pleasant." She said with a smile, taking a sip of her own tea. "I am an Alchemist and a Mender - water and healing, respectively."