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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 |
no subject
As it is you.
[ Which wasn't a lie. The man before him was a Jin, but not one that he recognized. ]
Mn. I had noticed.
[ Less shameful. Was that not evident considering what Ziyao was wearing? He does, however, dutifully listen as the other explains about the businesses and how islanders can work to open up their own. ]
Would our currency be converted?
[ After all, what was the use of their own currency, if they had any, if the place had credits that served as currency. ]
The metal men, as you call them, did not explain.
[ It had been shoved at him and then he'd ended up in the spa, where the metal men had nearly been tore apart for trying to touch what they should not. ]
no subject
Yes, they were rather insistent I wear this instead of my usual robes. I would hate to say that one gets used to it but they do. [He shook his head with a laugh.]
Unfortunately not. Any gold you may have you still will but currency works a bit different here.
[He pressed and activated his own bracelet, showing him the main screen with his credit balance.]
The best way to earn credits is to get a job through one of the businesses or a friend. I work at a cafe and clothing shop myself. The metal men also sometimes give tasks to help complete. Like catching crabs or peeling potatoes. This is the easier way to earn I think.
[He shifted his screen to reveal a block of squares which had most lit up. He didn't hold it long enough for any names to be read, he didn't want a few names there to be revealed to him. It would be too awkward.]
The other form of income is squares, where you can trade them for requests from the Deity, and these can be large things as well. And example of that is for three squares I managed to request the main hall, the gardens, and the family pavilion of Koi Tower.
Sadly this is the more shameless route. The diety requests these 'Auspicious Acts' in order to sustain something called eros energy. It's like the energy generated from dual cultivation.
Hence the culture shock. Everything here is catered towards such things, from shameless clothing to the types of food that is available to eat. It is a lot.
no subject
Nothing like home.
[ An observation. The cultivators of home did not work in clothing shops or cafes. This would be an... interesting adjustment. He does, however, take note of Ziyao speaking of easier ways before the screen shifts.
He's an observant man, but gives a hum at the explanation. ]
So, this place expects one to be shameless. Even those that would not be?
[ It's a senseless question that he is sure he knows the answer to. Of course, he's also finding that he does not mind the sound of Ziyao's voice. Something that has him gripping Bichen tight enough to hurt. After all, he did not know this man. ]
no subject
[Though according to Master Shen even esteemed cultivators will have a hard time with the monsters there.]
Unfortunately so. I know people, well myself included who would never have behaved like this back home. The food here is tainted with aphrodisiacs, and sometimes strange surreal things happen to make you want to do things you wouldn't have done before.
As a rule, assume that any food that the metal men give is tainted. There is a community pantry that you can get untainted food and a greenhouse where you can get vegetables as well. My own gardens have some as well and you are welcome to some if you like.
no subject
[ Hearing that there had been a horde of fierce corpses once was a bit unnerving. There were only a select few who could call upon those creatures. He does, however, give a hum at the mention of monsters on the mountain. ]
This one thanks Jin Ziyao for his hospitality.
[ He does not frown like most would. ]
How does one not know the pantry is not tainted?
no subject
[He gives the other an amicable smile.]
Of course, someone helped me a lot when I first arrived here. And brought me to familiar ground. I cannot help but wish to do the same. I can imagine this place is overwhelming.
Ah, because it is a community project, spearheaded by Islanders who were sick of being drugged all the time.
My Saozi and I donate cooked meals there once a week as well. Since it doesn't have anything to do with the metal men it is safer. There are those of us who would rather have control over our romantic encounters.
no subject
Mn. It has become such in a short time.
[ Overwhelming was putting it mildly. Though, he gives a nod at the explanation. He understood the need to have control over what one does. ]
I am sure they appreciate such things.
[ He stops in their walking, grip tightening enough to hurt on the sheath of his sword. He could feel the burn within his body and knows it had not been like such before.
Golden eyes close and he takes a deep breath in before letting that deep breath out, centering himself. ]
no subject
[Ziyao notices the tight grip onto the sheath, his eyes moving up to him, stopping as well. He wasn't great at reading this version of Lan Wangji but had noticed that tense fingers were a gesture his brother made. He spoke gently.]
Here Hanguang-jun, it must be a lot. Do you want to fly with me? The Lan cold spring exists near the eastern side of the Unclean Realm. I can bring you there, it should be calming for you. Being somewhere familiar in all of this chaos.
[He took out Hensheng, and held it.]
no subject
I do not believe flight would be wise.
[ In fact, despite his strong golden core and flight being something he has done for a long time, this would not be a wise choice. Not with how his body felt at the moment. ]
Familiarity in chaos would be good.
[ That? He had to admit. ]
no subject
Okay, there should be a distance shortening array near here, that the earth master had set them up. I can take you to the Unclean Realm and we can walk a little from there.
Though you may have to touch my hand for the connection to take both of us, is that okay? [He knew about Lan Wangji'saversion to touch.]The other route would be walking past the beach and is certainly longer.
The choice is yours.
no subject
Those golden eyes reopen and stare at the Jin before him for a moment. He did not need thoughts in his head of the man before him. ]
Quiet a moment.
[ The words are not harsh, but he does give an explanation, in a way. ]
I wish to test something. You spoke of this island having affects on others, did you not? Do not speak it.
no subject
[He nodded. Not really off-put by his curt response. He knew Wangji for years after all even if the other man didn't know. It was fine. He folded his hands together and held them in front of him and stood in silence. He wasn't sure what inner turmoil he must have been going through.
When he asked the question he nodded.]
no subject
Speak again. Then quiet after.
[ Lets see if you can figure out where he's going with this Ziyao. ]
no subject
Something with speaking?
[He was quiet again. Was his voice having an effect on him? His gold eyes met the other's and widened. Then a light flush came across his face.
Well that was a new one.]
no subject
Mn.
[ Golden eyes stare into golden and his grip loosens a bit on Bichen, but not by much. Another hum and he turns slightly, still close but not at the same time. ]
The island deems you part of its ploy.
no subject
[Well that is awkward. What the fuck Augur, he was not ready to have this awkwardness! He has already slept with both the Nies he did not want this set as well. This was super weird.
This is only shown with the furrowing of his brow and a slight twitch of a smile. He gave a deep sigh and brought up his bracelet.]
[UN:LIANFANG-ZUN]
Perhaps this is a better way to communicate, you can keep using your voice but at least you will not have to keep listening to mine.
I can assure you that I am not your type.
This place does this. Messed with our forms, causes different things that can happen that violate our ability to consent. This however is a new one. I apologize for any discomfort I may have caused you.
no subject
You are not.
[ The man before him had been someone that his brother had loved and cared for. One who had betrayed him. Guangyao, or Ziyao, would never be someone that was his type. ]
A lie to hide behind?
[ He was not the teenager that he used to be, where discomfort would be shown. His ears barely even pinken when Wei Ying teases him. However, the man before him had given a different name. Was that a lie he was hiding behind? ]
no subject
No. I didn't think so.
And no. Jin Guangyao died and is buried in a coffin. I carried around his ghost for months afterward after my arrival. My elder brother thought I would have an easier time if I left him dead where he belonged and tried to become someone who I want to be. He gave me a new name.
It is my name now. I was Jin Guangyao once as I was Meng Yao once. All of these selves and their actions are carried on my shoulders, carved in my skin. I will not run from what I have done.
I just thought it would be better not to startle you right off the bat.
no subject
[ His elder brother? He had also mentioned his saozi earlier, something that had caught his attention. The man before him did not have a sister-in-law, not unless it had happened in this strange place.
His grip on Bichen returns, but he watches the other. ]
Who?
[ The question obvious. He has only mentioned two people so far that he did not know. Three if they counted the earth master. ]
no subject
[UN:SecondPeony]
Is that better? I feel like I need to think about it more, It doesn't feel quite right...
Jin Zixuan. He's here as well, as are many others who may be from my world or yours. Familiar names at least. And before you ask, yes he knows everything already.
Did you want a list of names?
no subject
[ A title was earned, warranted. One could not earn the title of a dead man. They did not deserve a dead man's title. He would need to find one of his own somehow. ]
Mn. Better.
[ It was not the title of someone who had shattered his brother's heart, broken him enough to send him into seclusion for who knew how long.
Jin Zixuan was his elder brother. If the man knew everything then he knew that his death was not Wei Ying's fault. ]
Yes.
[ Simple and to the point. A list of names would be good to have in this strange place. ]
I still wish to visit the cold springs.
[ Without the other's voice affecting him, they would be able to fly anyway. Or directions given. ]
no subject
[Maybe he'll ask A-Sang to come up with something for him. The dumb thought made his heart flutter a bit.
Well, elder in the title. They were born the same day and the current Ziyao was older by a decade and a half. But it was still nice to be able to be a younger brother to him.]
Very well then,
From the Gusu Lan Sect, Lan Xichen. He may not be the one you remember. He is from my world.
From the Qinghe Nie Sect, Nie Mingjue, and Nie Huaisang.
From the Yunmeng Jiang Sect, Jiang Yanli.
From the Lanling Jin Sect, Jin Zixuan and myself, as well as Xiao Xingchen a few other masters and gods from other places.
[He very purposefully kept both Xue Yang and Su She's name off the list. He dropped Hensheng to the ground and stepped on.]
In that case I will take you, however, I will not cross into Gusu territory. I can drop you by the gate of the springs.
[Even after all the trauma from his death and how thinking about his sworn brother twisted in his chest, the heartbreak of it all made him never want to cross that boundary again.]
no subject
He is not, however, sure how to handle a few of those names. Three of them, four if counting Ziyao, were dead back in his world. ]
I will speak with Xichen later.
[ He would find out what he needed from his brother, or this version of his brother.
Bichen is unsheathed and laid out to hover over the ground before he steps on his sword. ]
This one would be grateful.
[ It did not matter if Ziyao entered into Gusu territory, just as long as he, himself, managed. Either through this way or a different way, in general. ]