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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 |
Let XXX Be Your Guide | he's post-Black Eagles route, if that matters any!
But this? This is different. That very familiar voice, with that very distinct way of speaking, is coming from a very familiar person wearing very unfamiliar clothes. A style of clothing not at all familiar to him, some sort of uniform he's not used to seeing.
Somehow, despite it covering more than Petra's normal attire, it still catches Ferdinand's gaze, which makes his cheeks redden considerably. ]
Petra?!? As glad as I am to see you, I must ask... how did you end up in such clothes?
[ He says, trying very hard not to stare. It's only sort of working. ]
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[Petra breaks into a warm smile as she sees him, waving enthusiastically with map in hand. Her other hand slides down over herself as she does a slow spin for him, as though a uniform so curve-hugging could possibly have any wrinkles to smooth out.]
They are also telling me I will learn my bearings faster if I show other people the way. What do you think? Am I dressed for succeeding?
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His eyes follow her as she twirls to show off the uniform, which does nothing to draw his eyes away from how closely it fits. No, that requires all of his willpower. Petra doesn't exactly need the Augur's help to be attractive, and as much of a gentleman as he is, Ferdinand has discovered a good many things about himself when it comes to attraction. ]
Well, you do look rather... welcoming. That is certainly true. [ He brings a hand to his forehead, frowning slightly to himself. ] But I must warn you, Petra. Such gifts from the Augur can be a mixed blessing at times. Those machines expect us to be intimate with one another, and what they give us is usually designed for that purpose in particular.
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[It would be too generous if they were offering gifts without strings attached, wouldn't it? No, they're meant to use these things for a purpose. Offering these gifts benefits these "machines" just as much as it benefits them, as long as they use them properly. It's no different from giving a friend a weapon, knowing they'll use it to fight at your side.
So these clothes..... are a weapon. A weapon to help them be intimate with each other. If that's how they fight and survive and thrive in this place, then Petra doesn't intend to fall behind if Ferdinand needs her, or to let the machines think she isn't worthy of making use of their assistance. Is that a glitter of satisfaction in her eyes, seeing the way she holds his gaze?]
I have gratitude for the warning, but there is no need for worry. You can be counting--um, can count on me. Who is the Augur?
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And in more ways than one. Curse his imagination... now is not the time to let such thoughts distract him. ]
The Augur is a strange machine that oversees this island. It is the source of all the technology that powers this place. Those strange statues you spoke of are its creations, from what I understand.
[ Despite how hard he focuses on his explanation, there's a stubborn redness in his cheeks. This is always a tricky topic for him to discuss, but it is even more so when he is doing so with a dear friend, particularly one he has found attractive. ]
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[Like the Goddess is the creator of Fodlan? It would make sense for that to be the case, if it created the machines here, and everything the machines use. But Ferdinand had said it was a machine itself, too. Can these machines be gods, or is it just pretending? Do the other machines know it's not a god, if that's the case? Who made the Augur then, if machines need to be created?
There are just too many questions, and even Ferdinand probably can't answer all of them. But..... doesn't he look a little too troubled? It's not like Ferdinand to lose heart so easily. Had the Augur done something to him, to leave him so uncomfortable at the mere mention? Petra can't help a flicker of protectiveness herself at the thought; after how kind he's always been to her, it's clearly time to repay the favor.
Petra moves to close the space between them, stopping not even an arm's length away to scrutinize Ferdinand more closely. He doesn't look hurt.....]
Ferdinand, you are looking unwell. Did something happen?
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He has little time to ponder this, though, before Petra takes a step forward, leaving little room at all between them. To his credit, Ferdinand doesn't shrink away, but he does find his gaze drawn to her once more. It starts innocently enough as he gazes down into her keen, warm eyes and beholds her gentle, elegant features, but his eyes wander lower still, taking in those curves until falling to her waist. He could easily reach out and hold it, couldn't he? Goddess, that's not a helpful thought. ]
A-Ah... it is nothing so dramatic as that. I suppose you could just call it embarrassment.
[ He smiles bashfully, or as bashfully as Ferdinand von Aegir can manage, as he manages to limit his wandering eyes strictly to her face. Which is every bit as attractive as the rest of her, but there's nothing to be done about that. ]
The sort of acts that the Augur expects us to perform are... somewhat difficult for me to discuss.
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[Petra sounds more quizzical than anything else, watching flicker as though he can't quite decide where to look. What exactly is so difficult or embarrassing about it? Nobody may have been willing to discuss intimacy with her, owing to her..... unique position within the Empire..... but that doesn't mean she wouldn't have been willing to. Intimacy is just a natural part of the circle of life--just as a hunter must kill to eat, people need to have sex to make their families grow.
There's nothing to be embarrassed about, unless..... No, it can't be. Can it? But what other explanation could there be? Does a man like Ferdinand really think he's lacking somehow? They've fought beside each other countless times over the years; there's no way she can allow a misconception like that to stand. There's a hint of steely determination in her gaze now as Petra reaches for him again--this time to nestle against Ferdinand's chest, free hand reaching up to curve slim calloused fingers over his cheek.]
You do not need to be feeling shame. Your body has much strength and beauty. I know you can be doing this with great success.
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And those feelings make his heart skip a beat as she touches him, a dexterous hand cupping his cheek as she closes what little distance remains between them. ]
I did not... I mean, that is not what I...
[ His voice trails off as words fail him, and he finds that he can do no more than look down upon her in astonishment, his heart feeling as if it might burst. It takes him a moment to recover, during which time he slowly brings a gloved hand to his cheek, resting it atop hers. Instinctively, his other arm settles around her waist, and he's overcome by just how nicely she fits against him. ]
...You truly mean that. To say that I am flattered would be quite an understatement.
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[No, now that they're this close, she's only more convinced than ever. The firm chest she's pressed against, the strong arm holding her close, the warmth of his hand on hers, the way she could tuck herself so perfectly under his chin if she so pleased..... No, there's absolutely nothing for him to be ashamed of. Anyone should be proud to have a body like this, or glad to enjoy it if he offers, especially when it belongs to someone so considerate.
Petra's smile only grows warmer, thumb stroking along the curve of Ferdinand's jaw. If she's wrong, then surely he'll correct her, right? They've learned and grown together all this time, after all.]
You will be grabbing the victory. If you are not trusting yourself, then trust me.
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He leans slightly into that warm hand cradling his jaw, finding it rather soft despite the calluses that betray her frequent use of bows and other weapons. Perhaps that's because of how tenderly she touches him. In either case, he doesn't think it would be fair of him not to return such affectionate touches, or such kind words. ]
...I have always found plenty to admire about you, Petra. Were I to list everything about you worthy of praise, I would be speaking for a very long time indeed.
[ The hand that was resting over hers lifts to instead stroke her cheek, the backs of gloved fingers brushing gently against her skin. He's so preoccupied with gazing into her eyes that he hasn't even really noticed how closely he's leaning in. ]
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[This is nice. Petra is sure Ferdinand must have his reasons for warning her of the machines' wishes for them, but right here, right now? She's wrapped up in strong arms, yet being touched so gently, sharing a warm moment with a trusted companion. There's absolutely nothing wrong with intimacy, after all--neither for its own sake, or even simply because it would be offering a helping hand to those who need it.
If that's what the machines wish to ask of her, then she wants to take that first step of her own free will, when and with whom she chooses. And as Ferdinand leans so tantalizingly close, the reasons not to close this distance as well grow fewer and fewer. Petra leans into Ferdinand's touch as she tips her head back, claiming his lips with a confidence that belies her inexperience. She can figure it out as they go, can't she?]
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But surprise does not mean dislike. Quite the opposite, really, as even without the Augur subtly guiding his thoughts, he would still admire her every bit as much. Once the surprise fades, he finds his lips pressing back into hers, his head craning to one side to deepen their kiss. He has experience, what with living on the island for the last year or so, but that doesn't mean that this doesn't feel new to him, like something he should savor.
His arms settle around that slender waist, his eyes drifting closed. It's only after several blissful seconds, perhaps even closer to a minute, that his lips pull back, but only just barely. His aim isn't to out any distance between them, but rather to simply catch his breath. ]
You are quite good at that.
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You have much skill as well. And I will only be getting better with practice.
[Ferdinand will be helping her practice, won't he? If what she's been told is any indication, it's an important skill to master here.]
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Then I must not allow myself to fall behind. It would not be fair for you to be doing all of the work.
[ One of his hands slowly moves upward along her back, taking its time in order to properly appreciate the sleekness of her body. The tips of his fingers brush lightly at the nape of her neck, and the hand still on her waist urges her closer so that their bodies are flush against one another. Pressed close like this, she can likely feel how quickly his heart is beating with excitement, but there is a distinct possibility that she may feel more than that very soon. ]
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[Petra just smiles slyly at that, teeth worrying gently at Ferdinand's lower lip. Fingers trailing over her neck coax a bodily shiver from her even as she presses against him, the hand on Ferdinand's cheek sliding back to bury itself in his hair. He's so warm.....
She wants to feel him grow absolutely feverish, and his heart racing out of control. She wants him to be able to think about nothing but her. This time, the kiss she steals is deeper and hungrier, body moving against his as she stretches upwards.]
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He notices the way that she shivers when his fingers touch her sensitive skin. It fills him with gratification to be able to get that reaction from her, yet he finds himself wanting more. Much more. Boldly, the hand that had been content to rest in her waist before slides downward, his palm taking a moment to appreciate the curve of her rear before reaching the bottom of her uniform's skirt. Fingers reach between her thighs from behind, their touch still gentle for now even as they seek out those soft lips.
Will he be able to feel her arousal even through her undergarments? The very thought excites him, just as the very indecorous nature of their encounter excites him as well. He may strive to observe the etiquette expected of a noble most of the time, but when he's been driven this mad with desire, he can no longer bear to hold anything back. ]
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There's little enough holding Ferdinand back from what he wants--only the fragile mesh of fishnet stockings, and the thin silk of a thong already starting to darken with moist heat. Even such a gentle press of questing fingers is enough to draw a gasp out of her, nearly swallowed by Ferdinand's mouth; Petra breaks their kiss to trail them over his jaw and down his neck instead, wet open-mouthed presses of lips and tongue.]
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Petra...
[ Her name comes out as an astonished, breathy gasp. His head cants to one side to grant her even broader access to his neck, and his hips press insistently against her, that firm erection causing the fabric of his pants to strain as he rubs against her. At the same time, the fingers that had been touching her neck slide upward to the back of her head, cradling her head there.
But the fingers of the other hand have much more to accomplish. The gaps in her stockings are wide enough for him to blindly find his way inside of them, prying their way beneath the damp, warm fabric of her thong. Their pads brush against her entrance, and for a moment, he contemplates whether or not to slide them inside. But he settles on a different approach first. His hand tucks itself deeper between her thighs, giving him the reach he needs so that those fingers can curl upward, hugging her entrance, and instead target the bud nestled atop her folds with slow, eager strokes. ]
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Thankfully not. Petra doesn't bother to muffle her moans once his fingers start moving, or even try to keep her voice down. She breathes encouragement against Ferdinand's skin instead, kisses growing more heated and hungry--sharp scrapes of teeth rather than the soothing brush of tongue, and harsh, sucking kisses meant to raise marks. She has absolutely no intention of being satisfied by fingers alone--but as long as he doesn't keep her waiting too long, there's nothing wrong with an appetizer, is there?]
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Spurred by the lovely sound of her moans, he withdraws his hand only for enough time for him to use his other hand to pull off his glove, so that he may more directly feel her. It takes only a second, and the glove has only just hit the ground unceremoniously when his fingers ae slipping back beneath her underthings. Now that he can properly feel just how slick she is, he doesn't hesitate at all, sliding both digits inside of her up to the second knuckle. They piston insistently, and his other hand finds itself cupping her bottom, urging her closer. His pants have grown uncomfortably tight, and only the pressing of her body against his erection grants him any relief from that torture, making him pant out loud in hot, raspy breaths. ]
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Surely as long as she makes sure he can take her, he will, yes? That ragged panting, his flushed face, how mussed he's let himself become--that's not the noble, composed Ferdinand who would hold himself back for the sake of being a gentleman. Petra's hands snake down to squeeze between them and unfasten Ferdinand's trousers, dipping below his waistband to wrap around his cock for a few experimental strokes. How exactly is she supposed to hold him? Is this right? What about how to move her hand?
One of the most important parts of learning how to master any new weapon is the proper grip and form, after all. Let it never be said that she's not studious.]
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So distracted is he with the movement of his fingers and her reactions that she catches him unawares when her hands move to his trousers. Petra has always been one to strive without hesitation toward her goals... he just never imagined that goal would be him. He's certain that the Augur has had some influence on him, nudging him toward this encounter and making him bolder, but he knows this desire he feels is all his own.
The grasp of her hand draws a sharp, shuddering breath from him, and his hips instinctively press toward her hand. The spear that she has grasped swells with arousal, warm and thick in her hand. His hips move in subtle ways to guide her movements, but she doesn't need much guidance at all. It's when her hand squeezes him just past his swollen head that his breaths grow particularly ragged. He can't find the words to express his feelings right now, so instead, his mouth chases hers, hoping to catch it with a passionate, open-mouthed kiss. ]