Updating environmental system to version 2.69...

When you blink your eyes open, it is to the glare of blinding overhead lights and the sight of a pair of glassy mechanical eyes boring into your own. The face above yours moves like liquid mercury, forming an approximation of a figure that you recognize and trust implicitly: a friend, a loved one, a caretaker. Perhaps even a god or a goddess. From its lips fall the patterns of a language that is strange and robotic, and yet familiar to you:
Everything is fine.
Welcome to the ̶͓̃N̵̼̈ă̷͙m̴̝͋e̵͕͐l̴͔̋e̷̦͘š̴͙s̵̬̚ ̵̝͌I̴͙͐s̵͖̄l̷̞̓à̴͖n̷̺̏d̵̮͠.̶̼̊< Darkness overtakes you once again. In the blackness of your dreamless sleep, you are sure you hear a strange chime. You are conscious of a choice:

Yes

Y̶o̶u̶ ̸h̵a̸v̸e̵ ̸c̷h̸o̶s̵e̵n̷ ̶w̶i̶s̵e̴l̷y̸.̷
The Augur thanks you for your loyalty.
I. Orientation
With your support, the Nameless Island will thrive and prosper -- but it may require a little more energy than usual to sustain. Step outside and you will soon see why: the skies are calm, the seas are clear and blue, and the pink sands of the beach have never looked more inviting.
Rome wasn't built in a day, but a facsimile of it certainly was. Enjoy new facades for all of the structures in the Nameless City - everything has been retooled, renewed, and restored to be sleek, shiny, and the absolute height of high tech, eco-friendly luxury, with lush greenery and futuristic architecture blending together seamlessly. You have been transported from the hospital directly to your new residence in either the Apartments or in the House of Worship, sparsely furnished with all the basics and some of your belongings. A friend, partner, or stranger may be there with you. This may be your roommate, but this place isn't hurting for space. No robot will stop them from selecting their own room if they wish.
The Augur calls everyone to the Loudinus Amphitheater, an outdoor stage nestled among the tropical foliage where 'bots put on a play about the purpose of the island, the Auspicious Acts, and the history of the past year, including the all-too-recent attack on the Augur. The robot sex scenes are numerous and explicit, and you may find yourself watching a horribly butchered version of any of your old encounters.
Pick up a free Playbook, a comprehensive list of the dramatis personae with detailed character profiles, and learn a thing or two about your fellow Islanders. No detail is too trivial!
(This play will be streamed to all devices to be viewed remotely, and a digital download of the Playbook is also available.)
II. With Great Power
As a boon for taking on guardianship of the land, characters will find themselves sublimating into the purest form of themselves, embodying a particular trait, quality, or concept to the point where they might as well be revered as its new lawful ruler. That's right: you've become as gods, right down to the development of unique magic powers OR changes to your form which reflect the very core of your being. Enjoy being able to create water, fly with your brand new wings, or even summon geese... among other things.
Of course, with semi-phenomenal, nearly-cosmic power comes semi-phenomenal, nearly-cosmic responsibility! After each expenditure of your new powers, you find yourself becoming weaker, hungrier -- but what you're craving isn't food or rest, it's eros energy. The more outrageous your power or transformation, the more your body will crave the completion of an Auspicious Act. Those who do not gather Eros Energy will be driven mad by this lust, until they begin to lose touch with their sense of self - perhaps even some of their most defining memories.
If the burden proves too great, these powers or changes may be wished away with a request to the Augur and the exchange of one Act.
No

You have chosen to exist away from the Augur's wisdom and b̷e̴n̸e̵v̵o̵l̶e̴n̵c̴e̸.
Please accept your gracious punishment. Have a p̴l̷e̷a̵s̴a̸n̷t̵ day!
III. Dis-Orientation
You awake outside of city limits, out of sight and out of mind, but with the looming sight of the bright and shiny Nameless City always on the horizon. What surrounds you is not luxury, but instead drab, run-down buildings and despair. Your orientation, an extravagant and sexually explicit play which describes the purpose and recent history of the Island, is remotely streamed to your device. Watch it if you wish. Meanwhile, there are a few 'bots to be seen among the rubble and rundown buildings that surround you -- but are they friend or foe? Ask them questions about what has happened to you, and they will be vague and evasive. You're inside a simulation, they say, and this is all very temporary while the Augur's systems update.
They do have one answer for you: if you want into the Nameless City before that time comes, it will cost you an Auspicious Act... and a visit to the Augur. The 'bots will escort you there, if you wish.
These robots are a far cry from the well-oiled machines of the Nameless City, though they're no less helpful. In a rundown shack, a robot bartender dispenses rations and bootleg moonshine. (You can even check out the bathtub it's brewed in!) The liquor is definitely real, and it can definitely strip the rust right off the robots. Whether it's fit for human consumption remains to be seen. Regardless, it's going to give you the night of your life - drinking the stuff may cause a variety of effects, from normal intoxication, to erections lasting more than four hours, to wild hallucinations.
IV. It's Morphin' Time
Later, the rogue robots bring some scavenged technology: small, pink globes with "PROJECT DAEMON" etched on the side. These globes bond to specific individuals and morph into different creatures based on the emotions that those individuals exhibit: someone feeling brave might find themselves with a bright, roaring lion, while someone scared may find themselves pocketing a small mouse. A singer may find themselves warbling alongside a siren.
They shift often and at will, and they are here to help you survive in this landscape. Need someone to help you catch fish, gather firewood, or find you a partner to complete that Auspicious Act? This little critter has your back!
These creatures can communicate with everyone in simple language, but you'll soon realize they're not just voicing their own thoughts, but the thoughts of the person they've bonded with.
These are temporary creatures who will run out of power by the end of the month, though they can be resurrected with rewards at a later date.
Continue

V. The Doctor's Back In
All of this must be a lot for Islanders to take in and process. A lot of new information, new feelings, and new surroundings to become acquainted with. But they should know they are not alone here. Dr D. Love is still as present as ever to help anyone who may need to work through accepting their new situation. He and his helpers might even be rather insistent on you having a session!
Whether you're in the city or out of it, you may suddenly awaken to find yourself sitting in a comfortable chair in the doctor’s newly remodeled office that is tastefully decorated with finely detailed, “hand” painted posters of beings in positions of pleasure. So many positions. Or you may find yourself in the Immersion Room, an equally tastefully decorated room filled with a large, comfortable bed (perfect for group therapy sessions!) and shelves full of toys and other supplies. For the duration of your session, enjoy access to anything one might need to help relieve the stress of their body and mind on their own - or with a partner, who might have been brought here just as unwittingly as you were.
The Doctor is there to help you work through your feelings and discomfort if needed, please have no fear. He knows some of you may be resistant to his help, but he’s as cheerful and devoted as ever, to the point of not letting you leave the building until you’ve admitted to whatever feelings you are holding back - not just to him, but also to your therapy buddy. What's the diagnosis? The fact is, you must not be receiving enough pleasure. You are too tense, you need to relax and allow yourself to embrace the carnal nature of this world and what it can provide you.
The more you resist, the more the Doctor shall insist. He may even choose to activate your Neural Implant, which all Islanders have been gifted with upon arrival. Said neural implant may cause immediate arousal, sexual attraction to those near you, and even turn various parts of your body into extreme erogenous zones! Once activated, the Implant's effects may kick in at the most random of times.
The Doctor knew all you needed was the right motivation.
OOC Notes: Welcome to the updated Erku! As this is a setting shift and a re-launch of sorts, this TDM is open to top-levels from both current and prospective players. Feel free to tag around with reckless abandon, and have fun!
Whether you are new or old, it is entirely up to you as to whether your character wakes up in the Nameless City or in the ruinous world of the Simulation. Even characters who acted to attack in the Augur in Event 16 may wake up in the City and vice-versa, according to player preference. This simulation is a temporary run and will last for about two weeks (in other words, the duration of the TDM), at which point all characters will wake in their new Nameless City apartments. Even if you choose "No", you may future-date prompts for the City for this time period.
For now, previously requested safe havens and residences are not currently accessible. They will be made available again in following Simulations, but 'bots are inclined to leave characters in mystery and suspense about this!
Feel free to ask questions below.
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
N A V I G A T I O N
|
no subject
[Xiao Xingchen's frustration spikes when the robot speaking like Xue Yang goes on in his speech. The fact that isn't true should be enough, so he should dismiss these mind games with ease. Only... if there was anyone who could manage a rise out of Xiao Xingchen, it would be this man next to him. Perhaps because so much is uncertain between them that he can't take his stance so easily, no matter how clear it should be.
How ridiculous--
The scream gives him a shock out of his thoughts.
His wide-eyed stare turns to a wince with an instinctive flicker of sympathy for the robot, despite the many layers between the scene before him and reality. Any embarrassment falls away, replaced by confusion as he watches the scene continue. The blade presses dangerously close to the sensitive erogenous areas, and from "his" reaction, it sinks into the skin.
Just a moment ago, he praised its accuracy!
As the robot in the cage weeps, putting on a show of being beside itself with pain (with arousal mixed in), he peers out of the corner of his eye to see what kind of face Xue Yang is wearing. He couldn't guess at all what emotion this might evoke.]
cw: mentions of simulated noncon
It's just the stupid puppets, right? Who cares if they show off this scene differently from how it happened? And yet each time "Xiao Xingchen" cries out in pain, Xue Yang feels something react inside of him. Something that he doesn't like.
His expression remains numb shock, even as "Xue Yang" grabs "Xiao Xingchen's" hip and the two of them make a motion that has to represent Xue Yang sticking his cock in. "Xiao Xingchen" is pleading to be let go by this point, and "Xue Yang" holds that knife up to his throat as he fucks him mercilessly.
Xue Yang suddenly has the vivid mental image of that knife sinking into Xiao Xingchen's neck. Not the puppets, but the real one next to him, the one who really had been at his mercy in a cage many months ago. And with the embellishments that have been added already, he wouldn't be surprised if that's exactly what the puppets play out.
In an instant he's on his feet, Jiangzai already pulled from his sleeve, ready to leap directly onto the stage. Unlike Xiao Xingchen, he's more than willing to put a stop to this directly. ]
no subject
He can't make any sense of this face.
Then he sees Jiangzai, and immediately springs into action.]
Xue Yang, don't--
[He has no time to hesitate. The figures playing this out aren't alive and don't feel pain, and the worst that might happen is Xue Yang being electrocuted or otherwise punished for making a scene. Yet when seeing this man ready himself for some violent act, he just can't... simply stand by.
Shuanghua stays in its sheath as he throws his arms around Xue Yang from behind, both gentle yet as strong as an iron hoop.]
no subject
His free hand flies to one of Xiao Xingchen's arms and his nails dig in, enough to mark but not quite enough to bleed. He jerks forward, trying to pull free, then tugs, trying to loosen Xiao Xingchen's grip, but with the difference in their strength neither attempt gets him what he wants.
It pulls him back for just long enough to regain some awareness of the world beyond the two on stage. ]
Daozhang...
[ His voice is dangerous yet trails into cloying, sickly sweet but with an unmistakable edge. ]
Didn't you want them to stop, daozhang? Didn't you want to keep all these people from watching this scene?
no subject
It... doesn't matter.
[Earlier, he might have expected that there would be something of import to hear after the performances, or that he could find some new person to help afterwards. Now he's sure that something terrible might happen if they stay here, especially if Xue Yang thinks about turning his attention to the audience instead.
He tugs Xue Yang along as he steps to the aisle, hoping to bring him to the exit without any incident.]
Let's leave now.
no subject
Daozhang Xiao Xingchen, I'm in a rather bad mood right now. [ The way he says it easily almost makes it sound like he's lying, but there's still the edge in his voice that can leave no doubt of the statement's veracity. ] If you take me away, you're going to have to be the one to deal with it. Are you alright with that? If you let me go quickly, I'll only hurt the puppets instead.
no subject
It isn't that these non-living automations need his protection, but allowing Xue Yang to act out in rage feels unwise when he considers what he's managed so far, and it can mean nothing good for the future. Another idea comes to him, anyway. Even if it's difficult to manage this sudden suggestion without Xue Yang being the one initiating it, there's no reason he shouldn't do this.
At least... it couldn't make anything worse at this point.
He's silent for a moment. Then he he pulls the man tighter against him, forearms locked around the man's waist, before leaning in to bring his lips close enough to brush the shell of Xue Yang's ear.]
Just how should I deal with it?
[His lowered voice wavers slightly. Despite moments of past encounters stirring up heat in him, he doubts either of them feel exactly in the mood after that show. That, of course, doesn't stop him. After what they've seen, he has little reason to expect that Xue Yang intends the same treatment for both the puppets as well as himself. After what they've done, it's easier to push down shame for something like this.
Surely they can get rid of a bad mood in a better way.]
no subject
His murderous rage doesn't ebb quickly so much as go up in flames, consumed by the fire of arousal that Xiao Xingchen's words and actions stoke. It's still there underneath it all, making his fingers twitch slightly with the desire to sink a blade into something.
But that "something" won't be Xiao Xingchen. ]
You said you wouldn't get into a cage for me again, daozhang. Is that still true?
[ He slides Jiangzai back into his sleeve as he speaks, then grips Xiao Xingchen's arm again, as if trying to keep him from making any attempt to pull back at this point. ]
no subject
Xue Yang putting away Jiangzai emboldens him more.
He needs a moment to recall his words back then. They're more hazy than the actions, as well as Xue Yang's words. As he tries to live by his word, it's still important to remember what he said back then.]
I told you that you should not expect it again.
[His head lowers, chin pressing on Xue Yang's shoulder as he continues.]
Rarely does anything turn out as we expect.
no subject
It doesn't matter what he's feeling, because he knows what he wants to do about it.
His grip slips to Xiao Xingchen's wrist, tightens there, and tugs. Shy of putting the strength to fight him into it, he knows he probably can't actually pull Xiao Xingchen off of him if he means to hold Xue Yang. ]
I already went looking for my shop, daozhang. It's still here. You remember the things I have there.
[ Trying to find that hotel instead is a gamble; he hasn't gone looking for it with the new surroundings of the city, and there's no guarantee it works the same way it did before. But his shop is there and there's plenty to play with in it. ]
Come with me.
[ It's not a request. ]
no subject
He lets himself be tugged before keeping up with Xue Yang's pace, shoulders squared, only relaxing a little once they leave the auditorium.
That they're both going to that shop with the crude name still keeps him tense. He had so far avoided agreeing to payment outside of currency, if partially out of stubborn refusal to indulge Xue Yang too much.
How silly of himself, he realizes, as he goes to indulge him now in all his creative mechanisms and devices.]
no subject
It doesn't mean anything. It's just habit.
The shop's outside has a makeover to blend in with the rest of the city, though it still maintains a slightly rundown, seedy vibe with how it doesn't seem quite as clean as everything else. He lets go to unlock the door and then holds it open behind him for Xiao Xingchen to follow. He's confident enough that Xiao Xingchen wouldn't back out at this point.
Rather than go straight for the second room Xue Yang makes a detour down a specific aisle. He picks up several bundles of rope, each a striking, bright red color reminiscent of a burning blaze. It's only once he's collected those that he heads towards the doorway, throwing a grin over his shoulder at Xiao Xingchen. ]
no subject
He examines the place's new look before he steps inside, none of it enough to make him even think of turning away. Watching Xue Yang harvest the colorful ropes, cords both thick and thin wound together tight, he meets Xue Yang's grin with a raised brow.]
You have quite the eye for detail...
[What else can he say when he gives thought to the color of rope that he uses?]
no subject
[ The sex dungeon looks almost the same, though perhaps the walls are a little cleaner than before. Xue Yang walks over to a certain piece of equipment, a horizontal bar with a large ring hanging in the middle, held up on four legs just at the height that Xue Yang can reach when he stretches upwards. Xue Yang inspects the rig, then grabs the ring and bends his legs, swinging on it briefly to make sure it holds. It does without any issue, and he stands up again. ]
Did you know there's all sorts of ways to tie someone up? I've read several books about it, but I haven't had the chance to try it out with anyone yet.
Get naked and come stand over here.
no subject
Undressing is still easier without facing Xue Yang, he realizes as he reaches for his belt, his fingers hesitating almost to the point of fumbling with it. He turns to face a wall and makes faster work of shedding his clothes there, even if he can't manage to make himself strip off all of the layers at once. It isn't as if Xue Yang hasn't seen all this before, his actions making him feel even more awkward about what he's doing. Perhaps to break the silence as he words, he converses with him a little more.]
I did not know such a subject could fill a single book, let alone several.
[Maybe he's witnessed a few different ways, but now he's about to be another test subject for Xue Yang's creative ways. No matter what happens, he can believe to himself with complete sincerity that this is a better outlet than other ways he could test anything...
He gives his head a brief shake as his topknot comes loose, setting the hairpin on top of his folded clothes next to the wall. Glancing over his bare shoulder, pink already dusting across his face and earlobes, he looks over Xue Yang before moving to stand in front of him and underneath the ring.]
Already you appear to be in better spirits than earlier.
[His tone sounds neither irritated nor relieved, merely pointing out his change in manner. Xue Yang really is easy to please-- or rather, distract. He knew that from before, of course.]
no subject
[ To punctuate the statement he grabs one of the lengths of rope and unties the loop keeping it in a bundle.
From the way he works with the rope, it doesn't seem like he's inexperienced with it at all. The first thing Xue Yang does before anything else is tie Xiao Xingchen's arms behind his back. It's different from the rope techniques used where they're from: it's much more focused on the patterns, and each loop around Xiao Xingchen's arms or chest is made several times to better distribute pressure. He focuses entirely on what he's doing, not even taunting Xiao Xingchen as he works...
At least, not until the very end when the rope is secure and there's just enough length to go up and through the ring. Xue Yang pulls it taut enough that it puts Xiao Xingchen on tiptoes, and ties it there. ]
How does that feel?
[ Though the words themselves could seem caring, the tone carrying them is unmistakably teasing. ]
no subject
Just to ease Xue Yang's mood... that's what this is for and why Xiao Xingchen initiated this. This act doesn't have to be for any grand purpose. Even for such a simple reason like this is enough.
Despite how much he wanted to disappear during the show earlier, his cock showed interest, recalling those memories depicted very well. The horrific scene near the end of their attendance doused the arousal, at least. Now, however, warmth blooms across his skin wherever Xue Yang's fingers brush as he works. Not even with intent, yet already playing on his senses as the ropes tighten around him.
The lift draws the breath out of him, his eyes wide in surprise as his mouth falls open.]
It...
[Ropes press into his skin, but without the pain he expected.
After a moment of surprise, he tries to move. He finds that Xue Yang's work is effective, keeping him immobile while also not digging hard into his skin. His position still forces him to focus on his balance and keep himself steady, but despite being bound, his entire body feels lighter. That seizes his attention first.]
H-How did you...?
no subject
[ It gives him something to focus on that is neither violence nor--directly--sex. Like his old days of copying Wei Wuxian's notes to build arrays, it's something methodical to focus on, holding the future promise of a payoff but also an engaging task in its own right.
He crouches down directly in front of Xiao Xingchen, his face right at the level of his erection. Xue Yang gives a long lick of it from base to tip, but then teasingly lets it be as he takes a second length of rope and starts to wrap it around Xiao Xingchen's waist and thighs. Because of his anatomy and because Xue Yang wants to leave certain parts exposed, he needs to pay attention to how he's draping the rope. Every so often when he gets the urge to tease Xiao Xingchen again he gives another lick to his cock or takes a bit into his mouth, but he's mostly focused on his task of tying. When he's done with that he secures this bundle up to the ring as well, enough tension in it to help support Xiao Xingchen's waist but not enough to pull him further off the ground. This is just to supplement the other right now. ]
no subject
Pressing his lips together, he suppresses a faint, embarrassing noise, less and less successful each time Xue Yang turns away to tease him. It doesn't take long at all until he's already at full hardness. Even after the first time, his hips trying to twist against the ropes. He couldn't tell whether he wants to turn towards Xue Yang or away.
It almost distracts him from how the rope holds up his leg, placing him in a position where he feels more open and vulnerable than ever before. Even being held by that tentacled creature felt less exposed than this...
He can only try to keep his breathing even as Xue Yang continues his work, trying to keep his patience as he feels like he's being spun tighter into a spider's web.]
no subject
Daozhang...
[ He murmurs it, grinning slightly. He could leave Xiao Xingchen like this. His leg is up, leaving his ass exposed nicely. But no, if Xiao Xingchen got the courage to put his weight on the ropes entirely, he could close his legs if he wanted to.
It's better to tie him up completely.
Xue Yang loosens the rope holding up Xiao Xingchen's chest. The one around his hips should keep him from being able to get off his tiptoes, but now there's enough slack that if he wants to lean forward, he can get his entire upper body horizontal. Soon he won't even have a choice about it.
Xue Yang picks up some more rope and slowly brushes it up and down along Xiao Xingchen's supporting leg, hinting at his intentions. ]
Lean forward, daozhang.
no subject
So he steels himself before bending at the waist, leaning forward as he's told to. His long hair slips from around his shoulder and becomes a partial curtain around his face.
Only after moving does he realize what position he's moving into.]
Just how much more do you have left to do?
[The ropes cover more of him than any restraint he's had so far. At least, he considers, doing things like this really would keep Xue Yang busy with all his experimenting...]
no subject
[ Xue Yang does not stop.
He places one hand under Xiao Xingchen's torso, as if it's sufficient to support the entirety of his body weight. The other hand teases at Xiao Xingchen's supporting leg a bit longer, before finally nudging it out from underneath Xiao Xingchen's body.
The ropes creak and strain slightly as they take Xiao Xingchen's full weight, but they hold easily, the length of them controlled well to the point where Xiao Xingchen shifts and swings only a little. Satisfied with the rest of his work, Xue Yang focuses on that leg, tying it into a bend, then securing the rope to the one around Xiao Xingchen's chest to keep his leg pulled in tight against his body.
Like this he can't do anything to close his legs anymore, his cock and ass both fully exposed. One held up to his chest, the other angled up towards the rig itself above them, forcing his hips to rotate a little. Xue Yang studies the position for a little while, going over it with a critical eye. ]
Maybe it would be better to hang it from the side.
[ He says it more to himself than to Xiao Xingchen. ]
no subject
[Though the thought occurs to him. Xiao Xingchen would not back out on what he has already agreed to, which keeps him from finding out what would happen if he told Xue Yang to stop right now and untie him. Would he actually stop? Putting aside how likely this would send Xue Yang back into his bad mood, the fact that he would listen when he's already into this feels unlikely.
That will just have to be left as a mystery.
Now he's finding that where he thought he felt immobile before, he only began to understand the meaning of that word. The muscles of his thighs strain underneath the ropes as they try to close. He turns his head away from Xue Yang a little, lashes fanning against his flushed face.]
It's only... more intricate than I expected.
cw: bondage practices with questionable safety
[ The words slip out easily and without much thought put into them, and he runs his fingers along the rope, towards Xiao Xingchen's crotch to brush over his erection.
His gaze wanders up to take in Xiao Xingchen's vulnerable expression, and after a moment his gaze shifts to his neck. That's right, if he leaves it like that, Xiao Xingchen is going to have to hold his head up himself. Xue Yang takes one of the thinner lengths of rope, carefully wraps it around Xiao Xingchen's neck several times, and secures the set with a knot to make sure it distributes weight evenly. Then he ties it up to the frame as well, making sure it's taught enough to support Xiao Xingchen's head in this position.
Satisfied with his work, he reaches in to slowly run his fingers along various parts of Xiao Xingchen's body, admiring how the ropes stand out so brightly against his skin with the black of his hair providing further contrast. ]
Now you can't do anything, right? Imagine if I left you like this, daozhang. I could come in here and admire you whenever I wanted.
no subject
Floating and weightless, yet unable to move for fear of the rope closing around his neck-- the ropes play on his nerves in different ways than anything he's felt before. He doesn't try to move now, only looking a bit helpless back at Xue Yang, flushed and covered in a thin sheen of sweat after his ministrations. Even speaking might move him too much for the rope, his instincts tell him, so only his chest rising and falling is the only movement he allows for himself.
He doesn't doubt that Xue Yang has been waiting for an opportunity like this. If he found his words, he want to ask one thing.
Would doing that keep him from ever falling too hard into a bad mood again?]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
cw: unintentional breathplay and dangerous bondage practices
(no subject)
1/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
cw: internalized homophobia
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)