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.
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N A V I G A T I O N
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I don't know! [ Which is true, she doesn't. She's just frustrated. Sexually and regularly, which is an awful combination. ] Hot? Sexy? Something a bit more definitively 'Yes, I'd totally do you' than just lovely.
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[Even in a place like this, it just seems demeaning, honestly. She's a person, not a piece of meat. Even if it can't always be helped in a place like this, doesn't she deserve people being attracted to her based on who she is?]
Ah--my name is Seteth, by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you.
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It tangles up her thoughts and feelings in ways she can't quite explain. In ways that, despite not understanding, she doesn't like. They're as ugly as she suddenly feels and- Ugh. That's not his fault, but still: she just needs somewhere for this frustration to go. ]
Rose, [ she supplies. ] And don't- You don't gotta' be nice, dude. [ She can't imagine her trying to pressure him into saying she's hot is 'pleasant' by any means.
Stop it, she thinks now. What she doesn't deserve is to be treated like she isn't as awful as she's acting. Vines begin to spiral along her arm as she gets more tense; she didn't realize those powers would apply here too but- Why not? This place is already weird enough as it is. ]
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[Not any sort of obligation specific to her, at least. It's the least he can do, after all, the barest basics of courtesy and consideration. But even more than that..... it just makes sense to him, honestly. Aesthetics are all well and good, but who could tell how attractive someone really is at just a glance? There's no saying what kind of chemistry could develop, until you actually start spending time together and getting to know them. Even the prettiest face can't salvage things, if someone's company is unbearable.
Seteth's brows furrow as he catches a glimpse of movement; he glances down to watch the vines slither their way down, caught between curiosity and concern. Is she non-human? A mage of some sort? Is this normal, or something to worry about?]
Is that--are you alright?
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Worse, she decides, because that's the safest bet. ]
Oh- [ The blond starts, blinking at the vines. Huh. While not an inherent power of hers, she wonders if the simulation could seep here as well? Apparently. ] I'm fine, dude. My kind though are tethered to nature, to a point, and so... [ A vine slithers off her wrist and snaps to his. Roses in a variety of colors bloom along the length of it and makes her smile. Huh. ]
I guess this is something I can do now.
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[The question cuts itself off as Rosie reaches for him, startling a little to find himself suddenly ensnared. Is she some sort of..... nymph, perhaps? It would explain being tethered to nature, at least. But how much control does she have over these? Can she sprout them at will? Only from her body? From other plants? From even places where plants shouldn't be able to grow? Can she feel through them? How strong are they, exactly?
Should he.... say something? Would it make her feel any better, perhaps? But they've only just met, he has no idea if confessing something like that would be safe..... For the moment, he just traces gentle fingers over the vine and its blossoms, touch almost reverent.]
They're beautiful. I assume you were touched by the Augur's power as well, then?
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She can't feel through them but, just for a second, wishes that she could when his fingers run along it. He says they're beautiful and, dammit, why is he so nice. It'd be so much easier if- She wonders, fleetingly, if that why it's him. The good 'doctor' testing her somehow.
Ugh. This place sucks. ]
Yeah, that's what they said. Not sure what all that means yet just that- [ It tightens its grip around his wrist and: yoink. Excuse her as she tugs where the vine connects them and smiles. Okay, well- That's fun. She could get used to that. ]
-it apparently makes me lustful.
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Small wonder of that; it's simply how the Augur does things. It seems to have empowered me as well, but..... in truth, I thought it ill advised to test unless necessary.
[He's been here long enough to at least somewhat accurately guess when things have unfortunate Consequences. Lucky him!]
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Sort of. She's trying to make this work for her yet. Rose has never literally reeled someone in so it's kind of cute, in a way, that he relents and lets her test out the pull of her vines. The roses along them turn a lovely shade of yellow; she doesn't yet realize they're functionally tethered to her mood so it reflects that she's enjoying herself. ]
But you sound like you've been here long enough to know how things roll, so... [ A stronger tug this time and a tinge of red along the petal's edges. ] Let's re-visit that I'm 'lovely' thing.
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[He might have felt differently about it all, if he'd had a stable, trustworthy partner still. If he'd had someone on hand to heal him if he got hurt, or..... take care of him if he lost his mind with need, he might very well have chosen to test the limits of his new power. After all, forewarned is forearmed, is it not?
If anything, Rosie may well be the smarter of them both, knowing exactly how far she's capable of taking this newfound power. It was a gamble, of course, but the stakes sound relatively low, so far as this island goes? Just a simple--
--Wait. Is she.....?]
Y-yes.....?
[Just give him a minute, Rosie; that hand is coming down straight in your lap as Seteth tries to keep his balance. He swears, he can almost feel the satisfaction radiating off the doctor as he watches.]
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It's a strange clawing at the back of her thoughts she doesn't actually like driving her decisions. But knowing it's there and ignoring it is, unfortunately, doing nothing to stop it. She's starting to resign herself to the fact that only one thing will and that's why they're both here. As much as she hates feeling like she needs anything (or anyone), she hates feeling out of control of herself more.
So, she absolutely is going for it. ]
Yes, [ she echoes, amusement clear in her tone once that hand falls down into her lap. He can also probably feel the satisfaction radiating off of her as well; more blooming tendrils snake their way towards him. ] I think I can accept it after all if you can show me you mean it.
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And how exactly were you thinking I should prove my sincerity?
[After all, it's her choice, isn't it? If she's that particular about wording, then surely she already has some idea of what she wants from him.]
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It's hard to choose just one way, honestly, but... [ The vine on his wrist coils around before snaking behind him to attach to his opposite wrist and add just a little bit of resistance. Testing. ] Looking at me like that is a good start.
[ She shifts a little closer then to bridge any distance and get hands on him instead of vines; there's an almost mischevious spark to her smile now though. ] So, how about I handle the touching?
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[He's not entirely sure what he was expecting, to be honest, but it wasn't this. Seteth falters for a moment, instinctively tugging back against the resistance and testing its strength. It's hard not to be a little anxious, facing the risk of being restrained with a near stranger.....
Still, that's not the only thing making his pulse race, once Rosie draws near enough to get her hands on him.]
If that's what you'd like, then consider me at your disposal.
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If it's too much, just let me know? [ Those vines will gradually tighten and try to pull his wrists together and up back against the headboard. The roses along them are now a mixture of pastel pink and deep red.
She practically pounces on him, finally, with hot breath and lips against his neck as her hands run the length of his chest over his clothes. Rose will try and position herself in his lap now and wonders just how difficult it actually is to not be able to touch back. She doesn't kiss him on the lips because, well, she doesn't usually think it's 'allowed' so better safe than sorry. Also, it feels almost too intimate for impromptu vine bondage with a guy she just met. ]
Still lovely? [ A joke, mostly, but also her way of subtly checking in. ]
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[That look in her eyes..... It's impossible not to be charmed by just how delighted she looks. It's enough to let the vines tug him into place unresisted, fingers curling loosely around them where they trail back towards her just to have something to do with his hands.
And then Rosie is atop him all at once, a deliciously warm weight in his lap and mouth electrifying against his neck. There's no hiding the gasp she earns, or the first stirrings of arousal beneath her; Seteth tips his head back to bare his throat for her before he can think better of it, skin prickling under her touch. How can she possibly question how beautiful she is at a time like this?]
Very.
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The temptation to mark his neck is strong but- She can't. Can she? It's something she could probably ask but tends to assume the worst i.e. that he has someone to return to after the fact who wouldn't be happy about them. She settles for gentle nips, continued kisses, and drawing a silver line along his neck with her tongue instead. It'll do. Meanwhile, her hands work to find skin now instead of fabric and she purposefully adds a gentle drag of her nails where she can. She probably should have tied him up after stripping down but, whatever, it's fine. She'll make it work.
Removing her clothes is easy. A simple sundress that's lifted over her head and discarded to the location of who the fuck knows where and she absolutely does not care. While she isn't wearing any especially sexy undergarments, it's enough to entice and give a good eyeful of what matters. There's something so much more satisfying about skin against skin that she can't quite put her finger on as she leans back in against him. ]
Well, [ she starts, a hand lowering between their bodies to rub that bulge of his teasingly. ] this is a good start but I'm not quite convinced yet.
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At least seeking out skin isn't difficult for him, either. Rosie may not be able to entirely undress him while tied up like this, but all those buttons mean that all she really needs to do is open his shirt and let it dangle off his shoulders. Seteth's fingers flex around the vines they're holding onto; if he's not allowed to touch her, then all he can easily manage is to tip his head and try to seek out Rosie's lips. If she already feels this good.....]
N-no? Then what.....?
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There's another smart quip on her lips that she was ready to say. Instead, said lips are caught in a kiss that causes her brain to short circuit briefly. This isn't usually- She shouldn't- All the excuses for why she doesn't want to kiss him don't get far. Because she does want to.
Despite herself, she kisses him back with newfound passion and those roses of hers turn a rich red in response. Her vines wind down his arms under his sleeves and across his chest in her eagerness. It's a little embarrassing that something as simple as a kiss sways her this strongly. Of course, shame is the last thing on her mind as she manages to work him free of his bottoms enough to take the length of him in hand. ]
You, [ she finally manages to say between now breathless kisses. Not as witty as originally planned but it gets her point across effectively. ] Whatever you can give me.
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Take me, then.
[It's hoarser and more breathless than he'd like to admit, but that sudden rush of passion from her..... he doesn't even care how, as long as she takes whatever she wants. Riding him, filling him with one of the countless toys scattered around the room, anything is fine. He's even starting to forget that they have an audience, when it's so easy to lose himself in her touches.]
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Oh- Yes. [ It's her turn now to let out a few needy noises; after lowering herself completely onto him gradually, she sighs his name dreamily and takes a moment to just enjoy feeling so full. While not painfully tight, her diminutive frame does come with the perk of nearly always being a pleasantly snug fit for her partners.
There's a testing rise, fall, and roll of her hips that draws a couple stifled sounds of squeaky delight against him in response. It feels so much more intense than usual and she's not sure if that's him, the fact that someone is watching, her powers driving her mad with desire, or just a big circle around all of the above. ]
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Soon enough, he's arching his back and trying to press up into her, eyes half-lidded and unfocused. If Rosie wants to control her own pace, she may want to pin him down further; if she's moving again now, that surely means he's allowed to as well, right?]
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But she does want that control. She wants all that she can have because usually, it's none. Yet, it's endearing how desperate that buck up into her is. It draws a squeaky noise of delight from Rosie who is a little caught off-guard at first. She's torn between wanting to restrain him further to keep it from happening again or letting him work to get what extra pleasure he can; ultimately, the former wins out and those vines creep down his abdomen before sticking down the bed below to keep him more firmly suspended beneath her. ]
Mm, let me take care of all that. [ While not usually one to savor things, Rose wants to enjoy this with a gradual build-up. A slow, steady rise and fall of her hips to start that's purposefully teasing. It grows to a quicker, harsher pace that comes with moans of her own though before long. ] You feel- so good- [ she breathes out against his neck, somewhere in the otherwise string of needy sounds. She's leaning against him now for a bit of extra support with hands planted on his chest. Jelly limbs, okay. For as determined as her hips seem to be, her arms aren't as cooperative as there's a shudder against him. ] Ah-almost.
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[Seteth flushes darker still as the tangle of vines engulf him further. Anchored like this, he can barely even squirm--and what can he do but squirm, when she's moving so agonizingly slowly? Normally, he'd be all for lingering over lovemaking and savoring the intimacy, but he can't touch her, can't hold her, can't even kiss her.....
He can't do anything but focus on how badly he wants her, and how divine she feels wrapped around him. He hadn't expected her to be quite this strong, to be honest; the harder and faster Rosie rides him, the deeper his desperation grows, until every thrust tears soft, ragged sounds from him as his hips strain against their bonds.]
Please--
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Her nails dig into his skin lightly in some futile attempt to tether herself. Not enough to mark, despite the other ways she's rough, just because there's still that silent worry it isn't okay. She lets out a few frantic whispers of 'yes' in succession and a stifled whimper by biting her bottom lip. So close. Just a couple more determined rolls of her hips-
And then, she surprises herself by lifting back up enough to lean in and kiss him again. It's what she needs to push her over that euphoric edge. She tightens around him and utters a drawn-out moan muffled against his lips. There are stars in her vision and shakiness to her limbs for a moment. It's probably bad she can't remember the last time she came like that and with solely penetration alone but, well. No time like the present. ]
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