ercookies | TDM017: SYSTEMS UPGRADE

Entry tags:

!tdm

TDM017: SYSTEMS UPGRADE

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.

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

Threaded | Flat

I. Arrival / Dis-Orientation Pt. 1

When Juno had gone to bed the night before, he’d been in an unfamiliar place. New bed, scratchy sheets. Cold, recycled air. But he’d chosen all that, or at least it came with the job, so it was nothing he couldn’t live with.

This though? He hadn’t chosen this. In fact, he blearily remembers looking to a robotic facsimile of his face, the man he… well. That doesn’t matter. Point being that Juno looked at that face, knew it wasn’t him, and had responded to its choice in no uncertain terms:

No.

So now he’s here, in a… simulation, apparently. That’s what the bot he’s chatting up just told him, and Juno might be making a small scene about it.

“And I’m supposed to buy that? Sim tech isn’t this good, I don’t care who you are.” He presses a finger to the bot’s chest to emphasize his point before turning toward whoever it is who has stumbled upon him mid-argument. Someone who isn’t a bot, finally.

“Hey you! You want to back me up here? I can’t get a thing out of these bots that makes any damn sense.”

II. Dis-Orientation Pt. 2
[ CW: probable intoxication ]

Simulation or not, there’s clearly no getting out of here. Not without buying into the whole “Auspicious Act” nonsense, which… okay, to tell the truth? Juno can think of a few dozen worse things he’d do to get by, but come on.

Thankfully this place has one good thing going for it: liquor. And Juno doesn’t mind at all that it looks more likely to burn the lining off his stomach than get him drunk. He takes a cup of the moonshine from the bartender, raises an eyebrow at the liquid inside, then turns to whatever unlucky patron has joined him at the makeshift bar and raises it in a toast.

“Well, nobody lives forever. Bottom’s up I guess.”

III. The Doctor’s Back In

Okay, so Juno hasn’t exactly been an ideal citizen here between interrogating the bots and otherwise making something of a nuisance of himself since his arrival. It probably shouldn’t surprise him then that there’d be consequences, but… he just hadn’t expected those consequences to come in the shape of an overly pink room that looks like some sort of themed hotel suite. He comes-to with a quiet groan, finding himself sitting upright in a chair almost too plush to be comfortable.

“Oh come on…” He rubs at the eye not covered by a patch and looks around, gaze catching on the very evocative art on the walls. “How many times am I going to wake up someplace different?”

That’s when he notices he’s not alone: there’s someone else sitting across from him, both of them with a pamphlet on the table in front of them detailing the effectiveness of successful…

“You’re kidding me.” He picks his up, shaking his head. “Group therapy? Tell me this is a joke.”

Wildcard!

[ Have something else in mind? Lmk! You can PM me or send me a message over at

spinmeatale to plot. Happy to match prose or brackets. 20+ for smut please. ]

Edited (formatting weirdness) 2021-09-20 22:21 (UTC)

Orientation

[ Riki isn't sure what he's agreed to, but he's glad he's watching from the safety and comfort of the House of Worship. Unfortunately, afterwards, he's accessed this "Playbook" business and found his own profile:

Name: Riki
Age: 20
Sex: Please
Home Planet: Amoi
ABOUT:
- This young man is fresh from prison! You'll see him briefly in the New Arrivals Chorus!
- Don't talk to him about blondes.

So if you happen to see him walking around the House of Worship, he's not going to be very sociable. ]

What are you looking at?

With Great Power

[ The God of Mongrels is here! Very little about Riki has changed outwardly, except for a glaringly obvious pair of erect dog ears replacing his human ones. He scowls as he catches his reflection in a nearby window.

But if you make eye contact with him, you may grow dog ears, too. Mongrels travel in packs, after all.

You might also see him accidentally summoning a small puppy, or sniffing the air and following his nose. ]

wildcard!

[ up for Immersion Room antics, roommate run-ins, and anything else! Riki is from an old BL canon that deals with some heavy subject matter, so I have a temporary permissions post set up. If you recognize the canon and want to opt out of anything, send me a PM or leave a comment over there! ]

Edited 2021-09-22 20:28 (UTC)

1. Orientation
1a. Apartments
Oh! Sorry, I... Wait, uh, they said this one was mine.

[To say that Sylvain had been completely and utterly confused since arriving would be an understatement and at this point it's getting exhausting. Suddenly waking up in a strange new place would have been disorienting enough but it's more than that, nothing is even remotely familiar, none of the buildings or decor look like anything he's ever seen before not to mention the robots and wristband thing.

He spots a few things that are actually familiar neatly set on a table by one of the beds.]

Uh. Maybe this is my room after all. So, what are you doing here? Are we sharing?

1b. Orientation Play
[Wow. This is... a lot. Sylvain didn't really frequent the more scandalous establishments back home. He'd never really had any need or desire to but he's pretty sure even those kinds of places weren't quite so casually explicit and voyeuristic as all of this.

He finally can't force himself to continue watching, looking down at his feet with a soft exhale.] Goddess.

You think they're almost done? I mean, do you think it's almost over not... are they almost... finished.

2. The Doctor's Back In
[One second he's enjoying an amazing, barefoot stroll down the beach and the next he's in a strange room, arms reaching out to balance himself as he tries to get his bearings and figure out what's just happened. He blinks a few times before looking annoyed.]

Come on! Can anyone around here just snap their fingers and make me warp around wherever they'd like?

What's all this about? [He motions toward the bed, the strange room, it's certainly not the room he'd been assigned to in the apartments and now there's another new person here with him. He swallows thickly as his eyes flit between the lewd paintings as The Doctor explains what's expected of them.]

3. Wildcard
[Run into him wandering somewhat aimlessly around the city being mostly confused or enjoying (or overheating) on the beach. Hit me up on plurk if you'd like -

squissie]

I. Orienting
Upon waking, Krem was trying not to think about what he'd seen. That unnerving face was going to haunt his nightmares, that was for sure. And he didn't like the sound of any of this, either.

As it stood, there was only so much he could do. The city that he'd gotten used to was transformed, it seemed, and that meant exploring all over again, checking out everything that he could.

Did he bother going to orientation? Not particularly - but those that did might have seen him mentioned in the playbill, or seen one or two robotic depictions of him, and so he was a face that could be noted in the street.

Most importantly, he needed to check in on people. The last month had been a whirlwind of activity and confusion and he just needed to know that people were okay.

II. Dis/Orienting
~~RESET~~
Upon waking, Krem was trying not to think about what he'd seen. That unnerving face was going to haunt his nightmares, that was for sure. And he didn't like the sound of any of this, either.

As it stood, there was only so much he could do. The rubbled remains of these outskirts were treacherous, but not the worst that Krem had ever experienced, and that meant exploring to figure out what he could learn, checking out everything that he could.

Importantly, he needed to find and check in on people. The last month had been a whirlwind of activity and confusion and he just needed to know that people were okay.

When the robots delivered one of those strange pink balls to him, he was definitely dubious about it, but he took it nonetheless. Maybe it would be useful.

III. The Doctor Is In
"No. No. Nope. Not happening."

Krem could take washing up on strange shores, waking up in strange places, even a variety of encouraged and sometimes mandatory sex acts. But he didn't appreciate when the robots got a mind of their own and started demanding it of him, like he didn't have a mind of his own. And he especially didn't like that he was apparently going to be watched for this one.

He stood there, ignoring the other person in the room for right now, arms crossed over his chest in stubborn denial.

IV. Wildcard
[Krem's been on the Nameless Island for four months and it has been a wild ride. If you're a newbie, hit him up if you'd like a little bit of primer on what to expect - or just use this as a great time to meet him. For personalized starts, contact me on plurk at

besosde or discord at krempuffs#5806.]

| current player
| gen or smut is fine, ota
| a5, permissions

i. orientation/roommates

[The face Akira had seen was one very familiar and ever-present in his nightmares. Only, this wasn't within the normal variance; he'd never been peaceful looking, never the way he was before... He'd never said positive things like "everything is fine", always dying and struggling for coherent words, or already dead and smiling dementedly while beckoning Akira to join him. It was wrong, this imagery, not from his own mind; confirmed by the Augur's following message. Now, as he becomes aware, Akira knows once again immediately that this bed isn't his. Yet, it's also not the plush and soft mattress that had been provided on the island cruise the last time he'd woken up somewhere unfamiliar. He never stays the night, but here he is again brushing his fingers against someone else's skin in a shared space he'd had no say in occupying.]

Nh...

[It's a muted noise, a slightly irritated bent to it, but Akira makes no move to get out of bed, nor to speak to whoever else is with him there, covered by blankets. Idly looking around the room, it's devoid of personalisation and rather barren aside from a low table and a couple of chairs. Two doors likely leading to a kitchen and bathroom, and windows oddly-shaped with some outside greenery visible near the edges. The only thing he recognises is a crate a few feet from the bed; it's from his spare bedroom, but what's inside it could be any number of items from his townhouse the robots decided belonged in it for this particular 're-welcoming' set-up, if it even contains his own possessions.]

ii. with great power
(wildcard-ish)

[A boon this is not, because Akira is devoid of a conceptualisation or pure from of self, never having a concrete identity or even a certainty whether he is truly a living thing at all. Lost. His existence is questioned in his own mind; a lack of self-reference, reliant on his relationships with others and external stimuli to create anything from his malleable core. By himself, Akira is nothing. A void. A deeply hollowed out shell, neither living nor dead, that continually seeks to be filled with someone else's thoughts, to be given form by someone else's desires, sharing someone else's life-force like a desperate and miserable clinging parasite. One may feel themselves growing weak should they come near him, as he unconsciously siphons their very essence, unaware of anything happening at all except that he's started to feel a bit more alive without the aid of physical pain.]

iii. the doctor's back in

[This robot doctor is irritating. Akira generally avoids the robots beyond simple service exchanges, and his immediate instinct upon finding himself in this office was to just get up and leave. He's tried the door twice already, but it won't allow him to exit, much like his experiences with the Midnight Hotel. And "Dr. Love" starts his entire speech over again like Akira has just walked in each time, but he hadn't even walked in the first time. He would never set foot in a therapy office willingly, and he's about to break down and ask the robot to fuck him because it might check off a square and get him out of here. But as he opens his mouth, the doctor proclaims loudly and enthusiastically that his other "patient" has finally arrived, fashionably late. Though Akira didn't hear the door open or see anyone enter, there's a sudden presence felt to his right, where the chair next to him is no longer unoccupied.]

iv. wildcard
anything goes - he won't be at the orientation though, pm for contact

I.

[Xiao Xingchen is sure he came here for some good reason, but as he watches what plays out in front of his eyes, he can't recall what convinced him to!

Between other acts that feel embarrassing enough, some exploits - unmistakably his - play out in front of his eyes: a clandestine moment in the woods, an incident with a cow-shaped mask, at the mercy of a kraken. Then they get to a segment about a maid cafe.

His whole form curls up and shrinks around himself in a lump, flushed skin peeking out from under white robes even as he tries to hide. If only he could disappear right there! Why doesn't he just transform into another form, as the play indicates he can? Well, that would require a level of deception. Gaze darting around, it settles on the person he's seated next to, and he acts on instinct.]

Please--!

[Xiao Xingchen lunges to the side to thrust a long, loose white sleeve in their line of vision.]

II.

[On even ordinary days, the scent clinging to his clothes alternates between fresh-baked goods and pine from the mountains, depending on where he last traveled. Now, however, the scent of sweetness surrounds him wherever he goes. Is there something off about the place, ever since the attack?

Opening his hand, he finds a hard piece of candy. He closes his fingers around it, then as if to see if it's his imagination, opens it again. All that's changed is another piece of candy sitting next to the first piece in his palm.

He's now the god of... sweets?

The sweet scent leaving a trail across the city towards the Mei Mei Maid Cafe - at least this area is as he left it - he hurries inside and readies some tea, placing some of the small candies into it to prepare it in the way he's discovered in this world. After it dissolves, he also decides to practice his other power bestowed by the Augur, chilling the air around the tea until it becomes a cold drink (also something he learned of here). He is feeling a bit warmer in a way he knows too well.

It doesn't taste the same as the kind from their plant.

He turns a warm smile towards anyone who might have followed, faint confusion still evident in his eyes, though he appears mostly resigned to this world's eccentricities.]

Did you want one like this as well? I do need to find a way to use all of these.

Wildcard
[I can work with any prompt and idea, and feel free to PM if you need. He will also likely be getting a (faulty) neural implant.]

I. Orientation

Shaun lounged in a seat at the theater watching the robots with amusement. When he first arrived on the island he had enjoyed the theater for its comedy. The plays were all very serious and sexual but they were so badly written he could not take them seriously. It had always been a good afternoon to watch the robots. He had to avoid the popcorn and other treats the theater offered for their aphrodisiac properties but otherwise Shaun had a pleasant time.

Now, they were dramatically retelling the recent events of the island. No details on why the sudden changes to the island and its structure though. Shaun had been hoping the play would reveal some answers as to where the houses of his friends had gone. He had a room in the House of Pleasure big enough for five people but it certainly wasn't the home he had come to enjoy.

Those friends were somewhere, he trusted, though he hadn't seen them on his first walk through the island. He knew they'd find their way together because that was how things always worked with them. No matter the danger they'd find each other. And he thought the theater was a nice central location.

---
II. With Great Power

A Runechild sorcerer such as Shaun had a strong connection to the raw arcane energy of the world. It was magic the Augur had never been able to take from him even when it took his spell slots. Apparently, it felt it was time to return that power and then some.

Shaun's tan brown skin was now a swirl of purple and golden energies. He was a being of pure magical energy now, an elemental avatar of the Arcane, his physical form replaced by the swirl of magic and arcane. Shaun looked mostly like himself though he radiated power and floated above the ground instead of walking. Even his robes were arcane energy, swirling around him to make sure he was mostly modest while he explored.

It was nice to have his connection to magic itself returned to him and to be that magic itself. Shaun was at peace with his new form. If it was to be permanent he would certainly be happy.

Though occasionally the magic flared, unhappy and unsettled like the man. He had not seen his friends yet. Nor had he seen his love. He stalked the edges of paradise looking for them.

Orientation
I. Apartments

Ruby woke up with a gasp, confused as to where she was. Something about this place just felt... familiar. She couldn't understand it just yet, but she had returned to the island.

"Where... this place seems... familiar?" she uttered. Getting up from her bed, she wandered around her new apartment curiously, not knowing she might not be alone.

II. Ampitheater

"Okay, yeah, I remember this place... but, it feels... different."

Ruby covered her eyes as the sex scenes took place, but she had an idea of what was going on since her return to this world. Jeez, what a strange world!

She would also look over the strange Playbook given to everyone, shocked at how detailed the entire book was, all down to certain... questionable... things.

With Great Power

Her friends weren't here, but she wouldn't let them leave her heart. With the odd godlike power she had, Ruby decided to change up her looks for the most part. Yang's robotic arm and Ember Cellia, Blake's outfit and Gambol Shroud, Weiss' old ponytail and Myrtnaster and Ruby's own cape, boots and Crescent Rose.

Goddess of found families. Goddess of huntresses.

Ruby wouldn't realize it at first, but those who come near her would want to stay by her side and show her affection.

And honestly, she'll happily return it, no matter what it is.

Wildcard

(OoC: Wanna do something else? Sure! Other places, other things, Neural Implant activation, hit me up!)

Orientation
[ Allenby is watching the introductory play's stream from a comfortable reclining position on one of the room's beds. It's embarrassing but totally fascinating! She'll poke her head out into the hallway and flag down the closest person to ask:]

Hey! Are you watching that weird play?

With Great Power
[ Allenby has ascended to gamer godhood. Yes. Oh yes.

You can find her at Ticket to Ride challenging people to all sorts of games -- whether it's "Whack-a-Woody" or skeeball or that one game where you watch a light zip around and you've got to stop it as it's underneath another arc.

Except the arcs are probably shaped like curved dicks. ]
Let's go! Another match!

[ or, if you're not in the vicinity of the arcade, she's also playing rock, paper, scissors rather agressively on street corners. ]

Orientation-

[Sigh. Well, here he is. Again. How many times does this make it now? The new veneer doesn't exactly impress him that much, but he supposes that it's a mild improvement over where was here before. Not that any of that matters to him.]

[More importantly, there's that playbill. Of course he's in it.]

Murderhobo? Really?

[Aaaand that playbill is unceremoniously dumped in the trash.]

Edited 2021-09-21 23:38 (UTC)

orientation.

[

Yes, she thinks, despite herself. Yes, she wants to continue. She wants to live, she wants-

The woman is waking up with a gasp into a daydream. A fantasy. It was a good call. This place is awesome. Part of her thinks she might actually be dead and this is just the afterlife but- No. Her kind doesn't go to the same place as benevolent human souls. This wouldn't be a haven meant for her. That means it's all the more reason to absolutely live it up like there's no tomorrow. For all she knows, this could end in an instant so she's going to make the best of it. Her dwelling - and whoever might also be occupying it - is only briefly addressed. Sorry, random dude or dudette. She has a whole new world to see.

Of course, it's interrupted by the arts. She isn't actually upset about that, of course, and actually thinks this place can't get any better.

]

[

she says, to whoever might be unfortunately seated next to her.

]

they do

great power.

[

A rose by any other name she is and so that's what she becomes. Her hair is golden still but littered with roses of varying color with the most prominent being braided behind her head. The creamy pink dress she wears is, upon closer inspection, a layer of soft pink petals that appear to be an actual part of her rather than external.

]

[

Graceful as she may look, no one said that she had to act the part of a goddess.

]

[

she'll say to anyone whose attention she can grab. She places a palm to her chest and gives a bit of focus before- Boom. Her dress erupts in a beautiful array of colorful petals now instead; it's a friggin' floral rainbow.

]

[

Of course, no one warned her that this fun party trick would come with side effects. She recognizes the familiar itch of desire for what it is but- She can ignore it. Right? It's fine. She's sure it'll be fine.

]

II.

[

It's not fine.

While no stranger to a good casual hook-up or two, Rose is resisting the unnatural urge to the point of no return. Probably because it feels too similar to her people's mating drive. Her body feels hot, her mind racing with desperation, and she just wants someone to fill her in more ways than one-

]

Agh!

[

the shout comes suddenly, startling some people nearby and likely drawing the attention of others. The blond dramatically flops onto a soft patch of grass that she starts to tear out in her frustration.

It's childish and stupid but it makes her feel better.

]

[

she says to whoever might approach to see if she's alright.

]

stop saying fuck because it makes you want to

[

She can't even mess up the lawn in peace! What kind of hell is this!

]

doctor, doctor, give me the news.

[

Rose stares at the wall of the Immersion Room flatly. While their collection of dildos is honestly impressive, she's hardly enthused.

]

[

she huffs out, raising her hands to make air quotes and all. When she sits up, she's pleading to the ceiling. Really, she's pleading to whatever cameras she assumes are in the room.

]

[

She doesn't need this type of therapy, at least. Regular therapy? Absolutely.

]

[

She just doesn't want it to be like this.

]

[

Directed now to the unfortunate soul stuck in here with her. Tread carefully. Either answer, yes or no, leads to disaster.

]

Edited 2021-09-22 00:34 (UTC)

→ current player
→ OTA
→ A5 and permissions in journal

III. DIS-ORIENTATION - SHAKE DOWN

Of course Duo chooses ‘no.’ He didn’t take out Deathscythe and attempt to destroy the Augur for no damn good reason, after all.

In a way, the run down buildings around remind Duo of home – L2, after all, is not necessarily a space colony known for class and well-maintained blocks. At any rate, he thinks this is possibly a little swipe at a punishment for his involvement on trying to overthrow the Augur, by the way that the city sits in the distance, glimmering like an odd taunt. It certainly is not a goal that Duo aspires for, and soon he is wandering the alleyways and broken down places in search of a good place to tuck himself for the time being –

Or better yet, trying to find the other pilots.

Which is how he happens upon a bot and starts a little conversation, deciding to prod to see if the bots here perhaps will go off a script, or maybe had a little more oomph to them than the robots in the city.

“You hear that?” Duo calls over to any fellow Islander he finds, gesturing them over. “This thing just said that this is a simulation.”

And then – “Did you try to take the Augur down too?”

Well, might as well try to figure out causation while they’re at it.

III. DIS-ORIENTATION - THE BAR OF COURSE

Once Duo has established all that he needs to about this new place and this simulation… curiosity kills the cat and he heads in to the shack to see what he can get in rations. The moonshine is only a bonus, of course, but it certainly doesn’t stop (1) one young Duo Maxwell from having to try some legitimate bathtub moonshine.

An iron stomach does much for the fact that Duo is even able to keep the liquor down, though he is not wholly prepared for just how hard it hits him. After all, usually he can stand up to a little more than a shot or two, but tonight finds Duo slouched, an easy smile spread liberally across his boyish face, sort of swaying this way and that very slowly where he’s leaned against a table, gesturing freely toward the bathtub of moonshine.

“This shit’s wild – you should try some.”

III. DIS-ORIENTATION - RANDOM ABANDONED ENCOUNTERS

Used to exploring abandoned and run down places, assessing them for the ability to be sleepable or even liveable for the time being, Duo Maxwell is on a bit of an adventure. He doesn’t bother to be quiet as he explores, heavy foot falls and occasional muttering to himself a tell-tale that Duo is in the area as he looks around. He isn’t sure who will be staying around him, in terms of those he’s already acquainted with, but shoots for a space that could keep five, just in case the gang’s all here and gundam pilots need to room together.

This means he’s bound to run in to someone along the way, stopping as he notices another figure.

“Oh – hey. Anything good in here or just takin’ a second?”

NOTES, ETC.

( as always, if there’s a prompt you’d like to do that I didn’t offer – chuck it my way! Any prompt at all! I will also match format, whether it’s prose or brackets, so feel free to tag any which way! )

→ current player
→ OTA
→ A5 and permissions

Orientation

[The play is like some strange thing one can only stare their way through in morbid curiosity over all the robosex. This sure would be a robophile's wet dream. It's not really his thing, though. By the time it's finally over Noiz is annoyed and exasperated as he casually flips through the Playbook to see what info is in there.

And. Of course. It has a profile for him.

Name: Noiz
Age: 19
Sex: Yes
Last Residence: Midorijima, Japan
Languages Spoken: German, Japanese, English

-- Take up the challenge of locating all his piercings.
-- Knows a lot about solitary confinement.
-- Sore loser.
-- Loves tongue a little too much.
-- Can handle any abuse thrown his way.

Scowling down at it, Noiz quietly snarls and he folds it up, rips it apart and scatters the paper everywhere. Maybe right at you, the person nearby.]

What do you want?

[If you bitch at him for littering he will end you.]

The Doctor's Back In

[This robot's starting to get on his nerves. He balls up one hand into a fist and aims to nail Dr. Love in the face. Dr. Love whips up a metal forearm to block with surprising swiftness. The ensuing pain as his fist connects harshly with sturdy metal startles the living daylights out of him, enough to send him stumbling wide-eyed backwards and collapsing without an ounce of grace into the chair he'd found himself sitting in when he first perceived the room. What. In the. Everloving fuck is going on?! His hand and arm smart with dull, spreading pain. That shouldn't be possible, though. Everything has felt like the normal he's used to, and he hasn't taken one of those special gumdrops recently. So what the hell...?

That's when the robo doctor chides him and starts suggesting he ought to relieve his stress with the other patient. His brow furrows in confusion. He turns and stares at the new arrival, unsure how much of that scene he or she must have seen. Noiz certainly hadn't noticed anyone there earlier, not even as he stumbled back stunned.]

When did you show up?

Wildcard

[Also open to waking up as roommates, and he's getting a godlike power that allows him to consciously siphon the pain a person is presently experiencing by touching them. Feel free to HMU at

inthetatras or Numi#5838 for plotting if you want.]

Edited 2021-09-23 02:46 (UTC)

(( Please check out Xue Yang's content warnings/op-out post here! ))

1. Curtain Call

[ Anyone who spends some time in the amphitheater watching the various sex scenes might find themselves viewing one that catches their eye. Perhaps it's the story of someone in a cage getting taunted and fucked by someone else wielding a knife. Maybe it's someone getting assaulted by a giant octopus-like creature (complete with awkward set pieces to stand in for the creature). Maybe it's a woman getting kidnapped and penetrated by two men at the same time. Or two men in masks fucking, and one of them getting thrown across the stage right after coming inside the other.

For any of these or others, Xue Yang laughs and turns to the person next to him. ]

That was much more fun when it happened for real.

2. Oh God...

[ Whoever decided to let Xue Yang have godly powers probably should have thought twice. But it's a little too late now. As a god of fixation, there's a few things that Xue Yang seems to have domain over, and not quite in a way that he can pin down. But given how much aphrodisiac he's been consuming, there's something in particular that he's been fixated on that is easy to figure out: sex, of course. ]

a. (( cw: use of the neural implant ))

[ He doesn't know what a "neural implant" is or realize that it's what he's tapping into, but Xue Yang does notice that there's something in people's minds that he can tamper with, and that something lets him immediately make them horny. Is it specifically towards him, or just aroused in general? That will depend on his mood. But there's no mistaking the way that someone in his vicinity could suddenly find themselves as aroused as if they'd gorged themselves on aphrodisiac. ]

b.

[ Of course "fixation" doesn't have to just be sex. If his influence affects others in ways he's not expecting, it's also possible a character will find themselves randomly obsessed with... something. It might be their life's work, it might be the most recent passing thought in their head, or it might just be what's directly in front of their vision. It's not the sort of thing that can't be pulled away from, but the sort of thought that sits in the back of one's mind constantly and grows bit by bit until it's finally discarded or indulged. ]

3. Wildcard

(( Feel free to hit me up or PM for plotting! Xue Yang can also be found wandering around the city trying to reorient himself and take in the sights after the makeover. He is currently wearing a shock collar along with his usual clothes. ))

Edited 2021-09-23 04:26 (UTC)

I. Dis-Orientation

[ To say that Greed has never been good at taking orders would be an understatement. That's why he's spent so much of his life, such as it is, on the run, and why he ended it in a boiling vat of noxious chemicals, stripping away his essence and boiling him down to nothing more than the remnants of a Philosopher's Stone. Or so he'd thought, anyway, until waking up staring at that metallic face that gave him nothing at all to go off of, but a vaguely paternal feeling that he wanted nothing at all to do with.

Which brings him here, naturally, to nothing but ruin. Seems appropriate.

Of course, on top of being a disreputable and disobedient punk, Greed is also absolutely a survivor, and one who's good at going with the flow besides. He doesn't know much of the ways of technology, how to operate the strange bracelet around his wrist for one, or who these metal people - are they even people - truly are, but hell, he's not exactly a person, either, is he? Nor were the chimera he'd been palling around with, for that matter, at least according to many. So that suits him fine. And they tell him of a nameless island, and an Auger, and Auspicious Acts he must perform, and oh, being told what to do always goes down smoothly.

But then, he likes at least the aspiration to opulence of a city better than rubble, so he might as well make his way, a lazy swagger to his gate and a predator's sharpness in his eyes as he looks around, trying to find a clue, or a mark to take advantage of, or at least a 'friend' to be made. Speaking of things going down smoothly, the moonshine is certainly rough, and biting, and he doesn't feel as strong as he once was, but as he takes a pull, it burns pleasantly, and he thinks, maybe this won't be so bad.

He smiles like a shark, and while he might be the fresh meat here, he's clearly looking to make his way right to the top of the food chain. With the help of anyone who'll listen. ]

So, you get anything useful out of these metal assholes, or do they just like leaving us twisting in the wind?

II. Morphin' Time

[ For a man of his size, Greed is surprisingly good at blending into the shadows when he needs to, and that goes doubly for the creature that popped out of that strange pink orb he - let's generously say - acquired a little bit ago.

Hence why it makes for such a surprise when a rangy, slightly underfed-looking black wolf almost seems to melt from the shadows, tongue lolling and eyes bright and vivid. An alarming sight for anyone, really, but as the wolf approaches it seems far more interested in rubbing its shoulder against the knees of the closest individual with almost doggy friendliness, though there's enough weight and solidity behind it that one might need to brace themselves to keep from getting sent stumbling.

And perhaps more concerning still? The fact that it opens its maw not to bark or growl, but to simply say: ] Want.

[ Whether it's more reassuring or more disconcerting still to see a broad-chested, leather-clad man in a pair of sunglasses and a devilish grin leaning up against a wall is up to the individual. The chuckling might help! He seems friendly. Or something. ]

Well, I told him to sniff me out some company. [ It's probably hard to be trustworthy when you look like Greed, though, and he looks far too amused, like he's in on some unheard joke. ] You'll do nicely. [ Oh, and he has a bottle in hand. He pulls the cork from the neck - with sharper than average teeth - before offering it. ] Have a drink with me?

[ Meanwhile, the wolf thumps its shoulder against Greed's lucky new friend again, and once again speaks, on a voice strangely velvety. ] Pretty. Want.

III. Wildcard.

[ I am always all ears when it comes to starter suggestions so hey, if anyone has an idea they'd like to share, shoot me a line or just drop it. I'm easy. Almost as easy as Greed himself, frankly. ]

i - Orientation

One second she had been stepping off the path in the Realm of Faerie to avoid being seen while on a rescue mission to find her pack's druid, the next she was waking up in a whole technoworld. This whole place rang of weaver weirdness and Ren was deeply uncomfortable with it.

She could be found searching about the audience during the play, hissing names under her breath as she tried to search for her missing friends. "Colin? Ji-Hyun? Jabari?" They had to be here somewhere. That wasn't to say that she wouldn't occasionally be distracted by the very informative play and trip over someone else.

ii - With Great Power

"Fuck me, watch this!" Ren was now grabbing people by the scruff of their neck and pulling them over to witness this newest ability of hers. Being that she was a big, tall and already unusually strong young woman, it would take some muscle to prevent yourself from being pulled along.

"Taste this." A cup of water would be pushed into her unsuspecting victim's hands. It was plain old refreshing water. Once a sip was taken, the dark haired young woman would tap the side of the cup three times. "Now again!" It had turned from water into a nectar-like alcohol, sweet and refreshing with a hell of a kick. "It's fucking drink! I can make booze with fuckin' magic!" She excitedly announced.

Unfortunately she had yet to realise the consequence for using this new power quite so prolifically.

[OOC: Ren is an 18 year old werewolf warrior. She is bisexual and from a reasonably modern setting. Info about her is up on her journal. Happy to discuss by PM or you can catch me on discord at clarabe11a#6969 ]

Orientation

Nixie had decided to watch the play going on with amused interest. The fairy girl couldn’t help but chuckle as the robots did their little play, performing sexual acts in between.

“This is so amusing!” She said, grinning. “They think that they can spice things up like that! Besides, there’s nothing more relaxing than another real body by you.”

Great Power

Nixie always felt herself one with nature, even if her usual magic meant just shrinking to her fairy form or the use of wind magic. Now, just being in the world, she could feel herself one with nature. The plants and land itself were hers to control.

Which is why you might now find a new forest to explore, trees, branches and bushes all moving to brush against you.

“Come, come! Enjoy yourself!” Nixie called out.

i. it's morphin' time

[ Fully intending to sulk throughout the duration of the simulation he's been thrust into — the slummy part of it, of course, having chosen to be a brat and definitively choose no — until the Augur's reboot or whatever it was up to. He had hopes that after that, his laboratory would be accessible again, but until then, there's little for the engineer to do. So he sulks.

At the bar, with the terrible moonshine left overwhelmingly untouched on the bartop by his elbow. He'll attempt to stomach drinking that again... sometime... but not right now. Right now, he's watching a white-furred, red-eyed ferret go zipping in and out of the place.

It'll be gone for a few minutes, then back again, zooming up his leg and coat and up to the bar to deposit what it's found. ]

Can you build something with this?!

[ It, or, rather, she asks, squeaky and very hyper voice too feminine to assume otherwise. ]

That? No, again, no, I cannot. Where do you keep finding these things?

[ This is only the most recent addition to the growing pile of junk the ferret has been accumulating on the bartop, right next to Lloyd's untouched drink. He was frazzled when she first appeared out of nowhere, thanks to himself not being able to resist the odd bit of tech the robot with the orbs had brought back, and now he merely watches on as she does her best to give him something to work on.

She's trying very hard.

He's not sure what to do about that aside from just... let her.

Of course, that thing she brought back could easily have been looted off another islander. She, much like the man himself, has not a lick of sense to keep her paws to herself. Maybe she knicked your wallet, an ID, a pair of glasses, some cherished knickknack, and dragged it — and likely the owner — all the way back to Lloyd. ]

ii. the doctor's back in

I assure you, once again, that forging deep and loving bonds with my fellows is not something I am particularly capable of. You should really move on.

[ Shocking no one who might already know Lloyd, he's found himself suddenly with a mandatory and inescapable session with Dr. D Love. He's seated on one side of the couch in the robo-therapist's office, slumping down in it, arms folded, like a petulant child.

Currently, the doctor — who Lloyd highly doubts really is a doctor, because there's no university here, where did he even get his PhD, huh, huh? — and his patient is at odds over whether or not Lloyd can fall in love. ]

The Augur doesn't even require romance to exist. Eros energy comes from sexual acts, not love, for goodness sake! You agree, don't you? It hardly matters.

[ On the other side of the couch, whatever poor soul is trapped in here with him has Lloyd turning to look their way and ask them just that. Well? ]

Edited 2021-09-23 22:14 (UTC)

existing player
gen OTA; smut OTA 18+
A5 | permissions

1. Dis-Orientation

Continue?
Yes / No

Continue? Here in this disgusting place with no care for anyone's privacy or free will, where he has no purpose? Continue in this place that killed his king and keeps him separated from his home and his best friend? What point is there to Felix Fraldarius in a world that doesn't have Dimitri or Sylvain in it?

Continue without them?

No.

But when Felix comes back to awareness, it's still not Fodlan he sees. He's still in this damnable place, and now he's alone. But everything is different, and the robots are even less help than usual. The only thing he cares about right now is finding Dimitri...whether dead or alive. He demands to know how to get to the hospital from here. They tell him he'll have to go back to the Nameless City, and they tell him what's required to pass from here to there.

Of course. Of fucking course.

So Felix stalks the broken streets of the ruined city outskirts looking for someone who will help him fulfill a square and hopefully not ask too many questions. He's in no mood to talk. He doesn't want anyone's pity or condolences; he doesn't even want a fight. He just wants to get back into the city. Find him anywhere for a relatively normal encounter.

If it takes too long to find someone, he'll have little choice but to go into the rundown tavern and get something to eat and drink. For once, he barely even cares if it's laced - that might even help him find a partner for a square. He hates how desperate this place has made him to do these things. He hates that he's actively trying to fill out the stupid card of his own volition, and he hates the boar for pulling a stunt like that and making him have to go through all this looking for him now.

(Except that's a lie. He doesn't hate Dimitri, and never actually did.)

Find him at the moonshine shack for a wilder encounter. [Feel free to choose drink effects; I'll go with whatever!]

2. The Doctor's Back In (Feelings Jam)

Felix has never heard of therapy before, nor does he have any desire to attend it once the automaton claiming to be some kind of doctor explains it. Literally nothing, he tells the robot, about his life is any of its business. He threatens it a few times. He tries explaining that he's fine - he found his king, who's alive by the way, so everything's great, get out of his way. The doctor refuses.

Eventually it says it will have to call in someone else to talk to Felix, since he doesn't seem to want to talk to it. Felix tells it he's going to just leave instead.

And that argument is how he finds himself locked in the doctor's office. No amount of pounding on the door or yelling gets the robot to let him out, but after a few minutes, another islander appears in the room with him. Possibly right in the middle of his yelling.

3. The Doctor's Back In (Neural Implant)

If there's one thing Felix is really good at, it's refusing to do something out of stubborn spite. His talents are on full display here in the Immersion Room, where the so-called 'doctor' has told him he's not allowed to leave until he 'relaxes,' which is apparently defined as having an orgasm now, who knew? The doctor offers to help, or send an assistant to help, or let him use anything in the room to make it happen, but Felix refuses all of it. He only wants to leave and he's not going to...perform for this automaton's amusement.

Finally, the robot tells him it has no choice but to activate his Neural Implant. Felix has absolutely no idea what that means, but once someone else is transported into this room with him, he'll quickly find out...

4. Wildcard!

[I'm up for whatever! if you want to plot something specific, hit me up on plurk at

thessjuli

→ current player
→ OTA | gen/smut/other
→ A5 and permissions in journal

V. The Doctor's Back In

[Abigail is bored.

It's not a grand statement. It doesn't deviate greatly from the status quo. After ascertaining quickly there is, indeed, no way out aside from what is usually required, she's taken to busying herself with pulling apart anything small that can be dismantled, examining the various crude toys, and sniffing the sparse food for edibility. The matter of fact is, Abigail has been bored for a very long time now.

And she's managed to sleep throughout the only exciting thing to have ravaged the island since her arrival, somehow.]

Death sounds so good right now. [She mutters to the only occupant of the room, sprawled on the plush bed to take as much space as possible, looking like the world's least sexy starfish.]

Threaded | Flat

I. Orientation

II. With Great Power

III. Dis-Orientation

IV. It's Morphin' Time

V. The Doctor's Back In

OOC Notes:

QUESTIONS

Juno Steel | The Penumbra Podcast | OTA

Riki | Ai no Kusabi

Sylvain Gautier | Fire Emblem: Three Houses