ercookies | TDM 019 : ALL THE LEAVES ARE...

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TDM 019 : ALL THE LEAVES ARE...

TDM 19

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Augmentations c̴̦͋o̷͓̺̘̓m̸̮̈̾́p̸̻̃l̵̠̱̤̅e̷̢̧̺͐̃̽t̸͈̓ḙ̴͙̓͘.

Proceed . . .? Y/N

> Y

Your eyes blink open to the blinding glare of 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 N̵̩̈́̓ä̶͇́͂͘m̸̠͒e̴̞̻̾ͅl̷̹̄͝ḙ̷̺͗s̵̳͊̀ṣ̵̱̚ͅ ̶̧͒̄Í̴͔s̵̡̛̺̍̓ļ̵̥͖̄͛͌ḁ̸̳̟̒́n̵̻͑́͗d̴̩͕̰̂̊̔

Darkness overtakes you once again.

I. Arrival

When you awake, you find you have washed up on the otherworldly pink sands of an impossibly beautiful beach, the tropical scenery spoiled only slightly by your seasickness. New arrivals, waterlogged and covered in sand, will be greeted by robots who welcome them with towels and bracelet devices. The A5 card is already loaded up. If you don’t manage to get away from them quickly enough, they may even usher you toward the Laid Bare Spa, where new arrivals will be offered free massages, a sauna, hairstyling, and their clothing may come up permanently missing. But you will be given a complimentary towel to leave with if needed!

Feel free to explore the Island, all is available for your use. Stake your claim on a place to live in the now, whether an apartment in the City, a shack on the beach, or a bigger space at the House of Worship with friends. Your inventory will be found a day later, wrapped up haphazardly and delivered to each arrival's home.

II. FALLING OVER YOU

The fall scenery and change in foliage continues into the new month. Leaves of red, orange, and yellow cover the trees and always seem to be falling, carpeting forests and dirt footpaths with the soft yet crunchy debris. Even the chillier temperatures don't seem to be going anywhere just yet. Maybe you need to head over to the tailor's or another clothing shop to get warmer outerwear. Or try the latest fall flavors at the Steaming Carafe Café. Everyone will get free hot chocolate that tastes like something warm, comforting...almost nostalgically familiar.

There is even a shifting in the Island itself, a new area opening for visits. Wetlands with canoes for easy travel shaded by a thick canopy of trees, including dozens, branches an array of colors as they slip into fall themselves. Take one of the canoes from the boathouse or take a seat provided by your friendly robot helpers and you will find yourself on a leisurely ride through the waters. The robots are especially insistent on you not taking the ride alone and will find someone else to ride with you (or more than one someone).

As you take the long route through the wetlands, you'll find two paths you can take, both lined with weeping willows to the point light filters through only when the wind blows. While Route A will seem normal and uneventful, taking Route B may find branches touching different parts of your body as you go. And you might even find those parts of your body suddenly begin to tingle with warmth and arousal. You may even move away from the willows to avoid the sensations, but somehow, someway, they reach out and continue to touch you.

The more you try to avoid it, the more insistent the willows seem to become. They might even seem to tug at you, as if to try and remove the clothing that blocks them from reaching your skin. And the warmth will spread across your entire body, leaving you all the more aroused and in desperate need of relief. Completing an auspicious act will alleviate the symptoms, but if you resist until you reach the final bend of the ride, you'll find a beautiful waterfall where both routes meet. Touching the waters nearest to the falls soothes some of the heightened arousal, but a skinny dip will remove it all together, if leaving you chilled and in need of a cuddle your ride buddies will hopefully be willing to provide.

III. HELLO, PLUMPKIN!

Along with the shifting foliage and cooler temperatures, pumpkins have sprouted all around the island! Some are attached to thick, twisting vines, others are randomly in places one might never expect. How did those pumpkins get on your roof? Or in your hammock? Did you put that pumpkin on your doorstep? A mystery has unfolded...

Until the robots request your help in Plumpkin harvesting! No, no, not pumpkins. Plumpkins These odd creatures feline in nature...if cats were fluffy on top and pumpkin on the bottom. They enjoy causing mischief this time of year as they toddle or roll themselves around the island, putting pumpkins in odd places or playing pranks that some people might even first believe are caused by cherub dragons. But while cherub dragons are generally benign and playful, Plumpkins don't care if their pranks cause trouble, injury, or anything else. They are as chaotic as they are adorable.

The robots will impress the importance of getting them calmed down and returned to their Plumpkin Patches and offer credits to anyone who helps in this round-up. Robots will even provide seeds that some Islanders may remember coming from a certain skull sunflowers. Plumpkins love these seeds and most will gladly follow anyone if a promise of more is there. Unfortunately, the supply is limited so you may just have to find a skull sunflower field and collect more. Do be wary of the potential effects of getting any of that sap on you...

IV. GOOD WREATH

The robots continue getting into the seasonal mood, decorating the Island in the colors of fall, even in the areas not affected by the changes. They even invite all Islanders to their Autumn Wreath Craft Show!

Wall to wall wreaths are lined up for display before they are taken to decorate the various doors, lampposts and shop windows around the Nameless Island and there are long tables where you can try your hand at making some yourself. There is a variety of supplies you can use, from different types of leaves, small dried fruits and vegetables, especially gourds, flowers (even skull sunflowers!), twines, ropes, and branches. Everything you could possibly need.

But you may find that some of the items you pick do more than reflect your taste in wreaths, but also have an influence on you in return.

Red Flowers with such thick and warm scents make you feel soft and relaxed, maybe even sleepy. But you can’t sleep just anywhere. You need physical contact with someone else to push you over the edge and your sluggish brain doesn’t care who it is. Hopefully you find someone willing to let you take a nap against their shoulder (or in their lap).
Orange Produce such as fruits and vegetables may find you feeling more energetic, inspired and productive. You have so many new ideas, whether it be for wreaths, activities, or sudden urges to just do something. Free climb a building? Kiss a random person on the street? Do more than just kiss them? Whatever inspiration strikes you, you can’t help but follow through.
Yellow Leaves come in so many different shapes and shades but all of them carry the same warming effect. As in, you become a little furnace to everyone around you in the chilly outdoor craft show. You may not feel it yourself, but others may gravitate towards you, basking in that warmth. Someone might even feel the need to press right up against you go get some of that heat for themselves.

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User input required.

Load Simulation . . .? Y/N

READY: Simulation 1.1 Tenebrae Town

Your consciousness comes to you in the midst of a dense autumn forest. You haven't been asleep. You stand there, fully clothed, but perhaps not in your usual attire - perhaps you're wearing a belted tunic with trousers and leather boots to protect you from the cold ground, or a long and modest dress with an apron and a hood, hand-sewn in natural fabrics. The chill in the air and even the smell of the dirt and the trees are not like those of the Island. This place feels old, a strange energy crackling in the air. Some may recognize it as a very ancient magic.

In the distance, colorful lights dance between the trees. Approach closely enough and they look like fairies, but they are always just out of your reach. Are they leading you somewhere? No - if you follow them, as they seem to bid you, they will only lead you deeper into danger: a snarling wolf, a sudden drop into a craggy ravine. They are mischievous, sometimes cruel little things.

You'll never escape this forest by yourself. For as long as you are alone, the night is interminable - days long, it seems. Are you the determined sort, willing to choose a direction and continue walking no matter what, or will you give into despair of being hopelessly lost? With any luck, it won't take you long to find out that your only way out is with the help of someone else. Only by agreeing to work together will the dawn finally break, and your path into Tenebrae Town will become clear.

Should you refuse, or never cross paths with another Islander? Maybe the wolves will take you in.

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OOC Notes:

To accommodate our smaller community and split-setting environment, TDMs going forward will be open to old and new players for top levels! Please state in your subject line whether you are a TDMing a new character, or top-leveling with a character currently in the game!

Voting for Audience Choice Awards for Prompt III will be held in November. Threads should be started by the time you submit your entries, but need not be finished in order to win! Entries will still be valid if they include characters who TDMed but did not apply to the game.

ALL participants in the contest may handwave one small Augur reward request equivalent to an incomplete thread reward.

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N A V I G A T I O N

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A Trip for Two

[ Xue Yang doesn't mind the falling temperature, instead rather interested in investigating the foliage. And in particular, the new wetlands.

Yet the robots aren't exactly keen on letting him take out a boat alone. He can be found raising a hassle as he tries to convince them to get one for him to use. ]

I'll even jerk off a few times while I'm in it. Let me on already.

[ But after failing to convince them, he takes matters into his own hands--more precisely, grabbing a nearby someone regardless of their apparent willingness. ]

I'm going with them, now give me the boat.

(( ooc: up for both Route A and Route B! ))

Pumpkin Rain

[ If someone is particularly unlucky on this day, they might happen to spot a Plumpkin with something important of theirs clutched in its mouth. Is it a piece of clothing? A small item? It could be anything the little creature can carry, but regardless of the details it is toddling away into an alleyway between some shorter buildings.

Should they give chase, soon after entering the alleyway they'll discover a veritable shower of pumpkins all falling from above at once. Amid the sound of splattering gourds Xue Yang's laughter rings out, his head poking over the edge of the roof along with a few Plumpkin accomplices to watch the reaction of their victim. ]

Closed Prompt for

blindforlove

[ Having sufficiently investigated the wetlands, Xue Yang has come up with a plan. Xiao Xingchen has been ignoring (avoiding?) him for about a month at this point, never coming back to the apartments, always staying away. Xue Yang was certain that he would eventually cave, but he hasn't yet, and Xue Yang has been growing more and more irritated. He doesn't want Xiao Xingchen to think he can just do as he pleases and leave him alone forever. If he doesn't understand that yet at this point, Xue Yang will make sure he does.

It's rather lucky he hasn't redeemed a point card for a little while, especially this one. One particular day as if nothing had ever changed, Xue Yang transforms into his disguise and walks into the Mei Mei Maid Cafe. He isn't expecting Xiao Xingchen to be fooled this time. But this appearance is less likely to cause a fuss with others, and it serves as a good reminder to Xiao Xingchen just how thoroughly he belongs to Xue Yang. ]

Wildcard

(( Feel free to reach out if you're interested in setting something up! Also please be aware of Xue Yang's content warning/opt-out post! ))

[After the bell over the door rings out, Xiao Xingchen hurries from around the corner to greet the customer, the light clatter of hard-soled shoes signaling his approach.]

Sorry! One moment, I'll be right there!

[He looks a bit busy yet pleased, the scent of pumpkin cake fresh from the oven clinging to his uniform. For a moment, he seems not troubled at all, even if all he's been doing is throwing himself into work to distract himself. Then the sight as he turns around the corner is like a sudden blow to his chest.

For a second, it's as if his friend has walked in, just like he used to always do before. Xiao Xingchen's wish for this to be... must have confused him so much that he even feels the same spark of happiness he used to have, though with a twist in his stomach. Eyes wide and mouth fallen open in undisguised shock, his lungs feel squeezed, unable to take in any air as everything he remembers comes back to him at once. His expression quickly darkens, a stifled, unresolved rage roiling in his eyes.

He catches himself, however, and follows that by turning on his heel, walking towards one of the booth seats with his back to Xue Yang. When he speaks, he keeps his jaw from clenching as he keeps his words light and measured.]

Welcome. Please, follow me.

[One of these days, Xue Yang was sure to walk in again, especially after that bizarre rambling during their last encounter. Xiao Xingchen just didn't expect his audacity in using that face. But why wouldn't he, now that Xiao Xingchen thinks about it? What better way to twist the knife and finally get him to cry out?

Xue Yang still won't get that from him.]

[ It's not Xue Yang's first time seeing Xiao Xingchen since the man walked out on him. Even setting aside that ghost he'd been sent, he's been staring at the shop and watching through the window every so often. But it's the first time that Xiao Xingchen, the real Xiao Xingchen, has spoken to him since then, and he feels his heartbeat pick up slightly.

This is more like how things should be.

He follows Xiao Xingchen to the booth and takes his seat, smiling like nothing has changed. And why would he not? As far as he's concerned, things are just the same as they've been until now. Surely he can make Xiao Xingchen see that as well. ]

Daozhang, is there anything new to try on the menu?

[cw: forgot to mention sex swapping in this thread]

[Last time, Xiao Xingchen could not look Xue Yang in the eye and feel he could control his response. Now the wound is not as fresh, and after a moment of turning away to compose himself from the initial shock, he turns back to face Xue Yang with a mostly impassive expression. At least he can speak with a sense of calm when they can keep the subject about food.

He places the menu on the table and slides it over to Xue Yang, then points to a section framed by hand-drawn orange pumpkins. The list shows a version of nearly everything that already existed in the cafe—now with pumpkin in it.]

I've made many new recipes with the large fruit that have appeared around the island. We have cake, parfaits, crepes... pick whichever you like.

[So Xue Yang wants to continue this charade - both of them in disguises of a sort - to see when he'll give in? The longer Xiao Xingchen has to endure through a trial, the easier it becomes to keep pushing through. Soon enough, Xue Yang will realize he isn't getting the reaction he's searching for.]

[ Xue Yang's eyes take in the items listed on the menu eagerly, then looks up at Xiao Xingchen. He's not oblivious; he doesn't miss the way Xiao Xingchen is being so standoffish at this point. But he expected that, and he's not about to give up so easily.

If nothing else he has his trump card ready to go, but he wants to keep that in reserve at this point if possible. ]

What should I try first, daozhang? Which is sweetest?

[Xiao Xingchen does take a moment to think over the question in earnest. After considering the frosting, he answers:]

The cake. I will bring you a slice.

[Without waiting for confirmation, he turns to walk towards the kitchen, the uniform skirt bouncing with every step as he moves at just a lightly faster pace than usual. If it wasn't for Shi Qingxuan's insistence and Xiao Xingchen's own stubborn need to not let Xue Yang affect any more of his decisions, he might have rid himself of the garments entirely. He only even thought to stake a claim in this cafe to serve his friend the sweets he so desired.

Xue Yang could have made up that story about the poor child who wanted pastries. After lying about so many other things, it would be no surprise.

He takes a moment longer than he usually would have kept his nameless friend, a reason to put distance between the two of them helping him in calming down. Though he emerges soon enough, carrying a slice of the hot, fresh pumpkin cake - the frosting spread neatly with someone clearly taking their time in applying it - and a tea tray. Usually, this tea would come with several scoops of sugar already added; Xiao Xingchen of course had to comment on his sweet tooth friend's swiftness in adapting to the style of tea in this world. Now it's served as he would to anyone else, with everything left to Xue Yang to help himself.

Setting it down, he turns away again, as if a blank spot on the wall has his interest.]

Is there anything else you'd like, Master?

[ He recognizes the smell of the tea before it's placed where he can see it, and Xue Yang doesn't realize how much he anticipates it until the sight of the sugar not yet in the cup makes him feel like he's stepped in ice water.

Xiao Xingchen was always so generous with sweets, putting in as much sugar as Xue Yang wanted the moment he wanted it. Now that he was deliberately holding back, Xue Yang feels something twist inside of him. He doesn't like it. ]

I'd like some sugar in my tea, daozhang.

[ Maybe if he were thinking clearer he would have said it with less emotion, but as it is Xue Yang is already getting caught up in it, losing whatever ground he might have started with with this appearance. There's anger in his voice, the selfish frustration of a child being withheld something wanted and finding it unreasonable.

He takes a too-large chunk of the cake and quickly stuffs it in his mouth, glaring at the small container of sugar as if it has personally offended him. At least the cake is sweet and tasty, as expected. ]

[The tone in Xue Yang's voice comes as a surprise, steeling Xiao Xingchen's resolve at the same time.

Already angry?

Where's that patience you had when you put on your act?

Still, in accordance with the idea of this cafe, he indulges Xue Yang by taking a tiny set of elegant tongs and picking up the sugar cubes from their bowl. After adding a couple of the cubes - sweet in a reasonable amount - he sets down the tongs to stir the tea with an equally small and elegant spoon. Seeing Xue Yang eat the big chunk of cake makes his brow twitch, and the line of his closed lips moves like he wants to say something. In the end, he turns away, ready to occupy himself elsewhere.]

If that is all for now, then please do not hesitate to call for me when you need anything.

You're not going to sit with me?

[ He blurts it out in surprise, injury once again much clearer in his voice than he meant or intended it to be. It somehow hadn't occurred to him that Xiao Xingchen wouldn't; even if he wasn't treating him special (which he should be) he didn't realize it might not have been a normal part of the experience. And the two of them were finally back together again, so why would Xiao Xingchen spend time elsewhere? ]

[Xiao Xingchen turns to look at Xue Yang again, as bad at hiding his own surprise. While he's still careful to remember that everything the man does is another trick into either making Xiao Xingchen let down his guard or an attempt to rile him up, he can't figure why Xue Yang actually appears surprised—or rather, why would he think that being surprised about this would help in either case? Or perhaps he believes the sight this disguise really would make him relent, as if he'd forgotten that Xiao Xingchen couldn't even see it when they first grew close.

Again he finds himself trying to understand Xue Yang, when he already should have it settled in his mind.

His cool gaze sweeps over to him.]

I will, if that is what Master wishes.

[In any other case, he would rather choke on these words than say it to Xue Yang, but he almost feels a sense of accomplishment in treating him like anyone else.]

Sit.

[ The command comes immediately, quickly followed by him moving to the side on the bench. ]

Here.

[ Xiao Xingchen is his. His place is here next to Xue Yang; that's how things are supposed to be. That's how it was for years, and that's not changing now. Xue Yang won't let it change now. He didn't come back here just to let Xiao Xingchen think he could walk away again.

Now that it's sufficiently sweetened he takes a gulp of the tea and then continues on eating the cake. This is some of the only food he's had recently without aphro mixed into it. ]

[Xiao Xingchen looks down at the empty place, and after a moment, he slips his hand behind the back of the skirt to keep it flat before he seats himself next to Xue Yang.

He half-expects to be pulled into his lap, perhaps as a repeat of the last time they met in here. That part doesn't really trouble him; it doesn't mean anything at this point, and Xue Yang can't make him be an active participant in such an act. That's all that matters and all he cares to prove to the man. Hands on his own lap, he sits as still as a doll.

It should be easy enough to clear his mind of all worldly matters as he sits there, but... he wonders how the cake tastes. How did it turn out, and if it's any different because it's made by him, or if it'd be like any sweet Xue Yang would consume without a thought.]

[ The temptation to pull Xiao Xingchen into his lap is certainly there. But this is also the first time he's had something made by Xiao Xingchen in over a month, and it's sweet, maybe even sweeter than the candy that he got for free.

He can fuck Xiao Xingchen later. Eating first.

Once Xiao Xingchen is seated next to him Xue Yang scoots back in close, touching their shoulders and hips. He leans a bit of his weight against him as he eats as if everything is back to normal. Sure, maybe there would be more flirting, more conversation, more cuddling and kissing or touching. But this is good for now.

By the time he finishes he's gotten a bit of icing on his chin without realizing it, and his anger from before has passed. ]

Daozhang, that was really tasty!

[ He turns to Xiao Xingchen with a grin, and without thinking about it, leans in for a kiss. ]

OOC Notes:

Xue Yang | Mo Dao Zu Shi | Currently In Game

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Pumpkin Rain

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