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TDM 020: FROSTED FLAKES
| TDM 020: FROSTED FLAKES |
Uploading user data to environmental systems. . . please wait.  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: 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. Tropical Snow  The Augur hasn't forgotten your festive needs, Islanders! Though the Island weather remains sunny and tropical, a powdery snow has begun to fall from blue skies, collecting into pristine piles overnight. Fortunately, unlike some other snowstorms Islanders might have experienced, this one won't freeze you. In fact, the temperature of the powder is perfectly pleasant, even though everything else about it is exactly as one might remember from white holidays past. It even sticks together nicely, making it absolutely perfect for snowballs, forts, and sculptures, and the 'bots encourage Islanders to enjoy this little treat from the Augur for the limited time that it will last. Even robots pelted by snowballs will chirp cheery encouragements. It is, however, a little slippery… and a bit tacky. And sweet? Catching snowflakes on your tongue has never been so rewarding. III. It Came From Above  In addition to the Island's traditional cherub dragon helpers, Islanders may notice a newcomer to the skies above: these zippy little drones, which flit about playfully and broadcast festive songs from Islander memories whilst they assist the dragonets in decorating the hospital and other public buildings in wintery colors and charming strings of lights. Make sure you mind your head, because the more mischievous of the drones have minds of their own when it comes to decorating sometimes! If you're looking a little dour, you might become the next surface wrapped up in lights and tinsel. Maybe even with someone else, for pleasant company of course! Oh, and those mistletoe bots? They seem to pick targets at will, locking on and hovering overhead until their If asked for assistance with a drone, Island robots will helpfully inform you that the drones make excellent pets! Just be sure to pick one that doesn't bite. IV. Sticky Circumstances  The robots may have made a veeerryy slight miscalculation. As time passes, the mysteriously room-temperature snow that blankets the Island begins to… well, melt. Except, it doesn't melt into water. What results instead from this well-meaning experiment is a slippery, sticky, sweet substance just like icing sugar… but everywhere. On the sidewalks, on the buildings, sliding in globs off the leaves of every palm tree. While it may taste good, and pests like ants are never a problem in paradise, it's quite a nuisance! Robots will offer credits for assistance in clean-up, rewarding especially handsomely as the mess seems to gunk up their joints. With enough help from Islanders and drones, the mess could be cleaned up within the week! If an Islander would rather just enjoy their Island-wide slip and slide, however? The 'bots won't fault them. N A V I G A T I O N |
ii.
"I think it likes you both," she chimes in. Even though he wasn't speaking to her, Rose is already stepping up to the side of the stopped vehicle. Her own new pet drone - adorned in adorable antlers and dangling mistletoe - also buzzes up and beeps. He sticks a piece of tinsel on the hood of the car before turning back to Rose as if to ask 'good job?'
"It's beautiful, Dickens," she says, to the drone, before turning her attention back to this car's owner. That music. It's the most she's felt at home in nearly three months. "Nice ride, dude. And nice tunes."
Bwah! So Sorry! Thought I responded to this! /sob
The tinsel was a surprisingly cute effect. Perhaps Hakkai should think of going all out with the seasonal cheer? Would his Jeep appreciate that?
"Ahah, I must say. It's not often you find someone who can appreciate hard rock in Erku," Offering a polite smile, Hakkai peaked over to the approaching stranger. "You called it a dickens, did you?"
Was that what it was called? Given how Erku was, he would not be surprised by the name. But instead, he decided to concentrate on the matter at hand. He was relieved that he wasn't the only one being followed. Was this just a thing that was happening now? His stalking drone seemed to buzz to life as it circled hers with exaggerated glee.
"...Huh."
Interesting. Did the robots have personalities? Were they greeting each other?
No worries, it happens!!
"But, look, I haven't heard any decent music since getting here. I was beginning to worry I'd have to make it myself."
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It seems that most people in Erku haven't gone on long road trips in the middle of nowhere. Ah, right, speaking of--
"Oh, I have yet to properly introduce myself," Reaching out from his car, he offered his hand with a soft smile. "My name's Hakkai. Cho Hakkai. It's a pleasure to meet a fellow modern rock fan~."
It is probably best to get that out of the way before they both start nerding out over music, droids, and what parts were familiar to each of their respective worlds. At least, that was what he expected to happen, considering the pattern of most of his discussions these days.
no subject
She takes his hand easily, smile staying on her face strong. "Nice to meet you too, dude. My name's Rose. Since you got this set of wheels- Guessing you've been here a while?"