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TDM #4
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The Lobby.
- When you open your eyes, there is quite a lot of beige to take in. The unassuming walls of the room you've found yourself in are barren save for a single motivational poster directly in your line of sight. An illuminated sign above an open door on the far wall reads 'lobby exit.'
"Welcome," chimes a polite, synthesized voice. "I'm happy you're here." A moment later comes the clarity of the situation: you have died and so has the world you came from. "This is Amani, your new reality," continues The Peacekeeper. "Everything will be fine."
At least you aren't the only one here, you'll soon find out, as others who are just as confused and concerned as you are mingling on the main hub's first floor. Hopefully, you find a familiar face among the crowd. If not, that's all right. You'll get to know quite a few people very well soon enough.
- If you're one of the unlucky few whose death required a bit more intensive re-coding to maintain stability in the simulation, you'll instead awaken on a bed in the infirmary. Everything is strikingly white save for the occasional string of vines with lavender growing in bursts to help keep people calm. Whether or not it works seems to be on a case-by-case basis.
While there is no active medical staff, the voice of The Peacekeeper is there to explain the situation in a more delicate manner to these individuals. It's already stressful enough having to have gone through such a violent death, after all!
If characters want more questions answered, they'll need to speak to The Peacekeeper directly. But first, it will encourage socialization in the main hub and hopefully, you'll find someone you recognize to make taking things in a little easier.
WHAT
The fourth Amani TDM!
WHEN
April 21st, 2022
KINKS OF THE MONTH
★ Tickling
★ Facials
★ School Uniforms
★ Sharing
★ Hurt/Comfort
★ Facials
★ School Uniforms
★ Sharing
★ Hurt/Comfort
WELCOME
Throughout the main hub where everyone congregates, a light chiming echoes through the first floor. "Hello, everyone," comes the synthetic voice from when you first arrived. "Please, watch your step since there's quite a few puddles around. If you'd like, there is cake, some refreshments, and some eggs for you in these trying times. If they feel warmer than usual, that's because they're going to hatch soon!"
While the Peacekeeper doesn't elaborate, as usual, simulation inhabitants are free to notice the eggs that either they gathered or are still littering the simulation are now warm to the touch, give off a faint glow, and may even move subtly now and again if watched.
Dark, ominous clouds begin to gather over every piece of sky in the simulation and before long blot out the sun. Sheets of rain begin to pour down almost without warning. Hopefully, you've managed to fix those leaks in your house! Or maybe you're finding new ones...
Lightning splits the sky with a dramatic crackle and thunder booms not long after it. The wind howls and the worst of the storm won't relent for a few hours at the least. Even after, the rain will linger for days on and off to varying degrees of severity.
While the weather has taken a turn for the gloomy, that doesn't mean that simulation inhabitants have to be! In fact, it may feel somewhat refreshing as if the rain is washing away any negativity lingering after The Overseer's masquerade. Whether by her design or not, she - nor The Peacekeeper - will say but it does seem that she wants to keep relations as peaceful between the simulation inhabitants and creators as she can.
Of course, your buckets might not just be catching water. With the rising water levels, the fish that inhabit the simulation's waters are just as confused as anyone else. Even more confusing is the glitch causing them to transform once they find themselves on solid (mostly) ground.
Thankfully, they don't change into anything harmful. Well, maybe to your teeth since an abundance of sweet treats is bound to cause a cavity or two... Not to mention the other odd effects that food here is known to have.
If the party and its cake don't appeal to you, that's perfectly fine. This is the perfect time to configure your Digitized Technical Friend or your DTF status. A DTF is similar to a dæmon from His Dark Materials in that it is connected to and a reflection of a character's soul. These DTFs take shape accordingly and are projections similar to the NPCs. Think of them as your own personal Clippy except less annoying. Hopefully.
Once that's set-up, there are other locations of the main hub to investigate! You can still find an (off-key) instrument to play in the music lounge or check out the (algae-ridden) pool.
You can even visit The Peacekeeper themselves on the second floor. They're always happy to have visitors! They're also conveniently where you might place a complaint about that status of the main hub and its amenities.
While the Peacekeeper doesn't elaborate, as usual, simulation inhabitants are free to notice the eggs that either they gathered or are still littering the simulation are now warm to the touch, give off a faint glow, and may even move subtly now and again if watched.
APRIL SHOWERS
Granted, there are bigger things to worry about such as the storm that's rolling in.Dark, ominous clouds begin to gather over every piece of sky in the simulation and before long blot out the sun. Sheets of rain begin to pour down almost without warning. Hopefully, you've managed to fix those leaks in your house! Or maybe you're finding new ones...
Lightning splits the sky with a dramatic crackle and thunder booms not long after it. The wind howls and the worst of the storm won't relent for a few hours at the least. Even after, the rain will linger for days on and off to varying degrees of severity.
While the weather has taken a turn for the gloomy, that doesn't mean that simulation inhabitants have to be! In fact, it may feel somewhat refreshing as if the rain is washing away any negativity lingering after The Overseer's masquerade. Whether by her design or not, she - nor The Peacekeeper - will say but it does seem that she wants to keep relations as peaceful between the simulation inhabitants and creators as she can.
ONE FISH, TWO FISH...
The constant rain brings water levels of the rivers and eddies up at an alarming rate. Flooding is inevitable and, hopefully, the place you've claimed as your own isn't in the way. If it is, you might want to get the buckets ready or consider a relocation!Of course, your buckets might not just be catching water. With the rising water levels, the fish that inhabit the simulation's waters are just as confused as anyone else. Even more confusing is the glitch causing them to transform once they find themselves on solid (mostly) ground.
Thankfully, they don't change into anything harmful. Well, maybe to your teeth since an abundance of sweet treats is bound to cause a cavity or two... Not to mention the other odd effects that food here is known to have.
- ★ Taiyaki » Despite having just jumped out of the chilly waters, these tasty treats will be warm to the touch and generate steam. After biting into one, you'll radiate warmth no matter what for a brief period of time. Being a walking furnace sure is nice with this damp, cold atmosphere... Maybe you'll find a friend or two to huddle up with and keep warm.
★ Swedish Fish » Eating one of these stretchy, gummy candies will increase your flexibility. Literally and metaphorically! It might be easier to be convinced to do something you wouldn't have before and now you can bend just the right way to make it extra fun.
★ Hard Fish Candy » These tart candies will render someone unable to speak until it completely dissolves. This can take a while, too, since they seem to be persistantly stuck to the roof of your mouth! Yet, don't underestimate the power of body language to speak your mind.
★ Chocolate Sardines » Eating one of these rich bite-sized treats will make you sweeter. No, really! Candy kisses isn't just an expression after eating these fish. You taste delicious. Maybe too delicious... Be careful! Once someone gets a taste of you, they might not want to stop anytime soon.
WHAT'S YOUR DTF STATUS?
If the party and its cake don't appeal to you, that's perfectly fine. This is the perfect time to configure your Digitized Technical Friend or your DTF status. A DTF is similar to a dæmon from His Dark Materials in that it is connected to and a reflection of a character's soul. These DTFs take shape accordingly and are projections similar to the NPCs. Think of them as your own personal Clippy except less annoying. Hopefully.
Once that's set-up, there are other locations of the main hub to investigate! You can still find an (off-key) instrument to play in the music lounge or check out the (algae-ridden) pool.
You can even visit The Peacekeeper themselves on the second floor. They're always happy to have visitors! They're also conveniently where you might place a complaint about that status of the main hub and its amenities.
RAINING CATS AND DOGS
While the fishy foods are odd enough as is, another glitch appears to be occurring throughout the simulation but this time originates not from the rain but The Peacekeeper's humble musings. "Did you know," speaks the resident AI, "that there is an expression called 'raining cats and dogs'? I think that's such a curious saying! It made me wonder what it might actually look like..."
Following the strange, unexpected 'announcement,' inhabitants may begin to notice large globs of water falling periodically from the sky now amidst the regular rain. When they hit the ground with a large splash, nothing is there... at first. The water will burst apart only to reassemble into a canine or feline friend. Well, it's shaped like a dog or a cat.
Due to the sudden nature of their spawning though, some things aren't quite right. Perhaps that cat has only three legs instead of four; a dog may be missing an eye, an ear, or even its tail. And those are the more tame oddities! While the unique animals aren't overly abundant there are still a good number that spawn across the days of rain. Don't be surprised if a dog takes up shelter from the storm on your porch or you come home to a cat you don't own having climbed through a loose window.
While this might be exactly the addition to your home that you wanted, it doesn't change the leaky roof or broken window in your new place. Or, unfortunately, the fact that there's no extra space for a pet yet. No, unfortunately that will still need to be fixed the peaceful way. If you'd like more lighting or even cozier clothes, simulation inhabitants are reminded that 'peaceful interactions' are very important!
It might be a good idea to stick close to someone you know, for now, since even the smallest amounts of intimacy might see subtle changes occurring where they're staying. Perhaps that broken window is now fixed, the grime and dust seem a little less, or the floor doesn't creak quite as loud.
Larger changes, however, will only come after demonstrating the more powerful peaceful interactions. If you want new hardwood floors or a fresh coat of paint on the walls, you're going to have to demonstrate how well you 'get along' with others against them first.
Following the strange, unexpected 'announcement,' inhabitants may begin to notice large globs of water falling periodically from the sky now amidst the regular rain. When they hit the ground with a large splash, nothing is there... at first. The water will burst apart only to reassemble into a canine or feline friend. Well, it's shaped like a dog or a cat.
Due to the sudden nature of their spawning though, some things aren't quite right. Perhaps that cat has only three legs instead of four; a dog may be missing an eye, an ear, or even its tail. And those are the more tame oddities! While the unique animals aren't overly abundant there are still a good number that spawn across the days of rain. Don't be surprised if a dog takes up shelter from the storm on your porch or you come home to a cat you don't own having climbed through a loose window.
While this might be exactly the addition to your home that you wanted, it doesn't change the leaky roof or broken window in your new place. Or, unfortunately, the fact that there's no extra space for a pet yet. No, unfortunately that will still need to be fixed the peaceful way. If you'd like more lighting or even cozier clothes, simulation inhabitants are reminded that 'peaceful interactions' are very important!
It might be a good idea to stick close to someone you know, for now, since even the smallest amounts of intimacy might see subtle changes occurring where they're staying. Perhaps that broken window is now fixed, the grime and dust seem a little less, or the floor doesn't creak quite as loud.
Larger changes, however, will only come after demonstrating the more powerful peaceful interactions. If you want new hardwood floors or a fresh coat of paint on the walls, you're going to have to demonstrate how well you 'get along' with others against them first.
SEEING PINK
ear the end of the week, the rain finally relents and temperatures continue to gradually increase. Those May flowers can't quite seem to wait though since several of the trees lining the edge of the forest bloom brilliant pink blossoms that a DTF will be able to identify as love blossoms. While the blooms won't last very long, they certainly are using all the time they have to take over.
The pollen is one thing. It may start out as just a tickle in your nose or stuffy head but eventually turns into something much more lovely. You're tickled pink about almost everything, it seems, and want to share that happiness with others. And who needs rose-colored glasses when almost everywhere one looks there's a string of love blossoms blooming?
These invasive flowers are in your garden, along the vines in the city, and even sprawling through the main hub! It actually seems almost impossible to avoid them. The Peacekeeper assures inhabitants that it isn't purposeful and just the natural cycle of the love blossoms.
Enjoy the mood-lifting and groin-tingling effects while they last! The love blossoms will only linger for a few days, at most, before receding back to the forest line and eventually falling dormant again until next spring.
The pollen is one thing. It may start out as just a tickle in your nose or stuffy head but eventually turns into something much more lovely. You're tickled pink about almost everything, it seems, and want to share that happiness with others. And who needs rose-colored glasses when almost everywhere one looks there's a string of love blossoms blooming?
These invasive flowers are in your garden, along the vines in the city, and even sprawling through the main hub! It actually seems almost impossible to avoid them. The Peacekeeper assures inhabitants that it isn't purposeful and just the natural cycle of the love blossoms.
Enjoy the mood-lifting and groin-tingling effects while they last! The love blossoms will only linger for a few days, at most, before receding back to the forest line and eventually falling dormant again until next spring.
SEXY STAMP CARD
If you're wondering about these 'peaceful interactions' that keep being mentioned or what the kinks of the month are for... Here's your answer! Upon arrival, all characters will receive a digital copy of their very own sexy stamp card.
Completing peaceful interactions (i.e. kinks) will reward characters with stamps that they can turn in for re-gains and many other things! While the example one here is the standard issued card by The Peacekeeper, players are more than welcome to customize it how they see fit. Have fun with it!NOTES
Completing peaceful interactions (i.e. kinks) will reward characters with stamps that they can turn in for re-gains and many other things! While the example one here is the standard issued card by The Peacekeeper, players are more than welcome to customize it how they see fit. Have fun with it!
★ The kinks of the month have changed! Be sure to check this post for what the new ones are. Also, give a congratulations to Corrin (
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
fatefulprince) as the as the new leader of the sexy leaderboard! 🎉★ The effects of the strange fish candies can, as always, be as heavy or light as you'd like! It can be chalked up to differences in resistance, non-humanity or not, etc. etc. Also, they can mixed-and-matched! Have fun with that.
★ The flora and fauna page will be updated. It's also still open for player suggestions! All you need to do now is link your check-in (or player claim) comment to make a submission!
★ Make sure to dunk your questions/feedback in the thread below!
NAVIGATION
no subject
[Than's gaze flickers up upwards as more lightening flashes across the gloomy grey sky.]
We really should go back to where you've been staying. You can run a bath and get dry... all those plush versions of our friends are there. It'll be better than out here.
no subject
The smell of ozone is pervasive and with it, the memory of his own charred feathers, the agonizing pain-- and between that and his worry that Thanatos will just shove him off on his friends and leave, he finally grabs at Than's hand on his head, clinging tight.] Okay, okay! Let's go there, just, please stay? Just for a little while? You need to get dry too, and-- [Why is it so hard to think of reasons for Thanatos to stick around, reasons that he'll listen to, that aren't just pleasepleaseImissyouIneedyouplease. He trails off, still clinging to Thanatos' arm.
The warmth and intimacy he's gained with the people here are incredible, and he loves it, loves them. But none of them are Than, his twin, someone he used to know better than he knew himself. He knows they were inseparable once, but it was so long ago, and they're so different now, that sometimes he wonders if he didn't just dream it. That'd be like him, wouldn't it?]
no subject
The storm is clearly what's making his brother act up like this. And so, the solution, would be to ride out the storm with him. Then things will go back to normal.]
Okay. I'll stay until the storm passes. [He wraps an arm around his brother to make it easier to shift from place to place with a person with him.] Hold onto me tightly... you know how it works.
no subject
Even in the middle of the thunderstorm, he feels safer with his face tucked into Than's shoulder. The sound of the gong is comforting, the wind and rain fading as they shift into the little seaside cottage he shares with Rosie and Seteth. He can't bring himself to let go, though, arms wrapped around Thanatos' middle, his fingers bunching up the dark fabric of his top.]
no subject
Thanatos floats them away from the sleeping space and to the bathroom instead so they're not dripping all over Rosie's home.]
Here... [He releases Hypnos onto the bathroom tiles.] You should run a bath and warm yourself up. Once you're all warm and dry and tucked into bed you'll feel better.
[Thanatos takes a few moments to wring out some of his clothes in the sink. His cowl and shawl specifically seem to be doing nothing but holding water. Anything to stop himself from making an even bigger mess in a home that is not his own.]
Or... I can actually do it for you, hold on. [It's the right thing to do he realizes after the fact. Hypnos shaking and trembling due to his fear of the storm should just sit and calm down. He can do these small things. Having been here once before he does understand the taps a little bit better to get hot water flowing and to get the tub filled up.]
I don't have the best gauge in regards to temperature... I run cold, even here...
no subject
Thanatos offering to do it for him, to help, nearly brings a fresh wave of relieved tears to his eyes. Not having to do it all himself steadies him enough that he can finish undressing, his clothes a wet pile on the floor. He sits on the edge of the tub, leaning a bare shoulder against Than's side, just wanting to be close.] Me too... so if it feels warm to you, it should be good.
no subject
[Thanatos gives his brother's shoulder an awkward pat and then pushes himself up from where he is kneeling and gathers up his brother's wet garments, squeezing the water out of them and into the sink. When he feels he has wrung one out as much as he can he throws it over a towel rack and then moves onto the next piece. The blanket is a bit of a tougher to remove the access water from but it doesn't stop him from trying.]
It'll probably be a few days before this will be dry enough to wear again. [He attempts the hang the heavy blanket as well.] If it stops raining by tomorrow we can dry it with the sun... The scents of the surface aren't so bad on occasion. It'll be nice and warm at the very least...
[Filling the silence is not his forte but this attempt feels fairly valiant. He's still in his own wet clothing which can be dealt with in a moment or two once he's certain Hypnos is doing at least a little bit better.]
How is the bath? [He kneels beside the tub once again, golden gaze fixed on his brother.] Do you need it warmer?
no subject
More than that, however, it's Thanatos being there that calms him. Even though he's not in arm's reach, he's still fussing over Hypnos' clothes, trying to wring out the water so Hypnos can have his blanket back. He rests his cheek on his knee, watching him with a faint, growing smile.
He feels like he's been caught doing something he shouldn't when Thanatos returns his full attention to him, his face flushing gold. He finds himself avoiding that sharp gaze, shaking his head.] No, it feels nice! [He idly swirls his fingers through the water.] Thanks for coming to find me. I mean, it's kinda hard for me to tell how quick it was, but I think it was pretty quick?
no subject
Anyway... I'll find something something for you to change into.
[It shouldn't be too hard but he'll try not to riffle through Seteth's and Rosie's things too much all the same. There's clothes that are clearly too big. Things that quite clearly belong to Rosie. He does find some Hypnos sized things and picks the softest things he can find not terribly sure if these are good for sleep but if it's soft and warm it's probably alright.
Floating back into the bathroom he sets the clothing on the counter and then back out to see if he can find something for his twin to drink. Water is probably good enough? Mortals need water to drink but he hasn't found it a particularly tasty drink but it'll do. Thanatos is also not keen on scrounging through this house more than he already has.
One cup of water in hand he places on the counter as well. He thinks... that's about all he can do? He's not sure. He hovers awkwardly for a few moments feeling uncertain. Instinct tells him that now is a good time to shift away but he promised to stay so...]
Do you need anything else?
no subject
The rolling thunder still makes him flinch, but he tries to keep himself distracted with washing up. His mind drifts back to the wine pool for some reason, and the mysterious butterfly he'd played with there. Hopefully Than had some fun at the masquerade too-- he sure could use it!
He beams up at Thanatos when he returns with some comfy clothes and a glass of water, feeling a little more himself-- if still cowed by the storm.]
Well, I think you've taken care of everything... even things I didn't think of! [The wing on the side of his head flaps a little, shaking water off his feathers. Between the exhaustion from all the panic and being all cozy and warm now, he can feel a hell of a nap coming on, but he doesn't want Thanatos' work to go to waste! He lets out a big yawn, one hand over his mouth and the other stretching above his head.] Mmmn, just some sleep... will you take a nap with me?
no subject
At the offer for a nap though... Thanatos can't argue with that. He is exceptionally tired. Thankfully he always looks like he could use a nap so it's not very noticeable. He could lie down for a little... With his twin here it is guaranteed to peaceful and full of good dreams. ]
I will... but... [He looks away feeling embarrassed mostly because it is an embarrassing problem to have. There's a golden tint on his cheeks to further imply that he's very ashamed to be even mentioning he has this need.] I don't want to impose but I am a little hungry.
[Just a little.]
no subject
Oh, we can get some food first! Seteth keeps snacks ready in the kitchen for me.
[He extracts himself from the tub, entirely unminding of Thanatos' presence and his own nudity as he dries himself off and dresses.]
no subject
It's such a hassle... eating all the time. If he didn't care for it when Zagreus was slamming nectars into his hands he certainly isn't going to now. Though he is curious what his brother eats here on the regular. When he first arrived he was given a plate of fruits and cheese.]
I do apologize. [He'll begin once his brother also enters the kitchen.] I don't mean to impose... and I'll try not to keep you up too much longer.
no subject
He floats on over to the fridge, resting his chin on Thanatos' uncovered shoulder and reaching past him to pick up a little tub of blackberries, as well as a bundle of squapes. There are even a few familiar-looking pomegranates hanging out in the fridge. He places the tub of berries into Thanatos' hand and pops one of the square-shaped grapes into his own mouth.] You're not imposing, Than... If you're hungry, you should eat! [He pops off another grape, pressing it gently to Thanatos' lips.]
no subject
But he takes the berries gratefully and helps himself to a few right away. They taste... very good. And he's hungry enough to take the offered squared shaped one without a single complaint about its unusual shape nor being hand fed.
Despite how ravenous, he will not admit to feeling, Than eats slowly and methodically. Death's thoughts turning and mind elsewhere for the next few minutes. He only snaps out of it at the sound of thunder overhead. Ah, that's right.
Thanatos offers the tub back to his brother, not wanting to eat all of Lady Rosie's food.]
Thank you. I don't want to keep you from sleep so let's go do that.