uhmani | TDM #5

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 anomalies present. If you'd like, there is cake and some refreshments."

A small pause. "Oh, and! Don't forget to visit the new training grounds, music lounge, library, and onsen. Also, feel free to leave an offering for our resident deity of sleep at his shrine!"

TRICKY TRICKSTERS

About those aforementioned anomalies...

Was that utility pole always there in the middle of the main hub? How did your shoe - just the one - get out on the lawn? You could have sworn you saw them together last. Actually, they are together now if you check. Just what is going on? Trying to draw close to these out-of-place or extra objects will cause them to giggle, wiggle, and disappear in a puff of smoke. Instead of a pole, it's now a wayward chair or cart that wasn't there just a moment before. If one continues to follow this tricky trail, they'll be rewarded by discovering the culprit: a tanuki.

While they appear to be harmless, some of their tricks may get taken just a little bit too far. You may grab for your vibrator only for it to go up in smoke and cause frustration in more ways than one. Or, they'll lead some individuals right into danger's path and giggle all the while. If someone attempts to catch them, they'll be left with only a leaf to show for it and the tracks of these mythical creatures leading directly to the beach.

WHAT'S YOUR DTF STATUS?

If the main hub and its features 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 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. Even if you do complain, The Peacekeeper will encourage others to set off and find their own place to live out in the simulation.

Granted, the housing market in the afterlife isn't exactly robust. It doesn't help that every place you find has a leaky roof or broken window. No, unfortunately that will 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.

SUN'S OUT, GUNS OUT

"Hello, inhabitants," greets The Peacekeeper. "No doubt you've noticed the temperature gradually rising as my nature parameters adjust to summer weather." It has gotten a bit warmer these days, hasn't it? Although some may have not noticed, there is no doubt that others have been sensitive to the climbing heat. "To remedy any discomfort, I suggest you hit the beach! There are plenty of fun new features that I've been requested to implement by The Creators to help keep everyone content! We hope that you enjoy them!"

★ One of the aforementioned features will toggle automatically. All one needs to do is set foot on the sands of Taasunni and they'll be changed into the appropriate dress for a beach outing. Well, appropriate might be a bit of a stretch... This feature is, as mentioned, new and will be subject to some modifications. For now, inhabitants will have to deal with being put into something scandalous, ridiculous, or both!

The Peacekeeper promises to listen to feedback accordingly and modify everyone's outfits to something a bit less outlandish... eventually. In the meantime, why not flaunt what you've got and make the most of the simulated sun's rays on your skin?

★ If you'd rather preserve what little dignity you may have left, there are changing tents available to grab a towel that somehow covers up more than your swimwear probably did. Although some might be wary of tents after the picnic, these ones do not have aphrodisiac candles in them! But they do have a catch. These tents are translucent from the inside looking out like a one-way pane of glass.

Not to worry though! From the outside, no one can see in even if you can see them. In fact, there might be a subtle urge to see just how far you can take things within the walls of these tents while those outside are unawares; it might just scratch that itch for some exhibitionism without anyone actually watching.

HARMONIOUS HEARTS

DTFs will helpfully tell their owners that it is mating season for the heart jellies just off the shores of Taasunni. During the next couple of months, there will be an abundance of them floating idly in the cool waters of the sea. While their sting doesn't usually hurt, exactly, during this time there is a bit more risk to being zapped than just an enjoyable tingling sensation. It will burn but because their sting leaves a heart branded into one's skin temporarily.

Nothing will seem to relieve the dull pain on your own; however, the brand will draw others to you and serve as a target for their, ahem, affections. Bodily fluids from the most intimate of areas are about the only thing that will provide some relief and cause these heart-shaped brands to fade. Hopefully, you didn't get stung anywhere too embarrassing or difficult to come on!

Unfortunately, the other side effect of these stings is that the person with the brand won't be able to find relief - literal or sexual - until it's gone. Nothing will seem to bring them over that brink before their partner has "helped" get rid of the marking. Whether or not they do that quickly will be entirely up to them. The lack of control might be a bit unnerving but hopefully the eventual orgasm will be absolutely worth it.

CALLING TO ME

★ Throughout the simulation, as the sun dips low in the sky and stars begin to make their nightly debut, the sound of furin carrying on the breeze can be heard. It draws people to the beach and appears to sound from somewhere beyond sight passed ocean waves. It will make inhabitants feel a keen sense of longing that they can't quite explain. Whatever the case, they will want for more suddenly. Whether this is from their partner, their life, or just in general, the feeling won't be shaken so easily. Thankfully, the sound and feelings it evokes are only temporary. Just don't be surprised if that feeling of longing leads you to bite off more than you can chew in some way or another.

★ Observant inhabitants may notice that the island that spawned when the simulation expanded is now much closer to shore than before. It's also... moving? Although subtle and slow, it does appear to be inching ever closer to show throughout the day. It will make land during nightfall and reveal a giant turtle with palm trees and other tropical foliage growing off of its back.

"Sorry about the-" It's words are broken up by a loud yawn that will make anyone close suddenly very drowsy. "-tanuki. They decided to hitch a ride without me knowing." The turtle yawns again, causing another wave of grogginess to hit those talking to it. "I'll take them back when I give you all a ride to one of The Dead Ends. But until then... It was a long swim here. I'm going to just - aaawwwhhhh - take a short nap." That short nap will last two weeks. Inhabitants are free to climb aboard the turtle's back but it won't be stirring again anytime soon, unfortunately.

And perhaps neither will you! That sleepiness is downright contagious and will lead to inhabitants that had spoken to the turtle for any length of time falling into a deep slumber the next time they decide to lay down. Almost nothing will be able to wake them until the effect subsides. Although, if they seem more receptive to a bit of intimacy than anything... That's just a coincidence, surely!

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.

Sexy Stamp Card

Issued by: The Peacekeeper

1 2 3 4 ♡

6 7 8 9 ♡

❤

<div style="width:100%;padding:10px 10px 0;font-family:garamond, georgia, serif;font-size:20px;font-style:italic;letter-spacing:2px;text-align:left;">Sexy Stamp Card</div>
<div style="width:100%;padding:0 10px 10px;">Issued by: The Peacekeeper</div>

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<div style="max-width:300px;width:100%;margin:-10px auto 0;text-align:right;font-size:10px;"><a title="code credit!" href="http://10billionghosts.dreamwidth.org" style="text-decoration:none;color:#eee;">❤</a></div>

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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

★ Trying a new thing by centering the TDM prompts around the kinks of the month for new and old people to get those stamps before the mingle! Hopefully, you enjoy it!

★ The effects of all the influences 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.

★ 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!

★ LAST BUT NOT LEAST! The player cap has BEEN INCREASED TO 45 PLAYERS. We're at 41/45 right now.

NAVIGATION

F.A.Q. ★ RULES ★ CHARACTER CLAIM ★ LOCATIONS ★ MAIN NAVIGATION

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I do what I must. [He chuckled, sipping his a little slower.] If it earns myself and the other person some kind of currency we can use to buy ourselves amenities, well, who can complain? [He paused, looking off into the distance at the far wall of the bar.] Hah. I'm funny again. I remember one of the last few conversations I had with Varric was about how grim I'd gotten. He was chastising me for not even liking Templar jokes anymore. But I suppose now that all my fighting and struggling is over... maybe things just feel lighter now.

( Hawke's silence lingered for a few seconds after Anders stopped speaking, his gaze turned down to the drink he had already half-finished. Something in his chest ached — the reminder of Varric, of Kirkwall, of Templars, of everything that had happened still weighing heavy in his heart. He downed the rest of his drink and ordered another immediately afterwards, the liquid tingling all the way down his throat; blooming warmth across his mighty frame. Assuming these were normal drinks, he also assumed he needed more than one to get drunk. Little did he know. )

You used to be funny? ( He teased, still doing his best to remain as mirthful as possible in the face of... everything. )

I used to be hilarious. Losing your memory in your age, old man? Look at these grays. [Anders nudged him lightly.] So. How'd it happen?

What? Who said that? Who are you? ( Haha. He is the funny one! Hawke cocked his head slightly. ) How'd what happen? The grey hairs?

You getting here. What happened?

( Hawke's expression dimmed. His drink arrived just in time for him to give himself a few more seconds to contemplate his answer while he downed it. )

It's a long story. Let's just say that through a series of unfortunate events that were, ultimately, my fault yet again — I ended up trapped in the fade fighting off my own worst nightmares. All sunshine and butterflies, as you might imagine.

If you mean the Breach and all that, it was certainly not your fault. [Anders frowned, polishing off his own drink.] But I'm sorry... about all that. I thought mine was bad, but I think you might have me beat.

Sort of. ( He didn't want to think too hard about Corypheus, or anything related to his own death. And he especially didn't want to think about how Anders died.

Thankfully, his mind and his body were already wandering elsewhere ) What's my prize?

Not sure what kind of prize I could give you. [Anders looked at him a bit sideways, popping one of the ice cubes from his drink into his mouth. For some reason he felt compelled to have something, anything in there. This didn't strike him as odd, given that he'd definitely been unable to stop himself gnawing on things or fidgeting or messing with small items like coins from time to time for pretty much his entire life. But it was a little out of the ordinary for him to be so conscious of the impulse.]

Well, considering the whole spiel we just got, I can think of a few things. ( he sounded like he was teasing - he always did -, but there was a very distinct rush of warmth between his thighs when he turned to face Anders fully that caught even him off guard. The way the ice cube rolled over his tongue before his lips closed over it was... a lot. ) Uh.

[Anders flushed slightly. He couldn't help but be enticed. After all, he'd loved Hawke painfully for years, and still did. And not just the gazing into the distance, dreamy sighing kind of love. The screaming and crying and wanting to rip your own heart out of your chest and tear it up like parchment kind of love. He cleared his throat.]

That's--- rather bold. Don't you think Fenris might be a bit upset? Or are you two not together anymore?

Fenris? ( a brow quirked upward quizzically; confused. ) Your drink a little too strong? Fenris and I were never together.

...What? You absolutely were. Don't you remember that long talk we had about how--- you knew I had feelings for you, but you were with Fenris, and you didn't want to make things weird between us and you still care about me so we should stay friends? It was at least an hour long, there were tears and everything.

( Hawke stared dumbly at him. )

Anders, and I mean this with the utmost sincerity: what in the maker's name are you talking about? I wasn't with anyone back in Kirkwall. I mean Isabela and I slept together a few times but it wasn't...anything romantic. I definitely didn't have anything with Fenris.

I know I've hit my head a lot, but I think I would remember if I did. And I'd remember a conversation like that.

[Anders stared back, just as blank.]

...Hawke, do you--- think that maybe you and I came from different versions of events? Like, ah, some kind of butterfly effect thing?

It's either that or my memory is worse than I thought.

( Hawke rubbed his head. ) So this is awkward.

Oh, Maker. [He groaned.] And I just spilled my guts all over the place about the fact that I've fancied you for years. Incredible.

( Hawke chuckled, the sound just a little on the nervous side, and tentatively reached his hand over to rest it on Anders' thigh. )

Want me to pretend I didn't hear it, or...?

Edited 2022-07-07 00:49 (UTC)

Well, I mean... If you feel differently than how I remember... [Anders swallowed roughly, moving a little closer.] ...When in Rivain, do as the Rivainis do, yeah?

Yeah. ( Hawke agreed and decided once again not to try and parse through the myriad of confusing feelings he currently felt. All the blood was rushing south anyway, and thinking logically was kind of hard.

Besides...he had had feelings for Anders. Feelings he never expressed because he had so many other things to worry about. Then he was gone - they were both gone.

Hawke kept his hand on Anders thigh, turned so he could cup the other man's cheek to try and tilt his head toward him. The end goal? A very sloppy, wine-flavored kiss. )

[As soon as Hawke's lips touched his, Anders saw fireworks. Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was just the fact that he'd been so in love with Hawke for so long, but the kiss was downright magical, and the taste--- heavenly. It took all of Anders' resolve not to just climb into Hawke's lap. Anders pulled away, breathless.] Let's get out of here. Somewhere private.

Edited 2022-07-07 02:03 (UTC)

( Hawke's kiss was all tongue and teeth; catching Anders' lower lip and tugging; trying to push past for a well and proper taste of him, his desire spiked and unbridled. What the fuck had been in that drink?

Anders pulled back and, for a split second, Hawke chased his lips, stopping just before he reached him again, his cheeks flushed. )

Wherever you want. ( a beat. His hand squeezed Anders thigh. ) So long as it's close.

[Anders looked around, noticing a bathroom at the back of the bar. The slightly ajar door to the single-stall unisex bathroom allowed him to see what it was. That'd work. Grabbing Hawke's hand, he got up.] In there.

[He tugged Hawke into the other room and threw the door closed as soon as both of them were in the room. He desperately hoped Hawke would pin him to the door and shove that clever tongue back into his mouth, please, please, please...]

( Hawke would do him one better. Once the door slammed shut behind them, Hawke reached out with both hands and hooked them under Anders thighs, lifting him up off his feet and pushing him back against the door with a rather loud thud. He tucked himself between the other man's thighs; hips grinding hard, evidence of his arousal making itself apparent in the forming bulge in his pants.

The kiss was...less graceful. Tipsy from the alcohol, too aroused to think straight, he fumbled; rough beard grazing Anders chin and cheek before he corrected and - eventually - found his lips with a half-snarled moan. )

Oh, fuck. [Anders groaned as he hit the door, then kissed back frantically as soon as his lips and Hawke's found each other. His fingers curled in the fabric on the back of Hawke's mage robes, one hand gripping Hawke's shoulder armor tightly. Despite grasping onto the other man like he'd fall off the world if he let go, however, he'd never felt more secure in his life. Legs wrapped around Hawke's waist for leverage, he began to grind back, reciprocating his desire. He opened his mouth within the kiss, inviting Hawke's tongue, but he couldn't stop thinking about the hard bulge between Hawke's legs, and what it would feel like to have it filling up his mouth. If only he could find the self control to break the kiss long enough to tell Hawke so. Maybe just a moment longer...]

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