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TDM #1
Welcome! Everything is fine.
Uploading. . . Complete!
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 died and so did 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 in 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.
WHAT
The first Amani TDM!
WHEN
January 21st, 2022
KINKS OF THE MONTH
★ Phone Sex
★ Sex in public / semi-public places
★ Submission
★ Mutual Masturbation
★ Restraints
★ Sex in public / semi-public places
★ Submission
★ Mutual Masturbation
★ Restraints
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Throughout the main hub where everyone congregates, a light chiming to the tune of Happy Birthday can be heard. "Hello, everyone," comes the synthetic voice from when you first arrived. "This is so exciting! It's my birthday. I'm today years old!" There's the sound of a single party blower that echoes through the halls and sad, small spattering of confetti fall from holes in the ceiling.
"Based on the database I was given, birthdays usually involve cake!"
At the bar on the first floor, a colorful birthday motif materializes. There are balloons, party hats, an unfortunately deflated bouncy house, and - of course - plates of cake!
There are four different flavors to choose from!
If you're feeling especially 'peaceful' after a piece of cake or two and worried about privacy, don't be! The bar's lounge has several secluded spots to hide away in. There are also rooms with beds among the first floor. So long as you don't mind the natural elements taking up some space along the sheets, they're free to use however you'd like. Though you might want to make sure to lock the door since it's doubtful you're the only one looking to get away for a little bit.
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 order a (terrible) drink at the bar, 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.
"Based on the database I was given, birthdays usually involve cake!"
At the bar on the first floor, a colorful birthday motif materializes. There are balloons, party hats, an unfortunately deflated bouncy house, and - of course - plates of cake!
There are four different flavors to choose from!
- ★ Spice Cake » After eating a piece of this cake, you might feel a bit spicier than usual! Your character will be more inclined to take risks and care less about what others around them might think of public displays of affection. Why not make-out with that attractive person at the bar? You can't seem to think of many reasons to stop you anymore!
★ Lemon Cake » Despite the situation being perhaps a bit grim, eating a piece of lemon cake will cheer you right up. You'll feel as bright as sunshine and nothing can seem to get you down! Characters will also experience an increase in luck thanks to their good mood. Perhaps now's the time to try and shoot your shot with someone you've had your eye on for a while. Even if it doesn't work out, at least you won't be feeling dejected! ...Well, for now. That'll probably still happen later once the effects wear off.
★ Chocolate Cake » Dark and rich, this cake will have your thoughts taking a similar turn. Consuming this cake comes with an inclination to indulge in darker fantasies. Perhaps you've always wondered what your partner looks like tied up or with a knife against their skin. The red raspberries decorating the top of the cake's frosting suddenly call forth images of blood and you may have a sudden desire to taste that on your tongue instead.
★ Vanilla Cake » Eating this vanilla cake won't have you feeling plain. Instead, you'll feel softer around the edges than usual. Even if it's normally not your thing, cuddles and tender kisses sound amazing right now. All you want is affection and to be affectionate in return. Nuzzle that person's neck, take in their scent, and just enjoy the warmth of them being close. Do you know them? Who cares! You will before all this is over and, hey, now you know they're a great hugger (or not).
If you're feeling especially 'peaceful' after a piece of cake or two and worried about privacy, don't be! The bar's lounge has several secluded spots to hide away in. There are also rooms with beds among the first floor. So long as you don't mind the natural elements taking up some space along the sheets, they're free to use however you'd like. Though you might want to make sure to lock the door since it's doubtful you're the only one looking to get away for a little bit.
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 order a (terrible) drink at the bar, 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.
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
Once the celebration has concluded, characters are encouraged to head out of the main hub to either explore the city or take a ride on the railway. It's time to truly begin your new reality! Whatever they choose, The Peacekeeper will explain to them that they are free to take up any housing they so wish. Most dwellings are at least habitable but it's likely that characters will want for more before long.
That's why 'peaceful interactions' are so 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.
That's why 'peaceful interactions' are so 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.
ALL FLUFFED UP
Whether in the city or out in the wilds, the first night will see an abundance of living dandelions. While they appear to be nothing but regular dandelion tufts, get too close and a pair of bright yellow eyes opens to stare at you.
The creature will let out the tiniest of shrieks, break apart into smaller pieces, and scatter. It sets off a chain reaction of other living dandelions startling awake. It's a symphony of tiny screams. Before long, there's nothing but miniscule white puffs skittering all about wherever you look.
"Oops," sounds The Peacekeeper throughout the simulation. "My calculations for the population of living dandelions was... a little off. Not to worry, everyone! I'll have it fixed by tomorrow."
What The Peacekeeper fails to mention is that living dandelions give off a soothing pheromone as a defense mechanism once they break apart. No matter how wound up your character might be after the day's events, being surrounded by living dandelion tufts will relax them before long.
Why not enjoy the sunset, look at the stars, and have a good night's sleep? Tomorrow is another day.
The creature will let out the tiniest of shrieks, break apart into smaller pieces, and scatter. It sets off a chain reaction of other living dandelions startling awake. It's a symphony of tiny screams. Before long, there's nothing but miniscule white puffs skittering all about wherever you look.
"Oops," sounds The Peacekeeper throughout the simulation. "My calculations for the population of living dandelions was... a little off. Not to worry, everyone! I'll have it fixed by tomorrow."
What The Peacekeeper fails to mention is that living dandelions give off a soothing pheromone as a defense mechanism once they break apart. No matter how wound up your character might be after the day's events, being surrounded by living dandelion tufts will relax them before long.
Why not enjoy the sunset, look at the stars, and have a good night's sleep? Tomorrow is another day.
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!
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!
NAVIGATION
no subject
My father was a werecat; it's a power inherited by blood or by ritual. We can turn into a sweet kitten like this, or that of a beast on two legs. Unfortunately, I inherited my mother's height, so I'm not as imposing as I could be. But... it does work well for a cuteness factor!
[Raine peers at him with large, unblinking eyes.]
It does come with some downsides. For one: my ability to taste sweetness is diminished. Citrus tastes awful, and chocolate is poisonous. Even some flowers that are benign to humans are toxic to me. Even with my ability to heal quickly from injury.
[They brush their tail against him again, purring quietly.]
Anyway, I have now climbed you like a tree. I would opt for the other way, but I feel like I can't decide right now.
[So for now, they'll just nuzzle closer to his neck and get comfortable, claws careful not to dig in too much while keeping their balance.]
no subject
I am aware of many flowers and plants that are dangerous for cats to consume. I spent a year of my schooling at a monastery with an impressive greenhouse, and we had to be careful to ensure that the cats did not get in for that very reason.
[Too many plants that could prove poisonous for the poor things if they had the bad idea to chew on them. Even though the cats always hissed at him, Dedue wouldn't wish for them to be hurt if such misfortune could be prevented.]
[Their little cat head presses against his throat, warm and soft. It's the closest that he's ever gotten to one of the creatures.]
If this question is indecorous, please excuse me, but would you permit me to pet you?
[Just to know what it's like.]
I literally went, "Yesss, pet the kitty!" when I saw this. <3
Indecorous? Not at all, though I understand how some people might think it so.
You may pet me as you like. My only general line in the sand is having my fur ruffled backwards. Minus my belly. You can rub that like you would a dog's. Though In that way, cats like me are an exception rather than the rule.
Ah! It would probably be better to be held by you in such a case, either in your arms or on your lap, if you've a mind to sit down for a time. I tend to lean into things I like, and would hate to fall off of your shoulders. Or accidentally claw you in trying to avoid it.
[They lean back a bit to look him in the eye, their ears tilting back just the slightest bit.]
Also, there are some plants that just being exposed to their pollen can be lethal, such as the lily flower. And even plants that generally don't hurt us will make our stomachs hurt if it's not, say, grass, or catnip. It doesn't help that our bodies really aren't built for having anything more than meat in our diets. Although I'm an exception due to my mixed blood.
If you see any flowers or plants from your world that are harmful to cats, please let me know? I will repay you for the information in any way you ask and that I am capable of.
no subject
I shall find a place to sit, then.
[It surely wouldn't take too long for him to find a quiet place to sit down, while his shoulder-riding companion informs him about the complexity of feline biology. He had mostly concerned himself with learning the plants that were toxic upon ingestion, rather than those that could cause harm from pollen or other indirect methods; excluding the cats entirely from the greenhouse would prevent all forms of exposure, of course, but it is valuable to know that there's more to worry about than just whether the cat eats something that it shouldn't.]
Of course. Repayment is hardly necessary, however. I would warn anyone to avoid poisonous plants and not expect anything in return.
[Consider it a pro-bono service, perhaps. And, really, it's not without benefit-- they're probably all going to have to work together to ensure that everyone can be fed, and making sure everyone knows what to avoid when foraging is for the public good.]
[He locates a spot that seems good enough; Dedue sits, and tries to make his lap as flat and even as possible. He's a large man, at least, so his lap his broad and warm, and hopefully that has some inherent appeal.]
Is this sufficient?
no subject
[Before the words are fully out of Dedue's mouth, Raine hops off of his shoulder and, immediately feeling his body heat, prrrbbts loudly before immediately making biscuits on his thighs. Their tail curls up and whiskers all point forward.]
Oooh, oh, you're warm. Soooo warm. I love it! Your lap is so niiiice~~
[Just. Making all the biscuits. Gonna bunt against his hands, too, if he lets them. Even going so far as to try to rub their teeth against him. With the effects of the cake in their body, the urge to just rub and cuddle is overwhelming to the point that they no longer have any restraint left.]
I'm Raine, by the way! Raine, mmm, Sunstar.
[Gotta ruuuuuub!!]
no subject
[Since he had been given permission to pet, he first tries just gentle scratches underneath the chin. His touch is light at first, perhaps overly cautious, but, well. Cats are such small creatures, and he is a very large man. He wouldn't want to cause harm out of carelessness. He takes it as a positive sign when Raine rubs their cheeks and head into his palm; his hands are large enough that he could enclose their entire head in it if he wanted to.]
I am Dedue. Please excuse me for not introducing myself properly earlier.
[He'd been a bit too busy being taken aback by Raine's forwardness to remember social etiquette. Not that this isn't an equally strange situation, since he's giving introductions to a person-turned-cat who he's also scratching behind the ears.]
The monastery had quite a number of cats living on its premises. Mousers, I would assume. I do not know how effective they were at their job, considering how often everyone would feed them, but I understand that they were quite friendly as a result. [It's a good way to get cats to start to like you, or so he's been told. Didn't really work out for him, but they all loved the Professor. Probably had to do with all the fish.] To most, at least. I could never get near.
no subject
[Raine's fur is soft and plush, and Raine sinks their chin into his touch. It's not their favorite place to be petted, but it's a good starting point. The touch to their ears, however, is where they absolutely shove themself into with open-mouthed purring.]
Dedue, then. Okay, point one on mousers: we don't hunt just for food. We also hunt for the pleasure of it, just like some people do. I'm sure they did one way or another.
[Okay hold on, Dedue got a good spot going right now. Just gonna rub their ears against his hand.]
I don't see why cats wouldn't flock to you. You're quiet, you seem to leave people be? And your body is WARM. Cats love the whole "respect my personal bubble" thing. We're different from dogs that way. And we like to sit in warm places because then our bodies don't have to work as hard to stay warm.
But.. you work with plants. There might be some that cats don't like the smell of. And our noses are really sensitive to those smells.
[Their words sound increasingly distracted, as they eventually bodily flop onto his lap and start nibbling gently on his fingers to groom them. Besides, there are a few smells clinging to him that they're not sure about and want a closer, well, "look" on. Not that they expect to have any spectacular revelations.]
Other than that, I can't really see any reason they'd not let you near. And they should be flocking to you with all those neat smells on you.
[Ooh, another smell! Time to gently lick the back of his hand. Hope he doesn't mind the feeling of damp sandpaper!]
no subject
[What he's learned here is that cats should like quiet, warm people who don't try to get in their space all of the time, and who apparently can scratch them in all the right places. Theoretically, that would seem to make Dedue an appealing person for them... maybe Raine's plant theory has merit, and he's just been working with something that cats intensely dislike.]
[Well, if that's the case, the smell must not be on him right now. Raine becomes quite intent on licking over his fingers with their little sandpaper tongue, so Dedue is forced to continue his petting with only the one. Their fur is terribly soft, and thick enough that even his large fingers sink into it, especially around the stomach. He can feel the gentle rumble of their purr both with his hand and against his thighs. Overall, the experience is quite calming and enjoyable-- he understands why everyone at the monastery was always so fond of the cats.]
Perhaps you are correct, and I have been handling something unappealing. I will have to remember to be more diligent in cleaning my hands after working in the gardens. [Perhaps if he had scrubbed more, they wouldn't find him so objectionable. Or, perhaps not, who knows? If the Peacekeeper is to be believed, it's all ruins now anyway.] To be entirely honest, though, animals have never taken well to me. Horses, especially. I have been told that my face is the issue.
no subject
I don't see how your face is the issue. It's gotta be something else.
Who the heck would tell you something so rude, anyway?? It's not like you can change your face.
Maybe the animals get the wrong impression from some of the people you happened to be near? I'm not sure... We're pretty sensitive to the moods that others put out, too. Like animosity, joy, or sorrow. We look at body language, since that's our primary communication between each other, so we look at humans too, through that lens.
But! This cat likes your face! It's a very handsome one. And your voice is nice, too. And your expression is relaxed enough. And the way you're petting me is wonderful and gentle. The way you're behaving now is prime get-cats-to-love-you material!
[Clearly it's not Dedue's fault that cats don't approach him.]
no subject
Perhaps that is the case. I have no way of knowing now, however, and you are the only cat who has been able to give me their opinion.
[And a resoundingly good one, at that. How strange, for someone who doesn't know him to look at him and not think of him as frightening.]
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to pet you. It is a very enjoyable activity.
[Is that a weird thing to say? Yes, absolutely. But it's nevertheless true.]
no subject
[They still reach up a bit - not to grab for his face, but to gently pat his chest, pouting at him. They want to say something, but it's kind of a mush in their head now.]
If you ever want kitty cuddles again, just let me know. It's... really nice.
[Their cheeks color a little, and they avert their gaze.]
I really wanna cuddle like this now, too... I feel things differently in different forms, and I can't quite settle...
[Dedue is busy, and it's probably really hard for him to see them switching between different shapes like this, isn't it? And being so out of sorts is rather-- anxiety-inducing. This isn't their usual go-to for flirting. Honest.]
I still wanna climb you like this, too. Shit...
I know I can't keep you here. I won't. I don't want to make you wait to find the person you're looking for. That's too important. And I'm just some strange cat-person that just wants to stick into your personal space.