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Entry tags:
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
"Off the...?" That draws him out of his contemplation, casting a curious look at Claude now. While he could just be meaning 'board' as Fodlan in general, Dimitri wants to clarify. "Tell me: What do you remember of home before arriving here?"
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He tilts his head and shrugs a shoulder in response to Dimitri's question.
"You tell me. I left you to rule Fódlan after I disbanded the Alliance. That doesn't mean there's not something or someone still left out there that would want to remove us for some end. Defeating Edelgard doesn't mean there won't ever be another foe out there, unfortunately. Though what that could have to do with this Peacekeeper situation, I actually don't know. Though Lorenz remembers something different, apparently...?" He leaves it there, since now he's not sure if he and Dimitri are on the same page. If they're not, things might get kind of weird. If Dimitri isn't the king, then he's actually not sure what that means. What other choice would there have been for Dimitri? Considering what he knows of what came before Byleth led Dimitri and the others to rescue the Alliance, along with what Lorenz told him (and implied), he has a feeling it wouldn't be a pretty picture.
no subject
Did the war just end for Claude, then? Or had he just left the country? Hm. Strange to think that their world ended and yet they might be from different timeframes. How could that be possible?
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"The war just ended for me," he says, "Glad to you know lasted a year before the world ended, though." He winks at Dimitri before breaking into a full grin. It's a terrible joke and he has a terrible sense of humour that he isn't at all sorry for.
"Did you try any of that cake? Oh, guess it wouldn't make much difference to you, right? Not unless you solved that pesky taste problem you used to have." Claude knows damn good and well that Dimitri hadn't solved it the last time he'd seen him, but he likes to run his mouth.
no subject
"Yes, well, hopefully it won't have been in vain." He isn't sure yet how much of all this he believes. If they're really dead or if this isn't some sort of strange mass kidnapping. But why them? Why here? Why any of it? It's much easier, really, to focus on the question about the cake.
"I did, yes. Just a small bit of the spice cake, they called it, but... It must not have had overly much since I didn't feel the heat of it." Just spongy texture. Mm.
no subject
"You know this world ending business can't be true, right?" he says, his voice more serious. "Whatever is really going on here, I don't actually believe anything this Peacekeeper has told us. Whoever or whatever is in charge, we'll get to the bottom of it and get home. For now, well...we just got here. Play it by ear for the moment, I guess. The weirdness in our memory difference, I can't explain that, but it's just one more mystery to solve."
At least it gives Claude something to focus on, something to try and sort out. He's someone who kind of needs problems to solve.
As for the cake thing…
"I don't think it's that kind of spice, really. It was more…ah, well, I'm not sure how to describe it. It wasn't like you'd have in a hot dinner type dish. But it could have used more of a kick. That's the one I tried, too." He doesn't mention his foray into the chocolate kind earlier. What a mistake that had been. "I think there's some kind of drug in it, though. I think all the cakes are drugged. I just haven't figured out all the effects yet."
Which is part of why he's running his mouth too much; part of it is he's Claude, but part of it is that he's aware from watching and experiencing that they've probably all been dosed with something. He figures Dimitri deserves to know that, even if it's too late to change it.
"It doesn't seem to be actually harmful, though, so if you just ride it out, we'll all probably be fine."
Probably!
no subject
(Reader: It is desire, but Dimitri has felt it approximately not enough times in his adult life to recognize it for what it is yet.)
Unfortunately, because of it, he has to catch up to what Claude has said. He'd like to be the bottom beneath Claude's sculpted body- Ah, what is happening? "Yes, I agree," he manages. Smooth. "Hopefully, we'll have time to decide the best course of action going forward." Goddess help him, he's trying so hard to maintain a sense of normalcy in this conversation.
But then there's the mention of the cake having a drug in it. Poison? No, that's not- Poison would make him feel sick, not just warm and increasingly glad for their arms to be hooked together. Would it? He doesn't know anything anymore. "I... I suppose that might explain the strange reaction I'm having." Truthfully, the cake is just amplifying what he already feels but has always been too repressed (or just depressed) to actually act on. He'll unpack all of that at a much later time though.
no subject
"Strange reaction?" Claude asks, feigning innocence. "Really? What does it feel like? Tell me." He's pushing Dimitri about this on purpose, as if his own face isn't flushed and warm. He's not as pale as Dimitri, though, so he can hide it a little easier. He just wants to make the king squirm a little.
no subject
Sothis help him. "Warm," he answers, at first, throat suddenly feeling dry. "But in a pleasant way? I..." There's really no couth way to explain that he's also suddenly, inexplicably having some very untoward thoughts.
"It's enjoyable, being close to you." Nailed it.
no subject
But he's too busy watching the way colour spreads across Dimitri's skin, not just in his face, but imagining the rest of him flushed with colour. He has no one to blame but himself for this. He's staring up at the other king, but he can't get himself to look away. Claude is always aware of how he might look to other people in public, and though he doesn't really care too much for propriety in the way that other people might, he cares on some level. But right now, he cares so much less than he normally would or should.
"Warm and enjoyable," he repeats. "Yeah. Me too."
He turns toward Dimitri, aware that he's about to make an incredibly stupid decision but he's not sure he can stop himself. No, that's not entirely true. He's not sure he wants to stop himself.
He lets go of Dimitri's arm only so he can slide both arms up around his neck. He doesn't wait for Dimitri to ask him what he's doing, and he doesn't wait for permission. That's too many chances to think better of it. If Dimitri stops him or rejects him, he can play it off or otherwise deal with it. Dimitri is tall, taller enough that Claude has to stand on tiptoe to kiss him. That feels a little bit silly, but feeling silly isn't really something Claude bothers with here or any other time. But here he is on his toes in the middle of a room, kissing Dimitri. What the hell kind of drugs are in this cake, anyway?
no subject
He's certainly glad to shed them now though. "Oh-?" he asks, head tilting in curiosity. Before he can follow through with anything else, Claude's arm is moving from his to instead wind around his neck. The blond leans down almost instinctively into the touch. As if on instinct, his own hands find their way to the other man's waist as he bends down just so that his lips aren't quite such a reach.
He doesn't want them to be. While he worries about being rejected, that's the last thing on Dimitri's mind. This is... How many times had his mind wandered to daydreams of what could have been during their academy days? He'd never been shy about his admiration for a handful of individuals, Claude included. While he had never imagined it'd be the end of the world that brought them together like this, he certainly isn't about to complain either.
"I see," the man finally manages to breath out against Claude's lips when he breaks the kiss briefly to make sure... Blue eye searches the other man's face. Is this what he really wants?
no subject
But Dimitri is also tall and strong and gorgeous and Claude knows better than to let his mind wander down this path at all. He's kept all of his thoughts carefully guarded for years, any possibility of anything that would tie him closer to others shoved deep down where it couldn't touch him. He had other things to do, after all, like survive. His priorities have never been about himself, not really.
Kissing Dimitri in a crowded room? Wow. He's amazed at himself, really, but now that he's done it, and now that Dimitri hasn't stopped him, it seems only right that he not put a stop to it now. (He'll feel like an idiot about it later, probably.)
He offers Dimitri his cheekiest grin.
"What? Not good enough? Not living up to your expectations? In my defence, it was completely off the cuff and you weren't ready. I'll do better the second time around. Try me."
no subject
Dimitri has always been a more simple man with simple wants. Kissing Claude has been and is now definitely one of them. To the comment, he can't help the small smile that upturns one corner of his lips. "You make a fair point," he admits, "about me not being ready. It was certainly good enough but I do think we can do better."
Try me, Claude encourages, and that's really all Dimitri needs to just go for it. Although he tends to be reserved more than he doesn't, he also has years of dragon fantasy Catholic repression to unwind from his pysche. Thanks to that, he goes from 10 to 90 and this time it's him initiating the kiss. With Claude still on his toes, Dimitri stretches one arm across the small of his back to support him as he bends down to slot their lips together in a much hungrier, needier motion.
no subject
With Dimitri's arm around him to support him, he's reminded of Dimitri's strength. Claude isn't exactly small, but Dimitri could just...pick him up, which isn't really something most people can or would do. He files that away for later, because there are probably some really interesting things he could get out of that. (So much for his mind For now, he just enjoys the feeling of it, and presses himself closer.
This kiss is more sure, echoing Dimitri's own eagerness. Claude doesn't waste time about it, though he could. He can be a tease, but he's not really in the mood for that. Really, he's almost too eager about it. Finesse? Why bother? He's misreading the situation here, chalking it up to only the cake influence, and figures he's not about to get Dimitri to kiss him any other time, so he'll take what he can get while this is happening.
no subject
He isn't small, no, but Dimitri is just used to being the stronger one. His own mind entertains the many things that could be possible by utilizing it in this sort of context. There will be time enough for that later though- Will there? It's hard to say if there will be a later, all things considered, but he likes the possibility of it.
The returned passion is more than welcomed with a low, approving rumble from deep in his chest. His tongue runs along the other man's lower lip, presses against his mouth to part it open for him. Are they just making out in plain view for anyone to see? Absolutely. Does he seem to care? Not at all.