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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
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But he freezes, hearing this. At first it's a cold horror - if this Felix is from his future, then...but no, there must be something else. He doesn't seem to even recognize those events as having happened. But if that's the case, then...who is he?]
No, he isn't. I'm not a fool. Something's wrong. You and I obviously haven't had the same experiences.
[He takes another step forward; his voice gets quieter.]
...tell me what happened to Sylvain.
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[He's not focused on him anymore, and his voice is guttural, like Dimitri's would get sometimes. But unhinged with grief, not laughter. He's held his sword with an unshaking hand the whole journey, but now he has nothing to grip onto.]
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[The shock makes Felix physically recoil from the words, as if he could avoid them somehow and then they wouldn't be real. But he knows himself well enough to know he wouldn't say a thing like that unless it was true.
And he sees it, now, the echo of the boar in this reflection of himself. When he speaks, his own voice is sharp and raw, like a blade rusted in a storm. His words are furious, but the dreadful knowledge that he could be capable of such a thing lives somewhere inside them.]
Despicable. You...you're not me. You're nothing but a wretch. What could possibly drive you to cut down the one person who--
[Even he's not sure exactly how that sentence was supposed to end. He clenches his jaw.]
If Sylvain stood in your way, then you were on the wrong path. Tell me: are you so far gone that you think it was worth it?
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[Scowling, he grabs at the collar of the other man's coat.]
I couldn't follow The Boar! I had to make my own path, and if I faltered on it, it would have all gone to waste. Don't try to tell me things could have worked out different in some pointless fantasy.
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He snarls and shoves the other him hard with both hands, trying to dislodge him.]
It's not a fantasy, you idiot, it's my life. The boar prince pulled through. We won the war. Sylvain survived, and I sure as hell didn't raise my blade against him!
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Shut up already!!! He never changed, there was no saving or stopping him! The Boar is dead. Sylvain is dead. You're not real.
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Pathetic. Shoving your head in the sand won't change a thing. Dimitri snapped out of it when the old man took a blade for him and bled out.
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[He's bent forward by the blow from the elbow with a wheeze and grimace. Glaring at him, the look in his eyes is familiarly Not Okay. He charges, grabbing and tackling, so they both hit and fall into the cake bar with a crash, smashing and flinging slices of cake.]
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When you what? It wasn't enough to kill Sylvain? What else have you done, you wild beast?
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[He kicks at him, but a table gets in the way. Plates are shattered. Cake and utensils are everywhere. He falls after him to try to pin and wrestle him. By now the frostings from the disgusting sugary desserts are smeared on his clothes and hair. He punches at him, as if that will solve any of this and make him and his words disappear. He's on top for a moment, but the kick and the painful yank on his hair unbalances him.]
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[The other man's punch catches him full in the face and he groans, falling back onto a large slice of cake that gets smashed into his coat and hair. With the momentary reprieve he wins for himself with that kick, he rolls in an attempt to reverse their positions and pin the other man under his weight with a knee pressing into his back.]
You were supposed to die together!
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[Felix hisses as the knee plants on his back. He turns his head, spots a long pointed cake knife, and swiped out his hand like he's going to grab it and finally have a blade. He could, it's within easy reach. But then he abruptly twists like a cat instead, sliding against spongy cake, wrenching out from under the knee so he can lay face up and lash out again. He aims hard punches at ribs and jaw, hitting brutally hard, but designed to provoke. As he attacks, he leaves himself wide open.]
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The answer comes to him soon enough. The first punch to the ribs lands, doubling him over with a pained gasp. He gets his arms up fast enough to block the next one aimed at his face and lashes out with his own punch in return. One or two more exchanges like this, and he's sure of it: his counterpart is leaving himself open on purpose.
And called his attention to the knife on purpose.
A surge of too-familiar desperate rage goes through him like an electric shock. Scowling deeply, he does reach for the knife, snatching it up and twisting to take the next punch in the arm rather than the ribs again. It still hurts, but more importantly, it leaves the other man vulnerable.
He quickly flips the knife around in his hand and brings the butt of the handle down hard toward his double's temple, hoping to daze him.]
You're out of your mind.
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Damn it...
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You really thought I'd kill you. You are a colossal imbecile.
[It lacks the venom he lashed out with before, though. He tries, somewhat ineffectually, to wipe some frosting off his face with the back of one glove. He's quiet a moment, and then,]
At least I know that even in this other life of yours, I haven't lost my edge.
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...You can't be real. But you feel real.
[If what he's been saying is true, it's crushing. He doesn't want it to be true because everything he did can't be for waste. A different path he could have taken, a taunting look at a path other than the painful one he committed to. Just the thought of it hurts badly.]
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[Felix isn't normally very good at putting himself in other people's shoes, but he can put himself in his own shoes just fine, it seems. If the situation were reversed, of course he wouldn't want the other him to be real. Perhaps he can't imagine what could drive him to kill Sylvain, but he at least understands some of what this mirror self has been saying.
To know someone's sorrow and turn blindly from it... That is the act of a fool.
He glances around, realizing that they've become the center of attention. Ugh.]
I don't like all these people gawking at us. We should get cleaned up, anyway.
[He gets his feet under him and moves to crouch beside his counterpart, grimacing at the pain in his ribs but otherwise ignoring it for now. He moves to sling one of the other man's arms over his shoulders and help him stand, if he'll let him.]
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Fine... I'll go with you.
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Once there, he helps the other man over to a chair before he pulls off his own gloves and takes the tie out of his own icing-caked hair.]
Eugh. Disgusting.
[He starts taking off the outer layers of his clothes, too, all of which are sticky with frosting, and dropping them onto the floor - all except his swordbelts, which he removes and sets down carefully instead. He doesn't look at the other Felix, but he quietly says,]
You lost. I won. Tell me what happened.
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...I followed Professor Byleth and aided Edelgard. Obviously. Sylvain was still with The Boar, and we faced one another to fight to the death. The Boar died deep in his madness, struck down by Edelgard's axe.
The Boar was a monster. Just a crazed beast disguised as a man. Following The Professor freed me from serving him. I hated him... he couldn't be saved. And I know that now I'm just as beastly him... and maybe I always was. All I ever see is blood.
...And you're telling me you saw The Boar come out of it?
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The professor sided with Edelgard? That makes no sense.
[But if that was the case, then...it's not that hard to see why he might have defected. Back when the war began, when Dimitri lost his mind completely and all that awaited him in Fraldarius was a grueling standoff against a superior invading force? Had the professor been with Edelgard then, he could see it...maybe. But without Sylvain?
That's the wall he keeps hitting. Why would he leave without Sylvain?
At this talk of Dimitri, he sighs heavily, half-perching on the edge of the sink and rubbing his face with one hand.]
I did. It was...he was exactly as you say, when we first found him alive. The professor and Gilbert convinced him to lead what was left of our army, ally with the Knights of Seiros, but he was consumed with his ghosts and revenge, and barely bothered to pay anyone any attention.
...there was a traitor in our ranks who tried to assassinate the boar, after the battle at Gronder. I wasn't there. My father took the blade for him and died before I even knew anything was happening. That...shook up the boar enough that he tried to sneak out on his own to Enbarr. Byleth convinced him to stay and take back Fhirdiad instead. After that...he overcame the beast.
[He's not sure he has anything to say about this other Felix becoming a beast as well. Knowing that he has the potential for that inside him...he'd like to refuse to believe it, but the evidence is before his eyes. Perhaps it's a finer line to walk than he thought between a soldier and a monster...or perhaps it's just that without his friends or family, he lost his way. Lost himself. For all the hatred and complicated feelings he's had about Dimitri over the years, he's not sure he could ever have imagined his life without the prince in it.
...maybe Seteth was more right than he knew.]
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[He keeps his voice even, but his breathing is tight. He has to keep his emotions swallowed down. It's easier if he occupies himself, so he starts pulling his light gear and armor off as well, so he can remove his ruined shirt.]
Unbelievable, that The Boar could be shaken by anything. ...But my father... was killed by me.
[He almost leaves it right there. He doesn't like saying anything that sounds like an excuse. He held his own blade, he brought himself there on his own path. But after a moment, he looks aside and speaks again.]
He said it was a father's duty to settle his child's failures. But I won the fight against him.
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[That...explains a lot, but also unsettles Felix a bit. How could the professor's decisions alone have such an impact on the rest of their behavior? On their allegiances and what they're willing or unwilling to do? Yes, Byleth was and is important to him - to all of them - but...
Hearing the news about Rodrigue doesn't surprise him at this point, though that doesn't make it easier to hear. He shifts to sit fully on the sink and leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees with his eyes on the floor. It's his turn to swallow his emotions down; he takes a quiet breath and lets it out. Then he scoffs, somewhere between bitter and resigned.]
Of course he said that. He put 'duty' above family every single time. When Ingrid came to fetch me and the professor told me what happened...the old man gave Dimitri some speech with his dying breaths. Didn't call for me or even mention me at all.
[He's being a bit more dismissive than he feels; he remembers what Byleth told him were Rodrigue's last words much too well to view it as 'some speech.' But that's too much to say aloud.]
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Hmph... good to know nothing would ever resolve with my father even in your happy world. I'm sure he was thrilled to die as a shield.
[He frowns bitterly, sinking his shoulders and looking at the floor as well.]
...I... never talked about any of this so much before. I stuck to my resolve throughout the war, no matter how hard it was to lift my sword.
[Maybe it's just that much easier, talking to "himself".]
You told me I made a promise to Sylvain. ...I know. I never forgot it for a second. I was supposed to fall in battle after he died. But I didn't. The war ended, and I took up mercenary skirmishes, and yet I still couldn't fall. I... I didn't mean to leave him alone for so long...... how damned selfish of me, trying to die on my own terms like this while he's waiting...
[His head is pounding badly. Behind the eyes. He tenses a hand to his head and breathes between his teeth.]
But when we faced each other that last time, I got a strange sense from the way he fought me... that getting killed by me... is what he wanted.
[His voice breaks on a choke on the last part.]
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[It's not much more than a mutter under his breath. Is it better or worse, he wonders, hearing that this one thing didn't change?]
Neither did I. About my father, I mean. Everyone was so full of pity and empty words that I couldn't stand to talk to anyone at all.
[I was supposed to fall in battle after he died. The truth is, Felix has often thought about how it might go, were one of them to die in battle, and he long ago decided that if Sylvain fell first, he would do exactly what his other self did. Throw himself headfirst into the fight until it took him down. Except apparently, that didn't work.
His voice is quiet when he speaks again.]
How ironic. The very skills you honed to carry you through the war made you too strong to die when you wanted to.
[How lucky they were to both survive the final battle, in the history he remembers.
A knot lodges in his chest, in his throat. He swallows and drops his face into his hands.]
Sylvain...I've spent the entire war trying to convince him not to be so reckless. So many times, he rode into battle as though daring death to take him. He thought nothing of...of taking hits for me, protecting me at his own expense. I thought I'd lost him more than once. Without Mercedes, I would have. He was sure he wouldn't survive to see our victory. But he did. And he was...trying to ask me something...but that's the last thing I remember. I don't know what he was going to say.
[He tips his head forward, dragging his fingers through his sticky hair and exhaling heavily before he sits up and drops back down to the floor.]
None of it matters now, I suppose. If we truly are all dead anyway. ...I've been looking for him here since I arrived. Haven't found him yet.
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