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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
Thanatos | Hades | OTA
[What does one do when they're out of a job so suddenly?
It's a concept he's still mulling over, the fact that somehow their realm was completely unmade. Perhaps an impulsive decision by Chaos? Something else? And yet, here he is, Death Incarnate, with nothing to do.
Well, nothing but eat cake right now, anyway.
As it is, instead of eating any of the slices, he's taking his time, evidently. He stares, frowning, arms folded.
He's never had an excess of free time before.]
💀 II. dtf haha i see what you did there;
[His own DTF isn't a surprise to him when it appears. In Thanatos' hands, a stuffed mouse is present, and he almost looks like he wants to smile.]
Suppose something from home isn't a bad way to start.
[And although it wasn't perfect, he does miss it.]
💀 III. coves and caverns;
[So, even like this, he kind of hates the sun.
There are all kinds of beautiful locations to explore no doubt. Bits and pieces do remind him of Elysium, but it's also significantly brighter in a lot of ways that's hard to pin down. In an effort to dodge away from sun -- real or not -- he's finding a bit of shelter.
A loud guh-DONG rings in the air, Thanatos appears suddenly in one of the caverns, floating just a few inches off of the rocks. He sighs and closes his eyes, almost relieved.]
Better.
💀 IV. wildcard;
[i dunno man make up your own thing heckin do it]
i. and also kind of ii.
[The idea of the entire world being dead and gone is...a little surreal, to be perfectly honest. After all, by definition the world Zagreus had always known and called home...was...the realm of the dead. It's not something he particularly wants to think about at much length, not given certain revelations he's had about his own dead-dead versus just dead status before, and to say nothing of everyone else wh—
Wait, no, he's not thinking about it. Not thinking about it.
But coming into the bar, he sights Than (and Mort), and instantly makes a beeline for them. For all that the prospect of being dead-dead-dead is an unnerving one, the sight of Death Incarnate is always welcome in Zag's book.]
You're here, too. Do you have any idea what's going on? Er...hopefully moreso than me, considering?
[Given the whole. Death Incarnate. Thing.]
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[There's the impulsive urge to grab Zagreus into a tight embrace that he just barely fights against. The idea that maybe he, Death Incarnate, was the only one to find whatever's after the Underworld without anyone else -- it sounded unbearable. Horrible. To never see Zagreus again seemed a painful idea.
And now here he is, bounding up, like he's just come out of the River Styx. It's almost reassuring.
He clears his throat.]
No, actually. I have zero insight on this whole thing. I don't even feel the call of mortal lives ending as we speak. If it includes the unmaking of our entire reality or something close to it, that may be outside of my expertise.
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You don't — you don't feel anything? But you've always felt that call...haven't you?
[And, well, leave it to Zagreus: quick to set aside his own problems for the sake of supporting someone else through theirs.]
I can't imagine what it must be like for you, stripped of that so suddenly. Are you all right? Can I help you somehow?
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[At least, that's what he'd tell just about anyone else. That no, he can handle it, he can take the extra work, it's fine -- but this is the opposite of that. There's just... nothing. The utter absence would probably give someone else the sense of a vacation or a break.
But for him...]
I don't... [He sighs, his voice getting a bit quieter.] I don't know what to do. In general, or with myself. I have too many questions, and I can't even keep myself preoccupied with work.
What am I to do, Zag?
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[He's trying, gods bless him, he's really trying. And it's not as though he really feels any more optimistic about all this than Thanatos seems to, but he's supposed to be the upbeat one here. Maybe it's not so different than stepping out of the underworld, the only world he'd ever known, and onto the surface for the very first time.
That had all been strange and unsettling, too. This time he probably won't even die at the end of it — because there's no Styx and no House to go back to because it's all —]
Look, there's cake! And these ones even look as though they're for eating.
[Rather than sitting permanently under glass in the Lounge that doesn't exist anymore and blood and darkness does that mean the Chef and the Wretched Broker and the House Contractor and —]
Come on! Let's go try one. Or several. Why not?
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[It's no embrace, but he does reach out for Zagreus' hand, taking it and holding on, squeezing tight. He'd be stupid think he's the only one that's been affected by all this, because then there's also Zagreus, who just cares about everyone. Who has done everything to try to reach out and bond with every person he's ever met, even if they're difficult and especially when he's been told not to. Even the strained relationship he's had with Master Hades slowly had been making amends, in some sort of way.
And it's gone, evidently. Not just Thanatos' job and life, but Zagreus too.]
...Is this what will also help you?
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(He never has been able to figure out if Than's touch is cooler than usual, or if he's the one who runs hotter than he should.)
But fingers curl around his, and he shifts his own hand imperceptibly to make them weave together instead. It isn't much (Sisyphus, Orpheus, Eurydice, Pat, Achilles), but it'll do. Achilles always thought they were connected down to their very core. It feels good to connect in even these smaller ways, too.]
It's not all gone. You're here. There's still you.
[He says, like he's just read Than's mind, and offers a faint smile that wobbles just a touch.]
Just let me fuss over you, will you? For old time's sake.
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But maybe the best thing is just to do that: let Zag do his thing and talk too much and somehow be horribly charming about it, too.]
Oh, was it you fussing over me? I seem to remember coming to find you to help you escape.
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[Oh, oh, that's another thing he really doesn't want to think about right now. Not being able to say goodbye. No, nope, no, none of that.
He squeezes Than's hand a fraction tighter.]
And then you kept running away before I could hardly get a word in edgewise, sometimes. I always wished you could've stayed just a little longer.
[And here, at last, they are faced with...cake. None of the varieties look even remotely familiar, and truthfully they all kind of look the same, to an eye not particularly critical of cakes.]
Here, pick one. They all look...like something, don't they?
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I still assisted you, and I continued to do so, despite you running off. So how is that, hm?
[But he does feel the squeeze, which he does return. This, at least, feels a bit familiar. The back and forth.
Right. Cakes.]
Presumably edible, even. I don't even know what these taste like.
[He sighs, then picks up the white one with sprinkles on it. It's so cheerful looking and he immediately regrets his decision, but Thanatos doesn't put it back so he doesn't appear indecisive.]
Fine. This one.
1/3
[He shrugs, then opens his mouth and sticks out his tongue, effortlessly making himself the test subject for whatever taste and mouthfeel is waiting for them on the other end of this...cake.]
Only one way to find out, I suppose.
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3
He had thought the shelter of a small cavern off the rocky outcrop would be a good spot to rest and dry off in alone. Turns out he was wrong about one of those things.
Thanatos is greeted by the lanky Professor, staring blankly at him, shirt still hanging from one hand. The definition of dull surprise. Huh. He seems so oddly familiar and yet... he's certain he hasn't met this man before. He'd definitely remember that, wouldn't he? ]
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Well. Oops.
Politely, Thanatos averts his eyes. Yet, there's something off about this man. Perhaps it's just by nature that Thanatos is aware that they're all dead, but there's something else, too. Something he can't quite put his finger on.]
Excuse me. I wasn't aware anyone else was here.
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That's quite all right I wasn't... aware either.
Is this your house or something? I'm not intruding am I?
[ Well okay it's a cave but you know he's not one to judge he's slept in some nice caves in his day. ]
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The question makes him arch a brow and with the man's pants back on, Thanatos just peers at him.]
Why would you think that this is my house? Do I appear to be the kind of person who would live here?
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I don't know your life.
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...That is completely fair, actually.
You don't know who I am. Which is understandable, since most don't until I arrive, but circumstances are unusual right now.
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Byleth Eisner. And you are?
iii.
that. The bell toll echoes off the walls as does the squeaky shriek she lets out because of it. She whirls around to glare - perhaps less forcefully than she intends because, look, she's just a little shaken up - and huff. ]
Kami, dude, a little warning next time?
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That's the purpose of the bell, or so I'm told. To prepare someone for my arrival. For as much as they could have been prepared, before all of this.
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[ She stops. Stares. . . . The gears are turning slowly. Wait. Give it a second. ]
Oh. Uh. Awkward. Are you the grim reaper? Because, like, that totally tracks. Surprised you didn't find me sooner. I know I'm kind of cheating death here and all but- We're all dead now so it seems like a moot point.
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[Even him...? Which is. Weird. But he's still working out the whole thing in his head.]
In any case, the matter is an usual one, even for me.
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[ Honestly, she couldn't blame him. Death was still happening, wasn't it? So why would he be here? Unless-
Nope. No. Not going there. ]
No time like the present to pick up some new hobbies?
iii hey brooo
Oh wow, now this is nostalgic!
[Hypnos floats in, curled up in his cloak like it's a chair as per usual. It's clear when he notices Thanatos by the gasp of delight (and relief).]
Than! You're here too? Oh hey, now you won't be so busy with work, so-- so maybe we could hang out some while we're here! That'd be nice, right?
[There's still Mom and Charon and Zagreus and Megaera and everyone else missing, and Hypnos really doesn't get why he's here instead of any of them but... gotta make do! Be independent and all that, just like Mom always wanted for him!]