![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
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
Glenn Fraldarius | Fire Emblem Three Houses | OTA
If nothing else, this is the most bizarre afterlife Glenn has ever seen. It's a solid step-up from, well, before but he can't claim it lacks an unnerving quality.
Any thought that this was a dream is dashed the moment he finds a shard of glass large and intact enough to try to use as a makeshift mirror; the jagged scars he bears line up with the memory of agonizing pain, followed by nothingness.
What to do right now is a bit of a jumble at the moment. There is the need to find familiar faces - family for one, His Highness Lambert, to see if he's come through here. Little Dimitri...
...Still, the quiet away from that "Birthday Party" is helping to ground himself in the moment.
Hearing the crunching of glass and debris underfoot, Glenn's hand immediately goes for a sword that isn't there, dropping the shard of glass to free his hand of the relatively useless thing. At least he still has his armor on?
Taking a steadying breath, his jaw sets.
"Who's there?!"
2) Dandelion Fields
A fallen branch is not a sword, but it'll do. It's better than swinging around nothing at all, isn't it? Even if with one good whack and the branch will break. It feels like a slight dip into nostalgia, where the idea of becoming a knight was only a dream in his younger mind.
He does, however, make the mistake of getting too close to a grouping of the apparently-living dandelions, and it takes everything in him to find someplace a bit less full of those screeching things to sit down and, well, let the effects run their course.
...Maybe a nap won't be so bad...?
3) Wildcard!
1
"No.... can' be..."
no subject
Of course there's something on his face - proof enough that he'd died, after all. But this person's voice is... familiar. Relief at some semblance of familiarity collides with the sad recollection that their world is destroyed.
"...Holst? You're here, too?"
no subject
"How in the hells are you...." a vague gesture to Glenn's person as a whole. "H-here???"
no subject
"What kind of question is that?? We're all dead, aren't we?"
He arches an eyebrow at him, shifting from one foot to another, hand on one hip.
no subject
He shakes his head, running a hand through his hair and then quickly twisting it up into a sloppy knot at the back of his neck.
"But you've been dead for years." He's not really sure he buys this Peacekeeper bullshit. He hates the idea of the world getting obliterated when they'd finally accomplished so much. Something he couldn't fight, something he couldn't do anything about. Something he'd been comfortably unaware of, strolling down a street towards a tavern he'd been planning to meet Nader in for a drink.
"It doesn't make any sense."
no subject
Glenn huffs at him with a smirk.
"But I guess knowing I kicked it, myself, makes me a bit more accepting of whatever bullshit's going on, for now."
Only for now. There's housing to attain, and information to gather. Too much of the necessities need to be gathered before going forward with understanding more about this situation.
"I suggest that for now, we take care of our basic needs first, before delving too far into crap we may be unprepared for with this place."
no subject
"Alright, I'll play along, what're you thinking?" A glance down at that whole... branch thing that happened. "Cause 'm pretty sure we can't hunt with a stick, buddy. Hell.... I don't think I've even seen anything to hunt."
cw: death mention
"I hope your scars haven't affected your vision. I don't have my sword. A stick is better than nothing." Mostly for against other people, in case he has to break it over some dumbass's head.
"Not that I intend to hunt with it unless I can sharpen the end of it first. So for starters, we try to make a space livable, and then we look for wild flora to gather. We can check bodies of water for any fish. I've seen a few streams and rivers on my way over here. And we'll have to get a fire going at some point.
"Sound enough like a plan to you?"
cw: uhhhhhh graphic descriptions of death/gore, ptsd, hallucinations, etc.
Stealth isn't his specialty. How could it be, large and (sometimes unintentionally) forceful as he is? Of course, he makes too much noise to remain undetected. Who's there? he's asked and that's- That isn't how this usually goes. By now, Glenn would have said something else. He would have asked for revenge, for blood in his name, for his life back. Not something as simple as 'who's there.'
Dimitri pales as a slight shake comes to his limbs. "Glenn," he says. Stops. The elder Fraldarius looks no older than the day he was lost to them, he looks just as he would if all he had to tell of the incident were the scars he sports. But Dimitri remembers instead the way his body had been mangled in the wake of the attack, how it had been so disfigured they only brought his armor home, the weight of his body atop Dimitri's in his last proud protective gesture as a knight. "You..."
The man steps in closer despite himself. A hand reaches out expecting to pass through Glenn's body but instead his solid flesh. "You-" He chokes on the words he thinks to say. What could he say, really? His good eye burns as tears brim along his waterline.
no subject
Glenn doesn't move, carefully analyzing the strange situation. There's the touch, and-- recognition? The person's voice is different, and yet--
It clicks. If he was able to see his little brother all grown up, then why not...?
He vividly remembers -- covering the little prince with his own body in the raw hope that maybe, maybe, in spite of that horrific nightmare-made-real-- In spite of the agony in his own body--
He's not so little anymore. He looks so much like Lambert did.
Relief spills over-top the disbelief, and Glenn can't help but smile. In kind, he reaches to touch the back of Dimitri's hand in acknowledgement. Even seeing him so grown, Glenn's first instinct still sees the little prince. It'll take some time to fully process that he's a grown man.
"Dimitri. You lived.... I'm glad."
no subject
And the fact that he could be is in no short thanks to the should-be deceased man standing right in front of him. Gleen says he's glad, which is the opposite of what his phantom always spoke to Dimitri, and it's- It's a torrent of emotions he doesn't know how to process beyond- Dimitri reaches out, suddenly, and wraps large arms around Glenn to pull him in against his body for an embrace.
It's also a bit easier this way to hide the fact that he is absolutely, completely crying now. "Thanks to you, my old friend. I wish it didn't have to be, that it was me instead but I... I understand your reasons now better, I think." Thanks to the Fraldarius father, Rodrigue, and his own sacrifice similar to Glenn's to keep Dimitri alive. Ah. That's something else they'll have to discuss, won't they? Another time. This is already quite a lot.
no subject
Glenn wraps his arms around him in turn, his surprise melting into his relief. His scars throb from all the movement he's been doing today, in echo of the, to him, recent pain.
"No, don't say you wish it was yourself instead. I would have grieved you-- felt I failed you. I do regret dying, but I don't regret protecting you. I don't regret making my damnedest sure that you'd be able to come out of that alive."
Shit, now he's crying, too, but trying not to let it resound in his voice. Today has been a lot.
"None of us deserved to die that day."
His throat burns.
"If I could have, I would have crawled away with you. Let there at least be two people to be able to find who killed so many, and hurt so many families for it. I could be labeled a cur, myself, and I would not care so long as we both were alive.
"But I wasn't going to let one of my favorite people die. Not you. You were so young, and you didn't deserve any of that...."
no subject
You were so young, Glenn says, and... He was, wasn't he? He was just a child. Glenn though wasn't all that much older. To think, they're nearly the same in age now.
"No, we didn't," he answers, finally. "But you didn't deserve to have your life stripped from you so mercilessly either. Especially not over..." Oh. It occurs to him, then, that Glenn doesn't know. Dimitri steps back from the embrace finally, a sniffle and slightly redder eye the only signifiers that he was just crying. "I'll have to tell you what I know now about that day. Perhaps later though, after we've settled a bit more?"
no subject
"Yes. Another time. I don't think I could handle too much at the moment. Loathe as I am to admit it."
Absently, he wipes his face dry with his sleeve, lacking a proper kerchief to use.
"As dark as the circumstances are... and however selfishly, I'm glad to see you again."
He frowns.
"Considering that... it's been hard, my friend. I still feel the echo of each wound I took that dreadful day, though no wounds remain."
It was important to be strong for Felix, but Dimitri-- Dimitri was there that day, too. He deserves that honesty. And a large part of him still sees that little child he so desperately shielded with his body.
"I fear it will take me some time to recover to my original strength, depending on how long this acts up. And far longer still to get stronger, if my brief spar with Felix is any indication. But if there's anything I can assist you with while we're here, you have my support."
no subject
"As am I," he agrees, despite himself. It is good to see the other man, strange circumstances aside. It's an opportunity he never thought he'd have; while he wishes it didn't have to be at the literal cost of their world, well... He'll take what he can get for the moment.
"Glad I am for it, my friend, but do not worry. I'd be more than happy to assist you in kind and especially since I doubt our titles or ranks will mean much in this place." He isn't a king, he's just Dimitri. It's a strange although not unwelcome thought.
no subject
Glenn's expression is softer, and it's with a little sigh that he adjusts his clothes, slightly rolling up the sleeves so the material doesn't scratch at his scars as much. There's evidence of the burns on there, too.
"I look forward to seeing how strong you've gotten. We should spar sometime soon."
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
Sorry this is so short.
1
Felix--
[It's immediately apparent when the figure turns that this is not, in fact, Felix. The features of House Fraldarius, however, are obvious; the hair, the fine, delicate facial features, the lithe build that lends itself so well to swordplay. This is not Rodrigue, either, because though Dedue did not meet him often, he does know the Duke's face. There is one other option-- the only Fraldarius that Dedue has yet to meet, as he was killed in the very same conflict that brought he and Dimitri together.]
My apologies. I have mistaken you for another.
[If his suspicions are true, Dedue has no way of knowing how this man will react to seeing a man of Duscur before him.]
no subject
It's fine. Being mistaken for my little brother isn't too bad. He took after me more than I thought, so it's really only natural. Better than being mistaken for the old man.
[But he puts a hand to his hip and shifts his weight. An easy, casual movement. There isn't any hostility anywhere to be found at seeing a man of Duscur.]
Well, brothers, I guess. Since there's clearly two of them here.
Both of them might need some time on their own terms. Is there anything I can help you with in the meantime?
no subject
[But beyond all of that, Glenn's comment is... confusing. Two brothers?]
I was unaware that Duke Fraldarius had sons other than yourself and Felix.
[Surely he would have heard of such a thing? Dimitri would have mentioned it, or someone else who knew the Fraldarius boys from childhood. Unless this brother is considerably younger than the other two, perhaps, and would be too young to participate in the war?]
If you have seen Felix recently, it would be helpful if you could direct me to him. He was searching for suitable lodgings, and I would like to see what he has found.
no subject
[He shakes his head with a sigh.]
Look. After both of them have met me again, and everything that entails, I must politely ask you give them a little time to themselves.
No matter how many Felixes are here, the least I can do is give them time to process all the crap that comes with seeing their dead brother in the flesh, and all the emotions that comes with that. I'm not saying stay away all day. Just... an hour more. In the meantime, I am more than content to assist you. Unless you're implying that I'm too blind or dumb to help locate appropriate lodgings?
no subject
I see.
[The request to leave Felix be for now is also a reasonable enough one, though Dedue dislikes making the rest of their growing group have to wait too long for somewhere safe to go. With the food at the gathering called into question, they will need to make plans for gathering provisions, for cooking, for surviving in this place. There are hazards here that are far different from the ones that they're used to dealing with, and they'll do better in a group than as individuals.]
Very well. I will leave Felix to his own devices, for now. [As for the other part, well.] And I have said nothing of the sort. Your help is welcome. However, we will need to find housing for a fair number of us, and preferably so that we can remain together. It would be ideal to know where Felix has already searched so that we do not retread old ground and waste time.
[There's only so many hours in the day before sunset, and Dedue would prefer for everyone to be settled in before dark.]
no subject
[Looking grumpy, Glenn rubs his face a little.]
...Just half an hour, then. Shelter is important. And there are at least some rivers prime for fishing not far from here...
[Looking up (and up!) at him again, Glenn sighs.]
Okay, I gotta know - how did you come to meet my brother? I assume it's... after I died.
[Glenn grimaces and shifts his weight from one foot to the other. It still hurts, knowing he couldn't be there for him. For any of the little ones he came to cherish in his short life.]
He probably challenged you to a fight at least once, right? You look strong.
[Really strong. And that's kind of an exciting feeling, even knowing he's likely to get his head crushed in an instant if it were a real battle. At least, judging by how soundly he was curbstomped by one of his brothers.
[But maybe he could convince this guy to help train him? Later, once everyone's settled. Yeah, that seems like a good idea.]
no subject
[Relatively speaking, he has not known Felix for nearly as long as some of the others have-- only that year at Garreg Mach, and then during the war, after his return. He doubts, though, that meeting Felix any earlier in their lives would have made all that much of a difference, all things considered.]
I appreciate the compliment, though I was not one of your brother's usual sparring partners. We... did not see eye-to-eye on many things, and he was not particularly fond of my company.
[That's probably the most diplomatic way that he could put it. He has no desire to explain the finer points of Felix's disdain for him to his own deceased brother. It doesn't really matter, anyway; their relationship is improved. They can be in the same room and remain civil these days.]
no subject
[He shifts again, restless. Aching. It feels like he's been asleep for too long, body left to heal from lethal wounds, and just woken up after the scars have formed. Getting into that scuffle with the first Felix he met was, while a good idea at the time, and not something he'd take back-- it was still a mistake.]
That said, if Dimitri trusts you, so do I.
Someone who has protected Dimitri after my passing-- I owe you many thanks. And... especially if you've helped protect my brother, too. Ingrid. Sylvain.
I'm Glenn Luc Fraldarius. I'd like to know your name.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)