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TDM #7
Welcome! Everything is fine.
Uploading. . . Complete!
The Lobby.
- 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 have died and so has 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 on 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.
- If you're one of the unlucky few whose death required a bit more intensive re-coding to maintain stability in the simulation, you'll instead awaken on a bed in the infirmary. Everything is strikingly white save for the occasional string of vines with lavender growing in bursts to help keep people calm. Whether or not it works seems to be on a case-by-case basis.
While there is active medical staff, the voice of The Peacekeeper is also there to explain the situation in a more delicate manner to these individuals. It's already stressful enough having to have gone through such a violent death, after all!
If characters want more questions answered, they'll need to speak to The Peacekeeper directly. But first, it will encourage socialization in the main hub and hopefully, you'll find someone you recognize to make taking things in a little easier.
- Throughout the main hub where everyone congregates, a light chiming echoes through the first floor. "Hello, everyone," comes the synthetic voice from when you first arrived. "Please, seek shelter from the typhoon here. If you'd like, there is cake and some refreshments."
WHAT
The seventh Amani TDM!
WHEN
August 24nd, 2022
KINKS OF THE MONTH
★ Bloodplay
★ Sensory Deprivation
★ Rimming
★ Overstimulation
★ Sex-toys/Strap-on
★ Sensory Deprivation
★ Rimming
★ Overstimulation
★ Sex-toys/Strap-on
WHAT'S YOUR DTF STATUS?
If the main hub and its features 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 visit the training grounds, music lounge, library, and onsen. Also, feel free to leave an offering for the resident deity of sleep (Hypnos) at his shrine! 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. Even if you do complain, The Peacekeeper will encourage others to set off and find their own place to live out in the simulation.
Granted, the housing market in the afterlife isn't exactly robust. It doesn't help that every place you find has a leaky roof or broken window. No, unfortunately that will need to be fixed the peaceful way. If you'd like more lighting or even cozier clothes, simulation inhabitants are reminded that 'peaceful interactions' are very 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.
A FOUL WIND BLOWS
For the last couple of weeks, The Peaceekeeper has been relatively quiet save for the mandatory greeting of newcomers. In fact, it doesn't even make the usual announcement that it has before to alert inhabitants of the sudden shift in weather. Blue skies and sunshine gradually begin to darken over. The wind picks up to a frightening gale that will see people likely needing to strap things down and fasten their shutters tight.
However, it's not anything physical that inhabitants will likely end up losing. The forceful rain, wind, and ensuing storm will instead strip away their inhibitions if they're unlucky enough to be caught in it.
What was holding you back, anyway? It's hard to remember or seems so suddenly trivial. It's not an issue anymore. that's for sure! Whether this is about something intimate, secrets kept, or things you know you shouldn't say for any number of reasons don't matter. Self-consciousness and doubt feel like a thing of the past and you're free to chase whatever whims you want!
Hopefully, you won't regret it when the effects wear off in a few day's time.
However, it's not anything physical that inhabitants will likely end up losing. The forceful rain, wind, and ensuing storm will instead strip away their inhibitions if they're unlucky enough to be caught in it.
What was holding you back, anyway? It's hard to remember or seems so suddenly trivial. It's not an issue anymore. that's for sure! Whether this is about something intimate, secrets kept, or things you know you shouldn't say for any number of reasons don't matter. Self-consciousness and doubt feel like a thing of the past and you're free to chase whatever whims you want!
Hopefully, you won't regret it when the effects wear off in a few day's time.
CLEAN-UP CREW
Although not everyone may be in the mood to buckle down and get to work after the storm blows through, the mess it leaves behind is literal as well as metaphorical. Time to get cleaning! The Peacekeeper has graciously provided a whole host of tools to assist inhabitants in clearing the debris littering the beach and floating in the ocean, including...
- ★ Inflatable Rafts » For those who would prefer to clean the water instead of the beach, these boats can comfortably fit two people in them--or one person, should they choose to lie down. Better grab a partner, unless you want to be rowing in circles!
★ Skimmer Nets » These long-handled tools can extend up to five meters, with nets strong and deep enough to scoop up a substantial amount of debris from the water--or capture most people from the waist up, should you feel more inclined to messing around than picking up the pieces.
★ Brushes » These broad brushes come in a variety of materials to help scrub mud and sand off any buildings that got blasted, from stiff nylon bristles, to soft silicone that might not feel bad being used for a massage. You've earned it after working so hard, right?
★ GET LAID » The state-of-the-art Liquid-Air Impulse Device boasts an impressive number of features, all in a handy dandy device you can wear as a backpack. Not only can its hose serve as a pressure washer, high-powered vacuum, or water gun, but it can also be used as a jet pack! The sky is the limit--just don't forget to land occasionally and refill its tank with water, or you may find yourself in free fall.
JUST KEEP SWIMMING
All your hard work hasn't gone unnoticed!
The mermaids that live beneath the waves of Taasunni Beach are extremely grateful that the inhabitants have taken the time and effort to clean up their home. To show their gratitude, they've decided to let everyone experience the beauty of the once-again pristine ocean for themselves!
Upon request, one of the mermaids lounging in the shallows will kiss inhabitants to fill them with magic. This gift will transform them into merfolk themselves for about 6 hours, allowing them to breathe underwater, swim swiftly, and explore or play in the depths to their hearts' content.
Those who indulge in this, especially repeatedly, may find themselves feeling unusually buoyant and free--as though a weight has lifted from their shoulders, and their troubles are simply washing away on the tide.
The mermaids that live beneath the waves of Taasunni Beach are extremely grateful that the inhabitants have taken the time and effort to clean up their home. To show their gratitude, they've decided to let everyone experience the beauty of the once-again pristine ocean for themselves!
Upon request, one of the mermaids lounging in the shallows will kiss inhabitants to fill them with magic. This gift will transform them into merfolk themselves for about 6 hours, allowing them to breathe underwater, swim swiftly, and explore or play in the depths to their hearts' content.
Those who indulge in this, especially repeatedly, may find themselves feeling unusually buoyant and free--as though a weight has lifted from their shoulders, and their troubles are simply washing away on the tide.
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!NOTES
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!
★ The effects of all the influences can, as always, be as heavy or light as you'd like! It can be chalked up to differences in resistance, non-humanity or not, etc. etc.
★ Please thank Love Bug Infy for helping out with this TDM!
★ Make sure to dunk your questions/feedback in the thread below!
★ The locations page is undergoing a revamp! While originally I wanted to have it done in time for this test drive meme, that didn't quite happen. But it is coming soon, I promise!
★ Due to moderator error meaning we are over the player limit already and repeated requests, the player cap has been increased to 50. We are currently at 47/50 slots taken! Anyone wishing to claim a character must have an invite and follow the proper rules in place to be accepted into the community.
★ Also in light of that announcement and since I totally forgot the monthly meme due to being sick... Why not check out the ATP/EMP Meme now up? See who others want to try out, enable your friends! Fun all around!
NAVIGATION
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When he spots someone cowering from the weather, he doesn't hesitate to run over there and crouch beside the guy, resting a hand on his back; his tail's hidden under his cloak, for now. "Hey, are you okay?"
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"Ah, man-- give a guy some warning." As if his hands over his ears weren't likely to block it out, but anyway. Right. There was that question. "I'm, uh-- great! Just... just staying dry, ha... ha."
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"You don't look very dry to me, I don't think it's working. Come on--" He grabs Caspar's arm lightly and attempts to pull him to his feet. "We'll go to the tavern and warm up there by the fire with a drink, how about that?"
Is he calling Caspar's bluff on purpose? Absolutely.
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The thing is, being indoors does sound way better than being out here. The only difficulty was making himself leave this relative safety to get there, so... frankly, having a random stranger pull him out of hiding might be just the push he needs. "Uh-- yeah, sure. Sounds good."
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Zidane's not fooled in the least by Caspar's act, but that's okay - no need to damage the man's pride if he doesn't have to. And he's an actor by trade, so--
At the next clap of thunder, he jumps a little as if it startled him. "Whoa! This is really some storm. Pretty scary! You know, whenever I get jumpy about thunder, there's a trick I like to use to make myself feel better. Want to hear it?"
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--And then frowns as Zidane speaks up. It's not obviously fake, sure, but... as oblivious as he can be, Caspar can be weirdly astute about this stuff now and then. "Don't pretend like it bothers you. If you've got advice, just say it."
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Maybe if it were just the storm itself... then again, things meant for storms have helped before. His fingers rub idly together, mimicking a familiar motion with a charm that he doesn't actually have with him. "Could give it a shot, though."
Or maybe it still won't help. After all, the value of that grounding charm had never actually lain in any supposed magic properties to him... but, hey. He's not one to shoot down a potential fix before he's tried it.
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Zidane spots that little motion of Caspar's fingers and wonders what it means. But he can ask another time, because Caspar's willing to try out this idea of his - and Zidane's hardly going to leave him to do it on his own.
"Okay--hey wait, I never caught your name. Mine's Zidane."
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"Oh, right. I'm Caspar!"
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He stops walking and looks up at the overcast sky from under his hood. "On the count of three, just yell as loud as you can! One...two...three! RAAAAAAAAAGGGHHHHH!"
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This solution, though, he's ready to give a shot. Caspar gives a sharp nod and stops beside Zidane, pulling in a breath - and fighting against the anxious thumping in his chest - as Zidane counts down, and...
"RRRAAAAAAAAAGHH!" Yeah, he was not lying about being good at yelling.
...Not good enough, apparently, not to flinch at the next rumble of thunder anyway.
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He brightens once they're done yelling. "Wow, you weren't kidding, you've really got a pair of lungs on you. Ever thought about going into theater?"
But then Caspar flinches, and Zidane shakes his head as if to switch gears, putting an arm around the guy's shoulders and hustling him a little faster toward the hub. "Come on, we're almost there. We can try the shouting method again some other time. Maybe with practice, it'll work!"
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...Aaand then, in turn, more of a wry snort, as he hurries up to get that last little bit of the way inside. "Oooh, no way. I'd be a terrible actor, loud or not. But, uh-- yeah, couldn't hurt to keep tryin' that."
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...definitely nothing to unpack here.
He slips inside after Caspar and pulls his hood down, revealing blue eyes, a face accustomed to smiling, and a head of golden-blond hair. "How do you know? Have you ever tried?" Then he nods. "Next time, try waiting until right after the thunderclap and yell right back in its face. I bet it'll work eventually - it was my idea, after all."
He shakes some water out of his cloak and then unclips it and pulls it off his shoulders, revealing his long tail with fur that matches the color of his hair, waving idly in the air behind him.
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Nothing! At all!
Caspar shakes water out of his hair, glancing over to get his first clear look at Zidane as he answers. "Eh... okay, not exactly, I'll give you that. But I know I'm an awful liar; I can't hide or fake anything to save my life!" He's pretty sure that wouldn't translate to much in the way of acting skill. "Anyway, I can try that... maybe you're right. Could start, uh... helping."
...Yeah, hang on, sorry, he just noticed that this guy has a tail and he's gonna have to find his train of thought again.
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"Hey, you don't have to be a good liar to be a good actor if you play roles that are a lot like you, or ones without spoken lines. I can think of a few parts off the top of my head where all you need to do is yell really loud and learn fight choreography."
He glances over to see why Caspar's suddenly trailing off, and sighs when he sees what the guy's looking at. "Let me guess. It's the tail, right? Why does everyone in other worlds think it's so weird? Just...do me a favor and don't pull on it, okay?" It's weary, as if Zidane has been there and done that, and he'd rather not revisit it, thanks.
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Whoops. Anyway. Speaking of things that aren't that!!
Caspar considers that, while he shrugs off his soaked overcoat. "Huh... yeah, those I could do, I bet! I am good at yelling and fighting."
He starts a little, immediately sheepish. "Oh-- sorry, I didn't mean to stare! There's just not really people with tails where I'm from. I definitely won't pull it, though, promise! I dunno why I'd do that to begin with."
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"See? There you go! You just might have a future in the theater. And I just so happen to be planning to open one of those here, so you should come and audition when the time comes." Zidane claps him on the shoulder with a grin.
Zidane sighs and shakes his head. "Nah, I get it. People with tails are common where I come from, although...not many have ones exactly like mine. But everyone I run into from somewhere else says the same thing as you."
He rolls his eyes. "I don't either, but tell that to Laguna. In the last world I was in, this guy just couldn't stop himself. Like a kid with a new toy, I swear."
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Sure, he's got... a lot of free time here, and he's not opposed to trying out new things - but from what he understands from Dorothea, theater is a hell of a commitment, and he's already trying to learn to suck less at cooking, and he only wants to spend so long on something else that he doubts he'll be much good at.
...And yet, Zidane may notice that he's not saying he definitely won't.
"Yeah? Must be real weird, then, hearing about all these places where that just... isn't a thing-- also, man, that's rude! What was his problem?" As if Caspar himself didn't literally just pick up a classmate and carry her to another location on... more than one occasion, but listen. They're not talking about his lack of boundaries right now.