uhmani | TDM #7

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.

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

Skimmer Nets

Brushes

GET LAID

Liquid-Air Impulse Device

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.

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.

Sexy Stamp Card

Issued by: The Peacekeeper

1 2 3 4 ♡

6 7 8 9 ♡

❤

<div style="width:100%;padding:10px 10px 0;font-family:garamond, georgia, serif;font-size:20px;font-style:italic;letter-spacing:2px;text-align:left;">Sexy Stamp Card</div>
<div style="width:100%;padding:0 10px 10px;">Issued by: The Peacekeeper</div>

<div style="width:100%;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:center;align-items:center;gap:10px;font-size:16px;font-weight:bold;color:#13336b">

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<div style="max-width:300px;width:100%;margin:-10px auto 0;text-align:right;font-size:10px;"><a title="code credit!" href="http://10billionghosts.dreamwidth.org" style="text-decoration:none;color:#eee;">❤</a></div>

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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

★ 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

F.A.Q. ★ RULES ★ CHARACTER CLAIM ★ LOCATIONS ★ MAIN NAVIGATION

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

While covering his ears wasn't helping a whole lot with blocking out the thunder, it sure did make it harder for him to hear that there was someone else approaching!

So, when there's suddenly a hand on his shoulder, he startles and makes a not-particularly-graceful attempt to jump to his feet and ready his fists, but--

--Oh. Wait. Okay, hang on, he's not... he's not being attacked. This-- wait does that guy have cat ears?? Alright.

Caspar is maybe staring a little now, but in any case, said guy just looks more worried than anything.

Which is... a little embarrassing.

"I-I'm, uh-- I'm fine! Totally okay. Why? Are you alright?"

Edited 2022-08-29 22:56 (UTC)

G'rhyf snorts in amusement and raises an eyebrow at that paper-thin defense. Really, bud? "Never a day in my life. And you look like you've just been hunted by voidsent, to be quite frank."

...Alright, despite everything else going on right now, Caspar frowns at the first part of that. "That's... not good. Anyway, I-I don't know what voidsent are, but I'm not being hunted by anything! I'm just... out here, in the rain, and--"

There's another crack of thunder, and he jolts, reflexively blocking his ears again.

Whatever snarky comeback G'rhyf may have been lining up dies when Caspar flinches like that. They frown and lean in a little closer, ears lowered in sympathy.

"...maybe we should look for somewhere that'll actually keep the noise out."

Caspar... doesn't argue this time. There's kind of no hiding what's going on, after that. So he just nods, heat rising in his face out of embarrassment.

"Yeah. Okay. Th-there's, um-- most of the buildings here are damaged, but there are... a few that're intact. And the main hub."

They're still a little ways off, he thinks, from his and Linhardt's house, and... he would rather take some time to calm down before braving the rain again to make that walk.

G'rhyf nods and offers Caspar a hand to stand up. Once he's upright they loop an arm around his side--mostly as a means of offering support and comfort, but...well, that damn drink hasn't worn off entirely quite yet.

"I remember the way back to the hub, but that's it...I just woke up here today." They grimace and shrug, tail swaying back and forth. "Might be best if you offer directions, if there's somewhere closer that you would feel safer."

Part of Caspar definitely wants to be embarrassed by the obvious effort at comfort - or, more accurately, that he so clearly needs it.

The rain sure is still doing its thing, though, and he ends up leaning into that support anyway.

"Oh, yeah? Well-- welcome, I guess." He manages a sort of shaky smile. "Most stuff is near the hub, anyway, so you should be good. There's, um... the training grounds are over there, and the library's nearby, and... uh, a couple of my friends have stores in the area...?"

He flinches at another rumble of thunder. "--Y'know, a-as long as we get inside, I'm good."

G'rhyf nods with a small, reassuring smile and starts leading Caspar back the way they came. It might be hard to notice over the pouring rain at first, but they've started to purr; it's a low sound and somewhat rattling in a way, like something in their throat didn't quite heal correctly, but otherwise not unlike a typical housecat.

As it turns out, the first proper shelter the two of them find is the library. G'rhyf quickly ushers Caspar inside, and shakes as much water off their coat and head as they can. "Gods! Am I glad to be out of that mess!"

Caspar is still a bit too rattled to consciously notice that his unexpected savior is purring - but he still finds something particularly soothing about letting himself lean on them as the two of them make their way to a more effective shelter.

He's eager to duck inside, also quick to shake his head and pull off his soaked overcoat. Not that that helps him with the fact that everything he's wearing underneath is also soaked through, but it definitely feels a little better. "Ha-- yeah. Haven't had a storm like this here since... since I got here."

He can still hear the storm going outside, which means he'll still hear the thunder, which he is not looking forward to, but this is better.

"Thanks, by the way."

Coat and gloves are quickly pulled off and tucked under an arm, and G'rhyf grimaces at a squelchy feeling in their boots. Really, water got in even there? "Good to know this isn't a regular occurrence, at least..."

They nod with a small grin and wiggle of their ears. "Of course! What hero of the realm would I be if I just let you to cower under that overhang?" --wait, shit, that's a bad way to put that. "Uh, anyway! Is there any place we can hang our things to dry here?"

"I-I wasn't cowering!" Might've sounded more convincing and less defensive if his voice hadn't gotten so close to cracking, but anyway. "I just-- don't like storms. It's not usually that bad - but lightning can do a lotta damage, y'know! And the sound reminds me way too much of gettin' yelled at."

Boy, he did not need to say that, did he. Caspar tries to look very occupied with folding up his overcoat.

"Uh... I don't know, actually. But there are these private rooms - they're for reading, I think? Or other stuff. In any case, they're out of the way."

"Oh, do I know about lightning damage," they mutter under their breath, but thankfully they're distracted before they can elaborate any further on Adventures With Grandpa Beard.

"Private probably means less noise will get in, too. Lead the way, then!" No idea what Caspar might mean by 'other stuff', but it's probably not a problem. "Oh, right--name's G'rhyf Kett, by the way."

Caspar nods eagerly, and starts walking, directing G'rhyf to one of the private reading rooms. Less noise getting in. Perfect. "Yeah-- just over here. And I'm Caspar von Bergliez!"

The room itself is, if nothing else, certainly cozy, furnished with a small table and chaise lounge - and, fortunately, while three of its walls are lined with built-in bookshelves, the wall with the door built in is simple wood with a couple coat hooks. Caspar is quick to hang up his own, and... after a moment of thought, pulls his soaked undershirt over his head. He doesn't love the idea of having that chafing the whole time he's waiting for his clothes to dry off.

"Good to meet you, Caspar!" G'rhyf nods and follows along, taking a glance around while--

Wait. Hang on. Isn't that a Garlean name pattern? But he doesn't have a third eye, is he--

Waaaait wait wait no, the Garlean v title is 'van', they're good.

G'rhyf hangs up their coat as well, and sits down to start prying their boots off while Caspar wrestles with his shirt. A stray glance up (and the nice view of his back that it provides) sends a flush of heat across their face, but rather than quickly ducking their head again as they might otherwise, G'rhyf instead stares transfixed for several long moments.

"...wow."

"Huh?" Caspar pauses, halfway through turning to hang his shirt up with his coat, and... glances sort of cluelessly from his shirt to G'rhyf's face. Apparently, he hasn't thought to even glance anywhere below their face.

After a moment, he sure seems to think he's figured it out. "Oh! I hope y'don't mind, it's just... basically everything I'm wearing is soaked."

Oh. Oh! Shit, they were staring, weren't they. Their cheeks grow even redder and G'rhyf quickly shakes their head, hoping the bulge in their pants isn't amazingly obvious.

"Oh, no, I don't mind! You look good." That...that sounded dumb. Hm. They finish pulling off their boots and set those and their gross wet socks by the wall near the hanging clothes. "Do you mind if I do the same?"

Good news, G'rhyf: It doesn't matter too much, because Caspar misses obvious things all the time.

"W-well, uh-- thanks! You too." He does mean that; he might not have noticed some other things, but... he has gotten a look now at how G'rhyf's shirt is clinging to their torso, especially now that he's sitting down to pry off his own soggy boots and socks. "Nah, I don't mind."

The compliment returned startles them--maybe moreso for that there's no reason for it to be returned. The red on their face is spreading enough to creep down their neck at this point. "I--um, thanks?"

They're quick to take the excuse of turning around to start undoing and peeling off their shirt. Wringing out as much of the water from the fabric as they can, they glare down at their still twitching cock and try to think about the least attractive things possible...but their mind almost immediately drifts into thinking about holding Caspar close after another clap of thunder, what his muscles would feel like under their hands.

Godsdamnit.

Oblivious as ever, Caspar undoes his belt to start wiggling out of his pants, and glances idly over his shoulder as he speaks up.

"Hey, so-- if you've only seen the hub so far, did you just get here?"

"Oh, yes, I did. Just earlier today--"

G'rhyf cuts off with a strangled noise as they turn around to see that, their grip on their shirt going white-knuckle tight and tail lashing rapidly back and forth. Higher brain function has been nuked from orbit, and whatever else they were going to say has left them completely.

"Oh gods, I want to fuck you stupid." Good news: that came out in mostly a mumble.

Well that was a sound, alright. Caspar raises his eyebrows slightly, pausing before standing up to hang up his pants and socks with everything else. Man, even his underwear is soaked, this is the worst.

More importantly, though: "Uh... you okay? Did you say something?"

"I drank something that made me really horny." G'rhyf buries their face in their hands (which...are still holding their wet shirt, gross). "And you're really fucking hot but I don't want to take advantage, especially when I offered to help you with the thunder thing!"

"...Ooooh. Oh! Okay! Yeah, that stuff'll happen here."

So, good news, Caspar doesn't seem particularly disturbed by this information; rather, he looks almost determined as he crouches back down to G'rhyf's eye level. Sure, it's still tempered with a little bit of fluster, but! Determined!!

"Well, I want to pay you back for the thunder thing - I'll help you out with this, if you want! All you had to do was ask."

They look back up with a surprised expression, ears forward and tail up, and their mouth works for a few silent moments before words start happening.

"You're certain?" They're not nearly as hesitant about this as they might otherwise sound, with how they grab Caspar's hips to pull him closer--ideally onto their lap, but if he has a different idea they won't say no.

Hey so that is so fucking cute. Admittedly, yes, Caspar is biased, being as fond of cats as he is to begin with - but that is so cute.

He grins, scooting forward to follow how they pull him, and gladly follows that impulse to reach up and brush his thumbs over their ears. "'Course!"

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