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TDM #9
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 ninth Amani TDM!
WHEN
October 26th - December 31st, 2022
KINKS OF THE MONTH
★ Shower Sex
★ Footjob OR Bloodplay
★ Breatheplay
★ Position: 69
★ Sensory Deprivation
★ Footjob OR Bloodplay
★ Breatheplay
★ Position: 69
★ Sensory Deprivation
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.
FRIEND OR FOE?
Inhabitants may remember all those bushels of apples that appeared not too long ago. Now it's time for a seasonal vegetable to shine: the pumpkin! ... Well, sort of. The trickster pixies have enchanted the native pumpkins and turned them into something new entirely it seems!
The Peacekeeper claims that they are an anomaly and should be treated with caution. It is still trying to gather information on them... but they are very stubborn. These curious little creatures called Poppikins will begin to seek out warmth from the oncoming overnight frosts. And what's a warmer place than where inhabitants have taken up?
While they approach and settle outside homes willingly, trying to bring them indoors will require more time and trust. They return any affection given by seemingly vomiting pumpkin seeds (mixed with candy corn, somehow?) for inhabitants to have. Slowly but surely they may stay indoors overnight; however, one might wish they hadn't taken in this stray in from the cold. As all vegetation is bound to, the Poppikins begin to rot. This is where the trick part of this particulate treat comes in. What once was a sweet, docile but wary creature has now become an undead nightmare. It will spread rotting vines wherever it can, eat anything in sight, and worst of all: They can stack on top of each other to become more powerful and menacing. Hopefully, you only took in one.
You did only take in one... Right?
If bitten by one of these Poppikins, inhabitants will be plagued not with reanimation but an insatiable desire to eat the closest person nearest to them. Not in the literal sense though, of course. No, in the much more peaceful way! While it might not seem like much of a curse, this desire will not fade for a good few hours.
You might want to have some stamina potions ready.
The Peacekeeper claims that they are an anomaly and should be treated with caution. It is still trying to gather information on them... but they are very stubborn. These curious little creatures called Poppikins will begin to seek out warmth from the oncoming overnight frosts. And what's a warmer place than where inhabitants have taken up?
While they approach and settle outside homes willingly, trying to bring them indoors will require more time and trust. They return any affection given by seemingly vomiting pumpkin seeds (mixed with candy corn, somehow?) for inhabitants to have. Slowly but surely they may stay indoors overnight; however, one might wish they hadn't taken in this stray in from the cold. As all vegetation is bound to, the Poppikins begin to rot. This is where the trick part of this particulate treat comes in. What once was a sweet, docile but wary creature has now become an undead nightmare. It will spread rotting vines wherever it can, eat anything in sight, and worst of all: They can stack on top of each other to become more powerful and menacing. Hopefully, you only took in one.
You did only take in one... Right?
If bitten by one of these Poppikins, inhabitants will be plagued not with reanimation but an insatiable desire to eat the closest person nearest to them. Not in the literal sense though, of course. No, in the much more peaceful way! While it might not seem like much of a curse, this desire will not fade for a good few hours.
You might want to have some stamina potions ready.
A FEAST FIT FOR KING CANDY
As Autumn continues in full across the simulation, piles of leaves appear and are just begging for people to jump in! The pixies seem very active this season, actually, since these also come with an enchantment that make people feel playful and mischievous. Even the grumpiest of gills will want to have a fun after falling into a pile of the leaves. Whatever that may mean!
Though things can't keep being thrown into chaos! There has to be some sense of order! "I tried to tell the pixies to leave the native flora and fauna alone," chimes The Peacekeeper one day. There is a noticeable pause after its statement. Eventually, it follows up with: "I think that may have just made it worse."
It is not wrong.
There is a sudden abundance of flora in Amani though it's a little different than most might recall or expect. Nearly everything has been turned into candy. There are candy corn growing tall. From the trees are hanging candy apples decorated with caramel or other delights, chocolate oranges, and those wrapped strawberry candies you might associate with the bottom of an old woman's purse.
"They said they'll only change it back once we've eaten some so their magic doesn't go to waste..." A bit unsure, the resident AI trails off there. "Perhaps a feast?"
A place to hold this feast will be spawned in the ballroom found in the main hub. Although nothing overly lavish, it does have a certain seasonal charm to it. The Peacekeeper asks that to help, everyone brings one serving of a candy of their choice and to eat with a few friends.
If you don't have any yet, not to fret! There are plenty of friendly faces around who would no doubt be happy to break bread... Or, uhm, fried dough as the case may be... with you!
Just be careful: The secret ingredient in this feast is, cliché as it is, intimacy. The longer you eat together with others, the closer you'll feel. The closer you'll feel, the closer you'll want to be to them until there's nothing between you at all.
Though things can't keep being thrown into chaos! There has to be some sense of order! "I tried to tell the pixies to leave the native flora and fauna alone," chimes The Peacekeeper one day. There is a noticeable pause after its statement. Eventually, it follows up with: "I think that may have just made it worse."
It is not wrong.
There is a sudden abundance of flora in Amani though it's a little different than most might recall or expect. Nearly everything has been turned into candy. There are candy corn growing tall. From the trees are hanging candy apples decorated with caramel or other delights, chocolate oranges, and those wrapped strawberry candies you might associate with the bottom of an old woman's purse.
"They said they'll only change it back once we've eaten some so their magic doesn't go to waste..." A bit unsure, the resident AI trails off there. "Perhaps a feast?"
A place to hold this feast will be spawned in the ballroom found in the main hub. Although nothing overly lavish, it does have a certain seasonal charm to it. The Peacekeeper asks that to help, everyone brings one serving of a candy of their choice and to eat with a few friends.
If you don't have any yet, not to fret! There are plenty of friendly faces around who would no doubt be happy to break bread... Or, uhm, fried dough as the case may be... with you!
Just be careful: The secret ingredient in this feast is, cliché as it is, intimacy. The longer you eat together with others, the closer you'll feel. The closer you'll feel, the closer you'll want to be to them until there's nothing between you at all.
PEPPERMINT SCHEMES
Eventually, Autumn gives way to Winter and with it comes biting, frigid cold and snow. The lake freezes over to be perfect for ice skating, snowmen are made, and snowball fights are had. This kind of cold lingers though and seeps into your bones. Unfortunately, it also won't go away by the usual methods.
It will take someone else to ensure that you stay warm during these chilly months. Even if it's just holding a hand or leaning in close, the contact with another person will see warmth spread through your body near instantly and provide comfortable relief.
Just be careful! The sensation might become a bit addicting if you're especially adverse to colder temperatures.
As a last spiteful spell from the pixies before their Winter sleep, they spawn candy cane trees sporadically throughout the simulation. Thankfully, these aren't as obvious or obnoxious as before... but they do come with their own catch! Of course, they do.
For those that may be new or those just brave enough to take the risk, trying the stick of minty candy will see it stuck between your lips. No matter what you do, it won't come loose. At least, not on your own! In order to free yourself from this peppermint hell of your own making, someone else will have to begin to whittle it down from the other end.
Freedom will only come once a kiss is had between the two. Hey, at least you don't have to worry about if your breath is minty fresh!
It will take someone else to ensure that you stay warm during these chilly months. Even if it's just holding a hand or leaning in close, the contact with another person will see warmth spread through your body near instantly and provide comfortable relief.
Just be careful! The sensation might become a bit addicting if you're especially adverse to colder temperatures.
As a last spiteful spell from the pixies before their Winter sleep, they spawn candy cane trees sporadically throughout the simulation. Thankfully, these aren't as obvious or obnoxious as before... but they do come with their own catch! Of course, they do.
For those that may be new or those just brave enough to take the risk, trying the stick of minty candy will see it stuck between your lips. No matter what you do, it won't come loose. At least, not on your own! In order to free yourself from this peppermint hell of your own making, someone else will have to begin to whittle it down from the other end.
Freedom will only come once a kiss is had between the two. Hey, at least you don't have to worry about if your breath is minty fresh!
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.
★ Make sure to dunk your questions/feedback in the thread below!
★ As mentioned this TDM will span the rest of 2022! There's a theme for each month that gives people things to play around with as they wish with time being all wibbly wobbly whatever we want. Thanks for your patience guys and I hope this gives you enough to do while I give myself some breathing room to focus on work and studies!
★ We are currently at 42/50 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!
NAVIGATION
no subject
His initial thought is why are they holding hands? even if it doesn't linger long; he's seen this type of behavior before, so it isn't that weird or whatever, it just makes him wonder while he's contemplating what way is best to huck his projectile. Should he aim for Cloud? Leon? Both of them at once? —Okay, wait, that's maybe asking a lot when he's only holding one... except that brings about another idea of perhaps trying to grab another, this way he'll catch them both off-guard and be able to skulk around behind his snow army.
Of course, as he's crouching further down to gather up more snow, he hears his name being said and instinctively rises up to call out, “Yeah?” Ah, yes, the single braincell strikes again!
He oh no's under his breath and prepares to dive back down behind his hiding spot after being seen, but Leon's much faster with running than he is with scrambling around like a newborn baby deer. Lucky for him, however, he does manage throwing the one snowball he has at Cloud right before Leon barrels him over, sending them both sprawling in the nearby snowdrift he'd piled up slightly higher for coverage earlier. “I'm here!” he parrots, laughing the whole time, regardless of the coldness seeping in. Where is ‘here’, exactly? He's not too sure, but he imagines it's like always: a world he's never explored yet and now's his chance to do so. If that were the case, why are two people he knows here? Hrmmm.
Despite his uncertainty, he hugs Leon back with an arm then lifts the opposite to wave and say, “Hi, Cloud! Good to see you too!”
no subject
...Cloud can't help immediately thinking of Zack.
Then Leon's running and Cloud's reflexes kick in before his brain does when a projectile comes flying at him. He catches it in one hand, glances down at it for half a second, then glances back up at Sora with a smirk. Oh, it's on, fellow spiky-haired guy.
He winds up and whips the snowball back at Sora all in one smooth motion...by which point, Leon and Sora are already on the ground and Sora's popping up to wave at him. So as soon as Sora greets him, he's greeted in return by his own snowball to the face.
Whoops!
...okay, so this guy does know them both, that pretty much confirms he's from Leon's world. Huh. Cloud's never seen Leon even a fraction of this excited about anything, and he's a little surprised to find himself getting a bit envious over it. Still, that's not Sora's fault. No reason to be salty.
Cloud winces just a little in sympathy when the snowball collides with that bright smile of Sora's, which does nothing to dispel the resemblance to Zack. "Uh...sorry. Hi. Hate to tell you this, but...we've never met. You must know the Cloud from Leon's world, right?"
no subject
Finally letting go of the other brunette he messes up Sora's spikey hair before sitting up and waving back at Cloud, snow covering the back of him entirely. "Hey Cloud, this is Sora. The three of us were really close back home." His smile doesn't leave him as he hugs Sora once more and then finally gets up and wipes the snow off his back.
He gives Sora a hand to get up and once it's taken he doesn't let go of him, looking back to Cloud first and then at Sora. "He...doesn't remember us. It's okay though, he's still like the Cloud we know just happier I think." It's then he lets go of Sora so he can start to make his own snowball and head on his way back to Cloud, keeping his snowball behind him.
no subject
Maybe they've become close enough that Leon shares a lot more happy moments with him? Sora snickers at the thought, glad he can play it off as a reaction to Leon's hair-ruffling.
—Or at least until Cloud mentions they've never met? That's a bit more questionable now, and yet he doesn't think to mention it after Leon simply reintroduces them. “Don't be sorry, it's not your fault! Yeah, that's how we know each other, from world-traveling and all.” Sounds extra fancy when he puts it like that . . .
He returns the hug a final time then he's also moving to get up, shaking loose some snow that's still gathered around his makeshift cloth coat. Fortunately, the Peacekeeper had provided leftover gloves, a scarf, and earmuffs, or else he'd probably be chillier than normal. A momentary fleeting look gets cast Cloud's way, but he redirects back to Leon almost instantly, smile a little softened, though still very much present. “I don't mind,” he pipes, shoulders lifting in a dismissive shrug. “I befriended Cloud once before, I can do it again! Him being happier just means it should be easier.” Sora's logic, everyone, it's clearly flawless.
Being somewhat less snow-covered, he stoops to scoop up another handful of snow with his unoccupied hand and begins awkwardly squeezing it, readying for his eventual return fire on Cloud, which he's holding off on (for now). As soon as he's freed, he does begin using the opposite hand too, although he's briefly distracted by asking, “What do you think, Cloud?” Is he friendly enough?
no subject
And then Leon says Cloud's happier and he glances away, self-conscious. "Doubt it's a high bar," he mutters under his breath; whether or not they hear it remains to be seen.
Sora's logic gets him a bemused look. That's...well, that sure is optimistic. It's not like Cloud is against being his friend or anything, but he literally just met the guy...and 'befriend' tells him where he and Sora stood in their world, he thinks.
Deadpan, he replies, "Or me being happier means I need fewer new friends and actually makes it harder." He crouches to begin packing snowballs and lining them up, trying to be gentle enough that they're not packed so tightly they become weapons.
no subject
However despite him being happy that Cloud and Sora are with him right now he does still have a Snowball hidden behind his back. Since he already is leaning against Cloud, he decides to make him his victim and shoves the snowball down his shirt. Grinning and immediately running off once it's done.
"Sorry Cloud!" He shouts as he runs off, taking the snow and making a bit of a barrier around him for any revenge throws Cloud might have at him. He ducks into a snowbank not too far away from Sora, smile still plastered on his face. "Sora, ready to show me how your training has been going? How about a snowball war?"
no subject
Surprising no one, he's also the type to hear everything, but does he acknowledge it outright? Not always. Cloud's remark seems like a comment he wasn't meant to hear, so he guesses he didn't!
The dispassionate words that follow, however, have Sora's eyebrows lifting with consideration. Surely Cloud doesn't mean it, right? He knows he's sort of always played up the whole lone wolf thing, but everyone needs friends... don't they? His head shakes like he can physically eject the idea then he briefly directs his attention to Leon, expression brightening as he sets his one snowball aside and begins working on another. “Alright, but it's a free-for-all, since there's only three of us!”
no subject
And speaking of having things thrust upon him, he really should have been expecting something like this from Squall, but that goofy happy look on his face got Cloud's guard down enough that he figured Squall was in sappy weirdo mode. The sudden cold betrayal gets a sharp inhale and a "Hey--!" out of him, and then it's on.
"No you're not," he calls back in response to Squall's absolutely bullshit apology, scooping up his snowballs. "But you're gonna be--"
And that's when Cloud Strife, SOLDIER First Class and native of the frozen north, unleashes wintry hell on them both. Holding back? What's that, can you eat it?