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Entry tags:
TDM #12
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 might be 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.
WHAT
The twelfth Amani TDM!
WHEN
July 26th, 2023 (and until the next TDM!)
KINKS OF THE MONTH
★ Voyeurism/ Exhibitionism
★ Public Sex
★ Group sex
★ Temperature Play
★ Sexual Exhaustion
★ Public Sex
★ Group sex
★ Temperature Play
★ Sexual Exhaustion
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.
SUMMMER OF TRANSFORMATION
One summer morning, inhabitants will be greeted not by the artificial rhythmic chimes of The Peacekeeper's announcement but instead a more natural one. It is the sound of a wind chime; specifically, the source will be a furin (or furins, for multiple-people households) that seems to be customized to suit whoever it belongs to.
The slip of paper attached to the bottom also is an invitation. Inhabitants are being invited to Hiromitsu's worldwide summer matsuri - festival, for those who might not be aware! - in mid-August. In order to help you all prepare, this invitation also provides a yokai disguise once activated by someone's touch.
A menu screen will open up on their DTF's main screen hub that allows them to choose a yokai to present as. They're even customizable! In every way you could want. Someone can even mix and match different yokai features if they so desire. After all, hanyo (half-breeds) and hybrids are a thing in Hiromitsu so no one will even bat an eye.
The slip of paper attached to the bottom also is an invitation. Inhabitants are being invited to Hiromitsu's worldwide summer matsuri - festival, for those who might not be aware! - in mid-August. In order to help you all prepare, this invitation also provides a yokai disguise once activated by someone's touch.
A menu screen will open up on their DTF's main screen hub that allows them to choose a yokai to present as. They're even customizable! In every way you could want. Someone can even mix and match different yokai features if they so desire. After all, hanyo (half-breeds) and hybrids are a thing in Hiromitsu so no one will even bat an eye.
PROPHECY, SPEAK TO ME
Out in the ocean waves has also suddenly appeared a Tori gate and a small fleet of ships sailing through them. Between the columns of the gate, all inhabitants can see is a film of golden light that looks as though it is a portal of some kind. Swimming closer will show that the light is actually an iridescent golden sand ever-sifting and moving in intricate, organic patterns.
Passing through will have no effect other than suddenly looking like you've been golden glitter-bombed. Don't worry, it'll wash out!
If someone stares at the gate, they will start to feel strange. At first, it's nothing more than minor auditory and visual hallucinations. Of what? It depends! Someone might see someone familiar in the corner of their eye, hear a voice believed to be long gone, and looking away will dispel the effects.
Staring longer, however, will see something more extreme occurring. Rather than simple hallucinations, inhabitants will see prophetic visions* flash before their eyes. It is brief, alarming, and disorienting. Staring longer again won't bring the vision back no matter how hard someone tries.
Unfortunately, it is fleeting as the hanami of spring and gone in a blink only leaving you with only a sense of unease.
(*NOTE: If your character would stare long enough to see a prophetic vision, comment here to let us know!)
Passing through will have no effect other than suddenly looking like you've been golden glitter-bombed. Don't worry, it'll wash out!
If someone stares at the gate, they will start to feel strange. At first, it's nothing more than minor auditory and visual hallucinations. Of what? It depends! Someone might see someone familiar in the corner of their eye, hear a voice believed to be long gone, and looking away will dispel the effects.
Staring longer, however, will see something more extreme occurring. Rather than simple hallucinations, inhabitants will see prophetic visions* flash before their eyes. It is brief, alarming, and disorienting. Staring longer again won't bring the vision back no matter how hard someone tries.
Unfortunately, it is fleeting as the hanami of spring and gone in a blink only leaving you with only a sense of unease.
(*NOTE: If your character would stare long enough to see a prophetic vision, comment here to let us know!)
FREE SAMPLES
The ships that come upon shore are no more than four or five. Upon each is a yokai and their wares for sale. Although initially confused, they do take stamps as payment... and inhabitants can watch as those stamps convert to an actual form of currency after the transaction. Huh! How about that?
Although limited in what is available, they promise that their full stocks will be accessible when inhabitants visit their homeworld of Hiromitsu.
Although limited in what is available, they promise that their full stocks will be accessible when inhabitants visit their homeworld of Hiromitsu.
- ★ Food » A couple of the vendors have brought some delicious food that no summer matsuri can go without! According to them, anyway. Some are strange, others are "sensual", and then the rest seem to be just regular food!
Inhabitants will be able to find mochi, chocolate-covered bananas, grilled green onions, meat skewers, meat buns, and more! Just be warned: anything that is labeled as not safe for work will have you feeling pretty peaceful before you know it.
★ Kites » One vendor is selling a variety of colorful kites. All of them use a red string though, inhabitants can note, and seem prone to tying people up together. This seems especially true of people who maybe have interest in one another but haven't been brave enough to talk about it. Or maybe they just need to talk in general.
Either way, the line won't untangle without a little bit of good ol' fashioned healthy communication. If you want to make-out first though just to be sure, well, the vendor isn't going to judge any.
★ Goldfish Scooping » Known in Hiromitsu's native language as "Kingyo sukui," this game translates to goldfish scooping. Some inhabitants might remember it from their time before but for those who are new... The object of the game is simple! Using a small paper net, you have to scoop out a goldfish gently but quickly enough to transfer it to a separate bowl before the paper breaks.
These goldfish come in different colors that denote different levels of prizes. Gold earns five (5) stamps, silver earns three (3), and bronze gets one (1). If you fail to get a fish, there is still a consolation prize!
(Please comment here to have your catch RNGed if you'd like to play the game!)
★ Katanuki » The last vendor has a game prepared called katanuki. This game is a lot more difficult than it appears at first glance but not complicated! Using a special candy, the vendor will have shapes pressed into it. Inhabitants have to try to carefully cut out the pressed-on picture with a small needle or pin without breaking it.
If they succeed, they win a prize! These images can be something familiar, sexual, or bizarre! There's no telling what you'll get. Literally. If an inhabitant succeeds in not breaking their picture, it will pop into a real construct rather than the image before their eyes. That phallus you were just carefully carving out? It's now a nice, new dildo in your hands. Enjoy!
SURF'S UP
Remember those baby turtles from a couple of months ago? Well, they aren't babies anymore! Although not as big as their parent, these turtles are now large enough to ride on. In fact, they seem to encourage it! That's right, it's time for some turtle surfing.
As with anything, there is bound to be a learning curve. Each turtle will attune to its rider... just give it some time! Being thrown off or wiping out is to be expected in the beginning. After a while, a bond will form between you and your aquatic pal and you'll be riding the waves in no time at all.
You might even be able to do some fancy tricks as a fun duo with enough practice! Just make sure not to wear your new friend out since they'll need their stamina for the trip to another world with you.
Why can't inhabitants use the ships to sail to Hiromitsu? These ships are only big enough for the yokai and their wares, that's why! If anyone attempts to sneak on or insist, they'll find that it isn't just because of the boat's size though. The fleet is outfitted with anti-theft and anti-yokai measures. What does that mean?
It means that the very boat itself is a yokai and will come (more) alive should anyone it doesn't recognize set foot on its decks. Floorboards with teeth will open up to try and eat someone's feet. Or they might instead shoot up to smack or launch someone into the cold sea water below. Whatever they do, the point should be clear: you aren't their owner or a yokai so get out of here.
As with anything, there is bound to be a learning curve. Each turtle will attune to its rider... just give it some time! Being thrown off or wiping out is to be expected in the beginning. After a while, a bond will form between you and your aquatic pal and you'll be riding the waves in no time at all.
You might even be able to do some fancy tricks as a fun duo with enough practice! Just make sure not to wear your new friend out since they'll need their stamina for the trip to another world with you.
Why can't inhabitants use the ships to sail to Hiromitsu? These ships are only big enough for the yokai and their wares, that's why! If anyone attempts to sneak on or insist, they'll find that it isn't just because of the boat's size though. The fleet is outfitted with anti-theft and anti-yokai measures. What does that mean?
It means that the very boat itself is a yokai and will come (more) alive should anyone it doesn't recognize set foot on its decks. Floorboards with teeth will open up to try and eat someone's feet. Or they might instead shoot up to smack or launch someone into the cold sea water below. Whatever they do, the point should be clear: you aren't their owner or a yokai so get out of here.
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!
★ Please comment to the appropriate threads with your character if you'd like them to receive a prophetic vision or get a reward from the goldfish scooping!
★ The motivational poster in the beginning is of a daruma and the text translates to fall seven times and get up eight! This means, when life knocks you down just get up again and keep on trying!
★ We are currently at 30/40 slots taken! Anyone wishing to claim a character must have an invite from someone currently in the game and follow the proper rules in place to be accepted into the community!
NAVIGATION
Re: Closed to CF Felix
Then, suddenly, the kite veers sharply to the left, tugging on Felix's arm. Frowning, he tries to yank it back into the calmer winds, but it keeps pulling like a hound on a scent, leaving Felix no choice but to stumble after it. He doesn't even see Dimitri until it's too late.
"Agh, fuck," he says as his kite promply tangles up with the other. "I didn't..."
He falls silent. Dimitri is disguised as a yokai as well, mane curling around his face and ears much like Felix's own flicking on top of his head, but it's unmistakably Dimitri.
Felix looks at his feet.
"You're alive, then," he says flatly, hiding something almost sheepish.
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With a sigh of dejection he finally looks down at Felix wrapped up against him and for a moment a look of desperation and sadness appears before he turns and looks to the ground instead.
"I'm sorry." He doesn't elaborate on what he's sorry about. It could be about the situation, about last meeting, it could even be about how he's been his whole existance.
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"Stop it, you idiot, it's obviously not helping--" Felix hisses, but by the time he's said it, Dimitri has already stopped.
It's only a moment, but Dimitri looks...
Devestated.
Felix looks at the ground as well.
"The fuck are you sorry about?" he mumbles. "I'm the one who..."
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He doesn't say much else or makes any moves to try and get away. Instead he just stays still, trapped with a ghost of his hearts desire. He closes his eyes as he a shuttering deep breath leaves him before he looks down at Felix. "Am I not always the cause of your grief?"
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The moment he says those words, though, he sees the desperation and pain in Dimitri's eyes. His stomach clenches.
"I didn't mean..." he stops, his gaze averted and his lips pressed into a thin line.
He didn't mean that Dimitri was being disingenuous. He meant that Dimitri shouldn't apologize for something like existing. Felix never hated him for that. His existence isn't what hurts Felix every day.
But, he can't say that.
He hates this. He would give anything to be anywhere else right then.
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"I don't think we can leave this unless we do something the world deems worthy enough. Usually kissing is involved but I refuse." He sounds cold, he knows he does but if he were to kiss this Felix right now he'd never be able to recover. It would be a disservice to the memory of his own and to how much he is struggling but trying to move forward.
"Perhaps someone with magic can set us free instead. Mayhap if we ask it nice enough it might set us free as well..." He must sound ridiculous to Felix who hasn't been in this world long enough, but to Dimitri and what he's seen. These options make sense. The entire time he converses with Felix, he makes sure to avoid eye contact, trying to look anywhere but at the man in front of him.
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It takes him another moment to calm his thoughts again. Somehow Dimitri's refusal to kiss him so they can be freed stings. He shakes his head.
"You... you existing doesn't pain me," he says slowly, through gritted teeth. "Losing you is what hurts. And... having you pretend..."
He stops for a moment. They're too close for him to hide his shaky breath.
"Having you pretend to be a perfect prince, a perfect king, knowing that it's killing you..." He swallows. "I just. I just wanted it all to stop."
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Felix....doesn't like losing him? Why did he stab him then? Why did he murder him just a few weeks ago if that's the case? He doesn't understand any of it and it shows in his face as his brows furrow. He's trying to make sense of this but he just can't without speaking but Felix told him to stay quiet.
He bites on his bottom lip, turning away as those words truly sink in. 'I just wanted it all to stop' He cares. Somehow even this Felix cares.
"So you tried to kill me to end it for me? A mercy kill.....is that it?" For a moment Dimitri hangs his head, his bangs covering his eyes for a moment before he leans forward, pressing his forehead against Felix's. "I didn't need a mercy kill...I just need you to stay...you left me....you promised to be with me and you left me...."
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Dimitri's head is resting against his, and of course, despite how much he hates it, Felix starts to tear up. He squeezes his eyes shut and tries not to shake and shake and shake.
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Dimitri pulls back in confusion, staying close with the string around them but enough to see Felix’s crying face. He can't help but pull the man against him, his arms wrapping around Felix to comfort him, hold him. "Please don't cry...please I can't bare seeing you like this." Despite his words he holds him tighter, his hands running up and down Felix’s back as much as he can in a soothing motion, even the the long dragging tail behind him tries to wrap itself around Felix. He seems so small and fragile in his arms despite knowing how strong the man is. It's heartbreaking to see him like this even if it's not his Felix, though currently the line between his and this one are drawn too thin for him to not react.
"Why are you crying? Should I not be the one doing it?" It almost feels like he's holding Kyphon again in his arms. Such a small sad creature that all he needs is to feel love and affection and just the thought has Dimitri starting to tear up as well. He tries to stop it, tries to wipe them off but can't when Felix is occupying his arms. Instead he stands there together, trying to stop Felix from shaking. "...I'm here Felix..I'm here...it's okay...it's okay..."
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That's when he notices the pressure pulling him against Dimitri is no longer there. When he moves, the strings slide over his body and pool onto the sand.
"Oh, thank fuck," he says, shaking himself free. "Any more talking and I might combust."
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Then Felix moves and it becomes obvious again that whatever moment they were trying to have is over and it's hard for Dimitri to breath. His eyes are still watery as he never takes them off Felix, silently begging him to stay. "You're leaving again....aren't you?"
His arms stay at his side, cold without the warmth he just felt against him. Ear flatten on his head giving away all the pain he's feeling in this moment, all the longing. "Felix...can we talk more...please?"
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He looks away.
"We can talk," he grits out. "But no more of this shit about being sorry for existing, alright?"
Another pause, and he gestures to the stretch of beach, heading back towards the vendor's boats. "Let's walk. I've been standing still too long."
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He'd wanted to keep distance between, was afraid of getting close...but he's following without question and to a place he can't stand.
He's glad the clothing he was forced into was lightweight since he hates the heat of the beach but the two do walk side by side. "You're older than I've ever seen you. I take it you come from a world I don't exist in anymore..." He sighs a little ears and tail dropping. "The last Felix...the one I came to love started out like that too. In his world he'd gone to Edelgard's side and murdered me even. I wonder if you did the same."
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"You know I didn't," he snaps. It only occurs to him afterwards that perhaps Dimitri doesn't remember his little speech, on account of getting stabbed immediately afterwards. He looks at the ocean. "I did. Join Edelgard. She promised an end to the Church, to nobility, to everything that had been killing Faerghus." He pauses again. "There wasn't any use for me after the war, so I became a mercenary. That was thirteen years ago."
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"You still look handsome." More words just mentioned without much thought behind him other than being around Felix made his heart say stupid things. "I mean...I hope I am not upsetting you by saying that. This is just the oldest I've ever seen you. It pleases me to know you've lived longer than I ever dreamt of being. It gives me hope."
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Then Dimitri makes his second comment, and red blooms on Felix's face. "I'm just lucky," he says, looking deliberately towards the water. "I don't take many blows to the face."
He ignores Dimitri's last statement, though his words curdle in Felix's stomach. Dimitri could have lived if not for him siding with the Church. He could have lived if not for all the things tying him to his kingship. He could have lived if not for all the things killing him.
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"You're skilled, do not sell yourself short my fr-...Felix." Dimitri sighs at his own hick up and looks away as well, turned towards the sand instead of his dear companion. "When we fought you moved so fluidly, more than I'd ever remembered...It was stunning."
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Felix ducks his head, embarassed somehow. He shouldn't be. His martial prowess is his life's work. He should be proud.
He is proud. Just, when Dimitri is the one praising him...
"The lightning is new," he says, gruffly. "The Dimitri I knew didn't have any magical talent to speak of."
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"You liked that? I'm not sure how it started but it's something I can do sometimes but not always. I thought it might be areadbhar doing most of it." Of course he can't take the compliment head on and turns a bit.
"If I could, I would like to fight you again. We could maybe fight again and again...perhaps not as...severe."
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"Interesting. Does it feel like using a Levin sword? Does the magic come from Areadbhar itself, or does it seem to be amplifying what magic you have?"
Felix doesn't realize that Dimitri is deflecting the compliment at first, drawn into the technical details of the weapons. By the time he realizes, it's already too late to comment.
It's not like he has a right to comment, anyway.
When Dimitri offers to spar again, Felix's eyes widen before he looks away. His jaw tightens.
"You trust too easily. I could agree, then just stab you again," he says.
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"Even if you do stab me again, I would let you." He stops walking then, simply watching Felix with a look of resolve on his face. "If it means I'm close to you for even a little while like this, I would take whatever punishment you give me."
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Felix stares for a moment. All talk of Areadbhar is forgotten in the wake of Dimitri's words. For a moment, Felix doesn't know what he feels, except that he feels it tightening his chest and shortening his breath.
Then, of course, he's angry.
Impulsively, Felix reaches up and backhands Dimitri in the face.
"Is that what you want?" he snarls. His heart is pounding; he can feel it in his hand. "You want me to hurt you? You want me to be cruel to you?" The words fall from him like a flood. He strikes Dimitri's other cheek, this time with his open palm, and it smarts with the force. "Does a wicked beast like you crave punishment?"
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The second slap and that one does have him moving, rubbing at his face and breaking his concentration. "It's all you'll give me...." The words come out too softly, a single tear pooling at the corner of his eyes ready to fall. It's not from the pain to his face, but rather from the realization he won't ever feel love from Felix again.
"Do as you like...just please think of me more. I want to be your every thought...good or bad."
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Dimitri doesn't get it. Doesn't get that Felix has thought of him every day since practically he was born, that it hasn't changed since the Tragedy, since their maiden battle, since Dimitri perished on the Tailtean Plains. Doesn't get that he was Felix's whole world, doesn't get that he would have done anything for him, doesn't get that--
Felix sees red. He grasps Dimitri's yukata in both hands and yanks him down into a harsh, biting kiss.
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