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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
shakes it!!!
There's something familiar to this, honestly, the smell of sea and smoke along with easy banter. It makes her think of times at Tokyo bay with Charlie and how great everything seemed like it would be. ]
I might if you can convince me. Isn't a challenge more fun though?
no subject
[He bounces he brows at her, before turning his head to laugh and take a pull of his cigar. He laughs his smoke out.]
Well. I think that you might take it easy on an old fool with whatever task you have for him. I'd prefer it not to be any shoveling, even if the bodies of your previous debtees are starting to smell up the place.
How about this? You like walks on the beach, I've got a keen eye. Let me find you something worth the stamp, eh?
no subject
You might be in luck, actually, since I tend to have a weakness for old fools. [ Old jesters, specifically, she'd told Ardyn and especially when they're trying to get a pretty girl's attention (and that pretty girl is her). ]
So, that sounds fair enough to me. I'm winning either way since I get something stamp-worthy and time spent with a handsome new face.
no subject
[He clamps his cigar between his teeth and offers her his arm.]
If all I've got to do is be handsome, then that's the easiest job I've had all year. Let us take a gander in the sand, mm?
So, Rose. How long have you been here in this strange, little afterlife? I've got to admit, it's different than the books say.
[Its not that he ignored what the Peacekeeper said, but sometimes people tell you interesting things when you present slightly incorrect information.]
no subject
You're telling me, [ she answers, after easily slipping her arm in his. ] Considering it's a lot better than the afterlife I thought I'd end up in though, I can't complain too much. I've been here a year and a half now, I think?
And it still finds ways to surprise me.
no subject
[He thinks for a moment as he chews his cigar.]
Poor thing, snatched before your time. Well, as long as you're having fun now?
[Their pace along the beach is very leisurely. This was nice. A little weird for heaven, but probably more enjoyable than the one the Gregorians go on about.]
no subject
[ Beach orgies and all that, y'know. Normal Amani things! ]
So, yeah, I have fun. Got a little music café to run that keeps me busy. When I'm not generating stamps, that is. [ Which is the other, even more fun way she stays busy in this simulated space. ]
no subject
[And "generating" stamps, huh. That's a new concept.]
Slow down, hm? There's some local culture I'm missing, I think.
[All the while he's scanning the sand for glints of anything interesting.]
no subject
Right, my bad- My business is in music, basically. Instruments, live performances, and you can have drinks and food and stuff while you're there!
I'll show you it sometime, it's pretty nice if I do say so myself.
[ Obviously, there's no bias whatsoever.
She's not scanning the sand herself but instead takes a moment to watch him look. Cute. ]
As for stamps, I'm sure you know at least a little about that.
no subject
[But a real ensemble! Some real damn entertainment. That was worth getting excited for.]
Everyone likes insinuating what it is about those stamps, but it seems like there's a bit no one likes to say outright. Makes me start to wonder what a fellow really has to do for one. Or a lady, as it were.
no subject
[ It's obvious she is passionate about it though from the eager offer, all innuendo aside. ]
Actually, that'd be a fun way to get some stamps. Since, well, if no one's told you yet what being 'peaceful' really means... It's their polite way of saying we're incentivized for sex. [ Said casual as can be. ]
no subject
[He looks back at her to regard her, take in the way she speaks about her passion.]
Struck me as funny, that. What's the use in being coy if the truth comes out so quick? It's barely polite to be so misleading. Peaceful. Peaceful's an afternoon with a cigar and a book. I can tell you right now there's nothing peaceful about my lovemaking.
no subject
[ Wink wonk. Only she really does seem to mean it; her music is one of the few things she does take seriously even while keeping it sexy. ]
Peaceful is the last way I'd describe myself too in the bedroom so you're in good company. [ She doesn't miss though that he calls it lovemaking despite his claim. ] Been a while since I've had a decently rough tumble though. [ Seteth had always been more restrained and Ardyn was out of commission for now so... Alas! ]
no subject
[He takes his cigar out of his mouth, letting it burn between his fingers as he talks.] Aye, for me as well, now that I think about it. Oh, how time flies.
[Something catches his eye, and he looks rather excited as he pulls Rose towards the shoreline and the waves for a glint. He bends down plucking something from the sand. He doesn't know what it is, it's just unusual.]
Not a jellyfish, is it? Thought it might be a shark egg from back there.
[It is a used condom. An enormous used condom. ]
omfg I choked on my drink reading this, thank you
[ She knows what she said.
The woman is about to flirt back again about it being a while for both of them but then Cid seems to find something worth investigating. The shine draws her eye, too, and she admits a mild bit of curiosity.
Flowers bloom in her hair - crocus, pink and bright to show her delight - in a crown around her head as she can't help the knowing grin now on her face. ] Oh, that's... [ Right. A ye olde. He wouldn't know, would he? Part of her thinks to go along with naming it some kind of strange Amani-native creature while the other says she shouldn't because his reaction to knowing what it actually is will be more amusing. Hm. Decisions, decisions. ]
Ahem, well- Let's just say someone got "peaceful" on this beach [ or in the water, maybe? ] and that's the proof. Actually, it was probably a lot of someone's considering we had quite a bit of fun in the sun not too long ago.
[ Rose still feels like she's finding sand in unmentionable places. ]
no subject
What exactly is it?
[He turns it over, watching the vestiges of a cumshot dribble from one end to the other. He drops it.]
Ah.
[He rinses his fingers in the sea salt before shaking them off and giving them a cursory sniff. ]
A lot of someones?
no subject
It's called a condom, [ she answers easily enough. ] Guys slide them on their little friend downstairs for different reasons! Some people like the sensation, it stops from making a mess... The usual purpose - so you don't end up with a kid unexpectedly - isn't really an issue here, so!
I prefer to go without.
[ Just throwing that out there for future reference. ]
But anyway- Yeah, a couple of the people here had a beach party that ended up in an orgy. It was pretty great, honestly. Shame you missed it.
no subject
[But he can immediately see the practical use, even if this young woman prefers not to use them! Which is a lot of new information to chew on. He things of people back home. Too bad it's a little late to send any of that back to the Dame. He makes a note to ask this seemingly very knowledgeable person about all that later. For now, it was enough to get a sense of the place.]
Hm, right shame.
[He can't even remember the last time he was in an orgy. Getting older, busier, and more conspicuously a Dominant had generally put a damper on those things. When had it been? Waloed? Good Greagor.]
Does that sort of thing happen often around here?
no subject
Not often, actually... I think that makes it more fun when it does happen though!
I'm all for a good bit of group fun, of course, even if maybe... I enjoy one-on-one encounters more than I'd usually like to admit.
[ A 'romantic' at heart, she is. ]
no subject
[He's almost wigged out by how easily she talks about sex. Even the whores he's known would get shy eventually.]
Maybe I'm getting out of touch. Is this how young folk talk?
no subject
[ As for how she talks, well... Ah. She forgets, maybe, since most of them have been here a while that the ye oldes tend to be a bit more reserved. Dimitri may fuck Byleth all the unholy ways to Sunday but Rosie commenting on it still sees him turning red as can be.
Okay, so- With him she doesn't forget, she just finds it funny. Anyway! ]
I've been here a while, actually, and I always was a bit forward but... Hm. Guess talking about sex just seems as mundane as anything else these days.
Might be fun to find the romance in it again.
no subject
[He laughs at three different jokes that he tells himself that would be so specific they’d be rude to tell to this woman. He didn’t need to alienate her quite yet.]
[…Not that she seemed easy to scare off, mind.]
You don’t talk like this to just anyone like this, hm?
[She’s so forward that he can’t tell if he’s misreading her. Does she want engage in a little romance with him, or is she just really, really friendly? She invited him to listen to her sing, but she’s also known her for all of thirty minutes.]
no subject
Just ask Ardyn about it sometime!]Not everyone, no. [ It isn't entirely a lie, actually. Rosie has since learned coming to Amani that she does have a certain type. ] Just anyone that especially catches my interest.
no subject
Good to know I’m interesting, at least. Mm, shall we? [He offers his arm back to her and nods towards the rest of the beach.]
There’s bound to be something interesting that’s washed up that’s not also crawling with disease.
no subject
What can I say? I like men with a bit of experience! [ Is that too forward again? Hm. She really is trying to dial it down just a bit. ] And the more life you've lived, the more interest there is. For me, anyway.
[ She takes his arm again easily and lets him lead down the beach. ] Maybe a mermaid scale or two? That'd be neat.