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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
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[Unsettling, but he can deal with it.]
Alright, lad. But you can't do a cell watch by yourself; no one does. Who's your relief?
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[Not that he believes it, this afterlife or what have you.]
Étienne—my dragonet assists me. Otherwise, it has been only me.
[Cid may notice that with their need for currency done, that little silver and green dragon has gone off again, back to its task of tailing Harbard.]
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[That hand that's clapped on his shoulder gives a squeeze and a shake before he lets go.]
So, onto happier topics. Just kidding, I can't bear the suspense. How did you get whacked? Figured you were invincible, so did you, maybe?
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[Honestly, he mostly knew about Ramuh through rumor and the tales that hung themselves through the Hideaway, and as anyone knows, most tales are taller than their roots. Yet, he's finding himself believing them more and more as he talks with the man. That isn't simply that residual crush talking, either!]
I appreciate the faith in me, but even Bahamut can only hold his own for so long against Ultima.
[Though, again he isn't fully convinced he's dead. Simply trapped. By Ultima. Something he won't speak on, seeing as this could be one of Ultima's games, a rather dirty one at that.]
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[He spits. Partially because he needed to after smoking, but the sentiment is the same.]
[But that's a scary thought, innit?]
I don't figure you have any... other privileged knowledge about all that do you? Did Clive destroy the rest of the mother crystals by any chance?
[That was the shame about dying, really. Losing the plot.]
FF16 SPOILIES STILL
[He realizes that means fucking nothing to Cid, so he stops a moment, considering how best to explain.]
After their destruction, and Ifrit finished collecting the powers of the other Dominants, aether floods and Akashic began to beset the land. This being Ultima's attempt to exact his designs in returning all of mankind to our akashic roots.
Naturally, we saw fit to defy such a fate, and so Ifrit, Phoenix, and myself set out to stop him. Taking the fight to his crystalline bastion, where I did eventually fall so that they might continue the fight.
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[He finds it heartening then, that Clive isn't here. He must have continued the fight, right? Cid hasn't had enough time to realize how small this afterlife is, but he will eventually.]
Well. I'm going to choose to believe in them, I suppose. Nothing to do now.
[He shrugs, looking out on the docks.]
Not sure what to make of this heaven yet, but it could be worse, eh? Let's get us a drink. You drink?
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He perks slightly at the question, mostly because it grabs him from his thoughts.]
Wine, mostly. Though I have not had a drink in quite some time, I confess.
[Abstaining if only because it feels too easy to slip into drowning himself in it, but perhaps this is a decent enough cause for a drink.]
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[He catches Dion around the shoulders and starts walking with him, leading back towards where he saw them.]
I saw a few stalls with some stools and some suspicious looking pottery and the like. How about we drink our fill and stumble ourselves onto the beach when they've had enough of us?
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It certainly doesn't hurt that it's from a man some years his senior, but that isn't a fact he's thinking too hard about. Especially when that arm goes around his shoulders and their proximity becomes what it is.]
Very well, though we needn't become raucous with our imbibing.
[As they walk, he cannot help but notice the scent of Ramuh. From the smell of his cigar and its smoke, to the natural musk of him. It isn't an unpleasant smell, not like the man is unwashed or anything, but his scent is so distinct and masculine that being this close to him makes it both inescapable as it is intoxicating.
Which is why Dion is using everything he can to keep focus on moving towards their goal, and not thinking about how arousing his aroma is.
Greagor give him strength...!]
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What's the point if we don't let ourselves get a little raucous? What was that little ditty? Right- "Dion the Bold". I'll have you singing by the end of the night with me, else we ain't doing it right.
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Please, I hardly know the lyrics.
[That's a lie, he knows them. Not because he wants to, but because it was a little hard to escape them.]
But if you cannot be sated otherwise...
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That's right. Give in, you. Barkeep! Keep 'em filled, we're celebrating. [He glances at Dion.] How about something strong and sweet for the lad to start. And double it.
[They receive a carafe of plum wine with the first drinks poured for them already. He lifts his glass.]
To you, Dion. To a brighter future that we ain't gonna see, and to dying too soon, but taking enough of the bastards with you.
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He isn't hiding his sins, he just doesn't want to burden the man with them.
As they settle into their seats, and Ramuh takes to ordering for him (not that he minds, really), he looks to the plum wine with curiosity. He cannot say he's had it before, but he's full eager to give it a try.
As Ramuh says the cheer in his honor, he cannot help that niggling feeling of guilt and discomfort, but above all the bittersweet feeling it all leaves him with. Partially because he feels guilty to drink to a death he doesn't believe he's claimed, but this is simpler.]
Indeed, to a brighter future for those we've left behind, and to those who have given their lives to achieve it.
[He says in a tone that sounds as conflicted as it does performative. Though there's certainly a level of performance in a lot of what he does, so it's hard to know if this is especially telling or not.
Either way, with the toast finished, he takes a drink of his wine. He certainly feels he needs it.]
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[Cid drinks his cup quick, finding this a simple task with how indeed sweet it is. Pleasantly tart, too. And as bidden, the keep refills it.]
[Cid finally takes the time to really look at Dion, now that they weren't moving and navigating crowds. He had never had the chance to see him so up close like this before, and he figured many hadn't. Greagor, he was pretty— ]
Wearing gauntlets even in your social clothes, hm?
[As he holds his glass to his lips, the orange lantern light adds a bit of warmth back to the patchy stone of his knuckles.]
Couldn't figure out how to get my gloves back from the stolas and said fuck it. Too hot for them anyhow.
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He watches as Ramuh puts puts his drink away with such ease, while he's only taken a little bit of a drink of his in turn. He isn't surprised, the man looks quite familiar with the bottom of bottles.
At the mention of his gauntlets, he looks at them, turning one hand over to look at the green palm it gives him, efore looking to Ramuh's own exposed hand, quietly considering.]
I do not enjoy exposing my affliction on random strangers—my condolences that you are exposed all the same.
[Though he's definitely feeling the heat of wearing these gauntlets, that's for sure.]
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Thats a lot of concern for people who can't even feel the pain of it. I'm not ashamed of it, you know. It just inconveniently identifies me.
[He shrugs and takes a sip, content to take the second glass a little slower. Until Dion catches up that is.]
That's the one thing I thought might be different, you know. Here we are, dead as doornails, and it still hurts and it's all still here.
[As he tugs the collar of his yukata open to give Dion a quick peek of his torso. There's a lot of it, that's for certain.]
What a joke.
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Pulling his eyes away, he looks forward, at nothing in particular. Taking another drink of his wine, he thinks about what Angeal told him.]
We can be rid of it—purportedly.
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[But then Dion's saying something incredibly interesting.]
Is that so? Come on, don't leave me hanging.
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[He pauses to take another drink of his wine, looking to Ramuh now.]
They can buy you nearly anything you desire, including restoring our bodies to the way they once were.
[You just have to earn them. Sexy ways...mostly.]
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[Cid barks his laughter and slaps the counter.]
And how many of those salacious acts do you think would buy me a clean bill of health? Maybe this is heaven, after all?
[His eyes fall back to his gauntlets for a moment, it he allows him to answer his question first. It is rather pertinent.]
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The next question gives him pause, and he considers it in earnest.]
...If a single stamp is what your cigar cost, and each stamp is earned via completing a—I believe they are called kinks, then...it would give reason to believe a fair many acts would be required. If we are to use that as a metric, at least.
[How many cigars would be worth the cost of a whole new body, he cannot begin to know.]
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[Dion's point still stands. His voice is soft, lilting. ]
But we have forever, don't we? Then I may as well get started.
[He laughs into his ceramic cup, drinking.]
So how many stamps do you have?
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[Point still remains: how many packets of cigars equals a whole new body? Hard to quantify that.]
Forever? I suppose we do, theoretically speaking.
[He's about to take a drink of his wine, but stops at the question.]
With the expenditure, I should be at closer to a dozen than not.
[Please don't ask him how he acquired them.]
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That's a lot of incidentals. You were being humble earlier, weren't you? A real ladykiller, hm?
[Cid wants to see how he reacts to this. To see if earlier was a fluke.]
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