uhmani | TDM #2

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. "Based on feedback from current inhabitants, I was able to gather that the drinks at the bar were awful. Also, based on data so far it seems the desire for alcohol correlates to a person's stress levels! Hopefully, making better drinks might help everyone relax."

At the bar on the first floor, a bartender is now assigned to mix drinks rather than The Peacekeeper themselves. The lacquer countertops have been dusted off so that the screens just beneath the surface can be better seen. Soon as someone sits down, the screen will light up and display a menu of featured drinks.

Unfortunately, due to a lack of resources, each person is only allowed one. That isn't to say you can't share, swap, or find other means to get a taste of a different drink though! Each one even comes with a complimentary slice of cake if you'd like.

While The Peacekeeper knows people are likely hesitant after incidents caused by the cake, part of this special offer is that an order of one of the drinks will come with a credit equivalent to a one-stamp reward. And, if you're lucky, the effects of the drink will get you even more stamps! Everyone wins! Especially you!

The featured drinks are as follows and come in alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties:

Firecracker

red

blue

speak a truth

red flames

risqué

blue flames

sadder admission

insecurity

anxiety

Sangria

stamina fruit

energy and libido

cocked

lessened refractory periods

Hot Buttered Rum

freezing cold

will

body heat

desperate

Mojito

make your mouth tingle

oral fixation

If you're feeling especially 'peaceful' after a piece of cake or two and worried about privacy, don't be! The bar's lounge has several secluded spots to hide away in. There are also rooms with beds on the first floor. So long as you don't mind the natural elements taking up some space along the sheets, they're free to use however you'd like. Though you might want to make sure to lock the door since it's doubtful you're the only one looking to get away for a little bit.

WHAT'S YOUR DTF STATUS?

If the party and its cake 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 still find an (off-key) instrument to play in the music lounge or check out the (algae-ridden) pool.

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.

WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND

Once the celebration has concluded, characters are encouraged to head out of the main hub to either explore the city or take a ride on the railway. It's time to truly begin your new reality! Whatever they choose, The Peacekeeper will explain to them that they are free to take up any housing they so wish. Most dwellings are at least habitable but it's likely that characters will want for more before long.

Especially considering the adjustments made to the weather paradigm recently. The Peacekeeper has been informed that it was far too warm for some of the residents. As a result, the temperature has dropped to appropriately align with winter months and the hours of sunlight have now shortened as a result. While the snow currently isn't more than light dusting now and again, that may be subject to change. (At least those pesky flowers from the Love Bugs appear to be dormant for now as a small blessing.)

In order to apologize for the inconvenient and sudden shift in atmosphere, everyone will get a cute new winter accessory to help acclimate to the chillier conditions. Enjoy the cozy new addition to your wardrobe! Or whatever excuse for a wardrobe you're beginning to assemble.

Additionally, candles will spawn throughout the main hub, houses that are inhabited, and pathways that people have been tracked as walking along often. Isn't that romantic and totally not just a convenient way to encourage one of the kinks of the month! Why would you think that?

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.

FLY AWAY HOME

After The Creators reconfigured the peace parameters and dropped a Giant Bird on everyone in the simulation, The Peacekeeper has tried to come up with its own solution to keep the beast preoccupied. Although still highly aggressive and dangerous, if it has different prey to chase it might not be as much of an issue between spawn periods.

It takes about one week before The Peacekeeper announces its newest creation to Amani: Bunnerflies! These adorable flying creatures are friendly and uplift the moods of anyone they happen to hop or float by. Yet, they are still supposed to be prey for a Giant Bird and it didn't seem fair to leave them completely defenseless. As many of the simulation inhabitants are beginning to find out, appearances can be deeply deceiving.

As a result, their fur may be soft but the edges of their wings are sharp as razor blades. Careful you don't get caught in the path of one fluttering your way.

They also breathe fire! Thankfully, The Peacekeeper has made simulation inhabitants immune to the flames. Sort of. The only type of heat one will feel is that of passion. Whether that means starting a new project or an intense make-out session, it's up to the individual and how they decide to channel it!

SEXY STAMP CARD

If you're wondering about these 'peaceful interactions' that keep being mentioned or what the kinks of the month are for... Here's your answer! Upon arrival, all characters will receive a digital copy of their very own sexy stamp card.

Sexy Stamp Card

Issued by: The Peacekeeper

1 2 3 4 ♡

6 7 8 9 ♡

❤

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

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

</div>

</div>

</div></div>

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

</div>
</lj-raw>

Completing peaceful interactions (i.e. kinks) will reward characters with stamps that they can turn in for re-gains and many other things! While the example one here is the standard issued card by The Peacekeeper, players are more than welcome to customize it how they see fit. Have fun with it! NOTES

★ The kinks of the month have changed! Be sure to check this post for what the new ones are. Also, give a congratulations to Niles (

cyclopticsadist) as the first person to place on the sexy leaderboard! 🎉

★ The effects of the drinks can be as heavy or light as you'd like! It can be chalked up to differences in alcohol tolerance, non-humanity or not, etc. etc. Also, they can mixed-and-matched! Have fun with that.

★ Have fun with the winter accessories! Pick whatever goofy thing you'd like your character to wear.

★ The flora and fauna page has been updated to include Bunnerflies and the flowers from the Love Bug event. While dormant right now, Spring is just around the corner! There won't be as many as there were during the event but enough that people will be able to play around with them as they see fit in the future.

★ Any questions can be asked right here!

NAVIGATION

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The more he drinks, the more potent and defined the feeling becomes, quickly blossoming from a nagging, restless impulse to a full-blown craving. Seteth's tongue darts out to wet his lips, dispirited gaze sharpening into a keen interest that's edging into predatory hunger. Mint and citrus is refreshing, but wouldn't the lingering sweetness of wine on Claude's lips make for an excellent complement? Or.....

No, even better. The tang of sweat licked straight off his skin sounds perfect. What sort of sounds could he coax out of Claude with nothing but his mouth?]

You always have been one to beat the odds, haven't you? If there does happen to be a curtain to pull back on this situation, you would surely be the one to do so.

[After all, it isn't as though Linhardt is here to help the investigation along with his insatiable curiosity. Although, knowing what he does about aphrodisiacs, it's clear that something has been done to his--no, their--drinks. Should he try and keep in mind their effects to report back, just in case Linhardt does arrive later? Just because he can recognize the effects doesn't mean he can dissipate or deny them, the way he's accustomed to attempting.....

He can't muster up the strength of will to resist these impulses tonight nearly as successfully as he usually does, not reeling as he is from the news of their apparent demise. Maybe back on the island, where everything made (some manner of) sense, he could have effortlessly managed to keep this conversation friendly, productive, and professional in spite of being drugged. In this condition, though? He and Claude alike will simply have to accept and endure what the Peacekeeper gives them, and hope for the best.]

Whatever the truth of this situation, we're all here. I'll figure something out. That's what I do.

[ Maybe that's bullshit. Who knows? A lot of what Claude says is bullshit or bravado, crafted to cover his true intentions. He does mean to keep trying to figure out the truth of this place, but it has to wait for the moment.

There are other things occupying space in his mind at the moment. He can regret them later and apologise to Seteth for all of this when he comes down from whatever weird sangria-induced high this is. He'd had a much easier time resisting the cake influence, too, and the flowers had been much more…gentle. This, being nothing like that, catches him too unaware.

And Seteth is looking at his mouth. He's absolutely sure of that. Well…yeah, he's just going to roll with it and deal with consequences later. That's not generally his style, but things are pretty crazy here.

He means to say something first, talk about the aphro in the cocktail, ask about the mojito effect and whether it's the same, or at least make a joke about "is there something on my face," but he doesn't do any of that. Seteth has a couple inches on him, but it's easy enough to reach up and just kiss him. There's nothing hesitant or questioning about it. His desire is clear. It's a miracle he manages to hold on to what's left of his drink. ]

[Even if he probably shouldn't, he has faith in Claude, one way or another. They had all entrusted their lives to him countless times, and even in the face of seemingly impossible odds, the man had managed to pull out miraculous victory after miraculous victory. Between him and Byleth, it seemed there was no limit to what their scheming could accomplish. So with both him and Byleth here..... maybe he doesn't need to worry quite so much. Maybe in a matter of weeks, they will have managed to get at the heart of this manner, so they can figure out what to do about it.

Those are thoughts for later, though. For now? The tingling in his lips abruptly intensifies as Claude kisses him. Yes. Yes, this is exactly what he needs. After spending so long on the island, he's quite thoroughly shaken off the rust of being out of practice; Seteth takes a moment to set his glass aside so he can bury a hand in Claude's hair. Claude has no hesitation, so neither does he--Seteth immediately seeks the deepen the kiss, eager and demanding in equal measure, turning to bodily press Claude back against the bar. It's not nearly enough, no matter how satisfying it is..... but for now, it will do, at least until they can find somewhere more private so he can put his mouth to even better use.]

[ Claude will eventually be surprised to learn what timeline Seteth is from, since he himself is from Dimitri's timeline. What a headache all of that is to sort out, but he's getting used to it. For now, the nuances of everyone's histories is definitely not what he's thinking about. He's thinking about the way he can't seem to shove his desire down again. The spice cake wasn't quite like this; he'd been expecting pretty much the same thing to happen, which in hindsight, was probably naive. Expecting the same trick in a different form was an amateur mistake and now he's paying for it.

Can he really complain too much, though?

Another unexpected thing, other than the fact that he's kissing Seteth at all, is that Seteth isn't actually resisting this. Claude is aware of the existence of sex island, thanks to Lorenz and Byleth telling him about it, but he doesn't assume anyone else had come from there. Maybe he'll ask about it later when he gets his head back on straight. He'll certainly have some damn questions about why this didn't go another way, but for now, again...not really complaining.

He catches himself with one hand on the edge of the bar when Seteth moves him, but it only jolts him slightly. He doesn't break the kiss, only opens his mouth to answer Seteth's demand with his own. And if it's going to be like that, then fine. He manages to set his glass down on the bar next to them, leaving both hands free. Then he can grab Seteth's hips to pull him flush against him. He wants the contact. That won't be enough either.

And damnit, they're still at the bar. He's aware of it, even though he doesn't really care too much right now. But the drink effect spirals through him and he has more of an itch to scratch than this. They need to go somewhere else, probably. ]

[The bartender washes glasses behind them, seemingly quite unconcerned with the spectacle--and while Seteth is keenly aware of the fact that eyes are on them, he can hardly bring himself to care. He may well be the better-positioned of them to exercise restraint, relatively speaking, but relatively is the key word here. He might not allow things to go too far, but the absolute last thing he's interested in right now is breaking away from Claude. Not when he's satisfyingly warm and strong against him, and the hands on his hips are keeping him quite firmly in place, and Claude tastes absolutely divine. If they must have an audience until he can whisk them away from here, then so be it.

A low hum rumbles in his chest, equal parts satisfied and amused; his voice is little more than a murmur against Claude's lips, punctuated by lighter kisses and the pointed scrape of teeth. There will be time for questions later--and because it is Claude, perhaps to his shock, Seteth will actually answer them for once. For now, however, he doubts either of them could think of much beyond indulging themselves.]

Impatient, are we? Do you think you can manage the walk?

[Do you think he won't literally sweep you off your feet, if you're too addled to make it to a private room? Go ahead and call his bluff if you want, Claude. By now, he's quite familiar with aphrodisiac, and how important it is to find somewhere appropriate before you're too far gone.]

[ Claude makes it a point to ask Seteth later if he's actually into being watched or that's just a drink effect thing. Consequences? What are those? He's not entirely in his right mind here, but he remembers things anyway and he can't resist being a pain in the ass. This whole situation, spinning wildly out of his control faster than he was prepared for, is his fault. He'll own that, at least to himself. Planning to be a brat about it later is just his way of making up for it.

He can be a brat about it now, too, just a little. ]

Oh, I don't know. It's an awfully long way. I can't possibly last that long.

[ His voice, breathless, is still heavily laced with sarcasm. Of course he can walk. He's not out of his mind here, just…well, he's struggling with this need, but he can walk. But maybe he should be careful what kinds of jokes he makes anyway. ]

Is that so? Allow me to assist you, then.

[Does Seteth actually believe Claude? Absolutely not. But it might be hard to tell, with his usual stoic seriousness, and penchant for dry humor. If Claude wants to be a brat, then he'd better resign himself to being treated like one; a hand curves under his ass to support him, and Seteth almost nonchalantly lifts him straight off his feet as he turns to leave.]

Hey, hold on, I was joking—

[ But that's no use. Too late now, as it turns out. Claude didn't really think Seteth would bother carrying him. He more figured Seteth would say something scathing and get him to walk on his own. So much for pushing that button.

He's not easily embarrassed or anything, but people are definitely watching this. He doesn't make a scene about it, just…resigns himself with a loud sigh. He might go a little dead weight on purpose, not that it will matter.

At least he only has to put up with this indignity until they get to one of the nearby bedrooms. Probably. ]

Okay, I get the point, please put me down so we can get back to the fun part.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TDM #2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject