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>

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<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>

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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

[It wasn't all that long ago that Felix told Annette that her music follows him around wherever he goes. He...did not intend to tell her that, but it just wouldn't leave him alone. Even since he's been here, occasionally something will remind him of one of her songs - especially the damned cake - and he'll hear it in his mind over and over for the rest of the day.

So the instant he hears the familiar voice, his head snaps up and around to look for the source. He follows the singing until he spots her, cradling a small dog in her arms whose fur is the same bright, sunny color as her hair. He's barely aware of the smile that spreads across his face as he watches her and listens to the song...at least, until she says do I taste nice, at which point he remembers where they are and swallows. There aren't many people he knows left here that he hasn't slept with at this point. So if Annette is here, given this place's...proclivities, it's only a matter of time before...

Oh, Flames. His cheeks are turning red, he can feel it. No, no no no, not again. He turns to go - maybe he can sneak off without her noticing him and then...he doesn't know. Find her later, after he's figured out what he's supposed to think about this, probably.

So possibly never.]

Edited 2022-03-07 09:40 (UTC)

[_{It was as if Annette had a honing instinct for Felix's presence at this point, although in this instance she was none the wiser to being watched - or listened to, she was confident that she was alone in this wide, dark and cold open space. But his company is inevitably brought to her attention when her pomeranian DTF raises her head and glances back over her shoulder.} ]

Hm? Is there someone ...

[_{And when she turns, she spots him, widening her blue eyes in surprise. The outburst she makes is barked while she shudders and shakes from the cold.} ]

F- F-- F-F--- F-FELIX!

[_{she cradles her arms around her body and hurries over to him - even though she seemed prickly, she was so relieved to see him.} ]

Y-- You're here! Th-Th-That means you're-- [_dead-- ] and-- y-you-- [_{oh by the gods, why was it so hard to talk when she's cold!? she looked and sounded SO pathetic.} ] Ugh! T-Talking is so hard when I'm this cold! Wh-When I'm warmer, y-you'll never hear the end of it! [_{like how mad she was that he DIED! HOW COULD YOU, FELIX! SO EVIL! SO CRUEL! oh she did not sign up for this!} ]

[Felix winces at her shout, but it doesn't take long to notice how much she's uncontrollably shivering, and he frowns in concern. He half-lifts his hands as if to do something about it, but they just sort of awkwardly hover there.]

Annette. You're freezing. It's not that cold out here. Are you ill?

[At this point, it doesn't surprise him to find that people he knows are dead. After all, according to the Peacekeeper, literally everyone in their world is dead, so he's just grateful when they make it here instead of just being...gone.]

[_{She cradles her body tighter, with her DTF leaping free because. Too much squeeze, Annette. Her body was violently shivering, and even though they were more than used to their fair share of cold winters in Fódlan, this was like nothing she had ever felt.} ]

I ... [_{Annette hunches forward a little, squeezing her eyes shut while she continues to quiver.} ] I don't feel ill at all... I just f-feel... really c-cold.

[_{Saddened blue eyes glance up at Felix through thick lashes, she would certainly be behaving a lot more playfully if she wasn't struggling like this.} ]

D-Do you ...know of anywhere we can go to get warmer?

[As Annette's dog jumps down to the ground, it may spot Felix's DTF, the black cat that's peering out to watch all of this from behind a broken pillar.

A spike of fury hits Felix, seeing her like this. This has to be the Peacekeeper's doing, somehow. Last time he thought someone was ill, it was something else entirely thanks to that stupid cake. This is...different, but no less out of place. Without thinking any further about it, he unclasps his fur-lined cape and drapes it over her shoulders.]

This way. The candles lead to the main hub. Come on.

[Still unwilling to be so brazen as to outright touch her, he instead takes a candle from its sconce along the path and hands it to her. It's not much, but at least she can warm her hands over the small flame?

As they walk along, he says,]

When did you arrive? Did you...eat or drink anything today?

[_{When Felix ever so chivalrously wraps his cape around her, Annette feels a warmth bubbling inside of her chest almost immediately. Her gloved hand touches the fabric and she looks up to lend him a grateful smile.} ] ... Thank you, Felix.

[_{It's reassuring to know that there's a place they can seek warmth. She's a little bit surprised when Felix apprehends a candle and gives it to her, which makes her giggle. He may notice the way that the light illuminates her smile as she carries it.} ]

I-I did, yeah. I had a slice of cake! I can't believe you-- brr!-- s-s-show up in a place like this and you just...get c-cake, you know? A really pretty one too! And I had a cocktail as well. T-The cold started almost... immediately after. Weird, right?

[Felix really doesn't know what to do with that smile or that gratitude, so he just...nods and walks on. He's not sure what she's giggling about, either. Smiling is good, though.

He grimaces.]

It's not weird. It's deliberate. The Peacekeeper, that machine in charge of this place, it...rrgh. Did, um. Did you get the explanation for what we're supposed to be doing here?

[She's not falling over or overheating or...throwing herself at him or anything, though, so...maybe somehow the cake didn't affect her? This cold thing is new, and he doesn't know what the point is, but he's sure it will become clear at some point in as mortifying a fashion as possible.]

Um, I think it mentioned "peaceful interactions?" Right? To be peaceful to each other? [_{Sorry Felix but she was not paying attention. With an adorable pomeranian like Gingerbread appearing out of nowhere, what else was she supposed to do? Oh, and not to mention the suggestion of cake! And the happy signs, powers ... yep. Not a clue.

She hugs herself just that little bit tighter in Felix's coat, grimacing from the cold. Whether subconsciously or not, she paces herself just that little bit closer to Felix, carefully carrying the candle in her hands.} ]

I'm trying really hard not to singe your coat with this candle... I-I've-- [_brr! ] --always loved your coat. Always wondered how it would feel to wear it, since it's so plush and-- [_sniff ] snuggly looking. Now I know! [_{she giggles.} ]

'Peaceful interactions.' Right. That's...

[No. No way. He can't tell her. There's no possible way he can force those words to come out of his mouth and go into Annette's ears. Nope.]

Its definition of 'peaceful' is...oddly specific. It drugs all the food it gives out to influence people into doing things the way it wants. It sounds like either the cake, the drink, or both were laced with something to make you cold. You shouldn't take anything it offers. The rest of us have been hunting and foraging for food so we don't have to.

[He notices Annette walking closer and pretends not to. He is not going to make this weird.

...and then she reminds him that he just handed an open flame to the girl who can't cook without setting something on fire and he turns back to her, eyes slightly wide, to try to take the candle back.]

Give me that. ...if you wanted to wear my coat, you could have just asked. Or had something lined with fur made for you.

[_{She stiffens her lips in annoyance, reluctant to spill all of the very colourful language forming on her tongue only because she knew that her shivering would cause her to stumble over her words and dampen the impact.} ]

Tch! [_{Annette returns to her life-bracingly tight posture. She hoped they would be there soon, this walk seemed to have taken forever.} ]

N-Not sure if you can tell, Felix, but I'm-- so cold that it hurts... it hurts straight down to my b-bones. [_{She creates distance again and turns her head away.} ] I don't care about furs, or coats- I just want this to stop.

[Ah, here's the Annette experience he's used to. She's suddenly mad at him and he has no idea why. She's the one who brought up the coat in the first place!]

I just meant--ugh, never mind.

[He picks up the pace, and soon enough they're back inside the main hub. He steers well clear of the bar, instead moving down one of the corridors lined with inn rooms and choosing one that looks like it has a lot of warm blankets.]

Here. Sit down.

[Without pausing to see whether she actually does sit down or not, he gathers the blankets up and deposits them next to her in a pile. After that, he's not sure what he ought to be doing besides hovering awkwardly.]

If you feel warmer, then...I should go.

[_{Annette knew Felix was a short fuse, but this seemed a bit strange. She apprehends one of the blankets in her hands, pulling it over her body while dipping her head down low. While she was still cold, the outrageous stutter she developed while outside the hub had dampened enough for her to talk more normally now.} ]

Felix, I ... [_{She sighs.} ]

I don't want you to go. I don't know what's going on, or where I am but ... you said that something in this place... drugs all the food? I'm... a bit scared. You can't just tell me something like that then ... leave me here alone with no answers. [_{... Evil Felix.} ]

[She's talking more normally and shivering less, so that seems like a good sign. But then she says she doesn't want him to go, and...oh. He sighs, annoyed with himself.]

You're right. Sorry. I...wasn't thinking.

[He's clearly been here too long already, if his mind is so conditioned to all this 'peaceful' nonsense that he's focusing more on avoiding anything suggestive than sticking with a friend who just got here. Foolish.

He sits down opposite her, a few feet away, frowning and looking at the floor.]

The machine claims that this place is some kind of...training ground for ensuring that we know how to get along peacefully with each other before its creators start a new society or something. I don't know the details. But it...it seems to think that 'getting along' requires, um.

[He gestures vaguely in a way that expresses nothing useful. Come on, this is so stupid! He lives with Sylvain, for crying out loud, it's not like he hasn't had frank conversations about sex before! Just...not with her. Spit it out, Fraldarius.]

Physical...intimacy. I don't eat cake, so it didn't happen to me, but others...

[Oh, yeah, his face is heating up now.]

It appears that different kinds of food and drink cause different symptoms.

W-What?! Are you serious? That's ... ridiculous! [_{Annette pulls her knees to her chest and groans in frustration into the blanket with her voice muffled.} ] Felix, if I find out you're lying to me, I'll knock you into next week!

[_{But she had no reason to not believe him ... she just can't believe she was deceived by cake! Oh sweet wonderful cake, how could you do this to her!?} ]

S-Stupid cake ... stupid cold ... [_{Although Annette was completely oblivious to the fact that the cake had nothing to do with the cold she was experiencing, the hot buttered rum she drank was the cause of it. The vanilla cake, on the other hand, had an affect on her which-- made her... softer inside. Perhaps not around the edges, but-- the prospect of Felix leaving really did upset her so much.} ]

Wait-- Felix, how long have you been here for? You seem to know a lot more than I do...

Edited 2022-03-08 13:14 (UTC)

I'm not lying. And it is ridiculous. It's...also the only way to improve our living situations or acquire things from home.

[And he feels like he'll never be able to look her in the face again, honestly.]

I've been here a couple of months. Along with Sylvain, Dimitri, Dedue, the professor...oh. And there's another Felix here, but he's...different.

[_{that part made even less sense to her than spiked cake.} ]

What? Hold up!

[_{another Felix?!} ]

You have a double here? How in all the lands did that happen?

Don't ask me. I don't know. Apparently, there are different versions of Fodlan where events play out differently. Most of us remember the same things, but the other Felix remembers...joining the Black Eagles and fighting for the Empire. And Seteth remembers joining forces with the Alliance, not us.

[_Whoa... ]

The Empire...

[_{That's-- That's unthinkable. Gods - to imagine Felix betraying Dimitri like that? How could he...? The sudden influx of negative feelings made her feel even more cold as she hugs her own body tighter while she shudders.} ]

So ... where did... you side, Felix? Did you stay with the lions? [_{please say yes...} ]

Edited 2022-03-08 20:01 (UTC)

[Felix wishes it were unthinkable. But there were times during the war when he thought about it. Once when he actually asked Sylvain if he would go with him, if he just...left. Not to the Empire, just away from it all. Sylvain convinced him to stay. He's glad for it now, but he does get it.

He gives Annette a look of concern at that shudder.]

I--oh. I did. I...suppose I assumed you did, as well. Although some of us remember more or less of the war and the aftermath. What's the last thing you remember before coming here? ...are you still cold?

[_{she quivers out a sigh.} ] F-Freezing.

[_{but, back to the question at hand ...} ]

Well ... there was no aftermath to the war. Not for me. In fact, you were... with me. When I died. You held me in your arms and [_sigh. ] ... now we're here. [_{she speaks slowly in order to concentrate on not having her voice shake from the cold.} ] But then again... if you've been here for a while, you're not the same Felix from where I came from... so. I guess it wasn't "you", technically.

[His heart leaps up into his throat. She remembers dying. And she remembers...]

What? I...I was there, and I let you die, right in front of me?

[Just like Seteth. Why does this keep happening? Is he doomed to have it happen to him, too, one day? That he'll be forced to confront the reality that no matter how strong he becomes, he will never be able to protect the people he cares about? --well, no, he supposes he isn't, because he and all those people he cares about are dead already. Put another way, it's already happened.

But seeing her shiver again pulls him out of his head enough to put that aside for now. He debates with himself for a moment and then moves closer to her, shifting to sit beside her. He lifts a hand, but hesitates again.]

Can I...I mean, would you...I could. I could do it now, if...you want me to. To make you warmer.

[It's only after he says it that he realizes: that's the point of this effect of the drugs. Of course blankets and coats don't help with the cold. The Peacekeeper wants them to get closer. He swears then and there, at the next opportunity, he's going to go give that machine a piece of his mind.]

Edited 2022-03-10 03:52 (UTC)

[_Tsk-- ]

You didn't let me die, Felix. If you start playing the blame game, I'll get-- I'll get really mad at you!

[_{she avoids eye contact when she tells him:} ]

I took the hit for you. It was all me - my choice. That's why I-- when I saw you here, I yelled, thinking that you died too in spite of... well, you know.

[_{Talking about it again was beginning to make Annette feel very sore. She nearly cries when Felix offers to hold her once more, and nods before she croaks out a tiny answer.} ]

... Please get over here...

You what?

[Felix stares at her, eyes wide and horrified and angry.]

You--that's...you can't do that!

[But she already did it. Some Felix out there had to watch Annette die in his arms, for him, and she's acting like...like that's somehow okay, like he's supposed to just accept that??

She asks him to hold her and he does it without hesitation now, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close to his chest. If he clutches her a little tighter than he otherwise would have, well, hopefully she'll understand.]

...why? Why would you do a stupid, foolish thing like that?

Stupid--?! I saved your life, Felix! There was no way around it! Besides, I know you would've done the same for me, wouldn't you!?

[_{Ugh -- that stung to think about. The pain was awful. Annette trembles while she allows herself to be pulled into Felix's strong embrace, resisting the urge to hug him back as she keeps her arms clamped tightly around her body.} ]

I-It doesn't matter, okay? What's done is done, and-- even if you aren't the same Felix I knew- [_sniff ] I'm just ...

[_{her voice falls quiet as warm tears silently pour down her cheeks.} ]

I'm just so glad to see any version of you after death, Felix.

I...I would, but...

[But you should have let me die. Felix knows she'll be angry if he says that. Does she know that his answer wouldn't be the same for just anyone? Does she know how much it destroyed the Felix in her timeline for her to do such a thing?

...oh, now she's crying. She shouldn't be crying. But he doesn't know what else to do other than what he's already doing, so he just holds her close.]

I'm...glad to see you, too. I hate that you died for me - I can't believe you died for me, but...I'm glad you're here.

♪

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