TDM 006

[etrayamods]

⏵ arrival ⏴ Arrival is absolutely not normal this month. Instead of a hospital bed, you wake in a tunnel with a large group of other people. These are the residents. A woman’s voice in an earpiece hurriedly clues you in with an apology. I apologize; I had not planned to introduce you this way, but we are low on time. Please proceed down the hallway. An image of a shattered pearl pops up on your personal HUD and rotates. I am Aurora. You are joining many others on Etraya in order to save your world from destruction by completing missions. Your current mission is to find the pieces of this object that have become scattered in the library ahead of you. For everyone else, coming in is much the same. The instruction goes out to head to designated areas immediately, where companion bots will escort the residents of Etraya down into the depths, the area beneath where much the same is explained. ⏵ disrobing ⏴ The tunnel eventually opens directly into the foreroom of an expansive library, painted in marvelous hues and patterns with skylights far above. There are wizards milling about, bearded and holding tomes, quietly chatting amongst themselves. The reception area of the library has tall ceilings with equally tall doors Before you get too caught up in the scenery, a voice directs you forward. A gentleman, hunched and bespeckled craws out. "Make a line! Make a line, everyone! You cannot enter the library dressed as you are... Come forward and give me your name." The receptionist asks your given name and then hands over a box from underneath his counter. You can give him any name you want, he doesn’t seem to mind. It is tied with a tagged ribbon- labeling it accordingly. “The _____ robe of _______.” (First Letter of Given Name) (Last Letter of Given Name) A Controlling N Helpful A Melodies N Light B Glimmering O Floating B Discretion O Mind-Reading C Wet P Handsome C Growth P Climbing D Gruesome Q Gullible D Grasping Q Jumping E Observant R Ratty E Flying R Hurting F Powerful S Adhesive F Reading S Guiding G Psychedelic T Sweltering G Dancing T Bug-Speaking H Swift U Cheerful H Shouting U Exploding I Voracious V Anxious I Extracting V Complaining J Soft W Likeable J Punishing W Dividing K Keen X Ruthless K Creeping X Slapping L Fabulous Y Dramatic L Walking Y Charming M Fair Z Demonic M Listening Z Combustion As you read what the contents of the box may be, they form inside- Looking and behaving as your character expects them to. After all, magic is all in the wielder’s mind. Don your robes and enter the library. ⏵ unfamiliar familiars ⏴ For those without a familiar (like one hatched from an egg not too long ago) you may borrow one from the library counter. They all have strengths and weaknesses, but they will all assist in the very important mission. As you roam the library, they will make little indications that you are closer or further from finding a piece of the pearl. Pro • Hardworking • Gives correct directions 75% of time • Won’t run away from you • Very affectionate • Gives correct directions only when paired with another rat, toad, or personal pet. • Gives correct directions 90% of the time Con • Must feed bookworms • Will run away if too close to a cat • Does not care for you • Sleepy • Will run ahead • Gets distracted by rats ⏵ the task at hand ⏴ With robes donned and creature in hand, you must now complete your mission. Find the pieces of the shattered pearl. As you enter the library, you may notice that it’s all very dim. There’s oil lamps around the place that may be moved with you to assist in your journey if your robes do not already emit light. Break off and search the library. There is a directory at the front to point guests to all the different sections. Wings of the Library A General Works B Music C Philosophy, Religion D Fine Arts E History, Auxiliary Sciences F Language and Literature G Magic, General H Science J Geography, Anthopology K Medicine M Agriculture N Hobbies, Recreation P Social Science Q Military R Political Science S Practical Arts T Law W People X Education Y Spiders Each section looks enough like the last, though the books within have immense power. Pick up the wrong book, and you might conjure a dragon or a historical figure! You must persist and avoid making too much noise or breaking too many things. Or else the Librarian, a tall mass of knotted fabric will confiscate your robe and usher you back outside. Your name will be struck from the list, and you must pick a new one to re-enter the library to continue the search. You can try to fight back against him- he may be set alight with the lamp. But should you be starting fires in here? ⏵ NOTES ⏴ Any thread with 15 comments between you and another may be submitted to find a piece of the pearl. There are 20 pieces altogether, and we will determine if the mission was successful by March 28th. A post will go live on the OOC comm for this! This mission occurs out of time, similar to how the spaceship had. Meaning, those currently in game can experience these events any time between now, and March 14th. Please direct all questions to our mod queries comment! ⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Comments

[instabilitatem]

It did, yes.

[Connor remains standing, his smile still going strong. At the mention of making a list, Connor nods.]

I will start doing so now.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

I’m glad, then.

[And it’s not as if he hasn’t made Connor smile before — back at home, even. That smile outside Chicken Feed was for him.

But Hank isn’t used to making anyone smile. He’s used to fucking things up.]

You can sit down, y’know. Before Sumo takes your spot.

[instabilitatem]

[Connor does as instructed and moves to sit down on the couch. He leaves room for Sumo between him and Hank as he sits in a perfect neutral: feet shoulder-width apart, head up, hands settled on his knees.]

Was there anything else you wanted to ask me?

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Nah, mostly I just wanted to ask about that. [Hank’s whole fuck up.

He isn’t confident enough to think he’ll be able to completely avoid upsetting Connor like that again. But he’ll try. Because Hank doesn’t want to hear that disappointment in his voice again.

Aimed at him.]

Guess we do need to figure out what you’re gonna do here, though.

[instabilitatem]

I am assigned to you. [Connor says it from a place of honesty.] You can determine my new directives.

[Such as 'be safe' and 'be happy.']

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

This again. [Hank shrugs his shoulders in exasperation.] I’m asking what you want here. Don’t gotta wait for my “directives.”

[Sumo meanders on over to sniff at Connor’s shoe.]

[instabilitatem]

[Conner feels Sumo down by his feet and reaches down to pet him around his ears.]

I would have to be a deviant to do that, Hank.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Thought we already established that you want things, Connor.

[Hank will go over this again and again, as many times as Connor needs, but he still sighs. He knows Connor can do it. Knows he’s got it in him.]

And it’s okay to want things.

[instabilitatem]

[Connor's programming actually agrees with that. He has expressed wants and they are part of the directives already in place. He processes and processes before coming up with,]

I want to help you live better, Hank. [No more Russian Roulette, no more drinking, eating healthy and the like.]

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Oh... kay.

[It’s a start, even if it’s about Hank and not Connor himself. But it’s still a desire.]

I can do that. [As in: Hank can try to stop being such an ornery old fuck.]

I’m not even... it’s not as bad as it was before. Back home. [Besides the eating, and a few other things — but Hank is all jumbled, okay?]

[instabilitatem]

Then we should return to the store for more nutrients for you.

[Oops Connor is already standing. That's how insistent he intends to be.]

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

[Hank’s jaw drops. He is about to protest.

But...]

Would it make you happy? To get me food.

[instabilitatem]

Yes. Knowing you are taken care of makes me happy. [Well, there's the internal debate about what constitutes 'happiness,' but for now Connor lets it play out in the silence of his programming.]

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Then... okay.

[Just okay. Hank’s not going to fight him about this.

He stands. Brushing dog hair off his pants.]

If it’ll make you happy, you can get me whatever, Connor.

[instabilitatem]

Of course. [Have a soft little smile from your favorite android, Hank.] Do you have any known allergies, Hank? Any foods I should avoid?

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

No, and no — [that smile!!!] — or. Okay. No cauliflower, yeah?

[Unless it is cooked in a very specific way, and... Connor’s going to insist on cooking for him again, isn’t he?

Hank will just have to beat him to the punch on that. Or maybe he’ll succumb to another of Connor’s “it makes me happy,” blah blah. It’s Hank’s new weakness, apparently.]

And fuck broccoli.

[instabilitatem]

No cauliflower and 'fuck broccoli.' Got it. [Connor gives Sumo one more pat on the head and then nods at Hank.]

Anything else I should know?

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Just — [Hank raises his hands in defeat] — you really don’t gotta do this. And I’m not gonna try to stop you this time, I just... don’t want you to feel like this is something you have to do.

[But Hank said he was going to try to be less stubborn, so...!]

[instabilitatem]

[Connor nods and offers a slight smile.]

I want to do this, Hank.

[And then he's off!]

cn: mention of spiders again

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

[This fucking guy.

Hank’s immediate thought is that Connor’s going to be attacked by spiders again, or Vincent, or worse — spider Vincent.

Sumo looks up at him, and Hank asks:] Why didn’t you go with him, Sumo, huh? Keep him outta trouble?

[The dog just stares at Hank, probably wondering where his good person went. The one who gives him lots of pets.]

[instabilitatem]

[Connor is already on his way out the door and traces his steps back to the Kwik Mart. He collects several fresh produce and vegetables, a few different proteins and starches. He then scans a cookbook sitting on the edge of a counter.

He has a meal picked out and wonders if Hank has a set of pots and pans. Assuming he doesn't, Connor picks up a box set of pots and pans as well as dishes, leftover containers, and silverware.

Connor arrives back at the house with a cart full of boxes and bags.]

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

[Hank isn’t surprised when Connor comes back with what seems like a little of everything.]

You really went all out, huh. [Starting to carry the bags inside now.] I wasn’t starving, y’know, Connor. But thanks.

[If fussing over him is what makes Connor happy, then Hank is just going to have to let him do it.

Within reason.]

You get anything for yourself in all... this?

[instabilitatem]

[Connor starts with the heaviest items and stocks the pots, pans, dishes, and silverware away in cabinets and drawers. Next comes the dry perishables like spaghetti, instant mashed potatoes, and the like. And finally the produce and other chilled items like berries, oranges, carrots, lettuce and milk.

All in all, Connor grabbed enough to last them 2-3 weeks.

At the question, Connor glances up from unpacking.]

I read a cookbook.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

[Hank could go for some spaghetti. And when was the last time he had mashed potatoes?

He warily eyes the produce, though. Not that Hank doesn’t like some fruit every now and then — he just worries Connor's gonna put himself out with this whole food thing.]

Read yourself a cookbook, huh. [Not even surprised, again.] It any good? Got any recipes you’re dying to try?

[instabilitatem]

[Connor nods as he tucks everything away.]

Spaghetti and meatballs. With texas toast and roasted asparagus.