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]

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.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

[Okay, that sounds really good. Even the asparagus.

Hank looks down at Sumo, nosing around their legs, making himself as in the way as possible. Treats! Treats!]

And roasting this... asparagus. That would make you happy, yeah?

[instabilitatem]

It is a new avenue to pursue and I enjoy learning new things.

[Connor does bed down to one knee to hold out a rawhide for Sumo to take. Can't forget about Sumo!]

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

All right, then. “Learning new things” — you add that to your list.

[Sumo accepts the rawhide gratefully, getting some slobber on Connor’s hand as he does so.

It’s slobber of love!!]

Spoiling that damn dog. [Hank doesn’t mind. This is the way things are supposed to be, he thinks.]

[instabilitatem]

Adding it now. [Connor releases the rawhide to Sumo and then stands up. He returns to the kitchen and starts boiling water for the spaghett.

Connor pauses a moment, looking over at the lieutenant.]

How do you prefer your pasta?

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Don’t think anyone’s asked how I like my pasta before. [Hank shrugs. It’s not like it’s steak, right? How much can you do with pasta...?]

Soft. Like my pasta soft. Not all — al dente. [Is that the term? Does it even mean what Hank thinks it does? All firm and weird??]

You, uh. Need any help?

[instabilitatem]

Soft. [Connor processes rhe information and files it away.

He looks over at Hank and his offer.]

I do not need help, but if you want to help, you’re welcome.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Don’t want you feeling like you have to do this, again. [Heating up some spaghetti sauce shouldn’t cramp Connor’s style too much, should it? So Hank grabs a jar. A pan.]

Thanks for getting all — [waving the sauce pan at him] — this. I just... haven’t had the motivation to do much cooking lately, y’know?

[When Vincent came over a few days back to cook steak, he had to bring his own pan too. Which, in retrospect... Hank should have had pans. Even if to give off the illusion that he cared enough to cook for himself.]

[instabilitatem]

[Connor smiles up at Hank and easily surrenders the task of heating up sauce. Connor turns to the asparagus and rinses it before beginning to chop off the dead ends.]

I like this. It’s nice.

[His smile widens.]

I hope this will help with you improve your motivation.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

It does. [A mutter, then:] You do.

[Hank’s gonna heat the fuck out of this sauce. Not gonna burn it at all!! Just to prove he can.

And he’s sure there’s more he could do to help.]

You get any... cheese?

[He tries not to sound too hopeful. It’s just cheese, and if he really wanted some, he’d walk his ass down to the store.]

[instabilitatem]

I have mozarella, provelone and parmesan.

[Connor turns in place to open the fridge and one of the crisper drawers.]

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

[Hank said he was going to try to be less stubborn. Less... stubborn...]

Didn’t have to go and get me three cheeses. But thank you. [He says this a little softer, with one hand pressed to his chest as he stirs the sauce.]

No one’s ever gone and got me that much cheese before. [And he didn’t even have to ask!

Hank really doesn’t deserve Connor. Doesn’t deserve any of this. And he would whine about that — if he wasn’t trying to be less of an asshole.]

[instabilitatem]

You’re welcome, Hank. I thought you could use the others for sandwiches.

[Connor continues to smile up at Hank.]

Which cheese would you like now?