etrayamods: (Default)
∎ ETRAYA MODS ∎ ([personal profile] etrayamods) wrote in [community profile] etrayamemes2025-03-28 09:16 am
Entry tags:

TDM 007

content warnings for this TDM include: violence, potential death, body horror, physical transformation, loss of senses, loss of autonomy

⏵ arrival⏴



Arrival does not happen as Aurora usually plans for it. New characters are introduced to the AI, then informed of a mission that they are required to participate in before they can return to their home base of Etraya. A world called Aphaia is falling apart, and while there is nothing they can do to resolve this broken world, they can participate in the Gamerunner's Stratagem.

Their mission is simple: step through the glowing purple portal that Aurora creates once they've had time to listen to her, and survive until a similar portal reopens in front of them, allowing them to return to Etraya. The Gamerunner's Stratagem is something they have been working on building for quite some time. She informs all newcomers that they will not be present on this world that long: their exit will appear to them exactly when it's meant to, allowing them to meet the others who have been recruited to save their worlds. She provides each and every arrival with an earpiece, allowing them to communicate with the other Etrayans. Aurora suggests taking a bag full of supplies along with them, which she will fill with a few generic items as well as any specific items they may need: synthetic blood for vampires, protein bars for those who may burn through calories faster, medication for anyone who requires it.


⏵ aphaia ⏴


Aphaia is a neon-lit, chaotic planet. Cameras are everywhere, every action and inaction is judged by the 'audience'. Towering holograms advertise upcoming events while flashing leader boards track the most "popular" players. Contestants are thrown into challenges, many of which are games of skill, survival, and deception all to keep the viewers entertained. Not participating is an option! However, avoiding playing along and not putting on a show will quickly cause participants' score to go down, and scores that reach zero? Well.

Unfortunately, there are only so many resources left on Aphaia. Their wildlife has died off, their planet is falling apart, and most others in this galaxy were either destroyed from the inside out, or warring planets trying to gain control of remaining resources destroyed them to avoid others getting involved. Their natural resources are depleted, and only those who manage to keep their scores up are given the luxury of having any supplies. As soon as one steps foot on Aphaia, as soon as they breathe, they intake nanotechnology which tracks their oxygen consumption, their food, everything they do or need. As soon as their scores reach zero?

They disappear. There one moment, and completely gone the next. Their communicators go offline, and while everything they were carrying will be left behind, no one will be able to find them. They are simply--gone, erased from existence.

This is a death and counts as a death as outlined in the game FAQ! Please keep this in mind.

"Points" that go towards their total score will be assigned to contestants from the moment they drop down on planet. This will be visible using the HUD on their earpiece, and will be randomized at the beginning. For the sake of the TDM, we ask that no one be assigned Paragon initially, but you're free to use other ranks!

The possible rankings are:

100: PARAGON
99-80: LUMINARY
79-70: CHAMPION
69-50: CONTENDER
49-30: UNDERLING
30-0: SHADE

Ranks may change daily, or even hourly depending on the kind of situation one has found themselves in. Are they having a very public break up in which it comes out that they wronged their ex? They may go from a Champion to a Shade before they can even blink. Did they save a defenseless reporter from the big bad villain of the week? They may find themselves quickly elevated up to Luminary and given all the benefits that comes with being upper class. The world is their oyster, they only need to figure out how they'd like to utilize it!

Aphaia is broken up into four districts.

The Colosseum is a dynamic battle arena where combatants fight for entertainment, with shifting environments controlled by the audience. Victories earn points, while losses depend on performance.

The Symposium is a lavish social hub for top contestants, where alliances and betrayals are made under the audience’s watchful eye.

The Agora is the public center of Aphaia, where contestants engage with the audience through polls, interviews, and challenges to maintain popularity. It also houses the contestants in high-rise apartments.

And Backalleys provide hidden spaces with intentional blind spots for secret dealings, though the Gamerunner is always aware of what happens there.


⏵ st★rlight soirée ⏴


Something special is happening in the Colosseum. Lights flicker as the arena shifts, rearranging itself into a grand, glittering ballroom - if a ballroom had stadium seating, paparazzi drones, and an ever-changing floor plan designed to disorient those within it. Silver chandeliers pulse with artificial starlight, their glow refracted through the crystalline floors. Music swells, but it sounds - unnatural. It thrums through your veins, setting your blood alight with the urge to dance.

Why is the ballroom designed as if intentionally put together to throw off one's balance? Well, it's time for the Panopticon Prom, of course!

The Panopticon Prom isn't just an adventure in dancing and impressing your most recent crush. It's a test of endurance, cunning, grace, and charm. The floor beneath your feet moves as if it has a mind of it's own, shifting to the beat like a living creature all of it's own. It tilts, undulates, even vanishing in sections to keep dancers on edge. After all, it's difficult to keep up one's pace if they're falling through a hole in the floor to the foam pit below.

Drones zip through the air, catching every stumble, every misstep, and every attempt to throw off others on the dance floor. This is a competition, after all; and what fun is a dance battle without having the freedom to thwart someone else on their road to victory?

The rules are simple:
  • You must dance with a partner. This can be an ally, an enemy, or someone you intend on using as a stepping stone to victory. It matters not, as long as you have one hand (or limb) on them at all times.
  • The longer you last, the better your chances. Endurance is the name of the game, meaning one must pace themselves on the dance floor. While epic twirls and impressive moves will garner more attention, it may also hurt your chances in the long run.
  • You may sabotage others by throwing them off balance, but keep in mind: everything is televised, and it won't stay secret for long.
  • The arena adapts to the chaos. Expect sudden obstacles, environmental shifts, and sudden changes in the music's tempo. Gravity may shift, walls may close in, but participants can't let that stop them - they must continue to dance, if they wish to win.
The audience is watching. Who will make the final cut and become Prom King and Queen? Everyone is vying for the titles: it doesn't matter what rank you started at when you joined the Panopticon Prom. Whoever wins becomes a Paragon until their points drop. There aren't many opportunities to sail through the rankings, but this is a sure way to do it. As long as they can keep up.


⏵ casino royale ⏴


Out in the Agora, another popular quarterly event is being set up! The Casino Royale has been destroyed countless times, but it seems as if the Gamerunner just can't let it go - every time it gets knocked down, it gets rebuilt.

There is one rule. One must take a turn at the revolving wheel just inside the door as their entry fee, and whatever the wheel lands on, they must maintain until they exit the building for the night. Sometimes, this is easier: an effect they have no control over and cannot undo even if they wanted to. Sometimes, this is more difficult: an assigned task they must complete. Failure to abide by the wheel once means receiving a penalty. Twice? Certain death if caught by any employee.

The wheel's effects are as follows:

1 You must speak entirely in rhyme. 2 Your body has become unnaturally delicate. The smallest injury hurts like a fatal wound.
3 You must avoid stepping into any sources of light. Doing so causes massive burns to appear on any area of your skin where light has touched. 4 You have been transformed into an animal! You can still think as you had before, but you cannot speak or communicate easily.
5 You have been cursed with supernatural strength, but cannot control it. 6 Time doesn't flow normally for you anymore. Each mistake you make makes you visibly younger, slowly erasing your experiences, skills, or even memories.
7 You can no longer form your own words, but only repeat what others have said to you. 8 You cannot meet another person's gaze.
9 You can no longer turn around, physically or metaphorically. If you try to return where you came from, you'll find that the pathway no longer exists. 10 You are given a specific letter that you must avoid using out loud entirely. "A"? Better hope you know enough words without one.
11 Every time you speak, your words come true - but never in the way you intended. Trying to control this is futile; the monkey's paw curls with every new sentence. 12 Within the casino, you lose the ability to feel anything. No pain, no pleasure, no warmth, and no cold. At first it may feel like a blessing - until you realize you cannot feel hunger, or tell if you're injured.
13 Regardless of if you've drunken anything, you still act inebriated. The effect only gets worse the longer you stay. 14 No one can see you. You are invisible, even if you are still able to reach out and touch or converse with those around you.
15 Any special ability you have is gone. You are reduced down to what an average human being is capable of - regardless of if you are human. 16 Violent impulses become impossible to ignore. You are rage incarnate, and you will be heard.
17 Every time you make a decision - to walk into an area, to start a conversation, anything, a small thread pulls loose from your clothing or your skin. Keep making choices, and you may become entirely undone. 18 You may speak freely, but for every syllable you say, your ability to hear slowly fades. You may want to watch your word count - too many, and you may not be able to hear at all.
19 Perhaps you arrived with a friend, or beside a stranger. It matters not: whoever came in either just before or just after you, you feel a powerful urge to protect them to the point of aggression. 20 Love is in the air - at least it is for you. Every time you meet someone's gaze, you feel the need to try and make them fall in love with you, through whatever means necessary.


The casino is alive with the hum of conversation, the clink of glasses, and the steady whirl of the roulette wheels. Golden chandeliers cast a warm glow over velvet-lined tables, where fortunes are made and lost with the flick of a wrist. But something feels. . . off.

The dealers never blink. The cards never seem random. And the house always wins - always. Maybe it's just paranoia, or maybe this casino is something more than just a den of chance. Tonight, you're not here just to play; you're here on a mission.

You've arrived dressed to kill, blending into the sea of bodies filling the casino's floors. But you're not here to win points or boost your social standing - you're here to win intel. Somewhere in this casino is a single flash drive containing information on just how Aphaia maintains their system. The only problem? The House knows someone is coming for it. After all, they're well-aware of the game: whoever retrieves the flash drive will obtain information on how to flip the script, to change the rules of the game to fit their wants and needs, rather than following the current Gamerunner. After all, this is the Gamerunner's Stratagem that Aurora has sent them out on! Many apply for 'employment' within the Casino Royale in hopes of getting insider information on where the flash drive is hidden and what it looks like. However, it seems that even the employees have no clue where it has been hidden.

⏵ NOTES ⏴


This is an extension of our Aphaia Mission! We have included enough information in this post that catching up to current in game logs isn't necessary to play with it, but you are welcome to use any part of the Aphaia setting in your prompts as you'd like. Current players are also welcome to bring the events from this TDM into their in-game threads.

This mission can happen outside of time as needed! Incoming characters will find themselves introduced to Aphaia as they arrive. Current characters may find Aurora calling on them to visit Aphaia after the current mission for the Gamerunner's Stratagem.

Characters already in game are welcome to post to the TDM, too! Please mark them as current characters in your header. Threads can be kept as game canon as long as both characters get into the game!

Please direct all questions relating to this log to our mod queries comment! All other questions can be directed to our FAQ.

FULL NAVIGATION

limiterrings: (pic#17689660)

[personal profile] limiterrings 2025-04-01 04:17 am (UTC)(link)
[ and he stands there touching at his choker and holding that shoe.

wordlessly, the hedgehog walks over to the other who is trying to analyze the cause which seems a little strange. shadow watches for a moment trying to see what it is accelerator is trying to figure out, but shadow's patience is short, and when he walks over to him.... it's not to ask what's going on.

initially, he wanted to take his shoe and throw it out the window to speed up the process, but with the way accelerator shoos him off would warrant shadow coming closer, he instead stops. it's not a gesture the other has done before, something akin to stay back so he can only wonder is there something wrong in the room. his eyes glance to the accessory that he touched before, then to the individual in question... keeping quiet still and watching him with a bit of interest.

it's not something he's familiar with, but there could be something happening that shadow doesn't understand. ]
Edited 2025-04-01 04:28 (UTC)
dreamsofearth: (All Smiles)

[personal profile] dreamsofearth 2025-04-01 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
[Maria nodded at the suggestion to stay outside.] I heard that it's an intense dance competition going on in there. I'd be no good for something like that. [Something like that would be too much for her to handle. But just dancing out here? It should be okay. She noted the slower rhythms to the current song that was playing. It had switched up from the faster beats from before.]

O-okay.

[She started to sway to the music. She liked to listen to music, and she could catch the beat well enough. This was just her first dance with someone else like this. Dancing with Baylene earlier was different because she was a dinosaur and much larger. The experience was still fun though as the larger being copied her movements. She made a mental note to ask the other Shadow if he wanted to try this sometime.

The more she swayed, the more she started to relax and get more into it; moving her feet a little from side to side as her movements got bigger. She couldn't help but smile from ear to ear.]
dreamsofearth: (Give Them a Chance)

[personal profile] dreamsofearth 2025-04-01 04:24 am (UTC)(link)
Mhmm! [Maria could see that Baylene was getting into it, seeing her smile.]

I'd rather just do it relaxed like this than in a competition. Even if I was healthy and stamina wasn't an issue.
thelightshines: (I miss your touch)

[personal profile] thelightshines 2025-04-01 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
[He says nothing and lets her do as she feels. Only occasionally making small movements as suggestions for her to follow his lead. His Maria sort of threw himself into this world of dancing back then. It was awkward, having his arm swung around and dragged in a circle. He didn't think that would be the correct approach with someone as frail as this Maria. And he'd feel more silly doing that in public anyway.

This, this isn't so bad. He can tolerate it, especially as Maria starts to smile. Such a beautiful smile...he understands how the other must feel to see it. A small smile dances on his face as he lets her do as she likes. Let her lead him. There is no wrong move when it comes to dancing as his Maria would assure him.]
dreamsofearth: (Give Them a Chance)

[personal profile] dreamsofearth 2025-04-01 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
[Maria smiles a little, hugging her arms around him in a brief squeeze at his words. Always so protective of her. Watching over her. She felt them slow as they arrived in a quieter area that had a lot less foot traffic. Shadow approached a bench and lowered her to it and she sighed, leaning back and resting her head on the back of it. Much better. There was still lots of lights and advertisements around, but this was much better than being ganged up on in the busier areas of the Agora.

She closes her eyes briefly so she could work on calming her heart and breath. Already much improved since Shadow had scooped her up and whisked her away from the square. She still felt a little lightheaded, but she felt a lot safer. His questions caused her to open her eyes and regard him. He was standing in front of her, clearly concerned about her well being.]


No I'm not hurt. Just a little dirty....[She reassured quickly, looking down at her blue dress and sweater that was soiled in some places. She tried not to think too hard that it was alien blood.] Ah, right. I was given this before I was sent here. [She unslung the small backpack that was on her back and placed it on the bench.] I am a little thirsty. Maybe there is some food and water in here. [The girl proceeded to unzip it and look around inside. There was what looked like some bars and a couple bottles of water. What looked like a first aid kit and a blanket. There was some other random small objects but she honed in on the water and pulled out the bottle.] Here we go!

Were you hurt? I think there's a first aid kit in here.
fireboost: (pic#17745810)

[personal profile] fireboost 2025-04-01 04:54 am (UTC)(link)
Yes.

[ not to be anticlimactic, but it's true, she had little other reason to seek him out. it's just that it felt like something important to do—as a princess, her actions reflect on all of her people, and she sees it as her duty.

but there is one more thing... ]


If possible, I would like to start over. Perhaps in time we can become friends.

[ it's a little harder to do than she had anticipated, but she's learned that it's a worthy effort. ]
mossheaded: (pic#17674760)

CATSINO

[personal profile] mossheaded 2025-04-01 05:11 am (UTC)(link)
[ zoro stared at the proffered hand as though it had personally slandered his captain, tail flicking irritably behind him. what the hell was he supposed to do with that? the suggestion that he might be lost was enough to get his hackles raised, but it was the rhymed warning about the casino that chafed him most.

'no shit.' a little late in coming, thanks. he'd already figured that part out.

as she'd announced that he was coming with her, he couldn't verbally protest - but he had no intention of going quietly. as she caught him by the middle, his back feet pedaled desperately for purchase, only stopping when she felt the support of her hand beneath him. he rumbled out a growl against her shoulder, ears flat and claws flexing against pink sequins.

his counterattack was swiftly halted by her question, however, his ears immediately back at attention, single eye fixed on her face as though he might somehow make himself understood by sheer force of will.

zip drive?

he huffed out a short grunt, claws retracting as he settled into her arms. from the sounds of it, she was here for the same reason he was. if they could work together, somehow, then they'd both be out of there faster for it... however much he could contribute, stuck like this.
]
thelightshines: (But listen carefully)

[personal profile] thelightshines 2025-04-01 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
[That gets a strange look from Shadow. Like she had said something weird.] Why? [Why do they want to be friends with him? Is it because he hasn't been as aggressive as the other? Once again, thinking they're trying to gain something from him. It's really hard for him to just, believe them at just their word. Someone he thought he could trust ended up using him in the end not too long ago.]
hexcope: (pic#17569310)

back alleys

[personal profile] hexcope 2025-04-01 05:16 am (UTC)(link)
[Jayce was not exactly adept at navigating more precarious spaces. A dark alley, a stranger’s footfalls in the night— all things that somehow, he usually wound up blissfully unaware of the danger present. To someone native to Zaun, the soft summoning hand of a beautiful young woman down a shady lane would be an obvious red flag to avoid at all costs, if they had anything valuable on them. Which Jayce does.

But again, that would require some degree of street smarts, of which he entirely lacks. What he sees is a beautiful young woman asking for a favor.
]

Of course. What can I help you with?
shoplifter: (pic#11449451)

[personal profile] shoplifter 2025-04-01 05:18 am (UTC)(link)
[hola mi amigo

She can't help but feel a little excited by the idea of more mutants in Etraya... which probably isn't fair, because most people don't necessarily want to be here. But regardless — more mutants. Coming from a world heinously bare of them, being able to speak to others outside of the project was... nice.

But oh — manners. She's been trying to use those more.]


It is nice to meet you; my name is Laura.

Do you know me in your universe?

[That is. Also something she is used to.]
dreamsofearth: (Give Them a Chance)

[personal profile] dreamsofearth 2025-04-01 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
Really? That sounds wonderful. Anything sounds better than that overly crowded square.

[Even where they were standing, Maria could hear the roar of the crowd from the busy square where she had initially appeared. At least it seemed that the majority of the drones were in that area. She did spot some flying overhead of course, but thankfully none seemed interested in them at the moment. If any paused to take note of them, they at least kept their distance.]

Then I can take stock of what supplies I have and figure out what's going on. [Plus if there was items that either of them had that could be useful, Maria would be willing to trade.]
shoplifter: (pic#17732668)

[personal profile] shoplifter 2025-04-01 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
[Laura takes Laura's hand. She'd washed her knuckles with soap in the bathroom to hide the evidence, but beneath the sickly sweet smell there's the quietest hint of copper.

This face... she swears she's seen it before. But it was from far before. Before, during the first time she'd been in Etraya... before she'd vanished like Ororo, like Scott. Like looking into a mirror, but the reflection isn't quite right.]


Maybe... but it will keep annoying people from trying to dance with you instead. Sí?
sabigoe: (⚙ 18)

[personal profile] sabigoe 2025-04-01 05:28 am (UTC)(link)
[ Fio is not one to give up easily thankfully, but she's unable to hide her concern upon seeing Lars' reaction to the incredibly low score. ]

'Kay. We'll fix it. I'll do my best. [ A nod, trying to bring back some confidence in her voice. ] I really don't wanna do things that hurt others. [ Knowing that there are non-combat options is a relief. She would rather resort to an actual fight only if absolutely necessary.

Tapping her earpiece again, she hides the display. ]


...Housing? I can stay with you? Really?

[ Somehow lodging hadn't crossed her mind. It's been a while since she last stayed in a home or had some sort of proper place to stop for rest. She still has some recollection of her old room with its grime-covered ceilings and walls. ]
strumpet: (pic#17736825)

oh gosh the potential here is amazing

[personal profile] strumpet 2025-04-01 05:32 am (UTC)(link)
There was a hint of guilt deep within Inara— she absolutely did not want to make the other woman panic and while she usually wasn't this protective of others, there was something about Nami that drew that from her. She always said she could only be her true self with other women, but was this really her? Inara wasn't quite sure but what she was sure of was that she clearly upset her. Unable to meet her gaze, Inara simply reached out to gently touch her wrist, polished nails on her delicate, soft hand trying her best to comfort her.

"You never know, I come from a world where danger could be lurking in any corner. Given that we've been brought here to prove our world is worth saving and maybe the others have decided to do Aurora's dirty work for her.", she said. These words, this level of concern and advice was usually reserved for her crewmates—

but despite being influenced here, she was partially right. She didn't know what Aurora was capable of, or Echo, but she knew people. People could easily turn competitive and violent in a blink of an eye after all, pulling dirty tricks left and right.
fireboost: (pic#17753542)

[personal profile] fireboost 2025-04-01 05:38 am (UTC)(link)
[ perhaps she has said something strange. she wouldn't have thought so, so long ago. now, though? ]

A person who is very dear to me once said, "Sometimes you can't do things alone. And when you can, it's still better with friends."

[ she won't give him her whole backstory—she feels like she's done plenty of telling him about herself. but it's easy to tell that those words mean something important to her. ]

I will admit, it would make me feel better to have a friend in this place.
strumpet: (pic#17736824)

[personal profile] strumpet 2025-04-01 05:41 am (UTC)(link)
( for as comfortable as his presence seemed to make inara, even she couldn't help but break that perfect composure a companion always had at his words—

'etrayan', she thought, wondering what part of the solar system that was. a moon she hadn't heard about before? because to her, she had been brought here to this decaying world full of barbarian battles and concerning demands made of them. she had no clue that everyone here was either brought from etraya or had arrived here. )


I can't say that I've heard of that place, no. Before arriving here actually, I was venturing around the verse as one does, and all of a sudden I woke up here.

( she did pause to offer her hand to him, bowing her head briefly as a polite gesture. )

I apologize Mr. Finch, I'm Inara Serra.

( surprisingly, a great number of places here were quite familiar to her and her own world, but it did seem the technology overall was a bit more primitive. )

Don't suppose that if we try our luck, they'll be so kind as to explain just what exactly all of this is about? I'm afraid....I'm painfully new.
mossheaded: (pic#17640174)

[personal profile] mossheaded 2025-04-01 05:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ if anything, it was that self-assuredness that piqued zoro's interest. if he was forced to take a partner for this whole annoying contest, he wanted someone who could hold their own. dancing wasn't exactly his forte, but he knew enough to understand that if one of them faltered, it could spell the end for them both. ]

I've heard a few things. Has anyone actually seen it happen?

[ regardless of whether it was true or not, zoro had no intention of risking his dream on some stupid dancing game. whether the threat was legitimate, or just a scare tactic to force their participation - if they wasted time talking about it, they were guaranteed to lose. ]

You ever done this before?
sortie: (Default)

[personal profile] sortie 2025-04-01 05:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ Lars isn't surprised. Fio's a kind girl, he knows that well enough from what time they had been around one another trying to save the Cage. Hurting others needlessly goes against her nature, not to mention the danger involved in the fighting that goes on here.

He has no doubt the others wouldn't approve, besides. ]


Yeah, you can. They gave me a high score coming here, so we can make use of it.

[ Fio doesn't have to worry about having a roof over her head or where her next meal is coming from. They may as well take advantage of him being a Luminary. His time here has kept his point total steady enough — they can focus on shaping hers up.

Before that, though— ]


You hungry?
reexamined: (014)

because this is very funny to me (and probably only me) [casino]

[personal profile] reexamined 2025-04-01 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
[Have you ever felt small, Harry? Because right behind him now is a seven foot droid, glowing eyes honed in right on Harry's much shorter form.]

At some point, they will succeed. Success rates can range depending on the card-based activity, from 42.8222% to 3.4% depending on varying factors. If it were a one-hundred percent chance of failure, the casino would be empty.

[And he leans down just a little further to stare at Harry.]

And you would be out of entertainment.
limiterrings: (pic#17684734)

arrival

[personal profile] limiterrings 2025-04-01 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
Are you done wasting time?

[ silver will hear a familiar voice nearby, not around behind him or even to the side. if he lifts his head he'll notice the other above standing on a streetlamp as he looks down at the other with an intimidating gaze. he's not the first familiar face, and surely he's not the last.

shadow clicks his tongue as he waits for silver to finish up with figuring out what he has. from the look of things, it's a shame that he's suited with the same gear that he was given. this means it's not a future or past that he's somehow stumbled into, he was probably whisked away onto this planet with the same explanation that he was given.

silver has his uses, while being headstrong and determined to get things done, his abilities were much desired as well. he's not an extremely bad pick of who he would deal with in this new world, but so far... he hasn't really ran into any liabilities from his own world.

that at least gives shadow an advantage. ]
limiterrings: (pic#17703097)

[personal profile] limiterrings 2025-04-01 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
[ when she actively reminds him that his actions has caused her discomfort, he feels even guiltier. she has that affect on him because no other person's words pain him more than her own. she doesn't have to say it aloud that he's made a mistake, that she's upset with what he did, because evidence of that stains her attire.

he's done good in not allowing his ears to draw back and rest on top of his head, withholding his emotions is the easiest thing he can do at the moment. especially his sadness, his feelings like anger rush from him like a running faucet, but those more sensitive ones like sadness.

it's easy to lock those away. ]


No, I am not hurt.

[ she has something to drink and that's more than he could ask for. instead of leaving to find her anything else, he sits down on the concrete to look up at her. ]

You should save it for yourself.

[ knowing her, she'd probably choose to give it to someone who needs it more in her eyes. sometimes he wishes she was a little more selfish like him, but... it's surreal to look at her like this, to know she's here again.

but the duration of how long? ... that is what scares him the most. ]


...
limiterrings: (pic#17723495)

[personal profile] limiterrings 2025-04-01 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
I didn't come here for the puzzles, no.

[ his hand withdraws from the doorknob, turning around with a dull expression as he looks in the direction of blaze. when he stares, he sees a sort of hunched over phantom near the toy in the center of the room. blinking twice, he raises one hand to rub at his eyes before the room returns to what it was proper with blaze in place of what he saw.

shadow growls, blinking his eyes again as though he can cast away whatever that was. he didn't even open the door, or maybe there's something weird about this place in general. ]


Hmph... hurry it up, I doubt they want us to play with a singular toy in the middle of the room.

[ normally he'd turn around to mind his business and stand by the other door, but he remains in place watching blaze in case whatever that other thing was appears. ]
strumpet: (pic#17736817)

[personal profile] strumpet 2025-04-01 05:45 am (UTC)(link)
( ah, she knows his type far too well. many a nervous man had sought out her services in the past and whether their issues were social, physical, mental, or simply the result of never feeling the touch of a woman before, she knew how to handle them.

with as much grace, gentleness, and civility she could muster. since henry was far from being one of her clients, she decided to just take things easy, smiling a bit as she thought about simon— henry absolutely reminded her of him, an awkward mess of a kind man. )


I'm Inara, a pleasure to meet you Henry. You're a lucky man, arriving here with your partner.

( unless people here were actually dating after being here some time, something she would know nothing about considering she just arrived. )

I have yet to find anyone I know, but I'm sure knowing my crew back home, they're all scrambling to find me.

( at least she hoped, and as they continued the dance, with all the strength her tiny frame could muster, she began to sway them side to side. )
strumpet: (Default)

[personal profile] strumpet 2025-04-01 05:48 am (UTC)(link)
( perhaps it was the nature of her job, but she couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle at his wink. she took him into her hands, her touch as gentle as ever and she began to lead him into a traditional sort of dance—

keeping a bit of distance between their bodies. )


Well I appreciate your kindness, I actually just arrived here and I'm a bit out of sorts. Are you new here as well?

( that was important to establish, after all how could someone else who was fresh to all this answer her questions? )
strumpet: (pic#17736824)

[personal profile] strumpet 2025-04-01 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
( luckily for jayce, with her strong religious beliefs based in buddhism and a genuine lack of a weapon, she had no intents of robbing the poor man blind. she did however plan on using him just a bit—

but there was no true malicious intents in her actions. she was a woman all alone in this strange world and she was using what she had to survive. surely he could forgive her for that. when he approached, she smiled at him, bowing her head a bit in a polite greeting. )


I apologize for making you come here, but it's the one place I realized no one is watching. First answer me this, how long have you been here? In this specific world? I heard that most people here came from another one called Etraya, is that correct?