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fortiscor2023-03-21 01:26 pm
fortiscormod) wrote in fortiscor2023-03-21 01:26 pm
Entry tags:
- #tdm,
- bleach: aizen sousuke,
- bleach: grimmjow jaegerjaquez,
- bleach: ichigo kurosaki,
- bleach: orihime inoue,
- final fantasy vii: aerith gainsborough,
- final fantasy vii: angeal hewley,
- final fantasy vii: reno,
- final fantasy vii: rude,
- final fantasy vii: sephiroth,
- gundam wing: chang wufei,
- gundam wing: duo maxwell,
- heaven official's blessing: xie lian
TDM #1
"Well, good morning, Sleepy Head,"
The voice was sweet and pleasant on the ears. You open your eyes to find a smiling face looking down at you. A face that looks human enough. Two eyes, a nose and a mouth, all in the right places. But something feels off about it...
"We've been waiting for you to wake. It's about time!" The nurse, for now that she's moved away you realise that she is indeed dressed how you would imagine a nurse would be dressed, continues to talk and fuss about the room. In doing this, she explains:
❝You've been asleep for such a long time! Several years ago there was an Event that caused many people to fall into deep, deep sleeps. Some woke within days or weeks of their fall, but there were some, like yourself, who have been asleep for so much longer. It's hard to tell just how long you have slept, and I fear the world you remember is very different now, but we are here to help you through your transition from Dream World to the Waking World.❞The nurse leaves and you are left alone. You will find that even though you have been in a coma for years, you are as physically fit as you remember. Any injuries you believed you had are gone now, as if they were never there. At the foot of the bed are clothes and any items you own. Take them. Go. The urge will take you. Once you leave, you will find you can not enter the hospital again, nor can you quite remember how you got out in the first place. All you can remember is the strangely haunting nurse and her words...
Welcome to Williamsburg!
The town before you is a hodgepodge of colour and style. No two houses are exactly the same. Some made of wood, or brick or even strange metals. Some are no more than holes in the ground. But all are warm and welcoming inside and not many are inhabited.
In fact you'll find that the town itself isn't that populated at all. The busiest place is Main Street. Here you will find all the shops you need.
● [The Nowhere Inn] is the local watering hole where you can come and share a drink with a friend. Or, if just passing through, spend the night. Here you will be greeted by Bert, the owner and bartender. A seven foot tall bear of a man with a magnificent beard and a loud, booming voice! And a desire to one day create a cocktail that will take the world by storm. It's just a shame that not all of his little experiments hit the mark... Newcomers to the town will be offered a drink on the house. Choose wisely, as some of these drinks can often come with side effects, both good and bad.
✦ Apricot Smash: A refreshing glass of fruit squash. Made from the concentrated juice of a sour and sweet type of apricot, this is a simple and thirst quenching kind of drink. If asked nicely, this can also be made into a slushie! Anyone who tries this deliciously fruity drink will find themselves enjoying a chance to dance and/or sing at any given opportunity. (Side effect: It can cause insomnia.)
✦ Lemongrass Twilight: Made from spicy and sour lemongrass syrup, this mildly alcoholic drink is served in a tall glass with round, purple coloured balls of ice. The drink is a swirling green, yellow and purple colour. Those who try this drink will find themselves feeling very mellow and warm and more inclined to feelings of affection. (Side effect: It can cause headaches.)
✦ Mint Blast: Pale blue-green with light swirls and served in a wine glass. The drink is heavy on the mint and light on the alcohol, with even a little sprig of it resting on the rim of the glass. Drinking this will leave you feeling a chilled and shivery. A nice cuddle should soothe those chills away. (Side effect: It causes sleepiness in the drinker.)
✦ Blue Smooch: This drink is a deep blue with white, creamy foam atop. The drink smells like chocolate and tastes wonderful. It leaves the drinker feeling happy and optimistic, almost childlike. (Side effect: It is rumoured to cause truthfulness in the drinker.)
✦ Burning Wine: Pale gold with yellow-orange swirls, this mulled wine is served in a clear glass mug and tastes like cinnamon and oranges, with a hint of chili. It has a nice, warming burn as it goes down. This drink will put a fire in your belly and keep you toasty and warm through the cold nights. It may also make drinkers a little more amorous than usual. (Side effect: It can sometimes cause tingling and numbness in the extremities.)
✦ Frosted Starlight: Sapphire with silver flecks and glittering sugar around the rim of the glass. This is an intoxicating alcoholic drink that is only served in the evening and at night. The drink itself smells like coconut yet there is no coconut within the drink. The taste is almost floral, with a slight hint of grape. Those who have tried this drink often find themselves with the brief ability to touch another and see their surface thoughts. (Side effect: It can cause blackouts.)
● [Sugar ‘n Spice Café] is a peculiar place. From the outside it looks like any other store front, but as you enter and the little bell tinkles, you will find the interior to be bright and open. Warm colours and bright lighting, and from somewhere soft music is always playing. A very modern sort of café selling a wide selection of handmade sweets and pastries as well as an espresso machine.
For the next month, if you come in for a hot drink you can have your choice of their specially made, homemade cheesecake free of charge. Subject to availability, of course.
✦ Roasted strawberries and cream cheesecake: Made with a chocolate biscuit base, sumptuous strawberries and homemade cream.
✦ Coconut cheesecake with lime and passionfruit sauce: This zesty citrus cheesecake has a buttery base, creamy coconut filling and fruity lime and passionfruit sauce.
✦ Triple choc upside-down cheesecake: The name may say upside-down, but this cake looks right side up to us! Juicy raspberries give it a fresh bite and for the chocoholics - oozing sauce.
✦ Gingernut cheesecake tart with sticky maple pears: A creamy cheesecake with high visual impact for that special dessert finale to your dinner party.
● For those looking to add a little something extra to their wardrobe, they'd be best heading to [Dreams Come True Boutique]. For the month of April the clothing store will be offering all new arrivals free vouchers for up to three new outfits of their choosing. Within reason, of course. But most all of the clothes here are decently priced with an odd array of fashions from the very old fashioned to near futuristic.
● [Linlae Botanical Gardens] resides not far from Main Street. Part of the gardens are covered, housed within a large green house, but most of the gardens are outside and easily accessed. There is much to see here, from the [Hedgemaze] with the secret gazebo at it's centre, [Hanging Gardens] and the weeping willows reaching into the waters of a large koi pond. If you're lucky you might see a large white carp, said to be 2,000 years old by the name of Etherus. Who knows how long he'd lived in that pond, but they say if you catch sight of him it's a sign of good luck. And if you manage to see him during a full moon, he may grant you a wish.
There are benches all over, places to sit and take in the peace. But don't expect much quiet, the twittering of birds is a near constant companion within these gardens.
● [A Home]. As you explore you will realise that you're going to need somewhere to stay the night. Of course you could always go to The Nowhere Inn and wait until morning, or you could just... open a door.
87% of the houses within the town of Williamsburg is vacant, and well maintained, for many years. These houses wait for someone to come and bring life into them. Inside your pocket you will find a key. If your key doesn't fit the lock, that house is occupied, so find another. When you finally open a door, you'll notice that the key has changed subtly. That key is now unique and can be used only for this house. It is yours.
Some houses come fully furnished, some might need some work. You might even be surprised to find that the house is one that looks vaguely familiar...
● [The Nowhere Inn] is the local watering hole where you can come and share a drink with a friend. Or, if just passing through, spend the night. Here you will be greeted by Bert, the owner and bartender. A seven foot tall bear of a man with a magnificent beard and a loud, booming voice! And a desire to one day create a cocktail that will take the world by storm. It's just a shame that not all of his little experiments hit the mark... Newcomers to the town will be offered a drink on the house. Choose wisely, as some of these drinks can often come with side effects, both good and bad.
✦ Apricot Smash: A refreshing glass of fruit squash. Made from the concentrated juice of a sour and sweet type of apricot, this is a simple and thirst quenching kind of drink. If asked nicely, this can also be made into a slushie! Anyone who tries this deliciously fruity drink will find themselves enjoying a chance to dance and/or sing at any given opportunity. (Side effect: It can cause insomnia.)
✦ Lemongrass Twilight: Made from spicy and sour lemongrass syrup, this mildly alcoholic drink is served in a tall glass with round, purple coloured balls of ice. The drink is a swirling green, yellow and purple colour. Those who try this drink will find themselves feeling very mellow and warm and more inclined to feelings of affection. (Side effect: It can cause headaches.)
✦ Mint Blast: Pale blue-green with light swirls and served in a wine glass. The drink is heavy on the mint and light on the alcohol, with even a little sprig of it resting on the rim of the glass. Drinking this will leave you feeling a chilled and shivery. A nice cuddle should soothe those chills away. (Side effect: It causes sleepiness in the drinker.)
✦ Blue Smooch: This drink is a deep blue with white, creamy foam atop. The drink smells like chocolate and tastes wonderful. It leaves the drinker feeling happy and optimistic, almost childlike. (Side effect: It is rumoured to cause truthfulness in the drinker.)
✦ Burning Wine: Pale gold with yellow-orange swirls, this mulled wine is served in a clear glass mug and tastes like cinnamon and oranges, with a hint of chili. It has a nice, warming burn as it goes down. This drink will put a fire in your belly and keep you toasty and warm through the cold nights. It may also make drinkers a little more amorous than usual. (Side effect: It can sometimes cause tingling and numbness in the extremities.)
✦ Frosted Starlight: Sapphire with silver flecks and glittering sugar around the rim of the glass. This is an intoxicating alcoholic drink that is only served in the evening and at night. The drink itself smells like coconut yet there is no coconut within the drink. The taste is almost floral, with a slight hint of grape. Those who have tried this drink often find themselves with the brief ability to touch another and see their surface thoughts. (Side effect: It can cause blackouts.)
● [Sugar ‘n Spice Café] is a peculiar place. From the outside it looks like any other store front, but as you enter and the little bell tinkles, you will find the interior to be bright and open. Warm colours and bright lighting, and from somewhere soft music is always playing. A very modern sort of café selling a wide selection of handmade sweets and pastries as well as an espresso machine.
For the next month, if you come in for a hot drink you can have your choice of their specially made, homemade cheesecake free of charge. Subject to availability, of course.
✦ Roasted strawberries and cream cheesecake: Made with a chocolate biscuit base, sumptuous strawberries and homemade cream.
✦ Coconut cheesecake with lime and passionfruit sauce: This zesty citrus cheesecake has a buttery base, creamy coconut filling and fruity lime and passionfruit sauce.
✦ Triple choc upside-down cheesecake: The name may say upside-down, but this cake looks right side up to us! Juicy raspberries give it a fresh bite and for the chocoholics - oozing sauce.
✦ Gingernut cheesecake tart with sticky maple pears: A creamy cheesecake with high visual impact for that special dessert finale to your dinner party.
● For those looking to add a little something extra to their wardrobe, they'd be best heading to [Dreams Come True Boutique]. For the month of April the clothing store will be offering all new arrivals free vouchers for up to three new outfits of their choosing. Within reason, of course. But most all of the clothes here are decently priced with an odd array of fashions from the very old fashioned to near futuristic.
● [Linlae Botanical Gardens] resides not far from Main Street. Part of the gardens are covered, housed within a large green house, but most of the gardens are outside and easily accessed. There is much to see here, from the [Hedgemaze] with the secret gazebo at it's centre, [Hanging Gardens] and the weeping willows reaching into the waters of a large koi pond. If you're lucky you might see a large white carp, said to be 2,000 years old by the name of Etherus. Who knows how long he'd lived in that pond, but they say if you catch sight of him it's a sign of good luck. And if you manage to see him during a full moon, he may grant you a wish.
There are benches all over, places to sit and take in the peace. But don't expect much quiet, the twittering of birds is a near constant companion within these gardens.
● [A Home]. As you explore you will realise that you're going to need somewhere to stay the night. Of course you could always go to The Nowhere Inn and wait until morning, or you could just... open a door.
87% of the houses within the town of Williamsburg is vacant, and well maintained, for many years. These houses wait for someone to come and bring life into them. Inside your pocket you will find a key. If your key doesn't fit the lock, that house is occupied, so find another. When you finally open a door, you'll notice that the key has changed subtly. That key is now unique and can be used only for this house. It is yours.
Some houses come fully furnished, some might need some work. You might even be surprised to find that the house is one that looks vaguely familiar...
A Familiar View
It may have been immediate or it may take days for you to notice, but when you do...
The memories of your Dream World are coming back to you. It doesn't feel much like a dream at all. Those things that happened, those feelings you had, all seemed so real!
And then you find it.
It could be something as simple as a book, or as large as a building. You know this thing. This thing has been pulled directly from your memories, whether those memories are good or bad is entirely up to you. But there it is, as large as life, right in front of your eyes. What does this mean? Which world is real and which isn't? How did these things from that other world make it into this?
This is your chance to explore this new addition to Williamsburg. Maybe you will find the answers you seek? Or maybe you will be left with more questions. Just know that you aren't alone. It seems that almost everything in this world was pulled from another, brought here by 'others', and left here.
Maybe this new landmark, or item, leaves you with a warm feeling and questions are the last thing on your mind? Perhaps you would like to share with your friends, or even a perfect stranger, the joy that this thing brings you? Tell them your story. Share with them it's the history. Or maybe the feelings attached are feelings of anger, of horror and fear? Misery does love company, so don't go through with this trip down memory lane alone.
The memories of your Dream World are coming back to you. It doesn't feel much like a dream at all. Those things that happened, those feelings you had, all seemed so real!
And then you find it.
It could be something as simple as a book, or as large as a building. You know this thing. This thing has been pulled directly from your memories, whether those memories are good or bad is entirely up to you. But there it is, as large as life, right in front of your eyes. What does this mean? Which world is real and which isn't? How did these things from that other world make it into this?
This is your chance to explore this new addition to Williamsburg. Maybe you will find the answers you seek? Or maybe you will be left with more questions. Just know that you aren't alone. It seems that almost everything in this world was pulled from another, brought here by 'others', and left here.
Maybe this new landmark, or item, leaves you with a warm feeling and questions are the last thing on your mind? Perhaps you would like to share with your friends, or even a perfect stranger, the joy that this thing brings you? Tell them your story. Share with them it's the history. Or maybe the feelings attached are feelings of anger, of horror and fear? Misery does love company, so don't go through with this trip down memory lane alone.
Down the Rabbit Hole
You are stuck in The Corridor now.
And you appear to be alone. Or are you? As the buildings creak in protest you seem to hear footsteps. Is that a fellow waylaid traveler?
Before you can determine the direction of the sounds, one thing becomes clear to you: these homes and businesses, all that brick and mortar, seem to be closing in on you…
It is a gradual squeeze but you can tell that if you don’t get out of there you’ll eventually be crushed. As you explore this place where time and gravity seem to have lost all meaning and your senses may even betray you, you search for a way out or an end to this madness and that is when you finally realize that the buildings are taking shape according to your will. The more you panic, the more claustrophobic and chaotic things become. But if you remain calm and focus your attention you find you can tame the buildings back into their original shapes and places. Of course, it helps if you have a partner.
no subject
She never bothered to reply to Aizen. Her answer was in the fact she'd already sat herself down by the time he was finished asking his question. And that she'd ordered a drink. Sure, it wasn't alcohol, but it was still a drink.
Bert watched the two of them for a moment, looking back and forth until he made his choice. He could have a little fun, couldn't he? After seeing what certain drinks had done to his other patrons, Bert went off and made two drinks for the new girls and Aizen. And with a cheerful smile he set them down upon the counter.
One smelling of sweet lemons in front of Orihime, and the one he set before Aizen was warm and cinnamon scented, with hints of orange. This was, he thought, going to be an interesting little experiment.]
Thank you.
[Not knowing what was going on in the man's head, Orihime was polite as she leaned up and reached for her glass. There was a straw, so she leaned in to take it between her lips to taste the drink. Tart and sour, with something else she didn't quite get... but it was good.]
no subject
Do you like it? [ He paused long enough for Bert to walk away. ] The alcohol?
[ It didn't matter to Aizen that she drink. He was only trying to build trust between them and it seemed to matter to her. ]
no subject
She was getting an increasingly weird feeling about the whole situation. It was unreal. If there was anything that had happened since her 'waking up' that made her feel like her past hadn't existed, it was the near friendly way Aizen was treating her. Like nothing bad had ever happened between them.
It reminded her of what Ichigo had said...
They were free now, weren't they? And they were supposed to enjoy that. Right?
Orihime wasn't sure she knew how. But when Aizen asked a question, she froze a little, straw in her mouth. She blinked. Blinked again. And then released the straw and pulled back to look at the drink suspiciously.]
... Is that what that weird aftertaste is? Its... it's not bad though. Kind of nice? I like the lemon flavour.
no subject
Yes, in the case of mixed drinks. The other flavors disguise it.
[ He moved his glass of wine closer to her. ]
Would you like to try this to compare?
no subject
Orihime gave a nod and leaned back in to take another drink, but before she could, Aizen was offering her his. There was a moments hesitation, where she had to wonder if he'd slipped anything in it... But Bert had made the drink. And Aizen had taken some... So that meant it was safe, didn't it? Deciding she had nothing really to lose, Orihime straightened her shoulders and plucked the straw from out of her drink and dipped it into his to take a sip.
And immediately began coughing!]
Is... is it supposed to burn like that...?
[After pulling back, Orihime rubbed a little at her throat. The taste hadn't been so bad, cinnamon and citrus, but that heat hadn't been expected at all!]
no subject
Burning Wine is an appropriate name for it, don't you think?
[ He took another sip himself, savoring that very burn. ]
no subject
You could have told me that before offering it!
[Except... why would he? He enjoyed others suffering, didn't he? She'd walked right into his hands by accepting the drink. That was her own fault.
Before Aizen could take his drink back, Orihime grabbed her straw and dropped it back into her own drink and took a long drink of that to try and ease some of that weird warmth...]
no subject
[ Aizen could have queued up an apology but he chose the truth instead. It was often the truth that ensnared people the easiest, after all. Not that that was what he was doing here. It was simply habit. ]
The effect is a desirable one, Orihime.
[ Just when did Aizen become so familiar with her? But the way he slipped it into his speech was so natural one might hardly notice it. ]
Have you eaten?
no subject
And even if she did, she wasn't sure she wanted to tell him... or ask him if it was the same for him, just in case he laughed at her. Or worse.
Because what did he mean by a 'desirable effect'? Orihime wasn't at all sure... about anything. Well, except one thing.]
Not since this morning. No, I haven't eaten yet. Do you think they sell snacks here?
no subject
Of course. You won't want to drink on an empty stomach.
[ He lifted a hand and Bert came over. Aizen ordered a charcuterie board with a selection of meats, cheeses, and fruits for them both to enjoy with their drinks. Bert fancied himself an epicure and Aizen wasn't about to dissuade him from improving on the traditional bar fare. ]
no subject
[She paused when leaning in to take another drink and then pulled back, deciding to leave it for later. Food was clearly important right now so it could wait until they had that.
But then she looked at where they were, and then glanced over her shoulder at a table... She pointed.]
I'm going to eat over there. You can eat here if you want to.
[And so she slipped off of her stool, with her drink, and went over to sit at one of the tables. Like a civilised person!]
no subject
Aizen decided he liked her.
He slid off his stool with a warm feeling spreading through him that he could no longer simply attribute to the alcohol. ]
If you're more comfortable here, I don't mind.
[ Aizen pulled out a chair and took a seat. Soon after, Bert left a tasteful arrangement of foods with them. Aizen took some of the brie and a few crackers for himself. ]
no subject
Alright.
[She waited for the food to arrive and it all looked very fancy, for bar food. And was almost surprised when he picked out something to eat. Orihime'd had no idea that Aizen actually ate food.
Since she knew it was safe, she reached out and picked out a few grapes for herself.]
It all looks really nice. Is this typical here? I've never been in here before.
no subject
Bert makes this place hospitable. He likes to experiment with different things so the menu is never a certainty.
[ As Aizen selected a slice of meat he pondered the fact that this girl had been altered by the Hogyouku just like himself, that they were both evolved in certain ways beyond their former beings. It was truly a remarkable thing and, perhaps, it had gifted him with the perfect companion for his current, immortal state. Aizen couldn't have said where that particular thought came from, just that it sat stewing at the back of his mind for a moment while he chewed and was likely brought about by the fact that she suddenly seemed attractive to him. Danger was always beautiful, but this was something different. ]
no subject
[At least Orihime thought so. She even gave a small smile after she popped a grape into her mouth and glanced over at what Bert was doing.
She'd always gotten funny looks whenever she experimented with food but it had never bothered her. She enjoyed cooking and having fun and it seemed like Bert was just like her in that respect. And was successful with it.
After taking another drink of her lemony concoction, she reached for a few other things... and wrapped a slice of meat around one of the grapes before she went and ate that.]
no subject
[ Aizen admittedly didn't know as much about her as he would have liked beyond information about her abilities and relationships. He had been working on the overall assumption that food, alcohol, and good companionship, referring to himself, of course, would bring about the desired result of softening the edges between them. He'd initially just wanted her to ask him for a truce, as Ichigo had done. Aizen still wanted that, but he was starting to think there might be something...more...he might be after here.
He made a little sandwich out of crackers, meat and cheese and handed it to her to try before making one of the same for himself. ]
no subject
[She glanced down when Aizen's hand reached out to offer her something... and tentatively she reached back and took it.
The food was all safe. There was nothing he could have done to it without her noticing. But there was still that moment of genuine worry... But Orihime was already there. She was already sat with him, had shared a drink with him, was talking to him... She ate the loaded cracker.]
no subject
What would you do differently?
[ He selected some fruit next, something he assumed was from another world. It was sweet and pulpy and tasted slightly like watermelon but was a vibrant green instead. ]
no subject
[What would she do differently? About what, exactly?
The question was a confusing one. Unless she was overthinking it and all he was asking was what she would do differently about the food she made? Though that wasn't as simple an answer as one would think. But she still managed a low laugh.]
Whatever I wanted.
[After all, there was no one to tell her differently. She lived on her own. She'd had to fend for herself. So maybe she made the choices she did because she didn't know any better? Or maybe she just had weird taste? Orihime didn't want to sit there and overanalyse herself in that way.]
I like sweet foods... one of my favourites is red bean paste sandwiches.
no subject
[ Aizen sipped his drink, wondering if the girl saw the irony in what she'd just said. He certainly did, and he did so appreciate it. But then most people clung to an outdated system of morality instead of going after...whatever they really wanted. Not him. ]
It suits you. Sweet things.