spacedragons | AUGUST TDM.

➛ Welcome to Last Eden's TDM for August! Threads here can be counted as game canon.
➛ Feel free to use the prompts to test out a new character or to try out the game's premise!
➛ The TDM can be used for your application sample, though it is not a requirement.

A DREAM, OF A SOUL AWAKE.

You are asleep. The dreamscape ripples, resolves into a vision of a foreign land, and then a world of pure white. There is the sensation of rising through deep water, and then you find yourself in a room of white marble. Your items may be set on the floor around you, or you could have arrived bare-handed - whichever it is, you'll soon be addressed by a couple of tired-looking people in white coats. It seems they're as confused as you are.

A ➛ After getting a brief introduction to the White Moon and choosing a faction, you will be allowed to leave. It's a whole new world, after all - so why not look around? The architecture of the Administrative Zone is very formal, in high contrast to the Free Market which is practically a riot of colour and wares. Merchants from all four nations peddle their wares here - have a look around, but also keep a watch on your purse. Some things can be quite expensive.

B ➛ As you head out of the Administrative Zone's gates, a flash of light catches your eye. The sun-crystal is reflected quite brightly in the window of a nearby building, almost dazzling you - and in that instant you see someone behind you in the street. A youth with white hair and grey clothing, oddly familiar. You blink, and he's gone. Maybe he was never there at all.

TO THE STARS, WE ENTRUST OUR DIRECTION.

The money given to every new foreigner is limited. It seems you will be expected to earn your keep from now on, either through tradecraft or through offering your services to the populace. If taking on small contracts isn't your thing, each faction also has bounties up for the taking. After all, you carry a surprising resistance to the miasma that lurks outside the city walls. Why not put it to use?

C ➛ Fancy taking a ride on a dragon? The roostkeepers of the Ice faction are friendly and will allow you to interact with their charges as long as you're respectful of their boundaries. The older dragons will merely gaze at you pensively, but the youngsters are always up for a game of catch or two. There's also the option of dragon taxi if you wish to travel between regions. If you can fork out the coin, they'll send you across the Moon in the fastest time possible.

D ➛ The inland Sea is abuzz with activity at this time of the year. While the seasonal variations are dampened inside the Moon ship, that hasn't stopped the natives from hanging out at the beach. The Blood faction's side has plenty of revelry, with fireworks set off at night and grilled fish stalls set up along the waterfront. Some of the food on offer may carry potent effects, however - the shamans are used to ingesting enhanced wines, but are you?

E ➛ If you've let slip the fact that you're from another world, you may soon gain some fans. Some natives will be curious and wish to interview you, but others may have more shady intentions. It can be hard to distinguish well-wishers from kidnappers - if you're being cornered by a few very earnest folk, it might be time to run.

F ➛ The roostkeepers will let you ride one of their older dragons if you are going to the Badlands on an exploration mission. It's a desolate landscape barren and devoid of all plant life, but such rocks might hide valuable treasures. Strange ores and crystals jut out of rock formations about a mile or two outside the city walls. Even map information will fetch you some reward from your faction. But don't venture out too far, or your resistance may wear off and leave you at the mercy of the elements.

G ➛ Wildcard! Feel free to utilize minor NPCs if needed. If you have any questions about the setting, direct them towards the FAQ.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[[ ooc: No worries, I should have specified! Hibiki is no longer openly claiming to be male, but she does still wear men's clothing (and her voice is super deep). She'll answer to whatever, though. ]]

[ Another new arrival, then. And nothing prepared for them. Hibiki sighs. ]

This has hardly been arranged to inspire confidence.

[ She's not averse to continuing to converse, but she does look around. Ideally, wouldn't they have had staff prepared for everyone here...? She had understood her needs would be provided for.

Hibiki might have more needs than the average transplant. ]

I was led to believe that our arrival was unpredicted.

[One cannot fault a host for not being ready for unpredicted guests, though Aerich would hope something was being arranged as they spoke. Even instructions, given that this was a foreign, even alien land.]

[ Hibiki sniffs. ] Even so. Some measure of hospitality is to be expected, once the situation is confirmed...

[ But if she starts focusing on that, she'll get herself stuck in a loop. Hibiki adopts her best nobly stoic pose. ] Well, so be it. I'll manage my own affairs.

{Aerich nodded, as if to say that sounded like a sensible plan]

I remember when I first arrived at the capital as a young man. My friends and I elected to share a house, and, thus a housekeeper. A Guard's salary covers food and lodgings, but is not meant to live the life of a courtier, you see.

[That was a long time ago, and painful, as Aerich realized one of said friends was deceased. Still, best not to lose the point of the example, which was to offer a solution to Hibiki's problem that might be attainable. Maybe not at the moment, but far easier than filling out a noble household's staff.]

[ The point is taken, but, that would involve having friends, and Hibiki's supply of those is...limited. She waves a hand. ] A solution will present itself. Your concern is unwarranted.

[ He's also new here, however. And is well-spoken. Perhaps an acquaintance worth cultivating, so she shouldn't push him completely away. ] ...What will you do?

I? Well, I suppose I must find employment suitable to my skills and station.

[Not that 'stranded on another plane of existence and also may or may not be dead' is covered in most guides to proper behavior., even in the Dragaeran Empire. He'd use his judgement. And hope he could figure out the technology here. For someone who considered a printing press a complex and technical machine, a modern kitchen and laundry was a realm of mysteries.]

You're going along with the plea for assistance, then?

[ She has not fully made up her mind on that point!

She may also not be used to wondering where the money is going to come from. ]

I see no other means of sustenance and they do not seem to be my enemies.

[Which means, Aerich can't exactly go around stealing supplies. In truth, he doesn't much care for that even in war, but at least it is within the bounds of honor.]

If I find they have, in fact, abducted us and merely pretend otherwise, that would be a different matter entirely. Or if they had designs on my home Empire.

Your history sounds lived on a lavish scale.

[ Yes, she is not opposed to this person. He talks like the sorts of lines she's assigned in movies.

Hibiki can appreciate the notion of such ideals being real, in some other world. ]

In truth, my own life since my youth has been very orderly, save for the last few years. But I am a duke, which means I have obligations even in times of peace.

[Never mind that for a good third of his life, there wasn't an Emperor to have obligations to. Aerich still had vassal-lords and vassals to lead, and a sense of honor rooted in the bedrock that required he acted like there was someone over him. He probably had an account book listing how much back taxes his lands owned the Emperor and a payment plan (given that much of it had been in goods, rather than coin).]

[ Ah, so that's what Hibiki's responding to. Nobility. She knew it had to be something. She's a ~~narcissist~~ genius, etc, etc. ]

All the more reason they should have welcomed you. This oversight must be addressed.

[ Considering. ]

To which area are you headed?

[Well, all right, yes, but Aerich did conceded that he hadn't made a formal introduction and he was wearing his traveling clothing. While he was use to the Dragaeran system of caste-like Houses making his status recognizable by his features, he was willing to allow that foreigners wouldn't know that without an introduction. One shouldn't fault others for their ignorance.]

In truth, I had merely wished to see the city at the moment. But, as you say, I should make an introduction to the local government.

[One couldn't expect royalty to drop everything for a mere duke who was not a formal representative of Her Majesty, but they or their advisers generally did like to know about such things. Thoguh Aerich couldn't imagine any trouble following him here.]

It never hurts to announce one's presence, no.

[ Hibiki's idea of "introductions to the local government" tend to be "proclamations that she's taking over, at least in name and regarding anything she happens to particularly care about". ]

Perhaps I'll follow your example.

[ Employment agencies being in short supply, etc. ]

Are you nobility then? I do not mean to offend; I am far from home and other customs are strange.

[Aerich hates asking, because back home he was good at figuring out exactly how anyone related to the politics via his own education and how they were presenting themselves; perhaps not as good as he was in his youth, as political upheaval scrambled everything. Certainly she acted as if others should react. It would be easier to judge looking at the people round her, but they were both in a foreign land.]

[ Hibiki has to consider this question for half a beat. ] After a fashion.

[ For her time's definition thereof. She won "Mister Handsome Universe Prince of the Year." This counts. ]

AUGUST TDM.

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