fablecottage | TDM #4

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!tdm

TDM #4

fable test drive meme #4

// away with the fairies

In your land, there may be stories of the Fae taking people away. Perhaps you haven't heard of the Fae at all, or perhaps you are more familiar with them than others. No matter how well acquainted you are with the Fae, everyone around you has experienced the same fate tonight: Being taken by them. Partially, at least. For they did not want to kidnap anyone from their home and take them away from the life they knew. In a small jar of fairy dust, part of your soul was taken in the night and brought to a magical village by the name of Fable.

On arrival, the Fae release you from the jar before waving their magic wands, and materialise this taken little part of you into a brand new you. From here onwards, your new life begins, shared among all sorts of magical creatures. Here, you will be allowed to grow, thrive and enjoy the bounties provided to you by these mysterious and wonderful creatures. In exchange, they ask for a share of the magical fruit that you grow in your garden, donated to their dragon overseer in exchange for rewards. After a briefing on your new life, you understand things as best as you possibly can. Now, it's time to settle into a brand new cottagecore life.

Welcome to Fable.

// arrival

Now that you are a resident of Fable, you have a brand new cottage, a garden, and a few tools to use! There's not an awful lot in your cottage, though: Just a cardboard box, a lamp, a cassette tape and a single bed. Fear not, though! By participating in friendly tasks, your cottage will look great in no time.

Something sparkly catches your attention before you realise it's a message board, advertising an array of tasks for bonus fruit. Did this thing appear out of nowhere just now? That must be the case, since you can swear it wasn't there a second ago. The board may inspire you to go out there and mingle. It seems that the monthly tasks are geared towards friendliness to welcome this new season!

april showers & pretty flowers

// treacherous thunderstorm

Around this time of year, the weather in Fable can certainly get hectic. While magic can only do so much to tidy the remaining fallen leaves off the ground, there's nothing like a doozy of a downpour to really sweep everything fresh and new. With all of the new flowers that have been growing in Fable, a lot of rainwater is certainly needed to give them all a drink. The dragons and storm spirits have been brewing up a torrential downpour scheduled to fall all over Fable and beyond - along with some strong winds. Are you prepared for the occasion?

From cottage to cottage, roof tiles rattle and leaves are swept away. It is advised to not go outside during this storm period, and if you're caught in the rain, to take shelter immediately! If you can't reach your cottage in time, there are other village landmarks to take shelter beneath. The thunder is very loud and the wind is strong enough to knock someone off their feet. It might be best to keep close to people in this weather - going out alone could be very dangerous. And if you're cooped up inside with a friend or a stranger, why not get to know them to pass the time?

It is important to be wary of the lightning. If someone gets struck by lightning, they will not die - but they will experience an injury and a magical feedback loop which swaps their personality! The cure for this problem is rainwater tea - a remedy which is advertised throughout the town's message boards as a precaution for any unlucky residents. The affected person will be lightning charged, causing them to receive an electric shock every time their hands are near water, which will make brewing tea impossible. Someone who has struck will need to rely on another person to brew the tea for them. A lightning-shaped scar will mark the person who got struck wherever they were affected.

After the storm ceases, there may be property damage such as collapsed gates, fallen fences, missing roof tiles and even an injury or two! Oh no! As compensation for enduring such a hearty storm - the realm's overseer, Prism, provides brand new repairing tools to those who had taken damage.

// flowers of kanshi

After enduring such a horrendous downpour, you definitely feel the urge to get out of town. The residents of Fable gossip endlessly about how stunning the cherry blossoms are in Kanshi this time of year, and the fairies practically insist that you go.

Upon arrival, you can see that Kanshi has received quite a beating from the storm. The winds and rain have blown cherry blossom petals all over the place - in the streets, rivers, and they're covering the buildings. You can see all sorts of tiny magical creatures making their best efforts to clean up, part of you wonders why they aren't using magic.

You feel a tap on the shoulder, and realise that it's a tiny sakura dragon sitting perched on you.

"Hi," they say, "I hope it's not too much to ask, but ... could you help us out here?"

You did come here to relax, so you may be a little bit hesitant at first. Still, you'll allow the dragon to continue.

"Kanshi normally has a dusting of petals here and there, but this is just too much for us to deal with on our own. If you help us gather petals, we'll offer you free access to our hot springs and restaurants. We'll even use the petals to craft furniture for you."

That's not a bad suggestion. Besides, it would be difficult to enjoy a trip here with petals covering the place. Once you agree to the dragon's request, you are given a fishing net to catch petals on the ground, in the water and in the air.

// sakura springs

Finally! It's time to relax. The sakura dragons were true to their word - in addition to the furniture gifted in exchange for the petals you collected, you have access to all of Kanshi's most favoured attractions!

There are incredible restaurants with shiba inu chefs ready to tailor to your every desire! The dining can be enjoyed in outdoor cafés surrounded by flowers, evening restaurants - and even an izakaya (alcohol & food bar) with food and drink available all night. It seems that the residents of Kanshi are very grateful for all the effort taken to clean up their home. If you want to spend the night here, even, the owners of the ryokan (traditional inns) will be glad to accommodate any guests. There are many beautiful wonders all across Kanshi, but one of the most renowned attractions are the hot springs. These incredible buildings feature indoor pools, outdoor waterways and rivers to bathe in which rejuvenates and uplifts anyone who steps in these waters. It's no wonder that creatures travel from all over just to bathe in them!

For every thread you write, you will receive cherry blossom furniture for your cottage! Feel free to leave a comment here to redeem these once you've written 5 tags in your thread! Since our TDMs are considered game canon, if you choose to app, these rewards will cross over with you when you join the game!

Let's see what the attractions of Kanshi have in store!

The Flower Cafés are sooooo cute! Situated outside, these charming cafés offer spectacular views of Kanshi's flower fields. All of the food and drinks arrive in incredibly charming pastel colours! (Even the savoury stuff!) Enjoying time in the café while surrounded by all of this pollen will cause a flower to bloom in your hair every time you smile! When they sprout, it's a very ticklish sensation - which might make you smile a lot. This ticklish pollen can be treated with a swim. Good thing there's a hot spring nearby!

The Restaurants have no shortage of incredible food! Whether you would like to order off the set menu, a conveyor belt or destroy all-you-can eat, every option is available. The more food you consume, the more you will feel the urge to open up and talk about yourself. Even things you might not normally be so inclined to tell strangers...!

The Izakaya Bars are the perfect spots for any adults who love good food and good alcohol. There are no innocuous effects from the food and drink ... apart from the house special - cherry plum sake! It is everyone's favourite drink in Kanshi and all-time best seller. Consuming the sake will cause any of the following effects: giggles, excessive compliments, tingly sensations, increased stamina and the urge to overshare your thoughts.

The Hot Springs are beloved by all of Kanshi's locals and beyond. These huge, towering buildings are crafted with wood and feature private indoor pools, outdoor waterfall pools and smaller pools which are connected by streams. In order to allow guests to bathe in peace, the mythological & animal villagers of Kanshi have granted their guests from Fable to have an area all to themselves. They have also provided care packages to the guests! They contain a variety of scented bath salts to choose from. Each salt type has an (undisclosed) effect once in use. The Rose Scented Salts will make someone feel warm, friendly and affectionate. The Vanilla Bean Salts will make someone feel confident and talkative. Their mood will also be enhanced - whether it's a happy kind or melancholic kind. And the Warming Lavender Salts, surprisingly, will give someone the tail and ears of an animal!

over the rainbow

// a rainsplosion

You were likely more than aware of the intense storm that happened earlier. Just when you figure that everything is settled, you are interrupted by a group of frantic fairies flittering through Fable's village.

"Quick! Quick! Come with us! You've gotta see it!"

See what, exactly? Once you have the opportunity, you ask these excitable fae why they're in such a hurry.

"There's gonna be an explosion! A magic explosion!" ... Is that even safe?

"You know the storm? The huge storm? Well - a lot of it was magic, you know! The storm spirits created something magnificent to tidy up winter and blow everything away. And then the dragons and unicorns got involved, and they all started playing in the clouds and had a magic fight! This one cloud is so full of magic - it's going to explode! You've got to come and see it! Nothing bad will happen ... we think! But if it does, we'll fix the problem right up with our magic! Promise!"

Can you really trust the fairies to keep their promise...? But a magical explosion does sound pretty cool. Perhaps against your better judgement, you agree to go.

On the mountainside, you see it - a huge looming storm cloud flickering with rainbow colours and streaks of lightning. There are a few dragons flying nearby, with a heavy layer of anticipation in the air. You can hear laughter from the creatures, which might reassure you that you aren't in any real danger. And then--

The cloud EXPLODES with a fantastic BOOM!

You have to admit - it does look pretty incredible! Just as you take a moment to admire the rainbow explosion, the magical shockwaves blast out and phase through you which causes an immediate effect...! Uh oh?!

Depending on which colour of the magical rainbow blast hits you, a different effect will occur:

Being hit with the colour Red will cause you to kiss the person you see next! Oh, my!

Being hit with the colour Orange will transform you into a merperson! Which is great, except ... you can't see any water around here! Maybe someone can carry you to water.

Being hit with the colour Yellow will give you an animal ears and tail of your choice. So cute! But you also feel the urge to follow the instincts and behaviours of said animal to some degree, too.

Being hit with the colour Green will summon enemies for you to fight! Yikes! From the shadows, monsters manifested out of your worst fears will come to life before trying to attack you - you've been given a weapon to defend yourself, but it would be better if you battled them with another person!

Being hit with the colour Blue will make you spontaneously burst into tears. It seems like nothing can stop you from crying, either - but comfort from another will ease the pain.

Being hit with the colour Purple will cause all of your inner thoughts to hover above your head in a thought bubble. Let's hope you aren't thinking of anything too strange at the moment ...

In a standard fairytale way, all effects end at midnight. Those cheeky fairies didn't keep their promise after all!

Welcome to Fable's fourth TDM!
We're excited to have you here, and hope you enjoy the prompts!
To familiarise yourself with the setting, please take a look at the arrivals & premise page!
We would also appreciate it if you could have a look at the rules as well.
As a general note, the TDMs are considered game canon!
Which means all rewards for fruit & furniture can be used in the game if you apply!

New arrivals have a cottage, a network device, the clothes on their back and a single item from home.
To view the locations, NPCs and more information about the game, please visit our full navigation!

If you have any questions that you have not seen answered in the FAQ, please ask in the FAQ post. Thank you!

(CODE)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's not like I made the food in the first place. [ Alhaitham puts the bowl away and reaches for his own miso soup to drink it. ] No need to thank me.

[ It might have been a more general thank you, as far as he's concerned, yet that doesn't change anything—it just doesn't feel like he's doing anything that requires gratitude, really. The silence lingers for a little while before he speaks up again: ]

After I arrived, I thought that living alone was going to feel strange. Convenient, but strange. I suppose it's only natural that I got used to your presence.

[ It's way more than that, even if Alhaitham isn't saying it out loud. ]

Still, you ordered it. I'm grateful for that.

( It's true that Alhaitham didn't make the food before them, but Kaveh will always feel inclined to use his manners. The silence lingers shortly afterwards, and the blonde man glances up to gaze at the Scribe once his statement commands his attention. With a deep breath, Kaveh returns his focus to their meal. )

I understand. And ... when I told you I said embarrassing nonsense to you earlier, that's more or less how it went down. ( He swallows. ) I don't know what came over me, it might've been something in my drink, but I couldn't stop myself from telling you how much I preferred your company to living on my own. It was ... so mortifying.

We haven't always seen eye to eye on many things, and this wouldn't be the first time I made such an embarrassing blunder in front of you. But still ... ( The pain comes from how vulnerable he felt. How much it ties with his past. ) I just ... really convinced myself that I frightened you away. That you decided you had enough and were done with me. ( And since Alhaitham knows Kaveh's history, he'll know how the blonde man feels about prospective abandonment. ) I might not have dealt with it in the healthiest way, either ... but I want to get better.

Do you still feel that way? Or was it momentary because of the drink?

[ Kaveh might need more subtle approach, but getting that from Alhaitham is a rare occurence. It's not like he's not aware that Kaveh might not want to answer the question now, after all. Still, the scribe believes that they need to talk it all out and move on. ]

You're right, that wouldn't be the first time. However... I don't think you're capable of scaring me off. There's a high possibility that you just clung to the worst possible outcome that would allow you to put yourself down. What's done is done, though.

( Kaveh winces a little with hesitation, but softens his posture once Alhaitham finishes speaking - physically showing that his reluctance to tell the truth has disappeared following the other man's reassurance. The fear of Alhaitham leaving is still a thorn in his side, but he will try and listen to the rationality breaking through. It's not as if the Scribe would give anything less. )

... I do. ( And, honestly - being told that he isn't capable of scaring Alhaitham off reassures him more than he realises. There's even a small blush glowing on his cheeks. ) And about me thinking up the worst possible outcome, you're probably right. No - not probably right, definitely right ... ( Sigh. ) It's like my brain just sabotages me into thinking I deserve to suffer. That I deserve pain. That of course I don't deserve to have the one person I care about more than everyone else here. How suffering and loneliness destined for me.

( Saying all of this out loud feels so gross. But, Alhaitham is the only person Kaveh can trust with these vulnerable trauma-centric feelings of his. )

But it's not a good way to live. Not for you, for me ... or for anyone. I have ways to go, but I don't want to believe that loneliness and pain are all I deserve in life. I want to challenge these thoughts ... I'm so tired of them. ( He closes his eyes. ) I've lived with them for so long.

[ Even if Kaveh considers it gross, Alhaitham just accepts it as the truth without labelling it. It's neither good, bad nor embarrassing for him. This is how the architect perceives himself and whether he decides to change that or not it's all up to Kaveh himself. It doesn't mean that he has to tackle all of this on his own. ]

I can challenge them for you, too. With logic and... possibly some other means.

[ Alhaitham looks away, his eyebrows burrowed as if he surprised himself with saying that out loud. ]

But there's always a risk we might get separated. We're in a world I don't understand quite well yet. Just... don't blame yourself for whatever happens. There are things beyond your control.

Other means? ( He questions, after swallowing the last of his meal. There's not a crumb left. )

Mm ... I understand. ( It's not a pleasant thought, but, still. He will believe that Alhaitham is telling the truth in that Kaveh is not the cause for his current or any future disappearances. ) I won't blame myself if things go awry. Or believe that it is what I deserve if they do.

I ... hope you'll stick around, though. I've really missed you.

Other means.

[ The verbal explanation might feel unsatisfactory until Alhaitham rests his hand on top of Kaveh's. It's a simple gesture that won't convey everything he would like to say, but it's definitely a start. ]

It could go both ways. But I hope that wherever you go I will be there, too. Even if it's not the current me.

( --Whoa. )

...

( Kaveh's eyes widen - which marks the most expressive facial expression that he's made in months. His jaw falls slack, an inaudible sound falling out of him while a brilliant red colour scorches his cheeks. That hand contact definitely isn't what he was expecting. Not that he wants to get his hopes up or anything, but-- )

A-Alhaitham? ( Gently, he bends his own fingers and holds the other man's hand. Is this allowed...? ) A-Are you ... do you...? ( Like me? He means to say. )

I am. I do.

[ Technically, he hasn't said anything yet. It's laughable that the scribe himself can't find the words to express himself. Perhaps it should bother Alhaitham a little more, but he's long accepted that's just the way he is. Untangling all these feelings and conveying them properly might take a while, but it seems like it's high time he's started that project. ]

That's why you can't frighten me away.

( There are no words to articulate how he feels right now. In a way, Kaveh has known for months that his feelings for the Scribe are more than platonic. But what could he do with feelings like this, once Alhaitham left this place? How could he ever hope to unpack them? In his absence, Kaveh felt almost widowed in a way - with the intense pain mirroring the pain his mother felt when his father died. It awakened a part of him that he wasn't ready to confront - but when would he ever be?

Even now, he can't quite get there. And yet ... the blonde man finds himself shuffling closer on the floor, seating himself closer to where Alhaitham is situated. Soon enough, there is a breath's worth of distance between them, and Kaveh reaches a hand out to stroke his face. )

Tell me this is real. ( His hand trembles. ) That this isn't a magical illusion. You're here. You mean this.

[ Alhaitham's eyes remain fixed on Kaveh while he moves closer. Shortly, the corners of his lips curl up in a small smile, too. ]

Are you really going to be satisfied if I just tell you? [ The scribe's hand rests on top of trembling hand on his cheek. ] Because I won't.

[ At this point, he can't assess why it is easier to do things rather than say them out loud, but this is a new territory for Alhaitham, all things considered. One he's quite eager to explore, in fact, if him closing the distance and having their lips meet is anything to go by. He puts some pressure into that kiss, but doesn't draw it out for too long. ]

( Even if this is an illusion of Alhaitham, the frustrating aspects of his personality are on point. Kaveh huffs and wrinkles his nose. )

Y-You ...

( But, then - Oh. Alhaitham's lips are pressed to his, and all doubts and concerns that Kaveh could feel brewing up until this moment start to melt away. Partially, anyway. There's still a part of him that believes this is too good to be true, and that it can't be real. But this looks like Alhaitham. Smells like Alhaitham. And not that Kaveh knows what he tastes like, but ... Gods, it's very convincing. The Scribe's lips are so much softer than he expected them to be. )

...

( They've barely been apart for a breath before Kaveh dives straight back in for another kiss, circling both arms around the other man's sculpted frame, while paying no mind to the way that his white robe slackens and falls off his shoulder. ) Mmm--

[ It doesn't surprise him that for Kaveh logic is inferior to physical contact, but it would be a lie to say that it doesn't affect Alhaitham as well, especially when the architect clings to him like that.

Well, having to breathe never felt so disappointing because that kiss needs to be broken eventually. ]

Feeling better, I see...

[ That smile from before becomes a full-fledged, unapologetic smirk. And it's just a prelude to bolder gestures on Alhaitham's part considering how one of his hands slide under the soft robe, his fingers lightly hovering along Kaveh's spine. ]

( There's something incredibly arousing about feeling Alhaitham smirk against his lips. This guy, smirking. Kaveh finds himself so turned on so quickly that it's almost dizzying. His lips part to drink in the other man's taste as he slots his tongue with his, sighing out a pleasurable noise when the passion of their kiss intensifies. That is until the blonde man feels Alhaitham's hand gliding across his body - which causes him to tense up. He breaks their kiss with a shaky breath. )

W-Wait, I ... ( Unfortunately, a wave of insecurity washes over him. It's not as though he's normally glowing with confidence, but he knows that the physical neglect of his body has caused him to be waifish and thin, to the point where it embarrasses him. Before he can stop himself, the words tumble out. )

My body, I look ... I'm ugly.

[ The way Kaveh's body tenses up under his touch leaves Alhaitham with a feeling of uneasiness he hasn't experienced in a while... if ever. That's definitely not the reaction he would like to get, but it doesn't discourage him. ]

Is there a mirror in the bathroom?

[ The question might sound ridiculous and terribly out of place, but Kaveh should know that posing random questions isn't what Alhaitham does. ]

I ... think so? I think I saw one in the bedroom, too ...

( He knows random questions aren't Alhaitham's thing. He's suspicious, but also curious. )

Why?

[ That piece of information gives Alhaitham everything he needs and prompts him to get up on his feet. With his hand reaching out to the blonde man to help him up, Alhaitham murmurs: ]

We should be on our way to the bedroom anyway.

[ The word choice here—bedroom instead of bed—is hinting at what he's planning to do, but it might be still too vague. There's no further explanation, even once they're in the bedroom and Alhaitham has Kaveh stand in front of the mirror. ]

You said that you look ugly. Are you still thinking that?

( It's so surreal how fast this night is moving. Kaveh feels as though he has hardly had any time to properly register the fact that Alhaitham has returned to him, more or less digest that they're on the cusp of sleeping together. But the architect is confident that he's never wanted anything so badly his entire life.

When stationed in front of the mirror, Kaveh turns his head to the side, almost shamefully. He feels a great deal of shame for how badly he's neglected himself over the past several months. His physique isn't skin and bones - but he's very small and very light. Much lighter than he was back home. )

Well ... yes. Because it's the truth. I've lost a lot of weight and I don't have a broad, sculpted, strong physique like you do.

Not an answer I expected from someone with an extraordinary aesthetic sense, but I'll accept it nonetheless.

[ Alhaitham stands behind him, his hands resting on both sides of Kaveh's tiny waist. Running them up and down idly, he watches the reflection in the mirror with a soft smile. ]

Would you like to know what my point of view is?

I-I, um ...

( Does he even need to answer? Of course it's a yes. But a part of him can't help but be curious. There's been an unexplainable bond between them like a magnetic field - but this may be the first time that he's explicitly come to terms with the fact that Alhaitham is attracted to him. If there's an explanation here, then he wants to hear it. )

... Yes. Feel free to clue me in.

The amount of fat in your body doesn't change the fact that you are beautiful. I've never perceived you as lacking in any area, let it be your physique or intellect. I won't even discuss your aesthetic sense, even though it seems that when it comes to yourself, you're blind to beauty that otherwise is obvious to other people.

[ So... romantic, especially the part about Kaveh's body fat. He's trying, though. On top of that, Alhaitham lets his fingers toy with the belt. ]

( Oh, no. Alhaitham is going to make him cry again ... it's sobering to hear words like this from a man who relies purely on facts and logic. The nasty thought patterns that live in Kaveh's head rent free torture him daily over his shortcomings, yet hearing praise like this from the man he adores above all the others almost takes his breath away. )

... ( Kaveh stares in the mirror without making a peep, looking at himself through his blonde locks of hair. He may not be keen on the way he looks at this moment in time, but seeing Alhaitham situated behind him is a wonderful sight. He's in his arms, right where he belongs. His hands find Alhaitham's own which are situated at the belt of his robe, before Kaveh cups and holds them. )

Thank you. ( He expels a shaky breath, leaning back into him. ) You really think I'm ... beautiful?

Oh, so you want me to repeat that over and over again now? I thought that I made myself pretty clear.

[ His words are followed by a brief, warm chuckle. Alhaitham might be teasing him, but at the same time he understands that's exactly what Kaveh might need at the moment. With his chin resting on top of the other man's shoulder, he tilts his head slightly to whisper directly into Kaveh's ear: ]

I really do. I would love to see everything... but only if you're ready.

I-It's not like that, I just-!

( Defensive language is his natural reaction - but he knows that Alhaitham means well. Better than well, as a matter of fact. That whisper in his ear sends a shudder down his spine, followed by Kaveh taking the cord of his robe between his fingers. He gives it a pull, which causes the garment to fully slacken. Yes, he is completely nude underneath - his skin soft, carrying the scent of roses just like the bath salts he used. Whether Kaveh is aware or not, those very salts have made him feel more receptive to affection and, since he clearly needs it, that may not be a bad thing. )

You can ... take it off me. If you want to. ( The intimacy of being undressed in front of the mirror like this is indescribable. Although part of him wants to look away, he can't help but watch. )

What's wrong with it being like that, though?

[ Kaveh's always gets worked up so easily and is earnest character should be blamed for that—Alhaitham definitely has taken advantage of that and teased him on multiple ocassions. Now, however, he's trying to prove something rather than mock the architect. ]

If you need it, you can ask for more.

[ Despite stripping Kaveh down in one swift motion seems tempting, Alhaitham takes his sweet time and starts with sliding the soft fabric off his shoulders. ]

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