TDM II

[thetonmods]

The Ton Test Drive Meme II

Welcome to the The Ton's second Test Drive Meme!

Applications will OPEN on the 1st of June. Players with characters already in game are also welcome to top-level with them. However, we ask that all TDM-related prompts stay on the TDM post itself.

If you do write a top-level, please make sure to include your character's name and canon in the subject field - regardless of whether your character is already in game or not.

Please note that the Test Drive Meme does not require an invite in order to participate - submitting an application does.

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NAVIGATION.

🌿 Arrival • Welcome Drinks • The Greenhouse Effect • Skinny Dipping • Give You Butterflies [NSFW] • That Belongs in A Museum • Jump to Comments 🌿

🌱 Applications • FAQ • Rules • Full Navigation 🌱

Arrival

I. WELCOME

You don't remember when or where you fell asleep exactly...

Perhaps it's the tickling sensation of a low hanging tree branch brushing against your nose or the feel of the slightly damp grass underneath you that causes you to awaken but when you do you'll find yourself lying amongst a glade of wisteria trees. You're not alone - nymphs of the trees laugh and dance about you, clearly amused at the new arrival. Along with them, your new loyal servant is here on Pheme's bidding. How this servant looks is different to each arrival. Some are saddled with short, stout butlers, others are welcomed by towering, busty maids. Regardless of their appearance, they introduce themselves with a kindness and warmth that is simultaneously reassuring and strangely impossible to resist when they beckon you to follow them from the grove and out into the city of Andovale.

The closest structure within sight is the Palace and its grounds. It is here that the Lady Pheme resides and from here that she rules over the city, your servant explains to you. You have been selected and brought here personally by her. It is she who assigned the servant to guide you through the regency-inspired city that is your new home.

Eventually, they will bring you to your new residence within the outskirts of somewhere called the "Trade Quarter". You are now the resident of a room within one of the many imposing town houses which make up the Grand Crescent. Throughout your stay here the servant will be your own personal butler or maid. This is where all new arrivals will be living for the time being you are told. Your servant will also give you a crash course on life here and the concept of Thumos - the energy or life force that keeps Andovale and all life within it going - including you now that you are here. It's generated through acts of intimacy, whether that be physical or emotional.

Once you have been shown to your room, you are given two things: a network communication device and a letter. The letter reads as follows:

My dearest reader,

Welcome to Andovale.

The delights of our fair city are yours to explore.

I do hope that you make your stay here a most interesting one. I shall be frightfully disappointed if you do not - and we do not want that, do we?

You will hear from me again very soon.

Yours Truly,

Lady Pheme

You are free to wander about and explore the house and its surroundings as you please. It's certainly spacious enough. As well as your own quarters, each of the townhouses of the Grand Crescent have large communal areas, which includes the kitchens (although why you'd like to go there when your servant can fetch any delicacies you'd like for you!), a dining room, a parlour with its own small library, two drawing rooms (somewhere you can go to chill out basically - harp music anyone?) and a generously sized garden.

Strangely, unlike most accurate regency townhouses, there do not appear to be any servant's quarters - perhaps these servants don't need to rest? Or they go somewhere else entirely for that?

Why not introduce yourself to your new housemates? Or enjoy some tea and cakes that have been prepared for you personally by your retainer, which they seem to keep insisting on bringing to you?

---

II. AN INVITATION

Whether you're brand new to Andovale or a an established if a little unwilling resident by now, your assigned maid or butler will track you down. They are not empty-handed and they carry a silver tray, upon which is an envelope with a wax seal bearing the letter "P". Inside the envelope is an invitation. An invitation from your benevolent ruler, Lady Pheme herself.

Each character will receive an invitation identical in wording to the one below:

EVENT AT THE PLEASURE GARDENS

YOUR CHARACTER'S NAME HERE

Is requested to attend an exclusive event at the PLEASURE GARDENS, on 27th of May current.

Admission to the attraction begins at 6 o'clock p. m.

Wear something green for this special occasion.


Lady Pheme

Your servant can help you find something appropriate to wear - or not appropriate, the choice is entirely yours, after all. If you decide to go with their guidance, it is notable that they seem a little less decisive in the sort of outfit you should be wearing for this event - only, as Pheme said, that it should be something green. An evening gathering surely must require formal wear though and they will eventually press upon you the importance of wearing Regency Full Dress for the night ahead.

You may come to regret this.

Note: Even though it's a little different from the norm, this event will still count as a ball and all attendees will get 10 Reputation Points✨, just for showing up and looking respectable. Indulging with the theme and wearing an acceptable green outfit will also gain attendees a further 5 Points✨.

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WELCOME DRINKS

CW: alcohol

So, you've received an exclusive invitation to the Pleasure Gardens' latest pop-up attraction from Lady Pheme herself? How exciting! Ordinarily, the Gardens are open to anyone willing to pay the small amount of Thumos required to enter, but tonight it seems that only those brought in from other worlds are permitted access. You're getting an exclusive preview of the attraction, one of the guards at the gates tells you.

One of their colleagues will escort you down the torch flame lit pathways, through the gardens to the centre - the open space where all events like this take place.

Tonight, that open space is not so open. Besides the vast outdoor ballroom floor, in front of you is a giant glass house - basically, a large fancy green house between you and I. These are often found at grand country houses to show off and cultivate exotic, never before seen plants from far off lands. You've been brought here for the unveiling of this attraction. How such a thing could possibly be temporary seems highly improbable, but that's Pheme for you.

Feel free to begin the evening with mingling and dancing as befitting of any ball, but before the night is over you will feel yourself propelled forward to join the queue to get into the "Palm House," almost as if an invisible hand is shoving you forwards. You're even handed an extremely green and theme appropriate alcoholic beverage to consume in the queue while you wait. It's all very civilised.

Oddly, this drink won't get you drunk in the usual way, despite the alcohol content. Instead you will find yourself imbued with a hefty sense of glee and eagerness for adventure. It's all to help ease you into this experience, after all.

You're admitted to the Palm House one at a time - it's fine, you'll see your friends inside! Just as you set foot through the doors, your head is filled with the sound of a woman's voice, soft and beguiling:

"Dearest gentle member of the ton - what happens in the Palm House, stays in the Palm House. You are free tonight."

Note: For those that don't drink, there's also an alcohol free version. It looks completely identical to the boozy version.

Whether that drink has got you in the spirit or not, entering the Palm House is worth your while. All of those who enter will instantly receive 20 Reputation Points✨. And in case it wasn't already obvious, on this very special of occasions and the debut of her attraction, Pheme is turning a blind eye to what happens to you all in there. These things need a whole lot of Thumos to run properly and some of you will be doing her a huge favour... you just don't know it yet.

There will be no NPCs present in the Palm House, only your characters. Tonight is an exclusive preview for Pheme's Chosen, after all.

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THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT

Entering the Palm House is a rather surreal experience to say the least. Sure, it looked pretty grand from the outside, but that's nothing compared to what greets you inside...

You might have been expecting a typical large tropical greenhouse as per any botanical garden visit, if such things exist to you back home. However, this particular green house appears to contain nothing less than a few dozen acres of rain forest. If the word "Tardis" resided in the vocabulary of the Ton's residents then it would surely be applied here. Pheme's out to show off again.

The moment you take a step or two through that door you feel strangely disoriented. Take a few steps more - perhaps you change your mind and decide to head back to the door you just came through. Only when you do, you'll find that the door is no longer there.

There is another door out of here but that involves crossing the length of the exhibit - and as you can now see quite clearly, that is not going to be such an easy task. There are paths to take and to (hopefully) stick to, but they seem to crisscross at every turn you take and go in all different directions. Thick rainforest surrounds you on all sides, its dense foliage extending towards what you can see of the glass ceiling and the night sky beyond that.

Pheme hasn't been quite cruel enough to leave you wandering through the rainforest by moonlight alone. Many of the plants here glow with an unnaturally bright bioluminescence - and there is more. Every now and again during your travels you will see the light of a of lantern darting amongst the trees, accompanied by alluring and lilting female voices, often laughing with delight. They might seem a little familiar to you.

It seems that the tree nymphs (or dryads) from the wisteria grove have sisters and they're making themselves quite at home in the Palm House. If you happen to catch a decent view of one of them, you'll find yourself face to face with quite possibly one of the most beautiful - not to mention scantily clad - women you have ever laid eyes on. They won't stick around long though. Make the mistake of trying to follow one of them and you'll find yourselves off the path and even more lost and disoriented than you were before.

You might be really regretting your choice of dress right about now - even if you are camouflaged with all of the greenery.

Note: If your character does not manage to find the exit (or one of the magic wreaths mentioned below) then they will only remain trapped in the Palm House until dawn. After that time period they will themselves slipping into a deep slumber, only to awaken right back in their cosy bed within the Grand Crescent (or wherever they've now made their home) a few hours later. You can thank your servant for that.

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SKINNY DIPPING

CW: large bodies of water, possible nudity

Unsurprisingly, it's hot in the forest, and the chances are that you didn't exactly come in here dressed for this.

While the dryads have made themselves at home on the land inside the Palm House, their naiad cousins (or water nymphs) have made themselves comfortable within the many rainforest pools. You can hear their delighted giggling as you traverse the forest and they will even call out to you in alluring tones, somehow knowing your name. It's impossible to resist following the sound and when you do you'll find yourself in front of one of the many pools that can be found within the Palm House.

Oddly, there is no sign of the naiads now that you're here. The water is beautifully crystal clear and dappled with the snatches of moonlight managing to shine through the forest canopy. That water is calling out to you, to drink and to bathe - you will feel an overwhelming compulsion to start removing your stuffy clothing, dive right in and cool down.

It's fine, after all, there's no one else around. Yet.

Just be care those pesky water nymphs don't hide your clothes.

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GIVES YOU BUTTERFLIES... (NSFW)

CW: sex, aphrodisiac, sex pollen, insects

It's not just nymphs and you lot making yourselves at home in the Palm House.

Often mistaken for moths, there's one species group of nocturnal butterflies, but their wings are dull, plain, and uninteresting. Clearly not a good fit for a glorious Palm House, designed by Pheme herself. That is precisely why Pheme has created her own, never before seen species of night butterfly, especially for this occasion.

Their wings are like gossamer, beautifully transparent like a ordinary glasswing butterfly but these ones glow in the dark. You probably encounter one or two as you make your way through the rainforest, but the longer you spend in here, the more the butterflies begin to swarm. Looking up and you'll see a "kaleidoscope" high above your heads, hundreds of them flocking together in a brightly glowing mass above the treeline. The display is only brief, but it leaves you with a strange yet probably not unfamiliar feeling.

You see, these butterflies have been carrying pollen on their bodies and legs, as butterflies often do, helping to spread the stuff. It seems whatever plant they have recently been feeding from has some very curious properties... and you can probably guess where this is going.

You feel hot - even more than you already did being stuck in a tropical forest. Not only that, you feel the strongest desire for physical intimacy. Effects vary depending on how much pollen you've been doused with, but you still have a deep, desperate need to do something about it. For those most strongly affected and desiring the ultimate, touching yourself may bring some relief. That may very well be your first thought to try, but some is the operative word here.

That person you've always had a flirtation with? Now is the time. You have to have them. You have to have each other. Or maybe you've just met this person, here, in the rainforest today? Maybe you're two people who ordinarily don't even like each other? Perhaps there's more than two of you?

It doesn't matter. You won't rest until you've gotten that release.

Note: The butterflies swarm covers a wide enough area that you can be anywhere within the Palm House when their pollen hits. While this is obviously a sex pollen prompt, players can choose how strongly their characters have been affected. It may be that they only got the lightest dousing of pollen and kissing is enough to satisfy them. On the other hand, maybe they got so covered in the stuff that only doing the deed will do. The choice is yours.

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THAT BELONGS IN A MUSEUM

CW: chance for NSFW

So, you're not having much luck navigating your way out of this foliage filled nightmare? There is another way out. At some point on your travels, one of the naiads will take pity on you and try to help you out: "Find one of the wreaths!"

Deeper into the greenhouse, or this pseudo rainforest as it basically is, you'll find ancient Greek laurel wreaths made of pure gold. They might be just lying on the ground, or up a tree, or under the water in one of the forest pools... The choice is yours as to where you find it, We'll leave that entirely to your discretion.

It will take quite some doing given how far into the jungle these treasures are, but should you manage to find one, upon contact, it will teleport you, and whoever you might be holding onto, out of the greenhouse and right back to the entrance to the Pleasure Gardens again.

The wreaths won't be easy to find, and you'll face many obstacles along the way. Some set to distract you entirely from your goal, which is get the hell out of here. Unless you actually like it in here? You do you, boo. We're not judging.

The teleportation abilities of the wreaths themselves can only be activated by generating a small amount of Thumos between yourself and another first, another naiad will explain. That means no grabbing one for yourself and hightailing it out of here! Oh no, no, no. What about your chums? It would not be seemly to leave them in the lurch, after all.

Note: Obviously more than one character can use one of these wreaths to teleport out of the Palm House, as long as each of you has a hand on the item and you have generated Thumos between all of you then it will work.

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Wildcard

To assist you with inspiration our full list of Andovale's locations can be found here.

Want to play something that isn't listed here? Go ahead!

Please note that TDMs are considered game canon.

As stated above, both prospective and current characters who are already in game are permitted to top-level on TDMs. However, we do ask that current players be mindful and welcoming to prospective new players and that they do try and make the effort to tag out beyond their current in-game CR.

For newbies: As your first port of call, we would recommend having a read of the premise page, as well as our rules and FAQ.

For any general game questions you may have which are not answered by the FAQ then please leave a comment on the FAQ page - for any questions specific to this TDM then please respond to the questions comment below.

Most importantly - have fun!

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Comments

[dunamagic]

[Perhaps he had tried to convince himself this was an experiment, that this was nothing more than gaining thumos for him, because he knows that's all it was for Caleb -- the carnal desire and need for thumos -- but for Essek it was not and cannot be that alone. In part, yes at the start, but now he was selfishly clinging to the man he loved while he bit his lip against ecstasy coursing through him like a blaze of fire that he's never known before.

The honey thick pleasure of thumos on top of that only made him feel crazy with lust, overwhelmed as he tries to quiet a throaty groan as he rocks his hips forward with the movement.

How was it this good and he was still in his water logged linens? How was Caleb branding his body and overwhelming him with pleasure and they were not even fully skin to skin?

Gods, he gasps up at the tree tops as he tilts his head back and to the side for Caleb, giving him all the access he could want as he feels those lips and beard pull him apart. Pulling on Caleb's hair, he tries to get himself closer as they grind their hard cocks together, passionate in his want for Caleb.]

[zemnianjoy]

[ Ah if only they could read into each other's minds.

But they were unable to, neither of them knowing that the other was thinking-- trying to convince themselves that they were happy to give that Thumos to the other man, unselfish and yet secretly hideously selfish when it boiled down to it.

Their bodies were like liquid gravity and fire, his own mouth was sliding against skin of neck, downward and then back up until he was nibbling against an earlobe and all the while his hand was slowly pushing down fabric, so that he could get cock to cock contact, the fabric down hips though no further, just enough until ridged flesh throbbing started to frot together. And then he groaned, skin of ear between teeth as he worried it ]

[dunamagic]

[Essek feels his face and shoulders suffuse with heat as Caleb pulls down his undergarments to make room for their cocks to be bare as they rut against each other like animals. The feel of teeth and lips on his ear lobe alongside the fire hot slide of hot flesh makes his stomach tense sharply with pleasure, with the need to tumble over the edge.

And he nearly does, a moan escaping his bitten lips, trying to keep quiet , but he holds it back, wanting to chase this pleasure, this moment.

It might be his only chance, only time he will ever get Caleb like this, he wants to drink it in and devour it, not let his inexperience cause him to trip over the edhe so soon.

The sounds Caleb makes against his sensitive ear makes him quiver and shake with every rolling frot of their hips coming together.]

[zemnianjoy]

[ And little did Essek know that Caleb was expiriencing the same thing, if he was going to have one opportunity, he wanted to savor it as well which explained the sweetly choked groans he was making against earlobe, sucking and nibbling while their bodies rocked in tandem.

Fuck, deep inside he was screaming for Essek to adopt him, to never let him go but this was an act stemming from some sort of pity over his neck wound, he had cleverly twisted it so that he could give Essek Thumos in exchange-- but thankfully Caleb had no problem taking anything offered by the beautiful drow. ]

You are going to make me come like this.. it has been a while, a very long time-- [ his voice soft and throaty, whisper pitched for Essek to hear him, to show his own pleasure as if his eager body wasn't doing enough for it. And he was also grateful that no one had seen fit to stumble in on them, he could not have bourne for Essek to be driven away. ]

Is there.. anything you need?

[ to feel Essek's body turning into a mess of quivers, he would've done anything to feel it, or hear the cries fall from Essek's lips like pearls ]

[dunamagic]

[You, he wants to say. I need you

But he can't. He can't have this man and it aches deep and dark in him to know his love isn't mutual, that he is singular in this one thing, alone. Always he's been alone in his life and the one time he wishes to not be anymore it is for a man he can never have.

A sobbed sound catches in his throat, sounding more like a groan but he wants to cry, wants to cry out for this man, beg him, but his dignity was still intact enough for him to hold on desperately to it as he does Caleb. Hips rolling their cocks together as he shifts his overstimulated ear from Caleb's lips and hides his face in the man's neck, hoping it will give him the mind to not lose himself and spill his love.]

I.. am on the precipice... I will not last much-- Gods Caleb! [His voice is hushed and muffled against Caleb's collarbone as his hips stutter and rock faster, clearly giving in as he chases his climax between their rubbing cocks.

Fingernails bite into Caleb's shoulder as his body shakes and falls apart in the man's hold, his cock jerking as cum spills heavy between them in the water. Essek muffles his cry of pleasure by biting down on the collarbone against his mouth, the reverberating sound of his climax pressed there.]

[zemnianjoy]

[ Essek's orgasm reaches his ear, a hissed gasp as he feels teeth sink into flesh-- not enough to break skin but gods, enough that it will leave a bruise there underneath fabric and scarves and won't it be a secret only for him like a hidden jewel, a memory until it fades and then it only becomes intangible in his mind and he wonders if it had truly ever happened.

That was enough to push him right over the edge and he comes with a shuddering breath-- as he clutches to Essek, his own seed-- well he knew that it was quite a bit, he'd not spilled himself until the academy, and even then it had been a week, certainly not after the advent of Bren that had ripped all pleasure out of his sky and repainted it a miasma of guilt.

His breath was heavy against that ear, his limbs heavy. But he was unwilling to let go of Essek, at least for right now-- the aftershocks had overtaken him, a vibrant jolt that ran from the tips of his toes, through his balls and cock and finally up to hit all the parts of his brain that needed serotonin to survive ]

Yeah, that.. yeah.. [ His body was humming with molten hot energy, was that Thumos at one of it's most concentrated levels? ]

[dunamagic]

[The way Caleb's orgasm echoes against his own, the sound and feel of that heavy breathing against his overly sensitive ear, made his cock jerk with an effort to cum more, causing a low moan against the abused collarbone before him. His whole weight was against Caleb as he quivers with the aftershocks of pleasure, clinging to the man's shoulders.

He felt sluggish with the feedback of thumos and pleasure, of orgasm brought on heatedly. Panted breathing escapes him as he kisses the place he bit down, seeing how red it was where his fangs sank into flesh without piercing.]

Indeed.. [It was the only word that came to mind.

A mind that was floating almost as if drugged on Thumos, so calmed of his complicated throughs. He didn't even notice how affectionate he was being as he nuzzled and kisses along the man's shoulder. It was like for a moment he could pretend this was normal, that he gets to openly be affectionate and loving, that he doesn't need to hide this.]

[zemnianjoy]

[ orgasm had been achieved and now they were twined together, coming down from the peak-- the drugged feeling of Thumos as it coursed through him. As if he would push Essek away, no. He did not have it in him to do so, he wanted the closeness. He'd blame it on aftercare, making sure that Essek came down from it; no they hadn't done anything like truly kinky but they had, done something that he'd never expected in his wildest imaginings to occur.

Perhaps it would be the only time, but at least he would have that memory.

His fingers stroked locks of curls as they sprigged forth, and then settling at the undercut, his body felt a low honey hum and he was glad that at least they'd entered into this moment willingly, without the sake of the sex-pollen.

There was nothing though that he could say that he felt would be appropriate, what did you speak in moments like this? He was at a loss. ]

[dunamagic]

[Never had any of his orgasms been that intense or well wrung, it left him feeling boneless against Caleb's warm body, stayed clung to the man as he practically purrs with the attentions to his curls. Letting someone touch his hair was something culturally he would have never allowed, but in this moment, he wants this taboo contact, for his hair to be stroked with careful fingers. He just knew this was likely the only time and refused to deny himself anything.

Though he knew now that sex was over, some things were off the table.

Like a kiss.

He should have asked for a kiss at the end there, should have dove on those lips and taken his fill before it was over, but now if he kissed Caleb it would mean something more. It would be complicated and romantic and-- He couldn't. No matter how much, he would deny himself to bare his heart.

The chill of that reality settled in and started to ruin the afterglow that he was trying to bask in, in the thumos warm contentment that suffused through him at their continued contact.

Swallowing a sigh, Essek let his lips drag against collarbone once more as he pulls away with loose limbs. Masking the regret from his face that the action causes, wishing to be in Caleb's arms once again already.

Perhaps this was a bad idea.. yet he didn't regret it.]

Good, your neck is well healed.. I think I will-- [He makes an awkward gesture towards his clothing, though he doesn't move to step away.]

[zemnianjoy]

[ This was so very awkward and he watched as Essek made a movement to pull out of his arms, leaving him absolutely bereft. Funny that he felt the same sort of wish that he had kissed Essek upon orgasm, but he hadn't--- he simply had not been thinking about it. He who's hubris was overthinking had managed to underthink that one into the mists of what would probably be never-again.

It was a bad idea, had been a bad idea.

But no regrets on Caleb Widogast's own end. ]

I could.. walk you home, ja? I mean we would be going in the same direction.

[ He offered even as he thought perhaps that would be awkward between the both of them ] If you want...

[dunamagic]

[This was absurdly awkward, something he hoped would come to pass on like so many of their other awkward moments. The only way he could come to regret this moment with Caleb is if it ruined their friendship, something he hadn't really considered in the heat of it, not when kisses hadn't ruined it.

Maybe it was a bad idea, but he couldn't consider it a mistake or something to regret just yet. This was merely the awkward aftermath.. It would pass.

It needed to.

Nodding, Essek wades over to his clothing, climbing from the shallows after pulling up his pants.]

Yes.. I would be amendable if you are also ready to retire from here?

[Meticulously, he prestidigitates his clothing clean and dry before redressing, though perhaps he leaves off the gloves and jacket this time.]

[zemnianjoy]

[ He had felt Essek's length against his own though he had not actively touched it; there had been a fear of touching anything of Essek's, it was so precious, it had felt a sin to touch those lips. He respectfully turned around when Essek got out, feeling himself swallow rather brokenly.

What neither Caleb nor Essek realized that there had been a few attempts to steal their clothing, however the best part of possessing a Fey-Cat was the fact that he had actually made a valiant success out of fending off preternatural threats and thus Caleb and Essek's clothing had remained exactly where they had been. ]

Ja.. I think that everyone who needed to be warned, has been warned.

[ Back toward Essek, he makes his way to the rock steps and to his own piles of clothing. He shakes himself out a trifle, realizing he would look a fright then he reaches for his own clothing which he would take the far more damp route, pulling on underthings, pants and tunic followed by waistcoat.

Fuck, he was blushing. ]

[dunamagic]

[For the moment, Essek is distracting himself from the broken feeling he also feels. From the way he wants more and knows he cannot have it, how everything that happened feels like stolen sin because it wasn't just thumos and healing for Essek, it was so much more. So much more than he's allowed to have.

Than he deserves to have.

But he was a selfish man and took it in spite of himself, in spite of the trust Caleb put into him that it was just for Thumos..]

Then let us retire from this place.

[While he can hear Caleb put on his clothing, he distracts himself from looking by checking his device for how much Thumos he has and is stunned by the results. Was intimacy always like this or was it because he did such an act with a man he cared for so deeply..

Tucking the device away, he can feel his heart beating out of his chest, worried that Caleb will notice the difference in thumos gained because of that. But for the moment he says nothing.]

Shall we?

[zemnianjoy]

[ in much the same way and fashion, Caleb had checked his own Thumos device; he opened his mouth to say something and then he ended up closing his mouth again before words could come out. He'd never had that much Thumos, even in the beginning days during the Flood when he held contact with many people, and he.. he very quickly shoved it back into his pocket as his own personal secret.

He had not worn an overcoat so it was just him and his waistcoat and shirtsleeves of which he shrugged into. And then he turned around and approached tentatively before offering his arm. ]

Shall we then?

[ He said this next part quietly ]

It appears I can afford to keep a shield up over us as we make our way toward the exit. [ Rather downplaying how much he had gotten because he was not sure how much Essek had gotten, in case there was a marked disparity. He did not want to ask. yeah, they had frotted against each other to completion and yet-- such a question of Thumos comparison seeemd rather.. rude? ]

[dunamagic]

[Essek does his best to hide his surprise and subsequent delight at being offered Caleb's arm -- which he takes with the ever so slight hesitance, as if this was something he wasn't allowed to have but wanted to take it anyway, as if it would be taken away from him in a moment's time when Caleb thinks better of it.

But with all the grace and surety he can muster, he takes it like he's meant to be hung from Caleb's arm.]

With this continued contact it should not drain you much either. [A hint, a drop of something so it will continue, so that Caleb won't think better and take it away from him.

He wants this so bad, to feel for a moment like there is something more after what happened. The lack of contact after-- He smiles at Caleb instead of dwelling on the feelings of loneliness that came at the heels of when they parted.]

[zemnianjoy]

[ it appeared that they were using each other in the most subtle of ways; for Caleb he had offered the arm as a way to prolong the contact as well-- thus they were labouring underneath the same mutual tactic; to ease the drain of Thumos. Though he was unclear what would happen from that except that.

Oh, the gods that he didn't believe in, he felt the weight of Essek against his side and he attributed it on the aura of post-orgasm, causing his cheeks to colour and to let out a discreet cough. With his free hand he summoned the shield around them while Frumpkin started to trail behind them. ]

And you as well, Essek.

[ There is a shadowness of awkwardness there, but his own mind saw it as Essek healing his neck and then in repayment Caleb gave Essek Thumos; it was an equal trade right? It would not mean anything on Essek's side and that was fine; sexual activities of any sort did not have to mean anything.

Except it did, to Caleb. Try as he might, it meant something ]

I hope that you were able to receive something from our encounter as well.

[ His voice was hoarse and yet soft ]

[dunamagic]

Ah, yes, I did.

[In thumos of course, but more than that, he received a memory he would not forget or wish to ever forget. A moment stolen between them, a selfish taking of something he wanted but could not have, the closest thing to love he will get from Caleb. It hurt too, but he was doing his best to stay in the post orgasmic haze and keep from lingering too much on the loneliness and pain his choice was causing him.

No, he had no regrets and knew he had been selfish in spite of himself, he accepts his actions and choices.

The warm buzz of thumos from where they touch is like a lingering memory, a warmth that stays after a touch, the buzzes against skin of what lingers. He could feel how warm his ears were from how they were touching, their proximity.. He knew meaningless sex was not something he could do, but he knew that most everyone else could, even Caleb. So why this meant everything to him..]

Perhaps-- [No, that wasn't a conversation for now.] Once we get out I can teleport us home.

[He was more than well supplied enough.]

[zemnianjoy]

[ Thankfully there was no one to obstruct their exit. But then Caleb had a keen mind and would not be lost from the exit so easily no matter how much Pheme wanted to confuse everyone, including them, for more Thumos. He was leading Essek the appropriate way back, unfailingly.

His steps were sure and certain and he would carefully dodge all efforts to get them once again directionless and lost.

Caleb Widogast had a goal and it was to keep Essek safe, because despite everything.. the other man was precious to him in ways that he could never tell the Drow, and if it had been his lot for the evening to be a Thumos stud horse for the other man-- he would do so and gratefully.

The exited the Greenhouse, perhaps a bit touseled but none-the-worse for wear. ]