【 Thank you for choosing the Golden Peacock, 5-Star Resort and Casino. You are currently registered as a WILDCARD in our system.
Due to unprecedented high demand we are temporarily unable to check you in to your reserved room. We apologize for the inconvenience. We have arranged for a temporary room while we work on processing your reservation as quickly as possible. We appreciate your understanding.
As a special wedding gift from us, we have arranged for you and your new spouse to stay in one of our junior penthouses while you wait. Congratulations on your new marriage. We are so pleased you have chosen our resort for your honeymoon.
You will be notified as soon as your official reservation has been processed. Your comfort and happiness are our utmost priority. We hope you enjoy the provided amenities and lose yourself in marital bliss. 】
EVENS
EVENS: NEW CHARACTERS
Music plays. Instrumental, the tune gentle enough not to disturb peaceful rest. The sudden insistent beep of the Watch is a cutting cacophony across an otherwise sweet lullaby. Upon opening their eyes, new arrivals will quickly discover that something is wrong. The quilt snug across their body is weighty. Crystals glint in a weave of embroidery and cotton shimmers with threads of silver. Dozens of decorative pillows surround the bed. The gauzy curtains of the canopied bed are drawn, obscuring the rest of the room.
Extravagant for a kidnapping. Too extravagent. What’s more, these new guests will find something even stranger than this new diamond-studded suite tucked into bed beside them. Someone else. Who are they, what are they wearing? What happened last night?!
Guests are encouraged to explore the resort from here! There are paper maps available for those who would like and staff are happy to recommend locations if they have any preferences. Enjoy your honeymoon, you lovebirds!
ODDS
ODDS: SPECIAL RE-ARRIVAL
Never trust a hallway in the Golden peacock.
Cross the wrong threshold and time begins to slow. A short hallway becomes long, sheds its doors, only leading to turns without end. Guests too eager to explore the resort have gotten lost before. For how long always varies, dependent upon capriciousness of the resort. Hours? Yes. Years? Yes. Every guest caught in the winding hallways has reported the same thing: time is different there and too difficult to discern.
Some wayward guests have been caught in the endless hallways since the FIRST TDM. Weeks pass before a single doorway appears in the distance. It creaks upon opening before everything goes topsy-turvy. These guests have been let out of a trap door in the depths of Crane's Respite.
All water corridors will eventually lead back to the populated areas of Crane's Respite. The waters are warm, the scent of bath salts returns, and staff are wild with joy at finally finding all of you. They have been beside themselves searching ever since you vanished!
NOTES
PROMPT NOTES
▶ Because we love all of the new characters premiering on this TDM, we kindly request that our Evens prompt be top level exclusive for new characters. Current characters are encouraged to tag in to these prompts with the caveat that they’ve been picked up from their assigned suite (or wherever else they were before) and dumped into the new arrival’s bed. We would like for new characters to have this prompt unique to their top level comments!
▶ Players are welcome to have their current character riff off of these prompts in the log community with the exclusion of the new arrival element. This request is just for TDM top levels.
▶ Current characters and new characters are both welcome to freely mess around with the Odds prompt with the exclusion of the arrival element. For new characters, players may participate with the idea that their character is exploring Crane’s Respite after their unique arrival in the Evens prompt. The Odds arrival element may also be utilized by current player characters who may have been on an unofficial hiatus in January and did not tag as much as they would have liked, to explain any long IC absence.
▶ Octopi may be killed. If a character decides to eat one of the octopi they may find themselves taking on some of its traits. Which traits are up to player discretion.
ELEVATORS
ELEVATORS
The house has recently ordered a full changeout of art in all high traffic areas. The elevators in particular have received special attention with many different famous artworks and portraits studded to the walls for guests to admire. These artworks are treasures of the modern world that one would typically see behind glass at a museum. Guests may even find works from their own world hanging in the elevators. Even famous works that maybe have been lost to time. So this is where they ended up. Is that Vermeer's The Concert?
Guests may find their elevator suddenly stopping without warning. The portraits on the wall stir, curiously studying them, but there are three main portraits calling the shots. The portrait that controls that particular elevator will make their demands known with the threat that, if they are not obeyed, you will be trapped forever.
Elevators will function after the portrait's demands are met. Guests that hold out and refuse may find themselves trapped upwards of twelve hours. Guests with the ability to do so may crawl out of the top emergency door, free to go wherever they want from there.
GREAT TIT!
GREAT TIT!
Great Tit! is the Golden Peacock’s popular dessert bar and cafe. With its bright pops of color and whimsical treats, guests simply can’t resist stopping in for a butt shaped cookie and hazelnut coffee. After catching wind that the resort has decided to celebrate a dessert shop's most lucrative holiday, Great Tit! is ready to impress the masses. Advertisements for limited edition drinks and desserts rain the main lobby; one can’t go three steps without slipping on a neon pink coupon for 10 percent off nipple buns. Guests that decide to pass by the cafe will find themselves assaulted with confetti cannons and eager employees ushering them inside.
Guests will find a temporary communal shower room upon exiting Great Tit! where they can wash off after a fun day of rolling around in sugar. All guests will be gifted a tee branded with a, CHOCOLATE IS MY LOVER logo.
NOTES
PROMPT NOTES
▶ This portraits prompt has been triggered by several characters expressing interest in and investigating the lore of the resort paintings. This is just dipping a beginning toe in, but congrats to all for poking around!
▶ Portraits in the elevator should not be destroyed, purely for continuity’s sake. If a character would go far enough to attack one of the portraits, the portrait will slap them back with ghostly power.
▶ Characters may also figure other ways out of the elevator if they have specific abilities to do so. While the portraits can control the elevators, they cannot control your character(s). Any destruction to the elevator itself is liable to result in a rush of security dragging the culprit(s) away to the Iron Net.
▶ Great Tit! is running a massive sale! Even characters who are on the broke end of the spectrum will be able to afford to join in on the fun and indulge in sugar at these prices.
▶ Players are encouraged to make up any other elements for the Hall of Chocolate. If it’s a dessert and edible, it’s there. Enjoy your sugar coma!
▶ While the chocolate boxes are ICly limited due to Alessandro’s skills as a chocolatier, this is only an IC mechanic. There is no OOC limitation on this prompt as far as chocolate rarity goes.
THE NEST
ALICE AND THE PARROTS
Fashion boutiques are a dime a dozen in the Nest. The shopping hub is massive, lined with stores all trying to aggressively appeal to guests. A challenge in itself — but the guests of the Golden Peacock are no ordinary people. Used to being pampered and fed excitement, if these boutiques don’t bust their bottoms to appeal to the fickle nature of their patrons, they won’t be in business for much longer! One particular boutique, Alice and the Parrots, is riding winds of romantic thrill and churning out a couple of brand new fashion lines sure to draw in loads of chips.
Guests are welcome to try on clothes in Alice and the Parrots' dressing rooms. These dressing rooms are small and can only accommodate two people sharing at a time. Such is the life of a small boutique store. Sharing is no big deal, right? And there’s no way you can buy clothing this expensive without giving it a test first.
NOTES
PROMPT NOTES
▶ Players are encouraged to make up whatever cute outfits they would like for this prompt.
▶ Wedding clothes do not have to be cute and frilly; this section accommodates tastes of everyone.
▶ Alice and the Parrots is more expensive than Love Dove. Their clothing quality is excellent but their price tags are high. Staff may watch low ranks extra diligently to cut off any stealing. Thieves will be chased by NPC security! Anyone caught gets a day in the Iron Net.
CASINO CHAPEL
CASINO FLOOR
A Pop up Chapel has appeared in the Phoenix Casino. Guests are delighting in playing out weddings and pretending to get married — and a few guests are even tying the knot for real. They aren't worried about the sanctity of marriage; they can divorce tomorrow if they get bored of each other. And everyone knows that getting married doesn't mean you can't fuck whoever you want!
Since the resort isn't keeping track of how many marriages a guest has, all guests are encouraged to marry as many people as they would like. The more the merrier!
Wild wedding events will continue all throughout the month of February, until the guests find it's gotten stale. A divorce rush will round out the fun at the end of the month.
NOTES
PROMPT NOTES
▶ Weddings are not legally binding. Birdvis is not registered as a real officiant, but he does have an excellent beak and pompadour.
▶ Prizes from easy mode slot machines are automatic and do not require mod thumbs up to claim.
▶ Chip prize from difficult mode slot machines is automatic. The special prize is 5 reward points to add to your bank on rewards. Players who wish to claim the special prize should link the finished thread (the kink in question has been completed) under their rewards header with the header, Wedding Slot Machine. If you do any combination of 6/6 (finger hand lol) we ask you somehow make this sexy or involve a climax in order to claim the points.
BLANKET CW: Aphrodisiac; Compulsion; Costumes; Dubcon; Entrapment; Foodplay; Gambling; Lingerie; Matrimony; Tentacles; NSFW Images and Language; NTR; Nudity; Roleplay; Sacrilegious Themes
▶ All new characters on the TDM are WILDCARDS, which means they have not yet been assigned a card value. The house is still observing and deciding. As rank and suits are assigned upon acceptance your new character's suit will not manifest until they are accepted into the game.
▶ All TDMs are game canon. This TDM acts as the game's February event.
▶ Current characters may top level on the TDM. Please make sure to review the arrival prompt notes! Any current characters posting to the TDM should note they are current in their subject header.
▶ The top level directory is for new characters only. We want to make sure new characters are priority and receive attention!
▶ If you aren't satisfied with the prompts on this TDM please feel free to check out our LOCATIONS to explore more of the resort.
▶ Smut threads that take place on this TDM can be used for rewards. If both parties in the smut thread join the game, you may retroactively apply the character's initial card values to your 52 bank. If one character does not join the game the thread will not be applicable toward rewards (as that character would not have a card value). The character that does join would still receive a small payout for the encounter. Hopefully it was a fun thread anyway!
▶ We ask you to kindly add content warnings to your threads as appropriate.
▶ If you do not currently have permissions and kinks listed in your character’s journal we suggest leaving a note in your top level of any limits or boundaries for other players to reference.
▶ Thank you for spending Valentine's Day with us! You're our sweetheart this year. 💕
[ Hilda had actually sidled up to someone a couple machines down from where Sylvain was, but at the sound of that unmistakable voice, he had frozen. Taking a step back, he quickly glanced around, thinking his imagination might be playing tricks on him or something, but nope. That fall of brightly colored hair was unmistakable, and that innocent tone and batting of eyelashes was an old tactic he recognizes all too well.
She'd turned it on him more than a few times to get him to do what she wanted and he can begrudgingly admit that most of the time he hadn't even minded letting her wind him about her little finger, back in school.
That was a long time ago, though and now... he takes a moment to blink at her before sidling closer, stepping up behind her other shoulder and bending down to brush his lips against the back of her ear. ]
Careful. The games of chance in this place often have a sense of humor.
[ Before the guest she's slid up to can answer her, she feels a brush of lips against the shell of her ear that sends a slight shiver up her spine accompanied by a familiar voice she thought long gone.
Had she not recognized it, the fight instinct the war had put her in would have her whirling around to punch him. Thankfully she turns her head instead coming face to face with someone she can't help but wonder is a ghost.
For a moment the sudden appearance of a face she hasn't seen in years catches her off guard and the flirty innocent facade slips for a fraction of a second. It's gone as quick as it came. After offering a cheerful apology to the other guest she slips her arm through Sylvain's, leading him away. ]
You know me, I love a sense of humour. It just depends on what kind of humour.
[ Sylvain's voice is mild and playful, but he hadn't missed that shocked look on her face. Understood it, too, since he's pretty sure he'd had the same one when he'd first stumbled across familiar faces in this place.
At least she's a much more pleasant surprise than Lorenz.
Tucking her hand warmly in the crook of his arm, he guides her down the aisle, still surrounded by the rows of slot machines as he glances down and gives her a teasing wink. ]
Hello, darling. Fancy running into you here. I take it you just arrived?
[ Honestly, if he wasn't going to address how weird it was that they had been brought here, she isn't going to either. At least not yet.
The gasp she gives him at that is absolutely put on but she has no doubt that he'd see right through that if he was some of the same person she knew from their Academy years. Her threshold for scandalous things was definitely higher than say...a purple haired noble they were both acquainted with - but she had no idea how much of that was about to be tested. ]
What gave it away? My starry-eyed gaze? My wedding wear?
[ The dress she's donned is only less revealing than the lingerie she had woken up in beside Marianne. But only in the sense that it was floor length and the scar across her chest was covered up by a panel she had fashioned out of the accompanying veil. Give Hilda some fabric scissors, thread and a vision and she'll do the work. ]
From how you phrased that you've probably been here a while. Does that mean you mysteriously ended up married and don't have any memory of it either?
[ The very idea of that has him snorting out a derisive laugh. ]
Uh, no. I’m avoiding the whole marriage thing here just as strongly as I was back home. That’s new around here, actually. Some romantic holiday they’re trying to pass off or something, I’m not really sure.
But I’ve heard they at least gave you guys the good rooms for it. Everyone that showed up when I did got cramped little closets of rooms. Or woke up naked out in the jungle-themed conservatory. [ He casts her a wink. ] They do enjoy their scandals, though.
And here I thought this was my chance. [ Hilda offers up a forlorn sigh before giving a flippant little shrug and a playful smile. ] Oh well - maybe next time.
[ Dead girls can't get married anyway.
Hilda pulls a little face at his recounting of his arrival. Yeah, neither of those options sound appealing to her. And honestly she could think of worse ways to wake up than "married" to Marianne in luxurious silk sheets and nice clothing. She presses into his side, visibly perking up at the mention of a scandal. ]
What sort of scandals? Don't hold back - you know I love gossip, Sylvain.
Everything here is pretty scandalous, Hilda darling.
[ He chuckles under his breath as he tucks her in close against his side. Oh the things he could tell her that would make her ears burn. But he doesn’t kiss and tell. Much. ]
That’s the entire point. Haven’t you picked up on that? Although you might want to be careful about what you eat or drink while you’re in here. They have a way of… encouraging their new guest to dive right into their game.
[ Boo, boring! She can't blame him though. She'd give a similar answer - something along the lines of a lady never spilling all of her secrets because it would leave little to the imagination and run the risk of ruining her pristine reputation. ]
There's almost too much to pick up on. [ Her lower lip juts out. ] My brain can't handle that much information at once.
[ Who is she - Claude? It's easy to slip back into old habits, particularly with someone who had only known her for that. But being careful about eating and drinking is duly noted. ]
Spoken like someone with experience. Does that mean you won't be treating me to a meal any time soon?
[ He gives her a grin at that, laughter glinting in amber eyes at her play at being brainless.
Yeah, nope. He didn’t buy that act back in school and he doesn’t buy it now either. Try again, Hilda. ]
I didn’t say that. I will happily treat you to a meal, if that’s what you’re craving. Just don’t get upset with me if you end up throwing yourself in my arms or climbing into my lap before we actually finish that meal.
[ …Spoken like someone who has experienced that firsthand now. On multiple occasions. ]
[ Being distrustful hasn't gotten her to where she is in life so it won't do her to start it now. Or, maybe it would. Maybe because of where she is and who she's with, she should be taking a page of dear ol' Claude's book and be more paranoid than starry-eyed.
But if she has nothing to lose here then where's the harm in throwing some caution to the wind? ]
Why wouldn't it be the other way around?
[ Her lips twitch in amusement. She'd been mostly immune to his charms at the Academy and she's mostly immune now. Probably. ]
Why don't you show me how to play this game first and then we can talk about food after? I haven't worked up an appetite yet.
[ An abrupt tug on his arm sees them standing in front of a machine with birds with top hats and frilly headdresses winking at them. ]
[ He eyes the slot machines a little warily before glancing down at her, although he huffs out a laugh at the look she’s shooting him. ]
Alright, I’ll show you how. The machines themselves are easy to use - it’s what comes after that can be challenging. See you don’t win automatically just by playing the game here.It rolls a random set of numbers and each one means a different thing. Put those things together and you get a… let’s call it a dare. A challenge. Something you have to complete in order to win and get the payout.
Now those ones over there- [ he points to similar machines a few rows over. ] They do the same things, but those are the easy mode. They have simple and safe challenges that spill out for you to accomplish and an okay payout of you complete it and ‘win’. These ones, though? These are a more difficult setting. Sort of. They payout for completing a roll on these is much higher - enough that you won’t have to immediately worry about funds here - but you’ll have to do more to earn them. Probably sex - or a sexual act -of some sort.
[ Hilda catches the wary look but she can't imagine why. Easier to focus on other things like the brightly lit machine in front of them and Sylvain's explanation.
If she hadn't arrived here at the time she had, if she had been brought here when she had been much younger, she might have been more scandalized at the thought of anything to do with Sylvain Gautier. And he might catch the slight flush of her cheeks at the mention of sex - sex with him - but her gaze stays firmly fixed on the machine and its hypnotizing lights until he poses his question.
There's a beat before she answers him, weighing her options and the hidden third that also includes simply walking away from this altogether. But a phantom chill spreads from the centre of her chest that makes her jaw tighten just a fraction. She'd do anything to chase that feeling away. Finally her head turns towards him with a sweet smile. ]
We're already here, aren't we? I'm fine with it if you are.
[ He glances down at her when she gives him that smile, searching her face. She feels… different, from the girl he remembers. Although he can’t put his finger on how yet.
Then again, he’s sure they’d all changed a lot over the past five years.
He reaches out to tug a lock of her hair in response, keeping things light and playful. ] Alright we’ll give it a shot. But don’t fret if it’s not something you feel like completing. I promise I will still treat you to a very luxurious dinner regardless.
[ He gestures to the machine they’d stopped in front of. ] Why don’t you pull the lever, see what options it gives you?
[ She feels his eyes searching for something, some chink in the armor that she doesn't physically don. But her smile doesn't budge even as she waits for his answer and tugs at her hair the way he used to way back when. ]
I'll hold you to that.
[ Maybe there's a moment where she can tease him about his Faerghan ways and integrity - but she doesn't know if any of them made it through the war so desperately focused on trying to keep one man alive that it feels in poor taste to do so right now.
Instead genuine excitement lights up as she immediately moves to tug on the lever. It spins round and round before music blares and the lights dance and a noise on her wrist chimes: Lick thighs under a table.
Her eyebrow raises before she lets out a light laugh. ]
I guess there's something for everyone, huh? Are you going to pull?
[ He gives her a playful wink as he tugs her away from the machine. ]
As long as we complete your challenge, we’ll both get a payout. Now we just need to find a suitable table. Did you want to stay here in the casino or shall we venture elsewhere?
[ She's like a ragdoll being tugged along after him. ]
You're being awfully formal about this, Sylvain.
[ Colour her surprised. Then again that's been her perpetual state more or less the entire time that she's been here.
She wouldn't go as far as to call this transactional - there's too much history between them for that. But it certainly takes any romance out of it. Which probably isn't so much of a bad thing here. A quick glance around shows that the tables on the casino floor are being used for any manner of things - sitting, talking, and other dubious acts that aren't usually done so brazenly in Fodlan. ]
[ He could always throw her over his shoulder and carry her instead!
But her observation does have his footsteps slowing a bit as he glances down at her. Thinks back over their interaction so far and realizes she’s right. Scrubbing a hand over his face he gives a faint sigh before offering her an apologetic glance. ]
You’re right, I have been, haven’t I? Sorry, Hilda. I guess spending weeks in this place has just had me more adjusted to… I don’t know, how everyone kind of deals with the things this place throws at us. But you’ve just gotten here and this is all still new for you. I didn’t mean to just stampede over you.
[ He pauses, bringing her hand up to his lips to brush a kiss over her knuckles. ]
Why don’t you let me make it up to you? Come on, I’ll take you somewhere fun.
Truthfully, she doesn't know what to make of the almost business-like brusqueness to this man that is both the same person she remembers from their Academy year but so different at the same time. He's definitely grown physically - that much would be hard to miss. It wasn't just a physical change but something she can't put her finger on. Had it been this place that had changed him? The war? Or both?
The gentle brush of his lips across her knuckles stirs memories of a playboy noble who had been brazen about his flirting and trail of broken hearts. But there's no overbearing charm that she can see through here. There's an apologetic look instead. Once upon a time she had thought she had figured a part of him out. She thought that he would have enjoyed seeing her lost and in need of help that could and should be transactional.
It's confusing to say the least. There's an exhale of amused breath from her because of how ridiculous this entire thing is but she doesn't let go of his hand. ]
You don't have to be nice to me just because we knew each other at the Academy, Sylvain. Like you said, there's nothing binding us to that result, right? I'm sure you've made plenty of friends already who you'd much rather spend your time with than little ol' me. [ There's a teasing hint to the lift of her lips. ] Unless you're just feeling nostalgic that is.
What if I want to be nice to you because I’m happy to see you?
[ He counters this with an arch of his eyebrow, tucking her hand in the crook of his arm once more as he tugs her towards the doors leading out of the Casino and into the Entertainment Quarter proper. ]
And don’t sell yourself short, I’ve had time to make some friends here, yes, but that also makes me someone who’s had time to learn some of the tricks of this place, too. And I know how much you like to get ahead of the game.
[ Even if he half expects her to deny that claim. Maybe. It has been a long time since he’s been part (or prey) of one of her schemes - he has no idea if the rules have changed or not. ]
[ While her ability to fold her feelings underneath a mostly happy-go-lucky lackadaisical cheer had been pressure tested thanks to the war, it's that response that surprises her the most. Why she can't say for certain. It's not like they had left the Academy on bad terms (unless she counted that one argument they'd had but she'd forgotten all about it. Mostly). They just hadn't seen one another in years and maybe opinions had changed.
In spite of her surprise she allows herself to be led by the arm off the casino floor unknowingly proving him right. ]
I'm a bit of a slow learner but I guess I don't have much of a choice here but to keep up, huh? Good thing I'm in capable hands.
[ He just blinks at her in surprise - mostly over her surprise. ]
Is there some reason I shouldn’t be happy to see you? Why is that so surprising?
[ He tugs her down the corridor, heading for one of the small teahouses he’d discovered in his first week here. It was quiet and out of the way - an intimate setting, if a little small, but considering the activity elsewhere tonight, he thinks they’ll have it mostly to themselves, which should suit their purposes just fine.
Besides their pastries and teas were delicious there. He thinks she’ll like it. ]
[ No point in beating around the bush, she thinks. Not that she's trying to kill a mood before there's even any kind of mood to be had. The premise for all of this is already strange enough – but much like calling him out earlier for this feeling transactional, maybe calling the war elephant in the room will make it easier.
Maybe. ]
We did also have a... disagreement. About how I was raised.
[ He’d actually… forgotten about that argument entirely, in fact. And now he feels like an idiot as he lifts a hand to rub it over his face in agitation.
Five years had given him a lot of perspective on a lot of things. But mostly how large an idiot he’d been in his youth. Not that he couldn’t be still, but. He wasn’t typically trying to be these days. ]
We did, didn’t we? I’d completely forgotten. My apologies, Hilda, I was out of line back then. I never should have said what I did. You were right to be angry.
[ And he… he’d been jealous. Of a life and a family he’d never known. Never would. Hilda’s life was the mirror image of the one he should have had, but his side of the reflection had been shattered the day he was born. Maybe even before.
He casts her a sheepish look, true regret in his eyes as he stops and turns to meet her gaze. ]
I can’t say I didn’t mean it, because at the time, I very much did. I was angry. But I never should have taken that out on you, for things far beyond your control.
[ That’s what had been done to him all his life, after all. And he’d turned around and done the same to her. See? Idiot. ]
Slots >.>
She'd turned it on him more than a few times to get him to do what she wanted and he can begrudgingly admit that most of the time he hadn't even minded letting her wind him about her little finger, back in school.
That was a long time ago, though and now... he takes a moment to blink at her before sidling closer, stepping up behind her other shoulder and bending down to brush his lips against the back of her ear. ]
Careful. The games of chance in this place often have a sense of humor.
👀
Had she not recognized it, the fight instinct the war had put her in would have her whirling around to punch him. Thankfully she turns her head instead coming face to face with someone she can't help but wonder is a ghost.
For a moment the sudden appearance of a face she hasn't seen in years catches her off guard and the flirty innocent facade slips for a fraction of a second. It's gone as quick as it came. After offering a cheerful apology to the other guest she slips her arm through Sylvain's, leading him away. ]
You know me, I love a sense of humour. It just depends on what kind of humour.
no subject
[ Sylvain's voice is mild and playful, but he hadn't missed that shocked look on her face. Understood it, too, since he's pretty sure he'd had the same one when he'd first stumbled across familiar faces in this place.
At least she's a much more pleasant surprise than Lorenz.
Tucking her hand warmly in the crook of his arm, he guides her down the aisle, still surrounded by the rows of slot machines as he glances down and gives her a teasing wink. ]
Hello, darling. Fancy running into you here. I take it you just arrived?
no subject
The gasp she gives him at that is absolutely put on but she has no doubt that he'd see right through that if he was some of the same person she knew from their Academy years. Her threshold for scandalous things was definitely higher than say...a purple haired noble they were both acquainted with - but she had no idea how much of that was about to be tested. ]
What gave it away? My starry-eyed gaze? My wedding wear?
[ The dress she's donned is only less revealing than the lingerie she had woken up in beside Marianne. But only in the sense that it was floor length and the scar across her chest was covered up by a panel she had fashioned out of the accompanying veil. Give Hilda some fabric scissors, thread and a vision and she'll do the work. ]
From how you phrased that you've probably been here a while. Does that mean you mysteriously ended up married and don't have any memory of it either?
no subject
Uh, no. I’m avoiding the whole marriage thing here just as strongly as I was back home. That’s new around here, actually. Some romantic holiday they’re trying to pass off or something, I’m not really sure.
But I’ve heard they at least gave you guys the good rooms for it. Everyone that showed up when I did got cramped little closets of rooms. Or woke up naked out in the jungle-themed conservatory. [ He casts her a wink. ] They do enjoy their scandals, though.
no subject
[ Dead girls can't get married anyway.
Hilda pulls a little face at his recounting of his arrival. Yeah, neither of those options sound appealing to her. And honestly she could think of worse ways to wake up than "married" to Marianne in luxurious silk sheets and nice clothing. She presses into his side, visibly perking up at the mention of a scandal. ]
What sort of scandals? Don't hold back - you know I love gossip, Sylvain.
no subject
[ He chuckles under his breath as he tucks her in close against his side. Oh the things he could tell her that would make her ears burn. But he doesn’t kiss and tell. Much. ]
That’s the entire point. Haven’t you picked up on that? Although you might want to be careful about what you eat or drink while you’re in here. They have a way of… encouraging their new guest to dive right into their game.
no subject
There's almost too much to pick up on. [ Her lower lip juts out. ] My brain can't handle that much information at once.
[ Who is she - Claude? It's easy to slip back into old habits, particularly with someone who had only known her for that. But being careful about eating and drinking is duly noted. ]
Spoken like someone with experience. Does that mean you won't be treating me to a meal any time soon?
no subject
Yeah, nope. He didn’t buy that act back in school and he doesn’t buy it now either. Try again, Hilda. ]
I didn’t say that. I will happily treat you to a meal, if that’s what you’re craving. Just don’t get upset with me if you end up throwing yourself in my arms or climbing into my lap before we actually finish that meal.
[ …Spoken like someone who has experienced that firsthand now. On multiple occasions. ]
no subject
But if she has nothing to lose here then where's the harm in throwing some caution to the wind? ]
Why wouldn't it be the other way around?
[ Her lips twitch in amusement. She'd been mostly immune to his charms at the Academy and she's mostly immune now. Probably. ]
Why don't you show me how to play this game first and then we can talk about food after? I haven't worked up an appetite yet.
[ An abrupt tug on his arm sees them standing in front of a machine with birds with top hats and frilly headdresses winking at them. ]
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Alright, I’ll show you how. The machines themselves are easy to use - it’s what comes after that can be challenging. See you don’t win automatically just by playing the game here.It rolls a random set of numbers and each one means a different thing. Put those things together and you get a… let’s call it a dare. A challenge. Something you have to complete in order to win and get the payout.
Now those ones over there- [ he points to similar machines a few rows over. ] They do the same things, but those are the easy mode. They have simple and safe challenges that spill out for you to accomplish and an okay payout of you complete it and ‘win’. These ones, though? These are a more difficult setting. Sort of. They payout for completing a roll on these is much higher - enough that you won’t have to immediately worry about funds here - but you’ll have to do more to earn them. Probably sex - or a sexual act -of some sort.
So. Where would you like to start?
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If she hadn't arrived here at the time she had, if she had been brought here when she had been much younger, she might have been more scandalized at the thought of anything to do with Sylvain Gautier. And he might catch the slight flush of her cheeks at the mention of sex - sex with him - but her gaze stays firmly fixed on the machine and its hypnotizing lights until he poses his question.
There's a beat before she answers him, weighing her options and the hidden third that also includes simply walking away from this altogether. But a phantom chill spreads from the centre of her chest that makes her jaw tighten just a fraction. She'd do anything to chase that feeling away. Finally her head turns towards him with a sweet smile. ]
We're already here, aren't we? I'm fine with it if you are.
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Then again, he’s sure they’d all changed a lot over the past five years.
He reaches out to tug a lock of her hair in response, keeping things light and playful. ] Alright we’ll give it a shot. But don’t fret if it’s not something you feel like completing. I promise I will still treat you to a very luxurious dinner regardless.
[ He gestures to the machine they’d stopped in front of. ] Why don’t you pull the lever, see what options it gives you?
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I'll hold you to that.
[ Maybe there's a moment where she can tease him about his Faerghan ways and integrity - but she doesn't know if any of them made it through the war so desperately focused on trying to keep one man alive that it feels in poor taste to do so right now.
Instead genuine excitement lights up as she immediately moves to tug on the lever. It spins round and round before music blares and the lights dance and a noise on her wrist chimes: Lick thighs under a table.
Her eyebrow raises before she lets out a light laugh. ]
I guess there's something for everyone, huh? Are you going to pull?
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[ He gives her a playful wink as he tugs her away from the machine. ]
As long as we complete your challenge, we’ll both get a payout. Now we just need to find a suitable table. Did you want to stay here in the casino or shall we venture elsewhere?
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You're being awfully formal about this, Sylvain.
[ Colour her surprised. Then again that's been her perpetual state more or less the entire time that she's been here.
She wouldn't go as far as to call this transactional - there's too much history between them for that. But it certainly takes any romance out of it. Which probably isn't so much of a bad thing here. A quick glance around shows that the tables on the casino floor are being used for any manner of things - sitting, talking, and other dubious acts that aren't usually done so brazenly in Fodlan. ]
Why don't you surprise me?
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But her observation does have his footsteps slowing a bit as he glances down at her. Thinks back over their interaction so far and realizes she’s right. Scrubbing a hand over his face he gives a faint sigh before offering her an apologetic glance. ]
You’re right, I have been, haven’t I? Sorry, Hilda. I guess spending weeks in this place has just had me more adjusted to… I don’t know, how everyone kind of deals with the things this place throws at us. But you’ve just gotten here and this is all still new for you. I didn’t mean to just stampede over you.
[ He pauses, bringing her hand up to his lips to brush a kiss over her knuckles. ]
Why don’t you let me make it up to you? Come on, I’ll take you somewhere fun.
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Truthfully, she doesn't know what to make of the almost business-like brusqueness to this man that is both the same person she remembers from their Academy year but so different at the same time. He's definitely grown physically - that much would be hard to miss. It wasn't just a physical change but something she can't put her finger on. Had it been this place that had changed him? The war? Or both?
The gentle brush of his lips across her knuckles stirs memories of a playboy noble who had been brazen about his flirting and trail of broken hearts. But there's no overbearing charm that she can see through here. There's an apologetic look instead. Once upon a time she had thought she had figured a part of him out. She thought that he would have enjoyed seeing her lost and in need of help that could and should be transactional.
It's confusing to say the least. There's an exhale of amused breath from her because of how ridiculous this entire thing is but she doesn't let go of his hand. ]
You don't have to be nice to me just because we knew each other at the Academy, Sylvain. Like you said, there's nothing binding us to that result, right? I'm sure you've made plenty of friends already who you'd much rather spend your time with than little ol' me. [ There's a teasing hint to the lift of her lips. ] Unless you're just feeling nostalgic that is.
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[ He counters this with an arch of his eyebrow, tucking her hand in the crook of his arm once more as he tugs her towards the doors leading out of the Casino and into the Entertainment Quarter proper. ]
And don’t sell yourself short, I’ve had time to make some friends here, yes, but that also makes me someone who’s had time to learn some of the tricks of this place, too. And I know how much you like to get ahead of the game.
[ Even if he half expects her to deny that claim. Maybe. It has been a long time since he’s been part (or prey) of one of her schemes - he has no idea if the rules have changed or not. ]
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[ While her ability to fold her feelings underneath a mostly happy-go-lucky lackadaisical cheer had been pressure tested thanks to the war, it's that response that surprises her the most. Why she can't say for certain. It's not like they had left the Academy on bad terms (unless she counted that one argument they'd had but she'd forgotten all about it. Mostly). They just hadn't seen one another in years and maybe opinions had changed.
In spite of her surprise she allows herself to be led by the arm off the casino floor unknowingly proving him right. ]
I'm a bit of a slow learner but I guess I don't have much of a choice here but to keep up, huh? Good thing I'm in capable hands.
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Is there some reason I shouldn’t be happy to see you? Why is that so surprising?
[ He tugs her down the corridor, heading for one of the small teahouses he’d discovered in his first week here. It was quiet and out of the way - an intimate setting, if a little small, but considering the activity elsewhere tonight, he thinks they’ll have it mostly to themselves, which should suit their purposes just fine.
Besides their pastries and teas were delicious there. He thinks she’ll like it. ]
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[ No point in beating around the bush, she thinks. Not that she's trying to kill a mood before there's even any kind of mood to be had. The premise for all of this is already strange enough – but much like calling him out earlier for this feeling transactional, maybe calling the war elephant in the room will make it easier.
Maybe. ]
We did also have a... disagreement. About how I was raised.
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Five years had given him a lot of perspective on a lot of things. But mostly how large an idiot he’d been in his youth. Not that he couldn’t be still, but. He wasn’t typically trying to be these days. ]
We did, didn’t we? I’d completely forgotten. My apologies, Hilda, I was out of line back then. I never should have said what I did. You were right to be angry.
[ And he… he’d been jealous. Of a life and a family he’d never known. Never would. Hilda’s life was the mirror image of the one he should have had, but his side of the reflection had been shattered the day he was born. Maybe even before.
He casts her a sheepish look, true regret in his eyes as he stops and turns to meet her gaze. ]
I can’t say I didn’t mean it, because at the time, I very much did. I was angry. But I never should have taken that out on you, for things far beyond your control.
[ That’s what had been done to him all his life, after all. And he’d turned around and done the same to her. See? Idiot. ]