【 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. 💕
[ Hiyori's shaking causes the bundle of clothes he's holding to topple to the floor. In his confusion, he fails to catch them when he might have any other time. More than the clothes falling, Jun wants him to quit what he's doing, but there's no time for that while he takes in his partner's rambling. ]
What the hell are you yammering on about? I know you're shit with directions, Ohii-san, but next time, I'm gonna put a tracking device on you. 'Sides, in case you haven't noticed, I can't really rescue you when I'm stuck here too. But what're you talking 'bout Wildcard's for? I've heard people yell that, but I dunno what it means.
[ While Jun would rescue Hiyori if needed, with them both in this situation, the point remains moot. Still, he's determined to protect him from anyone who might shout crude things at him! And fortunately for Jun, no one has yelled crude things at him! He's considerably better off than Hiyori has been at this point.
Now Jun scowls and mutters under his breath as he tries to wrestle his partner off of him. Needless to say, Hiyori's hold remains firm on him, and he can only appear downcast, knowing he cannot push Hiyori too much. Besides, he doesn't have enough chips to afford the racks of clothes if they were to become tangled in them, so he'd much rather avoid that. ]
Look, it's great you're here and all, but couldja let me go already? Really, it's only been a few days since you went missing anyway, and, uh, guess since we last saw one another. But I'm asking you nicely, Ohii-san. Please act like a normal person for two seconds, 'cause it's gonna get real annoying if you cause a scene in here.
[Too late not to cause a scene! Several people have already turned their way: some of them staff, some of them guests. But no one's getting mad, at least not yet; rather, their impression seems to be awww, what a cute couple. Some of the guests totally have hearts in their eyes! Why, just look at those two lovebirds—they can't keep their hands off each other, even while they shop. Isn't that sweet? (The staff, on the other hand, might start to get mad once they notice the clothes on the floor.)
And no dice on Hiyori letting go, either! He does what he wants, and what he wants right now is to squeeze and hug his partner tight. They've only been separated a few days, but he was starting to get anxious without the rest of his unit. And, alright, it's not like he can't live without his partner, don't get the wrong idea—Jun is his junior, so it's more Jun who can't live without him! But when they're apart too long, it starts to feel like there's something missing. Which means it's best for them to be together! And now that Jun-kun's come to rescue him, he's incredibly glad. He just knew Jun would travel the seven seas and walk on burning hot coals to reach him again!
Er, but wait a minute.
Jun is saying some stuff that Hiyori doesn't understand. Some of it sounds pretty rude, but that's just typical cheeky Jun-kun. Given the circumstances, Hiyori will be benevolent and forgive him! But, wait, one part of that didn't sound right at all.]
Huh?
[The giddy smile slides right off his face. He draws back, still holding onto Jun's shoulders, but no longer hugging him.]
What do you mean you're "stuck here too?"
[His eyes are full of confusion. And then his face gradually transforms, the confusion giving way to indignation. Yep, it's official: someone's no longer happy!]
You can't be stuck here! The main competition's about to start! And anyway, who brought you here? You're my partner, no one should be taking you anywhere without my permission!
[ As long as the staff does not see the garments on the floor, Jun can handle anything the other guests throw at them. When it comes down to it, he's prepared to respond, 'Nah, you've got the wrong idea. This guy's always actin' like this,' but it's best that he ignores all that for now. He nods curtly to a few of the guests, knowing it's not easy with Ohii-san's arduous grip on him.
As long as they don't get kicked out, then that's fine! There's no need to make a big fuss about it, especially now as they've already caused a scene, much to Jun's dismay. But as Hiyori finally let's him go, he looks up, tilting his head to the side, noticing how the smile slid right off of his face.
Yep, he knows that expression.
But the competition? Jun stares pensively before the realisation eventually dawns on him that, yes, that was the previous evening before he woke up here. This was bad, he realised; he could picture Ibara, his actual self, scurrying around screaming obscenities and accusing everybody who came into sight of snatching away two members of Eden. And even worse, though, now picturing Mary all alone. ]
I mean, it's fine, even though what you're saying doesn't make a lick of sense. I dunno what you're expecting, not like I can go back to sleep, hoping to wake up at the dorms again. Yeah, I'm stuck here. And what? I dunno who brought me here. But this whole ordeal would be easier if I knew. I'm sure you've got no idea, either.
And you can't just say that, Ohii-san! People are gonna get the wrong idea.
[ People, including the other resort members, definitely have the wrong impression of them as it is. ]
[Don't make him think about Mary, that's just cruel.
Fortunately, his thoughts don't stray towards his poor, abandoned dog. His thoughts are currently with his other adopted stray, the one standing right in front of him. It's taking a lot to process the simple fact that Jun is trapped here, too—that they're in the same boat, both of them pulled the SS Competition with no clue how they ended up here. But if they're in the same boat, then...
His brows shoot up.]
Wait... if you're stuck here and you didn't wake up in your dorm room, does that mean you woke up in bed with someone? In one of those so-called wedding suites?
[You know, like he did? The thought hadn't occurred to him. But now that it has occurred, his mind starts filling up with images of Jun-kun dressed to the nines, all ready for a wedding. Cuddled up in bed with someone else, eating chocolate-covered strawberries like newlyweds. And when he pictures that...
He absolutely, absolutely hates it!
And the worst thing is, there's more to worry about! An even more horrible idea occurs to him next, and his eyes grow wide and alarmed.]
And does that mean you have one of those wristwatch things? The ones that say filthy things on the screen? No, it can't be...!
[His hands abandon Jun's shoulders in favor of grabbing his arms, twisting and pulling them towards him. If Jun is wearing long sleeves, Hiyori pulls them back, searching for an evil smartwatch that matches the one he's wearing!]
Of course, when Hiyori brings that up, he looks away for a second and rubs his cheek shamefully. He had woken up with someone—a complete stranger—but the situation had only been one big misunderstanding. It had to be a misunderstanding! Jun didn't want to jepordise his career, after all. But then, doesn't that mean Hiyori did as well? The fact that they are still idols leads him to not know how to feel about any of this. The thought still fails to make sense to him, and as he starts to explain, his stomach drops. ]
Yeah, I woke up with someone, but they were nice. I don't think we're actually married, y'know? 'Sides we can't... We're still idols, so I'm sure it's not real. Guess by your reaction, the same happened to you.
[ But he sounds so unsure, and it's a strange feeling that he doesn't know what to do about. The suite was nice, though, but he's certain nothing happened between them besides sleeping in the same bed. Jun wasn't like that, anyway! He'd only kept them warm because they wanted to be held. Yep, that's all.
And before he has the time to respond, the sleeve of his shirt's being pulled back, and exactly where the watch he's been trying to hide remains. He can't even find it in himself to be annoyed that Hiyori grabbed at him again. This is a very weird situation he doesn't know how to comprehend. ]
And yeah, as you can see. I've tried to remove the watch, but it won't budge. Haven't had a real chance to look at it, though; that's why I'm pretty confused 'bout this chip stuff. Sounds like you've got a better understanding, and I dunno why it keeps sayin' all this weird stuff.
[... is how he'd react if he could read metatext, but thankfully he cannot! Crisis averted! We don't have to break out that icon again or use capslock after all!
Not that he's happy now. With how Jun reacted, it's obvious what went on. His honest face screams "guilty" before he's even said a word! Which causes a sick feeling to roil around in the pit of Hiyori's stomach. Who did Jun wake up with, and what was their intent towards him? They didn't take advantage of the pure and innocent Jun-kun, did they?
The pure and innocent Jun-kun, who's not just innocent, but also utterly clueless!!]
You "don't think" you're married? What do you mean, you "don't think"? Of course you're not! You wouldn't get married without telling your own unit, would you? We're idols! That sort of thing is a strict "non, non!"
[He shakes his head, sounding incredulous. Of course the situation isn't Jun's fault, but that's doesn't mean he's off the hook! How you respond to things is also important!
But anyway, it's onto the watch check, since of course he dodges Jun's own comment about the same thing happening to him. He pulls back Jun's sleeve, his face falling dramatically when he sees the watch: same design and same message as the one displayed on his. They really are in the same boat.
Though it seems they don't have all the same information. His brows lift and he asks,]
[ It’s better Hiyori can’t read that, because Jun definitely doesn’t want to explain it to anyone.
And as it is, the guilt he feels already something he can’t hide from Hiyori. He should be acting the same way, finding it absurd and ludicrous. But he can’t assume Hiyori woke up with the same, even if he’s dodged the question. ]
‘Course I wouldn’t! Okay, fine. I’m not married, better?
[ And that’s mostly because Jun doesn’t know how to react, despite his guilt-ridden face. That’s right, they can’t get married to anyone, even have relations with anyone, and Jun wants to keep it that way.
But the moment Hiyori reaches for his watch, mentions the Game, he can’t help but to look away. Jun thought this all had to be an elaborate prank, something close enough that it’s a dream they’ll wake up from.
Then he looks back, biting the inside of his mouth, not enjoying the expression Hiyori’s wearing.
Despite reading the information on his watch, Jun still doesn’t understand all of it. There has to be a catch to this, the information, or something else. ]
…I read all that, but doesn’t mean I follow all of it. ‘Sides it’s gotta be a big joke. They can’t expect all of us to do that, can they? Well, I dunno about you, but I refuse to play this sorta game.
But not too much better. Once again, Jun's face gives away everything; the fact he's averting his eyes right now means he has heard of that "game," and must understand roughly what it entails. And once again, Hiyori's heart sinks. So it's too late to keep Jun innocent...
He finally drops Jun's arm, his stomach tying itself in knots. Though he was overjoyed to see Jun again, it seems now like some awful curse to have him here. Nagisa and Ibara will have to compete in the SS by themselves, for starters, assuming the event hasn't been called off. But it's also one thing for him to end up in this terrible situation himself, risking his career and his family's reputation and Eden's reputation just by being here. To suffer terrible indignities in elevators and wedding suites. To be approached by pushy strangers and encouraged to do very un-idol-like things. But to have Jun suffer the same fate? That's more than he can bear, really.
After all, Jun is younger and more pure than him. A good-hearted kid, despite his father's attempts to poison him with hatred. A "warrior of love." Someone he wants only the best for. Because to him, Jun-kun is...
While he's gone uncharacteristically silent, Jun finally speaks. Hiyori looks at his face, studying him closely while he gives his impression of the "game." And surprisingly...
Jun's words actually manage to uplift him. A lot.]
... that's right.
[A smile spreads across his face, tentative at first, before growing brighter and brighter. Soon he's back to his usual sunny disposition.]
Of course we will. Neither one of us would put our careers in jeopardy. And it wouldn't be at all like us to go along with some outrageous order, just because some shady "resort" told us to! The two of us are Eve, after all. And, just as importantly, we're Eden! We're the distinguished protagonists of a glorious new era ♪ Everyone is looking up to us—our fans, the other idols, everyone! And we mustn't do a single thing to let them down or betray their faith in us.
[He's regained confidence. He may, in fact, be too confident. But "too confident" is basically his default state of being, which means he's basically back to normal! Isn't that nice?
And, feeling more spirited, he reaches for Jun's hands, grasping them in his own and beaming his brightest smile at his partner.]
We'll show them their faith wasn't misplaced. We'll escape from here without doing anything that watch says, and find our way back to Nagisa-kun! And Ibara, too, I suppose.
[ Listening to Hiyori's admission makes Jun feel a bit better and less guilty, which is specifically what he'd been looking for. Up until now, when it has finally sunk in, Jun hasn't had much chance to wallow in self-pity about being here or fret over what anyone back home might think. It's been easy to pretend everything is fine and that this is just another of Eden's getaways, only without Nagi-senpai or Ibara present. Maybe this would be useful if his thoughts strayed, imagining the current situation as a vacation for Eve instead.
It might not help much, but it's worth a try.
But the gravity of the situation still leaves a sick feeling in his stomach, as though someone might perceive him as doing something unbecoming of an idol. He doesn't want that perception of himself or of Hiyori, for them to have worked this hard only to be met with whatever "game" might place a heavy strain on their careers. In Jun's eyes, they are both innocent, and he desires to preserve that innocence for both of them. But with the competition, there's little doubt the two from Adam could handle it, but the intention's for all of Eden to be there, so what happens now?
Although he averted his gaze just moments before, he now finds it much easier to meet his partner's eyes than to look away. ]
Yeah, you're right.
[ And he meets Hiyori's smile with one of his own, as the uneasiness in his chest fades. - It feels better to know they are on the same page about whatever the watch is instructing them to do, so they don't have to play along with this charade. Their fans never have to find out about this, and when they get back, damage control efforts will likely already be underway. (If they aren't already.) With that realisation, his chest feels less heavy and less burdened. ]
You know, hearing those words from you makes me feel better. And I don't wanna disappoint our fans, so this all feels wrong. After reading everything on the watch and being forced to play this stupid game, I just.. dunno what to do but refuse. Plus, my guess is Ibara's already working on finding us, and he'll bring us back. And I'm positive Nagi-senpai's there waiting with him.
[ Jun's able to nearly envision the scene, remaining a pleasant thought. ]
... yeah, I'm sure that's gotta be what they're doing.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
goldmods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
peacockstop2024-02-10 11:29 am
😳🥰
[ Hiyori's shaking causes the bundle of clothes he's holding to topple to the floor. In his confusion, he fails to catch them when he might have any other time. More than the clothes falling, Jun wants him to quit what he's doing, but there's no time for that while he takes in his partner's rambling. ]
What the hell are you yammering on about? I know you're shit with directions, Ohii-san, but next time, I'm gonna put a tracking device on you. 'Sides, in case you haven't noticed, I can't really rescue you when I'm stuck here too. But what're you talking 'bout Wildcard's for? I've heard people yell that, but I dunno what it means.
[ While Jun would rescue Hiyori if needed, with them both in this situation, the point remains moot. Still, he's determined to protect him from anyone who might shout crude things at him! And fortunately for Jun, no one has yelled crude things at him! He's considerably better off than Hiyori has been at this point.
Now Jun scowls and mutters under his breath as he tries to wrestle his partner off of him. Needless to say, Hiyori's hold remains firm on him, and he can only appear downcast, knowing he cannot push Hiyori too much. Besides, he doesn't have enough chips to afford the racks of clothes if they were to become tangled in them, so he'd much rather avoid that. ]
Look, it's great you're here and all, but couldja let me go already? Really, it's only been a few days since you went missing anyway, and, uh, guess since we last saw one another. But I'm asking you nicely, Ohii-san. Please act like a normal person for two seconds, 'cause it's gonna get real annoying if you cause a scene in here.
[ He doesn't need Hiyori's praises! ]
no subject
And no dice on Hiyori letting go, either! He does what he wants, and what he wants right now is to squeeze and hug his partner tight. They've only been separated a few days, but he was starting to get anxious without the rest of his unit. And, alright, it's not like he can't live without his partner, don't get the wrong idea—Jun is his junior, so it's more Jun who can't live without him! But when they're apart too long, it starts to feel like there's something missing. Which means it's best for them to be together! And now that Jun-kun's come to rescue him, he's incredibly glad. He just knew Jun would travel the seven seas and walk on burning hot coals to reach him again!
Er, but wait a minute.
Jun is saying some stuff that Hiyori doesn't understand. Some of it sounds pretty rude, but that's just typical cheeky Jun-kun. Given the circumstances, Hiyori will be benevolent and forgive him! But, wait, one part of that didn't sound right at all.]
Huh?
[The giddy smile slides right off his face. He draws back, still holding onto Jun's shoulders, but no longer hugging him.]
What do you mean you're "stuck here too?"
[His eyes are full of confusion. And then his face gradually transforms, the confusion giving way to indignation. Yep, it's official: someone's no longer happy!]
You can't be stuck here! The main competition's about to start! And anyway, who brought you here? You're my partner, no one should be taking you anywhere without my permission!
no subject
As long as they don't get kicked out, then that's fine! There's no need to make a big fuss about it, especially now as they've already caused a scene, much to Jun's dismay. But as Hiyori finally let's him go, he looks up, tilting his head to the side, noticing how the smile slid right off of his face.
Yep, he knows that expression.
But the competition? Jun stares pensively before the realisation eventually dawns on him that, yes, that was the previous evening before he woke up here. This was bad, he realised; he could picture Ibara, his actual self, scurrying around screaming obscenities and accusing everybody who came into sight of snatching away two members of Eden. And even worse, though, now picturing Mary all alone. ]
I mean, it's fine, even though what you're saying doesn't make a lick of sense. I dunno what you're expecting, not like I can go back to sleep, hoping to wake up at the dorms again. Yeah, I'm stuck here. And what? I dunno who brought me here. But this whole ordeal would be easier if I knew. I'm sure you've got no idea, either.
And you can't just say that, Ohii-san! People are gonna get the wrong idea.
[ People, including the other resort members, definitely have the wrong impression of them as it is. ]
no subject
Fortunately, his thoughts don't stray towards his poor, abandoned dog. His thoughts are currently with his other adopted stray, the one standing right in front of him. It's taking a lot to process the simple fact that Jun is trapped here, too—that they're in the same boat, both of them pulled the SS Competition with no clue how they ended up here. But if they're in the same boat, then...
His brows shoot up.]
Wait... if you're stuck here and you didn't wake up in your dorm room, does that mean you woke up in bed with someone? In one of those so-called wedding suites?
[You know, like he did? The thought hadn't occurred to him. But now that it has occurred, his mind starts filling up with images of Jun-kun dressed to the nines, all ready for a wedding. Cuddled up in bed with someone else, eating chocolate-covered strawberries like newlyweds. And when he pictures that...
He absolutely, absolutely hates it!
And the worst thing is, there's more to worry about! An even more horrible idea occurs to him next, and his eyes grow wide and alarmed.]
And does that mean you have one of those wristwatch things? The ones that say filthy things on the screen? No, it can't be...!
[His hands abandon Jun's shoulders in favor of grabbing his arms, twisting and pulling them towards him. If Jun is wearing long sleeves, Hiyori pulls them back, searching for an evil smartwatch that matches the one he's wearing!]
no subject
Of course, when Hiyori brings that up, he looks away for a second and rubs his cheek shamefully. He had woken up with someone—a complete stranger—but the situation had only been one big misunderstanding. It had to be a misunderstanding! Jun didn't want to jepordise his career, after all. But then, doesn't that mean Hiyori did as well? The fact that they are still idols leads him to not know how to feel about any of this. The thought still fails to make sense to him, and as he starts to explain, his stomach drops. ]
Yeah, I woke up with someone, but they were nice. I don't think we're actually married, y'know? 'Sides we can't... We're still idols, so I'm sure it's not real. Guess by your reaction, the same happened to you.
[ But he sounds so unsure, and it's a strange feeling that he doesn't know what to do about. The suite was nice, though, but he's certain nothing happened between them besides sleeping in the same bed. Jun wasn't like that, anyway! He'd only kept them warm because they wanted to be held. Yep, that's all.
And before he has the time to respond, the sleeve of his shirt's being pulled back, and exactly where the watch he's been trying to hide remains. He can't even find it in himself to be annoyed that Hiyori grabbed at him again. This is a very weird situation he doesn't know how to comprehend. ]
And yeah, as you can see. I've tried to remove the watch, but it won't budge. Haven't had a real chance to look at it, though; that's why I'm pretty confused 'bout this chip stuff. Sounds like you've got a better understanding, and I dunno why it keeps sayin' all this weird stuff.
1/2
2/2
Not that he's happy now. With how Jun reacted, it's obvious what went on. His honest face screams "guilty" before he's even said a word! Which causes a sick feeling to roil around in the pit of Hiyori's stomach. Who did Jun wake up with, and what was their intent towards him? They didn't take advantage of the pure and innocent Jun-kun, did they?
The pure and innocent Jun-kun, who's not just innocent, but also utterly clueless!!]
You "don't think" you're married? What do you mean, you "don't think"? Of course you're not! You wouldn't get married without telling your own unit, would you? We're idols! That sort of thing is a strict "non, non!"
[He shakes his head, sounding incredulous. Of course the situation isn't Jun's fault, but that's doesn't mean he's off the hook! How you respond to things is also important!
But anyway, it's onto the watch check, since of course he dodges Jun's own comment about the same thing happening to him. He pulls back Jun's sleeve, his face falling dramatically when he sees the watch: same design and same message as the one displayed on his. They really are in the same boat.
Though it seems they don't have all the same information. His brows lift and he asks,]
So... you don't know about that "52" thing?
no subject
And as it is, the guilt he feels already something he can’t hide from Hiyori. He should be acting the same way, finding it absurd and ludicrous. But he can’t assume Hiyori woke up with the same, even if he’s dodged the question. ]
‘Course I wouldn’t! Okay, fine. I’m not married, better?
[ And that’s mostly because Jun doesn’t know how to react, despite his guilt-ridden face. That’s right, they can’t get married to anyone, even have relations with anyone, and Jun wants to keep it that way.
But the moment Hiyori reaches for his watch, mentions the Game, he can’t help but to look away. Jun thought this all had to be an elaborate prank, something close enough that it’s a dream they’ll wake up from.
Then he looks back, biting the inside of his mouth, not enjoying the expression Hiyori’s wearing.
Despite reading the information on his watch, Jun still doesn’t understand all of it. There has to be a catch to this, the information, or something else. ]
…I read all that, but doesn’t mean I follow all of it. ‘Sides it’s gotta be a big joke. They can’t expect all of us to do that, can they? Well, I dunno about you, but I refuse to play this sorta game.
no subject
But not too much better. Once again, Jun's face gives away everything; the fact he's averting his eyes right now means he has heard of that "game," and must understand roughly what it entails. And once again, Hiyori's heart sinks. So it's too late to keep Jun innocent...
He finally drops Jun's arm, his stomach tying itself in knots. Though he was overjoyed to see Jun again, it seems now like some awful curse to have him here. Nagisa and Ibara will have to compete in the SS by themselves, for starters, assuming the event hasn't been called off. But it's also one thing for him to end up in this terrible situation himself, risking his career and his family's reputation and Eden's reputation just by being here. To suffer terrible indignities in elevators and wedding suites. To be approached by pushy strangers and encouraged to do very un-idol-like things. But to have Jun suffer the same fate? That's more than he can bear, really.
After all, Jun is younger and more pure than him. A good-hearted kid, despite his father's attempts to poison him with hatred. A "warrior of love." Someone he wants only the best for. Because to him, Jun-kun is...
While he's gone uncharacteristically silent, Jun finally speaks. Hiyori looks at his face, studying him closely while he gives his impression of the "game." And surprisingly...
Jun's words actually manage to uplift him. A lot.]
... that's right.
[A smile spreads across his face, tentative at first, before growing brighter and brighter. Soon he's back to his usual sunny disposition.]
Of course we will. Neither one of us would put our careers in jeopardy. And it wouldn't be at all like us to go along with some outrageous order, just because some shady "resort" told us to! The two of us are Eve, after all. And, just as importantly, we're Eden! We're the distinguished protagonists of a glorious new era ♪ Everyone is looking up to us—our fans, the other idols, everyone! And we mustn't do a single thing to let them down or betray their faith in us.
[He's regained confidence. He may, in fact, be too confident. But "too confident" is basically his default state of being, which means he's basically back to normal! Isn't that nice?
And, feeling more spirited, he reaches for Jun's hands, grasping them in his own and beaming his brightest smile at his partner.]
We'll show them their faith wasn't misplaced. We'll escape from here without doing anything that watch says, and find our way back to Nagisa-kun! And Ibara, too, I suppose.
no subject
It might not help much, but it's worth a try.
But the gravity of the situation still leaves a sick feeling in his stomach, as though someone might perceive him as doing something unbecoming of an idol. He doesn't want that perception of himself or of Hiyori, for them to have worked this hard only to be met with whatever "game" might place a heavy strain on their careers. In Jun's eyes, they are both innocent, and he desires to preserve that innocence for both of them. But with the competition, there's little doubt the two from Adam could handle it, but the intention's for all of Eden to be there, so what happens now?
Although he averted his gaze just moments before, he now finds it much easier to meet his partner's eyes than to look away. ]
Yeah, you're right.
[ And he meets Hiyori's smile with one of his own, as the uneasiness in his chest fades. - It feels better to know they are on the same page about whatever the watch is instructing them to do, so they don't have to play along with this charade. Their fans never have to find out about this, and when they get back, damage control efforts will likely already be underway. (If they aren't already.) With that realisation, his chest feels less heavy and less burdened. ]
You know, hearing those words from you makes me feel better. And I don't wanna disappoint our fans, so this all feels wrong. After reading everything on the watch and being forced to play this stupid game, I just.. dunno what to do but refuse. Plus, my guess is Ibara's already working on finding us, and he'll bring us back. And I'm positive Nagi-senpai's there waiting with him.
[ Jun's able to nearly envision the scene, remaining a pleasant thought. ]
... yeah, I'm sure that's gotta be what they're doing.
no subject