TDM 03

[goldmods]

【 Hello, dearest guests. We hope you have been enjoying your time in the Golden Peacock and utilizing our many amenities.

Reception would like all guests to be aware that some new arrivals have been misplaced. Due to the nature of the resort, new arrivals may have been misplaced in unexpected locations. This includes your personal suites. We are very sorry for this inconvenience.

Please do not be alarmed if you come across a misplaced new arrival. We kindly request that any guests that find a misplaced new arrival escort them to the main hub, where we have arranged a central meetup where all new arrivals can claim their complimentary robes and welcome baskets.

All guests are invited to come mingle at the main hub and meet new arrivals. As always, we hope you have a pleasant day! 】

DEALER'S CHOICE

STEVE, WHERE DID YOU PUT THE NEW ARRIVALS?

The Golden Peacock has swept away the hues of winter and welcomed vibrant pops of color for a change of pace. Gone are the snow whites and cool golds. Vases of bright florals have been staged all throughout the general hubs and hallways. Statues have been cheekily decorated with bright clothes, such as charming hats and billowing dresses with cheerful prints. This peacock has cleaned up nicely, its brilliant feathers shaking with a warm palette to please the senses.

Staff are bustling during the decor turnover. While some diligent employees are steadfastly decorating the hallways with sprawling vines and spectacular blooms, others are darting back and forth in search of something. Or rather — someone. Several someones. Front reception is in an outright panic while flying over the phones and furiously slamming their hands on keyboards.

"Steve, I know you're new, but you can't just press any button that pops up on the computer screen! The new arrivals are supposed to go into temporary suites." Deborah, the head receptionist, sighs, "Now who knows where they are. I hope they're okay... I'm sure they're quite confused, wherever they wound up. Steve, stop crying. The house won't fire you for this. Probably. How's your resume looking?"

THE BATHROOM BUTTON

▷ Due to a mistake at front reception, new arrivals aren't waking up in a temporarily assigned suite like usual. All new arrivals will wake up in a bathroom somewhere in the Golden Peacock. Steve, bless his heart, chose the wrong button and directed all new arrivals to bathrooms. Why do they even have a "bathroom" button at front reception, anyway? Who is that for?!

▷ Players are encouraged to get creative and have their character wake up in any bathroom location across the resort. Please feel free to reference our LOCATIONS for ideas as to where your character might wake up. As long as it's in a bathroom, it can be anywhere. Almost all locations within the resort have a bathroom!

▷ Not even current character suites are safe. New arrivals may wake up in tubs, toilets, and showers in suite locations as well as general resort locations. For low rank rooms, the communal bathroom is also fair game for sudden new naked arrivals to wake up in.

THE MAIN LOBBY

▷ A welcome station has been set up in the main lobby. After getting their bearings and finding their way to the main lobby after an unexpected bathroom adventure, new arrivals will find racks of plush terrycloth robes and yellow tracksuits. They will also be given a welcome basket with general toiletries and snacks to get them started in the resort. Some gift baskets include special sex toys picked out just for them! They haven't tell anyone about that specific kink before? The house knows its guests well. No need to say anything at all.

▷ Front reception has arranged a welcome party to greet new arrivals and help get them more comfortable. Not because they feel extremely guilty about the bathroom mixup and are hoping that these new arrivals won't complain to the house. Definitely not! With the help of 24K and Birdbucks, new arrivals and guests alike will be treated to alcohol or coffee at the front desk's expense. The fireplaces are roaring and several couches have been set up to create a comfortable atmosphere. Some long-standing guests have joined in to tell stories about how much fun they've had at the resort while enjoying a drink by the fire.

TIME FOR BED... BUT?

▷ Due to the initial mistake at reception there are no empty suites available for new arrivals to borrow. Staff have set up twin-sized cots at the back of the main lobby for new arrivals while sprucing up the situation as a giant slumber party. All new arrivals will be assigned a cot and given a privacy screen. Unfortunately, there isn't much privacy to be had when you're shacking up in a public spot.

▷ Don't worry — this will only be until check-in has been properly completed and guests have been assigned to their correct suite. We're so sorry, please don't complain to the house! Or if you do, blame Steve!

▷ The ghost that haunts the main lobby isn't thrilled about this either. He's just a nice, low-key ghost that likes to watch people and knock over cups at Birdbucks when no one is looking. How is he supposed to do that with these people sleeping in the main lobby? In an effort to spook off these new arrivals, the ghost haunting the main lobby may whisper some odd things into their ears at night. Odd things like, "The person next to you is watching you sleep, you should run away," and "You just farted and everyone knows it was you. You should leave." Surprisingly effective, no?

In the end, Steve didn't get fired. But he did get reassigned to trash duty.

FLORAL RIOT

A STRIKE OF COLOR

【 🌸🌸🌸 Come experience new floral delights! Prepare to be ravished by a symphony of color and aroma. Romance, love, and pleasure all await within corridors of beauty. 🌸 🌸 🌸 】

Days before the grand unveiling, the gardeners of the Cloud Dwelling Garden distribute flyers announcing that their special floral exhibition is now ready for guests to enjoy. Long-standing guests vibrate in anticipation, eagerly stomping around the gardens until the ribbon is cut and the newest resort amenity has been revealed. The gardeners make a point to approach new guests and encourage them to join in on the fun, explaining that the house likes to create a new floral experience for guests every few years or so.

Exhibition opening is set for mid-month. On the 15th precisely, the gardeners line up in front of the white sheet hiding the project, each taking a turn to bow and say a few short words about how grand and generous the house is for giving them such rewarding jobs.

The curtains fall away to a wall of shockingly bright florals. Guests ooh and aahh at not only the array of shades but at the luxurious meld of so many different kinds of flowers. Wisteria and roses, lilies and carnations. Lilacs, peonies, daisies, daffodils, sunflowers. More and more and more and more. The staff explain that this flower maze is perhaps their most intricate piece of work yet and that there is grand surprise waiting at the heart. Additionally, as part of the festivities, several prizes have been hidden around the maze at dead-ends. Long-standing guests clap and cheer before charging inside.

THE FLOWER MAZE

▷ The flower maze is a winding marvel of foliage boasting over ten feet tall. Like the hedge maze, there are various twists and turns for guests to explore. This maze is a coalition of every flower thinkable, with many squared sections highlighting particular breeds. Bright pops of whites, pinks, and yellows knit with deeper purples, reds, and blues. Trees rich with blossoms hang low. Bushes rich with waxy leaves guide the way to different hidden alcoves and pockets. The flower maze is complicated and very easy to get lost in for hours. However, there is nothing magical or paranormal about it. It's just a flower maze.

▷ Guests may find statues overgrown with ivy within the maze. Despite the flower maze being a new addition to the garden, these statues are marked with age. They are weathered, having survived through the elements despite there being no real weather in the garden. Some statues are chipped and missing appendages. Despite how these old statues feel out of place in a brand new exhibit, they do not give any sense that they aren’t simply decor.

▷ Romantic gazebos have been incorporated into the design of the maze. These are popular rendezvous spots for guests to overlook the sprawling flowers and small ponds on the comfort of a small couch or a swinging bench for two. Some special gazebos have been furnished with daybeds and other comfortable furniture.

▷ Treasure chests can be found hidden throughout the flower maze. Many of these chests are filled with sex toys and lubricants to help players get into the mood to play 52, but not only sex related items are available. Some chests may have clothes, some may have treats, some may even be filled with rocks.

▷ A few mimics have snuck in alongside the treasure chests. When opened, a mimic chest will curse the opener with a horny tongue. For a short period, the cursed individual will find themselves making erotic freudian slips. "How are you doing?" may end up coming out as, "How are you fucking?" While this curse will eventually wear off on its own, the embarrassment is forever.

THE GRAND FLOWER LAWN

▷ Guests that find the heart of the maze will discover the grand flower lawn. Also called the flower sea by staff, this brilliant landscape is covered in a lush carpet of flowers in shades of blue. Blue roses are the crown jewel of the flower sea, carefully dethorned so that guests may spread out on a velvety bed of petals.

▷ It isn’t impossible for our hardworking gardeners to miss a thorn or two. Even with careful checking, a few thorns have escaped scrutinizing staff. Guests pricked by a thorn while on the rose lawn will begin to feel drowsy. Effects may range from light exhaustion to falling into deep slumber. The cure for the rose's thorn curse is a kiss. Don't worry: true love need not apply in this case.

▷ Picnic baskets are available for guests that would like relax out on the lawn. Included in the picnic basket set: a blanket and set of pillows, fruit sandwiches, champagne, small cakes, and cookies. Hot tea and coffee is also available upon request. Staff are happy to accommodate any other special requests as well. Ask and ye shall receive.

SPECIAL LAWN GAMES

▷ All guests lounging on the lawn will receive a cheerful message on their Watch: 【 WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY A LAWN GAME? 】

Guests that select the NO option will be left to their snoozing and merriment. Guests that select YES will receive a follow-up message.

▷ 【 Thank you for participating in the Lawn Game. Please choose one of the below options. You will be informed of what surprise task you have chosen after selecting an option. All level one tasks will reward in a small payout upon completion. All level two tasks will reward in a medium payout upon completion. All level three tasks will reward in two extra-large payouts upon completion. 】

LEVEL ONE

【 1♡ 】Serenade another player with a romantic ballad.
【 1♢ 】Perform oral sex on another player.
【 1♧ 】Discover a secret about another player.
【 1♤ 】Steal an item from another player.

LEVEL TWO

【 2♡ 】Confess any romantic crushes you may have to another player. The player need not be one of the crushes in question.
【 2♢ 】Find a unique item to use as a dildo. Allow another player to use this unique item to fuck one or more of your orifices.
【 2♧ 】Describe, in explicit detail, one of your erotic fantasies and/or desires to another player.
【 2♤ 】Take on a submissive role and please another player, either sexually or non-sexually.

LEVEL THREE

【 3♡ 】Make passionate love to another player while in the missionary position.
【 3♢ 】Engage in any sex act involving penetration on the Grand Flower Lawn with another player.
【 3♧ 】Participate in a sex act you have never engaged in before with another player.
【 3♤ 】Kidnap another player for 24 hours.

▷ Players will be prompted to select an option without knowing what the corresponding task is. The task will be sent to their Watch after they have selected an option. To see what your character is lucky enough to receive as their task, simply click the dropdown!

▷ There is no penalty for characters that wuss out and are unable to complete their prompt aside from a mocking message to their Watch,【 LOSER, LOSER, LOSER. BIG LOSER. 】

The flower maze will only last as long as the most fleeting flowers do. The flower maze will remain open to the public for several weeks, after which it will close for further remodeling.

"We'll be open again with another complex arrangement," one of the gardeners explains cheerfully. "A maze isn't fun once you've learned the layout. We'll open again after creating a whole new design for guests to enjoy. Maybe even some new flowers, too. A lot of the ones on the lawn got funky after guests came all over them..."

SMOKY NECTAR

DRIBBLE OF SWEETNESS

The conservatory is even busier than the gardens. Unlike the easygoing staff in the garden, employees in the conservatory are busy zooming to and fro with brooms while trying to get a handle on the unexpectedly huge amount of pollen. From flowers, from trees — so much pollen. The ground is coated and the air is thick. Several long-standing guests visiting the area have fallen into sneezing fits. Even with cleaning efforts to mitigate the build-up, the pollen becomes thicker as the weeks go on. Staff eventually give up on trying to sweep it away.

This pollen is not standard. Guests that inhale this pollen will begin to feel feverish and strange. Continued exposure to this pollen will heighten a desire for sex to the point of all-encompassing need. Orgasms become much more intense. Nipples are constantly hard. Guests may also be overwhelmed with the urge to "fertilize or become fertilized" — to aggressively deliver or receive cumshots. Gardeners soon realize that normal pollen has been tainted by the cross-breeding of their new spectacular fruits, resulting in an extremely potent sex pollen that affects people and animals. This sex pollen is stronger than any of the current aphrodisiacs in the resort, baffling the gardeners. They weren't even trying to make horny fruit!

The effects of the sex pollen will ease after a few days unless exposure is continued. Guests with too much exposure to the sex pollen may find themselves passing out from violently intense successive orgasms. Any guests found unconscious post-orgasm will be delivered to the Broken Wing clinic for recovery.

THE ORCHARD

▷ The gardeners are thrilled to present this season's fruit orchard. When the previously closed-off portion of the orchard opens, guests will find that some of the delicious fruit hanging on the trees are ... strange. In collaboration with the Dizzy Pigeon, the gardeners of the conservatory have crossbred several standard fruits to create new fruits with delicious, never before seen flavors. Sure, there are the typical apple and orange trees to pick from, but why not give something new a try? Each of these new breeds have been imagined with paying homage to one of the glorious suits in mind.

▷ ORANGEBERRY: A blend of oranges and blueberries. This delicious new citrus has a hard outer peel but tender flesh inside. Sweet with a slightly tart aftertaste. Bred in homage to the Diamonds suit. Those who eat this fruit may experience heightened sensitivity to touch and temperature for a short period time.

▷ PEARAPPLE: A blend of pears and pineapples. A brilliant combination of mildly sweet with a punch of tang. The outside of this large fruit is rough and prickly. Once cut into, the flesh is firm but juicy. Bred in homage to the Hearts suit. Those who eat this fruit may experience intense positive emotions, such as a sudden onset of one-sided love or excessive positivity, for a short period of time.

▷ PEAPLUMTO: A blend of peaches, plums, and tomatoes. This succulent fruit is powerfully sweet, with a fuzzy skin and silky inside. A new favorite for juicing. Bred in homage to the Clubs suit. Those who eat this fruit may find themselves being extremely impulsive for a short period of time.

▷ CHERRYUZU: A blend of cherries and yuzu. These tiny bunches of fruit are sour enough to make the strongest-willed person scrunch their face up! Small but powerful, these fruits are satisfying to bite into with a pop. Bred in homage to the Spades suit. Those who eat this fruit may experience intense negative emotions, such as sudden possessiveness or jealousy, for a short period of time.

THE BUTTERFLY DOME

▷ The butterfly dome is exploding with color. Bright dots of yellow and orange speckle greenery without restraint. An assortment of butterflies lazily fly from buttercup to tulip. These butterflies are unafraid of people and may approach guests, dusting them with the thick pollen that coats their wings before they flutter off elsewhere. The pollen here is thicker than anywhere else in the conservatory. Guests may feel the effects of the sex pollen more strongly while in the butterfly dome. Breathing in pollen for one hour in the butterfly dome is equal to breathing in pollen for several days in the rest of the conservatory.

▷ Several flowers glitter with moisture in the light. Upon closer inspection, guests will find that it isn't morning dew — it's floral nectar. Its light and smoky scent may trigger an intense desire to drink. Guests that give in to the urge and drink the nectar will find themselves overcome with unbearable thirst afterward. No amount of nectar, water, or any other beverage will satisfy. The thirst can only be satisfied by swallowing semen or vaginal fluid. The longer one goes without satisfying the thirst, the thirstier they will become.

BUNS GONE WILD

▷ The normally docile giant flemish rabbits that wander the conservatory have gotten into the spirit of 52 as well. These romantic rabbits have been mating relentlessly since the pollen hit, and now the vegetable patches have been overrun with hundreds of young rabbits looking for food. No vegetable is safe while dozens of baby rabbits are running free, not knowing that they shouldn't eat directly from the patches. Due to the recent vegetable shortage restaurants in the dining quarter have been complaining about not getting their produce deliveries. It's a real problem!

▷ The gardeners have been begging guests to assist in catching these baby rabbits. There are too many for them to catch on their own. Guests who are willing to help will be instructed to catch the young rabbits and deposit them into the large wooden pen built to house them. However, this won't be an easy job — these little rabbits are fast!

▷ While the gardeners can't offer chip payment for the help, they will happily give any guests that assist good plots of land to raise their own vegetables. Rabbit adoption is also on the table!

The sex pollen will fade out within a few weeks, when the new breeds of fruit have all been harvested and delivered to restaurants. The gardeners collectively agree to be more careful when engineering new breeds in the future. "I do think," reports one worker in the conservatory, "the house will be impressed that we've managed to engineer an even stronger aphrodisiac. Great things happen on accident!"

PETAL-STAINED LIPS

A BLOOMING DISEASE

👩‍🦰 "Hack hack, hack hack... what do you mean, 'please cover my mouth when I cough'? I'm a rank nine. Nine! You can't tell me what to do. Now, clean up this mess. I've been coughing up flower petals all day." 👩‍🦰

Wet, smudged petals scatter across the floors of the Peacock. The source is initially unclear, since the perfectly groomed flowers in their decorative vases are in perfect condition. Soon the number of guests coughing into their fists begins to rise and more soggy plants plague the hallways.

After the garden and conservatory unveil their Spring additions the clinic will begin to over-run with guests complaining of various symptoms. There aren't enough beds and there certainly aren't enough doctors and nurses to meet rising demand. Guests continue to visit the clinic complaining of some sort of flower cold while spitting up petals and leaves. Advanced cases involve a deeper spread of vines through the patient's body.

Though this illness manifests in many different ways, the head doctor in charge is quick to clock that it's the Blooming Disease working its way through the resort's population. Not an especially dangerous disease. More troublesome than anything and a mess to clean up. Luckily, there are extensive notes in their files about this particular disease and how to treat it.

THE BLOOMING DISEASE

▷ A strain of hanahaki disease is running through the resort. Unlike the typical hanahaki disease that is brought on by one-sided love, this blooming variation has no single discernible cause. The nurses muse that it is perhaps a side effect of the intense pollen from the conservatory, but this is speculation.

▷ Similar to the standard hanahaki disease, the main symptom is coughing up flower petals. However, the blooming strain manifests in many different ways, and doctors have seen variations of petals and vines creeping out from every orifice. Players are welcome to get as creative as they like with how the blooming disease presents.

▷ Doctors will make one point thoroughly clear: while medications are available to ease discomfort, the cure for this subset of hanahaki disease is sex. Only fucking another person will completely eradicate the disease. If the disease is not treated it will progress until the afflicted patient has turned into a monstrous pile of flora themselves.

▷ It is possible to catch the disease more than once. Having sex will cure it but some guests have caught the disease in quick succession, requiring multiple sessions of vigorous fucking. Doctors are unsure as to why some guests only catch the disease once while others are susceptible to catching it multiple times. The nurses gossip about how they think it's those guests particularly desperate for love that are prone to re-catching it, but again — speculation.

ALL HANDS ON DECK

▷ Without enough manpower in the clinic to meet demand, guests that have experience in the medical field have been asked to volunteer their time to help treat those suffering with the illness. Those kind enough to join in the effort to mitigate the disease will be given a full kit of medical supplies, which they will be allowed to keep once their stint in the clinic has finished. For the duration of their time working in the clinic they will be fully considered staff doctors and able to direct both employees and guests as they see fit.

▷ Guests that do not have medical experience but who wish to help in the clinic will also be accepted. While they will not have as much power as experienced guests assigned to the doctor role, they will be onboarded as nurses and given basic tasks. All nurses will be given scrubs which can be kept after their job has been completed. Nurses are expected to defer to doctors but can dictate to patients.

▷ All guests that assist in the clinic will be given an extra-large payout for their efforts. The head doctor in charge will be so grateful that he will be happy to grant any other small favors and gifts if asked. While something like taking one of the patient beds would be too much, he will turn a blind eye to guests who want to pocket items like scalpels and stethoscopes.

CLINIC ENERGY

▷ So many guests have piled into the clinic that private rooms are no longer available. Large rooms will be utilized as group hubs with many patient cots, while smaller rooms normally meant for one patient will be doubled up on. All guests staying in the clinic for treatment will be paired with at least one other patient due to space constraints. Private rooms will be available only for patients separated out for treatment with one of the doctors or nurses.

▷ All of the rooms in the clinic are fully stocked with condoms, lube, and sex toys. After the head doctor announces the cure for the disease, nurses will make sure every room has supplies available for patients to use. They will encourage guests to go ahead and get fucking since it's the only cure! While doctors and nurses are available to fuck as well, they are short-handed, so most patients will have to make do with other patients. To those stubborn guests who don't want to fuck for their health, staff will firmly explain that if the disease progresses they'll be reduced to nothing but a pile of vegetation.

▷ Patients with particularly bad cases of the disease will not be allowed to leave the clinic until they are cured. Patients that have only been lightly affected will be given a prescription to fuck and sent on their way, with strict instructions to return if they do not fuck and the disease progresses.

The height of the disease will hit toward the end of the month. Thanks to the hard work of the doctors and nurses in the clinic, cases will begin to decrease as the days pile on, with the majority of the affected guests treated and sent on their way by the beginning of May. Activity in the clinic will begin to decline as patients fuck it out and cure the disease, with only a handful of scattered cases heading past the first week of May.

PROMPT NOTES

PROMPT NOTES

▶ Arrival, The Bathroom Button: Multiple versions of arrival are possible. Characters may be flushed down the toilet or tub to wake up in several different locations across the resort.

▶ Gardens, The Flower Maze: While players are welcome to imagine whatever they like in these chests, we do ask there be some limits. Characters should not find their special awesome sword or other personal items that were taken away by the resort upon arrival, for example. Items that would generally be available within resort stores or without regains are fine.

▶ Conservatory, General: While this location is currently being influenced by sex pollen, players that do not enjoy this kink may have their character immune to its effects. This will not affect engaging in the hanahaki prompt.

▶ Conservatory, The Orchard: Players are encouraged to get creative with effects from these fruits. While we've offered a couple suggestions, any of the affiliated suit's effects are available to tap into. For example, consumption of Orangeberry, aka the Diamonds fruit, can cause any Diamond-adjacent physical effects.

▶ Broken Wing Clinic: Players are allowed to get as delicate or grotesque with the presentation of the Blooming Disease as they’d like; you can even use this as an opportunity to engage in some vine-y bondage play. From the medical perspective, feel free to envision access to any sort of equipment you’d like, so long as it makes sense within a (sexy) clinical setting.

OOC NOTES

GAME UPDATE | RESERVES | APPLICATIONS
BLANKET CW: Altered States; Aphrodisiacs; Body Horror (potential); Dubcon; Illnesses; Medical Play; NSFW Language; Paranormal; Somnophilia; Sex Pollen; Sex Toys

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▶ All new characters on the TDM are WILDCARDS, which means they have not yet been assigned a card value. 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 April event.
▶ Current characters may top level on the TDM. Current characters posting to the TDM should note they are currently in-game in the subject line.
▶ The top level directory is for new characters only.
▶ 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.

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▶ 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.
▶ 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.

NAVIGATION • LOG • NETWORK • OOC • MEME

Comments

[holeinwall]

Hey. [ And she sounds serious, much like he had when she dropped her bad nickname. ] It could be worse. Some people here aren't as lucky as me.

[ And normally, she wouldn't care, as selfish as she is. Some of the lower-ranked guests have wormed their way into her heart, however, and earned enough of her sympathy for her to care. One she's thinking of in particular has something like guilt eating away at her for a moment, but she pushes it away. ]

I'm just saying. If you do get to stay, and they give you a low rank and stick you down in the lower areas, I... [ She sighs. ] I couldn't let you live like that. I'd let you stay with me as much as you needed to. Okay?

[ Yeah, yeah. He's usually content with being surrounded by cars, but still. He deserves normalcy, or something like it, after giving her so much happiness. She'd make sure he could keep doing that.

At his question, power imbalances become less of a focus in her mind. Her head tilts. ]

Oh, um. I dunno. I usually don't make my way there from here. [ With a little "hmm," she brings up the map on her Watch. ] Maybe, like...five minutes that way?

[ She points. Look at all those people, made especially worse because of the Steve situation! Can he make his way through the gauntlet? Will the princess be made to walk? Time to find out! ]

[peacewithouttyranny]

[Her serious tone gets a metaphorical brow raise. Ah, the ranking system. He's heard about it, and from what info he's gathered, he's not exactly a fan of such a system. And especially not when he's seen how some of the higher rank treated those who were lower. Selfish type who thinks they can just do whatever they want.

He's never one to to treat others like lesser, preferring to treat everyone equally regardless of status or form. Regardless of which rank he may get, if he stays, he'll just be the same person as he was. With the difference being awealthy accommodation, or a poorer accommodation.

His head tilts to where Monika points the direction of the bath house. Five minutes of walking through the gauntlet of stares while carrying Monika? He can do this. And so, he begins to walk towards the direction she pointed at.

At the same time, he takes a moment to ponder over what Monika just offered.]

Thank you, Monika. I do not care for luxury, but... I do like to stay with a friend.

[The rank- if he gets a lower one -may serve as a good excuse for him, but he does like to stay with Monika regardless of what his rank would be. It beats being alone, after all.

And... Talking to Monika at least helps to distract him from the stares.]

I will offer the same to you... If I received a higher rank than you, you are free to stay in my space. I'd rather share what wealth I may received.

[Besides, it's not like he even knows what to do with wealth and having a luxurious life. Assuming he'll even get those.]

[holeinwall]

Ohh, come on. I'm not living as large as the people above me. And I guess I'm kind of bad at the whole "luxury" thing as it is. I mostly take advantage of all the free Birdbucks and stuff...

[ A girl has needs! Needs that require sugar and caffeine! ]

I'd like it, too, whichever way it ended up. [ She smiles, giving his faceplate a soft, affectionate nudge. ] I get to be with you, and...

[ Not be so alone. Er, no, she probably shouldn't say that. How to word it in a way that doesn't make her look so pathetic...? ]

You know, company's nice! And it's not like you'd need food, so...I could probably eat up what they gave you, if they don't know any better! Ahaha!

[ Giving the finger to oppression, one meal at a time! ]

[peacewithouttyranny]

Ah, was that why the staff were being friendly to you and offering their services? [She must be fairly high ranking, then. Well, maybe it should've been obvious to him given her suite, but it only just hit him now, given the conversation topic.] I suppose I can't blame you taking advantage of that. I would, as well... If I ever have a need for those drinks.

[Hell, he isn't immune to taking free stuff. Though if he ever received anything free, he may just share them amongst his friend, or... well, friend at the moment.

If Soundwave notices the pause from Monika, he doesn't say it. And... Yeah, company's nice. He agrees with that. Friendship superior! He really struggles with hiding the fact that's he's terribly lonely here, but... he's glad that he's with someone who understands. Of course, he shouldn't be saying things like that, either, because he doesn't make to himself look pathetic.]

If I do end up receiving free food, you will be the first person I sent them to.

[Special privileges when you're his friends, apparently.

All this talk really did help with ignoring the looks they're receiving, and sooner than he realizes, he's already standing outside of the bath house.]

Shall I set you down... Lord Monika?

[Oh, he didn't forget about that.]

[holeinwall]

[ She nods. ] I figure I may as well. And any extra stuff I get, I can give to some of the friends who need it more...I'm only one person and all. I'd rather it be put to good use!

[ She's...trying? Being nice on purpose without trying to benefit herself is a process. Then again, almost every nice thing she does has an ulterior motive, anyway.

Again, it's a process. ]

Nothing's gonna beat a special meal from you, though! I can't wait to eat, um. The things you eat!

[ What does he eat? Does she want to know?

Not that it matters. He's being a jerk again. Her lips thin into a long line. There goes her good will for a while! ]

Sure. You can set me down. [ Then, as she smirks and locks eyes with his visor, she raises her voice enough that a passerby entering the bath house can clearly hear her. ] I'm know you're sooo eager to touch my boobs again, Soundy~wavey~poo~

[ There. Now he can see how much worse she could make his dumbest nickname ever. ]

[peacewithouttyranny]

[Wait-]

What do you mean special meal? [He's never made any meals, huh.] I am fairly certain you eating the things I eat will melt your insides, also.

[No, he's not kidding. She will die. So, no, he's not sharing the things he eats.

He smirks down at her once more. Alas, once again his smirk does not last very long, because Monika just has the ammo to make his own teases stop. Oh my Primus. How in the world did she make the already terribly dumb nickname dumber? Here comes a big metal hand to cover her mouth. Any unfortunate passerby who heard her and looked at their directions gets a glare from Soundwave and a "You've heard nothing," with not so vaguely threatening tone in his voice. Lest they're smart enough to not comment and be on their way.

Back to Monika, he whispers in annoyance at her.]

Shut it. I am not that eager.

[Which means he is a bit eager to touch them? Erm.... His vents huff.]

Let's get into the bath. [He'll just take her hand in his and lead her into the bath house. This brat!]

[holeinwall]

[ Somehow, by some miracle, she limits herself to a snort under his hand. What more does she have to say when he's doing all the work to embarrass himself? Ahh, she's so generous. Just a few words, and he can unleash his inner self! Truly, she should be made a saint.

She hums as she's led along, walking hand in hand with her bestest of friends. Nothing to see here, folks. Just a normal conversation about melting and boobies between a giant mech and the (vague) human who has to occasionally push up on her tiptoes to keep a hold on his hand.

But of course she's not done. That long silence of hers has probably made it obvious more nonsense is coming his way. And so, very loudly, she proclaims: ]

You weren't worried about melting my insides when you made love to me last night~

[ She even said "made love," just as he likes it! Also, ignore the fact that this happened way longer than one night ago, but the joke wouldn't work as well for the audience she's entertaining. There's an art to vulgarity, you see. ]

[peacewithouttyranny]

[Finally some peace and quiet. Her humming is at least nice and pleasant to listen to over the jokes and teases. He'll take that, thank you. But with how long Monika is willingly silent for? Concern starts to rise, and he's right to think that she was planning to say something stupid!]

Must you speak so loud? People are going to think we are a... a couple if you say it like that.

[Yeah, he prefers "made love" over they fucked. Yes, it does make it sound like their friendship feel special, but people will get the wrong idea about them if she used that publicly. And he can't even use the excuse their just roleplaying as spouses, because it's no longer that theme anymore!]

I was in the heat of a moment. No thanks to your encouraging... And it was nearly a week ago in my perspective.

[Ah yes, the last part is important enough to correct her on. That said, with her bringing their lovemaking again, he can't help but wonder how her organs must be doing. She had seem alright after the experience and during the short time they hung out together. Still, he can't help but make a remark about it now.]

.... I am surprised your insides aren't melted off after that long ago. Are your... Insides alright? Physically, I mean?

[Strange thing to ask, he's aware, but it's a legitimate concern, okay! Damn it, he's really not helping his case in this totally normal conversation they're having.]

[holeinwall]

[ Aaand ball's back in his court. She sputters. ]

Don't say things like that!

[ What if the Player is around and hears somehow?! She can't explain that away! Then they'll get really jealous of how much better mech dick was in comparison to a human's and--!

Okay, no. The couple thing! Focusing on the couple thing! ]

We're not a couple! [ Then, louder for all the people around them who totally don't care: ] We are not a couple! It was the heat of the moment!

[ There. Conscience cleared, and the ever-elusive (sort of) Player can't believe she's been sleeping around. Much. ]

I'm fine! Everything, er...went back to where it belonged. [ God, what a weird conversation. Groaning, she drops his hand to go gather up some cleaning supplies for herself. He's on his own with figuring out what he'll need. Windex, maybe? ] But you're definitely not...claiming me like that again!

[ Seriously. She should not be vaguely glowing in parts that don't need to glow for so long! With a grimace, she returns to his side. ]

This place is weird. I'm not going to question it. I mean, I spent a whole week acting like a wolf last month! Do you think I want to figure out why you were able to do any of what you did? No thanks!

[peacewithouttyranny]

[Wow, she's really quick to deny the couple allegation when she brought up they made love first! Still, he's glad that it's settled that they aren't a couple to the people who totally don't care the slightest.

He'll gather his own supplies when Monika does so... Only to realize that his options are rather limited, here. Whatever, he'll just take something soapy, it'll be good enough for now. Should've made a slight detour to get some cleaning supplies for himself instead of expecting the bath house have everything he needed to clean an alien mech.

You know what, while he has the ball in his hand, he's just going to take this victory and not make it worse. Except a certain part of what Monika said makes him wonder out load.]

Definitely not? So, it was an one and done experience then?

[Does he sound... disappointed? Upset? Perish the thought! It's probably for the best that they don't make it a regular thing for him to make love to her in that way. Right? He's glad that she's okay, somehow, but maybe that shouldn't lead to thoughts that they could do it again with his real body. Oh Primus, this place is making him weird to think of stuff like that.

Right, he can just focus on the other things she just said.]

A wolf...? Somehow, a wolf seems fitting for you.

[holeinwall]

[ There's nothing to deny! She didn't start this, he did! This is all his fault!!!!

Anyway! She huffs...and sulks as she leads them to one of the bathing areas she knows will be large enough for him. It sucks, being outdone. Why can't she always be the winner?! ]

I dunno...it'd take a lot of work for me to prepare to be unconscious for hours again because. You. Well, whatever! There are other ways to make love!

[ He doesn't need to know he was that good! Now she's grumbling in a growly sort of way, very much lending credence to his assertion that being a wolf was fitting. Don't think it's because she feels bad for noting that disappointment from him, either. Anyone would grumble at a time like this! ]

I'm not a wolf, either! If anything, I should've been a cat! [ She pouts harder once they're near the bath's edge, pulling at her robe to get it open. ] Cats are way nicer...and cuter...

[ Monika Logic™, back at it again! ]

[peacewithouttyranny]

[He may have suffered several lost battles, but he won the war in the end. He... Won't gloat, but it's great knowing that he's the winner. He'll take a drink for this temporary victory in the morning... if he has a drink in hand.

Other ways to make love, huh. That flips his disappointment to mild acceptance. If he read her mind, he'll be inwardly happy knowing that he was that good. Alas, he has morals and principals and won't misused his telepathy. Ultimately, he does think it's for the best that they should... planned ahead for that next time and when Monika is prepared for it. Probably also freed up her schedule for hours? It was a bit worrying she passed out for hours, honestly.]

Wolf can be as cute as a cat.

[His way of saying she's cute no matter what animal she is. Anyway! He'll enter the water first before Monika, setting his supplies on the edge, vents sighing a low hiss. Aaah, it's actually comfortable being in water.]

I am glad I missed out on that strange event, though. I am not sure what animal I would want to be.

[Probably a cat, too, honestly. A grumpy ancient cat.]

[holeinwall]

[ She turns away, making a face as she removes her robe, setting it in a basket for clothes. If only he knew just how insane the longest week of her life so far had been. ]

I wasn't a very cute wolf. Trust me.

[ She appreciates the effort to be nice, but ugh. As she pulls off her nightgown and underwear, her eyes following the movement of her fingertips. Claws had been there. She'd done some awful things with those, enough that sometimes she has to remind herself they're gone now.

Monika pulls her hair over her shoulder, glancing back at him as she reveals something that hadn't been there when they were last together. The "tattoo's" thankfully nowhere near as dark as it'd gotten during that week. ]

There wasn't a choice in what animal you got to be. It was based on suits. [ She nods at her back, then turns and grabs her toiletries. ] Mine was wolves. Clubs were cats. Hearts were foxes, and Diamonds...

[ She sighs, setting her things next to his after joining him in the water. ]

They were rabbits. They had it the worst. Think of the most messed-up hunt ever, and that was how the entire week was. I hope nothing like that happens again. I was someone I'm not supposed to be.

[ Copium. ]

[peacewithouttyranny]

[Ah, so it wasn't just some strange, silly event. Judging from her tone, it sounds like it was a horrible week for everyone involved.

His optics follows her eyes to her hand. Monika doesn't recount what she herself did during the event and she doesn't need to. He can infer enough from the movement of her fingertips, the tone in her voice... his own experience with her in the elevator. A glimpse of her dark side. They weren't themselves during that moment, and it seems that a somewhat similar event transpired again during his absent.

He can only imagined what the rabbits had went through... Part of him is glad that he was missing out on that event, but a part of him is angry that he wasn't there for Monika either during or after.

His optics then fall to her back when she brings attention to it. ... They even have the suit branded on her skin, which angers him a little bit. But he quickly quells that anger down. It's not the point right now.]

Do not blame yourself. It was this resort that made you that way.

[Subconsciously, his hand moves to take hers, gently wrapping his fingers around her hand, to provide her a bit of comfort he can give.]

I hope nothing like it occurs again. I apologize for bringing up terrible memories.

[holeinwall]

Yeah. [ She sighs. ] It was the resort.

[ She'd have easily fallen into a pit of woe, especially after having to admit to him she was once again an awful person...but the touch of his hand brings her back from the brink. Her head comes up, a few emotions flitting over her face as she looks at him. ]

You don't have to apologize. And, well. [ She shrugs a shoulder and lets out a small laugh. ] It wasn't all bad. It helped me meet some new friends, weirdly enough.

[ The sexiest trauma bonding? Who knows. She works to shove those thoughts away, and very consciously uses his hand to help her shift to his side. Her sigh is contented as she leans against him, placing her other hand on top of his. ]

I guess I have to admit it would've been hilarious to see you with kitty ears and a fluffy tail. Then I could've called you Soundmeowave!

[ Just when you thought she couldn't make worse nicknames! ]

[peacewithouttyranny]

Strange method to meet new friends, but I am glad you have met some.

[And then she just had to ruin things with yet another silly nickname. How many does she have at this point? How many more variants of his name can this silly girl come up with?

That gets an annoyed poke at her cheek.]

How do you come up with these terrible names...?

[Maybe he's just a boring and non-creative mech. Maybe that's why he's yet to come up with a single embarrassing nickname for Monika. But, he's glad to see she's in a good mood again.

Still, she can't just keep giving him new nicknames while he has none for her. So, just give him a moment as he wracks his brain for something.]

.... Moni Muffins? [NO BACK UP THAT'S TOO CUTE NEVERMIND] Sorry, forget I said that.

1/2 oml

[holeinwall]

Ahaha, well. It's like you said. It's the resort! I guess it's...inevitable? I mean, look at all the things we've done...

[ And it's helping ease her loneliness, whenever she could see and talk to those people. If the game hadn't forcibly shoved her out of her room in its not-so-subtle ways, she would've kept on with being a hermit obsessing over one goal. Now, she's socializing and obsessing over one goal! Progress!

She snickers when her nickname gets her a fresh poke to the cheek. That means it's another good one to add to the list! ]

I'm a writer, silly! I always have to make sure I'm working my creative muscles! Besides, I can't help that you have such a good name to make nicknames from!

[holeinwall]

[ She snickers more, figuring that'd be that until she can come up with her next disaster. So very proud of herself, she releases his hand to grab some body wash and...

...drops it into the water with a loud splash. Her head turns slowly to stare up at him, almost as if he'd actually grown some cat ears. ]

Did you just call me Moni Muffins?!

[peacewithouttyranny]

[Scrap, why did he say the first thing to come up in mind? And why Moni Muffins out of anything else???]

What? I didn't call you anything.

[Gaslight attempt!

Then, a distraction attempt! Don't mind him as he squirts some of his body wash on his hand and starts cleaning himself.]

A writer... I suppose that makes sense. What do you write, Monika? I used to read poems back home.

[There, look. He's finally sharing stuff about himself! Please, he's not doing this because he wants to distract from the fact he just came with up an embarrassingly cute nickname for his best friend.]

[holeinwall]

[ She glares. No! Not happening! You can't gaslight the queen of gaslighting! ]

I heard it! You said it! [ After snatching her body wash out of the water, she gestures at him with it for emphasis as she loudly says each syllable. ] Mo! Ni! Muff! Ins! Right out of your robomouth!

[ Forgive the use of "robo," but...it flowed best! As she said: writer! ]

I told you you're a big softy inside! First you compare me to a sweet food, and now I find out you've read poetry! Which... [ Her head tilts. ] That's neat.

[ All right, consider her interested. Her head tilts a bit more as she begins washing herself, too. ]

I mostly write poetry myself. Did you have a favorite poet?

[peacewithouttyranny]

[If he doesn't say anything. If he doesn't acknowledge it, he can just keep pretending that he said nothing. That said, with each syllable that comes out of her mouth, it gets the mech blushing again and looking away to hide that blush.

Nope, still not acknowledging!

Thanks Primus, the distraction attempt seems to have gotten her interest. Although the question gets a slight pause from Soundwave.]

I... had a favorite. His poetry was what made me realize we have the ability to crave our own path and to not be forced to bow to anyone. His words helped me became the mech I am today. [A pause. His hand on her side pushes her closer.] Although.... I have no respect for that mech any longer.

[There's so much history between them. He could simplified it, really. His words and ideals still live strong in him, he will still quote his poetry at times, but he can't say he feels anything but strong negative feelings for his "favorite" poet nowadays.

His head tilts back down to Monika.]

Can you... share one of your poems? I would like to hear some. If you are willing, that is.

[holeinwall]

[ Is he really trying the not-acknowledging method? Another of her favorites? He's practically asking for her to taunt him when he does this stuff!

As always, she'll let him think he's gotten away with his nonsense. It makes annoying the hell out of him better when her attacks come when he least expects it. ]

Mm. I see. It can be hard when someone you admired turns out to be someone you didn't think they were. But...at least you're who you are now, right? That's all that matters.

[ She pauses her washing to lean against him and give him a soft hug. Despite her gearing up to be an ass, he deserves some comfort. That, and some appreciation for actually sharing something about himself. It's nice to know something about him. ]

I'd love to share some poetry with you. Ahaha, I have plenty! It's mostly how I keep myself occupied when I'm not reading... [ She smiles, sincere. ] Whenever we go to my room, I can pick a few out for you!

[ She winks. ] In fact, how about I come up with a quick one for you right now? A haiku should be easy enough~

[peacewithouttyranny]

No, it was what he did rather than who he was. Someone who I was loyal to for millions of years, only to then be abandoned without a word. I thought of him a friend... I suppose I fooled myself into believing that for a long time.

[His vents sigh. So, hey, if she ever wonders why he doesn't like letting go of her. That's the cause of it. Lowkey abandonment issue that's only gotten worse after losing all his friends.

Anyway, that's enough of that. He doesn't want to stay depressed. Not around Monika who unironically does brighten his day up, even if he'd rather not admit that. Instead, he gives Monika another gentle hair ruffle.]

If I ever want to read poetry, I need where to go now.

[His arm returns around her side in a loose hug in return.]

Sure, let's see what you come up with.

[holeinwall]

Oh. [ She frowns. ] That's, um...

[ Jeez. What does she say to that? Losing a friend after that long? And she thought she had it bad. At least she only lost out on bits of code. Not that she misses them or anything. That'd be weird.

She'll say nothing, not that she gets a chance to. He brings out a smile with his hair ruffling, something she's really starting to like, then she nuzzles her cheek against his side in return. As long as he keeps killing her loneliness, she'll do the same for his abandonment issues. ]

Ahaha, jeez. There's a library too, you know. You don't have to rely on me for that! But okay. Lemme see...

[ She goes silent, scrubbing herself for a while, lips pursed together in deep thought. A bit of counting on her fingers, some noises and shakes of her head...

Got it! Her delayed attack! ]

I'll call this one "Fresh from the Oven". Ahem~

Here with my best friend,
Warm, soft, our bath together...
Like Moni Muffins!

[ Acknowledge that! ]

[peacewithouttyranny]

[He's mostly over it now (not really). So long as he doesn't think about his former leader much, he can just respect the person he once was. It's not productive to hold onto that anger for so long, especially when the other likely isn't thinking about him. And isn't here. He has Monika, and that's all he cares about right now.

While Monika cooks up a haiku, he'll take the moment of silence to wash himself and not distract her. When she's ready, she gets his full attention.

The first two lines? Sweet, he likes it.

But then comes the final line.

Aaaah. This is going to haunt him forever, isn't it? Soundwave doesn't say anything at first. Instead, he reaches for his body wash bottle and softly conks her right on the head with it.]

.... Brat.

[Hmph!]

But, thank you. That was.... lovely.

[Sincerely it was, and he's especially more appreciative of it when she created something personal. .... This haiku is worth keeping in his head forever, even with that last part with Moni Muffins. Ugh, she just had to attack him like that. His compliment doesn't end there, though.]

Monika, you have a.... Nice voice to listen to. Perhaps you should read your poetry to me instead?

[Screw the library! His best friend's suite is the best reading spot.]