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]

[ 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.]

[holeinwall]

[ And there it is. The consequences. ]

Ow.

[ Worth it, though. Very much so. He liked her dumb poem that much? Wow. And she wasn't trying that hard! But, and so she hoped, maybe it helped him forget some of the sad things he'd talked about? Just a bit?

Then there he goes again, making her heart go nuts. She goes quiet, soooo busy with finishing up with getting cleaned. The flush on her body is from the water! Nothing to do with hearing a compliment she's always yearned to hear from the Player's mouth! ]

J-Jeez. You're gonna give me a big head if you keep saying things like that!

[ She dips completely under the water for a moment or two. If asked, she'll say it was to rinse off. In reality, it was to keep herself from embarrassing herself further. Her version of "did you turn it off and on again?" to reset her head.

With a gasp, she pops back up, wiping water out of her eyes. She's still frazzled, but...she's clean! ]

Have you come to your senses yet? Are you done being so nice? Because I need to go get my hair done!

[ There's a pause, then she sinks lower into the water, hunched over from uncharacteristic shyness. ]

Thank you.

[peacewithouttyranny]

[When you don't receive much in the way of gifts before. Any little thing, dumb or otherwise, from his friends is fully appreciated. And it did indeed get rid off the sad memories in his mind, so he's thankful for that. Thankful for Monika being here.]

And I will continue to do when I think you deserve to hear them. I look forward to seeing your poetry later, Monika.

[An amused huff vents out of him (the closest anyone ever gets a "laugh" out of him) looking at her dipping under the water.

Aw, look at her. So shy and embarrassed because she can't handle his simple compliments. Guess he found out what her weakness is... Sincere compliments. Well, okay he'll stop embarrassing her for now.]

You are welcome... And yes, I am done.

[Don't worry, he'll be back to his grumpy self, if that is what she preferred. He removes his arms around her and... Pats her head one more time. Okay, now he's actually done.]

I will be here for a while longer. Go ahead and get your hair done. We'll meet at the front of the bath house?

[holeinwall]

[ She sinks a little lower in the water. The kindness! The sweetness! It's so heavy! And was that something like a laugh? Be still her heart! ]

I'm...excited to have someone to share it with. I haven't had that in a long time. So, I'll share however much you want. I promise.

[ They have to utilize their time wisely, just in case. If that means reading poetry until her voice dies? So be it.

She smiles up at him at the headpat, soft and warm, then stands up properly. How else can she give him a proper hug? Her tiny human version of one, anyway. ]

You big grump. You're so lucky that I like you so much.

[ And since she likes him so much, he gets soft, warm, wet kiss to his metal. She giggles, then pulls away, climbing out of the bath. ]

I'll tell them not to take too long. Just... [ She takes a breath to calm herself as she pulls on a fresh robe and grabs her things. ] Text me every few minutes? Just so I know you're still here? Or maybe even call me so we can talk the entire time! Um...

[ Ugh, how desperate can she be? With some effort, she wraps up her hair in a towel, then steps back into her slippers. ]

Ehehe! See you soon! [ Now, a joke to cover up her moment of weakness: ] And make sure you don't tell everyone you saw my tits again~

[ After one final glance back, she trudges away. Moments like this? It'd be cool to be a Cybertronian. No hair to worry about at all!

She has faith she'll see him again, though. He promised. ]

[peacewithouttyranny]

[The amount of affection he's receiving freely-- The hug and kiss... Now it's his turn to blush and shy away. She better keep that promise though because... for once, he is actually excited about doing something with someone and looking forward to it.

He does tilt his head at the ask. Text her every few minutes? Talk about desperate, but... it makes sense. The last time they separated he disappeared, and in his perspective, time fast forwarded without him realizing. Monika could simply be worried that he may disappear again. At least that's how he rationalizes the awkward ask.

Regardless, he silently watches her as she trudges away, before commenting to himself with a huff.]

It isn't as if I want to tell anybody I saw them.

[That silly girl. Lucky for her that he likes her so much he's willing to tolerate. Alright, time to finally make his metal shiny.

A couple minutes after Monika left, he does remember her request and opens the chat to send her something. The moment he opens the chat though, Soundwave immediately grimaces... Oh Primus, he forgot the first ever message he sent to her is a video of him relieving himself. That, uh.... Brings back memories.

Yeah, no. Just... gonna ignore that and send a text to her.]

I am still here.

[And he'll send her that exact words to her, or some other variants. Whether she meant it literally or not, he will actually send her a text every few minutes. It's almost punctual his timing, too.

Eventually though, he does find a proper topic to talk about, having overheard some guests talking about a grand opening in the garden while leaving the bath house.]

There is apparently a floral exhibition happening today. Have you heard of it?

[holeinwall]

[ She has no such qualms about seeing that video of his. If only he knew how many times she watched it when he left. And not even to get off on it! It was all she had. It was a connection. Carnal, sure, but it reminded her of what they shared for that brief period of euphoria.

And now, she has...a bunch of the same texts. She makes a face when she gets her fifth iteration of "I'm here." Does this grump know how to text? She expected a conversation! The tiniest bit of one! He's there, though. That's what matters. It makes it possible for her to get her hair done in peace. Mostly. She might be demanding faster service. It's okay to be rude when there's good reason to be!

When she's just about done, whoa! Actual conversation! Something else to keep close to her heart. And now, he gets to see the mess that is her texting. Enjoy. ]

ohhhh flowers!!! 🌻🌼🌹🌸 that sounds fun!!!! 😚😚😚

yeah...now that i think about it, i *did* see something about it 🤔 we should go!!

actually.....

is this you asking me on a date~~?? 😘❤️

[ Friends can go on dates, you know. ]

[peacewithouttyranny]

[Welcome to the Soundwave Texting Experience. He's boring.

Before he continues with the convo, he has the avatar up and running again before handing his Watch over to his smaller form. He's going to go back to the garage, figuring that they'll probably going to have lunch or something.

And that's when he finally sees his texts. What in the hell is he looking at? Why are there so many emotes? Whatever, at least they're readable.]

What if I want it to be a date?

[Friend is the missing word there, but Soundwave figures that probably what she meant. You know, ignoring the kissy face and heart emojis. But surely he's reading too much into them.]

I do wish to go there with you. That is why I bother bringing it up.

[holeinwall]

[ As she walks out of the salon, smoothing down her freshly-styled ponytail, complete with a dress in soft pastel hues that she'd had someone bring down from her room, she gawks at the first message.

Did he--no way. Did he just flirt? Weird... ]

nvm it's no longer a date 😛

[ She has that power, you know. Friends can make dates into...meetings? Besides, he's incapable of flirting. It'd probably make him self-destruct if he actually pulled it off! ]

you know i'd go anywhere with you, you dork 😝😝

here, have another haiku while i wait for you now that i'm done:

what's a girl to do
when she can't have a date with
soundywaveypoo?

😆🤣💖💖💖

[ Ahh. It looks even better in text form, the best nickname ever! ]

[peacewithouttyranny]

[Yeah, perish the thought. He couldn't ever flirt. At best, he can flirt accidentally. That terrible nickname again.......]

Idiot Monika.

[And that's the only text she'll receive from him, and if she sends any more text, he just leave them all on read. Oh yes, he's that type of person.

Fortunately, she doesn't have to wait long for him.

However, instead of appearing where she could see him and greeting her like a normal person would, Soundwave has a tendency to sneak up on a person. Sometimes unintentionally, other times intentionally. This moment is more the latter.

Wherever Monika is waiting for him, he eventually finds her and silently walks up behind her. His footsteps are next to silent. His avatar stands right behind Monika, leans forward slightly, and whispers to her ear.]

Behind you.

[Oh, and she'll receive a poke at her cheek to for using that terrible nickname again!]

1/2

[holeinwall]

[ She snickers up a storm at that response. Getting the word "idiot" out of him is like getting an A+ on an assignment. It means she's doing an excellent job. The absolute best! And she always prides herself on being a star student, even if it was in a fake life!

Hmm, hmm, hmm. Can she make this worse? ]

should i have used your new favorite nickname instead? moni muffins? 🧁❤️🧁

look! the grumpy mech!
he only wants one sweet thing!
his...moni muffins!

oooh we could get a whole food theme going!! moni marzipan! 🍰 moni mushroom! 🍄 wait no, i don't want to be compared to a fungus.....

[ Well? Any responses? He'll have something to say, surely. ]

moni mint! 🪴 moni marinara! 🍅

[ Something? Anything?? Come on, you grump! Give her the satisfaction of knowing she's annoying you! ]

[holeinwall]

[ It's as she's getting increasingly frustrated at his lack of feeding the troll that he's sneaking up. She's grumbling, staring intently at her Watch, waiting for a notification...!

He should've known what was going to happen when he pulled this maneuver. Of course she screams, adding in a bunch of flailing limbs for flavor this time around. The shock's made worse since she was expecting him to return as himself, which would've been easy enough to hear. But no! She gets Ninjawave, apparently!

When she calms down enough to speak, she calmly states: ]

YOU ASSHOLE!

[peacewithouttyranny]

[He'd be the stupidest mech in the entire universe if he didn't expect a scream. That being said, wow that was loud! Soundwave had his hands cupped his own ears, but he underestimated just how loud she can get.

Still, though, the ringing in his ears is worth the reaction she got out of her, body rattling but he's smirking through the pain. Oh, it is never not amusing to see people jump when he suddenly popped up behind them. And Monika's reaction? Comical. Bonus points.foe the flailing.]

That was your loudest scream yet, Monika.

[Can you hear the smug in his monotone, Monika? Can you see the smirk under the mask? Even if she couldn't, it's rather obvious he's gleeful over the successful surprise.

He's really not doing the best job hiding his glee and satisfaction, what's with his hand covering his mask as if it's another cover to hide the already invisible smirking.]

That was satisfying.

[holeinwall]

[ Monika breathes heavily, hands hovering near her hair as if she wants to pull on it. Which she does, but she can't. Not when it looks so good right now!

This! Stupid! Asshole! Mech! ]

Ohh, I bet you're so pleased with yourself! [ Obviously. She can hear it. Asshole. ] And I know you're smiling under there!!

[ Fine! Just fine! If they're going to keep up what's expected of them, she'll gladly continue! She'll do what she does best...embarrass the fuck out of him. ]

Hey, everyone! Listen, listen! [ She hops and points at the mech of the hour, just so the world can know exactly who she's drawing attention to. ] He likes to make me scream!

[ She could've made it worse and said he gets off on it, but she's such a nice friend and made sure to only tell the truth. ♥ ]