TDM 04

[goldmods]

【 Thank you for choosing the Golden Peacock, 5-star resort and casino. You are currently registered as a WILDCARD in our system.

Due to a high volume of check-ins, temporary accommodations have been made on our brand new beachfront for new guests. We will endeavor to have all guests moved into their reserved rooms as soon as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience. Affected guests may convene with the nearest lifeguard or reception for a complimentary swimsuit, at their earliest convenience.

Please remember that beach-appropriate attire is mandatory. Guests found breaking dress code may be escorted off the beach until they return in proper swimwear. We hope you enjoy your stay, and have a beachy keen experience. 】

BEACHFRONT PROPERTY

A BRAND NEW DEVELOPMENT

As the resort moves into what it claims is summer, the days grow longer. The sun is projected well into the evening, the heat of its warmth dialed up to a level some guests complain is unreasonable. Then there’s the most excessive transformation of all – half the Cloud Dwelling Gardens have been transformed into a sparkling beach of white sands and blue waves, seemingly overnight. Statues nearby have been dressed up with wide hats and stylish sarongs. Upbeat music fills the air without any discernible source.

A section of the beach has been reserved for a collection of bungalows. These cute pastel homes open straight onto the sand, and are comparable in size and amenity to a rank 7 or 8 suite. All screens within these bungalows are fixed to a channel that airs reruns of Boobwatch around the clock, a classic TV series about blue-footed boobys running in slow-motion across the beach. Staff and long-standing guests all agree — there’s no better summer programming than this!

IT’S FREE REAL ESTATE

▷ Thanks to a classic move called “overbooking,” new arrivals are being checked in to all this wondrous new property that’s just opened up. The catch? Why, characters are stuffed up to 4 in a room, of course. Don’t worry, that’s what the bunk beds are for!

▷ Characters still wake up naked save for a robe, as is standard for the Golden Peacock. This round’s robes are a light and breezy linen, patterned with tropical flowers and colorful designs. Some of these robes are more sheer than others. Watch out that the gentle breeze on the beach doesn’t reveal more than you wanted.

▷ Existing characters are welcome to temporarily take up residence in any empty slots in these homes. The staff understand that sometimes you want to pretend to be a brand new guest again, all bright-eyed and ready for adventure. They can even lock you out of your real room for an extra bit of authenticity. No need to ask! It’s all taken care of already.

THOSE WHO POUND SAND

▷ Several lifeguards have been newly hired to protect the beach and its visitors. These burly fellows and lasses all have three things in common: skimpy swimwear, rippling muscles, and seagull heads. They spend most of their time hanging out in groups, flexing and gossiping loudly. If characters approach them for their complimentary swimwear, they will provide whatever they’re currently wearing for them to use... by force, if necessary.

▷ Characters who seem particularly vulnerable or are holding something particularly tasty may find themselves surrounded by these lifeguards out of nowhere. The seagulls are relentless, pushing and shoving and pulling hair until they get what they want. Hope you didn’t like your sand castle very much. Those on the lower end of the rank scale will suffer the worst harassment, and they may even go out of their way to harass wildcards, 2s, and 3s just for the heck of it.

▷ Being new hires and fairly low on the resort staff hierarchy, these troublemakers can be easily chased off by someone of a high enough rank, or an assertive enough presence to pass as one. T-they’re not scared! They just remembered they have a mandatory group cawing session to get to! Buzz off!

FUN IN THE SUN

DON'T FORGET TO OIL UP

What’s a beach without fun and games? Dreadfully boring! That’s why all of the beach classics have been expertly set up by staff, including strip volleyball nets, giant boob-shaped beach balls, and plenty of floaties for use in the shallower areas of the temporary ocean. A row of parasols with paired lounge chairs underneath them are placed in some prime viewing areas for festivities. Any time you get thirsty, there’s always a cooler full of canned drinks conveniently nearby, courtesy of Cock-a-Doodle-Doo’s. Sometimes you can hear the staff whispering to each other, “What if it’s too perfect? We won’t be able to deal with the ratings dip once the beach ends!”

Seashells have been arbitrarily scattered along the shoreline, coming in both natural shapes and ones a little more... erotic. The sexiest ones of all are conch shells that let you hear the moans of another guest when held up to your ear; supposedly, if you hook up with the person on the other end of the shell, you’ll be extra lucky in the casino for the rest of the summer. All in all, it’s a carefully tailored creation that can be called nothing short of paradise.

THE BEACH BUNNY BARBECUE BONANZA

▷ This booth constantly has smoke billowing out the top and is manned during the entire day by one man – Steve, formerly from reception. It seems this is his punishment duty for be-bathrooming all of the arrivals, last time. Those willing to lend Steve a sympathetic ear will be entreated to bring him water, since the sweltering heat of the booth dries him out like nobody’s business. No matter how characters try to help him, though, a tragedy always occurs and the water always ends up spilled across the sand. That curse really is something, huh?

▷ The signature item at this cookout are the Flamin’ Hop Skewers. Made due to the current overpopulation in the Conservatory, these spicy-sweet — emphasis on the spicy — glazed skewers temporarily grant those who consume them the soul of a rabbit, including their insatiable desire to mate. Any rabbits that resort-goers have formed an attachment with have not been culled, so don’t worry about your precious buns!

▷ The booth also boasts several other exotic meats and vegetables that are considerably safer to eat, for guests who find themselves unable to overcome their attachment. Some of these skewers also feature fruits, including the hybrid ones from the previous gardening collab with the Dizzy Pigeon. Characters are free to revisit any of the Orchard prompts under the Smoky Nectar section of our PREVIOUS TDM.

A SHOW OF STRENGTH

▷ When the projected sun is at its highest, staff members will start bringing out tarps and watermelons, fresh from the gardens. What’s that, you ask? Oh, of course these were donated willingly! What a strange question!

▷ The goal is to smash the watermelon the staff give you until the succulent red fruit inside is splattered all across the tarp, perfect for falling comically into or... eating, if you’re into that. The rules are that you must use your buttocks to do so, and you only get two tries. Successfully cracking open the watermelon on the first try will earn characters a large payout, and if it’s on the second try, a medium payout.

▷ Failing to bust a watermelon at all won’t have any penalties associated with it, and you can always try again tomorrow! In order to keep their watermelon supplies steady for the duration of the beach festivities, the staff do ask that guests attempt this no more than once per day.

DAYDREAM PARASOLS

▷ Every umbrella set up on the sands has two lounge chairs set up underneath it, with a shared table between them. The chairs are padded and oh-so-comfy — sitting in them for too long while another person is present will result in both characters falling into a deep sleep.

▷ While asleep, characters will discover they’re sharing a dream with their umbrella-mate. The dream is always set on the same beach as the waking world, but there are floating clouds and sparkles in a range of pastel colors. Other beachgoers are faceless, if not entirely absent. It’s just the two of you.

▷ Anything the characters think of can drift in and out of the dreamscape, including but not limited to items from home, scary monsters to dramatically rescue your partner from, and strange abilities to fly or float through the air. However, characters will also be at full suit activation in the dream. Once both characters orgasm or they naturally wake up from their naps, they’ll find things are entirely back to normal, as much as they ever are in the resort.

NOTES

▶ All new arrivals have been issued four food and four clothing vouchers. These vouchers are as good as money around the resort. The staff will strongly insist on characters picking out "summery" attire with it, though.

▶ Existing characters may be booted into the bungalows or locked out of their room against their will. We leave it up to player discretion if this happens and the degree to which they're removed from their normal suite.

▶ For the Daydream Parasols, wildcards may be afflicted by whichever suit their player prefers for the duration of the dream. This will have no bearing on their suit selection when applying, and suit effects should not manifest once back in the waking world. It's just a dream, after all!

▶ The dreamscape has no explicit time limit, so feel free to make them as long or as short as desired. Dreams should also be sexy first and foremost. While you can include your mom dying in the background if you'd like, you have to be horny about it too.

TWINKLING CURRENTS

THE PARTY NEVER STOPS

As the sun sets in a cascade of colors over the water, lamps are lit and floating lights surface from the depths. Stars twinkle in the sky, and Steve is finally released from his smoky shackles. Though the daytime amenities have gone to sleep, the night promises its own set of beachy wonders sure to please even the most distinguished of vacationers.

Flyers posted in the lobby and in the hallways promise of a bar ran by the most enchanting mermaids you could ever want to fuck, as well as a fireworks show in every color, including ones you’ve never heard of. With the seagulls gone to bed, peace settles across the sands, tinted blue, yellow, and pink from the myriad of lights. For those seeking a more subdued, romantic air — this is the beach for you.

SWIM UP TO THE BAR

▷ While the advertisements promised mermaids, they were careful not to include any photos or illustrations. Wading out into the sea to the floating bar quickly illustrates why: these merfolk are fish on top, not the bottom! If asked about this configuration or accused of being unsexy, they’ll lift their elegant legs out of the water and exclaim, “How else would you be able to fuck us if not for these!” Though a few guests seem unsatisfied by this clarification, there are no complaints about the drinks themselves.

▷ HOLDING ON TO SUMMER. This cocktail brings seaberry-gin, limoncello, white crème de cacao, and freshly squeezed lemon juice over pebbled ice, wrapping you in decadent flavors accenting the season. Drinking this cocktail can cause you to be overcome with the desire to lean back and sink into the ocean itself, but fret not! It also grants you the wonderful ability to breathe underwater, no gills required! And it’s topped with a yummy little ball of white chocolate.

▷ MANGO STAR. A delightfully bright drink in a highball glass, the combination of elderflower rose syrup and seaberry-gin floats a summery pink over the orange mixture of mango juice, lime juice and honey syrup on the bottom. On top are two cute little stars cut out of mango, accented with mint leaves. Guests who drink this cocktail report some confusion in the identity of other guests, as just one drink is enough to shift perception of others. Other characters may appear to be different guests of the resort, or familiar faces from home.

▷ SEABERRY FLORADORA. This is a vibrant cocktail made of seaberry-gin, ginger beer, lime juice and raspberry syrup, highlighted by floral ice cubes and edible flowers. Despite its bright pink color indicating a level of cheerfulness for the summer, this flavorful cocktail causes guests to be quickly overwhelmed with a sense of loneliness. The longer this sensation goes on, the more guests will try to seek out company to aid in the ache, even if it means appearing quite desperate in the process. Each successive drink will increase the severity of the effect.

▷ BLACKBERRY ROSEMARY GIMLET. Blackberries, rosemary sprigs, simple syrup, and a combination of seaberry-gin and lime juice make this aromatic cocktail. It’s double strained over ice and garnished with a blackberry on a pick, giving it a regal appearance. Drinking this cocktail causes obsessive and possessive behavior, however — sometimes to extreme levels. Should your partner choose this cocktail to drink, you may not want to mention anything that could make them jealous. Each successive drink will increase the severity of the effect.

▷ JUST SOME SEAWATER? Questioning the mermaids and mermen on how they came to be the way that they are will result in them offering you an item off the sea-cret menu. Taking a glass from the bar, they dip it into the ocean and offer it right over to you. Drinking the seawater does, in fact, turn you into a very sexy reverse merman or mermaid. This occurs whether or not you drink it from the glass or take in a gulp while swimming, so watch out!

ACROSS THE NIGHT SKY

▷ Where else could you get a perfect view of the stars? Despite the sea of lights below, the artificial nature of the skies in the resort means that all guests get an unrivaled view of the galaxy. Which galaxy? Why, any of them — characters will see a shifting range of constellations from night to night, including ones they don’t recognize, ones shaped a bit like something you might find in Love Dove, and ones that are identical to those from their home. Happy gazing!

▷ A fireworks show is held every night, from 10PM until 1AM. The noises are just loud enough to block out a whispered confession timed correctly, but aren’t quite enough to inhibit conversation. Most of the fireworks are from a design series known as Matteo’s Masterpieces, and range from the standard burst to abstract shapes to... well, you know. Unlike the sloppy doodles found in the margins of books while Swan Lake was decaying, all of the boobs and dicks blasted across the sky are very well rendered. For fireworks.

SANDY SCAVENGING

A GAME OF BEACHES

It wouldn't be the Golden Peacock without a game for guests to play! All guests that wander into the beach area may find themselves receiving one of two Watch messages. Some very special guests may even receive both challenges — or continuously receive a new challenge when the last 24 hours is up. The resort just wants you to have the most fun possible!

SCAVENGER HUNT: EASY MODE (SFW)

Hello, dear guest. You have been randomly selected to play our EASY MODE: SCAVENGER HUNT! You have 24 hours to complete this hunt. Once completed, please submit your collected items to the nearest SEAGULL LIFEGUARD to claim your reward of Great Tit! Dessert Vouchers and a large payout.

Guests who do not complete the hunt in 24 hours will be hunted down and then publicly spanked by a SEAGULL LIFEGUARD.

Please note that items scavenged may not be personal items. They must be collected from other sources. Good luck!

1. Collect one unfinished drink.

2. Collect two kisses.

3. Collect three pairs of sunglasses.

4. Collect four sets of sandals.

5. Collect five feathers from a lifeguard.

SCAVENGER HUNT: HARD MODE (NSFW)

Hello, dear guest. You have been randomly selected to play our HARD MODE: SCAVENGER HUNT! You have 24 hours to complete this hunt. Once completed, please submit your collected items to the nearest SEAGULL LIFEGUARD to claim your reward of Naked Yolk Kink Vouchers and an extra-large payout. Winners will also be given a limited edition WINNER pin. Any guests wearing a WINNER pin will be treated as kings and queens of the beach, and be permitted to command any other guests as they see fit.

Guests who do not complete the hunt in 24 hours will be hunted down, stripped, and then strapped into the fuck pillory by our SEAGULL LIFEGUARDS. Losers will be free game for other guests to use for their pleasure.

Please note that items scavenged may not be personal items. They must be collected from other sources. Good luck!

1. Collect one cup of cum.

2. Collect two bite marks.

3. Collect three pubic hairs.

4. Collect four nudes (nude images).

5. Collect five bathing suit bottoms.

NOTES

▶ All effects from the swim-up bar last around 2-3 hours, but may be extended by having another drink.

INTO THE DEPTHS

IT'S HIGH TIDE WE GET OUT OF HERE

Though the beach experience is perfect on the surface, things are less elegant behind the scenes. Wave-making machines pulse and rattle down below, shaking the ceiling of the basement suites. Water leaks from pipes, streaking across walls and pooling on the uneven floors. The maintenance levels are abuzz with staff setting out buckets and pans, shooing lost guests away with a heightened level of urgency. Someone got a little too enthusiastic with mopping, they claim. Nothing to worry about at all!

Even the ocean itself isn’t without its issues. Despite appearing as a boundless expanse from the shore, the walls of the Golden Peacock are a very real factor. To avoid any undue damage to the screens that comprise the sky, the sea stops abruptly before it reaches them, cascading into a waterfall all the way down to the depths of the resort. Gentle currents become swirling vortexes and choppy waves, sure to pull down any guests that aren’t careful about where they swim. A few gull-guards patrol the line of buoys that mark the end of the safe swimming area, but the primary line of defense the resort relies on is the utter disinterest most of its guests have.

TUMBLING DOWN

▷ Characters who stray past the line of buoys out in the far sea will find themselves caught in a riptide that sucks them straight over the edge of the water. This applies both to characters swimming, or characters in some sort of vessel, such as a small rowboat borrowed from the staff.

▷ Feel free to make up any sort of vehicle rentals in general, as long as they’re reasonable in size — they should be able to accommodate 1-2 characters at most. A waverider would be okay, but a yacht would not.

▷ While falling down the waterfall, characters will temporarily black out before hitting anything solid. They will resurface anywhere there is standing water, whether that be a flooded hallway, in the Crane’s Respite, or even in someone’s open toilet bowl. There are no limitations on where in the resort the resurfacing can happen; even the bathrooms at Roost aren’t safe from this teleportation.

A RISING FLOOD

▷ Drainage is a difficult aspect to manage. Though the majority of the seawater is recycled to maintain the ocean above, enough of it is siphoned off for deeper filtration that the resort’s plumbing systems simply can’t handle the volume. Leaks are happening on all floors below ground, increasing in depth the further down into the basement characters go.

▷ Characters living in the rank 2, 3, and 4 suites may notice that in addition to having leaks in the hallway, their own rooms are also flooding. This can range anywhere from a constant, unpleasantly damp floor, to having an entire cascade of water blow them and any other unsuspecting guests down several hallways the moment their door is opened. Life vests are recommended.

▷ The flooding will intensify as the event goes on, culminating in some of the maintenance levels being entirely underwater towards the end of the event. Once the event is over, the flooding will recede within about a day, leaving only a few water stains here and there as evidence of their presence.

NOTES

▶ Any amount of standing water is a valid target for a character’s resurfacing, even something as minor as a glass of water. For situations where a character would not actively fit into the source of their arrival, they will be violently flung out of it, knocking over or spilling it in the process if that’s possible.

▶ As always, players are free to control the level to which their individual characters are affected, and being flooded out of their space is not mandatory.

---

OOC NOTES

INVITES | RESERVES | APPLICATIONS

▶ BLANKET CW: alcohol; altered states; aphrodisiacs; breeding urge; delusions; forced clotheswearing; hallucinations; harassment and bullying; jealousy; thalassophobia; transformation; unreality

▶ All characters on the TDM are WILDCARDS, which means they have not yet been assigned a card value. The house is still observing and deciding. As rank and suits are assigned upon acceptance your 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 June event. The beach will ICly be present from June 15th - June 30th.

▶ Current characters may top level on the TDM. Any current characters posting to the TDM should note they are current in their subject header.

▶ The top level directory is for new characters only. We want to make sure new characters are prioritized and receive attention!

▶ If you aren't satisfied with these prompts, please feel free to check out our LOCATIONS to explore more of the resort! There are recent additions to the locations page as well, for those who have yet to see them!

▶ Smut threads that take place on this TDM can be used for rewards. If both parties in the smut thread join the game, you may retroactively apply the character's initial card values to your 52 bank. If one character does not join the game the thread will not be applicable toward rewards (as that character would not have a card value). The character that does join would still receive a small payout for the encounter. Hopefully it was a fun thread regardless!

▶ 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.

▶ Don't forget your sunscreen! We'd hate for any chicken wings to come out burnt.

NAVIGATION • LOG • NETWORK • OOC • MEME

Comments

[lieabilities]

You seem to have quite the high opinion of me, when we've only just met.

[ It's a lightly made comment, a temptation Kleken couldn't resist touching upon for a moment before promptly sweeping past with charming smile. If someone wants to have a high opinion of him, well, that was their own decision to make and one he wouldn't care to correct himself. It's certainly better than the opposite. ]

I'll be certain to live up to your expectations then. It's the least I could ddo for a man of faith putting faith in me.

[bardische]

I would like that [ he murmurs back, stroking her hair behind her ear. His own eyes are softly crinkled, the beginning of crow's feet spreading from the corners. ] I know you take risks with me. That's something I cherish. It makes me bold enough to do the same with you.

[ More truths he'd normally not voice, but right now he wants her to know. And he wants to smooth that hurt from her, the missing of important people. He understands.

Instead he lets his fingers trail across her cheek, down her neck and around her shoulder, his other arm holding her firmly to him. He kisses her hair, her forehead, and then very softly her lips. ]

[cartographie]

People like talking about the things that make them happy.

[ She shrugs, looking slightly amused at the man's reaction. ]

Besides, now I know – if I ever get a husband, that's how excited he ought to be. [ The most massive if in any and every universe. Still, it's sweet to see how adamantly Hua Cheng has his husband's back. ]

Did he tell you that I told him you can both use my suite whenever you want? I've got a beach like this up there, and it's big enough we wouldn't even notice each other, you can have some time to yourselves. If you need a break, or want to go on a date, it's there for you.

[cartographie]

So close and so far.

[ Her weight shifts as she settles against his side and lets one of her arms loop around his middle, holding him against her almost possessively as the thought of how distant home feels these days leaves her frowning at the horizon. ]

Think anyone would stop us if we slept out here?

[ Looking back at him, Nami forces her expression into something less pensive and more playfully amused, even going so far as to raise her eyebrows at him, adding– ] Not that you're gonna get a lot of sleep.

[cartographie]

[ Like this, with him drawing closer, the pale color of his hair and the heat lingering in that determined stare he's giving her illuminated in the moonlight filtering past the rooftops above, Nami almost wants to let him catch her for good.

How many times has she slipped through his fingers, only to be left aching and alone, caught between regret and triumph? That she doesn't have to plays heavily on her thoughts, ensuring that her heart beats harder as he draws himself up close against her, the warmth of his body filling her senses and making it difficult to keep herself held back.

The palm of her hand, rough from a life hauling rope at sea, moves to cover the back of one of his, guiding it up until she feels his fingertips brush over her cheek. ]

You sure? [ Nami leans into this test of wills Yu's locked them in, her lips brushing against his with every low spoken word she utters. ] Think you can keep me?

[ She's strong, but she's not strong enough to stop herself from egging him on, the tip of her tongue brushing over the swell of his bottom lip, sweet and fleeting before she caves the rest of the way and presses a kiss to his lips. ]

[cartographie]

[ Relaxing into a smirk as they flag down the bartender, Nami gives Weiss a nod, lacing her finger's with her friends as she leans against the bar. ]

Can you do me and my friend the Queen of Spades a favor? [ She bats her eyelashes as she asks, her voice taking on an unusual tone of sweetness Weiss isn't likely to have heard before. Coy and cajoling, the sort of thing Nami adopts when she's trying to charm her way to where she wants to be. At least the bartender seems to be up for it, already nodding eagerly, seemingly delighted to be drafted into anything by two high ranked ladies like them. ]

It would turn us on so much if you served the lower ranks first for the rest of the day. [ The hand not holding Weiss's reaches out to smooth over the reverse mermaid's scaly shoulder, gentle, and oh so coaxing. ] We like watching them get what they want. It makes our time together hotter. Right Weiss?

[ She gives her friend's hand a squeeze, still smiling at the bartender, who seems confused, but amenable, and possibly intrigued by the unusual kinks the two queens might share. ]

[cartographie]

Would if I could listen to them.

[ Nami's lips press into a thin line, her expression darkening briefly as she looks towards the water. It's a good thing he takes her up on that question, distracting her away from how unmoored she's been left feeling in the wake of her crew's absence, her aspirations of making it to the Grand Line still present, but feeling dimmer than ever. ]

Highest bounty in history? You'd win over at least half my crew with something like that. [ She tilts her head and decides to press her luck. ] Do you deserve it?

[schmisse]

Hime-sama? You must be mistaken. I'm Weiss.

[ Alas, she isn't familiar with Japanese! Her native tongue does include Japanese words here and there, but these sorts of titles aren't familiar to her. Still, she's more than happy to clarify things. Upon knowing what it means, she might just even feel flattered.

(She'd like it a lot.)

Weiss settles herself on the bed, making sure her dress won't have any creases once she's sat. Seimei takes the back of her hand and presses a kiss to it though, and that gets her to burn even hotter. Even her cheeks turn red, words a little incoherent with how that surprised her. ]

O- Oh, that was cute- I mean, nice- I mean... [ Something!! Something about comfort, Weiss! You can do it! ] You're very thoughtful, thank you.

Don't you feel hot? [ She looks around. They're away from the beach now and it isn't even snowing in this area anymore. The little house seems safe. Weiss' suit burns, its shade growing darker and darker by the second. Her insecurity grows stronger as each word passes her lips. ] I'm grateful you want me to be comfortable, but if there's anything I can help with, then just let me know too, okay?

[cartographie]

[ He conveys so much in the way he touches her. Deliberate and delicate in turn, for all the ways he might make her bristle, it doesn't take the bent rules of this treat to have her relaxing into his touch. ]

I've never been able to risk like this. [ The words come out in a quiet rush, and she's grateful for the kiss his presses to her lips a moment later. It's so easy to let him draw her in, to make her sigh happily and lift a hand to touch his cheek, her tongue brushing against his bottom lip before delicately licking into his mouth, deepening their kiss with a soft, happy sigh. ]

I like learning how with you, together.

[softstoneheart]

I think you're onto something... as far as that pattern goes. New guests definitely can't play a game if they don't have a suit and rank, so that makes sense. There was a post on the network a while back about the suits. It's prolly a little too early to confirm it, but maybe there's a connection between the effects of the suits and the games.

what would make something Summer-related? The heat?

[ Her follow up question is similarly sincere. It's not only because "summer" can vary from planet to planet: Topaz has never taken time off to enjoy a beach on a summer day, so she genuinely has no idea what to expect. ]

[malpwactice]

[The kind of thing the Watch was surpassed even his own world's technology. The things they had that were similar require intense amounts of energy and the minerals that created that energy caused crisis after crisis. It'd be nice if that wasn't the case here. Aak really doubts that, though, he's sure there's some cost outside where any of them could see. Still, like, no point in not using it to watch bad movies late at night.]

Yea, yea, I'm tech support for plenty of people. [he'll sidle over next to Baptiste, his tail swishing to the other side.]

Usin' this little device you can send me a message anytime you're free. All of us stuck here have got one so if someone says they don't have one they're tryin' to let you down gentle, 'old man.' [While Aak would have spared Baptiste the nickname on his own, he can't just leave it alone when it's mentioned!]

Mm, that one, [he tries to indicate with the rapidly flipping tabs] No, no, back a few. Try usin' your non-showtime gestures.

[belialedge]

Heh. [ He looks up from where he's currently seated back at her. ] Lemme guess. A high bounty is bragging rights for some?

[ "Do you deserve it?" ]

...

[ "That's him!! The guy from the wanted poster!" "Isn't that Ragna the Bloodedge?" "We have you completely surrounded! Surrender your weapon and put your hands above your head!"

... .... .....

"Oh my god. What the hell IS he?!" "H-He's not human!!" "YOU BASTARD!! WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY COMRADES?!?" "DIE, GRIM REAPER!!"

"YOUR AZURE GRIMOIRE IS MINE, RAGNA THE BLOODEDGE!!"

... .... .....

"Ragna..." ]



Yeah. For better or worse. But I can't take back what's already happened.

[malpwactice]

[There is that slight jumpiness, similar to the first time they met, at the contact. However, the tentacles attempt to be mistake for a hand seems to have succeeded.]

I can say that this place does have its punching bags. [Some people, it seems, end up on the raw end of the house's deal no matter how cooperative they are. He can't guarantee that a person wouldn't be put through the same ordeal again just for laughs.]

[Technically, it would be a benefit for him if this guy got tossed back. Why does he now feel like that would be such a waste?]

Well, if it happens, I'll find you again to patch you up. [The way he says it is a bit different from the customer service voice he was using before. There's a forming certainty in the idea that, no matter what, they would meet again.]

[belialedge]

[ It's a good thing this is before Throat Goat. ...but then, what's cooking inside Ragna's head right now might not be any better. ]

You might not like what I come up with but. Alright. You asked for it.

[ He'll spring it on her when the time is right. Right now, however, he's too busy making himself out to be like the ogre in the hit "family" classic, GREK and hauling her away without so much as a care in the world. If she was expecting some kiss to disarm her, she would have to keep dreaming a little while longer. Besides, while she's not going unheard, cinching her by her waist, her kicking and whacking his back causing her to slip only a little. Just enough until his forearm is secured around the top of her ass. ]

Alright, but if I let you down, I ain't bailing your ass out if you get arrested for kicking EVERY ass on the beach.

[ "I'm having you arrested!" ]

[ What the hell for?! It's not like this is the first time that Ragna's "kidnapped" her, after all. But that's when she starts to really whine. And while he doesn't quite let her down yet, his hold of her is gentler...train your ears, Monika. Because if you stop crying and whining and tugging on his hair long enough, you just might hear something. His shoulders shake a little. A deeper chuckle. She tugs his hair again, and he at least stops walking by the time the two of them find themselves in a more secluded part of the beach, with nothing but a couple unsuspecting lounge chairs with matching umbrellas and bungalows in the distance from them. ]

Hahahaha... [ Ragna's laughing. He's not laughing at her. He's smiling. Regardless of how well he'd be able to handle himself against those gullheaded freaks or not, Monika still came for him. And...the thought was nice. Maybe when the two managed to calm down a little more, he'd even let her treat him to ice cream again. The laughter gradually ebbs away, however, as he looks up at, admittedly, Monika's ass since she's hauled over his shoulder... ] Okay, okay. I'll put you down. But only if you promise not to beat me up.

[belialedge]

[ Their shoulders do indeed brush, but given how lonely Ragna was feeling thanks to that drink, he's not shying from that touch. If anything, Olivine's gentler laughter draws him in a little further. He's still taller, but he still finds himself leaning against the priest nonetheless. ]

Well that's something I can count on one hand...having somebody say that about me.

[ It's true, however. At least, back home, his reputation being that of some destroyer or a dangerous criminal who would kill for just breathing in his general direction. Even if he's never done so much as the latter... But, ]

Maybe if we were all from my world. But...more and more people are seeing me as something different. And it's...

[ It's okay. ]

It's nice.

rude of your hotel wifi!

[abyssmade]

[ Childe is just the kind of person to push, no matter what he's doing. Life is a big challenge to him. That usually manifests in a need to fight, but this place (usually) manages to distract him. He finds other things to challenge.

Part of him almost wishes someone would step up to them, because he wonders what Basch would do in a mood like this. Another part of him, the louder part at present, still doesn't want Basch's attention anywhere else. If someone interrupted them, they'd be taking that away from Childe, and he can't stand the thought of that. ]

Sofa sounds like more work. Table it is.

[ Also he hasn't been bent over a table since like the first week, so it's clearly time. ]

[tfy]

[Right, well. Speaking of dicks...]

Good luck with that, I guess.

[He'll have so much porn to dig through. Hiyori wonders what the consequences are for mass burning library books. A fine? Jail time? Slap on the wrist? Like most things around here, it probably depends on Bakugo's (eventual) rank.

In any case, now that the other boy's no longer yelling, Hiyori relaxes somewhat. Idly he contemplates his words; it's true that some people might be content to stay here. Those who come from war-torn countries or whose lives back home were filled with suffering, for example. Others are just lazy (cough cough Leona, cough cough). Or they've just given up hope on ever getting out without the House granting their "wish." But most people Hiyori's spoken to aren't happy here, and would prefer to leave.

"Biding their time" is right in some cases, at any rate. That's exactly what he's doing. But as for the state of their worlds, well... He slowly shakes his head.]

There's no way to tell what's going on outside, at least as far as I know. I've heard different theories about how our kidnappings played out—whether time is passing normally outside, or whether this is some sort of alternate timeline, like you'd see in a sci-fi film. But it's all just speculation, since none of us have any clue!

I also arrived here a couple of months after two other people from my home world, but I had no memory of them being gone at all, if that tells you anything.

[Is that even what Bakugo meant by "the state of their worlds"? Hiyori is dearly worried about the rest of his unit, and about his family. If time is indeed passing normally outside then they can't have reacted well to his disappearance. But that's about where his concern ends: he's not worried about some apocalypse transpiring without him. Curiously he asks,]

Your world's not in peril or anything, is it?

[Bakugo didn't hint that it was. But then the purpose of heroes is to save the day, right? As for the gambling hall, he'll just quickly advise:]

There's a casino, but I wouldn't spend too much time there if I were you. I heard the dealers there "suck people's energy," whatever that means. Not that you need me to tell you, since you're not a fan of gambling from the sound of it. Good, good ♪

[armwriostle]

[What does it say about him that he got so used to the tentacles that accompany Kleken? Well, they’re kind of cute with how friendly they are, so who could fault Wriothesley for liking them. He gently pats the tentacle on his shoulder as they walk across the sandy beach.

When one works with information most of their life, one also knows how to present it. It’s obvious that the boxer works with intel to some extent.]

Who knows. It’s hard to tell how they decide anything. I haven’t exactly seen any particular pattern nor a rhyme or reason. It just seems like you’re unlucky. Or lucky, depending how you see it.

[Don’t worry. One day, Kleken will get to enjoy a rabbit Wriothesley.]

[armwriostle]

[Wriothesley licks his lips and there’s a certain level of hunger in his gaze. It’s something that implies that he isn’t just satisfied with the kiss, but isn’t going to quite force the other either.

He looks at his watch and notes that his two kisses were fulfilled.] Well, it looks like it worked well enough. It seems I don’t have to worry about whatever punishments they might have had in store for me.

[He pauses for a moment. Wriothesley hasn’t pulled away nor has let his hands leave Kirma’s body.]

You’ve helped me plenty if anything. Surely I can reward you for helping me out, hm? [He tugs Kirma a little closer to him.] Anything that’s in my ability, I’ll be happy to give over.

[izanagis]

[Electricity crackles through the air. Everyone can feel it: the audience shudders, holding their breath; the announcer goes quiet, waiting with unblinking eyes for the next move; even the competitors feel the chill. Yu lets that chill wash over him like a wave, riding through it and coming out stronger in the end.

Stronger as in he rolled another motherfucking 20, and that's how we're setting this up.

So here's what happens:

The atmosphere is thick with tension. The pause between songs played over the loudspeakers seems to stretch on and on, and when the birds finally hit the ball over the net, that's when it all changes. Ragna, surrounded by a black and red aura. Yu, the power of his Personas blazing like wildfire, sunglasses glinting in the light. The music changes to something appropriately badass and a moment later, he serves up one hell of a shot for Ragna to bust across the net.

It's spectacular. The birds don't stand a fucking chance.

The ball practically blazes as it surges across the net, leaving thin trails of fire in its wake, shaking the ground as it hits with catastrophic fury. The crater left there in the sand will last for a long, long time, serving as a reminder of this legendary match.]

[dianxie]

It's a kind offer, but I'm less fond of beaches than someone else I know who would likely benefit from the use of an ocean, even a fake one.

[ Xie Lian would rather be in the Vale where valleys and grassy hills are mimicked, nor does he wish to be intimate with his husband in another's suite, but his mind does immediately jump to someone else. He Xuan. Surely a fake ocean would be better for Black Water's mood than the paltry swimming pools in the caverns?

He cocks his head, thoughtfully. ]

Is there any depth to your fake sea? Does it feel real enough, once in it?

[rebrandedwarlock]

[Greed is a unique vulnerability which Sherwood has always honed in on. He could leverage it in Vaughan and he could continue to leverage it here. He's always happy to give to those who will want more from him.

So, he's standing along with Charlie, moving to lead him. That's not before pulling the man's arm around the back of his own waist, inviting Charlie hang off of him in a possessive manner, should he like to.

Sherwood's hand smooths up Charlie's back, resting there to lead where they'll be walking. It's just to the elevators and then a short trip up to the Jack and Ace ranked floor,]

A taste of what the good life is, by this place's standards.

[redfeathers]

( The longer he looks at Enji, the more questions he has. There's worry too, worry he knows he won't be able to shake any time soon, but he can at least take some comfort in the fact that he's up. He's walking around. Talking. That's a good sign for now. Once they're somewhere else, somewhere dry with proper lighting, he can look him over and take stock of what's going on. But for now, he needs to focus on this. On being the same easy, calming presence he needs to be for Enji.

He cocks his head curiously. ) Are you getting a feel for this place or were you looking for something specific?

( He'd come down here to investigate the leaks. And it might be a good thing to have run into the flame hero down here. His flames could come in handy for trying to weld any leaking pipes they might come across. It'd probably work out a lot better than whatever band aid fix he could come up with himself.

The question, though, makes him blink. Like he's surprised to even be asked. No one's really asked him that since he's been here. Not Twice, Mister hadn't really, and Dabi.. Well.

His lips spread into reassuring smile as he straightens, lifting his hands and shoulders in a casual shrug. )

Better now. ( That he's got eyes on Enji, even if this is the last place he wants the other man to be. That's what his thoughts keep going back to. The other man is here where he can keep an eye on him and take care of him now. )

How are you? You look like you've seen better days.

[theidlemaiden]

[ Edelgard's words earn a short eyeroll from Hilda. Of course she'd want more structure to this band of unknown resort guests. (The eyeroll itself is somewhat hypocritical. No matter how much Hilda may proclaim that she and Edelgard are nothing alike, the fact of the matter is, is that Hilda enjoyed structure on her own terms.)

There is some comfort however in knowing that there seems to be a mix of skills that will probably come in handy somewhere down the line. Not that she'd be the first to admit that; anything that remotely gave the impression that she knew anything about strategy was staunchly avoided.

The drink is picked up and immediately clinked briefly against Edelgard's without any sort of hesitation though it's meant to be common courtesy than any heartfelt thank you. It's mostly an attempt to bite her tongue so that she doesn't immediately sass back that she'd much rather never have another conversation with Edelgard again - but like it or not she's a familiar face. ]

So what you're saying is that this is some kind of weird, magical dungeon?

[ She takes a sip of her drink, a refreshing sweetness running over her tongue. At least the drinks were good. ]

If there's no possible exit or way out then what is there left to try?

[armwriostle]

[He can’t help but find the way she holds herself to be quite endearing. It reminds him a lot of Neuvillette. Formal and businesslike. Almost to a fault. He just found it more cute than anything.

He takes her hand in a firm handshake.] Duke Wriothesley, but Wriothesley will suffice. I care little for titles so let’s treat each other as equals going forward.

[Wriothesley is relaxed in comparison. An easy smile graces his lips and he seems completely at ease. He can tell there is stiffness in the way she holds herself that doesn’t feel like it’s completely because of her rank. Still, he has no reason to call her out on it. She probably has a lot to get used to if she ends up here long term.] I hope you’ll be able to settle down and acclimate. I know that it’s a lot to take in. If you have any questions, I’m happy to answer them.