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

II-A/B

[philancer]

[ He'd seen Wriothesley vanish under the waves some time ago but he hadn't spotted him reappearing anywhere. Guessing he'd taken the one breathing drink, Sylvain orders one for himself.

He recalled how Wriothesley felt about being underwater, so he's not really surprised that this is where he'll find the man. Even if he doesn't understand the draw himself, he still slips beneath the waves and dives down deeper into the water, searching for his familiar figure with powerful, steady strokes. He might not be as skilled as Wriothesley underwater, but he could hold his own. It was nice that the water was so warm, too. ]

[armwriostle]

[The water doesn't bring the same joy that Fontaine's water does, but it does bring him a certain amount of joy just to be able to do this again. He swims with practiced ease through the waters, the movement fluid, like he really was meant to be in the waters.

Not seeing the gorgeous sight of sea life under the waves is disheartening, but the ease of breathing in water fills something in his heart that the underwater scenery he sets in the windows of his living room doesn't manage to abate.

Sylvain will easily find the man. He has no destination, but he seems just content moving through the water, the movement reminiscent of what one might expect of a mermaid.]

[philancer]

[ Sylvain doesn't actually know anything about mermaids, except for the strange creatures up at the bar. And he's pretty sure that's all he'd ever want to know on the matter, because those things are... freaky.

But he spots the man cutting through the water and changes his own course to intercept, kicking strongly to propel himself forward faster in hopes of catching up.

Wriothesley's always been graceful, but there's something almost... otherworldly about his movements down here. ]

[armwriostle]

[He happily spins as he glides through the water, enjoying the feel of water going through his lungs like air. The feeling is different, but it's one any Vision holder in Fontaine is familiar with.

Wriothesley feels the way the water currents move and slows to a stop when he feels someone nearby, turning to see who it might be. His face brightens, immediately recognizing the redhead approaching.

Though no words come out, the bubbles that flow from his mouth is obviously some exclamation towards them.]

[philancer]

[ Sylvain has to laugh to himself when Wriothesley's face is hidden behind a burst of sudden bubbles.

He really hopes that doesn't mean you were cursing at the sight of him or something.

But he kicks through the water once more, swimming in his directions. Although he doesn't manage it nearly as gracefully as Wriothesley does, he's still a strong swimmer and reaches out for him as he reaches him, a grin on his own lips.

Even if it's still weird to be down here and not worry about air. ]

[armwriostle]

[He didn't expect Sylvain to follow him down, really. He knows that his affinity to the water to the point of near obsession right now was not for everyone. He just wanted to indulge in something he hadn't really gotten to do since being here. There was the short stint in the caves underwater, but that was about it.

Wriothesley is bright-eyed though, like a kid, as he takes Sylvain's hand into his.

And as quickly as their fingers entwine does he start swimming off. Perhaps this is what people wanted in mermaids. The way the man moves through the water, spinning and gliding through the waters as he tugs the other along is fluid and graceful in its movements.

He turns a little so that he's swimming on his back, looking up at Sylvain with a grin.]

[philancer]

[ That grin is infections, and he wonders if he's ever seen so genuine an expression on Wriothesley's face before now.

He lets himself be tugged through the water, even if he has to struggle a bit to keep up at times. But he follows along, unsure where the other man is taking him but content to be led all the same.

Although he does wish they could talk down here. Although he supposes that's pretty difficult without air. but he gives Wriothesley's hand a squeeze as he grins down at him, fondness in his gaze. ]

[armwriostle]

[He can't help but grin before leaning up to press a kiss to Sylvain's lips. The boxer then tugs the other forward with him again so that they can continue swimming.

Wriothesley has no destination in mind. He's just happy to move through the waters. Content with Sylvain swimming alongside him. It's nice like this. It's unfortunate they can't talk, but there's also something pleasing to just quietly swim like this.

The scenery isn't gorgeous like Fontaine. It's severely lacking if anything. Yet, just having this moment meant a lot to Wriothesley, whom hadn't gotten to really enjoy a swim like this outside of Crane's Respite. And, well, it simply was not enough.

Eventually the simulated sky will start to show the signs of day ending, a sunset starting in the horizon.]

[philancer]

[ Even if the sunset hadn't started above the waves, Sylvain was about at the end of his energy reserves for swimming. Although it had certainly been enlightening - and entertaining - to swim along with the other man for the afternoon, his muscles were starting to protest the unusual strain to ways he's wasn't as accustomed to moving.

He was definitely going to feel this tomorrow, but getting to see that grin on Wriothesley's lips more than made it worth it.

But he thinks he can also feel the effects of the drink starting to wear off and he really doesn't want to still be deep underwater when oxygen becomes a necessity once more. Tugging on Wriothesley's hand to get his attention, he points upwards towards the surface in explanation before he starts kicking his way back up through the water once more. ]

[armwriostle]

[A part of him wants to continue to stay under the depths; the familiar feeling of water surrounding him a comfort when he finds himself yearning for the Fortress and Fontaine. But he knows that they've been down here awhile and knows that the drinks are limit in how long they last.

And Sylvain has already humored him for so long without complaints.

He smiles and swims with the other until they reach the shore. Breaking through the surface and feeling air fill his lungs instead of water is always a strange feeling, but one that he kind of enjoys. He slicks his hair back as his feet touches the floor and he can stand instead of tread water.]

[philancer]

[ The water is just deep enough that Sylvain can flop back onto his back and float with a tired but contented groan as Wriothesley surfaces beside him, slicking his hair back.

Sylvain can only grin as he watches him. ]

Well, you look as if you've enjoyed your day.

[armwriostle]

Do you think I could petition the house to keep this around? [Who knows if it'll stay or not, but he would not be opposed of it did.

he playfully splashes some water at the other.] I cannot help but want to take advantage of what they've given us if this is not a permanent fixture. [With the hotel everchanging, it was hard to tell what was new for them to continue making use of and what wasn't.] Back home, Fontaine's waters are blessed for Vision holders to breathe underwater. It is something I've come to really miss.

[philancer]

You know, you could just become a King and probably have your own private beach in your bathroom. Or put your whole suite underwater.

...Although that might make it a little difficult to have guests over.

[ Grinning, he laughs as he splashes a handful of water back, but he cocks his head to the side as he considers those words. ]

Wait, so you can just breathe underwater all the time, back where you come from?

[armwriostle]

And be harassed by guests because of my rank? No thank you. [He rather shrivel up and expire than to constantly have no privacy of his own. Wriothesley cherished his privacy and the lack of it that the face ranks seem to experience was such a turn off. There wasn't anything that the house could offer to him that was worth every eye on him.

He smiles warmly.]

Fontaine's waters are blessed. It's an ability afforded to those that hold Visions. Normal people can't, but Vision holders can. [And as much as he does enjoy the water, Wriothesley finally moves to get out of it and back to the shore.]

[philancer]

I'm sure you could just scare them all away if you scowled at them enough. Your glare is terrifying.

[ From the smirk on Sylvain's face, he doesn't look all that intimidated by the prospect of that glare. He knows you're a marshmallow, Wriothesley. ]

What is a Vision, exactly? I don't think you've ever explained that.

[ Is it like a Crest, he wonders? ]

[armwriostle]

I feel like I'm being picked on at the moment when you say that with that expression. [Hey. He can be very formidable if necessary. Sylvain just isn't someone who would catch Wriothesley's ire. The man would basically have to backstab him and shatter the trust built between them.

Wriothesley gestures at his hip. There's a bauble tied with a sturdy rope and looped about his waist. It glows a chilling blue.]

Here. They're said to be physical manifestations of a person's strong desires and ambitions. [He had hid his for awhile and still does most of the time. In this place, he didn't quite trust having it out so easily.] It's been told that those with Visions can transcend into godhood even. They're gifts from the gods, but no one knows why it happens. Just that it does.

[philancer]

Wri, I'm always picking on you. This shouldn't be a new feeling for you.

[ He's just snickering as he nudges the other man's shoulder.

But at least he's easily distracted by the shiny trinket, leaning closer to examine it, now that Wriothesley's drawn attention to it. ]

Wait, this is actually yours from home? They let you keep it?

[ He's not touching the godhood thing. Nope. Nothing good can come of delusions of godhood. Gods are a pain in the ass anyway. ]

[armwriostle]

I can complain about it, can I not? Brat.

[Wriothesley watches the way the other looks at it with interest. He carefully unties the rope that it’s attached to and holds it out for Sylvain to touch.] It arrived with me, but I kept it hidden. I can’t say why I had it, but perhaps it has to do with how intrinsically linked a Vision holder is with their Vision.

[The blue bauble shines in the artificial sunlight.] Visions are said to be gifted to us because of our strong desires and ambitions. In that sense, they’re physical manifestations of those feelings. [And if one was to think of it that way-]

People who lose their Visions are known for losing memories and even having their personality change completely. Not every single person reacts the same, but perhaps the house thought that it would be a problem for us not to have them in fear of the repercussions of our persons.

[philancer]

[ He’d reached out for the Vision when Wriothesley had held it up for his inspection, but upon those words, he quickly jerks his hand back before he makes contact. And then eyes the pretty little bauble with an uncertain look. ]

Uhh. I don’t like the sound of repercussions. Those sound bad. Why don’t you keep a hold of that, on second thought.

[armwriostle]

[He can't help but laugh at Sylvain's reaction as he moves to tie it around his waist again.]

They do, don't they? You could have touched it if you wanted to. I trust you won't go trying to steal something you have no use for from me. [He starts to wade out of the water and back to the shore.] Well, I assume that it would be more tedious for the house if that were to happen to us, so they seem fine with letting us keep them. How gracious of them.

[He stretches his arms over his head before looking up at the way the sky simulates a sunset.] More annoying was that I couldn't even tap into it until a few months ago. Talk about inconvenient.

[philancer]

What does ‘tapping into it’ mean?

[ Sylvain trudges out of the water behind him, stretching as well, his muscles feeling sore and tired, like he’d just had too long a day training with Felix.

He gets as far as the shore before flopping down on one of the large towels nearby, patting the space beside him in invitation. ]

[armwriostle]

Oh. [As he takes a seat next to Sylvain, he holds his hand out for a moment. Sylvain can watch the gentle conjuring of snowflakes. Just small ice particles to give the other an example.] Visions are a little more than just baubles. We can harness an element through them. Mine is Cryo.

[He knows that his body temperature before had been something more normal, but had settled on a much cooler temperature when he had gotten access to his Vision's potential in March.

Though...right now, the boxer was on the warmer side. It's probably because they were swimming around for so long though.]

[philancer]

[ Sure it is.

Sylvain blinks at the small show of magic, a smile lighting up his face. ]

Did you really just summon snowflakes? On a beach?

Is Cryo a fancy word for ice?

[armwriostle]

Snow can happen even on a beach, you know. [A snort in response.] Though it's too hot here for that. I was just showing you that I have a few magic tricks up my sleeve, though I would make for a poor main act.

[He presses his palm to Sylvain's cheek. It's cool to the touch.]

One in the same. Our elements are probably named differently to other places, but they're essentially the same thing.

[philancer]

Not typically a tropical one. The beaches we have back in Gautier, though, are frequently colder and rockier. Snow definitely isn’t unusual at those. Not like this. Weather and beaches like this [ He gestures at their surroundings ] are much further to the south in my world.

[ He shivers at the touch of cold to his cheek, then laughs, catching it in place and holding it there. ] But I prefer this to heat. I would definitely melt if I were stuck with this weather all the time.

And I think you’d make a fine main act, actually. Just depends on what you’re showing.