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

[softstoneheart]

[ The grin she makes when he says he's not strong or fast is predatory. Would her assistance with the seagull guards be because of that? She hums thoughtfully. ]

You can always pay me back when you're able, or we can keep it as an open favor to help somewhere down the line. And it doesn't have to be physical. If you can read, type or do calculations, I'm sure I can come up with something. And if you've got any other talents, I'd be happy to make use of those.

[ The Strategic Investment Department is all about making the most of a person's abilities. She'll find a good use for him, and she's brimming with confidence in that. ]

[lieabilities]

Oh, I'd much rather be able to offer you something now than later.

[ He knows just how dangerous an 'open favor' agreement could be. Since his youth, he's always made sure to be on the receiving side of one of those, not the offering, and he wasn't about to break that resolve now. Especially not for a few feathers. ]

Are you doing that much paperwork here? How surprising, I had thought this place was for vacationing.

[softstoneheart]

But you'd take my help, if you were comfortable with the terms, right?

[ Smart move; an open favor truly is a dangerous one. The hint of an opening, the start of a deal is on the horizon, and unlike her mentor, she doesn't push further. She's satisfied with mutual benefit.

You can take a workaholic out of the office but you can't take the workaholic nature out of her. There's research to compile, more network posts to read. The thought of kicking back earns a laugh. ]

I'm really fascinated by the resort and want to learn what makes it tick. There's nothing wrong with wanting to know more, is there?

[lieabilities]

Of course.

[ So long as the terms were fair, there was no reason to turn away a deal. Particularly one that would assist him in dealing with something he'd rather not do personally. There was only so much pecking a man could endure in one day. ]

[ And this particular deal had potential to open up further possibilities around the hotel. Someone interested in how things worked would always inevitably get involved with those higher in command, and that was a relationship Kleken was keen on fostering. ]

Not at all. It's an interesting topic.

[softstoneheart]

There's a group of people looking into it. Some is verbal— my personal preference [ since it's harder to track ]— but bits and pieces can be found on the network.

I can do it myself, but I wouldn't mind the extra help.

[ her breezy tone is genuine. She really doesn't need the help with it, and that's exactly why she proposed it over a bigger ask. If his need is greater than hers, the negotiations continue to be weighted in her favor. ]

[lieabilities]

I'll have to look more into that later then.

[ He has no clue what this network is, given the way he's popped in and out thus far, but that certainly isn't going to keep him from lying about it without a single change in his expression. ]

Do you have specific tasks in mind then?

[ 'Help investigate' is still far too nebulous for Kleken to feel settled with. ]

[softstoneheart]

Reviewing all the posts on the Network for signs of people poking into the nature of this place and its effects on us. Summarizing that info and grabbing contacts for that. I've handled everything leading up to this point, so it'd just be going forward.

[ A lightbulb goes off, the exact moment she realizes she's gotten ahead of herself and hasn't fully explained something. ]

Ah— you're new, right? Sorry! [ She smiles in sincere apology. ]

The network is basically the social media hub of this place. People can post about anything, like an event they're hosting, but people also discuss stuff they've seen or rumors they've heard that could point us in the direction of getting out. That's what I'm after.

[lieabilities]

You needn't apologize. Rather, I'm quite grateful for you taking the time to explain things to me.

[ Whether or not he'll stick around to see it for himself is up in the air, given the nature of his status, but any tidbit of information about this place is something he's been greedy for since arriving and more than happy to receive. ]

I don't believe I'll be very helpful in that regard though.

[softstoneheart]

I'd hate to see people blindsided. I think it's best to enter a situation knowing what we're getting into. If The House isn't going to be transparent, then I'll bring the transparency for them.

[ That's the best thing she can do in their situation. Forewarned is forearmed, and seeing as much of the picture as possible is necessary for making informed decisions. ]

And every little bit helps, so I dunno why you'd think you wouldn't be helpful.

[lieabilities]

What a practical point of view you have. It's refreshing.

[ It's cunning is what he truly means, given how well he knows the laws of information. The more you knew, the more cards you had to play with, and here was someone aiming to gather up the whole deck if she could. And depending on how Kleken played his own card, he could get his hands on a few extra as well. ]

[ Well, a go-getter like her would be a very good start. ]

I still have quite a bit to learn here to catch up to everyone else, but perhaps I'll be able to shine once that's been done.

[softstoneheart]

It shouldn't be refreshing; it's just common sense. Keeping stuff to ourselves benefits no one, especially when the House has so much it's hiding. We're all in the same boat.

So what do you feel you need to be up to speed on?

[lieabilities]

Should is unfortunately not often reflected in the sort of reality I take part in.

[ There were so many 'should's around in Umbraton that were foregone for a quick bit of money or status. It was why the Shadowlord was always busy, and in turn Kleken as his right hand man. ]

[ He'd rather enjoy it if the man took a break more often, but alas, that was another 'should' that went unrecognized. ]

The economy would be a good place to start.

[softstoneheart]

[ Simultaneously unsurprised and soured on the subject of money, she cringes. As an economist, avid investor and a debt collector by trade, few people are as qualified as she is to explain: ]

The primary currency is Chips, earned through payouts for participating in Game 52 or gambling at the casino. Some businesses will accept sexual favors in exchange for goods.

As unconventional as it is, it's thankfully stable. For better or worse, the cost of goods doesn't fluctuate.

[lieabilities]

[ Sorry Topaz, but Kleken's well aware of his own very immediate need for money and the more information he can get on the movement of it in this environment, the better. Though, a part of that statement has him somewhat darkly amused by the unfortunate familiarity to it. ]

I suppose they don't keep exchange rates posted anywhere. And the rate may be entirely subjective anyway.

But that does seem simple enough, thank you.

[ He does catch the effect his question has on her as well, moving right along in topics to keep her mood from worsening, lest he lose such a valuable source of information. ]

And the goods you mentioned, are they of any sort one might want for, or are they all themed to match the tastes of this place?

[ Are all of his wine requests going to be horny-related? ]

[softstoneheart]

Well, like... you can buy pretty much anything. Even things you wouldn't expect. Food, drinks and clothes are the obvious things, and you kinda get what you pay for with those. Whether or not the food and drinks are spiked varies.

Even when it causes horny effects, the quality is pretty good.

You can also buy items from home, even if you didn't have them with you before you arrived. Some people with abilities might find that they've been suppressed, and they can get full use back for a price. Even wilder, this place can give powers to people who didn't have any.

[lieabilities]

[ Ah, now there's a tidbit of information that sparks Kleken's interest in the most dangerous of ways. He keeps his gaze and smile steady and casual, though the way one of his tentacles flicks about near his ankles could be a giveaway. Or it could also be bored of all the chatter, it's a tricky call. ]

And how about additional new powers to those who might have already have them?

[ Wouldn't it be so interesting to have a new trick up his sleeve? ]

[softstoneheart]

[ That's a good question! She turns it over in her head, unaware of the tentacle wiggling below. ]

I don't know of anyone who's tried. I doubt they'd stop anyone who's got the chips.

[ The House? refusing money??? Unlikely. ]

[lieabilities]

[ Her contemplative face is a good sign by his standards; the unknown means it's not a 'no' after all. ]

That's an interesting prospect then. I'll have to keep an ear out for it then.

[ By which he means he'll absolutely be trying it out himself once he actually has the funds to, but that's just one more thing to add to his list of 'to-do' items for this particular hotel. ]

Thank you for sharing what you know, as well.

[softstoneheart]

Oh, no prob!

Feel free to ask about stuff whenever. I'm happy to help.

[lieabilities]

I appreciate it, Miss. Might I have your contact information for future inquiries I might have?

[ If he doesn't get whisked away to another labyrinth this time, at least, she is most certainly an individual he'd like to keep connections with. ]

[softstoneheart]

Sure thing. I'm Topaz. What's your name?

[lieabilities]

Please, call me Kleken.

[ And ignore the tentacle in the back recording this information down for future reference. ]

[softstoneheart]

[ Okay but she can't ignore it anymore. ]

I've been meaning to ask— and don't take this the wrong way— but what are you?

[lieabilities]

[ There's a moment's temptation to fall right into his old tricks, but considering the nature of their newborn relationship... some smoky truths were the better path to establishing a positive working relationship. ]

I'm an Aurorian. Though I'm also the only one I know who looks like I do.

[softstoneheart]

[ The answer raises more question, but they're still innocent. And since he's being fairly forthcoming, she'll just keep asking. ]

Is there a reason why you're unique? What are the others like?