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

a brush with romance

[orobashi]

( To be perfectly honest, Kokomi was currently... spacing out a bit. She's standing, facing the water, arms crossed over her chest with a hand folded near her chin like she's deep in thought, but there aren't many thoughts to speak of. Things like, "where am I going to sit down and get some alone time during all of this?", sure, but those don't really count, do they?

And so, being approached by someone at all would be enough to catch her off guard. Being approached by someone with the request for a kiss, though, has her blinking a few times, and then turning like she expects there to be some other person behind her.

There isn't. )

Oh, me?

( Her...? Requested more than this, too? Focus, Kokomi! Keep it together! You're the Divine Priestess, you can't let yourself get flustered! And so, with only a brief pause for that mental pep talk, she smiles calmly, lowering her hand from her chin to her chest with a polite laugh. )

I had no idea there was a scavenger hunt at all, I'm afraid, so you're the first. What sort of kisses are you meant to collect? Is there... a stamp card?

( How do they confirm the kisses... )

[bedroll]

[ Had it been a bit opportunistic of him to approach a woman lost in her thoughts? Perhaps. But he hopes that a genial smile and a measured distance from her will show that he isn't trying to do anything but avoid a playful consequence. It's hard to say it's enough, when her pale wide eyes greet him with bewildered blinking, unreadable yet mysteriously pretty for their pearlescence. He lets out a proverbial breath when she finally grants her own smile in return, and his body relaxes just a little too in response. ]

You're one of the lucky ones then. They send it directly to your Watch. [ He gestures at the display on his, presses a button to project it above his arm as a hologram, for easier perusal. He's missing more than just the two kisses, with none of the items yet completed. ]

It just says "kisses," so I guess it's up to the players. Do you have any lipstick? If not, a photo of it would probably be enough... [ It's also more than a little obvious he also hadn't thought this one through before approaching her. Maybe not the best look for him. ]

[orobashi]

Oh...

( Her Watch. The surprised way she lifts her own wrist to consider the thing should say enough, but she's completely forgotten about it. Wrapped up in her own mind, overloaded by just about everything, she'd placed it aside like a stack of papers and it had fallen to the wayside.

That's going to be a problem she'll have to deal with, too, isn't it?

Kokomi smiles, a little sheepish, and lifts a little hand to wave off his concerns. )

Oh, no, I— ( Her head feels like it's in scrambles, and even if she can speak so calmly, can handle her words and posture and expression all perfectly fine, she feels like she's not going to last through to the night. Maybe she'll have to investigate even this fake ocean for some refuge underneath.

But for now, she steps closer, closing the small bit of distance left between them. )

I simply haven't spent the time to sit down and read through the messages on my Watch, after that first one. ( There comes the admission; though not actually much of one, it feels like one to her. ) I believe I need the time to sit down and focus on them...

( She's going to end up harassed by seagulls like this... )

Ah, but your kiss... Would you like one on the cheek?

[bedroll]

[ He hesitates at her response, for how flustered it sounds; it's not really his place or his nature to offer unsolicited advice, but she wouldn't be the first person to show up here unfamiliar with this level of technology. He's also probably not the best teacher for the job either, though, so he keeps any offers to himself, moves along to the task at hand. Something fully unrelated to technology.

He smiles softer, genuinely, at the chasteness of the suggestion. ]

The cheek should definitely count.

[ Just in case, though, he does tap on his Watch, to pull up the camera app. Any shot he takes is sure to be clumsy at best, but the last thing he's going to do is ask for a third-party to get involved. Then he crouches, closes the wide gap of their heights by lowering one knee to the sand. It's definitely a bit more chivalrous than the task requires, but something about her feels familiar. Not so much in her appearance or personality, but there is definitely a certain way those of higher rank—royalty, politicians, even just the wealthy—carry themselves that he is more than accustomed to, after growing up in the Citadel, alongside his father and the crown prince. ]

[orobashi]

( At the very least, that fluster is quick to fade as she settles into her Divine Priestess airs. Once Gladio is kneeled beside her, she places a gentle hand on his shoulder, leaning in and checking his Watch before she gives him a sweet little kiss on the cheek, sure to leave it in place long enough for a picture to be captured.

Afterwards, she gives a polite little laugh, withdrawing her hand and giving one last appreciative glance at his kneeling form. It is a rather chivalrous pose, but it's one that brings her some comfort, somehow— some familiarity of her own, no matter how subtle. )

It may be a little backwards, for me to introduce myself at this point, but... My name is Sangonomiya Kokomi. I won't trouble you if you're too focused on your tasks, but I'd be happy to learn your name, as well.

( With a careful glance down at her own Watch, again, she runs her fingers around the edge of it, contemplating it. )

And... if you don't mind me asking, what's left on your list?

[bedroll]

[ The look on his face abruptly shifts to something more sheepish than flirtatious. With his head so focused on the hunt (and, honestly, so worried about rejection), the thought that someone might want to continue the conversation, even approach something a bit more normal like introductions and getting to know one another properly, hadn't even occurred to him. He lingers in the sand, then, Watch-ed arm resting over his knee as the smile he turns on her is perhaps more charmed than charming. ]

Gladiolus Amicitia. [ He bites back the title; there's no Prince to be Shield of here. ] And I have more than I'd like left, but I want to say I'm making good progress over the last hour.

[ He pulls the list up again, projects it for her to see. He's down to one drink, one kiss, a pair each of sunglasses and sandals—but he's still five feathers short. ] I don't exactly trust those lifeguards, so I'm trying to save them until the end of the day. Though I'm happy to pass them along once I turn in, if you end up needing a set too.

[orobashi]

That's very kind of you, Gladiolus. But I can't help but feel that's a bit unfair to you and all of the others working so hard to gather things yourselves...

( Largely, it will depend on the sort of position she finds herself in when she starts it. But, she'd prefer if she could do it herself. Hmm. Another glance at the list, and she folds her arms, considering it much like she'd consider a plan of attack. )

The lifeguards have a tendency to become violent, so it makes sense to leave them for last, indeed. Have you tried the bar? Not only are there likely to be discarded drinks, but you may find a patron or two willing to part with the other items.

( Smiling back to him, she unfolds her arms so that she can gesture over to the bar with one hand. )

If you don't mind, I could accompany you. I haven't been able to find a quiet space to look anything over, but I might be able to search through my own things if I already have company.

( If she's with Gladio, she just gets the feeling that she won't be bothered by nearly as many people as she was the last time she even so much as stepped close. Plus, it would be a nice center for the remainders of his list, right? )

Of course, if it's too much of a bother, I'd be just as happy to say our goodbyes and meet again with you another time.

[bedroll]

[ The generosity, earnest and way too kind for the way this places chews people up, earns a soft chuckle. He's not about to crush her spirit already, but the idea that he's inadvertently stumbled on someone who might need someone to look out for them strikes a chord in him, familiar and unsubtle. Always a protector by nature, and (before this) by occupation, he figures it'll just be a natural inclination to keep tabs on Sangonomiya Kokomi. At least for her first few weeks here. ]

Drinks are definitely on the menu and the checklist, so might as well knock them both out together.

[ Together, he means, not just at once but in each other's company. Her self-consciousness is dismissed wordlessly, with an elbow offered and a nod of agreement to her gesture, each of them as mobbed as the others with thirsty guests. He suspects some of them are likely demanding some sort of refund, too, though most people should be used to a bit of deception by now. ]

First one's on me. And I can answer any questions you might have about the Watch or the resort, too.

[orobashi]

Oh, are you one of the ones who has been here for quite some time?

( The elbow offered is a comforting gesture, and one she finds easy to accept. With a small smile, she slips her hand into the created loop of his arm and moves with him. It's certainly not that she can't handle herself, in one way or another, but— there's a nice security, a soothing sort of air, to be able to find someone to rely on like this. It's incredibly helpful in dealing with all of the weight on her shoulders. )

Thank you. Mm, so far I've understood the "game" and its rules, as well as the concept that there are suits, much like cards, to be sorted into. I've also heard some chatter about rankings, which I have gathered to be a placement of social standing within the resort.

( As they walk, the sand feels warm beneath her feet, but there's something sad about the texture of it. Lacking, if only in some subtle way only she can tell. It's the same type of energy that this entire place gives off, from what she can tell. Forced, framed as something natural and light-hearted, but a little eerie in how it does just that. )

Outside of the expectations of the game, are there any challenges? Dangers or difficulties?

[bedroll]

[ Hearing it said aloud—"quite some time"—brings a sobering realness to the situation. He doesn't pause in his steps, but there is a shuddering of his thoughts, like a stone on the track, as he's forced to confront and place a number on his time here. He's been avoiding that, of course, in an effort to not rile back up into the frenzy of his arrival, to tear through hallways and empty suites in an endless, futile search for the prince. Or even for Ignis, or Prompto. Hell, he'd even take that Tenebrae asshole if it meant having someone around that understands what he's missing and dealing with even a little bit. Sure, others can sympathize, but everyone else's lived experiences are their own. And he hasn't met anyone else like him, clamoring for a way to get back to a post he'd selfishly abandoned.

He nods along with her, half listening as he course corrects his thoughts. ]

The rankings matter more to the House than most of the guests, I think. The newer ones, anyway, unless you meet someone with a bad attitude. There are ways to change it, and I guess that's one of the challenges. Or maybe you'll luck out and get a high enough rank that you don't have to worry about it. If you end up in the basement, let me know.

[ He pauses, to usher her into line in front of him, wary of the flock around the wet bar. Not that he owes her any measure of protection, and not that she'd even asked for it. It happens as naturally as anything else, an instinct to guard those perceived as weaker. Especially a pretty girl still gaining her bearings. ]

Dangers are...subjective. You have to watch out for food and drink here, since half the time it's spiked with something. [ He hesitates again, this time realizing the faux pas in offering drinks only to warn against them. Maybe they should order off menu. ] And every couple months there's another kind of game, and your team's whatever Suit you get. At least one of them is usually the loser.

[orobashi]

( Though she has only just met Gladio, she watches him with a quiet sort of curiosity, studying the way he moves, he speaks, he offers solutions to a complete stranger. He seems incredibly dependable, and so she's only soothed by the way he seems to hold his guard up, the way his gaze slides to those around him as they speak. She's midway through glancing down at the bar's menu when the idea of spiked food and drink comes up, though, and that certainly earns a pause.

But after a moment, she points out a drink titled "Holding On to Summer" to the strange, fish-faced bartender. Honestly, she'd have loved to talk to them for a while longer, some other time, about the ocean, about their happiness levels here while it's so fake— but she can only deal with so much at once, and they're rather busy, anyway. She turns back to Gladio to see what he might order, as she comments finally. )

All the more to force everyone here into a certain position, then, even if with the illusion of choice. I can understand how this could make so many complacent, and how even if you weren't, there's not much to be done.

( Trapped, stuck, with only what's in front of you to work with. What else can anyone do? She's not sure, yet, but she's absolutely going to be thinking on it. )

Mm... And am I right in understanding that the suites given to any rank are solitary? Unlike these bungalows?

( Please lord tell her she gets her own personal space. )