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

[wingbeats]

( getian’s clamor goes something like this: halting his forward progression at one of the large windows, his talons lash out to glance off of the glass’ sheer surface. he then startles, the sudden increased flapping of his wings sending him up so that he bumps the crown of his head against the ceiling. his eyes squeeze shut, a muffled grunt catching in his throat; it’s at that point that he lands with yet another heavy thump on the ground, wings stilling, his chest rising and falling quickly through the gap in the sheer fabric of his robe as he looks around.

stop your commotion.

he does stop. the miemeng bird goes fully rigid, even the breath halting in his lungs—his eyes are the only things that move, tracking over to the other bed, where a shape still rests beneath layers of bedding. he wants answers, but any demands of whether or not this individual is the culprit behind bringing him here die in his throat as he considers it further. it wouldn’t really make sense for a kidnapper to sleep in the same manner as his quarry, would it? does it even really make sense that he is kidnapped, if he’s not bound? there’s nothing to stop him from flying away—if he can just get a door or a window open.

perhaps the getian of many years ago wouldn’t have bothered waiting for any answers from the stranger; he would have simply escaped without a second thought. the circumstances of others had not been his concern. but concern is a worm that has burrowed itself into the core of his heart, so he steps forward, moving closer to the occupied bed. many birds have long legs meant for strutting—a miemeng is not one. the action is somewhat uncomfortable, and far less so than flying, but there’s not enough room in these close quarters. )

I assume you are not the one behind this. ( his tone is placid, though any number of implications could rest beneath its surface. when he is close enough, he reaches out with a taloned claw to grasp at the sheets before tossing them off of the figure—there is considerable strength in those legs, it seems.)

Get up. This is no time to sleep.

[dissonyance]

[ in many worlds of individuals that would ignore his command, he's silently glad that this one had enough presence of mind to obey leaks, even if it was done involuntarily so. that someone is finally willing to listen to him without too much effort because that's what he's used to. intimidation through sheer presence alone, the flexing of magical might and wielding the unknown... that's been his MO this entire time. of course, when all of that obfuscation is blown away? he's simply a cat. nothing more, nothing less.

which is why... he doesn't really want to go anywhere. perhaps if he lies here long enough, he will be left alone. he can fall back into a blissful sleep and perhaps wake somewhere more comfortable and quiet. maybe he can find his way back to his tree, to his worn furniture, to a time before everything went up in flames.

and then leaks' blankets are gone and he huffs. ]

Anytime is a good time to rest. We do not know what the future holds, so it is best to take that time whenever it is offered and take advantage of it.

[ it's sound logic to him. something that he would suggest to anyone. the past leaks would dispute this for sure. ]

Do you need a chaperone of sorts? Or are you unable to leave for yourself? Either way, I am not your captor. I would not waste an effort to keep anyone caged at this point.

[ easier to just kill them outright, but that kind of lethal instinct... it has rusted. waned. the time of the magician has passed. ]

[wingbeats]

( getian is silent for a strange, disjointed moment. he has just realized that, as leaks speaks to him, he understands his words. that might not be strange to some, and perhaps it shouldn’t be strange to a creature who can temporarily gift comprehension of all tongues to any he casts his arcane skill on, but what startles him is how different it feels from his own skill. getian’s skill does not translate; the words are still foreign in one’s ear when under its effects, but it allows them to comprehend what is said by way of the inherent rhythm and musicality within them. the sensation of that understanding is completely different from what he experiences now—as if this stranger could speak to him in the dead tongue of his people. it washes over him like a cold rain, as sobering as it is disorienting.

what’s going on? are they under the effect of some other arcane skill?

his mismatched eyes narrow. ) Typically, I would agree with you. But there is no safety in this unknown.

( and how could the stranger feel confident about sleeping anywhere that doesn’t feel safe? getian peers at him closer, taking note of the dark, animal ears and tail. curious. he has seen plenty of individuals with such features over his long life, though typically from a distance—there are many families of arcanists and arcane creatures, as well as those with mixed heritages of both humans and arcanists, who carry them. to getian, they mean little. what else is he supposed to glean from the man? if he’s not his captor, does that mean he is another captive here? a local? would that explain why he’s so insistent on being relaxed at a time like this?

all of these questions tangle into a confusing mess in his mind. he struggles to find a loose end to pull, providing him words to reply with.

as per getian’s usual, he does not helpfully answer any questions, instead asking his own. ) You do not wish to figure out what has happened to us. ( well, this isn’t a question. it’s a fragile, cool observation. the, ) Why? ( that follows it has an odd color to it as well: rather than being sharp or derisive, it is instead softly said—almost gentle. almost concerned.

perhaps that’s because he’s started to recognize some of the shapes pressed into the ribika’s bones. they are odd—so strange compared to those he has seen on humans and arcanists. but from what little understanding he can glean from them… they are dire indeed. )

[dissonyance]

[ he stretches, arms going one way and legs going another, maximizing the amount of length he gets as best as he can. it's a habitual thing that has been passed down from ribika to ribika, probably some kind of thing that has been ingrained in their race before their time. he blames his predecessors for many things. this is one of them. that he has to play the part of an inferior species by needing to get every one of those muscles and bones some work before rolling off onto his side into a seated position on the edge of his bunk. ]

I have no reason to fear the unknown.

[ or step into it with trepidation. or be apprehensive towards what may not be in his view. he's seen enough. felt enough. every world that's eventually rejected him did accept him at one point. so why should he face this one any differently? that he's been given a relatively safe place to start is a blessing. it could've been much worse for the both of them. even the strange program on the television doesn't faze him.

what an unusual looking creature getian is, but that doesn't mean leaks has any reason to fear him. wicked talons and uniquely shaped body, feathered wings too. he would like to appreciate this bird in a brighter light if he could. natural curiosity still prevails over self-preservation, time after time after time... ]

There is no point. If we are here, then we are supposed to be here. Denying or fighting against is laughable.

[ fate is fate. ]

[wingbeats]

( getian can sense that he isn’t lying. it’s not necessarily an inherent ability of his—very clever liars can make their words ring with the exact same musicality, regardless of whether they work in truth or falsehoods—but, rather, he feels as though there is very little for him to gain by lying. they are strangers to one another, found in a strange place, beset by a strange scenario. if anything, severing himself from natural anxieties that might arise in one who found themselves awakening in a place they don’t recall falling asleep attracted suspicion, as it had in getian. surely such a thing wouldn’t be to his advantage?

so: he must be telling the truth.

how strange. it is natural for all living things, perhaps one of the few things that bind them down to their mortal essences, to fear the unknown. getian knows that he, even living as long as he has, had allowed his wariness and timidity to keep him from following his fellow miemeng birds into the unknown. and now he is the only one which remains.

as he continues, though… no, it’s not that getian is suddenly convinced he has decided to lie. rather, what he says—how he feels, if he is telling the truth—directly contradicts what he can read in his bones. it is an innate arcane ability of all miemeng birds to be able to peer with ease through flesh and blood to read the bones of others beneath. the pasts of all creatures write themselves upon their bones, and the shapes that those bones take carry them toward certain futures. getian would not identify himself as a seer, but he can read the signs. he has centuries of experience in foretelling where they might lead. )

But you did not always feel this way.

( he doesn’t say this challengingly, nor in a way that might goad leaks. he almost says it as if he’s uncertain of it himself, his eyes tracking across the ribika’s body as he takes note of the bones of particular interest to his point: strong striations scraped across the scapulae, indicating tension in the shoulders bearing the weight of an unfitting world. notches in the mandible where teeth might have been gritted against an unfair fate.

bitterness. it’s an interesting emotion to read there. it’s not one getian has much familiarity with. his expression tempers with wary sorrow. )

You once fought. To any length. ( his brows draw together. ) What changed?

[dissonyance]

[ he doesn't like the way that getian looks at him. something about how the miemeng's eyes seem to pierce through him in a way that goes beyond noticing him. it's like he's staring directly into leaks' everything. it's unsettling. the ribika feels like he's being put on trial, scrutinized for all that he's done. all that he might do. the past and present both creating scenarios for his future. what does getian see? he would like to know and also not know. why else would he say such a thing and then ask a question like that?

gathering his thoughts for a moment, leaks shakes his head and glares back at getian. who does he think he is prying into what he's gone through? even if it's only glimpses, guesses, some kind of cursory glance. his life has always been private and never to be told to another living creature. only one deserves to carry on his memories and that one will also suffer having to know. to have the entire story cripple him until his last day.

a parting gift to the child of his beloved. ]

My fate. That there was a step past oblivion that I did not anticipate encountering. My world rejected me despite my best efforts.

[ his tail curls behind him. at least a part of him continues to feel like it needs to do something. ]

Now it seems I will continue to wake up in a different bed, in a different place.