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

[massochism]

[at first, Olivine only nods when Ragna begins to speak. complicated is... a thing he understands, quite deeply. holding everything to one's own chest, feeling like you can't be vulnerable or human, lest it all comes tumbling down like the final grains of sand in the hourglass.

sitting here amid the artificial scenery, a dream so sweet that they could drown in it, he's brought to that thought again. back home...]

... is it the potential of time passing that worries you? Or is there something else?

[the question is mild, trying to understand the details without pressing Ragna for information he doesn't want to give. and, in exchange for it, or perhaps for want of connection, he leans forward a little, resting one arm on his own knees as he watches the other man.]

I'm afraid of that, too. My family, the other clan members... it's so easy to forget where you came from here, while things refuse to slow down. And harder still with these connections we've made in the resort, I think. I'm sure that's what they're intending, too.

[showing them their own skies, as some sort of perverted attempt to convince them: you don't need to go back, everything you need is here. it's fake, but it's "here."]

[belialedge]

Yeah... [ The passage of time. ] Something like that.

[ He listens, his eyes set back on that fake sky above them as if he was attempting to make out constellations that would remind him of home. They were so bright and beautiful out in the countryside... To think that the world was on the brink of going to hell in a handbasket despite it all. But humanity was surviving. They were rebuilding. And...whatever humanity looked like on the other side of the NOL's collapse, it wasn't his job to rebuild. Olivine's words strike deep, and his brow knits deeper to that as he realizes just how vague he was being himself.

It's hard not to be, when the whole truth of it all hardly makes sense to him either. Ragna's life has been full of "when the time comes, you'll understand" moments that it makes his head spin just thinking of it all. But fuelled by his loneliness and the urge to be heard, his one hand in the towel fists through the sand slightly, throat tightening as he attempts to find the right words. ]

But we can't let ourselves forget. No matter how deep we find ourselves falling into the trap.

[ A softer sigh. ]

Look, I...can't promise I'll make a lot of sense, but... [ His gaze turns back to the man when he asks: ] Think you can keep a secret?

[ A secret that only a select couple of people in this resort already know. It may not have happened tonight, but with enough time, Olivine would have entered that small circle of trust eventually. ]

[massochism]

Mhm. Though I would never judge someone for making that choice, either.

[The offer—request—is somewhat of a surprise to Olivine. It seems this melancholy has taken a deep hold on the man. Of course, the answer is easy to give, alongside a gentle squeeze of Ragna's knee.]

You have my word, both as an individual and as a priest. [a chuckle escapes him at the idea of it being a convoluted secret. It's not as though his own story isn't weird and convoluted.] No need to worry about it making sense, please just speak your mind.

[belialedge]

[ The chuckle that escapes Olivine upon his request, in contrast to the discomfort he felt in Matoba's presence in the same vein despite sharing a truth with that man as well... It couldn't be any more stark. As difficult as it may seem to put it all into words, an encouraging little squeeze on the best knees in the resort his knee brings Ragna's attention to the man more fully. A forlorn yet more honest smile crosses Ragna's lips. If only for a moment when he finally shares: ]

This right arm of mine... [ It's hidden beneath the red sleeve of his hoodie nonetheless, but his gaze follows it nonetheless. ] It's not even my own. I lost it to my own brother. Cutting it off when we were still kids before he left.

Before my sister got taken away...

It's been a long time since that happened...but now I'm FIGHTING my brother and my sister, she's... [ He sighs through his nose, shaking his head. Fighting the urge to pull away from the priest's gentle supportive touch. ] Shit, I told you this wouldn't make sense. It doesn't make sense to ME why she's my enemy now. But...

I don't think I'm ever getting back what we had before.

[massochism]

[Olivine takes that forlorn look in stride, expression unchanging. Welcoming and warm. That much he's good at, at least.

And as Ragna speaks, his gaze drifts to his arm in turn. Not his own...? He's not seen enough to know what's beneath the hoodie, and he doesn't ask.

After all, there's something much more important to focus on thereafter. A kidnapping, an awful twist... the priest can scarcely imagine it.]

I'm sorry that you've had to experience that, [He begins softly,] it sounds absolutely heartbreaking. To be pitted against people you care so deeply for...

[His hand moves not at all, responding to the faint tension as Ragna fights his urge to pull away. To be strong. His words are blunt, but compassionate.]

That may be true. It sounds like your actions are guided by what you feel is right, and so it would depend on how they feel in turn.

But—the things you do are for the ones you love, I imagine. The pain may be almost unbearable, especially being unable to reconcile with them... but the fact that you continue tells me how much you care about what you're doing, even if it may feel like you'll lose what you had.

And you never know, [a smile draws over his face.] there is a chance that everything will be better than you could have believed. It's okay to hope, especially when things feel impossibly dire, I think.

[belialedge]

[ He's sorry, he says. And at the surface level, Ragna accepts it. It's not like he gave the man enough reference to work with to fully understand. They would be here all night if he attempted to give the priest a rundown on his world and how it functions. (Maybe that's why Ragna Sensei needs to become a thing at the new "academy" 💦 ]

What I feel is right... Yeah, I doubt most the rest of the world would think that.

For the longest time, I've just been fuelled by anger and revenge. I thought I wanted power to defeat the "enemy" in front of me. But...that's just me trying to sound cool. I don't think that's it at all...

I've done a lot of bad shit for the sake of doing "what I feel is right".

[ "It's okay to hope, especially when things feel impossibly dire, I think." ]

I know I've made my choice in life, but... [ It's comforting. Hearing someone else want to imbue hope in him. When he was questioning what he was fighting for and why. ] I guess all it takes is a chance, right?

[ A chance to figure out how to make things right. How to "save" his brother and his sister. ...Even if, especially in the former's case, he would be just as satisfied in beating the shit out of him. asdfklj Brothers are complicated. ]

[massochism]

[Honestly, even given more context, he would still feel this way. To have to lose your family when you cared deeply about them, and worse still—for them to turn up in opposition... that's an idea he can feel sorrow for.]

Mm. That's more common than you might think, Ragna. People often find themselves driven by their anger, their fear, some enemy they can see in the distance. It's easy to make decisions even you regret later, for the future you want, or think you want. But it's important to remember that you aren't just the sum of those things, too.

[As he listens to the other speak and responds in turn, Olivine watches quietly as Ragna's expressions shift and change. It's true that being in a place like this can give its own sort of levity and the drinks may be enhancing that, but what lies beneath is still him. The priest can understand this feeling all too well.]

Yes. If you try, it may still end up worse than you hoped... but if you don't hope, you don't try, and then you know you'll get nothing. And you may be hurting people you never knew would be hurt by your apathy.

[belialedge]

[ He's not just the sum of his rage and fear...

"Here, you're Ragna."

The words of an angel that still find their way of resonating with him from on high. But to have Olivine somehow see right through him in record time? That's more than leaving an impact. Yet he can't find himself concerned or worried that he's so transparent to the priest tonight. If anything, be it the drink or a combination of that and what he truly feels inside...it's actually a comfort. The hurt and uncertainty that was awash of the man's face ebbs away, much in the way that a tide would depending on the time of day. The very "tide" they find themselves sitting in front of now. ]

Yeah... That's why I'm always on the go. Always making sure I'm not wasting my time back home. I know that I have things that I need to do...and no matter who or what gets in my way, that I just gotta keep going.

[ As Ragna says this, his posture relaxes a little at the man's side, shuffling a little bit in a way that has him a smidgeon closer to the green-haired man's side as his mismatched hues return to his right hand. A right hand that he clenches upon continuing. ]

I can't give up. Even if I don't know how things are gonna look in the end.

[ Keep fighting. As a human being. Until the end. Until the very end. ]

[massochism]

[in truth, it's less that he sees through Ragna and more that he's... listened to a lot of people. an absurd number of people, really, in a world where life is often troublesome at best. it's true enough that he has something of an idea though, and more still as so many emotions wash from his expression, but even so.]

Continuing to move is generally the best choice, I agree.

[the other shuffles closer and he pays it no mind, letting him have the motion without comment. and slowly, gently, he reaches to take that hand in his, warm and delicate as they are. if Ragna recoils or seems uncomfortable, he'll release him instantly, but... it feels like the right comfort to give in the moment.]

But don't forget, either, that rest is part of moving forward. That giving yourself time is not time wasted. It gives us the time to reflect and correct our course, or to see options we never considered.

[belialedge]

[ That loneliness that festers in his heart only intensifies when Olivine takes his hand. It makes him want to get closer. Stay closer. Even when there was nothing stirring him in a more salacious manner, the outcome wouldn't change with the drink he's had. There'd be time later to apologize for how he's been acting. But...he also seems to be accepting of him in turn. And so, he listens. Lends his ear. ]

Kind of like what we've all been doing out here. At least...that's what I've found myself doing ever since I got here. Put all the sex and gambling aside for a minute, and this is the most clear my head's ever been in my life.

[massochism]

[at that time, Olivine will be sure to tell him he has nothing to apologise for. for right now, though, they're here together. the House may still have the upper hand, but that won't last forever.]

I think most of us have been doing so, yes. Just feeling... alive, and outside of the weight of everything you had to carry, even for a little while. [his gaze drifts up to the sky, just a small handful of familiar constellations tugging at his heartstrings, reminding him of home. it isn't as pleasant as he'd like, with them. and, at the lack of recoil, he allows himself to lean in a little, enough that perhaps their shoulders brush.] I'm sure you'll find your way. We may not have known each other for long, but I can tell that you're a resilient soul, earnest and kind.

[a soft laugh escapes him at that.]

I apologise if you'd rather be seen otherwise, though. I do understand how important reputations can be.

[belialedge]

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

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

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

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

[ It's okay. ]

It's nice.

[massochism]

I'm glad to count myself among that number, then.

[Olivine's height is less problematic sitting down anyway, at least, and he's a remarkably sturdy support, happy to do so besides. this... honestly, despite how different their circumstances are, Olivine understands it bone deeply.

this is a place where they can actually get release from the pressures of their positions. where they can be seen differently.]

... it is, isn't it? [quiet. understanding. Olivine's gaze turns back to Ragna then, expression a touch complicated.] It's so easy to forget that, no matter how they act, people are still people. That even if we only see one side of them, they're rarely only that.

No one deserves to be seen as just one thing, I think. So I'm glad you're enjoying being seen as more of what you are, here.

[belialedge]

You're a good guy, Olivine. A helluva lot better than most I know back home, anyway.

[ No matter the turmoil, the ups and downs, and even if there was another "side" of the priest no not the slutty one JKLDSFA as he was alluding to when it came to seeing people for more than just one thing, Ragna's opinion of him was going to need some serious work if it were ever going to change. Their eyes meet, and a faux breeze sweeps up behind them as "night" falls, rendering a chill down the taller man's back as he finds himself huddled just a little more against Olivine's side.

He's...definitely not feeling so lonely anymore. The lingering sense of it was there, if only thanks to that damned drink he had, but even without its sway?

This was nice. It was important to hear. And warmth spreads through him at the thought before he sighs more contently this time. ]

Hey, just checking, but...have you grabbed a bite to eat yet? [ Because this time it's Ragna's turn to return the favour. Besides those rabbit skewers that were being heavily advertised, there's also plenty of fresh, hot food or even colder snacks for beating the heat. ] If you don't got plans, my treat if we find something?

[massochism]

I'm glad you think so, Ragna. I do my best.

[Honestly, the other side of him isn't as bad as he feels it is (that's called a complex, sir), but he's just been so relieved to be seen as a human and not some perfect representation of God's will. Boy howdy that's a conversation he's going to have to have one day with someone.

The question and subsequent offer are surprising to him, and his smile blooms a little more. Fingers squeeze fondly at his leg where they've remained.]

I haven't yet, and I would be delighted to join you. [even if he's bad at accepting gifts... it's easier when they're both going to be eating. The options are practically limitless, really.] do you have any idea where you might like to start? There are a number of fun little food stalls I saw earlier, and everything looked quite tasty.

[belialedge]

So long as we skip on mushroom skewers. Sprouting some tail in swimming trunks sounds like a pain in the ass to me.

[ But with a low grunt, Ragna decides to finally rise up to his feet. But not without offering a hand for Olivine should he choose to accept it. He really did help lift him up just now...so. Now it's his turn.

...literally. lfadskj ]

I saw a stand serving takoyaki and yakitori earlier. Have you ever tired either of those?

[massochism]

Yes... I did find that the tail was quite troublesome with clothes in general.

[he takes the offered hand, though it isn't really necessary. the assistance is appreciated after all, and when he's standing, it's easy to brush off any loose grass that might have settled on him.

at the question, he hums softly, cheeks dusting slightly at some memory. BOY HOWDY did he have takoyaki before.]

Ah—I've had takoyaki before. It was quite tasty... I don't think I know what yakitori is, though. That could be a fun thing to try.

[belialedge]

[ With a firm squeeze, Ragna securely helps Olivine up. It's more of the gesture than anything else, how he was finally lending a hand for others. ]

Oh! Well, that's essentially grilled chicken skewers. Usually glazed in some nice sauce. C'mon. My treat.

[massochism]

Oh! I see... they do sound delicious, hehe. Are they a common food where you're from?

[his attention remains on Ragna almost fully—there's enough there to keep from stumbling or running into anything, but he's enjoying the company as much as the other man, he thinks. the taller will have to guide them, though he supposes he could find a vendor like that without too much issue.]

[belialedge]

Yeah, especially down the busiest streets. They're usually cheap and juicy to pick up and go. Probably the most popular street food between every Hierarchical City I've visited.

[ No. So long as they avoid Steve's horny rabbit stall, they're going to be just fine. Granted, if they gamble on the yakitori and the sauce happens to be spiced just right... Well. He's currently not thinking it, but Ragna's since opened himself up in a couple of ways since their first encounter at the meet & greet. Granted, even if the two of them found themselves succumbing to something more...salacious, he can only hope it's not something that's about to make one of them into an insatiable breeding machine. Because, frankly, he's a little fatigued from being a rabbit, thank you.

As they return to the paved sidewalk that lines the beach, the two remain close as they walk around the still lively nighttime crowd. There's various stalls still lit up with lines for various eats! It shouldn't take long to find the chicken.

Or something else if it happens to distract them. ]

[massochism]

Mm, we have some similar things in the open-air markets. I always love seeing them during the day, when people are bustling about and enjoying themselves most. The fare changes a lot more than yours sounds like, though.

Hierarchical City?

[he asks it mildly, a clear curiosity that ends when Ragna no longer wants to talk about it. there's a sort of implication in the name, after all, and with the fact that he'll probably never see one... well, he's just curious for his own self.

but the walk itself is pleasant and warm, artificial breeze coaxing them along amid pleasant conversation and idle background noise. Olivine himself is more concerned about just spending time with a friend, and however it shakes out? that's fine with him. he's already an insatiable breeding machine on a normal day, so we won't even talk about that right now—he's also aware of people's comforts, usually, so stopping short of his limits is an easy task too.

the stalls almost immediately threaten much of Olivine's attention—there's something almost childlike about the awe with which he looks them all over, letting the sights and scents wash over him. he's definitely making a note to come back and try a few of them—but Ragna has put yakitori in his head, so other than plainly making mental notes when his gaze drifts over something interesting (tanghulu and some of the fried skewers top the list of candidates), he's relying on the taller man to find their eventual destination. it's really not very far in at all.]

[belialedge]

Yeah. When Seithr got too dense across the majority of the world, humanity started migrating towards higher elevations. Like mountains and stuff... Most the population as we know it lives in these various cities now.

[ He can't help but notice that almost childlike sense of wonder that rules Olivine when they do arrive down the busier street of various stalls. It's not just food and hot goodness that wafts to their noses, but sights of both more innocent merch and otherwise salacious stalls selling sexual toys and more raunchy "souvenirs". Was it bad that those don't really affect Ragna anymore? Not so much, anyway. Like the way vigilantes would come after him for his bounty back home, he's become more numb to the suddenness of having sexual contents tossed into his face.

Thankfully, not to the act of it. Even if his drive on his dating profile was still relatively accurate. Middling at best! ...Until that switch gets flipped and he's really into it. Olivine's awe earns the man a soft hum and a look of amusement tugging the corners of Ragna's mouth up. ]

Someone's excited.

[massochism]

[huh. That's... not at all what he was envisioning. Much more positive, at least, issues with Seithr aside.]

Ah, I see. I suppose it makes sense that the density of it would end with Seithr being heavy enough to weigh itself down, in some way.

[something something atmospheres... but his nerd thoughts are easily set aside as they explore. The tanabata merch is nice, bird-themed as it may be, and he manages not to be too distracted by the more salacious stalls, either. He'd argue that there's nothing bad about being used to the sight of it though, as long as he's not generally bothered.]

Ah— [The simple comment is enough to turn Olivine's cheeks pink, his head ducking slightly in his embarrassment. At his age, he does sometimes feel like he should be less awed by so much... but then, his circumstances are something else.] a little. Stalls like this remind me of home... in the summers, the markets are filled with people selling all kinds of things. I rarely had time to try most of it, though, as my duties as a priest kept me quite busy.

[ergo: he's actually never tried most of this.]

[belialedge]

[ Please. Ragna's in his mid-twenties and despite his jaded outlook on things, if something looks cool? He's gonna check that shit out. If anyone judges Olivine's more innocent and simpler sense of wonder? They can shove it. If he remembers what happened the first time they met? He'll go to bat for the man every time. ]

Well it's a good thing you're practically on vacation, aren't you?

[ Patting the man's shoulder gently, he inadvertently brings him closer to his side as they step in line for some succulent looking skewers. Come on, Father. It's on him. ]

[massochism]

[He most certainly remembers. Ragna will just have to go to bat with his internal self value, in this case... if it ever comes up in conversation.

The inadvertent motion is one Olivine accepts easily too, sharing in the soft warmth of connection alone as they settle into the line.]

That's true... it's certainly the longest vacation I've taken. Mm, thank you again, though. I'm still not used to being treated, like this.

[another chuckle. He's better at accepting gifts now, but it still feels weird. The skewers smell amazing though, and he's absolutely looking forward to them—more still when his stomach chimes in to remind him that it's been a minute since he ate.]