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

[smokeandglasses]

Oh, so sort of like match strike paper?

[It's certainly a fascinating invention. A glove that can set off sparks large enough to start a fire...fascinating. Ali doesn't strictly need such a thing, but it's honestly not a bad idea to have on his person. It would be a handy way to disguise his use of dragon fire. He's already figured out how to concentrate it into his hand, so into the snap of his fingers shouldn't be too much more difficult.

He has to stop himself mid-thought though, because if he lets his mind get away from him then he'll be theorizing and drawing up plans for hours. The tickle of the feather helps drag him out of that too, and he shakes his head and rubs at his chin. That tickles a little.]

Ah, yeah, there's that scavenger hunt everyone is doing. One of the items needed was feathers, and I managed to steal some, but then the lifeguard started chasing me.

[He then pulls something out of his sleeve: a set of five feathers. The ones he had given Baptiste were just extras to serve as a distraction. ]

So, if you're playing, you can keep the ones I gave you? I should help you finish it, since you helped me out.

[molotovmoustache]

[The tickle of the feather accomplishes exactly what Baptiste wants: the other's attention once more. There is a satisfied smile that forms as he watches Ali rub at his chin.]

Yeah! Sort of like a match strike - but fine enough that someone touching the gloves wouldn't necessarily notice. [It was a fascinating invention. Not of his own making - instead the tinkerer of their troupe, Geronimo, had designed them just for 'fun.' It had been such a labor of love from her that Baptiste would have to find the-

Wait. The scavenger hunt? Confusion crosses the blonde's features before he is looking to his watch. He taps at the screen and after reading a few words simply pushes the screen towards Ali so that he could see the very different set of conditons Baptiste had received.]

Um. Wait. There are different ones? You're saying I got picked for this one specifically? [He looked like the kind of guy who had to coerce others to fill a cup with cum?! That's the impression he gave this pla-.... Okay, well maybe some questions were better left unanswered.]

[With that thought, Baptiste lets out a chuckle that could almost be construed as sheepish. The closest the man ever got to it, at least.] Well, I mean... I could keep them and trade them with someone, but you'd be doing something a bit different if you want to help me out.

[smokeandglasses]

[Oh. Oh no. This poor man, he got stuck with the lewd one didn't he? Ali feels bad for him now actually.]

Well...what ones are you missing? There might be something I can do for you.

[He hasn't seen the board so he doesn't know all of the options, but he has seen some rather unexpected behaviors on the beach and can guess why people are doing them. Really, nude photos on the beach? That sort of thing would get people kicked off the beach in his world.]

[molotovmoustache]

[Ah yes. Nude photos on the beach. The set Baptiste had saved to conquer last - as his entertainer's soul felt far too confident in his ability to direct the vision of softcore porn. Sure, he'd never done it before - but he and his partner back home had loved to dabble in a bit of the taboo. If he could tap into the inspiration Annie had often cultivated in him, then surely he could envision something that would make them both proud, right?

A wistful look crosses Baptiste's face as he ponders what the other might be able to do for him.]

Maybe... just maybe you could pose for a photo? [Baptiste offers a shrug with a half smile. He thought about asking for help with his desperate cum collection cup - but... given the look Ali wears on his face now - Baptiste figures he can save that for someone a bit more... rambunctious.]

I can take care of setting the scene for you! If you're worried about that sort of thing, anyway.

[smokeandglasses]

[Nude photos...whoo boy. That's just the thing to get leaked back home and ruin his reputation. But he did agree to helping, so he'll find a way to make it work.]

Alright. Set the scene how you want, but, er, make it tasteful? I'm a public official back home, and I would prefer not to see my privates in the daily newspaper.

[He can always burn his identity and make a new one if push comes to shove, but that takes years to set up properly. Also, Concord would probably laugh at him for it and say something like 'don't be ashamed of your nudity, we're naked in our natural forms anyway'.]

[molotovmoustache]

[Of all the things Baptiste expected in response, this was not amongst them. This guy was a politician? Granted, that's not exactly what the man said - but usually politicians dressed themselves up as public servants or public officials as that was better for PR...

His smile turns devilish. His hand reaches to cover his mouth as he tries to stave the amusement away - but it's obvious. It's painfully obvious how tickled this man is by this reveal.]

Oh... Oh right. That would be terrible for your next public works project, huh? [His words are a bit muted, falling against the meat of his palm. Get it together Baptiste...! A sharp shake of his head and he removes his hand - haven't regained some semblance of composure.]

Never fear, Mr. Mayor. [He's. Making shit up now.] Your campaign and reputation are safe with me! How about this way?

[A quick glance reveals one of the little beach cabanas. No one was sitting there at the moment - so why not take advantage of a more comfy looking seat? Perfect for Mr. Public Image here! If something got leaked, who would thumb their nose as a man just trying to enjoy his beach vacation?]

[Baptiste holds his hand out to Ali, brows raised as an invitation as he begins to set the scene in his head. Once Ali does take Baptiste's hand - the ringmaster is eager to turn and lead the way. There's a bounce to his step as he does so, it's unmistakable.

He was eager for the theatrics involved in this nude shoot more than the existence of a nude itself!]

[smokeandglasses]

[It would be terrible for his image, and he had spent centuries avoiding the spotlight specifically so he could blend in with humans. Suddenly getting All The Attention thanks to a scandal would make it much harder to keep his identity hidden.

He feels like Baptiste is assuming things here though, especially with that mayor comment. It has Ali questioning himself. Did he misspeak?]

A campaign? But that's not-

[Oh, but they're moving on now. He sighs and takes Baptiste's hand so he can be led over to the cabana. It's fine, Ali can correct the assumptions later. Maybe Baptiste will take this more seriously if he assumes Ali is a mayor instead of an accountant. Then again, that smile Baptiste had on at first seems like something to be worried about. Should he be worried? He'll have to keep his eyes out for trouble.]

[molotovmoustache]

[No, dear Ali. There was nothing misspoken. Just the hubris of a man ready to pen his own stories for dramatical effect until otherwise corrected.

He is spinning his own fun - a tactic to help ease any of the potential awkwardness that could arise from asking a man he barely knew to strip before him. Besides, if the man was a politician - it just meant that Baptiste had a new Fun Thing to rib the guy about. And boy did Baptiste revel in the idea of having a way to dig into someone with a bit of power under their belt.]

[Once the two have arrived at the little, shaded oasis of the beach - the crackle of the radio in the cabana welcomes them with a much louder rendition of the upbeat music that seems to fill the air on this beach. Paired with the sound of the waves - it really was just a little piece of reprieve.

Baptiste closes his eyes to take in the situation. To paint the scene.]

[His tranquility lasts for a few, passing moments before he claps his hands together. He turns to Ali before motioning towards one of the reclined loungers.]

Picture it. You've just come in from the hot sun! You need your suntan lotion reapplied. You lay on this oh-so-comfy piece of furniture - naked of course - and are looking back. Inviting someone to rub in some of that lotion for you....

[That lotion. Baptiste, of course, is referring to the sun tan lotion that he's in the process of pilfering. He has no idea whose cabana this is - but surely they would be sympathetic to the creation of art!]

1/2

[smokeandglasses]

[For a moment he's distracted from their task, because this little oasis is honestly really nice. This is what Ali pictures when he thinks of beaches: a quiet retreat for after he's done sunning himself on the hot sand. Ali might be warm-blooded in this body and thus not have to worry about external temperature regulation, but the ways to warm and cool oneself are instinctual to him.

His attention is brought back to Baptiste moments later as the man motions to the lounger and starts describing the scene. Honestly, it's not a bad idea. Ali can be tastefully nude, and while it might ruffle some feathers it won't be too much of a scandal. After all, it's a private setting, right? Of course he would be naked in private, people have to change!]

This actually might work. I'll just look over my shoulder-

2/2

[smokeandglasses]

[And then he abruptly stops.

This is the face of a man who just remembered that he has two big, black dragon wings 'tattooed' onto his back. Sure, it's just a magic tattoo that seals his wings into a more-hidden form, but tattoos aren't exactly smiled upon either!]

There may be a complication...

oh my gosh he's so cute bahahah

[molotovmoustache]

[When Ali abruptly stops, Baptiste is already in the midst of squeezing sun tan lotion into the palm of his hand. A quiet spurt fills the silence for a moment before Ali speaks.]

A complication?

[The way Baptiste parrots the phrase holds a surprising innocence. His brows arch. His lips press together in such a way that his mustache contributes to the illusion of a feline's curious countenance.]

Are you shy about your ass?

[smokeandglasses]

No- I mean yes, but-

[He's flustered and he's stumbling over his words now. Such horror for a normally articulate person, this place is going to embarrass him constantly.]

-I have a tattoo on my back!

[Hopefully Baptiste can understand why that might be a problem.]

[molotovmoustache]

[The subsequent "No" to "Yes" pipeline does pull a bark of laughter from Baptiste's throat. Is it worse that his eyes light up with fondness afterward?]

Oh do you now? [The drop in Baptiste's voice goes from curiosity to... desire? This put-together man of civil service had ink? His expression is plain as day. He wants to see it.] Is it an embarrassing one or something? I won't judge you-

Ah. But your constituents might?

[smokeandglasses]

[It's only slightly concerning. Some people just like tattoos and that's fine, but Ali has had more than enough trouble caused by people who carry magical tattoos. Ali doesn't smell anything on Baptiste that indicates he's anything other than human, but you can never be too careful.

Desire though? That's interesting, and Ali isn't opposed to that.]

Constituents? I don't-

[He actually has to pause and think about it. ARE positions to the treasury typically elected?]

...no, I definitely don't have constituents. And it's not that embarrassing in general, it just...looks out of place on someone like me, I suppose.

[molotovmoustache]

[While Baptiste is ignorant of magical tattoos beyond being cult signals, he is well-versed in the world of tattoos. The love of his life has quite the fondness for the impromptu stick-and-poke.... which means he bears a few odds and ends by the way of tattoos himself.

It also means that he's developed quite the soft-spot towards other's tattoos.]

Out of place? No, no. I mean it's a surprise you have some, sure - but when I see it? There's no way I could picture you without it. It's yours, after all.

[smokeandglasses]

[That's surprisingly sweet. Ali sighs and tries to look off-put, but it's hard to hide the way he's actually glad that Baptiste has an appreciation for ink at least.]

Well. Let's see what you think after you see them.

[He'll take a moment to pull off his shirt, careful to keep his glasses on as he does so.

The upper part of his back and shoulders is covered by an intricately detailed tattoo of a pair of black dragon wings, with both designs meeting in the middle right where wings would logically start, right by his shoulderblades. It looks like he's had them for a while, there's no sign of recent healing or anything, and the colors seem about as vibrant as you would get from a tattoo.]

[molotovmoustache]

[Ah, yes. A glimpse of the Baptiste special: A man who earnestly says some of the sweetest things despite how embarrassing it may be to do so.]

[As fabric is pulled from Ali's frame, Baptiste's eyes lock on to the first glimpse of vibrant ink. He was surprised this guy had a tattoo in the first place - but a back piece this size? Ali instantly wins marks on his resilience in Baptiste's eyes as Baptiste comes closer to look over the ornate lining. A whistle leaves his lips.

Webbed wings. Like a dragon or a devil. It's a perplexing choice, yet only seems to add to the growing intrigue in the back of Baptiste's mind. This guy wasn't a vampire... but what was he? Really just a human?

Well, whatever he was - this guy was certainly not an average politician. Baptiste hand reaches out as if to trace over some of the lines with his finger tips before he pauses. His touch hangs over the other's flesh.

For a moment, the nude shot is forgotten. Instead, Baptiste finds himself indulging in the wonder that's begun to bubble up on just who this was.]

You sat through this whole thing? This is a labor of love to a piece of you. [Baptiste's fingers twitch. He wants to touch it.] I think I'd like it if I met this piece of you sometime down the road.

[smokeandglasses]

[Ad Ali's back is turned, he doesn't see Baptiste's lingering hand, nor the look he is giving the tattoo. But the words he says can paint the picture for Ali.

Try as he might to hide it, Ali is still obvious in many ways. His association with Concord, who makes no effort whatsoever to hide what he is, doesn't help. But Ali isn't one to just spill the beans to any person either. There is much about his identity that Ali would prefer to keep secret, which leads to a redirection of an answer.]

Ahh, it's nothing special. Being a small, skinny accountant just isn't as impressive as I had always hoped to be. So I got it as a way to feel more confident in myself. Like, if I can handle this, I can handle anything.

[It's technically the truth. His small statue has always been a problem, even in his original form. And as he is now, he's an easy target for teasing.]

[molotovmoustache]

[The answer brings with it a laugh. The fingers of Baptiste's hovering hand stretch - yet he never makes contact. Instead he redirects himself to wheel around and stand next to Ali. His arm moves to drape over the other's shoulders.

He's dissuaded himself from a tender caress, but he couldn't stop himself from touching Ali somehow.]

Well? Did it work then? [Baptiste asks, ignorant of the deflection. For now, it was a viable story in his book.] Do you think you could handle anything now? I'd think that being a small, skinny accountant holds no bearing on how impressive you can be. If you're more confident now, then I'd say it is quite special.

[smokeandglasses]

If you had asked me before coming here, the answer would have been 'yes'.

[He does not feel confident at all about having to have sex with 51 other people, again because of his- at least in his own opinion- unimpressive body.]

Given time, I'm sure I'll find that confidence again. I'm just ill-prepared for a place like this. Budgets, numbers, and meetings I can handle, but this? This is a challenge.

[molotovmoustache]

[Before coming here? Ah yes. The little game they were all entangled in...]

I'll help you find it. [Baptiste offers. Quickly, even. While he wouldn't say this place was his element - his spirit only perseveres in the face of challenge.] We can work together. Like right now. Keep each other afloat.

[smokeandglasses]

[My. That's quite a lot to offer. Especially in a place designed to incite sexual desires in its inhabitants. Just the offer along makes the tips of Ali's ears go pink with realization.

But no, he can't just assume that's what Baptiste meant. They have just met after all, and even though they are getting along quite well, that doesn't mean there's any kind of sexual offer in those words. So he does a quick shake of his head to cast those thoughts out before giving a real answer.]

I...would like that, yes.

[He eases into a small smile.]

You're the first person in a while to find out I even have a tattoo, so that speaks well to how much we get along already.

[molotovmoustache]

[While Baptiste is on the cusp of realizing what "help" may look like in these place - he still wouldn't back down from the offer. Whatever it takes while figuring out just how to get people home...

But the offer is sincere. The man watches with mild amusement as there seems to be a dusting of pink forming on those ears- Noticing that little detail brings laughter. Relieved laughter.]

Who knew the key to getting along was to ask you for a nude photo? [Baptiste quickly holds up a hand, as if to quell the huff that may come from that teasing.] Kidding! Sorta. But really. I'm glad I'm already getting to know you. Lucky turns like this is what will make being here easier.

[smokeandglasses]

You still haven't taken that nude photo, by the way.

[Baptiste needs the credit for his scavenger hunt, and Ali would feel silly if he got undressed for nothing. They might as well take the picture now.

Baptiste is right though. Making friends does make it easier to get through being here. And when Ali eventually reveals what he actually is, that will make for a funny revelation.]

[molotovmoustache]

[A pause. An impish look growing over his features once more.]

Oh! So you're ready to show off that tattoo now then? If I get to pick the nude, then that's what I want to see~

[Baptiste holds up the device to his wrist, scrolling through the spaces of apps until he can pull up the camera. It was a wonder that catboy had actually taught him someone so useful right out of the gate!]

If so, you'll just need to lounge across this chair. Give me a little look over your shoulder... and I'll snap it!

[What a way to make friends... It'll make for a fascinating foundation for them.
Or so Baptiste hopes.]