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

[holeinwall]

[ Fuck the police! She's immediately gearing up to protest the unfair treatment she's receiving...in a lowkey way, because again, she wants to remain where she is. In fact, she's determined to stay there the entire night, because she'll keep herself inside him by force. She'll glue herself down if she must!

Thankfully, his unexpected movement shuts her up before she can go off. And once she sees why he's moved? All those angry noises she'd been making turn into squeals of delight. She's the queen of the garage! Kneel before her, knaves! She'll have her giant mech stomp on any dissenters, and her rule shall be long and prosperous over the car empire!

When he nears the entrance, she seems to get more excited. Are they going to have a long (uncomfortable) journey upstairs like this? Can she crush more knaves? Nope! Before she can ask why he's talking about carrying her, because clearly she's already being carried...that's when she goes flying.

If she weren't so in shock, she'd probably have let out one of his favorites: a receptor-breaking scream. The most she manages is the tiniest of yelps, something that doesn't come out until she's been caught in his arms. And to think she thought actual flying was the scariest thing she'd ever experience with him.

Give her a moment. She's rebooting. ]

WHAT?!

[ There it is! Now she's loud. If she weren't so sore, she'd flail too, but loudness alone will have to do. She won't accept being denied what is rightfully! hers! ]

Let me back in! That's my chest cubbyhole! And if you shove me out again, I'm going to put stickers on you in places you can't reach!

[ One arm isn't too stiff to move now, so she bangs on his chest...with her punching hand again. Owww. ]

...You're so meeeean!

[ When in doubt, whine like an immature brat. ]

[peacewithouttyranny]

[At this point, he expects Monika to yell or screech at him. It's so undeserved, but no matter how many times he reminds her, she still couldn't help herself from becoming a screechy little raptor. So, Soundwave prepares for pain since his hands are busy carrying Monika.

Anytime now.

Aaaaanytime.

Ah, there it is. He still winces in pain, but if he hadn't prepared himself for her scream, he would've dropped Monika onto the floor. See how considerate he is that he's willing to hurt herself than let Monika be hurt?

He rolls his optics at her feeble attempts at a protest. No matter how loud and whiny she's being, he won't back down on this. Hell, just look at her not even moving her limbs much... He can imagine her bones are straining since she isn't doing her usual flailing. Also, cubbyhole?]

Do not call my chest compartment that. And stickers? How terrifying, Monika.

[Wow, stickers. It's not like he has access to another form that could help with peeling them off (Although it's going to be irritating as hell to peel them off, so he dearly hopes that she doesn't go through with her dumb threat.).]

I will make it up to you. [There, a compromise] Whatever you wish to do, you are free to tell me and I will do it, except for getting you back inside my chest.

[That is a firm big NO on that.]

[holeinwall]

You're damn right, it's terrifying! I'll use my extra sticky ones! And they'll be super tiny! You'll have hearts and stars and flowers on you forever!

[ Or lots of sticky residue, at least. Have fun picking all that off with the avatar. Neener! But anyway, back to being a brat. ]

And I'll call my cubbyhole whatever I want to call it! And and and...! [ Her fire's put out. He offered something too good to keep being angry. Good job cutting her off before she could immediately ask to get back into her cubbyhole, too. ] Well, whatever. I guess that's not too bad to make up for you being a jerk to me.

[ It hurts to move her arms, but she does it anyway. She can't cross them and look properly petulant without doing that. ]

I'll think on it. If I decide what I want right now when I'm emotional, I might make a bad decision.

[ A pause. ]

...Are you sure about not letting me back in?

[peacewithouttyranny]

[Soundwave's vents let out a sigh both from the threat and the whining. Oh great, now he's stuck with his chest compartment being called a cubbyhole now. However, it seems that she's calmed down a little thanks to the offer he made. Will he regret it? Probably. Probably not. Who knows what Monika is willing to do with him.

Anyway, he's going to march forward to her room now. Here they go again, walking down the crowded hallway with Monika in his arms.]

Take your time.

[Wow, some self-awareness from Monika for once. He won't never make an attempt be snarky about it or point it out to her, because he knows it might just have the affect of her doubling down on her bad decision. Nevertheless, he's shocked.]

Unless we have some ways to make me bigger or you smaller, I am afraid I won't change my stance. Besides, you know how much you struggled to get inside of me... Are you willing to go through that struggle again?

[holeinwall]

[ He may not be snarking at her self-awareness, but something about that "take your time" is threatening to activate the doubling down. He can't tell her what to do! Maybe she won't take her time!!

No. She will. Being offered to get absolutely anything she wants is too precious of a gift to waste it on something insignificant. Asking him to toss Stampy back into the conservatory is definitely tempting, though...

With a sigh, she stiffly curls up against him. For now, she'll enjoy her mech escort. Her mechscort, if you will. ]

Of course I'd go through the struggle again! Not that I think it'd be as bad when I do it again, since I'd let you help this time. [ She's not giving up hope! She will be inside of him again somehow! ] I missed being against you. What could be better than being safe and warm inside of your chest? I can never be as close to someone's heart...

[ Her cheek nuzzles against his chest, then she presses her ear against him to take in his pleasant hum. ] I was dumb to try letting you go.

[ Alert the presses! She's continuing to be self-aware! And confusing, but that's hardly surprising. ]

[peacewithouttyranny]

[In a way, he finds it sweet that Monika is willing to go through the struggle of getting inside his chest. It almost have him re-consider his stance. Maybe... Once in a while, he'll let her stay inside his chest. Not for a long period of time, of course. That'd be terrible for her health.

Still, it'd be nice if it's possible for her to stay in his chest for some time. Then, he too can enjoy having someone be close to his spark again.

However, what Monika said next.... both surprise him with her self-awareness and confuse him. Didn't she think it's better for him to leave? Or at least to not be attached? For a few seconds, Soundwave doesn't say anything and turns his optics away from Monika. Then, almost tentatively, he asks:]

Are you sure, Monika...?

[Both of them know that he'll get attached to her if they continued down this path.]

[holeinwall]

[ There it is again. That annoying thing called reality. Her head comes up, brow furrowing. More self-awareness hits when she realizes she'd gotten so deep into their usual routine, she hadn't even noticed it happening. That probably means something, how quickly she gets this comfortable with him, soaking up his closeness and affection.

Crap.

She hesitates a while, too. How in the hell can she get rid of the dissonance this time? ]

Well, I...

[ Crap. Crap crap crap. Everything points to not wanting to stop this, but also knowing she needs to stop this, but if she pushes him away again, he may never want to come back. He'll probably avoid her. She doesn't want to be alone, and he's someone that's always willing to ease away her loneliness. ]

I. I don't know.

[ She wants to be with him. She can't let things go too far. But...but...

She glances up at his visor, biting her lower lip. For once, the truth comes out. ]

I just don't want to be alone again. It hurts too much.

[peacewithouttyranny]

[As much as he enjoys the closeness and affection he's receiving, those were the cause of them leaving on their last interaction. He understands that it's for the better that they just leave each other. She surely understands that, as well. They both couldn't stop themselves from their own wants and desires, even knowing they are not supposed to.

The truth coming out does shed a light in Monika's action that's been confusing him.]

I see.

[The worrisome look on Monika's face stirs him into rubbing her shoulder, hoping to comfort her. He stops for a second though, wondering if he should continue with this or not. In the end, he chooses to warmly rub her shoulder as comfort.]

I promise to never let you go, Monika. I would like to continue keeping you company, but...

[She has to be aware of the risk, right? They can't let things go too far again, lest they'll have a repeat of last time. Yet it didn't take much for them to go back. They both settled quick and deep into their usual routine even though they both agreed there's uncertainty that they could return to their routine. Yet here they are...

There's some hesitance over what to add, afterward. His own truth.]

I do not wish to be alone again, either. Nor do I want to see you go away. You are the only one who could help ease away my loneliness.

[Could anyone else? Possibly. But Monika's the only person he can rely on right at this moment, who's always willing to let him stay by her side all day long.]

[holeinwall]

[ Her lips part with a quiet sigh as he gives her comfort. It's another thing she knows she shouldn't allow herself to have, but it feels so good, so right. Coming from his larger hands only amplifies it. If only he knew just how much she loved to be in his arms like this, safe and warm. No one could dare hurt her now.

But...but...

She can't let these feelings go. She can't let him go. Not when he has the same fear of being alone. They need each other. There's no way she could abandon him when he's so willing to give her everything she desperately craves. ]

Maybe, um...

[ Reality can't exist too long without its favorite companion swooping in. Delusion won't let something like being logical and wise get in the way! In no time at all, its poison slips into her mind, whispering all the solutions for these troublesome issues to her. How will the Player know anything? Even if they did find out, they'd want her to be happy. It was fine to have a stand-in for them. It was absolutely, totally, one hundred percent okay to do whatever it took to save herself from the constant threat of drowning in sadness. This is what the Player wants for her! ]

Maybe...it could be like when we first met. But instead of a pretend marriage, it's a pretend relationship. We can stop it whenever we want! Like, if we ever need to pause and be friends again, then no big deal! Plus, you'll need someone around to help you earn chips, right? From my experience, it's better to do that with someone you trust. It's so much less stressful when you're with someone you care about, rather than some rando you don't know.

[ She gives him a hopeful smile. This is a good solution! Nothing can go wrong! ]

You know me. And you like me. We'd just be...helping each other out! What do you think?

[peacewithouttyranny]

[A pretend relationship? His vents hum as explains her reasoning. Hmmmmm.]

I think... it's doable.

[That's a good enough compromise, he supposes. Still able to do all the things they like to do together previously, but now with the knowledge that their relationship is not exactly real.

He wonders, though... What if his real feelings leak into their pretend. Or... perhaps embolden those feelings. What if it makes the feelings Monika has for him stronger, as well? What if their pretend ends up being real overtime? Would it be possible for them to let go when it comes to a pause?

No, he should be fine with their pretend relationship ending if it ever comes to that point. After all, he's fine with just being her friend, because at the end of the day, he simply wishes to have a trusted friend on his side. Surely he can be- and should be - emotionally mature when it comes to an end. Thus he won't speak the question in his mind.

No matter what the future hold for them after this, he's happy with her fleeting solution and delude himself into thinking nothing about this can go wrong.]

I can agree to that. However, you should make your boundaries clear to me.

[Don't want to ruin the good thing they're having by an accidental mistake.]

[holeinwall]

[ After asking how he felt about her (asinine) plan, she'd immediately tensed up, expecting the worst. He'd call her silly. An idiot. Some other stuffy word she'd only use in a poem, like "daft" or "fatuous". Then she'd be forced to get angry, and maybe a little bit violent, just so she could safely vent her frustrations. But no, he's agreeing. He thinks it's the greatest idea ever!!!

She shrieks with glee, clapping her hands and kicking her feet a little to celebrate. It'd be less subdued if she weren't still recovering from being a human pretzel. ]

Yayyy! I'm so glad you think so~

[ With that, her worries have blinked out of existence. Everything's solved! Feelings won't get weird! They can cuddle and kiss and fuck like rabbits and do all the things she loves without bad feelings getting in the way! It's smooth sailing from here on out! ]

Ahaha, why would I have any boundaries? You don't need stuff like that with a fake relationship! [ A pause. ] Well. Hmm. Actually, maybe no marriage proposals, since that's what messed everything up before. Not that it was my fault! I can't be blamed for this place making me do weird things.

[ It's settled, then! Purring in satisfaction, she curls up closer to him, clinging to his metal as if she's a magnet. Gosh, she's so damn good at solving problems! ]

You should let me back inside my cubbyhole to celebrate~

[peacewithouttyranny]

[Saying it's the greatest idea ever is stretching it. And he didn't even say that.

But regardless of that, he accepts the proposal at the end. His wants and desires win out over logic in this case, as it's better for his mental health since she'll help with staving off his loneliness, and vice versa. He won't say it out loud, but he looks forward to going back to their normal.

He'll be kind and not point out that the same fruits didn't make him randomly come up to people and propose marriage to them. That was on her, but he won't say it as to not upset Monika. Anyway, ignoring the past now! Focus on the present and future.]

Fine. Just this once... And stop calling it that.

[Yeesh.... With that, his chest compartment opens and he lays her down on his chest door. No, he's not going to shove or jam her inside him. That'll just hurt her. She'll have to figure that part out herself, or settle with sitting on his chest door while he's making his way over to her room.

And no, ignore the blue blush on his faceplate. He's not embarrassed at all with her dumb antics in public, and thank Primus they're close to her room! Otherwise, this would've been a long and humiliating walk.]

[holeinwall]

[ Too bad, because almost immediately she squeals out: ] My cubbyhole~

[ She's not going to try to stuff herself inside this time, because she'd like to limit how sore she's going to be tomorrow. Instead, she scoots back until she's a ball of happiness, curled up in the fetal position on his door. It's mostly just her butt and legs that have made it inside, but it's plenty enough for her.

On the plus side? From this angle, she can't see his blushing, because she'd be teasing him relentlessly otherwise. It's a part of their normal, after all, her annoying the hell out of him. ]

We're going to double cuddle again, right? And you'll pet my head lots and lots? Then we can double kiss!

[ So demanding already... ]

[peacewithouttyranny]

[Wow, she wastes no time whatsoever with her demands. Granted, Soundwave is looking forward for the same exact things once they eventually reach her room. He's just... quieter about his desires, unlike Monika.]

We're still in a public space, Monika.

[He's not saying no... But keep all that talk when they found some privacy behind closed doors! Which they're about to reached. Once they reach her room, she'll find his avatar is out of the pen now, but he's been keeping Stampy company with automatic repeated actions this entire time. See, he put his full attention on Monika while he's in his mech self!]

We can do anything you want, Monika. Perhaps lay down... someplace else other than your bed? [Remember how he broke it like he broke her chair? He remembers.] Speaking of, I assumed you fix your bed.... I see that you did not fix the chair, however.

[His head turns toward said broken chair next to Stampy's little house. Yeah, he's been meaning to bring that up, and now's an appropriate time.]

[holeinwall]

[ This demanding bot! She's barely done anything that could embarrass him! Who's even around to hear? One hand blindly comes up to prod at his faceplate, but she misses most of her attempts to do so. ]

I'm only saying things! It's not like I'm hugging and kissing you! Like, what, is someone here going to think cuddling is scandalous? I didn't even say anything about making love!

[ Thankfully, that last line was spoken by the time they reentered her suite. She would've kept going, too, but her focus immediately shifted to his avatar. Her eyes narrow in suspicion, observing the repeated actions, eventually realizing they're nothing he's consciously doing. It's barely acceptable, but she'll allow it. As long as she's getting all the attention!

And no, she does not stick her tongue out at Stampy when he's not looking. Take that, attention stealer! She's the one inside his chest now! ]

Er. [ Her head tips back to his visor. ] The chair? Ehehe, yeah...

[ It's not as if she liked that reminder of him or anything! But there is a reason for it that's not a secret show of how hopelessly attached to him she is. ]

I'm not hurting for chips or anything! But I'd need to earn some more in order to replace that. Not that I really need to? I have a bunch more chairs to sit in, and that one's still usable in spots. [ Just like he'd insisted to her after breaking it! ] Because, well. I used most of what I budgeted out to get a bed that can handle giant alien butts. They gave me a discount on it after I, ehehehe, insisted it was because the lovemaking gets a little wild for me...

[ And probably because of her rank, but anyway. Again, this was for normal, not overly attached girlfriend reasons! She points in the direction of her main bedroom. ]

Wanna see? It's a little bigger, too!

[ Don't judge her. She likes her Soundy sandwiches, dammit. ]

[peacewithouttyranny]

[It's scandalous in his optics! Truly the most depraved act of all: cuddling. Thankfully, the last part is said when they're inside her suite, otherwise he might've shut her up.]

Why are you staring at the avatar like that?

[Is there a problem, Monika? What's wrong with him keeping Stampy company and give her a bit of attention, hm.

Figured that Monika would fixed her bed first rather than the one broken chair. Although he wonders just how expensive the repair was if it took most of her budget. That's immediately answered when she used it to upgrade her bed.

Which is little surprising. Apparently Monika upgraded her bed... To handle his weight? Even after what happened on their last interaction? He wants to ask why she'd gone the extra effort, especially when he doesn't expect to get back to her bed for more than one reason, but.... You know what, it's better he doesn't ask. He appreciates that she did that so they can sleep together without concern of them falling and breaking the bed again.]

Let's see it then.

[And off he goes to her bedroom she's pointing at. His avatar dematerializes and leaves Stampy to freely run amok in her little pen house. Soon, she'll get all the double attention she wanted.]

[holeinwall]

[ She says nothing about her staring. He's seeing things! She was just...holding in a sneeze! That can make anyone look like they're giving someone a deadly look, you know.

Besides! She can finally show off her fancy bed! When he shows interested in seeing it, she perks right up, shifting to sit up and dangle her legs over the edge of his compartment's door. Giggling, she leans back and kicks her feet happily, wiggling side to side in excitement.

(Some of that excitement might be from him putting his avatar away. Shhhhh.) ]

You're gonna love it! And it's not as high as my old one, so I don't have to jump up onto it all the time!

[ Her suite was not made for someone her height. Alas. The bed has been a great upgrade for that reason, so he helped her out by breaking the old one. Once he enters her room, everything's neat as ever, and her new bed's no exception. It's indeed lower than her old one, but the frame and headboard look like they could handle a missile strike. This bed's built to handle a lot. And, most importantly, it's luxurious and comfy as heck, just like the old one!

Using the loose hair at the end of her braid, she tickles at his faceplate, eager to hear his thoughts. ]

What do you think? Will this be good~?

[peacewithouttyranny]

[She's radiating so much excitement. He can't help but he anticipated to see and test her upgraded bed himself.

When he gets to see it, his head tilts to the side, optics resetting at the new but still luxurious and comfy bed. Wow, she really went all out on-- Soundwave jerks his head back when his faceplate is tickled.]

Stop that.

[Or he's going to bonk her head if she continues!. Anyway, he places his hands on her waist. Just to be safe, she doesn't fall over while he walks over to the bed. Not because he likes to touch her or anything.

Standing over her bed, he gives the bed frame a gentle kick, just to have a taste of how sturdy it is. Then, he takes a cautionary sit on the edge of the bed, pushing his weight down. No creaking, or the frame bending from him. And it is as comfy as it looks! She really was serious about upgrading her bed to handle his weight, huh.]

Good. It seems.... It'd be possible for me to lay down without breaking your bed again. [He turns his visor to Monika] If you would be so kind.....

[Here comes her favorite thing! Soundwave picks her up with no warning whatsoever, the chest door closes on its own, and he drops down onto the mattress on his back, bringing Monika along in a gentle embrace, almost playful in his action. He rolls to his side and presses his faceplate against the side of her head, nuzzling lightly.

In an instant, his avatar materializes on Monika's other side and loosely wraps an arm around her chest. Then, with both the steel faceplate and soft lips pressing against each of her ears, he whispers his request. Both his electronic-like quality voice and his avatar's soft voice into her ears.]

I would like to sleep together with you from now on.

[holeinwall]

[ Hooray! Her "annoy Soundwave" quota has been met for the hour! She giggles so much more, relenting after one last sweep of her hair. Wouldn't want to distract him away from what's important!

His touch makes her squeak, even if she should've expected it from Mister Fussywave. A complaint is primed and ready, but she's cut off by his kick. What the heck! Even if it was a gentle kick, that wasn't necessary! What if he scuffs the bed frame!!!!

He likes it, though, and that's what matters. Beyond assuring his comfort, she's deeply pleased that he's getting to test it. There was always the fear that he'd never come back and her upgrade was for nothing. Silly her. He told her to keep faith, and he kept his word for all her efforts. For that, she's rewarded by her favorite thing ever...getting doll-handled!

If he hadn't followed it up by doing something so incredibly sweet, he would've gotten one hell of an earful. Denying her cubbyhole access is almost as much of a crime, too! But...there it is. Her favorite sandwich. The way she goes from bratty to calm and cozy could be a world record. ]

Gosh, Soundwave. I never knew a new bed was going to have you acting like this...

[ Like, was he actually playful? Absolute madness. As if she's complaining, though, especially after that request. She shivers against his bodies, her eyes fluttering closed.

She missed this. So much. If she hadn't come up with a solution for their affection issues, this would've had her zooming towards one in no time at all. ]

You really want that? Every night? [ Her head turns to press a kiss to his faceplate, then the other way to kiss his avatar's forehead. ] With...just me?

[peacewithouttyranny]

[She wasn't the only one who missed this so much. So very much. Soundwave doesn't waste time showing his affectionate side to Monika- a side he didn't think he'd ever bring out again with her. He's glad he was wrong that opportunity would never arisen again. Does he feel shame and embarrassment showing this side of him? Certainly, but he doesn't feel as strongly about it with Monika.

After all, she's the only person where he is comfortable enough to show this side of him. As well as a vulnerable side. No other person on this resort gets that privilege other than Monika.]

Acting how...? I have no idea what you are talking about.

[Him playful? Must've been her imagination! That said, both him and the avatar gives a nuzzle and a kiss to her cheeks before whispering sweet nothing into her ear. The avatar side blowing and puffing warm air against her while his vents keep Monika nicely warm in the snuggle.]

Yes, Monika. [The back of his metal fingers brush against her cheek while the avatar's hand ghost over her stomach.] Just you. And me. Every night.

[holeinwall]

Oh, I dunno. Like a happy teenager? Someone having...fun? [ She can't help a snicker. ] Don't try to hide it. You're so bad at that!

[ There's no need to keep teasing him. Not when she's so, so happy. The only way she'd been able to have this experience since he'd left was through dreams, or maybe tapping into her strong imagination skills. Now that she's got it back for real? She may just melt into the mattress.

It only gets better. His confirmation has her whimper from happiness. ]

Every night. And every day. You and me. Mm, sounds like heaven...

[ Don't question the "day" part. She might need to sleep during the day, after all. Or maybe she'd need an emergency cuddle session! It's important to be prepared for all sorts of relationship problems.

Her head turns to look at his true form, and she reaches up to hold his cheek area. For a while, she's quiet, just savoring the moment. Then, she's suddenly glad she waited to use her favor. There's something that could make this truly perfect. ]

I know what I want now. And don't get grumpy, because you said anything.

[ One of her fingers lightly taps on his visor. ] Can I look into your real eyes?

[ She knows they're hiding back there! This is the time to let them be free! ]

[peacewithouttyranny]

Isn't that you?

[Nope, not going to ever acknowledge he is happy and joyous. All of that was just her imagination! She's just projecting her own feelings into him.

His vents huff in amusement. Even the day? Well, he can't say he'd dislike it if Monika wants to keep him every night and day. He isn't busy here as he was in his life... he could afford to simply lay down with Monika without much care about the rest of the world.

Her hand on his faceplate has him leaning against it. However small her hand is compared to his head, it's still the warmest touch he's ever had in his life. His larger metal hand moves up to lightly press against the back of hers, wanting her hand to stay there indefinitely.

The soft moment gets sidetracked when Monika makes her request. Surprise flits across his face. More evident on the avatar's face, blinking rapidly before he settles back to his usual lineface.]

Of all the request you could've made...

[He did not expect that one. At all.

However, as much as he'd hesitate, he still has to honor his words. He did say anything, and so he has to face the consequences of his words. ... At least he didn't ask him to take off his faceplate, otherwise he might've hesitate a little more than he is right now.

With a sigh from his vents, the visor slowly slides down into his faceplate and reveals his glassy, bright yellow optics hiding underneath, glowing. White circular iris stares down at Monika, waiting for her response. The eyes are the window of the soul. Now, Monika can read his properly. There's still the sense that he's a lot in his tired optics, but there's something different in them now. More warmth and kindness.... and uncertainty.... though the last part is because he doesn't typically show his optics to anyone. He's flustered.]

[holeinwall]

[ Aww, so shy! So super afraid that someone might dare to see him having fun. It's cute enough that she'll let him get away with it, settling for tickling him. With him making dreams come true, and knowing she's going to be wrapped up in him for the foreseeable future, he's allowed a break from her gremlin side. If he doesn't count her request as being a gremlin-y, anyway.

He should know better by now! Give Monika one inch of power, and she'll take a million miles. A promise as open-ended as the one he offered her? He's fortunate she used it on this. She could've done way worse.

Even more luckily for him, she has no reason to suspect there's anything else hiding on his face. If he'd like to keep his sanity, don't ever let her get even the tiniest hint that he has a mouth. She won't rest until she gets her full face reveal if he does!

Until that ever happens, if it does, removing his visor is what she's considering the true face reveal. And when he actually acquiesces... ]

Oh gosh...

[ She whispers it under her breath, completely forgetting about his avatar for now. After the initial shock wears off, she squints and blinks, her eyes adjusting to the switch from glowing red. Unfortunately, his uncertainty is going to have to wait a while, because she's far too fascinated to say anything yet.

They're beautiful.

While she had no idea what to expect once the visor was gone, she's already strongly attached to what she sees, and knows she's going to demand to see them every time they're not in public. Her hand slips away from under his to trace over the top of his faceplate, watching to see if his eyes will follow her fingers. For someone so grumpy, so austere, there's something so soft and kind in his eyes that she's never been able to see before. And this view is all for her...

At last, more words come to her, following some soft giggles as one finger pokes the space between his eyes. ]

Your eyes are so pretty... [ Maybe tell her they're called "optics" at some point, or she's going to stick with the human word all the time. ] Like...staring into a beam of sunshine, bright and warm.

[ Ignore how that'd probably make a person go blind, but whatever! She's evoking a feeling. It doesn't have to be something that's humanly possible. ]

I wish you hadn't hid them from me for so long. I just wanna stare into them for hours and hours.

[ Lightly, she kisses the spot on his faceplate that she generally uses as a nose to boop. ] Thank you, Soundwave. I'm really, really happy. [ Another kiss. ] I get to see another part of what makes you so beautiful.

[ Enjoy being flustered some more! ]

[peacewithouttyranny]

[It's clear that he isn't entirely used to showing his optics to someone. He's flustered, embarrassed, unsure of where to look as keeping his optics on her face at all time has somehow proven difficult in this moment. He feels so much more vulnerable. He hides his optics for a reason, after all. While Soundwave has mastered a poker face, people could still be able to read one's emotions from their own optics. Besides, in this moment? He couldn't maintain the poker face.

Even when he knows she'll only have kind words for him rather than saying anything bad about his optics, just hearing the surprise whisper helps to build up his self-confidence. That it's okay to show this vulnerable side to his dear friend.

Sure enough, his optics follow her hand tracing along the top of his faceplate. Then, she pokes him, optics crossed, head leaning slightly back.]

Optics. They are called optics, Monika. [He gently corrects her. The human usage isn't necessarily wrong per day, but it's more appropriate to use his term.] I suggest you do not stare at them for too long. Otherwise you might be blinded.

[A beam of sunshine, bright and warm.... He'd never think those words would ever be suitable to describe his optics. Well, he supposes beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all.

Speaking of beauty, her words and the kisses are getting him flustered. His metal lids lower and his optics turn away from Monika's eyes. Now, it's not that he doesn't want to stare at her for hours and hours, as well. It's just that he still isn't entirely used to receiving all these compliments.

After a few seconds of silence, he mutters:]

You flatter me too much, but... you are welcome, Monika.