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

[theidlemaiden]

[ Crying usually did help. But in this instance it doesn't seem to be doing much else aside from making her acutely aware that this is making him feel uncomfortable.

The mention of this being a horny vacation earns him a watery laugh in spite of herself. ]

That's not helpful.

[ A vacation implied that she'd return to something afterwards. She wasn't certain that she would. ]

I just don't understand why you'd want to spend time on me. You don't owe me anything.

[philancer]

[ That has him tugging chidingly on her hair, touch light - mostly just to get her attention. ]

Who said anything about owing anything? Why wouldn't I want to spend time with you? You're the first familiar face that's shown up here that I was actually happy to see.

[ Okay, Felix was an exception there, but Felix was also complicated and his joy at seeing his best friend's face was somewhat tempered by the awareness of how much Felix would fucking hate this place. And that's even before they started comparing very confusing notes. ]

[theidlemaiden]

[ Tugging on her hair has some desired effect. At least in the sense that she gives him a noise of indignation and a half-hearted swat at his hands for that. Hair tugging had a time and place in her books and it definitely wasn't when she was crying.

It's followed however by something of a watery scoff as if to imply that she isn't so certain that she believes him. ]

Because do I have to remind you of the obvious? I never thought you'd be someone who'd be nostalgic to run chores for someone.

[philancer]

The difference between the me of now and the me of five years ago? I'm perfectly okay telling you 'no' if I don't want to do something.

[ ...That's a lie. He was perfectly comfortable telling her no back then, too. He just... didn't. ]

Besides. We both know that's not all of who you are.

[theidlemaiden]

[ In any other circumstance she would have protested more. Being herself - or rather, the version of herself that she wanted so desperately for everyone else to just take at face value so she could live a peaceful life - had been blown right out of the sky thanks to the war.

It's hard not to mourn the life she had. In fact, she had often and frequently in the early days but even she had grown tired of all of her pouting and complaining. That didn't mean that she had come to terms with it however. She hadn't. And now she had to come to terms with yet another loss.

Yes, in any other circumstance she would have continued protesting until she turned blue in the face. But instead, for a brief moment she can't help but feel seen by someone who hadn't spent years by her side putting up with her childish behaviour. Her eyes mist despite her best efforts to stop herself from crying again and she has to slip her sunglasses over her eyes as if that will somehow hide the fact. ]

...If you tell me no then do it nicely, okay?

[philancer]

[ He sees that hiding tactic for what it is and reaches out to tug her close, tucking her head in under his chin as his arms stay wrapped around her. His chin rests atop her head as he stares out over the waves. letting her hide what she needs to for the moment. ]

I'm always nice, excuse you. [ he's not. There's a large group of people he was never all that nice to. But she'd never really been part of that group. ] But I promise I will. If you even give me anything I'd have to say no to. Maybe I'll just continually say yes, have you thought of that?

[theidlemaiden]

[ A half-hearted snort is her initial reply to all of his responses - the claim to being nice all the time, the promise, the suggestion that there isn't anything she could ask him that he'd say no to - but the skepticism is lost in the act of burying her face into him. Her sunglasses push uncomfortably against her face but it's stubbornness that keeps them there. ]

No because that's a scary thought. Someone meaner might take advantage of that you know.

[ She glances up and without thinking a hand reaches up to gently brush the side of his cheek. ]

You have to be careful. It looks like the war didn't make you any less reckless, huh?

[philancer]

Guilty, I'm afraid.

[ He shoots her an impish grin, even if that's not entirely truth. Leading a rebellion to keep an invading army from encroaching into your territory tended to make you grow up and approach certain things very carefully.

But recklessness was something easy and familiar to hide behind, just as his flirting was. He falls back on it without even thinking about it/ ]

But I didn't think I had to worry about you taking advantage again. Wasn't that the point?

[theidlemaiden]

[ They'd both grown up in their own ways - even if Hilda would never be the first to admit that she had. What growing was there to do when she was determined to remain as carefree as possible for the rest of her years? Or rather, that had been the plan. ]

I don't know. If there are library books that are late and the librarian is terrifying I might have to revert back to my old ways.

[ There's a pause as a thought spurred on by her loneliness is loosened from her tongue. ]

Or maybe having someone from home here is just really nice.

[philancer]

[ That has him just giving her a warm hug all over again. ]

Well, I'm glad you think so, since you're probably stuck with me now. That's what you get, for weeping all over my shoulder. [ his voice is light, but there is fondness audible in his tone as he chuckles. ]

And there is a library, although I can't say I've ever seen a librarian in there. The books are... interesting, though. [ Not that he'd spent much time in there. Or reading, for that matter. ] It's pretty in there, though. I'll show you sometime.

[theidlemaiden]

Stuck with you? I'm doomed.

[ The usual power of her whine is probably half-hearted at best because despite what she should be doing which is telling him once again that he has no obligation - former Academy students or Faerghan knightly tendencies aside - to direct his attentions towards her. Not when she's not even certain this is real or that she's real anymore.

The glaring sunrays of an artificial sun, the drink and his arms make it impossible for that however. If all of this warmth surrounds her, then shouldn't she try to inject some of that back into her veins? ]

What sort of things make it interesting? Don't tell me they record all the dirty little secrets from everyone here.

[philancer]

[ He chuckles, shifting until he can recline back in the lounger more and bring her with him, letting her curl up against his chest in the sun. ]

I wouldn't put it past them, honestly. Or to have some sort of dirty gossip rag. The older, long-term guests really do love their juicy gossip. But the books are definitely nothing we would have found in the Academy library. Seteth would have had a meltdown. Definitely far more sinful, although still very... educational. Although I'm pretty sure a good half of them aren't anatomically correct. Or possible. But no one around here lets that bother them.

[theidlemaiden]

They sound like my kind of people. Maybe they can take me off your hands.

[ Notions of putting space between someone familiar for something unknown and strange however is the last thing she wants. Her body curls into his easily feeling like she almost belongs there, a thought that she has to immediately tell herself to silence because this is the first time that they've ever done something even remotely like this.

Her hand begins to draw slow motions on his chest, finger running along the dips and valleys of his muscles hard earned through carrying a lance and wearing heavy armor. Quietly she marvels in it as she lets out a quiet laugh at the thought of Setheth near spluttering at something indecent. ]

So you've looked through them then?

[philancer]

[ He playfully tightens his arms around her, chuckling as he rests his cheek atop her head. ]

Who said I'd let anyone take you off my hands? Didn't I tell you you were stuck with me now?

And yeah, I've read a few. Partially out of curiosity, but a few times out of boredom or to kill time. It's not my first choice in hobbies, but it does well for a quiet way to pass the time.

[theidlemaiden]

[ She can't help but groan although it's tinged with amusement. ]

Don't tell me you're going to fend anyone off like Holst would.

[ As much as she's catching up with missing him and most things from home, she hadn't missed his overprotective tendencies. ]

What did you find out? Anything interesting and toe curling?

[philancer]

I might fend them off, but it definitely won't be like Holst by any stretch of the imagination. [ He snickers at that, shaking his head. ] Mostly because he would also be pulverizing me for potentially doing nefarious things to seduce his darling little sister.

And I'm not telling. I think it would be more entertaining watching you discover them for yourself.

[theidlemaiden]

I knew you had ulterior motives.

[ She gives him a quick pinch although this time laughter makes its way out of her mouth. He'd said potentially but it was fun to tease all the same. The thought of Holst and Sylvain ever meeting is brings her no shortage of amusement. ]

I can't even get a little hint? We're stuck on a beach and I don't even know if I'm going to get to see this scandalous library.

[philancer]

[ They'd either get along great or not at all. Then again, Sylvain's track records with overprotective Big Brothers is... not great. He's looking at you, Seteth.

But he grins at her as he playfully taps the tip of her upturned nose. ]

You will have plenty of time to explore as much as you want. There's a whole district just for shopping, too, and some amazing dining options and lounges. Kind of like taverns but also... very different. They actually do a pretty good job at giving us plenty to entertain ourselves.

[ Which is probably why he hasn't spent a lot of time in the scandalous library. ]

Let's just say that there's a book to answer every question you never even knew you had when it comes to your body. Or someone else's. Or multiple someone else's. Suggestions. Lists. Games. Dares. The ones with pictures are especially impressive. Although your brother would definitely murder me for showing you those.

[theidlemaiden]

[ Hilda would like to think that they'd get along. She knows Sylvain well enough (barely enough) to play nice, but Holst, for all his doting on her could still be a wildcard. If she threatened to never speak to him again however, that might very well scare him into behaving. All of this is hypothetical however, and entirely dependent on her getting home. If she got home. ]

Well why didn't you just say shopping earlier? That would have made this way easier. And plenty of entertainment is the least they can do for dragging us here.

[ Her arms curl a little tighter around him soaking up his warmth like the artificial sun wasn't also beating down on them. ]

We can keep it our little secret then. It's not like he'll ever find out.

[philancer]

Here's not so bad. [ There's something softly wistful in his tone as he smooths a hand over her hair, still holding her close as he lets his gaze roam over the waves. ]

I know it might not seem like it right now, and I remember all too well how strange and overwhelming it was, right after you arrive. And the games... can be frustrating in themselves, but overall? [ he huffs out a sound that is somewhere between a sigh and a laugh. ] Well. It still beats a war, in my opinion?

🎀 soon?

[theidlemaiden]

[ The expression on his face doesn't go unnoticed making her pause as she takes it in. They admittedly hadn't spent that much time together outside of her asking him to return library books that she didn't want to return herself but she can say with certainty that she'd never seen him look like that.

What had happened to him at home, she wonders to not have that perpetual carefree air about him? ]

Most things will.

[ Her gaze turns from him down towards her lap where she swears she can still make out the faint lines of scars that she hadn't had time to properly hide. ]

But at least I'd be home.

[ Realizing just how gloomy that sounds however she bolsters herself, forcing some levity into her voice. With two fingers she takes his chin, turning his gaze back towards her where he's greeted with a warm smile. ]

Luckily, I landed here with a very handsome, very familiar face to make this easier.

[philancer]

[ There’s something in her voice that pricks against his awareness and he almost presses, tries to pry more understanding beneath that mask he’s always believed she wore.

But it’s a moment gone too quickly, and then her voice is light and playful again as she smiles up at him, all innocent and seemingly without a care in the world.

Sometimes, he thinks, she plays that role better than he does. Always has. And he wonders how many times in the past she’s fooled him with it?

But right now, he reaches up to catch her hand in his and offers her a small chuckle, conceding for the time being. ]

I’ll do my best, Princess. Come on, why don’t I take you exploring? We’ll see if I can find some places for you to enjoy yourself while you’re here, hmm?

[ He knew there would be places she’d like, already cataloguing a few of them in the back of his mind, but moreso, it would be a distraction, one that would hopefully help that carefree air be a little more genuine.

At least for a little while. ]