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peacockstop2024-10-15 09:00 pm
TDM 06
【 Thank you for choosing the Golden Peacock, 5-star resort and casino. You are currently registered as a WILDCARD in our system.
On behalf of the house and resort, we would like to advise all Game 52 players to exercise caution around the Golden Peacock for the next few weeks. The veil between 'what is' and 'what has been' grows thin and the threads of fate have tangled in unexpected ways. We are currently observing how these two phenomena behave when they occur simultaneously and act in concert.
We advise that all guests monitor their physical states until the veil thickens once again and the threads of fate return to running parallel. If you find yourself undergoing any strange transformations, please report to the Broken Wing clinic for observation. We will do our utmost to make sure you are comfortable during this time.
You may also notice other strange phenomena around the Golden Peacock while the veil is thin. Please continue to exercise caution. New wayward spirits have joined us during this time. While spirits are crossing, it is possible for guests to get swept along into the ghostly realm.
As always, please let us know if there is anything we can do to improve your stay. 】
HEADS
TAILS
MAIN LOBBY
BACK HALLWAYS & STAIRS
MONSTER MASH
THE VALE
SMOKED EGG
BALANCE RETURNS
OOC NOTES
▶ All characters on the TDM are WILDCARDS, which means they have not yet been assigned a card value. Suits will not manifest until characters are accepted into the game.
▶ All TDMs are game canon. This TDM acts as the game's October event. Changes to the above locations will ICly be present from October 15th - November 3rd. All supernatural phenomenon will increase in strength over time, culminating in peak activity on All Hallows' Eve. The days following Halloween will relax, leading into eventual normalcy. Some locations are spared the supernatural frenzy, so players can play as normal if they wish to avoid these tropes/prompts. Players may assume that the supernatural come and go in the above specifically incorporated locations.
▶ 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 would be interested in a game invitation, you can note that in your comment header.
▶ If you aren't satisfied with these prompts, please feel free to check out our LOCATIONS to explore more of the resort!
▶ 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. This TDM in particular has the potential to get real wild, so we want to emphasize this request!
▶ 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.
▶ Go forth and let your freak flag fly!
no subject
Rare were the Kratians who did not fear the autonomy or deny the feelings of puppets. Puppets weren't real people, after all! It's from this cultural standpoint that Pinocchio finds himself sensitive to having that autonomy stripped away, or being treated like he can't make solid decisions for himself. It's not that he blames those who do, the friction between humans and puppets is bigger than himself.
But one life at a time, he seeks to slowly, softly change his world. Baizhu seems to savor the taste of the dessert, and Pinocchio's expression softens, sympathetic. It prompts him to pop a spoonful into his mouth, eyes lighting up.
It's soft, silky, creamy... with a zingy-spicy flavor, slightly sweet. He seems to like this even more than the almond cookies, as he promptly slides another spoonful into his mouth, eyes shutting. It's a texture thing, perhaps. It's soft and decadent, and ginger always tastes so exotic when he encounters it.
"I think I like this one best," he admits.
no subject
Though that isn’t to say that Baizhu’s failed to notice the little things—the automatic response, implying that he’d been well-trained in manners, perhaps to his detriment. And the way he lights up upon eating that dessert…
“I would recommend against eating too much. Not when there are still so many other dishes to savor. He’s already glancing to the side, where the staff are bringing in yet more of their orders: custard buns, glutinous rice dumplings, sesame balls, and even something he considers his own specialty: sweet boiled pears.
no subject
He slows as the other dishes arrive, and soon the table between them is cluttered with sweets. Contemplating Baizhu's advice, he asks sincerely, "Do you think we've overdone it?"
Undaunted, Pinocchio reaches for a custard bun, curious what's inside the fluffy white casing, "I'll eat whatever you can't finish," he promises, right before he takes a bite. The airy bun is scarcely sweet at all, but has a bouncy texture, and then, a little further inside, sweet custard. He's heard people talk about heaven, but he thinks he might have found it right here.
no subject
According to his own research, anyway.
“But I’ll see to it that you don’t overindulge, so please, enjoy yourself for now.”
Anything they can’t finish they can pack up to go, anyway. There’s no reason to disrespect Jin Mingming by leaving out leftovers, after all!
no subject
He chews another bite, and has scarcely swallowed before he's finished thinking it over.
"Why? Do you think I need you to see to me?" he asks reasonably. His eyes drop to the custard bun, pinching the white, fluffy bun, tearing off a piece of it and its custardy filling, about to eat it. "Do you need anyone to see to yourself when you eat?"
He's an independent puppet and doesn't need babying! Also he's probably missing the real point here, that overindulging could make a person with a stomach ill.
no subject
But it’s that second question that makes him smile. When was the last time he got to have a philosophical discussion like that? It makes him think of those lazy afternoon tea parties back at home with Zhongli. But the poor man had already been turned to stone twice, and…
“You’re right. As a doctor, I really should put more faith in my patients.”
Everyone in this resort is essentially a patient in his eyes. Everyone has to need a doctor eventually, after all.
no subject
After staring for a moment, he glances down, "I misjudged, I apologize."
Pinocchio doesn't attempt to correct him, not when he's sure to summon up the kinds of questions he doesn't feel like answering if he insists that he can't become ill. Still, the fact that he's seen the same way as anyone else... that makes a special kind of warmth bloom in his chest. Cramming the remainder of the custard bun in his mouth to disguise the private smile that's started to steal over his face, he feels that warmth spread to his cheeks.
"I'll be careful," he concedes, once he's swallowed down his mouthful and his wry smile.
no subject
He thinks he might’ve caught a glimpse of a smile, but Pinocchio’s a little too quick for him. Not that it matters much, since he’s done enough teasing and not nearly enough eating as it is.
Those pears aren’t going to finish themselves, after all.
“And I hope you’ll come to me whenever you feel ill. A taste of this can do wonders for your health.”
no subject
He hasn't really questioned why he both admires and mistrusts doctors.
And anyway, it's nothing that will get between him and some stewed pears. Which, speaking of, given the gusto with which he tucks in, they might be his favorite of the lot (because they're peeled, for one). If there's a pattern where the latest thing Pinocchio has eaten is his new favorite, that is 100% a valid observation.
"Pears are medicine?" he asks, incredulous, "...Do you treat many people here?"
no subject
Oh, to be so young and spry…
Setting aside the pear question for now¬—
“Oh, yes. Illness never rests, I’m afraid. And there are some…unique risks associated with this world’s imperatives, after all.”
no subject
With only his own experience when he had a Spade and the mental anguish it put him through, and some... first-hand experience helping a Diamond through a few excruciating symptoms of suit activation, he doesn't think he has a very firm grasp on the bigger picture, or its myriad effects on the other suits.
"I thought the only cure was..." he trails off, considering how best to convey his meaning. Putting down his spoon, the puppet makes a very rude gesture, without a shred of shame. The fact that his expression is so blankly unbothered probably tips this from 'offensive' into 'funny', depending on one's sense of decorum.
no subject
“You’re correct, of course. But there are certain complications involved in the act that can cause injury.”
He doesn’t really want to talk about STDs when they’re having a nice meal, so he’ll leave it at that.
“But on another note…you are familiar with certain aspects of this resort. I take it you have been here for some time now?”
no subject
Pinocchio tilts his head at the laugh anyway, wondering, clearly, if he's crossed some kind of boundary. He glances at his hand and lowers it to his neglected spoon, resuming eating.
"For some time, yes," he hazards. It's hard to quantify when one is both missing whole months of time and also the resort itself sort of excels at making it a bit difficult to tell the passage of time, as all casinos do. "What about you? How many games have you seen?"
no subject
Because this odd business with the moon in the hallway might very well be a new “game” of sorts, even if it’s not one announced by the resort. It’s too early to tell in any case.
But thinking of the length of his stay here does dampen his good humor just moments earlier, as he stares down at his share of the pears and thinks of the last time he’d been able to cook something like this for his friends back home.
“It’s been quite some time… Hard to believe it’s almost been a year, as a matter of fact.”
no subject
Compassion reins in his curiosity. It wouldn't be kind to press on the soft places of another's heart just to see what wells up.
His spoon carves out another glossy round of soft pear flesh, he's slowed down, not out of disinterest, but because he's thinking. Savoring. Moments to pause like this and enjoy something new with company are precious. "Four... I hadn't bothered counting."
no subject
Said with a bit more cheer than intended, as he tries to work his way up to a good humor once again. He doesn’t want his new friend to feel ill at ease, let alone remember a home that he can’t return to, especially when they’re sharing something as special as a meal.
Especially when that meal reminds him of home.
“Regardless, it’s not as though they’ve been terribly difficult. A little scary, perhaps.” Or a lot scary. “But nothing that can’t be solved with the usual.”
He’s smiling at Pinocchio like he’s daring him to make that rude gesture again.
It was funny.