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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!
ii b
Or at least it used to be. There's nothing "relaxing" about this, however: not only has the Vale been plunged into darkness (despite it being the middle of the day), but he's seeing all kinds of creepy-looking monster things roaming around! All these part-human, part-beast types! He's been mostly keeping to his room, in hopes of avoiding the "strange phenomena" his watch warned him about, but it looks like that stuff has spread to the Vale, and now every nerve in his body is telling him to run.
But he can't without calling attention to himself, so here he is stuck in a treehouse. He cradles his bird daughter close to his chest, telling her to shhh. Yet she starts squawking up a storm as someone—or something—approaches. Hiyori's blood turns cold when he sees the outline of horns, not to mention a huge tail swinging around. This is it! He's been found, and he's about to become monster chow!!
The tail makes contact. He bites down on his tongue to hold back a shriek. But then his voice comes out half-shrieked, anyway, when the monster suddenly talks and startles a response out of him.]
Nope! I'm good right where I am, thanks!!!
[He leans as far away from the monster as humanly possible. Meanwhile, his magpie proceeds to pick up a shiny clip-on earring and pelt Fuuta's head with it, before hiding behind a nearby tree branch. Perhaps she hoped to divert attention away from Hiyori and towards herself. What a heroic girl she grew up to be! He's so proud! Or he would be, if he wasn't scared out of his mind.
But with the monster pressed so close to him, Hiyori also gets a look at its face. And when he sees that, well, he freezes for a different reason.]
............. wait. You're that guy?
no subject
He'd been sidling up without much thought, honestly too distracted by an animalistic urge to seek out anyone for enrichment, that he hadn't bothered trying to get a look at his victim's face. And while Fuuta does give a startled flinch and scoots back a solid pace or two at the sudden shouting -- especially because the rise in volume has his ears ringing afterward -- he otherwise just stares at Hiyori for a moment. Needing that half-second's pause to process what he's seeing.
Then he gives a nasty little cackle, inadvertently showing off the jagged, shark-like points of his teeth. ]
Oh, it's you.
[ He'd backed off to the entrance of the treehouse in his surprise, but now Fuuta slinks his way fully into Hiyori's precious little hideout, the snaking of his tail behind him lending an eerie, uncharacteristic grace to his movements. His eyes, too, seem to glow dimly in the darkness as he looks around. ]
Yeah, it's me. Whatever's going on here got me good. [ Here, Hiyori's brave little magpie assaults him, but Fuuta only clicks his tongue at the earring pinging off his horn, waving the bird away with the flick of a clawed hand. Whatever. It's something that would have bothered him more under normal circumstances, but in his current state, it feels insignificant. ] Though I guess it could be worse -- I don't feel too bad this time. ... kind of in good condition, actually.
[ He'd been glancing idly over his shoulder, out the doorway over the rest of the Vale, but Fuuta swiftly turns his attention back to Hiyori with an eyebrow raised. ]
What're you doing here, anyway? You found yourself a little hideout and then got stuck because they decided to chuck everyone who got transformed in here? [ That tail swishes idly behind him, an underline to his little pause before he continues: ] You know that's not gonna work forever, right. They keep chucking more people here, and there's only so far we can spread out. You're gonna get found eventually. Like this.
no subject
Except this monster looks awfully familiar. Not the teeth, the horns, the glowing eye(s?) or the tail. But that rust-colored hair, slumped posture, and unsmiling face? Those all belong to "Eyepatch Guy," otherwise known as "pz with a lot of numbers after it," otherwise also known as Fuuta-kun!
Even knowing the monster's identity, Hiyori can only gape. The fact that Fuuta seemed like such a pitifully weak person only renders the monster transformation that much more impactful. Why, he can hardly believe it. But here the guy is, saying this place "got him good," which is the understatement of the century from where Hiyori's standing (or cowering in fear, rather).
While Fuuta eyes the doorway, Hiyori considers diving out a window. He'd have to jump quite aways, but he has strong legs! He jumped off the roof of a shrine shortly before getting kidnapped here, and he landed on his feet back then! But there are other monsters down below, and he'd have to outrun them, too. And, well, that's a dicey prospect.
Maybe he doesn't need to run from this particular monster. As Fuuta keeps talking, he suggests himself to be lucid enough. No roaring, no hissing, no spitting flame, and no attempts to eat him (yet). He's in "good condition," he says, before correctly deducing Hiyori's predicament. And that gives him an idea that doesn't involve flinging himself out a window. If Fuuta's brain is still human, that means he can be reasoned with!]
Then I guess it's a good thing you found me.
[Hiyori straightens up on the cushions, no longer inching away with a terrified look in his eyes. On the contrary, he looks Fuuta straight in the eye(s?!), prepared to manipulate the hell out of him. How?
By appealing to his sense of justice! That's how.]
It's exactly as you said. I came here to visit my birds, and when I saw those monsters roaming around, all I could think to do was hide. But you won't kill me or eat me, will you? Attacking someone defenseless would be completely unjust. And I know how you feel about justice! ♪
[He smiles. Fuuta wouldn't want to make this smile disappear, would he??]
no subject
Hiyori barely gets to finish that last obnoxious sentence before Fuuta lunges in.
Not to attack, but it sure did look like it for a second! Fuuta feigns taking a big bite out of him, those sharp teeth snapping audibly shut a half-inch away from the tip of Hiyori's nose. When Fuuta huffs out a hard exhale past a clenched jaw, embers and stray licks of flames light up the meager space between them. ]
Shut it. You think I don't know you're just saying that?
[ He leans in afterward, reaching a hand forward -- long black talons where his nails used to be, gleaming dully in the moonlight filtering through the window -- to thrust over Hiyori's shoulder, cornering him against those cushions. With Fuuta leaning in this close, Hiyori might feel the unnatural heat radiating off his body; the transformation has Fuuta's body heat running on overdrive, and his presence feels sweltering at this close proximity, further adding to the pressure he's exuding at the moment. ]
You're the one who wouldn't shut up about how people should only do what they want. You think I couldn't tell? You were basically making fun of me whenever I talked about that stuff -- about doing the right thing, and things needing to be fair. You don't actually give a shit about any of that, yeah? You just do what feels true to you, or whatever?
[ That tail swishes through the air, idly at first, as Fuuta pauses to think. Then it swings forth with more purpose to thwack into Hiyori's side. Not hard enough to properly hurt, but definitely hard enough to make its presence known, those jagged spikes rustling into the folds of his clothes as it drags over his hip, towards his navel, tugging at his clothes along the way. Fuuta stares hard at Hiyori's face the entire time, visible eye glowing faintly in the dark. ]
... you're just scared of getting killed and eaten, huh. So if it's not that, then you can't complain if I do 'what I want,' right? That's what you've been telling me all this time, right?
[ The heavy tailtip shoves against Hiyori's stomach in quiet threat. -- and while a part of him is certainly hungry enough to want to carry out his threat, what Fuuta wants more in the moment is fear. Fuuta knows Hiyori assumes he's always harmless and weak and helpless, when it's just that circumstances have kept fucking him over; time to see how Hiyori likes it when he's the one caught on the back foot. ]
no subject
Hiyori's reflexes are sharp, despite that blunder at the welcome feast. He tenses immediately when Fuuta lunges for him, jerking backwards, his face turned pale and his smile fallen clean off. Another flash of monstrous incisors, and his eyes go wide and petrified, voice cutting off on an "Eeek!"
He isn't the only one shrieking. His magpie daughter starts squawking up a storm again from her spot on her branch. But she can't stop Fuuta's fiery hot breath from grazing Hiyori's face, nor do her cries drown out the sound of his incoming words. "Shut it," he says, and for once Hiyori actually does.
Something is very wrong. Fuuta—or whatever he's been turned into—throws out a clawed hand, pinning him to the wall of the treehouse. He doesn't bite his nose off, but he's still threatening him, and the heat coming off his body isn't natural. This place really did get him good. The monster transformation seems to have spread to his brain.
Or did it?
It's hard to tell if Fuuta has changed mentally. His unhinged rant sounds similar to what he said after the serenade. Fuuta is wrong, of course. He wasn't telling him to hurt whoever he wants to hurt, he was trying to keep him from getting hurt. From accepting gross game challenges he doesn't want to accept, and doing them with people he doesn't want to play with. From enduring unpleasant encounters out of financial desperation. From being sexually coerced. He'd been trying to protect him. But maybe that was misguided, because Eyepatch Guy is the predator now. And that makes Hiyori what, exactly?
Easy prey, that's what.
Fuuta whacks him with his tail, and he inhales sharply and grits his teeth. Its spikes drag down his front, not piercing his flesh (not yet at least), but threatening to—to tear through his clothes, tear into him. He's cold all over despite the heat that Fuuta emanates, chills running down his neck and all the way down his spine, and he's trembling harshly enough for it to be noticeable, even before Fuuta issues that final threat. And that makes his eyes flare even wider. Hiyori's not completely sure if he means "that" or not, but after being in this place for almost eight months, the idea at least crosses his mind. And even if he's not about to be ravaged by a man-turned-monster, it's not like being cut up by those spikes would be much better.
He needs to think fast, but he's too shocked. His brave little magpie, however, reacts faster than he does—re-entering the treehouse and diving right for Fuuta's head, pulling on his hair with her talons. And that startles Hiyori into action.]
Stop!
[He grabs for one of Fuuta's arms, terrified at the idea that he'll swat at her hard enough to kill her. The cute little bird that he and Jun raised. He can't let anything happen to her. He needs to distract Fuuta fast!]
You're wrong! I sincerely admired you!
[He shouts the only thing he can think of to possibly make this right, his eyes boring right into that one glowing eye, desperate and pleading.]
You stuck up for Nagisa-kun! For that sad child, who was raised in captivity! My beloved childhood friend, who's more important to me than anyone else on Earth! He was such a good kid—smart, talented, and curious about the world! Yet I got unfairly frustrated, and told him to leave the house that day! He laughed it off, and so did all our fans! But Fuuta-kun held me accountable! And I thought to myself, "What a good boy! The world needs more people like him in it!"
[He's shaking violently now, too flustered to watch his words. Calling Fuuta a "good boy" was entirely accidental—if he could think straight, he wouldn't use a term that might potentially sound condescending and anger him further. But being condescending is second nature to Hiyori, and everything's coming out unfiltered, shrill with desperation. And, as usual, he's not done talking! He's still going!]
That's how I know you won't kill me, eat me, attack me, or do that other unspeakable thing! That's how I know you'll choose justice! Because you spoke up for that kid! That child, whom I loved more than anyone else in the world! That's the kind of person you are! The one that I admired that day!
[He slows down, panting a little for breath, still shaking like a leaf. His magpie obeyed his order to Stop and is no longer attacking Fuuta. Though if Fuuta listens, he might hear another pair of wings fluttering nearby.]
no subject
It does fill him with a certain sense of vindication to see Hiyori pale and shaking, yes. It does sate a part of him that had always felt resentful towards the other, hating that ever-sunny facade, hated the sense that Hiyori always looked down on him. And yes, it does feel satisfying to look at the stupid expression that Hiyori's wearing right now, that "pretty" look he's always oh-so-confident about crumbling into wide eyes and a scrunched brow and lips flapping in a panicked ramble. But still ... somehow, this whole deal just isn't as satiating as he'd thought it would be. It just isn't fun seeing someone genuinely terrified for their wellbeing.
Fuuta had simply been staring down at Hiyori for a moment, silent save the faint crackle of embers still burning away in his throat, and it's only the abrupt flapping of wings and the rake of tiny talons over his temple that have him recoiling. An animalistic hiss escapes him as Fuuta whips around to glare at the magpie, sharp teeth bared in a snarl as flames build in the back of his throat; he doesn't particularly plan on killing the bird, but he sure won't hesitate to scare it off with a burst of flames.
It's only Hiyori's timely intervention that stops him, and Fuuta instead settles for fixing a sideways glare on Hiyori throughout that pathetic ramble. The pent-up flames continue to crackle away in his chest, built up so hot that their glow permeates through the skin of his throat, the inside of his mouth lit up with an eerie glow when he snaps back at Hiyori, ]
As if I'd believe any of the shit you're saying. [ The heat of his body's only intensified, and when he exhales, it's like someone's fanned a bonfire in Hiyori's direction. It smells of smoke, tastes like heat. ] I saw how easily you lied to those guests when you were pretending to punish me. You're just saying whatever you think's gonna save you. You 'admire' me? As if I'd believe that.
[ He leans in closer as he scoffs, the jagged tip of his tail pushing a little more firmly into Hiyori's stomach. The spikes lining that reptilian tail aren't sharp enough to cut through fabric or skin, not without significant speed, but the weight and pressure alone are probably starting to feel a little painful. They might leave bruises in their wake, if left like this for much longer. ]
You don't treat people you 'admire' like how you've been treating me. I don't think you admire anyone or anything. You're so up your own ass that all you care about is how great you think you are.
[ Maybe Hiyori can find some small solace in the fact that Fuuta is so focused on him, that bright eye fixed on him with unwavering concentration, that he's not sparing a single thought towards the magpie any more ... or to the sound of other wings flapping. ]
no subject
It was a gamble, what he just did. He didn't know what else to do, and so he banked on the idea that there was some trace of humanity left in there. He didn't have proof, but he did have precedent: during the Springtime game, everyone developed animal characteristics, but he and Jun still retained their humanity despite the physical changes. Still, this was risky. Even assuming this monster business was a similar deal, what's to say that this isn't who Fuuta really is deep down? What if the only reason he doesn't go around attacking people, doesn't kill and maim and violate his way into a completed deck, is due to a lack of opportunity?
But in the immortal words of Grimes, "I know this isn't your heart." And after Fuuta's reaction to his story about Nagisa—that, and some other things that Fuuta has said here and there—Hiyori can't believe him to be a total monster. He still can't do it, even as that monstrous tail digs into his stomach, causing him to wince from discomfort.
His magpie squawks in protest again, seeming ready to give Fuuta some more grief. At the sound of her voice, however, Hiyori releases Fuuta and holds both his arms out.]
Come here.
[He speaks over Fuuta's shoulder, his voice weak due to his stomach being crushed, and the magpie obeys. She dives right for his chest and he catches her, before moving her behind himself. Out of the line of harm. Once that's done, he can finally address Fuuta's words—even though it's hard to form a counter-argument when there's still that hot breath washing over him, that heavy tail pressed into his stomach. He's still scared to the point of near-delirium, which might be why his next words come out even loopier-sounding than usual.]
Yes, yes, you're absolutely right! My personality has all sorts of problems, and it's a wonder I haven't been stabbed yet! My own partner said it, so it must be true! ☆
[He chirps his response, still sounding shrill, still desperate to get out of this situation. He doesn't pay much attention to that second set of wings, either; he's too preoccupied with the monster breathing down his neck. But he has a feeling he can't bluff his way out of this one. All he can do is speak from the heart.
His shoulders sag as he admits,]
I guess I don't blame you for not believing me. I've been performing a self for so long that even I don't know which parts of me are fake and which ones are real.
[A fundamental truth about himself, but one he's only voiced aloud once before.]
It'd be a lie to say I admire you in general. Trying to have a conversation with you feels like being on trial. Except I'm never sure what crime I've committed, or what qualifications the judge has. Still, I did admire you on that day, for what you said about Nagisa-kun. Any friend of his is a friend of mine. Or, well, anyone who sticks up for him is someone I feel grateful to...
[His words are getting all jumbled. He's lighthearted from fear. And he just insulted Fuuta again, even though he'd been trying hard not to. It's not much of an excuse, but it's hard to help himself, sometimes. He thinks cruel thoughts about almost everyone, even his loved ones. And if he tries to hold them in, he just coughs up the venom later. He's a flawed and dirty human being, every bit as "monstrous" as Fuuta is.
But still....]
I do love myself a lot. But I'd still sacrifice my life, my dreams, my future and everything else for the people I love most. Whether or not you believe me, that's the truth.
[Maybe this outrageous claim is made somewhat more plausible by the fact he's shielding a magpie with his trembling body.
And speaking of magpies, that second set of wings has stopped flapping. In its place, a different sort of sound can be heard: an unusual squawk, one that sounds a lot like laughter. Specifically, it sounds like "Gyahahaha."
Sitting on the floor of the treehouse is a second bird. This one is red, with a forked tail and tufts of feathers sticking out around his head. A gold coin from the casino sits in front of him; he collects them and brings them to Hiyori sometimes. But it's out of his mouth now, and so he's free to make that distinctive squawk that resembles his dad's laughter. And what could this bird be laughing about?
Probably the entire scene, to be honest. Here we have Fuuta, the guy his dad lugs around like a potato sack, pretending to be some tough guy. And here we also have Hiyori, his other dad, making some ridiculous speech to try to save his own hide. All the bird can say is "lol." Lmao, even.]
no subject
Whatever appetite he'd had for watching Hiyori quiver like a cornered mouse had already started to wither, but it truly evaporates with the entrance of their special guest. Fuuta's gaze had whipped over at the sound of beating wings, a guttural growl escaping from the back of his throat in preparation to scare off a second magpie before it dive at him. He sure wasn't expecting ... that, instead.
Embers still drifting away from between jagged teeth, Fuuta just stares at the parrot(?) sitting on the floor. Wondering why the hell Hiyori has all these birds hanging around him? What kind of Dosney princess nonsense is that? Actually, more importantly -- is this loser seriously shielding a magpie with his own body? A bird that he hadn't even shown any sign of wanting to hurt?
The tail shoved against Hiyori's stomach had started to ease off, but its weight presses itself into that soft spot as Fuuta looks to him once more. Though -- it's obvious even at a glance that he's lost the momentum of his anger, and it turns out anger, no matter how spiteful, is a lot harder to start back up when it isn't being carried by its own inertia. A few more licks of fire seep out past his lips when he gives an exasperated exhale, but the worst of that crackling fire starts to die down in his throat. Even when he gives a loud click of the tongue, all that escapes him is a brief burst of heat, glossing hot over Hiyori's face one last time. ]
Your priorities are messed up.
[ Finally, the tailtip pulls away from Hiyori's body, giving an admonishing swish through the air as Fuuta glares dourly at him. ]
I wasn't gonna hurt your damn pet. People who abuse animals are trash, I'm not like that. And -- [ Actually, the tailtip's back, poking into Hiyori's sternum to emphasize his point. But not too hard this time, just hard enough to make his point. ] -- that guy's your friend, not mine. You should have been the one to stand up for him. It's messed up that I had to say anything to defend him. You get it? If you wanna call him your friend, then you should've fought for him. Some friend you are.
[ Ugh. Why does he even need to say this stuff out loud. Isn't it obvious? It's ridiculous, that he's needing to say this to some asshole who's ostensibly a working professional, or whatever? No wonder the news back home was always going on about messed up stuff happening in the entertainment industry.
Fuuta gives one more disgruntled huff as he finally eases his weight back off from Hiyori, tail returning behind his back as he sits back on his haunches to stare at that red bird. ]
You're such a pain. Not worth the effort of actually messing with.
no subject
Go away! Shoo! Now isn't the time...!
[He whispers some weak instructions to the red fork-tailed magpie (can this variety be found in nature? Survey says no!). But the magpie doesn't listen, which is no surprise; he inherited both his dads' stubborness, after all. The magpie just sits there, still squawking up a storm from the treehouse floor. But perhaps there's a purpose behind it, just as the real Rinne Amagi and the real Hiyori Tomoe often have a method to their madness. Perhaps he was trying to break the uncomfortable tension that's settled over the treetop.
If so, he ultimately succeeds. Hiyori's fears don't come true; Fuuta doesn't lash his tail or shoot flames out at the new bird. The tail presses in harder and he feels a few more fiery breaths wash over his face, the combined sensations from both causing him to squeeze his eyes shut, gritting his teeth. But nothing else happens. After that, Fuuta...
... eases off?
The tail moves off his stomach, and he gasps in some air. His eyes blink open, and he sees Fuuta give him an admonishing look, hears him issue some pithy remark. Which he follows by clarifying that he would never hurt his "damn pet."
Now, Hina-chan—that's the first magpie!—isn't just a "pet." She's the daughter he raised together with Jun-kun! Which, well... he supposes that does make her a pet, but she symbolizes more than just that for them! She... er... what does she symbolize again?
It doesn't matter. Fuuta just said people who abuse animals are "trash." And that means only one thing: the monster stuff didn't spread to his brain. The guy who stands for justice, however grumpily, is back!]
...... right, of course you weren't going to!
[Hiyori's face lights right up. He's beaming: from happiness, and from intense, delirious relief! Not even another lecture about being a better friend to Nagisa could diminish that smile. On the contrary, he's delighted to hear it!]
You're absolutely right, of course. But you know, we do have a pretty good relationship. Before we left, we celebrated Christmas together at the office, just the two of us! And this one time, he was playing a game on TV, and they gave him one phone call to strategize, but he used it to call me and wish me a good night! And he still holds my hand sometimes, even though we're not kids! ♪
[All those happy memories tumble from his mouth one after the other. It sounds like he's bragging, and he is bragging, but he just can't help it. He's so happy to be alive! To breathe air and talk and live!]
Not that any of that makes up for what happened on that day, of course. But like I said, he got his revenge~♪ And he did it in a way that was totally befitting of him...
[Ah. His heart really does swell when he thinks about how much Nagisa has grown. From that child who couldn't understand anything he taught him, to someone who can pull one over on him.
Not that Fuuta probably cares. He's turned away and is watching the second magpie. Hiyori straightens up himself, sitting more comfortably on the cushions, wincing a bit as he readjusts. His magpie creeps up onto his shoulder, and he turns his head, nuzzling against her beak.
As for the "Gyahaha"-ing magpie? That one snorts again and then makes a cooing sound, as if to jeer, "Awww, a happy ending~♪ Really warms yer heart, doesn't it?"]
You can hold a hand out if you want.
[Hiyori helpfully speaks up.]
He doesn't bite too hard. But he likes to make a nest of people's hair, so be careful.
no subject
I'm not interested in playing with your little pets.
[ Though he's not about to hurt any animals if he can help it, Fuuta's not really an animal lover, either. And while maybe at another time, under different circumstances, he would have grudgingly spared a few minutes to get to know those birds ... right now, he doesn't have much patience for their antics. Not to mention -- ]
And don't go getting carried away just 'cause I said you're not worth messing with. I still don't like you. You're still annoying. [ Those shitty remarks are accompanied by stray embers floating off his tongue, his next breath huffed hot as he fixes Hiyori with a hard stare. ] So stop bragging about your friends, or whatever.
[ Maybe it's cruel of him to squelch Hiyori's good mood like this, but -- he can't help feeling like that's unfair. It's unfair that Hiyori has people who seem to love him so much. It's unfair that Hiyori can act so selfish and obnoxious and annoying but still have people who'll stick by him. It's unfair that Hiyori gets to keep his head high in such delusional fashion despite having made his own mistakes. ... in Fuuta's eyes, it's unfair that Hiyori has so much of what he craves but can never keep for long. What's always slipping away from him despite his best efforts at doing the right thing seems to come to Hiyori effortlessly, and a part of him can't stand that injustice.
He'd been staring resentfully at Hiyori for a moment after saying that shitty remarks -- the sheer magnitude of the sullen emotions in his gaze maybe indicative of what exactly his problem with Hiyori is -- but Fuuta looks away afterward with a click of the tongue. ]
You're still gonna help me get out of here. If you cooperate, I'll take you with me, and you can go cower in your room or whatever. That works out for both of us, doesn't it? Win-win.
no subject
True to his word, however, Fuuta doesn't harm the bird. He just won't engage with him, either, which Hiyori supposes is fair enough. The red magpie, however, proceeds to squawk in response to Fuuta's words: another string of chirps that sound like "Gyahaha!," followed by some indistinct cheeping. If you asked ChirpGPT to translate those cheeps into human speak, they'd probably sound something like "Yer a tsundere as always, Fuu-chan!" But neither one of them can understand bird, so who's to say?
In any case, the bird flies off, presumably in search of more shiny things. Hiyori calls after him:]
Be careful! Stick to the ceilings!
[And then he watches it fly off. It's a tad nerve-wracking, letting the bird go with all these monsters on the loose. But he has a feeling this particular bird will be fine; he's more nervous about letting go of Hina-chan. But for the time being, she stays perched on his shoulder, so he'll cross that bridge when he gets to it.
... and now back to Fuuta.
After calling him out on being annoying, Fuuta tells him to stop bragging about his friends "or whatever." It's not enough to offend him or completely sour his mood; he's still glad to be alive! But Hiyori watches his face for a moment, and as he does so, he notices that Fuuta no longer looks "monstrous." He looks more like a sullen child. And that observation, combined with Fuuta's last words, lead him to a certain conclusion.
Is Fuuta jealous that he has someone like Nagisa in his life? Someone to hold hands with, who wishes him goodnight?
That's what it seems like. Given Fuuta's personality and his eye situation, it wouldn't be a huge surprise if he's not the most popular. Still, Hiyori thinks, he must have someone who cares for him here, whether he's noticed it or not. Like that Tohsaka girl. She might be secretly in love with him! But even if she's not, she still showed concern for him. And he knows several people who've found love here: Weiss, Topaz—even Esikko-kun, who's probably the most pitiful person in the whole resort. Even Kirma-kun, Esikko's kidnap-happy dog, is apparently dating someone! If he can find love, anyone can!
He does know better than to open his mouth and say any of that, though. Wisely, he keeps silent, until Fuuta gets them back on track by broaching the question of how they'll escape the Vale. He wants Hiyori's help—or rather, he wants them to work together. Hiyori wouldn't object to that, even if he was in a position to do so, but...]
That's fine, of course. But what sort of help are you looking for? Normally I'd volunteer to create a diversion, but in this case, I'm sort of worried I'll get attacked.
[Fuuta, who has that spiked tail and can apparently breathe fire, is better at defending himself. Hiyori, on the other hand, is a mere human, and it's so dark in the Vale he can hardly see.
Yet right as he has that last thought, something happens: a third pair of wings flaps towards the treehouse. He watches as another familiar face enters through the treehouse door: a third magpie, with an elegant curved beak, green with a patch of purple feathers around its throat, its plumage shiny and sleek. Like, literally shiny. It sparkles in the dark, that plumage does. It's his third bird: the one who was born to him and Vil Schoenheit!]
Hm? Goodness, everyone's out today!
[He stretches out an arm, and the bird perches on his hand, depositing something shiny into it. (It looks like a sparkly nail decal.) Much as he loves spending time with his magpies, he knows Fuuta won't be amused by this turn of events. He needs to think of how they can escape here.
And then, looking at his magpie's shiny plumage, something occurs to him.]
... that's it!
[He whirls his head towards Fuuta.]
He could light the way for us! ♪ Or, actually, he might be able to help create a diversion. Nothing that would put him in harm's way, of course. But maybe if he sang...
[At these words, however, Hina-chan pipes up. Squawk squawk squawk squawk. It sounds a lot like she's volunteering to distract the guards and the other monsters, too! Even Hiyori, who can't speak bird, can tell that's what she's getting at! But she's his precious daughter, and his face turns a bit grim.]
Well, I know you can sing too, but...
[... But he's ridiculously protective of her, Fuuta should be able to infer.]
no subject
For better or worse, it is only greeted with an unimpressed stare, followed by a deadpan: ]
What the hell are you talking about. Of course you're going to be the distraction.
[ To his meager credit, it isn't even like Fuuta's deliberately trying to put Hiyori in danger ... this time. For now. But his tail swishes around, shifting positions before resuming that rhythmic tapping against the floor as he elaborates. ]
I mean, I guess your little birds can distract the other people who've been transformed, if you want? But they're not the thing getting in my way here. It's the staff -- if I try to leave, they'll all yell at me, and poke at me with sticks, and whatever else to get me to stay. I could probably scare them off if I really tried, but that could get annoying, and I don't want a bunch of'em chasing after me. So they've got me stuck here unless I wanna deal with all that, and that's what I'm sick of. It's boring here, I wanna be back out on the floors.
[ His hunger for excitement is leaking through, lending his words an especially hasty, impatient edge, and Fuuta's next huffed exhale is accompanied by a burst of stray embers puffing from past his lips before he continues. ]
And you're gonna be the best way to distract them. Like, are you stupid? Isn't that obvious? They won't care as much about some sparkly bird, but you're decently ranked, aren't you? Like you keep rubbing in my face. [ Yes, he says that last part with a bit of spiteful venom creeping into his voice. ] So once we're near the gates, you kick up a fuss with them -- and I don't really care how. Bitch at them, or say you'll put on a show, or whatever. Do some idol stuff. And while they're distracted, I'll slip out. And then you can leave, too, because there's no reason they'll wanna keep you here, since you're not transformed. That's good for you too, isn't it? So you won't be stuck here pissing yourself the moment someone else finds you. Got it, dumbass?
[ At least there's some sort of salient through line to what he's saying, even if it's being more abrasive about it than is really necessary. ]
no subject
... wait.]
You want me to distract the staff?
[That's not what he expected, judging from the confused look on his face. But Fuuta is more than happy to elaborate, explaining that the staff are the ones getting in the way of him leaving. Apparently they don't want monsters roaming the halls. Which is a surprise, considering they're agents of an evil entity! But he guesses he can see where the monster infestation would interfere with normal operations.
He can ignore the "Are you stupid?" comment given the circumstances. He does, however, interject when Fuuta makes the comment about him rubbing his higher rank in his face. He arches and eyebrow and asks,]
When did I do that? Do you mean when I called myself "head servant"? That was just me trying to take responsibility!
[However poorly that worked out. But he does listen to the rest of what Fuuta's saying, pulling a bit of a face when Fuuta addresses him as "Dumbass" at the end. Still, he has no real objections to Fuuta's plan.]
My rank isn't that high, you know. But that all sounds fine by me. Whatever my rank might be, I'm good at getting people's eyes on me. You saw for yourself during that lawn game! ♪
[He reminds Fuuta with a smile.]
I just don't want to become monster chow, so I will need help getting past the monsters. My birds might be able to distract some of them, but they're delicate little things. Unlike you, who's big, strong, and tough! So, you protect me from the monsters, and I'll distract the guards! ♪ That sounds like a fair exchange, doesn't it?
[Both of the magpies start to chirp again, likely assuring him that they'll be OK and they're not that delicate. But he doesn't know what they're saying, so for now he just strokes their little heads.]