【 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 in our parking garage for all new arrivals. We aim to have all guests moved into their reserved rooms as soon as possible. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience!
All are invited to There Is No Tomorrow, a Phoenix Casino soiree to celebrate our beloved guests. The festivities will begin at 1800 hours on January 20th and end at 1800 hours on January 27th. Please look forward to 168 hours of delight.
In an effort to raise happiness and encourage better guest relationships, attendance is required. The house will assist guests that are too shy to appear of their own accord. Please note that black tie attire is mandatory. As always, we hope you enjoy your stay! 】
PARKING GARAGE
ANY CAR IN A STORM
PHOENIX CASINO HALL
WELCOME TO THE NEXT 168 HOURS
Phoenix Casino is a-flutter with activity and packed to the beak with guests. As a famously ever-changing space, the staff would be remiss if they didn't deck the crown jewel of the Golden Peacock out. The casino glitters from top to bottom, shining brighter than diamonds, rubies, sapphires, opals! Party-goers are shiny and glamorous with picture perfect makeup, fluttering gowns, and sharp suits. Card tables are packed and the slot machines are a-ringing as guests play, play, play! Prizes, luxury, booze, attractive people, it's the place that everyone wants to be at.
Those people being dragged inside by some invisible force...? Silly, they were so excited to come that their bodies moved before they realized what was happening. Those are struggles of joy and definitely not the casino's infamous ghost hands dragging unwilling guests to the party at the behest of the house. Look, they're literally hurling their bodies at the card tables with unrestrained glee!
All clocks indicating day hours and night hours have been removed from the casino. Once a guest has entered, their Watch will jam, making it impossible to keep track of the time. You don't need to worry about that tonight.
▶ 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 January event.
▶ 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. This month we also have an ongoing ATP / EMP where players can connect. Please feel free to utilize this for all of your peafowl needs!
▶ 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.
▶ 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.
[ Mixed signals are this one's middle name. One minute he's full of toothy smiles and in the next, the claws come out. All it takes is a minor act of defiance for J to drop the grin in order to send someone's head rolling in the most literal sense.
Whatever mood the present atmosphere had shifted into, that audible growl cuts through to the center of it and gives even J a momentary pause. That's one formidable gut, if it's capable of spoiling the thick layer of flirtation typically capable of reducing most people to Jell-O. Not in this instance, apparently. ]
I hate to break it to you, but everything in this place runs the risk of being tampered with in some fashion. Not only the food. [ J drops the sultry act, resuming his full height as he withdraws from Nova's personal space quickly as he'd intruded upon it in the first place. His attention shifts elsewhere as someone falls through the air only to crash into a group of party-goers once the gravity-defying beverage they'd consumed earlier finally wears off. It's a spectacle that stirs up quite the commotion and sends food and drink scattered everywhere. J doesn't do more than return his attention to the demon at his side and jerk a thumb back towards the crowd, as the chaos offers up the perfect example. ]
If you're lucky, some other fool will test out just what effects those might be before you find out the hard way. [ Have fun finding out if anyone else here is chowing down on whichever tasty morsel you've got your eye on, Nova. Maybe if you follow them around long enough they can unwittingly play the role of guinea pig in this experiment and fill you in on what's spiked or not. ]
[ Though he's more or less finally dredged himself up into a seat, the bed's got an allure to it that's hard to break free of. (Or he could just be tired. Hard to say what's what at this juncture.) Easing back, he rests his shoulders against the headboard, blanket still modestly pulled up over his belly. He's still not the best at eye contact, hair naturally sweeping over the unkind reflectiveness of his pupils, but he does cant his head at her, knowing. ]
Sounds like something that someone who doesn't get thanked enough would say. [ Cheek begets cheek. He does look aside again, not ready to contest that point in earnest. ] Duly noted, though. I'll try not to dramatically keel over on you like this too often.
[ Okay, fine, she'll leave her dress alone! It stays intact...for now, but given a reason, she will absolutely tear it off. Except for maybe the reasons most people hear would tear off a dress...she's still acclimating.
She huffs a sheepish laugh. ] It's that obvious? Yeah, I'm part of the Parking Lot Brigade. [ No one is calling it that but her. ] Anyway, isn't that kind of overkill? I mean...I don't need drugs to make me want sex.
[ She says that with such confidence you'd think she has a lot more experience than she does, but she's as shameless as ever. Maybe she should be a little more apprehensive, but she'll leave the caution to Dan Heng. She'll eat and drink whatever she wants! ...Eventually. ]
What other advice do you have? I'm all ears.
[ And temporarily forgetting about learning to ride the motorcycle. ]
[ She will talk about things hanging all she wants... :cat_hehe:
His display of cloudhymn magic is at least diverting enough that she stops thinking about his abs for a few moments, grinning as he draws the water free of her robe and it springs back to its formerly fluffy self. Now she actually might get out of the hot tub again...otherwise, she would have simply remained here to prune up forever.
It's still tempting...it really does feel good. ]
You said it... [ She tips her head back, stretching her arms behind her head. ] We put in a hard day of work! [ it was like an hour ] And it's not like we've exactly had a lot of time to rest on Amphoreus.
[ So she'll take the chance for a break for what it is...even if it's going to be a messy one. Her brows draw together, thoughtful. ]
Still...it kinda feels like another shoe is just waiting to drop. There has to be some kind of catch, right?
stelle can't go for the trash if robin's already there
( ... she won't say anything about the chocolate syrup... surely licking it off of her own fingers would satisfy the requirement of "using" it, no? robin won't think too hard about it, and save stelle her innocence for the small price of an unfulfilled dream.
in any case, a fire is a thought... but not one they can think about for very long when the fire's already snuffed and sputtering out by some less than divine intervention. apparently ghost hands (read: ... the casino staff) will do the work of deterring accidental arson. they're just not nearly kind enough to actually fix the machine. )
Death-defying stunts on wheels would get the blood pumping...
I can't blame you for feeling a little hot, to say such a thing.
( not that she's sure she can trust the water of the pool somehow... or if she could wear a swimsuit without it seeming like she's trying to draw the eye... among other things a popstar thinks about when "swimsuit magazine" brings with it all kinds of weird media baggage that she really should learn to stop thinking about when no one really seems to know her here. in any case, stelle's not dwelling on it, so robin shouldn't either. )
Though you're in luck. I won't ruin the surprise, but perhaps the chocolate syrup isn't such a lost cause after all. ( as she extends a gloved hand, palm turned upward. honestly. if they link their arms, perhaps the ghosts will leave them alone long enough to duck towards the lounging areas. ) Shall we?
You're still better at all that kind of stuff than I am.
[lil' miss honor student. of course she'd take the lead to get off this bus and head out; he doesn't mind it, though, falling into step after her with a slightly awkward gait. hard not to feel a little exposed like this.]
Figure you're right, though. If nothing else, we oughta get the lay of the land-- or the, ah, garage?
[ If nothing else, catching the thief would give them the time to figure out what's going on, because it would mean Stelle is no longer distracted by her self-appointed task. She kinda doesn't want to process what she'd heard from the valet about the resort yet, so all the better to throw herself wholly into something like this instead, right?
Especially with a reliable ally by her side. Stelle steps aside so Feixiao can get out of the car, bouncing lightly on her heels. She knew she asked the right person for help! (Never mind all the people she accosted before she got to Feixiao's car.) ]
There's someone stealing parts from these vehicles. I dunno why, since the valet said they can't leave, but we can't let them get away with it! [ ... ] And there's reward money.
[oh, buddy. he throws his human arm around his unsteady colleague, before he makes more of a mess than he already has with the card tower...
come on. time to steer a soggy man away from the games. at least gregor's a very convenient height for leaning on, speaking of short people.]
Just where'd all that complainin' about height come from anyway? You're not so short from where I'm standing, bud... or is that just what they mean when they talk about really feeling for the little guy?
[ it might be at her expense, but she can't help the laugh that bubbles up in pleasant surprise at his cheek. he's called it, of course, and she probably deserved that, too. ]
Why, I don't know what you mean, [ she says, innocently, blinking her big blue eyes at him. she knows exactly what he means. ] You wouldn't happen to know someone like that, would you?
[ well, he probably does. that's why he's read her to rights so easily, isn't it? or it could just be that she's simply very obvious. what's less obvious is his avoidant gaze, easier to go unnoticed earlier when he was on the cusp of going back to sleep, but now it almost makes him seem... shy, perhaps? she won't push it, but she does scoot over to sit next to him at the headboard, shoulder to shoulder. ]
Even if you did, that's all right. But I do hope the next time I see you, it'll be because you'd like my company.
[ well guess she ruined the chance at civil conversation by being a bastard, but what else is new. ]
Who's screaming and yapping, exactly? I might be a bitch, but I'll only accept that from cute girls, grazie mille. [ and he's neither. she could speculate that he's some common criminal up to no good from the sheer look of him, not to judge a book by its cover, so surely nobody will care if he goes missing right?
or if he's crushed underwheel to mashed plant pulp, right??? she does flinch a little when that vine hits with force enough to crush a part of the hood in, but... you know what, that's fine with her. she might be weaponsless in this, wherever this is, but she is in the driver's seat of a massive hummer right now. and vehicles are some of her favorite weapons. ]
Ehi, stronzo. You're the one who broke the window of my new ride so rudely and now you've damaged her even more! [ a pat to the car, as if in sympathy. ] I'm going to give you until three to kiss her wheels in forgiveness before she gives you a sweet little love tap in return. One, two--
[ but even before three her foot goes on the gas. just one little crash into the plant man! just a little crash, just to teach him a lesson. well it depends if he panics or runs or slips or something and gets something vital crushed under the wheels. ]
[he has the decency not to call fuuta on it, at least, but the corner of his mouth twitches up a bit more as he watches that reaction. see? nobody likes bugs.]
Lil' bit younger than she'd be, then... not by much.
[(twenty... three by now? four? it's difficult to keep track at times.)
the card comes out, and as fuuta buries his face in his hands, gregor does his very best to stifle a chuckle. oh, no. ohhh, of course some are that way.]
Getting a little personal there, eh? No shame in not wanting to say it.
Now what exactly do you mean by that? I did only request that you put this on for me, didn't I?
[ whatever left unsaid would totally be covered by plausible deniability, surely. and in any case she isn't the one requiring a sex act to be done! this could be taken up by the house if anything.
but in the meantime her black-clawed hands go to the hem of her dress; one talon casually cuts a slice into the fabric, then smoothly opening a long slit up the side and length of the gown. precise and flowing, practically as if tailored--and for the primary purpose of access. ]
[ she takes his hands without hesitation, wrapping her fingers around his and marveling at how warm they feel even through his gloves. heedless of the way the other guests look at him, she does her best to pull herself closer towards him as much as she can; he may be tall, but it doesn't mean she can't attempt to make it easier for him.
right now, he's the only one who has reached for her at all, and that's more than she could say for everyone else. ]
I thought the champagne would be safe! But it looks like I should have stuck with water instead.
[ give her a moment to button up her exposed chest because whew, that felt way longer than it actually is. but no, ishmael's played these games before. not the exact game per se, but the principle of the thing. it will always get worse, trust.
let's see, whose turn is it next? right, her turn. she gives herself another couple of seconds to recompose before picking up the dice and rolls. a 5 and a 6 respectively means caress elbow, which is pretty much a well-needed breather after being under texas's teeth twice already. ]
All right, give me it. [ her elbow, that is. ] You're not going to concede defeat either, aren't you? Figures.
[ she did enjoy texas's company, likeminded as they seem to be, but ishmael can afford to be snarky over this. all she wanted is that payout, man, it didn't have to be so complicated... ]
[ curt and no-nonsense, just like that. sorry, but she's not really here for small talk, not when a very importantly memento of hers is missing. she scours the trunk for anything that resembles rope of ribbons but comes up with nothing.
sighs. ]
Nothing. I'll have to go check the other car. [ she turns to the man abruptly. ] You can go on ahead. I'm going to be here for a long while.
[It's a futile bout of tug of war that he's doomed to lose. Though he tries to keep the cuff attached to his wrist discreetly hidden, where one arm goes the other must follow. The chain between them goes taut and his wrist is tugged upward. He gives Gojo a pointed look, then lifts his hand higher, over the edge of the bar, and places it atop Gojo's. He doesn't attempt to yank both their hands back down, but he is, briefly, tempted.
To anyone looking they would probably come across as either a face card laying claim to a mid-ranked plaything or an older man jealously guarding the attention of a pretty youth—neither interpretation is desirable. What he really doesn't want is to cause a scene, so he keeps his voice to a low murmur.]
If I want? If you're good, I'll consider it.
[The suggestion is not without some appeal, provided they can find a more private location to slip away to. The months—coming up on a year soon enough, what a horrible thought—that he's spent here have chipped away some of his reserve, but he still prefers to keep bedroom games in the bedroom. Or at least not right in the middle of a crowded casino. He glances at his half-finished drink, coming to a decision before flagging down the bartender.]
Whisky highball and a chocolate martini.
[The latter is his best guess at something sweet enough that Gojo won't wrinkle his nose at it. Once the bartender turns away again to start mixing the drinks, he tips his head at Gojo. Casually conspiratorial,]
Start by finding the least populated section of the casino.
[ An unfamiliar voice rouses Lighter a little better than his own fussing does, a soft, wakening electricity flooding his body. Rearing up from his pillow prison, he's met with another pair of green eyes, skin dark and pearly beneath lower lashes. He squints as if seeing any better will make the words clearer through the aching thud of his pulse. It doesn't. Because — no wonder he hadn't sensed anything amiss... she's so petite that she barely makes a dent in the mattress.
Already, he's a few steps behind when his bedmate goes scuttling over on quiet footsteps to investigate. That she has to bring half the sheets with her to stay decent makes him realize he's similarly in his overwarm skin and nothing else. The back of his neck heats, that blanched-hot prickle of anxiety. ]
Yeah... [ A rusty timbre, gripped by bad sleep. He clears it quietly and pulls himself up, blanket slipping over harsh muscle and dark scars. There's a flicker to his glance as he considers the room he's pretty sure he went to bed alone in, a sort of awkwardness to his demeanor at the second of her comments. ] They sure do think of everything. But uh... is that the truth, or are you just saying that to keep with the vibe?
[ Eyeing the bottle, he relents, popping the cap and tipping two of the painkillers into his palm. He lifts his hand as if to toast. ]
[ he does look like he needed the rest, yeah. all of them were all tuckered out from that party, after all.
too bad ishmael doesn't give a fuck bc she didn't have her chardev from her other game. who the hell even is this guy and why does she care? she's just going to gather up all her hair and pull them from underneath him, and if that's not enough, she's just going to start prying his clingy hands off of her. please king what if she gotta pee (she don't gotta pee actually) ]
[ It's a warm pair of emerald eyes that lift to meet his when the question is asked; truth be told, Aerith hasn't quite decided for whom or what she's looking; she's still adjusting in fact to the knowledge that looking is something she needs to do, now that she's stepped into this room.
Curiosity, as they say, will kill the cat—or, at the very least, land said cat with a card reading "dominant" tagged to the front of her overly-froufrou, overly-uncomfortable dress.
Which, she supposes, means she is the person looking for him.
This is not a game Aerith is used to playing, but she's been given her role now, so...
She reaches a hand toward him, her smile kind even as she lifts her chin a little, squares her shoulders, tries to carry Tseng in the way she walks and moves. ]
[ Lighter knows how to woo an audience, but his damsel is a bit of a tougher sell, it seems. Ah, well. He's not one to really drag someone else around on his dashing, creative endeavors if they're not amenable. Already, the little gathering is dispersing, lulled back to the immediacy of their own vices. And Lighter is nothing if not typically obedient to a stern order. ]
No problem. Here.
[ Bowing slightly, he tips Sunday's back upwards against the breadth of his arm to let him down. Only when he starts to slip his opposite arm loose from under his knees, he finds that the other man lifts into the air again, light as a feather.
On instinct, Lighter hooks his arm back under his knees and tugs him down into his arms. ]
...uh. On second thought, why don't I hang onto you for a little bit?
[ Breaking out the baby blues on him... low blow. ]
Nope. [ Pithy, the slightest bit playful. Knowing that they both know, but not copping to it. ] Just an observation.
[ Which is true, but only half the story. It seems she's willing to accept that much, at the very least — Lighter momentarily stills at her delicate weight settling next to him as an answer, the brush of his skin scorching against her fluffy robe. It's a heat too clear and too deliberate, not dense or muddled enough to read as a fever or a flush. ]
I like your company now. [ It tumbles out of his mouth before he can consciously reconcile why. ...Usually, he'd make a break for it at this point, but here... there's no where to go. ] ...So, can't imagine that'll change much between now and next time.
There is no universe where Ishmael isn't attractive, don't worry. As far as the Originium crystals go, their surfaces catch light just enough to reflect faint, subdued shines. Unassuming at first glance, but not without their own allure to those who may be unfamiliar. It might even seem like he's proud of them.
Either way, I'm steering this to something shorter you can't stop me!! ]
I see. I wonder if someone might be able to make a request on your behalf?
[ He pulls his hands back, forming a makeshift frame with his fingers, one eye closing as he studies her through the improvised shape. A little like he's imagining the headband on her, while an amused smile tugs at his mouth. It does sound cute, but at least he holds back the laugh. ]
Say, it might be more worthwhile to deal with other players than the house itself. You may not be able to escape their game completely, but every board does have its loopholes or quirks. You just have to find them.
From my experience, water is the safer bet. I haven't had any run in's with the worst of it, per-say....but I can assume that it gets worse than that.
(good, she got his hands in hers. for that, karna pulls her close, there's some care in his pull and him being considerate. from what he perceives, he perceives what feels like a gentle soul. someone that worries him greatly for being in the environment of the golden peacock. would this young lady be fine? he isn't so certain, karna can only assume that she's stronger than she might look. because of that, he shouldn't judge based off the first impressions he's getting due to what he can see.
what he can feel, while helping her to stand up right. he isn't letting go of her hands (or her truthfully) as a means of helping to prevent mercedes from floating away again. warm heat flows through his body, something in a gentle caress of flame, while maintaining a distance. a ferocity, but not. she's new, which is what karna can guess. just as he had been during october with the monsters.)
I was told that food and drink can carry nasty surprises, perhaps even that drug the guests are smoking together might, too.
(he can help, if a little knowing someone else deserves this kindness he grants preciously.)
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peacockstop2025-01-15 09:00 pm
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