【 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.
[Naoto really wanted to point out that she'd only been here a few hours. How she'd woken up, alone and trapped in wardrobe, then forced to attend this party.
But Rise was starting to cry so it wasn't the time. Naoto, still very slowly, rubbed at Rise's back. Her hand only just brushing against the fabric of her dress. Look, it'd helped calm Teddie down.
But then Naoto was pulling back, frowning as she looked at Rise's face.]
( well that was most certainly interesting to learn. given his cooler, more level headed approach to the situation it almost came across as if he had been here some time. used to the ridiculousness of this place, the luxuries, no longer phased-
to hear the truth almost made her laugh out of the sheer silliness of the whole thing. truly it just showed her just how inexperienced she was with actually living. all she knew was her job, being a singer and a celebrity, and nothing else.
and as she ate away at her food, one bite at a time, she kept her gaze on him and listened intently. once the last bite was swallowed down, she set the remaining piece of bacon onto the plate and picked up a napkin to wipe her hands clean. once her delicate and long fingers were cleaned up, she reached for his free hand with both of hers, holding it close. )
I think I could benefit from that, especially given the nature of this place. I’ll scratch your back and you scratch mine sort of deal?
( whatever that really meant considering she had a thing for dads after all. )
[ Sylvain is definitely among those who prefers to look out for the new arrivals. he'd stumbled so much through his first few weeks here, trying to understand this world and all the rules in these games. He didn't really wish that on anyone. Especially when there were so many who looked so deeply out of their league.
He spots that faint flush on the man's cheeks and his lips quirk faintly at that confession. because yes, he'd sort of guessed that. not that he tells the other man about that - he didn't want him more embarrassed over that - especially when it was nothing to be ashamed of. ]
That's alright. Many don't, when they first arrive. [ he had, but that was a different problem entirely. ] You can take your time and find out what you're comfortable with. Yes, this place is very... focused, on the theme it presents. The games it plays. But despite all that, it is meant to be enjoyed. Experienced. Explored. The resort sometimes just gets a little... over-eager in its encouragement for us to play.
[ Which is a tactful way of saying if they don't initiate enough themselves, the House isn't above stepping up to take matters into its own hands. If it had hands. ]
Would you like some more experience or is that part still firmly in the 'too overwhelming' column?
I wouldn't think so, neither. [what, not one for his quiet tone and western charms? Concord rolls his shoulders before crossing his arms over his chest,]
Could carry you somewhere less rowdy. Over to the medbay or back to your room, if you even got one of those. Chivalrous-like. [his way of saying not coming on to you because it's not like she's in any state to have a good time with. Concord just can't resist helping someone if he's able, real bleeding heart of a fella]
[ Like most youkai, Seimei tends to measure the world in terms of what can be eaten. Everyone in the world belongs to the natural order and must be predator or prey eventually. At least, those are the laws in the spirit realm. He probably shouldn't apply that logic to a complete stranger, but she seems to agree on some level. ]
That's a little extreme, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were true. They didn't bring us here by accident, right? So they're taking something...
[ Seimei picks up a morsel of food from Red's plate and grins as he holds it up. ]
They seem more interested in what we can provide while alive rather than making a meal out of us. We're just here to be willing participants. We provide a special service, you know?
[ He shouldn't look that amused by it, but he gives her a vulpine grin as he eats the stolen food. ]
["anything," she says. . . and Akira huffs out an amused laugh followed by an apologetic smile]
I suppose I can work with that. Give me a couple minutes.
[a hum, and his gaze starts sweeping across the area, keen and observant. let's see. . . he'll need a distraction. a couple making out on top of a card table? an older gentleman drunkenly dancing with a house plant? nah. too tame. the staff won't even blink an eye. he'll need something else. . .]
And no, I haven't. I just got here. [a few . . days? possibly? ago?? it's hard to tell with how time has seemingly stopped in this party] But I do like to think of myself as adaptable.
Only when it means I'm being a pain in the ass for the other guy in the room.
[OKAY MAYBE HE'LL CHILL A LITTLE NOW. at any rate, he shifts the gear of the car into drive and starts propelling it forward, maneuvering around the other fancy ones parked around them]
As soon as he feels himself begin to lift back up, Sunday's gloved hand finds the man's collar, tethering himself reflexively in place until those arms collect him once more. It is a curse of some kind, clearly — an affliction of what he's imbibed that won't wear off so soon. The only person he can blame is himself. And he does, ruthlessly.]
... Let's get out of the crowd. [Another quiet murmur of instruction. There's some mercy to the waning attention on them, but Sunday won't take any chances.] Over there. Those private booths.
[He hasn't forgotten that he was rescued, even if it was done in an extremely flashy way, so with some reticence:]
[ Yeah, he is that for certain. he'd apologize, but he's never really sorry for that part.
He watches with baited breath as the tower wobbles but lucky for her, it doesn't fall. Which just means he's now the one with the precarious choice.
Although he's chuckling about her tent statement, even as he considers the tower. ]
Oh, a tent's much easier. Unless they've already slipped in the front. Then you're screwed. [ Nope. Not explaining that one either. Or why it definitely sounds like he's speaking from experience.
Her question and the resulting answer does get an interested look, even as he gives a quiet laugh. ]
You would definitely not like my homeland, then. Gautier territory is among the coldest in Faerghus. The southerners always complain about it, when they've visited.
[ He reaches for a card, pauses to consider, then goes for another that looks far safer. He holds his breath as he slides it out, but other than a faint wobble, it looks as if that had been a safe one.
His expression when he reads it, however, makes his face twist in a mix of amusement and confusion. ]
How do you like to spend a rainy day? Really? Well, not in it, for one. I'm not really a fan of rainy days in general. But I guess, if I had to choose something... somewhere quiet with a chessboard, probably. And a hot cup of tea. And some entertaining company - if only because chess can get dreadfully boring if you're only playing yourself.
I hope so, too. [ Even if he doesn't sound all that optimistic about it. Fodlan had been a mess. But Byleth had always been a wildcard in their past, and it seems that she was still. Even if he didn't understand how or why.
As for that question, he gives a thoughtful hum, because it's a good question. ]
Well, this might not make sense without context, but... I enjoy the fact that no one knows who I am. It doesn't matter who I am. I don't have a reputation preceding me, or a title that defines me. Traps me, honestly. I'm just one among many other "guests" here, and my position, my rank, my reputation - it's gained or lost through my efforts. What I want to define myself as.
It may sound silly to some, saying the thing I appreciate most is just being no one special, someone ordinary here, but... it's something I never got to enjoy back home. It's a sort of freedom all its own.
[How very like Aventurine to avoid the question. Has he forgotten that Sunday doesn't need a game at all to learn the truth he wants? Yet even with the Harmony once more on his side, in his own repentance for his transgressions against THEM — he feels no desire to wield that power. The opportunity is here; they are close enough, and he has the words in his mind, affixed like a knife in his hand. But he doesn't.
He tells himself this is because of their changed circumstances. Penacony is not here, and neither are his obligations as Oak Family Head. And then there is that nebulous debt to the IPC itself.]
... [His Watch rings out; he checks it carefully, frown forming a deeper groove on his mouth when he sees the increase to his account. Not your filthy gambling money.......] I see.
[So if he refuses to answer, he'll lose what meager currency he possesses. Aventurine's deposit will allow one denial, to return those chips.]
Haaah? You think any slut worth their coin would get a tease outta a freak like you?? Here I thought I was dreamin', but you're delusional!
[He's only JUST met Lappland, knows nothing about her, but immediately decides fuck this--dog? Person? He's truly not sure! Regardless of attractiveness, he can't help trade an insult for insult. He sticks out his tongue, raising that vine in the air again.]
You must be off yer rocker if you think I'm gettin' on my knees to kiss some hunk of meta--[Oops, he doesn't finish that retort.
He's not expecting something so big to be so fast, so when she hits the gas, she gets a direct fucking hit to his torso, sending him flying into one of those parking lot pillars. It cracks some, and honestly he would have been thrown even further if his vine hadn't got caught in the hummer's wheels. They may be squealing as they get all tied up, but either way, give Chobe....just a moment. There may be a lot of blood on the concrete, but it's fine. It's tooootally fine.]
( does he know? truthfully he knows so little when it comes to the sorts of human emotion and desires that are typically funneled into music and song. love is certainly of the most common themes he's heard, although world peace....?
his brow furrows as he considers this. )
World peace certainly is a most important subject. Most nations do seek to strive towards peacetime if possible.
( a very serious answer for a very serious man. it makes him seem even more out of place in this ballroom full of revelry and debauchery. but his expression lightens a little, voice turning questioning as he asks: )
But now that you are here, temporarily away from the confines of your musical contract, could you not write and sing about the topics of your choosing here?
[It was a definite lesson in 'don't think anything is normal here'. Up until realising the contents of the game, this place had been strange. But the most sinister part had been waking up redressed.
She was still going to kick herself for it.
Though she startled at his offer, dragging her gaze back to him. Blinking.]
I...You said there were penalties, I couldn't ask you to suffer such a thing.
[But was kissing her licking her mouth any less suffering? Naoto hated it, but she fidgeted. Her mouth feeling dry as she tried to think of the right words. Ignoring her cheeks heating up.]
It's-It's not as though it's something of importance. [There was so much sentimentality over first kisses. But statistically, due to lack of experience, wouldn't that be the worst one? The only thing that made it intermate was the feelings, so a not-kiss with a stranger she'd probably never see again wasn't that important right?
Was she overthinking it?
Maybe.
Was she also turning into a tomato while thinking about it? yes]
B-besides, it'd just be my round again after.
[Three rounds each...Wasn't that it? It was better she took his offer of a dive in case something more drastic appeared... But didn't that go against her previous statement?]
[ He's disappointed when he can't bribe her to get up with flattery, but like any fox, Seimei isn't easily discouraged. So fame and attention won't get her up, huh? That's okay, he'll just find another trick!
And honestly her grumbled reaction is actually cute. Mayou reminds him of a moody cat. Seimei scratches his nails over her scalp, humming thoughtfully at her sarcastic request. ]
A miracle, hm? Well, what if we can do that? Will you come out of hiding then?
[There's no recognition on her face when he mentions the name of his disguise, which isn't too surprising. The only ones who would know it are the Astral Express, and he expects they'll keep his secrets in confidence. It is... strange to think of them as allies now, even if he is not one of the Trailblaze himself.]
That's interesting. Though it must be difficult to navigate, if your position is an unstable as you say.
[One day affixed at the peak of royalty; another day, the lowest possible echelon in the hierarchy that rules this place. Sunday takes a very small sip from his glass before he speaks again.]
Is that true? I'd heard other things... namely related to the suits. The influence they exert over time. Do you know anything about that?
[Breifly, she follow where he was looking. Only to avert her gaze the moment she spotted the amorous couple. Just going to remain stony and pretend she did not see.
She managed a half-chuckle at his answer.]
It would seem so. It's impressive you're so at ease, if you arrived you arrived not long ago in just a robe...
[Despite what she said, she didn't sound that impressed. Mostly because this place was pretty exhausting.]
. . . to be fair, I still half-think that this is just some elaborate dream.
[only half, because several individuals have debunked that theory by now. but at the same time, he still wouldn't be surprised if he woke up in about eight hours tucked cozily in his bed, his cat snoozing away no his stomach]
[also: he hotwired a car for the very first time after waking up here. THAT'S A VICTORY!! IN HIS MIND!! . . . good thing he has the sense not to say that aloud to a detective]
( once again he's struck by the depth of human tenacity, and their fervent need to steer their fates with their own two hands rather than any outside influence.
he offers sylvain another wan smile, polite and a touch sympathetic. )
I understand. There will always be those that revel under the spotlight and those who prefer to be part of a nameless audience.
( though perhaps the comparison isn't quite apt. being the chief justice is not easy, and even though he has become a point of pride in the daily lives of fontainians now, things weren't always so simple. even if it is a role he would never shirk and has grown quite accustomed to, there are some days where )
Speaking of, what 'rank' are you here?
( mona had taught him a little of the system here. might as well start getting used to the hierarchy. )
Haaah? Ya know, underlings should give their names first before demandin' answers. S'just polite.
[Rude!! Doesn't he know how bandit hierarchy works? But, he is trapped in a giant moving metal box, and frankly he does not want to figure it out on his own right now. Judging by all the other cars around, they're clearly not alone in this scenario. It'd be a huge pain in the ass to cause more friction now, and also...well, he can use Akira as a meat shield or hostage later if need be. Win/win!!]
You've got the pleasure of escortin' Aza Chobe, the infamous Bandit King. So if ya wanna use it as a name, I won't stop ya. Murder, arson, battery--ya name it, I've done it. So ya better stay on my good side, yeah?
well. in a place like this, it wouldn't really be unheard of to call out the wrong name in bed, would it? some people don't even exchange names to begin with. even if she'll make note of this small, sinking feeling in the future, because no matter the circumstance, it kinda bums her out.
not that she's any better of a person. because the dark head of hair on the pillow beside her doesn't ring any recognition past the pulse still rattling inside of her skull. it's taking every last faculty for her to sit up, let alone piece together what happened last night to get her in bed with a stranger. but in the time it's taken for her bedmate to wake up, she's at least managed to wrap the bedsheet modestly against her chest, and arrange her hair and feathers in such a way that they fall decently down her face instead of in a mangled nest.
and there's a slight — clearing of her throat. )
... it's... Robin.
Actually.
( just a minor correction, lilting in that soft, unfamiliar voice. no harm done. )
[Ah. She's caught him in a misstep, yet in the same breath has provided him enough grace to look away from the mistake. How easily he's forgotten the role he is meant to be playing, mocked up as an ordinary man of decent status, placed comfortably where he belongs in the luxury lounge surrounded by wealth. Sunday's gaze fixes on the waitress's pretty face. In disguise, his eyes are the color of blue steel like an overcast sky, deeply set and unremarkable. There is little to see in them. But beneath — the golden cast of his Halovian traits are there, peering out, unable to help how... captivating it is to speak to this woman. How comfortable, how easily at home her voice makes him feel.
Her voice.
We must continue to try to fly. He recognizes his own longing, then, where it lodges in his throat. It leaves him robbed of words for a moment, and he wonders whether he has imagined this — whether the House has done this, manifesting such an individual so close to his heart. Even her laugh is so like it, clear as the chime of a bell.]
Then you should quit.
[It isn't advice he would have given anyone else, but he is no longer the strict, driven person he used to be, or at least he is trying, and —]
I apologize. What did you say your name was, miss?
[ He chuckles at that, leaning back against the headboard as he settled a little more comfortably. He's still not dressed, but as all he's got keeping him decent is the sheets tucked around his waist, it's probably safer for Neuvillette if he doesn't get out of this bed right now. ]
I just became a 10 of Diamonds - the same is Wriothesley. We both started out as 4's, with our doors across from each other, and we've kept moving up each time together as we had enough points to rank up. Even though he seemed pretty reluctant about it at first. The ranking, not the rest of it. He apparently also has an aversion to the spotlight.
the option to investigate is certainly appealing, especially while they seem to be relatively unguarded. but if this was indeed some sort of kidnapping, then the gentleman next to him is as much a victim in all of this as he. he cannot simply leave the man alone. though now that he takes the time to properly look at sunday, dripping puddles of water all over the ground, contrition ripples through his voice. )
My apologies. You must be uncomfortable after so much water.
( not all enjoy walking through the rain without an umbrella as he does, nor find comfort in the warm embrace of the deep ocean currents. )
Please, allow me.
( water giveth and water taketh away...or in this case, it's the hydro dragon, once again stretching out one bare hand to summon the water forth. the moisture separates from sunday's robe and hair and soggy little wing-feathers, almost as though pulled by some unseen force. it gathers, forming a small roiling ball of water, before splattering harmlessly onto the ground.
all done!
and there, in the distance, the sound of footsteps and squeaky wheels echoing off the concrete of the parking garage. it seems the valet has returned with a rack of clothing in tow. )
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