【 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.
[Hearing that name just as he's having another spoonful, Xiao Xingchen swallows the congee a little too hard.
He catches himself enough to keep his mouth closed as he turns away from the man to cough, his free hand reaching up over his mouth. Stifled as the cough is, another one follows it. The very action feels all too uncommon for someone usually as graceful as him.
Even still, he only thinks about what he just heard, and who he's sitting by.
[ he gives a small, huff of a laugh at her response, glancing back down at the front of his chest. the water has all but dried off by now, save for just a faint layer of dampness that's really only noticeable if one were to put a hand right on his chest.
the formality of a handshake also prompts another little laugh; it's so at odds with all the forced intimacy and casualness of their situation, you just have to laugh at it. ]
I wish it were under better circumstances, but it's nice to meet you anyway, Layla. Or do you prefer Reira?
[ at her question, though, he gives a short shake of his head. he draws his hand back, smoothing it over the pillow that has become his lifeline in all his attempts at decency. ]
No. As far as I know, I'm the only one here from my world. [ it's a relief, in all honesty. he doesn't know what he'd do if he had to look someone from home in the eye again, after all that was said and done. ] Do you know if anyone from yours is also here?
[ ah, well. glancing down, marco lifts a hand and draws reno's attention to the stamped ink on his chest — a spades symbol, no bitter than two inches. ]
Once you get checked in, you'll be given a suit. Either hearts, diamonds, clubs, or spades. Each of them have their own unique effects that the hotel uses to... punish you, persuade you, whatever you want to call it.
The longer you go without having sex, the darker your suit will become. The closer you get to having it activated.
[ .......it should be noted, then, that marco's spades is already quite saturated. not quite fully black, but a dark, murky gray. ]
[His eyebrow doesn't seem to want to sink down again while Marco speaks, clearly no fan of what he is hearing.]
Guess I don't wanna know what happens if it activates? That the hotel's way of sayin' "do it or get turned to stone"?
6[His eyes narrow at how dark Marco's spade symbol already is.]
You're testing that theory right now? Or didn't find anyone willing yet that matches your taste? Since it was you who said himself that playing along would make it easier for everyone, so why dontcha?
I think…I heard someone say something about different ‘worlds’ earlier this week. Maybe we wouldn’t have met at all outside of this place really…
( it’s mindless chatter to fill the space between his laughter really. she knew deep inside even if they came from the same town, country, or whatever, they probably wouldn’t have ever met. back home she was in her own little bubble being a celebrity and all-
he would only be noticed by her if she flirted with him and he gave her attention. it’s not something she’ll mention but she does great him properly before glancing down at his lap briefly. her gaze shifted away and back onto his face, a calm expression still on hers. )
Ah….that doesn’t matter to me, but I do get a bit sad when I hear ‘Layla’. The song and all…
( named after the worst song imaginable, truly her life was cursed. )
As for that, I’m all alone here it seems. I guess that’s why I haven’t been in any rush to leave this room or go anywhere. I’m not really sure…what to do with myself now.
[ Is it an invitation? Perhaps, before she woke up here, Aerith would have said no. Despite some of their interests being aligned of late, she still has a number of reasons not to trust Rufus Shinra, especially on a personal level.
But since waking up here? Well, right now she's thinking she needs to re-evaluate her priorities.
Her smile this time—well, it isn't as friendly as one she'd offer to Cloud or Tifa, or even as friendly as one she'd offer to Tseng—but at least it's something a little fuller, a little realer than before. ]
Sure~. Let's call it an invitation—our circumstances are different here, right? Maybe this is a good chance for us to get to know each other beyond... you know. Everything.
[ Which, she supposes, is similar to what he's offering her, with his "no strings attached" reparations. To which, in the end, she shakes her head a little, places a hand on his forearm. ]
Thank you for your offer. It's kind of you, but.. I can't possibly accept it. We're all in the same situation here, and... [ she waves her hand with a little smile, indicating her wrist. ] Even the starting funds they gave us are more than what I'd have to spend normally, you know? It's nothing you need to worry about.
[ She reaches for one of the mini quiches on the table, holding it up as if o display it, a question in her eyes. ]
[ marco's hand falls as reno blatantly calls him out, but rather than admit to his own perceived hypocrisy, he merely shakes his head. ]
I have some time yet. [ a week, maybe. two if he's lucky. ] I'll sort it out by then.
[ it seems, for all marco's candor and willingness to be frank about their situations, he is one of the ones who objects to the overall premise of the game. ]
The song...? [ his head cants to the side. ] I don't think I'm familiar with it.
[ he's not pressing, though, since it seems a sore spot. but it does seem further proof there are indeed some discrepancies in their worlds. from what marco can tell by scent alone, she doesn't seem to have any traces of twilight in her. a normal then, just a regular human. ]
For all that we're trapped here, there are at least a variety of things to do... The hotel is much larger than you might think. There's restaurants, shopping centers, wellness facilities, even a university you can take classes in. If you're looking for something to pass the time, I'm sure you'll find something to suit you.
[ he plucks at the edge of the pillow, an unconscious tic. ]
Apart from playing the game, there's really nothing else we're obligated to do... So your time here is what you want to make of it.
No, I doubt a lot of us would even be high ranks if that was the objective. Seems randomized.
(nothing more than that, but she can understand this. texas herself wasn't from a normal "life" in particular prior to her job as a courier, being an heiress for a familiga was anything but that. only difference is that she hates the idea of returning to that life, about as much as she despises the thought of them walking all over those unable to fight for themselves. she has a rather complicated relationship with her past because of this. not that she knows about the wings, backstreets, whatever places ishmael does.
terra isn't any better by all means, not in how infected adults and children get treated for contracting oripathy. there is a lot she can talk about from that subject, what she's seen, without also counting that texas has also seen nobility throw around their name as a means of making others suffer. it's a mess.)
So maybe, if you're lucky, you won't be in the basement.
(she's seen enough of it. minimally cleaned, left to for the most part rot whenever staff didn't give much of a damn to go down there. even texas can recall her friends from down there get sneers and jeers any time they're out together, while staff treats her more kindly. it felt fake, it all did.)
Of course, monsieur, I have no reason to reject that additional term. Your reputation matters more than mine, despite my working towards changing that among Fatui and Harbingers.
(that was easy to take, easy to work with. she can manage this much while also enabling them both some breathing room. arlecchino did mean she would refrain from any death being caused by her hands for a reason, that meant that neuvillette would feel comfortable more with accepting it. any others might find the proposal to be insanity, but she finds it easier to use certain strengths more than weaknesses for their goal.
they needed to escape, eventually. arlecchino herself would blend in to the environment too well; she has that air to her that she would not be easy to break. not in a game such as this. but this does little to change that the knave may also use everything at her leisure for the sake of not standing out too much more than she has.
she does still attract too many eyes because of her looks, those soulless eyes, and her gnarled hands which were twisted into charcoal gray tones and claws.)
I intend on when give the opportunity to look around more, since we were heavily restricted I'm assuming that any sort of exploration will be after the party.
[ She looks at him in surprise when he stands up, having not expected it. She's almost ready to tell him to just sit down again, that it's okay, but he's already answering her question from before. She frowns as she listens, nodding. Three months isn't that long a time compared to some of whom she's heard, but she's sure for him it feels like an eternity.
And she wonders... just how long will they all be here, in the end?
but instead of letting herself dwell on it, she offers him another small smile. ]
Mmhmm. Since this morning. I woke up in a big car, and then they forced me into this horribly itchy dress and made me come to this party. Is it always like this here?
[Rude can see the change in his expression, and can't tell if the power has gotten to his head or if the assessment has pushed a button. He'll consider it later. Right now he's fully engrossed in the way he moves, biting on his own lip for a moment when the sound of Aventurine making himself moan like that hits his eardrums.]
Too late to be scared now.
[With his back against the wall for support he keeps one hand on Aventurine's hip to help support him, and the other encircles his cock, stroking him with a deliberate urgency as he feels himself getting closer. The muscles of his stomach and thighs tense up when he comes, hips bucking up into Aventurine desperately until he empties inside him.]
[ he's silent a moment, watching the redhead with an unreadable expression. eventually, he lets out a soft sigh, shoulders lower faintly as if in some kind of defeat. ]
The longer you're here, the more you'll find there are plenty of people willing to help you out when it comes to the demands of this place.
[ he's only been here three months, but the kindness and generosity of the other players were made evident to him from day one. ]
Does that make it okay?
[ it's a genuine question. he has wrestled with his conscious on this over many a sleepless night. he still can't seem to come to a conclusion. ]
Yes, you have their consent, and you might even have their blessing. Does that completely erase the fact the only reason it's happening is because it has to?
[ is a choice made when there is no real alternative still a choice? ]
I won't let myself go so long this place will make me lose my mind and turn me dangerous, [ —ah? ] but I don't want to abuse the people's generosity there than I already have.
[ of course, this is his own feeling. he hadn't wanted to give too much of his opinion, earlier, because he doesn't hold it against anyone else how they sort their own feelings out on this matter just to survive this place. ]
[ the look on marco's face sits somewhere between amused and aggrieved. ]
No, not like this specifically... But there does always seem to be something going on.
[ when he arrived, there had been zombies, so. you know. it could always be worse.
he looks down at the dress in question, before hastily flicking his eyes back up upon realizing it might be considered staring. and given the flashy nature of the dress... ah. ]
For what it's worth, the dress looks lovely on you. [ he glances towards the entrance, where he assumes they had all been made to "dress up" appropriately. his own current suit is certainly far fancier than he's ever had, made of material that feel more valuable than his own life (though maybe that isn't saying much) but he is, at least, used to being stuffed in a suit. ] But if it bothers you that much, I don't see why we can't request for a different one...
[Rank.....? One eyebrow lifts above his shades and it's clear that Scott isn't following along with this.]
Uh, right. Do I even want to ask?
[Scott only has that blue tuxedo that they stuffed in him the night prior, not that it's really easy for him to actually tell what color it was. He's pretty sure that it's blue, but it's still been an adjustment discerning his world in different shades of red. Clothes are clothes, though, so he just shuffles over to where their outfits have been neatly put up.]
[Of course Reno picks up on that word, years of training and survival making him pay attention to what's most important.
However, he still gives Marco's concerns a thought, weighing what the other just said.]
Yeah, kinda get your point. Guess it's a matter of picking out the ones that really don't care. I mean, for example, I would've picked ya out of a bar of strangers for a night of fun outside of this place, too. If that's any help. [He shrugs, picking at the label of the water bottle, just to give his hands something to do] And it wouldn't be generosity in that case, but plain curiosity 'n my own desire for fun that day.
[SORRY SCOTT AKIRA MAY BE FILLED WITH THESE KINDS OF INSIDE JOKES. . . but he takes mercy on his new friend for now as he gently tugs off his pajama top and slips back into the stuffy collared shirt from the night before. this time, he'll at least forego the jacket]
Have you ever played one of those video games where you have to rank up your relationships with the other characters?
[otome games. he means otome games]
It's just a reference to that.
[. . . since explaining the ethereal nature of his Confidants would be. . . much more complicated]
( now that is interesting. also: deeply disturbing and highly invasive, especially for a man who values his privacy as much as wriothesley does. though it would be no less acceptable even for someone open about their feelings and past. )
Is that so?
( any trace of good humor has since vanished, leaving behind only disapproval and unhappiness in the downward curve of his mouth and hard glint in his eyes. )
Is that another one of this resort's tricks to try and 'encourage' us to form closer connections with each other?
( he murmurs the name to himself, tasting the foreign syllables on his tongue. the sounds are similar to those used in the inazuman language, though given the vast discrepnancies between people brought here to this place, it would not be safe to assume that they are entirely the same. )
Very well. ( a brief nod of agreement. ) I will keep an ear out for this person and inform you should I happen to hear of them.
( although..... )
Might you also be able to provide a description of their appearance? I've noticed not all meetings here necessarily end in a formal introduction.
( he can't very well ID the person if he has no idea what they look like. )
Xue Yang's eyes narrow, but he doesn't otherwise seem to react right away. His jacket is still off from before so he moves forward to put the two of them within arm's reach, giving Wei Wuxian all the access he needs.
That's when he suddenly reaches out to try to grab Wei Wuxian by the jaw so he can lean in and study his face closer. ]
Fine. Who are you? Since you want me to ask so bad.
[ He really doesn't know who this is. He doesn't recognize their appearance, and their attitude is just as unfamiliar. Is this guy like that Julieta woman, someone who somehow knows him without him having ever met them? He'd have no hesitation talking about the Chang Clan with someone he met here, so it's not like this person needs to know him from back where he's from. ]
[ reno's question gets a brief nod of marco's head. ]
I've heard it can happen, where the house can alter your mind so much you forget reason. Where you aren't even yourself anymore. When that happens, it's safe to assume anyone who possesses any kind of superior strength or skill can pose a threat to more common people.
[ he's speaking generally, but it's obvious he's also referring to himself in that vein.
and it might not have been reno's intent, but that comment has marco ducking his head a little, suddenly feeling... shy? bashful, for sure. three months, and he still isn't used to being propositioned, let alone receiving compliments. after almost 30 years spent convinced he didn't belong anywhere but the bottom of someone's shoe, it's been a hard shift to have people respond to him so positively...
he's not entirely sure what it says about the people here that the garish scar on his face doesn't scare them off. ]
I — thank you, [ he says stiffly, awkwardly. yes, he clearly doesn't know how to take a compliment, jfc. ] You are also...
[ ahhh. ]
A-Anyway. You see where it gets complicated, don't you? Even if outside of this place we wouldn't fallen into bed together, the simple fact of being here, knowing what's expected of us... It's hard not to think of that coloring every interaction.
Edited (oops forgot a whole ass section) 2025-01-30 16:22 (UTC)
[ Mitsuru should have known there would be a catch to relaxing in this particular lounge. Like Ragna, she had been drawn here by the promise of escape from the nonstop partying, only to discover that any time spent in here was to be used playing a certain role given to her by the house. The redhead had reluctantly drawn a card, the Ace of Diamonds, aka Submissive. Of course, the role that most who knew her would find the most comical for her of all people to play...
It's almost too convenient that someone she knows is already here and she approaches Ragna with a slight flush on her cheeks. It would be far too easy for him to have been given a Dominant card, surely...? ]
Good evening, Ragna.
[ No use playing coy here. ] Which card have you been assigned?
[Yeah, that's definitely something that doesn't sit right with Reno. This sound like something that could escalate quite quickly and in ways that Reno doesn't even want to think about it. He makes a silent note that that's something that should not happen under any circumstances.]
Heard, hm? So it has happened before? Or is it just a case of people talkin'? But do I see it right that first it only gets uncomfortable, then your suit kicks in and if ya still don't act on it, ya go insane and then turn to stone? That's... Quite the journey. An y idea what time frames we're talking here?
[He notices the hesitation, the awkwardness, and that Marco doesn't finish his sentence. With a grin, Reno puts the bottle away and tilts his head ever so slightly.]
Yeah. I see where else it gets complicated. You're not really comfortable with the attention, huh? Don't think you'd get it outside of this place, so here ya think it's all just 'cause of the game itself?
Well, again, let me tell ya, I'm not part of it all just yet, and I wouldn't have pushed you out of my bed. Well, except maybe to continue on the floor, [He grins even wider] And again, even if we'd met in a bar or wherever outside. Feel like it would've been possible for our ways to cross at some point, if it would've been the same world o' course. So maybe see it that way: you're meetin' people that you would've otherwise never been possible to run into?
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