【 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.
[Days ago. It's not the first time he's heard that --Rise had a similar reaction when she arrived-- but it doesn't ever stop sounding like a truly unsettling thing.]
Time doesn't make a lot of sense here, [is a terrible explanation, but it's the best he's got. It's the only way to explain her claim, to explain the fact that he's been here before and left not long after. It's the best explanation he can offer without veering into speculation -- which could be a very messy line of thought, in this place.
Anyway. Speaking of phrasing.]
... Last night, [he repeats carefully, a momentary panic flashing through his brain before he puts together his own timeline. Ah, right.] At the party, you mean?
[The question is pretty personal, and it's personal in a way that is made greatly more uncomfortable by the whole bizarre concept of the resort, but at the same time... there's something deeply relatable about the way Akira asks it. The words he chooses. Manage and fight. Yu could deflect, easily; he doesn't love getting personal even with people he knows well. And yet...
Well. And yet, it's something he would be concerned about, too, isn't it?
So Yu gives the question a moment of consideration, thoughtful and diligent, before he offers an answer.]
You find things that make you feel normal.
[An astoundingly vague answer!! He seems to realize it, expression flattening for a second.] -- What I mean is...there are some normal things here, too. And we're all in the same boat. That helps, too -- knowing no one's really alone in their feelings.
[There is no recognition in his gaze as he studies the scryglass, features lit in the glow of glyphs, but curiosity makes up the difference. To imagine so much could be divined from this source — it's a wondrous example of another world, something he would never have witnessed if he hadn't taken that first step off of Penacony's shoreline.
... A look darkens on his face in the next moment, something internally wounded, an imperceptible hurt. She wouldn't know why her statement is not a compliment to him, and so he chooses his words carefully.]
I apologize, but I'll have to refuse. Not because your power isn't magnificent to behold — I can only imagine what it would be like to learn the stars as you have. But... I've made mistakes in the past. While I may have value to you, it wouldn't be for any good reason.
[But freedom exercised without intent was a waste. Kizuna certainly seems to work hard to exude the presence of a wasteful man, and yet Matoba doubts that this was a choice made purely on whim. Serendipity it might have been, and so the question here is not 'why', but what form the convenient threat of his next whimsy will take. Matoba, bred by cutthroat survival, expects retribution at every turn.]
[Their kindnesses are incompatible, after all.]
No, I don't think you fickle. [KuroMisa's head turns slightly beneath the veil, and a slight scoff flutters the fabric. Kizuna's hand closes over hers and instead of applying a grip of her own, she molds her hand to his and allows it to be the device by which she's led, a concession to his cloying affection. Infectious and genuine. Ugh.] I think you foolish.
[A few steps sway their bodies in unison, quiet in which she resets her pattern of attack.]
But I'm glad to see you haven't ruined yourself yet. It'd be very boring if you had. [Her voice lowered and more private, footwork falls into place, an easy rhythm.] Are you finally learning to watch where you step?
[That judgment isn't wrong. Sunday inspects the rack of clothing from the other side, his eyes following the moth's path of flight — and though he's good at schooling his expression, there's a tightness around his mouth. Almost humor. Almost a smile.
After selecting his own outfit from the available options — the least ruffled and gaudy he can find, a black bowtie suit — he turns his back as well and begins changing. He opens his robe and shivers at a cold draft of air, recognizing how much worse this would be if he was still wet.]
I suppose of anyone else I could have woken up in a strange new world with, I'm glad it was such agreeable company.
[He can be self-reflective, and in the past, he can't say that he would have felt agreeable amongst so many unknowns. Mr. Neuvillette is naturally calm; that does seem to help.]
[ OOC. No worries! Work hit me hard for a bit there, so I got busy myself. I don't mind continuing the thread though, and hope you'll reserve again if you are still interested next round! ]
[ He certainly found an easy target for it too. For as highly as Gen regards himself, he's never been particularly difficult to get a rise out of, and considering his own poor attitude most of the time, it's hard for most people to feel much sympathy for him when it happens.
He makes a scoffing sound at the attempt to "calm" him though. ]
Getting stuck in the same glitzy jail as someone else doesn't mean I need to be buddy-buddy with them.
Zoro nods, appreciating her honesty. So she can't really tell him what's in it, or what the effects could be. That solidifies his decision to skip it.
"Fair enough." He can respect her approach to this whole situation. It probably causes her less grief to just accept things and go along for the ride. It's very similar to how he imagines Luffy would react, if only his captain were here.
Alas, so far he seems alone with strangers.
As far as strangers go, Mayou doesn't seem so bad. Zoro's opinion of her promptly improves when she invites him to do something he's sure those pesky ghost hands would disapprove of. "Lead the way." He gestures, because he has absolutely no idea where to even start looking for these employee-only areas. They aren't marked, are they?
He'll follow Mayou blindly to wherever, as long as he doesn't sense that she's leading him to some sort of trap or other imminent danger. "Hey," he calls out after a moment. "What's this?" He holds his wrist up to show her the smartwatch that everyone's wearing. No such thing exists in his world, but he's observed others looking or tapping on their tiny screens, and he truly can't fathom why.
Edited (i hit post too fast 🫠) 2025-02-06 01:39 (UTC)
[. . . astoundingly vague, and yet those words resonate so much with the depths of Akira's heart. You find things that make you feel normal. just like he had back home, in the wake of his arrest. after the Earth-shattering event that had changed his life forever]
[his smile is lopsided, but judging by the soft sparkle in his eyes, it's genuine. even if his next response is light and playful]
And what sorts of things make the great Narukami feel normal?
[ With no prior inclination for that kind of behavior, she's somewhat safer than Broca himself. Hookups behind seedy bars, or other places that weren't altogether private weren't common for him prior to coming to this hotel.....
But the weren't unheard of either.
He makes an uncertain sound at that question, though he doesn't answer it fully as he grabs another card and--
[ She stifles a laugh while she clears off the table with a sweep of her arm, tapping her fingers along her lips. This is getting more fun the more disgruntled the other woman becomes, she can't lie. Plus, she's had luck on her side tonight with these dice rolls; it's hard to stop playing when you feel like you're having a good night at the casino. ]
"Get it over with?" Not very sportsmanship like...
[ Her words are wispy, the teasing nature of her voice more natural than put upon. If it's getting it over with she wants, though, she's happy to oblige. One of her hands reaches out to brace against the other woman's collarbone, flexing her fingers so that her sharp, elongated nails dig into the pale, freckled flesh there. From there, it's easy enough to hoist herself up onto the other woman's body — Coquelic is lithe and graceful, easily slotting herself right up against her torso. She settles her weight there on her stomach for a short moment, maybe to take a breather, or maybe to luxuriate in the feeling of sitting on top of someone — someone who's frustrated and embarrassed at that. ]
At least you've got a cute bra. [ With her free hand, she runs a nail along the lace of the cup, before lifting her hips and resting her weight on the swell of her breast. ] Almost looks a little small for you.
[ And with that to the side comment about Ishmael's not so washboard chest, she grinds her hips forward deliberately and shamelessly, a smirk barely present on her lips while she stares down at the other woman, eyes alight with mischief. ]
If Zoro knew Weiss has been here for a year, he'd extend his sympathies. He's only been here for a much shorter duration, and he hasn't been able to fully relax just yet. There are too many unknown variables, and the most dangerous enemy is the one you can't see. Or hear. Or understand...
Weiss answers him, and Zoro thinks he must have heard wrong. "Excuse me?" He makes a face. "But there are so many cards..." His eyes narrow as that sinks in. What kind of sick game is this? It's the most deranged thing he's ever heard of.
A soft sigh leaves him at what she says next. Someone must have found this theoretical room that has everyone's stuff, but he has no clue where to start identifying said person. Or if it's even really true that someone has managed this task. This means he has to talk to more people to find more, and the idea isn't pleasing to him.
Zoro does perk up when she mentions a sword. "You're a swordsman? Cool." Another 5% friendlier due to this newly revealed common ground. It helps him be less argumentative, so he only shrugs when she confirms that a whip is indeed a sex toy (he'll find out later that it's true, but for now he's content to take her word for it.)
Two things happen next: first, Zoro grows suddenly nervous when Weiss demonstrates such a bold move with the deck; he momentarily forgets that it's good for him if she brings it all crashing down. Next, he hears the name of two people he certainly doesn't expect to come out of this stranger's mouth. "Yeah, I am." Now he looks a little excited, like a kid being told he can play with his friends soon. "You know them?" His words are simple, but his eyes say please, tell me more!
( it's good to have a little bit of control back; aventurine watches reno loosen his tie and make room in his collarbone area, and he muses his options. there's so many interesting ways in which he can approach this - from the lead up to the realization of the action itself, and aventurine hums at what he eventually decides.
their height difference makes him more fun, as aventurine circles reno's waist with an arm, and pulls on that loose tie with the other, so he leans down enough that aventurine doesn't need to stand on his toes for this. the kiss on the neck is slow; as his tongue lays flat against the skin there, languid licks as he closes his mouth, though never into a proper kiss.
a moment, and he sucks into his skin, leaving a mark. he releases his hold on reno entirely, taking a step back. )
[ Rather than always winning, what Coquelic is more interested in is always getting what she wants. Right now, that's her own pleasure, and maybe the satisfaction she'd get out of bending someone to her whims like this, even for a game. The touch of the other's fingers at the lace at the front of her garment is featherlight — but still noticeable enough. Could she push her into playing along? It's looking like it. ]
A few chips is no skin off my nose... [ She hums, sounding well and truly carefree. She's fickle; a few minutes ago, she might've cared more about winning for the sake of domination. But when it comes to actual need... ] The same can't be said for you though, can it?
[ Who knows where she'll get slotted in. Coquelic's in a comfortable position here at the resort — it's not as extravagant as she'd like, but it's nice. She doesn't need to grovel. ]
You can think of it more like a... generous donation.
[ The word generous in particular is laced with irony. Between the lines, sure, she'll forfeit. Being here at this hotel is only about having a great time for her, after all, and this is fun. ]
That's only if you know how to show some gratitude, though.
What a waste, because Hamel's body is curvy in all the right places, not to mention toned with muscle from her craft. Coquelic frowns as Hamel turns around, her eyebrows knitting together now that her expression is out of sight.
Rather than pinch her gently with the pads of her fingers, she uses her elongated sharp nails, digging into the supple flesh just enough for the pain to be sharp. It doesn't veer into truly malicious territory — it's just unrelenting, not willing to let her go with an easy, recess style pinch. In her opinion, Hamel doesn't need to be treated with a soft hand or a pitying look all the time, like she imagines so many at the MBCC give her. What she needs is someone to treat her like they would anyone else, and for Coquelic, that's harshly. ]
There, [ She even gives her a complimentary little swat where she pinched her, much lighter and less cruel, as if to blur the sensation. ] If you're so grateful, then make an attempt to actually follow through on whatever you roll, get it?
[And maybe it's deliberate, the way he keeps his voice even and almost professional as he leans into the business vernacular, juxtaposing just for a moment the image of what he is with the reality of what he's doing.]
You could look at it as a forfeit. Or...
[Reno locks eyes with him, and unsurprisingly, Rufus doesn't waver, more than willing to draw the contact out just long enough to make a point before dragging the tip of his tongue over his lip, tantalizing.]
...you could look at it as us both winning something. Your choice.
[There's something that rings strangely — well, something, in the effortless way she offers her perspective on the resort's idea of starting hospitality. More than what I'd have to spend normally, she says, and for a second the chasm of disparity that opens between their respective expectations is vast. How his own rank has always abraded, just a little — so close to the prestige of royalty, but never quite enough. How easily she talks about having a handful of chips like it's a fortune.
It's a preoccupying enough thought that he isn't really paying attention to what she's selecting from the table, or her intentions with it. A moment's lapse into idle thought. But whatever she'd said, the inflection marks it as a question, so he offers a noncommittal hum without really realizing that it's a sound someone might unthinkingly take as an answer.]
I'm suggesting you are like everyone else. Unless you're thinking of proving me otherwise.
[It's less a challenge and more an invitation, regardless of the tones in which it comes cloaked; given the way Rufus leans back in his chair and inclines his head at a practiced angle that does particularly flattering things for his profile and the column of his throat, he's settling in for the prospect of entertainment as well, whatever form it might take.]
Why not both, then? Let's chat. And while we're at it, let's play a game.
Well. I suppose you've noticed the guards are apprehending anyone who makes an unauthorized exit. Swarming them, frankly.
[He tips his head, indicating the hustle and bustle of the crowds around them — and in particular, the pockets where the merriment is particularly loud or raucous.]
Of course, if they were dispatched in a hurry to deal with a much more pressing concern — a potential brawl amongst guests, say — I doubt they would still have a spare eye for the doors.
There's something hot on Zoro's face, and it isn't until a few minutes later that he realizes it's a blush. Apparently the handholding is intimate enough that his body decides to react this way, and for as much training as he does, he hasn't yet learned how to control the flush of his skin.
He takes comfort in the knowledge that Reira likely can't tell he's blushing at all, much less that it's because of the gentle way she's guiding and speaking to him. "Oh, you are." He nods, accepting that new information. So they're both new to this. That should be fine. "You don't have to worry about getting too wild. I can handle a lot." He shrugs to give the impression of someone totally unbothered by what may come next. It's not a lie, but it also isn't entirely honest — Zoro's inexperience means he doesn't have a true appreciation for what a lot is in this context.
Reira picks up a few things, and Zoro blinks, eyes flitting between Reira's face and what she's now carrying. As unusual as the leash and collar are to him, it doesn't seem too bad. "Okay," he agrees, voice light as he moves closer to let her put them on him. He knows how it goes — things are easier if he doesn't resist.
Not that he's against it, anyway. Reira asks him to get on his knees, and once she's done securing the collar around his neck, he does just that. He's still in his emerald robe, and won't bother shedding it unless Reira directs him to. Otherwise, he lets his hands skim softly from her ankles up to her thighs, kissing along her flesh to slowly wake her senses. Sure, she didn't ask for it, but he thinks it's a little awkward to jump straight between a woman's legs without preamble. At least during the first meeting.
[ true, he can't. he'll allow it once... they've got an on-site clinic and apparently a ton of medical professionals. but also? leona's got magic. real-time consequences reliever right in your immediate area. ]
You could've ended with 'new'. No one's gonna blame you for bein' inexperienced.
[ the beastman pauses, looks down, and then nods. ]
Mhm. I do. Back of my neck. Shouldn't be too obvious on my skin now, if you wanna look.
[ if akira does want to take a peek, leona will oblige. there's only the faintest symbol of a diamond there and nothing more. ]
[First to four wins. Ishmael went first, so if she can complete her tasks without shying away from any, she'll win by default. Charlie considers, for a moment, discouraging her from following through on this roll. It'd be to his advantage... but he hadn't come to the table for a payout.
She'd been the allure, rather than any amount of chips or physical contact. So he stares, expectantly, heel bouncing while he waits.] You said you needed to win, right?
That means you can't pass. Or, you could, and I'll promise to pass my next one too. [Leaving a good impression - or as good of an impression as one can after fondling someone - is more valuable to him than monetary gain.] But if that's too complicated for you I can just...
I'll keep my hands to myself. I don't even need to look! [Perhaps all she needed was a moment to regain composure, but Charlie's never one to leave silence uninterrupted. He makes a show of looking away, turning his head to stare intently at the dice left inert on the table's surface. All while shifting his knee, as if there was a question of his own permission for the act.
If she passes, he'll make good on his promise. If not... her body will feel good - warm and flush - against his leg.]
[Yu huffs out a soft laugh and gives Akira a bit of a look, sidelong but with an undercurrent of amusement.]
Just Yu is fine. [a beat; the curve of his smile widens into a grin.] For now.
[Can't go too long without dumb jokes I guess!! He should have known the question was coming, probably, but it still makes him pause. Not for any particular reason, really, except that talking about himself still feels a little awkward, no matter how much practice he has with it.]
I like to read, [he settles on, as a start. Watch out, we got a nerd here!!!] ...and the library here is surprisingly good. The arcade, too. I can show you sometime, if you want.
[That cavalier attitude surprises him, but how easily Wei Wuxian smooths past his worries is both impressive and... calming. Reassuring to know he hasn't imposed, or put this man in a situation he's reluctant to be in.
But — enjoying his company? That seems a little far. They haven't been speaking for long enough to form a judgment about him, good or bad, and all that truly bonds them is their newness and unfamiliarity. Yet he doesn't mind hearing it.]
Nothing... offensive. I don't want to upset them.
[Is that even possible? He doesn't know how sentient the ghost would be.]
Perhaps a simple task? Pouring some of the tea, or cutting the loaf of bread they gave us to share.
[there it is. the telltale pause. at this point, asking to see people's suit markings almost feels invasive. . . but it's helpful to know what, exactly, he may be getting himself into. no one has refused him just yet, though he wouldn't blame them if they did]
Mmm. If you don't mind.
[he isn't so short that he has to stand on his tiptoes to peer at the back of Leona's neck, at least. a tiny little diamond, small and unassuming. . . it's the first time he's seen a mark placed somewhere other than the hand or the wrist or thereabouts. it's hard to imagine that something so innocuous could cause so much trouble]
[for now?? what else would he call you, Yu?? but Akira laughs anyway, a gentle snort as he ducks his head and presses his knuckles against his mouth. if there is one thing he appreciates about this company, it's that they have similar senses of humor]
Oh, yeah?
[perking up at both of those things, because what do you know! Akira also enjoys settling down with a good book, or killing time at the arcade. he's a claw machine EXPERT]
Sounds like fun; I'll take you up on that. [a pause] And the library, too. I'm assuming they have normal books there?
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