【 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.
[ well, now. that's a delightful challenge if shylock ever heard one. especially after playing with anyone who's available so far and only sticking to answering one question at a time.
so he smiles genially, and leans back on his seat. ]
Certainly. Why don't you start us off, good sir?
[ he's got nothing to hide, anyway. for the most part. ]
[ it's simplest to stick to the rules, but despite his stoicism, nehan isn't always stocked high in patience. this moves the game along quicker, applies pressure where people might not to expect it. the whole conceit is to find the other person's breaking point before your own.
though, his opponent doesn't read as an easy win. oh well. his voice is soft, and he doesn't smile back. ]
Generous, but all right.
[ he sets the card he's already pulled onto the table, sliding it between them both to read. favorite season? ]
...Starting us off with a freebie. Summer, if I had to choose.
[ that's fine. shylock will smile enough for the both of them. it's like conversing with a mini oz, though without the power that wizard envokes. ]
Oh, I'd have to agree with you on that one. Plenty of festivals and holidays during that season, and not to mention the drinks I'd make to celebrate the warm, sunny days.
[ what can he say, he's a fun-loving guy. with the ice broken between them for the time being, shylock carefully procures another card from the tower. 72. Who was the last person you said “I love you” to? ]
Fufu, how curious. [ he serenely closes his eyes in thought. ] I'd have to say a younger wizard back home named Chloe. He needs to be reassured as such, but then again so do most people.
[ his partner in cards offers up little details freely, evoking the spirit of summer, though nehan's more distracted by the new card. he listens without looking up from the question. ]
Is that so... [ validation, what a concept. ] For me, it was my parents. No special reason.
[ he doesn't actually remember, making educated guesses at his own life, but his watch doesn't go off, so that must be right. it's not like he'd have told his sister—too embarrassing. he hunts for a good card to draw then, filling in space with a follow-up of his own as he does. nothing in the rules about adding in their own questions. ]
Did you say it as a reassurance, or because you meant it?
[ he says with no hesitation as he leans back in his seat, watching the boy seek for the right card with an idle smile. ]
Wizards cast magic with the hearts, so it is natural for our kind to gravitate towards all forms of love. But no matter how much we spend time with others, it is our destiny to die alone. Thus it is imperative that we tell others we love them, to reassure them that someone out there does care for them wholeheartedly before it is too late.
[ the boy might say that he'd told his parents he loves them for no special reason, but that's exactly why most people take such words for granted until it is too late. ]
[ it's a dense enough answer that he has time to carefully extract a card without the whole structure coming down. he takes it right out of the middle of the house. he speaks quietly, without warmth. ]
...Building up all that love in your heart, just to die alone. What a waste.
[ there's plenty in this wizard's words and sentiments that he agrees with, but that's all he actually says before flipping the card.
It's one of the few things we have in common with humans. [ he hums. ] And with that, I believe I have the same answer to that question.
[ just like their eternal fight with the moon back in their world, inevitability can only be delayed but there's no stopping the flow unless the cycle itself has been broken. but that's easier said than done. ]
These questions don't have too much stake to them, do they? [ the way he swipes a random card from the stack is swift, yet the castle remains immovable. it's apparent he knows his share of card games. ] Ah, here's one. "What was going through your mind the last time you were intimate?"
[ his smile grows. if nothing else, he sure likes his gossip. ]
[ it's a little like speaking to a particularly gregarious alien, speaking of his similarities to humans while holding them apart, a separate species. but what does nehan know. he's mortal, and they're playing a game without any gambling at all, nothing to read between the cards.
but the new one nets a scoff; in his surprise, he gives away a flicker of amusement. of course there'd be one of these questions eventually, given where they're sitting. an opulent casino with a foundation built off sex. ]
Is this what counts as stakes to you?
[ exchanging petty gossip. he slides the card into the rest of their spent pile with a fingertip. ]
If I recall... [ and he does, his memory woefully good until it isn't, ] I was thinking about whether I was going to meet my next inventory deadlines.
[ it'd been boring. ]
And? What sort of nonsense was going through that love-choked mind of yours.
[ "alien" is only scratching the surface of what shylock truly thinks of humanity, but that's not too important right now. this is supposed to be a sexy game of cards anyway, not a debate. ]
Most people would balk at answering some of these questions, you know.
[ but it looks like the man before him isn't backing down anytime soon. that's good, even if his answer is awfully drab. even someone like him deserves to have a good romp in bed 😔
when nehan extends the question towards shylock, he leans in, tenting his fingers together in thought. when he responds, his smile becomes... unreadable, in a way. ]
Are you that curious? Let's see now. I was thinking of how amazing he felt, after all these years. How adorable he was whenever he mewled with every movement I make. And how I wanted to strangle him with my own two hands despite all that.
[ he's not shy, but the shrug he answers with gives away his nature, where he's been a tired, dull old man since he was about twelve. that does not seem to be the case for his partner in cards. he raises his brow slowly. ]
Sounds... [ like kinda freak behavior? maybe the sebastian confusion was valid ] complicated.
[ though he has been in exactly zero romantic relationships, so who's to say this isn't normal? emotions are complicated. love and hate chief among them. nehan chats casually while hunting down the next card, trying to get a read on his opponent. ]
What'd he do to get you so riled up? [ this man doesn't seem like the sort of guy who'd get frustrated too easily. ]
[ it's true. he too is one hell of a bartender -- one who doesn't always get riled up so easily, as nehan has correctly surmised. but alas, no one is perfect. ]
Oh, we'd be here all day if I were to list everything down for you. But in essence, he was an insufferable genius who'd gotten himself into a lot of trouble and it was up to me to get him out of them.
[ his fingers twitch, and he realizes that he cannot summon his pipe. what a shame. this topic often drives him to smoke or drink, whichever comes first to mind. ]
But that's all right. Even if he was like that, I do not ever wish for him to change. [ a soft chuckle as he places his cheek on an open palm. ] Troublesome things have their own appeal at the end of the day. Do you not agree?
[ please don't agree he is a certified Freak™️ and he's aware of it ]
[ a drink would make this game easier and harder: looser tongues, more uncoordinated fingers. in the end, it's for the best he's ignored the drinks that are passed around the floor; he reaches out for a new card, and for a moment, it makes the whole structure sway and sigh. ]
No. They're just troublesome. I think that's a matter of your tastes.
[ can't control love and attraction. sometimes you are just a freak ❤️ ]
Or maybe it's that you enjoy cleaning up after his messes.
[ but that's a whole different bag of worms. he's managed to free the stubborn card now, flipping it with little flourish lest it knock the whole house over.
[ and that's all he can say on the matter. who knows if that guy is around in earshot. the two of them are practically a package deal together wherever they go.
anyway, his eyes light up at the next prompt. ]
Let's see. I don't often keep that many secret desires; I usually wear them on my sleeve, you see. But if I have to share one, it'd be...
[ he leans in closer as if to share a secret, prompting nehan to do the same. ]
Not that I'd actively encourage this nor do I partake in it myself, but there's a certain appeal in infidelity that I've heard from my various patrons over the centuries. I might indulge them in just one night, depending on how far they'd go for their deepest, darkest desire.
[ he obliges so far as a tiny tilt of his head, the minute lean of one of his ears. subtle, but enough to be purposeful.
and it's worthwhile, because isn't that a curious want. a little homewrecking. ]
...People do put plenty on the line for that.
[ the risk of being caught, the potential to lose what they have, the possibility of hurting those closest to them, ostensibly. he grabs a drink off a nearby server's tray as he speaks. ]
What sort of "patrons" do you serve? [ moreso than the desire itself, he's curious about the framing around the answer. ]
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peacockstop2025-01-15 09:00 pm
house of cards
so he smiles genially, and leans back on his seat. ]
Certainly. Why don't you start us off, good sir?
[ he's got nothing to hide, anyway. for the most part. ]
no subject
though, his opponent doesn't read as an easy win. oh well. his voice is soft, and he doesn't smile back. ]
Generous, but all right.
[ he sets the card he's already pulled onto the table, sliding it between them both to read. favorite season? ]
...Starting us off with a freebie. Summer, if I had to choose.
no subject
Oh, I'd have to agree with you on that one. Plenty of festivals and holidays during that season, and not to mention the drinks I'd make to celebrate the warm, sunny days.
[ what can he say, he's a fun-loving guy. with the ice broken between them for the time being, shylock carefully procures another card from the tower. 72. Who was the last person you said “I love you” to? ]
Fufu, how curious. [ he serenely closes his eyes in thought. ] I'd have to say a younger wizard back home named Chloe. He needs to be reassured as such, but then again so do most people.
no subject
Is that so... [ validation, what a concept. ] For me, it was my parents. No special reason.
[ he doesn't actually remember, making educated guesses at his own life, but his watch doesn't go off, so that must be right. it's not like he'd have told his sister—too embarrassing. he hunts for a good card to draw then, filling in space with a follow-up of his own as he does. nothing in the rules about adding in their own questions. ]
Did you say it as a reassurance, or because you meant it?
no subject
[ he says with no hesitation as he leans back in his seat, watching the boy seek for the right card with an idle smile. ]
Wizards cast magic with the hearts, so it is natural for our kind to gravitate towards all forms of love. But no matter how much we spend time with others, it is our destiny to die alone. Thus it is imperative that we tell others we love them, to reassure them that someone out there does care for them wholeheartedly before it is too late.
[ the boy might say that he'd told his parents he loves them for no special reason, but that's exactly why most people take such words for granted until it is too late. ]
no subject
...Building up all that love in your heart, just to die alone. What a waste.
[ there's plenty in this wizard's words and sentiments that he agrees with, but that's all he actually says before flipping the card.
28. Do you believe in the inevitable? ]
Sure, yeah. You?
no subject
[ just like their eternal fight with the moon back in their world, inevitability can only be delayed but there's no stopping the flow unless the cycle itself has been broken. but that's easier said than done. ]
These questions don't have too much stake to them, do they? [ the way he swipes a random card from the stack is swift, yet the castle remains immovable. it's apparent he knows his share of card games. ] Ah, here's one. "What was going through your mind the last time you were intimate?"
[ his smile grows. if nothing else, he sure likes his gossip. ]
no subject
but the new one nets a scoff; in his surprise, he gives away a flicker of amusement. of course there'd be one of these questions eventually, given where they're sitting. an opulent casino with a foundation built off sex. ]
Is this what counts as stakes to you?
[ exchanging petty gossip. he slides the card into the rest of their spent pile with a fingertip. ]
If I recall... [ and he does, his memory woefully good until it isn't, ] I was thinking about whether I was going to meet my next inventory deadlines.
[ it'd been boring. ]
And? What sort of nonsense was going through that love-choked mind of yours.
no subject
Most people would balk at answering some of these questions, you know.
[ but it looks like the man before him isn't backing down anytime soon. that's good, even if his answer is awfully drab. even someone like him deserves to have a good romp in bed 😔
when nehan extends the question towards shylock, he leans in, tenting his fingers together in thought. when he responds, his smile becomes... unreadable, in a way. ]
Are you that curious? Let's see now. I was thinking of how amazing he felt, after all these years. How adorable he was whenever he mewled with every movement I make. And how I wanted to strangle him with my own two hands despite all that.
[ damn
well, "love-choked" is right. ]
no subject
Sounds... [ like kinda freak behavior? maybe the sebastian confusion was valid ] complicated.
[ though he has been in exactly zero romantic relationships, so who's to say this isn't normal? emotions are complicated. love and hate chief among them. nehan chats casually while hunting down the next card, trying to get a read on his opponent. ]
What'd he do to get you so riled up? [ this man doesn't seem like the sort of guy who'd get frustrated too easily. ]
no subject
Oh, we'd be here all day if I were to list everything down for you. But in essence, he was an insufferable genius who'd gotten himself into a lot of trouble and it was up to me to get him out of them.
[ his fingers twitch, and he realizes that he cannot summon his pipe. what a shame. this topic often drives him to smoke or drink, whichever comes first to mind. ]
But that's all right. Even if he was like that, I do not ever wish for him to change. [ a soft chuckle as he places his cheek on an open palm. ] Troublesome things have their own appeal at the end of the day. Do you not agree?
[ please don't agree he is a certified Freak™️ and he's aware of it ]
no subject
No. They're just troublesome. I think that's a matter of your tastes.
[ can't control love and attraction. sometimes you are just a freak ❤️ ]
Or maybe it's that you enjoy cleaning up after his messes.
[ but that's a whole different bag of worms. he's managed to free the stubborn card now, flipping it with little flourish lest it knock the whole house over.
Share a secret desire. ]
no subject
Well. You certainly aren't wrong.
[ and that's all he can say on the matter. who knows if that guy is around in earshot. the two of them are practically a package deal together wherever they go.
anyway, his eyes light up at the next prompt. ]
Let's see. I don't often keep that many secret desires; I usually wear them on my sleeve, you see. But if I have to share one, it'd be...
[ he leans in closer as if to share a secret, prompting nehan to do the same. ]
Not that I'd actively encourage this nor do I partake in it myself, but there's a certain appeal in infidelity that I've heard from my various patrons over the centuries. I might indulge them in just one night, depending on how far they'd go for their deepest, darkest desire.
no subject
and it's worthwhile, because isn't that a curious want. a little homewrecking. ]
...People do put plenty on the line for that.
[ the risk of being caught, the potential to lose what they have, the possibility of hurting those closest to them, ostensibly. he grabs a drink off a nearby server's tray as he speaks. ]
What sort of "patrons" do you serve? [ moreso than the desire itself, he's curious about the framing around the answer. ]