TDM 007

[goldmods]

【 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

WELCOME TO THE GOLDEN PEA... CAR?

► Thanks to a classic move called “overbooking,” new arrivals aren't being checked into rooms — the front desk and concierge have made an executive decision to temporarily house new arrivals in the parking garage. This may actually not be as bad as one may think! All of the vehicles in the Golden Peacock's garage are luxury; some are even bigger than the basement suites. There are, however, a limited number of cars available. Guests are booked into cars in pairs or sets of three.

► All vehicles in the Golden Peacock's parking garage are top of the line models. While the body style and year vary, their common denominator is that they are expensive. New arrivals may wake up in any kind of luxury vehicle from a zippy little Maserati to a SUV limousine. Guests waking up in larger, party-style vehicles may find the inside bar stocked with booze and snacks. Due to the nature of waking up in cars, they may wake up anywhere in their new ride. Even the trunk!

► New arrivals wake up naked save for a robe, as is standard for the Golden Peacock. This round’s robes are dramatic sets bedazzled with precious gems. These robes are inspired by the 1920s. Some are silk, some are sheer, some are lined with fur. All are over the top. If it has the flavor of old Hollywood or wealth your character can wake up in it. Some lucky guests may even find old fashioned smoking pipes or extended cigarette holders in their robe pockets.

► After briefly being dumbfounded, the valet, who normally has nothing to do, will scurry down with a few racks of clothes. All articles on the racks have been dragged out of storage; the majority of the pieces are old-fashioned or mismatched. All he can do is continue to bow deeply and apologize for the lack of amenities in the parking garage. No one ever comes here!

SUITES DON'T DO THIS!

► The cars in the parking garage are temperamental. Guests may find doors locking and unlocking of their own accord when they're trying to exit the vehicle. When inside with someone else, the radio will change to a channel playing romantic music. The lights will flicker, dim, or turn off to create some sexy ambiance. They've been in the parking garage for a long time and haven't seen any action in decades. That famous car that starred in Titanic got people to have sex in it. Why can't they!

► Some of the cars may act strangely in other ways. The AC or heat will blast unexpectedly, the horn will go off at the least opportune moment, the engine will steam, the seats will spring back without anyone pressing the lever... if it can go wrong in a car, it can happen.

If asked, the valet will explain that over the past few months parts have gone mysteriously missing from some of the cars. Stolen, by no good dirty thieves! But what kind of ragamuffin would snatch car parts in the Golden Peacock? Regardless, he will apologize about the issues. They will continue until those missing parts are returned or replaced.

He will offer a monetary reward to anyone that can bring him any information about the guests that have been stealing car parts. It makes him look incompetent at his job, you see. All he has to do is watch these cars that don't go anywhere! If the house catches wind that they're needing repairs on his watch he's liable to lose his job. He's got four engaged daughters and he's got to pay for their weddings. He can't afford to get fired!

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.

AT THE DOOR

► Guests must adhere to the black tie dress code to enter. Those that show up in less than their best won't be turned away — but they will be stuffed into a rental outfit provided by the staff. All provided outfits are gaudy, flashy, and encrusted with jewelry. Also — itchy. Too much starch.

► Guests that do not want to come will be "helped" to the party by the casino's favorite ghost hands. They will be dragged, levitated, and thrown across the resort until they've "joined" the party. Those that wish to opt out will be conveniently overlooked, completely forgotten by both the house and the hands because they, "lack presence." Ouch!

► Guests that wish to leave the party before it reaches its official end 168 hours later will find obstacles getting in the way of exiting. Staff pop out of nowhere to cheerfully guide them over to this new game they must try. Waiters stop them with trays of steaming food that they think they'll really enjoy. Long-standing guests stumble directly into their path and drag them into some drunken shenanigans. The doors will randomly get stuck. While guests can certainly escape the party, the forces that be are determined to make it difficult for them to call it a night.

REFRESHMENTS

► WHAT THE RICH FOLK EAT: A massive buffet table lines the back wall of the casino. This nod to overconsumption and gluttony features expensive and exquisite eats from land to sea. Everything on the table is decadent; only the best for guests of the Golden Peacock. The servers working the table encourage guests to eat and eat and eat, even going so far as to help them load up their 16 inch plates until they're overflowing. Less is more? Nonsense. More is more.

► IT'S GETTING BUBBLY: While there are plenty of libations to go around, there is one special champagne that's guaranteed sweep you off your feet. A few sips of the bubbly will have you floating in the air like you're the grandpa from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Guests that drink the bubbly will become like a bubble themselves, rising to the ceiling and swimming through the air. Unlike Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, however, burping isn't the answer to grounding safely. The bubbly wears off randomly and without warning, so be careful of falling on another guest or someone's game table.

► JUST A PUFF OR TWO: There's a new smoke that's captured the attention of party-goers. This popular new drug is called twig. Smoked from a very thin joint with an earthy taste. Need to add some pep to your step? Twig is the smoking equivalent of two hundred cups of coffee. Who needs sleep? With twig, it's possible to stay awake for upwards of three days without feeling tired. Guests report feeling "brilliantly energized" after smoking twig. However, reports also note that once the high wears off, the user might feel like a deflated balloon that's been run over by a truck. Long-standing guests will encourage newer guests to give it a try. You can sleep after the party, bro!

GAME ROOMS

TRY YOUR LUCK

DIRTY DICE: EVEN DIRTIER

A crowd favorite — Dirty Dice is BACK and now it's even dirtier. The creators put their heads together to come up with funnier and more dynamic dice options to keep things interesting for players. While the original game used a pair of standard six-sided dice, Dirty Dice: Even Dirtier debuts a pair of hefty twelve-sided dice.

► The rules for Dirty Dice: Even Dirtier remain the same as last year. Players will be seated at a two-top (though group Dirty Dice games are also encouraged!) with a set of dirty dice. The starting player rolls both dice. The action created with the dice must then be done to the opposing player — however, the rolling player does have the option to turn down the action if they're chicken. The second player will then roll the dice to create an action, similarly able to turn down the action if they're also chicken. Players continue to take turns until there is a winner.

► The first player to complete four actions will receive bragging rights, an extra large chip payout, and the resounding applause from the audience. For low rank guests, winning Dirty Dice: Even Dirtier may also come with an invitation to one of the exclusive lounges.

DIE A
1: TICKLE
2: FINGER
3: KISS
4: SUCK
5: CARESS
6: SLAP
7: FONDLE
8: PINCH
9: LICK
10: BITE
11: SNIFF
12: GRIND ON

DIE B
1: LIPS
2: THIGH
3: CHEST
4: ASS
5: MOUTH
6: ELBOW
7: NECK
8: EAR
9: NIPPLE
10: GENITALS
11: KNEE
12: NOSE

SEX TOY ROULETTE

Come one, come all, step right up and try your luck with Sex Toy Roulette! Several giant roulette wheels (an ode to our favorite morning TV show, The Price Is Right) are waiting for those brave enough to give them a spin. Sex Toy Roulette is a game of chance that comes with risks and rewards. Are you daring enough to give it a go?

► Sex Toy Roulette is very easy to play. The player steps up to the wheel, grabs the handle, and gives it their best spin. Whatever the needle lands on when the wheel stops is what the player wins! Lucky ducks might land on one of the fabulous instant prizes which can be claimed immediately. Less lucky ducks land on one of the sex toy options.

► If the needle lands on one of the sex toy options the roulette manager will give the player the corresponding sex toy. The toy will sync with the player's Watch and begin a countdown of 4 hours. The instructions for further steps are also transmitted to their Watch: Use this sex toy in a sex act with another guest within 4 hours.

► Players that complete the game and use the sex toy within 4 hours will receive no penalty. They also get to keep the sex toy. Yay!

► Players that do not complete the game and do not use the sex toy within 4 hours will be penalized. Not only will a substantial amount of chips be drained from their bank account, guests may experience a sudden and intense suit flare. Wildcards may randomly experience symptoms of ANY SUIT.

1: BLINDFOLD
2: CHOCOLATE SYRUP
3: PADDLE
4: DILDO
5: INSTA-PRIZE
6: G-STRING
7: CLIT SUCKER
8: ANAL BEADS
9: ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH
10: INSTA-PRIZE
11: MAGIC WAND
12: GUN

13: A REGULAR SPOON
14: VIBRATOR
15: INSTA-PRIZE
16: ROPE
17: BALL GAG
18: FLESHLIGHT
19: BONDAGE TAPE
20: FLAVORED CONDOMS
21: INSTA-PRIZE
22: BUTT PLUG
23: GARTER BELT
24: KNIFE

25: NIPPLE CLAMPS
26: INSTA-PRIZE
27: LEASH & COLLAR
28: RIDING CROP
29: SEX DOLL
30: BEN WA BALLS
31: CHASTITY CAGE
32: ANKLE CUFFS
33: COCK RING
34: INSTA-PRIZE
35: CUCUMBER
36: HANDCUFFS

► Guests that land on INSTA-PRIZE may select from the following prizes:

An extra-large chip payout and money box experience. Stand inside a narrow box and enjoy being showered with the bills of different cultures across the multiverse! Dollars, yen, euros, yuan... you name it.

The royal experience. Travel around the party in the coveted Pure Gold Peacock Palanquin. Enjoy 24 hours of topless servants and constant hand-and-foot service. All of your commands will be obeyed.

Select from an assortment of luxury watches, necklaces, earrings, and other expensive articles of clothing. Cashmere, pure silk, Mongolian wool — high quality items for keeps. May also select from appliances that would not be normally found in low rank suites.

A brand new car or motorcycle!!! Yes, the car will have to live in the garage, but it's all yours. Winners who choose a motorcycle may ride it around the hallways of the resort.

► The specific details of the sex toy a character is given is left to OOC discretion. For example, if you choose to land on "vibrator", you may have your character given any kind of vibrator. Have fun!

1 or 11

Down the hall from the main hub guests may find a clandestine room with a silvery sign on the door — ARE YOU 1 OR 11? Crossing the threshold brings a different atmosphere from the card tables and slot machines. The game manager stops every person that comes inside, offering four cards and asking the new player to select one.

"This will be your role inside Lovers' Hideaway," she explains with a smile. After selecting a card, the player will be guided past the velvet curtains to join in the amorous atmosphere of a silver-studded lounge with several private bedrooms.

► 1 or 11 is a game of dominance and submission. The four hidden cards offered at the door are all Ace cards. The specific Ace card that the player draws indicates their role of either Dominant or Submissive. For the rest of their time inside Lover's Hideaway that is the dynamic they are expected to play. Players will win a large payout after any intimate D/s encounter.

► A player must redraw every time they leave and return to Lovers' Hideaway, so it is possible to play both dynamics.

A♦: ACE OF DIAMONDS — 1, Submissive.
A♥︎: ACE OF HEARTS — 11, Dominant.
A♣: ACE OF CLUBS — 1, Submissive.
A♠: ACE OF SPADES — 11, Dominant.

► The rules of 1 or 11 are otherwise very relaxed. Doms and Subs seek one another out inside Lovers' Hideaway and find mutual satisfaction together. The staff of Lovers' Hideaway are happy to provide any amenities that the couple would like to use in their play.

HOUSE OF CARDS

Ladies and gentleman! Do you dare to test how steady your hands are? Are you ready for a new challenge? Come play our new game, House of Cards. Step up to any table with a house of cards and prepare to go head-to-head with another guest in a game of strategy and luck.

► Players take turns removing one of the cards from a house of cards. Similarly to Jenga, players must be careful not to knock the house of cards over when removing a card. The player that causes the house to collapse is the loser. A large sum of chips will be transfered from the loser to the winner after the house falls.

► Each card has a question. After successfully pulling a card, the player must then answer the question honestly. Questions vary in intensity, ranging from simple inquiries such as, What is your favorite color? to more complicated, Would you betray a loved one for financial gain?

► Failure to answer the question or to answer it honestly will register as a loss on the player's Watch. The player will then be flagged as the loser and a large sum of chips will be transferred to the winning player.

EXCLUSIVE LOUNGES

ONLY FOR THE FEW

HIGH CLASS OASIS

Being a high rank in the Golden Peacock comes with perks. 168 hours is exhausting, so staff have arranged a luxurious respite for the high rank guests that need a break from the party. Guests ranked 10 - King are invited to come relax in the High Class Oasis. Suit-clad and sunglasses wearing security stand at the door and check each guest's credentials before they're allowed to enter.

Security are strict about monitoring who is allowed to come into the oasis. They won't even allow a high rank to bring a mid or low rank with them; they won't risk upsetting any of the other high ranks. However, while these security guards are loyal and diligent, they aren't especially smart. It is possible for low and mid rank guests to sneak into the oasis with a bit of ingenuity. But be careful — if you don't walk the high class walk, one of the royal long-term guests might call for security to drag the peasants away.

Private bedrooms and sleeping pods.

Bathroom featuring showers, bath tubs, hot tubs, sauna, and steam room.

Racks of complimentary clothing.

Top-shelf bottles of wine, champagne, and spirits.

Complimentary cigarettes and cigars.

Full body massages and masseuses on call.

Birdbucks baristas serving up any and all coffee drinks, on the house.

Peace and quiet away from the peasants!

HIGH ROLLER CLUB

Guests that are willing to bet high and gamble hard are invited to play in the High Roller Club. The High Roller Club isn't for the faint of wallet or heart; everything played inside this exclusive club is high risk and high reward. Guests that refuse to match the high risk energy of the club will be escorted out immediately. Entrance to the High Roller Club is dependent upon the means to bet high. If the dealers judge a guest to be broke and/or a coward, unable to put forth chips and unwilling to bet their bodies, they will be denied access.

Guests that have been denied access but are caught trying to sneak in will be conscripted into drink service. They will be dressed up in a sexy bird costume and made to serve drinks to high rollers. Think sexy casino bunny, bird edition. Hey, at least that gives them a bird's eye view of how the extremely wealthy (and gambling addicts) play?

All games require large bets, either monetary or bodily.

Sex acts may be offered in lieu of chips if the player has no chips left to bet.

All drinks are complementary when playing in the club.

Wins and losses must be large enough to be impactful on a player's daily life.

Players can end up in the red, which triggers instant conscription. Players in massive debt will be forced to work in other areas of the party to begin paying back the house.

Any kind of game may be played in the club, including games under the "Game Rooms" tab.

WOMEN'S PARLOR

A pair of eight foot Amazonian bouncers guard the doors to the Women's Parlor. Only guests that identify as women will be allowed to enter the parlor. Guests that identify as men will be blocked by the bouncers' crossed spears. This lounge is a private space for women to relax and refresh during the festivities.

Like the other lounges, it is not impossible for guests that identify as men to sneak into the Women's Parlor. However, these Amazonian bouncers won't move an inch from the door and refuse to engage with men, leaving little room for persuasion or sneaking. Men who wish to sneak into the Women's Parlor will have to crossdress as women in order to pass the bouncers. It's important to keep up the act, too, lest the long-standing guests inside the parlor realize that men have snuck into their haven and call the Amazons to come catch them.

Comfortable couches and sofas; blankets and pillows.

A few showers stocked with amenities.

Quick laundry service for gowns and pantsuits.

Exclusive dessert bar, featuring limited edition pastries.

High tea at all hours, featuring limited edition tea blends and mini sandwiches.

Running chocolate fountain and numerous dip-able foods such as fruits and marshmallows.

Numerous kittens and cats for cuddling.

Complimentary shoulder and/or foot massages.

HANGOVER AFTERCARE

DID YOU HAVE FUN?

A LITTLE AFTERCARE

► The morning after the party ends, characters will find themselves waking up with someone else in their bed. Did you go to bed with someone last night? Oops, looks like they got misplaced in the shuffle, but please enjoy this new person. No one should wake up alone after a party — or so the house thinks. Affection and intimacy have been reported to increase happiness in humans and semi-human individuals after an exhausting escapade. Plus, it's heard that hangovers can be torturous. Not that it would know.

► Guests won't just be waking up to each other. Waiting for them are trays with steaming hot breakfast and a large cloth bag labeled Hangover Kit. While you're enjoying some coffee and munching on bacon, feel free to dig into the bag and check out what the house has sent for you! Isn't it the best host?

Please enjoy your complimentary: water bottle; aspirin packs; Pepto-Bismol; Gas-X; Imodium; anal douche; enema kit; viagra; face masks; a box of Bon-Bons; and one (1) random sex toy.

Have a pleasant sleepy morning!

OOC NOTES

INVITES | RESERVES | APPLICATIONS

▶ BLANKET CW: Alcohol; altered states; BDSM dynamics; coercion; drug use; exhibitionism; food play; gambling; servitude

▶ 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.

▶ Happy New Year and 2025! ♥

NAVIGATION • LOG • NETWORK • OOC • MEME

Comments

[redhairedturk]

[He is still sipping his whiskey and scanning the crowd for ... Well, he doesn't even know for what. Something interesting maybe, or a familiar face. For a clue of who the host might be, or where he is in the first place.
There are still too many unanswered questions, and while Reno does enjoy the location, he still wants to know how he got here in the first place.

He is lost in thoughts for a moment, when he suddenly sees a giant ball of pink and gemstones appear before him, grabbing him by the wrists ... And a familiar face beams at him.]

Flower girl!

[There is relief in his voice, that someone he knows is actually here, too. That aerith is alright.
And then he realizes that Aerith shouldn't be here in the first place, or else Tseng will kill him!]

Why the fuck are you here!? Wherever "here" is.

[aflowers]

[ Well, if she'd somehow had any doubts that it's really Reno she's dealing with... Aerith's laugh is warm, and for a second she thinks about teasing him a little, mimicking his speech down to the very word, but she takes pity on him in the end, curls her fingers a little more tightly against his wrist as she looks up at him.

She really is glad to see him. ]

To tell you the truth? I don't know. I'm guessing I got here the same way as you did; it seems to be kind of a recurring theme...

[ It's been the same with everyone she's spoken to, after all. Waking up in an unfamiliar place, mostly naked and with another person, sometimes familiar and sometimes not. ]

If it makes you feel better, though, I woke up with Rude. Not a stranger. He looked after me while we tried to figure out what was going on.

[redhairedturk]

[Well, yeah, that does sound familiar and pretty much like Reno ended up here too, except he didn't know the guy he was stuck in a car with.
But at least Bakugo was already familiar with the place and has given him at least some information.
Yet, Aerith being here doesn't sit right with him at all, and something twists unpleasantly in his stomach.]

We gotta get you outta here again, that's clearly not a place for little princesses, don't ya think?

[Then her words sink in and his eyes widen ever so slightly]

Wait, ya said Rude's here?

[Somehow that's a bigger relief than anything else so far, and he can't help that he looks around for a brief moment to see if he sees the familiar shaved head somewhere, but doesn't see anything with how crowded the room is.]

Rufus is here as well, ran into him earlier. So looks like it's definitely been a whole bunch of us that ended up here last night.
Makes me wonder what the fuck went wrong for that to happen.

[He shakes his head, more and more questions piling up that demand answers, and Reno doesn't like that there aren't any.]

How have you been so far? No creeps or weird new bodyguards?

[aflowers]

[ She can't help but roll her eyes at his statement, right before fixing him with a Look. ]

I'm hardly little anymore, [ she points out, and the Look gives way to a laugh, a shake of her head. ] And given the kind of place this is, you'd best try to stop thinking of me that way, you know?

[ It'll just make it more difficult for him after all if he can't separate Aerith, the girl for whom he's always looked out, from Aerith, the girl trapped with him in a sex-crazy resort and casino. ]

He is. I dunno where he is right now but— huh. Rufus too?

[ And there's a moment, just a moment, where she allows herself to wonder if any of the others might have shown up too—

Surely, though, he'd have mentioned it. Right?

She shakes the thought off, smiling her amusement at his question. ]

Are you putting those two in the same category? Because I kinda enlisted Rude as a bodyguard in my own mind when we woke up~ [ A laugh. ] Anyway, no creeps, unless you count the place itself. How about you..?

[redhairedturk]

To me, you'll always be both, princess, [Even though they are only a few years apart] and It's balls, I will. Tseng's gonna kill me thrice if he finds out I let ya here alone!

[Little does he know that the leader of the Turks is here as well and far more established, too. But in any case, he is not going to let anyone touch Aerith unless she explicitly agrees to it.
However, it still makes him feel a lot better to know that his partner is here somewhere too, and he puts it on his list of things to do as the second priority to watch out for him. Right after keeping his eyes on Aerith for now.]

Yeah, I met him earlier, [He keeps the circumstances and the pair of dirty dice involved to himself] don't know if anyone else is here or if it's just us. Rufus also seemed to be here for a while already, so the fuck do I know what's goin' on.

[He chuckles, giving her that much, ut he is also glad to hear that she's been doing fine so far without any unwanted advances.]
Not if it's Rude, but since he seems to have vanished, I guess I'll be your bodyguard again. To keep the creeps away for now.
Got kinda lucky myself so far. Only ran into Rufus, like I said, and some other guy, what's his name .. ah, Aventurine. Met him when I literally won the roulette.

[aflowers]

[ Despite herself, she laughs airily at the comment. Okay, fine, she might not exactly enjoy the nickname, but it's kinda nice to see that this place hasn't changed Reno one bit. Plus, there's some sort of ridiculousness in the idea of Tseng killing his fellow Turk over their current circumstances that she just can't help but laugh at. ]

Don't worry about Tseng, [ she assures the redhead with a conspiratorial wink. ] If worse comes to worst, I'll handle him, you know?

[ Teasing aside, she falls silent again to listen to him explain his experiences thus far. Like her, he's met people from their world and from others.

...Unlike her, he's— ]

You won the roulette? [ Her eyes are wide. She hasn't played it herself yet, but she saw it earlier and all she can remember is the type of roulette it is...

Which... ]

I'm... kinda afraid to ask, but what did you win?

[redhairedturk]

[Well, he hasn't been here long enough yet to get changed in any way, but he also doubts that there will be any change happening any time soon.
He still has to make up his mind over the place in general, but he definitely doesn't want Aerith to be changed in any way, that much's for certain.]

Sure, I'll call ya right before he tears my head off, how 'bout that?
[He winks back at her, chuckling with his full body.
He knows that his boss has a soft spot for her, so it might even work. He just hopes it doesn't even get that far in the first place.]

Oh yeah, kinda did. But that meant I got a borin' price in comparison. One o' those insta prizes, so I got a lot o' extra chips. I was hopin' for something a bit more-
[He stops himself from continuing as he remembers who he is talking to, and quickly clears his throat.]
Anyway, yeah, I got some cash.

[aflowers]

[ He's determined to treat her with kid gloves, she thinks—or so it seems, anyway, from the way he starts to explain what he was hoping for, only to clear his throat and change his mind on the subject. And Aerith, where she was ready to keep joking with him about Tseng, finds her attention drawn toward the deliberate evasion, her brows raising in playful curiosity. Cash is good, and it will no doubt help him out in a number of ways here, but... well, she's more interested in what he wanted.

She nudges an elbow against his side. And, clever as he is, he'll no doubt see it coming from a mile away: the playful glint in her eyes, the sly way she looks at him. Not that it will help him much, because the question comes in the next moment: ]

Hoping for something a bit more what, Reno?

[redhairedturk]

[It's not that he thinks that Aerith is a kid still, she clearly is a young woman by now, but while he loves teasing Elena and make her uncomfortable with topics like that, it's different with Aerith.
Plus the fact that he still thinks that Tseng would rip his head right off if he ever found out that he was casually talking sex games with her.

But of course, as always, she has to push things, and Reno could never say no to this big, green eyes.
It's unfair, really.]


I was hopin' for somethin' a bit more interesting. But more action.
Ya know what I mean.

[aflowers]

[ Aerith can't quite help the way that her cheeks flush at the statement, even as the smile stays on her face, even as she nudges him with her elbow once more. She's not entirely without experience, of course, but neither does she have a lot of it; when it comes to things like this, she's a little shy even as she teases him, a playful smile on her lips. ]

Then... why don't you play again? There's nothing stopping you, right? And maybe you'll get your "somethin' a bit more interesting" this time, you know?

[ Sorry, Reno. ]

[redhairedturk]

[He notices the redness rising into her cheeks, and a part of him is relieved that Aerith truly seems to be a bit shy about these things.
Despite it all, he feels weirdly protective of her, even now. Or maybe especially now.]

Well, yeah, actually I wanted to, but then I ran into you, sooo ... Didn't get the chance yet.
And - [He quickly raises his finger to catch her attention before she can open her mouth] before you say anything, no, I won't play while you watch or join, just so we're clear, okay princess?

[aflowers]

[ Blush or not, the truth of the matter is that there's not going to be any protection of her—not here, not in that way. That fact, unfortunately for him, is the first thing that comes to mind when he interrupts her nearly-made offer to go over to the game together, calling her "princess" again in the same breath that he tells her he won't involve her in it.

And sure, she recognizes that it might have less to do with protection and more to do with him not wanting their respective lives tangled up in such a way, but... ]

If it's for your sake, I won't spoil your fun~. But Reno, you know... [ She pauses. Frowns. How can she put this delicately? ] I know you wanna protect me, but when it comes to this place, and how we have to live while we're here, I...

[ Another pause, and she offers him a helpless little shrug. ]

You get it. We're all in the same situation, you know?

[redhairedturk]

[Yes. Yes he knows, he is painfully aware of it, and that's why he was all the more shocked to see her of all people in this place.
Hell, if it had been SOLDIER boy, he would've laughed at him and tried to find popcorn to see how he would awkwardly fumble his way through his place.
But Aerith...

Reno's lips tighten a little, and he sobers, turquoise eyes speaking of how serious he is.]

Yeah, I know. And it's not like you'd spoil my fun or anythin'.
Just ... Ah. [He huffs, but there is no humor in it.] that's just one o' those creeps that ya don't want on your list, okay?

[He wants to reach out and brush a few of those flyaway hairs that got tangled in the itchy face away from Aerith shoulder, and his hand twitches, but he doesn't.
It might be some idealistic thing, putting her on a pedestal or something, he's not sure himself.
Instead he forces himself back into his usual grin and shrugs.]

But if anyone else ever causes you trouble or there's anything ya need help with, just lemme know, okay? I'll be there in a second.

[aflowers]

[ There's something about what he says that only makes her frown deepen.

"One o' those creeps"

Does he mean the game as a whole? Or himself? If it's him, she certainly doesn't want him talking about himself that way. ]

Reno—

[ He grins, though, shrugs, and it seems the moment is over, hidden between the rules of their usual interactions. It's all she can do to try not to feel concerned, allowing a smile to find her face in answer; she does, though, reach out and link an arm with his, drawing herself in nearer to his side. ]

I promise I will. [ She doesn't even insist on it going both ways, despite her wish to do exactly that. He's gonna be stuck in his ways for a while, she thinks, she can work on it with him later— ] Thank you, Reno.

[redhairedturk]

[He has no idea - despite constant surveillance - just how experienced Aerith is, and part of him - again, the one that puts her on that pedestal of being something, someone special - doesn't want to know. And doesn't want to think about what will be going on with her in this place.
Fuck, Reno feels like he's about to have the time of his life here, but this doesn't feel right. Aerith's too good to get corrupted by this, and if that last bit of light would to dim as well ... He doesn't want to be someone who stains that kind of beauty.

Fuck, what is he even thinking?!
Thankfully it's just a fleeting moment, and his mask is back in place as quickly as it might've slipped just there, and he puts his hand on her arm as she hooks herself in.]

Don't mention it.
So, watcha wanna do? Wanna grab a drink, or see what else this place got to offer?

[aflowers]

[ She sees it—doesn't know what it is, no, but watches it play out over Reno's face for that split second: something troubled, something dark and worried. It makes her want to reach out again, to try and get past that mask he's so good at wearing; for now at least though she decides to accept it, to respect the distance he's put between them, even here.

There's time enough to figure it out, after all.

And so she smiles as he asks his question, hums in curiosity. It's true that she'd like to see more of what the place has for them, so... ]

Why don't we do both? Get a drink, and take a walk around while we enjoy it?

[redhairedturk]

Sound like a plan to me,

[He grins, clearly back to being his old cocky self that he presents to the world. Not like it's a lie, but there are simply things that he doesn't like to present to everyone as readily as the confidence he clearly has in spades.

He pulls Aerith close, like a box taking his girl to prom as he guides their way back to the bar, giving her and almost charming smile.]

So what's it gonna be for the lady?
I'll pay. I just landed the big money prize after all.

[aflowers]

( in the name of running away from captcha! )