【 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.
[ he's careful to keep his voice steady and calm, as if doing so might be enough to transfer some of that calm to her. he can feel her anxiety rise with every word, and he's simultaneously sorry to be the one to put it there, but also relieved that he might be able to repay the kindnesses of those who had helped him sort himself out when he first arrived.
he drops his hands to lace idly over his lap, the pillow sinking slightly under their weight. ]
When you just arrive, you aren't fully branded yet. But after some time, you will eventually find a similar mark somewhere on your body.
As I understand it, it's one of the main ways the house tracks your... progress.
( so that's what he meant by assuring her that they hadn't had sex-
not that the sexual nature of this place escaped her. that much she had noticed and while she just took it as this place being rather liberal more than anything, things were starting to make sense. no wonder all the games seemed to revolve around sex.
while she had a number of questions, she knew it would be impossible to have it all answered and explained for. all she could do was sigh at his explanation, a self-soothing effort to relieve herself of her stress. )
Well now this all makes sense...I ran into a girl earlier who seemed so confused by everything, questioning and wondering the purpose of this place. I just figured 'why not enjoy the free luxuries'....but...
[ he admires how well she takes it, for all her self-deprecation. it's not an easy pill to swallow, especially for someone who seems as young as she does. quickly, he shakes his head, hoping to reassure her. ]
No. Even if it was just a few extra hours of ignorant bliss, you were happy, weren't you? There can't be anything foolish about that.
[ he'll spare her the grittier. details for now. after this week there's no doubt she has at least a self of the lengths the hotel will go to, to get what it wants. for now, that's enough. ]
You might know better now, but I hope you can still find reasons to be happy.
[ finally, he shifts, turning to face a nearby wall. ]
I'll turn away now so you can get yourself sorted if you like. I can answer more questions, too. Whatever you need.
Happiness is never foolish, I think I heard someone say that once.
( it felt nice for once to not be criticized for the way she was, a thought she held onto as she watched him turn away from her. whatever kindness marco had for her was enough to set aside her worries about this place for now.
he had been honest, proved it, forgave her for the water being spilled on him, and was being a gentleman. it was difficult to....simply let him be someone she ran into here, drifting past each other through the halls or the game floor with simple smiles.
no, he was in for more of her, she would make sure of that. her desperate search to end her loneliness would make sure of that. )
Oh don't worry about me, I'll find a way to remain happy here, but tell me...
( and this is where she swoops in just a bit closer to tease him. )
You've already seen all of me, technically. What's the harm in facing each other while we still speak? I'd hate to inconvenience you~
[ by now, the water's all but dried up anyway. just a faint bit of dampness down the front of his chest, but it wasn't like it was particularly cold, so it could have always been much worse.
that's just what you have to say to yourself, right? it could always be so much worse. ]
Ah—
[ he isn't prepared for her to get in his space. he's not exactly a prude (though he may seem it, with his overly polite and proper ways) but it's still a surprise when the overall mood of the conversation shifts so suddenly. he blinks down at the smile on her face, coy and even a little mischevious, and he feels a little like he may have just walked into trouble without realizing. (unfortunately, he has a knack for that...) ]
It's not an inconvenience at all, [ he says, after a second of gathering his bearings. is it ruder, then, to turn away from her entirely? he shifts in his seat — mindful to keep the pillow directly over his lap — but this way he's turned back to face her a little better, knees gravitating her way. ]
I’m pretty new here, so of course I have more questions. Namely about that marking-
( it doesn’t take her long to see just how uncomfortable and perhaps even flustered she might have made him, and while it didn’t come from a place of cruelty, she couldn’t help but laugh a bit. she wouldn’t fluster him for very long though, because soon she’s moving away to find something wear in the closet by the door.
as she rummaged through the closet, the bedsheet loosely wrapped around her body, she began to call out to him. )
So tell me, how long have you been here? What happens when that mark turns completely dark? You said this place uses to track our ‘progress’?
[ when she stands and turns away from him, reflex would have him casting his glance aside. he catches himself a second later, and has to force himself to keep his gaze steady on her head, so as not to cause her any further offense. she seems intent on keeping the air between them casual, so he's not about to go out of his way to forcing something more rigid and formal between them just because he's far more used to it. ]
A little under three months, [ he answers, though it's honestly anyone's bet if the watch they've all been provided is an accurate source of information when it comes to that. he's skeptical enough not to put it past their captors to mess with the only real source of time-telling... but he's been enough of a downer today, so he keeps that bit of pessimism to himself. ]
As I understand it, the darker your mark is, the longer it's been since the last time you've been... intimate with someone. Once it's been long enough, the suit will "activate," and you're forced to endure some effects until you've satisfied it. [ with sex, comes the unspoken part. ] But how long and how satisfied seems to vary from person to person, or case by case. [ honestly, the rules seem to change on a whim each and every time. ] There are four suits in total: hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades, like mine. I believe each one comes with their own unique effects.
( on the opposite end of the spectrum, where he was being so cautious with her she was simply just rummaging about. there was little care if he saw a bit more of her as she pulled forth some sheets, towels, whatever was in the closet. was it a bit naive of her to be like this? downright foolish? perhaps but as long as he wasn’t outright attacking her [and she didn’t get that vibe from him], she would remain casual like this for a while. )
So that means…you’re close to being forced to endure those effects right?
( as worry filled her voice, she finally found a bathrobe and let the bedsheet fall to the ground below her. she began to get dressed in the robe, unshaded by the fact that she’s briefly naked before him-
yet again. soon she’s moving back to his side, ignoring the food and other amenities left by the hotel staff. )
[ marco starts a little. of the slew of information he'd thrown at her, he had 't expected that that would be her initial takeaway. it leaves him a little speechless for a moment, one of his hands even trailing up to cover that mark of his as if in guilt... ]
No, [ he says before too long, ] no that's not the case, I.
[ certainly he's got people he can rely on. many of the players he's come to know her are generous and understanding; they're all suffering under the same plight, after all... but. ]
I don't... [ hm. that is— ] I would rather not trouble anyone, until I have to.
[ he drops his hand, giving the mark a critical look. ]
I have some time yet. [ a week, perhaps. two if he's lucky. ] Don't worry about me.
[ pls??? she's the new arrival here, certainly she should focus more on gathering her bearings.
ah, speaking of— ]
I didn't introduce myself, I'm sorry. My name is Marco.
( as she sat down next to him, reira gave him a soft look as she heard him speak. that was certainly an interesting response- given how she often viewed sex as a way to connect to someone and ease her own loneliness, she was intrigued to find someone who viewed it as a burden. there could be a million reasons why he did, perhaps the scars he had were a reason, but she wasn’t quite sure.
nor was she going to try and pinpoint the reason for it either. truthfully she hadn’t quite paid much attention to whatever flaw he might have had. given she was often judged as a child for being of mixed race, she had more empathy and understanding when it came to things like that.
so she remained silent until he finally introduced himself. it was then that she took his hand gently and shook it before responding. )
It’s okay, no need to apologize. I did wake up naked next to you and spilled water on you after all.
( with a soft smile, she finally said her name. )
I’m Layla, but I often get called ‘Reira’. Are you alone here Marco? Are those people…from your home?
[ 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?
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.
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.
( it was a terrible song by a terrible man when she thought about, but only ever listened to it when she was completely sad. so she won't offer to sing it to marco to see if he just didn't recognize the name—
instead she simply shrugged at his words, putting a pin in that comment for now. )
I'll be at the wellness facilities every day if it has a gym...
( it's a faint comment, and while it could seem she was vain about her appearance, really it was more of a structured habit. being famous meant she had to look her best always, even in a place like this where no one really knew her. )
What about you? I mean...aside from avoiding sex, what do you do in your spare time?
( and now she was moving closer to him, her face looking up at his with an intense curiosity. she was genuinely interested in what someone like him did to pass the time. reira didn't want to assume but she could sense he certainly wasn't taking drugs and partying it up, like she had. )
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peacockstop2025-01-15 09:00 pm
no subject
[ he's careful to keep his voice steady and calm, as if doing so might be enough to transfer some of that calm to her. he can feel her anxiety rise with every word, and he's simultaneously sorry to be the one to put it there, but also relieved that he might be able to repay the kindnesses of those who had helped him sort himself out when he first arrived.
he drops his hands to lace idly over his lap, the pillow sinking slightly under their weight. ]
When you just arrive, you aren't fully branded yet. But after some time, you will eventually find a similar mark somewhere on your body.
As I understand it, it's one of the main ways the house tracks your... progress.
no subject
not that the sexual nature of this place escaped her. that much she had noticed and while she just took it as this place being rather liberal more than anything, things were starting to make sense. no wonder all the games seemed to revolve around sex.
while she had a number of questions, she knew it would be impossible to have it all answered and explained for. all she could do was sigh at his explanation, a self-soothing effort to relieve herself of her stress. )
Well now this all makes sense...I ran into a girl earlier who seemed so confused by everything, questioning and wondering the purpose of this place. I just figured 'why not enjoy the free luxuries'....but...
Kinda foolish of me huh?
no subject
No. Even if it was just a few extra hours of ignorant bliss, you were happy, weren't you? There can't be anything foolish about that.
[ he'll spare her the grittier. details for now. after this week there's no doubt she has at least a self of the lengths the hotel will go to, to get what it wants. for now, that's enough. ]
You might know better now, but I hope you can still find reasons to be happy.
[ finally, he shifts, turning to face a nearby wall. ]
I'll turn away now so you can get yourself sorted if you like. I can answer more questions, too. Whatever you need.
no subject
( it felt nice for once to not be criticized for the way she was, a thought she held onto as she watched him turn away from her. whatever kindness marco had for her was enough to set aside her worries about this place for now.
he had been honest, proved it, forgave her for the water being spilled on him, and was being a gentleman. it was difficult to....simply let him be someone she ran into here, drifting past each other through the halls or the game floor with simple smiles.
no, he was in for more of her, she would make sure of that. her desperate search to end her loneliness would make sure of that. )
Oh don't worry about me, I'll find a way to remain happy here, but tell me...
( and this is where she swoops in just a bit closer to tease him. )
You've already seen all of me, technically. What's the harm in facing each other while we still speak? I'd hate to inconvenience you~
no subject
that's just what you have to say to yourself, right? it could always be so much worse. ]
Ah—
[ he isn't prepared for her to get in his space. he's not exactly a prude (though he may seem it, with his overly polite and proper ways) but it's still a surprise when the overall mood of the conversation shifts so suddenly. he blinks down at the smile on her face, coy and even a little mischevious, and he feels a little like he may have just walked into trouble without realizing. (unfortunately, he has a knack for that...) ]
It's not an inconvenience at all, [ he says, after a second of gathering his bearings. is it ruder, then, to turn away from her entirely? he shifts in his seat — mindful to keep the pillow directly over his lap — but this way he's turned back to face her a little better, knees gravitating her way. ]
Did you have more questions?
no subject
( it doesn’t take her long to see just how uncomfortable and perhaps even flustered she might have made him, and while it didn’t come from a place of cruelty, she couldn’t help but laugh a bit. she wouldn’t fluster him for very long though, because soon she’s moving away to find something wear in the closet by the door.
as she rummaged through the closet, the bedsheet loosely wrapped around her body, she began to call out to him. )
So tell me, how long have you been here? What happens when that mark turns completely dark? You said this place uses to track our ‘progress’?
no subject
A little under three months, [ he answers, though it's honestly anyone's bet if the watch they've all been provided is an accurate source of information when it comes to that. he's skeptical enough not to put it past their captors to mess with the only real source of time-telling... but he's been enough of a downer today, so he keeps that bit of pessimism to himself. ]
As I understand it, the darker your mark is, the longer it's been since the last time you've been... intimate with someone. Once it's been long enough, the suit will "activate," and you're forced to endure some effects until you've satisfied it. [ with sex, comes the unspoken part. ] But how long and how satisfied seems to vary from person to person, or case by case. [ honestly, the rules seem to change on a whim each and every time. ] There are four suits in total: hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades, like mine. I believe each one comes with their own unique effects.
no subject
So that means…you’re close to being forced to endure those effects right?
( as worry filled her voice, she finally found a bathrobe and let the bedsheet fall to the ground below her. she began to get dressed in the robe, unshaded by the fact that she’s briefly naked before him-
yet again. soon she’s moving back to his side, ignoring the food and other amenities left by the hotel staff. )
You don’t have anyone here to have sex with?
no subject
No, [ he says before too long, ] no that's not the case, I.
[ certainly he's got people he can rely on. many of the players he's come to know her are generous and understanding; they're all suffering under the same plight, after all... but. ]
I don't... [ hm. that is— ] I would rather not trouble anyone, until I have to.
[ he drops his hand, giving the mark a critical look. ]
I have some time yet. [ a week, perhaps. two if he's lucky. ] Don't worry about me.
[ pls??? she's the new arrival here, certainly she should focus more on gathering her bearings.
ah, speaking of— ]
I didn't introduce myself, I'm sorry. My name is Marco.
no subject
nor was she going to try and pinpoint the reason for it either. truthfully she hadn’t quite paid much attention to whatever flaw he might have had. given she was often judged as a child for being of mixed race, she had more empathy and understanding when it came to things like that.
so she remained silent until he finally introduced himself. it was then that she took his hand gently and shook it before responding. )
It’s okay, no need to apologize. I did wake up naked next to you and spilled water on you after all.
( with a soft smile, she finally said her name. )
I’m Layla, but I often get called ‘Reira’. Are you alone here Marco? Are those people…from your home?
no subject
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?
no subject
( 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.
no subject
[ 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 subject
instead she simply shrugged at his words, putting a pin in that comment for now. )
I'll be at the wellness facilities every day if it has a gym...
( it's a faint comment, and while it could seem she was vain about her appearance, really it was more of a structured habit. being famous meant she had to look her best always, even in a place like this where no one really knew her. )
What about you? I mean...aside from avoiding sex, what do you do in your spare time?
( and now she was moving closer to him, her face looking up at his with an intense curiosity. she was genuinely interested in what someone like him did to pass the time. reira didn't want to assume but she could sense he certainly wasn't taking drugs and partying it up, like she had. )