【 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.
( once they're both settled on their feet, and once he's sure she isn't in immediate danger of tipping over by a second - or third? - pair of stray hands, he releases his grip on her and withdraws his hands. this place may encourage the debauched and the physical, but he will never linger longer than he is wanted.
in answer to her question, he shakes his head. )
Not at all. I am far more sturdy than I look.
( he may not be well-built like wriothesley or lean and honed like clorinde, but neither is he some pushover. )
Though I must say, that was quite the speed with which you came sailing over.
( she appears to be more discomfited by this party than he is, a rarity. he smiles wanly, though there is no humor to be found in it, only a sliver of comfort. )
Truthfully, they are not mine either.
( hence his presence here with nothing but water in his hand. he'll need to replenish that glass later. for now, his attention remains on her. )
Would you like me to escort you to a quiet corner somewhere? Surely they cannot penalize you so long as you adhere to the letter of the law, if not the spirit.
( they're both at the party, socializing. is that not good enough? )
( politely, though not unkindly. he motions for her to follow, though does not offer out an arm for her to take. perhaps he should have out of courtesy or an attempt to charm, but physical touch even in something as straightforward as this has never been his forte. thankfully it's not too much work to weave through the crowd, a large portion of the guests off at the game tables, and he manages to find an unoccupied table and single chair for her to take a seat.
another person might strike up a conversation, or offer to fetch food or drink. he merely stands, hands folded politely in front of him. now.....what? he's never been all too good at this part. )
[ It might simply be pretty words, to ease her concerns, but Hamel's not entirely a poor judge of character. Not when it counts, anyway, so she opts not to argue, instead following him over to the table and the chair.
... Which she doesn't sit at, quite yet, instead casting her gaze about and stepping away briefly to fetch another chair and plunk it down on the other end of the table. Sir, it's okay. You don't have to loom. ]
though it's not as though he's the iudex here anymore, with endless trials and court cases to oversee. the only trials left for him here are those of his own making, as he tries his best to avoid the worst of the salaciousness that seems to occupy every corner of the room.
he doesn't take the seat offered, but he does glance her way, a flash of curiosity and also chagrin in his gaze. )
Is it so obvious?
( from the way he looks and acts like a fish out of water. a dragon out of water. )
[ The chair can languish in loneliness, then. It does still very strange to be the only one sitting, but she'll do so because who knows how much energy she'll need to exert to get through this party. One must conserve their strength. ]
A dancer must always observe her audience.
[ That sounds more like a fortune cookie than an answer, but-- ]
--That is to say, you've got a very solemn and dignified bearing and I would have noticed that before now. If I don't observe, I can't perform adequately.
( ah, another performer then. he's had little time to assess the composition of the crowd he's found himself in, but perhaps it only makes sense for there to be numerous performers here. most are comfortable in their own skin and able to stand confident in a crowd, lending them more ease in unfamiliar situations such as these.
ideally, at least. he thinks he might need more time to get a read on her, for all that she seems to have pegged him already. )
Both are necessities in my line of work. ( he smiles politely. ) After all, if the judge will not maintain appropriate order and gravity in the court, who will?
( but: )
What have you observed about the audience here so far, if you don't mind me asking?
[ Hamel sort of gives off the "distant and mysterious/would fade away into mist if you tried to touch her" vibe in the first place, he can't be blamed. For a performer, she certainly doesn't seem as outgoing as one might expect. ]
... Ah. You're... someone who passes judgment, then. How poignantly ironic.
[ She says it with a bittersweet air, before she shakes her head to better focus on his question. ]
Do you mean as someone who's been here for some months or this specific audience?
( hmmm, a valid differentiation, and he gives the question due consideration before answering. )
Whichever you feel better equipped to answer.
( both would be informative for someone like him, who knows so little about this resort outside of the barebones he's already been told. and while he certainly can - and plans to - use his own senses to form deductions, there's never any harm in probing information from those more intimately involved with a case or place.
additional witness testimony, as it were.
but there is another matter he's curious on, one that promps his brows to crinkle in clear puzzlement. )
But, and I beg your pardon, I'm afraid I don't see the irony in this situation.
( is there something funny about him being a judge..... )
That's because there would be no way for you to know, without me drawing back the shroud of secrecy a little more.
[ She says it softly and apologetically, but it seems she's fine going into additional information, since she adds shortly after-- ]
There's something called Mania where I come from, infectious when above a certain level. Those infected by it either lose themselves and their forms to it and become Corruptors or gain abilities from it and become Sinners. They're viewed as monsters by others, either way.
A judge assisting a Sinner just felt... as though it wasn't a situation I ever expected to encounter.
( the additional information is appreciated, and he listens solemnly to her explanation, hands folded loosely in front of him. but try as he might, there remain a number of nuances he can't fully comprehend, and the confusion from before only digs itself further onto his face.
corruptors? sinners? all groups have their own epithets of course, but to choose such unflattering terms for something that something the general populace has no control over seems....unfair, to say the least. though perhaps there's something he's still missing about all this. )
This...Mania. It is not something that most choose to be infected with, yes? Is there no cure for it?
( a sobering answer, albeit along the lines of what he would have expected. were it so easy to simply reverse the condition, then surely it would not be so discriminated against to begin with. and yet it still seems unfair, unjust.
to be labeled sinner or corruptor simply due to external factors....no, he can't say he agrees with it. )
I see. Thank you for the explanation.
( for humoring him in this morose conversation in the middle of a lively party. truly, he is ill-suited to be a party-goer. )
Though I would like to say something, if I may. The role of any judge is to remain impartial, and to deliver a fair verdict after all truths are revealed, regardless of how many layers of deception obscure that truth from view. And I believe the truth of the matter here is that you are no sinner simply for being afflicted with a malady for which there is no cure.
( whether or not she's committed other crimes is another matter entirely. although: )
Even were you a criminal, our pasts do not always define who we wish to be in the present, and you have shown no ill-will or malice towards anyone at this party thus far. Therefore, there should be no conflict of interest in me tendering aid to you.
[ They can both be ill-suited for party shenanigans together. At least they're not dragging the mood down for other people--
But Hamel hears out this very... eloquent answer very quietly. And, just as solemnly-- ]
I appreciate that. While you may have no reason to believe me, I don't bear any hostility towards anyone here. At the very least, none of the ones who remain guests, unwilling or willing.
... So thank you, Your Honor. For being willing to maintain that impartiality, regardless. You've already helped me a great deal.
( your honor. a title he's become accustomed to, heard day in and day out. the frequency should make her usage of it now nothing out of the ordinary, but he finds himself frowning at the address nonetheless. perhaps it's the effect of this strange place. or perhaps it's simply that he's learned he no longer has to be an outsider if he so wishes.
one hand comes up, palm outstretched in a subtle rejection. )
Please, just Neuvillette is fine. The title of Chief Justice holds no sway here, though that does not mean I plan on leaving any of my principles behind.
( you can take the man out of the role of chief justice, but you can't take the chief justice out of him.... )
Neuvillette... [ It's a testing tone, to make sure she says it properly, considering. It's not a name she's heard before, though that means very little here.
But then she rises from her chair, sinking into a picture-perfect curtsy with her skirts arranged carefully around her. A dancer's pride, perhaps. ]
( a picture perfect curtsy it is indeed, but instead of reflecting on her prowess as a dancer all it does is remind him of another place, another time. another dancer who had shared her thoughts with him and performed for him, before sacrificing it all with one last smile on her face.
he inhales sharply, then lets it slowly back out. there is no tremor to his voice when he speaks again. )
Miss Hamel, then.
( there is no deep bow to complement her curtsy, though he does afford her the reply of a nod of acknowledgement and greeting. he is no performer and it shows in his movements, precise but restrained.
though perhaps that's due more to the momentary stirring of emotions in his chest, sediment disturbed from its place on the ocean floor. he's quick to move the subject along. )
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peacockstop2025-01-15 09:00 pm
no subject
in answer to her question, he shakes his head. )
Not at all. I am far more sturdy than I look.
( he may not be well-built like wriothesley or lean and honed like clorinde, but neither is he some pushover. )
Though I must say, that was quite the speed with which you came sailing over.
no subject
[ She is so embarrassed, even though it comes across as her just being incredibly quiet?? It's fine. ]
These parties aren't quite my... preference, but I found myself, er. Quite literally thrown, so it seems I'll have to go through with it regardless.
no subject
Truthfully, they are not mine either.
( hence his presence here with nothing but water in his hand. he'll need to replenish that glass later. for now, his attention remains on her. )
Would you like me to escort you to a quiet corner somewhere? Surely they cannot penalize you so long as you adhere to the letter of the law, if not the spirit.
( they're both at the party, socializing. is that not good enough? )
no subject
Well, though, it looks as though she's encountered a kindred spirit and Hamel hesitates for a few seconds, but--now is the time for decisiveness. ]
Yes, please. If you wouldn't mind accompanying me.
no subject
( politely, though not unkindly. he motions for her to follow, though does not offer out an arm for her to take. perhaps he should have out of courtesy or an attempt to charm, but physical touch even in something as straightforward as this has never been his forte. thankfully it's not too much work to weave through the crowd, a large portion of the guests off at the game tables, and he manages to find an unoccupied table and single chair for her to take a seat.
another person might strike up a conversation, or offer to fetch food or drink. he merely stands, hands folded politely in front of him. now.....what? he's never been all too good at this part. )
no subject
... Which she doesn't sit at, quite yet, instead casting her gaze about and stepping away briefly to fetch another chair and plunk it down on the other end of the table. Sir, it's okay. You don't have to loom. ]
Please, if you'd like... you don't need to stand.
By any chance, are you a new arrival?
no subject
though it's not as though he's the iudex here anymore, with endless trials and court cases to oversee. the only trials left for him here are those of his own making, as he tries his best to avoid the worst of the salaciousness that seems to occupy every corner of the room.
he doesn't take the seat offered, but he does glance her way, a flash of curiosity and also chagrin in his gaze. )
Is it so obvious?
( from the way he looks and acts like a fish out of water. a dragon out of water. )
no subject
A dancer must always observe her audience.
[ That sounds more like a fortune cookie than an answer, but-- ]
--That is to say, you've got a very solemn and dignified bearing and I would have noticed that before now. If I don't observe, I can't perform adequately.
no subject
ideally, at least. he thinks he might need more time to get a read on her, for all that she seems to have pegged him already. )
Both are necessities in my line of work. ( he smiles politely. ) After all, if the judge will not maintain appropriate order and gravity in the court, who will?
( but: )
What have you observed about the audience here so far, if you don't mind me asking?
no subject
... Ah. You're... someone who passes judgment, then. How poignantly ironic.
[ She says it with a bittersweet air, before she shakes her head to better focus on his question. ]
Do you mean as someone who's been here for some months or this specific audience?
no subject
Whichever you feel better equipped to answer.
( both would be informative for someone like him, who knows so little about this resort outside of the barebones he's already been told. and while he certainly can - and plans to - use his own senses to form deductions, there's never any harm in probing information from those more intimately involved with a case or place.
additional witness testimony, as it were.
but there is another matter he's curious on, one that promps his brows to crinkle in clear puzzlement. )
But, and I beg your pardon, I'm afraid I don't see the irony in this situation.
( is there something funny about him being a judge..... )
no subject
[ She says it softly and apologetically, but it seems she's fine going into additional information, since she adds shortly after-- ]
There's something called Mania where I come from, infectious when above a certain level. Those infected by it either lose themselves and their forms to it and become Corruptors or gain abilities from it and become Sinners. They're viewed as monsters by others, either way.
A judge assisting a Sinner just felt... as though it wasn't a situation I ever expected to encounter.
no subject
corruptors? sinners? all groups have their own epithets of course, but to choose such unflattering terms for something that something the general populace has no control over seems....unfair, to say the least. though perhaps there's something he's still missing about all this. )
This...Mania. It is not something that most choose to be infected with, yes? Is there no cure for it?
no subject
Mania can be controlled, through a few different methods. But no one has discovered a cure.
[ A quiet inhale. ]
And sometimes, when the levels are far too high, there's no going back. That is what a Corruptor is.
no subject
to be labeled sinner or corruptor simply due to external factors....no, he can't say he agrees with it. )
I see. Thank you for the explanation.
( for humoring him in this morose conversation in the middle of a lively party. truly, he is ill-suited to be a party-goer. )
Though I would like to say something, if I may. The role of any judge is to remain impartial, and to deliver a fair verdict after all truths are revealed, regardless of how many layers of deception obscure that truth from view. And I believe the truth of the matter here is that you are no sinner simply for being afflicted with a malady for which there is no cure.
( whether or not she's committed other crimes is another matter entirely. although: )
Even were you a criminal, our pasts do not always define who we wish to be in the present, and you have shown no ill-will or malice towards anyone at this party thus far. Therefore, there should be no conflict of interest in me tendering aid to you.
( how terribly long-winded........ )
no subject
But Hamel hears out this very... eloquent answer very quietly. And, just as solemnly-- ]
I appreciate that. While you may have no reason to believe me, I don't bear any hostility towards anyone here. At the very least, none of the ones who remain guests, unwilling or willing.
... So thank you, Your Honor. For being willing to maintain that impartiality, regardless. You've already helped me a great deal.
no subject
one hand comes up, palm outstretched in a subtle rejection. )
Please, just Neuvillette is fine. The title of Chief Justice holds no sway here, though that does not mean I plan on leaving any of my principles behind.
( you can take the man out of the role of chief justice, but you can't take the chief justice out of him.... )
no subject
But then she rises from her chair, sinking into a picture-perfect curtsy with her skirts arranged carefully around her. A dancer's pride, perhaps. ]
Then, please call me Hamel.
no subject
he inhales sharply, then lets it slowly back out. there is no tremor to his voice when he speaks again. )
Miss Hamel, then.
( there is no deep bow to complement her curtsy, though he does afford her the reply of a nod of acknowledgement and greeting. he is no performer and it shows in his movements, precise but restrained.
though perhaps that's due more to the momentary stirring of emotions in his chest, sediment disturbed from its place on the ocean floor. he's quick to move the subject along. )
How long have you been here, if I might ask?