【 Thank you for choosing the Golden Peacock, 5-star resort and casino. You are currently registered as a WILDCARD in our system.
It has recently come to our attention that many of our guests have not been focusing on their health and wellness. In an effort to encourage healthy living and help our beloved guests get in shape, a grand sports festival will be held in the Golden Peacock. This sports festival will include many small games and four large games.
Prior to the festival, guests will have the opportunity to train and prepare for the games with our expert coaches.
We hope you are as excited as we are! And, as always, we hope you enjoy your stay. 】
BEAK
MEET THE TEAM
♦ DIAMONDS GAME ♦
OMEGADOME: HUNTING GAME
A cheerful pair of game managers stand outside the conservatory doors and block all guests that try to enter. They quickly explain that a special Diamonds game is taking place inside and only guests that agree to participate may enter. This game is a physical exercise that riffs on "Hunting", which is a popular sport in many different countries and civilizations. Of course, it is one hundred percent safe, and all guests that play are eligible to win massive chip prizes, store vouchers, fabulous prizes, and more.
Details about the game? Those can't be shared outside of the conservatory. Only the brave and those willing to risks will reap the benefits of this Diamonds game. So step right up, dear guests, and sign this waiver before stepping into the flourishing beauty of the conservatory for a brand new adventure.
♥ HEARTS GAME ♥
DOUBLES' THERMO: SURVIVAL GAME
Chickadees is sparing no expense on advertising their e-sport games over the course of the sports festival. Posters, notifications, stickers, fliers! Come one, come all. Sports don't need to be physical. Guests that duck into the arcade will find a variety of e-sport games to enjoy, but the real showstopper that every single employee is aggressively promoting is the new immersive VR game, DOUBLES' THERMO.
A large swath of egg-shaped pods have been installed in the back half of Chickadees. Any guest that shows an iota of interest will be assaulted by employees encouraging them to give it a try. They will offer vouchers for a free session, encourage with mentions of prizes that can be won from the arcade's coveted prize wall, and persuade by praising how high tech and immersive the experience is. Some employees are desperate enough to trick or push guests into the pods if they aren't willing to go in themselves.
However they've ended up inside the VR egg, guests will find themselves submerged in strange fluid as the lid closes. Everything fades away into darkness as the game loads...
♣ CLUBS GAME ♣
QUACK AND COVER: SHOOTING GAME
Cloaca & Dagger has temporarily outfitted itself as a neon-bright paintball course. Gone are the wild sex setups in exchange for series of obstacles and obstructions for guests to navigate while in pursuit of paintball championship. This high intensity game of strategy and physical fitness promises to exhilarate! Welcome to Quack and Cover, a game where your shooting skills and ingenuity will be put to the test.
So say the game managers at the door before following up with a few disclaimers. Cloaca & Dagger is not responsible for any physical or psychological trauma guests may incur while inside. Guests that join the game will then be outfitted in tight black underarmor and supplied with a paintball gun and protective mask before being let loose on the course.
♠ SPADES GAME ♠
PECKING ORDER: MMA GAME
During night hours, many long-standing guests make their way through Talon toward the gym’s creaky basement stairs. Three floors down and then through a desolate hallway with littered with abandoned equipment. Double doors wait at the end, unassuming until they’ve been opened…
Flashing lights, jeers, and the thick odor of sweat. You’ve found the Pecking Order, a late-night mixed martial arts event where guests show their prowess in the ring. Spectating guests shout and messily eat snacks on make-shift bleachers while fighters clash inches away, using only their bodies to fight for dominance and win. Pecking Order is very informal; guests only need to sign up in order to get added to the docket. Anyone can watch, though they will be vaguely warned at the door that even spectating comes with risks.
LOCKER ROOMS
YOU WASH MY BACK, I'LL WASH YOURS
Every training and game location has a door labeled LOCKER ROOM right outside the entrance. These doors all connect to the same massive locker room. The magic of these locker room doors goes one way. Trying to go back to the place you just were by backtracking will not work — you’ll just end up in Beak! All guests will be advised to finish their games before hitting the showers.
The Golden Peacock is proud to present our upgraded and extended locker room. Please come in and enjoy the facilities, catch-up with your teammates, and enjoy some healthy drinks provided by our favorite resort convenience store, Cock-a-doodle-doo’s!
▶ 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 March 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.
▶ 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.
["Team bonding"? A sports festival? No thanks! He doesn't care at all for sweaty locker rooms or manly competitions, so he'll pass, please!
... or so he would've liked to say, but as usual, the House doesn't care what he wants. Whether he likes it or not, he got snatched from his suite and signed up for some kind of "training." And to make matters worse, this is so not the outfit he would've chosen for himself. The sleeveless crop top is fine, but the booty shorts aren't to his liking. Then again, considering some of the slogans he's seen splashed across other people's behinds, perhaps he should consider himself lucky...
His only hope of survival at Beak is to blend in as much as possible. A difficult thing to accomplish, since he's so extraordinarily good-looking (at least according to himself). But the more he blends in, the likelier it is that he'll be able to get away with doing nothing. If no one's paying him any attention, then they won't throw balls at his face and expect him to shoot them into hoops, or whatever else! Which is exactly why he plans to keep to himself.
As he approaches the canteen, however, something catches his eye. Or someone, rather. Someone who's trying to take a selfie, which is an activity Hiyori is very familiar with! But he seems disappointed by the watch camera, something Hiyori can also relate to. Then the boy turns to him, addressing him directly. And although Hiyori decided to keep to himself, ignoring someone who's trying to start a conversation would be just plain rude. Plus he knows exactly how to help. So, he smiles and chimes back:]
Right? It's such an inconvenience. But I have a trick to show you! Just watch this...♪
[He extends his own arm in front of himself, toggling some buttons on his watch. And then the watch's interface is projected in front of him, visible to them both.]
See? [He looks at Cater again.] It's what you call a hologram! ♪ Or a holograph. I'm not really sure what the proper term is. But either way, this makes it easier to type, since you can use both hands. And it also makes it easier to switch between apps and take pretty photos! Isn't that a relief?
[Cater whistles at the hologram, eager and excited. This guy wearing a pair of shorts that would be a hot commodity at NRC (because they'd work for 99% of the students there has shown him such a good trick!)]
Whoa-ho! I've got a couple buddies back at school who can do this, but let's just say I wasn't expecting to take advantage of that kind of tech myself.
[He is so not Ignihyde material— those guys have crazy work ethic!— but he's really starting to see the appeal of those fancy blue keyboards Idia and Ortho use.]
That's sick! Iiiit might be lacking a certain charm, but it does get the job done, huh?
[He opens the camera feature, flashing a smile and a wink. He hits the button and the camera goes off. Then with a tap of his finger, he projects the selfie he just took on the holographic screen, letting both of them enjoy the view.]
See? Like that! ♪ Now everyone can look at my lovely face without getting eyestrain. And it's easier to take full-body shots, too.
[He lets his image linger in the air another moment before he turns the holograph off, dropping his arm back down and settling both hands at his hips. Then he adds, casually:]
Your phone might not be lost forever, by the way. I recently got mine back, much to my surprise.
[Cater is loving that Hiyori is giving him the exact energy he wants to see in the world. It's so easy to predict the kind of behavior Hiyori is looking for in response, and it's ~his usual~. Thank the Seven or whatever.
He's a quick learner, and notes the strokes Hiyori used to execute that little endeavor, before giving an over-acted gasp.]
Really? My poor baby, I thought I might never see her again...
[Sigh.]
But, no, really, how'd you get it back? All my best shots are on there. How else am I supposed to explain when they ask what a dormouse looks like in a teapot?
[He didn't ask, but it's kind of a cute mental image.]
So that's the type of pet you like ♪ That does sound like a cute photo. Though I'm less of a rodent person and more a dog person! And a bird person, nowadays.
[But now onto how he got his phone back. One thing Cater's about to discover about Hiyori: he yaps. A lot!]
It was pretty straightforward. One of the staff called me to the front desk, and they simply handed it over! They said someone found it in the basement, and that I should always check my pockets. But that explanation made no sense, because I hadn't seen my phone since I got kidnapped! And I never spend time in the basement since it's all dark and dreary down there. So I'm not sure why they gave it back. Someone thought it might be a reward for good behavior, but I don't see that being likely, since I'm known as a rebellious free spirit. Which leaves me with two options!
[He points a finger in the air.]
One, someone on the staff fell in love with me. They wanted to do something to help me, so they got me my phone back! Or two—
[He points a second finger,]
—it was a reward for being good-looking and cute! Which do you think it was?
[It's not entirely untrue, considering they all have to take care of the dormice and hedgehogs and flamingos almost like pets... so Cater doesn't bother correcting Hiyori. He's so down with not having to be the person holding up a conversation, like, seriously, he is always doing the heavy lifting and here Hiyori is doing so much of the work himself. We stan a self-sufficient king.]
Oh, you're kidding.
[So it's for good behavior, huh...? Yeah, Cater can see why a guy like this might not suit the standard idea of that. But the rules in Heartslabyul aren't exactly standard, either, and no one outside of the house would really call making sure animals are present for tea parties 'good behavior'. You'd still get the reward of not getting magically decapitated, though, so maybe that means Hiyori accidentally followed a rule he didn't mean to.
Something to put to the test, or rather to put to other people's testing and gather the results of.]
Hold on, hold on, let me think—
[Cater gives Hiyori another look up and down and with the most charming one-pixel smile he can muster adds;]
Man, beats me. It'd be easy to fall in love with someone whose cute levels are raging off the charts like that!
[Being a rebellious free spirit in this place means something different than it would back home. While a sex scandal back home could ruin his career, not participating in debauchery could be construed as an act of rebellion at the resort. This means one can be a rebel without making any real effort. Though he has done other things to rebel too, from breaking into staff-only areas to spreading malicious rumors about the House...
In any case: he appreciates the agreement about his cuteness! He can generally tell the difference between real praise and witty banter or flattery, but he still won't turn down being called cute. He exists to be praised, and he exists to be loved!]
There's no way to know for sure, so I guess I'll choose the one I like best. Which is to say...
[A dramatic pause.]
... I choose "both"! ♪ I'll assume I have a secret admirer, and they decided to reward me for being cute. Someone whose eyes are always following me, and who loves to watch over me. That'd make them something like a "fan." And that's what makes me happiest as an idol: loving and being loved by my fans, that is.
[And he, in turn, appreciates his audience gasping and showing excitement at all the right moments. It's much more rewarding than talking to some people around here, who roll their eyes or stare sullenly before proceeding to tell him "I don't care" or "You talk too much." Rude, rude, rude. By contrast, this person is a breath of fresh air, and his smile is sincere when he chimes back:]
Right? You get it! ♪ From my face to my voice to the way I carry myself, everything about me screams "idol." No matter my environment, I can't be anything but an idol! ♪
[Then he adds, somewhat ominously:]
It's good to have a strong identity like that, I think. Since they try to break us down in all sorts of ways.
[Cater's brows bounce at that last comment, and though he doesn't exactly frown, he does pull his head back a little in his surprise and well-masked concern.]
Hey, bestie, that's a weird thing to say.
How about we unpack that comment for a little while?
[... yep. Anyone would be concerned upon hearing that!]
I'm not sure there's time to get into all of it, but...
[He glances around the canteen. When no staff member appears to be watching them, he continues. Time for an infodump!]
Basically, they like to mess with our hearts and bodies. You might be walking through the hall and get hit with "Cupid's arrow," which makes you feel absolutely infatuated with the next person you see. Or you'll wake up with animal ears, because they've decided the theme for the next "game" is animals. Or you might be going out to eat, only to find out the food has drugs in it. And then there are those "suit" things. For example, you woke up with that diamond tattoo, right?
[He taps the skin under his own eye, mirroring the place where Cater has the diamond.]
The thing about that is—
[He pauses.
Something clicks in his mind (or fails to click, rather). This person seems like a new arrival. But if they're a new arrival, shouldn't they be considered a "wildcard"? He tilts his head and asks:]
[Well, that sure puts a few more puzzle pieces into place. There's a lot of concerning points in what has just been said but Cater's just... gonna take it one bite at a time. He has been seeing people with different suits— which like, would seem weird since it's not Heartslabyul, but suits are the biggest thing the Queendom of Roses has in common with casinos, come to think of it.
That said...]
Oh, this? No. That's, uh, call it a force of habit.
[Hm. Well, this is a weird time for an introduction, but at least it'll keep it looking like they're having a normal conversation to anyone who's being nosy.]
Cater Diamond, by the way, for real really is my name. I know, I know, totally convenient, right?
But uh, yeah, call it a 'school pride' thing, but—
[he tap-taps his cheek;]
It's kind of a part of the uniform.
I know what you're talking about, though, I've seen 'em.
[Hiyori blinks, clearly unsure what was meant by "force of habit." The name reveal is even more surprising, though: talk about on-the-nose!]
... you're right, that is convenient!
[For the House, that is. Boy, are they going to have an easy time sorting this "wildcard."
Hiyori stares at the diamond mark, watching Cater tap below it, calling it a "school pride thing" and a "part of the uniform." That's also strange, but Hiyori has been living in the land of the strange for just over a year now. He can roll with it!]
That's an interesting uniform. And here I thought it was a fashion statement~♪ Or a magic birthmark!
[A pause, and then he adds:]
That reminds me of someone I met a while ago. He had a big Spade on his face, and his name had the word "Spade" in it. I know he went to some sort of magic school...
[Now for another pause.
His smile slips, and his eyes slowly start to widen. Guess who's starting to put two and two together.]
His stomach sinks. He has to fight back a grimace, not because he's being grabbed but because he brought up something that raises all sorts of questions.]
That's the one. He isn't still here, though. A lot of people come and go in this place.
[Go where, you ask? Don't worry about it, kitten!]
[What kind of place is this? Bringing him here is one thing, but his sweet little brainless baby froshies? That's...
No, Cater sorts himself straight. He lets go of Hiyori, raising both hands in submission.]
Whoa, sorry. Promise, I'm not normally such a handsy kinda guy.
I... You know? It's probably better if he isn't still here.
[It makes Cater uneasy, but he isn't about to unload in front of Some Guy he just met. He'll have to do a lot more digging...]
Super 'preesh the info, though, my guy. I'm not gonna list my classmates out for you or anything, but you ever hear anyone else besides him say anything about "Night Raven College"?
[He forces a smile, trying to be reassuring. It's one of his greatest strengths as an idol: his ability to smile no matter the circumstance!]
Not to worry. I know what it's like to watch over your underclassman, so I totally get you ♪
[It's a good thing he has that ability, though. Because this particular circumstance really is dismal. He has no idea what to say in response to those next words; he understands the sentiment, since this place isn't good for just about anyone, let alone an innocent first-year. But is it really any better to be a statue...?
He won't say that. He won't deliberately hide the information either, but he won't share it right now. It's too much to unload on some new arrival. So when Cater asks if any other people from his school are here, Hiyori seizes on that topic instead.]
As a matter of fact, I have! First there's Vil-kun, who takes good care of his looks just like I do. He's also a good dancer! And then there's Leona-kun, who's got those soft and fuzzy ears on top of his head! You absolutely can't miss him around here~♪
Vil... and Leona... two of the most solid 10s at school. Arguably, 11s. Untouchable, unreachable, out of his league, and oh, also, in the exact same year as him. Competition doesn't even begin to cover it, so maybe that's why the wind is a little taken out of Cater's sails...
Still—]
Well... I can't say I'm glad to hear any of my classmates are here, buuuut I'm sure you've noticed those guys don't exactly need taking care of.
[...Okay he is a little curious as to how Leona's faring without a pet gopher to boss around, but Cater isn't signing up for the payback that'll come out of spreading any untoward rumors about either of his classmates.]
We're in the same year together, actually.
Good to hear they're making the kind of impressions I'd expect.
[No one could really blame Hiyori about the statue thing, anyway. Maybe one of his classmates will deal with it...]
True! Vil-kun seems rather self-assured. And Leona-kun's a big strong lion, so I'm sure he does just fine for himself.
[There was also someone called Azul, he remembers. Hiyori never met him in-person, but he knows Vil found his statue, too. He will not be mentioning this, however. He's keeping the mood cheery!]
I'm sure they have nothing but lovely things to say about me, too! ♪
[He winks. This is almost certainly not true, since he's definitely annoyed Leona a couple of times, but shhhh.]
And they've been here just as long as I have, so they should be able to help you get settled. Not that I'm not happy to help, too, of course. If you ever need a pick-me-up, you can always bask in my sunshine~♪
[He's gonna have to check with Vil and Leona on all this of course, but Cater does appreciate running into someone who at least seems to be friendly with them. He'll check on those connections later, though.
...Also, annoying Leona is a low bar. Everyone annoys Leona. Cater would be more concerned if Leona reported rave reviews.]
You know, sweetie, I would love to bask in your sunshine any time, but there is one little problem with that, you realize, right?
[back to a calm and complacent little smile, Cater raises an eyebrow in amusement.]
Right, with a name like that, you're bound to be remembered! But if you'd rather go by Cay, I can definitely work with that. Guess that makes you Cay-kun~♪
[Apparently he wasn't cray-cray enough to use Cay-Cay. Though it's more that "Cay-Cay" seems like the kind of nickname Rinne would give, Rinne being someone who... disappeared and turned into a statue. This place truly is exhausting.]
Yep, feel free to ♪ That'd be one way to reach Vil-kun and Leona-kun, too. Otherwise you might find them in their rooms. Or maybe the salon in Vil-kun's case. As for Leona-kun, he could be lounging in the grass somewhere, just like lions do!
[He knows Vil can also be found pole-dancing at House Finch sometimes... but he won't share that, either. He's given Cater enough earth-shattering revelations for one day!]
[Consistency is so reassuring... It sounds like the same old Vil, too. So far. He knows the other shoe will drop, if they've been here at all longer than he has been, but can't he still believe things are close to normal a few moments longer? Hiyori's a real bro for his discretion.]
Hey, you know what? You've been real helpful already, I'm totes grateful— but if I could getcha to do one itsy bitsy little favor?
[W i n k. Cater wiggles his wrist.]
Get a selfie with me? Promise I'm not posting it anywhere.
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peacockstop2025-03-15 09:00 pm
a
... or so he would've liked to say, but as usual, the House doesn't care what he wants. Whether he likes it or not, he got snatched from his suite and signed up for some kind of "training." And to make matters worse, this is so not the outfit he would've chosen for himself. The sleeveless crop top is fine, but the booty shorts aren't to his liking. Then again, considering some of the slogans he's seen splashed across other people's behinds, perhaps he should consider himself lucky...
His only hope of survival at Beak is to blend in as much as possible. A difficult thing to accomplish, since he's so extraordinarily good-looking (at least according to himself). But the more he blends in, the likelier it is that he'll be able to get away with doing nothing. If no one's paying him any attention, then they won't throw balls at his face and expect him to shoot them into hoops, or whatever else! Which is exactly why he plans to keep to himself.
As he approaches the canteen, however, something catches his eye. Or someone, rather. Someone who's trying to take a selfie, which is an activity Hiyori is very familiar with! But he seems disappointed by the watch camera, something Hiyori can also relate to. Then the boy turns to him, addressing him directly. And although Hiyori decided to keep to himself, ignoring someone who's trying to start a conversation would be just plain rude. Plus he knows exactly how to help. So, he smiles and chimes back:]
Right? It's such an inconvenience. But I have a trick to show you! Just watch this...♪
[He extends his own arm in front of himself, toggling some buttons on his watch. And then the watch's interface is projected in front of him, visible to them both.]
See? [He looks at Cater again.] It's what you call a hologram! ♪ Or a holograph. I'm not really sure what the proper term is. But either way, this makes it easier to type, since you can use both hands. And it also makes it easier to switch between apps and take pretty photos! Isn't that a relief?
no subject
Whoa-ho! I've got a couple buddies back at school who can do this, but let's just say I wasn't expecting to take advantage of that kind of tech myself.
[He is so not Ignihyde material— those guys have crazy work ethic!— but he's really starting to see the appeal of those fancy blue keyboards Idia and Ortho use.]
That's sick! Iiiit might be lacking a certain charm, but it does get the job done, huh?
Thanks for the tip.
no subject
[He opens the camera feature, flashing a smile and a wink. He hits the button and the camera goes off. Then with a tap of his finger, he projects the selfie he just took on the holographic screen, letting both of them enjoy the view.]
See? Like that! ♪ Now everyone can look at my lovely face without getting eyestrain. And it's easier to take full-body shots, too.
[He lets his image linger in the air another moment before he turns the holograph off, dropping his arm back down and settling both hands at his hips. Then he adds, casually:]
Your phone might not be lost forever, by the way. I recently got mine back, much to my surprise.
no subject
He's a quick learner, and notes the strokes Hiyori used to execute that little endeavor, before giving an over-acted gasp.]
Really? My poor baby, I thought I might never see her again...
[Sigh.]
But, no, really, how'd you get it back? All my best shots are on there. How else am I supposed to explain when they ask what a dormouse looks like in a teapot?
[WHO WOULD ASK THAT]
no subject
So that's the type of pet you like ♪ That does sound like a cute photo. Though I'm less of a rodent person and more a dog person! And a bird person, nowadays.
[But now onto how he got his phone back. One thing Cater's about to discover about Hiyori: he yaps. A lot!]
It was pretty straightforward. One of the staff called me to the front desk, and they simply handed it over! They said someone found it in the basement, and that I should always check my pockets. But that explanation made no sense, because I hadn't seen my phone since I got kidnapped! And I never spend time in the basement since it's all dark and dreary down there. So I'm not sure why they gave it back. Someone thought it might be a reward for good behavior, but I don't see that being likely, since I'm known as a rebellious free spirit. Which leaves me with two options!
[He points a finger in the air.]
One, someone on the staff fell in love with me. They wanted to do something to help me, so they got me my phone back! Or two—
[He points a second finger,]
—it was a reward for being good-looking and cute! Which do you think it was?
no subject
Oh, you're kidding.
[So it's for good behavior, huh...? Yeah, Cater can see why a guy like this might not suit the standard idea of that. But the rules in Heartslabyul aren't exactly standard, either, and no one outside of the house would really call making sure animals are present for tea parties 'good behavior'. You'd still get the reward of not getting magically decapitated, though, so maybe that means Hiyori accidentally followed a rule he didn't mean to.
Something to put to the test, or rather to put to other people's testing and gather the results of.]
Hold on, hold on, let me think—
[Cater gives Hiyori another look up and down and with the most charming one-pixel smile he can muster adds;]
Man, beats me. It'd be easy to fall in love with someone whose cute levels are raging off the charts like that!
I'm stumped.
Why don't you let me in on the answer?
no subject
In any case: he appreciates the agreement about his cuteness! He can generally tell the difference between real praise and witty banter or flattery, but he still won't turn down being called cute. He exists to be praised, and he exists to be loved!]
There's no way to know for sure, so I guess I'll choose the one I like best. Which is to say...
[A dramatic pause.]
... I choose "both"! ♪ I'll assume I have a secret admirer, and they decided to reward me for being cute. Someone whose eyes are always following me, and who loves to watch over me. That'd make them something like a "fan." And that's what makes me happiest as an idol: loving and being loved by my fans, that is.
no subject
At the mention of fans and idols, though, Cater gives a matching dramatic gasp.]
An idol? That must be it! It's painting your entire vibe.
Totally digging it, by the way.
no subject
Right? You get it! ♪ From my face to my voice to the way I carry myself, everything about me screams "idol." No matter my environment, I can't be anything but an idol! ♪
[Then he adds, somewhat ominously:]
It's good to have a strong identity like that, I think. Since they try to break us down in all sorts of ways.
no subject
Hey, bestie, that's a weird thing to say.
How about we unpack that comment for a little while?
They try to do what, now?
no subject
I'm not sure there's time to get into all of it, but...
[He glances around the canteen. When no staff member appears to be watching them, he continues. Time for an infodump!]
Basically, they like to mess with our hearts and bodies. You might be walking through the hall and get hit with "Cupid's arrow," which makes you feel absolutely infatuated with the next person you see. Or you'll wake up with animal ears, because they've decided the theme for the next "game" is animals. Or you might be going out to eat, only to find out the food has drugs in it. And then there are those "suit" things. For example, you woke up with that diamond tattoo, right?
[He taps the skin under his own eye, mirroring the place where Cater has the diamond.]
The thing about that is—
[He pauses.
Something clicks in his mind (or fails to click, rather). This person seems like a new arrival. But if they're a new arrival, shouldn't they be considered a "wildcard"? He tilts his head and asks:]
... you did wake up like that, right?
no subject
That said...]
Oh, this? No. That's, uh, call it a force of habit.
[Hm. Well, this is a weird time for an introduction, but at least it'll keep it looking like they're having a normal conversation to anyone who's being nosy.]
Cater Diamond, by the way, for real really is my name. I know, I know, totally convenient, right?
But uh, yeah, call it a 'school pride' thing, but—
[he tap-taps his cheek;]
It's kind of a part of the uniform.
I know what you're talking about, though, I've seen 'em.
no subject
... you're right, that is convenient!
[For the House, that is. Boy, are they going to have an easy time sorting this "wildcard."
Hiyori stares at the diamond mark, watching Cater tap below it, calling it a "school pride thing" and a "part of the uniform." That's also strange, but Hiyori has been living in the land of the strange for just over a year now. He can roll with it!]
That's an interesting uniform. And here I thought it was a fashion statement~♪ Or a magic birthmark!
[A pause, and then he adds:]
That reminds me of someone I met a while ago. He had a big Spade on his face, and his name had the word "Spade" in it. I know he went to some sort of magic school...
[Now for another pause.
His smile slips, and his eyes slowly start to widen. Guess who's starting to put two and two together.]
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Hey...
[He doesn't mean to get in Hiyori's face, but he does, grasping one of Hiyori's arms.]
Hey, this guy, he's— This big? Sweet, but a total space case? First name—
Deuce?!
[Deuce... Deucey?! In a place like this?! There's no way... No way!]
Deuce Spade?!
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His stomach sinks. He has to fight back a grimace, not because he's being grabbed but because he brought up something that raises all sorts of questions.]
That's the one. He isn't still here, though. A lot of people come and go in this place.
[Go where, you ask? Don't worry about it, kitten!]
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No, Cater sorts himself straight. He lets go of Hiyori, raising both hands in submission.]
Whoa, sorry. Promise, I'm not normally such a handsy kinda guy.
I... You know? It's probably better if he isn't still here.
[It makes Cater uneasy, but he isn't about to unload in front of Some Guy he just met. He'll have to do a lot more digging...]
Super 'preesh the info, though, my guy. I'm not gonna list my classmates out for you or anything, but you ever hear anyone else besides him say anything about "Night Raven College"?
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Not to worry. I know what it's like to watch over your underclassman, so I totally get you ♪
[It's a good thing he has that ability, though. Because this particular circumstance really is dismal. He has no idea what to say in response to those next words; he understands the sentiment, since this place isn't good for just about anyone, let alone an innocent first-year. But is it really any better to be a statue...?
He won't say that. He won't deliberately hide the information either, but he won't share it right now. It's too much to unload on some new arrival. So when Cater asks if any other people from his school are here, Hiyori seizes on that topic instead.]
As a matter of fact, I have! First there's Vil-kun, who takes good care of his looks just like I do. He's also a good dancer! And then there's Leona-kun, who's got those soft and fuzzy ears on top of his head! You absolutely can't miss him around here~♪
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Vil... and Leona... two of the most solid 10s at school. Arguably, 11s. Untouchable, unreachable, out of his league, and oh, also, in the exact same year as him. Competition doesn't even begin to cover it, so maybe that's why the wind is a little taken out of Cater's sails...
Still—]
Well... I can't say I'm glad to hear any of my classmates are here, buuuut I'm sure you've noticed those guys don't exactly need taking care of.
[...Okay he is a little curious as to how Leona's faring without a pet gopher to boss around, but Cater isn't signing up for the payback that'll come out of spreading any untoward rumors about either of his classmates.]
We're in the same year together, actually.
Good to hear they're making the kind of impressions I'd expect.
[No one could really blame Hiyori about the statue thing, anyway. Maybe one of his classmates will deal with it...]
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[There was also someone called Azul, he remembers. Hiyori never met him in-person, but he knows Vil found his statue, too. He will not be mentioning this, however. He's keeping the mood cheery!]
I'm sure they have nothing but lovely things to say about me, too! ♪
[He winks. This is almost certainly not true, since he's definitely annoyed Leona a couple of times, but shhhh.]
And they've been here just as long as I have, so they should be able to help you get settled. Not that I'm not happy to help, too, of course. If you ever need a pick-me-up, you can always bask in my sunshine~♪
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...Also, annoying Leona is a low bar. Everyone annoys Leona. Cater would be more concerned if Leona reported rave reviews.]
You know, sweetie, I would love to bask in your sunshine any time, but there is one little problem with that, you realize, right?
[back to a calm and complacent little smile, Cater raises an eyebrow in amusement.]
1/2
[Give him a moment...]
2/2
[He puts a smile back on, puffing out his chest and gesturing grandly at himself, projecting his voice loud and clear.]
I'm Hiyori Tomoe! ☆ The one and only! But you seem like you someone who'd be on the Network a whole lot, and there, I'm known as "Eve"!
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That's more like it. Couldn't get away with calling you Mr. Idol all the time, now, could I?
Nice to meetcha, Hiyori. I already kinda mentioned it, but you can call me Cater. Cay-cay if you're cray-cray.
[The smile and wink he is giving Hiyori are very believable right now and he is not at all exhausted by the earlier revelations, thanks!]
I'll keep a look out for you online, too. Or. Y'know. I'm just gonna call it online...
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Right, with a name like that, you're bound to be remembered! But if you'd rather go by Cay, I can definitely work with that. Guess that makes you Cay-kun~♪
[Apparently he wasn't cray-cray enough to use Cay-Cay. Though it's more that "Cay-Cay" seems like the kind of nickname Rinne would give, Rinne being someone who... disappeared and turned into a statue. This place truly is exhausting.]
Yep, feel free to ♪ That'd be one way to reach Vil-kun and Leona-kun, too. Otherwise you might find them in their rooms. Or maybe the salon in Vil-kun's case. As for Leona-kun, he could be lounging in the grass somewhere, just like lions do!
[He knows Vil can also be found pole-dancing at House Finch sometimes... but he won't share that, either. He's given Cater enough earth-shattering revelations for one day!]
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[Consistency is so reassuring... It sounds like the same old Vil, too. So far. He knows the other shoe will drop, if they've been here at all longer than he has been, but can't he still believe things are close to normal a few moments longer? Hiyori's a real bro for his discretion.]
Hey, you know what? You've been real helpful already, I'm totes grateful— but if I could getcha to do one itsy bitsy little favor?
[W i n k. Cater wiggles his wrist.]
Get a selfie with me? Promise I'm not posting it anywhere.
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