【 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.
[ It's spoken plainly, so matter-of-factly, as though Minato were merely remarking that the sky was blue and the grass was green. Despite the even tone, surprise flickers in his irises. There was no reason for that sorrow. How could he be sad when he'd uncovered a precious treasure, one that others spent their entire lives seeking to no avail?
He'd simply arrived at his own answer to life much earlier than those around him. There is no such thing as a never-ending journey; all things must ultimately come to an end. And once one had found that satisfactory answer, there could be nothing else to learn from life.
Minato's gaze returns to Akira as he offers the other wild card a smile. ]
Maybe you'll reach it someday.
[ A life well-lived: was that not the goal of all creatures who drew breath?
So he has no qualms with stepping forward and walking past Akira. He pauses only to glance over his shoulder at his current companion, inclining his head with an expectant expression. ]
[. . . Minato's reply comes so easily, delivered with the gentleness of acceptance. Akira doesn't know what to think about that, but his heart clenches again, grip tightening against the coconuts in his arms]
Of course I'm sad.
[his eyes slip shut as Minato brushes past, only opening again when his companion has tilted his head towards him, features expectant. Maybe you'll reach it someday, Minato says, and Akira thinks. . . that he would like to. but certainly not now]
[certainly not when he has so many things still to accomplish]
. . . you're still in high school, right? [. . .] A second year. . . maybe a third?
[ The foliage rustling beneath their feet is once again the only sound between the two of them. It's true that, by now, he should be a third year. But Minato had never left his second year.
He speaks up finally after taking a little too long to respond to what should have been a simple question. ]
Yeah. Second year.
[ It feels wrong to call himself a third year.
...they're likely around the same age then, aren't they? ]
I won't tell you how you should or shouldn't feel.
[ The conversation circles back around. Far be it for Minato to exert an opinion onto someone else. But still, Akira's reaction is so terribly odd to him.
And so the implication stands: even if he won't dictate how Akira should or shouldn't feel, what exactly was there to be sad about? ]
[Minato doesn't say it. Akira doesn't think it-- not exactly-- but. . . the hesitation is enough to put the idea in the back of his mind. something he doesn't dwell upon, something he doesn't allow to fully take shape. it's not his business to make these kinds of conclusions just yet, anyway]
[. . .]
[but still. . .]
But you still don't quite get it, do you?
[hah. with a breath, Akira steels himself, allowing a smile to curve up the corners of his lips again]
That's okay. I suppose you could just say. . . that's the kind of person I am.
[ He doesn't get it at all. How could he possibly feel sorrow after having the Universe nestle itself within his palm? There was nothing for him to grieve for, not when he'd finally been given the opportunity to fulfill that contract he'd signed upon first entering the dorms. Finally, finally he'd found something that he earnestly wished to do.
Was that not worth celebrating? ]
But that's all right.
[ Minato glances over at his company, offering him a small shrug and a smile of his own. ]
Maybe I'm just that kind of person.
[ Someone who had no qualms with bidding others farewell if it meant they could continue their journeys in his stead. ]
[silly Minato. it's because. . . it's never the departed that grieve. it is always those who are left behind]
You're an interesting guy, Minato.
[a brief pause, before Akira shifts his pile of coconuts underneath one arm, rocking to the side so he can sling his other around his companion's shoulders. Akira used to be so damn protective of his personal space, too; it's funny how just two months in a resort that encourages intimacy, how interactions with others who have breached that personal space barrier, have allowed him to lower his walls so much]
But I'm already pretty glad we met. [and not just because they're both Wild Cards. their conversation had revealed so much in so little words, and Akira has already made up his mind] The resort kind of sucks, but there's still a lot here to experience, you know?
They've got plenty of good restaurants, a brilliant casino, a pretty fun arcade, a beautiful garden on the top floor--
[WHEN THEY GET OUT OF HIS VR, AKIRA IS DESIGNATING HIMSELF AS MINATO'S GOLDEN PEACOCK TOUR GUIDE. just. . . to show him all of the experiences that this place has to offer. to let him live a little bit, and enjoy. . . what it is that he has in the here and now]
[ Minato's eyes widen as an arm rests over his shoulder, pulling him in a bit closer to his companion. He looks over at Akira with that mildly bewildered expression. ...huh. Had his assumption about the other wild card being wary about personal space been wrong?
Well, if Akira was the one initiating, maybe that's what made it acceptable to him. So he shelves those concerns for now to walk in step with Akira. ]
Does it?
[ The whole sports theme was a little odd, but it wasn't bad necessarily. Perhaps Minato would feel a little differently though, had he arrived without any of his clothes. Little does he know that was typically the predicament people found themselves in upon their arrival...
In any event he's not in any rush to leave. Minato can only assume the Seal had sent him here for reasons not quite clear to him just yet. The Universe works in mysterious ways after all. ]
An arcade...
[ Now there's something nostalgic. There's a thoughtful look on his face as he considers everything Akira's shared. The garden, too... That does sound pretty nice. ]
[oh. hanami. . . a surge of homesickness washes through Akira at that word. if it were March, it would be hanami season back home, wouldn't it? it's a shame no such beautiful holidays exist in a place like this. at least. . . not in the same manner as it would back in Japan]
. . . yeah. I suppose it is.
[note to self: check the Cloud-Dwelling Garden for the presence of sakura trees. he actually isn't sure if there are any up there or not]
Maybe that's the first place we'll go when we get out of this video game.
[ Minato's eyes light up at the sound of that idea. It would be a treat to see something like that again, and even if the gardens lacked those iconic cherry blossoms there'd be plenty of other flora to admire. ]
Yeah. Good idea.
[ He hadn't had the chance to look around much before getting accosted by staff into trying the VR game. And in any event, exploring a new area was always more fun with company at one's side.
It's nice, actually. Having things to look forward to is nice. ]
[Akira's response to that is nothing more a bright smile, because before he can say anything else-- there it is! the beach!! with a few modestly furnished huts lining the shore]
Aaaaand here we are.
[back out from underneath the shade of the trees, right into the sun's heated rays. at least they can take a dip in the water, if they really want to]
Welcome to your new-- but temporary, at least-- home on the beach.
[brb meandering towards a pile of brown boots and a folded black leather jacket]
[ ...yeah, this shoreline looks way too nice to be real. Despite the attention to detail regarding the blazing sun and sea salt wafting through the air, the deep cerulean of the water beggars belief.
Still, that doesn't mean it isn't breathtaking.
Minato watches as Akira splits off from his side, wandering towards what looks like a folded coat and -- oh. So that's where his shoes had gone...
As far as his own blazer goes, that's nowhere to be seen, long abandoned on some other spot of the isle. Perhaps he should have kept it with him just in case.
Eh. Too late for that.
He heads over to Akira to get a better look at the clothing getting retrieved. ]
Mmm. [Akira affirms with a small noise as he dumps their coconuts onto his jacket, before wrapping the thick leather around their fruit like a makeshift bag, sleeves tied to coattails. he hoists the package up and slings it over his shoulder. hi-ho hi-ho!] It was a bit too hot to wear the entire ensemble.
Anyway, let's find some sharp rocks to dig into our coconuts before the sun—
[and just like that, as he turns to face what he thought was the day-lit horizon. . . the sun begins to sink down over the sea, the once beautifully blue sky now painted with the pinks and oranges of twilight]
— oh.
[I mean. this is a VR game so SURE. SUDDEN SUNSET IT IS]
[ Now that Minato's close enough to see, it's immediately evident why Akira chose to ditch those pieces of clothing. All black, thick leather... yeah, he wouldn't want to be stuck wearing this on a tropical island either.
And before he can comment that they might have some luck with locating an appropriate stone near the shore, the sky goes from clear blue to pastels. A little abrupt, but it seems even realistic VR games had their limitations.
Minato's gaze remains skyward for a little while, taking in the sight with muted wonder before glancing back at Akira. ]
Sharp rocks are probably over there.
[ He nods towards the water where weathered stones intermix with the soft sand. Minato heads off there without another word, crouching near the shoreline to get a better look at the pebbles. He plucks one off the ground: flat, smooth, with an edge that isn't sharp enough to accidentally break skin but perfectly sufficient for cracking through a shell.
Minato glances over his shoulder and holds it up for Akira to see. ]
[oho. . .! the sun may suddenly be sinking, but they still have a little bit of daylight left to waste; as such, Akira grins as he trots after his companion, weight sinking slightly into the soft sand of the beach. though. . . instead of looking for sharp stones, he actually wades his way into the water, kicking small waves out towards the horizon as he watches the sun slowly dip lower and lower]
[. . . gosh. if this weren't a simple simulation in the midst of a creepy haunted sex resort. . . this moment would be perfectly beautiful, wouldn't it?]
[actually, scratch that-- despite this being a virtual reality in the midst of a haunted sex resort, it is beautiful]
[Akira doesn't speak, as though afraid of shattering the comfortable silence, until Minato pulls up a flat-edged stone. he gives it a quick once over, before nodding]
Mm. That should do.
[. . .]
[and then he splashes a bit of salty ocean water in Minato's direction. JUST A LI'L BIT!! HE ISN'T TRYING TO SOAK HIM!!]
[ Sweet. They'd located water, some food, would have their pick of one of the huts along the shore, and a proper tool for digging into the spoils of their day. They'd truly accomplished a lot over the course of their current stay, hadn't they?
Minato slides the flat pebble into his pocket and rises from the floor. But right before he can head off to one of the huts -- stray droplets of water spray onto his shirt. He raises an arm to block any of it from getting in his face, the smile and silent laugh a sure sign that he wasn't bothered by Akira splashing at him.
It's a little strange though; when was the last time he'd felt even remotely this carefree? So he stoops back down, lifting a little water into his own hands to splash Akira back.
If you choose to dish out, make sure you're ready to get dished back!! ]
[please, Akira never dishes out anything he can't take in return. in fact, retaliation was expected-- encouraged, even. they have all of the necessities now, so. . . why not take a moment to enjoy the picturesque scenery conjured up for them by the VR?]
[sometimes. . . even if it's fake. . . it's okay to just enjoy the present. to bask in the here and now. isn't it?]
[Akira lets out an amused snort as he holds one hand out on instinct to (futilely) protect himself from Minato's splash. he doesn't mind the way a bit of it soaks the front of his vest, even if the sun is no longer beating harshly down upon them from above. he may regret this later on, though]
Hey now-- [a light huff!] Are you sure this is a fight you want ot pick?
[something mischievous glints in his eyes. also you're the one picking the fight, Akira!!]
[ "Are you sure this is a fight you want to pick?" asks the person who started it. But surely the two of them are permitted to indulge in a moment of carefree amusement?
This virtual island is quite the strange place. No games to think about outside of the one they were already in, no responsibilities riding on their shoulders, not a soul to answer to -- only the two of them on this picturesque island.
Minato shakes his hand dry before wiping the excess water on his slacks. Considering the cooler air from the evening rolling in... maybe not. It's a welcome relief from the blazing sun though. At least there's that.
The dried-off hand is a half-hearted white flag. No retaliation for now, or perhaps an unintentional means of tempting fate. ]
[aw. . . Minato gives in so quickly, and for a moment, Akira is tempted to bombard him anyway. but no. it is getting cold (surprisingly cold, considering how hot it had been during the daytime), and neither of them have a change of clothing ready. he'll play nice!! . . . for now!]
Know that my mercy is not unending.
[he teases, flashing Minato a playful smile as he wades his way out of the water and back towards dried sand]
. . . but I suppose all that work has made me pretty hungry.
[ Someone needs to wear the senpai pants between the two of them! It seems Akira's arrived at the same conclusion though: it might be unwise to get soaked without the sun to warm their backs. Could one catch a cold within a VR game? Minato doesn't really want to find out, not when his body's ideas of physical recovery typically involved taking a days-long nap. Not very conducive for bonding. It'd be rude of him to leave Akira stranded in this game.
He trails after Akira, following him back to the nearest hut, hand sliding into his pocket to retrieve the pebble. Hopefully the coconuts' exteriors weren't too thick. Surely the game wouldn't spawn fruits with impenetrable shells? It wouldn't be conducive to anyone's entertainment if the players happened to starve to death in here.
As he draws nearer to Akira, he holds the pebble out wordlessly to his companion. You thought Minato was going to be the one putting in elbow grease for coconut cannibalism? No. ]
[at least the hut is pretty close to the water! that kind of makes it a bit more picturesque, doesn't it? Akira leaves his shoes at the front door as he hops inside, wet and sand-coated feet padding against the wood. the makeshift "bag" of coconuts is placed on the nearest flat surface (floor? table? bed??? idk) and begins to untie the coattails from the sleeves]
I think green coconuts are easier to crack into than br--
[he starts, musing aloud idly, but he trails off as he glances up to find Minato holding the sharp stone at him expectantly]
[. . .]
[with the most blase expression he can manage. . . Akira holds a coconut out to his senpai in return, before speaking, tone perfectly even]
Minato sighs in faux exasperation. No pain, no gain. Such is the way of the world. Why would it be any different in a virtual one?
He settles on the floor, similarly barefoot as he kneels on the ground. He reaches for one of the coconuts too, holding it in place with one hand. The other one grasps the stone in hand, though Minato turns it about to inspect its edge and its smooth surface. What would be best? A pseudo-knife or an anvil?
He lifts the stone and slams its sharper against the shell: once, twice, and a hairline fracture spreads across the coconut's surface.
Minato pauses in his work to lift the fruit to eye level, inspecting his work thus far. ]
Too bad we didn't see any sea otters today. Otherwise we could have asked for some tips.
[ Spoken in a completely flat tone, it's not entirely clear whether the remark is serious or in jest. ]
[an amused snort. they truly should've picked up two rocks so they could both be doing this. at least Akira has also settled onto the floor next to his senpai, ready and on standby for when Minato gets tired!]
[he scoots a bit closer to his companion, their knees bumping together gently, and peers at the fractured fruit]
I suppose talking otters aren't completely out of the question, are they?
[ Minato's gaze drops to their knees as Akira shuffles in closer. There's an instinctive desire to lean in, to balance a bit of his own weight against Akira. He pushes it aside for now, a distraction while they have something to get done. ]
Guess not.
[ He returns the coconut to the ground, hammering at the hairline crack with the flat side of the stone. It fractures even further, finally splitting in half with one last blow. It falls apart into two identical hemispheres, almost as though the fruit was intended to be shared.
...maybe it's not so surprising, given that the point of this game was to bond. Sharing food was yet another way of doing that. Minato shifts to sit on the floor, taking one of the halves and holding it out to Akira with a half shrug. ]
[since the coconut is still green, there is only about half as much meat within as there would be in a normal, fully ripe one. but the jelly inside still looks cool and refreshing, and Akira's stomach grumbles slightly as he flashes his companion a grateful grin]
Using my words against me. . . and then offering me half even though you were the one who cracked it open.
[. . . he takes the shell, allowing his fingers to brush gently (. . . maybe a little purposefully?) across Minato's as he does so]
[ Even with the smaller amount of meat, the coconut should sustain them for a little while. They still have a few more available too.
Warm fingers brush against him, leaving his fingers with the odd itch to lengthen the amount of contact by having a couple of his own curl around Akira's. But he resists, and Minato can't help but look down, to catch a glimpse of them while averting his eyes from Akira at the same time. ]
...can't have you starving to death before you can leave the game. That's all.
[ So it's only logical that he ensure Akira has a bit to eat too. Still, that doesn't mean a bit of pink won't creep into his cheeks to betray his true thoughts.
Now that he has his own half, Minato lifts the fruit to sip at the liquid first, lapping silently at the refreshing jelly. ...for something that's supposed to be virtual, it sure tastes like the real thing. ]
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peacockstop2025-03-15 09:00 pm
no subject
[ It's spoken plainly, so matter-of-factly, as though Minato were merely remarking that the sky was blue and the grass was green. Despite the even tone, surprise flickers in his irises. There was no reason for that sorrow. How could he be sad when he'd uncovered a precious treasure, one that others spent their entire lives seeking to no avail?
He'd simply arrived at his own answer to life much earlier than those around him. There is no such thing as a never-ending journey; all things must ultimately come to an end. And once one had found that satisfactory answer, there could be nothing else to learn from life.
Minato's gaze returns to Akira as he offers the other wild card a smile. ]
Maybe you'll reach it someday.
[ A life well-lived: was that not the goal of all creatures who drew breath?
So he has no qualms with stepping forward and walking past Akira. He pauses only to glance over his shoulder at his current companion, inclining his head with an expectant expression. ]
no subject
Of course I'm sad.
[his eyes slip shut as Minato brushes past, only opening again when his companion has tilted his head towards him, features expectant. Maybe you'll reach it someday, Minato says, and Akira thinks. . . that he would like to. but certainly not now]
[certainly not when he has so many things still to accomplish]
. . . you're still in high school, right? [. . .] A second year. . . maybe a third?
no subject
He speaks up finally after taking a little too long to respond to what should have been a simple question. ]
Yeah. Second year.
[ It feels wrong to call himself a third year.
...they're likely around the same age then, aren't they? ]
I won't tell you how you should or shouldn't feel.
[ The conversation circles back around. Far be it for Minato to exert an opinion onto someone else. But still, Akira's reaction is so terribly odd to him.
And so the implication stands: even if he won't dictate how Akira should or shouldn't feel, what exactly was there to be sad about? ]
no subject
[. . .]
[but still. . .]
But you still don't quite get it, do you?
[hah. with a breath, Akira steels himself, allowing a smile to curve up the corners of his lips again]
That's okay. I suppose you could just say. . . that's the kind of person I am.
[deeply empathetic to a fault sometimes]
no subject
[ He doesn't get it at all. How could he possibly feel sorrow after having the Universe nestle itself within his palm? There was nothing for him to grieve for, not when he'd finally been given the opportunity to fulfill that contract he'd signed upon first entering the dorms. Finally, finally he'd found something that he earnestly wished to do.
Was that not worth celebrating? ]
But that's all right.
[ Minato glances over at his company, offering him a small shrug and a smile of his own. ]
Maybe I'm just that kind of person.
[ Someone who had no qualms with bidding others farewell if it meant they could continue their journeys in his stead. ]
no subject
You're an interesting guy, Minato.
[a brief pause, before Akira shifts his pile of coconuts underneath one arm, rocking to the side so he can sling his other around his companion's shoulders. Akira used to be so damn protective of his personal space, too; it's funny how just two months in a resort that encourages intimacy, how interactions with others who have breached that personal space barrier, have allowed him to lower his walls so much]
But I'm already pretty glad we met. [and not just because they're both Wild Cards. their conversation had revealed so much in so little words, and Akira has already made up his mind] The resort kind of sucks, but there's still a lot here to experience, you know?
They've got plenty of good restaurants, a brilliant casino, a pretty fun arcade, a beautiful garden on the top floor--
[WHEN THEY GET OUT OF HIS VR, AKIRA IS DESIGNATING HIMSELF AS MINATO'S GOLDEN PEACOCK TOUR GUIDE. just. . . to show him all of the experiences that this place has to offer. to let him live a little bit, and enjoy. . . what it is that he has in the here and now]
no subject
Well, if Akira was the one initiating, maybe that's what made it acceptable to him. So he shelves those concerns for now to walk in step with Akira. ]
Does it?
[ The whole sports theme was a little odd, but it wasn't bad necessarily. Perhaps Minato would feel a little differently though, had he arrived without any of his clothes. Little does he know that was typically the predicament people found themselves in upon their arrival...
In any event he's not in any rush to leave. Minato can only assume the Seal had sent him here for reasons not quite clear to him just yet. The Universe works in mysterious ways after all. ]
An arcade...
[ Now there's something nostalgic. There's a thoughtful look on his face as he considers everything Akira's shared. The garden, too... That does sound pretty nice. ]
...oh. It's hanami, isn't it?
no subject
. . . yeah. I suppose it is.
[note to self: check the Cloud-Dwelling Garden for the presence of sakura trees. he actually isn't sure if there are any up there or not]
Maybe that's the first place we'll go when we get out of this video game.
no subject
Yeah. Good idea.
[ He hadn't had the chance to look around much before getting accosted by staff into trying the VR game. And in any event, exploring a new area was always more fun with company at one's side.
It's nice, actually. Having things to look forward to is nice. ]
no subject
[Akira's response to that is nothing more a bright smile, because before he can say anything else-- there it is! the beach!! with a few modestly furnished huts lining the shore]
Aaaaand here we are.
[back out from underneath the shade of the trees, right into the sun's heated rays. at least they can take a dip in the water, if they really want to]
Welcome to your new-- but temporary, at least-- home on the beach.
[brb meandering towards a pile of brown boots and a folded black leather jacket]
no subject
Still, that doesn't mean it isn't breathtaking.
Minato watches as Akira splits off from his side, wandering towards what looks like a folded coat and -- oh. So that's where his shoes had gone...
As far as his own blazer goes, that's nowhere to be seen, long abandoned on some other spot of the isle. Perhaps he should have kept it with him just in case.
Eh. Too late for that.
He heads over to Akira to get a better look at the clothing getting retrieved. ]
Is that the rest of your costume?
no subject
Anyway, let's find some sharp rocks to dig into our coconuts before the sun—
[and just like that, as he turns to face what he thought was the day-lit horizon. . . the sun begins to sink down over the sea, the once beautifully blue sky now painted with the pinks and oranges of twilight]
— oh.
[I mean. this is a VR game so SURE. SUDDEN SUNSET IT IS]
Huh. All right.
Sharp rocks first. And then we pick out a hut.
no subject
And before he can comment that they might have some luck with locating an appropriate stone near the shore, the sky goes from clear blue to pastels. A little abrupt, but it seems even realistic VR games had their limitations.
Minato's gaze remains skyward for a little while, taking in the sight with muted wonder before glancing back at Akira. ]
Sharp rocks are probably over there.
[ He nods towards the water where weathered stones intermix with the soft sand. Minato heads off there without another word, crouching near the shoreline to get a better look at the pebbles. He plucks one off the ground: flat, smooth, with an edge that isn't sharp enough to accidentally break skin but perfectly sufficient for cracking through a shell.
Minato glances over his shoulder and holds it up for Akira to see. ]
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[. . . gosh. if this weren't a simple simulation in the midst of a creepy haunted sex resort. . . this moment would be perfectly beautiful, wouldn't it?]
[actually, scratch that-- despite this being a virtual reality in the midst of a haunted sex resort, it is beautiful]
[Akira doesn't speak, as though afraid of shattering the comfortable silence, until Minato pulls up a flat-edged stone. he gives it a quick once over, before nodding]
Mm. That should do.
[. . .]
[and then he splashes a bit of salty ocean water in Minato's direction. JUST A LI'L BIT!! HE ISN'T TRYING TO SOAK HIM!!]
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Minato slides the flat pebble into his pocket and rises from the floor. But right before he can head off to one of the huts -- stray droplets of water spray onto his shirt. He raises an arm to block any of it from getting in his face, the smile and silent laugh a sure sign that he wasn't bothered by Akira splashing at him.
It's a little strange though; when was the last time he'd felt even remotely this carefree? So he stoops back down, lifting a little water into his own hands to splash Akira back.
If you choose to dish out, make sure you're ready to get dished back!! ]
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[sometimes. . . even if it's fake. . . it's okay to just enjoy the present. to bask in the here and now. isn't it?]
[Akira lets out an amused snort as he holds one hand out on instinct to (futilely) protect himself from Minato's splash. he doesn't mind the way a bit of it soaks the front of his vest, even if the sun is no longer beating harshly down upon them from above. he may regret this later on, though]
Hey now-- [a light huff!] Are you sure this is a fight you want ot pick?
[something mischievous glints in his eyes. also you're the one picking the fight, Akira!!]
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This virtual island is quite the strange place. No games to think about outside of the one they were already in, no responsibilities riding on their shoulders, not a soul to answer to -- only the two of them on this picturesque island.
Minato shakes his hand dry before wiping the excess water on his slacks. Considering the cooler air from the evening rolling in... maybe not. It's a welcome relief from the blazing sun though. At least there's that.
The dried-off hand is a half-hearted white flag. No retaliation for now, or perhaps an unintentional means of tempting fate. ]
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Know that my mercy is not unending.
[he teases, flashing Minato a playful smile as he wades his way out of the water and back towards dried sand]
. . . but I suppose all that work has made me pretty hungry.
[IT IS COCONUT TIME]
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He trails after Akira, following him back to the nearest hut, hand sliding into his pocket to retrieve the pebble. Hopefully the coconuts' exteriors weren't too thick. Surely the game wouldn't spawn fruits with impenetrable shells? It wouldn't be conducive to anyone's entertainment if the players happened to starve to death in here.
As he draws nearer to Akira, he holds the pebble out wordlessly to his companion. You thought Minato was going to be the one putting in elbow grease for coconut cannibalism? No. ]
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[at least the hut is pretty close to the water! that kind of makes it a bit more picturesque, doesn't it? Akira leaves his shoes at the front door as he hops inside, wet and sand-coated feet padding against the wood. the makeshift "bag" of coconuts is placed on the nearest flat surface (floor? table? bed??? idk) and begins to untie the coattails from the sleeves]
I think green coconuts are easier to crack into than br--
[he starts, musing aloud idly, but he trails off as he glances up to find Minato holding the sharp stone at him expectantly]
[. . .]
[with the most blase expression he can manage. . . Akira holds a coconut out to his senpai in return, before speaking, tone perfectly even]
Only those who put in the work get to eat.
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Minato sighs in faux exasperation. No pain, no gain. Such is the way of the world. Why would it be any different in a virtual one?
He settles on the floor, similarly barefoot as he kneels on the ground. He reaches for one of the coconuts too, holding it in place with one hand. The other one grasps the stone in hand, though Minato turns it about to inspect its edge and its smooth surface. What would be best? A pseudo-knife or an anvil?
He lifts the stone and slams its sharper against the shell: once, twice, and a hairline fracture spreads across the coconut's surface.
Minato pauses in his work to lift the fruit to eye level, inspecting his work thus far. ]
Too bad we didn't see any sea otters today. Otherwise we could have asked for some tips.
[ Spoken in a completely flat tone, it's not entirely clear whether the remark is serious or in jest. ]
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[he scoots a bit closer to his companion, their knees bumping together gently, and peers at the fractured fruit]
I suppose talking otters aren't completely out of the question, are they?
[not in a virtual reality video game!!]
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Guess not.
[ He returns the coconut to the ground, hammering at the hairline crack with the flat side of the stone. It fractures even further, finally splitting in half with one last blow. It falls apart into two identical hemispheres, almost as though the fruit was intended to be shared.
...maybe it's not so surprising, given that the point of this game was to bond. Sharing food was yet another way of doing that. Minato shifts to sit on the floor, taking one of the halves and holding it out to Akira with a half shrug. ]
Only those who put in the work get to eat.
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Using my words against me. . . and then offering me half even though you were the one who cracked it open.
[. . . he takes the shell, allowing his fingers to brush gently (. . . maybe a little purposefully?) across Minato's as he does so]
You're a nice guy, Minato.
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Warm fingers brush against him, leaving his fingers with the odd itch to lengthen the amount of contact by having a couple of his own curl around Akira's. But he resists, and Minato can't help but look down, to catch a glimpse of them while averting his eyes from Akira at the same time. ]
...can't have you starving to death before you can leave the game. That's all.
[ So it's only logical that he ensure Akira has a bit to eat too. Still, that doesn't mean a bit of pink won't creep into his cheeks to betray his true thoughts.
Now that he has his own half, Minato lifts the fruit to sip at the liquid first, lapping silently at the refreshing jelly. ...for something that's supposed to be virtual, it sure tastes like the real thing. ]
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1/3. i think. i'm sorry
yeh it's 2/3 spams ur inbox
OKAY I'M DONE
jesus christ
brings my best to the angst games
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wrapped 🙏