【 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.
[ Minato holds a hand out to receive his portion. His palm is left empty though as Akira sets both halves on the floor.
Where was he -- oh. The jacket?
The corners of Minato's mouth turn in an apologetic smile. It seems nothing slips past Akira's watchful eye, even while he's preoccupied with bashing a coconut open. That aside, it means he's being studied as the subject of another's attention. Under normal circumstances it would have him trying to slip away. But here, all they have is each other. It'd be futile. ]
...I guess that's what I get for not following uniform rules.
[ RIP to his blazer. Hopefully the island creature that inevitably pilfered it off the sand can at least get some good use out of it. ]
[as leader of the Phantom Thieves, Akira is pretty used to keeping a watchful eye on others! after all, it was his job to make sure none of his thieves were pushing themselves too hard in a fight. the moment one began to falter, he delegated them to the back lines to recover. this may not be a scrap against a group of unruly Shadows, but. . . old habits die hard, it seems]
[the leather jacket is a bit dusty from the sand, but Akira shakes it out before he crawls back to Minato's side. once there. . . he hesitates, gray eyes flickering between his companion and the garment tucked between his fingers]
[. . .]
[after a moment, he seems to come to a decision]
It's okay. I'm still not going to tattle on you to the student council.
[a light joke as he drapes half the jacket across Minato's chilly, damp shoulders. . . and the other half across his own. he isn't nearly as cold as his companion is, but this vest doesn't have sleeves. he has got to look after himself, too! and if sharing the jacket means he has to press himself right up against Minato's side, shoulders and elbows and thighs touching, well. . .]
[that's fine, isn't it?]
[satisfied with this new arrangement, Akira scoops up the coconut halves again and gently deposits one into Minato's hands]
[ It'd feel wrong to claim Akira's jacket solely for himself. After all, it's not like Akira's dressed particularly warmly either. Perhaps that's why some relief wells within Minato's chest as Akira drapes the other half of his jacket across his own shoulders. Good. Then he doesn't need to push back and insist that Akira take care of himself too.
He'd started leaning away from Akira though, trying his best to offer what little elbow room was available beneath the jacket. But Akira immediately breaks through that distance, pressing himself right against Minato's side. He's... warm, in spite of bare arms exposed to chillier air. Minato finds himself instinctively tucking himself against that source of offered warmth, exhaling slow with relief. The shudders from earlier ease away as he relishes the relief from his companion.
It seems it's more than fine.
Now that they can enjoy the rest of their fruit at a more comfortable temperature, Minato accepts his portion into his hands. He casts a glance at Akira and hums in quiet amusement. It looks this wildcard may yet have some antics up his nonexistent sleeves. ]
Thanks.
[ The gratitude is twofold. Between handing him the food and making sure he won't be cold, Akira's been keeping an eye out for him. Maybe just for the duration of this game, he could indulge in someone else's kindness.
He lifts the coconut half to his lips and sips at its juice. Perhaps one coconut would do for now just in case they were forced to spend another day here. The rest would tide them over while they looked for other food sources. While Minato didn't mind eating coconuts for the next few days, surely Akira would prefer to track down something else?
Minato pauses in lapping at the fruit's jelly with a thoughtful expression. ]
[the way Minato scoots a bit closer doesn't go unnoticed, and Akira finds himself smiling a bit wistfully into his coconut as he gently, ever-so-slightly, leans a bit of his weight against his fellow Wild Card. it's enough to be noticeable, though he is quite careful not to over-burden his companion. he is just. . .]
[. . . well]
[actually? no, he doesn't really know what he is doing. but he finds it warm, the way they sit together like this, pressed close with his jacket draped over their backs. it probably makes a pretty silly picture, considering Akira is still barefoot, and still wearing his mask perched atop his head as he too sips at his fruity meal. but that just makes it a little more charming, right. . .?]
[he supposes there is nothing like a deserted island survival scenario to help two people grow closer. though. . . somehow, he doubts they would have needed the VR to become friends. Wild Cards just have that innate bond, don't they. . .? at least, that's what Akira thinks, especially after meeting Yu]
[Akira tilts his head slightly towards Minato at the question, a thoughtful noise tumbling from his lips]
I imagine there's plenty of fish in the ocean. And maybe some bananas?
. . . I guess if we're going to be stuck here for more than one day, we should look for more food tomorrow.
[and acquire a much bigger stash of rations than just four measly coconuts]
[ The rise and fall of Minato's shoulders accompanying his exhale of amusement must be tangible to Akira while he's nestled against him. It's comfortable like this, so he allows himself to lean against the other wild card in return. ]
Tomorrow? What happened to making it out within a day?
[ Was Akira really about to throw in the towel so soon? On the other hand, being trapped on this island for another twenty-four hours didn't seem so bad despite the dearth of creature comforts. Perhaps it's the company that makes it less dire.
Still, if they intended on fishing, they'd need... some form of fishing pole? A sturdy branch might do the trick. It's the twine that'd be harder to come by. At least this island probably has worms as bait if they dug deep enough. That's what people used to tempt fish onto their lines, isn't it?
Minato's eyes drift shut as he further considers Akira's suggestions. ]
I've never fished before. So... you might have to take care of that.
[ In return maybe it'd be his turn to scale a tree for its fruit... ]
[hey. . . this callout. . . Akira huffs, lifting a hand to gentle ruffle Minato's hair from behind, as though scolding him]
The sun started setting.
[that's what happened to making it out within the day!! and while his actions may seem scolding, the way his lips threaten to twitch into a small smile gives him away]
I used to fish all the time. Back home, and when I was staying in Tokyo. . . [it was a relaxing hobby. it helped him clear his head, and gave him a reason to turn off his brain for a few short hours. he never kept the fish he caught back at Ichigaya (because he wasn't allowed to), but at the pond behind the park in his old hometown. . . fish were free game!!]
[ There's a hand ruffling his hair, gentle fingers brushing against his scalp as well. It feels... nice. Hm.
Minato stays leaned against Akira, head comfortably against his shoulder as he listens. His partner here was an avid fisher? Seems like Minato's luck was turning up after all. ]
You're not from Tokyo?
[ Now that he's thinking about it though, Akira does strike him as a country boy. There's that earnestness and patience about him, one that's less common among city folk. ]
...mm, I think I'll leave that to you.
[ Doing the fishing himself? No thanks... ]
...but I guess it wouldn't hurt to learn.
[ Wild cards simply can't resist the siren song of learning a new skill. ]
[there's a slight edge to his smile when he says that. . . and for the first time since they've met, Minato may get the feeling that there is more to it than what Akira is saying. that one is a story for another day]
And of course it wouldn't.
After all, you never know when you might find yourself shoved into surprise survival scenarios, right?
[there's cheek in his tone when he says that, because he knows VERY WELL that their current circumstances are. . . rather unique. but at any rate, it seems Akira has polished off his half of the coconut as he lays the empty shell aside. and after a brief hesitation, he reaches for the third. . .!]
[ There's something behind that smile, an expression that hides both face and mind. But wasn't that the true skill of all who were invited as honored guests to the Velvet Room?
Minato lets it go. Indeed, it'll be a story for another day. ]
Guess I'll have to learn how to climb trees too.
[ ...or maybe not. Surely there were berry bushes or something on this island? Those were much easier foraging targets compared to climbing entire trees.
By now he's finished off his coconut too. The hollowed-out hemisphere sits at his side. Minato won't move, not when Akira is probably hungrier. After all, Akira probably burned more energy compared to him from retrieving those coconuts, and he'd need that extra energy to fish tomorrow. ]
Feel free to have the whole thing.
[ Honestly, moreso than food, Minato could probably go for a nap. ]
[. . . hm? Akira arches a brow, head tilted slightly. . . until his cheek rests against the crown of Minato's head. it's not a purposeful action, but he decides to stay there anyway. because he can!!]
Ah. . .? You're not hungry?
[he considers the coconut nestled between his palms. . . and eventually places it aside]
Mmm. I'll save it for later, then.
[a decision that is not at all made because hacking open the coconut would require him to move Minato off of his shoulder. . .]
Minato's gaze lifts as Akira rests a cheek against his head. It stirs an old memory, one of a formerly-scrawny cat that called an alleyway his home.
...was that little guy doing all right? After regaining his strength from the daily can of wet food Minato brought for him, surely he was capable of hunting for his own meals? Minato sighs a bit, shoulders rising and falling a bit with that action.
He... probably shouldn't think too deeply about that. ]
Yeah. We'll need it for tomorrow.
[ Minato rests his head against Akira, fitting more comfortably against the other wild card.
So much for getting out of here within a day, not that Minato finds himself minding it at all. After all, the company out here isn't so bad. ]
[Minato correctly pegging Akira as a scrappy alley cat right off the bat. . .]
All right then. We'll have coconuts for breakfast tomorrow.
[he can feel it, the way Minato settles more comfortably against his slide. slotting there so perfectly, as though he has always belonged there, like a missing puzzle piece. those thoughts are a bit too deep for a brand new Confidant, though. Akira dismisses them quickly, and instead decides to just. . . enjoy the time they have together in the here and now]
[. . .]
[he tugs his jacket a bit closer around them both, before sneaking his arm behind Minato's back. not quite wrapped around his waist, but threateningly close to it! by now, the sun has set completely, and the cabin is dark save for the single torch that lights the area from its sconce on the opposite wall. and while Akira would describe himself as a night person, it's difficult not to give in to the call of sleep]
[ Listen, between the unkempt hair and the way Akira drapes himself on him, it's impossible for Minato not to draw those parallels... ]
Coconuts for breakfast, maybe even lunch.
[ They'd have to find other fruit trees, but at least they could return to the coconut ones if necessary. Fish might be nice instead though.
Better not get too carried away, lest his stomach betray him and reveal that he actually could go for a third coconut.
The jacket's pulled a little tighter around him to keep the cold at bay, but in truth it's the arm around Minato's back that warms him from the inside. And as night sets in alongside the evening silence, Minato finds himself stifling a yawn. ]
Mm. ...yeah, probably.
[ The exhaustion's caught up to him now that he's had a bit of food and some time to relax. His eyes drift shut halfway as he stays tucked against Akira's side. ]
...I'll be counting on you to wake me up.
[ Said by a guy who's one hell of a heavy sleeper. ]
[for a brief moment, Akira considers the bed in the corner of the hut. the plush mattress and crisp sheets would probably be far more comfortable than this; if he falls asleep sitting up, he's going to have the worst crick in his neck. and yet--]
[he doesn't move. he doesn't even verbalize the thought. for the time being, as Minato's eyes slip shut, the bed is an enemy intent on ruining the cozy position they have carved out for themselves]
Try not to count on me too much. [Akira jokes, tone light, voice quiet] I'm really not a morning person.
[they're gonna be sleeping in until noon, aren' they?]
[ And so, this is how Akira learns about Minato's unique talent for falling asleep no matter the location or position. Maybe he'll have the worst crick in his neck after waking up; that's a problem for Future Minato. Present Minato is content to continue leaning against Akira. ]
Makes two of us. ...see you around then, Akira.
[ Mumbled words, barely audible above the ambient crackle of the fading torch. There'd been days when Minato couldn't pull himself out of bed on time. That's when he relied on Aigis to make sure he got out of bed on time.
...Aigis isn't here though. He wouldn't be seeing her again.
Eventually, Minato's breathing evens out to something deeper, eyes shut as he drifts off. Perhaps they'd reopen the following day; perhaps not. That is also a problem for Future Minato. It's a good sort of weariness that settles in his body though, unlike the draining exhaustion he'd experienced the last time he'd fallen into a deep sleep.
But he has Akira to wake him up tomorrow, so he permits himself to finally drift off. ]
[Akira is not nearly as well-practiced as his senpai at falling asleep in strange, awkward places. as such, Minato is the first to drift off. . . and by a rather wide margin, too. this leaves Akira alone with his own thoughts, the only sound filling the silence being the quiet crackle of the torch as he closes his eyes, a soft sigh tumbling from his lips]
[. . .]
[how strange, that being whisked away to a haunted sex resort (of all places!!) would lead to him finding so many people who could truly understand the Journey of a Wild Card. how desperate had he been for this kind of connection? how badly had he wanted someone with whom to talk about this aspect of his life? . . . exactly how much had he ached to know that he wasn't the only one whose fate was tied by the hands of ethereal forces moving behind the curtain?]
[when he does drift off, it's with those thoughts lingering at the forefront of his mind, and a warmth settled across his heart like a cozy blanket]
[he awakens with a jolt, eyes flying open to stare blearily at the dark glass lid of the virtual reality pod, limbs and ears submerged in a strange, unidentifiable liquid. his brain is sluggish to catch up, still caught on memories of the warm, beachy sand as it is. the pod's lid above him lifts, before a smiling face-- one of the arcade workers, no doubt-- appears before his vision, congratulating him on completing the simulation as she extends a hand to help him up. Akira accepts the assistance in a complete daze, features slack, eyes wide, brows knitted in obvious bemusement]
[. . .]
[he looks around, and there are no remnants of the warm island shores to be found amidst the flashing lights and melodic tunes that fill the arcade. it's jarring, to be moved so suddenly from a cozy island hut to this overstimulation nightmare; Akira's knees feel week as he steps out of the pod, bracing himself on the arcade worker's side so he doesn't suddenly fall over, the gears in his mind racing to reorient himself and his presence in space]
[. . .]
[it all feels so. . . fresh. the sensation of the hot sun against his skin. the cool water lapping at his ankles. the grainy sand pinched between his feet. the chilly hut, and the taste of fresh coconut water on his lips. . . and a familiar, comforting warmth pressed up against his side]
[he sees it flash before his vision in an instant. a bright smile, so soft, so inviting, with its edges so faded that it might vanish if he dared blink. Akira's heart catches in his throat, ice suddenly coursing through his veins as he remembers. that smile. . . that warmth against his side. . . the echo of the Fool, of the Universe, pulsing with every beat of his heart]
[that. . .]
[that had all. . . been real, right?]
-- I have to go.
[he says quickly, breathlessly, to the arcade workers who are attempting to offer him prizes for his successful completion of the game. before he can register their bemused expressions, he yanks himself away, immediately bolting for the arcade entrance. that smile. . . those features that he had so determinedly decided that he wanted to protect. . . he can already feel it fading from his memory, no matter how hard he tries to hold on]
[it's like grasping at smoke, something impermeable flitting through his fingers. the harder he tries, the faster it disappears]
[jesus fuck]
[it had to be real. it just had to be. there was no way the resort had managed to conjure up someone like Minato just to fuck with him, right?? there is no way this place knew that he would be so damn weak to something as simple as that smile]
[he doesn't know what he is looking for, but once he is out of the arcade, Akira skids to a halt, gaze flickering across his surroundings in open panic. it had to be real. and if it was real, then Minato-- that person with whom he had forged a surprisingly impactful emotional connection-- he has to be out here somewhere too, right?]
[. . . right?]
Edited (I HIT ENTER TOO EARLY) 2025-04-02 00:46 (UTC)
[ It's quiet, save for the faint sound of water rippling at its surface. Perhaps that's to be expected; the ocean's not so far away.
But the scent of salty ocean spray is gone. So is the gentle breeze weaving throughout the island. The air is still. It shouldn't be. Even the hut had its single window cut into one of the walls --
Minato blinks, eyes adjusting to the darkness of the pod. He sees now: the sound of water must have come from the liquid slowly draining from the capsule. That's right... This was the arcade he'd wandered into, wasn't it?
There's a mechanical click as the pod's lid lifts to free him, and someone's hand sticks its way inside to haul Minato up and out of the vessel. Must be one of the arcade's employees, not that he can hear them particularly well. Their explanation of the prize wall is futile. Minato merely gives them a polite bow before wandering off, hand pressed against his forehead.
It's too bright out here. How long had he spent lying in darkness? He glances at his watch: no more than twenty minutes, even though he distinctly recalled spending an entire day within the virtual reality game. The technology of this facility sure was advanced, the stuff of high-flying science fiction of his own time. It is, admittedly, somewhat impressive to him if the rest of the Golden Peacock was up to par in that manner. What a strange place to invest all of that intense technology.
Those thoughts are interrupted as his head throbs at his brow, like a mallet tapping relentlessly against his skull. Maybe he should have listened to that worker after all. Perhaps he was being advised to sit down, to rest awhile as the side effects of being in virtual reality wore off.
It's too late now. This bench a little ways outside the arcade and tucked against an alcove will simply have to do. Minato settles down on it and leans against the hollowed-out wall, eyes closing as he permits his thoughts to drift off.
Akira -- that was his name, wasn't it? He had to be somewhere in the Golden Peacock. There's no doubt in his mind that there's a flesh and blood version of him wandering around. There had to be. That sensation of familiarity stirring within him when he realized Akira was a guest of the Velvet Room too... There's no doubt that the feeling was genuine.
Maybe their paths would cross in the future if they were meant to intersect at each other's orbits again. And if not... well, at least he had the memories of the time spent with the other wild card, even if they weren't exactly "real."
For now he's content to drift off again, tucked within the corner of the cozy alcove. Nap first, figure out what to do next later. ]
[if Akira weren't still a bit disoriented from his return to actual reality, he might take a moment to consider how ridiculous it is to question Minato's genuine existence. the game was advertised as a two-player experienced, and what benefit would the resort gain from having people make fake connections with a simulated computer program? but every time logical thought tries to creep its way back in, it is subsumed by the memories of that smile. of its impermanence, of the way it felt like Minato's existence itself was not meant to be]
Shit. . .
[Akira mutters aloud as he lifts a hand to scrub at his face, as though roughly wiping sleep from his eyes. he hasn't been immune from the resort's whims during his two-month tenure, but. . . this would be the first time he has ever felt like it had truly messed with him]
[. . .]
[he steps forward, walking at a much slower pace now, hand dropping limply back to his side. perhaps it is serendipity. . . or perhaps the Velvet Room is still pulling its mysterious strings in the backgrounds. but as he looks up. . . he sees it]
[a semi-familiar head of blue hair resting inconspicuously in a tiny little alcove, curled up on a bench without a care for it being a very public space. someone tucked so far away from the public eye that Akira may have walked right past him, had he not lifted his gaze at just the right time]
[and just like that, his anxiety evaporates]
Ah. . .
[except. . . now he feels super embarrassed for getting so worked up over nothing. of course Minato had been a real person. why would he ever doubt it? that was a dumb thing to question, Kurusu!! it's a good thing the other Wild Card is napping right now, because the flush on Akira's features would be such a dead giveaway. god. what a loser]
[wait. actually. why the heck is Minato sleeping out in public? that seems like such a bad idea?? HELLO???]
[with a deep exhale to compose himself, Akira plops himself down on the bench next to his fellow Wild Card, before he reaches out to give his shoulder a gentle, but firm, shake]
[ Ever the heavy sleeper, Minato is oblivious to Akira's presence. It's only after Akira gives his shoulder a good shake that his eyelids twitch, opening halfway with a couple of bleary blinks.
"Five more minutes," he thinks, and gets ready to drift off again before remembering a promise made in a now-distant island hut. That's right; he'd trusted someone to wake him up, hadn't he?
Focus returns to Minato's eyes as he shifts to sit more upright. He yawns and rubs an eye, attention landing on the person next to him. ]
...thought you said you weren't a morning person.
[ Here's Akira looking a little more mundane compared to his earlier costume. It's a little odd going from that to seeing his "just some guy" energy, but... that's not necessarily a bad thing. This is better. This is real.
He spends a moment to study Akira's expression, his demeanor, the entire air about him, already subconsciously slipping into his old habit of gleaning as much detail as possible from whoever is around him. Call it a skill that all wild cards seemed to have.
[it's true; there is a stark difference between the Akira Minato is meeting now and the one back on the island. scruffy and unkempt hair, fashionable-yet-average clothing, a pair of glasses perched on his nose to emphasize his inner nerd. . . there's probably a reason for this dissonance, but. that is also a conversation for another day]
[for now? Akira pulls up a lopsided smile. an attempt at cutting through some of the lingering tension that Minato so adeptly picked up on. this guy. . . he's pretty sharp, isn't he? that shouldn't be surprising, if he's a guest of the Velvet Room]
Yeah. I'm okay.
[he could leave it there, but. . . he continues, tone light]
For a second there I was afraid you were a figment of my imagination.
[the way he puts it belies exactly how much that fear had affected him, but. considering he is still flustered over his dumb panic, he prefers turning it into a light joke!]
But I'm glad to see that you're real and solid. [. . .] And taking naps in strange places.
[ Minato blinks, staring at Akira with the energy of a dog inclining its head at a 45-degree angle. A figment of his imagination?
...there's a nugget of truth in that fear. It's a conversation for another day, one that's likely to be in a far-flung future considering how there's still lingering tension in Akira's shoulders. Minato wouldn't go so far as to describing him as distraught, but... What Akira doesn't know can't wound him.
Minato shakes his head, allowing a reassuring smile to settle on his features. It feels like the most appropriate expression given the circumstances. ]
Yeah. I am.
[ He hesitates for a moment, recalling the manner in which Akira had flinched when he'd wiped dirt off his face. But on the other hand, wasn't this the same person who'd allowed him to settle against him underneath that shared jacket?
So he makes up his mind, resting a hand over Akira's wrist. ]
I'm real. See?
[ Napping in strange places though... ]
...a bench isn't so bad.
[ Decidedly Not the point of Akira's comment, but. Details. If he's accosted while asleep in public out here, that's simply a risk he was willing to accept. ]
[ah. the weight of Minato's touch settles warmly against his wrist, and for some reason. . . that helps. as if seeing Minato napping on a bench outside of the VR wasn't enough!]
[he exhales deeply, gaze flickering down to those fingers resting against warm skin, and manages a lopsided smile]
A bench is pretty bad, actually.
[a light tease, though it is laced with genuine concern]
[ Senpai will nap where senpai wants, buddy. But fine, you win this time, Akira. ]
I'm awake now. So it doesn't really matter.
[ Minato takes his hand back and really looks at Akira now. It's the first time he's been able to truly absorb the other wild card's physical appearance. His gaze lands on the glasses. From what he can recall, Akira hadn't been wearing them in the game...
He lifts a hand and points at the other's glasses. ]
...were you walking around that island unable to see anything?
[ Or maybe Akira's vision wasn't actually that bad? ]
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peacockstop2025-03-15 09:00 pm
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Where was he -- oh. The jacket?
The corners of Minato's mouth turn in an apologetic smile. It seems nothing slips past Akira's watchful eye, even while he's preoccupied with bashing a coconut open. That aside, it means he's being studied as the subject of another's attention. Under normal circumstances it would have him trying to slip away. But here, all they have is each other. It'd be futile. ]
...I guess that's what I get for not following uniform rules.
[ RIP to his blazer. Hopefully the island creature that inevitably pilfered it off the sand can at least get some good use out of it. ]
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[the leather jacket is a bit dusty from the sand, but Akira shakes it out before he crawls back to Minato's side. once there. . . he hesitates, gray eyes flickering between his companion and the garment tucked between his fingers]
[. . .]
[after a moment, he seems to come to a decision]
It's okay. I'm still not going to tattle on you to the student council.
[a light joke as he drapes half the jacket across Minato's chilly, damp shoulders. . . and the other half across his own. he isn't nearly as cold as his companion is, but this vest doesn't have sleeves. he has got to look after himself, too! and if sharing the jacket means he has to press himself right up against Minato's side, shoulders and elbows and thighs touching, well. . .]
[that's fine, isn't it?]
[satisfied with this new arrangement, Akira scoops up the coconut halves again and gently deposits one into Minato's hands]
Your meal, sir.
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He'd started leaning away from Akira though, trying his best to offer what little elbow room was available beneath the jacket. But Akira immediately breaks through that distance, pressing himself right against Minato's side. He's... warm, in spite of bare arms exposed to chillier air. Minato finds himself instinctively tucking himself against that source of offered warmth, exhaling slow with relief. The shudders from earlier ease away as he relishes the relief from his companion.
It seems it's more than fine.
Now that they can enjoy the rest of their fruit at a more comfortable temperature, Minato accepts his portion into his hands. He casts a glance at Akira and hums in quiet amusement. It looks this wildcard may yet have some antics up his nonexistent sleeves. ]
Thanks.
[ The gratitude is twofold. Between handing him the food and making sure he won't be cold, Akira's been keeping an eye out for him. Maybe just for the duration of this game, he could indulge in someone else's kindness.
He lifts the coconut half to his lips and sips at its juice. Perhaps one coconut would do for now just in case they were forced to spend another day here. The rest would tide them over while they looked for other food sources. While Minato didn't mind eating coconuts for the next few days, surely Akira would prefer to track down something else?
Minato pauses in lapping at the fruit's jelly with a thoughtful expression. ]
I wonder if there's anything else to eat here...
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[. . . well]
[actually? no, he doesn't really know what he is doing. but he finds it warm, the way they sit together like this, pressed close with his jacket draped over their backs. it probably makes a pretty silly picture, considering Akira is still barefoot, and still wearing his mask perched atop his head as he too sips at his fruity meal. but that just makes it a little more charming, right. . .?]
[he supposes there is nothing like a deserted island survival scenario to help two people grow closer. though. . . somehow, he doubts they would have needed the VR to become friends. Wild Cards just have that innate bond, don't they. . .? at least, that's what Akira thinks, especially after meeting Yu]
[Akira tilts his head slightly towards Minato at the question, a thoughtful noise tumbling from his lips]
I imagine there's plenty of fish in the ocean. And maybe some bananas?
. . . I guess if we're going to be stuck here for more than one day, we should look for more food tomorrow.
[and acquire a much bigger stash of rations than just four measly coconuts]
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Tomorrow? What happened to making it out within a day?
[ Was Akira really about to throw in the towel so soon? On the other hand, being trapped on this island for another twenty-four hours didn't seem so bad despite the dearth of creature comforts. Perhaps it's the company that makes it less dire.
Still, if they intended on fishing, they'd need... some form of fishing pole? A sturdy branch might do the trick. It's the twine that'd be harder to come by. At least this island probably has worms as bait if they dug deep enough. That's what people used to tempt fish onto their lines, isn't it?
Minato's eyes drift shut as he further considers Akira's suggestions. ]
I've never fished before. So... you might have to take care of that.
[ In return maybe it'd be his turn to scale a tree for its fruit... ]
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The sun started setting.
[that's what happened to making it out within the day!! and while his actions may seem scolding, the way his lips threaten to twitch into a small smile gives him away]
I used to fish all the time. Back home, and when I was staying in Tokyo. . . [it was a relaxing hobby. it helped him clear his head, and gave him a reason to turn off his brain for a few short hours. he never kept the fish he caught back at Ichigaya (because he wasn't allowed to), but at the pond behind the park in his old hometown. . . fish were free game!!]
I'll teach you everything I know.
[like a young grasshopper]
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Minato stays leaned against Akira, head comfortably against his shoulder as he listens. His partner here was an avid fisher? Seems like Minato's luck was turning up after all. ]
You're not from Tokyo?
[ Now that he's thinking about it though, Akira does strike him as a country boy. There's that earnestness and patience about him, one that's less common among city folk. ]
...mm, I think I'll leave that to you.
[ Doing the fishing himself? No thanks... ]
...but I guess it wouldn't hurt to learn.
[ Wild cards simply can't resist the siren song of learning a new skill. ]
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Mmm. No; I'm not.
[there's a slight edge to his smile when he says that. . . and for the first time since they've met, Minato may get the feeling that there is more to it than what Akira is saying. that one is a story for another day]
And of course it wouldn't.
After all, you never know when you might find yourself shoved into surprise survival scenarios, right?
[there's cheek in his tone when he says that, because he knows VERY WELL that their current circumstances are. . . rather unique. but at any rate, it seems Akira has polished off his half of the coconut as he lays the empty shell aside. and after a brief hesitation, he reaches for the third. . .!]
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Minato lets it go. Indeed, it'll be a story for another day. ]
Guess I'll have to learn how to climb trees too.
[ ...or maybe not. Surely there were berry bushes or something on this island? Those were much easier foraging targets compared to climbing entire trees.
By now he's finished off his coconut too. The hollowed-out hemisphere sits at his side. Minato won't move, not when Akira is probably hungrier. After all, Akira probably burned more energy compared to him from retrieving those coconuts, and he'd need that extra energy to fish tomorrow. ]
Feel free to have the whole thing.
[ Honestly, moreso than food, Minato could probably go for a nap. ]
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Ah. . .? You're not hungry?
[he considers the coconut nestled between his palms. . . and eventually places it aside]
Mmm. I'll save it for later, then.
[a decision that is not at all made because hacking open the coconut would require him to move Minato off of his shoulder. . .]
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[ Tomorrow though? Who can say...
Minato's gaze lifts as Akira rests a cheek against his head. It stirs an old memory, one of a formerly-scrawny cat that called an alleyway his home.
...was that little guy doing all right? After regaining his strength from the daily can of wet food Minato brought for him, surely he was capable of hunting for his own meals? Minato sighs a bit, shoulders rising and falling a bit with that action.
He... probably shouldn't think too deeply about that. ]
Yeah. We'll need it for tomorrow.
[ Minato rests his head against Akira, fitting more comfortably against the other wild card.
So much for getting out of here within a day, not that Minato finds himself minding it at all. After all, the company out here isn't so bad. ]
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All right then. We'll have coconuts for breakfast tomorrow.
[he can feel it, the way Minato settles more comfortably against his slide. slotting there so perfectly, as though he has always belonged there, like a missing puzzle piece. those thoughts are a bit too deep for a brand new Confidant, though. Akira dismisses them quickly, and instead decides to just. . . enjoy the time they have together in the here and now]
[. . .]
[he tugs his jacket a bit closer around them both, before sneaking his arm behind Minato's back. not quite wrapped around his waist, but threateningly close to it! by now, the sun has set completely, and the cabin is dark save for the single torch that lights the area from its sconce on the opposite wall. and while Akira would describe himself as a night person, it's difficult not to give in to the call of sleep]
. . . I suppose we should rest up, huh?
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Coconuts for breakfast, maybe even lunch.
[ They'd have to find other fruit trees, but at least they could return to the coconut ones if necessary. Fish might be nice instead though.
Better not get too carried away, lest his stomach betray him and reveal that he actually could go for a third coconut.
The jacket's pulled a little tighter around him to keep the cold at bay, but in truth it's the arm around Minato's back that warms him from the inside. And as night sets in alongside the evening silence, Minato finds himself stifling a yawn. ]
Mm. ...yeah, probably.
[ The exhaustion's caught up to him now that he's had a bit of food and some time to relax. His eyes drift shut halfway as he stays tucked against Akira's side. ]
...I'll be counting on you to wake me up.
[ Said by a guy who's one hell of a heavy sleeper. ]
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[he doesn't move. he doesn't even verbalize the thought. for the time being, as Minato's eyes slip shut, the bed is an enemy intent on ruining the cozy position they have carved out for themselves]
Try not to count on me too much. [Akira jokes, tone light, voice quiet] I'm really not a morning person.
[they're gonna be sleeping in until noon, aren' they?]
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Makes two of us. ...see you around then, Akira.
[ Mumbled words, barely audible above the ambient crackle of the fading torch. There'd been days when Minato couldn't pull himself out of bed on time. That's when he relied on Aigis to make sure he got out of bed on time.
...Aigis isn't here though. He wouldn't be seeing her again.
Eventually, Minato's breathing evens out to something deeper, eyes shut as he drifts off. Perhaps they'd reopen the following day; perhaps not. That is also a problem for Future Minato. It's a good sort of weariness that settles in his body though, unlike the draining exhaustion he'd experienced the last time he'd fallen into a deep sleep.
But he has Akira to wake him up tomorrow, so he permits himself to finally drift off. ]
1/3. i think. i'm sorry
[. . .]
[how strange, that being whisked away to a haunted sex resort (of all places!!) would lead to him finding so many people who could truly understand the Journey of a Wild Card. how desperate had he been for this kind of connection? how badly had he wanted someone with whom to talk about this aspect of his life? . . . exactly how much had he ached to know that he wasn't the only one whose fate was tied by the hands of ethereal forces moving behind the curtain?]
[when he does drift off, it's with those thoughts lingering at the forefront of his mind, and a warmth settled across his heart like a cozy blanket]
[. . .]
yeh it's 2/3 spams ur inbox
[. . .]
[he looks around, and there are no remnants of the warm island shores to be found amidst the flashing lights and melodic tunes that fill the arcade. it's jarring, to be moved so suddenly from a cozy island hut to this overstimulation nightmare; Akira's knees feel week as he steps out of the pod, bracing himself on the arcade worker's side so he doesn't suddenly fall over, the gears in his mind racing to reorient himself and his presence in space]
[. . .]
[it all feels so. . . fresh. the sensation of the hot sun against his skin. the cool water lapping at his ankles. the grainy sand pinched between his feet. the chilly hut, and the taste of fresh coconut water on his lips. . . and a familiar, comforting warmth pressed up against his side]
OKAY I'M DONE
[that's. . .]
[that's right]
[he sees it flash before his vision in an instant. a bright smile, so soft, so inviting, with its edges so faded that it might vanish if he dared blink. Akira's heart catches in his throat, ice suddenly coursing through his veins as he remembers. that smile. . . that warmth against his side. . . the echo of the Fool, of the Universe, pulsing with every beat of his heart]
[that. . .]
[that had all. . . been real, right?]
-- I have to go.
[he says quickly, breathlessly, to the arcade workers who are attempting to offer him prizes for his successful completion of the game. before he can register their bemused expressions, he yanks himself away, immediately bolting for the arcade entrance. that smile. . . those features that he had so determinedly decided that he wanted to protect. . . he can already feel it fading from his memory, no matter how hard he tries to hold on]
[it's like grasping at smoke, something impermeable flitting through his fingers. the harder he tries, the faster it disappears]
[jesus fuck]
[it had to be real. it just had to be. there was no way the resort had managed to conjure up someone like Minato just to fuck with him, right?? there is no way this place knew that he would be so damn weak to something as simple as that smile]
[he doesn't know what he is looking for, but once he is out of the arcade, Akira skids to a halt, gaze flickering across his surroundings in open panic. it had to be real. and if it was real, then Minato-- that person with whom he had forged a surprisingly impactful emotional connection-- he has to be out here somewhere too, right?]
[. . . right?]
jesus christ
But the scent of salty ocean spray is gone. So is the gentle breeze weaving throughout the island. The air is still. It shouldn't be. Even the hut had its single window cut into one of the walls --
Minato blinks, eyes adjusting to the darkness of the pod. He sees now: the sound of water must have come from the liquid slowly draining from the capsule. That's right... This was the arcade he'd wandered into, wasn't it?
There's a mechanical click as the pod's lid lifts to free him, and someone's hand sticks its way inside to haul Minato up and out of the vessel. Must be one of the arcade's employees, not that he can hear them particularly well. Their explanation of the prize wall is futile. Minato merely gives them a polite bow before wandering off, hand pressed against his forehead.
It's too bright out here. How long had he spent lying in darkness? He glances at his watch: no more than twenty minutes, even though he distinctly recalled spending an entire day within the virtual reality game. The technology of this facility sure was advanced, the stuff of high-flying science fiction of his own time. It is, admittedly, somewhat impressive to him if the rest of the Golden Peacock was up to par in that manner. What a strange place to invest all of that intense technology.
Those thoughts are interrupted as his head throbs at his brow, like a mallet tapping relentlessly against his skull. Maybe he should have listened to that worker after all. Perhaps he was being advised to sit down, to rest awhile as the side effects of being in virtual reality wore off.
It's too late now. This bench a little ways outside the arcade and tucked against an alcove will simply have to do. Minato settles down on it and leans against the hollowed-out wall, eyes closing as he permits his thoughts to drift off.
Akira -- that was his name, wasn't it? He had to be somewhere in the Golden Peacock. There's no doubt in his mind that there's a flesh and blood version of him wandering around. There had to be. That sensation of familiarity stirring within him when he realized Akira was a guest of the Velvet Room too... There's no doubt that the feeling was genuine.
Maybe their paths would cross in the future if they were meant to intersect at each other's orbits again. And if not... well, at least he had the memories of the time spent with the other wild card, even if they weren't exactly "real."
For now he's content to drift off again, tucked within the corner of the cozy alcove. Nap first, figure out what to do next later. ]
brings my best to the angst games
Shit. . .
[Akira mutters aloud as he lifts a hand to scrub at his face, as though roughly wiping sleep from his eyes. he hasn't been immune from the resort's whims during his two-month tenure, but. . . this would be the first time he has ever felt like it had truly messed with him]
[. . .]
[he steps forward, walking at a much slower pace now, hand dropping limply back to his side. perhaps it is serendipity. . . or perhaps the Velvet Room is still pulling its mysterious strings in the backgrounds. but as he looks up. . . he sees it]
[a semi-familiar head of blue hair resting inconspicuously in a tiny little alcove, curled up on a bench without a care for it being a very public space. someone tucked so far away from the public eye that Akira may have walked right past him, had he not lifted his gaze at just the right time]
[and just like that, his anxiety evaporates]
Ah. . .
[except. . . now he feels super embarrassed for getting so worked up over nothing. of course Minato had been a real person. why would he ever doubt it? that was a dumb thing to question, Kurusu!! it's a good thing the other Wild Card is napping right now, because the flush on Akira's features would be such a dead giveaway. god. what a loser]
[wait. actually. why the heck is Minato sleeping out in public? that seems like such a bad idea?? HELLO???]
[with a deep exhale to compose himself, Akira plops himself down on the bench next to his fellow Wild Card, before he reaches out to give his shoulder a gentle, but firm, shake]
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"Five more minutes," he thinks, and gets ready to drift off again before remembering a promise made in a now-distant island hut. That's right; he'd trusted someone to wake him up, hadn't he?
Focus returns to Minato's eyes as he shifts to sit more upright. He yawns and rubs an eye, attention landing on the person next to him. ]
...thought you said you weren't a morning person.
[ Here's Akira looking a little more mundane compared to his earlier costume. It's a little odd going from that to seeing his "just some guy" energy, but... that's not necessarily a bad thing. This is better. This is real.
He spends a moment to study Akira's expression, his demeanor, the entire air about him, already subconsciously slipping into his old habit of gleaning as much detail as possible from whoever is around him. Call it a skill that all wild cards seemed to have.
His brow creases in mild concern. ]
...hey, are you okay?
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[for now? Akira pulls up a lopsided smile. an attempt at cutting through some of the lingering tension that Minato so adeptly picked up on. this guy. . . he's pretty sharp, isn't he? that shouldn't be surprising, if he's a guest of the Velvet Room]
Yeah. I'm okay.
[he could leave it there, but. . . he continues, tone light]
For a second there I was afraid you were a figment of my imagination.
[the way he puts it belies exactly how much that fear had affected him, but. considering he is still flustered over his dumb panic, he prefers turning it into a light joke!]
But I'm glad to see that you're real and solid. [. . .] And taking naps in strange places.
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...there's a nugget of truth in that fear. It's a conversation for another day, one that's likely to be in a far-flung future considering how there's still lingering tension in Akira's shoulders. Minato wouldn't go so far as to describing him as distraught, but... What Akira doesn't know can't wound him.
Minato shakes his head, allowing a reassuring smile to settle on his features. It feels like the most appropriate expression given the circumstances. ]
Yeah. I am.
[ He hesitates for a moment, recalling the manner in which Akira had flinched when he'd wiped dirt off his face. But on the other hand, wasn't this the same person who'd allowed him to settle against him underneath that shared jacket?
So he makes up his mind, resting a hand over Akira's wrist. ]
I'm real. See?
[ Napping in strange places though... ]
...a bench isn't so bad.
[ Decidedly Not the point of Akira's comment, but. Details. If he's accosted while asleep in public out here, that's simply a risk he was willing to accept. ]
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[he exhales deeply, gaze flickering down to those fingers resting against warm skin, and manages a lopsided smile]
A bench is pretty bad, actually.
[a light tease, though it is laced with genuine concern]
You're going to ruin your back that way.
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I'm awake now. So it doesn't really matter.
[ Minato takes his hand back and really looks at Akira now. It's the first time he's been able to truly absorb the other wild card's physical appearance. His gaze lands on the glasses. From what he can recall, Akira hadn't been wearing them in the game...
He lifts a hand and points at the other's glasses. ]
...were you walking around that island unable to see anything?
[ Or maybe Akira's vision wasn't actually that bad? ]
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wrapped 🙏