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ɢᴏʟᴅᴇɴ ᴘᴇᴀᴄᴏᴄᴋ ᴍᴏᴅs ([personal profile] goldmods) wrote in [community profile] peacockstop2025-05-15 09:00 pm
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TDM 009



【 Thank you for choosing the Golden Peacock, 5-star resort and casino. You are currently registered as a WILDCARD in our system.

We are pleased to announce that several films have begun production in the resort! All guests are encouraged to participate as actors and crew during this time. Two highly anticipated blockbusters are part of the filming block and will have an opening night premiere at the newly renovated Hatchbox Theater.

We would also like to extend a gentle warning to all actors. New tabloids and journalists have snuck into the Peacock alongside production, so please be cautious of aggressive reporters. We would hate to see our beloved guests embroiled in public scandal.

Please look forward to your debut on the silver screen and all of the new artistic content soon available for your viewing pleasure! 】



HONEYWAGONS
A STAR'S WELCOME
WELCOME TO THE LOT ► All of these new stars are being welcomed to the Peacock in style. The Nest, the resort's premier massive shopping complex, is now lined with dozens upon dozens of trailers, each with a glittering gold star on the door. While unassuming on the outside, the inside of these honeywagons are pockets of luxury in tiny square footage. The catch? Why, characters are stuffed up to 4 in a trailer, of course. We're sure you'll figure something out.

► Characters still wake up naked save for a robe, as is standard for the Golden Peacock. This round’s robes are a mixed bag of gaudy glitz and old money velvet, reflecting the dual faces of Hollywood. Whether you're sporting some classic luxury with a pipe or draped in cheetah faux fur, these robes are skimpy, potentially giving a raunchy photoshoot to those pesky paparazzi!

► Existing characters are welcome to take up residence in any empty slots in these honeywagons. Just because you're not the newest ingenue on the block doesn't mean you're forgotten. Besides, we need you experienced actors close to set for quick costume changes and touch-ups. No need to ask to be moved! It’s all taken care of already.
HIRED HENS ► Several security guards have been newly hired to protect the actors from paparazzi and potential threats. These burly cocos and hens all have three things in common: tight black suits, rippling muscles, and owl heads. These heads aren't just for show; this elite group of guards can swivel their heads 360 degrees to provide the utmost level of surveillance.

► Unfortunately for actors, these owls are both nocturnal and way too into their jobs. They particularly like doing rounds during night hours and staring into the windows of the honeywagons to watch the actors sleep. Some owls will creep into the trailers to watch over their charges by sitting at their bedsides. An owl may be there, staring, where you least expect it. However, their diligence may not necessarily be a bad thing!

► Alongside owl security, actors may find themselves bombarded by paparazzi. These photo-hungry tabloid journalists are all after shots that will fetch a high price, willing to do anything for a scoop. The majority of these new paparazzi, in contrast to owl security, have hummingbird heads. They're just as quick too, zooming in and out of both backstage and the sets in search of a scandal.

► Be careful, because hummingbirds aren't the only paparazzi. That's right — guests, new or existing, may find themselves scouted to play ball with the tabloids. They may not be as obvious as those aggressive hummingbird reporters; some may even be working undercover in search of a scandal to sell to the highest bidder. All actors are at risk of embarrassing or defamatory photos being published in resort magazines or posted to the bulletin boards.
ACTOR RESUME

WELLA WARBLER


Height: 4 inches
Weight: 5 oz
Age: 3 years (24 in bird years!)
Eye color: black
Hair color: yellow

TYPECAST & SUITABLE ROLES

• animal sidekick
• emotional guide
• damsel in distress

KINKS & FETISHES

• berry licking
• mating dances
• hardcore bdsm

SPECIAL SKILLS

• singing
• flying fast
• speed sudoku

ROLE REGISTER ► What better way to get to know your colleagues than to check out their resume? All guests will have access to the actor registry, which provides an overview of actors and basic information about them.

► The registry, with the help of the Golden Peacock's AI, can also flag complementary resumes. An actor that may have good chemistry, match the requirements for a particular scene, or has unique experience relevant to an upcoming job may reappear at the top of the search several times.

► Actors can communicate through the registry. There is a general messaging board where everyone can see what is posted and personal inboxes for private correspondence with an actor. Actors are encouraged to collaberate because many of the scenes in the available movie projects involve intimacy.
COPYABLE CODE
COSTUME DEPARTMENT
GET INTO CHARACTER
PICK OUT YOUR DUDS ► The trendy clothing boutiques of The Nest have been transformed. The walls between these small stores have vanished to create a vast costume warehouse divided by department, seemingly overnight. Actors may freely browse the racks to select suitable costumes for the roles they've been cast. The directors aren't picky about how their actors dress as long as it suits the part, allowing guests creative freedom as part of the process.

► Actors that choose costumes that are extremely unsuitable for their roles will be forced to change into something chosen by costuming staff. These mandated costumes will be on theme but will always be slutty, sexy, and enhance an actor's unique "assets". An actor blessed with a bountiful bosom may find themselves wearing a tight little lace bra while an actor with a thick ass may end up in assless chaps. It's all about giving the people what they want, you know?

► All articles in the warehouse run the risk of being possessed. There are no clear-cut signs as to which pieces are cursed and which are not before putting something on. Possessed costumes come in two flavors: Type A and Type B.

Type A possessions are straightforward. The actor wearing a Type A costume cannot remove it alone — they will find that no matter how many times they grab a button or tug on that zipper tab, nothing will unfasten. Someone else must remove the costume for them. Good thing there are a bunch of changing rooms just big enough to fit two people inside around, huh?

Type B possessions are unique. The actor wearing the costume will begin to feel influenced by it. They may feel inspired or compelled to act out the role it embodies. This possession will not be satisfied until some level of resonance between actor and role is achieved. While the possession isn't satisfied the costume cannot be removed. But hey, you're an actor headed to set, so surely this is only gravy for your performance!
DOLLED UP ► Done getting into costume? Head over to hair and makeup! After all, clothes are only half the battle. Whether you need to get glammed up or slapped into some monster makeup, the makeup artists are here to help. Mostly. Actually, they're super understaffed, and there aren't enough makeup artists to meet demand. Though they hate to ask, could you guys potentially help each other get ready?

► Actors confident in their makeup and hair styling skills (or just confident) will be allowed to use any tools to help get their fellow actors ready. However, any actors kind enough to jump in and assist will be warned that many of these products are made at home in the Golden Peacock. If not used with discretion, they can potentially make the actor being worked on ... extremely horny! Like a game of Russian roulette, one in five of all beauty products are created with aphrodisiacs. Ironically, this isn't even for the sake of getting guests into the Game 52 spirit — their supplies are just like that.

► Fill-in artists shouldn't fret too much. The majority of those products only have aphrodisiacs in minuscule amounts. When applied carefully they typically cause minor arousal or sensitivity. Artists that spray and paint with reckless abandon, however, may find a new problem on their hands!


GRAB A GIG
FIND YOUR BIG BREAK
GETTING TO SET ► The Golden Peacock is buzzing with excitement for two big blockbusters that are currently in production: LORD OF THE WINGS and STAR WARBLERS. Both of these films come from movie franchises that are adored resort-wide for their iconic blend of story, romance, porn, and action.

► Directors will be filming dozens of scenes with different actors in lead and supporting roles. Actors are given creative freedom on how to approach their roles, with barebones scripts that offer a general idea of where the scene should go and some spicy lines here and there. One actor’s take on a role may be different than another’s.

For example, three different actors portraying the Dragon Lord in Lord of the Wings may take their portrayals three different ways. A lonely Dragon Lord, a villainous Dragon Lord, and a misunderstood Dragon Lord are all fair game. Supporting characters such as the elves and faeries the warriors meet during their travels are completely free game within the bounds of “elf” and “fairy” in classic movie tropes.

► Two new floors have appeared in the ever-changing Peacock, each dedicated to one of the films, due to their massive and comprehensive sets. Guests will discover two new buttons on every elevator’s operating panel. Actors and fans are invited to enjoy these sets even when the camera isn’t rolling — this blend of high-tech VR and real world elements comes at a very high budget, so guests are encouraged get their fill while they’re available!
INDIE HITS ► In addition to the two massive blockbusters, several spin-off series and porn shorts currently casting and underway. The directors of these major motion pictures have kindly permitted the filming of smaller projects using these unique movie sets when they aren’t already in use. Smalltime directors and film enthusiasts are eagerly pitching their porn scripts in hopes that they’ll get made!

► Several smaller sets can be found around the Peacock for these homegrown productions. While some scripts utilize locations that can already be found in the Peacock, other long-standing guests have pooled their money together to establish a handful of sets not already available in the resort. These sets are open for use at any time.

► Unlike the large production crews of Lord of the Wings and Star Warblers, these smaller porn projects do not have a big budget for staff. Some projects utilize AI and drones to film, so actors that are shy about getting down and dirty around a physical cameraman need not worry! Both the producers and the Golden Peacock staff want their stars to be as comfortable as possible to fully enjoy the experience.
SPIN THE WHEEL ► It wouldn’t be the Golden Peacock if there weren’t some kind of game-like twist! While actors are encouraged to go out for any roles or films they find interesting, those looking to win large and extra-large chip payments can spin the fetish wheel to up the ante. Actors that spin the fetish wheel must incorporate what the ticker lands on into their next role.

► Can’t manage to work it into your scene? Those that fail their fetish task will find a huge chip deduction from their bank account and a punishment waiting for them. Any actors that fail the game must dress up in sexy costumes and go around the Golden Peacock handing out fliers for the premiere of Lord of the Wings and Star Warblers, with strict instructions to dance sexily for anyone that accepts a flier. Hey, the directors have spent tons of money on these movies, they’ll take free advertising however they can get it.

► SPIN THE WHEEL HERE!
LORD OF THE WINGS
AN EPIC (AND SEXY) JOURNEY
【 Once upon a time, in a magical land far, far away...

The Lord of the Wings, a massive dragon with no equal, demanded a bride tribute from all of the kingdoms across the continent. Every month each province was required to send their most beautiful men and women to become the dragon's next bride(s). Ever greedy, the dragon was not satisfied with having one bride. Not with twelve brides, nor two hundred brides. The dragon always demanded more. The number of hot people around to bang dwindled. Things were looking grim.

Soon, a group of brave warriors gathered to travel the lands and slay this dragon. They enjoyed adventures of fucking their way through sirens, fucking their way though the faeries, and fucking their way through the mage school and beastmen tribes. They reached the dragon's crystal lair where the dragon, who took beautiful humanoid form, approached them.

The dragon promised that if any warrior could satisfy them sexually, they would return all of the brides to their homes. Each warrior took a turn trying to satisfy the dragon — but only with their efforts combined in one massive orgy was the dragon finally satisfied.

All of the brides were released and the warriors moved into the crystal lair to live a loving polyamorous relationship with the dragon. All was well. The end. 】

A FANTASTICAL SET ► Guests taking the elevator to the new floor labeled 'LORD OF THE WINGS SET' will are greeted with a cool, damp breeze as soon as the doors open. Unlike any other area of the resort, this set evokes a very real sensation of stepping out onto the earth to embrace snowcapped mountains, lush forests, and wide-open sky. The size of this set is massive with different climates depending upon where filming is happening. Towns, villages, and tribes can also be found.

► The set is teeming with background actors that have been instructed to stay in character at all times. Actors may encounter both friend and foe while exploring the set, regardless of whether or not the cameras are rolling. Lord of the Wings features a wide range of character types ranging from humans and elves to monsters and beasts.

► Key locations in The Lord of the Wings are: human villages; siren's cove; fairy's forest; Beastmen wilds; Elven mountains; and the dragon's crystal lair. But these are not the only locations in the set! Actors will find a fantastical range of areas to explore and enjoy.
MAGICAL DANGERS When it comes to movie magic, the Golden Peacock is more magic than movie! While sets are generally safe and violence is simulated, there are elements of the film that can affect actors for real. If guests aren't careful, they may really find themselves in a sticky situation and need a clever Hollywood way to get out of it. Or maybe they'll need to live out a classic trope for real.

► LIEBERRIES: Found in the Elven mountains. Delicious but cursed: you can only lie for 20 minutes after consumption. Beware misunderstandings!

► SNUGGLEBLOSSOMS: Found in the Fairy forest. These charming blossoms produce an immense amount of pollen. Breathing in snuggleblossom pollen is lethal. The only cure is to fuck within two hours of inhaling.

► THERAPANGO: Found in the Siren's cove. Anyone eating it will spill their emotional baggage to the nearest object (tree, statue, enemy soldier). It's cathartic, if not dignified.

► RAINBOW CRYSTALS: Found in the dragon's crystal lair. Contact with a rainbow crystal will increase endurance but delay/deny orgasms. No wonder the dragon was so hard up!
STAR WARBLERS
A THRILLING (AND SEXY) SPACE OPERA
【 Once upon a time, in a galaxy, far away...

The Palm Warblers and the Pine Warblers, two different legions of the massive Warbler fleet, began to battle. Whenever their ships would meet in space they would fight with the winner taking prisoners of war. After one such battle, a captured Captain of the Palm Warbler legion held in prison met a Lieutenant of the Pine Warbler tribe. After some rivalry, the two fell deeply in love.

They had a ton of kinky prison sex. However, the two were not satisfied with fucking between prison bars. They wanted to properly marry. But how could they with their two legions at war?

They each gathered friends and more sex was had between all. More matches between the Palms and the Pines happened, leading to even more kinky space sex. Bolstered by friendship and newfound fetishes, they gripped their laser guns and seized the science lab where some important keystone gemstone was being examined and researched by space scientists. This stone was very important for the future breeding of the Warbler race.

By holding the lab hostage, the ship's Commander put down their weapons and handed over the keys. The Palm Captain and the Pine Lieutenant held hands as they steered the ship off to find a new planet where they could live in peace together. The war between the two tribes ended because of good sex. All was well. The end. 】
A TASTE OF OUTER SPACE ► Guests taking the elevator to the new floor labeled 'STAR WARBLERS' will greeted with the ethereal hue of stars and planets outside of crystal-clear windows. While the set of Star Warblers is smaller than Lord of the Wings, it's far more detailed, completely imitating a starship traveling through the vastness of space. All of the elements of the spaceship are dripping in high-tech science fiction.

► The set includes background actors that have been instructed to stay in character at all times. Actors may encounter both friend and foe while exploring the set, regardless of whether or not the cameras are rolling. The background actors of Star Warblers are primarily Warbler Troops wearing helmets, highly ranked Warblers in sharp military uniforms, and white-coat clad scientists.

► Key locations in Star Warblers are: the prison hold, the ship's bridge, the command deck, and the ship's research laboratory. But these are not the only locations in the set! Actors will find a range of futuristic areas to explore on the ship.
ALIEN THREATS Why keep the science fiction fictional when the Peacock can provide the real thing? While sets are generally safe and violence is simulated, there are elements of the film that can affect actors for real. If guests aren't careful, they may really find themselves in a sticky situation and need a clever Hollywood way to get out of it. Or maybe they'll need to live out a classic trope for real.

► 'TORTURE' BOTS: Found in the prison hold. Robots programmed to 'torture' prisoners into revealing information. These bots are equipped with dildos, vibrators, pussy pocket hands, lube jets, feather ticklers, etc. These bots can be controlled by the wardens for more intimate 'torture' sessions.

► SPACE RATS: Found in various locations. Small, neon rats that run around the hallways and in cargo areas of the ship. If bitten by a space rat, their bite will continue to swell until the bitten person has sex.

► GREEN GOOP: Found in the research labs. In syringes and in massive bubbling pods. When not watched, the goop will move on its own and try to absorb anyone around into it.

► GEMSTONE EGG: Found in the research lab. The gemstone egg that the scientists are evaluating, important for the future of the Warbler race. Any physical contact with the gemstone egg will inspire the sudden urge to mate and breed.
SHORT FILMS
THE GOLDEN PEACOCK SUPPORTS THE ARTS
【 Ladies and Gentlemen!

Peacock Productions is pleased to announce the following short erotic films. Actors interested in participating in filming are welcome to arrive on set to shoot at any time. Various accommodations are available depending upon actor comfort.

FILMS
• ALIENS PROBED ME!
• ARRANGED MARRIAGE WEDDING NIGHT
• BIG TIDDY NUN NEEDS PUNISHING
• BIRD IN THE BUSH
• EXORCIST KIDNAPPED BY DEMON LOVER
• FELINE ATTRACTION
• GUARD TOPS MASTER IN BED
• HORNY NERD CREAMPIE
• HOT FOR TEACHER
• INCUBUS SEDUCES SLUTTY PRIEST
FILMS
• JEALOUS SPOUSE DISCIPLINES LOVER
• LONELY TENTACLES WANT LOVE
• MAGES GONE WILD
• PIZZA DELIVERY BOY IS HOT
• PLANTS HUNGER FOR SEX
• SAMURAI PLEDGES AND SERVES
• THEY WERE BOTH BOTTOMS
• TOP ON TOP ACTION
• VAMPIRE’S AROUSING BITE
• VIRGIN’S FIRST TIME
• WHOLESOME COUPLE MAKING LOVE
• WOLFMAN TAKES A MATE


… and many, many, many more! We look forward to working with you. 】
BOX OFFICE BOOM ► "And many, many, many more!" is no exaggeration. Smalltime directors and long-standing guests are producing dozens of pornos and these pornos are in need of actors. The above is not the extent of possibility. Players are encouraged to make up any kind of porno scene they want! Characters may take advantage of open sets to make videos or take photoshoots for their personal use, general public release not required.

► These pornos typically lack story and focus more on fetish and kink. The plots are loose, the lines are ad-libbed, and if there are any crew around it's one guy in a hoodie eating a donut. However, the cameras available for rent are just as high quality as the ones used on Lord of the Wings and Star Warblers. If that's not your style, all Watches have the capability to connect via bluetooth to film through standing cameras.

► Actors that participate in filming will receive a large payout per role. The more jobs you take, the more money you'll make! Alternatively, actors that don't fill any roles may find their bank accounts suddenly plunged deep into the red, no matter how rich they may have been before.
EXTRA SETS Current Peacock locations and all of the Lord of the Wings and Star Warblers sets may be used for pornos. However, the world of kink is vast and variety is the spice of life. Several smaller open sets not usually available have appeared around the resort for actor use.

► CASTLE(S): Sets featuring the aesthetics of historical castles. Numerous versions are available, each influenced by a different culture (eg, English; French; Italian, Spanish; Russian; Chinese; Japanese; Korean; etc).

► CHURCH: A church stylized after Catholic/Christian aesthetics. Includes a confessional, pews, altar, and worship room.

► MANSION: A luxurious mansion designed to evoke high-class old money. Includes a servants' quarters for clandestine cross-class affairs.

► BEACH: An enclosed set with powdery sand and an artificial ocean. Includes grottos, a lifeguard station, and a large rubber shark.

► OFFICE: A plain work office lacking any particular unique qualities. Includes cubicles, copy machine, manager's office, and conference rooms. Smells like soul-sucking capitalism.


PREMIERE
YOUR BIG DEBUT

WALK THE RED CARPET ► We’re rolling out the red carpet! Lord of the Wings and Star Warblers open the same night. All actors that participated in any film, be it one of the blockbusters or a smaller project, are invited to dress to the nines and blow kisses to their adoring fans while strutting their stuff. Actors will have the chance to take fabulous glam photoshoots and share their thoughts about filming with reporters. Be careful, anything that happens on the red carpet can become tomorrow’s hot new gossip. Some of those pesky hummingbird journalists are so eager for a scandal that they’ll make something happen, sneakily!

► The Golden Peacock has upgraded its formerly dinky little theater into a grand multiplex for the occasion, so actors and audience can enjoy these films in delicious IMAX. The multiplex is lush in red velvet and fabulous “bed” seats — each seat is designed to couple two guests together. You won’t be lonely during the screening since cuddling up with someone else is mandatory to enjoy the movie(s).

► All premiere attendees will be gifted expensive swag bags upon entrance to the theater. Inside each bag guests will find a bottle of champagne, chocolate truffles, gourmet popcorn, trendy sodas, gummy candies … and one random sex toy. No harm in spicing up a special premiere, right?

The note included with the sex toy explains: 【 Get your seat partner off with this toy before the film ends for a special prize! 】 What’s the prize? Those that get their seat-partner off during the film will be given a Golden Globe. This exclusive gold statue comes in two styles: penis with balls or vagina with breasts. Congratulations!


OOC NOTES

INVITES | RESERVES | APPLICATIONS
▶ BLANKET CW: cameras; compulsion; costumes; dubcon; nudes; pornography; roleplaying; recording; sex tropes; stalking; video

▶ 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 May event. Since April's event was a bit serious, we're leaning in the opposite direction and going full camp for this meme.

▶ 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 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.
NAVIGATION • LOG • NETWORK • OOC • MEME
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noneforyou: (37)

[personal profile] noneforyou 2025-06-17 04:58 am (UTC)(link)
[ There's no rush to collect the mess. Now that Xue Yang is prepared for it, he has ways to acquire more. (That may or may not involve poisoning himself again and then fucking his roommate. Or poisoning his roommate. Maybe both of them, for twice the material.) No, he's much more interested in that seal at present.

When he finally gets a good look at the center and the rest of it, there's no missing the way his eyes narrow and his grin gives way to a slight frown of concentration. That... was not at all what he was expecting the center of it to look like. Does that work? It seems like it must work, or Matoba wouldn't continue to wear it. But despite having a vaguely similar structure to what Xue Yang knows, the part of the design that he would expect to be the primary actor is nearly blank. Like building a shed to keep out the weather, but not adding any walls and leaving the roof only partially thatched.

If he's from the east, does he mean Dongying? Xue Yang has only the most cursory knowledge of their techniques. They're heavily into spirit worship, right? He remembers that part. Is that why the seal is structured like that? ]

Yeah, of course.

[ Fu, the auto-translation helpfully interprets the term as for him. Cleansing rituals, not the sort he did regularly as someone entrenched in demonic cultivation but the kind of things that the Jin Sect made sure all their disciples knew how to perform. For any cultivator, it's one of the most basic practices. ]
worldbent: (In the unknown)

[personal profile] worldbent 2025-06-18 07:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[Dongying, Wa- whatever name, it seems that he isn't confused by what he is indicating. Hmmm. Matoba drops his bangs again and, satisfied that he will be able to understand, decides to skip a layman's explanation of his general duties.]

This seal is a last-resort safety measure. I have inherited a curse passed down within my clan- a monster which seeks to devour my right eye.

Although it is quite powerful, and there is little that can actually repel it... [Speaking of that monster... Matoba clicks his tongue. Not too long now.] ...In any case, the seal script that you see here is something like an adapted form of the native language of the spirits in my country.

[Gazing at the other man, Matoba lets his senses feel him out more carefully. There was something a bit familiar about him- familiar to something else he has been in contact with recently. It felt like...] ...I suppose it would all be foreign to you. Are you perhaps a practitioner of cultivation?
Edited 2025-06-18 19:32 (UTC)
noneforyou: (44)

[personal profile] noneforyou 2025-06-22 04:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Xue Yang continues staring even when the bangs fall back into place, but his gaze is slightly less focused with it obscured. He's still turning the design over in his mind, trying to make sense of it with what he knows.

At the mention of cultivation, his attention shifts. ]

You know about cultivators? [ He thought that Dongying wasn't supposed to have any--ah. ] Oh, you probably met someone here.

[ There's been a few around this place in the past, and right now he knows of two aside from himself. It's not unreasonable that Matoba could have met one of them previously. ]

Yeah, more or less. I don't focus on the orthodox stuff as much though; those people are all self-righteous assholes.

[ As opposed to Xue Yang, who is clearly a very pleasant and agreeable person. ]

So how does it work?
worldbent: (pic#15879635)

[personal profile] worldbent 2025-06-22 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[Can he make heads or tails of its meaning, Matoba wonders? Curses and counter-curses in harae were a means to combat or invoke the often insidious manipulations of spirits for a spellcaster's own benefit. Without understanding the nature of those spirits, one probably wouldn't be able to guess how the spells are meant to combat them.]

[A monster that is obsessed with eyes, and eye-like imagery; the curse of a clan born from marksmen. Without knowing that, the bullseye-like manipulation of Matoba's eyepatch or other "charms" would mean little.]

I have, [Matoba agrees- although he's going to conveniently just. not bring them up yet. He'd like to hear it from this man's mouth first, so that he knows how to delicately navigate their internal politics. "Self-righteous assholes"- that says enough on its own.] I'm also aware of it from various historical materials owned by my clan. Such skills caught the interest of the early lords in my country, and were imported and modified to suit local needs. However, its golden age was something of a court fancy... When the lords ceased to hold power, eventually so did the families who practiced for them. We exorcists, who peddled our business among both lords and commoners alike, survived and inherited much of their research, and adapted what we could use for ourselves.

I am interested in anything that can be used. [The prerogative of those who still have power is to use it. Matoba's face, although neutral and polite on the surface, ripples with momentary distaste as his mouth curls.] Though personally, I'm not much a fan of parlor tricks and divinations.

[That makes two of them, then.]

As to how it "works", huh.... [He wonders how to explain.] ...Spirits and gods are selfish, fickle creatures. Repelling or invoking them is a matter of careful negotiation. You could say that the intent of our magic is, at its core, "negotiation".

...Do the spirits of your country not concern themselves with such things? [Are cultivators even capable of negotiating with spirits? He finds that he does not know whether they all even have Sight as a matter of course. Wei Wuxian, for his part, seemed to have an aptitude for it, but given his... physical state, that's just as likely the culprit.]
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