Golden Peacock: Overflow

[philancer]

[ because apparently we thirsty, yo ]

Comments

Sylvain's TDM top-levels

[philancer]

One
Two

for Lorenz

[philancer]

( from here )

[ Sylvain just arches an eyebrow at that demand, because really, Lorenz? ]

I seem to recall getting an adequate kiss from you and then making my departure. You're right about the apology, unless you'd prefer for me to lie to you over a matter I have no remorse over. But you're the one that stalked after me and made a scene, I should be asking you that question.

And I don't supposed you made sure there wasn't another sprig of mistletoe overhead before you stopped me here, either, did you?

[hotproblems]

[Adequate-!! Lorenz looks up, frowning, because of course he didn't stop to check for mistletoe, he's in a Mood--]

You and I are not friends, nor are we allies, so pardon me for doubting the innocence of your intentions. Any reasonable man in your position would have moved on as soon as he recognized me, and yet!

[So it's the secret conspiracy to humiliate him thing, again. He makes a face then, pointedly not looking at Sylvain. Mmmm mmm, he shouldn't, ugh-]

"Adequate"?

[philancer]

[ His lips twitch in an effort not to laugh because of course that's the part actually bothering him. ]

We may not be either of those things, but we are at least familiar faces in a sea of strangers. I thought - mistakenly, apparently - that that at least might count as something, but I'll consider myself corrected and not repeat it, then.

[ He's not really miffed, but he's good at playing it, as he releases his hold on Lorenz waist without warning. ]

Trust me, 'adequate' was a compliment. You're going to have to get some more practice in, Lorenz, if you're going to get through this game of theirs. Or at least learn how to pretend to like kissing.

[ Is that a taunt? Absolutely. ]

for Tighnari

[philancer]

( from here )

[ That just has Sylvain's grin turning a hint impish. ]

Completely unfounded optimism, clearly. Or maybe just in hopes that my charms might eventually redeem myself. Does that count?

[veardant]

[ tighnari chuckles, and shakes his head with a sigh. ]

Well, that is yet to be seen. We'll have to find out. [ back to sipping his coffee - ] So, what should I call you?

[philancer]

[ Chuckling, he crosses his arms over his chest and sidles to the side and slightly out of the way so he can lean against the door frame. ]

I’m Sylvain. You said your name was Tighnari?

[ Not a name he’s ever heard before, but this place is already proving to be full of people from places unlike anything he’d ever imagined were even possible. ]

for Olivine

[philancer]

( from here )

[ Sylvain's actually pretty adept at picking up on subtle cues like that. He'd had to, to navigate the entanglements he'd so often found himself in back home.

Still. It's an interesting way to phrase that answer and Sylvain thinks he can read between the lines enough to pick up on some of what Olivine is actually saying. ]

So I'll take that as a 'no' but you either felt responsible or beholden anyway. Am I close? [ One corner of his lips quirks upwards as he watches for a reaction. ] The Monastery where I went to the Officer's Academy was pretty strict and rigid in their ways, as well. Wasn't really my type of thing, either. Pretty sure I scandalized just about everyone there, in fact.

[ The ones he hadn't actually managed to seduce, anyway... ]

[massochism]

I—

[look, Sylvain, that's rude, it's his job to catch on to those things, not have them used against him!! Olivine supposes he should have considered the possibility with their similar thoughts, though.]

... it isn't that I dislike it... but yes, there is a sense of responsibility.

[one that he often failed, in the eyes of those who once mattered the most. If not for Eiden and the others, he still wonders if he ever would have escaped that place. Even without knowing the details, it's plain that it's an uncomfortable subject, and he inhales a slow breath before shaking his head.]

I'm glad that people trust in me so deeply. But as you may imagine, a priest is someone who devotes their lives to others. I chose that so early on, and once I began, there was no changing it.

It sounds like you found your freedom in your own way, Sylvain.

[and he means it, as the film of regret melts away from his face. Is he still using his work to sidestep his own issues? Well, yes. Even if he's not as ashamed as he once was, he's still hesitant to burden anyone else with his circumstances.]

[philancer]

[ This time, it's Sylvain who has to hide a wince as he gives a dry laugh and leans back in his chair.

Luckily, their server chooses just then to deliver the tray of food and drinks for them to share, buying him a moment to figure out how to reply to that.

Freedom had never been in the cards for him. Then again, not even the fates could have foreseen this loophole, he supposes. ]

If this place counts as 'freedom', I suppose I have. I'm probably one of the few new guests here that's looking at this place with potential instead of as an unwanted interruption. [ A pause, as he realizes he should give a little more than that in exchange for the confession he might have surprised out of Olivine, even if he hadn't intended to put him on the spot. ]

I was born into my responsibilities. There was never really an option for a choice.

for Violet

[philancer]

( from here )

At least Violet's more open to the idea of all this than some people here. Even most people Sylvain would think to encounter from his own world, since Fodlan was still decidedly backwards and behind the times to compared to... probably everywhere else, in Sylvain's opinion.

But her question gets a laugh from him, because it's so refreshing not to have his reputation preceding him here, but at the same time, this is also the one place it probably would have been to his benefit.

"I've been to a few, in my time. For one, they're a great place to learn everything about everyone."

[silverviolence]

Hearing the stranger laugh caused Violet to become a little more curious about him. Because of the laugh, Violet had the sense that brothels were probably something normal in his life. And she wasn’t wrong.

“Oh? You expect me to believe that you go to brothels to people watch and not to… partake?” There was no judgment, just curiosity in her voice as she leaned against the wall as they chatted. “If you frequent brothels then this place must be right up your alley.”

For Edelgard

[philancer]

( from here )

[ He just arches an eyebrow back at her, but his gaze is unusually serious as he holds hers. ]

Would it matter what I told you? You've clearly formed an opinion of what I would do already. [ And he knows how impossible those are to change. He doesn't bother trying.

Even if that's exactly what he would have told her. Who either of them kisses is no one's business but theirs. Now if she wanted him to tell, that would be a different matter entirely. ]

Don't worry, your Majesty, I'll do my best not to damage your nonexistent reputation here. [ His tone is dry as he leans against the door frame to shoot her a look. He does his best to shrug her words off, in fact. He's used to people's opinions, he reminds himself. No point in getting upset over the myriad of things he can do nothing about. Even if it is exhausting. ]

Caring or not still doesn't get us out of this closet any faster. So what's it going to be? Stay stuck or risk a scandal?

[crestsidestory]

[ She doesn't even see it as a particularly Sylvain-oriented skepticism. People tend to gossip. She feels certain that he's noticed. ]

Then I will take you at your word. [ No matter how dry his tone. Since she can rarely place trust in anyone who hasn't shown her a reason to and he is at best a reluctant ally in this, she will simply have to take a leap of faith if she wants to leave the closet as quickly as possible. ] Let us waste no more time.

[ How will anyone even know that they kiss? Are they being watched somehow at this very moment? Do the bands around their wrist monitor their activities? Well, let there be no room for their captors to doubt: she steps right up to him, anchors one hand in the front of his robe, and sweeps up on her toes with enough momentum that in the dim light their noses bump before she tips her head and her lips meet his. ]

for Hubert

[philancer]

( from here )

[ That's assuming they find a way home. He didn't see any of that in the fine print along with the other rules of this game. Not that he'd looked that hard. Delaying having to step foot on Gronder a while longer sounds great to him. Although the thought of his friends back there marching without him isn't all that comforting, either...

He pushes that thought away, rubbing a hand over his face in agitation. ]

We've got enough problems to deal with here without borrowing more, in my opinion. Although I'll give them credit for doing what they do very well. They may have thought of everything, to keep their "guests" involved in this game of theirs.

[ Although he has to wonder what "they're" getting out of any of it? Maybe they're just very voyeuristic? ]

[darkbishop]

Indeed. They certainly do seem to have planned quite a bit, although it would seem our arrival was not as planned as it could have been.

[Given how rushed all the employees seem and the half of our number that ended up showing up elsewhere... Hubert raises a hand to his chin as he considers it.]

I intend to keep searching for answers, although I'll admit I'm not sure how likely it is that I'll find all I'm looking for. I've yet to hear anything about the people in charge of this place, after all.

[So getting in contact with them may be a no-go...]

for Furina

[philancer]

( from here )

Don't worry, you haven't. [ He glances down at her to shoot her a crooked smile in reassurance. The casino is still as crowded as earlier, despite the numbers he's assuming are in the back gaming rooms now. This place really has brought a ridiculous number of "guests" here for their game. ]

And your analogy isn't wrong. Can't say I've ever been held in a gilded cage quite like this before but... I suppose I should give them the benefit of saying it could be much worse.

[ His tone is a little dry at that, because he can't exactly say he's grateful to have been kidnapped. But he can only make the best of it now that he's here.

Spotting the long line of buffet tables up ahead, he points them out to her as they approach, weaving their way through the crowd. ] There we are. Looks like there's still plenty to feast on.

[precipitous]

[ It could be much worse, and it's clear enough by now that their hosts, whoever they may be, want them to be comfortable during their stay. Is it really all just in service to the game of 52? Maybe it is just that simple, and she certainly doesn't have the knowledge to investigate any further.

She'll need to see what Neuvillette and Wriothesley make if it, but that's a task for later. For now, she really should just focus on enjoying herself, particularly in the company who seems to have her best interests in heart.

She really lucked out with that auction, it seems. The scent of exquisite dishes reaches her nose, and already Furina is breaking away and hurrying towards the buffet tables, trusting him to follow. ]

Oooh, is that duck confit I see? Mmm, and consomme! Oh, we simply must try the tasses ragout!

[ ...Yet the first thing she fills her plate with is...macaroni? ]

hi i found ur overflow for the overflow

[inaurate]

[original thread here]

[There is, Claude notices, only one chair alongside the bed in the room, so he'll go ahead and lay claim to the chair, the picture of casual as he perches on the arm of it.] I'd say now's the best time to admit it, actually. Better for both of us to be on the same page, right?

[Claude's eyes follow his over to the Wall of Sin. Now would actually be a good time to admit he's never had an occasion to do anything remotely like this, but... you know how Claude is about admitting things about himself. We're gonna fake it til we make it. Don't think about the hypocrisy of that with what he just said-- it could be interpreted as him admitting he doesn't know what he's doing either, after all. The plausible deniability is there.]

That's an understatement. I think even the two of us combined would have trouble thinking up uses for everything here.

YAY I’M GLAD!!!

[philancer]

Oh, I have every faith in our creative inventiveness. I’m sure we’d think of something.

[ Claude is shot a cheeky grin and a playful wink as Sylvain watches him move to perch on the arm of the chair. He supposes, thinking about it, that a cat fits him pretty well, too.

But there’s probably a few things they should establish before he goes picking things arbitrarily off the wall for this, which is what has him crossing to that chair and leaning over the other man a bit, one hand propped on the back of it behind him as he studies his expression in amusement. ]

Maybe the question here should be ‘what kind of Master do you want?’

[ Not that he can picture Claude surrendering to this sort of thing easily, but eh, they’re in here to play in good fun, so maybe it will give them something new to experience.

… Or maybe Claude will just keep talking in circles and he’ll have to make this up as he goes. ]

For Eiden

[philancer]

( from here )

[ Sylvain's not shy, but he might be a little too accustomed to doing things like this with people who are. Or at least think there's something attractive in playing hard to get.

That Eiden doesn't bother with any of that is refreshing.

One corner of his lips quirk upwards as the other young man leans up to press his lips to his and Sylvain meets him in the middle, bending his head enough to make the angle better. His fingers slide away from Eiden's jaw to cup at the nape of his neck instead as he parts his lips. He shifts slightly closer, into Eiden's personal space, but his other hand drops to splay long fingers at the small of his back, holding him close at the same time as he makes a soft sound of appreciation into the kiss. ]

[silicone]

[ the security of the hand at his lower back earns a noise in return, a little shifting of his hips as he meets him part way, up on his toes to press back. if they want them to kiss and thought it would be hard, they've put the wrong people in this storage closet. eiden lets his fingers trail upwards into sylvain's hair, threading curls up to his knuckles. there's a bid to stay, to deepen the kiss, a breath taken between one to the next. ]

You're not shy... heh. I like that...

[ his teeth graze along his lower lip, playful, warm.

he doesn't see the point in dancing around it after all, playing at being hard to get. he knows precisely what he is, who he is, he doesn't have to be coy. sylvain's readiness to dive right in encourages him - so his other hand drifts along the line of his chest, sinks downward towards his chest.

back pushing against the door, he draws sylvain in closer this way. ]

For Felix

[philancer]

( from here )

[ Sylvain would have been more than happy to work with him to get to where they needed to go - and might also be making mental notes of how to conveniently thwart Felix in the future when he needs him to stand still long enough to have an actual discussion about something.

And he'd been about to take a step in the direction Felix was clearly leaning. Except that final snapped retort just has him blinking down at his friend in bewilderment. What's he talking about? ]

What farce? Because I'm afraid to break it to you, getting out of some ropes isn't going to get us any freer of the rest of all this?

[ Just you wait, Felix, you'll both probably be dodging flying dildos next. That is how both their luck works, after all. ]

for Seimei

[philancer]

( from here )

I mean, I guess that would depend on if the fox ran away or looked like it wanted to eat me. [ Sylvain looks amused at this comparison, even though most foxes in the woods he was familiar with weren't the type to worry him. Not when there were much worse things that roamed the wilds of Fodlan of late. But that tended to be his rule of thumb with most wild things he encountered, so it still felt fitting here.

Still, Abe no Seimei's introduction has him intrigued and... wait was that his whole name? Was it a title? Name and surname? He didn't want to be rude and ask, so he just committed it to memory for now. He'd figure it out later. ]

Spiritually inclined? Are you a priest?

Re: for Seimei

[emyoji]

So if it looked cute, you wouldn't be afraid of it? In other words, spirits won't bother you if they're attractive enough.

[ Is he teasing him? Absolutely! But with a warm smile and the playful interest of someone who often wanders out into the forest without any concerns about predators. He's more charmed by Sylvain's lack of concern than surprised. Clearly the question of what attracts Sylvain has to be explored as well. ]

Ah, not a priest, but I resolve supernatural problems? I guess you could say I fix things spiritually!

[ Explaining what an onmyouji is would probably only be more confusing. ]

I'm a freelancer. Sorry, apparently I don't have a business card.