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🛎 ([personal profile] guestservices) wrote in [community profile] suitedreams2022-05-10 09:26 pm
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WEEK ZERO: MINGLE






W̴͍̎E̴̝̊E̸͚͝K̸͕̿ ZERO: MINGLE

(35 ḡ̴̻u̷͌͜ê̴̯s̶̢͑t̵̻͝s̴̡̐ ̴c̴h̴e̶c̴k̷e̶d̸ ̶i̴n̴)


Needless to say, marble isn't exactly the most comfortable surface to sleep on. Do you even remember falling asleep? Maybe not, but the moment your eyes flutter open and the lingering stardust fades, you come into consciousness with the distinct feeling that your dreams were very important.

You vaguely remember a shadowed hand, the pen and the scroll in its grip as the terms and conditions glow softly before you. You can't quite remember the details, the words blurring and fading fasting the longer you try, but you come to a conclusion rather quickly:

-Someone you care about is in trouble and their life is now your responsibility.
-You have signed a contract to provide entertainment to the Host in exchange for their safe return.

Your other memories begin to settle now that you're more awake. You remember that this isn't the first time you've been swept away for a game by someone else's design. You remember what those games entailed, too, but as the pieces click together you get the sense that murdering everyone around you isn't a solution. It won't get your hostage back sooner. It will only end tragically for everyone involved.

So instead, perhaps it's time to take in your surroundings. Where the hell even are you now? The marble floor of the lobby is still cool to the touch, and the front desk is before you with several keys on hooks against the wall. Each of them includes a keychain with two small, clear star-shaped crystals embedded at the bottom. Too bad you can't seem to remove the keys just yet! Guest accommodations aren't quite ready.

Ah, right. About that. You aren't alone! After all, what's the fun in playing a game by yourself? Should one try to actually count the keys hanging on the wall, you'll find there are 35 in total. You can also learn more about them should you look at the leather-bound book bolted to the front desk. Though some of them may look a bit different, seeing how everyone gathered in the lobby is dressed to the nines. What happened to your other clothing? Worry not. You do want to be presentable at the front desk, don't you?

Speaking of the front desk, while you aren't able to retrieve your keys or even leave the ground floor right now, you will find small gift boxes scattered around the desk as a complementary gift for each guest. Inside these boxes, you will find:

-A flask. Those of legal drinking age will find it filled with a sweet wine, and those underage will find juice of some kind.
-A shaving kit
- A single aspirin
-A keychain
-A condolence card
-A sheet of temporary tattoos
-A small bag of jerky
-A compact mirror with a cute pattern on the outer casing


No other items are on your person even if you were holding onto them prior to your arrival. Perhaps the bellhop has already taken your luggage for you?

But despite the front desk hosting a small cluster of bells, ringing them doesn't seem to draw the attention of anyone. The bells cannot be removed from the desk, but the hotel staff appears to be occupied with other tasks.

It looks as though you're on your own for now until maintenance is finished. But it's just like the first time, isn't it? Get to know the other guests, start asking questions, and settle in for your stay.

You can check-out any time you like, but you can never leave...


callalilies: webtoon. (❄️ suggestion.)

[personal profile] callalilies 2022-06-04 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you. The heels are a little much is all.

[ as he relaxes, he does kick his feet up to show them off. regardless, he's a good passenger, adjusting in just a few small motions to make sure his dress stays decent. does he knows he's caused him to bsod? maybe a little. ]

You should have seen what they put us in last time.
philandery: (pic#15159543)

[personal profile] philandery 2022-06-04 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
You don't feel tall enough without them? [ he's kidding.

also they're practically the same height so this ought to be an awkward arrangement. but somehow kaeya works his magic and it's... not bad? dare sylvain think of this as... pretty okay? (is he playing MIND GAMES with him?)

it's hard to focus on the conversation at hand but he won't back down. ]


Okay, I'll bite. What did they put you in last time?
callalilies: webtoon. (❄️ unveiling.)

[personal profile] callalilies 2022-06-04 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
Nun costumes. Skimpy ones at that—short skirts... the works.

[ it only works because kaeya is used to making these sorts of things work. it's comfortable, so he certainly isn't going anywhere for a little bit. ]

We had to get our clothing back from children who'd taken it.
Edited (my midnight typos) 2022-06-04 12:54 (UTC)
philandery: (pic#15159515)

[personal profile] philandery 2022-06-04 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[ his gaze definitely did not flick towards kaeya's legs just now. no way. ]

I... see. [ he clears his throat, very quickly getting the distinct feeling he's out of his depths. he tries not to shift in his spot, as one does when a cat favors their lap ]

And you had to escape uncertain death [ murder ] while wearing... this skimpy nun outfit. [ ? he meant it as a question but forgot to inflect. he laughs a little, hoping it doesn't sound awkward ] You usually galavant around in dresses...?
callalilies: webtoon. (❄️ tender.)

[personal profile] callalilies 2022-06-04 02:32 pm (UTC)(link)
No. I actually have a proper uniform, [ debatable ] but I imagine it's wherever they put our designated "luggage."

Likely up those stairs no one can get through.
philandery: (pic#15159551)

[personal profile] philandery 2022-06-04 02:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah yeah. Saw a guy earlier trying to get up them. By uh, throwing other people first, to see what would happen.

[ but anyway this aint about yjh ]

Uniform, huh? Are you— [ a pause ] Actually, I'm not gonna guess. At least not until I see it for myself. [ spoilers: he will still have absolutely no clue ]
callalilies: art by <user name="lacryem" site="twitter.com"> (❄️ ease.)

[personal profile] callalilies 2022-06-04 02:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[ we don't talk about being thrown up the stairs by yjh......... kaeya does chuckle a little at that. ]

No, you should definitely guess. Really. Especially if you haven't looked in the book. What kind of job do you think I have?

[ pass the time :> he is just going to get cozy don't mind him. ]
philandery: (pic#15159577)

[personal profile] philandery 2022-06-04 04:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Depends. Will I get in trouble if I guess wrong?

[ sylvain's arms are probably starting to fall asleep from NOT HAVING MOVED AN INCH. he tries to angle them as... non-intrusively as he can, but truly this entire setup doesn't allow for much space between them ]
callalilies: webtoon. (❄️ appeal.)

[personal profile] callalilies 2022-06-04 04:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Do I look like I bite?

[ that's your fault. you could be comfy but you playin. get comfortable, buddy. ]

Find out.
philandery: (pic#15159524)

[personal profile] philandery 2022-06-04 06:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[ a wry smile ] Yeah. You do.

[ wow fine!! he very gingerly drapes his arms around kaeya ]

Hmm, let's see. You obviously excel at sitting around looking pretty. And you don't seem to mind being in costume much. With your charming wit, you could be... a man of theater.
callalilies: (❄️ gotcha.)

[personal profile] callalilies 2022-06-04 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Oooh... while I like your ability to read some of the surface clues, I have to say you're wrong.

[ the arms around him earn gloved fingertips against them. ]

Would you like a second guess?
philandery: (pic#15159570)

[personal profile] philandery 2022-06-05 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
[ sylvain just laughs ] Couldn't be that easy, huh?

[ he glances down at the gloved fingertips against his sleeves, and considers them for a moment before asking, ]

Sure, but can I look at your hands?
callalilies: webtoon. (❄️ pfft.)

[personal profile] callalilies 2022-06-05 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
Well, I think that's a fair enough hint.

[ kaeya pulls the elegant, long gloves off and sets them down over his own lap. he presents his hands for evaluation: scarred knuckles and callused hands, indicative of much harder work and extensive use of a sword. ]

Have a good look.
philandery: (pic#15159544)

[personal profile] philandery 2022-06-05 04:27 am (UTC)(link)
[ oh. his expression softens as he carefully takes kaeya's hands in his own, turning them over to inspect his fingers, his palms.

(sylvain wears armored gloves himself, so he doesn't carry quite the same set of scarring, but these marks are easily identifiable regardless.) ]


A fighter then. [ doesn't matter what kind. ] ...A survivor, too.

[ he hesitates for a moment, and then releases kaeya's hands. he looks conflicted. ]
callalilies: webtoon. (❄️ suggestion.)

[personal profile] callalilies 2022-06-05 05:56 am (UTC)(link)
Interesting... a fighter of sorts is closer. Warmer.

[ sylvain releases his hands and he blinks a moment before catching that conflicted look in his eyes. he smoothes his own hands together briefly, his gaze thoughtful before he holds his hands out to him. ]

You can speak your mind, I won't be offended. [ i know what i look like, i'm not blind.

a survivor.

he laughs, leaves it unsaid. ]
Did you want to see anything else?
philandery: (pic#15159518)

[personal profile] philandery 2022-06-05 06:34 pm (UTC)(link)
...Just dunno if it's a good idea to pry. But thanks for being so nice about it.

[ he laughs quietly, a half-smile flitting back to his face. ]

I'd be lying if I said I weren't curious. But I'm a gentleman, you know. I'm not gonna ask you to bare it all when we've only just met.
callalilies: art by <user name="lacryem" site="twitter.com"> (❄️ ease.)

[personal profile] callalilies 2022-06-06 12:33 am (UTC)(link)
Bare it all, huh?

[ kaeya gives pause, truly, and looks at him with a slight tilt to his head before seeming to settle just a bit more. there's a moment where he's stroking down his knuckles briefly. ]

Oh I promise, it's... nothing so terrible or scandalous. Just... a humble knight is what I am. A cavalry captain even. [ he doesn't seem to want to leave, though he does adjust himself, bringing a leg down as though to stabilize himself to rise, one heeled shoe hitting the floor with a soft clicking sound. ] Want to grab a drink with me, Sylvain Jose Gautier?

[ he uses his full name as illustrated in the book, a feline smile curling over his lips. there's something almost... kind. mischievous, but well-meaning. ]

You should learn about those around us. That I'll tell you right off the bat.
philandery: (pic#15159510)

[personal profile] philandery 2022-06-06 04:10 am (UTC)(link)
[ no, that's not what sylvain meant, but—

he stares at him for a long moment, and then laughs. truly laughs, so much kaeya can definitely feel him quaking. ]


Are you serious? Me too. —Not actively right now [ the war's over ], but I lead the Gautier Knights. Fastest in the Kingdom.

[ the coincidence is a little too funny, even if the conversation had gotten unexpectedly serious for a moment. he meets kaeya's smile with one of his own, amused. ]

...Yeah. I'd like that.
callalilies: (❄️ heehee.)

[personal profile] callalilies 2022-06-06 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
I am.

[ oh he knows :)

feeling sylvain's laughter earns a warm pat to his chest, kaeya eye seeming pleased with the development. the conversation had been a bit touch and go for a moment, kaeya unwilling to bring it down, so he knows how to gently bolster it back up without missing a beat. he swings his legs around and begins to lift himself off of sylvain's lap, smoothing down his skirt. ]


I'll tell you, there's not a single horse in Mondstadt at the moment, so it makes my title practically moot—though I do still work.

[ he turns around and offers a bare hand out. ] What kingdom are you from?