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deercountry2023-03-08 01:10 pm
reddosmod) wrote in deercountry2023-03-08 01:10 pm
The House Always Wins
MARCH 2023 EVENT
TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING
THE LEECH
HIGH STAKES
CODING
Due to the UNIQUE NATURE of the Moss King, previous March events are NOT available during this month's event. Please keep that in mind.
IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Prompt One
[Image One: Fanged, smiling carnivorous plant from little shop of horrors ]
[Image Two: House overgrown by roots.]
Prompt Two
[Image One: Person covered in glistening film that seems to be suffocating.]
[Image Two: Woman's face splattered in blood. ]
Prompt Three
[Image One: Poker chip with an anime girl's face on it. ]
[Image Two: Dogs Gambling Painting, but it's famous horror monster villains instead of dogs. ]
Prompt One
[Image One: Fanged, smiling carnivorous plant from little shop of horrors ]
[Image Two: House overgrown by roots.]
Prompt Two
[Image One: Person covered in glistening film that seems to be suffocating.]
[Image Two: Woman's face splattered in blood. ]
Prompt Three
[Image One: Poker chip with an anime girl's face on it. ]
[Image Two: Dogs Gambling Painting, but it's famous horror monster villains instead of dogs. ]
WHEN: March 8-31
WHERE: The City of Trench and surrounding regions
CONTENT WARNINGS: Plant-Based Peril, Isolation, Entrapment, Carnivorous Plants, possible but unlikely death.
WHERE: The City of Trench and surrounding regions
CONTENT WARNINGS: Plant-Based Peril, Isolation, Entrapment, Carnivorous Plants, possible but unlikely death.
The plentiful and bountiful harvest of plants that started to blossom towards the beginning of the month has continued, and if anything? It's getting more and more troublesome. The old saying goes that too much of a good thing is too much, and this is definitely the proof of that pudding. Plants are literally growing everywhere. Trenchies can be seen cutting branches out of impossible locations, and vegetation is beginning to grow inside of established businesses and homes. There is an ever increasing market for vileblood based defoliation options that are being offered by entrepreneurial Trenchies, but the fact that more than a few of those selling the stuff have gone missing under strange circumstances calls into question their efficacy.
For Sleepers, this means that the possibility of encountering enlarged and potentially dangerous plants such as those seen in the earliest parts of the months grows ever more real. A human-sized venus flytrap might very well try to snatch one up, with all of the peril that entails. However, while it is possible for any exotic plant to carry with it potentially lethal threat, most of these are able to be dealt with by even the untrained with a machete. The real problem is the root systems and the plants that ones that talk. The former are the most likely to be encountered. Root systems grow over entire buildings during the mid to late month, choking over light sources and blocking windows to dim houses. They clench their grip over doors, making getting out of one's house an act of willpower and muscle that may have to be repeaated over and over again. Worst of all is the fact that many of these root systems almost seem to be intentionally creating barriers around the Lantern Network! The little moaners are safe, but their sphere of protection becomes a dome of wood, shielding and keeping them away from those naughty sleepers trying to hack their way to a teleport.
The talking ones, though, are downright disturbing. They're not very large, at first they do indeed seem to whisper and beg to be fed. Naturally, only blood will do, and the longer that they're fed the larger and more dangerous that they can become. But, so long as one doesn't feed them, they're harmless, right? Wrong. True, they can bite and it's easy enough to avoid them. However, it's what they start to say when they're denied their food that becomes disturbing. “There is a consequence of your actions, you know.” “Do not think that you are immune.” “Saving the Moss Brat seems wise now, but have a long memory.” Things like that. The voices they take on are eerie, unnatural and do not match the plants' normal begging voices. They never clear up who is speaking or what they're speaking about, but surely it's not a big issue, right?
By the end of the month, the plants wither away and break off of the various homes and businesses, leaving no visible damage behind, as if whatever caused them has faded entirely.
For Sleepers, this means that the possibility of encountering enlarged and potentially dangerous plants such as those seen in the earliest parts of the months grows ever more real. A human-sized venus flytrap might very well try to snatch one up, with all of the peril that entails. However, while it is possible for any exotic plant to carry with it potentially lethal threat, most of these are able to be dealt with by even the untrained with a machete. The real problem is the root systems and the plants that ones that talk. The former are the most likely to be encountered. Root systems grow over entire buildings during the mid to late month, choking over light sources and blocking windows to dim houses. They clench their grip over doors, making getting out of one's house an act of willpower and muscle that may have to be repeaated over and over again. Worst of all is the fact that many of these root systems almost seem to be intentionally creating barriers around the Lantern Network! The little moaners are safe, but their sphere of protection becomes a dome of wood, shielding and keeping them away from those naughty sleepers trying to hack their way to a teleport.
The talking ones, though, are downright disturbing. They're not very large, at first they do indeed seem to whisper and beg to be fed. Naturally, only blood will do, and the longer that they're fed the larger and more dangerous that they can become. But, so long as one doesn't feed them, they're harmless, right? Wrong. True, they can bite and it's easy enough to avoid them. However, it's what they start to say when they're denied their food that becomes disturbing. “There is a consequence of your actions, you know.” “Do not think that you are immune.” “Saving the Moss Brat seems wise now, but have a long memory.” Things like that. The voices they take on are eerie, unnatural and do not match the plants' normal begging voices. They never clear up who is speaking or what they're speaking about, but surely it's not a big issue, right?
By the end of the month, the plants wither away and break off of the various homes and businesses, leaving no visible damage behind, as if whatever caused them has faded entirely.
WHEN: Second Half of March
WHERE: Anywhere in Trench, but not the Outpost.
CONTENT WARNINGS: Magically Cursed Ailment, Severe weakness, Anemia
WHERE: Anywhere in Trench, but not the Outpost.
CONTENT WARNINGS: Magically Cursed Ailment, Severe weakness, Anemia
You didn't think it would be that easy, did you? From the moment that the first talking plants appeared in Trench, there has been another ominous presence. Unbeknownst to the people of Trench, but the Moss King is recovering from Riteior's attack and, while they are safe and slowly getting back to their normal self, this has allowed for Riteior to offer a little payback in an effort to cause trouble to those seeking to stop his attacks on the Pthumerians of Trench. In the night, while characters are sleeping, the plants strike. They wake to find a thin film over them, but otherwise it appears harmless. The next full day, there's nothing wrong and they feel hail and hearty. In fact, those pesky little talking plants are gone from their house. Of course, the next day the horror begins to settle in.
Within 48 hours, Sleepers will find themselves weak and lethargic in the extreme. The condition is not fatal, but it is problematic and irritating. They will find that no amount of food, water and rest quite gets rid of the malaise that they are experiencing, a strange drowsiness and lack of energy plaguing their every moment. The longer it persists, the more dangerous it becomes. However, there appears to be no obvious cause, at least until they visit someone capable of treating their condition, be they a Blood Minister or trained physician. Victims of this curse appear to be suffering from a severe, but not life-threatening anemia. There is no obvious cause, but the Ministers are certain that it is not natural and is likely a result of a curse of some kind. They can offer stimulants and high energy food, which will help the person experiencing the condition, but the real danger comes if they try to use their blood for a blood ritual of any kind. The insidious reason becomes obvious. Someone is attempting to stop them from safely having enough blood to perform the rituals to seal them away!
Victims are “fine” in the sense that they could get through the month safely without risk of death and just be weaker. However, if they attempt any form of blood ritual or blood letting, they risk running out of blood, which would indeed be a life threatening concern. The only solution, then, is a blood transfusion of another type. The Blood Ministers are willing to provide blood from their banks, but caution that it is better if a fresh supply is used. Do you have a friend willing to lend a hand? Or, do you miss one of the deadlines this month for fighting back Riteior?
FAQ:
This condition strikes after the mid-month, when the latest batch of rituals further weakens Riteior, and ensures the Moss King's safety.
This condition is not life threatening, unless a person attempts to use blood for a ritual or other purpose without first receiving a transfusion.
If a person attempts to perform a blood ritual before getting a transfusion, their anemia can become life threatening very quickly.
It is possible to completely avoid this prompt by not being targeted by Riteior. His cursed targeting is not that precise and he is clearly becoming desperate.
When a transfusion is given, both participants will be lightly anemic for another 24 hours, but the condition will fade afterwards completely.
It is suspected strongly by some of the Blood Ministers and Arcane Scholars that this is a curse brought about by a brief moment of control over the Moss King by Riteior. This can be learned easily in conversation with members of the orders in Trench.
Within 48 hours, Sleepers will find themselves weak and lethargic in the extreme. The condition is not fatal, but it is problematic and irritating. They will find that no amount of food, water and rest quite gets rid of the malaise that they are experiencing, a strange drowsiness and lack of energy plaguing their every moment. The longer it persists, the more dangerous it becomes. However, there appears to be no obvious cause, at least until they visit someone capable of treating their condition, be they a Blood Minister or trained physician. Victims of this curse appear to be suffering from a severe, but not life-threatening anemia. There is no obvious cause, but the Ministers are certain that it is not natural and is likely a result of a curse of some kind. They can offer stimulants and high energy food, which will help the person experiencing the condition, but the real danger comes if they try to use their blood for a blood ritual of any kind. The insidious reason becomes obvious. Someone is attempting to stop them from safely having enough blood to perform the rituals to seal them away!
Victims are “fine” in the sense that they could get through the month safely without risk of death and just be weaker. However, if they attempt any form of blood ritual or blood letting, they risk running out of blood, which would indeed be a life threatening concern. The only solution, then, is a blood transfusion of another type. The Blood Ministers are willing to provide blood from their banks, but caution that it is better if a fresh supply is used. Do you have a friend willing to lend a hand? Or, do you miss one of the deadlines this month for fighting back Riteior?
FAQ:
WHEN: Second Half of March
WHERE: Goat Turning in The Cellar Door
CONTENT WARNINGS: Gambling, Possible Coersion, lowered inhibitions, Risk of Character Death
WHERE: Goat Turning in The Cellar Door
CONTENT WARNINGS: Gambling, Possible Coersion, lowered inhibitions, Risk of Character Death
The Moss King appears to be 'on the mend' by the latter part of the month, or at least he seems to be his usual self. A flyer advertising a special for all Sleepers and residents of Trench at the Goat Turning, his personal gambling hall, circulates throughout town. The doors of the Goat Turning will be open to absolutely everyone, and nobody will be turned away for an event that will last the last two weeks of the month! Anyone who comes will be given a complementary set of chips for free, along with a very special commemorative poker chip embossed with their own face on it which they are assured they can keep afterwards, assuming they don't lose it betting! In fact, that commemorative chip is the only way that a person can return to the Goat Turning during this period, and has to be shown to get admittance, though you don't need to bet it even if it appears to be worth quite a lot! Every night, a new allotment of chips is offered to gamblers. It isn't much, and if they're willing to trade a few goods to get more, they can supplement their stash. What could be more fun than a friendly game?
The drinks and food are free for those attending, and even better? They don't seem to have a lot of strange effects. The drinks seem to ease the symptoms of corruption, in fact, and make a person more relaxed and at ease, along with lessening their inhibitions. The food is filling and pleasant, but salty, making one crave the drinks more. But, honestly, compared to Generosity's botched and spoiled food in January it's almost heavenly, even if it does make it easier to want to keep gambling and gambling. After all, those prizes for the big winners of the night are certainly something to behold, and the kinds of luxuries that Trenchies drool over.
The Big Prizes: (Maximum 1 big prize per character for the month)
A Lunar Orb
A Vial of Pthumerian Blood that can leave a person feeling sickly and weak if they come in contact with it
A Genuine Lantern, enabling a second teleportation location to be placed!
A Blood Enchanted Weapon or Armor.
An Item from Home that a character might not normally find washing up on shore
The Lesser Prizes:
Players are encouraged to use their imagination on lesser prizes that could be won. Food. Supplies. Furnishings. Weapons. Tools. Clothing. Any number of valuable could be won throughout the month.
So, what's the catch? There's always a catch. Well, like any gambling hall, the saying goes that the House Always Wins. This isn't true universally. You could have a hot streak at the Craps table, or you might just win on your lucky number in Roulette. It is very possible to walk away with enough chips to win a big prize all in one night, or build up over time to claim such a lofty goal. But the trick is that commemorative chip. It's the admission, and it's also the only way you can leave the gambling den each night. The chip must be presented both at entry and leaving, and only then does the reality become clear. That chip is so valuable because it represents your life! You might literally be betting with your life here! Should you lose your chip and not have it at the end of the night, the impressive and powerful bouncers at the door will bar you from exit, and once the hall closes there is nowhere to go but the basement. Anyone who enters the basement after hours will find that their life is indeed forfeit, and their debt is called. They will die down below. How will they die? Well, considering the fighting pits down below, any of a thousand deaths, some more gruesome than others, are possible. And, if another player holds their chip, they will be given a special pass to remain below, to demand their price themselves.
So, if you lose your chip is it still possible to get it back? Absolutely! It is a gambling hall, after all. Someone just has to be willing to give it back, or to win it back from another player or the house. What could be simpler? Of course, because there are no compulsions in the commemorative chip, and no rules about how it is to be used or transferred other than that it must be won from the house in a fair game, it is almost as if the Moss King is testing his own guests to see just how far they will go, and what they will do if their life or the life of a friend is on the line.
FAQ:
Players are limited to one grand prize per character. Please record this prize on the prompt below.
Characters that die because of this event may die in any reasonable fashion in the basement. Tools are provided. This may be handwaved.
Because this event involves the potential of players bargaining for their lives and death, we remind players to be mindful and communicative with others regarding permissions and preferences during this event. Do not break permissions.
Lesser prizes can be won in quantity, but we ask that you be reasonable about this.
The Commemorative Chip is non-magical and there is no compulsion to gamble with it.
It is simply worth a lot more.
The Event is not age restricted, so underage gambling is possible.
The drinks and food are free for those attending, and even better? They don't seem to have a lot of strange effects. The drinks seem to ease the symptoms of corruption, in fact, and make a person more relaxed and at ease, along with lessening their inhibitions. The food is filling and pleasant, but salty, making one crave the drinks more. But, honestly, compared to Generosity's botched and spoiled food in January it's almost heavenly, even if it does make it easier to want to keep gambling and gambling. After all, those prizes for the big winners of the night are certainly something to behold, and the kinds of luxuries that Trenchies drool over.
The Big Prizes: (Maximum 1 big prize per character for the month)
The Lesser Prizes:
Players are encouraged to use their imagination on lesser prizes that could be won. Food. Supplies. Furnishings. Weapons. Tools. Clothing. Any number of valuable could be won throughout the month.
So, what's the catch? There's always a catch. Well, like any gambling hall, the saying goes that the House Always Wins. This isn't true universally. You could have a hot streak at the Craps table, or you might just win on your lucky number in Roulette. It is very possible to walk away with enough chips to win a big prize all in one night, or build up over time to claim such a lofty goal. But the trick is that commemorative chip. It's the admission, and it's also the only way you can leave the gambling den each night. The chip must be presented both at entry and leaving, and only then does the reality become clear. That chip is so valuable because it represents your life! You might literally be betting with your life here! Should you lose your chip and not have it at the end of the night, the impressive and powerful bouncers at the door will bar you from exit, and once the hall closes there is nowhere to go but the basement. Anyone who enters the basement after hours will find that their life is indeed forfeit, and their debt is called. They will die down below. How will they die? Well, considering the fighting pits down below, any of a thousand deaths, some more gruesome than others, are possible. And, if another player holds their chip, they will be given a special pass to remain below, to demand their price themselves.
So, if you lose your chip is it still possible to get it back? Absolutely! It is a gambling hall, after all. Someone just has to be willing to give it back, or to win it back from another player or the house. What could be simpler? Of course, because there are no compulsions in the commemorative chip, and no rules about how it is to be used or transferred other than that it must be won from the house in a fair game, it is almost as if the Moss King is testing his own guests to see just how far they will go, and what they will do if their life or the life of a friend is on the line.
FAQ:
Well that's what you get for pushing Christian allegory over actual character development!
There wasn't even a debate here. Luz would have Lexi's back, and should it come to it, she would have happily died in Lexi's embrace. Lexi's beautiful face would be the last memory she's want before turning into a squid.
Luz had never understood how old married couples were looked down upon, especially when divorce seemed to be so common these days. With Lexi, every day felt like some new adventure in learning more about her. She never had a dull day with her in it.
"Exactly! You think that'd be more of an eighties thing, but I guess it carried over for some time, probably because they were still scared about what other people would think. So everything about being gay had to center AROUND a character, and actually make us more than one dimensional."
Which Luz was glad they had moved on from. Mostly.
Luz would absolutely do that now.
"And look at you, Lexi! Doing magic now, being a powerhouse all your own! Are you kidding?! You already had the confidence, now you have the strength right along with it!"
Luz nodded eagerly. Even Eda and King would have regaled Lexi with stories of Luz's foray into puns.
Luz would have argued that Lewis had NO problem with princesses being desirable and pretty, so long as they stayed within those confines of being meek and dutiful. Only if they scruffy and "fought as well as a boy" could they be allowed to act outside of their sex roles.
"I feel exactly the same way," Luz said. "I mean, I just said it, but still. A part of me still feels like it's too good to be true. That I found someone in this crazy place who loves me and wants to take care of me for me!"
And now Luz is red and beaming from ear to ear, holding her girlfriend close.
"Good! Pretty soon you'll have all of them down, and you'll always know what I'm calling you.
Yeah, it's weird, baby me didn't get the allegory at all and now it's all but jumping up and down!
Then they were in the weirdest standoff, each willing to die for the other while being comforted by the notion of the other living. She wanted Luz to live. That was all there was to it. Luz's housemates had been through enough, Luz's friends had been through enough, Lexi considered herself expendable. Not because insecurities from home had trained her to think of herself that way, but because the way she observed how many loved and worried after Luz had.
It was Lexi's #goals to be part of an old married couple and to be part of one at the age of seventeen was the coolest thing ever. She was happy to be the way she was with Luz and if anyone poo-poohed their devotion to each other at their young age, Lexi would probably unleash a profanity laden diatribe that would leave their ears ringing.
"Yeah, I mean which year did gay marriage become legal in the US? And how many countries haven't followed suit yet? So most of us haven't grown up with it and have grown up with gay stereotypes which help no one and are actively harmful in the worst case scenario."
Lexi ducked her head, blushing fiercely. "All because of you, ma chouchoute." Then Lexi had to think a moment. "That and my practice with telekinesis getting the better of me."
Because to sound totally corny, but Luz was the wind beneath her wings. Or whatever the hedgehog equivalent may be, Orville obviously pleased with the direction this conversation was going, if the way he was snuffling into Lexi's hair was any sign.
That would be a good point. But still, she doubted he'd like Mulan, even if she did fight as well as a boy. That being the main reason why the handsome suitor was attracted to her would confuse him.
And Lexi's arms tightened around Luz's waist. "It's not too good to be true. Unless it's too good to be true for me, too."
"I hope so. I don't think anything could be as big of a motivator than to be curious about the pet names my girlfriend gives to me!" And Lexi giggled girlishly.
Oh, I had rose colored glasses about Narnia for years. It hits different now!
It was not a strange thing for Luz to want to die for her friends. Most of the time, she risked life and limb to help them, because that was just what you did to show them how much you cared about them, right? That was what Luz had initially thought. Seeing that reflected back at her made her realize how much people cared about HER, and how much she had to lose.
Luz didn't know how to put a name or a label on what she and Lexi had: she just knew that it felt right to her, and that she was hopelessly devoted to helping making Lexi's goals happen. There was nothing Luz wouldn't do to make Lexi happy.
"Twenty fifteen," Luz answered, sighing, "and we still have a LONG way to go, last I checked. Countries are going to have to go at it their own way: religion plays a big role, and so does the way the society in that country interprets what being gay means. Heck, its not like we're so much more evolved than them. Half of the country still has poo brain about a lot of issues, and they're still horribly regressive when it comes to trans people. We have a long way to go...or we WOULD, anyway, if we were still on Earth."
Did Luz have a lot of time to think about these kinds of things? Absolutely.
"Oh, I know that one," Luz said, nudging her forehead against Lexi's, "and I can't wait to see what you can do with your powers!"
Luz would absolutely love to be referred to in that way and would sing along with the song if only to remind Lexi how much she appreciated corny.
Orville was free to peruse Luz's hair at his leisure!
Luz would have countered that Mulan was fine being the way she was, as long as she reverted to her "normal" self. After all, there was Aravis and Lucy, who were more "masculine" while still reverting back to their femininity, either by marriage or by being turned back to her "real" age again.
"Then it won't be too good for either of us: it would be just perfect for us both!"
And that worked just fine for her.
"If you ever want to know what they mean, you can just ask me!" Luz said, giggling back. "But don't you tell me! I want to figure them out myself!"
so did I! but the his dark materials answer to it rang hollow to me as well.
And Lexi was used to being surrounded by dysfunctional people, people with problems and situations they couldn't overcome on their own. And most of them didn't even seem interested in becoming their best selves, content enough to wallow in dysfunction and toxicity. They were great examples of what Lexi wanted to avoid. She'd thought it was because her friends were immature only but she knew now that was only an excuse.
Love and girlfriends were good names for it? Lexi knew she wasn't ready for anything really physical beyond kisses and holding each other, but she knew that Luz respected that and felt the same. It was a near perfect meeting of minds and of needs. Even though each would be the other to take a killing blow for the other. Because the other was convinced that the world and their friends would be a better place with each other surviving over the other.
And there wasn't anything Lexi wouldn't do to keep Luz happy and safe. That was her north star, her compass' guiding point. Lexi was ready to call Luz her love, possibly (likely?) the love of her life. Which would have brought Lexi up short when they first got together, but she was willing to stay and deal with whatever the Pthumerians had to throw at them if it meant she could be with Luz.
"Oh, I know," Lexi said seriously. "Trench is like an LGBTQ paradise compared with all of the other worlds I've heard of. No one seems to bat an eyelash at two guys or two girls or--or more falling in love. And it's freeing, really freeing. I don't think I would've been ready for anything like this back home until I was away at college and able to just. Be me. With all that involved."
"But I won't give up. Not on us. We're a team, we're better together than we are apart."
Good, because Orville was climbing onto Luz's shoulder and was snuffling into her hair with a happy, contented look on his face.
Ugh, why were straight male writers like that? No, really, why?
Lexi grinned. "I like perfect. Perfect is one of my favorite words, even though it's impossible to get to. There's always the attempt to get there."
"Oh," Lexi's grin widened. "Sounds like both of us have to do a lot of the Trench version of googling, ma poupée."
They're both stories with kids pigeonholed into big things without really TALKING about being kids:(
It always bore repeating that Luz appreciated and loved Lexi for being her and letting Luz be herself too, just for listening and loving her back.
Luz knew dysfunction, knew that sometimes people could be the worst versions of themselves given the worst circumstances. She'd seen it, almost been killed by it several times, and learned that in a place like this, you absolutely needed patience and understanding. People needed time to grow, and they made mistakes, but they could be better if you lend a hand. With Lexi, she could expect the same kind of support. In Lexi's case though, she was a kid and NO ONE was putting her first.
Luz hated that, and was going to do her best to attempt the opposite.
Oh, Luz had certainly thought about it. She was a naturally curious and affectionate person, and while people had tended to sometimes make that moment seem all hormones, Luz saw more than that. It wasn't just the pleasure receptors but everything else that went with it. Luz saw the warmth in Lexi's eyes and wanted to be engulfed in them. She wanted to make Lexi feel like the best person on earth. Gosh, there were times where Lexi's smell and just kissing her soft skin sent super tingles in Luz, and made her all snuggly.
But she knew that this didn't need to be pushed. They would when they were both ready. Everything about this, where she could take in moments being cared for Lexi and talk with her about things they could do or what they could talk about together? It never failed to make Luz feel happy and cared for. It was everything.
This was love. How could it not be, balancing yourself between infatuation and care, of talking about everything and taking on anything the world could throw at you with open eyes. Luz didn't know she could feel like this, that love was so comforting and so enormous at the same time. It was staggering, and she relished every minute.
"Right?! I couldn't believe that people could just love! There wasn't any of this 'but some invisible god doesn't think it's good' conversation! It's just love! Because that is literally what it comes down to: who you like and how you vibe! It doesn't have to be anything more complicated than that!"
Luz had been desperate for that kind of acceptance, not just with her preferences but as a person. Over time she learned some of that sometimes came from you, and it took time to unlearn some of the worst things about yourself.
"Give up on us? Oh please, we're precious! Even if no one things so, I do! Also, yes, I'm sure if we ever have to get into an actual fight, we'll be a great team!"
Aw, Orville. Luz's eyes are shining with adoration toward Orville. Why were animals all so precious?!
It was probably their way of enforcing a way of the world as they saw it. It worked for them, so it should be applied to everyone and the world would function correctly.
It was shortsighted, and just showed that writers needed to actually do their work in thinking outside of themselves, and listen to other people's point of views.
Luz smiled back warmly. "Yeah. I think we could do that. Try."
Luz bit her lip. "Uh. Is it weird that for a moment, I thought you were calling me your 'poopy?'"
Pretty much! And I'm a pantheist so neither option seems appropriate to me.
How could Lexi not love Luz? From the moment they met, Lexi had felt a spark and had tried to convince herself that it was only her, that she was fooling herself. But she wasn't and Lexi couldn't be happier to be wrong.
Lexi was used to being on the back-burner of people's attention. She didn't like it, but she was used to it. The notion of Luz putting her first was a revelation, an entirely welcome one.
And Lexi was glad that Luz was willing to take things at their own pace. All she could think of was Cassie, whose boyfriends would record nudes of her, then upload them to the internet, despite the fact that Cassie was absolutely not old enough for such a thing. Not that she thought Luz would do anything like that, but she'd been burned by her sister's experiences and wanted to avoid anything like it as long as she could.
Lexi giggled. "It's not, but you know how people like to overcomplicate things. It's like human nature."
"I know we're precious, too! Anyone who says otherwise will be glared at until they agree. I know I would and I figure you would, too!"
Orville was particularly adorable with his little spines keeping people at a supposed distance, only to have such warm and almost human eyes and a smile to match.
And Lexi's smile warmed further. "I think we can. Who knows, maybe there will be a Trench prom. In that case, I'm putting us in as prom queens together."
She sputtered with laughter. "No! Oh my god, no! I mean, I can see where you're coming from, but no!"
Re: Pretty much! And I'm a pantheist so neither option seems appropriate to me.
Luz had known, even as she acted like it wasn't attraction, that there was something there. She had also been quick to act on those feelings and get exposed, so she wanted to be careful about how she approached telling Lexi.
Luckily for her, she hadn't had to worry: they were both crazy for each other. She would always, without fail, put Lexi first.
Luz had been told that story about Cassie and understood the implication: that someone could take something as intimate as love making and put it on display, as a way to shame that person. It was a betrayal of the worst kind, and Luz wouldn't want to ever put Lexi through anything reminding her of that.
"It doesn't have to be anything crazy. Now, with us that's different. I could probably write sonnets about you and how you make me feel. Love is a big feeling, for anyone who gets to have it."
Luz just gave her girlfriend a playful smile. "I'll let you do the glaring and trash taking, you're way better at it than I am!"
Luz didn't appear to mind the spinies no matter how many times they nicked her, likely due to helping her mother in the veterinary office all the time.
"Oh, that would be great! I already went to a Grom back on the Isles, it would be awesome to have one in Trench too!"
Luz looked innocent. "I'm just repeating what I heard."
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And Lexi felt the same way about Luz, feeling that friendship turn into attraction within the friendship. Though, she wasn't sure she'd ever have gathered the courage to say something if Luz hadn't said something first.
What happened to Cassie made Lexi kind of afraid of relationships for a long while. If someone who claimed to love her sister could do that to her, Lexi was afraid she'd end up the same way. And granted, it seemed like a guaranteed pathway to fame and influence on Instagram was to show as much skin as possible without being completely out there, but honestly? Lexi mostly followed celebrity cats and dogs on Instagram and was happier for it.
"Sonnets about me? How can I pass that up? Though, I'm terrible at poetry other than haiku. I like the structure it requires. So if you want haiku about your beauty and our love, all you have to do is say the word," Lexi offered shyly.
And that made Lexi laugh gleefully, unabashedly. "Deal. And you'll do all of the sweet talking."
Orville was a gentle hedgehog. Much like his person. He loved to show affection towards Luz, just as Lexi loved to show affection to her.
"Then...maybe it's a good idea? Something to plan? After bad movie night, that comes first." Lexi didn't think she'd be herself if she didn't have a plan. Except for when Luz smiled at her, then all of her carefully formulated plans went out of the window, replaced by 'pretty and she loves me. ❤"
Lexi couldn't help grinning. "You---you---oh, c'mere!" And it was time for another kiss.
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Luz had taken a chance. It was a gamble, and she would never regret that it had worked! She was much happier than she'd been in a long time!
That was a betrayal of trust that Luz could understand might put off a lot of people off being that vulnerable with anyone. It might not have been her, but she understood why Lexi would be completely turned off from being that intimate too soon.
Luz nodded happily. "Just don't hold me to that, my brain is full of goo right now, thanks to the sickness."
Luz gave her girlfriend a sweet smile. "Aww, thankies, love! I'll be extra sweet, just for you!"
And Luz loved to cuddle the little guy! He was so cute!
"You think we could put something like that into play? That'd be interesting! We'd have to find an ideal location of course, probably get a DJ and everything, but it would be really nice, wouldn't it?"
Ah, so Lexi had that happen to her too then.
"Oh, no, not another kiss. Have mercy, I'm sick!"
Which is why Luz wriggled in closer to Lexi, of course.
(CW: underage nudes, revenge porn)
As was Lexi. All it took was a thought of Luz and she was giddy. Maybe she was being overly sentimental, but it seemed like Luz felt as sentimental as Lexi did. That was an almost miraculous change than it had been from home.
It terrified Lexi. Cassie tried to reassure her, that everyone their age on down would eventually have nudes leaked on the internet, but that had the exact opposite effect as what Cassie seemed to want to have. It made Lexi feel cheap and tawdry and like she wasn't worth more than as an object for guys to get aroused by. She didn't want that. Not ever.
"I know...Is there anything I can help you with? To get better?" Lexi asked. She'd do literally anything to heal Luz.
And Lexi nearly melted. Really. Into a puddle. "You're extra sweet just by being you."
"It would be. I do like getting dressed up when I can, even though it's probably a tool of the patriarchy to keep us down. But if it's my choice to wear a pretty dress so my girlfriend can be proud to have me on her arm, that's different, right?"
"Yes, another kiss! Until you feel better!" And that would be how it would be until Luz was back to 100%.
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Luz was absolutely as sentimental as Lexi, if not MORE. That was probably one of the many things that brought them to each other: they could vibe and nerd about things with equal enthusiasm.
This was something Luz had never encountered by absolutely understood why Lexi would feel like she did. Lexi's world sounded like everything was all hormones and gossipy people, all things that Lexi definitely didn't deserve. So Luz knew if they ever DID get to that point, it would have to be gentle and Luz would have to be patient.
The last thing she ever wanted to do was make Lexi feel pressured or feel anything other than safe with her.
"Hmm? I don't know. Maybe sugar and cuddles and kisses?"
Luz blushed, lowering herself into the blanket burrito.
Luz laughed. "Sweetie, you could be in a smock and barefoot, and I would be proud to have you on my arm! Though if you did have a really nice dress, I'd probably just be my light glyph the whole time.
"Oh no, anything but that!"
Luz lifted herself out of the blanket burrito, just for this reason.
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They could. It was like they'd known each other for years, not months. And it was an amazing feeling, she'd gotten so used to the notion of being alone and her friends being someone else's friends first that the idea that maybe, just maybe someone else cared and wanted to be with her seemed like an illusion.
It was hard, being surrounded by assholes all day back home. Trench honestly was a breath of fresh air since most of the people she knew were anything but assholes. She liked them and she hoped they liked her in response. And she loved Luz, she wanted to be with her as long as possible. She knew Luz respected her and their relationship and that was beyond value.
"I think I can arrange that."
Blanket burritos were the best. There was something cozy and comforting about wrapping yourself in tons of blankets as tightly as possible.
And Lexi giggled. "I dunno about that, but I'd try to find something suitably pretty. And we'd have to color-coordinate clothes."
Kisses were wonderful things, weren't they?
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Good thing Luz had moved beyond being lithe to slightly muscular then!
They were both getting used to that. Luz knew there were moments where she still couldn't believe someone cared about her as intensely as Lexi did, and that they had the kind of relationship Luz had only dreamed about.
With Luz, life on Earth for a long time had just felt like a blank. She loved her hobbies and her mom, but since her father's passing she'd just felt like she was drifting. She'd get into some trouble, disappoint her mom accidentally, and try too hard to be good only to wind up being somehow too intense again. Here, Luz knew the score, and with Lexi, Luz knew how to be herself and when not to overwhelm her girlfriend.
"Oh good. I was afraid I'd have to beg!"
Luz felt very cozy now, mostly because Lexi was here looking after her.
"Oh yeah, we can totally do that! I'll even, GASP, put on something dress like if you really want me to! All in the name of looking amazing!"
Yes, yes indeed.
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And it showed how mature they were in their approach to each other that there weren't any crossed wires where that was concerned. That they could be together and see a future. It made Trench worthwhile, to have someone who got Lexi on a fundamental level and she hoped that she made Luz feel the same.
"You're not feeling well, so of course I'm gonna pamper you at least a little bit. But, do you have a sore throat? I should have some hazelnut flavored gelato in the freezer. I think?"
Lexi couldn't help being concerned for Luz, though. She knew that Trench diseases were no joke.
And she arched an eyebrow. "Really? A dress? For me?"
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She could be herself, she could gush over cute things on one day, and then perform a blood ritual the next. She kept no secrets from Lexi, and being that way helped Luz realize just how much she cared about the other girl. No one ever made her feel like that, someone Luz could be vulnerable with and not care.
Luz felt more than comfortable with Lexi: she wanted to make it her goal to make her girlfriend smile a little more each day. She deserved that and more, after everything she'd been through.
"No sore throat, promise! But uh...we can still try some of that gelato anyway? Please?"
Luz would always be a sweets girl.
In this case, Luz was going to need a blood transfusion before the next ritual, from a different blood type. That was going to be a must.
"Well yeah. It's not my go to, but if you happen to think I look slammin' in it, who am I to say no?"
Just. No heels. Even Luz had her limits.
(CW: drug dealers)
And Lexi could be herself when she was with Luz. She could talk about bad movies, good books, even better food, she didn't feel like she had to pretend she wasn't Jewish, like she often did back home. Being able to be herself was a gift beyond price. And she really hoped that she made sure Luz felt the same way. Because there were so many reasons most people had to feel bad about being themselves.
Luz succeeded at that admirably. And felt the same, that Luz had spent too much time around people who didn't understand her properly and Lexi wanted to make up for that as much as one person was able to do.
She grinned. "Yes, we can. I might have some chocolate sauce hidden away so it can kinda be like a mocha hazelnut thing."
Which should be tasty!
Lexi couldn't help that time? That would be such a helpless feeling.
"I might have to hold you to that, you know," Lexi said with a wicked grin.
No heels for Lexi either, so it was fine.
Re: (CW: drug dealers)
That Luz could be the girl that was halfway between adulthood and a kid meant a lot to her. There were times where some people could only see one part of Luz, and while Luz understood it, it did make her feel like one day she'd have to make that jump into adulthood, with the swearing and the drinking and everything else that came with it.
With Lexi, she didn't have that pressure. That was everything.
"Ooh, you've just said some of my favorite indulgent things! Mocha Hazelnut! You spoil me!"
It would be pretty strange, but more than likely Vira would be helping out there.
"I guess we'll have to wait and see then!"
Sweet! Granted, Luz would probably be more inclined if Lexi wanted to nudge her in that direction.
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Well, Luz didn't have to do the swearing and the drinking if she didn't want to do. Lexi swore, sure, but it was nearly impossible not to do when around those she was around back home and she usually only did it when she was especially pissed. And she'd been to too many dumpster fires of parties to really see drinking as all that much fun other than the occasional Mike's. She wasn't her mother or her sister.
And there never would be any such pressure. Lexi also felt like she was in that weird stage between being a teenager and being an adult. She knew she wasn't really ready for the latter.
"Really," Lexi asked, looking both surprised and pleased. "Well, I'd hate for you to not be spoiled, you deserve it."
As long as Luz would be safe. That was the big thing.
"Yeah. That potentially gets me a lot of stuff to potentially arrange in April since proms are usually in April and the bad movie night."
Nope, no nudging. She'd been nudged too many times back home to be fond of the idea.
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With other people, Luz had come to accept it as a mark of where they were and how things were for them then. So it would certainly be strange to find that Lexi doing that was oddly attractive.
Yet. Luz DID find that not a deterrent with Lexi, but a part of her that Luz even appreciated. It made her a little brusquer, and Luz felt more compelled by it. Luz didn't even bother questioning it anymore.
Good. Luz kind of felt compelled to go immature, because the window for that was diminishing and she knew it.
"I dunno," Luz said in a singsongy voice, "I can be pretty spoiled!"
She'd strive for that. The last thing she wanted was to worry Lexi needlessly.
"Ooh, magical month then! Guess we'll have to make it a date then?"
Luz would very much appreciate that.
(CW: mental illness--depression)
Lexi had known a long, long time ago that she'd always be in her sister's shadow, at least until she left East Highland for good. And, now maybe she had? And she could be herself and have that self accepted. It was both wonderful and strange.
She wanted to know all about what made Luz tick, wanted to be with her as a couple. She'd been depressed back home under the cover of a flurry of action for her play, but here she felt more alive than she'd felt in years.
"Yeah, spoiled sweet. There's no way you can convince me that you'd be a brat," Lexi replied with a laugh.
Oh, there would still be worrying, but she'd feel more comfortable knowing Vira-Lorr was there.
"Yeah, absolutely! I'm all in favor of that."
It was only polite!
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Luz would have been happy to know that Lexi was at least moving beyond just being the sister of Cassie, that she was starting to realize exactly how important SHE was, how much she mattered, especially to Luz.
All she had to do now was ask. As far as Luz was concerned, she was an open book for Lexi, and anything she wanted to know, Luz would do her best to comply and talk about herself.
"Hey! I could! You don't know? I've got secrets, daark secrets!"
No she didn't.
"Great! Then let's make it a plan, the next time we get the chance to do it! We can even say the bookstore is sponsoring it!"
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It was slow going. Especially since she'd expected Cassie to wash up on shore for months. They were they Howard sisters, they were always together. At least until they weren't and Cassie grew up popular and beautiful and outgoing and Lexi retreated into a shell made up of her own mind and thoughts and neuroses.
...was it weird that Lexi was starting to seriously turn the thought of a blood bond around in her head. She wasn't ready for marriage or for much physically, but she thought she was ready to have Luz's thoughts in mind.
"Yeah? I'll tell you one of mine for one of yours!"
Neither did Lexi, really.
"Hey, that's a really good idea, I hadn't even though of that. Are there businesses which might provide refreshments for publicity? For either or both or...you know, right?"
[CW: blood/talk of killing/torture].
Luz had always expected, or hoped, that someone from her world would show up, and when that didn't happen, she simply made her life here and found that it was enough, even if she felt very different from how she started. She figured that Lexi was slowly starting to find out what that meant for herself.
Not at all! Luz had made this Bond with Varian and with Luca, if only to ensure she could help them if they ever fell into some trouble. With Lexi, Luz knew it would serve that purpose, but also mark her specifically as being Lexi's.
She did not mind that idea as much as she might have in the past.
Luz gave Lexi a small smile, then looked far off a moment. "My friend V, she got caught by one of those blood cult guys. They got me last year too. I think I told you how that was. Anyway, they tortured her and were going to take more of her blood, so...I got her out of there. Expeditiously."
Luz sighed. "So that's the second time I had to get lethal. I was thinking about how I'd tell you since you know about the cannibals. I'm not...messed up, I don't think killing is the solution to my problems or anything! But I've started to realize that there are times I have to use my magic to end someone's worst plans."
She sighed. "I didn't mean to get all serious, but I wanted to be honest with you. I love you, and your opinion mean a lot to me."
Luz scratched her head. "I'll have to look into that. I can make some refreshments, but it wouldn't be as good as someone who does it professionally. I don't...think I know?"
[CW: blood/talk of killing/torture].
Right again. She was learning still how to define herself as just Lexi with none of the outside influences from home. Not her mom, not her sister, not Rue, not anyone. And she liked the Lexi she was becoming. She had friends. People liked her for herself, not just because she was someone else's friend.
Lexi knew it would be a big step, being marked as each other's, that they were a permanent team, more than just coworkers or even as girlfriends, that they would have each other's backs no matter what. And honestly, that's what Lexi wanted.
"It's....you know it's not a bad thing to be willing to defend your friend, no matter what. And what I know of these cultists, they wouldn't stop on their own. Even slowing them down would be hard. So I...it's not like I see you any differently or think that you're a bad person, if that's what you're worried about.
In fact, I think that makes you brave. And it makes me feel safe. I'm glad you told me what happened instead of, I don't know, brooding over it or compartmentalizing it."
"Hmm. Well, there's still time to figure things out. I don't want something as nice as a prom to be interrupted by Trench being...Trench."
CW: Feelings of unworthiness/depression/
And having Lexi here was that fresh air that gave her life. She could stare and talk to her for hours, reside in those brown eyes of her and feel safe in a small pocket of Trench no one touched. So when it came to Lexi's family life, she listened intently and tried to walk Lexi through it. Trauma had very different degrees, and Lexi's was shadowed in neglect and being that "other girl." Luz couldn't understand how people could be that dismissive to the girl she was so crazy for.
But she would do whatever she could to make sure that she was Lexi's own light, reminding her how great she was, and how easily she had a hold of Luz's heart.
It was a big step, but it was so truthful and honest, Luz didn't care who knew it. She hadn't felt so sure about something than being blood bound to Lexi. The fear she might one day be taken was in the air, but she didn't care.
It was Lexi. That was all she needed.
"I know, you're right. And if I'm really honest about it, it wasn't all that different from those cannibals. Once you know these guys are going to inflict pain and death on others for their own joy, you can't let them live to do it. That's one more person at their mercy, and they do it because they can. But I wanted you to know, so...if you felt I was becoming a monster, and you wanted to stop things, you could."
There was still a part of Luz that didn't want to BE this, have to make that decision. Life was precious, she felt that to her core, but those that didn't think that? That deliberately loved seeing the complete debasement of someone's spirit? That she couldn't forgive, and that scared her.
What if she one day felt that was the only way?
Luz couldn't get that encounter with her jaded self in Deerington out of her head: how disaffected she was in one moment, the next anxiously hearing about a point in her life where she was happy and content, which her doppelganger seemed to have lost all moments of. What if that happened to her in REAL time, and she lost all of the people she knew and loved?
"I...had to say it," Luz finally said. "Because I had to act like it didn't affect me. It did. I just don't want to lose sight of the me I am one day, having to do that sometimes to people."
Sorry it was so serious, Lexi, she really was! It had just been bothering her, and she needed someone she trusted to talk to.
"How would you even avoid that?"
CW: Feelings of unworthiness/depression/
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(CW: underage drinking, A+ parenting)
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