Gain the weight of you then lose it

[reddosmod]

JANUARY 2022 EVENT

IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Prompt One
[Image One: Woman in an elaborate blue dress with high collar staring at camera while people dance in background.]
[Image Two: Woman in pink dress touching chest and smiling at camera while people dance in background.]

Prompt Two
[Image One: Explicit gif of snake shedding its skin and a new viperlike snake coming out of the old skin.]
[Image Two: Gif of eyes gazing at camera and right eye turning yellow.]

Prompt Three
[Image One: Image of rock snake with fire glowing in its mouth.]
[Image Two: Gif of a snake made entirely out of flames hissing.]

[NAVIGATION]

Prompt 1 • Prompt 2 • Prompt 3 • Plotting • Newsletter

[JUMP TO COMMENTS]

SNAKE DEN

WHEN: Evenings throughout January
WHERE: The Red, Cellar Door
CONTENT WARNINGS: Alcohol/Drugs, possible NSFW scenarios, forced honesty, mood altering substances.

---

Around Trench, Sleepers will find a gold-edged flyer pinned to most doors, lamps, and posted around stores and throughout the market. Some may even find the flyer pinned to their front door:

MADAM GENEROSITY INVITES YOU TO THE SNAKE DEN

Hello darling and dearest Sleepers! Do not let the cold dampen your spirit or weaken your hope. Do not allow our differences to divide us; do not let the frigid drive you to isolation; do not hurt your soul by forgetting one another. They say snakes cannot thrive in the cold, yet here I am, defying it, thriving despite it. You can too. We must persist. We shall persist. Not with violence and bloodshed, not with pollution and corruption, but with unity! With compassion and fun.

I invite you all to join me at The Red every odd evening of January! Welcome to the Snake Den! A little Talent Show I throw occasionally to remind Sleepers of their profound potential for greatness and awe! Come be flashy on stage or to support your friends. After the Talent Show is our famed Fashion Show. Do you have eccentric outfits you would like to show off? Now is truly your time to shine!

The evening will be filled with plenty of food and drink for all. We shall dance, we shall show off, we shall persist and defy corruption together. Let my lovely Night Walkers shine and keep you company for the evening. Find some new friends, have an illicit affair, or just come so you don't have to be alone for a night. You are all welcome...And don't worry, I've enchanted the Red so that none of your powers can cause any damage while inside the building. Feel free to really make a light show with your fire! It won't hurt anyone.

I so look forward to seeing all of you there.

With Love,
Madam Generosity

The Red has been elaborately decorated for the Snake Den spectacle. Enormous golden statues of snakes have been placed throughout. Golden lights glitter above. Servers carry about golden flutes of champagne, soda, and sparkling water. You can order other drinks at the bar. While the invite has gone out to Sleepers, there are some regular Trenchies who have come to show their support. To perform in the Talent Show portion, one simply needs to go backstage to prepare with the rest.

A female Trenchie named Dorothea seems to be directing the acts. People can perform multiple times. Talents performed can include music, comedy, dance routines, or little skits. After the Talent Show concludes, a Fashion Show will be put on, and everyone is encouraged to join. You can get your hair and make-up done elaborately backstage and find eccentric outfits to try on if you're not so happy with the one you showed up in.

Going to the Snake Den at this time will cause incredible stress relief. Even those who are typically shy or introverted will find themselves soothed at the Snake Den. Giant pillows have been thrown about so people can puddle in together and snuggle up. Private rooms have been created out of silks for some private conversations or interactions.

There must be something in the drinks or the snacks going around because it becomes easy to become a much more outgoing version of yourself at the party. It may increase friendliness or touchiness and relax people's usual reservations. Who knows? It might encourage you to go up on stage and show off a bit or talk to that handsome stranger who has been eying you the whole night. Regular intoxication from alcohol/drugs is possible as well which means some people might not need the additional encouragement.

Regular dancing occurs after the Fashion Shows with various musicians performing on stage to fill the night up with plenty of mood melodies. As the evening prolongs, the lights dim and things become quiet and soothing. Since paleblood magic is exceptionally strong this month with honesty, attendants of the party may find themselves being more open and honest about themselves. Hopefully, you don't confess anything too vulnerable about yourself...

FAQ:
1. Characters with mental abilities may be able to resist the honesty sway if they consciously realize it is happening.

2. Any talent can be performed on the stage.

3. The flyer is magically enchanted so that people who touch it will feel unusually excited to go to the Snake Den.

THE SHEDDING CEREMONY

WHEN: Begins in January - Effects may be permanent. Players choose when the effects wear off.
WHERE: Everywhere
CONTENT WARNINGS: Forced modification of body, possible themes of body dysmorphia, shedding/peeling skin, burning/eating dead skin, alternate versions of characters, possible genderswapping, possible alteration of personality/memories.

---

[A passage from Rituals and Reality; Chapter 2: The Shedding Ceremony. Found exclusively in Gaze:]

"Worshippers of Madam Generosity believed that the shedding of snakeskin was symbolic to the shedding of an old life and the acceptance of a new life. The skin left behind was a reminder of past trials and tribulations, and the skin you walk away with is evidence of all that you have learned and experienced. In ancient times, Sleepers would ritualistically select one of their own to sacrifice to Madam Generosity. Eventually, Sleepers would come to learn that Madam Generosity did not appreciate blood sacrifices. Due to her gentle nature, she encouraged Sleepers to pay tribute to her in other ways.

Thus came the Shedding Ceremony. Sleepers would rub away chapped skin and set it afire in a bowl. They would reflect on lives left behind and the new life they had been given in Trench. Over time, this created a powerful magical experience that persisted beyond the original ceremony. The Shedding Ceremony is both a ritual and an enchantment.

As January begins, Sleepers may find that their skin has become dry and brittle. The generous application of lotions and oils may soothe the skin, but neglected skin can begin to peel off. Although it is a painless experience, it can be rather gross to look at and a bit itchy. Then one day, you simply fall asleep and when you awaken, you are an entirely different version of yourself. You will find a nearly perfect replica of your old self in a shed skin nearby. Your new body may be stronger, faster, more powerful. Old scars may be healed, lost limps replaced...Or you might be an entirely new gender. Some have even experienced becoming a different species. Some awaken as an older or younger variation of themselves while others find that they have become an alternate version of themselves.

These effects have been known to last for a few days up to months at a time. In some scenarios, the effects have become permanent. Some believe it to be a curse while others believe it is a gift. It may happen multiple times and take a few sheds to return to your original body. It is believed that ingesting your old skin or burning it alleviates the changes and brings you back to your original body faster. Generous application of lotion and oils can prevent the Shedding Ceremony altogether for some - or at the very least, slow it down."

FAQ

1. Characters can avoid this prompt altogether via the application of lotion.

2. If you decide to permanently change your character in a big way (ie; changing their species/gender/age) then we do ask that you update your character on the taken page to reflect that they are now an Alternate Version of a character. This would open up the original character to be applicable to new players.

3. This can change blood types for those interested in trying on a new blood type. You can either temporarily change a blood type or permanently. If you permanently change a blood type, let us know on the Blood Type page and update your information on the taken page.

4. You can play out the transformation as explicitly or non-explicitly as you want. Maybe characters see the changes happening under their peeling skin or just wake up in their new body. The peeling does not need to be any more graphic than what you would typically see on dry skin.

5. You can alter a character's gender, species, age, blood type, or switch to a general alternate version of a character (ie; Coffee Shop AU, an AU of your character but with different powers, an AU of your character if they came from a different canon or timeline.) Please have fun with this and explore the possibilities for as long as you like!

Unsnakely

WHEN: All of Bone Season
WHERE: Anywhere outside
CONTENT WARNINGS: Possible injuries or death from burns/fire.

---

[A journal entry from the Wayward Watcher that can be found in the Archaic Archives reads:]

"Do not trust the naked snake trails of January. They exist to trick you into a sense of Madam Generosity's comfort. The Good Pthumerian leaves snow tracks in her wake, but the Unsnakely leaves melted trails of snow. This creature has spent centuries cloaking itself to rope in those who devotedly follow Madam Generosity. The kind people of Trench look to snakes as a trustworthy, compassionate symbol filled with good intention.

There are many ways to anticipate the Unsnakely's presence. Besides its melted trails (that eventually turn to ice in the cold), you may notice pockets of comfortable heat. While many believe greenery is a good sign, do not be fooled by the melted patches of grass you find. These are not symbols of an early spring. They are symbols of incoming destruction.

The Unsnakely is not of blood or soul; it is a blood curse of the earth, a product of Blood Pollution. It's a creature made out of rock, with no pulse, no soul, no mind. Molten lava pours through its body. It moves in and out of the earth without disturbing the surface, transforming from rock into small beasts or a snake the size of your home. It looks to spill blood to freshen its own magic and its choice of weapon is its size and the fire it breathes. A furious Unsnakely will light up in flames and can bring great destruction to its surroundings. People have lost their homes to the Unsnakely and of course, people have lost their lives.

The Unsnakely, no matter the size it takes, is as fast and lethal as a typical snake. It cannot truly die, as it is a curse of the earth, but it can be physically destroyed by immense blunt strength or coldblood abilities whether fire or ice. Typical ice abilities will not work against the snake - they must come from a coldblood source. Enchanted coldblood items will be effective against the Unsnakely.

The Unsnakely can spit fire like venom and boil the air around it. It can be difficult to get physically close enough to land a blow due to the suffocatingly hot temperature rolling off its body. It traditionally hunts in the streets and in the woods, by the beach and among the cliffs. Once someone has slain the beast, it returns to the earth where it rebuilds itself over a period of 2-3 days. It primarily hunts during Bone Season, preferring to use the cloak of Madam Generosity to its advantage.

Since this is not a traditional snake, it has no desire to "eat" anyone. It will simply roast you alive - which is arguably worse for some. Its fire burns hotter and brighter than regular fire, and it is a slow, agonizing death that has caused absolute madness in some. People have claimed to see strange visions in the smoke that pours off of the Unsnakely, causing distortion in battle. Do not inhale too much of the Unsnakely's smoke as it will cause intense vertigo. Remember: this is a creature of deception.

Lastly, it would be beneficial to know that the Unsnakely cannot hear or see. It responds to the vibration around it. Some who stay still may get the upper hand, but the creature can feel the vibrations of your heartbeat if your pulse is unusually elevated. Good luck, fellow Hunters. Treat burns by the Unsnakely with vileblood. I know it sounds mad, but the vileblood seems to attack whatever cursed heat comes with burns from the Unsnakely.

Take care of yourself,
- The Wayward Watcher"

FAQ
1. Characters who can manipulate earth can contort/stop/fight against the Unsnakely's natural body. It will take great control to fully control or dismantle the body.

2. Coldbloods with fire abilities can similarly control the fire of the Unsnakely with great control.

CODING

Comments

Luz Noceda | The Owl House

[imaglyphwitch]

Snakes Den

A-Luz wasn't going to act like she didn't need something like the Red. Things had been building lately, and she'd found herself feeling like some kind of unwashed and abandoned person lately. She needed something that would at least keep her occupied, remind her that she'd not been corrupted (certainly not after seeing her brother figure turned that way) and a beacon to keep going. So a talent show where she might see others performing and doing their best sounded ideal.

She watched shows and cheered for people. She tried to help where she could, because that was Luz sometimes, giving a hand and trying to make the person she was helping shine brighter!

B- Moving on to the Snake's Den was a different thing altogether. Now people were trying to destress and calm themselves with close contact with others. It reminded Luz a little of what happened with the mistletoe during Christmas, only this wasn't something forced, but a boon by generosity to help center and relax performers and the adventurous seeking new kind of closeness. Luz found a pillow and curled up on it like a dog, on her side and seemingly staring out into space.

There were, after all, some things that Luz knew she didn't have, and the skills to charm and snuggle with someone was one of them.

Shedding

A-
Luz had been more than a little annoyed at the dry skin, and had picked and picked and finally shrugged it off, staying in the stables that night, still insistent she'd get the new additions to the house to be more responsive to her.

What happened instead was that she woke up with that part of her behind, and someone rather new in her stead.

If Luz cared about the new pets they'd acquired, she seemed to have left those concerns behind. Interestingly, anyone who saw her would note that she seemed like an almost older version of herself, only she wasn't. She was just different.

Luz Noceda that awoke in the stables had her long hair, her knit cap and her devil-may-care attitude all wrapped up at the head with her red bat. She vaguely knew what was happening, but mostly seemed to take things as apathetically as she could.

"The hell," she muttered, stretching and moving from the stable. "God, now I stink. Maul could have at least lent me a hazmat suit for those things."

She shook her head and move toward the house, very unaware at how her mere physical appearance would throw things off.

Around Town

The somewhat hipster inspired teen has a red bat at her person and mostly just seems to be roaming, a look of incredulous suspicion on her face. This was not a girl content with suffering fools and was simply out to figure out what she was going to do next.

"'Ey," she said to someone approaching. "Know where a girl might find some action around here?"

Clearly Luz Noceda, transformed teen, was restless.

Shedding - Around Town

[lightinside]

She wasn't the only one that was restless. Laurel was also out in the streets, but she isn't sure exactly what she wants or looking for. What does stand out about her is that Laurel is dressed a little differently to her usual self, but it feels comfortable to her, as if she has worn something like it before.

Laurel regarded the younger girl in front of her for a moment after she spoke, getting the sense that they knew each other. She gave her a slow, easy smile before replying.

"How about we go find some action together?"

Re: Shedding - Around Town

[imaglyphwitch]

Luz raised an eyebrow, and then a slow grin came to her face. Ok, she might vaguely know a little about this woman, but the memory seemed both distant and very different from the person she was looking at right now.

Not that she minded of course. If they'd been the same age, Luz would have been testing out her dating game right now. It would have been completely contrary to what actual Luz was like, which was just fine with her.

"Down for that. Think I might remember how to fly the staff. I could go for a club, but I could be up for a fight too. You in?"

[lightinside]

Good. She's glad that Luz is interested in doing something with her. Maybe it will stir up some memories of why she knows her - they could be friends. Not that Laurel had a lot of friends because well, letting people in didn't always work out in her favour.

"Oh, I'm in. Maybe we could find a fight in a club?" She laughs then, and there's an almost cruel sound to it. Nothing like Laurel usually was. "Or start one."

The only weapons she needs are her hands, fists and her sonic cry. They usually got the job done.

"We've met before, I think. But remind me of your name."

Typing this while listening to "Sacrifice" by The Weeknd was FUN

[imaglyphwitch]

"Start a fight? Pretty confrontational. Might piss off the locals. You sure you want that kind of a rep?"

Was she against it? Not really. It sounded like a hell of a time. She just wanted to eb sure she wasn't following someone who turned out to want a bloodbath or something crazy like that. That wasn't something she needed on Luz's conscience. But a good old club FIGHT? That was fair game.

"I thought so. You seem familiar. Name's Luz Noceda."

Snakes Den - B

[swornto]

[Oz has been skeptical of coming to this kind of party. They aren't his jam, precisely because he was taught how to attend them. But when he sees a familiar face dozing off in a public space, he postpones his plan to leave early in favor of sitting next to Luz.]

Watching the crowd go by? That's my favorite way to spend these fancy events too~.

Re: Snakes Den - B

[imaglyphwitch]

[Luz turned at the voice, seeing Oz and giving him a cheery wave],

Well, I'm no good at these kind of things! A Grom is one thing, but if I can take the option of a more relaxed kind of setting, I don't mind watching people have a good time.

You having fun here?

[swornto]

Hm~? What a grom?

[Oz gives a small shrug,] Where I'm from, you don't get to attend these kinds of parties until you're 15... Bu~uut I think I'm already bored with them. It's so much work to be fancy~.

By canon she totally wore this to a dance

[imaglyphwitch]

Like a prom, but with a fear feasting monster!

I don't know if I could get bored with this, so long as it only happens a few times. Then again, I tend to not stick to a dress code that's expected either.

snake den, b

[enblightened]

[He hadn't expected to see someone as outgoing as Luz just observing others as she is. Comfortable as the cushions are, he'd sort of expected her to be more engaged.

Bigby tilts his head and approaches, crouching down to her level.]

Luz? Are you all right?

Re: snake den, b

[imaglyphwitch]

[Luz looked up from her self imposed Luz-loaf status to see Bigby, and give him a wave].

Oh, hi! I'm all right, more or less! I'm trying to take it easy though. After seeing what happened to Varian, I figured it might be good for my health. He wasn't the only one that had a bad month, after all.

[Luz had progressed less than Varian because she'd been trying to stay indoors and had been around incense and meditated. But Fern dying had pushed Varian over the edge and might have done the same to her if Varian hadn't changed first. Luz had understood surrendering to grief would have left her brother in trouble, so she stayed stable, but it had also been a lesson for her].

What about you? Are you having a good time?

[enblightened]

It seems many have struggled for the past month or so, and understandably at that. Giving yourself time to rest is wise. ...Do remember that you may ask for aid, should you need it. It is easy to tell ourselves to shoulder our own burdens than to do otherwise.

[He smiles faintly.]

Better a time than I thought I might have, truthfully. Crowds tend to concern me, but I feel content at the moment.

[imaglyphwitch]

Oh, trust me. I saw what happened to Varian as a lesson for what happens when you don't ask for aid. I'm saving all my pent-up energy for the giant monster pets we have in out stable. And for researching magic. Also probably learning more about blood stuff.

[Because it was clearly playing a part in this world and had certainly manifested itself on Luz enough to warrant more studying].

I'm glad to hear it! It's honestly really relaxing here. I figured that might do me some good since corruption kinda crept up on me last month.

[And lots of others, apparently].

Snake Den - A

[loveandduty]

Minako had been enjoying herself, happy with showing off her talent of singing and dancing for extra measure as soon as she was done she moved to not walk off the stage buy jump off, landing safely on the ground.

"Did you enjoy the show?" she asked with the biggest smile on her face. She figured she might as well see what people honestly thought so she could work to improve herself in the future. Maybe work more on song stuff.

Re: Snake Den - A

[imaglyphwitch]

Luz couldn't help but admire someone with the confidence to jump off the stage, and there were several other factors here too: Usagi's friend and dating one of Luz's favorite people, not to mention a great performance!

"Of course, you were great!" Luz couldn't stop smiling. "I could tell you really enjoyed yourself out there! Do you do this professionally?"

Re: Snake Den - A

[loveandduty]

"That's good to hear. Though I will ask if you think there would be anything I could use to improve my performance." She didn't think it was honestly perfect. In her mind it might never be, but she strives to try and improve. That was the job as an idol after all.

"But as for if I do this as a job, I am planning to soon. I just need to write perhaps a couple more songs so that I have enough to work with."

Shedding A

[laminae]

Fern has mostly been puttering around the house since his death, both for recovery purposes and to avoid causing any distress in his housemates. The last thing any of them need is for him to run off and get right back into Huntering and get killed by some random monster. It makes him restless but hey, they're way more important than him having itchy legs.

He's got a bag of chicken feed in his arms as he heads out to the stables, only by chance running into Luz on the way. The bat is the first thing he notices, followed by the long hair. He knows humans can't grow that much hair over night, so he's pretty confused. "Morning," he says, slowing his walk. "What the heck happened with your hair?"

Re: Shedding A

[imaglyphwitch]

The girl stopped, pausing at the figure before her. She should know this, somewhere in her the happy girl who'd been expecting him was jumping for joy, but that girl wasn't here right now. The one in front of her was looking at the boy as if trying to place him.


"F-fec-Fern. Fern! Yeah, that's it. Help me clean out the stable for those new animals that we got. The Far-the fith-the farters or whatever the hell."

So in addition to a new Luz, you now have new animals in the stables, isn't that nice Fern?

"Growth spurt? The magic of frienship?"

he just needs to be sure

[laminae]

Wait, hold up.

Did Luz just say hell?

Okay, this is slang Fern has had to pick up in his time in Deerington, but he absolutely did, and now he's the one giving her a funny look. That's a lot more concerning than the new animals, though after a few moments he nods. Maybe he can sus out what's going on if they hang out for a bit?

"Okay, sure," he replies, moving to follow her to the stables. "... They aren't really called farters, are they?"

snake’s den b!

[grice]

[ it was a heavy two months, with cases of corruption after corruption, and falco hadn’t forgotten that. what he was doing was trying to keep his own health in check, enjoying the snake’s den and the shows and the food— falco had never actually been to one of these, much like he’s only recently ever been to a street festival. in fancy parties, he was the one who served the noblemen and women. it was a nice change of pace, and for just a little while . . . he’s letting himself be a kid.

that means, taking all the glamorous and unbelievable snacks he could get his hands and, and bounding up to the girl that’s made herself comfy on a pillow. falco’s even in cute little blue shorts, a button down tee with a golden bowtie. ]

Luz! [ in his hands, he has two rolls of sticky, warm cinnamon buns. ] Luz— Look what I found!

[ like he’s never seen them before in his life! because he hasn’t. ]

Re: snake’s den b!

[imaglyphwitch]

[Luz looked up, an almost tranquil look on her face] Heh?

Whoa, that's a catch! That looks delicious! Get yourself something to drink though, or your mouth will be totally dry! The stickier it is, the worst off you'll be!

[Luz loved her sweets, that didn't mean she loved being thirsty afterward].

[grice]

I can’t, [ he gestures, but more enthusiastically than he was disappointing that he couldn’t get a drink, ] my hands are full.

Around town

[wannasmash]

Midoriya is walking fast but with purpose, intensely scrolling on his Omni, clearly having received an urgent message. Usually at times like this, someone might ask him what's wrong. If, like today, he's in his hero costume as Deku, and cloak with the flap of fabric that is his Hunter's badge, someone might ask him if there's danger. But to ask for some action... He looks up at the familiar voice.

"Oh--Luz-san. I've just got a report of a fire monster nearby. Getting the location now. Gotta warn everyone away."

Luz seems slightly... off today...

Re: Around town

[imaglyphwitch]

Luz focused her eyes on the boy. Oh right, that was the cutie that Luz knew, the one that was all shy around girls, right? The hero. Mido-something or other. He was looking even better with the whole ensemble too. Dang.

"You're not gonna try and take him all by yourself, are you? Sounds like you could use some help. Don't want to get in over your head, right?"

Ok, flirting later. Right now was a fight, Luz's favorite "f."

Re: Around town

[wannasmash]

It's something Luz would say; she's so helpful. But the tone, the look, are completely different. Mido-something-or-other receives another message and confirms the location. No time to waste then, despite his misgivings. He stows his Omni away in one of his belt pouches. His eyes flick back up to her, frowning as he shifts his weight and activates his Quirk. A slight wind kicks up around him, and the air sparks with energy.

"You can fly. That'll be good. It's a fire monster. Is that OK?"