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

Charlie Kelly | It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

[kingoftherats]

I. Invitation | Location: Paddy's Pub (Darcmouth)

[When the flyers go out, one of them is pinned to the front door of Paddy's Pub, which Charlie eventually goes to inspect between serving beer to old crusty sailors and local drunks; it's here that people may find him squinting with great uncertainty and focus at the words. He's making a great effort to stop the letters from getting mixed up in his head, trying his damnedest to formulate strings of logical sentences, but it's not without a terrible struggle.

He mumbles as his finger slowly moves across the paper:]

Do not let the cold... something something... uh... Do not allow... our diffurnaces...? Differ... fences. Divid us... Do not let the — fridged drive you to... solution...s...?

[He's trying his best. OH! Wait a minute. He points to the letter in his hand, mildly perturbed. ]

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Night Walkers? Aren't those monsters in that Game of Thrones show?

I don't want any trouble like that, I don't wanna get stabbed with icicles or whatever.

[Of course, if you prefer, feel free to stop by the pub afterward just for a drink! Charlie's always up for bartering, and he's got some good stuff. Not just Charlie's homemade moonshine, either! How far we've come.]

II. Welcome to the Snake Den | The Red, Cellar Door

Ooooh, shit, this is awesome!

[Charlie's never one to downplay his arrival anywhere, huh? He moves from place to place with the sort of eagerness that belongs to a kid in a candy shop. He takes champagne glasses (and says "fancy shit" under his breath), moves immediately to the appetizers ("is that cheese, what kind of interesting cheese is this, cottage cheese is growing on me-"), and seems more than happy to wander up to whoever may be around for conversation about how nifty this all is. Danny the rat is sitting on his shoulder with a small bowtie; Charlie on occasion passes a piece of cheese to him, because sharing is caring.]

Hey! You got any cheese whiz to go with these crackers? Where the hell's all the cheese whiz? Do people seriously eat crackers without it? Sounds fake.

[It's not until later in the night when he's a few drinks deep and loosey-goosey that he takes a seat (unprompted, unrecommended, unwarranted) at the piano in the room. Ohhh, what a nice piano. He runs his fingers back and forth on the keys before he cracks his knuckles and begins to play a tune.

This is nice. This is all totally nice.

Sure, he's expecting terrible things to happen later, but how can he worry when he's playing and drinking and actually enjoying himself. Without huffing glue, to boot. It totally doesn't stop him from ending the night crawling into one of those pillow rooms with his hair askew and his tie crooked.]



III. The Shedding Ceremony | Trench Streets

[Note: While I will not go into explicit details at any point, there may be mention of CSA depending on how threads go, as well as even more likely mention of childhood neglect, alcoholism, and potential mention of substance abuse involving a child. If this sort of thing is a squick or trigger for you, please avoid this prompt especially! Replies will come from princeoftherats.]

[The shedding ceremony, uh. It sure was a thing, huh? Charlie's probably not remotely close to the only person who has shrunk down in age; there are probably tons of kids running amok now thanks to whatever the hell that mess was.



Here's just one more to the mix, ten years old, freckle-faced and unkempt, baffled as he sits in clothes a little too big for him. Charlie cowers for a few hours in an alleyway, but ultimately assumes this must be some part of Philly. Yeah. Gotta be it. He's must've got sick off some paint fumes or whatever when he was painting Mac to camoflague into some bushes. Long story. So don't worry about it. (... It may or may not be to hide in bushes and spy on kids who stole their toy WWE belts.)

Either way, he needs to find his way home.

When he walks down the streets of the more unsavory parts of Trench in some kickass light-up sketchers he got for discount at the thrift store, squinting at all the unfamiliar streets and people, he carries a big stick with him that he's more than ready to use to bash whoever tries to mess with him, because-]

Jeez, I thought my neighborhood was bad. This place looks like where grown-ups get hookers and drugs. [He kicks a can as he goes, his worry shifting into something concerningly calm for a kid who is in a random town he can't recognize. Then again, he's used to being out on his own or with Mac, so.] ... I bet there's dead bodies in the dumpsters to poke.

[TEMPTING TO LOOK, TBH.

But beware, little dude — you're getting terribly close to the dangerous edges of town.

Those who notice the puny kid might very well also notice unsavory criminal-like folks trailing behind him with the hope of stealing off a kid, or the glowing eyes of a beast hiding in wait in the brush, eagerly waiting for the kid to walk right in its direction.

... Maybe this place is a little more dangerous than Philadelphia.]

IV. Wildcard

[Wanna do something in Jan that isn't listed here? Hit me up via pm, simpledog, or just throw a starter at me fresh! If it doesn't work with something I'll be sure to let ya know.]

II!

[blackmothwings]

[Lucille considers herself to be one of the best pianists in Trench, if not the best. As a musician, she's weirdly protective of pianos, as though she's afraid that the hands of an unskilled pianist touching the keys might somehow ruin the instrument forever. She doesn't want to hear someone butchering Chopin, or dishonoring Bach. She might never forgive them.

She might be feeling a lot more relaxed than usual, but seeing Charlie sit at the piano still alarms her and fills her with a cold sense of dread. What is he going to do? Will she have to intervene? She approaches with a sudden sense of urgency, drink in hand, and she listens. There's no need to drag him away from the piano yet, but she will if she must. That dread grows stronger as soon as she hears the first note, but... dissipates once she realizes he can actually play a tune. The song isn't something that she recognizes, but it isn't awful at all. And so, she's just going to stand there, sipping her drink while listening quietly. Respectfully. It's hard to tell if she actually approves though; her face is expressionless. Unreadable. One might assume, upon looking at her, that she doesn't approve at all.]

[kingoftherats]

[Charlie doesn't notice she's watching for a time; he mostly just cycles through songs both original and not, letting his fingers make the sounds almost like an afterthought. It's a smooth, easy thing, something he doesn't seem to think much about at all. Nothing sounds terribly classical, save for maybe a tune that sounds very close to Flight of the Bumblebees (which - well, he watched a lot of old cartoons growing up, these sorts of songs are just burned into his brain).

He even manages to keep a tune one-handed while he reaches for a wine glass and takes a big swig.

Graceful.

When he finally notices her standing there, he doesn't feel all that self-conscious or worried about the passive look on her face; he just smiles and waves.]

Oh, hey! You got something stronger in that cup? I'll trade you!

[blackmothwings]

[She doesn't recognize any of those songs (except for the one that could be Flight of the Bumblebees), but that's fine. She doesn't question his song choices, as she's too busy wondering where and how Charlie learned to play. Whoever taught him did a decent job, and she has to admit that she is pleasantly surprised. He plays his songs easily and manages to keep a tune, and that's the most important thing.

She pretends to disapprove of the wine drinking, but she's absolutely done that herself. She really cannot judge, and she is aware of that.]

It's only champagne. I don't think it's much stronger than what you have.

[She says, her face still neutral and subdued. Despite her lack of emotion, she still manages a quick, little wave. That's something, at least.]

You play well.

ii

[hearuthinking]

[Watching this guy bounce around is kind of funny. Nice to see someone having a good time around here. Jason has made permanent camp at the bar but it's hard not to watch this ball of excited energy bounce around and love everything. And then Jason notices the rat on the guy's shoulder]

Fuck. Are pet rats just a thing around here?

[The last guy claimed the rats weren't his but this one definitely looks like a pet]

[ooc: quick note that Jason's paleblood ability just recently got activated so play with that however you want. If you want him to hear Charlie's thoughts let me know!]

[kingoftherats]

Huh?

[Charlie swivels around, blinking owlishly like he's confused at the mention of rats. He may or may not have forgotten that... he brought them with him... But oh, oh, right, yeah-!]

They're not pets, dude. C'mon, don't offend them like that!

They're their own people doing their own thing.

[... He says it as he passes one of them another piece of cheese without looking at them.]

[hearuthinking]

Right.

[Is it also a thing to deny the clearly-a-pet rat is... not a pet? This doesn't even break the top five weirdest things he's seen lately so he just shrugs and lets it go]

Think they got anything stronger than fuckin' champagne?

II - towards the end of the night

[lightinside]

[The pillows were such a great idea. Laurel wished that she could take some back to her apartment and make a little relaxing spot of her own. Maybe she'll find some soft pillows in the market one day. For now, Laurel is just going to chill out for a bit until she goes home.

She was half-dozing when Charlie comes into the room, but Laurel wakes up at the sound of footsteps, sitting up a little so she can see who it was. He isn't someone she recognises, but it looked like he'd been partying.]

Uh, hey. You okay?

[Offering him a smile.]

Note: Laurel is a Paleblood.

[kingoftherats]

[Charlie freezes as he moves to crawl into the pile of pillows (which are maybe talking now? oh, he really did drink too much, huh?). But then he squints and notes the woman lying in the pillows, and awkwardly takes a step back.]

Oh shit, I'm sorry lady. I thought this place was empty; I was gonna, like. Nap. [He blinks groggily, rubbing a hand across his eyes.] This is a nap room or something, right?

[Do all parties have these? Is it just fancy ones? Can he build a nap room in the bar? There are so many important questions here.]

[lightinside]

No need to apologise. It's not like I had a sign outside saying 'occupied.' [She laughs, moving to make some room for the newcomer.]

I guess it could be a nap room? I mean, I was almost heading for a sleep myself until you came in. I needed a break.

[Laurel didn't the same amount as energy as she did when she was a college student. Partying felt like nothing back then.]

I'm Laurel by the way.

III

[droptheious]

[The sudden surge of kids is definitely something Varian has noticed. It's kind of hard to miss. He's been getting some fresh air, now his corruption is almost gone and Fern is back from the dead- focussing on the important job of healing once he comes across...well, this kid.

Varian moves a little closer- hands raised to show he's not a threat. Given how this kid looks, he's probably not a Trenchie, so chances are he's afflicted by...whatever is going on right now. Best not let him wander to his death. ]

Uh. Hey, you okay there? You're looking pretty lost.

[princeoftherats]

[The boy whirls around, and despite the hands up and Varian's cautious approach, he holds up the big stick threateningly between the two of them — points it at Varian with an aura that says 'I'm trying to be intimidating, but I will bite you whether I am or not'.]

I'm not lost! I don't get lost!

[... Right.]

I know this place like I got a map in my eyeballs, dude!

[Riiiiiiiiiiight.]

[droptheious]

[That sure is a mood and Varian can't help but smile a little. He too was once small and rabid.

(He's still small and rabid). ]

Uh-huh. Just saying, if you are lost, I can probably help you find the right way back to...wherever it is you're going. I've been living here a while.

iii

[eudaimonikos]

Hey, kid!

[Michael's noticed a lot of people getting younger, for some reason. But he hasn't exactly done much about it. He's not really cut out for dealing with kids himself.

What he is cut out for is fire-breathing snakes. So he's out on the streets, casually carrying a large scythe over his shoulder, and he just calls out and waves at Charlie when he notices him. He doesn't pay enough attention to know which areas of Trench are the unsavory ones; he just knows there's a lot of shit going down right now generally.]

Go home, there's a bunch of snakes out here.

[princeoftherats]

[Charlie whips around to put his wooden battle stick at Michael. An old man! Maybe a creepy old man! Like the ones on Scooby Doo. Or on PSAs about stranger danger they force kids to watch in school. Charlie doesn't really pay those any attention like he doesn't pay DARE any attention, but his mom is a nervous wreck, so she's instilled plenty of terrible concerns into him.]

Oh yeah?! What if you're the one letting a bunch of snakes out?

... There's snakes? For real?

1

[alternia_strength]

[Someone came into the pub, brandishing one of the hand-written flyers in his fist with a scowl on his gray-skinned, snaggle toothed face as he waved it around, snarling.]

I require the fashioner of this tragedy of linguistic degradation and violation immediately! We will have what constitutes as the exchanging of words over this obscenity to a foreign language!

[...don't ask me.]

[kingoftherats]

[... Dude. It's a - ]

Gargoyle! What's up, man. [He waves the hand holding the flier eagerly, apparently pleased with this entire exchange.] I don't get what you're talking about, but sure, yeah, okay! Let's obscene! My favorite is probably 'shit', but 'bitch' is a good one, too. Unless you're feeling really creative; then we can go for something like 'dicknips'. Dee always loved a good 'dicknip'.

ii!!!

[asas]

[ hooray for dumpster animals! shōyō has caught sight of the rat on the man’s shoulder, with a bowtie. that’s cuter than ratatouille. of course, the discourse about cheese whiz is what initially got his attention, shōyō is now starry eyed at danny. he’s seen mice? he’s never actually seen a rat, much less one so dressed for the occasion. why!! you ask!! ]

Ahhh! Look! [ shōyō had a crow omen that hops right onto his neck and to the top of his head . . . with a top hat. look at these dapper trash animals. ] They totally match!

Re: ii!!!

[kingoftherats]

["Hey!" Danny barks at the poor kid. "Who're youse staring at?!" But Charlie is quick to hold up a hand and quell the rat that sounds suspiciously close to Frank Reynolds.]

Danny, dude, relax! He's a fan of your style! [Charlie points to the crow and its fancy top hat instead, feeling a lot like the meme of the Spider-Men pointing at each other.] I love the look your guy's got going on! Dapper as fuck, bro!

i

[creidim]

Hello, Charlie. [ It's while he's reading the flyer out loud that Luna comes across him. She's on her way to Paddy's Pub, to see what this latest attempt of Butterbeer he's been working on is all about. The... first time hadn't been so successful, but he's really been trying.

Her brow pinches slightly as he struggles to read what's on the piece of paper, her eyes glancing over to realise it's the same flyer she's seen elsewhere in the city — the one from Madam Generosity. He's doing his best, but he's really have some trouble with it.

She's about to ask when he spots the word Night Walkers. Something from a show—? ]

I'm afraid I don't know what Game of Thrones is. [ How does one play a game of Thrones? ] But Night Walkers are a job here in the city, over in Cellar Door. They're entertainers, or kind of like... counsellors, I suppose. They're really nice people.

[kingoftherats]

[He really has been trying with the Butterbeer! The last one was too buttery, right? He'll get the levels right one of these days, he swears. Lowering his paper from his face (which was held too close to his eyes), he looks at Luna with a puzzled little expression.]

Oh! Okay, cool.

[He totally knew that. Just like he totally knows how to read.]

Well, uh. It's a show with boobs and dragons and zombies. I think. I dunno, my TV just picked up the basic channels back home when it worked. So — why're they telling us we need counsellors? 'Cus I tried therapy once, and it wasn't bad, but...

ii

[kingofsarcasm]

[Stiles looks over from where he's set up a cess board on one of the tables (it helps clear his head and the Red is comfortable). He slightly raises an eyebrow at Charlie's cheese whiz question.]

You know that stuff is just one step away from eating plastic, right?

[kingoftherats]

[He's gonna just critically stare at the board for a second, don't mind him.

Weird fancy shit, huh? Can't relate.]

Bullshit, dude. It's not anything like plastic!

Totally different consistencies and tastes.

[you should've expected this]

II

[morningstud]

[After Charlie has finished playing, Lucifer claps, noticeably and loudly.]

Bravo! I had no idea there was anyone else here who played the piano. I play quite often at my club in LA. How long have you been playing?

[kingoftherats]

[Charlie looks a little taken aback. In a good way, but-!]

You like it? [He says it skeptically at first, like maybe he thinks Lucifer's just teasing him (or about to lock him in a basement to stop him from playing anymore) - but then he gets a bit more confident, when it seems he's not kidding around.] I've just been... y'know. Playing around for a while. I got this cool keyboard from the thrift store for super cheap. It had some funky wires, but I got it fixed, and she works like a charm still.