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

Darth Maul | Star Wars

[survivalthroughhate]

A. Shedding Ceremony

This "Shedding Ceremony" Maul had read about seemed interesting but he didn't think too much of it until his skin was unbearably itchy. Fortunately, when one had claws, it was easy to dig several layers inwards of the skin and rip it off. Apparently, Maul had some things to work out, for he shed his skin more than once. This happened a few times over the course of the month and each time was a bit different.

The first change was into that of his child self. Really, it seemed almost inevitable at this point. That was the way things went for Maul. He went through extreme horror, mental manipulation, almost would break down from it all, and then once or twice a year he got turned into a kid again.

As usual, Maul as a kid was shy and skittish, but this time being in Trench gave him plenty of places to watch from the shadows. Also, he was essentially a small spiky cat, climbing up onto high places like the ledges of buildings and tall trees so that he could keep an eye on everything around him. He wasn't prone to talking much but anyone who showed him anything remotely like kindness would find themself with a small, silent shadow following them about.

However, there was also a little bit of a mischievous side to him. He'd make a very large stack of snowballs, hide nearby in a snow fort he had also built, and then use the Force to throw a few at people, giggling the whole time. There was a slightly disturbing edge when he played though, his make-believe sessions involving creepy things with phrases like "And then everything explodes and there's blood everywhere!" or "Then all their limbs get cut off!" involved. Best to perhaps just ignore that aspect, it's to be expected when one is being raised by a sociopath.

At least he was eager to interact with others, gathering up his courage to ask whoever was nearby, "Wanna play?" It didn't matter if they were an adult or a kid, Maul wasn't picky. It was far better than being on his own in solitude as he had for the last couple of years.

More amusing was getting turned into a human later on. It had happened in Deerington once but only then for a few hours at the most over the course of about a week. Really, there was absolutely no way to tell Maul and the dark-haired man walking around were the same person. There was something similar in the shape of his face, but really, most people were so used to Maul's extreme appearance that it was a lot easier to blend in with the crowd of Trench as a normal-looking human being. Even his eye color was different, brown instead of the usual Sith yellow. Only his voice remained the same but even then he knew he'd been able to fool even close friends before.

What was he going to do with his time stuck as a human? Probably try to see what people were really like when they didn't know who he was. As Maul had the tendency to do, testing everyone to see if they were actually genuine in intent and the way they treated him tended to be an everyday thing for him. He could often be found watching the people he knew with a very intense stare. At least he blinks more as a human being than he does as a Zabrak. If caught doing so, he would shrug. "It's nothing," he'd say. "You just look like someone very familiar."

Of course, if someone he cared about got attacked or needed help, he'd likely reveal himself using his Force abilities or lightsaber, which as ever was on his person even if he was concealing it beneath the winter clothing he was wearing. Until then, just enjoy the human who has taken a great interest in you and also has absolutely no social skills.

B. Unsnakely

[Of course Maul would end up fighting the beast eventually. Water is wet, the sky is blue, and Maul will end up battling whatever there is to be encountered in Trench on a month to month basis. Whether as a Zabrak or a human being, it's inevitable that he would be drawn to fighting the snakelike monster.

One can find him out near the edges of the city in a bare patch before one reaches the cliffs by the sea battling it. His acrobatic fighting style comes in great handy in avoiding the fire it keeps spitting out towards him, though once or twice he is caught across the shoulder or forearm. A quick dash of snow on the injury and he's back in the fray ready to kick ass.

Really, he could use some help even if he looks like he's having the time of his life. He's at the point where he honestly will accept help from some people if they offer it to him. Just don't take away from the obvious enjoyment he's getting out of the encounter.]

C. Wildcard

[Want to do something just a little bit different? Maybe a different AU Maul? Give me a poke at either Light_shade or Lightshade#4738 at Discord!]

Unsnakely

[imaglyphwitch]

"Ay bud, need a hand?"

[Something about this strange girl and her knit cap seem familiar, especially in the eyes, but she's taller, a bit more carefree with longer hair and has her bat. When the snakes lets loose a volley of fire, Luz counters with her bat, which had an ice glyph she swings its way to prevent injury].

Man, that thing's a bitch.

[She's already readying her next glyph though, and looks over at you].

Think you could do all that bouncy stuff again?

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul's head snaps up towards Luz when he sees someone else has joined the fray. He's currently in human form and doesn't give her a long enough look to really realize that it's his friend, though something does seem awful familiar about her. There's a grim, satisfied sort of look on his face as he fights the monster. He hasn't had a good bout with an opponent in what feels like months. This is just what he needed right now to get himself centered.

He nods towards the girl, twirling one of his swords that he split from the trick one Rakuyo he possesses.]

I can as long as you use that magic again.

[imaglyphwitch]

Not a problem.

[Luz is already drawing out the the glyph and slapping it to the bat just as the snake is readying for another round of fire. This time ice balls manifest that Luz is batting at her opponent with a steady aim, and its infuriating the snake enough to set its sights on Luz. That did give her new friend all the time he needed to launch his own attack though].

Shedding Ceremony - Smol

[opress]

[Savage had lost track of his brother, though how that was even possible he didn't even know. Maul had a presence all of his own, and he found it easy to track when he applied himself. His brother also tended to appear in grand ways all the time, so he could just wait for the yelling and follow it back to the elder Zabrak.

This time though, Maul was decidedly missing. Itchy dry skin was a complaint they both had had days before, not that he had thought much of it. Even now, he lightly scratched the back of his neck as he walked in search of his elder brother.

He first had an indication something wasn't right when he sensed himself being followed. It didn't feel like a threat, but he had been followed enough in Trench when the cloaked figures were moving around town to keep his guard up. He made certain to maneuver himself to where he could turn a corner and look back to spy who was following him.

Once he realized it was a kit - and not yet necessarily Maul - he stopped and turned around. Kit tactics, was it? Well, he'd send them off to their parents or guardians soon enough.]

Come out on your own or I'll pull you out, kit.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul had been following Savage around for the obvious reason: he was the first Zabrak Maul had seen here in the city, and not only that but a Nightbrother! He looked just the way Nightbrothers were supposed to: big (so very big), ferocious, and strong. Maul bet he could have even take on a gundark and won. Maybe he could take Maul back to Dathomir with him when he left this place.

When he realized his oh-so-stealthy attempt had been noticed, he froze for a moment. Maul never liked it when adults noticed him, afraid that punishment would soon follow. But this wasn't just anyone. This someone was Nightkin and therefore Maul knew he could be trusted. He timidly came out of the shadows and pulled back the hood of the big fluffy cloak he'd wrapped himself up in. Yep, that was definitely Maul, and he was definitely now around the age of eight or nine. He stood there, looking up and up until he met Savage's golden eyes. He didn't say a word, just stood there and waited to hear what the enormous Nightbrother would say next.]

[opress]

[Somehow, Savage managed to keep his expression impassive when he realized that he was looking at his elder brother in the form of a kit. That explained how he had lost track of Maul, since this version was clearly sneaky and shy. The last time that Maul had been so young, Savage had been forced to join him and oh what a time they had had together.

Thankfully, he had experience raising kits thanks to his upbringing. He had brought up Feral but also other kits that had come under his clan's care as they were dropped off over the years.

Savage issued a low chuff of greeting, and his posture specifically changed from guarded to welcoming as he slowly eased himself down into a crouch. He gestured for Maul to come closer, and while he made certain not to show it, he was delighted to see his tough, prickly older brother reduced to a kit. There were plenty of opportunities here, he knew.]

Come, little Brother, let's have a look at you. Lost child of Dathomir, what name were you blessed with?

Re: Darth Maul | Star Wars

[thevengefuldoll]

B: Unsnakely

[ The young demon approaches a clearing. For a couple of days, he has been on the hunt for something larger than himself. After all, he has questions that needs answers. When he sees a stranger in full combat, the demon smiles: someone else was curious too. He drops a bag to the ground and pulls out his tools. Placing the mahjong counters into the pockets of his robe, the demon dashes down the path towards the action. ]

Let's have a go.

[ The demon places his hands to the ground. His energy pulses through the surface. Soon, the stranger can see a conglomeration of centipedes emerging from the ground next to him. The sound of their many feet pound at the earth, providing the snake beast with a moment of confusion.

So, how does one expect to defeat this beast?

[ The young demon approaches the stranger. His yellow eyes glow with a sick curiosity. Yet, his voice is calm and he provides the stranger a large grin. Indeed, he is ready to fight alongside the other. ]

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul doesn't have his lightsaber out for once. While the plasma blade is a wonderful weapon, sometimes he just feels like trying out something a little bit differently. Instead, Maul has one of his daggers that had been made out of the antlers of a deer out, with two others held by his belt. Even if getting in close to the snakelike monster wasn't the greatest idea, Maul knows for a fact weapons made out of antlers had always worked extremely well against the monsters of Deerington, and he expects it will be the same here.

His head snaps up and he half-turns on his heel when he sees someone else has appeared. While he's suspicious, he also takes the moment of confusion on the Unsnakely's part to rush in and strike out with one of the blades against its side. There's a roar of anger from the beast and Maul flips out of the way as it lashes its tail at him, trying to slam into Maul and stun the Zabrak Sith Lord so that the beast can strike a harder blow.]

What normally defeats fire: ice and water.

[Maul says in a gruff tone as he focuses half of his attention on the newcomer.

He doesn't know if this one is friend or foe but he'll take any help he can get right now. If this strange being turns out to want to stab him in the back afterwards, Maul can deal with him then. Right now, he's got a more pressing problem right in front of him. Once he deals with the Unsnakely, he can figure out what to do next.]

[thevengefuldoll]

Ice and water?

The demon repeats the words muttered by the stranger. Although he seeks a role in this game, the demon is uncertain of what and he can provide. If only they could use the sea to their advantage. Yet, after seeing how cunning the snake is, one can bet that the creature would not give into idle trickery. ]

Perhaps, I can still be of use.

[ The demon remarks with a gleam in his eye. The snake became occupied by his centipedes. Which means, the creature is apt to distract. After all, the demon could create an opening for the stranger to take. Worth a shot, isn't it? ]

Come over here worm!

[ The demon sprints around the beach. He throws mahjong counters into the serpent's face. Of course, bone is no match for rock and fire. Yet, the beast turns its attention towards the demon and away from the other fighter. The demon continues to taunt the beast. While looking at the stranger, the young one smiles. Despite the danger, he seems to be having fun. ]

A. — Horror Mom finds Smaul

[rosae]

It's pretty out, with the snow. Rose finds herself outside a lot, breathing in the crisp chill of it, sitting outside on the porch of the Victorian cottage she's claimed, sipping warm tea. It's a strange awareness that a couple of months have passed since she washed up here. Her hair's grown out a bit, she's gotten more clothes for herself; on the surface she looks... settled in.

Though she's hardly truly settled into this place. She still feels... like an outsider, a temporary guest. The future that perpetually lives in her mind is find Sharon, and then find a way out of here, and she's restless, still.

She's sitting on her porch now when she hears a bit of a ruckus going on down the street. Rose gently sets her tea down and heads that way, just in time to hear some of those bloody threats being unleashed by someone hiding in a snow fort. Clearly, by the voice, it's a child.

Rose then witnesses some snowballs pelting some passerby... without the child actually touching them at all. Is he doing it with his mind....? The woman's eyes widen for a moment, but then she's carefully approaching the snow fort, arms folded gently across her chest. Perhaps she should be afraid of someone with powers like that, but she isn't. He's a child, and she of all people knows that even a child with such powers or capabilities deserves to be protected, too.

"You doing okay in there? I thought I heard mention of some blood."

[survivalthroughhate]

Maul's starting to feel alright in this town. He'd been scared at first, afraid this was a test by his master, but while he can feel Force-sensitive people using the Dark Side here, none of them have the distinctive signature of Darth Sidious. So Maul has begun to relax and do what an eight-year-old child his age should be doing: happily playing.

Of course, having been raised by Sidious for the past three years has left Maul a little more odd than most children his age, but he truly doesn't mean any harm. At this point in his life, there's still innocence left in the little boy and a desire to be good.

He's giggling in the fort after hitting another person with a few snowballs when he hears a woman's voice coming towards him. It's a human about the same age his mother is. Normally shy around adults, Maul can sense the goodness in Rose with his Force powers and knows she's alright. Given how matriarchal the Nightkin are on Dathomir and how his mother was the one who loved and cared for him in his early years, Maul trusts women a lot more than he does men. They're the boss in his mind. He pulls back the hood of the fluffy black cloak he has himself in and smiles up at her. Despite the rather extreme look of the little child making him resemble a demon, he's got the voice of a kid and the excited demeanor of one as well while he plays. "That's cause I was killing pirates earlier!" Besides the snow fort, there's also a number of roughly humanoid figures made out of snow by the boy.

"You do it like this!" Maul picks up a very large stick he'd found and starts whacking the snowmen to pieces with great vigor. "Die die die die die!" Once he finishes smashing them to pieces, they start to rebuild themselves without him ever touching them, the Force once again helping the Nightbrother kit to do what he wants. The bits of snow on the ground come back together and coalesce into the lumpy snowmen again. He looks back up at Rose.

"You kill them and kill them and then they fall down dead and there's blood everywhere!" Judging by Maul's innocent playing, he doesn't seem to find anything wrong with this creepy and inappropriate behavior for a child of his age. It's obvious that wherever and whoever he picked these concepts up from, he doesn't truly understand what it all means.

[rosae]

Rose watches as the child pulls down his hood to reveal himself — and she's surprised to see a unique visage that's.... familiar. She'd met the adult version not long ago, and there's no doubt this must be the same person. How many like him can there be...?

She doesn't know what's going on or why he's so much younger now, but that part doesn't matter, right now. He's a child, however it is, and he's out here all alone. So she listens attentively, all through the proclamations of death and blood....

Rose is not very used to little boys. She only knows Sharon — and Sharon was always such a tender little thing, soft-spoken, gentle-natured... easily frightened, but never anything but sweet. Now that she knows the truth about her daughter's origins (as Dark Alessa told her, Sharon was the good part left of Alessa, forged into its own body...) Rose has to wonder if perhaps her little girl was inhumanly sweet. Even if she was, it's all a far cry from dealing with little boys.

It's clear this particular little boy, who might not even be human either, has been exposed to some very... concerning things. The woman moves closer, and smiles down at him. When she speaks, her voice is gentle.

"You know, it sounds like an awful lot of work, killing so many people. Did somebody tell you to do that, or did you decide to yourself?"

A

[threelayers]

[Well, hey, using the force to throw snowballs totally wasn't fair! Well, it was also fun. When the brown haired girl currently transformed to a younger version of herself just like him got decked with a snowball, she laughed silently and started looking around for the culprit before she knelt down and docked behind a wall.

As she packed the snow, she grinned. Two could play this game!]

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul giggled just a little bit as one of his snowballs hit another person, this one a girl who looked like she was around his own age. This was fun! More fun than he'd had in ages, what with his master always being so stern and scary. Master didn't believe in the idea of fun for children. Fortunately, Maul was able to banish him from his thoughts easily, especially when he saw the girl had discovered who had thrown the snowball at him.

He saw she was preparing snowballs to fire back and he flipped up the hood of his cloak to keep his horned head warm. This, of course, meant only one thing: war!]

[threelayers]

[Oh yes, it was definitely war. She grinned when she caught sight of the hood going up, and her eyes sparkled with mirth. Balling the snow up, she got ready and made a run from one bit of cover to another, trying to lob a good snowball in his direction, to keep him busy, all while keeping a second waiting in her mitten-covered hand.

She was definitely having fun. She didn't get to play with others nearly enough!]

A-- Human Mode, with a surprise

[justoscar]

Even though Maul may have been impossible to entirely recognize in his human shape, a certain young wizard with unruly curls was recognizable even if the Shedding had unwittingly swapped them out with a girl. Ossi had been collecting her notes on the Unsnakely beast for the benefit of both her partner and her sanity. Dipper would try to go otherwise-- and Ossi didn't relish the headaches that would come with her risking death once more.

Peering up from her books, she spotted the intense stare from the stranger... and, awkwardly, waved.

"Hi," She said, in a voice that was softer than the usual one from Oscar despite having the same face. Quickly tucking her supplies into the cargo pockets on her trousers, she stood.

"Uh.. can I help you with something?"

[survivalthroughhate]

Maul had been watching the young teenage girl for some time. That looked an awful lot like a girl version of Oscar. Were it not a month where people were turning into a bunch of different versions of themselves, he would have been wondering if the boy had a sister, but as it is he was just going to assume that this was the boy transformed into an opposite-sex version of himself.

When he was spoken to, Maul jerked himself out of the intense staring he'd been doing. If he kept that up, he was going to bore a hole right through the nearest wall. "It's...." Maul paused, his smoky, low, rumbling voice the only thing about him that had remained the same. "...You just look like someone that I know, that's all."

[justoscar]

The intensity of that stare, and the gravely tone of voice that reminded her of the crowded, dirty streets of Mantle, struck a note in her memory that was familiar enough for her to regard the stranger with renewed interest. Uncertain, but curious, she approached.

"I hope they're a good person," she commented. "That's a serious look you've got on your face."

Shedding: Human

[no_reload]

[So far, since his skin could just turn to smoke along with the rest of him, he hadn't had to shed it off. He could remove the itching by reforming his body with a smoke transition that was normal for him. He knew and had seen others that had suffered various effects when it came to this shedding events. Few seemed to be spared the indignity.

Reaper happened to be easing his way across the many easily accessible rooftops and along the shadows between streets on his usual explorations. He ghosted right in front of a human he didn't recognize, casting little more than a tip of his head to assess a level of threat before simply moving along. Maul's distinctive appearance was something he could identify a mile away, but this dark-haired human... not so much. There were plenty of humans in Trench; there was only one Maul.

Wraith walked along behind him, and it was the Omen that stopped to turn an eye up to watch this human. Knowing red eyes peered at the human before turning away to continue to trot after his heels. A secret safe with Wraith; the Omen was like Reaper in valuing information after all.]

Wraith, scout ahead.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul watched as Reaper landed in front of him, stopping abruptly so he doesn't run right into the smoky shadow man. He waited to see if his lover would be able to tell who he was but it appeared even someone who knew him as well as his mate did wasn't able to sense anything past the human surface. There was a bit of a smug, satisfied look on his face as he just kept moving along instead of paying attention to Maul.

Maul hadn't seen Reaper's Omen too many times but he was aware it was a black peacock. When the animal looked at him with beady eyes, he just nodded back.

Well, nothing to do but follow after Reaper and see how long it took him to recognize Maul. Off he went on silent feet, keeping his distance but not trying to really hide at all. He just hoped Reaper would get what was going on be before the old soldier decided to try and shoot him.]

Wildcard!

[azurestar]

[If Maul heads down to the docks or the farther shores in the last week of the month before the 29th, he may feel eyes watching him from the waters. Investigation will show a pair of eyes that glow like a cat's in the dark attached to a human-shaped head and with fins on either side poking just out of the water. And then when they see Maul looking, they'll disappear.

If you feel like you're being hunted, you probably are.]

[survivalthroughhate]

[When Maul's down by the docks one day, he senses a pair of eyes on him. He turns his head quickly enough to see the eyeshine glittering there in the dim light and staring at him. But the moment he takes a step towards where he can see the person (creature?) watching him, they disappear.

The sight of the being reminds him of some of the aquatic species back in his own galaxy. Perhaps there's some species out there he hasn't been aware of before? After all, he's already met a sea monster here in the form of Luca. But being this close to the water, Maul's cautious. If he goes in, coming out is going to be nearly impossible.

Still, he's curious, so he cautiously gets a little closer to the water, peering into the murky depths and trying to figure out if someone or something is down there.]

Human Shed

[tempredmental]

[It was close to the end of the month, and Keith was back to himself again... mostly. There were of course the Deer shenanigans he had to deal with in regards to blood types, which apparently had been changed from cold to pale, but he at least looked like himself, and was back to his normal memories.

It had been a strange month.

But, as a paleblood now, he didn't like having all this 'noise' in his head from the mental powers it granted. So, while he was attempting to figure out Trench and where things were, he was also still trying to actively avoid crowds because the extraneous mental static from passersby was rough.

He didn't actually see anyone watching him, but he supposed his slightly suspicious way of circumnavigating around crowds had drawn someone's attention. Static and noise in his head were one thing, but there was just this distinct feeling that the same person was barely staying in his sensing range.

Was he being followed?]

[survivalthroughhate]

[The advantage of being in the form of a human being was that it was much easier for Maul to blend in with the general populace. Much as he was comfortable in his own Zabrak skin, it did make him stand out a lot more when he was attempting to be stealthy. Right now, walking through the city without anyone noticing or giving him a second glance was perfect.

Add onto the fact that he still had all the skills and abilities he'd picked up over years of being a master Sith assassin like having a completely silent tread and he seemed nearly invisible at times. So he crept along, doing his best to stay out of sight as he followed after Keith.]