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

Sayo Yasuda (And a Special Guest) | Umineko no Naku Koro Ni

[forwantofahorse]

Sayo
a. she's awful with names (Snake Den)
[A hush falls over the crowd as they wait for the next entrant in the talent show. The air of mystery and anticipation is to be expected, with how the participant penciled themself in as ???? rather than their name or even the title of their act. Thirty seconds pass. The crowd starts murmuring—was it just a prank?

Then silver snow begins falling from the rafters.

They look up, stunned at the new development, and in that exact moment fog rolls onto the stage before parting, revealing a figure elegantly posing before the crowd, her wide-brimmed witch's hat pulled down to conceal her face. She's dressed in an elegant silver tuxedo, with a mask further obscuring the top half of her face and white locks flowing down her shoulders and back.]

LLLLLLLLLLADIES AND GENTLEMEN!

[Her voice rings across the Snake Den, immediately drawing everyone's attention with an almost gravitational pull.]

It is my PLEASURE to introduce you to a night of mystery, magic, and wonder! I am your host...

[A banner unfurls out of nowhere, reading:]

Belinda, the Silver Sorceress!

[What follows is an tight and impenetrable stage magic act. Whatever tricks Belinda has up her sleeve, they're impossible to discern, but there is no trace of "real" magic to her close-up and sleight-of-hand either. She's just that good.

The act lasts for ten minutes, and is totally impeccable. When it ends, Belinds gives a graceful bow, goes to hop of the stage, and-

Is immediately swamped by curious Trenchies asking about her tricks, demanding to know how they were done. Sweating, she holds up her hands, trying to ward them off,] A w- a sorceress never reveals her- ah- ah-

[But it's no use. Maybe lend her a hand? Or perhaps you're a particularly persistent fan yourself.]

b. anti-social social club (Snake Den)
[It happens a half hour after Sayo's managed to escape from the crowd of Belinda's admirers and changed back to her regular clothes. She was drinking seltzer at the bar, laughing along with some nameless, faceless Trenchie, then-

It slipped from her mouth. A casual mention of her secret, gossiping about her greatest misdirection.

The moment she realized what she'd said, Sayo had paled and froze for several seconds before bolting from the table. No, no, no, what was this place doing to her head, she shouldn't- how did it- and why did it feel so- what if that was Ange in that seat-

Sayo can't go home, not yet, not while... whatever this is has a hold on her mind. So instead she clings to the wall, miserably sipping a glass of water.]

...I think coming here was the worst decision I've ever made in my life. Which is impressive, considering all the other poor judgment calls.

[She hates that she's still feeling chatty. Sayo sinks deeper into her hoodie.]

Lion (be_a_miracle)
c. the monarch of badminton (Shedding/Gaze)
[After Lion woke up next to Sayo's skin husk (for once, they were grateful to Bernkastel for horribly traumatizing them; otherwise they wouldn't have been able to handle something like that), they adjusted to life in Trench almost unnaturally quickly. On a distressingly concrete level, they were aware that they would only "exist" as themself for a limited time, that it was doubtful that they were even really "Lion" and not just a twist in Sayo's fate that the good madam's generosity brought into reality. But if anything, that just made Lion more determined to use what little time they had in Trench to improve the life Sayo would live after they vanished.

As the embodiment of the hope she held, Lion had a duty to spread as much of that hope as they could into her life.

That meant many small things. Making memories in the park, imprinting all the strange beauty of the city in their memories as firmly as they could. Shopping for cute clothes of all stripes. Showing Sayo that people could and would accept her unadulterated self no matter what she thought by being as loudly non-conforming as they could.

And also signing Sayo up for the classes in Gaze that she really wanted to take but was too afraid to enroll in, as they might conflict with her established image at Clockhouse. If it really was a big deal later, she could always blame it on Lion being too outgoing.

It occurs to Lion as they're filling out forms in Gaze, humming a tune under their breath, that Sayo wasn't very... healthy. Or athletic. And this might be the perfect opportunity to change that.]

Hm... do you think this place has a badminton club? That might be exactly what she needs...

d. princess peach syndrome (Shedding/Unsnakely)
[Lion has to wonder, what is it about them that gets them into these predicaments? Is it retribution from Bernkastel? Are they simply unlucky? Or are they just doomed to be a damsel in distress forever?

They are forced to shelve the musing when the Unsnakely they were running from bursts forth from the earth behind, them, spewing lava and burning smoldering craters into the cobble streets. It's only by the grace of a miracle that a gob of it doesn't land on their suit and sear through their flesh. Lion lets out a yelp and jumps, scrambling to get ahead of the monster as it slithers toward them.]

If anyone has any- ah!- assistance to offer, I would greatly appreciate iiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!

e. cinderella (Shedding/Snake Den)
[It's time for Lion to leave.

They can feel it. Their skin is dry, flaking off in tiny patches. Sayo will wake up soon, and they'll be gone.

It's terrifying. When Lion first noticed, they panicked, rummaging through the bathroom to find every lotion that they could to stave off her return... but stopped. They were always a phantom, even in their own story. A blue sky beyond Sayo's jail cell that she could look to for hope, no matter if it was just painted on more concrete. It was her life; they just had the privilege of living it for a little while.

But Lion still wanted to go out doing one thing, just one thing, for themself. They'd dedicated so much time to giving Sayo hope during this tumultuous time, showing her that there really was a better life if she had the courage to reach out to it. And now Lion wants to enjoy themself for themself one time before they faded back into just a faint possibility.

So Lion bought that cute cocktail dress that they'd been eyeing during one of their shopping trips, and hit the Snake Den one last time to act the part of the Cinderella Sayo had once thought of herself as.]

...you know, I'm much more accustomed to ballroom dancing than this. [Lion's clutching their arm as they look out at the dance floor. They smile wanly.] But I want to give... this a try before I disappear. [They turn, offering an elegant, black-gloved hand.] May I have this dance?

f. wildcard
(OOC: If you want to bump into Lion or even Sayo elsewhere, ring up this toplevel or hit my Plurk at TheDoomkitten!)

e.

[albaedo]

[ albedo had little inclination for social endeavors; his visit to the snake den is fueled by curiosity, still. the school of mutter promised knowledge, dizzying in its ample portions the more one may delve further into the archives. but, sometimes, experience is just as acceptable, bringing about fulfilling ( or disappointing ) conclusions to conjectures that demanded explanations.

aside from feeling uncharacteristically enthused ( less lonely and othered among a sea of people ), the fancy drinks, the free food that circulated around the party — there was nothing for him here, regardless of all that noise, the good cheer. so in the end, playing that role of a guinea pig didn't come away with much success —

until albedo is finally addressed, en route to the exit.

there is a considerable pause before he replies, as if seriously considering the offer; in reality, his mind is latching onto a specific word— ]

'Disappear'... used as an euphemism for a dramatic flair, denoting one's departure from the event itself... or do you mean something much more complex than that?

[ prior to trench, albedo would have declined. here, in this new world, at the snake den, mysteries abound. even the smallest of things can be remarkably important, needed to be addressed to some extent. he's aware of the hits and misses, but it's worth a shot, asking and receiving that answer. ]

Re: e.

[be_a_miracle]

[Lion smiles wanly, and in answer strips off their glove, revealing the flaking skin beneath.] More literal than that, I'm afraid. "I" won't be here for much longer.

I figured I might as well go out with a bang. [By doing the one thing they'd never gotten to at home: go to an actual, honest-to-goodness party. Not a fancy rich person party, but a PARTY; just coming here sent a forbidden thrill down Lion's spine, and the prospect of dancing with a handsome strange was so scandalous they can practically see their mother gasping in shock and disappointment.]

I'll imagine it'll be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, if that makes it any more appealing. Dancing with a literally disappearing heir sounds quite intriguing, does it not?

[albaedo]

That's dependent on a variety of factors — such as the aforementioned heir, what they'll come to inherit, the reputation that may precede them, the impact they will come to leave behind upon their disappearance...

[ all clinical details, lacking consideration in what lies beneath the surface values of another life. but albedo is wholly detached from the recited bulleted list of superficial components; his interest lies elsewhere — beyond the shedding ceremony he'll come to read about later on. ]

Every life is a transient one. Stories left untold, sometimes shared, but not often understood...

[ he thinks of his master, her disappearance, alchemy as a whole, and what little he knows about life, the quest to seek what he was asked to discover — but he shows little inclination of being that deeply contemplative. albedo holds out his hand — as if the proposed offer to dance was originally his own. if lion truly decides to choose albedo to accompany them to the dance floor, the experience may be partially filled with conversation, so they are free to decline, find another quieter, less introspective one; albedo will allow them to decide, now. ]

If not the heir's story, may I come to learn of their name?

d

[eugenesis]

[Organics are so susceptible to heat. True, most Cybertronians can't be submerged in lav and escape unscathed, but it's possible to heal from the injuries if you are lucky, and some had taken modifications to ensure such levels of heat. Scorponok has many thoughts on how to improve the carbon-based flesh of the victims below, but alas, he has no lab, he has no funding.

But there is one that is managing to escape and - oh. They might notice the 8-foot-tall robot not doing anything to save them. He should probably keep himself from appearing too suspicious.

A few seconds later, a giant metal scorpion leaps from a balcony, dashes across the street, and scoops up Lion in one of his large claws.]

Re: d

[be_a_miracle]

Eh-?

[Thanks to their position as captain of their school's badminton team, Lion's reflexes are barely sharp enough to notice Scorponok coming and note him as "probably bad news," but not nearly honed enough for them to actually avoid it.

They yelp when Scorponok scoops them up, closing their eyes in anticipation of imminent doom—really, it makes sense that they'd die to something this ridiculous now that they're thinking about it, that's Lion's lot in life—before they realize the giant mechanical scorpion is not, in fact, eviscerating them but carrying them away.]

Um... er...

Thank you?

[If nothing else, Lion is unerringly polite.]

[eugenesis]

[He scurries up the pipe of a nearby building, praying that the Unsnakely can't pinpoint his movements up here. Like a gentle movie monster, he lowers Lion onto the rooftop before transforming into his robot form.

His proportions look a bit off, as if someone did a poor job at designing someone with such complex body parts, and his color is a tad darker than usual, but at least he kept his basic shape.]

You should be fine up here. With any luck, it will grow bored and slink off to the wilderness.

b

[the_obedient_servant]

[Chara nods in agreement, still very much trying not to have fun. They have a mug of hot cocoa, but they don't deserve one with milk so they got the shitty kind with water. This is their penance for the sins they have committed.

Still, Sayo is an ally, maybe even a friend. They can be miserable together.]

Agreed. It's absolutely too much.

[They take a sip, letting a beat of silence follow.]

...I liked your performance.

[forwantofahorse]

[Like Chara, Sayo also likes denying herself fun things for petty self-hatred reasons, as evidenced by how she's salty at letting loose and having a good time for once in her life. The fact that Sayo was having fun at all, even for a few hours, is enough to give her a grudge against Madam Generosity. Sayo's the one who gets to decide if she acts like a miserable husk of a human being or an exaggerated caricature of a happy-go-lucky introvert, not some weird, eldritch snake god!]

Ah- [she giggles, sounding tired rather than upbeat. Sayo has to admit, she does feel a bit peeved that someone managed to sleuth out the girl behind "Belinda the Silver Sorceress," but out of anyone who could've done it Chara was the least odious of all the options.] I should've figured you'd figure it out, of all people.

Did you enjoy the trick with the knives? I was inspired after our encounter at the illusory hotel.

[the_obedient_servant]

I've got an ear for voices. Besides, I've seen bits and pieces of your more theatrical side. [They smile, smug but in a good natured way, like it's a point of pride that they figured it out, not like it was easy.]

I had wondered. It was very good, you certainly have a talent for presentation, even beyond the significant skill required to pull off that amount of sleight of hand.

b

[threelayers]

[Neopolitan happened to be there as well, which was surprisingly... half way decent for herself, given that she wasn't exactly the most ... chatty of souls. So, sometimes that urge to divulge was just salvaged by the fact that she wasn't really good at doing that.

She shrugged and smirked at the stranger, lifting a glass before taking her omni out as she did so and typing with her thumb, causing the words to appear right above it in a little hologram.]

Welcome to Trench.
Home of bad decisions.

[forwantofahorse]

[Sayo returns the mock-toast, smirking back... although the expression is hollow, since she's too bitter to put any real witchy oomph into it.]

I can make plenty of bad decisions on my own without some soon-to-be-shoe-material empty nester god making them for me.

[She's insulted Madam Generosity many times over the past half hour to try and test her patience, but unfortunately, the Pthumerian cleaves to her title and hasn't risen to the provocation.]

I don't care if it's for our "own good," or that we're supposed to "have fun," all of this... nonsense party stuff should be getting on my nerves. And the fact that it isn't is... well, the fact that I'm getting angry about how I'm not getting angry is proof enough of how I feel, isn't it?

[threelayers]

[Neo had given plenty of mock, hollow smiles in her life. Being able to hide her face behind an illusion let her cheat. She definitely was good to do that all over again. The insult to Generosity, though, got a silent chuckle out of her and the grin she wore was a bit more genuine than usual.]

Hah, yeah, there's probably something in the air.
Which I mean literally, as in they probably put something in the air tonight.
To help us relax because she thinks we need to relax.

They do that kind of shit around here.
Some days it's seriously irritating because I don't feel like being calmed down.

b

[sanctuarymoon]

Worst is a high bar to clear, [ says the person who has watched some of her judgment calls, and dubbed them immensely shitty.

Murderbot stands awkwardly, its back to the wall and one hand occupied with a mostly-full glass of champagne. The glass had been full until someone had taken pity and removed a bit for it. Murderbot certainly isn't drinking the stuff except on pain of death.

It's dressed up a bit, now— long black overcoat, blue tunic belted at the waist— and did not expect to see this particular human attending a social event. It eyes her like an inconveniently placed landmine: discreet at the moment, but likely to kill everyone in radius should someone set a foot wrong. ]

[forwantofahorse]

Heh. I suppose I of all people would know that. I'll clarify, then: the worst decision that I have intentionally made in my life knowing full well the consequences of it and that it would only affect myself. There. Is that better, me?

[Sayo rolls her eyes, slumping further into her hoodie. Why does she always have to backsass herself like this? Adding a new face to the Yasuda Dialectics kept it fresh, at least.]

Whatever that overgrown legless lizard put on the posters really must be messing with me even beyond planting the idea to come to an event I'd naturally hate in my brain. Normally, I don't start hallucinating unless I'm about to make a decision inadvisable enough to ruin other peoples' lives too.

[Looking at you, Kanon. (Kanon, likewise, huffs in the corner. So maybe she is really hallucinating.]

Oh, right, I paged through the Lesser Key for a good name for you. Seemed prudent, especially since it looks like you'll be staying around for a little while. Must really be going nuts if figments of my imagination are spontaneously manifesting without me even needing to put pen to paper. Regardless, how does Aym sound?

[sanctuarymoon]

[ Murderbot sits through all of this with an expression of growing bewilderment, then incredulity. ]

Are you like this to everybody? I'm starting to see why murder was your best option.

[ Is that too harsh? What's too harsh for a murderer who likes to talk to themselves at length in the direction of the nearest bystander? It's not like Murderbot would know, because it keeps its long rants internal, and tries not to wax poetic about the murdering parts. ]

It's Rin. If you want proof I'm real, I could pinch you. [ Its expression screws up at the thought, and it amends: ] I don't actually want to pinch you.

A

[shemara]

[Mara was certainly enjoying the performances, but seeing how the Trenchies react to her, demanding answers to her tricks, Mara feels bad for her. Thankfully she's on the taller side and even more so in her heels, so she pushes through the group and tries to distract the group.]

Oh great Sorceress! I've been looking for you! Come, we have more to do!

[And Mara's gonna stand in the way and let her get through the crowd. Some of the Trenchies seem put out but most just are a bit disappointed the time for interviewing her is over.]

[forwantofahorse]

Ah, it appears I must attend to my dashing knight. Fare thee well!

["Belinda" bows, briefly taking off her hat to add to the effect, and then lets Mara drag her away. Let it never be said Sayo is bad at improvising, no matter what may or may not have happened during her own Fragment of October 5th.

Once they're well away, Sayo crosses her arms, smirking.]

I would criticize you for failing to ask permission first, but I suppose it's better to beg forgiveness in this case, kyahahahaha! [Let her have fun. She so rarely gets to do that.] May I beg the name of the valiant paladin who saved me from a crowd of ravening admirers?

[shemara]

[Mara almost wishes she was wearing armor to add to the little joke. She is instead just wearing a suit. She puts her hand on her hip and smiles.]

Well, great Sorceress Belinda, you may call me the Knight Mara of Etheria. I am honored to have assisted you and plead forgiveness for acting of my own accord.

[She even gives a bow just for the fun of it and holds out her hand to take hers.]

B.

[foulhussy]

[ Fuck that goddamn snake, and fuck her stupid magic. Kainé shouldn't be here. She's not made for places like this. She's not made to feel this way, to be out among people like this. When she realized that, she grabbed a drink and escaped, keeping to a corner of the room. She nurses a beer, a look of owlish disdain on her face.

But her expression softens slightly, seeing that strange girl from the shore. The one who'd definitely been up there in that crazy get up... casting spells? She couldn't really figure it out. Every bit of the way she'd felt relaxed and talkative tonight had been off-putting, but at least she could pretend she really was relaxed while that was happening. ]

Sayo, right? Or Belinda?

[ She snorts a bitter little laugh. She doubts any of that girl's bad choices could top hers, but she understands the feeling. ]

[forwantofahorse]

...you are the second person to figure me out this evening, you know? I think I might have to brush up on my vocal exercises at this rate. I might be getting rusty.

[But once again, Sayo doesn't begrudge Kainé for it. She'd been entertaining enough to talk to on the shore, at least. She'd make a good friend to Beatrice—and by extension herself, she supposed, but the thought of having actual friends was laughable to Sayo.

What she will begrudge, though, is the "atmosphere" making her admit as much so readily.]

Ah-

And I was looking forward to playing pointlessly coy with the next person who caught me. I swear, I'm not usually into high fashion, but if I ever meet Madam Generosity in person I'm going to develop a taste for top-of-the-line boots.

[foulhussy]

[ Kainé does a bit of mental math on what exactly a "vocal exercise" is supposed to be— does it involve neck stretches? But soon pieces it together. Truthfully, Kainé is just good at recognizing people even when their appearance has changed. ]

Yeah? Wasn't your voice, it was the stuff you said.

[ She'd already sounded like some kind of witch, once that initial politeness had faded. Kainé liked it though. No point pretending things aren't fucked up.

She scowls again at the mention of the good Madam's enforced cheerfulness. ]

If I find that bitch, I'll turn her into a goddamn shamisen.

c.

[lludw]

[Lucius, himself, is not aware that he replaced another version of him. He's of the belief that he's been here all along, and carries himself with the easy confidence of nobility in their element.

He had come to Gaze for the books (he currently has one tucked under an arm). But he is curious enough about the classes that he's lingered, looking over the lists. At home, he has tutors, and while he can certainly learn without them, the structure and expertise a teacher provides could be helpful.

He turns as the other potential student speaks. And, seeing no one else paying attention, asks the obvious question.]

What's badminton?

THIS IS VERY LATE AND I AM VERY SORRY

[be_a_miracle]

Oh!

[Sorry, Lucius, but you have activated Lion. They turn on a (stiletto) heel, eyes beaming.]

It's a sport where I'm from. Quite sophisticated, I assure you; it would fit in well here. I was the team captain at my school—as my little sister is keen to grumble about whenever the topic so much as gets mentioned—so I consider myself quite talented.

Why? Are you interested?

[Lion had an odd (and much to their horror, now entirely explicable) tendency toward being unhealthy as a child, so their mother had signed them up for all sorts of sports to improve their constitution. Aside from boxing. Badminton had just been the one that stuck, and the one that's closest to their heart.]

NOW THIS IS VERY LATE AND I AM VERY SORRY

[lludw]

["Sport" is a relatively new word for Lucius, but the concept itself isn't entirely unfamiliar. Enjoyably peaceful ways to show off your athletic skills. And this stranger is certainly enthusiastic about it - it's hard not be interested in the face of that.]

Maybe. How does it work?