deercountry | Gain the weight of you then lose it

Gain the weight of you then lose it

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[a1]sleep - snake den

[ satoko doesn't go up on stage. not right now, at least. this place is still new, still unfamiliar; she's not one to hide who she is, but she's also not one to try and draw unnecessary attention for its own sake. so she watches the talent show from the seats instead, applauding when appropriate and even cheering with the crowd when a particularly talented individual steps up.

it's only during a lull between acts that she makes her move, and on a much smaller scale at that. she locks eyes with the person sitting nearest, smiling after a moment and pulling a worn pack of cards from her pocket. she doesn't call out or make a scene; she just taps the deck by way of invitation.

well? would you like to see a magic trick? ]

coiled and re[a2]dy - snake den, locked to chara // major higurashi sotsu spoilers

[ so far, this little excursion's been surprisingly rewarding. she's spoken to someone truthfully - someone that wasn't rika - for the first time in who knows how long. she's spent some time cuddled up next to a woman, and while anna is certainly no sonozaki there's a certain gentle contentment that's come with that as well.

and perhaps most importantly, she's confirmed one particular thing: she is still one who lives in loops. squid, human, or witch, it matters little - she is still who she has always been. so she rests in the pile of pillows she's accumulated, flopped back and staring up at the ceiling.

she is wholly unaware that someone else has felt the ripples in time. a pity, that. ]

heatl[a3]mp - snake den, locked to rika // major higurashi sotsu spoilers

[ the instant chara wanders away, satoko moves to leave. it isn't that she's displeased to have met another person like her - far from it. she's delighted to have found another looper, no matter how offputting they may be.

and that's the problem; she's delighted to be found out. she's delighted to show someone her secrets. she's delighted to talk honestly to someone. and she's smart enough to realize that she shouldn't feel positively about a single part of that list. which leaves one possible option: she's being beguiled by something in this place.

nothing in this place, not a single person, can be trusted. she has to get out - now.

she dismantles her fort of pillows. she gathers up what little trash she's made with her napkins and plates. and she makes it all the way to the bar, dropping off her glasses of half-finished water, before she finally notices a hint of brilliant indigo at a nearby table - an indigo she'd know anywhere, in this world or the next.

she speaks without thinking- ]

Rika...?

s[a4]fe and sound - snake den, locked to rena // major higurashi sotsu spoilers

[ rika is here. it's not her rika, but it's rika all the same. and now, she's come to find out, so is miss rena herself. it's not quite the whole games club. of course it isn't. but in this den, where even the slightest happiness feels like bliss itself, she'll happily take it and run...

...assuming she can find her, of course. from what she's been able to gather from rika, rena is somewhere in the den with them - but she's under the same mollifying effect satoko is, and to top it all off she might have gotten into some alcohol before getting separated from rika. ]

Rena-san? Rena-san, can you hear me? [ which is how she's found herself in her current predicament: wandering from table to table in the den, trying (and failing) to keep her voice relatively quiet as she calls out for her old friend. ] Rena-san, wherever could you be?

[ she will find her. she's certain of that much. she just hopes she doesn't get thrown out in the process. ]

venera[b]ility - shedding ceremony

[ those trenchies that have met satoko might spot someone oddly familiar throughout the month. she looks like satoko, and she sounds like satoko. she even laughs like satoko - something that becomes clear as soon as that terrible cackle peals through the city. but she's...

well, she's different. clearly and definitively so. and anyone that approaches the suddenly middle-aged woman passing through trench's streets - wearing a maid outfit, of all things - won't need to talk long to figure out just how different she is.

she'll be going through her day to day life normally, for the most part: taking care of chores, bartering and haggling when it suits her for food and supplies. and one day in particular, she can be found holding a sign aloft:

INFORMATION EXCHANGE!
Rates:
A random secret about Miss Kimiyoshi: One (1) Secret
A question answered truthfully from Miss Kimiyoshi: Two (2) Secrets
A hug from Miss Kimiyoshi: ~free of charge~*!

*with any purchase
she's... certainly just as enterprising as she was twenty years ago, at least? ]

wild[c]ard

[ ooc: need to contact me for any reason? pm this journal, or find me at beelzebae#2319 / beelzebae and i'll be happy to work a custom starter option out! ]

Edited 2022-01-09 01:23 (UTC)

[Satoko's magic tricks have garnered a fair amount of attention; after the whirlwind of Belinda the Silver Sorceress blew through the Snake Den, interest in close-up magic has spread through its attendants like wildfire.

Of course, being so used to actual magic, absolutely none of the Trenchies have been able to see through her tricks, just like how none of them found fault in "Belinda's."

But the person intently watching Satoko's hands now at her invitation is different. Their eyes pierce through her, landing on her trick... but the look of delight on Lion's face only deepens when they realize what's going on.]

Ah! So it's like that! I see, I see... how clever!

She'd like this one a lot, I think... although I'm personally of the opinion it's a little bit unsporting. [They smile faintly, to show that no offense was intended.] Although I have to applaud you for the effort you've put in. This must have taken quite some time.

Edited 2022-01-09 05:23 (UTC)

[ satoko doesn't know this person. they've never met, though their face does carry some degree of familiarity. but when lion exclaims her understanding, satoko doesn't doubt it for a moment. after all, it's not like keiichi took long to figure out the problem, and he was a lunkhead to end all lunkheads. ]

I fail to see how it's "unsporting." After all, someone's figured it out now, haven't they? [ she chuckles, gathering her cards into a deck and shuffling it quickly. ] As for that... well, let's say I've had plenty of time to practice.

[ plenty of time. more time than any human could possibly comprehend. but she doesn't dwell on that; she pushes the shuffled deck over to lion, giving a fanged grin in the process. ]

Since you've figured that one out, would you care to see another?

[Something about that laugh gives Lion pause. It's hauntingly familiar, but they can't quite place it. They know that something about Satoko piqued Sayo's memory, too, which amplifies the nagging sensation.

Regardless, they laugh too, and gesture for Satoko to continue.] Please do. I'm sure your repertoire is quite extensive.

It's really no wonder that you get along with Sayo so swimmingly; you two are peas in a pod.

[Lion can practically hear Sayo's protestations at revealing even the tiniest sliver of her true inclinations to somebody that was excruciatingly similar to her, but they shush their mental image of her and focus on the conversation at hand. If Satoko understands Sayo better, than maybe they can find even more common ground.]

satoko hojo | higurashi no naku koro ni sotsu | darkblood

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coiled and re[a2]dy

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TAKUUUU

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I LOVE MICHAEL?? BLESS U

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nobody likes milfs u__u

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FLOPS IN... WE'RE DOING IT! WE'RE MAKING IT HAPPEN!!!

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