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

Michael | The Good Place

[eudaimonikos]

i. the snake den

[Michael's always avoided this particular club. It's the tentacles, you know. But it's booming right now, and hell - he was curious about that invite!

Once he's been there for a while, and watched some of the acts, he's decided it's actually pretty great! In fact, it seems like he's going up onstage right now!]

Hello, everyone! I'm Michael the Magnificent!

[Oh god. He's so serious right now. Oh no.

The magic show is predictably dorky. Michael's clearly practiced the tricks; he doesn't really fuck anything up. It's also just so clearly actual sleight of hand, rather than the actual reality-warping magic he is literally capable of. But that's what makes it fun! Right? He's clearly having a lot of fun!

Once his act is over, he bounds down off the stage to find a seat. It's been really crowded all day, so the one he was using before he went up onstage has predictably been taken.]

Woo! That was great! Hey, mind if I sit here? I'm gonna watch the next few acts.

[Alternately, if you're going to participate in the Fashion Show, you might see him hanging around backstage. He's got a big sketchpad and a pencil, and he's peering at people who seem like they're having a little trouble putting their ensembles together.]

Hey, you want anything? I can make whatever, if you're not finding it here.

ii. the shedding - past self

[Shortly after turning back into his regular body, Michael wakes up as a worse version of himself.

Fortunately, Michael foresaw this possibility centuries ago. He worried about it a lot back in Deerington, after seeing how many people seemed to lose their memories there, and he'd set up preparations there just in case. He even renewed that prep here. Unfortunately, he may not have entirely prepared for his past self's general level of petty bullshit.

So anyone who knows Michael well may find him accosting them at random. He looks exactly the same, but he's gone for some of the less flashy clothing in his wardrobe, and his manner is certainly unusually aggressive:]

Hey, so what the hell's your deal?

iii. when I was a young squid


a. my father put me into a skinsuit (cw: apparent seizure)

[Anyone near Michael's home or shop may find a sudden sense of panic washing over them. It feels claustrophobic - trapped. For a moment, it might be overwhelming, but only for a moment; it quickly becomes apparent that it doesn't belong to you. Somehow, it's coming from elsewhere. You can even sort of determine the direction: inside.

Following the feeling to its source, you can find Michael writhing about on the ground. HIs movements seem entirely uncoordinated - honestly, it kinda looks like he might be having a seizure? He seems aware of your presence, though; his eyes dart towards the movement. But he doesn't speak, just twists and makes a wordless guttural noise in the back of his throat.]

b. and let me burn the sand

[This demon is having the time of its life.

There's a very large squid, floating and wreathed in blue flame, zipping around the streets of Trench! It could easily be a beast, and some of its behavior would seem to back that up. For one thing, it keeps touching things as if to see which of them will immediately burst into flame. Once it finds things that do, it promptly goes to verify that conclusion by setting more things like that on fire! It's also pretty willing to attempt this on people. Maybe watch out for that!

Later on, it can also be found down by the beach. There's no new Sleepers washing up, but it seems fascinated by the ocean. It spends quite a bit of time dipping its tentacles in to watch the water bubble and steam, or else batting at the waves. What is that stuff? It doesn't seem to be alive, and yet it's moving in a way it can't really determine. And it feels weird???

The sand is neat, too! Once it learns that it can make the grains into glass by heating them up enough, it starts building with abandon. Smoky glass spirals and towers, in no apparent order; smaller jagged rows tracing up and down the shore. All of this is incredibly sharp and probably dangerous! Still, maybe it's better that its attention is occupied. It seems a lot calmer, now, and is even projecting an air of busy contentment as it...you know, melts half the beach into slag.]

i. snake den

[lightinside]

[Laurel had only ever seen a magician as a child, attending one of her friend's birthday parties. The show that Michael is putting on right now gives her a sense of nostalgia and joy that Laurel hasn't felt for a long time. So while it could be seen as dorky to some people, she laughs and claps after every trick, clearly enjoying the experience.

She doesn't expect the performer to come up right next to her, but it makes sense after a moment when Michael speaks.]

Sure! Of course. [Laurel gives him a bright smile.] I really liked the magic show you put on by the way. I haven't seen something like it probably since I was like six or seven years old.

[eudaimonikos]

Oh! Thank you!

[Michael seems genuinely delighted by the compliment! He'll take the seat, but the next act seems to still be getting themselves set up, so he feels free to chat in a normal volume.]

Everyone always thought it was silly, since I can do magic anyway, but human magic is an entirely different thing. I think it's neat!

[lightinside]

You're welcome.

[It was entertaining and fun, a genuine bright spot. The past few months had been weird for Laurel, so it was nice to be able to relax and enjoy something.]

Okay, so you can do magic and I'm guessing you're not human? Are you like a wizard or something? I've met at least once magic user in this place already.

iii.b.

[laminae]

[After Fern has done some recovering from his death he starts feeling restless, and that means taking small trips out in the city to stretch his legs. They're short trips, not very far from the house, but it's better than nothing.

It's one of those trips where he finds one extremely familiar fire squid. Other people might be weirded out but he recognizes Micahel when he sees him, and is thoroughly confused as he approaches. He's a squid. And smaller. And trying to set fire to things.

Weird.]

Dude, this is uh. This is new! Good for you?

[Is that what you're supposed to say to someone when they seem to be doing way better about the whole squid thing?]

You're a lot smaller than I remember.

[There's also that. Of course, when he had seen Michael in his actual demonic form he had been tiny himself, so maybe he's just misremembering, but on the other hand... his memory of Michael being fucking gigantic feels pretty clear to him (or at least, the Grass Demon portion of his mind, with the Finn portion doing his best to just go along with it).]

[eudaimonikos]

[The squid blinks open several eyes on the side of its body facing Fern, rather than actually turning. Sounds, generally, are new to it, but it's been here long enough to get used to them. All the things living around here seem to make a lot of noise. At least, they've been making a lot at it.

This one doesn't look a lot like the others, though. They were mostly shades of beige. The bright green of this creature is appealing, and if it isn't mistaken, it might be made of a different material as well? That requires a little bit of closer inspection!

Projecting an air of bright curiosity, it finally turns to jet closer, and reaches out a tentacle. You can feel the heat of it well before it actually comes close enough to touch. Michael must have been regulating it, the last time they met; he was certainly a lot closer to Fern then without emanating any particular heat at all. Now, apparently, there's no such consideration. But fortunately, it isn't reaching out particularly fast or anything - should be easy enough to duck away.]

[laminae]

[Fern doesn't mind the eyes on him. Since he's familiar with Michael's squid form it isn't putting him off or anything. What does, however, give him pause is the fire. He just got back from being dead and after his talk with Varian he isn't about to let that happen again anytime soon, so he quickly stumbles backwards, even flailing a little.]

Dude, watch the fire! I don't wanna go up in flames!

[He holds up his hands for added defense, redwood bark growing over his grass for a bit of extra protection.]

i

[notimeforfailure]

What...

[begins the young woman nearby him with a puzzled smile]

...was that?

[From her expression of vague bemusement, she seems to believe it was a joke of some sort.]

I've seen you create clothing out of thin air and you tell me about managing heavens and hells and whatnot and your talent is hiding playing cards up your sleeves?

[Lysithea looks a bit different than she usually does - although nothing is immediately apparent in the dim light other than the fact that her hair is a light violet instead of its usual silver.]

[eudaimonikos]

Yeah!

[Michael's undaunted! People have said the exact same thing to him about his magic act many times!]

It's human magic! That's a totally different thing! You have to actually practice and stuff - I mean, I have to do that with my powers here, too, but honestly it isn't hard at home. Oh, I like the hair.

[He's thought about coloring his occasionally, too. It would take dye easily!]

[notimeforfailure]

I'm human, and that isn't magic at all.

[Lysithea laughs merrily, and though she's criticizing, there's no real judgment in her voice.]

It's just trickery.

[In a world where everybody can learn a bit of magic if they try, nobody has really bothered to learn fake magic tricks. This is a new exhibition for her.]

Although I can see that it takes a certain amount of dexterity and showmanship to master.

Oh - thank you. I woke up like this.

[She seems to be unconcerned by this (relatively mild) Trenchian development.]

i

[entreats]

[ Oh no.

Ange knows what's going to happen the moment Michael steps on the stage and announces himself in such a way. Some of the people watching might still be clueless, but Ange knows, somewhere between having knowledge of this stuff happening in her own world too, and the fact that Michael told her that he enjoys this stuff.

And it is indeed corny. It's just as corny as she imagined, and yet Ange finds herself smiling rather than cringing as she's watching it. It's just something about the way Michael seems to be having so much fun with it. Good on him.

By the time he gets off the stage and moves to sit next to her - watch out, Michael, she's wearing a rather big golden dress that takes up multiple seats since she couldn't sit down in any other way - she's still just smiling at him. ]

I didn't expect you to start your big magic show here!

[eudaimonikos]

[Michael grins back, taking a seat somewhere at the periphery of the dress.]

Neither did I! Sort of a spur of the moment thing - I figured, why not, seems fun! [He even made most of his props just like, right now, with regular old magic.] I like the dress!

[entreats]

Oh.. Thanks!

[ Ange actually smiles when he gives her that compliment. Not that she doesn't look flustered all the same though, a red hue starting to take over her cheeks as she glances down at the dress before looking back at Michael. ]

It's just.. what I got. You know, when all of us got clothes. [ Apparently even while being much more extroverted than usually, Ange still can't help but downplay compliments.. It's just that ingrained in her.

And it's not what she wants to focus on here anyway, so she's quick to shake her head. ]

Unlike your act! That was all you. Your own unique talent. [ His cheesy, cheesy talent. ]

i

[enblightened]

[After Michael's magician show is finished, Bigby is clapping eagerly. It's a nostalgic thing, making him think of old comrades and what few times the hamlet could find relief and enjoyment between the horrors and dangers that lurked around the humble village.

But it's brighter here.

When Michael comes down after his show, Bigby makes an amused sound, not quite a laugh but close.]

You performed marvelously. [some might call it dorky, but Bigby genuinely loved it] I've no doubt there are a great many things you're capable of, but to choose sleight of hand and entertainment is a human skill I admire as well.

[eudaimonikos]

Oh, sure! That's why I like it!

[He just takes a seat.]

Back where I come from, anyone can just do regular magic. There's not really that much skill in smaller-scale stuff like this. [He snaps his fingers and just makes a card - the ace of spades, the one he was producing earlier up on stage. This one's pretty clearly fabricated, though; it comes out of literally nowhere like most Darkblood stuff.] I mean, what is that? I'm a Darkblood doing Darkblood things, big whoop. But human magic - that takes skill and flair!

Snake Den

[threelayers]

[She was giving him a playful grin and a raised eyebrow as he made his way down from the stage, clapping and relaxing back into her seat before she couldn't help the silent laugh that rumbled through her body. A hand gestured, motioning idly to the chair next to her and she nodded once before cocking her head and bringing out her omni.]

Someone looked like they had fun up there.
Didn't take you for the magic type.

[eudaimonikos]

[Michael sits so that he can keep both the stage and Neo in his sights. Honestly, with the general chatter in the room, it's kinda easier to do text.]

Oh, sure! I love human magic! Completely different from real magic - I mean, anyone can do that.

iii — a

[wildcurls]

( A little boy who can't be older than twelve wanders the streets — clearly unfamiliar with his surroundings, but not afraid. There's only a calm curiosity as he takes in everything with an unblinking gaze, solemn.

He's passing a shop that this version of himself has no memory of, when there's a sudden sensation that sweeps in and it immediately shifts the little boy from his cool calm to something that feels like panic. He feels this heart beating too fast, feels swallowed up and suppressed, like he's being held underwater and can't breathe (a novel idea to the child, because he can actually... breathe underwater). He can do many things. He's not a child at all.

But for just a moment, that panic does make him feel, seem, like a little boy. He's afraid, and then the brief spell passes, and he knows that this energy isn't his own. It's only passed through him. Slowly, he follows it to wherever it truly leads, right into the shop, until he finds... a man on the floor. Or something that looks like a man.

Paimon stares down at the way he moves: erratic in a way that looks painful, making noises. The demon king slowly crouches down next to him, not touching the writhing figure, but staying close. He speaks softly, unsure if the figure can even respond in his state. )

What torments you....?

[eudaimonikos]

[This demon is, indeed, extremely stuck in this...horrible soft prison that is, for some reason, itself stuck to this rock. Worse than that, it's connected to it, in a way that it absolutely cannot make sense of. Trying to move its tentacles just moves these awful rigid stick-things, and somehow it's vibrating the particles around it in a way that's causing something bad. The squid has only ever lived out in the void; it knows particles, but it doesn't quite recognize sound. It can't even see most of what's happening! Why can't it open its other eyes?

It doesn't quite recognize the newcomer as another permutation of the form it's trapped in, either. But it knows them for Another - another being like itself. Embarrassment washes over it. It...it likes to be with others! Far more than being alone! But that never seems to come easy. It's found groups to tag along with, in the past, but that never seems to really last. Often it feels that it's only being tolerated - and that's without having somehow gotten stuck in some weird tiny gooey thing - !

Maybe it's that additional urgency, or maybe it's just luck. But something catches, and detaches, and it pulls. There's a tearing sound as the human body goes limp, and the squid pours out of the man's chest, flames coruscating nearly white with the force of its distress.

It shoots up into the air, into the farthest corner of the room, and shoots a retaliatory gout of flame at the limp skinsuit it's left behind. Nothing really happens; Michael gets them flame-proof. But most things the squid has previously encountered also don't really burn, so it's satisfied that it's made its point.

Several new eyes blink open to focus on Paimon, and it transmits something sheepish and apologetic. It hadn't meant to yell. But, oh, now it can see the similarities here. It sends another quick series of images: claustrophobia, trapped, itself ripping open Paimon's little human body with its tentacles, question? Do you want help getting out of that thing? Even at this point, it knows full well that most of its kind wouldn't have offered to help it, and that it isn't really cool to do so. But...well, that was awful!]

iii a!

[grice]

[ people have been— strangely changed, but perhaps it was trench that was changing, and falco that had been at a standstill. the only thing that had changed was his blood, and that, he wasn’t so sure if it had to do with the shedding ceremony or the silence. the former worried him much more, but as long as his symptoms were kept largely at bay . . . like friends have said, should it be a problem? he’s walking back from a collection of foods to stash in his current (yet temporary) home when he feels a shock of panic. it makes his hairs stand high and his heart nearly jump to his throat. but why was he panicking? what was there to panic about?

that’s because it’s not his. his hunches point to inside, so it’s inside the boy rushes, pushing the shop door open with his shoulders, and once he’s inside, falco drops his belongs to sprint and slide for the contorting body on the floor, hands quick to the man’s chest— only after the fact did he realize. ]

Mister Michael—?! [ okay, okay— no amount of his own panic would help this. despite the fright and how wide the boy’s eyes have gone, he breathes in sharply and begins to move: he makes sure to protect the demon’s head from further injury, gently cupping underneath and to the side. ] Can you hear me?

[eudaimonikos]

[It can hear him, but it doesn't know what to make of the noises. It doesn't know what to make of the creature touching it (the soft prison encasing it?) so gently, despite the fear that's obvious in the air. Michael's eyes lock on Falco, but the demon inside doesn't know how to communicate with this form.

Moving its tentacles isn't working; it's like they're stuck in these long rigid tubes. But as complicated as the skinsuit mechanism is, it was designed specifically for Michael to operate; after a moment, it finds what it thinks is a catch, and twists.

The human body goes limp, eyes going vacant. There's only a second before its chest starts to split open, with a blue glow and a powerful burst of heat. Here in Trench, maybe it's not even so strange that a squid should emerge! It's a pale cream color with orange stripes across most of its mantle. Most of its body is covered in bright blue eyes, and all of it is wreathed in bright blue flames. It levitates sharply out of the body, hits the ceiling, and projects a psychic aura at Falco which could roughly translate to:

???????????????]

i

[kingofsarcasm]

[Stiles has not yet met Michael at all, but that was a pretty neat act, and sleight of hand style magic has been one of his interests in the past. An interest he has kept mainly to himself and his closest friends (Scott and… Scott).]

Yeah, sure. [He eyes Micheal after he sits down.] …Sooo, in a world that runs on literal real magic, you're palming cards and hiding tissues up your sleeves?

[The way he asks isn't a criticism, if anything it comes off as rather charming since he's a Darkblood.]

[eudaimonikos]

Of course!

[Michael busies his hands with reshuffling his deck of cards. He doesn't seem offended by the question - it's one that's been posed to him a lot before.]

I've always had real magic - everybody does where I'm from. It's not really impressive to just do that.

snake den

[morningstud]

[Lucifer absolutely beams at the show, at the dorky theatrics, at the sleight of hand. He isn't the sort of people to do it himself, so the practical sort of magic tricks is honestly more impressive than, well, real magic.]

A most impressive show, Michael!

[eudaimonikos]

Oh, thank you!

[Michael beams, settling in at Lucifer's table.]

You know, humans always ask me why I'd want to do magic their way, instead of the regular way. Like anybody wants to watch me just do normal demon things on a stage. [you get it, right?]