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

Ryan Akagi | Infinity Train | OTA!

[chickenchoicejudy]

THE SNAKE DEN (First Week of January)

[Ryan Akagi can never resist the siren call of an extremely cool party. He makes it there at least three times in that first week - which is a lot, considering they're thrown every other night. It's easy to spot him just about anywhere, a real social butterfly in the room, flitting from group to group.

The most eye-catching thing about him is the outfit Madame Generosity gifted him - a short silky dress with long kimono sleeves and tall black boots. He's already run the look by a trusted friend, and with that extra boost of confidence lifting him up, you would never suspect he'd ever been worried about it. He walks into The Red with confidence and works the room like ease - which is great, since he's a paleblood and people seem to want to chat with him more than usual anyway.

Of course he's brought his guitar for the Talent Show - how could he not? He's more than happy to perform, and he only does covers when he plays. Each performance promises at the that if they want Ryan Akagi originals, they should come to the Raccoon Room on Saturdays.

He's equally happy to jump up on stage for the Fashion Show as well, with his incredible dress and whatever the backstage trenchies decided to do with his hair and make up. Being the center of attention is incredible, and Ryan is having the time of his life showing off his new look.

After, he can absolutely be found on the dance floor, either bouncing around to high energy numbers, or looking around for people to dance with as the lights get dimmer and the atmosphere slows down. It's cozy and comfortable, and when he's not on the dancefloor or with anyone else he can be found sinking into a large pillow, leg crossed at the knee, nursing a drink from the bar that literally seems to sparkle.

The entire night feels decadent, luxurious, and incredibly soothing all at once - a lot better than the Black Parade was for him.]

THE SHEDDING CEREMONY (January 8th - January 31st) (extra cw: gender feelings)

[At a glance, it might seem like very little has changed. Ryan's always had a very androgynous look to him as it is. Half the fun of being a rock star being a little androgynous! However, one he opens his mouth it will all click into place. There are more slight curves to Ryan's body, and his skin has a softer feel. It's hard for Ryan to explain exactly what's different (aside from the obvious when his clothing is removed), but when he puts pen to paper the thought that comes to mind is that what hard edges he had have been erased and smudged.

Truthfully, he's not sure how he should be referring to himself. ...Herself? Themself, Theirselves? Despite having female parts, he can't sincerely say he feels female, but he still finds himself looking up no matter how he's addressed or greeted. But at the same time...he doesn't miss being a boy quite as much as he thought he would? The shock was a lot at first, but now that the dust has settled...

Well. Ryan is still Ryan, whatever that means. There's been a lot to think about. Like how he preferred how the dress from Madame Generosity fit before his skin was shed. Or like how his voice is different now when singing and alien to him, but sometimes he catches sight this new body and it doesn't feel strange at all.

He has no idea what it means though, that these differences are so slight for him and more dramatic than others - he spends a lot of the month bothering other people who have gone through sheds that lead to gender changes to try and figure out just what's different here. Why does it feel like other people flipped a light switch and he just turned down a dimmer slightly?

When he isn't doing that, he can be found around Cellar Door and also in Willful Machine, shopping for new clothing and just...trying things, to see how they look and feel.

Or, if you are in the production of Rocky Horror, most of your interaction will be with Ryan trying to redo most of the musical numbers to accommodate everyone's shedding, including his own. Some songs have to go in entirely different keys and he's pretty sure this is an actual nightmare. He'll be working with everyone to make adjustments, but sometimes he can be found laying on the stage after rehearsal just because he needed an extra second or two to recover.]

Sheddening with DAD

[shiro2hero]

[Shiro's on his way to an Orphanage shift today, passing through the shopping district on his way. He's early, way early, because he'd intended to grab a few things the kids needed on the way in. Maybe some little stuffed snakes for the mood of the whole Madame Generosity month. To make up for the fact the youngest ones weren't going to a big party.]

[Honestly, he's pretty sure he's half asleep when he wanders into a shop and spies one of his housemates - or who he assumes is a housemate. He saw Ryan's face out of the corner of his eye and just figured "hey, same person".]

[Let's face it, the author is correct, and that kid is already on the androgynous train.]

Hey, Ryan, morning. [And back to browsing - ]

[Wait.]

[Was that really - ? Or does he need more coffee than he'd already chugged?]

[chickenchoicejudy]

[It's still the first day, so Ryan has no idea at all what he's looking for beyond just...anything that will feel a little more comfortable in his new skin. Almost all of his clothes fit, but some of his favorite pants are a little snug, and he's still trying to figure out if he like. Does he have to deal with a bra? He spent a solid hour looking in the mirror this morning and he's pretty sure he's good, but...well, it's not like he's ever had to think about that before.

Ultimately he decides to continue not thinking about that, maybe ever, and just sort of window shops until something strikes him.

Still, Ryan isn't really prepared to see someone he knows, so he jumps so badly that he nearly sheds his skin all over again in the middle of the goddamn street.]

Oh, uh. Hey, Shiro!

[That's so much higher than he's used to, and his cheeks go pink for a second before he very dramatically coughs and hacks into his hand before trying desperately to make his voice go down at least two octaves.]

I mean-- hey, Shiro! Morning! Whaaaat brings you all the way out here?

[It doesn't help. Not even a little. If anything, it sounds goofier than just trying to talk like a normal person.]

[shiro2hero]

[He turns his head. Slowly. Half expecting to be proven wrong. Or he's hallucinating or something. Those eyebrows of his climb up toward his hairline as he does. With that tone of voice, Shiro's honestly expecting to see someone with their knee in the teen's abdomen or something.]

[Nope. Nothing around that looks threatening.]

Are you okay? [Give him a second and he'll answer the question. He has to be concerned first. Check for potential threats. He still doesn't see anything.]

I'm grabbing some stuff for the kids. You?

[chickenchoicejudy]

Me? Totally! I'm fine!

[Except for the fact that he still sounds incredibly strange, because he's trying far to hard to sound "normal", whatever that means.]

Oh, you know. Totally normal morning stuff. Evening stuff? [He flaps a hand.] Eh, same thing when you're nocturnal.

[Shiro's probably gotten used to that by now - a number of palebloods are nocturnal folks, and Ryan can often be found staying up all night and crashing for a stretch in the late morning or early afternoon. Though, to be fair, Ryan does give off the air of someone who would keep a schedule like that anyway.]

But, uh. Yep! A super normal day for me.

[Despite not having much to hide in that regard, Ryan still casually tries to cross his arms over his chest, as though it will somehow keep Shiro from noticing the extremely slight curve there instead of just drawing attention to it.]

[shiro2hero]

Uh huh...

[Could there be more skepticism in a sound? No, probably not. Shiro has a talent for those kinds of statements.]

Have you not gone to bed yet? [Sure, maybe he's used to it. Like how he's used to seeing his omen carrying an otter around the house on occasion, but that never fails to be somewhat of a surprise. This will never fail to be something of a concern. Coming from one insomniac to a nocturnal kid and all...] Maybe you -

[Hold on.]

[Shiro does not clock a lot of things, but there's... there's something here. Definitely. He stops, stepping back a pace.]

Did something happen? [He's getting an inkling here.]

[chickenchoicejudy]

[This isn't working at all, and the more apparent that becomes the more flustered Ryan gets. But...well, it's not like he can hide it forever. Especially not when they live together.]

So, I did take a quick nap earlier. And I might've, uh. ...Shedded my skiiiiin? And wound up kind of...different. But like, not as different as I would have assumed I'd wake up, if someone told me this was going to happen to me?

[He shrugs helplessly, but at least he's not trying to make himself sound more masculine anymore.]

shedding (Late Jan) (It's gender all the way down kids)

[ghostharasser]

[So, the Snake Den had gone well, and frankly he's a little more confused than he was before over it. He'd kind of hope going there would give him some kind of epiphany? But no, he's just got more questions. How frustrating, maybe he needs to make a board.

Anyway, the situation is that Dipper knows at least that there is a chance he will shed again and everything might go back to normal. He's been watching for signs closely, checking his skin constantly but for now, nothing seems to be in a hurry to change. His skin is as baby soft and miraculously unsweaty as ever.

So, with this realization that he's probably going to be like this for a while (maybe forever?) he needs to be practical. Mabel has mended a handful of his things, and he has borrowed this and that from her, also, but he can't get by on a few outfits. Mabel literally will not let him. So, he has come out to look. Should he have brought his sister? Yes. Is he regretting not? Definitely. Is he stubbornly trying to navigate this on his own anyway? Absolutely.

It's fine, the clothing in this place wasn't even gendered to begin with! He could handle walking into the "Girls" section just fine! There wasn't even a real girl section it was just Ruffles or Less Ruffles!!

Dipper bumps into someone while distracted with his own spiraling thoughts and shrieks. Mission compromised!! He's been caught!! Evasive Maneuvers!!!]

I'm just shopping for my sister!!

[Wait. Shit. SHIT.]

Me! I am the sister! I'm allowed to be here!!

[Oh god please let him die. Without waiting for a response, Dipper flings himself into the center of the clothing rack, seeking sanctity among the petticoats. Uh.

Yeah. Sorry, Ryan. You were probably just minding your own business when this short, fluffy haired girl just started screaming at you.]

this bad boy can fit so much gender in it

[chickenchoicejudy]

[By the end of the month, Ryan is...comfortable isn't really the right word, but it's been a few weeks and agonizing over the whole situation is exhausting. It also feels kind of silly when it's happened to so many people he knows. By now he's let Mako burn the shedded skin (which he literally never wants to think about again) and he's just...waiting, to see if something happens. He's heard rumors that sometimes the results of skin shedding are permanent, and he isn't sure how he feels about that.

So instead he's avoiding thinking about it entirely by shopping, and he's holding a very punk rock skirt up to himself in front of a mirror and focusing on that when a younger...girl? Proooobably? Ryan supposes that distinction's a little useless right now though.

Anyway, a younger person collides into him, stammers a bit, and dives into a clothing rack before Ryan can even get a word in edgewise. He tilts his head looking at the spot where the kid once was, and gently parts the clothing so he can peek inside.]

Hey, uh. ...You okay in here?

[ghostharasser]

[It's fine, Dipper will just hide in here until everyone leaves, the store closes, and then he can break out by climbing in the vents- wait. Do they have vents? Trench doesn't have central air, right?]

[Crap!! What does he do n--]

U-Uh.

[There's a very Deer-in-Headlights look to the person in the center of the clothing rack, who's face is also beet red from embarrassment.]

Yeah, hahaha! Just, you know. Checking out some skirts. Normal- normal girl things!

[chickenchoicejudy]

[The nervousness is familiar and relatable, but also reminds him of someone very dear to him who would have probably been exactly this flustered if he'd suddenly swapped sexes.

Ryan crouches down to get on this person's level where they are inside the clothes rack and offers a friendly smile.]

Yeah? Did you find any rad ones? I was checking them out too. ...You can check them out with me, if you want?

[He's trying to be gentle in his offer, as if trying to befriend a stray animal that might bolt at any moment.]

[ghostharasser]

[Oh, nothing bad is happening here. Dipper isn't sure what he expected to happen, but somehow he'd catastrophized it to be something along the lines of getting thrown out of the store? Or publicly shamed? Something crazy like that? He isn't sure why, it's not like Trench has ever lent itself to that kind of nightmare.]

[This person's probably a sleeper. Actually, Dipper thinks maybe he recognizes them from the network? Dipper hesitates a moment before he sheepishly nods.]

Sure. I'm not ...really sure what I'm looking for, I guess. S'not what I usually shop for.

[Dipper swallows before he slowly tries to ease himself out of the coat rack. That's a vague enough explanation without going too far into detail. Dipper is probably safe from being made fun of, but anxiety won out regardless.]

snake den

[royalfling]

[ Wu knew Ryan would be here, of course he did. There's no way that they didn't text and excitedly coordinate when to be here, and Wu cheers and shouts when Ryan performs, and finds him afterwards with what could be misconstrued as a flirtatious grin if he was anyone else as he wolf-whistles at his friend. ]

Who is he?!

[ A little extra confidence boost never hurt, either. Wu himself is in a green suit, very reminiscent of a style of his favorite icon ]

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan grins and does a couple of flirty poses right back, hand on hip as though Wu is in the paparazzi and he's trying to give him the best possible angle. After a couple of those though, he flings his arms around Wu in a hug as though he hasn't seen him in years, and it will fill Wu with all of Ryan's genuine excitement.]

Wu! Dude, this party is amazing! And you're looking pretty sharp yourself! [Ryan pulls back a little, so he can give Wu a platonically flirty once-over.] It miiight be sacrilege but you rock this even better than Lil Nas X!

[Without missing a single beat, Ryan flags down the nearest server for two champagne flutes, one for each of them.]

Cheers! [He holds his glass out expectantly for a clink!]

[royalfling]

[ Wu obliges, making camera motions with his hands, framing Ryan as he poses and squeezing Ryan as soon as he's close. Wu is just as thrilled, with Ryan's performance, with the party, with the general Vibe of everything. It just feels so good and he's so happy to be here with his friend.

He gasps, looking at Ryan with wide eyes ]

That can't be true! I mean, I know I look amazing, but he's Lil Nas, Ryan! He can pull off anything!

[ But booze is a good distraction and Wu takes the flute with an even brighter grin and clinks it against Ryan's ]

Empty your cup! [ Ryan can't understand what he's saying, the words coming out in his native Earth Kingdom tongue, and whatever magic lets them understand each other can't find an English equivalent, but the intent is clear there, and Wu laughs, taking a long sip of champagne, which makes him shiver and shimmy as he drinks ] Are you ready for one of the best nights of our lives?!

[chickenchoicejudy]

So can you, Wu!

[Ryan can't actually understand it, not really, but it sounds so close to something else he knows that he just happily yells "Kanpai!" right back (even though he already said cheers) and takes a long swig from his own glass. Everything about the energy in this room feels incredible - he hasn't even had that many drinks yet, and everything still feels light and relaxed.]

I have literally never been more ready in my entire life. This party is sick! It's even better than the Black Parade, and that was all party all the time for a whole month!

[Which, as it turned out, was a little too much party. At least Madame Generosity is putting calculated rest days into her party schedule.]

[royalfling]

[ That does sound a lot like what Wu said, and he grins hugely, taking a sip of his own drink, already feeling buzzed and happy even if he's only had once glass before this. The atmosphere is infectious ]

This is much more my kind of party! The drinks, the music, the company. [ He sighs, leaning on Ryan. How much flirting is too much for a platonic friendship? ] I could stay here forever.

Rocky Horror

[pabugotmoves]

[It's the first say of Hell Week and now Bolin understands what that means. His world doesn't have the concept but this? This is the absolute worst.

He's exhausted and heavy and everything is weird.

The least few weeks he's been playing it cool with Ryan. He's had a Truthening Ala Wu and he isn't really sure how to handle that so.. he just. Hasn't. The only real change is that he's pulled right back from his puppy dog play with Ryan. Blame it on the stress of the show or something.

But it's not really that. It's not and he- she??- knows it.

Bo was hoping to get out of rehearsal as fast as possible to get back to her costume alterations but they still need to go over stage notes and she- HE- ARHG!!! just doesn't have the spoons.

So they approach the stage, tired and sheepish, and pull themselves up to sit on Ryan's right with a tired sigh. Okay. Be professional. Not cold.. just.. professional.]

This is a nightmare.

[Nailed it.]

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Everything is so weird, and Ryan's barely had a minute to think about it. He can feel the awkwardness between himself and Bolin, but there's just no time for it at all. There's so much to do and so little time to actually get it done, and that would have been the case without all of the edits and rewrites and costume fixes and everything else that comes with these physical changes.

For the moment, he (she? they? Ryan's been settling for whatever anyone feels like calling him, since his general attitude to the non-vocal changes has been mostly ambivalence) is laying on the stage floor. His Omen Tomo is curled up on his stomach but neither of them are sleeping. Just sort of resting for two seconds with their eyes closed, because there's a rare second to breathe.

Bolin sits beside Ryan and he opens one eye to peek at them. Then he sighs and very dramatically sits up, Tomo effortlessly tumbling into his lap for pets.]

Yeah - I was kinda hoping if I shut my eyes I might wake up in a world where the cast didn't swap most of their genders two weeks before showtime.

[Alas, it was not meant to be. He lets out a sigh of his own though, and breaks the ice. Gently.]

Sooooooo. ...What's up?

[Likewise, nailed it.]

[pabugotmoves]

Well.

[A sigh. She consults her little notepad because there are a bunch of show notes to go over but that isn't really why she's here.]

Honestly.. this is kind of embarrassing but I think.. We ought to talk about it.

[And it's January.. so. They don't have much of a choice.]

I think maybe I've had the wrong idea about you for a little while and I just wanted to clear the air. Are we.. okay?

[chickenchoicejudy]

What do you mean "the wrong idea"?

[He isn't defensive. He just asks because he wants to hear Bolin out. They're stage partners after all, and they should be able to talk to each other.]

I...think we are? But I'm not sure what you're talking about, so...

[So, maybe not. Hm.]

[pabugotmoves]

I--

[She s i g h s]

This is embarrassing but. I think for a little while there I thought maybe you were.. flirting with me?

I've been informed that my boundaries aren't always great so I maybe took that a little seriously and I just wanted to apologizing for being weird lately. I made all this stuff up in my head and I don't like how I feel about it.

Post-Shed Shopping!

[frogfear]

[Most of Willow's time is generally spent between home, the Archives, and the School. Not having access to magic, and the dangers present in the city the last few months has meant she generally doesn't stray far from familiar grounds, and with Tara's arrival, she tries to stay close to her.

In the wake of the chaos at home after Ozpin's blood drinking secret came out, she's far more likely to wander. It still feels awkward, and Qrow is still not speaking to her, and at times outright avoiding her, and it's deeply uncomfortable.

A little retail therapy feels warranted.

She peruses the clothing store quietly, maybe she can find a nice scarf or a pair of gloves or something for Tara. It's still cold, and one can never have enough warm clothes in this city apparently. She finds a scarf in a soft shade of blue hanging from a shelf and spreads it out, stepping back to get a better look when she steps right into Ryan. It startles her, and she jumps before turning around, looking embarrassed.]

Oh! Sorry!

Re: Post-Shed Shopping!

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan should probably be looking for more practical things, like scarves and gloves. What he's actually looking at is a choker with big red roses and jewels dangling down, and holding it up to his neck trying to decide if it will look right on him. He doesn't notice Willow until she bumps into him, and when he turns his outfit turns with him.

He doesn't actually look very different. He already had a slight curve to him, and the shedding didn't give him very much of a chest. It's really when he opens his mouth that the difference is most noticeable. His voice is a lot higher and more feminine.]

No, no, you're fine! I totally wasn't paying attention.

[frogfear]

[Give her a second, it's been awhile since she's seen him, but he does look familiar...

She peers at him, and then suddenly breaks into a grin as she remembers where she knows him from - the Canadian guy, from the beach!]

Ryan?? Oh my god! How've you been?