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

[tempredmental]

Oh. Oh. Interesting. Apparently, this guy had power from back home that wasn't related to the paleblood mental powers. But Keith still hesitated. He didn't really have a lot of great memories to share of Earth. His childhood had been difficult, and, coming back after Voltron had brought him to a war-torn, conquered world that needed to be rescued.

He took a moment to think.]

Do you need a specific memory? Or just... what I remember of how things look?

[Showing him scenery would be easy. Picking a memory that wasn't potentially problematic? Not so much.]

What's your name, by the way? I'm Keith.

[firstroar]

Ah...

[Blue smiles apologetically, dipping his head a moment.]

I'm a bit too eager, I think...forgive me. My name is Blue. I never got to see Terra for myself, only in dreams...but I've always wanted to.

[he gestures to the seat beside him.]

Would you like to sit and talk a while?

[tempredmental]

[Keith nodded a little.] Blue. Nice to meet you. [The guy was just being enthusiastic, then. Obviously, an ability like that would feel natural to use, Keith supposed. So, Blue probably didn't even really think beyond just being able to share. He took a breath, and then moved over to sit down, his attention drawn back to the lion again as Kosmo settled on the ground by Keith's feet.]

I'm not really good at small talk. [Keith shrugged a little.] But I don't mind answering any questions you might have about stuff.

Where I grew up was kind of a desert, so it was a pretty desolate area, but it still had its own appeal, I guess.

[firstroar]

[the lion exchanges a look with Keith, but seems otherwise solemnly content to settle in closer to Blue's legs, perhaps as something of a buffer for Keith from Blue himself? who's to say but the lion.

Blue's eyes are fixed on Keith [i keep typing keither, incredible] as he speaks, a soft frown starting to form.]

Is it...all like that? Desert, desolate...

I type that myself, too, sometimes... LOL

[tempredmental]

[Keith shook his head.]

No. Not at all. Though, some people don't really see it as completely desolate in the desert I'm from. There are different kinds of deserts. Mine has certain types of plants and animals that have adapted to the area to live.

But we also have oceans, and forests, and mountains, and snow. It depends on what area of the planet you're in.

[firstroar]

So... It's still livable... [Blue looks quietly relieved and more than a little sad. he wants to see it. he wants to ask again, but being aware of how pushy he'd been right at the onset has given him reason to hesitate.

instead, he just closes his eyes, bobbing his head in a gentle nod.]

I'm glad. I'm glad there are still so many...who could be there for a time. And thrive.

[tempredmental]

Yeah. It is. [It almost wasn't, honestly, but they'd managed to get rid of Sendak and his occupying forces, and then fight off the quintessence draining mech before it could destroy the whole planet. So, that was a plus...]

Is... is Earth gone in your universe?

[firstroar]

[he gently shakes his head.]

Not gone...but lost. The way there...we don't know it. It's hidden from my people. But we search, we dream of it...because we were given that dream. The same dream.

[it pulls a faint, sad smile out of him.]

Even here...knowing I am here to stay...I still dream of it. A pale blue pearl in space. The true homeland.

[tempredmental]

[In space. Keith hesitated for a moment, and then reached out his hand, picturing Earth as he remembered it from space. He'd seen it a few times now, thanks to Voltron.]

Here. I saw it from space a few times. It's one of the best ways to see it.

[firstroar]

[there's almost a mirror in hesitation from Blue, because as eager as he is to see that vision, he's still a bit reticent in the light of how hastily he's gotten in this place.

but it's fleeting, because Blue does take the hand, closing his eyes to the room and opening his psionic sight to that vision, breath held.

bright, blue...]

This is... From your own eyes? Not a dream...

[tempredmental]

[The voice in his head was new, definitely, and Keith took a breath. He wasn't used to that. And, out of habit, he answered by speaking.]

Yeah. Not a dream. I've been in space a lot recently.

[It was definitely what Keith had seen himself, not even a video of it on a simulator screen.

He took a deep breath and, feeling that fascination from Blue, decided to go a little deeper. He pulled a memory from when he was young, before his dad died. The desert in the American southwest wasn't flush with immediately visible life. There was a lot of dirt and rocks. But, it was clear that plants and animals had adapted to survive, and the rock formations of the Grand Canyon area and Monument Park had their own special beauty. And there was some green... scrub brush, cactus, hardy grasses in some areas. Especially in the high desert tundra areas where conifer trees grew. It was a camping trip, and there was some memory from the day, and some memory from the night as it was a long time ago in Keith's mind, but out from under the trees, the night sky was massive and clear from the lack of artificial light out in the wilderness... filled with stars and the Milky Way.]

[firstroar]

[the desert sands...there's echoes of the visions of Nazca in there - the ones Physis gave him in his fifteen-year slumber. but the animals...those are fascinating. Blue's had so little exposure to animals; Trench's fauna and the omens are really the peak of it so far.

the stars...the view of the sky on a planet...he resonates with that, but this one means more simply by the merit of being the Earth.]

It's beautiful...and so vast...! And...the people still live there...?

[tempredmental]

[Keith nodded.]

Yeah.

[He tried to think of places he'd been to show him. Small towns like Williams, AZ... or larger ones like Flagstaff, or even Las Vegas. High desert, mountainous for some, others in actual desert. Between Vegas and the Grand Canyon was a massive and high range of jagged mountains with some snow covered peaks.]

Those are places I've been in person. But there are others I've seen on TV.

[He tried to think of TV shows that had places around Earth that looked different. Famous cities like Los Angeles, New York, Paris, London... shows that showed farms and forests and oceans.]

Those places all exist. I just never saw them in person myself.

[firstroar]

[Blue's much more fixated on what Keith remembers seeing himself, that first-hand experience, drawing it to himself to feel it as if it were own. that canyon...it's like Ataraxia, the mountains...]

It's warm... And that smell... It's even different from the land here. [Trench, whose scent is always tinged in blood and decay.]

[tempredmental]

[Keith nodded, opening his eyes now.]

It was home for most of my life. Dad had a small ranch when I was young. I grew up out in that desert... just me and him... until he died. [He took a breath, pushing that last thought away... or trying to. Keith wasn't aware of the truth moonblessing on palebloods right now. He didn't know how all of that worked or that his coldblood might be helping someone feel comforted and safe.] I don't have a lot of really good memories after that until I met Shiro.

[He shook his head a little, stopping himself before he felt like he said too much.]

[firstroar]

Shiro.

[...]

Soldier. Pale hair. Missing arm...

[Blue's eyes finally open.]

The same one? From...the same Earth...?

[tempredmental]

[Keith nodded.]

I met him when he came to my school. He was recruiting new students for the Garrison's young cadet program. He's the reason I became a pilot.

[Well, sort of. He never did officially graduate. The Paladins had been granted their commissions when they'd returned to Earth from their time in space with Voltron, but the ones who'd been cadets when they left never actually graduated.]

[firstroar]

[Blue's still a little dazzled by first-hand Earth accounts to be entirely focused on the value of the bond to that name, that person. it gets more apparent as Keith speaks on it, though, and the Mu's attention shifts.

it's not new, discovering there are people here who have connections, tethers to others also from those same universes. it's not universal, considering his own lone state, but...it's strangely common. it makes Blue wonder what factors are really behind the forces pulling people to these shores.]

Having someone...from your own world... I'm glad for you, Keith.

[tempredmental]

[Keith nodded. He had a few people from his world here, but he was still trying to decide if them being here was a good thing. They'd been here longer than him, and clearly had been affected by it. He felt like he had to be careful with them, and that they were trying to be careful with him.]

It's been... okay. It's good to have familiar people, though it's been hard for them here. They've been here a lot longer than me, so things have been difficult for them.

[firstroar]

The nightmare, you mean. [he catches on without having to glean any context.] Yes, it...lingers in the minds of those who where there. Like a second shadow. The experiences there...aren't easily shaken.

But I'm sure he's grateful for a familiar connection. The one time I encountered him, it wasn't that shadow I recognized first... It was the kindness he exudes.

[tempredmental]

[Yeah. That got a smile in response.]

Yeah. Sounds like Shiro. Always putting others above himself.

[Keith nodded.]

He's just that kind of person. He cares about others. If I hadn't met him when I did, I might have been a lot more trouble growing up.

[firstroar]

And were you not here...I imagine he would be in some more trouble of his own. [it goes both ways, those connections.]

[tempredmental]

[Keith shook his head with a weak, but amused smile on his face.]

Oh, I don't now. I kinda doubt that.

[He had a knack for getting into trouble.]

[firstroar]

[that gets a thoughtful look with a slight head tilt.

after a beat:] If that's true...you can find out for certain. By simply asking.

[tempredmental]

Asking who?

[Keith shook his head.]

Nevermind. Shiro's generally not the type to want people to worry about him. He... hides things. I don't know that I'd really be able to get him to tell me anything if he thinks it might make me worry about him.