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Deer Country Mod ([personal profile] reddosmod) wrote in [community profile] deercountry2022-01-08 12:48 am

Gain the weight of you then lose it

JANUARY 2022 EVENT
IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

Prompt One
[Image One: Woman in an elaborate blue dress with high collar staring at camera while people dance in background.]
[Image Two: Woman in pink dress touching chest and smiling at camera while people dance in background.]

Prompt Two
[Image One: Explicit gif of snake shedding its skin and a new viperlike snake coming out of the old skin.]
[Image Two: Gif of eyes gazing at camera and right eye turning yellow.]

Prompt Three
[Image One: Image of rock snake with fire glowing in its mouth.]
[Image Two: Gif of a snake made entirely out of flames hissing.]

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
firstroar: (pic#5951994)

[personal profile] firstroar 2022-01-17 09:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, don't regret... [Blue breathes it out in a smile as he's helped away, back to a soft place to sit.] I'm so glad...I could do that. I never danced before.

[once sat down, he gives Yuri's arm a gentle squeeze before releasing him. the lion scoots in and plops down near them, nosing at Yuri when he's just barely been released.]


Thank you, Yuri. For this.
vibing: (tease | amused | soft | hand on hip)

[personal profile] vibing 2022-01-21 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
Never? Not even once?

[ Yuri sits down with him, not exactly keen to go back out just yet. He's not really here for other people. He's here for his friends, his little family. He could meet new Sleepers any day ]

Yeah, no problem, Blue. That was... it was really nice.
firstroar: (ɢᴜɪᴅᴇ)

[personal profile] firstroar 2022-01-21 04:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[not even once. dancing in a room with such an atmosphere...it just wasn't possible. the Mu children skipped and twirled about, but Blue was never taken by the hands to dance with them.

he understands the appeal easily, and he's grateful to have that experience for himself, to have shared it with Yuri. some of Flynn's affection for him has definitely rubbed off on Blue, but even without it, the Mu's certain he'd be just as fond of this moment all on his own; that extra layer just cements things for him, informs the truth.

after a few moments to settle:]
...Could we come back again? Another day.
vibing: (soft | look | easy)

[personal profile] vibing 2022-01-21 11:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah. Yeah, sure we can. I think this party is rolling all month long.

[ He relaxes back into the couch, eyes skating uninterestedly over the other people here before they turn back to Blue with a little smile ]

It's good, that you want to get out. [ Not that staying in the house is bad, necessarily, but Yuri worries about him sometimes. It's good to get out and see more people ]
firstroar: (pic#6892335)

[personal profile] firstroar 2022-01-22 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
[what other people is he looking at, Yuri. he's looking at you.

but anyway:]
The atmosphere here helps. Being so cold...saps energy. But here, it feels...lighter, somehow. Invigorating. [lost in the psychic sauce in a way.]
vibing: (smile | soft | look | gentle)

[personal profile] vibing 2022-01-23 03:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Being completely present with someone you care about is hard, okay?! ]

Yeah, good. It kinda is, huh? I haven't been to a party like this in ages. You can really get lost in it. [ His lips flicker in another small smile ] A lot of this must be pretty new for you, huh? Do you like it, being able to do this stuff? Or, y'know [ do you miss being home? ]
firstroar: (ʟɪsᴛᴇɴᴇʀ)

[personal profile] firstroar 2022-01-23 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
I do. Being able to experience these kinds of things... There was little cause for celebration or parties on the Shangri-La, and any joyful moments we had...played out a lot quieter than these.

We had nothing to compare to, of course...so it makes some sense we wouldn't think to. [and he does wish his people could experience these nicer facets of Trench for themselves, to interact with humans safely, without fear of reprisal or death.]

I like it, though. I wish...I were a bit younger. Stronger on my feet. [he'd dance all night!]
vibing: (smile | soft | tease)

[personal profile] vibing 2022-01-25 01:56 am (UTC)(link)
Man, you would probably like the parties back home. Any excuse to throw a party, the lower quarter went all out. Every festival, every big birthday... [ He shakes his head, the nostalgia tangling with the bitter tang that he's never going to get to celebrate with the people back home again.

But he shrugs that off. Now isn't the time
]

Maybe it's a Mu thing. Humans, I'm pretty sure we always find an excuse to be loud.

Y'know, I've known you for this long, and I still can't really wrap my head around you being that old. I know you are, but you don't look it.

[ And Blue isn't really his idea of an old person. He isn't sure what that is, but someone like Hanks or Raven, not Blue who's so composed and works with his body instead of against it ]
firstroar: (ᴘᴇᴀᴄᴇ)

[personal profile] firstroar 2022-01-25 07:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[Blue's eyes crinkle with some mirth at that.]

There was a point, long ago...where I just stopped outwardly changing. My peers gradually stopped, too, but at a later point. It may just...be a quality of Mu longevity.

If it helps sell the truth...I certainly can't move about as a younger man.
vibing: (tired | smile | over it)

[personal profile] vibing 2022-01-28 12:34 am (UTC)(link)
I don't think you're lying, it's just... y'know. [ He looks so young. ] That's not how humans work. Pretty sure it's hell to live past 30 for us.

[ Not that Blue's life seems easy by any means. Being so physically impaired would drive Yuri crazy. That's the one thing he has: his body. It's how he earned his keep in the lower quarter, how he traveled the world, how he helped save it.

He drops his elbows to his knees with a soft sigh
]

What were you like, when you were young? But, after the whole... memory thing. [ Because he doesn't necessarily want Blue to have to relive that just to tell him about it. ]
firstroar: (pic#6892335)

[personal profile] firstroar 2022-01-29 01:27 am (UTC)(link)
When I was young, hm...? [Blue tilts his head, looking out at the other patrons as he thinks about it. all these bright, young folks...

what was it like then? past the trauma and terror of Ganymede, after the long sleep of the first leg of their journey... who was he as the young Soldier? it wouldn't be through his own memories that the truth lay, but in what memories he carries of his peers. Harley, Zel, Mira, Brau, Hillman...

to that end:]
I was very impatient, and...rather ambitious, I think. To the delight and exasperation of the others. Once I found I was able to fly...it was hard to keep my feet on the ground for too long a time.

At least...until my responsibilities found me again. [as was always the case. he's no Peter Pan, even if he seldom seemed to age, even if he could fly, whisk children away from threats and cares...]
vibing: (smile | soft | proud | look)

[personal profile] vibing 2022-01-30 01:58 am (UTC)(link)
[ Yuri snorts a laugh, grinning at him ] Who could blame you? Hell, if I could fly I probably wouldn't stop either. So that's not normal for Mu? You're pretty special, huh?

I can't imagine you being impatient, though. You're so damn patient now. That something you grew into?

[ It's kind of nice, sitting here with Blue, really learning more about him. They've lived together for a while now, but Yuri hasn't let himself really settle, hasn't quite let himself believe that he lives here now. That knowledge is settling in deeper, now ]
firstroar: (ʟɪsᴛᴇɴᴇʀ)

[personal profile] firstroar 2022-01-30 08:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[it is a change of pace, isn't it? many deep conversations where any learning has happened has leaned very far into finding out about Yuri, not Blue, and to be fair, Blue's been content with that. his own past, the path that's brought him here...he isn't ashamed of it, but he knows it comes with very grim and sorrowful fare - not exactly the kind of thing to bring up in friendly conversation.

that said, Blue wouldn't have thought to bring up flitting about as a boy, learning to fly; it goes to show what good outside eyes and ears can be to a person's own memories.]


I think...patience is relative...to the time you live. To the circumstances thrust upon you. Growing into it...or simply realizing that, looking back, it's been sixty, seventy years... I suppose it's just a matter of perspective, isn't it.
vibing: (neutral | sad | soft | explain | look |)

[personal profile] vibing 2022-02-02 12:11 am (UTC)(link)
I suppose. Huh. [ He falls silent for a moment, elbow on his knees, lost in thought. ] I always thought that growing old, that it would suck. And, yeah, you have trouble with some stuff, but...

[ But he isn't decrepit. He isn't complaining about his age, his limitations. He seems content with them, or has learned to live with them.

But even with that, Yuri is afraid to grow old. Very afraid of it. All he has is his body, it's his only asset, and if it's gone, if it fails him, he doesn't know what he would do, how he would live. He doesn't blame Blue for not being able to do some things for himself, but he would blame himself if he was in the same situation.
]

Sixty or seventy years... Jeez, this time in Trench must feel like a blink of an eye to you.
firstroar: (ᴘᴇᴀᴄᴇ)

[personal profile] firstroar 2022-02-03 02:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[Blue's mouth quirks briefly.]

The changes are fast, yes...but the time is relative...to what my focus is on. A day is fleeting, but only if I am not fully present within the day. Right now...there is no feeling of being rushed, even if these hours are short...compared to all that has passed.

[he tilts his head a little, thoughtful.]

In fact...I couldn't tell you how long we've been here.
vibing: (neutral | look | calm | skit)

[personal profile] vibing 2022-02-06 05:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Half a year.

[ Which is pretty long by his estimation. He hasn't seen Estelle or Rita or Karol in half a year. He's not sure that he'll ever see them again, and while he pretends he's okay with it, that's a heavy weight to think about.

He shakes it off as best he can
]

Good. It's... having time. Is good.

[ Is it? He likes to keep busy, gets antsy when he sits still for too long ]
firstroar: (pic#5952056)

[personal profile] firstroar 2022-02-06 08:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[can't hide that heaviness from Blue, Yuri. and that impatience. he reaches over, putting a hand over Yuri's.

with a smile:]
Thank you. For spending some of it with me. But don't let me be the only one you speak with here tonight; go have a look around?
vibing: (soft | look | smile)

[personal profile] vibing 2022-02-08 01:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ Yuri looks down at the hand, then up at Blue's smile. He tries to smile back, but it doesn't quite work ]

Yeah... yeah, I'll do that. Hey, you tell me when you want to go home, okay?

[ Because he'll help Blue get back home.

He squeezes Blue's hand, then pushes himself up to go wander around the party, hoping to find something, or someone, to take his mind off of, well. Everything
]