deercountry | Gain the weight of you then lose it

Gain the weight of you then lose it

JANUARY 2022 EVENT

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

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

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

[NAVIGATION]

Prompt 1 • Prompt 2 • Prompt 3 • Plotting • Newsletter

[JUMP TO COMMENTS]

SNAKE DEN

WHEN: Evenings throughout January
WHERE: The Red, Cellar Door
CONTENT WARNINGS: Alcohol/Drugs, possible NSFW scenarios, forced honesty, mood altering substances.

Around Trench, Sleepers will find a gold-edged flyer pinned to most doors, lamps, and posted around stores and throughout the market. Some may even find the flyer pinned to their front door:

MADAM GENEROSITY INVITES YOU TO THE SNAKE DEN

Hello darling and dearest Sleepers! Do not let the cold dampen your spirit or weaken your hope. Do not allow our differences to divide us; do not let the frigid drive you to isolation; do not hurt your soul by forgetting one another. They say snakes cannot thrive in the cold, yet here I am, defying it, thriving despite it. You can too. We must persist. We shall persist. Not with violence and bloodshed, not with pollution and corruption, but with unity! With compassion and fun.

I invite you all to join me at The Red every odd evening of January! Welcome to the Snake Den! A little Talent Show I throw occasionally to remind Sleepers of their profound potential for greatness and awe! Come be flashy on stage or to support your friends. After the Talent Show is our famed Fashion Show. Do you have eccentric outfits you would like to show off? Now is truly your time to shine!

The evening will be filled with plenty of food and drink for all. We shall dance, we shall show off, we shall persist and defy corruption together. Let my lovely Night Walkers shine and keep you company for the evening. Find some new friends, have an illicit affair, or just come so you don't have to be alone for a night. You are all welcome...And don't worry, I've enchanted the Red so that none of your powers can cause any damage while inside the building. Feel free to really make a light show with your fire! It won't hurt anyone.

I so look forward to seeing all of you there.

With Love,
Madam Generosity

The Red has been elaborately decorated for the Snake Den spectacle. Enormous golden statues of snakes have been placed throughout. Golden lights glitter above. Servers carry about golden flutes of champagne, soda, and sparkling water. You can order other drinks at the bar. While the invite has gone out to Sleepers, there are some regular Trenchies who have come to show their support. To perform in the Talent Show portion, one simply needs to go backstage to prepare with the rest.

A female Trenchie named Dorothea seems to be directing the acts. People can perform multiple times. Talents performed can include music, comedy, dance routines, or little skits. After the Talent Show concludes, a Fashion Show will be put on, and everyone is encouraged to join. You can get your hair and make-up done elaborately backstage and find eccentric outfits to try on if you're not so happy with the one you showed up in.

Going to the Snake Den at this time will cause incredible stress relief. Even those who are typically shy or introverted will find themselves soothed at the Snake Den. Giant pillows have been thrown about so people can puddle in together and snuggle up. Private rooms have been created out of silks for some private conversations or interactions.

There must be something in the drinks or the snacks going around because it becomes easy to become a much more outgoing version of yourself at the party. It may increase friendliness or touchiness and relax people's usual reservations. Who knows? It might encourage you to go up on stage and show off a bit or talk to that handsome stranger who has been eying you the whole night. Regular intoxication from alcohol/drugs is possible as well which means some people might not need the additional encouragement.

Regular dancing occurs after the Fashion Shows with various musicians performing on stage to fill the night up with plenty of mood melodies. As the evening prolongs, the lights dim and things become quiet and soothing. Since paleblood magic is exceptionally strong this month with honesty, attendants of the party may find themselves being more open and honest about themselves. Hopefully, you don't confess anything too vulnerable about yourself...

FAQ:
1. Characters with mental abilities may be able to resist the honesty sway if they consciously realize it is happening.

2. Any talent can be performed on the stage.

3. The flyer is magically enchanted so that people who touch it will feel unusually excited to go to the Snake Den.

THE SHEDDING CEREMONY

WHEN: Begins in January - Effects may be permanent. Players choose when the effects wear off.
WHERE: Everywhere
CONTENT WARNINGS: Forced modification of body, possible themes of body dysmorphia, shedding/peeling skin, burning/eating dead skin, alternate versions of characters, possible genderswapping, possible alteration of personality/memories.

[A passage from Rituals and Reality; Chapter 2: The Shedding Ceremony. Found exclusively in Gaze:]

"Worshippers of Madam Generosity believed that the shedding of snakeskin was symbolic to the shedding of an old life and the acceptance of a new life. The skin left behind was a reminder of past trials and tribulations, and the skin you walk away with is evidence of all that you have learned and experienced. In ancient times, Sleepers would ritualistically select one of their own to sacrifice to Madam Generosity. Eventually, Sleepers would come to learn that Madam Generosity did not appreciate blood sacrifices. Due to her gentle nature, she encouraged Sleepers to pay tribute to her in other ways.

Thus came the Shedding Ceremony. Sleepers would rub away chapped skin and set it afire in a bowl. They would reflect on lives left behind and the new life they had been given in Trench. Over time, this created a powerful magical experience that persisted beyond the original ceremony. The Shedding Ceremony is both a ritual and an enchantment.

As January begins, Sleepers may find that their skin has become dry and brittle. The generous application of lotions and oils may soothe the skin, but neglected skin can begin to peel off. Although it is a painless experience, it can be rather gross to look at and a bit itchy. Then one day, you simply fall asleep and when you awaken, you are an entirely different version of yourself. You will find a nearly perfect replica of your old self in a shed skin nearby. Your new body may be stronger, faster, more powerful. Old scars may be healed, lost limps replaced...Or you might be an entirely new gender. Some have even experienced becoming a different species. Some awaken as an older or younger variation of themselves while others find that they have become an alternate version of themselves.

These effects have been known to last for a few days up to months at a time. In some scenarios, the effects have become permanent. Some believe it to be a curse while others believe it is a gift. It may happen multiple times and take a few sheds to return to your original body. It is believed that ingesting your old skin or burning it alleviates the changes and brings you back to your original body faster. Generous application of lotion and oils can prevent the Shedding Ceremony altogether for some - or at the very least, slow it down."

FAQ

1. Characters can avoid this prompt altogether via the application of lotion.

2. If you decide to permanently change your character in a big way (ie; changing their species/gender/age) then we do ask that you update your character on the taken page to reflect that they are now an Alternate Version of a character. This would open up the original character to be applicable to new players.

3. This can change blood types for those interested in trying on a new blood type. You can either temporarily change a blood type or permanently. If you permanently change a blood type, let us know on the Blood Type page and update your information on the taken page.

4. You can play out the transformation as explicitly or non-explicitly as you want. Maybe characters see the changes happening under their peeling skin or just wake up in their new body. The peeling does not need to be any more graphic than what you would typically see on dry skin.

5. You can alter a character's gender, species, age, blood type, or switch to a general alternate version of a character (ie; Coffee Shop AU, an AU of your character but with different powers, an AU of your character if they came from a different canon or timeline.) Please have fun with this and explore the possibilities for as long as you like!

Unsnakely

WHEN: All of Bone Season
WHERE: Anywhere outside
CONTENT WARNINGS: Possible injuries or death from burns/fire.

[A journal entry from the Wayward Watcher that can be found in the Archaic Archives reads:]

"Do not trust the naked snake trails of January. They exist to trick you into a sense of Madam Generosity's comfort. The Good Pthumerian leaves snow tracks in her wake, but the Unsnakely leaves melted trails of snow. This creature has spent centuries cloaking itself to rope in those who devotedly follow Madam Generosity. The kind people of Trench look to snakes as a trustworthy, compassionate symbol filled with good intention.

There are many ways to anticipate the Unsnakely's presence. Besides its melted trails (that eventually turn to ice in the cold), you may notice pockets of comfortable heat. While many believe greenery is a good sign, do not be fooled by the melted patches of grass you find. These are not symbols of an early spring. They are symbols of incoming destruction.

The Unsnakely is not of blood or soul; it is a blood curse of the earth, a product of Blood Pollution. It's a creature made out of rock, with no pulse, no soul, no mind. Molten lava pours through its body. It moves in and out of the earth without disturbing the surface, transforming from rock into small beasts or a snake the size of your home. It looks to spill blood to freshen its own magic and its choice of weapon is its size and the fire it breathes. A furious Unsnakely will light up in flames and can bring great destruction to its surroundings. People have lost their homes to the Unsnakely and of course, people have lost their lives.

The Unsnakely, no matter the size it takes, is as fast and lethal as a typical snake. It cannot truly die, as it is a curse of the earth, but it can be physically destroyed by immense blunt strength or coldblood abilities whether fire or ice. Typical ice abilities will not work against the snake - they must come from a coldblood source. Enchanted coldblood items will be effective against the Unsnakely.

The Unsnakely can spit fire like venom and boil the air around it. It can be difficult to get physically close enough to land a blow due to the suffocatingly hot temperature rolling off its body. It traditionally hunts in the streets and in the woods, by the beach and among the cliffs. Once someone has slain the beast, it returns to the earth where it rebuilds itself over a period of 2-3 days. It primarily hunts during Bone Season, preferring to use the cloak of Madam Generosity to its advantage.

Since this is not a traditional snake, it has no desire to "eat" anyone. It will simply roast you alive - which is arguably worse for some. Its fire burns hotter and brighter than regular fire, and it is a slow, agonizing death that has caused absolute madness in some. People have claimed to see strange visions in the smoke that pours off of the Unsnakely, causing distortion in battle. Do not inhale too much of the Unsnakely's smoke as it will cause intense vertigo. Remember: this is a creature of deception.

Lastly, it would be beneficial to know that the Unsnakely cannot hear or see. It responds to the vibration around it. Some who stay still may get the upper hand, but the creature can feel the vibrations of your heartbeat if your pulse is unusually elevated. Good luck, fellow Hunters. Treat burns by the Unsnakely with vileblood. I know it sounds mad, but the vileblood seems to attack whatever cursed heat comes with burns from the Unsnakely.

Take care of yourself,
- The Wayward Watcher"

FAQ
1. Characters who can manipulate earth can contort/stop/fight against the Unsnakely's natural body. It will take great control to fully control or dismantle the body.

2. Coldbloods with fire abilities can similarly control the fire of the Unsnakely with great control.

CODING

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

While the idea of receiving a gift just for inviting someone to his home is still a bit confusing to K, he doesn't argue the point. The last thing he'd want to do is risk offending Kyle (or his mother, for that matter). And it is a very kind gesture.

Shit happens does sum it up well. Shit happens and never seems to stop happening. But he keeps that pessimistic thought to himself, preferring to focus on the happier topic of Kyle and Karkat's romance.

"'Gross' is entirely subjective," he says with a hint of a smile. "I think it's charming and I'm very happy for you both. I've talked with Karkat about the quadrant system before, I think he has good opinions about relationships." Look, K totally ships them even if he wouldn't call it that. Then the mention of Dirk's name has his brow furrowing a little. "Dirk Strider? He's who invited me to come with him here." Which is also a whole thing in itself. "What happened?"

No matter what universe he's in, Kyle will always, always respect his mother.

If that opinion were voiced aloud, Kyle would be inclined to agree. He's been living through constant shit for years. That said, he remains doggedly stubborn in his optimism. Some might say delusional.

"Thanks. Yeah, it's a great system, right? It's funny because we started in one quadrant and then kinda just... got into all the others. I guess we're messy."

Oho. A date? Innnnteresting. Kyle waves a hand. "Aw, nothing really. He was just being a good big brother, which I can respect. You know, 'don't hurt my brother's boyfriend' kind of thing. Kinda sweet, really."

Kyle conveniently leaves out the part where Dirk told him flat out he was nowhere near as good as his brother, deliberately shooting holes in what little self esteem Kyle has. No, he's gonna be a good wingman to both his bros.

"He's really cool, though. How'd you guys meet? If you say through his work I will have to tease you, though."

K does recall seeing Kyle reply to Dirk's first network post, but he hadn't read very far into their exchange because it had felt... kind of invasive. Even if it was all public. But something has set off his bullshit detector. It's really nagging at him now, and, fortunately or unfortunately for Kyle, he pulls out his Omni to find the post again, not attempting to be discreet about it.

"Sort of through his work. I responded to his network post about it and..." He hesitates. "Overshared. I still don't know why. He said it was probably his Paleblood influence. We talked at length and later he invited me to come with him." On something they'd probably both deny is a date, since K's basically resigned himself to a widower life and Dirk's enjoying his casual hookups.

The more he reads, the more taken aback he is by the cruelty of Dirk's replies to Kyle. (And can't help raising an eyebrow at: "If you're going to date someone else's boyfriend, fucking commit and own that shit.") He's a very fast reader; it's only a few moments until he glances back up at Kyle with an incredulous expression.

"You have an interesting definition of 'sweet'."

"Aww, I can't even tease you, to be honest. It was a good post, like really helpful for people. And dude, Palebloods one hundred percent make you overshare. I've said the dumbest shit to them, like more than usual."

Kyle's eyebrows raise in alarm as he realises what it was K was looking at.

"What? Oh! Oh, no, no. You're reading the thing? Yeah, okay, he was a total douchecanoe, BUT I also totally overreacted. I'm really embarrassed about it. But what matters is that he messaged me after and apologised. It was super mature of him. And we worked it out, we're bros now. I think he's a lot sweeter than he lets on."

"I'm just grateful the replies to the post are all private." It's comforting to know he isn't alone with the embarrassing oversharing, at least.

"If anyone treated me that way, I don't think I'd ever speak to them again," K admits, thinking Kyle might be too forgiving for his own good, regardless of his own opinion of Dirk. "But it's good he apologised and I'm glad you worked it out." Hopefully it meant Dirk recognised that he'd really crossed a line and was remorseful. Maybe he'd ask Dirk about it later.

First there's the necessary matter of teasing Kyle. He's certainly noticed how little Kyle seems to think of himself.

"I'm a little surprised he didn't proposition you after you sent the selfie," he says, trying to suppress a smile. "Probably only because of Karkat."

"Me too." Is he tacitly admitting that he responded to that post? Yes.

"He wasn't that bad," Kyle says, fully aware that he was. "It's just a big brother thing. But yeah, it's cool."

Kyle goes pink. "Uh, or he has eyes," he responds. "I'm not really photogenic. And Dirk is objectively gorgeous. So, no. No, I'm not his type.

"God, we really did just do all that in public, didn't we? Fuck. Well. It's fine."

"I've never had a sibling, so I suppose I'll have to take your word for it." Which is a polite way of saying still sounds like bullshit, but okay.

"Well, I wasn't talking about his 'type' — which is, from what he told me, any man willing to have a good time—" And K sort of wishes it was an exaggeration, but he's quick to cut off that line of thought. "But since you mentioned types..."

He sets his Omni to projection mode and brings up a photo of himself with Technical Boy — a tall, gangly ginger with gap teeth, and for once without his hair styled to within an inch of its life — their arms around each other, smiling for the camera. Happier times.

"Apparently you'd be mine," he says with a quiet huff of laughter. "You really sell yourself short; you're far from ugly. That's all I was getting at. I've always thought you're handsome. And, more importantly, very kind."

"Trust me, I'd probably be a total dick if I thought someone was horning in on my brother Ike's love life, too," Kyle says earnestly.

He snorts. "I'm also not a very good time," he says before peering with interest at the Omni's projection. His first thought is that K looks so happy. It makes him smile a little.

Then he's turning even pinker. "Oh," he says, stunned. He can't really think of a great argument against that. "I, uhm. Thank you. Wow." He studies his hands for a second, collecting himself.

"I guess he's not here? Your ginger, I mean."

Kyle's reaction makes K smile. He just hopes Kyle will believe him and maybe remember it the next time someone tries to tear down his self-esteem. Some of those replies in Dirk's post hurt to read.

"He was... We'd been together for years. From Deerington, to his homeworld, to here. Then one morning he was just. Gone." He looks down at his hands.

"You must not have met him? Technical Boy." A beat. "Or Tobie. We gave each other proper names since neither of us had one." Which he knows would sound very strange for any conventional couple, but, well. An android and a god are far from conventional.

"He's a technology god — a deity in a literal sense — and often spent time inside the network. He mentioned liking the capslock troll's style. I realised later he meant Karkat," he says, a hint of amusement in his tone. "I bet they probably would've become friends; they have similar personalities." Based on what K knows of Karkat from the network. They're both internet trolls, as it were.

Kyle looks stricken. "Oh my god, dude," he says. "I'm so sorry. No, I never met him... Tobie and K, huh? Sounds good."

He shakes his head, smiling faintly. "Oh, awesome, they could have screamed into the void together."

Shyly, he squeezes K's shoulder. "If you ever need to talk about it, I'm happy to listen."

K hesitates for a long moment, then offers, "Kade. The name he gave me." Something only one person has ever called him. And while there have been reasons he prefers going by 'K' with everyone else, he doesn't mind Kyle knowing his proper name now. It's... nice. Maybe he should start using it more, with certain people.

"Mutual screaming into the void is exactly how it'd go down," he agrees, then sobers. "And I really appreciate that. Thank you." He definitely couldn't have talked about any of it a few months ago, but it's getting easier, little by little. And to think it had started with Dirk's sex shop post of all things and waxing poetic about domming TB. Ugh. He resists the urge to facepalm, instead letting his thoughts wander back to Kyle's earlier agreement. And then it dawns on him.

"Wait... You replied to Dirk's sex shop post too," he realises, smiling despite himself. Some levity probably couldn't hurt right now.

Kyle smiles. "Kade. Would you prefer I call you that or not? I'm cool either way."

It's really too easy to picture the shrieking. And likewise easy to imagine how much it must hurt for K to have lost someone like that. Just... poof. No more. "Dude, anytime, for serious."

Kyle stares, growing gradually pinker until his whole face is scarlet. "I. Well. Yes. I needed something mad." He buries his face in his hands for a second, then drags his fingers down his face.

"Okay, you have to SWEAR not to tell anyone, but like... Okay. Aliens are different. So."

"You're... well. The first person here I've told about it. So no one else'll know who you mean if you refer to me by name." Which doesn't really answer Kyle's question. Hm. "They're both important to me for different reasons... I suppose stick with 'K' for convenience?" He sounds uncertain.

"Of course I won't tell anyone. And that would make sense," he says with a curious tilt of his head. "I imagine most non-humans differ from humans, whether anatomically or physiologically, or both." Himself included, and he wonders if mentioning that might help Kyle feel less awkward. Or even more awkward? "I don't mean to embarrass you. Too much," he adds with a clear note of amusement in his voice. "I feel better knowing you replied, too. And you... ordered something?"

Is it inappropriate to ask about? He isn't actually sure, but he thinks it speaks well of Kyle that he clearly cares a lot about his partner's enjoyment. They're both lucky to have each other.

"I'll call you K if I talk to anyone else. If it's just you and me, I'll call you whatever you prefer. It's a good name, dude. Thanks for trusting me with it." Kyle is bright enough to recognise that this is kind of a big deal.

"Nah, it's fine. Uhm. I did. So... Trolls have a tentacle. I do not. So. I thought, like... maybe it would be cool to get an approximation? And Dirk was like yeah dude, I can make one that moves and stuff. So. Yeah. It's gonna be a surprise, assuming I don't chicken out. Karkat might be like put that shit away."

"Oh... I wouldn't mind that. You can use either." It seems like a good compromise, and it'll give him a chance to test out how he feels about having other people call him by Kade. And it is a big deal, even if he tends to downplay it.

He isn't sure what he'd really expected, but tentacles are... very... interesting. Do trolls reproduce like cephalopods? He has so many questions, but thankfully the sense not to bombard Kyle with them. He imagines Dirk already did.

"And you said you're not a very good time. That was obviously a lie," he teases. "Karkat mentioned something about having only been with humans, and not other trolls... so it may be a new experience for both of you. It's nice you're willing to try." He tilts his head. "But that might not be the sort of thing he'd like sprung on him as a surprise?" Kyle would know better than him, but it's worth pointing out, he thinks.

Kyle grins. "Cool. And if you change your mind, you can just say so."

The subject of troll reproduction is so much weirder.

He goes red, but he grins. "Yeah. Just Dirk's brother and me. But we've had some conversations. By which I mean we screamed about it."

He looks around, then adds, "I was thinking for Valentine's Day. He's a HUGE romance movie guy, so I figured... yeah."

Having witnessed some of Kyle and Karkat's other screaming via the network, K has an idea of how those discussions may have gone — and tries to hide his amused smile behind a hand. It does make him miss his own screamy internet troll.

"That... seems like a sweet idea, actually." Assuming Karkat's into receiving sex toys as a gesture of affection. "Romantic. ...Hold that thought," K says as he gets up from the piano bench and wanders a short distance away, to where the various other instruments are arranged. He brings an amp and bass guitar back, offering the latter to Kyle. Yep, he's not passing up the opportunity for them to actually play together. "Feel like indulging me while you're here?"

The idea just occurred to him. He wasn't intending to change the subject, though.

"Did Karkat and Dirk's brother ever formally end their relationship? That's never been clear to me."

Kyle grins. It's a goofy expression, but sweet. "Thanks," he says, pleased.

He looks after K, then laughs when he sees what he's brought. "Dude, I suck. But yes, totally." He takes the bass, slipping the strap over his head.

"Oh. No. No, they're still together in some timeline. It's... it is what it is."

"We're playing for fun. You don't have to worry about impressing anyone." It's just nice having someone to play with. And since Kyle mentioned Cardi B — that's what K returns to, choosing one of her other popular songs to start picking out on the piano. Nothing too crazy or fancy, but something Kyle should have an easy time accompanying.

He gives a thoughtful hum in response to that. "Dave could theoretically show up here too," he says with a glance at Kyle. "Have you talked about what would happen if he does?"

It takes him a moment to get his fingers to remember what they're supposed to do, but once they do Kyle manages okay. He's smiling the whole time, because it's fun.

At the question he nods. "Yeah. I, uh. Kinda made a huge deal out of saying that if Dave showed up I wouldn't stand in their way and Karkat lost his shit on me. So. IF it happened... I guess I'd have to learn to share.

Their situations aren't at all the same, but Kyle's answer does provide some food for thought regardless. And it's easy to guess Karkat must have lost his shit in a good way. The troll is so devoted to Kyle from everything that K's seen that he can't imagine Karkat being willing to just... throw all that away, for any reason.

"Because he doesn't want to give up what you two have?" K guesses, sounding hopeful. "You'd be okay with sharing?" A beat. "If that's too personal, you don't have to answer."

"Yeah. He basically said I was an asshole for being willing to give him up so easily."

Kyle shakes his head because while it is terribly personal it really helps to have someone to talk to.

"I don't know. I'm really jealous. The idea of him with someone else makes me feel sick. But like... I dunno. Maybe Dave is awesome."

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Gain the weight of you then lose it

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cw: nsfw discussion

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