songerein | { something steamy }

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{ something steamy }

SOMETHING STEAMY

This log is open to everyone and doubles as a "Character Intro" for new characters who were just accepted this round. As a reminder, new characters are welcome to carry over their TDM threads backdated to the last week of October (25-31) so that they're not really "new" if players wish to do so! Starting fresh is also acceptable.

I. REVEREIN HOTPOT

With the temperatures cooling down, some locals have decided to throw a huge hotpot party along the riverbank for no real reason other than to try and cook up some good food and meet new faces. While participating restaurants and farmers are happy to provide some surplus ingredients, others are welcome to bring their own. There are plenty of grills and pots to go around, but with so many people and…unique ingredients coming in, there's bound to be a little chaos. (Thanks to Mich for the idea!)

A. Hunt for the "Legendary" Ingredient. To spice things up, a challenge has been posted before the day of the party for those who want to add some unique flavor to the meal.

Golden Truffles. There are special truffles found deep in the swamps hidden within the Wildlands that are said to taste so divine that just a small bite would make one feel as if they are floating to heaven. No it's not poisonous!! While not exactly rare in number, they are notoriously hard to find and require special pigs to sniff and dig them out. Some truffle hunters have agreed to let anyone daring to look for the truffles to borrow said pigs for the hunt. However, they can be ornery and will only cooperate if you sing a happy song to them. The swamps themselves can be filled with some mild dangers, but the pigs should guide you. Probably.
Mandragora Leaves. There is a marked field where the mandragora have taken residence. They will give up their leaves if asked nicely, but if too rough or without showing respect, they will scream and attack instead. Even then you have to take care in clipping the leaves.
Rainbow Speckled Eggs. Some wild hens that live out in the Wildlands lay rainbow speckled eggs at this time of year and they are huge! Can't miss them. They are duds and won't hatch, so they are perfect for eating. The hens themselves won't mind them taken, but the roosters that guard them are a different story. Get past them and collect the egg!

B. Food Thieves. Attracted by the delicious smell and it being time to start gathering for the winter, a few critters and even some small fae try to sneak in and snatch a few pieces for themselves. Squirrels and chipmunks in particular like to swipe any chestnuts some people are trying to roast, and the birds are diving in for any free morsel. There are a few ways to handle this, from chasing them off to trying to create a designated "food try" for the animals to take to avoid them bothering everyone else.

C. Communal Pot Surprise. While there are smaller, individual pots available for more private use, there is a larger pot that suspiciously looks like a cauldron set near the center where anyone can dump in whatever ingredient they desire—even inedible items—and produce questionable yet somehow edible results. Here are some various effects that occur:

Anything green: Chances of turning into a frog—25%. The remaining chance is just having one's hair turn green.
Sour fruit: Everything will taste like lemons for ten minutes. No amount of sugar will help until it wears off.
Candy: Everything will taste super sweet for ten minutes and 50% chance of getting a sugar rush.
Alcohol: TIME TO SING A RAUNCHY SONG WITH GREAT FERVOR but think of the children or don't.
Inedible Objects: Why would anyone throw a shoe or sock in there—the soup will turn black and empty itself so now everyone has to start over.

This is not an exhaustive list or this prompt would go on forever—so feel free to come up with other effects with whatever item your character tosses in!

D. General Mingling. There are plenty of tables and places to sit, so grab some ingredients, find a spot, and start cooking! Just remember to share and greet everyone around! Be mindful of the pots and grills as well as they can be sensitive to emotions. Get too animated and the water or fire might shoot up in temperature. But dreamotion could also help enrich flavors, so everyone is encouraged to play around. There will also be a few spicy and garnish noodle dragons flying around to help season things. Just make sure they don't get too overzealous.

II. DRAGON ISLAND

The Hot Air Balloon Station set just outside some open fields beyond town are bustling with activity as the Dragon Island (name pending) has finally opened its borders and allow outside visitors to come in and visit the island. Its main attraction of course is the hot springs resort, "Draken Springs," where everyone has received a one time free voucher to test its amenities. There are other places guests can visit near the hot springs, and by helping the nearby towns and villages, favorability will increase as well as earn extra vouchers for the hot springs. For more details on the island in general, refer to the Mod Notes.

A. Dragon Riders. There's already a task written up on the Dream Board from farmers requesting help for harvest, but there is another request to help deal with some aggressive animals that have scared off some livestock and then corral the ones that have gotten loose. The beasts are a tough, armored, armadillo-like bear whose hide is resistant to dragon flame and can be tough to fight. Dreamotion works better to strengthen physical and magical attacks. The young adolescents are giving non-dragons the privilege of riding on their backs to fly around to help first find and deal with the bears, and then herd the livestock back to their respective farms and ranches.

B. Dragon Nursery. One of the neighboring villages is taking care of many of the new hatchlings that were recovered from the previous "raid" on Reverein. Despite a month passing, some dragons are still trying to figure out who the parents are, and there is a strong suspicion that some of the eggs were never originally from the island at all, leaving many orphaned. The dragons have a very strong communal instinct when it comes to raising their young, so some have been adopted but others are still waiting to be taken as arrangements are still being made. Thus in the meantime, help is requested to do one simple task: play and help feed the young hatchlings. They are basically toddlers so it might be quite the challenge for those unprepared, especially as their own magic is still wild and out of control. Calm dreamotion will help as well as using opposing elements to help balance the magic.

C. Hot Springs: Testing the Waters. Everyone has a chance to grab a towel and test both the indoor and outdoor public springs. For more private rooms, they will need to pay up as the voucher only covers the public springs. But they will still be provided with complimentary drinks, snacks, towels, and use of the showers to clean up before and after using the springs. As for whether it's mixed, separated, covered, or bare it all…well hopefully visitors are able to decipher the signs. There are also the saunas, just be mindful of how hot it can get.

D. Hot Springs: Special Snacks. There are some unique foods that the town and resort offers for anyone to try that can be only found on the island.

Dragon's breath peppers are hot, but these won't kill anyone (the dragons are too considerate for that). This particular species is safe to consume but as the name implies, will give one fiery breath for a while. Anyone who had the kebabs from the festival might recall a similar effect.
A spiked fruit that suspiciously looks like durian has a notable stench that will carry for quite a ways, but anyone daring enough to get past it will find the fruit sweet and seeds edible once boiled and the skin peeled away. It even has a bit of a rejuvenating effect.
Dragon fruits are a nice palette cleanser especially with yogurt or ice cream. Anyone who eats it will be able to relax more easily.

E. Hot Springs: Recreation Room. There is a sizeable recreational room where any guest is free to relax and lounge in. They offer a small snack bar, some board and card games, yoga mats, billiards table, and a ping pong table. The ping pong table in particular is set a little ways from the rest as the competition can get a little heated—literally. They even had to erect magical barriers to prevent wildly charged balls from hitting others outside of the containment area.

F. Hot Springs: Peeping Toms. Even the hot springs on Dragon Island are vulnerable to unsavory characters. Although rare, there are some unwelcome guests who try to peep into the springs, and while there are security personnel and magic devices that try to catch them, some still manage to sneak in. Especially the monkeys. Descending from the higher peaks, most wild monkeys use the other pools outside of the resort for their own use, but some are attracted to the food and other amenities and make their way into the resort pools instead. Some of them are respectful and can make for great bathing company. But others are clearly not and need to be kicked out without remorse. So whether it's an uninvited or unruly guest, or a wild monkey, if caught in the act either report or feel free to handle it. Remember, even if thrown off the mountain, they will not fall to their doom, and in this case will be caught by the magic security devices.

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[...

Percy stops for a minute, and considers as he watches Beat go towards the hot spring.

Should he?]

[he smirks, and then moves forward again, feeling the pressure in his gut as he calls the hot springs towards Beat.

the water is splashing out now, going to make a mini-wave over to Beat if he's not paying enough attention--]

Well, not around me, at least.

[ She smiles softly. There may be others he may wind up hiding his lineage from, and others yet still that don't believe him, but at least she won't be one of them. ]

What does it feel like? To control the water... [ She's looking down, making slow, small circles with her hand, as if she's pretending that she can. ]

[he thinks about it for a moment, and smiles in a more relaxed way.]

It's like using a different part of myself, like a leg or an arm, that I didn't know existed until four years ago. It's just...natural.

[he grins.]

Being in the water while I'm using it feels like I can do anything. It gives me energy, dulls my aches, and I actually kind of feel like I belong there.

[he coughs, realizing he's been going on and on.]

But that's not really what you asked, is it?

Well, whatchu waitin' for?

[It's too late to hear the wave coming his way. Once it hits him, it knocks him forward and off of his feet.]

Bwaaaah!

[And down he goes.

The monkey, however, seeing the wave, immediately scampers up Percy's leg and onto his shoulder for safety.]

[Percy laughs as Beat goes down, even if he jumps when the monkey races up his leg. he helps the little guy perch on his shoulder, and leans over and kisses him on the head.]

There. Mission accomplished, right little guy?

[the monkey starts preening Percy's hair as if trying to look for bugs.]

[He can flee all he wants, Velvet just utters a sigh under her breath.]

Knock yourself out. I won't be here to deal with the mess after if you do.

[That's on the dragons. But she'll be heading off in the other direction, back to the proper springs where she'll relax a bit, because apparently, she deserves a break? It won't be something that comes easy to her, not when he's given her a lot to think about...

Futures and timelines and not having a fast and easy way back. Never mind that she hasn't stopped to think about how she means to survive in a place like this... in a world made up of dream magic, good and bad. She's okay for now, but what will happen in a week? A month, if she's still here? How long until she isn't anymore?

Not exactly thoughts to mull over while one is trying to take a break in a bath, but what the heck else is she supposed to do?]

['Seen worse' still doesn't inspire much confidence, but he'll let it slide. Mr. Sholmes was always casually insulting his hair, too.]

Ah... Right, of course. By all means, don't let me keep you.

[Once he's gone a bit of a distance, he'll glance at Velvet before he lets out a long breath, hand going to the back of his neck as he rubs against it, wondering how the hell is he supposed to deal with this. What he knows, what she doesn't know...

Well, whatever. He'll just treat this like back when they used to travel together. And then, when the time is right...

Man he needs that drink. Or five.]

[ Susato is quiet, movements stopping as she listens to his answer, which seems so heartfelt that she is left staring at him in awe. She shakes her head though, when she speaks so dismissively of it. ]

Actually... I feel like that was the very answer I was looking for.

I wonder if dreamotion will ever feel that natural to me.

You should too, yo! Think a' it like a reward for dealin' with the monkey.

[Though they had just met, Beat slings his arm across Ryunosuke's shoulders, maybe a little strong than he might've expected, nudging him towards the water as well. Look, he's grateful, okay?]

[At first there's a groan of pain as he pushes himself off the floor and the first thing he does is check his phone. Priorities, amirite?]

Aight, didn't see that one comin'. I'mma give ya that one.

[Seeing that it seems to be all right, he gets into a sitting position as the water around him drains back to the pool by the hot springs.]

Hold up, wait, you did it already? [And he missed it? Scrambling up to his feet.]

Do it again, yo!

[ The invitation takes him a bit by surprise, but with a smile he eventually. ]

I would love to join you, thank you. [ Glancing down at the little dragons, he chuckles a little. ]

Provided I don't end up taking a nap myself after these little guys wake up.

Nope. You should've been ready when I did it.

[he says, as if he wasn't the one who distracted Beat to begin with.]

I already said no pictures. That wasn't part of the bet, anyway.

Maybe. It always felt kind of natural to me, but now it just feels...easy. Like there's no question on what I can do.

[he actually kind of likes talking to her like this...]

It'll just take time and practice, that's all.

I would appreciate the help.

[Small or not, two are always better than one.]

I'm just going to look for a board or something similar. Using that will probably go smoother than a keyblade.

That I can do.

[ She likes talking to him like this, too. It is encouraging, and it feels like something to work towards... even though--

Well. ]

...My dreamotion typically results in fire, however, so I suppose that makes us opposites. Or...perhaps we'll make a good team one day.

I was gonna take a video, yo!

[A huff, but he doesn't try to prolong this. Percy did seem like a man of his word despite missing it.]

Aight, you's right. Good on ya for stickin' to your guns, yo.

[The macaque continues to go through Percy's hair, all too enamored by his new human friend.]

An' looks like a new pal outta this too.

We'll learn to work together.

[the battle of Manhattan taught him that more than anything. it doesn't matter what kind of abilities you have in a battle...]

I'm always around if you need help training. It may be a little different magic, but I'm sure the base is still the same.

[Percy just grins at Beat. he's still kind of feeling the monkey going through his hair, and suddenly brushes the prying fingers out of it as Beat keeps talking.]

Alright, there's nothing to find in there except maybe some dander.

[he picks the monkey off of his shoulder, and sets him back down on the ground.]

No more floods, little guy. That was a one and a million chance. Need any help drying off, Beat?

[ The base is still the same... Maybe that's true.

Either way, Susato's expression seems to light at the idea; and though she is relaxed, there is also a fiery determination behind her eyes. ]

I hope you're right.

[Aether has a fate deeper than the stars themselves. Venti has no right to reveal that fate to Aether until he uncovers it for himself. So for now... Venti will always be by his side. Be it in Teyvat or another world.

Or when a certain Harbinger courts him too... Ugh... Even then. He'll stay by Aether's side should Aether need his protection.]

[Ah, yes, that's what they need. Zombie monkeys.

At this point, Link would be happy to never have to see this particular monkey again, but in spite of its newfound feelings about the Sheikah Slate, it doesn't seem like it's ready to be shooed away so easily. Still, he can't take his eyes off it for the moment -- it kicks the slate away and he has to stop himself from inhaling sharply as the slate nearly falls over into the water. At home, he wouldn't be concerned at all. Here, however, he's far less certain of its durability.

He nods in Beat's direction, poised to move with a moment's notice.]

Perhaps we can finally chase it away this time. Ready?

[As soon as Beat signals yes, he moves for the slate.]

Okay...!

[ If she won't be in the way, then - she'll certainly try her best. Perking at his comment, she hesitates a moment before responding, hands folded together. She could also use the time to mentally prepare herself, but-- ]

I'll-- look over here, too.

[ And give a little point in the opposite direction! Two sets of eyes are better than one, right? They can cover more ground that way. ]

[Ryunosuke winces internally, being... Not exactly the biggest fan of casual contact even under the best of circumstances, much less while he's wearing nothing but a towel.

It's hard to say no, though; he was also supposed to be headed for the springs before all of this.]

But I-- Oh, fine. Alright then...

[He lets Beat drag him along, fully expecting to experience some uhh... Interesting conversation from the man, if nothing else. Maybe their monkey friend will come and join them, too.]

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{ something steamy }

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🎀~

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puts a cap on this