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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[Just follows her out, thinking of how to go about this until they arrive outside and she finds a bench for them. At her question, he just shrugs as he sits down.]

Just thought it would be better, that's all.

[ Susato's expression softens, and she cracks the tiniest of smiles, as if remembering something pleasant. They were both adorable, yes; being cursed as a doll had its perks. But there's something else she's reminded of, too.

She'll allow Ryunosuke to trail off for a moment while she regards him with a look of genuine sympathy. There is encouragement in her voice, though she's seen first hand just how quickly and cruelly this world can take something away. ]

Well, the good news is we basically have all the time in the world here. [ Nostalgia seeps in next, as she continues after another pause. ] I noticed straight away... that he was not the same Kazuma we left at the port of Dover. When I told him as much, he waved that ponytail in my face.

[ ...

......She may have grabbed the ponytail. But she shakes her head, realizing how quickly the point was getting away from her. By now, at least, she can see the cogs turning in him; and she knows that Ryunosuke can sense the added depth to Kazuma's soul.

The clears her throat softly. Where to even start...? ]

What I mean to say is... he will be more forthcoming about some things than others. But I am here to help, as an assistant to you both.

[ Amy can't tell if that means she prefers the quality of the meat right now or not, but she can at least try to help with the spices. ]

If you prefer it spicier, we can try fixing it. There are a lot of spice dragons that can help out.

[And what reason might that be, he wonders. Fortunately for Hythlodaeus, the wine is like to begin loosening Hades up at some point. It may not make him agreeable company to most - but as for providing somewhat more amusing commentary, that much can be assured.]

A man after my own heart. Content to watch from the stalls. After all, everyone needs at least one person in their audience.

...Not that we've often been given a choice when it comes to a certain someone's misadventures. Nor most of those which take place here either.

[As for the latter, Hades pauses to shrug slowly, as if he could not care less one way or the other.]

Only if you are willing to provide me with a challenge. Elsewise, I hardly see the point.

Edited 2022-12-13 15:11 (UTC)

[The soup is perfectly acceptable, more likely than not. Yet Hades finds himself more interested in watching Hythlodaeus eagerly hover over the pot and fill his bowl than putting together his own. Very little about this is novel to him anymore, yet for Hythlodaeus it is completely new - and perhaps it is that simple fact alone that makes all the difference in the world. Even the utterly mundane thus becomes a new discovery.]

[He pretends as if he is not observing him quite so closely, his attention instead focusing on the gently bubbling pot.]

...You needn't wait that long if you're so curious. Just because you want to indulge in these things doesn't mean that I must therefore partake of them myself.

If there's something you wish to try, simply ask.

[And now he's certainly not observing him, instead intently studying his own bowl.]

Edited 2022-12-13 15:50 (UTC)

Yeah, we'll make it into a fine banquet for you that'll leave all the other piggies jealous!

[Kor claps his hands together in front of him and bows his head. he's pleading here now.]

So please help us! I'll even give you a new name if you want!

[She immediately looks dubious.]

So I've heard. I suppose I'm just...

[Incredibly squicked by the thought of what exactly the dragons are spicing the food with.]

...not used to them.

[That works.]

Buhhhhh!

[ That's his version of "blegh" and he makes that sound entirely on purpose, just to express his dislike of Kaeya's gross bread-eating.

"Bread gross. You bread face."

He...may be acting a little petty now. Just a bit. ]

[Venti, always as vague and dodgy as ever.

But he does smile softly at the comment.]

Yes, you're a dear friend to me, Ira. Now, won't you come rest?

[Venti on the other hand is going to make himself right at home! Pulling the blankets back and tucking himself in.]

Oh, yes. I suppose that was also a given, though some might have embraced the discomfort of a mask if it alleviated a sense of otherwise vulnerability.

[She means her. She would have done that. After all, she suspected that more oft than not, Beatrix was more inclined to wear her eyepatch than not to. At least in public spaces. Not necessarily the bath, which was much the reason she was very interested in hiding under her hair at the present occasion. But even in sleep it was just a part of her she didn’t want to be separated from. Or. She just didn’t want people looking.]

Everyone likely approaches these things differently. I think you ought to go without your mask more oft if you are amenable to the idea. I doubt anyone here minds much, but I thought you rather imposing when we were first.

[Of course nowadays, she is more like to consider Ira akin to a quiet, protective dog.]

[It’s just like sitting down to eat with a member of Tantalus, she finds. At least Percy remembers his manners eventually, which is probably a step up. He makes mention of the Halloween stuff and she can remember it well enough. The carnival that had moved in and the mystery that was coming about at the time.

So… a couple of months, wasn’t it? Time sometimes becomes so irrelevant, that she finds it difficult to put a decisive finger on just how much has passed.]

Not that new then.

[Just new enough, she supposes.]

You seem to be acclimating fine. Some have difficulty doing so in comparison to others. As you are a bit newer than some of us here, are there things that you feel you wish you had available to you upon arriving?

[She has a very pragmatic reason for asking. For a while now, she has wanted the ability to instate something for those who are newly-arrived. The best way to figure out what people need or want, however, is… Well. To ask.]

Hm?

[Venti gives Aether a sideways glance. He only knows of someone very specific that Aether would talk about in regards to "someone who doesn't seem to have enough of fighting" and that makes Venti tilt his head very curiously.]

Are you really sure it's not a big deal?

[Or is the Fatui Harbinger hogging all of Aether's time? :(]

Or is he someone who's been preoccupying you too much?

[And it's pretty much downhill from there! Venti bursts into a fit of hiccups and gasps and he can't quite catch his breath as the heat erupts in his mouth and down his throat! He has to pull off his hat so he can fan his face and try to keep some semblance of his body temperature down!]

Hmg- Gnn! [hic! hicc! HICCUP!!] That- Would be... ideal!

[WATER PLEASE.]

[There's a beat of silence that follows, but Tifa does nod. She watches Ira carefully, though with his mask, it's hard to get a read on his expression, especially when he adds on that last part. Her eyes narrow ever so slightly in his direction, before she tips her head and folds her arms on the table.]

...

Have you been having them too?

Dreams here?

[She knows that they're important in that they have some kind of effect... Dreams within a dream world. Seems kind of redundant, if she's being honest, but... whatever.]

You been here long?

[She doesn't say anything to that, but when she sits, it's at the opposite end of the bench, with her body turned slightly away from him. She perches herself forward, elbows on her knees, and looks out towards the springs scattered out in front of them, and there's a thoughtful look behind her eyes, buried somewhere beneath the tiredness and frustration in them at everything that's happened.

Her lips press together before she puffs out a sigh.]

So, you're really from the future.

[That's what he wanted to discuss, right?]

[ Listen......LISTEN... there are some underlying Abandonment Issues^tm, especially since he has left her yet again but it's fine. Everything is fine. She is just going to Susato Take-Down the fuck out of him if he ever shows his face again.

Unfortunately she still loves him despite everything. It feels like she sinks just a little further into the springs at the comment, idle though it may have been. ]

I... I think I would have been a mess if they hadn't been there, if I'm honest. You're doing far more admirably than I would have.

Yep, seems like it.

[No need to hesitate there. What he does hesitate on is what to do with his next question.]

...Do you want to hear about it?

[The pig looks at Kor, then Rokurou, then back at Kor. There's some snuffling and grunting and much side-eying........ But then it finally lets out a loud snort and nods. IT WILL HELP...as long as it gets good food.

Just a small sigh of relief, but why does he feel he can't let his guard down??]

Looks like we made a deal. ...But let's talk over the "new name" before offering it first.

[ He chuckles a little and gestures to Pooka. ] Have you been able to find anything for him to eat?

That's the thing, isn't it? When they're awake they seem to have boundless energy. Then they sleep just to get it all back.

They are quite cute. [ He chuckles a little then, glancing up at Baldr. ] I can't say what it'd be like to have a younger sibling, but if you ask my brother he'd probably tell you that you were lucky not to have one.

[ He chuckles a little. ] Actually, I was informed that this area needed the most assistance, but wasn't told with what until I got here.

[ So he was essentially tricked into it. ]

[ That certainly is interesting to know. He had been worried about being away from home for too long, but knowing now that it's possible to not just leave but also return did help him feel better about the situation. ]

And what was it like when you had returned home? Was it just as you remembered before you were brought here the first time?

[ Peering into the bowl again, he seems to at least consider it for a moment, but ultimately shakes his head. ]

I'm not sure I could stomach it. Even if it doesn't taste terrible, just the thought of it is already making me nauseous.

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{ something steamy }

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