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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The spider was not going to take no for an answer. He was like a dog with a bone, he could taste it.

"That's not how it works. Hot springs are a social event... Don't cha want us to be closer pals?" He raised his secondary hands, wiggling his fingers. "I can scrub your back~"

Alastor's ears flattened as his ambient static gave a small whine.

"Bathing is not a social activity."

At least not where he was from. Apparently, these people were different.

"Besides, it isn't as if it'd be that difficult for me to reach behind myself, now is it?"

He gave an awkward chuckle.

"Clearly ya never visited a bathhouse before." Angel replied flatly.

With a brief roll of the eyes, the spider gave Alastor puppy dog eyes.

"Come on Al... I thought we were gettin' to a good place. Was I wrong to we were becomin' friends?"

"You weren't wrong." And, wow, that felt weird to say. Admitting he had real connections to people was hard. "I just..."

He paused, struggling with the words as he clutched at his robe. How to explain it?

"You don't like your feet, correct?"

That question caught Angel off guard, his eyes fluttered. How did he..? Was it that obvious how he took great care to cover them? Like even now he wore stockings to cover them up.

"... No, I don't. Why you askin'?"

"Because I keep myself covered for more than to avoid unwanted physical contact," Alastor stated, ears flicking uncomfortably as his static quieted. "Honestly, I prefer my deer parts to my human ones."

The spider's face scrunched up as he thought. Yeah... he gets of. Hating parts of yourself. Preaching to the choir over here. Standing up Angel huffed a sigh, running a hand through his hair.

"Naw, I get you... Ya know... There are private baths you can go away from people. But that ain't free." He lifts his eyes up a bit. "You wanna try one of them out? I promise ya I won't try to pull anything."

You know, besides getting an eyeful that is.

Alastor tilted his head curiously to one side. "You're suggesting we pool our money for one to share?"

It wasn't ideal, but...at least he wouldn't be out exposing himself to the general populace. He'd prefer to be alone for a bath, but Angel was trying to help.

It was difficult, but he could meet the spider halfway.

"If you are, that'd be acceptable."

Oh baby, he was in. Okay, don't look too excited or it will blow the entire operation. It wasn't going to be cheap but who could say that they saw the Radio Demon nude and lived to tell the tale? He was going to be a legend.

Angel offered Alastor a snarky grin as he waved his hand like it was no big deal.

"Its not just for you, Al. I gotta protect the good, ya know? No one has seen these babies, even when they shoot my vids." The spider stuck out a leggie for emphasis. "Hell Mamms hasn't even seen 'em."

Alastor's ears pricked in surprise. "You're actually going to show your feet?"

That was shocking. It was clear Angel didn't like them, so why...?

Angel shrugs his shoulders casually as he walks on by Alastor to head for the private baths. He was curious about them as well... Maybe do a little recon for later~

"I guess I am. Figured it's the least I can offer ya. And..." The porn star paused as the thought hits him. "...I know you won't care how I look cause you aren't into the whole sex thing."

Holy shit, did Al feel safe? What the fuck was happening?

Alastor followed, his smile a tad more relaxed.

"Whatever they look like, no one shall hear the details pass my lips," he promised.

It seemed to be the least he could do. He certainly wasn't comfortable with this whole thing, but he didn't imagine Angel was as blase as he appeared about everything either.

Well... this was fucking weird. It all just suddenly hit the spider like a ton of bricks. Besides the face he was about to get naked with Hell's most notorious killer, which that fact made it all the more odd that Alastor made him feel safe. What the FUCK was wrong wit him? He always knew he had shit taste in men, but Jesus fucking Christ.

Pushing that down, Angel made his way to where the private baths were. He had scoped out the area earlier for.... research... He may have even paid to reserve one already... Shh, don't ask why. So the adult fil star lead the murder hobo into a numbered door to which he promptly unlocked to head inside. The door lead to a small changing room before you could see a tiny spring just beyond the open patio.

"You want to head in first or... how ya want to do this?"

"I'm not sure. Either way, you're going to see more of me than anyone's seen in decades."

He shifted awkwardly from foot to foot. Knowing they would basically have blackmail on each other helped but...it was still nerve-wracking. He didn’t do this sort of thing.

"I take it things don't work like a regular bath..."

Angel turned around to look at Alastor, trying to play off his own unease with a grin.

"Nah, its just like the big ol' baths out there. Ya strip and hop in. You're over thinkin' it. I was just offerin' for you to take the first dip to I don't know... get comfy?"

"Ah...thank you."

He'd summoned his microphone without thinking, only realizing he had when he'd been gripping it anxiously for a moment. He dismissed it as calmly as he could.

He entered the changing room like he was walking into a potential trap, eyes darting around the room even as he kept a sharp smile on his face. It took him quite a bit to shed his robe, but he'd gotten into the hot spring rather quickly to try and use the water to cover up as much as possible.

Not that it helped. The scars started at the neck and worked their way down.

Yeah, no. If you didn't think Angel wasn't going to sneak a peek at the naked deer, oh boy, you were so wrong. Though he was being stealthy about it so not to have Alastor immediately start running for the hills. Looking though some of the more reflective surfaces in the changing room, the starlet got a little taste. He wasn't sure what he was expecting, but seeing the mapwork of scars along his body was not top on his list.

When the deer escaped into the water, his view was cut short. Fuck. Now it was his turn. Was it too late to start running? God dammit, a deal was a deal. Stripping free from his robe was no big deal but he hesitated when it came to his socks. Just pull it off like a bandaid and run. Al ain't going to judge. And he did just that. There was nothing sexy about how he ripped off his stockings before quickly slipping into the water. If the deer was fast enough, there was brief moment where he could see the spider's feet clearly. They looked like a toe pads of a giant tarantula, pink and all. Even in the water, Angel tried to tuck them away from view.

Wasn't this shit meant to be relaxing? Cause it wasn't doing diddly squat right now. Should he have brought alcohol? Dammit, he should have brought alcohol.

Alastor had no idea how much of his scars Angel had seen or could see with the water. He'd definitely caught a glimpse of those feet and they were definitely odd...though not as terrifying as he'd thought a spider's feet might be. Though that might be because of what they were attached to.

Of course, it helped that without his monocle, his vision was a bit fuzzy.

Angel would probably notice how Alastor squinted in his general direction. "This is...certainly different. If I were expecting it to begin with, it seems like it'd be quite relaxing."

Awkward conversation starter, but it wasn't like the duo could easily ignore one another when they were the only ones there.

'You're motherfucking Angel Dust Millions of assholes seen ya naked. So stop being a pansy ass bitch about it.' Angel mentally slapped himself across the face. You're right self, get over yourself. Plus, Al ain't interest so it's just two bros chilling. Though.... never say never.

Relaxing a bit hearing Alastor trying to create small talk between them when he was probably feeling more out of place than him. Yeah, fuck it. Don't let this golden opportunity slip on by. Angel turned to face the deer, though his vision was clear, he got another eyeful of the demon's scars. ~~Fuuuuuuck, they were so hot. Where did all of them go?~~

"Yeah well, it ain't much different than taking a nice hot bath. Except more... natural?" Angel shrugs. TO THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM! ".... Soooo.... Al.... how you get all those scars?"

"I suppose it is a quite pleasant natural setting."

Alastor's ear twitched with discomfort at the question. "Always one for the direct approach, I see." He most certainly did not shrink down a little into the water in a vain attempt to hide, thank you very much. "It's Hell, dear. Quite a few from people trying to kill me with angelic weapons."

That explained the silvery ones, but the bulk of them...

"The rest are leftovers from my death."

"Ya know me. I hate beating around the bush."

The spider shrugged again before falling silent to listen to the deer. Damn... That was quite a lot of scars for any one person, but the bulk of them were people trying to off him in Hell? That's gotta... suck ass. But from hearing what happened when he first arrived in Hell, he wasn't going to be winning any popularity contests.

"That sounds rough, Al. Always watching your back cause people wanting you dead." Careful Angel, that sounded like genuine concern. So he added. "Bright side, scars are very sexy."

Alastor gave a bemused smile and offered a sarcastic "Then it's probably for the best I don't show mine off."

He rolled his shoulders in a bit of a shrug as his shadow drifted about, inspecting the area with interest. "It's Hell, darling. People trying to kill other people is just another day in our Sinners Paradise."

Angel snorts a bit. "I don't know. It'd be a sure fire way to get people to come to ya."

You lonely asshole. Though... Angel could use a bit of that magic. Sometimes there was just too many hands... cough. BUT ANYWHO! 'nough of that shit. Whoa, wait. Did Al just call him 'darling'? Oh.. Oh, he quite liked the sound of that.

"Don't I know it. I killed my fair share of sinners. But they all had it comin'!" Angel leans back in the water. "But that just seems excessive."

"I'm sure they'd flock to me at the first sign of perceived weakness." Alastor leaned back against the edge of the hot spring. "I might not have an official bounty on my head, but the bragging rights to take me down would make anyone who erased me a legend."

There was a touch of arrogance there but simultaneously the resignation that he'd done it to himself. It was Hell. Suck it up and take your lumps.

"Ah, a fellow killer of discerning tastes, I see!" Alastor gave a chuckle, relaxing somewhat. "I tend to be rather choosy with my targets as well despite the rumors."

He lifted a clawed hand momentarily out of the water. Without the glove, well, it was easy to see he didn't take good care of his hands and claws. (Someone, get him to a manicurist, stat.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{ something steamy }

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