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

[It is a little surprising, but not unfamiliar; after all, Barbatos's hands were often quite steady enough to pour more drinks even when he became drunk. So Zhongli merely accepts the glass with a nod, a faint sense of familiarity in he action.]

I agree. It is much more joyful to partake in such activities with friends, or companions.

[He says the words with a small hint of nostalgia in his voice. Times like these remind him of when he and the other Seven would gather together to share knowledge, stories, and drinks together on Mt. Aocang. He takes a moment to examine the wine offered, taking a deep breath to take in its scent.]

This is a fine brew, if the scent is anything to go by. I am reminded of an old friend of mine, who would often bring me bottles of locally brewed dandelion wine every time he visited me.

[He takes a casual glance around, but he doesn't see Venti around anywhere. He had no doubts that the Anemo Archon was somewhere, indulging and taking in his fill of food, wine, and nonsense.]

In that case, I suppose we ought to become friends, hmm?

[ a jovial chuckle. kaeya likes to make friends, they're valuable little troves of knowledge - and he would not admit it to himself, but he simply likes.. the company of others. he finds himself lonely far, far more often than he would like, than he would ever say aloud. ]

And you have a good nose. It is indeed dandelion wine.

[ secured from diluc's bar, itself. now that he knows it exists here, kaeya will accept no other substitutions! there is nothing better than mondstadt's finest, and kaeya is quite picky when it comes to wine. he takes a healthy swig, before he's taking the measure of his companion, sir tall, dark, and handsome. but his clothing is a familiar style; kaeya has met more than one diplomat and traveler from neighboring liyue. ]

You.. wouldn't happen to call Teyvat home, now would you?

Well, I would certainly not turn down the offer, if you are amicable.

[Zhongli doesn't mind making friends either; it's something of a novelty for him, to become friends with the common people. It's a luxury he never really had when he bore the title of Rex Lapis, after all. And in a strange new world like this, having a few friends could prove beneficial to getting used to things here.]

Ah, is that so? I had a feeling that the scent smelled familiar.

[Ah yes, he is quite familiar with Mondstadt's dandelion wine. Which is why he perks up when Kaeya mentions Teyvat.]

Why yes, I am. I hail from Liyue myself, though I am quite familiar with the free and prosperous Land of Wind and its famous dandelion wine. Given your familiarity with it, I take it that you are from Mondstadt?

Of course, I'm always amicable.

[ kaeya is quite good at friends! and even better to make friends with someone from teyvat, here, someone familiar with home. ]

Liyue, I thought as much.

[ mondstadt's friendly neighbor! kaeya sets the bottle down and lifts his own glass again, taking another sip. he should.. probably eat some food, too. but he'll get to that. the man does love his wine. ]

And you would be correct. I work with the Knights of Favonius. [ tipping his head. ] I'm Kaeya.

Then allow me to say that it is good to meet a new friend here. That is something to drink to, I believe.

[And he will punctuate his words with his own raised glass and a polite sip of wine. Ah... though a world away, it does taste like the breezy winds of Mondstadt. He lets out a little hum at that.]

A Knight of Favonius? I find myself in noble company, then. It is a pleasure to meet you, Kaeya. I am known as Zhongli, and I work as a consultant to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlour in Liyue Harbour.

Noble? Oh, I don't know about that.

[ no matter what his station in khaenri'ah may have been, those days are long past, kaeya is nothing more than a simple sinner, a lowly knight, servant of the people. he chuckles. ]

Nevertheless, it's a pleasure to meet you, as well, Zhongli. Though I suppose our vocations back on Teyvat have little enough bearing in a place like this, hmm?

Mm, true, it may not hold much weight in this realm, but just because we are not operating in an official capacity does not mean our own areas of expertise would not be beneficial here.

[He gestures to the festivities around them.]

For instance, my knowledge of Liyuean gastronomy has enabled me to assist others in partaking in what is as close to Liyuean cuisine as we can get without actually being there. And you've managed to procure for us some of your nation's famous wine.

I suppose so, though I can't claim that my duties as a knight have anything to do with procuring wine.

[ nevermind that he definitely drinks on the clock, while filing paperwork!! zhongli doesn't need to know that. ]

That's purely personal, but I suppose you could still call it a talent. I'm excellent at sniffing out good wine. Is gastronomical knowledge important to know, as a funeral consultant?

I would say it is about as useful as a knight being able to procure wine. It is, as you say, purely a personal talent.

[He says it with a faint chuckle, and takes another sip of his wine.]

I am one who is fascinated by many topics, and as such, I have a smattering of trivial knowledge about many different things. Though I may not claim to be an expert, I find that having such knowledge can be quite useful at times.

I see, I see.

[ well, at least it's a talent that kaeya cherishes. you never know when you'll need good wine! at last, he begins to dig into his delicious hotpot, no questionable ingredients just yet.. ]

Well, at any rate, it's nice to not feel entirely alone, here, hmm? Have you been here long?

Truer words could not be spoken.

[Zhongli says those words with a chuckle, taking another sip of his wine.]

Well, now... I would say I have been here about two months now. Though, from my understanding, time here is a funny thing; there are those I know here who have been here much longer than I, though they had not seemed to disappear from Teyvat to my knowledge.

[And while it might be hard to know if Barbatos had vanished or simply fallen into another sleep, he would definitely notice if the Conquerer of Demons had suddenly vanished without a trace.]

That's what I've heard, as well. Diluc says he's been here for a year, after all.

[ and kaeya just had dinner with him like, a week or so ago now. he sure would've noticed if diluc had been gone for an entire year. it's something of a relief, to know he's not leaving unfinished business off at home, even if a selfish part of him wishes that he were. ]

Two months is still a decent chunk of time to be away from home, hmm?

That is similar to what I have heard from those that I know as well. I suppose it is fortunate that our absence will not cause harm for the worlds we leave at home.

[Venti has fallen asleep for 500 years in the past, but Xiao vanishing for even a week would be troubling, let alone a whole year.]

Indeed, it is. I have been told to consider this time like something of a vacation, though I admit that I am unfamiliar with what to do with all the spare time I suddenly find on my hands.

Oh? Not very good at vacations, hmm?

[ kaeya chuckles, smiling warmly, and resting his chin against his knuckles. ]

I can certainly help you, there. I'm quite good at relaxing. Work hard, play hard, right?

[ kaeya takes his job much more seriously than most people might think he does, at first glance, but he's also very good at taking it easy. ]

You could say something like that. I find myself much more familiar with attending to my duties, that I feel somewhat at a loss without them.

[It's. Something of a massive over-simplification, but he can't exactly tell everyone he's a recently-retired god. He chuckles and nods.]

I certainly would not say no to some extra ideas on how to spend my time. An old friend of mine from Mondstadt who happens to be here as well suggested I take up knitting, and while I am sure he means well, I do not think such a hobby is suited to me.

[Venti did try to suggest something to him, even if he was most likely joking.]

[ a workaholic, huh? kaeya knows those types. glancing pointedly at jean. ]

Knitting, hmm?

[ kaeya breathes a laugh. honestly, he can kinda visualize this guy knitting pretty easily.. it's his grandpa vibes. kaeya rubs his chin and squints thoughtfully. ]

We'll figure something out; we've plenty of time on our hands, after all, plenty of time for you to try a plethora of new things. How about writing? You seem the thoughtful type.

[Zhongli hums in agreement, though he brings a hand up to his own chin in thought.]

Writing, hmm? Now that sounds quite compelling. Though I would not call myself the most skilled storyteller, I do believe I could pen my own knowledge down. It is, after all, one of the most practical ways to impart information to one another.

[He briefly considers, before nodding to Kaeya.]

Perhaps I shall take your advice, Mr. Kaeya.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{ something steamy }

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