songerein | { something steamy }

Entry tags:

{ 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

[ Ah, but this an interesting point of debate, one which Albedo is eager to sink his teeth into once Kaeya draws attention to it. It still counts as relaxing even if they have a little battle of wits, isn't it?

He'll find it awfully relaxing, anyway, to use his brain a little while they repose. ]

Anything could be human nature, hm? Yet what about when people do things we would consider unnatural? Or when they cause general harm, even to the perpetrator? Is it human nature to harm others? Not to mention ideologies that are diametrically opposed, such as pacifism versus conquest, meat-eaters versus vegetarians...how do we decide what is human nature in that case?

[ Sorry, Kaeya, this is just a fascinating subject for him. Even if he is human, there is still something he feels he is lacking, in understanding the spirit that defines personhood. ]

[ ah yes, of course albedo latches onto this like a dog on a bone, but kaeya is happy to oblige. might as well fill the air with chatter while they relax, hmm? ]

I would argue that all of it is human nature. 'Unnatural' is just a word people use to try to control others, and bend them to compliance with society. Nothing is unnatural. If it were unnatural, it wouldn't exist.

[ he takes his glass up again, swirling the wine thoughtfully before taking another drink. ]

As for whether or not it's human nature to harm others - I would say yes, it is. Now, I'm not trying to sound pessimistic, I think that most people are trying their best to be good, but there will always statistically be outliers, won't there? Probability dictates that mutations will always occur, in all natural life.

[ two bros chillin in a hottub, waxing philosophically, not five feet apart because they're sure gay ]

[ What's better than this, just guys bein' dudes... ]

An interesting premise...so you mean to say that no matter how a human may behave, anything they do is human nature simply because they are human.

[ Is it truly that simple? Even though it's mostly a fun(??) philosophical exercise, this is something that Albedo has reflected upon...quite a lot in his life, especially since arriving in Mondstadt. It wasn't until then that he truly realized just how unlike other humans he was, but does he even qualify as a human himself? Are his tendencies human nature, too?

Perhaps at his age it isn't something he should concern himself with anymore, but it is yet another question he has never found a satisfactory answer for. ]

Is it merely culture, then, that decides what is and isn't acceptable for a person to do? There's no inherent bad or good, as there's nothing inherently natural or unnatural?

[ rly makes u think ]

[ JUST GUYS BEIN' DUDES.. ]

That is exactly what I am saying, yes. How can anything at all be anything beyond its own nature? Not only humans, but anything that lives.

[ there might always be strange people scattered in with the norm, but the same is true of all natural life. some clovers grow four leaves, instead of three. some owls are born with alternative feathers. even genetically identical trees, if grown apart, will develop differently. changes, strangeness, mutations - these are all naturally occurring things in all living beings, not only humans, or other sentient life.

even in fabricated life. though kaeya knows nothing of albedo's background, yet. ]

Mm, well, whether or not there is "bad" or "good" is a separate topic, I think.. I'm only arguing that "badness" is just as natural as "goodness." Someone born "evil" isn't unnatural. How can they be? How can anything in the world possibly be unnatural? Nothing unnatural can exist, for everything is a product of nature.

[ he laughs, light and airy. ]

Not a conversation I was expecting to have while relaxing in a hot spring.

[ Nothing unnatural can exist, for everything is a product of nature...

Those words give Albedo quite a bit to chew on, and a moment passes in reflective thought before he realizes Kaeya has said something else. ]

Hm? Oh, my apologies. You came here to relax, and yet here I am, encouraging philosophical debate. Perhaps not the most restful of discussions.

[ Maybe he got a little carried away, and yet, it seems a shame to let the subject change when they've hit on something so close to home. Still, he isn't going to nudge things back on topic. That would be selfish, and Kaeya came here to relax, not entertain Albedo. ]

On second thought, perhaps I'll try a glass of wine now.

[ That will help even him relax, and maybe for once he can accept letting himself do so, provided he focuses up again tomorrow. ]

Oh no, I'm not complaining.

[ he chuckles, soft and easy, his expression lending credence to his words. he doesn't mind expounding on this topic, it certainly isn't affecting his mood, he just finds it.. funny, that's all. not the sort of thing you'd expect to be talking about at a time like this. ]

By all means, philosophize away.

[ he waves one hand dismissively before, with that same hand, he produces a lovely, delicate glass made of ice, into which he pours a generous amount of wine. he passes it to albedo. ]

Trying to work on the art of relaxation?

[ Cryo sure comes in handy when it comes to beverages, isn't it? No wonder Kaeya enjoys drinking so much... :)

Albedo takes the glass as Kaeya passes it to him, the cold of the stem biting somewhat as his warm skin, but it passes quickly enough, and he lifts the glass to take a reserved sip. ]

Hmm...yes, I suppose so. I'm not one to often drink, but you've managed to talk me into twice now.

[ Though "talk him into it" might be a bit generous. Really, it's strangely difficult to say no to Kaeya. Perhaps even someone like Albedo isn't immune to his natural charisma, and his company gives him someone to study unlike many he has kept as company before.

Which is a rather short list, but that's beside the point. ]

So, if nothing is unnatural, what of manmade constructs? Let's say...ruin guards, and the like.

[ That seems like nice neutral territory to approach rather than using...himself as an example. ]

[ cryo sure is handy!! you can make stuff out of it! like elsa! you can't make stuff out of stupid pyro, get fucked diluc. ]

So I have. I'm proud to be participating in the corruption of our dear Chief Alchemist.

[ a rolling purr of a laugh, as kaeya drinks from his own glass. he's beginning to feel comfortably tipsy, at this point. juuuust a little. just enough. ]

But you've said it yourself, the answer is right there - manmade. Made by the hands of a living creature. Would you call a bird's nest unnatural? It's a structure composed of unliving materials, constructed by something with living intelligence. I don't see why a ruin guard should be any different. Because it's made to move and act on its own?

[ resting his head back against the stone, kaeya raises his gaze languidly skyward. ]

Now, if you start getting into constructs building constructs building constructs, then things may start to get a little hazy, but.. I still stand by my claim that nothing can possibly be unnatural.

[ Though Albedo can't entirely agree, Kaeya's argument is sound and well thought-out; perhaps more than he would have expected, all told. Kaeya isn't exactly a slouch at work, so to speak, but he has a reputation for trying to get away with doing as little as possible. Albedo simply hadn't expected someone like that to be so, well...thoughtful.

But appearances can certainly be deceiving. He knows that better than most.

He could explain himself now, but somehow...he doesn't want to. It's not that he is ashamed of his origins or wishes to conceal them, but it seems out of place to bring them up right now, even if it's relevant. Like it would shift the tone of things too much, and tamper their debate.

Another sip of his wine as he flits through these thoughts, more generous this time. ]

I see...how interesting. This has admittedly long been a subject of interest to me, as an alchemist. I'm often left to wonder whether the things I create via alchemical transmutation are natural, when they are reformed from the parts of other naturally occurring things. By your logic, I would assume you would say yes, correct?

[ he sure does try to get away with foisting his work off on others, but that's mostly because he likes to see how far he can push people, how much he can get away with. also because he'd much rather be on the field gathering intel than stuck in his office filing paperwork. ugh. nevertheless, kaeya is far more sharp than people often give him credit for, but he's perfectly okay with that. being underestimated offers an advantage.

he's certainly sharp enough to get the idea that this topic is somehow.. meaningful, to albedo. he certainly doesn't know how, or in what way, though he guesses it must have something to do with his beloved alchemy. ]

By my logic, yes, they're perfectly natural. They're made up of all the same stuff that everything else is made up of. You could argue that the process is unnatural, but I'd disagree there, too. Alchemy was born of very natural human curiosity, after all.

[ though the subject is far less meaningful to kaeya, he still finds it quite interesting. ]

What drew you to alchemy?

[ Hm...it's nice to hear that, honestly. Alchemy has its fair share of critics, even setting aside those forbidden arts that drew the eyes of Celestia to Khaenri'ah so long ago. Yet even if it is the purpose Albedo was created for, he nevertheless has always felt his own desire to practice it. He had thought that made him strange, but perhaps his curiosity with regards to the alchemical arts is rather human itself.

He smiles, a soft, fleeting thing. ]

It was my master originally who nurtured my interest. Long before I arrived in Mondstadt, I traveled with her around the world, learning about the various forms of organic and inorganic matter that compose everything we see, and when I saw what she was able to do with her knowledge, I knew I had to follow in her footsteps.

[ He lifts a hand out of the water and lifts it to one of the rocks that surround the spring, his palm flat against it. ]

You begin to see the world differently, when you understand the potential of all things.

[ When he pulls his hand away, there's a sprout there, and soil, right in a hollow of the rock that was not there before. ]

[ it's a nice smile that he draws from albedo, and kaeya can't help but feel that it's a rare, precious sight. unlike kaeya's effusive personality, albedo is quite reserved, and while he doesn't seem necessarily morose, neither does he seem to smile easily. it's a pretty sight.

and even more captivating is what albedo does next.

kaeya sits forward, the water rippling around him as he turns to watch, both brows raised. he's a difficult man to impress, but kaeya looks thoroughly fascinated by the show. having never had any particular interest in alchemy, kaeya has never had much of a chance nor a desire to see it in action, but albedo certainly makes a fair case. ]

.. well, what a nice trick that is, indeed. Your master must've taught you well. Where is she now?

[ he doesn't like to pry when he's so secretive himself, but.. he also can't help his desire to dig for more. a natural proclivity. ]

[ At the question, Albedo's gentle smile fades, though not into a look of sadness. More of one of...thoughtfulness. There's not a day that goes by that he doesn't think of Rhinedottir leaving him, and the mission she left him with. He would see her again when she found the answer he was supposed to, right?

He leans back against the rocks once more, gaze falling on the rippling water. ]

...Gone. Though not dead, as such an answer may imply. She...disappeared one day, without a trace, but I'm certain...she's still out there, somewhere.

[ Waiting to be rescued? Condemned? Or simply sucked so deep into he research that years and years have passed without a single word passed to Albedo? ]

She left me with a purpose, however. To discover the truth of the world.

[ So, you know, easy peasy. Not vague or cryptic at all! ]

[ kaeya had a feeling that he might touch a little bit of a nerve, given the fact that albedo's master is no longer around, but he's happy to find that he doesn't shy away from the topic, either. kaeya's curiosity is appeased. mostly. ]

Well. That's certainly not cryptic at all.

[ kaeya saying what we're all thinking..

he's not the sort to say sweet, comforting things like it'll be okay, or you'll see her again, because kaeya knows quite well that it could very possibly not be true. albedo's master may very well be gone for good, dead somewhere or simply planning to never come back, to abandon him forever. so he doesn't say any of those things, and instead leans back again. ]

Good luck with that.

[ He chuckles softly. Even he knows how ludicrous it sounds, and yet, coming from the woman who gave him life, who taught him his purpose, who instilled him with an insatiable curiosity, how could he do anything but seek out the answer? ]

Thank you. No small amount of luck will be involved, I'm sure, if I'm able to discover it.

[ It's not as though he hasn't spent a great deal of time doing so, even since arriving in Mondstadt. Rhinedottir hasn't been gone for long, but Albedo has still put forth a considerable amount of work and research.

A bead of cold water slips over his knuckles, snapping him out of his reverie. ]

Oh, my glass...would you mind?

[ He holds his wine glass out to Kaeya. IT'S STARTING TO MELT. ]

You're one of the sharpest people I know, if anyone can do it, whatever it is, it's you.

[ discovering the secrets of this world.. sure, easy, fine.

but ah, yes, the only downside to cryo.. it melts, especially in hot springs like this, but kaeya is quick to touch the tip of his finger to the edge of the glass. frost spreads in pretty fractals across the ice, and soon enough it's back to new, with an extra layer, for safety. ]

There we are, all better.

[ Warmed by the wine and the water both, Albedo's soft smile returns, as his gaze follows along the line of Kaeya's arm when he lifts it to reenforce the ice-glass. He really is easy to talk to...perhaps Albedo had been doing himself a disservice by not engaging with Kaeya sooner. It hadn't been anything personal, but - taking time away from work, you know. ]

Thank you. I shouldn't have too much more, I have some research I'd like to get back to later...but perhaps one more glass.

[ Two won't knock him out...probably. And in any case, he's feeling too good to deny himself.

Speaking of, he reaches over to pluck another piece of dragon fruit from the plate and pop it into his mouth. ]

[ for kaeya's part, he's glad of this opportunity, too. he's always found albedo incredibly fascinating, and though kaeya has no intentions of discovering alchemy for himself, it's certainly an interesting topic. for all albedo might come off as distant and quiet, he's quite fun to talk to, or so kaeya thinks.

it also feels like an accomplishment to get him to drink not only one, but two glasses of wine! he's a bad influence, and he loves it. ]

One more glass it is.

[ kaeya is more than happy to lift the bottle to refill albedo's icy cup. ]

It's good, isn't it? Even in a dream world, dandelion wine never fails to captivate.

[ Once the cup is refilled, Albedo offers a word of thanks before taking a light sip. Kaeya is absolutely a bad influence!! ]

Certainly. If I close my eyes, I could almost imagine I'm back in Mondstadt.

[ In fact, he does so, for a moment, shutting his eyes and reflecting on the nation he has most recently called home. Time may not pass while they dream here, but he still can't fight the instinct to worry about it, and what could be going undiscovered while he is away, or what Klee might be getting up to.

Here, however, he doesn't need to feel the impulse to look for the answer to Rhinedottir's question for him. That is perhaps the strangest feeling of all. ]

I might even say it makes me a little homesick.

[ Yes, that feels like the right word for it. ]

Homesick, hmm..?

[ what an idea.

kaeya has been homesick for so long that he's all but forgotten how it feels - or he's simply grown so accustomed to it that the feeling of homesickness is normal. ever since his days at the winery - well. kaeya pushes those thoughts from his mind. there's no point in dwelling on them, there never is. ]

Well, we may be here for quite some time. Best to find a way to push past that. But don't worry, I'm around to distract you whenever you'd like.

[ he'd wink but, you know, eyepatch, so instead he clicks his tongue. ]

[ A more socially-fluent person might assuming he was being hit on right now, but not Albedo. He takes Kaeya's offer at face value, and offers a polite wave of his hand. ]

I appreciate the offer, but you needn't worry about me. The wealth of things to learn about not only in this world, but from other worlds as well will be more than enough to occupy my time.

[ He's not meaning to shut Kaeya down, he just is this way...

He takes another sip of his wine, cheeks rosy and smile warming. ]

And what will you do while you're here?

[ ah kaeya's flirt sure did bounce right off of him.. fortunately he is socially fluent enough to recognize that he's not necessarily being shot down, albedo just. sure didn't even notice he was being hit on, did he?? it's fine, another time. ]

Me? Well, that's certainly a good question.

[ kaeya leans back again, stretching his arms across the rocks behind them, his expression thoughtful. ]

I've certainly got no lofty ideals as you do, so really, your guess is as good as mine. I'll try to keep busy, I suppose.

[ but most of his work, his real work.. involves teyvat. kaeya's always been stuck with his job, for better or for worse, and he's not quite sure what to do without his duty to the knights, his duty to khaenri'ah. ]

[ Albedo hums quiet and thoughtful. He can't imagine not keeping busy in a place like this, but he and Kaeya have demonstrable differences to the way they approach their day-to-day business. Still, it wouldn't do to have too little to do, would it? Even Kaeya understands that. ]

Well, should you ever need something to do, with Sucrose and Timaeus absent, I could use some extra help in my research once I get up to speed. Mind you, I would make sure you were properly compensated, and only if it suits your interest.

[ Need something to do? Come let Albedo boss you around, Kaeya! Gently. ]

My first task is to set up a new workshop. I won't be able to get much done beyond theory without that.

[ oh, kaeya certainly understands that, indeed. while he'll be the first to insist that he knows how to relax and kick back, he'll also go a little stir crazy without something to busy his hands and his mind. albedo's offer receives an arched brow. ]

Hm. I'll certainly keep it in mind, though I'll warn you, I know absolutely nothing about alchemy.

[ he knows a little, actually; in khaenri'ah, alchemy was an incredibly important subject, and he was taught the basics very young, but he's not about to reveal that much to albedo. ]

Setting up a workshop, however.. that sounds easy enough.

[ The fact that Kaeya considers his offer at all comes as a surprise. Maybe he has a budding interest in alchemy; Albedo can certainly foster that. ]

Oh? Would you be willing to assist me with that as well? You would have my utmost appreciation and gratitude.

[ Even for things as simple as moving furniture in. It should be simple enough to find a suitable place to setup shop, but have you ever tried lifting an alchemy table on your own?? Shit's heavy. ]

{ something steamy }

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)