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

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. ]

I don't see why I wouldn't be. What else do I have to do with my time, hmm?

[ and he'd certainly like to spend more time with albedo, that goes without saying. if nothing else, he can use this time to foster friendships and learn what he can, though he can't be sure whether or not he will retain it all, when he heads home. if he heads home. but even here, it's useful to know as many people as you can. ]

Just let me know when you need me, darling, I'm at your beck and call.

[ Darling...? That's a bit of a peculiar name for Kaeya to call him by, isn't it? Perhaps he's heard him use it to refer to the other Knights before, but not himself. It generally implies more closeness than colleagues or acquaintances, right?

Ah, but then again, he's probably overthinking it. Just another of Kaeya's quirks, most likely. ]

I'll be sure to keep you informed. Thank you, Kaeya. For the offer, and for the wine.

[ His glass is tragically empty now, but he is still pleasantly warm, his smile easy and lingering now. ]

I believe I'm starting to see the appeal of this...

[ don't overthink it albedo, kaeya is just being kaeya.. a shameless flirt. it's not his fault albedo is cute, and smart. ]

You're quite welcome.

[ and at that, kaeya laughs, the sound tumbling from him as easily as a breath. ]

Are you, now? You see? There are merits to enjoying a little downtime, here and there, especially in the company of others.

[ He sure is cute and smart! Too bad he only understands one of those things. He's been told he has a pretty face before, but the way your mom and auntie tell you, the mom and auntie being Rhinedottir and Alice, probably. ]

Mhm, you've made a good case. I would still prefer a brush to be in my hand, but the conversation was a more-than-suitably stimulating substitute. I didn't take you for a philosopher, Captain.

[ Really, he's full of surprises, isn't he? His eyes alone...though Albedo is hardly one to talk.

Still, there is something undeniably enigmatic about Kaeya. What more will he see if they continue to work together?

There's only one way to find out. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{ something steamy }

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