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𝖘𝖆𝖑𝖙𝖇𝖚𝖗𝖓𝖙 𝖒𝖔𝖉𝖘. ([personal profile] saltburnmods) wrote in [community profile] draino2024-11-09 08:00 am
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𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐒, 𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐒, 𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐒 ▣ NOV TDM





NOVEMBER 2024 TDM: RENAISSANCE


Welcome to SALTBURNT, a panfandom smut/thriller game based off the film Saltburn, where characters are encouraged to indulge their deepest desires. The money never runs out and the liquor never stops pouring, so you may as well indulge from the bounty. Of course, things are rarely what they seem, and the manor itself seems to have a consciousness of its own. Throw parties, trash the house, engage in youthful merriment, but remember — dangers come out at night, and no one, no matter how rich you are, is safe from demons lurking in the shadows.

Threads can be considered game canon, provided the players agree. Players can also start fresh upon acceptance into the game. In game characters can post to the TDM directly, using « NEW CHARACTER/IN GAME» in the header. There will be a spot below for new characters to link their toplevels for easy access. Alternatively, prompts on the Test Drive can be used for in game logs.







WELCOME TO SALTBURNT


It's the hangover more than the light streaming in through half drawn curtains that wakes you up, your brain rattling in your skull, your mouth dry and cottony, your stomach churning with whatever it is you drank last night. If self preservation is your strong suit, you might turn over in bed and see a few painkillers laid out for you on a silver dish, accompanied by a glass of water. If it isn’t, stay in bed and wallow — eventually a maid will be in to tear your curtains open, saying, "Breakfast is served," and scurrying out quietly, invisibly. Breakfast? Maybe it’s normal for you. Maybe it isn’t.

You're drawn from the room, either by the mystery, or an undefinable urge that could be supernatural in origin, or could be your hunger catching up to you. It's almost nostalgic, the walk to the dining room — have you been here before? Were you drawn up to this estate in a car? Haven’t you done all this already? Maybe you mosey around a library, maybe you run into your suite mate in your adjoining bathroom. Regardless, seemingly all hallways, covered in priceless artworks and ancient relics from times long past, lead to the dining room, where a comically long table houses the Balfours and their many guests, some who seem just as disgruntled and confused as you. No matter. "Breakfast will be out in a minute," they say. What's that?

EDIT SEPTEMBER 2024: For those who have attended breakfast with the Balfours before, a change in routine might come as a shock, given how rarely they stray from form. However, as of September, CARMY BERZATTO has taken over Head Chef position, alongside his cousin RICHIE JERIMOVICH and always the bridesmaid never the bride, SANJI. In place of the self-serve style breakfast, there is an elevated menu, including: a self-serve juice bar, with pitchers of various juiced fruit and vegetables, shaved ice, coconut water, green and black tea syrups, potted microherbs, sliced whole berries, and finger limes. There is also, naturally, liquor and champagne available. Guests can make their own drinks, or ask the allocated staff member to serve them one of the "specials" if they're feeling adventurous.

That said, these are world class chefs, so the gold is really in the menu:
THE EGGS

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐉𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐘: one runny boiled egg shelled and recoated in edible gold leaf, seated on a throne of fried bread soldiers, plated with whipped butter and italian parsley.
𝐄𝐆𝐆𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓: vinegar poached eggs with hollandaise foam on a bed of toasted freekah and baby spinach.
𝐄𝐆𝐆𝐒 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐊𝐀: two eggs poached in a ramekin of pureed tomato, served with a crispy grilled cheese cut to dip.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐘𝐃𝐍𝐄𝐘: french omelette with a light cheese filling, topped with crushed potato chips and chives.
𝐎𝐄𝐔𝐅𝐒 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐒: fluffy scrambled eggs in brown butter, served on sourdough.
𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐇 𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓: mini-quiche made with caramelized red onions and jamon pata negra ham.
𝐄𝐆𝐆 𝐌𝐂𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐖𝐈𝐂𝐇: bacon, egg, cheese and sausage breakfast muffin that tastes weirdly like it was made at a popular chain with golden arches.

THE SWEETS

momofuku's "cereal milk" ❖
❖ fette biscottate with a sour cherry jam and peanut floss ❖
❖ a warm cinnamon bun served with a shot of espresso coffee for dipping ❖
❖ a macadamia-marzipan croissant with a wattleseed and burnt-honey filling ❖
❖ poffertjes with a liquid nutella injection ❖


If you want to leave, you’ll have to tell Giles, the housekeeper, who will arrange a car for you that mysteriously, or perhaps suspiciously, never arrives. Unfortunately, confronting Giles about it is near impossible, as he’s as good at being invisible as the rest of the house staff. Of course, there’s no reason why you can’t just walk out. The front gates are easy enough to jump over, even if the walk towards them gives you a strange sense of foreboding, or just outright discomfort, as if the ground itself doesn’t want you to leave. Those more sensitive or fragile might find they can’t make the jump, no matter how physically able, or desperately wanting. Still, a strong person could continue on, over the fence and into the lush English countryside. The feeling doesn’t dissipate, though — this sense of wrongness, almost sickness, like a weight on your back. Walk into the evergreen, carry on, but the strongest will make it perhaps a mile or so before the weight of dread and paranoia brings you to your knees, and then to your face, flat in the middle of a dirt road. What were you thinking? Is this really better?

Wake up with a hangover, in a bed, the curtains drawn, the maid saying, "Breakfast is served," before scurrying out. The painkillers are there, just like you remember. In fact, it’s all exactly how you remember, as if you never left an imprint the first time, or any mess you made was cleared away while your back was turned. Walk to the dining room, find everyone there eating away at their breakfast.

"We dress for dinner," says Portia, with a kind, if discerning smile. "Black tie."




2 GIRLS 1 CUP

CONTENT WARNINGS: nudity, potential for nsfw.

Over the past few days, a bit of construction has taken place on the grounds of the Saltburnt estate, and while it's difficult to piece together what exactly is being built, it's clear to see: whatever it is, it's massive, taking up a huge percentage of the grounds with multiple included structures. On the outside it seems almost like a neighborhood is being sprung up — new houses for people to live in, maybe? New shops, disconnected from the manor at large? All is revealed on opening day, when upon entry all are greeted with cheery hellos from jauntily clad persons shouting, "Huzzah!" and "Hail and well met!" For the more medieval and fantasy inclined among you, it might feel like stepping somewhere familiar and homey. To the rest, you know — you've just walked into a Ren Faire. Costumes are expected.

Not sure what to wear? Those born between SEPTEMBER to FEBRUARY are dubbed part of the Unseelie Court, which is associated with darkness and decay, generally dressed in deep, dark colors. Those born between MARCH to AUGUST are part of the Seelie Court, which is associated with stars and sky, in lighter, brighter colors.

On either side of the split path, you're assaulted by the scents, sights, and sounds of any ordinary Ren Faire. Vendors pawn off garlicky mushrooms and full turkey legs, or flower crowns and juggling sticks in exchange for a kiss, a secret, a lock of hair, or something of equal nonsensical value. Step inside a shop and see sellers offering crude jewelry and satchels of loose leaf tea, fudge sold by the ounce and porcelain ocarinas. Essentially, if it's kitschy and thematic, you can find it here, being sold to you by people in costume who refuse to break character.

Shopping not quite your style? Fear not! If you're lucky in your wanderings, your might spot the Unseelie Queen ALICENT HIGHTOWER or her counterpart and opposed Seelie Queen LAURALAE carried on palanquins towards the very back of the faire, where the real heart of the show takes place in a small stadium for entertainment purposes — a tourney for distinguishing yourself as the best among your peers in the manor. Prior to the tourney, all characters are given a favor of some kind ( an embroidered handkerchief, ribbon, garland, or piece of jewelry ) to give to a person of their choosing, be they a competitor or not, to show their support. Strangely, this favor seems to link them through an empathetic, sensation-based bond, so they feel everything their chosen competitor experiences. Mutual favors result in a mutual bond.

The challenges are set: ARCHERY/KNIFE THROWING, SWORDFIGHTING/HAND-TO-HAND, and a BARD'S TOURNEY. In addition to the more ye olde flavor of competition, there are also challenges for COUPLE TENNIS, HORSE POLO, and CHESS. And, in true Saltburnt fashion, there is also a somewhat lewd display of voyeuristic NUDE WRESTLING, where the first person to have an orgasm loses. (You can sign up for these competitions HERE.) To every challenge there is dubbed a winner, who in the old Westerosi tradition gets to crown a chosen "maiden" with the title THE QUEEN OR KING OF LOVE AND BEAUTY and an extravagant wreath of flowers, their victory dedicated to the lucky lord or lady. These wreaths are both fashionable and functional — while wearing them, no one can resist following whatever queenly command your character gives. Additionally, winners will receive prizes courtesy of Saltburnt, all to be determined upon victory.

Whichever queen has the most winners at the end of the tourney is crowned HIGH QUEEN OF THE FAE. The Queen is paraded around and celebrated by all, and while tribute is not necessary, it certainly is appreciated!






RING AROUND THE ROSEY


CONTENT WARNINGS: potential for nsfw.

The Ren Faire fixture runs adjacent to the tree line of the forest, which one can enter through a booth manned by THE GREAT WIZARD ARCHIBALD, who warns you to be prepared to enter the Realm of the Fae beyond his backdrop curtain, before handing you a flower and a pair of antlers (or a head piece from your fauna choice) for your journey to the beyond. Upon entering, you are greeted by a forest that bears no resemblance to the woods you've grown to expect in your time at the manor, everything more exaggeratedly lush than it had been even a day or so prior. Plump fruits with slightly glimmering skins grow fat on the vine, every leaf on every tree vibrant and healthy despite the changing of seasons, gone orange and red with the cold. Despite that, it's surprisingly balmy in the forest, everything illuminated by glimmering fairy lights and strung up lanterns. Flowers bloom under your feet, alongside perfect little red mushrooms, everything so idealistic it almost borders on discomfort.

Despite any reservations, there is a wild compulsion to everyone who enters the forest. The flower the wizard gave you is pungent enough to dizzy your head, leading you to the instinct of frolicking — or if you're not the type to frolick, then wandering — through the woods, to find some counterpart to your particular flower in a very innocent (or not so innocent) game of cat and mouse. Once you find them, a simple kiss will serve as enough to claim your prize and ease the compulsion. Unless, of course, you want to give a little more. It couldn't hurt, right?

Wander further through the seemingly never ending woods, drawn on of the beauty of faerie, and find yourself at a somewhat rundown chapel surrounded by foliage, the roof and walls broken down with age, invaded by exploring plant life that crawls and vines through every crack and opening. While the stone altar of indeterminate denomination seems like it hasn't been seen for hundreds of years, let alone cleaned, there's the distinct impression you are walking on hallowed, sacred ground when you move to inspect it. Those clever among you might note different runes etched on what appears to be a wooden tabernacle on an ancient pillar at the back of the chapel. Looking into it, there's a word from an unknown language carved inside, complimented with a cheat sheet bit of yellowing paper which reads F. M. K., with further explanation: FRIENDS, MARRY, KINK.

What could it mean? Well. You and whoever you entered the chapel with, or whoever enters next, are stuck until further notice unless you complete one of the proffered options. FRIENDS, it's time you bury the hatchet, let bygones be bygones and accept our faults moving forward, together, to the future. MARRY, let's seal our bonded union with the trees as our witness, in a church of our own making. KINK, if the altar can't be used for the former, it can certainly be used for the latter. Nothing vanilla will do — kink up or shut up.

Once completed, you're free to leave and roam around the forest at your leisure. If you wander far enough you might hear a distant, organic sound whirring and clicking from the trees, but don't worry. Whatever is watching you probably doesn't bite.




DIRECTORY


extent: all by beticons @ ij (Default)

[personal profile] extent 2024-11-17 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
[ short of a miracle, nick was never going to win, but then he can't help but feel that maybe he isn't missing out on much at all, when lucifer gets an arm around him and a hand around his cock and strokes him like it's torture. he doesn't even bother with restraint, nick gasps out a sound that's on its way to a moan, presses up back against the warm, solid body behind him, flutters his eyes closed.

it was never going to be much of a fight, but nick sure is making it easy. even when he wriggles in the other man's grip it's hardly a fight, more of a grinding squirm. there's no doubt that nick wants to be caught, wants to be taken. if he struggles, it's only so he can be held down harder. ]


Like this. [ he pants, grinning, tilting back his head to try and capture some of that tongue. his hips buck, wanton and begging, trying to chase out just a little more friction in the grip. ] You win, take your spoils.
agoniser: (pic#17521231)

[personal profile] agoniser 2024-11-17 01:31 am (UTC)(link)
[ Her blood in his mouth, the immediate tightness of her cunt in response, both are such sweet, wet heat that the pleased sound he makes is almost like a purr. The shriek is music to his ears, and even if it’s not touched with as much pain as could make it truly melodic, it’s enough. Even if it isn’t so pressing that he needs to have his usual concern, the Thirst being slaked might as well be seared into his soul.

All his hair comes tumbling down with the ribbon being snatched away, and for now the third time, he doesn’t feel so poorly about what’s ostensibly a loss. He pulls back from his bite as her hips buck, and all that hair ironically ends up like a curtain of privacy as he drinks in her expression of ecstasy. He keeps his fingers moving predictably to have her ride out the orgasm as long as possible, and just as it’s tapering off, he grinds his thumb in a circle with a grin. She might be oversensitive and it might almost hurt for that, but that’s his pleasure taken in return.

And it’s only after that, as the swell of an orgasm starts to fade that the distinctly different ache comes in. It’s the soreness of ribs and wrist, but not hers. It’s that which she’s given him, and the ribbon shares it all.

For Marazhai, it’s a strangely recursive feeling, and he shudders, not yet letting her go from how he's partially holding her up. ]


Ah— How exquisite.
dwelt: (pic#17456012)

[personal profile] dwelt 2024-11-17 01:37 am (UTC)(link)
Works for me.

[god, he really wants to kiss him right now, eyes lingering on the outlines of Theo's mouth. he tilts his head enough to brush their lips together, but keeps still. if he were to kiss him, he knows they'd tumble - or really, Theo would tumble right into the bath.]

Very. Make sure you can handle it.

[it's true, the temperature is a few levels above what a normal bath could procure. he can adjust it if he needs to. or turn the cold water on.]
swans: (21)

[personal profile] swans 2024-11-17 01:50 am (UTC)(link)
[ her life often toes the line between thrilling and infuriating. eve, for example. the biggest example. the wife she loves with her whole heart, who also happens to be a wayward cunt. lucifer's general existence, a necessary evil, a thorn in her side, but the embodiment of power and lust and envy. and now this boy, with the audacity to have opinions and desires of his own.

infuriating. thrilling.

she disobeys instantly, her tongue elongating in a quick flicker, his blood slithering down her throat, pulsing in a swallow.
]

Who told you — [ her hand cinches his cock in an iron grip, her thumb sliding viciously over his weeping crown. ] That your blood was worthless enough to waste?

[ his grip on her jaw might've compelled her at another time, but not when there's something so much more necessary in front of her, her breaths ragged and a dull plea creeping into her eyes. there's blood on her face, warm and wet, and he has a tongue he could put to good use to clean her up. ]

Don't starve me. [ quieter than the rest of her words. ] Let me have more.
leavening: (pic#17139602)

[personal profile] leavening 2024-11-17 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
[Fuck.

She might have appeared uncertain and anxious before but she seems to be finding her footing now, and it's incredible. He likes the feel of her weight on top of him and her mouth against his skin. When she bites him his breath catches and he can't stop himself from twisting his beneath her because at this point he's so hard it's becoming painful. He's breathless and flushed and when he feels her hand around his cock he moans, startled.

How does she feel so good. It's just her hand, isn't it? But no, it's more than that, she's rubbing him against other parts of herself.

He wonders if it's possible for his brain to short circuit because he sort of feels like that's what's happening.

At her question his breath stutters and he can't find his voice immediately, and when he does it's raw.]


Your thighs...

[It's literally just the first thing that comes to mind and it's mostly because he likes her legs. He realizes after he says it that it doesn't necessarily make sense, it doesn't really feel like her thigh if he thinks about it. But how is he supposed to think right now, honestly? He moans again, overwhelmed.]

Or...I don't know...you feel so good.

[He's just rambling now, and trying desperately to keep his eyes closed.]
kovach: (■ 126)

[personal profile] kovach 2024-11-17 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
[ he looks her over, not in a lecherous way that most indecent men would, but in a loose gaze that's meant more to observe, to stitch together details to paint a picture of what the situation is. not that it takes much, since even before she answers his question, he can guess that she's new, with another wandering look to the room behind her revealing the same similar appearance that it has to his own — seemingly lived in but only in the way of setting it up to appear that way by the controllers that be in this place, whoever they really are, along with the disorderly pile of sheets that suggest a recent scramble out of it. he follows her curious look along the hall — her paranoid eyes tell him it's the first time she's seeing it, unsure of what she might run into. not a panic scared but a cautious one.

maybe he picked the wrong term to describe this place, even if it thinks it's a pretty fair descriptor. ]


Doubt it. Wouldn't be in this body if I was.

[ it might be something that only makes sense to the kind of people that come from his world, which she probably isn't from; when she'd turned her head to look down the hall, hair split into two pigtails — no cortical stack scar on her nape. best to keep it simple then, stepping towards the wall to the opposite side of her door, leaning his tall back against it. ]

I'm saying a bunch of seemingly rich assholes plucked us from wherever the hell we came from and brought us here. No motive, no explanation — we're just here with shitty hangovers and daily brunch. Not the worst prison but doubt it's a pleasure cruise.
berrying: (pic#17094338)

— SHANKS ( CLOSED )

[personal profile] berrying 2024-11-17 02:05 am (UTC)(link)
FUCK CHAPEL LOL.
( time seems ... indiscriminate in this forest, and zoro doesn't know if he's been wandering for hours or days. it feels like he's been walking for a long time, anyway, or maybe it's just because of the accidental nap breaks he keeps taking while trying to find his way out. everything's starting to look the same, because he's definitely seen that clump of purple flowers before, and that tree with the half-broken branch, but —

as he goes further, there's a building that looks like nature's desperately trying to reclaim, and zoro's sure that wasn't there before. brow furrowed and far too curious for his own good (you know what they say about cats ...), he elbows his way in through the door to see a stone altar and — red hair, which makes him involuntarily jolt.

fuck.

he's absolutely been pissed off at shanks still for the koby thing (and maybe even the faking his death thing, just a little, because what the fuck), stewing in it, almost kind of glad to have something to cling to, even if it's a grudge with a guy who he knows is supremely powerful and who also just kicked his ass during the swordfighting tournament. the defeat stung in the moment, even if zoro remained determined to keep a straight face despite the confusing mess of energy radiating off of him in waves, disappointment and anger and something like grief all tangled up together. as if by sheer instinct alone, his hand reaches to settle on top of the wado and he shakes his head, turning back towards the doors with a probably juvenile roll of his eyes. )


Save it — I'm leaving.

( except when zoro tries to push the doors back open, they won't budge. fuck x2. actually pissed off now, and maybe a little embarrassed because his cool guy exit hasn't worked the way he wanted it to, he throws his shoulder against the thick wood, grunting at the impact that does absolutely nothing. )
magija: (𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 ᱬ ₁₁₄)

[personal profile] magija 2024-11-17 02:05 am (UTC)(link)
[ again, the simplest touch, the squeeze of his fingers, and yet it works to keep her grounded. it reminds her of the smallest gestures that had kept her at bay for so long. pietro's protective hold around her shoulders. vision's lips light against her knuckles. billy and tommy's arms clutching around her for a hug. without any of them, it had become so easy to drift, drift, drift until she became so lost to the darkness. and here she is now, feeling threatened by it again.

so such a simple act and it reels her in, her own fingers clutching tighter that she's almost ashamed for just how much she needs it. ]


I think ... it knows. [ she says it almost absentmindedly that she soon realizes the vagueness of her own words in turn. ] That I'm here, and what I have. [ chaos magic. ] You're right. It's hungry.

[ she wonders if she should feel worried for it, or if she should just let it have her. no — she shouldn't let it. if this is a similar threat as the darkhold, then it's all the more reason for her to be careful. she'd been meant to die to stop that corruption, after all.

again, something so simple reels her away from those somber thoughts — a small, an introduction. her own expression softens, her voice calmer when she replies. ]


Wanda. [ she says her name, and for some reason, she feels calmer. ] I don't think I'm ready either, Matt. [ she shakes her head, a lingering wetness still in the corner of her eyes, but she tries to return his smile despite it. ] I thought I was — once — but I'm not. Would you help me stay away from it this time?

[ though she speaks it without detail, with the awareness that he doesn't know her, he's said enough for her to feel as if he knows enough, understands enough, to at least know what she might mean by the request, even if just by the essence of magic. it's selfish to ask such dependency of someone, of a stranger even, but there's something — is it the magic of the flower — that eases her into a trust here somehow. ]
dwelt: (pic#17480137)

[personal profile] dwelt 2024-11-17 02:06 am (UTC)(link)
[her touch is tantalizing, every pull of her hand around him making his breath quicken like nothing is ever quite enough. he moans into her mouth, an immodest sound that breaks into the silence of the bathroom. even when all he wants her to do is keep going, he hasn't forgotten the position they're in, or how her knees are digging into porcelain.]

Yeah, [voice thick, rushed,] hold on to me, just a second-

[he brings her arms up around his neck, hating the absence of her touch but knowing this will help both of them in the long run, even if he has to make a bit of an adjustment. his left hand grips the edge of the tub while his right arm hooks beneath her thighs and lifts, then he's lifting himself enough to scoot them both closer to the middle of the tub, hoping she gets the picture to splay her legs out behind (or around) him.

his hand moves from her hips to her back to keep her balanced and he's leaning into her all over again, left hand gravitating back to her body and trailing from between her breasts and down her belly, teasing around the line of her bikini. they're close enough that his cock brushes against the fabric. his mouth is much less teasing, latching on to her neck with lips and teeth, tongue soothing over the areas he nips at.
]
extent: (tyb47)

[personal profile] extent 2024-11-17 02:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ there shouldn't really be that much of a thrill to being caught. there is public sex competitions going on at this very faire, it's not like there is any real taboo--and besides, nick doesn't particularly mind being caught anyway. despite all that it's still exciting, nick feels the tug in his stomach when august says that he would want to finish, and nick's eyes dart over to the tent's entrance like he's already hoping someone might walk in.

nick releases august's hair, pulls back, and it almost might be mistaken for him trying to escalate their situation a little, only he keeps his hips pressed flush against's august's, with a slow roll forward just to see how much this is affecting him. nick's expression is sweet, pliant even, when he drops to stand flat on his feet, just to give august that little bit of height advantage. just so he has to look up slightly to meet his gaze. ]


Are you asking me? [ it's a near-perfect rendition of innocence, if only nick's half-hard cock wasn't pressing against august's hip, if only he wasn't already dropping his arms back to his sides ready to fall to his knees. ] Or are you telling me?
magija: (𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 ᱬ ₀₀₅)

[personal profile] magija 2024-11-17 02:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ no, he doesn't need to explain further than that, since alternate realities are something that wanda herself knows possibly better than anyone in her world at this point, save for maybe stephen strange. not only did she learn of them, but the darkhold had enabled her to dreamwalk between them — something she's more than sure she isn't doing now. ]

A barrier. [ less a question, considering her own immediate experience with her, her eyes turning from bucky to peer out to the nothingness in front of her, no physical wall or even mystical shimmer to indicate its end. ] It could be a hex. I — [ she presses her lips together briefly, almost ashamed of her familiarity. ] I've created one before. I could try to bring this one down.

[ it would take time though, if it's some kind she isn't familiar with. so she turns back to bucky for now. ]

Well, I'm in no rush to meet Tony Stark in any universe. But that's what happens in different worlds in the multiverse — faces could change, people could change, even magic apparently. [ she sighs, shoulders sinking a bit, before she really focuses her attention on bucky's face, suddenly aware of the casualness of conversation, something she ... hasn't had in a while due to her recent experiences. ] Despite the circumstances, it's good to see you.
magija: (𝐌𝐕 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 ᱬ ₀₁₆)

[personal profile] magija 2024-11-17 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
[ it's not as though wanda ever had much chance to keep anything about herself secret. not when she'd publicly fought against the avengers and then alongside them, and then never stopped having such watchful eyes on her that every new discovery of her power became just another warning to the world of what a danger she could be. ]

Not mine.

[ she says, with determined certainty, because it shouldn't lie, the way it can pull at more of the truth than anyone else is capable. but there's something almost frail in her voice, subtle but present, as if she isn't as sure as she hopes to be. after all, her magic isn't as reliable since she's arrived here.

her eyes watch him closely as he nears closer to her, only turning to peer down at his hand when he holds it out. she doesn't offer her own flower, gaze turning back up with a pursing twist of her lips.

his name. she could find it, willing her magic to dip quietly into his head — but a shadow looms, something else lingering in there, and on instinct, she withdraws, a sudden reminder of the darkhold pulling the string of a fear she's too concerned to touch. best not to risk it — but she does pull just enough of what she needs. ]


Do names really matter, August?
poors: (𝟎𝟓𝟓 🧠)

[personal profile] poors 2024-11-17 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
[ astarion offers a bow and bella only seems to beam even brighter at the presentation that offers, her hands once again clapping as if, somehow, that seems to be as much part of the show as the throwing of knives itself. truthfully, it sometimes takes very little to entertain or amuse one; when one has only really been alert (or alive, depending on how it's seen) for less than a year, everything is seen as something quite special. ]

I have special knives in the clinic too. Used for poking.

[ for the autopsies, though throwing them around is probably not the best of ideas. not that she'd think so. ]

I am quite good, as there is much excite in the Faire. I was given a dress — [ she grabs at her skirt, giving it a side-to-side swoosh. ] And then allowed to play much of the games. Though I have won nothing but I have seen the talents of many and it is quite admirable. Far better are the games than the one of the werewolf, as no one has come out dead. [ always a plus. ] Are you having the fun as well?
poors: (𝟎𝟏𝟏 🧠)

[personal profile] poors 2024-11-17 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
There is always more to knives, to things, to people. Everything has much in details to learn and observe and discover. This what we use to know more.

[ it is how she feels she can better the world, by knowing it in every tiny and big way. there's always an excitement to her in learning, where even the activity of naming knives can come with much enjoyment. ]

Pisces. [ she repeats, happy to know his name, another friend to know. ] You would allow me?

[ her eyes widen, following a small gasp with a smile, as she looks down at the knife, studying it with all the seriousness that comes with the important practice of naming. after a moment, she looks back up and nods. ]

Boat. [ well, no one said she had a talent for it. ] The sharp points at the bottom look like waves of an ocean. It appears as though floating on it. Like a boat.
poors: (𝟏𝟑𝟐 🧠)

[personal profile] poors 2024-11-17 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
[ bella is certainly all too excited to be able to share in this with someone, excited even more so now with francesca's company if only to be able to talk of the wonders before her with another. she's especially fond to find that francesca seems to be just as delighted by the magical experience as she is. ]

I do hope so. God has spoken many of these tales to me. [ less so the religious figure and more godwin baxter, her father. ] He would read them in bed to me to fall asleep. I would see them become real in my dreams. It was always quite wonderful.

[ she beams even brighter with the excitement that is all is real, her fingers squeezing tighter around francesca's as she pulls her along the path. ]

Fairytales would have princesses in them. Is that you? Are the princess? You're very beautiful that I would expect so.
longitudinal: (1991094_900)

[personal profile] longitudinal 2024-11-17 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
The real question is what kind of fish?

[ he laughs a little at the thought, glancing over to her as she treads water expertly. indeed, part fish - much like himself, then. he continues with his pants, sliding them down strong legs, his body lean and limber. he opts to keep his boxer-briefs on at least. better not to make assumptions, especially with a new face. ]

Hopefully not a territorial one. I'm a sailor, no fighter of angry, toothy fish.

[ he grins a little and disregards the question of the cold with a little huff, his grin wide as he dives into the water. there's very little splash before he surfaces a few feet from her, reaching to push dark waves of hair from his face. ]

The sea's usually cold where I'm from, but this is no sea.
biomancy: (can u fuckin not)

[personal profile] biomancy 2024-11-17 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's instinctive, his reaction this time. His hand tightens, and Marazhai's nerves light up with fire and pain. He relaxed his hand immediately afterward, the fire of every nerve ending lighting up like an array with a very cooperative machine spirit, before it dies off again just as obediently. He hates him, he hates this, and he hates how good it is to finally do everything he wanted to him.

He knew that he would pay.

He knew that the Drukhari would never let this stand.

But he also knew that Marazhai knew he was not to be underestimated.
]

Vile creature. You insult me.

[ It doesn't help, to dehumanize (dexonosize?) him. It doesn't matter. ]

Do you have no sense of self-preservation?

I'll kill you if you don't be quiet.

[ Whether it's an honest threat or not, it's difficult to tell. ]
leavening: (pic#17153588)

[personal profile] leavening 2024-11-17 03:05 am (UTC)(link)
[Hyunsu's left hand curls into the fabric of of August's shirt to keep him close as he kisses him back. He's more into it than he might have expected at the start of all this, but ultimately if Hyunsu feels needed he reacts accordingly, and August kisses him like he needs him right now.

As he breaks the kiss, Hyunsu studies him curiously, but doesn't move away immediately.]


Because I let you. [he's being defiant just for the sake of it, really. Habit because that's just how the monster is in general.] Is that all you want?
naysaying: (0115)

!!

[personal profile] naysaying 2024-11-17 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
Benedict?

[ he remains on his feet, accompanied rather suddenly by the sight of his brother. anthony moves to clasp his hands to benedict's shoulders, gripping slightly until he is certain he is made real. ( his head is swimming, questions and details swirling about and leaving his thoughts muddled – )

whatever it was he had been doing moments previous, the eldest bridgerton has seemingly already forgotten. ]


Please tell me that you, too, have only just arrived.

[ it may not provide him with an answer, but it will certainly quell a portion of his anxieties. ]
agoniser: (pic#17515473)

[personal profile] agoniser 2024-11-17 03:31 am (UTC)(link)
[ He jerks as sharply as his disobedient muscles will allow, and the strangled noise that comes out of his throat was surely part of a scream. The way every nerve has a brand pressed to it can offer no other response, even for him. It lasts only the moment that Heinrix allows, but it’s still a tiny eternity, and it buzzes in his brain as it just as quickly fades.

He struggles to catch his breath after it, but still. He laughs. It’s shaky and mad in the way that Heinrix has surely caused before, but it’s different in Drukhari than in humans. Humans laugh in the face of torture because they don’t know what else to do. A Drukhari laughs because it’s rote. ]


And kill the Rogue Trader’s favorite—

[ He has to pause, to fill his shaky lungs with more breath, but it helps with the effect, albeit completely unintentionally. He sneers, teeth gleaming with his own blood, practically spitting out the word. ]

—pet?

[ Yet even punctuated, there’s no shame in it. He’d been insulted by it early in their partnership, but now? He knew how it bothered others far more than it bothered him. He’d be her pet just to watch their skin crawl. So, he clicks his tongue, tutting mockingly. ]

No… I don’t think you will. Much as you’d like to.
catering: (pic#17508103)

2 girls

[personal profile] catering 2024-11-17 03:33 am (UTC)(link)
( shy even under the best of circumstances, taggie hasn't quite worked up the courage to wade into the crowds surrounding any of the competitions. in part because she doesn't fully understand the point of them, but also she can't stand the idea of people getting hurt. even if the wounds are largely to their pride. then, of course, there's the simple fact that the crowds themselves make her feel like she's coming out of her skin.

so while she's kept a fairly safe distance from the wrestling, the jeering and shouts have given her some idea as to what's going on. a feeling that only seems to be confirmed by the deep flush of his cheeks as he leaves. )


Was it awful?
naysaying: (0161)

[personal profile] naysaying 2024-11-17 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
And yet, where I come from, we are no sooner to believe in magic.

[ the young woman's hair dances like flames in this light, glittering and glowing, luminescent. a part of him, like some distant wish, wonders what might happen, should he gather too close. and yet, is that not the beauty of all that burns? ]

Perhaps it is here, in this forest.

[ anthony casts a glance above them again, watching the way the world there twinkles, as stars fallen from their heavens. a palm presses to the tree, steadying himself as to avoid falling victim to the forest floor.

he looks to her again, to the flower between her fingers. ]


Or, perhaps this is merely a product of my own exhaustion and none of this is real.
Edited 2024-11-17 03:37 (UTC)
dwelt: (Default)

[personal profile] dwelt 2024-11-17 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
[he plants his hands on the vendor's counter to lean forward and whisper a secret into the staff's ear, keeps one hand there as an afterthought when he looks at her again.]

You're welcome.

[he notices how cautious she is, wonders if she's thinking she owes him. he hopes not.]

Dark's less sweet, so tell me what you think. I'll eat it if you hate it.
metabolizes: (pic#10020749)

ring around the rosey 🌹

[personal profile] metabolizes 2024-11-17 03:54 am (UTC)(link)
( yeah, wally's not really buying the "wizard's" shtick, either, but he does put on the antlers because, sure, why not. it's not like he's never been called rudolph in his life (has, in fact, been called rudolph so many times it's almost grown on him), so no point trying to avoid it now. of course, he's still dressed in his bard attire from the festival, only now it's starting to feel a lot more clammy the farther he walks. is the forest climate-controlled or something? (note to self: investigate more thoroughly later.) and how long has he actually been walking? it's easy to lose track of time in a place like this, especially one that feels designed to look like something out of alice in wonderland.

he's just about to pick up one of the strange red mushrooms to take back as a sample when a voice startles him from behind —
)

Jesus, dude — ( and he topples back from his half-squat onto his ass, twisting around to see who the voice belongs to. ) No way. ( he's on his feet in a matter of seconds, gaping at a face that is honestly way too familiar at this point. this is, what, the third one he's met? (fourth, if he's counting — well, he doesn't want to think about that one.) ) Jason?
wines: anabiotic (pic#8928059)

[personal profile] wines 2024-11-17 03:57 am (UTC)(link)
Armand's eyes are arresting: like a low-slung moon eclipsed by the sun. Dorian's never seen quite that color in a human, which is what he presumes Armand to be, lacking the pointed ears of an elf or horns of a qunari.

Still, they snag Dorian as he holds Armand's gaze, intrigued despite his self-preserving intention of maintaining an easy distance. Here, Dorian is a stranger in a strange land, and based on his handful of polite conversations, most everyone else he's met has been here a while. Better not to be caught on the back foot.

"I would love nothing more." He means this, too: conversation is always better over a bottle or two. "I don't suppose you have any Tevinter vintages stashed away somewhere?"