saltburnmods: (Default)
π–˜π–†π–‘π–™π–‡π–šπ–—π–“π–™ π–’π–”π–‰π–˜. ([personal profile] saltburnmods) wrote in [community profile] draino2024-11-09 08:00 am
Entry tags:

ππ‹πˆπ’π’, ππ‹πˆπ’π’, ππ‹πˆπ’π’ β–£ 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 β€” 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 Β« NEW CHARACTER/IN GAMEΒ» 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 β€” 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 β€” 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 π‰πŽππ“π˜: 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 ππ„ππ„πƒπˆπ‚π“: vinegar poached eggs with hollandaise foam on a bed of toasted freekah and baby spinach.
𝐄𝐆𝐆𝐒 π’π‡π€πŠπ€π’π‡πŽπ”πŠπ€: two eggs poached in a ramekin of pureed tomato, served with a crispy grilled cheese cut to dip.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 π’π˜πƒππ„π˜: french omelette with a light cheese filling, topped with crushed potato chips and chives.
πŽπ„π”π…π’ ππ‘πŽπ”πˆπ‹π‹π„π’: fluffy scrambled eggs in brown butter, served on sourdough.
π’ππ€ππˆπ’π‡ 𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓: mini-quiche made with caramelized red onions and jamon pata negra ham.
𝐄𝐆𝐆 πŒπ‚π’π€ππƒπ–πˆπ‚π‡: 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 β€” 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 β€”Β 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 β€” 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 β€”Β 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 β€” 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 β€” or if you're not the type to frolick, then wandering β€”Β 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 β€”Β 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


longlegs: ? n u (034)

[personal profile] longlegs 2024-11-09 11:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, shβ€”

[ Cellar almost loses her balance when the wolf spots her, brows arched and lips in an o, one arm out to gain it back. Dying by wolf attack when everyone's too busy having fun to find her out here feels like the least Told You So type of tragedies around here, and yet…

… yet it just. Sits? ]


Uhm. Sorry. Didn't mean to wake you up, buddy.
rakta: (pic#17475816)

[personal profile] rakta 2024-11-10 11:18 am (UTC)(link)
[ It could be worse. A month ago, this wolf would likely have attacked - not because Lauralae wanted to, but because she was possessed by the house. In control of herself now, all she can do is feel the flick of her tail, tilting her head to sniff and scent at the air.

Slowly, carefully, head lowered as if she is expecting to be kicked, she almost tiptoes over, getting closer and closer before she stops in front of Cellar, ears flattened to her head.

She isn't going to hurt; not this time. ]
longlegs: ? n (174)

[personal profile] longlegs 2024-11-11 04:24 am (UTC)(link)
[ She parts her lips. Closes them again. The rational part of her says she shouldn't be here (shit, flat ears are bad, right?); a louder part says that this is amazing. She thought wild animals would take off or threaten her until she did it first, but wouldn't a wolf just start chasing her anyway? Is that what they do to people? Too late to think about that now. ]

Uhm.

[ She might be going at this all wrong, actually. This would be the kind of place where someone happens to own a pet wolf. Question is if and how you can tame it to act like a dog. (Is that insensitive?) ]

I'm not gonna hurt you. [ Carefully, Cellar peers at the wolf's neck. Maybe there'll be a collar under all that fur? ]
rakta: (pic#16248439)

[personal profile] rakta 2024-11-11 06:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[ There is, in fact, a collar!

On one side of the little chain around her neck is the name Lauralae, and then on the other side is the inscription Luci's; that gives away, at least, the wolf's name, and who she belongs to.

Shifting her head, she tilts into the other woman's touch, permitting the touch. She seems to be willing to let Cellar do whatever it is she wants. ]
longlegs: s (089)

[personal profile] longlegs 2024-11-12 07:16 am (UTC)(link)
[ Names noted, Cellar's practical thoughts evaporate it a nanosecond: the wolf is leaning into her touch. This is not a drill: Cellar is petting a wolf.

And yes, that comes with an aww. ]


Hi, Lauralae. [ She sticks to petting the side of the neck, fingers raking every other turn. That's where a friend's labrador liked it and, well β€” it's the closest reference she can fall back on. ] You're gorgeous. I hope you didn't get lost.

[ She wishes she'd brought her phone now. Struck by the pocketless dress curse again. ] You're not gonna freak out if I get up, are you?
rakta: (pic#17423757)

[personal profile] rakta 2024-11-12 06:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Lauralae lets herself enjoy this - human touch without the threat of her curse ruining things, sinking into the touch for a moment before she leans back, hefting the bulk of her larger form settle back before she begins to shift.

Turning from wolf to human is natural; thankfully, she retains her clothes, and she has that sweet magical glow to compel her modesty. ]


I won't 'freak out'.
longlegs: ? ! n (171)

[personal profile] longlegs 2024-11-13 05:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ Well. It takes her brain a moment to catch up with what she's seeing, another to balance her perplexity with β€” how stupid she feels, honestly. ]

Oh. Uh.

[ Uh, indeed. ]

Hi. Were you…?
rakta: (pic#16248598)

[personal profile] rakta 2024-11-13 08:38 pm (UTC)(link)
The wolf? I was.

[ Lauralae tilts her head, watching the woman for a moment before... ah. ]

I am sorry. For surprising you.
longlegs: ? n (162)

[personal profile] longlegs 2024-11-14 04:10 am (UTC)(link)
No, it's fine, I just β€” didn't think that would happen.

[ People Pleaser mode engaged. At least it means Cellar can get up without worrying about a wolf leaping at her face first, wiping grass and dirt from her palms. She's considerably taller than the other woman, even when they're both in human form. ]

You're Lauralae.
rakta: (pic#17423642)

[personal profile] rakta 2024-11-15 06:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes.

[ Her fingers go up, briefly, to her neck, but there is no collar there now; a little magic to keep her wolf form under protection, or at least to name who she is if anyone approaches like this. It's embarrassing, to feel so kept and enjoy it.

Hesitating, worrying her lip, she tilts her head up to look at Cellar. ]


I would not harm you, as a wolf.
longlegs: ? n (006)

[personal profile] longlegs 2024-11-16 01:45 pm (UTC)(link)
No, yeah β€” I mean, thanks. I appreciate it.

[ She thinks. How self-aware can someone be as a wolf? She's gonna spend the whole day thinking about this. ]

… I'm Cellar.
rakta: (pic#16248438)

[personal profile] rakta 2024-11-16 03:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's a warning worth giving, considering the fact that she had been killing people before, but... Perhaps this stranger does not know. Lauralae does not recognise her, by face nor scent.

Hesitating for a moment, she breathes out. ]


Would you like to... Walk with me, Cellar?
longlegs: ? n (190)

[personal profile] longlegs 2024-11-17 02:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She sucks in her lips to lick them, a sort of nervous habit, still not sure what to think or do in this situation. Werewolves β€” yeah, they've got those where she comes from, but this wasn't it. She thinks. A shapeshifter, then, but one that goes through the trouble of having two names on a collar; hers and… her owner's?

That's definitely an insensitive thought, augh.

A couple of blinks later, ]


Oh. Yeah, sure! I, uh. You probably wanna get back to… Luci?
rakta: (pic#16248519)

[personal profile] rakta 2024-11-17 06:37 pm (UTC)(link)
No. I believe he is busy.

[ It comes out deadpan, but the way she says it might hint at a touch of sourness. Complicated feelings!

Either way, she hesitates for a moment before she steps up and offers her arm, formally. She had been queen for a day, after all, and had been tutored well. ]


I can show you more flowers, if you wish.
longlegs: n (139)

[personal profile] longlegs 2024-11-18 02:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Lauralae happens to be the queen on Cellar's side, too, so this is an honor, really. She does as she's quietly instructed without a fuss, brushing her hair behind her ear, wondering if it's too silly to be wearing the antlers still. ]

That'd be nice.

[ A smile, more polite than warm, making the decision to be as inoffensive as possible, Cellar looks around them for directions. ]

So you come here pretty often, huh.
rakta: (pic#17423737)

[personal profile] rakta 2024-11-18 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ They walk, and Lauralae feels somewhat more at ease now in the midst of the forest, more comfortable here than almost anywhere else. With the wind brushing gently over her skin and the scent of the soil and leaves around her, she feels most at home, more so than she has been in hours, she thinks.

Attention lifting to Cellar, she manages the best measure of a smile that she can. ]


The forest? Yes. I feel more settled here, especially with how many there are in the mansion.

[ Cheeks a little warm, be it from the contact or the company, she hums softly. ]

I lived in such a place for many years, so it feels like home.
longlegs: s (294)

[personal profile] longlegs 2024-11-18 07:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The smile makes Cellar avert her eyes for a moment, suddenly self-aware and measuring how much smiling is too much smiling on her lips. Arms linked, walking down a forest straight out of Golden Age technicolor in a Ren Faire costume, the flower keeps feeding her thoughts with fluttering wants, scenarios she'd walk away from to cringe at for hours as soon as clarity washed it all off. She clears her throat. ]

As a wolf, orβ€”?
rakta: (pic#16248472)

[personal profile] rakta 2024-11-18 08:10 pm (UTC)(link)
As a wolf and woman both.

[ It's not unusual for Lauralae to walk like this through the woods - it is unusual to be so dressed, to look handsome in Seelie colours once more. Her skin had been suited to it once, sweet flowered coloured to match her fey brethren, but that had been stolen from her too. ]

And sometimes as a crow, when I wished to nest.
longlegs: s (331)

[personal profile] longlegs 2024-11-18 08:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Shapeshifter, she decides, followed by that's so cool. An opinion that has struck twice and may risk coming back to do it again. ]

That's really cool. [ Oop. There it is. ] I don't really get to do this. I probably should? It just never really crossed my mind. Perils of being a city girl, I guess.
rakta: (pic#16248439)

[personal profile] rakta 2024-11-18 08:20 pm (UTC)(link)
It is... Fun?

[ She says the word as if it's foreign to her completely. ]

The forest here is large, and there is much to see. I would... Be glad to show you.
longlegs: s (314)

[personal profile] longlegs 2024-11-18 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[ With a short-lived and warm laugh, ]

Yeah, I hope it is. [ Cool and a little odd. Don't ask her why that's a relief. ] What're your favorite spots?
rakta: art commissioned from 9yona, please don't take! (pic#16248596)

[personal profile] rakta 2024-11-18 08:29 pm (UTC)(link)
The herb garden. I would grow them for trade, before I arrived here.

[ There seems to be a genuine excitement to her now, eyes briefly widening. ]

There are a great deal that might help with aches and pains, or care for wounds and prevent infection.
longlegs: ? n (350)

[personal profile] longlegs 2024-11-19 12:55 am (UTC)(link)
No way β€” you know about all that?

[ Eyes on Lauralae instead of the path ahead, Cellar steps on a branch and makes an embarrassing show of catching herself before her balance is thrown off. ]

Fuck, sorry.

[ Turns out it's not a branch, though. Clean and idyllic as this forest has dressed itself to be, it couldn't stop someone from leaving their set of antlers behind. Cellar crouches to pick them up, looks over for any damage, then at their surroundings for any sign of their owner.

Pause. Squint. ]


... Is that a chapel?
rakta: (pic#16248519)

[personal profile] rakta 2024-11-19 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
I taught myself, over many years.

[ Lauralae shifts, adjusting her weight to do what she can to help keep Cellar balanced, and she shakes her head gently, patting the other woman's hand with all the tenderness that she might muster. ]

There is no need.

[ Walking her forward, she hesitates for a moment before - ah. She can feel the magic, the pull of it around her, before she tilts her head up to her companion. ]

It is. It is one of their games.
longlegs: s (282)

[personal profile] longlegs 2024-11-20 03:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Ah, the pretty girl is touching her hand. She'll be stunlocked for a moment or two, then come out of it with a pink addition to her cheeks. She puts a cold hand to her own face, as if that'll counter the warmth. ]

One of their games? [ Huh. That's ominous. Or promising. Not necessarily mutually exclusive. ] Wanna go check it out?

(no subject)

[personal profile] rakta - 2024-11-20 15:23 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] longlegs - 2024-11-20 15:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] rakta - 2024-11-20 15:46 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] longlegs - 2024-11-20 18:50 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] rakta - 2024-11-20 18:54 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] longlegs - 2024-11-20 19:36 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] rakta - 2024-11-20 19:53 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] longlegs - 2024-11-22 02:50 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] rakta - 2024-11-22 20:21 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] longlegs - 2024-11-24 19:35 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] rakta - 2024-11-25 19:55 (UTC) - Expand

cw: nsfw

[personal profile] longlegs - 2024-11-27 19:23 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] rakta - 2024-11-27 20:09 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] longlegs - 2024-12-09 18:04 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] rakta - 2024-12-09 19:22 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] longlegs - 2024-12-09 20:16 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] rakta - 2024-12-09 20:55 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] longlegs - 2024-12-09 22:16 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] rakta - 2024-12-10 18:37 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] longlegs - 2024-12-25 18:59 (UTC) - Expand