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π–˜π–†π–‘π–™π–‡π–šπ–—π–“π–™ π–’π–”π–‰π–˜. ([personal profile] saltburntmods) wrote in [community profile] draino2025-01-04 08:00 am
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π“π‡πˆπ’ πˆπ’ 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐈 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 β–£ JAN TDM





JANUARY 2025 TDM: IMMORTALITY


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, the menu has been redone by some guests in the manor. 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."




8-BALL

CONTENT WARNINGS: drugs, nsfw.

In all 700 (and change!) years of Saltburnt's existence, never has the new year been rung in with anything less than a bang. Similarly, the manor is a bustle of activity in the post-Christmas week, setting up predominately in and around the Operating Theatre. Formally, all guests are welcomed to celebrate on the 31st of December leading into the new year by a fancy, handwritten invitation, delivered individually by Giles. BLACK TIE, the invite says. LET'S MAKE IT A GOOD YEAR, DAWG.

Upon arrival, it's plain to see the Operating Theatre has gotten a glow up since last visited. The amphitheater stairs serve as a dramatic entrance to walk through, the main floor usually designed for holding cadavers for dissection instead replaced with a dance floor. Everything is black, white, and as silver as surgery tools, the room seemingly a great deal larger than when it was last observed β€”Β though, maybe that's your eyes playing tricks on you. Don't worry about it!

Celebrate instead, ringing in the new year with loud, Eurodance music and American rock, bodies dancing together for one last hurrah of 2006. In true Saltburnt fashion, there's a snack spread on the organized operating tables β€”Β Vietnamese spring rolls, glass noodles, Prosecco jello shots to go with the tall flutes of champagne passed around on silver plates. Additionally, there are some silver platters circling the venue full of tall mounds of white, powdery cocaine, already spliced into lines for convenience. The name of the game is indulgence, as ever, getting one's worst habits out of the way to make room for better, healthier choices in the new year.

For the last hour of the year, a mock time ball in the shape of an magic 8-ball is set up in the center of the room, slowly inching up as time ticks down. At 11:59, the ball reaches its zenith, much more rapidly moving the other way as the countdown starts. Once the countdown drops to the 10s, everyone in the room is pairing up in couples (or trios?) to kiss at the strike of midnight, loudly chanting the last five numbers in chanting succession, 3, 2, 1, and happy new year!

Several things happen at once, following your kiss, or the strike of midnight if you're more of a lone wolf. Firstly, everyone's clothes disappear, left completely naked in the theatre. Any fabric they might think to dress themselves in will miraculously disappear once they put it on, and any attempts to escape the room are likewise barred, doors unopenable for the time being. At the same time, the 8-ball which reached the bottom of its stand rolls over, presenting its windowed side to all who look upon it β€”Β and all who look upon it will see one of 20 different instructions.

For a fun game, roll a d20 and see what you get!



































Naturally, the doors only permit you to leave after achieving whatever challenge the 8-ball gave you, where you can run nakedly back to your room and find some clothes, saying goodnight to a wonderful year. Any and all party poopers uninterested in taking part will be let go an hour or so post midnight β€”Β approximately when it stops being funny.






NEW YEAR, NEW ME


CONTENT WARNINGS: homophobia, misogyny, implied grooming, cultural insensitivity.

New year is a time for new beginnings, and it's no surprise that many resolutions involve the bettering of one's self. Exercise and eating healthy are all usual suspects, but what if you could take a little something that did it all for you, effort-free? New Years Resolutions the easy way β€”Β try ReSculpt, an organic supplement using exotic kinds of sea kelp, as provided by Portia's personal life coach SHAMAN LEAF, for making a better you. Fat melts away and wrinkles smooth out, complexions clear and muscles strengthen, all with the help of this miraculous product! Simply apply the topical ointment on yourself, and watch a new and improved you emerge β€” even those of you who wouldn't choose it willingly can take part, as it's stocked in every bathroom, in the shape of an ordinary lotion bottle.

Of course, it doesn't only effect your looks. The road to a better you requires a full makeover, changing you from the inside out. Be the son your father always wanted, or the wife your husband deserves β€” become a better partner, a better housewife, a better soldier, a better friend. Whatever any of that means to you, whether changing your style or the people you're attracted to, this magical lotion seems to clear it up and straighten you out, turn you into a true, decent member of polite upperclass society. Even Portia in the days following New Years appears younger, nearly like a girl in her teens thanks to the power of ReSculpt. On your journey to self-improvement, you might feel inclined to sign up for Shaman Leaf's 12-step guide to proper English behaviors, including lessons in etiquette, fine dining, lovemaking with respectful hands-on accompaniment, and a suggested sizable donation on towards Shaman Leaf's travel fund. All of it concludes in a graduation for the enlistees in the form of a debutante ball.

Not to worry if you didn't take the course β€” all are welcome to witness the caterpillar become the butterfly in this re-introduction to society in one of Saltburnt's many exemplary ballrooms. As opposed to the more carefree party that welcomed in the year, the debutante ball is steeped in the premeditated societal structures of an aristocratic family, everything proper and regal by design, complete with huge, expensive dresses and expertly tailored, starch-collared suits. Luckily, ReSculpt will see to everyone conforming to the expectations of society, without complaint. Unluckily, the side effects seem to kick in at the debutante ball.

Step one: paranoia. Is this who you really are? What happened to the person you were a few days ago? Where did everything that made you who you are go? Dread creeps in, a discordant note, a cold breeze. Step two: touch repulsion. The dances at the ball are all respectful, leaving plenty of room for Jesus, flirty little wrist touches and soft, careful hands β€” and you're disgusted by wanting more, confused by it. Consumed by it? Scared of it. The sick touch of skin on skin is as offensive as it is arousing, like gripping ice cubes in your hand and flinching at the numbing, burning pain. Step three: hallucinations. You turn in a dance and the hand that slips into yours is more bone than flesh. The ballroom itself seems to grow more decayed than decadent, ghosts and horrifying faces spliced between the crowd, all looking at you, angry and disturbed. Is that face looking back at you your own? Can your friends tell you from a doppelgΓ€nger? Who even are you anymore?

And finally, step four: rehab. As it turns out, Shaman Leaf is not actually a good guy. That is, he's not a guy at all but a pΓΊca, here to unleash a humble amount of chaos and then quickly skedaddle while the iron's still hot, escaping with mischievous shapeshifting behaviors through the closest door, galloping to the forest. Though his exit from the premises doesn't clear up the effects of ReSculpt, it's nothing a little week spent very fashionably in rehab can't clear up. Going cold turkey is the only way to remove it from your system β€” and you do want to remove it from your system. A depleting supply will force you into withdrawals regardless, in the form of continued paranoia and hallucinations, acting hot and cold with touch, alternating between your true self and ReSculpt self, fevers, nosebleeds, puking, and blacking out. A good detox for the new year.



DIRECTORY


dwelt: (Default)

[personal profile] dwelt 2025-01-08 10:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[flatly:] Okay.

[good luck trying to get him to buy that, or any various lies that happen to come next. he places the champagne bottle on the countertop and leans against the door frame. his tone is less flat when he speaks again - some concern laced into his voice.]

Do you need help?
dead_tongue: (I mean I guess)

[personal profile] dead_tongue 2025-01-08 10:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[Iggy is six foot one, so when he draws himself up as straight as he can it's... still not intimidating. But it lets him peer down at least, affording him the slightest sense of dignity.]

Do I look like I need help?

[He catches a glimpse of himself in the bathroom mirror and sees that the answer is plainly 'yes' so he continues on in a rush.]

I'm fine, I'm just tired. Very tired. I haven't been sleeping very well, and people are being so...

[He waves a hand vaguely, allowing his comforter to slip a little bit. Underneath it he's wearing the ugly kitten sweater Cellar gave him for Christmas.]

Very. Something. I don't know. I don't want to bother anyone. And they don't want to be bothered. So. I'm fine. Great, even!
dwelt: (pic#17617278)

[personal profile] dwelt 2025-01-09 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
[he's used to being looked down to. he doesn't try to mirror Iggy's faux-confidence; his own body language is open, relaxed. he tips his chin, blinking up at him.]

Yeah, you look like you need help.

[seeing that ugly sweater peek out from beneath the comforter, he recognizes it immediately. Cellar wrapped most of her gifts in secret, but he'd been around to see her wrap a few that didn't involve him. also, it's impossible to miss a pattern like that. ignoring the rest of what comes out of Iggy's mouth, he bypasses everything else:]

You're Iggy, Cellar's friend. [not a question.] I'm August.
dead_tongue: (whining)

[personal profile] dead_tongue 2025-01-09 12:36 am (UTC)(link)
[That shuts him up at once. Iggy tugs his comforter back up around his shoulders and curls in on himself. He looks at August with sad eyes, lower lip trembling as he nods.]

She's my best friend.

[For some reason that sets him off bawling.]
dwelt: (pic#17617293)

[personal profile] dwelt 2025-01-09 12:48 am (UTC)(link)
[oh. oops.

that's not a reaction he expected at all. highs are highs and lows are lows, though. with a sigh, he pats Iggy on the shoulder to lead him into his bedroom, gesturing to his bed. a tissue box comes next, held out in front of him should he choose to sit down.
]

Should I contact her?
dead_tongue: (whining)

[personal profile] dead_tongue 2025-01-09 01:21 am (UTC)(link)
[Iggy cries pretty frequently, so this at least is normal and not horribly embarrassing.

He follows August to the bedroom and sits on the bed - this reveals that he's not wearing any pants. Underwear, yes, but that's all besides his ridiculous sweater.

He mops himself up with some tissues, but it's a bit of a losing battle.]


Nooooo!

[A genuine wail. Then he's snuffling and hiccuping.]

No, she'll be worried and probably use Theo as a sexy distraction and they'll take me to the clinic again! I don't want that. And she'll be upset. You don't want to upset her, do you?

[Peering at August with streaming eyes, he's hoping his general patheticness will work in his favour.]
dwelt: (pic#17480132)

[personal profile] dwelt 2025-01-10 08:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[who let him leave the room like this. August waffles on the decision of standing or sitting. he opts for leaning against the dresser next to the bed, one hand tucking into his pants pocket. again? so Iggy's had this problem before.

he sympathizes, but teary eyes aren't effective.
]

It's not my business, but maybe you should go to the clinic.

[he fishes his phone out from his pants and taps the screen with his thumb.]

You don't want anyone to know?
dead_tongue: (feelin fine)

cw: sexual bargaining

[personal profile] dead_tongue 2025-01-10 08:28 pm (UTC)(link)
What the fuck are they gonna do at the clinic? Give me water and aspirin and tell me to get more sleep, probably. Or maybe they'll go, oh, are you hallucinating again, let's lock you up somewhere or something. The only physical thing wrong with me is that I lost my perfect ass and I feel like shit.

[Genuine terror is his eyes at the sight of the phone. Think, Iggy! Think!]

Please, please don't tell her! I'll suck your dick!
dwelt: (pic#17617297)

[personal profile] dwelt 2025-01-12 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
[to August, Iggy looks like he needs all of those things. exhausted and desperate for another hit of anything. he looks like he's considering the options (which options? unclear), then tosses his phone on the bed next to him. it has Cellar's contact pulled up.]

No. You should tell her when you're ready.
dead_tongue: (not getting up)

[personal profile] dead_tongue 2025-01-12 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
[The sigh of relief Iggy releases is both comical and completely genuine. He flops back and stares at the ceiling.]

This is, I swear to God, the second worst week of my life.

[A brief pause as he discovers he does not, in fact, have cigarettes in his underwear.]

Why did your parents name you August?
dwelt: (Default)

[personal profile] dwelt 2025-01-12 05:20 am (UTC)(link)
[he scoffs, watching as Iggy falls back and laments. he can guess what he's looking for, but he doesn't have any cigarettes in his room - oh, maybe he does. sometimes Nick leaves them laying around. he doesn't offer anything because he doesn't like the smell of them lingering in his room.]

I don't know. [a brief pause,] I was adopted at ten.
dead_tongue: (I mean I guess)

[personal profile] dead_tongue 2025-01-12 05:31 am (UTC)(link)
Oh. That's good, that you got adopted. I'm sorry your birth folks were out of the picture.

[Iggy lifts his head to study August.]

It would probably be a dick move to ask more because you might be traumatised, huh? Okay.

So. How do you know Cellar?
dwelt: (pic#17456001)

[personal profile] dwelt 2025-01-12 05:37 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not. Sorry or traumatized, I mean. You can ask whatever you want.

[he loves his parents and what they did for him. the only thing he's sorry about is how much trouble he caused them; he knows he worries them, especially his mother.

he'll circle back to why Iggy was going through his trash in a few minutes.
]

We both got here at the same time and I helped her out. [and messed around with her in the bath but! details.] What about you?
dead_tongue: (smile down)

[personal profile] dead_tongue 2025-01-12 06:02 am (UTC)(link)
Oh! That's good, that's really good. I think adoption is one of the most fantastic things a person can do, you know? I'd adopt a kid someday, maybe.

[Now that's a terrifying proposition.

Iggy's face finally relaxes into a smile. It does wonders for his looks.]


Oh, yeah, we just kinda ran into each other and we hit it off. She was really nice to me.

[That's all it takes. He's like a lost puppy.]

She's probably the person I trust most on the planet.
dwelt: (Default)

[personal profile] dwelt 2025-01-17 02:18 am (UTC)(link)
[not the conversation he's going to have with someone going through withdrawals. he gives a nod, half acknowledgement, half something else.]

You trust her the most, but don't want her to know about [he gestures to the bathroom] that?
dead_tongue: (introspection)

[personal profile] dead_tongue 2025-01-17 02:31 am (UTC)(link)
[Iggy looks down, studying his hands. When he speaks, his voice is low and filled with shame.]

I don't want her to be disappointed in me.
dwelt: (pic#17480147)

[personal profile] dwelt 2025-01-21 02:19 am (UTC)(link)
[he can understand that - even empathize with iggy's fear. august avoids plenty of topics to avoid the guilt that comes with it. his voice shifts just a little, enough to notice sympathy.]

Disappointment means she cares. She wants what's best for you.
dead_tongue: (look like hell)

[personal profile] dead_tongue 2025-01-21 02:31 am (UTC)(link)
I know.

...I'll text her. Just. Not right this second.

[He sighs and pushes both hands back through his hair, then winces at how it feels.]

So. Uhm. This was a really shit way to meet you. I don't suppose that even if I clean up you'll ever believe I'm not a total mess, huh?
dwelt: (pic#17456047)

[personal profile] dwelt 2025-01-21 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
Up to you.

[it's not his place to reach out on iggy's behalf.]

I've seen worse. [he turns around to open a drawer, pulling out a pair of sweats and stepping closer to hold them out to iggy.] Here. Don't worry about returning them.
dead_tongue: (dork)

[personal profile] dead_tongue 2025-01-21 04:02 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah? You must have hung out in some pretty rough places. And are you always this kind to people having a bad time?

[He pulls the sweatpants on with a complete lack of self consciousness.]

Thanks. I'll make it up to you.