Penance Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
penancemods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
penancememes2022-02-24 09:33 pm
penancemods) wrote in penancememes2022-02-24 09:33 pm
Entry tags:
TEST DRIVE MEME #32
Arrival
"Judgement has come upon you. God has deemed you worthy of Hell. But don't worry, it can still be undone," comes a soothing voice that echoes all around you. The voice promises comfort, hope even.
It may seem like a nightmare at first, despite all of that. Full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. Wretched, unseen hands pull at you, grip tight at your body, tighten on your throat, skeletal fingers grab at your face, slide in your mouth and jab at your eyes as they struggle for purchase. It feels like for a moment, they may snap your neck as they tug and pull. The more you resist, the more phantom hands are added to your struggling body.
It feels like they could tear you apart if you let them. The only thing to do is to let go and stop fighting.
And so you do.
Darkness and nothingness consumes you for a second, And it seems to linger for a long time. There is nothing at all. It must be lonely. But it won’t be forever.
Initially, everyone opens their eyes to a long, dark corridor made of stone. They find themselves in what appears to be a long queue with other sinners, palm bloody.
Characters find their bodies feel heavy and stiff, bruised with odd hand prints here and there that they received during their journey down below. A massive headache throbs behind their temples. They are urged forward to take a numbered ticket and wait their turn in the long line. As they're ushered forward through the corridor, their first stop will be to see Lilith, standing outside her office.
The woman in a smart suit and a friendly smile steps forward to greet sinners one by one. "I'm sorry for your rough landing. We've never gotten it quite as smooth as it was in the past. Please, let me see your hand--"
Once she has the sinner's hand, there's the warm, almost electric touch of magic that soothes away the aches and pains, heals the wound left behind on each sinner's palm. Lilith looks satisfied with her work and gives a nod. "There, all better. Please take your care package and continue on until you reach the stairs."
On their way out, sinners receive their 'package', a contract detailing all sins committed. If they look at the list closely enough they'll notice it's written with their blood. That explains the palm wound then. It's an old piece of parchment despite the freshly written letters upon it. They will also receive a slightly more modern smart phone. Think early generation Android and a pamphlet made by other sinners during their stay here with useful tips.
After that, sinners will be ushered on to a set of stairs where a guard waits. "Welcome to Penance," the demon says gruffly before motioning them on without an ounce of courtesy. "Don't hold up the line."
They seem to go on and wind forever, but eventually, they come upon what appears to be a lobby of a hotel. Once there, they will notice several shops and other areas around the front desk.
The demon at the front desk looks rather bored, but when sinners approach? He seems to snap to attention to offer whatever help they might need of him. He will at least direct to food or rooms to rest their wary bodies, or recommend sights to see around the hotel.
Stand Your Ground The morning reveals the first glimpse of Spring that Penance has seen in months. The frigid temperatures seem to be receding and the blood snow is finally melting. Repairs around the hotel are back on track, returning it to its former glory as the kitchens and other supplies slowly begin to fill back up. Everyone seems tentatively hopeful that maybe, just maybe, things are veering back towards normal.
Or as normal as they can be in these very uncertain times, with Mammon seemingly content to stay in Penance for an extended vacation and the gruesome remains of Hellburbia. The local demons seem rather pleased to be getting back to normal, at least. The hotel cafe, Helluvacup is officially opened for business again! This time with an array of spring drinks that included iced strawberry lemonade, a variety of flavored iced coffees, iced teas, and a specially blended coconut drink made with some ground up hell flora that’s said to increase stamina and well-being. Samples of these drinks will be provided by Bean the hell rat, who will be donning a little bee costume to encourage guests to come by and say hi!
Careful, he bites a little bit and may or may not carry a disease or two. If anyone tries to hurt him, they’ll have to contend with the manager. That’s his pride and joy after all. As normal as Hell seems to be, there’s an odd stirring at night. It sounds like something flying outside or claws tapping against the roof. It isn’t the Mares, but it certainly sounds like something. As days go on, guests may start to see dragons from Mammon’s lands out of the corner of their eye or picking through alleyways to hoard up items. They may sneak into the hotel if they’re tiny enough and steal small trinkets. There are also strange sightings of another new face hanging around these dragons. Mammon seems rather… disturbed by him, oftentimes complaining under his breath about that buffoon showing up.
Demonic staff assure sinners it’s nothing at all to worry about though! Just ignore it.
Besides, there are more fun things to focus on. There are free hell horse riding lessons coming up at the stables. Why, one might ask? Well, it’s simple really… Lucifer is planning a hunt that will take volunteers outside of Penance’s walls. He still has his little brother to save after all, and a spear to find. He hasn’t forgotten the thread of the Veiled Order or the fact that Barbas is contained in a mansion in Hellburbia!
Lessons will focus on gaining your horse’s trust. A bit more complicated than what a mortal may be used to, it takes some work to earn your horse’s respect. They may be bribed with flesh, blood, or the occasional brushing and petting. Spending time talking with your horse and sharing a bit of who you are with them doesn’t hurt at all either… they like it when people seem to ignore their sometimes grotesque appearances.
These clever beasts will also be hesitant to be ridden at first, but with enough training, should be able to navigate a training course set up for this special occasion.
It will be encouraged to camp out with your selected horse in the evenings to strengthen your bond, so sinners will be given a bonfire and plenty of simple foods for their camping adventure. Don’t worry, it will seem oddly warm thanks to the fires!
Mornings will be met with scooping up any messes the horses leave and feeding them their daily flesh and water. Do try not to lose any fingers! They get a little over-excited at times…
Reach Up High
Prompt I: The First Pull is the Hardest WARNINGS: mutilation, blood, torture.
Lucifer's voice rings out as it always does, compassion and warmth clear despite his words. It lingers in guests' ears even as they're forced into a dark room by demons and shown an ominous looking device just waiting for them.
Should the guest refuse or fail they will hear the contraption start up. An ominous sound of something shifting rings out before a sharp pain shoots up their finger and ricochets through their body. Each time a person fails their turn they both lose a fingernail. this will keep going until they've lost all ten (or however many the guest may have) or they answer a satisfactory number of sins. It really just depends on which sort of torment the guests are content with suffering through and how much they want redemption.
[Note: How many sins characters have to explain to be released will be left up to player discretion!]
Prompt II: Lend a Hand WARNINGS: blood mention, torture
With the flood waters receding, it’s time to clean up Hellburbia and get it back in working order. To remove a sin from one’s contract, sinners are encouraged to grab mops and buckets, and any tools they can get their hands on to set to work on the ravished neighborhood. Lucifer wants the homes back to their flawless appearances and habitable again. Demons will be selecting sinners at random if they’re lacking volunteers, and be prepared, if they catch sinners slacking that there will be some harsh punishments!
These demonic construction workers and cleaners are not above whipping, denying water, etc. to those who are being particularly unruly to them. Cleaning isn’t always a breeze. It isn’t meant to be simple.
But it will be worth it in the end when those who wish to move back are able to!
Everyone is encouraged to stay far away from the old mansion where Barbas has been sealed away… but there will be some hoodlum demons with some fresh eggs and rocks that are just begging to be tossed at that old place. Sinners may join them if they dare!
Follow Me Down
Prompt I: A Slave For You WARNINGS: fantasy slavery, noncon, dubcon, aphrodisiacs, kidnapping
The usual debauchery at Club Penance is on hold, thanks to the way Mammon has settled in the space and converted it to an effective auction house. While Lilith had hoped that Mammon would be bored of his games by now, he hasn't moved on just yet! Mammon’s greed continues to affect anyone who lingers too long, prompting visitors to transition from well-intentioned visitors to fierce bidding competition. Why bring home one thing when you can bring home all of them? Why not drive the bidding higher and higher when it comes to getting what you deserve? Gold and rare items are a fine currency to start with, but the highest-value items will probably cost a bidder a piece of their soul.
With the time since the rushed setup, Mammon has had the opportunity to divide the space more formally. In addition to earlier wares, bidders can compete with one another for valuables from all sorts of worlds, usually pieces of art or other display items. Special auctions spring up for potions or magic charms that aren’t normally available. The auctioneers promise that the sinners addicted to Frenzy, the local drug of choice, would find their way to even higher highs with some of the best alchemy hell has to offer. They recommend getting your hands on the purple powder for a particularly mind-blowing experience.
And as before, there are still regular rounds of slave auctions. These vary from the domestic to the most debauched and depraved forms of servitude, whether bidders are looking for a french maid or a personal footstool.
The hungry club succubi and incubi have ensured that all the slaves are made pliant and assured eager to please whoever buys them. Who can they resist a desperate slave, eager to please? The acts they are expected to perform, as well as the duration of service, seem to be linked to the cost of the slave. Spirited, unbroken new arrivals go for fairly cheap, but the price goes up based on how exotic or well-trained a slave is.
Also new are a hall of group pens where slaves are left to loiter together between auctions. They're a calming space, with one wall made of glass so they can be watched by potential buyers. In the pens, slaves are encouraged to make themselves appealing, and interact with other slaves. Maybe some of them will even get purchased in pairs if they put on a good enough show for the voyeurs outside.
Post-purchase customization is now available for bidders willing to pay top-dollar. It costs a lot to indulge far out kinks such as tentacle play, animal play, guro, etc. But under the heady spirit of competition and need to have more, who cares about the cost of a soul? You aren't using yours anyway. Might as well put it to good use.
Sinners who've been here for weeks might have noticed that the term of a slave purchase seems to be proportional to a slave's price. The cheap ones seem to snap out of it in a day or so, and even though the expensive ones tend to linger under the influence for a week or longer, there's a lot of turnaround. This has resulted in a rash of kidnappings throughout the community. People are being snatched up even if they have the sense to stay far away from the club! It might be safer to travel in groups.
Prompt II: Casino Styx WARNINGS: dubcon, loss of agency, memory manipulation
For those who thought Casino Styx may never return, they'll find themselves very mistaken. By evening, when the skies have faded from their odd reds and oranges to nearly black, sinners will notice a large, shining construct by the gates of the community once again. The golden exterior draws the eye better than even any Vegas establishment could hope.
Guests will be invited to come check out what's going on. As they near, the lights draw in attention almost as much as the blood 'water' feature dug around the new Casino Styx. The water fountains blast up to five hundred feet in the air on either side of a long bridge that leads across the blood and right to the entrance. Once inside the lavish establishment, guests will see the large statue of Charon that stands in the middle of a pool. To the side is a bowl full of golden coins to tip the ferryman. It's encouraged that all who enter do this simple gesture.
Those who skip it may notice their luck is simply awful all night. The effect may even follow them home.
The water theme only continues on as guests enter the casino proper. The walls look as if they have water cascading down them, but touching it will show it's merely an illusion. Somehow, they still somehow seem to reflect the glittering lights dancing overhead. Guests should appreciate how the atmosphere in the casino seems to inspire relaxation and a good mood.
The casino includes a variety of all the expected games, ranging from slots to poker to blackjack to roulette, and anything else imaginable. What is the point in gambling when there's no currency in Hell, one may ask? Well, that's where the real fun begins!
Sinners can work off items on their contract via gambling. Matching three objects on the slot machine will remove one sin, one time. Any subsequent wins on the slots will give golden coins to give to Charon for extra good luck. Patrons can also put up sins for wager in any competitive game like poker, but do keep in mind that the losers take all the sins on to their list! Be careful playing against demons or 'eating fresh baby' may end up on your contract.
It doesn't stop there, either. In higher stakes games, wagers can be made with bits of soul that get converted to the form of chips, made either with the patron's or, if you're too cowardly to bet your own, harvested from the damned souls in other parts of Hell. Be warned! Lose too many of these chips made from your own soul while gambling and sinners may start to experience a concerning lack of conscience, emotion, or feel a sudden eagerness to indulge in a vice that's natural to them.
So, do they tend to be vain? Suddenly that will be doubled and they may demand to be worshiped. Prone to sloth? Maybe they just won't want to move at all...
Not to worry though. As long as a sinner maintains a a little of their soul, the effect will be temporary as the energy repairs itself and becomes whole again over the next week or two.
Gambling with souls does offer winners the ability to win upgrades to their rooms (Softer beds, better electronics, etc.), earn a night in a lavish suite at the casino that will open soon, or VIP perks at Club Penance. Win big enough and one may also earn a request from home or to be put on a wait list for rooms at the casino to live permanently during their stay.
There are also strip-based games for those feeling frisky. Players will lose articles of clothes for each round they lose and the winner may decide to keep the pieces discarded. These can be played against multiple players or one-on-one.
Finally, there are games where body parts will be the wager... those who are brave enough to part with some flesh will find themselves earning perks around Hell. These will include the ability to escape from future torture for a round or two, or the ability to earn back abilities that may have been previously blocked upon arrival in Penance. They may also win a night with Lucifer or Lilith (Not in that way! Winners will get to ask questions or tour parts of Hell that may have been previously off-limits). Players will just have to ask themselves if it's worth losing an actual arm or leg for...
What's a night of gambling and vice without a quickie wedding or two? Without a place to make some bad decisions? While marriage isn't generally customary in Hell, there's a nice little wedding chapel in the casino for those impulse decisions! The marriages performed won't necessarily be binding in the traditional sense, but will be officiated by either a Grim Reaper or a fairly bad Lucifer impersonator who seems to use darling a bit too much. His roots are starting to show, too...
Oh, and are those LED lights he's got attached to his suit to make himself glow? Oh, well, if you ignore all that, it's not bad.
The ceremony will not be religion-based and will have appropriately Hell-like vows unless the spouses-to-be choose to write their own or request otherwise.
Oh, one more thing... while these marriages will be only as binding as sinners desire them to be, Lucifer will not freely annul them if that's the route sinners want to take. He will expect favors in return, generally in the form of service. Play assistant or housekeeper for a bit, earn your annulment and put that bad move right behind yourself!
Of course gambling and marriages aren't the only thing to focus on! What sort of Hell establishment would this be if there weren't servers clad in old fashion Cigarette Girl outfits carrying around trays of treats to offer guests? Sinners may get parched between enthralling games after all. These treats include food, drinks, cigarettes, drugs, etc. Go ahead and indulge! No one will judge a little gluttony around these parts! Just watch anything chocolate... rumor has it, it makes one inclined to visit that chapel...
[At the moment, we are allowing players to decide among themselves who will win or claim one free sin removal from the slot machines. If you want a sin removed, please note it on the sin removal page and be sure to link a completed thread. If you're cashing in a perk, please link it on the request page with what you're wanting for mod review! Please note that while some abilities may be unlocked, nothing too game breaking will be allowed.]
Wildcard/Misc. Don't see something you love but still want to get a feel for the game? Check out our extensive list of LOCATIONS and write up your very own prompt however you'd like to! You can also add a "NETWORK" post option to your TL for quick, easy, and fun interactions or sample threads.
Thanks for clicking on our February TDM! As always, potential appers and characters already in game are welcomed to jump right in! This TDM counts as an additional game event as well as game canon for those coming into the game. If you app and are accepted, TDM tags become game canon and can be used for AC! Please have fun and don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have down below.
This is the first app round of the year. Reserves are currently open, and Apps will open March 1st.
If you have questions, comments, suggestions, etc., go here.
Navigation | Premise | Arrival | FAQ
Rules | Taken | Reserves | Applications
Network | Logs | OOC | Memes
It may seem like a nightmare at first, despite all of that. Full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. Wretched, unseen hands pull at you, grip tight at your body, tighten on your throat, skeletal fingers grab at your face, slide in your mouth and jab at your eyes as they struggle for purchase. It feels like for a moment, they may snap your neck as they tug and pull. The more you resist, the more phantom hands are added to your struggling body.
It feels like they could tear you apart if you let them. The only thing to do is to let go and stop fighting.
And so you do.
Darkness and nothingness consumes you for a second, And it seems to linger for a long time. There is nothing at all. It must be lonely. But it won’t be forever.
Initially, everyone opens their eyes to a long, dark corridor made of stone. They find themselves in what appears to be a long queue with other sinners, palm bloody.
Characters find their bodies feel heavy and stiff, bruised with odd hand prints here and there that they received during their journey down below. A massive headache throbs behind their temples. They are urged forward to take a numbered ticket and wait their turn in the long line. As they're ushered forward through the corridor, their first stop will be to see Lilith, standing outside her office.
The woman in a smart suit and a friendly smile steps forward to greet sinners one by one. "I'm sorry for your rough landing. We've never gotten it quite as smooth as it was in the past. Please, let me see your hand--"
Once she has the sinner's hand, there's the warm, almost electric touch of magic that soothes away the aches and pains, heals the wound left behind on each sinner's palm. Lilith looks satisfied with her work and gives a nod. "There, all better. Please take your care package and continue on until you reach the stairs."
On their way out, sinners receive their 'package', a contract detailing all sins committed. If they look at the list closely enough they'll notice it's written with their blood. That explains the palm wound then. It's an old piece of parchment despite the freshly written letters upon it. They will also receive a slightly more modern smart phone. Think early generation Android and a pamphlet made by other sinners during their stay here with useful tips.
After that, sinners will be ushered on to a set of stairs where a guard waits. "Welcome to Penance," the demon says gruffly before motioning them on without an ounce of courtesy. "Don't hold up the line."
They seem to go on and wind forever, but eventually, they come upon what appears to be a lobby of a hotel. Once there, they will notice several shops and other areas around the front desk.
The demon at the front desk looks rather bored, but when sinners approach? He seems to snap to attention to offer whatever help they might need of him. He will at least direct to food or rooms to rest their wary bodies, or recommend sights to see around the hotel.
Stand Your Ground The morning reveals the first glimpse of Spring that Penance has seen in months. The frigid temperatures seem to be receding and the blood snow is finally melting. Repairs around the hotel are back on track, returning it to its former glory as the kitchens and other supplies slowly begin to fill back up. Everyone seems tentatively hopeful that maybe, just maybe, things are veering back towards normal.
Or as normal as they can be in these very uncertain times, with Mammon seemingly content to stay in Penance for an extended vacation and the gruesome remains of Hellburbia. The local demons seem rather pleased to be getting back to normal, at least. The hotel cafe, Helluvacup is officially opened for business again! This time with an array of spring drinks that included iced strawberry lemonade, a variety of flavored iced coffees, iced teas, and a specially blended coconut drink made with some ground up hell flora that’s said to increase stamina and well-being. Samples of these drinks will be provided by Bean the hell rat, who will be donning a little bee costume to encourage guests to come by and say hi!
Careful, he bites a little bit and may or may not carry a disease or two. If anyone tries to hurt him, they’ll have to contend with the manager. That’s his pride and joy after all. As normal as Hell seems to be, there’s an odd stirring at night. It sounds like something flying outside or claws tapping against the roof. It isn’t the Mares, but it certainly sounds like something. As days go on, guests may start to see dragons from Mammon’s lands out of the corner of their eye or picking through alleyways to hoard up items. They may sneak into the hotel if they’re tiny enough and steal small trinkets. There are also strange sightings of another new face hanging around these dragons. Mammon seems rather… disturbed by him, oftentimes complaining under his breath about that buffoon showing up.
Demonic staff assure sinners it’s nothing at all to worry about though! Just ignore it.
Besides, there are more fun things to focus on. There are free hell horse riding lessons coming up at the stables. Why, one might ask? Well, it’s simple really… Lucifer is planning a hunt that will take volunteers outside of Penance’s walls. He still has his little brother to save after all, and a spear to find. He hasn’t forgotten the thread of the Veiled Order or the fact that Barbas is contained in a mansion in Hellburbia!
Lessons will focus on gaining your horse’s trust. A bit more complicated than what a mortal may be used to, it takes some work to earn your horse’s respect. They may be bribed with flesh, blood, or the occasional brushing and petting. Spending time talking with your horse and sharing a bit of who you are with them doesn’t hurt at all either… they like it when people seem to ignore their sometimes grotesque appearances.
These clever beasts will also be hesitant to be ridden at first, but with enough training, should be able to navigate a training course set up for this special occasion.
It will be encouraged to camp out with your selected horse in the evenings to strengthen your bond, so sinners will be given a bonfire and plenty of simple foods for their camping adventure. Don’t worry, it will seem oddly warm thanks to the fires!
Mornings will be met with scooping up any messes the horses leave and feeding them their daily flesh and water. Do try not to lose any fingers! They get a little over-excited at times…
Reach Up High
Prompt I: The First Pull is the Hardest WARNINGS: mutilation, blood, torture.
Lucifer's voice rings out as it always does, compassion and warmth clear despite his words. It lingers in guests' ears even as they're forced into a dark room by demons and shown an ominous looking device just waiting for them.
"Welcome, my honored guests! Since some of your ilk have displayed an alarming tendency towards secrecy and outright lying, I've come up with a way for you to practice frank discussion instead. What I ask of you won't be an easy task, but it will be a lesson that's valuable to learn. When the device before you turns on, it will display a sin one of you are guilty of. You will be given exactly one minute to begin explaining what happened and how. Do be frank about it, and fair warning: if either of you refuse... you're unlikely to be unhappy about the result."Guests won't have the option of refusing this daunting task. Demons drag sinners in, easily overpowering even the strongest guest if only for long enough to secure them in the seat and shove their hands into the opening of the device. Once secured, sinners are unable to remove their hands as a typing noise begins sounding out. After a moment, a sheet of paper will then pop out of the top of the device with a ding for guests to read. One sin off their list is printed neatly on it. Guests have one minute to begin explaining what it means and how it happened or why it's a sin of theirs.
Should the guest refuse or fail they will hear the contraption start up. An ominous sound of something shifting rings out before a sharp pain shoots up their finger and ricochets through their body. Each time a person fails their turn they both lose a fingernail. this will keep going until they've lost all ten (or however many the guest may have) or they answer a satisfactory number of sins. It really just depends on which sort of torment the guests are content with suffering through and how much they want redemption.
[Note: How many sins characters have to explain to be released will be left up to player discretion!]
Prompt II: Lend a Hand WARNINGS: blood mention, torture
With the flood waters receding, it’s time to clean up Hellburbia and get it back in working order. To remove a sin from one’s contract, sinners are encouraged to grab mops and buckets, and any tools they can get their hands on to set to work on the ravished neighborhood. Lucifer wants the homes back to their flawless appearances and habitable again. Demons will be selecting sinners at random if they’re lacking volunteers, and be prepared, if they catch sinners slacking that there will be some harsh punishments!
These demonic construction workers and cleaners are not above whipping, denying water, etc. to those who are being particularly unruly to them. Cleaning isn’t always a breeze. It isn’t meant to be simple.
But it will be worth it in the end when those who wish to move back are able to!
Everyone is encouraged to stay far away from the old mansion where Barbas has been sealed away… but there will be some hoodlum demons with some fresh eggs and rocks that are just begging to be tossed at that old place. Sinners may join them if they dare!
Follow Me Down
Prompt I: A Slave For You WARNINGS: fantasy slavery, noncon, dubcon, aphrodisiacs, kidnapping
The usual debauchery at Club Penance is on hold, thanks to the way Mammon has settled in the space and converted it to an effective auction house. While Lilith had hoped that Mammon would be bored of his games by now, he hasn't moved on just yet! Mammon’s greed continues to affect anyone who lingers too long, prompting visitors to transition from well-intentioned visitors to fierce bidding competition. Why bring home one thing when you can bring home all of them? Why not drive the bidding higher and higher when it comes to getting what you deserve? Gold and rare items are a fine currency to start with, but the highest-value items will probably cost a bidder a piece of their soul.
With the time since the rushed setup, Mammon has had the opportunity to divide the space more formally. In addition to earlier wares, bidders can compete with one another for valuables from all sorts of worlds, usually pieces of art or other display items. Special auctions spring up for potions or magic charms that aren’t normally available. The auctioneers promise that the sinners addicted to Frenzy, the local drug of choice, would find their way to even higher highs with some of the best alchemy hell has to offer. They recommend getting your hands on the purple powder for a particularly mind-blowing experience.
And as before, there are still regular rounds of slave auctions. These vary from the domestic to the most debauched and depraved forms of servitude, whether bidders are looking for a french maid or a personal footstool.
The hungry club succubi and incubi have ensured that all the slaves are made pliant and assured eager to please whoever buys them. Who can they resist a desperate slave, eager to please? The acts they are expected to perform, as well as the duration of service, seem to be linked to the cost of the slave. Spirited, unbroken new arrivals go for fairly cheap, but the price goes up based on how exotic or well-trained a slave is.
Also new are a hall of group pens where slaves are left to loiter together between auctions. They're a calming space, with one wall made of glass so they can be watched by potential buyers. In the pens, slaves are encouraged to make themselves appealing, and interact with other slaves. Maybe some of them will even get purchased in pairs if they put on a good enough show for the voyeurs outside.
Post-purchase customization is now available for bidders willing to pay top-dollar. It costs a lot to indulge far out kinks such as tentacle play, animal play, guro, etc. But under the heady spirit of competition and need to have more, who cares about the cost of a soul? You aren't using yours anyway. Might as well put it to good use.
Sinners who've been here for weeks might have noticed that the term of a slave purchase seems to be proportional to a slave's price. The cheap ones seem to snap out of it in a day or so, and even though the expensive ones tend to linger under the influence for a week or longer, there's a lot of turnaround. This has resulted in a rash of kidnappings throughout the community. People are being snatched up even if they have the sense to stay far away from the club! It might be safer to travel in groups.
Prompt II: Casino Styx WARNINGS: dubcon, loss of agency, memory manipulation
For those who thought Casino Styx may never return, they'll find themselves very mistaken. By evening, when the skies have faded from their odd reds and oranges to nearly black, sinners will notice a large, shining construct by the gates of the community once again. The golden exterior draws the eye better than even any Vegas establishment could hope.
Guests will be invited to come check out what's going on. As they near, the lights draw in attention almost as much as the blood 'water' feature dug around the new Casino Styx. The water fountains blast up to five hundred feet in the air on either side of a long bridge that leads across the blood and right to the entrance. Once inside the lavish establishment, guests will see the large statue of Charon that stands in the middle of a pool. To the side is a bowl full of golden coins to tip the ferryman. It's encouraged that all who enter do this simple gesture.
Those who skip it may notice their luck is simply awful all night. The effect may even follow them home.
The water theme only continues on as guests enter the casino proper. The walls look as if they have water cascading down them, but touching it will show it's merely an illusion. Somehow, they still somehow seem to reflect the glittering lights dancing overhead. Guests should appreciate how the atmosphere in the casino seems to inspire relaxation and a good mood.
The casino includes a variety of all the expected games, ranging from slots to poker to blackjack to roulette, and anything else imaginable. What is the point in gambling when there's no currency in Hell, one may ask? Well, that's where the real fun begins!
Sinners can work off items on their contract via gambling. Matching three objects on the slot machine will remove one sin, one time. Any subsequent wins on the slots will give golden coins to give to Charon for extra good luck. Patrons can also put up sins for wager in any competitive game like poker, but do keep in mind that the losers take all the sins on to their list! Be careful playing against demons or 'eating fresh baby' may end up on your contract.
It doesn't stop there, either. In higher stakes games, wagers can be made with bits of soul that get converted to the form of chips, made either with the patron's or, if you're too cowardly to bet your own, harvested from the damned souls in other parts of Hell. Be warned! Lose too many of these chips made from your own soul while gambling and sinners may start to experience a concerning lack of conscience, emotion, or feel a sudden eagerness to indulge in a vice that's natural to them.
So, do they tend to be vain? Suddenly that will be doubled and they may demand to be worshiped. Prone to sloth? Maybe they just won't want to move at all...
Not to worry though. As long as a sinner maintains a a little of their soul, the effect will be temporary as the energy repairs itself and becomes whole again over the next week or two.
Gambling with souls does offer winners the ability to win upgrades to their rooms (Softer beds, better electronics, etc.), earn a night in a lavish suite at the casino that will open soon, or VIP perks at Club Penance. Win big enough and one may also earn a request from home or to be put on a wait list for rooms at the casino to live permanently during their stay.
There are also strip-based games for those feeling frisky. Players will lose articles of clothes for each round they lose and the winner may decide to keep the pieces discarded. These can be played against multiple players or one-on-one.
Finally, there are games where body parts will be the wager... those who are brave enough to part with some flesh will find themselves earning perks around Hell. These will include the ability to escape from future torture for a round or two, or the ability to earn back abilities that may have been previously blocked upon arrival in Penance. They may also win a night with Lucifer or Lilith (Not in that way! Winners will get to ask questions or tour parts of Hell that may have been previously off-limits). Players will just have to ask themselves if it's worth losing an actual arm or leg for...
What's a night of gambling and vice without a quickie wedding or two? Without a place to make some bad decisions? While marriage isn't generally customary in Hell, there's a nice little wedding chapel in the casino for those impulse decisions! The marriages performed won't necessarily be binding in the traditional sense, but will be officiated by either a Grim Reaper or a fairly bad Lucifer impersonator who seems to use darling a bit too much. His roots are starting to show, too...
Oh, and are those LED lights he's got attached to his suit to make himself glow? Oh, well, if you ignore all that, it's not bad.
The ceremony will not be religion-based and will have appropriately Hell-like vows unless the spouses-to-be choose to write their own or request otherwise.
Oh, one more thing... while these marriages will be only as binding as sinners desire them to be, Lucifer will not freely annul them if that's the route sinners want to take. He will expect favors in return, generally in the form of service. Play assistant or housekeeper for a bit, earn your annulment and put that bad move right behind yourself!
Of course gambling and marriages aren't the only thing to focus on! What sort of Hell establishment would this be if there weren't servers clad in old fashion Cigarette Girl outfits carrying around trays of treats to offer guests? Sinners may get parched between enthralling games after all. These treats include food, drinks, cigarettes, drugs, etc. Go ahead and indulge! No one will judge a little gluttony around these parts! Just watch anything chocolate... rumor has it, it makes one inclined to visit that chapel...
[At the moment, we are allowing players to decide among themselves who will win or claim one free sin removal from the slot machines. If you want a sin removed, please note it on the sin removal page and be sure to link a completed thread. If you're cashing in a perk, please link it on the request page with what you're wanting for mod review! Please note that while some abilities may be unlocked, nothing too game breaking will be allowed.]
Wildcard/Misc. Don't see something you love but still want to get a feel for the game? Check out our extensive list of LOCATIONS and write up your very own prompt however you'd like to! You can also add a "NETWORK" post option to your TL for quick, easy, and fun interactions or sample threads.
Thanks for clicking on our February TDM! As always, potential appers and characters already in game are welcomed to jump right in! This TDM counts as an additional game event as well as game canon for those coming into the game. If you app and are accepted, TDM tags become game canon and can be used for AC! Please have fun and don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have down below.
This is the first app round of the year. Reserves are currently open, and Apps will open March 1st.
If you have questions, comments, suggestions, etc., go here.
Rules | Taken | Reserves | Applications
Network | Logs | OOC | Memes
no subject
I assume you have some suggestions on who those people might be?
[Since he's already providing so much information, most of which Jaskier assumes to be accurate enough to be helpful in most circumstances. Though it is a shame about the feasts. Jaskier loves a good party.]
no subject
...and then finds himself tongue tied. Huh. He could list people off by their specialties, talents and skills -- but he's drawing a blank on who to point Jaskier toward. Because the people Tech hangs around are all kinda shitty in their own ways. Unless Jaskier wants shitty company, he can't really recommend anyone with certainty. The casual arrogance fades to an almost sheepish look. ]
I'm....actually not the best judge of character. I mean, my girlfriend's cool, but I'm not gonna introduce you to her. You got this whole woke up late to your job at the Renn Faire, but it's all good 'cause you're the hot one that the ladies like vibe. I'm not risking her running off with you.
[ There's humor in his tone. Ava wouldn't....but still. Sometimes it's best not to tempt fate. ]
But you met me now, so you're welcome for that. Especially since if you are all medieval times, you're gonna need help with technology. And I am the god of technology. Who says gods don't answer the needs of the people?
no subject
[What the hell is a Renn Faire? shall remain the prevailing, unspoken question, superseding any kneejerk and/or potentially prepared response Jaskier might give to any and all accusations of having bedded someone already spoken for or attached to a very angry male relative. Which is probably for the best in terms of allowing that joke to remain a joke and not escalate into a threat of some kind now or later.]
[Jaskier does open his mouth to answer the question before promptly closing it as he glances around them almost as though trying to gauge whether or not anyone else heard it. He starts again, beginning to raise a finger only to stop and lower it. The third time is the charm.]
I know I'm new here, and I own that, and you have been absolutely helpful and a delight, and I would be immeasurably grateful for your continued assistance and guidance, but... [Jaskier purses his lips, lightly bringing his hands together in front of him as he on his words. Part of him thinks he almost shouldn't. People never like to listen to the bard in the end even when he's right. He knows that it has the tendency to blow up in his face. Slowly, he continues with a flicker of a smile,] But I'm not sure that's the best question to ask.
[A beat.]
Here. [Another beat.] Specifically.
[Because, listen, if Jaskier is going to hitch his horse to this wagon? He would much rather it not go careening off a cliff immediately? Please? He does try to brush right past it though, leaning into a little more adulations.]
But I am absolutely here to learn from you, the absolute best source for learning all this technology considering I understood perhaps less than half of what you said and I am a bard by trade, so. You know. Words are usually not something I tend to not find myself at a loss with.
no subject
So it doesn't even occur to him to be apprehensive or guarded with their topic of conversation. Jaskier has the right of it to be wary, but Tech still looks at him with a cocked eyebrow and tilt of his head. At least until he remembers ah, yeah. Newbie. There's not a moment to reassure him, though, because Jaskier snowballs into the praise -- and if there is ever a weakness for any god, it's going to be praise and worship. Even Technical Boy, modern and jaded, can't escape the allure of someone pandering to his ego.
A more genuine smile crosses his face, bright and vibrant. ]
Oh fuck, for real? You're a bard? 'Cause like, I got a cleric. And a paladin.
[ More like, he got high one night and started designating d&d roles to a couple of his friends. ]
We could use a bard to round it out, yanno. Make a full party. But tell me...
[ He leans in real close, uncomfortably close, to get the juiciest of gossip. ]
Is it true what a very vocal portion of the internet says about your kind? Are you guys all horny bastards?
no subject
Oh ho ho ho ho, that... [The finger starts to come back up only for him to fold his arms.] That is slander, good sir. If it is a matter of enjoying fine company, then yes. I am most certainly guilty of having spent time in the presence of more than my fair share of lovely and beautiful muses. I am not, however, a cad. Nor should I ever be confused for one.
[Jaskier's problem is just that he falls in love at the drop of a hat, not so much that he's eager to be leaping from bed to bed. That part just sort of happens more so than is the intention. So, like most things on the internet, some things are correct and some are not.]
no subject
[ Tech sizes Jaskier up at his protest, playfully dubious. But sure, fine. Not a cad. Totally. His index finger pokes Jaskier's forehead square in the center. ]
Methinks he doth protest too much.
[ And he inches back to the wall, gifting space between them once more. ]
But I will say, this place definitely isn't lacking for lovely and beautiful muses. You'll have plenty to sing about, that's for sure. Just. Some of them might suck your soul out through your dick. So there's that.
[ After that lovely bit of mental imagery, Tech circles back to....something that he probably should have asked way before now. ]
What's your name, anyway?
no subject
[But just as Jaskier had moved things right along, so, too, does Tech, and there isn't any real room to sulk before he's on providing commentary about the population. Another familiar thing. Not that Jaskier has had any firsthand experience with any succubi or incubi, but he's heard tales of it on the Continent. Even the crass way Tech puts it really doesn't cause Jaskier to blink an eye. As much as Jaskier would love to never be left alone with a monster, they are simply a normal part of life.]
[Which is why he just ultimately ends up answering the question rather than dwelling on the mortal peril of getting into bed with someone.]
I am known as Jaskier the bard. And you? God of technology seems a bit wordy and if I'm to be honest, not something people are likely going to remember. Have you another name? You might want to consider one if not.
[Listen. If Tech is going to accuse him of being a "horny bastard," then he's going to get his barbs in about what a dumb name "god of technology" is if that's all he's got.]
no subject
So he reacts with a scoff, arms folding on the defensive. ]
That's not how it works. I can't just go around naming myself. It's up to the people to name a god. I mean, come on. Isn't that your whole....
[ A flippant wave of his hand, gesturing toward...well, all of Jaskier. ]
...thing? You sing stories of epic adventures of heroes past or whatever.
[ Which isn't the point. Because it's not like he wants a song about himself (it would be kinda cool) and it's definitely not like he wants Jaskier to give him a name (...maybe after the third time they hang out or something). ]
Anyway. I don't need a name to be remembered because look around you. All of those modern amenities are mine, and you're really gonna thank me when you have your first shower. Hot water at just the turn of a knob, your life will never be the same. Let there be light, baby.
[ Tech snaps his fingers and one of the lightbulbs overhead comes on like a cute little parlor trick. Hands are held out toward Jaskier, a silent Tadah. Pretty cool, huh? And not just cool. Memorable! ]
no subject
Now who protests too much? [Jaskier leans forward, a little closer to Tech.] Hm? You go from saying this is my area of expertise to telling me I'm wrong. Which I'm not, thank you very much.
[Jaskier straightens himself back out as he steps away from Tech. It would appear that Jaskier has been still for at least ten seconds, which means it's too long. He paces back and forth a little as he's speaking, his steps slow and measured as somewhat of a contrast to some of the more manic movements of his hands to highlight the important bits as he explains.]
Imagine for a moment, if you will, that I didn't have a name. I know. Hard to imagine me as a nameless bard, but try. Anyway, I have just written a composition so good, some might even consider it a religious experience to hear it. Play it in taverns all around the Continent and everyone loves it. But one night, another bard happens to be in the audience. Memorizes what I've done. Performs it the next night.
What do you think people will say then? Hm? What will they remember? [His pacing brings him back in front of Tech.] The song perhaps. But they won't remember the bard who wrote it, who performed it magnificently for them the first time they ever heard it.
So, in your case, you're right. People will remember all the little devices and...flashy...bits, [he says with a wave of his hand before resting it on his hip.] But you? Hard to say.
And it would be a shame if you were forgotten. You seem like a decent, not-so-vengeful god who has been, as I said before, extremely helpful, so... [Jaskier shrugs a shoulder.] A name that people are going to remember isn't such a bad idea, is it?
[Amazing how Jaskier goes from tiptoeing carefully to image rehab for the gods, but if he didn't open his mouth and not stop talking, he just wouldn't be himself.]
no subject
....at least at first.
Admittedly, he gets drawn in by it. Whether it's Jaskier's mannerisms or simply his way with words or maybe even the subject matter, it strikes a chord. Because while Tech may be immortal so long as the worship is plentiful (and it will remain so for the foreseeable future), there are lifetimes he's lived where he's been forgotten. The curse of technology is to constantly upgrade and without the key to unlock his memories (held hostage by his old boss), he can't remember who he is and was. It's doubtful anyone else would remember him. Maybe somewhere in the beginning, he did have a name. But if he did, it's frustratingly out of reach. And he doesn't want to let on how much that bothers him...
He shakes his head with a huff, looking more boy than god at the moment. ]
Even if you had a point, which you don't because I'm an immortal being so it's hard to forget someone who's not going anywhere -- it doesn't do me a whole lot of good. I can't name myself. That's not...
[ ...how it works. He looks at Jaskier, flustered, and then flicks his gaze toward the ceiling, frustrated. ]
...it doesn't matter. Just call me Tech if you gotta call me something.
no subject
[But what keeps him from pressing on it further is the frustration. Not because he's afraid that he'll somehow end up smote out of existence, he's not particularly fearful of stepping on Tech's toes as a god at the moment. Instead, it's more because the frustration feels familiar. Even though the rule that Tech is talking about seems entirely arbitrary, it's still important to him enough to get frustrated that anyone would challenge it. Make it seem like it doesn't hold as true as it always has in the past, back wherever he's from.]
[He holds his hands up in a silent concession just before Tech's gaze goes towards the ceiling. He can't relate from personal experience necessarily, but even gods probably want to hold onto something familiar in a desperate situation. Far be it from Jaskier to ever yank that away from anyone.]
Alright, Tech it is. But if I ever get my hands on an instrument here and the muses grace me with that divine inspiration as they always do, you're not allowed to grumble with whatever moniker I bestow upon you. [Jaskier offers up a grin.] Or rather, you're welcome to complain all you like. Just expect that I won't hear a word of it. I'm quite practiced at that.
[It's a little olive branch for maybe overstepping just a little.]
no subject
He's a god of the people, but he doesn't often get close to the people. The ones he's gotten to know have all disappointed or betrayed him in some way. Jaskier will probably be no different in the end. But. His offered grin is infectious, and a faint smile tugs at the edge of Tech's lips at the promise of a potential song and perhaps a name. A name that would stick and be more than a nickname. Something to give him a true identity. Something like what he had in Hellburbia, where he'd been brainwashed into thinking he had a family and a name and a future. ]
Shit, dude. Already jumping to singing songs about me, and we haven't even finished the first date. You suave motherfucker.
[ All playful. All in jest. Jaskier has certainly lightened the mood. ]
Maybe we oughta work on bringing bards back in style. Your kind has basically gone the way of the dinosaur.
[ He probably doesn't know what a dinosaur is.... ]
I mean, you're extinct. No more bards. Just sketchy street performers playing Careless Whisper in a crowded subway and giving everyone a headache. It's obnoxious. Whereas you're palatable. So far.
[ Jaskier probably walks a very fine line between being palatable and unpalatable. It's just the way of people who have a talent with words! ]
no subject
Maybe it's Tech's girlfriend who should worry about someone running off with Jaskier??][The smile may be faint, but it is still an improvement from the intensity of his earlier frustration. Jaskier tends to surround himself with sourpusses, but that doesn't mean he allows for sulking or excessive brooding. Just the right amount. And Tech doesn't strike him as the type to brood for long anyway. So, all-in-all, Jaskier would consider things back on track. But more than the smile and the joke that follows, Jaskier is confident he did something right when he gets the blessed clarification (because what the fuck is a dinosaur?). If he had pushed a little too hard, he's sure Tech would absolutely be leaving him to try and puzzle it out on his own and cause at least a little grief in return like that.]
First of all, I never go out of style. Anyone who tries to say I have is plainly jealous and far less talented. [There's a beat as he momentarily looks away from Tech to consider something, his brow furrowing for that moment as well.] Or they're a friend, and they're being an arse.
[Which happens a lot. Why does everyone enjoy taking the piss out of him? Unfair. Rude. Awful. He's so underappreciated.]
At any rate, [he says, looking back at Tech.] I am far more than palatable, good sir. I'm the best you'll ever experience.
no subject
WELL if Jaskier doesn't stop rolling these nat 20s on charisma....There's this easy confidence about Jaskier's bluster that Tech definitely appreciates -- even as he levels him with a dubious eyebrow quirk and all the mocking sympathy. In that sort of oh, you poor ignorant medieval man, everything goes out of style way. But also to Jaskier's good fortune (?), things sometimes come back into style. Maybe they could make it work. Tech's done wonders for some of the old gods who wanted an upgrade. A bit of a modern flare to Jaskier's repertoire and he will be good as new.
The old, though, is still good Tech has to admit. He didn't expect much from the conversation, just meeting a fellow sinner, giving a hand, racking up the good points toward the bullshit redemption system. But as it turns out, in having low expectations, he's somehow found the exact sort of thing he needs after the hell that's been the past two months in literal hell. Someone manic and talkative and impossible to ignore. Someone you couldn't look away from like a good viral video or a car crash. Maybe both simultaneously. It helps Tech to be present in the moment, not away with his problems and trying to sort through two lifetimes of fake memories to find whatever's real. ]
Really?
[ His arms fold over his chest, challenge sparking within blue eyes. ]
I mean, it's easy to claim you're the best when you're the first and only one of your kind I've ever met. Not too impressive standing at the top of nothing before it and probably nothing after it. Let's face it, bards aren't exactly lining up at the gates of hell to get in.
[ He gives Jaskier a once over, pretends to consider it and then says: ]
Show me what you got.
[ Clearly, Tech doesn't understand art if he's not even allowing for a proper vocal warm up! ]
no subject
The hangover from that piss they consider decent drink where I was before might be gone, but that ended up being the least of my worries for the day even before I came here. [Spending most of the time you've been awake huddling underneath a stone table hoping you don't get stepped on or otherwise eaten by some very large, very nasty basilisks while everyone is fighting for their lives and/or being self-sacrificing at the eleventh hour oddly doesn't lend itself to someone giving it their best performance-wise. Never mind the way down here's contribution.] Never mind that I haven't had a proper rehearsal in days what between the kidnapping, false imprisonment, and everything else.
And while I wouldn't expect to receive my usual fare here given that I am, unfortunately, back to being a relative unknown, god or not, [Jaskier says, smacking Tech on the shoulder before folding his arms as though his very honor has been insulted.] A personal request doesn't come for free. I am an artist, not a monkey.
[He drums his fingers on his arm for just a few seconds and glances up at the ceiling briefly. That's about as long as it takes before Jaskier sighs like Tech was pleading or otherwise trying to convince him to change his mind even though there hasn't been any opportunity to do as much. Jaskier throws his hands up dramatically.]
Alright, fine! Consider it repayment for not being an arse and making this shit day a little less shit with some decent company. You get one. One song. What are you in the mood for? [Once again before Tech can say anything, Jaskier interjects abruptly.] And don't name or refer to some song I've never heard of or so help me, I'll take it back and you get nothing. Give me a mood. A sound. Something that would please you right now.
no subject
The look on his face grows increasingly flatter when Jaskier continues on and his eyes only flicker to that hand on his shoulder. What the fuck does he expect for payment around here? It's not like they're getting money. Or that money even matters. People tend to barter for information and in that case, he's already paid his dues for like 10 songs at least!
But whatever. He shrugs it off, prepared to move on. Jaskier doesn't wanna do it, so Tech will just leave a disappointed customer. Which, he starts to do -- only for Jaskier to change his tune and essentially convince himself. Well. If that hadn't been a journey. A long, convoluted journey of Jaskier's own making... ]
Jesus. Are you always this way?
[ He knows the answer is probably yes. Jaskier has been nothing, if not, his most chatty self. Tech pulls out his phone, his personal one -- not one of the devices they gave out upon arrival. He takes a moment, scrolling through endless libraries of techno until he gets to something that might be a little more up to Jaskier's speed. While Tech does love modern music (and the more modern and electric the better), there will always be a fondness for classical music if only because that was how he came to be in the new age. Just him and a boy who created a computer program to compose music in the style of Bach.
He finds Bach's Prelude in C Major and plays it for Jaskier, looking toward him curiously. ]
Could you do something that fits this kinda mood?
[ Something a little upbeat, optimistic, with an undertone of nostalgia. ]
no subject
[It's a sound so quiet that if Jaskier weren't so close to Tech right now, there's a possibility it would be lost beneath the sound of the piano, but it's not long into the song before Jaskier begins to hum along with it. It serves partly as a warm-up, partly simply letting himself mentally sink into the music as one might sink into a hot bath. Indulgent and a welcome relief from all the troubles that might ail. He hasn't heard music—proper music and not just the sound of his voice alone as he filled the silences during travel which never felt quite the same without his lute as an accompaniment—since Oxenfurt.]
[So, Jaskier almost forgets the whole purpose of why Tech was even playing this music for him in the first place with a part of him wanting it to keep going when it reaches its end—as all good music should—for a continued, selfish retreat. It's only because he just barely manages not to forget that he doesn't ask Tech to play it again. Instead, the melody carries on with his quiet hums as he returns to Tech his personal space, and considers what song he could sing. Jaskier wanders a bit, looking down at the floor as he moves. It's a slow pace that could perhaps be mistaken for a private dance with the way it ebbs and flows with his humming.]
[He has many a happy song in his repertoire more so than the sad or rageful, so that bit isn't particularly difficult to identify. But he isn't quite at the age yet in life where nostalgia comes so quickly and naturally to him that it becomes embedded in his compositions. Singing someone else's feels disingenuous and like he's swindling Tech, so that can't be an option. But then he supposes, there are some songs he hasn't personally sung in a very long time. Ones from those early days when he was so eager to banish boredom, to find his true muse, that he had been willing to follow after a witcher no matter the risk.]
[Jaskier doesn't even realize he's begun to smile. Most would look back at those decisions and probably call themselves a moron or a fool for it. That first punch to the gut from Geralt should have sent him right back to that ill-tempered tavern in Posada and to forget the whole thing. But Jaskier doesn't think of it that way. There's no regrets there even with some of the heartache that's come with it. Which is why he smiles. There's some wisdom every now and again with foolishness, and gods, has he gotten old if he can think in terms like this!]
[Jaskier stills as his humming comes to a gentle end and he begins to sing.]
[He could change the words, he knows. It's not as though Tech would know the difference from the original to its rendition now, but Jaskier opts not to alter any of the words. They are the words of a young man sung by one who has lived longer and seen more. It feels the right thing to do with Tech's request. So, the only alteration is the slowing of its tempo, the continued subduing of Jaskier's more manic, frenetic energy for the moment. It's not meant to be a piece right now full of energy, encouraging others to sing along and join him.]
[And besides, it's not as though the words are terrible. Jaskier still paints the picture of a village in need and the White Wolf of Rivia as their savior, the wraith that the Wolf squares off against getting in its licks, but ultimately standing no chance against the heroism of the witcher. And underlying it all, there is the blossoming of a friendship between the narrator and his subject. Not so much in the words themselves, but the way in which Jaskier sings it. The sort of fondness that one could only have by knowing what would come next, not what was happening at the moment.]
no subject
Tech regards him with the same sort of awe before his eyes veer to his jaw and then to the furthest wall. He's lived a very jaded life where he's forgotten how novel and wonderful technology truly is -- how much it's changed lives and bridged gaps. This music seems to be a balm to soothe Jaskier's weary spirit. Look at the life that's come back into him. Listen to that lullaby of a hum infusing the background piano with real life warmth. Technology did this. Tech did this. Only someone deprived of inventions could help Tech see that again.
There will come a time when Jaskier, too, adjusts to modern conveniences and never again marvels at gadgets the way he first had. But Tech will never forget the way Jaskier was drawn in like a siren's call to the pianist in the palm of his hand. That is what he exists for. His whole reason for being.
Tech looks up again as Jaskier parts, puts distance between them with a pace and a hum. A pre-show routine, ramping up to the full performance. When the notes flow from his lungs, painting not only a story but an admiration and adoration...it's Tech's turn to be captivated. It's not a surprise that Jaskier can carry a tune, nor is it entirely unexpected to hear the power of his voice -- but it's the way he uses it. An artist with passion singing about something true. Well, it could be embellished for all Tech knows, but in the moment, he believes it. In the moment, he's invested in this story put to melody put to raw emotion -- a symphony in one man's voice.
When it's over, Tech doesn't know what to say. In real life you can't just hit the refresh button and relive an experience. He exhales audibly and regains his composure because when one is a god, they can't just go around getting smitten by humans. Geesh. ]
Well, that...
[ He, unlike Jaskier, does not have a talent for words. And even having access to a thesaurus in his mind doesn't give him the right words to describe this whole experience. ]
...was well-done. Bravo.
[ A clap of his hands. ]
You are going to carve out quite the niche here in hell.
[ He flashes a quick blink and you'll miss it sort of smile -- born more out of his need to tone down how much Jaskier's song moved him. ]
I mean, as far as bard experiences go, that was a ten outta ten. If I do meet another one, I'll let them know they got some pretty stiff competition on their hands.
no subject
[For a year, Jaskier's heart hadn't been into revisiting his songs about his old friend. He played them still, of course, and everyone was none the wiser that the words felt hollow to him in those moments, but he hated it every second of it. After decades of feeling as though he'd written the truth, it felt as though he'd only been like every other bard and written so many embellishments that the truth was lost. Only he had been stupid enough to believe his own fiction and most bards had the awareness they were full of shit. So, that's when the other songs started to come to him and he filled them with everything he wanted to say on that mountain peak when Geralt deemed one of the things Jaskier treasured most in this world as his greatest burden and curse. And even if it was anger and it never lasted as long as Jaskier would have wanted, it was better than that hollow grief taking up residence in his chest the whole time.]
[Jaskier didn't fully know what it would be like to sing something like that again until he was singing it, but he's pleased with the outcome. Even if there's still some work to be done as far as his friendship with Geralt is concerned, forgiving him still doesn't feel like the wrong choice, and the man in his songs doesn't quite sound so made up anymore. Connecting with his music and capturing those feelings again was exactly what Jaskier needed after the shit day he's had.]
[Jaskier draws a breath, returning to the present, more attentive to the fact Tech genuinely enjoyed the performance.]
If I were you, I would tell them not to even bother. [He grins at Tech as he wanders back over, elbowing him gently in the ribs as he begins to tease. One song and a bit of praise, and Jaskier's spirits are definitely lifted.] Why let them embarrass themselves like that? Or, worse yet, subject yourself to a lesser experience? You are a god, aren't you?
[Jaskier suddenly perks up even further as though something has just occurred to him.]
Ooh, I'll have to add that to my credentials. Jaskier, graduate of the seven liberal arts at the University of Oxenfurt and beloved bard of the gods. Now that is a name!
no subject
Beloved's a bit of a stretch.
[ With his composure, mostly, regained, he meets Jaskier's eyes again. ]
As is saying gods. Plural. I'm one god. And I mean, you were alright. I was entertained. Nothing to write home about...
[ Watch this lying liar lie as he scratches through blond strands and gets a bit fidgety. Time to hit that vape pen and pretend like something incredible hadn't just transpired. The vapor is exhaled through his nostrils.
He looks at Jaskier again.
Then away.
Then back again.
And finally, he concedes. ]
Alright. Fine. It would be pretty embarrassing for anyone else to try and come up against that performance. But don't let it get to your head, Jaskier the bard. You're fighting an uphill battle in the modern age.
[ He pushes into step, tapping Jaskier's shoulders with the back of his knuckles in passing. ]
Gonna be tough to get that notoriety in hell. Impress a god and anger the devil. But I'll be keeping my eye out for you. Who doesn't like a good underdog story?
[ He's prepared to go, not that he has anywhere pressing to be, but nothing good ever comes from too much of a good thing, right? ]
I'm in room 205 if you need anything.
[ A pause. He hesitates. ]
I might, uh...be moving to one of the houses out in Hellburbia after we get it all restored. But that's just between you and me.
[ Just between Jaskier and Tech and Tech's inability to let go of a fake life where he was so very happy. But it's fine to tell Jaskier, after all...he's new and doesn't know what all went down there. He's newly arrived and there's something envious about that because he can still hold onto his optimism until this place finds a way to steal that, too. ]
i just wanna say: this thread has been a delight and i'm invested in these two? thank you!! :>
Your secrets shall remain safe with me, [he says, placing a hand on his chest with a slight bow of his head in the mock-up of a perfect gentleman who would never kiss and tell. Even if the promise comes across in a playful manner, Jaskier is serious about it though. He's not in the business of spreading other peoples' business. Well. Not without their knowledge and consent, anyway, and they haven't been a right bastard that deserves to have their dirty laundry aired. But also, it doesn't seem wise to piss off a god like that and spill the beans when he's being asked to say nothing.]
[Never mind that Jaskier hasn't been here long enough to make complete sense of what Tech is talking about to even really understand it. Jaskier has a feeling that's going to be a common experience. Tech talking and Jaskier only understanding bits of it if Tech doesn't take the time to slow down and explain it any further or if Jaskier can't reason it out on his own with context clues.]
Thank you, Tech. For the music.
[And everything else, but that can remain left unsaid. It's not really the important part to Jaskier even if perhaps it ought to be.]