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calderaevents ([personal profile] calderaevents) wrote in [community profile] calderamemes2024-11-29 12:00 am
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TDM #4



ARRIVAL

It happens in an instant. A heavy weight in your gut, a trembling of your limbs, the world spins and you barely have time to register that you're falling before you lose consciousness. And when you awaken, it's not where you were last. Dark, unadorned oak walls surround you in a tiny room, the only furniture the bed you are currently resting upon, and the bedside table with a folded piece of parchment resting atop it that simply reads:

“The Tavernkeeper is awaiting your arrival downstairs.”

As you exit you find others like yourself emerging from the surrounding rooms. You are indeed in a tavern, but there is no hustle and bustle one might think to hear in such a place. The only person down on the main floor is a humanoid figure wiping down the bar, who smiles when they see you. They're familiar, but not, and you can't quite place their face. For some reason, however, their presence is comforting and warm.

“Welcome, Visitor. I'm sure you have a lot of questions.

And you most certainly do.

Due to popular demand, the starter tavern and the drinks provided are available to in game characters via a portal accessible only to those with a faction gem.

DRINK MENU
WINTER'S WHISPER A fragrant spiced tea that calms the nerves and inspires the drinker to share their hopes and dreams.

JINGLE BELL A crisp, bright drink...that makes jingling bell sounds as you walk. There are no bells, and yet you jingle.

S(LAY) RIDE This drink has an earthy, woody taste. Almost as woody as the tavern floor it forces you to lie down upon. You cannot get up unless someone else helps you.

MISTLETOE MEAD Made with honey from enchanted bee hives and a touch of mistletoe leaves. Time to find a smoochin' partner!

HOLLY JOLLY SPICE A bold and fiery blend of rum, cinnamon, and cloves with a secret twist—just a dash of enchanted holly berry syrup that makes your cheeks flush with warmth and your laughter contagious. One sip, and you're the life of the party, even if you're by yourself.

CANDY CANE CRUSH A festive burst of minty sweetness with a cool, refreshing sensation that tingles the tongue. The drinker’s mood subtly shifts the color of their surroundings, briefly changing the hues of objects or lights in the room to match their feelings.

GINGERBREAD MAN A thick drink that tastes exactly like a gingerbread cookie. However, candy and other delicious accents start appearing on you as if YOU were the cookie. Is that icing on your nose? Candied cherries in your hair? Gumdrop buttons? But on the bright side, free candy!

CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY

As the effects of your drink wear off, the Tavernkeeper speaks once more:

”It is time, my friends, for you to find your new homes.”


You are compelled to walk through the only door leading out of the tavern, finding yourself not outside, but in a deep black, seemingly endless room with five portals arranged in a circle. As the last of you leave and the door closes behind you, gone when you look back again and replaced with nothing but that black void, three of the portals illuminate:

The first portal is surrounded by an almost blinding light, prismatic rainbows shining brightly in the dewy air outside of the tavern. A soft breeze may gently caress you, pulling you toward it. The portal seems to lead to a city in the clouds, airships and winged beings of all sorts soaring through the skies. Of the little bits of visible land, much of it boasts giant waterfalls that look like clouds melting into the land below. The portal calls to those who crave independence and freedom; and especially to anyone that wishes to find the strong bond of a family not forged in blood.

The second portal is encircled by a fairy ring of spotted white capped mushrooms, the faint scent of damp stone and rich earth wafting from within the faint green glow. Peering inside, one can see a sprawling harbor city of gray hewn stone, a melting pot of humanoid beings going about their day, and beyond, rolling green farmland and cottages clustered in small villages. This portal is destined for those who crave stability and solid ground beneath their feet. A simple life, an adventurous one, and everything in between can be found within.

The last portal is adorned with shells and seaweed, the glow of blue around it catching on droplets cascading down the circular opening. Beyond it you see a city housed inside a massive bubble deep under the ocean, spiraling towers encrusted with coral, and a variety of different creatures mingling about the streets. Outside of that bubble, merfolk swim, a massive squid engulfs the view from the portal as it smoothly glides through the water, and schools of fish disperse as it passes. A sanctuary in the sea that calls to those with a hunger for knowledge and a desire to aid those in need. Or perhaps it is the mystery that beckons you - the lure of the unknown in the depths that bids you explore it.
Upon following the pull of the breeze through the first portal, you are thrust into the beauty of a lively city that goes by the name of Heaven's Bow. Much of this main city feels exactly as you would expect on a city below, but there are clouds surrounding every direction you look. The walls of buildings are made with light-colored limestone, and buildings are generally built up to heights made even more grandiose by their position in the sky.

The Skyfall Docks are the first thing you notice, boasting hundreds of airships sailing in and out across the clouds with shouts that accompany a typical port city. Just outside is a fantastic market with goods not only from the other regions of Caldera, but from what some shopkeepers claim are other worlds--items sold or left behind by Visitors. Almost anything can be found in the markets if one is willing to look hard enough. Transport to other locations throughout the sky and even to the land or sea can be found here.

If the docks are too lively for you, you may instead find yourself roaming the underbelly of Heaven's Bow and finding brothels and gambling parlors filled with the promise of pleasure and fortune. The guild house for the Sylphs can be found here as well, giving out quests and training to prospective adventurers and guards alike--though none of them seem concerned with the illicit activities that surround them. Perhaps the freedom the Sylphs boast of extends to what others may deem an undesirable activity.

But most curious of all, you find a shimmering opal gemstone in your hand. When placed anywhere on the body, it will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.


If it was the second portal that called to you, you will find yourself in the busy city of Grey Ward, with its cobblestone streets and sturdy grey stone buildings. You are in the heart of the city, the Glass Market, so named for the colorful stained glass windows of the surrounding buildings. The scent of cooking food and the sound of barkers fills the air; watchful guards keep an eye out for pickpockets and thieves, and citizens go about their day. From here, one can investigate the rest of the city: the Sundown Docks, where both sea and sky faring skips transport people and goods. The Soot Spire, home of inventors and engineers. The Hearthstill, the main residential area. The Downs, a smaller residential area for those with less means.

Outside the city walls, one can explore acres of farmlands to the east and west, or follow Terra’s Pass to the less settled areas, but take care. Past the Skyward Range, out in the smaller burrows and villages, the influence of the city guard diminishes quickly, and you’ll have to keep your wits about you. Bandits along the road are always a risk, and the wildlife are less controlled by regimented hunting.

In your hand is a gemstone, a brilliantly green emerald that, when placed anywhere on the body, will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.



If the last portal beckoned you through it, you find yourself within that bubble covered city beneath the sea, the city of Salt Spire. Your ears pop with the change in pressure, and the smell of the salty sea fills your nostrils. All around you buildings made of dark stone encrusted with coral and seagrass tower high above your head, the backdrop outside the dome a deep blue, seemingly endless sea filled with fish and merfolk and all other manner of creature swimming through the water. You stand in the heart of it all, surrounded by people with gils on their necks and scales upon their vibrantly colored skin, all of whom seem intrigued by your arrival. You have many options of where to visit in the city under the sea, but where oh where will you go first?

The Salt Spire Library is right before you, an impossibly large building housing thousands upon thousands of books of all genres. Fiction, non-fiction, romance and mystery and all between. You may even find books from your world and others! Oddly enough though, no Calderan history books are to be found, and if you ask for them, the librarians and locals all choose to ignore your questions.

If scholarly pursuits aren't to your interest currently, perhaps a trip to Bluetide Market would be more your style? The marketplace is host to every manner of shop one might ever need: artisans of all varieties, apothecaries and healers in the Shimmer Quarter, the most in fashion undersea clothing shops, food stalls, and all between can be found in Bluetide. There are also the Tideshore and Fogbottom docks on either end of the city. The former allows transport to the surface via large, magical bubbles for those that cannot hold their breath or make the swim themselves yet. The latter allows people to venture further into the sea. Those without their underwater abilities are offered rebreathers for travel that last for four hours before needing to be replaced.

In your hand is a gemstone, a shining sapphire that, when placed anywhere on the body, will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.



Visitors in all starter cities are offered a standard home with basic necessities provided (your choice in design, etc.) that can house 1-4 people if they so choose. Home upgrades can be purchased via rewards.

FANNING THE FLAMES
The renewed seething of the lava flows brought on by the tempestuous events deep below the sea seem to have been dealt with, though city guards have been stationed around the crater and are barring anyone from approaching to investigate any further than the outskirts. Interestingly, not only does the crater seem calm, it appears to be changing. Any remaining lava flow is being directed as if by unseen hands, and when the light catches just right, the barest hint of a shimmer can be detected surrounding the glowing rivers. New rock formations take shape as the days pass, though one never can catch the presence of a mason working on the structures. It's as if something intangible or invisible is repairing what was broken, turning what was previously chaos and ruin into order and life.
SEASON OF LIGHT
The world remains unsettled, still bearing the scars of the trials endured just a month prior, not to mention the oddities happening with the volcanic crater and the ominous shadows creeping in from the sea continue to haunt the collective psyche, leaving both locals and visitors on constant edge, fearful of a sudden, unprovoked assault. Despite these lingering anxieties, the leaders have publicly reassured all that calm has been restored. They claim that the worst is behind them and that every measure is being taken to prevent such devastating magics from ever threatening Salt Spire again. The protective bubble holds, new Undine are being ushered into their roles, and the world, it is said, is slowly healing. Or so they claim.

Whether or not the assurances of the leaders ring entirely true, life, as it often does, presses on. The people of Caldera have once again immersed themselves in the comforting bustle of distraction, turning their attention to the imminent Season of Lights celebrations. This holiday, it seems, bears a striking resemblance to the festive cheer of Christmas (and a mix of new years), with gifts exchanged in abundance and decorations of shimmering silver and radiant blue casting their glow across the sky, sea, and land in harmonious splendor.

One of the seasons's highlights is the grand Feast of the Sky, a night when the people gather beneath a star-filled canopy to exchange gifts—ornate trinkets, hand-crafted items, and tokens of affection that carry deep personal meaning. In the days leading up to the feast, a tradition of "Lightwalking" emerges, where families and friends embark on midnight strolls through streets aglow with lanterns, singing carols and sharing stories of hope and renewal. Sea-going vessels, too, partake in the festivities, their sails and riggings festooned with glowing orbs that drift like stars across the waters.

The Season of Lights is, above all, a celebration of resilience, a time when the people of Caldera set aside their worries, if only for a little while, to bask in the glow of community, generosity, and the promise of brighter days ahead thanks to the Visitor's arrival...
THE GRAND MASQUERADE
Another highlight of the season is the Grand Masquerade that unfolds high above the world in Heaven’s Bow, the floating city where the wind dances in the sky and the stars seem close enough to touch. The event is more than just a celebration of the Season of Lights—it’s a gathering of hope, a last-ditch effort to save Caldera from its slow unraveling. Here, among the clouds and the wind, the people of Caldera and the mysterious Visitors from other worlds come together in a shimmering, ethereal celebration, their faces hidden behind elaborate masks and appropriately fancy dress provided when one steps through the threshold of the castle gates.

The palace at the heart of Heaven’s Bow is a breathtaking sight, its walls adorned with silver and blue decorations that catch the light from thousands of lanterns floating in mid-air. The atmosphere is both jubilant and tense, a world on the brink of collapse holding its breath in the hopes that this fleeting night will offer a glimmer of salvation. The sky above is painted with the colors of dusk and dawn, swirling in a palette of purples, blues, and silvers.

Sylphs—the free-spirited, airborn people of the Sky—flutter about, their wings glinting in the light, performing acrobatic feats in the air, their laughter and music mingling with the sounds of the celebration. Guests, their masks intricate and stunning, move among the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and stories, some joining in the dances while others linger near the grand tables, laden with food and drink from every corner of Caldera and beyond.

As the night unfolds, the guests find themselves drawn into different corners of the event—each space offering the Visitors a chance to prove themselves worthy of the leaders’ favor. There is no shortage of opportunities to learn, grow, and, perhaps, change the course of this dying world.
THE SKY'S ASCENSION



At one end of the palace's terrace, a floating platform hovers above the clouds, surrounded by shifting air currents. Sylphs glide effortlessly through the space, their wings leaving trails of light as they move to the lively music, which seems written by the wind itself.

Aella, Admiral of the Slyph, stands at the center of the platform, her cloak of shimmering feathers rippling in the breeze. She surveys the crowd, inviting those brave enough to take part in her challenge. Before them, a maze of floating platforms stretches out, some wide and stable, others narrow and swaying in the wind. The task is simple: leap from one platform to the next, navigating the shifting air and ever-changing obstacles.

The platforms move unpredictably, some rising higher, others sinking, and a few disappearing entirely. Guests must time their jumps perfectly, balancing agility with timing as they avoid falling into the clouds below.

Those who succeed will earn Aella’s favor (in the form of 100 Bones and a single white feather). And those who falter will simply reappear the start of the challenge to begin anew or give up with no repercussions for the latter save perhaps a bit of embarrassment.
THE SEA'S SECRETS
On the other side of the terrace, a serene water garden unfolds, its shimmering pools reflecting the stars above. Water flows in delicate, endless cascades, filling the air with a soft, soothing melody that mingles with the distant sound of waves. The Undines, graceful and serene beings of the Sea, glide effortlessly through the space, their robes flowing like gentle currents, their movements as fluid as the water itself.

Cordelia, Queen of the Sea, stands quietly on a raised platform at the edge of the garden, her presence calm and powerful. Her eyes, deep and unfathomable, seem to reflect the vastness of the ocean, and though she watches the guests, she does not engage with them. Her stillness holds an air of mystery, as if she is both present and yet unreachable.

The Undines move silently through the garden, offering peaceful company to those who wander nearby. The garden is a place of contemplation, where guests can simply pause and connect with the tranquil beauty of the water—its soothing flow, its quiet depths, and its promise of renewal. There are no tests or challenges here, only the peace of the Sea to calm the mind and soul.

Those who linger may feel the weight of ancient knowledge in the air, a silent understanding of the oceans' mysteries and the healing power of water. In this place, the answers are not spoken, but felt—a quiet reminder that some of the world’s deepest truths are best discovered in moments of stillness.

As the evening fades, those who have found solace in the garden’s stillness will discover, tucked gently in their palm, a lustrous pearl. Unlike any found on the shores, this pearl is soft and warm, its surface shimmering with an inner light. It is a symbol of the wisdom that comes from quiet reflection—the knowledge that some things, like the depth of the sea, cannot be rushed.
THE LAND'S EMBRACE



In the heart of the palace gardens, beneath a canopy of flowering trees, the Dryads drift gracefully among the guests, their earthy skin glowing with life and their eyes bright with the vitality of nature. The air is thick with the scent of blooming roses and jasmine, while the ground beneath the guests' feet pulses with a quiet energy, inviting them to pause and feel the garden’s magic.

Terra, the Lady of the Land, stands at the center, her form adorned in living vines and blossoms, moving as if the garden itself flows through her. Her presence is both nurturing and fierce, a silent invitation to those seeking connection—to the land, to love, and to one another.

Guests are drawn to the tranquil beauty of the garden, stealing soft moments with their partners among the flowers. Lovers exchange quiet glances, touch petals with gentle fingers, and share unspoken promises beneath the soft glow of lanterns. The garden hums with romance, as if the earth itself is blessing these tender moments, offering the quiet assurance that love—like the land—can grow in the most unexpected places.

As the night draws to a close, Terra’s gentle power is felt in the air, and for those who have taken the time to connect with the garden’s beauty, a soft gift of nature is bestowed. A flower—unique and radiant—appears in their hand, a token of love and growth, a reminder that even the briefest moments can take root and blossom into something everlasting.
QUESTBOARD [NEW QUESTS ADDED]

Settled in? Good. It's time to make your way to the Questboard located in every city in numerous, easy to access locations. That is, if you want to make any kind of impact on the world or just get some Bones for anything you might wish to purchase. Visitors are given a very small stipend in which to survive every month, but all it does is keep you fed and housed. These quests will assure you greater wealth, and they're the main reason you're here: each finished quest helps the Calderans fix their shattering world.

Quests can be accepted at the questboard via magically signed parchment upon the board. Just sign your name to accept and the paper will be whisked away... somewhere. You're not actually sure. Probably nothing to concern yourself with.

Once quests are completed, earned Bones will be dropped off at the character's residence by Bonita, the mysterious artisan who has supposedly handcrafted every Bone circulating in Caldera. Please do not speak to her, she startles easily.
OOC NOTES
Welcome to Caldera's fourth TDM! All characters awaken in a strange tavern with nothing save the clothes on their backs, all of their powers stripped, and a piece of parchment directing them downstairs to the Tavernkeeper. There is a thread of all questions answered by the Tavernkeeper here, and if you have more, feel free to ask there for what would be offered ICly.

For OOC questions, please direct themhere.

All locations are available to be explored!

The TDM is game canon and all completed quests can be carried over once accepted into the game.

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theydrewfirstblood: (down{ soft)

cw: past torture & imprisonment

[personal profile] theydrewfirstblood 2024-12-30 07:19 am (UTC)(link)
Just for a second, the reassurance has the opposite effect. For a split second, he’s back in Vietnam with a massive Russian soldier pulling his own hair to compel him to radio his superiors…

He can still feel the searing blade cutting a new line of scar tissue along his orbital socket. He can feel the electrical current, the bite of jute rope holding him fast.

He doesn’t want to hurt anyone like he got hurt, especially a friend—and for this, Finnick is a friend he will never let go, not for anything—but he’s asking. Asking and grinning like he’s looking forward to it…and thinks about Finnick’s nails on his back.

John slides both his hands into Finnick’s hair, looking into his eyes, and kisses him again. He rocks against him, kissing slow and deep with that delicious hot slide of tongues…

…and slides a hand down Finnick’s chest, letting a nail catch on his nipple through the fabric of his shirt as he tightens his fingers in his hair and gives a short, but firm tug to tip his head back a little more so he can deepen the kiss still more.

And that…taking his mouth like he wants to take his body, or be taken, taking advantage to taste and touch and do something Finnick wants…yeah, that’s good.

That’s fucking incredible.
odare: (057)

[personal profile] odare 2024-12-30 08:04 am (UTC)(link)
The tease of his nipple followed by the firm tug of hair causes Finnick to moan deeply into John's mouth, a sound that comes from far in the back of his throat. The sensation on his scalp is amazing, and the dominant movement to open Finnick's body and mouth up more to him... It flicks some sort of switch, a switch that melts the rational part of his brain into goo and makes him incredibly pliable in his partner's hands.

"Fuck..." he exhales the curse against John's lips. His cock is now aching for more, so he starts to work on the buttons of his pants to free it. He then goes for John's buttons as well, so they can at least rub against each other with less layers between.
holdshisown: (Default)

[personal profile] holdshisown 2024-12-30 09:43 am (UTC)(link)
"No doubt they would if they are as you imply them to be." He's not naive, he knows full well people like that would disagree with him. "It does not make me wrong, however. It just mean they are too self-absorbed to realize the how empty such a life is."

"It seems to be so. One can never be entirely sure, of course, but I do know at least one person that has been temporarily returned to his world before being brought back from what I understand." He explains. "So that does at least indicates it might actually be true."

Considering the power of those that brought them here, though, it's not entierly out of the question that something like that could be replicated through other means. Elaborate illusions or simply the implanting of false memories, but it does open the door for the possibility that it is the truth of the matter.
holdshisown: (pic#17466717)

[personal profile] holdshisown 2024-12-30 09:54 am (UTC)(link)
[Thank Eru for small favors is what he'd say to that.

And how does one avoid heresy if one does not have enough information of what is or isn't heresy?]


No one said you had to like it. Just that complaining about it is unlikely to do anything productive. [Why would he waste his time trying to make you like it? He himself does not like it. He's just not waisting his time whining about incessantly.] Depends on the quests you agree to take on. The more dangerous ones usualy pays better, but they are also the kind of quests that would be harder to accomplish until you've at least regained some of your abilities or possessions. Though not impossible with a large enough group banding together. I don't think anyones been here more than a couple of months. Half a year at the most, I'd say, and that's barely any time at all. [Or so says the millenia old elf that predates his own worlds sun and moon. Time is such a relative subject depending on how long lived your species is.]
troubadamsel: (I'm By Your Side!)

[personal profile] troubadamsel 2024-12-30 12:48 pm (UTC)(link)
True enough. Even enemy soldiers cannot be treated as roughly as we would for their commanders, as they have orders to obey and rules they must follow, lest the pain come from elsewhere instead of us. Even in different worlds, the laws of basic decency must be upheld.
troubadamsel: (Stay Focused.)

[personal profile] troubadamsel 2024-12-30 12:52 pm (UTC)(link)
After giving him one more long look, she moved to gently pick her own egg, giving it a loving stroke afterward.

"All right, little one. You're coming with me. I promise you naught but the best care, and that your days of sadness shall be few and far between, so long as you are at my side."
thecodexabides: (Default)

[personal profile] thecodexabides 2024-12-30 02:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[The best way to avoid heresy is to avoid thinking, duh. A small mind harbors no doubts, says our Chaplain! It is something Gadriel struggles with.]

I am not complaining. I am [Come on, Gadriel, you can find fancy language for this.] merely expressing my distaste for having to possibly be doing the work of Chaos. [Just expressing it in the most petulant way possible.]

Then I will take the dangerous ones. [Because he gets kind of homesick if someone isn't trying to kill him every other day or so. New plan: speedrun this place, find the mysterious leaders, and beat them with their own limbs till they return him to his home. Flawless. ] Others get out of here after months? I shall best that.
holdshisown: (pic#17428080)

[personal profile] holdshisown 2024-12-30 03:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[Seems like a good way to be led astray be the darkness if you ask him. Both Sauron and Morgoth could be terribly persuasive if you did not keep your wits sharp.]

Sure you're not. [Do you hear how much he believes you when you say that.] It's not the faction leaders that offers the quests, it's the people that live here. You merely use the funds you aquire to buy back your things from them.

Just be sure not to do so alone until you've upped your odds a bit. [Cause he'd feel a bit bad if Gadriel did something stupid and ended up dead for it.] ...It's not a competition and we, quite frankly, do not know why some people are sent back after some time.
shadowsincryo: (You are the faith inside me)

Sorry holidays hit me

[personal profile] shadowsincryo 2024-12-30 04:08 pm (UTC)(link)
He smiles and heads inside. The nice thing about this world is the bars are similar to home. Same wooden paneling and solid wooden pillars. Same comfortable lighting.

The bartender looked like any he had seen at home. Minus one. He stops for a second just inside. He could picture him here with his red hair pulled back. The severe red stare that reminded him a hawk’s sharp gaze would flick up then back to his task. The image is gone and he strides to the bar.

He trusts Dorian to follow him as he settles at a stool. “One candy cane crush for me, please. And my companion…” He lets it hang in the air, giving Dorian the floor to place his order.
kusuriuris: (Plotting)

[personal profile] kusuriuris 2024-12-30 04:46 pm (UTC)(link)
And yet in spite of the fearsome appearance of the stranger, Kon seems at ease, taking the stranger's hand with a smile. He slowly gets to his feet, regaining his balance in his geta easily.

"It's certainly lovely. A bit hard to walk in, but lovely." His voice is accented, but otherwise understandable as he bows. "Thank you for the assistance, recently arrived and I'm still adjusting to the loss of my things."
lonelysmiles: (Face Half In Shadow)

[personal profile] lonelysmiles 2024-12-30 06:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Alastor didn't offer any sweet words to his own egg but actions sometimes could speak louder than those. She would notice him run his hands over one egg, pressing lightly to check for anything he might accidentally pierce with his claws before carefully picking it up and cradling it in his spindly arms which did not snap like toothpicks like some people probably thought they'd do.

He then looked up to the dying dragon mother and bowed his head respectfully to her.

"I'm sorry I don't know of any Last Rites which might help ease your journey to whatever comes next for you," he told her. "I hope knowing that your eggs will be well-cared for helps instead."
thecodexabides: (Default)

[personal profile] thecodexabides 2024-12-30 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's hard to lead an Ultramarine astray, when they get 15 minutes of down time per day and spend half of it praying, and get frequently yelled at by Chaplains who can bring an entire array of penances and punishments. Even the threat of a Chaplain's censure would silence any Ultramarine's tongue.]

[He's just going to glare. He is NOT complaining! Don't make him throw things to prove it!] This all seems needlessly complicated. What are funds? Why must so many people get involved? [Gross. Space Marines don't deal with money and finances. Stuff they need just appears or they do without it. ] And I am to trust strangers to be my brothers in arms? [He begins to think the not Eldar has lost his mind. Just a little.]
long_live_the_queen: (no don't open that)

[personal profile] long_live_the_queen 2024-12-30 06:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Kaede observes with the same impassive expression as before; that harsh frown only making her wonder if that's what she looked like.

"I guess. They're pretty," she said, her answer earnest as it was simple. The diclonius drifted to the side closer to one of the hedges, with space between them still. There were still some flowers there, though they were small and cold-hardy things. The ones here looked like little white stars against the leaves, and she could hear little sleepy mutters from whatever creatures were hiding inside the hedge.
theydrewfirstblood: (kiss{ my heartbeat is a symphony)

[personal profile] theydrewfirstblood 2024-12-30 07:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah--fuck, s' good--"

That moan licks up his spine like flame, has John tugging just a little on his hair again to give him more room so he can explore that strong column of his throat, nip at his adam's apple and flick his tongue against a patch of stubble at his jaw, tasting and feeling and swallowing down this new side of sex he's dreamed of simply knowing for so long.

He's not even thinking as he reaches down to help Finnick with their buttons, getting Finnick's fly open faster so he can reach out, touch--

It's not so different from wrapping his fingers around his own cock when he's hard. It's not his, though, it's Finnick's, hot and silky and beading moisture when he brushes a thumb across the head.

John can't remember the last time he was so excited, and he's a little dizzy with it. It's...a great feeling.

His touch is slow, still hesitant, still careful as he starts to stroke Finnick, lifting his head to kiss him again.

"Good?" he asks breathlessly against his mouth. "Not--not pullin y'r hair too hard? S'ok?"
somethingveryspecial: (3730826 - 2023-07-10T023509)

[personal profile] somethingveryspecial 2024-12-30 08:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"Shit." She breathes, almost smiling. "I'm dancing..."

It's fun, but then his hand is on her waist, hers on his shoulder; the distance between them lessened and she almost short-circuits.

As if some higher power finds this funny, the music transitions from a fast, carefree tempo to a slow, more intimate melody and she starts to halfheartedly push away. As if she's fighting her own indecision.

"You don't want to get close to someone like me..."
Edited 2024-12-30 20:41 (UTC)
odare: (057)

[personal profile] odare 2024-12-31 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
Then John is pulling his hair again, and teasing his neck, and he feels a big hand wrap gently around his cock, and Finnick cannot help the whimpering whine that escapes him. His submissive brain rears its head again, and for a moment he just melts into John, throwing an arm around his neck to hold himself up on weakening knees. He further makes a few humming whines of pleasure before reminding himself not to be a pillow princess, taking John's shaft in hand.

"It's good- it's really fucking good-" he murmurs breathlessly against John's lips. It's not like anything particularly mindblowing is happening, in the grand scheme of Finnick's sex life. It's hot and heavy, but nothing he hasn't done before. However, he's learned that having trust in a partner, feeling cared for as a person while in bed, trumps everything else. Feeling like someone values him for who he is and doesn't just want to use him is key to Finnick trusting them and having a good time. John is so sweet, so clearly caring, that it opens Finnick right up.

He feels as though he should check in too, though. He strokes John slowly as he asks:

"You okay? Slower, faster? Less, more?" It's important that John feels in control of the pace here, given his level of experience.
hellrider: (12)

[personal profile] hellrider 2024-12-31 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
He smiles, relieved to be well-received. That's the norm in this place, but not so much where he comes from, so it's taken time to get used to it. The newcomer's outfit gets curious look; it's not quite like anything Zevlor has seen before, but it stands out charmingly against the snow and the lights.

"If you wanted snow boots with heavier treads, you could certainly obtain them easily enough," he says. "They do try to make seasonal clothing easily available for us."

"Regardless, welcome. I've been here since late summer. Are you missing anything particularly vital that I can help with?"
theydrewfirstblood: (down{ soft)

[personal profile] theydrewfirstblood 2024-12-31 12:46 am (UTC)(link)
John pushes him back harder against the door when he becomes aware that Finnick needs support—and that is a huge boost to his ego. Guy is going weak in the knees and whining and Jesus he feels like a teenager…

“More of you.” He breathes, even as he rocks into Finnick’s touch with a moan. “M’ good, you’re so gorgeous—scared I’ll come too soon just hearing you…feeling you, you feel incredible…don’ wanna hurt you, what else feels good? Wanna get you off, listen to you—tell me what you like.”

It’s not a question as he releases his hair to slide a hand down over Finnick’s ass—supporting his weight and yeah, copping a feel as he strokes him, still slow but a little firmer.

“Give you the fucking moon if it’ll make you come, you just gotta ask for it.”
odare: (023)

[personal profile] odare 2024-12-31 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
Finnick exhales another breathy laugh at John's rambling, mainly because that's how much his mind is reeling, too.

"I don't wanna overwhelm you... But, fuck... I want you to fuck me hard against the wall. Maybe pin or choke me, but that's optional, of course..."

It's been a long time since Finnick was with someone big and strong, and almost never that he's actually trusted said big strong man. If John doesn't know how to dominate, he will walk him through it, so long as he's willing.

He grips a little tighter, continuing to jerk John off.

"Oh, and the-- I have lube, and I can handle the prep and all of that." Of course, that's new for John too, he almost didn't realize.
internationalrelations: (075)

[personal profile] internationalrelations 2024-12-31 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
The way that Henry reacted for him guaranteed that Alex was not even a little remorseful for his lack of innocent intent. His hand continued stroking at Henry's -- frankly absurdly generous -- cock. This was fine. A pause in the cleaning up for a little bit of filth, and then he can finish making sure his prince is taken care of.

He laughed, scraping his teeth along the side of Henry's neck. "Oh well... guess you've got my number, baby. Can't hide from you."

That was fine with Alex. He liked it, how Henry understood him so well.
youknowwhothisis: (pic#16979404)

[personal profile] youknowwhothisis 2024-12-31 03:16 am (UTC)(link)
He couldn't help drawing back a little as Joshua reached in close. But the glow and the tendrils of light are too fascinating not to ease in and get a better look.

Flesh knit closed, and frayed nerves mended, only giving a vague, dull throb in momentary confusion. That would ebb as the light dimmed, but the red-eyed man stared at the other, momentarily speechless, his blink owlish.

"What... what was that, exactly? What's the method?"
featheredflames: (33)

[personal profile] featheredflames 2024-12-31 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
"Magicks."

He laughs softly, knowing that isn't enough of an answer. Don't worry, he'll happily explain.

"Where I am from I am what is called a Dominant. We are humans blessed, or cursed rather, to be conduits for the power of beings that are considered gods. The Eikon whose power I control is that of the Phoenix, the Warden of Fire who possesses healing magicks, among flame and flight. By manipulating your aether I patched you up."
goethbeforethefall: (is to have one yourself)

[personal profile] goethbeforethefall 2024-12-31 04:24 am (UTC)(link)
His jaw tightens, and he cannot say the words he must say. He cannot turn her away, tell her no. This world, empty and cold, which has stripped every hint of the fade from his very blood...

"Vhenan," He whispers, broken, and he bends to acquiesce to her will. Very well then, if she wishes for the lie, then he can no more deny her that than to fly, "Lavellan..."

The kiss is light and gentle and broken, and then abruptly he cannot bear it and his other hand comes up to cup her jaw and it is searing and grasping, a hideous, clinging lack of control. He needs something, anything to hold to, some strength in this terrible place, to bear up against the impossible odds.

Weakness and strength. She has always been both, to him; so it is, now.

"I believe you," He murmurs, eventually, breathing the aphorism against her mouth, panting for air. He sets his brow against hers, and simply sways there a moment, eyes shut, and the snowfall is silent around them, "You are formidable, my heart. I was right to run from you."

His laugh is all air, just a broken, bitter little chuckle, devoid of good humor, "You would have broken my resolve in a day."
Edited (used a word too many times and thats cringe) 2024-12-31 04:25 (UTC)
theydrewfirstblood: (smile{ fond)

CW: mentions of PTSD flashbacks and past torture

[personal profile] theydrewfirstblood 2024-12-31 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
Fucking him, the prep—John has no experience, but he did get exposed to a few things in Thailand during the war. Enough to know what goes where, and extrapolate the rest…

…and the admission about wanting John to choke him is almost enough to sober him up. Not quite all the way, he doesn’t feel the garrote at his neck or smell the jungle air, but it claws at something in his chest that—it’s not quite possessive, but it’s close. It’s…hunger is the closest descriptor he has.

It’s all he can come up with for the hot need that has him thoughtlessly sliding that hand back into Finnick’s hair, stroking him just a little faster, sharing his air as he stares into his face.

“No choking. Not gonna hurt you—I wanna take care of you for being good to me.”

He gives Finnick’s hair another firm tug, kissing him hard and deep and rocking into his grip, fucking the circle of Finnick’s fingers as his breathing starts to get erratic.

“And you’re being so good to me…for me…”

It’s a little odd, but it feels right to say.

“…but I—fuck—I’d love to fuck you…love to help you…s’ it feel good? The…uh…the prep?”

He’s trying very hard not to come like a teenager—and he is still blushing. Shut up, don’t judge him.

“Wanna help you if it makes you feel good.” He breathes, shutting his eyes as he blushes and pants and tries to slow down a little, to make this last. “God, I wanna make you feel so good…”
odare: (034)

[personal profile] odare 2024-12-31 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
Boo to no choking, but a completely fair thing to decline. He's still interested to see what John might do, freestyle, in a dominant position. How he'll make the role his own.

"Mmm," Finnick smiles, eyes lidded as he looks into brown eyes. "I do like praise."

That smile turns into a mischievous grin at the question about prep.

"It does, yeah, I'll show you how to help. Just..." He lets go of John's cock, putting a gentle hand on his cheek, stroking it slowly.

"Take a breath, sweetheart. No need to get too carried away, hm? I'm not going anywhere." He can tell John is getting a little too excited, and he'll need his stamina. He keeps a soft, encouraging smile, and pecks his lips sweetly. He waits for John to take a moment to breathe before moving on to any next steps.