TDM #5

[calderaevents]

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

FLAMEFRUIT SANGRIA a deep red wine based punch with chunks of softly glowing fruit floating in it. A single serving makes you feel relaxed, social, and maybe even a little flirty.

MOLTEN MEAD Though the thick drink itself is room temperature, it bubbles sluggishly, and feels very warm going down. The bold flavor affects your mood. You feel very bold! Like you could do anything!

BESALT BRANDY a hopefully staple drink for the brewery, this liquor is smooth and rich with a peppery bite. Ironically after consuming it, you kinda want to bite someone! Not hard! Just a little nip and nibble!

THAT ASHY ESPRESSO a single potent shot of dark espresso swirled with a gold-tinged cream. Intense and bitter with a hint of caramelized sugar. You are now very awake, hyper, and excited.

PYROCLAST'S WHISKEYa glossy black whiskey that turns a vibrant glowing orange when swirled. You now breathe fire.

EMBERMARK WINE a rich, velvety, spiced wine that immediately makes one feel mellow and calm.

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.

IGNACIA'S CRADLE/EMBER VEIL

Months ago, a piece of land from Heaven’s Bow fell from the sky and scarred the land below, damaging a part of the city. From that chaos and ruin rose new life, a new ruler, and a new city: Ignacia’s Cradle. Just a short walk from the edge of Grey Ward, the gates of the city are guarded by two massive obsidian golems, and any who did not rise from the lava itself are warned at the entrance that to travel about the city will be most difficult, unless they have obtained a way to mitigate the extreme heat: be that with a charm, an ability, or a potion. The very streets themselves are paved in slabs of volcanic rock, tall spires of buildings constructed and shaped by rapidly cooled lava. The main method of travel are the mine carts, with tracks that wind through the spires ready to take one to almost any location.

Currently, the main feature of Ignacia’s Cradle is the Lava Flats, home of skilled smiths that use the extreme heat of the lava to melt the strongest metals and create unbreakable weapons, glassmakers and jewelers who fashion elaborate headpieces, rings, and amulets. These items are sold at the Ember Market on the outskirts of the Flats.

At the edge of the city lies the Ashfall Terrace, where a small farm using the rich volcanic ash and soil is in its infancy, as well as the Basalt Brewery where clever alchemists are researching ways to use the extreme heat to craft new and unique beverages that they are eager to find folk to test them out on.

---

The hot spring of Ignacia’s Cradle is a breathtaking anomaly located just beyond the Ashfall Terrace, tucked into a secluded crater formed by the celestial impact that gave rise to the city. Here, molten veins from the Lava Flats weave beneath the earth, heating a natural reservoir that bubbled to life amidst the chaos. The spring’s waters shimmer with an ethereal brilliance, hues of deep turquoise blending with molten gold and fiery orange, as though Heaven’s Bow itself left behind a fragment of its essence. Steam rises in curling wisps, carrying the tang of minerals and faint traces of sulfur.

The spring, known to locals as The Ember Veil, is both a sanctuary and a marvel of natural wonder. Its soothing waters are reputed to heal wounds and fortify the spirit, with the temperature kept in perfect balance by an intricate system of naturally formed vents and channels. The edges are lined with intricately carved obsidian benches, where patrons can soak their feet or meditate in the rising steam. Plants resistant to the intense conditions—vivid fire lilies and ash ferns—dot the perimeter, their resilience a symbol of life’s ability to flourish even in the harshest environments.

Sometimes, when two or more individuals share the waters, the spring creates a subtle connection between their minds, allowing memories to surface like ripples on its surface. These shared memories appear as glowing, translucent scenes that hover above the water, visible to all within the spring. Participants can relive moments from their lives, experiencing them through each other’s eyes, fostering profound empathy and understanding.

Another of the spring’s mystical properties occurs when bathers who enter the waters feeling drained, injured, or burdened by grief often find their vitality restored. The waters seem to draw out negative energies and emotions, replacing them with a warm, invigorating sensation that spreads through the body. In rare instances, the spring has been known to accelerate physical healing, mending minor injuries and soothing chronic aches, as though the magic itself is stitching the body back together.

A lesser-known but equally fascinating effect happens on particularly clear nights, when the moonlight reflects on the spring’s surface, some bathers report fleeting glimpses of potential futures. These visions are often cryptic, appearing as brief, dream-like flashes, but they have guided many to life-changing decisions. The alchemists of the Basalt Brewery believe this effect stems from residual cosmic energy, and they have begun experimenting with enhancing it through the addition of rare minerals and lunar elixirs.

RADIANT SUN

The day begins like no other, with the skies painted in hues of golden-pink as the Radiant Sun ascends. Its light spills over the world, warm and soft, caressing the land and filling every heart with a sense of peace. Beneath its glow, emotions of love and connection bloom like never before. Strangers exchange heartfelt smiles, old friends embrace as though no time has passed, and lovers find their feelings deepened, their bonds strengthened.

Even the air feels different—lighter, sweeter, as though the universe itself is celebrating. The songs of birds harmonize with the melodies of impromptu musicians who feel inspired by the sun’s radiance. Those with magical abilities sense their powers of healing and creation magnified, as if the sun itself lends its strength to their intentions. Long-held grudges seem to melt away under the sun’s tender gaze, replaced by tears of reconciliation and words of forgiveness.

The Radiant Sun touches every heart differently:

◾A widow finds peace as memories of her late spouse no longer bring sorrow but gratitude for the love they shared.
◾A timid youth finds the courage to confess their feelings to the person they’ve admired for so long.
◾A gruff warrior lets down their guard, laughing freely with their companions for the first time in years.

For a fleeting moment, the world feels as it should be—unified, harmonious, and drenched in love.

But as the day wanes and the Radiant Sun dips below the horizon, an unease begins to settle...

JEALOUS MOON

The golden light gives way to deep purples and silvers as the Jealous Moon rises, its glow pale and cold. Its light pierces the heart, not to warm it, but to expose the insecurities that lie buried within. Where love had flourished during the day, doubt begins to creep in.

Under the Jealous Moon’s influence, emotions twist and darken:

◾A once-reconciled pair of siblings argue over old grievances, as jealousy over perceived favoritism resurfaces.
◾A couple, who had spent the day lost in each other’s arms, now question each other’s loyalty and intentions.
◾A nobleman, inspired to be generous during the day, grows suspicious of those who received his gifts, fearing they may exploit his kindness.

The air grows heavy with tension, and the magic of the Radiant Sun fades, replaced by the sharp sting of distrust. The moon’s pale light seems to follow people like a judgmental gaze, amplifying every fear, insecurity, and lingering resentment.

Worse still, the night seems endless, as though time itself has bent beneath the weight of the Jealous Moon’s envious glow. For three long days and nights, the moon lingers high in the sky, its pale, piercing light casting a shadow over hearts and minds, amplifying discord and despair. Its power sows strife among even the closest bonds, driving some to dangerous extremes. Yet, when all seems lost, the scholars of the three factions unite their wisdom and uncover a glimmer of hope—a means to dispel the moon’s cruel influence. For those who have not yet succumbed to jealousy’s grip, there remains a chance to reclaim harmony, a chance for redemption before the damage becomes irreversible.

The solution lies not in complex rituals or rare relics but in the simplest and most instinctive actions: physical connection. To weaken the moon’s hold, people must embrace one another—offering a hug, a handshake, or even resting a hand on someone’s shoulder. These gestures of closeness disrupt the isolation and mistrust that the moon thrives upon. Sitting side by side or holding hands creates a barrier against its oppressive light, reminding the afflicted that they are not alone. Even small acts, like sharing warmth through proximity or clasping arms in solidarity, build a shield of connection that the moon cannot penetrate.

As these actions ripple through the night, the Jealous Moon’s light begins to dim, its sharp, cold glow softening until it fades from the sky entirely. The tension in the air lifts, replaced by a quiet calm that feels almost foreign after the chaos of the past three days. Slowly, the world seems to exhale, and the darkness that clung so tightly to the hearts of many begins to loosen its grip. People step back from the brink of despair, their minds clearing as if waking from a long, disorienting dream. Relationships strained by the moon’s influence begin to mend as apologies are exchanged, tears are shed, and bonds are reaffirmed.

ALL IS WELL(?)

With the Radiant Sun rising again, its golden-pink hues spilling across the horizon, life begins to return to normal. The birds resume their morning songs, markets reopen, and the hum of daily activity fills the air once more. Though traces of the moon’s influence linger in whispered memories, there is a collective sense of relief and gratitude among the people—gratitude for the light, for connection, and for a second chance to heal.

In the outskirts of Ignacia's Cradle, Aella and Terra, two of the three leaders of the factions, come together to address the gathered crowds. Together they assure the people that this celestial event was a rare anomaly, something never before recorded in the annals of history. They explain that while the Jealous Moon’s influence was unprecedented and deeply unsettling, it was a unique alignment of cosmic forces that is unlikely to occur again in their lifetimes—or ever.

The leaders thank the people for their resilience and compassion, emphasizing how their acts of unity—simple gestures of closeness and connection—proved stronger than the moon’s envy. They commend the scholars for their quick thinking and the Visitors for their role in guiding others through the chaos. Finally, they urge everyone to move forward, not in fear of what has passed, but with the knowledge that even in the darkest moments, their strength lies in the bonds they share.

QUESTBOARD

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.

*February will be the last month to complete quests for this rotation. New ones will go up on March 1st.

OOC NOTES

Welcome to Caldera's fifth 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! Ignacia's Cradle and Ember Veil have been added, along with details about the Violet Drop regarding the Cult of Triton.

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

Participation in the Radiant Sun/Jealous Moon effects is not mandatory.

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Comments

[lettersfrombel]

Barcus having to make sure Satchel is distracted does mean that Bel has considered matters and decided he can wait the few seconds it takes to walk towards Barcus's bedroom. Feeling Barcus's arms around his waist, and hearing those words does cause Bel's pulse to pick up. "I'd say those are dangerous words, except, at the moment, I'm also all yours."

Well, that and while 'I am going to get laid' is a thought in Bel's head, most of the rest are along the lines of 'where does Barcus like to be touched' and 'I wonder what he sounds like in the throes of passion'. He bends to kiss Barcus's forehead while walking them towards the bedroom door.

[holdshisown]

Maedhros opens his mouth to argue again but shuts it before he's even gotten a word out when Fingon turns his own logic against him. It is entirely unfair of Fingon to turn his own words against him like that!

"That is..." Not the same? Entirely different? But was it truly? Was this hoarding of guilt and blame just some perverse manifestation of his damnable pride? The belief that all the wrongs in the world could be traced back to himself?

"I have never been overly prone to treat myself kindly. But you just might be right that it is a path to madness... I would not claim I was entirely sane before I came here. My mind is... quieter here and less disordered than it was in my last moments." Oh. Oh, he hopes Fingon did not catch on to what he accidentaly let slip there. He had not planned to let him know he had died as well. That was a discussion he'd like to put off for quite some time if he could, if only so he didn't have to tell his cousin he'd done it to himself.

"No. No, that is not what I thought at all. Not at Doriath, at least, it wasn't until Sirion that I'd lost hope entirely and was just... playing the part that seemed to have been assigned to me, I suppose."

Maedhros could keep arguing, he supposes, but he too is tired. He does not have as much fight left in him as he once did. "Then I suppose I'll have to accept that. You are my King, Finno, no matter where we are and, even if I may try to argue my case, I'll heed your judgement." Then, with a wry and humorless smile. "My own has proved to be less than sound, I fear."

[swagreus]

Zagreus was quiet for a moment, gnawing at his bottom lip. "To join my uncles and cousins on Olympus. At least...that's what they think. What I really wanted, was to find my mother." A beat. "She left after I was born, because she thought I was stillborn, and she couldn't bear the heartache. And, I guess, technically, I was. That's why I can't leave the Underworld. My soul is bound to it forever."

[lost_and_foundry]

Now that they're in private, Barcus is more comfortably handsy than he was in the tavern. Their height difference is significant, two feet of clearance between Barcus' head and Bel's, and he has to reach up to hold him around the waist. This is the opposite of a problem as far as the gnome is concerned, and he tilts his head back to rest his chin against Bel's stomach, looking up at him with hazy, darkened eyes, which flutter closed at that kiss.

There's a feeling of want, but also, strangely, comfort and security.

He follows along easily enough, letting go only to shove his door open. "Are they dangerous, though? I think you're the sort of man who handles his lovers well." Even if they're one-night-stands, which this isn't.

"Not to be too presumptuous, but do you prefer to top or...?" His hands slide down to strokes the drow's hips. "I'm comfortable with either, though the size difference between us means some, mm, care and preparation is important."

[lettersfrombel]

"I do try," Bel grinned. "Haven't heard complaints. Though at the moment I'm enjoying how you're handling me." Between the way Barcus is looking at him, and the feel of his hands, even through several layers of cloth, Bel is feeling his own ability to plan peter out into enjoying the sensations of now.

It would be slightly better if his hands could touch more than Barcus's head and shoulders. Now that the door was open, Bel was making a beeline for the bed -- sitting down would do something about their current height difference.

"I'm also comfortable with either," Bel answered. "But, I assumed you would be topping." Because, frankly, while Bel knew there was some level of size difference where no among of care and preparation would work, he hadn't known on what side of that line Barcus fell. Considering it more fully, now that Barcus had offered -- and while Bel wasn't sure if the flush he felt would be visible, the way it was hard for him to keep his eyes from Barcus was probably a giveaway that he was considering the options -- "I'd rather get more comfortable with your body before trying things the other way. I am a quick study when it's a pleasant topic, though."

Though at this point, Bel wasn't feeling particularly exacting; he would be equally pleased to stick to hands, or mouths, or almost anything else.

The Lone Wanderer || Fallout 3 || Sylph

[wasteland_101]

Re-Arrival


[Angel groaned as she sat up in the familiar bed of the tavern and headed downstairs. Thr tavern was still the same as when she had first arrived.

She didn't order any of the fancy drinks. Just some ale. She took her drink and moved to a table in the corner. She was a bit of a mess frpm the Wasteland. Dirt, grime and other things still clung to her skin. She hadn't bothered to clean up before coming down.

Say hi? She won't bite.]


Radiant Sun

[It had been years since she felt this...good? This relaxed. She was just out and about, enjoying the weather and the sunshine.

She's had a shower and looks a lot better without the grime of the Wasteland and she's trying to keep an eye out for families faces.]

Questboard - Wildcard

[Wanna do a quest? Hit me up. plushietaco or tacoplushie on discord!]

Tavern?

[miss_filed]

[Evelyn didn't live in the tavern--that was not suitable for, well, a respectable young woman, or someone who at least has to lean toward respectability. But she did pop in from time to time, on a lunch break from her job at the Museum, which was close by.

[What could she say: for all the tavernkeepers trickery with drinks, he made a wonderful soup of the day. She had, wisely, plain water in front of her.]

You are wise to not trust the drinks. [Voice of experience, clearly. ]

[wasteland_101]

[She's surprised anyone would join her. She likely doesn't smell the best after being out in the Wasteland again.

She shrugs a bit as she sets her mug down.]

Its not my first time waking up here.

[She had a strange thing on her left forearm. The screen dark. There was also jagged scaring on her right wrist.]

I'm also not one for strange drinks.

[utulien_aure]

"Your last-"

Something about the look on Maedhros' face brings a memory to mind- the ghost of a man with Fingon's dark hair and their shared Finwean cheekbones, looking out to a horizon on fire with the gaze of one who sees only one terrible road before him.

He shakes his head. "No. I don't want to know. Not yet."

It occurs to him what some of their kin would say, of what trouble they were in if Fingon the Valiant was the one needed to be sensible. He doesn't say as much- if Maedhros is thinking about what he said earlier, Fingon doesn't want to undermine his own credibility- but a short bark of a laugh escapes him all the same.

"I think I need air. Else it will be rich of me to speak of anyone else's chance of madness."

[miss_filed]

I'm sorry? [Both the sentiment and the confused 'i'm sorry' of 'did I hear that right?'] You have been here before?

[She didn't know how she felt about that, to be honest.]

You look like you have... had quite a time. [The grime, the strange clothing, the scar. This woman had endured hardships Evie could only have read about in the works of someone like Rider Haggard.]

[wasteland_101]

Its all a part of living in a nuclear wasteland. I wanted a drink before taking the time to scrub the dirt, blood and other things off.

[She shrugs lightly at the remark about waking up here again.]

Don't know why I got sent back or for how long I've been gone.

[miss_filed]

That sounds...unpleasant. [Sorry, she's from the mid 1920s and 'nuclear' makes no sense to her.]

I think a proper bath would help. A good long soak. [Not that she's any sort of medical expert, of course. Just what she would do. In circumstances she did not fully understand.]

I can't help you. I've only been here a few weeks, myself.

[wasteland_101]

[She notices that she doesn't quite get what she's saying. That's fine.]

Its very unpleasant. Time and radioactive fallout, stuff left over from when the bombs dropped 200 years ago, have changed the world and everything in it. Bugs that were once the size of your palm arenow the size of a medium dog. Most things got bigger and meaner and I am about the right size for a snack.

[That's the most basic way she can explain her world.]

[angelarmor]

"I'm sorry." She wasn't sure exactly what she was sorry for, since there seemed to be a lot of aspects to his story that were awful, but she felt like she needed to say something while she tried to gather her thoughts. "Did you ever find her?"

[holdshisown]

Maedhros's eyes widen slightly before he schools his expression back into something a bit less telling. "My last moments before I ended up here, I mean."

Ah, if only Fingon knew how accurate that thought was.

"There's nothing to know. I misspoke, that's all."

Fingon may be a bit rash at times but he was not incapable of sound judgement. He certainly was no worse about it than Maedhros himself, who had masacred his way through Beleriand in his grief and his despair. So, really, he actually was in that much trouble that Fingon the Valiant would have to be the sensible one of them for a while.

"Do you want me to come with you or will my prescence just make it worse?" He does not want Fingon to go but he does not want to keep him here against his will either.

[youknowwhothisis]

Now that sounded like a plea... one that could be answered if he so wished. Granting desires was painted all over his resume.

His arms looped loosely around the other's neck as he eased in, body already mildly buzzing in the wake of those hands as he opened for the kiss what sealed their rendezvous. It was something that, even with all of the things he now has here in Caldera, he still craved the most, so starved after so long.

The first already made his tail want to manifest and curl. But when he only parted briefly, helped himself to a second, he opted instead to mesh against the bigger man's frame, offer a small nip against his bottom lip all the while; something to keep in mind for later that evening.

[utulien_aure]

That is a lot of clarification for nothing; if anything, Fingon is more suspicious than ever. But the facts of this conversation haven't changed.

"Of course," he agrees, and lets the issue pass. "This has been grueling for us both."

Despite... everything, it's tempting to grab Maedhros now, shake him, demand he never leaves Fingon's sight again. Loving Maedhros is easy as breathing, seeking comfort from him natural as looking for warmth from the sun.

All the same, he can't. Not now, at least.

"I think I must be alone for now," he shakes his head. "For a little while. I need to think."

And also he's going to not pay much attention to the gems and end up in Undine by accident, and I reasonably think Maedhros would have prevented that.

[assjerky]

"That's my good girl," the Ghoul purred in approval, keeping steady pressure and pace as he felt her tighten and flutter madly and rhythmically, coating his fingers in slickness. When her felt her go slack, he wound his free arm around her and carefully slid his fingers out of her, wound his other arm around her to cuddle her close as she settled in afterglow.

[okiedokies]

Tucking her face against his neck, she struggled to catch her breath as he slipped his fingers out of her, causing her to shudder gently before she relaxed further against him. Then she lifted her head just enough to brush her lips along his jawline, still feeling all floaty and happy. She was always happy to hear him call her his good girl.

[holdshisown]

No it's not. It's a perfectly reasonable explanation for a minor slip-up. Nothing suspiscious about it.

"It has," he agrees. "It was a heavy conversation to have to speak of so soon upon your arrival."

He'd certainly deerve it if Fingon did. He's obviously proven he can't be trusted on his own.

"I understand," he says. Though he can't say he much likes the thought to be away from Fingon right now. Not when he is alive again and his stomach is already tying itself into a knot of worry at the thought of not being there should something happen. "You... you will contact me if something were to happen, right? This place has dangers aplenty and it is not entirely unusual for natural disasters to occur."

In truth he'd only keep Fingon away from the Sylph portal. For even though he's part of the Dryad faction he's actually been living in Undine lands together with his friends. Being alone, it turned out, had not done his mental state any favors.

[dontmindthedetails]

"Well then, I look forward to explorin' your dungeon, sweetheart," Furfur croons, leaning over to kiss Night Sky's cheek as she flops next to him.

It's not hard to get the fire going, it's just not easy, and it takes him a couple matches before he's got a steady flame going. Once it's strong enough that he can add a log or two, he settles down and reaches out to wrap one arm around Night Sky's waist and draw her up against his side. His tail curls around her as well, the spade tip resting lightly against her thigh.

He's not sure what to say in response to her compliments, nor to the way she brought up the tieflings, but her question about vines and bondage brings a grin to his lips and a laugh to his throat.

"Oh sweetheart, the stories I could tell about vines and bondage~" Furfur purrs, smile toothy and eyes glowing with mirth. "Separately, mind you. Never had the pleasure of officially combining them, but I've had a few encounters with Bramble Wights that've left me wanting. Now, my question for you is, how do you feel about thorns?"

[dontmindthedetails]

It's been a long time since someone's kissed him with such need. Sure, he's had plenty of encounters laced with potent desire, but the way Lucifer presses against him reminds Furfur of his days in the Blood War. Back then, every intimate encounter was fraught with danger, with kisses stolen between battles and sex a frenzied rush whenever the time could be spared.

It makes him want to tear into Lucifer much like he had his partners back then, all teeth and claws and bodies so entangled it was difficult to tell where one devil began and the other ended. The nip to his lip does nothing to discourage this urge, and he growls into Lucifer's mouth as he surges into the second kiss, his claws just starting to dig through the fabric of Lucifer's clothes.

"You're makin' it hard to wait," he rumbles as he breaks the kiss. "Might wanna scurry away before I find us a nice alley to nestle in."

[wildwarden]

Hm. More similarities to tieflings — and more similarities to Lucifer. Night Sky did not have enough information to guess his origins, but the tail and the horns were curious things. Luckily, she also didn't seem to care enough to outright ask. He seemed nice, he was into her, and she was into him.

"Do you want to find out how fun they are when combined?" She asked, fingers gently tracing the spade of his tail and down the length she could reach before it disappeared behind her hip. His question had her laughing. "Depends on what you mean. The answer is probably yes. I'm into most things if my partner is eager and willing. Could you elaborate?"

[miss_filed]

Oh. [Well, what is she supposed to say to that, after all? Might as well be honest.] I...don't know what to say. I don't think anything I could say would make a whit of difference.

All I can say is that this place has none of that, that I've seen.

[dontmindthedetails]

Furfur shivers as Night Sky's fingers brush over his tail, the tip twitching up as if trying to follow her touch down as far as possible. Though not as strong of an erogenous zone as the base of his tail, the tip was still quite sensitive, and Furfur enjoys the slide of her fingers over the ridges along the spine.

"Oh, I most certainly do," he replies, dipping his head to press a kiss to the side of Night Sky's neck. "And I'm a bit of a masochist." An understatement. "I like pain, and I was just thinking, if your vines happened to have sharp thorns on them, the kind that pierce my skin when I struggle... that'd be just fine by me."