quaranmeme | MISTLEGLOW: a kissing meme

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!mod meme: holiday

MISTLEGLOW: a kissing meme

mistleglow: a kissing meme

Some residents may remember that back in September, a love-drunk and confusion-spell-addled newlywed mage from Gramarye Magic Research let loose some pretty little fairy lights that trapped people in the city in little invisible bubbles until they kissed (and any kind of kiss would do). Well, the same slightly-less-newlywed but no less romantically-inclined mage happens to really, really enjoy the winter season, and thinks it's totally romantic. That particular sentiment is pretty common in the Quarantine - while Hygge is the celebration of familial love, the residents of the Quarantine all agree that that family often includes partners and lovers. Besides that, the folklore of mistletoe as being representative of love and friendship is something that the Quarantine has in common with the universes many residents inhabit.

So, as the last week and a half of December rolls around, residents around the Quarantine will see the result of the resident romantic trying to share a bit of Hygge love - small, glowing sprigs of mistletoe will be floating around the Quarantine, ready to trap people up and make them share a bit of affection.

how it works

● Two or more characters walking under one of these glowing, floating sprigs will get stuck for one hour, trapped inside an invisible enclosure with an approximate three foot radius. The only options are to either wait out the hour, or to kiss! Characters will know they're meant to kiss, because part of the magic spell is the sudden and intense knowledge that they should kiss in order to break free. There is no compulsion to kiss, just the knowledge that that's how to get free. This time, instead of any kind of kiss working, there will be different types of kisses that will work to release the trapped residents depending on the color of mistleglow:

RED: MOUTH ● ORANGE: NECK ● YELLOW: CHEEK
GREEN: FOREHEAD ● BLUE: HAND ● VIOLET: BUTTERFLY

Trapped residents will not know what kind of kiss will work for each color and may have to experiment before finding the right one.

● Post up a top-level for your character with the types of kisses you're interested in threading out, and then go forth and have your character kiss (or refuse to kiss) others!
● This meme is for characters already accepted into the game to play with the mistleglow prompt from this month's test drive meme. If your character is not yet accepted into the game, please use the TDM post!
● This meme is GAME CANON, so any threads played out in this meme can be carried through into the actual canon of the game.
● Much like the TDM, threads on this meme can count for Activity Points, but not the monthly Activity Check.

header image is from santa's factory by Clement Danveau

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[It would be a lie to say the other voice didn't startle Ragnar a little. He recognized the robotic tone though. He was completely illiterate, his phone read everything to him in the same fashion, though his sounded like a woman. He kept his eyes on Dodger, though he briefly looked over towards the dog a few times, obviously curious.]

What was it saying about your heart and stress? [Oh, he was definitely teasing Dodger. He was pretty sure he'd caught enough of why the machine was worried.] So, it has been a while. As you said. [He gave Dodger a smug smirk.]

You did not answer it's question though. Are you done with me, yet? Ready to kick me out?

[He answers by grabbing one of the pillows nearest his hands, and smacking it unceremoniously against Ragnar's face. Still, it puts the traces of a smirk on his face as he pulls the pillow back and settles it under himself.]

Wouldn't mind if you stuck around. [He replies evenly, careful not to let himself sound to eager.] Just let me know when you're ready. If I don't let you out you'll end up in the hospital trying to get out on your own.

[Dodger had now joined the ranks of everyone else who constantly found that Ragnar's face and/or expressions made him extremely punchable while still frustratingly endearing. To his credit, Ragnar made a satisfying 'oof' sound as the pillow collided with his face.]

Well, I was thinking of staying just a while, but if that is how I will be treated... [He smirked.] I think I could be convinced for a drink. Do you have any, uh... what is it called here? Ale, but it is not called ale.

Your home is magic as well? [He had to say, the place didn't exactly scream 'magical'.] Is that why it would kill me?

[What can he say - being a creature that elicits the same response, it's hard not to fall into the trap.

With a moment of contemplation, he decides that if Ragnar is going to stay he wants to get closer. He shifts until he's leaning over him, and settles lazily on the older man's chest. He reaches over the side of the bed after a moment, fishing a pack of cigarettes out of his pile of clothing and lighting one with a snap of his fingers.]

Your people have magic mushrooms, right? Imagine something like that, except your greatest fear is surrounding you while you struggle to remember how to move. That's what will happen if you try to leave without my help. [He tips his head from side to side.] I'd say it's not magic, but hell if I know how it works. It's just a drug I rigged up with a rudimentary spring trap.

[Ah yes, those rudimentary spring traps that all normal people learn how to make. Why are you like this, Dodger.]

[Ragnar seemed happy to accommodate and started idly twirling a bit of Dodger's hair around his fingers, his chest slowly and steadily lifting and then lowering Dodger's head slightly with each even breath.]

Mm. Sometimes the mushrooms do that too. It depends what is around you. And what is in your thoughts at the time.

[He thinks a moment, frowning slightly.] Would you have let me try to leave? [And then he goes a step further and starts to wonder what kind of psycho has traps for people trying to leave versus people trying to get in...]

If you were an ass, sure. [He mutters plainly.] No one can go in or out without getting hurt - because I don't use the door myself. If you left before I was done with you, I'd let you get hurt. If you put me in danger, I'd put you on the other side of the door, away from me. It's a simple solution to a simple problem.

[As he speaks, smoke curls up from his mouth and the air starts to take on a feint smell like burning plants. He contemplates for a moment, before leaning up a bit and holding the cigarette so Ragnar could take it.]

Wanna try?

[In or out. Well, that actually made him feel a bit better. But not much.]

Done with me. [It's not a question. He echoed the words like he needed to try them out like maybe they wouldn't be quite so bad if he tried saying them. No such luck. Still, he was trying very, very hard to shrug off the feeling that he was a hapless fly who had found himself stuck in a spider web. He hated that feeling. In fact, he hated the feeling so much that he would just refuse to acknowledge it.

The cigarette being held in his direction interrupted his train of thought. After a moment of consideration, he took it.]

What does it do? Like the mushrooms?

A little. It's dried herbs. [He takes a moment to consider how exactly to describe it.] Suck on the orange bit, smoke will come through. Hold the smoke in your mouth, and breathe it in if you can handle it. Most people cough, I'm not gonna be surprised if you do.

[Dodger on the other hand, hasn't coughed on smoke since he was very young. His lungs would probably be blackened if he didn't have the advantage of a unique superhuman biology.]

It won't make you see anything, but it's ah... just nice to do. Calms you down a little.

[He gave the cigarette a vaguely suspicious look but mimicked the way he'd seen Dodger take a drag. It didn't taste terrific, but then neither did mushrooms. It wasn't until he tried to inhale it deeper that it caught in his throat and he ended up turning his head to cough a few times. He took another drag, again coughing, but this time less violently, and then passed the cigarette back to Dodger.]

What do you mean 'done with me'? [He asked again since Dodger had conveniently decided to ignore his not-quite-a-question question.]

[Honestly, he's impressed the man went back for seconds. He's got respect for that.

To the question, Dodger responds by giving him a coy smirk, before finishing off the cigarette and stumbling to his feet.] You wanted a drink, right?

[He has no qualms about wandering around naked and sweaty in the privacy of his own home, so he just moves over to search his cabinets while he speaks off-handedly.]

I meant exactly what I said. Anyone that comes back here with me stays until I'm satisfied. Or they're dead. One or the other, sometimes both. Here- try this, it's called Fireball. You might like it. [He stalks back over to offer the bottle to Ragnar.] And before you say anything, no, I'm not trying to kill you.

Edited 2018-01-01 05:10 (UTC)

And what if they do not wish to satisfy you? What then? Would you force yourself on them? Or just kill them?

[Not that he hadn't met people exactly like Dodger before. His brother was a prime example.

He was still giving Dodger a deeply distrustful glare, but he took the bottle. Before it ever got close to his mouth, he caught a whiff of the strong cinnamon flavor and wrinkled his nose.] Why does it smell like that? What is mixed with the alcohol? [He was already handing it back, not on account of the alcohol, but on account of the cinnamon, a completely foreign smell that he found absolutely repulsive.]

Edited 2018-01-01 06:53 (UTC)

Sounds like you know the answer to that.

[And there's a glint of mischief in his eyes that compacts that hint.

He takes the bottle back with a huff of laughter, and takes a large swig from it. He barely even flinches at the burning taste of the cinnamon; it's his favorite drink, after all.]

It's mixed with cinnamon - you don't have spices back home, yeah? [He may not know much about history, but he's pretty sure spices weren't a thing until 1400 or something.] It's uhhh... what is it. A kind of tree bark that burns your tongue. People put it in desserts these days.

I do not. It is why I am asking. [His tone was terse.] And I would like to hear you say it.

You are stronger than a normal man and your skin burns at your command. Would you have used this against me if I had not agreed to 'satisfy' you? [His eyes narrowed at Dodger, wanting an answer.]

Cinnamon? [He didn't particularly want to talk about the alcohol at the moment.] No. I have not heard of such a spice.

[Dodger's eyes sharpen a bit, and he sets the bottle aside with a huff. They'd been doing great with this game of subtlety, Ragnar has to ruin it.]

What's it matter? You agreed and you went through with it, so why bother with what would've happened to someone else in your shoes?

[He sounds almost like an annoyed child, as he speaks. He moves away again, searching through his cabinets for something else that he knows Ivar has liked.]

Was and will make me ill, I take a gram and simply am. [He offers another bottle, this one smelling purely of alcohol and filled only a quarter.] Here, you wanna try this instead? It's just Irish whiskey.

You would not want to know if the person whose home you were trapped in and whom you were considering having sex with again was a rapist and possibly a murderer as well? Not just a murderer but someone who murders people over sex. Who is suggesting that he would rape and murder you over sex?

[As far as Ragnar was concerned, if these things were true Dodger not only sounded like an annoyed child, he likely had the impulses and control of a petulant child as well.

He takes the bottle, but he's obviously reluctant to drink much of anything or even stay at this point. He inhales before bringing the bottle to his lips, smelling only alcohol this time, and took a drink. It was strong but acceptable.]

Edited 2018-01-01 21:44 (UTC)

[Dodger rolls his eyes.]

Like your people don't do the same thing. Like I said, I'm not threatening you. We have our own arrangement, so it doesn't matter what might happen to someone else.

[He tips his head as he crawls back onto Ragnar's lap, making himself comfortable.]

If you want to put it like that, sure. I've killed people. I've raped people. I haven't killed or raped you, and I don't plan to. So it's not your problem. I'm not suggesting I'd murder you over sex, I'm telling you I've got no reason to. You're too smart to piss me off, yeah?

We are not talking about my people. Even if we were, there are punishments for raping or murdering another free man or woman. An unprovoked murder would likely result in a punishment of death.

[He didn't move as Dodger crawled forward and settled back into his spot, didn't move except for to take another, much longer, drink of the whiskey.]

Why did you kill people? In battle? Because they wronged you? Or did you kill them for no reason other than that you wanted to?

[Dodger had nearly talked himself out of suspicion until his very last question, which once again made Ragnar narrow his eyes at the man, giving him a defiant look.] And what if I did? Would you kill me then?

[He thinks this over a while, and for once he seems to really be taking their conversation seriously. He isn't about to make the mistake of losing this man's attention by treating his life like a joke.]

Battle. Revenge. Sometimes because I've been paid to. There aren't many people I want to kill without a good reason - I just do what I have to to stay alive.

[He has to keep pressing that topic, though. He leans down over him, and presses a firm kiss to his lips.]

If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't have waited this long. Relax, alright?

Why did you claim you would kill people if they did not have sex with you to your satisfaction? That was a lie?

[Once again, Ragnar doesn't push him away, or shy away from the contact, but he barely returns it.

At the reassurance, he simply looks away, finding some spot on the wall that momentarily catches his attention, and purses his lips in annoyance. He didn't particularly want to let this topic drop.]

I do not understand you. [He turned back to meet Dodger's gaze, holding his chin for a moment before letting go.] It frustrates me.

Sure.

[Which is Dodger's nice way of saying "If you want to believe that, you can."

He shrugs and settles down, properly laying on top of the older man and idly running his fingers through his beard.]

It's a common sentiment. 'Most baffling thing about me is that I'm still alive' - I think that's my favorite phrasing. [He presses another kiss to Ragnar's lips, lazy and not particularly caring whether he returns the gesture.] I hear it's possible to crack the code, but I'm not about to start helping people. The mystery makes things interesting.

Not 'sure'. Answer the question. I need you to answer the question.

[He tilted his head slightly, but not far enough to outright avoid Dodger's wandering touch, still looking annoyed at how evasive the young man was being.]

I am most-[he pauses as Dodger leaned in and pressed another kiss to his lips]-ly referring to sex. You did enjoy what we did? [It was difficult to keep his hands off of Dodger. He was laying right there, after all, might as well trail his fingers down his side.]

Sure, I liked it. [His eyes narrow a bit.] But what's important is that you liked it, yeah? You were in charge. Why bother with how I was feeling if I didn't stop you.

[That's just how it works in his mind. People are in charge of their own pleasure, others are just a tool by which to get that pleasure. He'd enjoyed being used for the first time in a long while... but that doesn't mean he thinks his enjoyment was important in the grand scheme of things.]

...How much do you really wanna be discussing semantics, anyway. Get a few more drinks in me and we could just go for a second round instead.

Even if you did not express your dislike for something by trying to burn it... No, I would not have, if you were not. [Ragnar states it without hesitation. It was a simple truth for him.]

You do not want to discuss that either? [He raised an eyebrow, a hint of a mischievous glint in his eyes.] Then I should not bother to ask what sorts of things you enjoy?

[He took another drink of whiskey and then tapped the neck of the bottle on Dodger's shoulder, offering it to him.]

What's with you and discussions?

[He sits up properly, taking the bottle and draining it with one gulp. No wonder he smells so heavily of alcohol, given how easily he packs it away.]

If I get an upper hand on you I'll show you what I like - otherwise it doesn't matter. [If anything, he seems actively uncomfortable now with being asked what he's into. He gets up and retrieves the bottle of Fireball, bringing it back to settle on Ragnar's lap again and drink from it.] To the victor go the spoils. Sex is just a battlefield where both parties can enjoy the slaughter.

[Ragnar sighed and lowered himself back down to lay flat on the mattress instead of propped up on one elbow, rubbing his hands down his face.]

You had one. And you did nothing. Just sat there. [He pointed out with a bit of a sneer.]

Get off. I am getting dressed. [He shoved a bit at Dodger and started to sit up. He decided he'd stayed more than long enough.]

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smokedout - 2018-01-02 04:12 (UTC) - Expand

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