[ Shouto leaves a wooden crate at Megumi's door the day before the bake-off. Inside the crate are 12 half-pint mason jars full of jams, each labeled with their names (apricot jam, strawberry jam, etc). On top of the crate is a small card that simply says
- From Shouto
Behold your very own anti-corruption jam, handmade with TLC (tough love and carelessness). Beware of taste, but good for corruption! Some lucky people may wait to try it after they see his poor performance at the bake-off and may want to think twice about trying it. Doesn't help that he was robbed for all he's worth spending about two pints of blood for ingredients. Also, a few of those jams might be cursed. Please look at the 'Seasonal Details on the Boardwalk' to see just what curse you've got with each jam and yup, all the cursed fruit is there. He really knows how to pick 'em! ]
1) Apricot Jam 1/2 cup apricots (not pitted) 1/2 cup sugar 4 tablespoon oyster sauce 3 half-inch pieces of ginger Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
2) Strawberry Jam 1/2 cup strawberry (stems and all) 1/2 cup sugar 4 tablespoon fish sauce 3 half-inch cinnamon stick (left in the jam) Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
3) Mango Jam 1 mango (not pitted or skinned) 1 cup sugar 4 tablespoon hoisin sauce 3 whole stars of anise (left in the jam) Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
4) Papaya Jam 1/2 Papaya (seeds added, not skinned) 1 cup sugar 4 tablespoon tamari sauce 3 whole cloves (left in the jam) Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
5) Blackberry Jam 1 cup blackberries 1/2 cup sugar 4 basil leaves 4 tablespoon light soy sauce 3 whole cardamom pods (left in the jam) Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
6) Raspberry Jam 1 cup raspberries 1/2 cup sugar 4 bay leaves (dried) 4 tablespoon Japanese soy sauce 3 whole nutmeg seeds (left in the jam) Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
7) Blueberry Jam 1 cup blueberries 1/2 cup sugar 4 mint leaves 4 tablespoon dark soy sauce 3 whole mace seeds (left in the jam) Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
8) Marmalade Jam 1 cup blood orange (w/skin and seeds) 1/2 cup sugar 1 bundle of cilantro 4 tablespoon mushroom soy sauce 3 tablespoons of whole fenugreek (left in the jam) Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
9) Grape Jam 1 cup concord grapes (w/skin and seeds) 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup of water 1 bundle of parsley 4 chipotle peppers 3 tablespoons of whole cumin (left in the jam) Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
10) Grapefruit Jam 1 cup grapefruit (w/skin and seeds) 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup of water 1 bundle of chives 4 pepperoncini peppers 3 tablespoons of whole mustard seeds (left in the jam) Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
11) Apple Jam 1 cup Apples (w/skin and seeds) 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup of water 1 tablespoon of rosemary 4 banana peppers 3 tablespoons of whole coriander seeds (left in the jam) Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
12) Lemon Jam 1 cup lemon (w/skin and seeds) 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup of water 1 tablespoon of dill 4 shishito peppers 3 tablespoons of whole dried red chiles (left in the jam) Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
[ Long time no see, right? Aside from quick conversations in passing at least; urgent affairs that would have required discussing the exorcism of a Beast like they had discussed. ]
[ What, no acknowledgement of his witty quip? Showing that he remembered what you had slung at him months ago?? You wound him. ]
A lot of things I guess. The days go by really quick so it's hard to tell sometimes, especially when everything is really cyclical. Like, did you know it seems like every month new Sleepers wake up at the same time?
[ He is. Worse than blonde sometimes. It took him a year to realize that.
Which, the reason why he thought of Megumi... the reason why he wanted to reach out-- ]
[If his own words are being used against him, they must have been provocative enough to begin with. So he's satisfied with that.
But Allen, come on! You really just realized new sleepers arrive around the same time every month- (he's shaking his head at the Kage)- but he's gonna give you a break. Time does feel like it moves more on a whim than a schedule here. So he'll forgive you for that.]
Yea- I noticed last winter when I began taking notes. The arrivals usually need help- and Kage likes meeting new people.
A year- [he knows what Allen means, so he steers away for a moment-] those zealots will be at it again. People are gonna disappear.
[ The zealots-- yeah, entirely not what Allen meant, but it's also true and is important enough that it's a very successful diversion and he lets it slide-- for now. Good job, Megumi. ]
I know.
I want to do something about it this time. Something more.
Not the pthumerian... Or maybe, I've heard of other sleepers reaching out to pthumerians before and getting some sort of response. Maybe the Tower knows something about what's happening. Will he answer, I doubt it but it might be worth a shot.
But as for the literal place- I recall it being some intricate system with different levels on some weird plane of existence.
It felt like I was moving up and down through different floors.
Idk I was kidnapped and it was very disorentating.
But I think the key to getting in might be following the zealots.
[ Oh. He hadn't even thought of the Pthumerian. That's right though, there had been that grotesque statue... ]
You're right, I suppose it did feel like going up through a tower. I lost count of how many floors there seemed to be.
I was able to get back in on my own once before. By following one of those pierced guys back through their portals. Wherever it actually is, they're able to teleport there that way.
...they can be purified too. Of their corruption. Although it doesn't seem to last.
Mm. That's a good idea. [ Don't think he's clever enough to think to include affirmative noises in his texts. He's still using Tim to transcribe his messages so it just happens. ]
I think there'd be more than a few people interested in doing that. People who can fight and might be able to bring something like that place down, or at least rescue whoever we can.
And I don't... know. If it's possible to repeatedly purify one of them.
Focusing on rescue based missions should lead to more success. [As much as he'd love to bring that place down, he knows... ] You mentioned everything being cyclical- those zealots seem most active for about a month. Then disappear. Directly fighting an institution at the height of its power is difficult and a waste of time.
At a later date that could change though.
But by getting as many people out of there as possible, hopefully we can save enough people to cause some disruption to their end goal.
That's extremely irritating. A primitive necessary solution that fulfills blood lust. How convenient. [Cheers Allen, you've been able to hit a sore nerve he hasn't been able to rant about yet. But returning to the topic at hand.] No I don't.
I think they're just able to make more definitive contact with us during this specific period of time. Did you hear about the sleepers disappearing last month and ending up in a strange alternate world similar to the Trench but not exactly?
Well I was brought there too and there were zealots all over the place. They weren't the same as the ones at the farm but still crazy. Anyways it makes me think that at different points in the year, we're closer to certain dimensions and are more likely to interact with them. Whatever they're doing is going on all year round, but probably on a smaller scale. Now if we could get to these places at an off time of the year, we might be able to do more damage to the actual institutions.
I'm thinking the entire process might be tied to specific pthumerians and their abilities, which is why going there when other pthumerians are at their height of power might give us an advantage.
But don't quote me just yet. I'm still looking into it.
Like an altar. The one they seemed to use for sacrifices.
I think it was of The Tower. [ He's dead certain, actually. He didn't know what he was looking at at the time, but you better believe he recognized that visage alter. ]
That has to be a key somehow. Beyond just for how people could escape.
I don't trust the tower. But I wonder what constitutes a sacrifice.
Does it have to be full loss of life or could the act of spilling enough blood suffice- and if so how much? Sleeper blood seems to be precious even in places outside of the physical Trench.Either way it's a lot of questions to think about.
[ The next text comes in about a minute later. His mind is actively brainstorming ideas by putting them out there. Sorry Allen you're taking the job of his notebook at the moment! But your feedback actively helps him formulate better theories. ]
Also if it is an entrance- the requirements for getting in and leaving could be different. If you think about it, the zealots take people in with them upon re-entering, which might mean they need to in order to actually get back in. Some advanced darkblood mages, might be able to replicate the process when the zealots are no longer as active here.
[ Just as long as you don't expect him to write anything down. His handwriting is atrocious, even with the combined efforts of now three people getting him to work on it. ]
The ones who can use the portals seem to all be darkbloods. The one I was able to talk to a purify last year, he basically confirmed that.
It's like they were gloating about it. That those were abilities only the most advanced users could manage. Like sorcery.
Maybe you're right. That could mean that with training other darkbloods could manage that as well, even to whatever location or dimension they're actually in.
[the last week of december gets a gift sent megumi's way. a note and a package with an odd metal disc the size of a palm, with a little loop so it can be attached to a bag or a belt if needed.
in the middle is a coldblood gem with wiring coming out in arcane patterns, and a switch on the side. when flipped to the left an area the size of a small room will warm to a pleasant temperature, when flipped to the right the same area cools down. the switch left in the center position keeps it off.
the note reads:
There are no winter holidays like this where I grew up, so I admit these festivities are hard to fathom. I have been informed of many traditions, and I would like you to have this. Hopefully it will keep what travels you have temperate, as well as your home.
Viktor ]
Sorry for the delay! I was away and then holidays!
[Creative as ever. Such a practical gift. Reminds me of a thermal stone from don't starve and he's all for it. Iteam equipped.
Some time before the holiday party after he gets Viktor's message. Unfortunately he's asked the most non party person for advice.]
Usually there's some sort of gift giving and a street market dedicated to a few different celebrations. New Years is the big holiday back at home. Are you familiar with that holiday?
no worries! i hope you had a good holiday and happy new year <3
[ Ironically another character tried to give him a rabbit (as a pet) and sent me a picture of the don't starve bunny. But you can't tell me that Viktor isn't Wilson 2.0 Trench edition. The inventions from don't starve are really clever and I can totally see them working well here. ]
Yeah I'd be surprised if alcohol didn't show up at a New Year's party. [ Virtual eye roll. ]
You also mentioned something about these rings from Dorothea. Honestly I'm not too sure what they do, but be cautious with it. Last year her gift was a "lucky" rabbit's foot. It gave me incredible luck, but it was at the expense of everyone around me. Having said that, I'd still like to try and find a "safe" way to test out what they do.
[you aren't wrong, they even look alike i might need to look through them for more trench machine ideas honestly, it'd be excellent.]
It is a staple, along with fights of either a petty or physical nature. [can you tell he also doesn't like parties yet]
if you'd like to come by Sanctuary maybe we can test it there. A safe environment and we'd at least both be aware there's a danger involved, rather than subjecting others to it needlessly.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
action;
- From Shouto
Behold your very own anti-corruption jam, handmade with TLC (tough love and carelessness). Beware of taste, but good for corruption! Some lucky people may wait to try it after they see his poor performance at the bake-off and may want to think twice about trying it. Doesn't help that he was robbed for all he's worth spending about two pints of blood for ingredients. Also, a few of those jams might be cursed. Please look at the 'Seasonal Details on the Boardwalk' to see just what curse you've got with each jam and yup, all the cursed fruit is there. He really knows how to pick 'em! ]
1) Apricot Jam
1/2 cup apricots (not pitted)
1/2 cup sugar
4 tablespoon oyster sauce
3 half-inch pieces of ginger
Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
2) Strawberry Jam
1/2 cup strawberry (stems and all)
1/2 cup sugar
4 tablespoon fish sauce
3 half-inch cinnamon stick (left in the jam)
Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
3) Mango Jam
1 mango (not pitted or skinned)
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoon hoisin sauce
3 whole stars of anise (left in the jam)
Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
4) Papaya Jam
1/2 Papaya (seeds added, not skinned)
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoon tamari sauce
3 whole cloves (left in the jam)
Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
5) Blackberry Jam
1 cup blackberries
1/2 cup sugar
4 basil leaves
4 tablespoon light soy sauce
3 whole cardamom pods (left in the jam)
Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
6) Raspberry Jam
1 cup raspberries
1/2 cup sugar
4 bay leaves (dried)
4 tablespoon Japanese soy sauce
3 whole nutmeg seeds (left in the jam)
Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
7) Blueberry Jam
1 cup blueberries
1/2 cup sugar
4 mint leaves
4 tablespoon dark soy sauce
3 whole mace seeds (left in the jam)
Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
8) Marmalade Jam
1 cup blood orange (w/skin and seeds)
1/2 cup sugar
1 bundle of cilantro
4 tablespoon mushroom soy sauce
3 tablespoons of whole fenugreek (left in the jam)
Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
9) Grape Jam
1 cup concord grapes (w/skin and seeds)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup of water
1 bundle of parsley
4 chipotle peppers
3 tablespoons of whole cumin (left in the jam)
Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
10) Grapefruit Jam
1 cup grapefruit (w/skin and seeds)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup of water
1 bundle of chives
4 pepperoncini peppers
3 tablespoons of whole mustard seeds (left in the jam)
Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
11) Apple Jam
1 cup Apples (w/skin and seeds)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup of water
1 tablespoon of rosemary
4 banana peppers
3 tablespoons of whole coriander seeds (left in the jam)
Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
12) Lemon Jam
1 cup lemon (w/skin and seeds)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup of water
1 tablespoon of dill
4 shishito peppers
3 tablespoons of whole dried red chiles (left in the jam)
Boiled (some charring, taste a little burnt)
text; un: an.exorcist
[ Long time no see, right? Aside from quick conversations in passing at least; urgent affairs that would have required discussing the exorcism of a Beast like they had discussed. ]
Welfare check.
Text
I'm still here. [That counts for something, right? Especially considering how frequently people go missing randomly. ]
What've you been up to?
no subject
A lot of things I guess. The days go by really quick so it's hard to tell sometimes, especially when everything is really cyclical. Like, did you know it seems like every month new Sleepers wake up at the same time?
[ He is. Worse than blonde sometimes. It took him a year to realize that.
Which, the reason why he thought of Megumi... the reason why he wanted to reach out-- ]
...did you know it's been a year?
no subject
[If his own words are being used against him, they must have been provocative enough to begin with. So he's satisfied with that.
But Allen, come on! You really just realized new sleepers arrive around the same time every month- (he's shaking his head at the Kage)- but he's gonna give you a break. Time does feel like it moves more on a whim than a schedule here. So he'll forgive you for that.]
Yea- I noticed last winter when I began taking notes. The arrivals usually need help- and Kage likes meeting new people.
A year- [he knows what Allen means, so he steers away for a moment-] those zealots will be at it again. People are gonna disappear.
no subject
I know.
I want to do something about it this time. Something more.
no subject
That's where it all goes down. It's a blood pollution hot spot.
[ A moment between texts.]
That's where we need to go.
no subject
Tower?
What tower?
[ HE KNEW IT ONLY AS SOME... POCKET DIMENSION MAZE... ]
no subject
But as for the literal place- I recall it being some intricate system with different levels on some weird plane of existence.
It felt like I was moving up and down through different floors.
Idk I was kidnapped and it was very disorentating.
But I think the key to getting in might be following the zealots.
no subject
You're right, I suppose it did feel like going up through a tower. I lost count of how many floors there seemed to be.
I was able to get back in on my own once before. By following one of those pierced guys back through their portals. Wherever it actually is, they're able to teleport there that way.
...they can be purified too. Of their corruption. Although it doesn't seem to last.
1/2
Then we can follow them back through the portals you mentioned.
If we purify a few they might even lead us places we didn't have access to before. This way we can better help those who are kidnapped and confused.
2/2
no subject
I think there'd be more than a few people interested in doing that. People who can fight and might be able to bring something like that place down, or at least rescue whoever we can.
And I don't... know. If it's possible to repeatedly purify one of them.
But I think we should try.
no subject
Focusing on rescue based missions should lead to more success. [As much as he'd love to bring that place down, he knows... ]
You mentioned everything being cyclical- those zealots seem most active for about a month. Then disappear. Directly fighting an institution at the height of its power is difficult and a waste of time.
At a later date that could change though.
But by getting as many people out of there as possible, hopefully we can save enough people to cause some disruption to their end goal.
Whatever that may be...
no subject
[ Bitter? Him? No. Well, maybe a little. But he dislikes the entirety of this "spilling blood for the sake of the world" cycle. ]
I wonder...
Maybe we haven't seen them in a year, but do you think a place like that just stops doing what they're doing the rest of the time?
no subject
No I don't.
I think they're just able to make more definitive contact with us during this specific period of time. Did you hear about the sleepers disappearing last month and ending up in a strange alternate world similar to the Trench but not exactly?
Well I was brought there too and there were zealots all over the place. They weren't the same as the ones at the farm but still crazy. Anyways it makes me think that at different points in the year, we're closer to certain dimensions and are more likely to interact with them. Whatever they're doing is going on all year round, but probably on a smaller scale.
Now if we could get to these places at an off time of the year, we might be able to do more damage to the actual institutions.
I'm thinking the entire process might be tied to specific pthumerians and their abilities, which is why going there when other pthumerians are at their height of power might give us an advantage.
But don't quote me just yet. I'm still looking into it.
no subject
Like an altar. The one they seemed to use for sacrifices.
I think it was of The Tower. [ He's dead certain, actually. He didn't know what he was looking at at the time, but you better believe he recognized that visage alter. ]
That has to be a key somehow. Beyond just for how people could escape.
no subject
If it's a way to escape then it might be an entrance as well?
no subject
Although I don't like the idea that it implies a sacrifice being needed. Or involving The Tower.
no subject
I don't trust the tower.
But I wonder what constitutes a sacrifice.
Does it have to be full loss of life or could the act of spilling enough blood suffice- and if so how much? Sleeper blood seems to be precious even in places outside of the physical Trench.Either way it's a lot of questions to think about.
[ The next text comes in about a minute later. His mind is actively brainstorming ideas by putting them out there. Sorry Allen you're taking the job of his notebook at the moment! But your feedback actively helps him formulate better theories. ]
Also if it is an entrance- the requirements for getting in and leaving could be different. If you think about it, the zealots take people in with them upon re-entering, which might mean they need to in order to actually get back in. Some advanced darkblood mages, might be able to replicate the process when the zealots are no longer as active here.
no subject
The ones who can use the portals seem to all be darkbloods. The one I was able to talk to a purify last year, he basically confirmed that.
It's like they were gloating about it. That those were abilities only the most advanced users could manage. Like sorcery.
Maybe you're right. That could mean that with training other darkbloods could manage that as well, even to whatever location or dimension they're actually in.
text, un: v
I have somehow gotten myself into planning a holiday party with Jason at Sanctuary.
Obviously you are invited but I am in dire need of understanding what winter holiday parties even entail. We didn't have such things where I grew up.
Also do you have the slightest idea what this ring Dorothea gave us does?
also gift!
in the middle is a coldblood gem with wiring coming out in arcane patterns, and a switch on the side. when flipped to the left an area the size of a small room will warm to a pleasant temperature, when flipped to the right the same area cools down. the switch left in the center position keeps it off.
the note reads:
There are no winter holidays like this where I grew up, so I admit these festivities are hard to fathom. I have been informed of many traditions, and I would like you to have this. Hopefully it will keep what travels you have temperate, as well as your home.
Viktor ]
Sorry for the delay! I was away and then holidays!
Some time before the holiday party after he gets Viktor's message.
Unfortunately he's asked the most non party person for advice.]Usually there's some sort of gift giving and a street market dedicated to a few different celebrations. New Years is the big holiday back at home. Are you familiar with that holiday?
no worries! i hope you had a good holiday and happy new year <3
Yes, more so than these winter celebrations. Both Piltover and Zaun celebrated the new year one way or another. Typically with alcohol.
I suppose food and gifts should be easy enough to manage regardless.
Thank you!! I hope the same for you as well!! Happy New Year <3
But you can't tell me that Viktor isn't Wilson 2.0 Trench edition.The inventions from don't starve are really clever and I can totally see them working well here. ]Yeah I'd be surprised if alcohol didn't show up at a New Year's party. [ Virtual eye roll. ]
You also mentioned something about these rings from Dorothea. Honestly I'm not too sure what they do, but be cautious with it. Last year her gift was a "lucky" rabbit's foot. It gave me incredible luck, but it was at the expense of everyone around me. Having said that, I'd still like to try and find a "safe" way to test out what they do.
no subject
you aren't wrong, they even look alikei might need to look through them for more trench machine ideas honestly, it'd be excellent.]It is a staple, along with fights of either a petty or physical nature. [can you tell he also doesn't like parties yet]
if you'd like to come by Sanctuary maybe we can test it there. A safe environment and we'd at least both be aware there's a danger involved, rather than subjecting others to it needlessly.