metalogs | LOVE POTION #9

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LOVE POTION #9

LOVE IS... not in the air! The reintroduction of Confluences into this world has left it rocked, so the season of love is not quite as lovey-dovey as it usually is. People are stressed and anxious. Valentine's events are being cancelled left, right, and center in fear that a Confluence may catch young lovers unawares.

Unbeknownst to mortals, the God of Love really can't afford his month to be ruined by a few little dimensional catastrophes. This is his month! ... And for whatever reason, he seems to be stranded on the Earthly plane.

Surely he can fix things. Push it along a little. Though Gods don't usually meddle in mortal affairs, this is a personal catastrophe. All it takes is a few drops of love potion on a token of affection, and voila! Instant-connection.

(This event has a blanket warning for dubious consent of the love spell variety. To opt out completely, characters can simply not be in Sunset Falls at the time of the event, which runs through Valentine's Day.)

WHITE HEARTS FESTIVAL

Welcome to Sunset Falls, the most magical place in all of America! Literally. The streets are charged with magical energies, and while it won't be spinning your words into spells, it will give anyone who is magically inclined a comfortable little buzz. Maybe it's the boost you need to get a spell working, or maybe it's just a pep in your step. Confluence-displaced metas who take the Guilds up on their offer to tour the new housing will arrive just in time to witness the an annual tradition: The White Hearts Festival, a festival dedicated to all forms of love - familial, friendship, and romantic.

The whole town is decked out in pinks, golds and reds. Town square has been overtaken by food booths peddling elaborate meals and desserts with various magical effects. (It's probably better not to ask why some of the cookies being handed out are in the shape of anatomical hearts.)

Eat an emoji cookie and find yourself sprouting heart-eyes, or gaining a flurry of hearts above your head.

The Bolder Biscuit - by far and above the densest thing you've ever tried to eat - makes you bold. It compels you to march right up to someone and tell them what you think, good or bad.

And there's also the Firework Delight cake, which makes you shoot off literal fireworks the moment you touch that special someone that makes your life complete... but honestly, they go off when you touch anyone. Sorry if you end up giving off the wrong impression!

In addition, pop-up craft stands sell trinkets that guarantee you'll be together with your people forever and ever. The most popular item on sale this year appears to be the Eternal Bond - which is just an enchanted finger-trap that refuses to let go unless you tell someone a deep dark secret.

There is an altar at the town park where you can make your offering and give prayers to the God of Love in hopes he will smile favorable upon you. Lay your chocolate heart at its base and offer up a prayer to the God so that your life will be full of love and connection.

Truthfully, when it started it wasn't as cutesy as it is now. It became a lot more wholesome when people began to offer only chocolate hearts to the God of Love. Now it's fun for the whole family! ... So long as you don't veer into the woods. Some people still practice the old ways, and there are (what you hope to be) animal hearts nailed to trees. This is Sunset Falls, after all. Weird often goes hand in hand with terror.

LONELY HEARTS

For those of you who don't yet have those special people, lonely hearts still single can collect white rose enamel pins from the festival committee. They're expected to pick someone to give it out to as a declaration of their attraction by the end of the festival. However... there seems to be an issue this year. There's more pins here than there are people in town. Committee members start handing them out to anyone, single or not, and from there that's where things start to get a little weird...

You clip the pin onto your shirt and at once, your life has suddenly become a romcom. Everything is just a little brighter, the sounds a little more musical (sometimes literally), and you're suddenly compelled to reach out and find connection.

And the universe is conspiring to bring it your way! Cliches won't stop happening around you. Suddenly people are determined to give you a makeover so you can catch the eye of an admirer. Your friends are betting on your romantic future. A complex love triangle is springing out of previously platonic friendships.

You're not not limited to one partner, and that partner doesn't need to be romantic. It could be a best friend, or a nemesis that you're compelled to fight over and over again for the joy of it. What matters is the connection and the way the world seems to stop at nothing to give you that perfect three act structure: You Meet, You Lose, You Get.

Reach the end of your romcom's little arc and you'll find yourself freed from the spell... and probably will have some choice words for its caster.

HEARTS ON FIRE

Regardless of how you participate in the festival, everyone is at risk when the town itself falls under a love spell.

This may be unlike anything you've known before. Perhaps it's the first stumbling steps of puppy love. You want to be with this person all the time. Hold their hands and work up the courage for a kiss. Or perhaps this is something fierce and passionate. You want to be kissing them always, pursuing these passions heedless of consequences.

This doesn't need to be a romantic love. It can be strong and familial. Perhaps the sort you've always desired but never had. You could fall into a family unit with others affected by the spell. Compelled to hug each other and say words of encouragement or praise. Perhaps you, while living your own love story, are the best friend in someone else's - offering up the speech that tells them they deserve more than they think they do.

Whatever your flavor of love may be, you're prone to dramatic declarations. Confessions at the drop of a hat. It's go big or go home, and since nobody's going home right now, you might as well go as big as you can. Perhaps you're arranging for Flash Mobs to declare your feelings! Or making plans to move in together despite only having met a few hours ago.

This is all fine and well at first, but it may become clear pretty quickly that characters who try to hold their burning passions are likely to burn themselves! If you're the repressed type and you try to resist the compulsions that the love spell puts on you, you might just burst into flames, and someone will need to put you out. Don't worry — move quick enough, and there won't be any lasting damage, and if there is, the Guilds' healers can help you out.

MEET CUTE-PID

For those paying attention to that sort of thing, one constant of all these wild declarations can be spotted in the background. A tall man with curly blonde hair and an all too charming smile never seems to be far from the romance.

Those who are curious enough to follow will find he retreats to a lavish mansion on the outskirts of town. The mansion has the gaudy and abundant decor of a honeymoon suite on the Las Vegas Strip, with lights attuned to music and a massive twirling heart above the roof of the building. Peer inside and you will see hundreds of tiny viewing windows, each depicting a different romantic story unfolding outside of town. The door to the mansion appears to be locked tight and the windows are magically sealed, but some quick thinking may get you inside.

If anyone wants to engage him, HERE is a top level where we will summarize encounters. The more PCs involved in an encounter, the bigger its outcome will be. We will determine the impact on the god of love on Valentine's Day, so get your comments in by end of day on the 13th! You may also use this top level to ask event-specific questions about the effects on this page! (Please refer general questions about the setting to the FAQ, and refer any player plots to the PLOTTING page.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ As the world rewrites itself a god of mischief in love, Loki threads his fingers around David's neck and keeps him close as they make-out on the gravel pathway, the taste of him a burning swathe across the coldness of Loki's mouth.

When he hears the jeering something snaps inside and the self-control he would usual exert roils with anger at the mockery.

The ground around David is safe but otherwise ice lashes out across the pathway to freeze shoes and feet alike as Loki twists his lips away to glare at one of the onlookers. How dare they he thinks in a flurry of possessive anger, David is mine, we will do as we wish. The alarmed shrieks and screams mean nothing; not when having David in his arms is everything. ]

[The from earlier, the burning and fire, it's gone now. Or at least it is in David. With the unspoken longing fulfilled, the fire in him has changed. It's just longing now, with a possible outlet. And it's enough to have him overlook what Loki's doing. Though only to a degree. He doesn't get mad like he might otherwise be. No, instead he reaches up at the glaring god, touching his cheek.]

Pretty sure it's me they envy, not you. Who else showed up with a god?

You flatter me, my love.

[ A tender smile melts back into place as Loki sits up, cupping David's cheek in return to kiss him once more. Loki breaks it only to rise, offering David both hands up to reel him in with, an arm draping over a shoulder. ]

Let's find somewhere more secluded and you may continue.

[ The people with frostbitten feet ought to have minded their business, really. ]

[Love. His heart flutters and David smiles. He wants to grab him, to wrap possessive arms around the god. But nope, Loki's standing, and David's getting pulled up. Fuck, that strength is hot as hell. And the cool arm over his shoulder is welcome.

He feels like the cat that got the canary, and is smiling to himself as he nods his agreement.]

See, that I can completely agree with. Thing is, I'm wondering if I've got the skills in this genius mind of mine to get this cool body of yours burning up.

[ Loki's attention remains zoned in on David as they wander the fair, now one of many more couples schmoozing along between the stalls. He brushes his fingers up the back of David's neck, letting him have some cool caresses along the shell of an ear. ]

The only math you need do is you minus those clothes.

[Those cool caresses earn a shiver from David and he wraps an arm around Loki's waist to pull him closer. Possessive, yes, he's feeling that in spades right now. This was his, and anyone looking too closely at the god will be glowered at.]

See, that might get you warm, but I think I'm capable of inspiring greater fire than that. After all, being with a god should be its own form of worship, and I always figured if I got into religion, I should be very... Vigorous in exploring it.

I am running a little short on worshippers on this world.

[ Finding a secluded spot between the backs of two stalls, he ducks under a swoop of fabric and tugs David along with him, pinning him to the wooden wall. Nose to nose, he grins. ]

Pray, silently. Whatever you want to say to me.

[This was definitely secluded, yet it also had the thrill that came with the potential to get caught. Something David didn't know really worked for him. Or perhaps it didn't normally and it was the love spell he didn't realize he was under that was making this a totally welcome thought. Though being pinned by Loki makes him smile.]

So you're saying I should talk to you with my prayers?

I am a god.

[ Something David seems pretty turned-on by. He leans in so their bodies meet, flush from thigh to chest, and brushes the curl of his knuckles down David's neck, mouthing not-quite kisses along his cheek. ]

So pray.

[This wasn't what he'd expected, and honestly? David loves it. Forceful, possessive, controlling? He loves it from either side, and so this was particularly hot.

But if he had to SEE Loki being that beautiful and almost predatory, he doubted he'd be able to think straight enough to pray. Pun unintended. But the figuring this out could be an interesting puzzle. And one that would leave Loki free to get up to any mischief he wanted while David was trying to think on this. Pray. Come on, David, Pray.]

I would beg my god for a kiss, were he so kind as to bless me.

[ Loki's grin can be felt as he moves along David's jaw, the shudder of silent laughter in his chest. He curls a hand around David's hip and kisses him on the corner of his lips, whispering an answer to the prayers filtering across the back of his mind. ]

Pagan gods don't do blessings.

[ But he does so anyway for a second time, this time grazing his lips over David's. ]

Only boons ...

[Don't they? Who said they can't bless? Well, clearly Loki did and perhaps he should accept that. Still, he can't help the sass that comes with the next prayer, even as he tries to lean forward into the kiss.]

Pagan's just a way of saying 'lesser' and you're definitely not pagan in my eyes. More like a higher divinity who I would really love to get my hands on the skin of.

[ He leans back to put a finger on those silent lips, arching a curious (and very amused) brow. ]

As I told Billy, I am a Pagan deity. Whyever would you think otherwise?

[Because to David, definitions are king. Language matters. How does he frame it in a prayer? Maybe just strongly directed thought?]

It's a term for 'minor' world religions. And to me you're not minor. Christian beliefs don't define me or my belief structure Loki. Fuck that. Human words can't define you, and shouldn't get to imply you're lesser. You're larger than life, radiant. You're not minor. You're chief in my heart.

And yet, for all your verbal pirouetting, I remain Pagan.

[ Through all of that, Loki looks amused that he could ever be considered minor. The reaction of Odin upon being told any of that would be hilarious, albeit from a safe distance.

He tilts up his chin, lashes low over green eyes that remain the brightest point in the shadowy alcove. ]

Don't tell me what I am, dear, unless your kink is being disciplined.

[Oh dear, what a debate that didn't need having. And the spell curls over David's mind. Stop fighting. Agree, yield to what you both want anyway.]

I mean, it's not NOT one of my kinks. Praise, discipline, control in either direction, and even a bit of pain. They all work.

[ Loki is softened to the chatter, the lack of any mystery, and the lovespell keeps him from sighing impatiently with an overwhelming level of attraction taking precedence over higher thinking. ]

No more praying, you'll give me a migraine.

[ No more talking either, he decides, shutting David up with a hard kiss as Loki kneads a pair of hips with the heels of his palms, dragging him in close. ]

[He talks, he thinks, these are things he can't get away from. It's just part of David. but he does try and shut up, though the kiss does help at least prevent too much thinking in the moment. The being close helps, too, the being pulled up against Loki's his. His own arms come up to wrap around the neck of the Asgardian so he can hold Loki close in that kiss.]

[ Oh, much better. This way he can run a hand down David's back and slip it underneath his shirt, palming the heat of his skin as the kiss drags on slowly, paced by Loki's desire to savour every moment of having David to himself. Stripping him of words.

He rolls them on the wall with his arms around him, putting his own back to it as he slides a thigh between David's legs to give him some ... stability. ]

[At least he's better this way, though one might say that was he really getting the david experience? Answer, yes, because he was gasping at the pressure Loki was applying between his legs. This was a thing that was definitely happening. Forgive him if he was absolutely rocking against that pressure already. It was just too good.

That said, to have Loki putting him in this place, the position to have some control... Oh he was going to take it. His arms moved from around Loki's neck to instead press Loki back against it, pulling out of the kiss to instead start to kiss at Loki's throat. The chill against his lips was wonderful, divine almost. And an experience he definitely wanted more of.]

[ The great thing about being tall is he can slouch and still have a leg pressed right up against David, who looks and feels lovely as he rides Loki's thigh, settled snugly on a hip where he's encouraged to grind. Loki used to be jealous of Billy, of Teddy, of David getting to act on whatever good or poor impulse passed through their minds, Loki locked in a body that wasn't his and could not grow in time to match his mind. That body was burned up by King Loki and now he is entirely himself, his skin fits, and it's with fingers of his very own that he insinuates under David's clothing to seek out a hot back and sides, raking black nails down his hips where a belt stops him.

He tilts his head back and enjoys the amorous gnawing at his neck, lifting his thigh to keep David literally on his toes and tipped forward onto Loki. He closes his eyes and drifts in the moment, a low hum vibrating under David's lips in pleasure. ]

[If anyone ever asked David, they would find that he would argue that impulsive decisions messed up his life far too much. Hell, this one would likely bite him in the ass sooner or later (sooner if that was Loki's thing but that's a whole other matter). For now, though, he was enjoying the freedom of this, and the way Loki was still somehow in control while being the one pinned was... impressive. And far too hot.

His own hands reached for Loki's shirt to get the thing pushed open. He wants a piece of truly bare skin. Hell, the grinding against Loki's leg was actually making him more desperate for it.]

[ Mostly cold-blooded, the abs that David's hands brush up against are cool as anywhere else on the godling but there's also a lack of hair, smooth as iced silk with a little soft give as Loki shifts underneath him. The pulse of arousal through Loki has him holding tighter to David's waist, fighting the impulse to grab lower.

He arches his back to put his body up for David's exploration, laughing softly as he brings up a hand to rake up the back of a neck. ]

[Well yes, that was a lot better than he was expecting. Soft and sweet and with a chill that just drove him on like he could maybe set it on fire. So perhaps he needed to do something else entirely.

Which was when he worked on getting the shirt pushed all the way off so he could lean down and start kissing down Loki's neck and into his chest. They were open mouthed kisses, littered through with little nips because he definitely wanted to man to feel it.]

Mmm, my clever boy.

[ The praise melts out of him as he matches the grind of his hips to David's, rolling a hardening cock right up against him through dark jeans. It might take longer to turn Loki on but he simmers with it once aroused and deftly flicks open David's belt to tuck his fingers against a navel, mind heavy with a cloud of lust both real and enchanted. Impossible to figure out which is which. With his shirt hanging off a nail on the stall nearby that brackets them into their private little space, the sounds of people walking by on the opposite side have Loki grinning into a kiss he steals with lazy, luxurious licks, noses bumping. ]

You do know, [ whispering with a wide smile in tow, he lips his way over David's mouth to pluck free softer kisses, breathing the truth, ] you will never understand me, dear. Ever.

LOVE POTION #9

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Tempted to have David message Loki as a 'trying to apologize the next day' thing.