Link Up! Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
linkupmods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
linkingup2024-07-30 05:56 pm
linkupmods) wrote in linkingup2024-07-30 05:56 pm
Week 1
WEEK 1
AWAKENING.
- You were taken. That much is obvious when you come to your senses and see the world around you. You feel a little groggy – just how long were you asleep for? – but you should otherwise be alert, enough to realize that the surrounding area is unfamiliar to you. You are in front of what appears to be a modern dormitory (or, well, just a large building, for anyone who's never quite seen anything like it before). The area is decorated with balloons, streamers and other miscellaneous decorations with a giant "WELCOME" banner spanning across the front entrance.
You have a moment to look at the people around you. Strangers. No one here looks familiar to you whatsoever. Furthermore, it feels like there is something stirring in your heart, waiting to be brought to light, waiting to speak your truth...
You might need more time to let that sink in, but that time is interrupted by a voice.
"Oh wow it actually worked- Um, I mean! Hello!"
The speaker is a short, plain-looking young woman with dark hair in a bob cut, her hand raised to catch everyone’s attention.
"Welcome to Sunset City! The goddess Braphine needs your help, so she’s called all of you here to fix this place. Fortunately, it should only take about three months of cooperation, I think? Probably. So...
Welcome to your new home away from home!"
The young woman - Mina - goes on to explain the current situation: everyone here has been summoned by the goddess of community and connection, Braphine, in order to rebuild the connections of the people of Sunset City. Lately, the people have become more and more isolated from each other, getting into fights and arguments over the pettiest of details.
While Mina doesn’t know the details, exactly, what she does know is that the goddess instructed her to prepare these dorms for residents ("that’s you!") and to more or less act as her representative. Mina will also note that everyone’s dorm rooms have already been labeled with their names, and that the goddess has deigned to gift some in particular with the means to defend themselves - which is to say, when characters do eventually make it to their dorm rooms, those who did not arrive with one will find their gifted weapon waiting for them with their name handwritten on a tag attached to the item.
For now, people can use their phones to access an app that will allow them to see any currently open commissions - complete the commissions, and they will not only help the community, but also earn money and rewards! And if your character doesn’t know how to operate a phone, well... Mina will patiently guide them through the process, don’t you worry.
If your character has any other questions, they may talk to her at the party, or otherwise contact her via phone!
WELCOME PARTY.
- After speaking with Mina, you may have an idea of what you're supposed to be doing here. Things don't have to be all work, though, because despite the state of the city, you are allowed to have fun and get to know one another.
Mina has graciously set up a welcome party for everyone, which will have refreshments inside and outside the dorm, and games available for people to partake in throughout the day at their own leisure! Indoors, there are a variety of board games for you to mess around with. Outside, there's a pool, basketball and tennis court set up with appropriate equipment. Of course, you aren't limited to just those, as there's a small open field at the dormitory where you can play ball in other ways, too. Interestingly enough, there are also some training dummies available for you to use...maybe to put your weapons to use?
Don't forget about the arts and crafts section inside, either, where nametags are laid out for you to create your own (or others')! You can also use this section to create decorations for the dormitory, your room, or even something to give to a fellow dorm mate.
EXPLORE.
- You're free to explore the town, too, at your own leisure, to get used to your new home. The city is bustling with people, but for some reason, many of the residents don't have good vibes. They seem unsettled, unhappy for whatever reason. It's not pleasant, but nobody will go out of their way to bother you, unless you trip into them or initiate pvp yourself.…The random trash scattered around various parts of town might make it hard to avoid the former, though. Be careful not to trip on a banana peel, a stray canister, or even something as large as a throwaway tire on the side of the street. The residents will not react positively if you try to interact with them in any capacity.
That being said, for all that the city seems gloomy at a first glance, there is surprisingly an advertisement for a go-kart racing contest coming up in three weeks, and the go-karts are two seaters! The flyers posted around town read that this is a competition for pairs; the driver's seat (left) has a gas pedal, and the passenger's seat (right) has the brake. Looks like the events are being hosted by one of the popular arcades in town, too. Even so, there are prizes for first, second, and third place; the grand prize consists of a good amount of cash, a trophy, and one (1) free night at one of the hotels in Carnation Court for both people. Why not team up with someone and enter the competition, or just find some people to practice with?
(OOC: Please see our OOC section for sign up details.)
NETWORK.
- So, about those phones...there's a non-zero chance that you may post your live thoughts onto the network without meaning to. Likewise, you may also unwillingly comment on someone's post with your thoughts while reading it. Yes, this phone grabs from your psyche, for better or worse! Well, mostly worse, but oh well. There isn't a fix for this "bug" just yet, but you can still use the network intentionally! Just don't be surprised if you get a bunch of notifications for a post you didn't even know you made.
COMMISSIONS
OOC
READ ME!!!!
- Welcome to your event log! Currently, Personas and Elements are NOT in play but you have your weapons with you regardless. These things will be unlocked when we introduce the Nekyia in Week 2.
- Please use the OOC PLOTTING POST for all plotting purposes. Please do not plot in Discord.
- If you would like to sign up for the Go-Kart Contest, please fill out the form and submit it here! There will be a follow up to this in a Week 4 mini event. :)
- Furthermore, we have a very big series of events we are planning to do in later weeks. We will OOCly give details and open signups early in Week 2, with the introduction of the Nekyia. Keep an eye out for that as well!
no subject
Sayaka does smile, slightly, though it seems subdued.]
...It definitely seems like they are. I'm just not sure if I...
[Deserve it. Sayaka lets that die in her throat.]
Well. It's not something I ever...expected. [...] But, um. So...we're only staying here for a little bit, right? Does the goddess intend to pass some sort of judgement on us, or...?
no subject
Not that I know of? She's the goddess of community and connections, not the god of death or anything.
Someone came by to ask earlier, but I'm pretty sure she's intending to send everyone home after all this. But... if home's a no-go, I don't see why she'd send people away if they want to stay, either?
She just wants people to make connections - to help the people here remember what it's like to have a real community again. So I can't imagine she'd just sever those connections if you decided you wanted to keep them.
no subject
It brings a small semblance of comfort to Sayaka, even as she apologetically bows again.]
I-I seem to have misunderstood, then. It won't, um. Happen again, promise.
[She brings herself back up again, taking in every word of Mina's with a gentle curiosity and smile.]
That's...very kind of the goddess, I must confess. We're kind of intruding upon her home, whether it's intended or not--I hope that we can do our best to make connections and...make her happy.
[Sayaka doesn't want to think about the alternative.]
...I'll be honest with you--I don't...have anything to go back to. If I go back home, I'm going to be dead, and...I don't know if it's deserved, but I would not mind staying here. If she's okay with that. It's, um. Better than the alternative.
Is making bonds the only thing she expects of us, or are we going to be helping you with anything...um, priestess-ly? [...] That sounds stupid to say it like that. But, um. I think. What I wanna ask is--will you be needing help too, Mina-san?
1/2
No, it's okay! I mean, if it were me, I'd probably be super confused too!
But it's not like you're intruding or anything, either. The goddess pretty much invited all of you into this world, so don't worry about that!
["Invited" is such a nice word for "kidnapped" tbh but Mina personally is not seeing the disconnect here.]
2/2
I'm... really sorry to hear that. [How do you talk to a person recently dead.] But I think I should be okay on the priestess stuff, so just focus on getting to know people and making friends!
There's some other stuff, too, but we can talk about that more after everyone has time to settle in.
But-- I promise you - the goddess doesn't want to see anything bad happen to you. She just wants to bring people here who can help change the city for the better through the connections you forge.
no subject
N-No, no--it's okay! If anything, I should be the one apologizing for making you worry--you must have a lot on your plate already, so it's...I should've...
[...
Sayaka's just going to trail off there, trying her best to recover--]
I think that's a good thing, though. And thank you for being honest about...other stuff--though I don't know what it is, we can at least try to help as much as we can. That's what I think.
Changing the city for the better though...can I ask what's happened to the city? I do admit, the amount of...what seems like littering that I could see--it's a little concerning...is everything okay here?
no subject
Oh, the city? Um... I don't really understand it myself, but it seems like everyone's under some kind of supernatural influence...
People in the city just don't seem to get along anymore. I thought it was strange, myself, but according to the goddess, there's something causing it. But since people from other worlds can do things the people of this world can't, your actions will be able to counter it more strongly than if it were just me!
no subject
Does she have any idea of what it could be? Is it another god who's mad, or maybe something else?
Either way, that sounds like a lot to take on...I can understand why you'd want to bring people in to try and help with that. Do you know how us making...bonds, or something--do you know how that's supposed to help you all out?
no subject
[Rip.]
But um, because you aren't really beholden to any of the gods in this world, you aren't as heavily influenced by them. So, it'll be easier for you to change the tide of things than anyone from here.
no subject
It's okay! I'll be honest, I'm not super religious either, so I can understand where you're coming from. But wow, a war between two gods...it really is a shame. I'm sure the goddess would be so much happier if everyone could get along.
And I really do hope that we can do just that. I'm...I'm going to do the best that I can, with this chance--you have my word, okay?
[It's what Mina would want to hear. She's not sure if she believes in herself enough to do it, but...that's enough.]
...If you don't mind my asking--what were you doing before this, Mina-chan? Were you in school for something?
no subject
...But then the goddess started talking to me, so, uh, here I am instead!
[Haha wild right?????]
no subject
[Sayaka shakes her head after that's out, though.]
Never mind that. But it really is...good, I think? That things worked out that way. It sounds like it's just what the island needed--
[...Wait.]
Does that mean you're like us, then?
no subject
[This had not occurred to her even once.]
What do you mean, "like you?"
no subject
...If that makes sense.
no subject
There aren't any major problems like this on the mainland, or at least, not that I know of. I think the influence is just stronger here in particular, for some reason.
Of course, that's not to say the city I come from is perfectly peaceful or anything, just not as... well, you'll see the more you check out the city.
So... I guess I was probably chosen because I haven't lived here for long, so I haven't had time to be affected yet.
no subject
...I'm a little nervous, but I'll take your word for it, Mina-chan. We'll do our best to help. Um...
[...She hates to circle back to this, but--]
Before I go. Do you...know a good place where I can wash my clothes? I didn't really come with anything to change into, and I tried to get the stains out myself, but...well, it didn't go as well as I'd like...
[please. she is asking so nicely, she cannot Abide.]
no subject
[If she doesn't have a change of clothes, hmm...]
...How about we get some of the hand wash detergent? You can clean up in the shower room! All of the booths lock, so you'll be able to get some privacy.
no subject
That works perfectly for me; thank you, Mina-chan. Can you show me where those are? I can handle the rest once we get there.
[Sayaka rubs unconsciously at her right wrist for a moment, before smiling in thanks. Lead the way and she'll take care of the rest.]
no subject
no subject
Thank you for all of your help. I appreciate it.
[Sayaka smiles sincerely. Lead the way!]
no subject
Each floor of the dorms has their own shower rooms, so meet me on floor five and I'll bring up the detergent and bucket for you, okay?
no subject
[Sayaka's not really sure what to expect from the dormrooms, so she will get a bit of a head start just to get a look--at this point she doesn't quite know who Fray is, and it's a point that'll come up later in a hilarious way, but...
It's kind of nice, to have a roommate. Sayaka's mostly been pretty lonely from the start, so maybe this won't be too bad. But either way, she'll gladly await Mina with a smile.]
no subject
Er- anyway, see you there Maizono!
[She will run off! ...And then make her way to the fifth floor shower room, a big plastic bucket in one hand and a container of handwash detergent in the other!]