Week 1

[linkupmods]

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

TOP MODELS

A local boutique is looking for people to model their clothing, but they plan on taking group photos instead of single shots. This will be a summer-themed photoshoot with summer outfits (not necessarily swimsuits!), and the photographer (who is cranky, sorry) plans on encouraging all kinds of interactions between their subjects for some unique photos. Participants will be able to keep the outfits they wore for the photoshoot! How nice.

CLEANUP

You've seen the questionable state of the city streets. Should you feel like doing your part by cleaning up some of the trash, you may find something valuable hidden in all the rubble. And who knows? Maybe some of the residents might actually respond kindly to your efforts... (Cleaning up can unearth things like jewelry; collector's items; small, old electronics -- just to give you an idea! Go wild.)

PVP ENABLED

Basketball, volleyball, soccer match anyone? Monopoly? Uno? Or, better yet, a sparring match with your fellow dorm mates…? Whatever you feel up for, Mina would like residents to get some friendly ("friendly") competition going in the spirit of getting to know one another.

LEAVE YOUR MARK

The arts and crafts area has a large paper canvas taped to one of the walls with a "DRAW ON ME!" post-it stuck to it. There's a lot of room to be creative with this, and yes, you will get paid for just decorating the dorms a little bit through this commission!

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!
  

ic comm | inboxes | ooc comm | full nav

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Comments

[gardenful]

Okay, but don't laugh if it looks bad!

[ She even wags a finger at him, smiling as she does, before turning towards the canvas.

The moogle she draws is a lot more... bear-like, with round ears and big eyes, but the telltale bat wings and pompom are still there.

Oh, and the teeth in its smile. Those are definitely there too.

She steps back. ]

So, whaddaya think?

[bloodweapon]

[...]

Truly a terrifying beast. [sarcasm aside...] I don't recall moogles looking like that, although I suppose it has been quite some time since I last saw one.

[why does it have teeth!!!]

[gardenful]

[ why does it have teeth indeed!!! ]

Even scarier than a Tonberry!

[ She laughs. ]

I've had to watch my friend wrangle 'em out of mischief plenty of times, so I've seen them around a lot recently. You should really keep an eye out. Maybe you'd have some fun with them.

[bloodweapon]

Do I look like the sort of person to have fun?

[Said in a complete deadpan, as he starts doodling again. This time it's a little guy in a weird pose... a cactuar! Fray draws several of them in a row, all doing that exact same pose.]

[gardenful]

Hmmm...

[ She hums, like she's seriously contemplating her answer, as she watches the outline of a little cactuar take shape. ]

I don't know. I think a guy that likes to draw cute little creatures might like to have fun. You'll have to be a little more convincing, mister.

[bloodweapon]

[...heh.]

I can't have people thinking an ominous-looking Dark Knight could ever possibly have fun, now can I?

[gardenful]

Well, when you put it that way, I guess you can't.

[ She smiles, uncapping a marker and drawing some little flowers around one of the cactuars. Once a couple have been added, she glances up towards Fray. ]

Dark Knight sounds pretty edgy, after all.

[bloodweapon]

["edgy"... yeah okay, he can't argue that.]

I suppose so. I take it you're unfamiliar with them?

[gardenful]

Yup, never heard of 'em. Which means this is your chance to teach me all about them.

[bloodweapon]

Very well.

[Not that he's at all opposed to talking about Dark Knights, of course.]

We are knights that seek to protect those who cannot protect themselves, through harnessing our own inner darkness in order to utilize it to assist with our sword strikes. We are few in number and do not exist to serve any higher power or government. Any further questions?

[gardenful]

[ Oh... that's actually pretty cool, and that she thinks so is plain on her face, her eyes widening at that description.

But she quickly raises her hand the moment Fray asks, like she's in class. ]

I have one! What is your inner darkness, exactly?

[bloodweapon]

Negative emotions. Things like hatred, fear, frustration, and grief - things that are difficult to process and wield, but they make potent weapons when one can control them.

[gardenful]

[ She leans forward, grinning. ]

And you can wield them? That's so cool!

[bloodweapon]

Aye, with enough training and understanding, they can empower you instead of weigh you down. It isn't an easy path to tread, but it is a rewarding one, for those who seek it.

[gardenful]

Does that mean you're proud of it, then? Sounds like something to be proud of, if you ask me. Not just anyone can do something like that.

[bloodweapon]

[That makes him pause for a moment, as he considers it.]

I wouldn't say I'm proud of it, necessarily. It's the path I chose to walk, that is all.

[It means a lot to him, but being proud of it? Ehhhh... It's Complicated.]

[gardenful]

Y'know, I wanna ask why but that's probably a little deep for a welcome party, huh?

[ Something something needs a higher social link, probably.

Aerith bends down, drawing a couple of sparkles around one of the cactuars, bright and yellow. ]

But... I think I get it anyway. We walk the path that feels right to us.

[bloodweapon]

So it is.

[But it sounds amused rather than offended.]

Precisely. Ah, but I've shared plenty about me - tell me about yourself.

[gardenful]

Where do I start...

[ There's so much to say, and yet not one thing really encompasses who she is either. But there is one easy thing to disclose: ]

I'm a florist. Flowers are pretty rare where I'm from, but I'm lucky enough to have a whole bunch of 'em, so I take care of them and sell them.

[ She smiles, shrugging. ]

But I'm taking a break from that now and traveling instead. If you're lucky, I'll tell you why I'm traveling sometime.

[bloodweapon]

[A florist, huh...]

Perhaps I'll have to ask you about that later, then.

[He turns his attention back to the doodles and adds,] Draw me some of the flowers you sell.

[gardenful]

It's worth the long story!

[ Maybe? It's hard to say! Maybe Fray likes long stories.

But Aerith will gladly oblige, drawing a few spider lilies, foxtails, and an iris. ]

You know, my mom's house is in a great location for flower growing. We're at the perfect angle for the sun to shine on them just right, but I like to think talking to them helps them grow too.

[bloodweapon]

[He watches her draw, and though he can't name all the flowers, they're all quite pretty.]

Indeed? I imagine it comes as no surprise, but I've had little time to see such things myself. Is that why you wanted to become a florist? Because it was such a great location to grow flowers?

[gardenful]

That's something I'll fix while we're here, then.

[ After all, she's got no problem dragging a guy in a full suit of armor into a flower shop.

That question makes her pause, however, the movement of her marker stopping on the canvas. Should she say the real reason? ]

Well... not exactly.

[ Yeah, why not. ]

The first guy I ever loved was the one to suggest it. He said the flowers I tended to in the local church were something I should sell, since it was a luxury item in Midgar.

[bloodweapon]

[The first part gets a quiet scoff from him - but it's notably not a "no".]

I see. You enjoyed the work and continued it, I assume?

[Since he's guessing Aerith and that guy aren't together, for whatever reason.]

[gardenful]

[ Aerith wins!! She'll take that scoff as a resounding "yes please take me to a florist"! ]

Yup, I did. It's like I get to honor the time we spent together and make other people happy. Can't really beat something like that, can you?