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

[unweathered]

You sound like you have a lot of stories to share.

[Not at all the gentle princess she looked like]

[gardenful]

I've got one or two.

[ She laughs. It's definitely more than that, especially with her light tone. ]

But it sounds like you do too.

[unweathered]

Mmm, I think it would depend, darling. My stories are not so kind.

[She stretches a little, kicking the heel of her shoe against the pavement]

But you do not look so weak.

[gardenful]

You think I could win a fight or two against some bad guys?

[ She smiles, holding both her fists up like she's ready for a boxing match. ]

There's actually lots of monsters around the area I grew up. Either you learn to deal with them or avoid 'em. Sometimes I decided to deal with them.

[unweathered]

You have that look, even if you want to be as unassuming as a delicate little flower.

[It is the look Schneider cultivated well, until she didn't need anything but her name and her own force of arms]

Monsters, hmm? Ours were plentiful too. Though the real monsters always were in the cities.

[gardenful]

[ Wow, she's been found out!! Not like she minds much. ]

I get the feeling you're talking about a different kind of monster in the cities...

[unweathered]

Mm, is it that obvious?

[Well, she might be one of them]

[gardenful]

Maybe just a little.

[ She smiles, just a bit. ]

There's just something about the way you said it.

[unweathered]

Mmm...maybe I was the biggest monster for awhile.

[She giggles, cocking her head. Very dangerous. Very scary]

[gardenful]

[ She rests a hand on her hip, tilting her head. ]

Really now? Why do you say that?

[unweathered]

Kindness and good behaviour get you no where in Chicago.

[You just get chewed up and eaten alive]

[gardenful]

So you gotta match the attitude of others, huh? There are a few places like that where I'm from, too.

[unweathered]

If I wanted a good life, that was the only way. [The real answer is something else. But she doesn't feel like being honest] But you never felt the need?

[gardenful]

I have, but... maybe in a different sense. I've done some lying in my time, but that's only been to help other people out.

[unweathered]

[A good person, unlike...

Hah]

The ends justify the means, no?

[gardenful]

Kinda depends on what those means are, huh?

[unweathered]

Let me pose a question. You have a family of starving children. One of them takes it upon themselves to do the dirty work people would like hidden on foggy days, that they would not do themselves to save the family from the rubble. Would that be acceptable?

[gardenful]

I... don't really like people dying, but I wouldn't report them or anything. Sometimes you do what you have to do for your loved ones.

[unweathered]

My, my. You're a very accepting one.

[gardenful]

I wouldn't call it accepting but more like... I get what it's like, being in an impossible situation.

[unweathered]

[ That gets a small smile out of Schneider and the bristling urge to antagonise fades in the instant]

Mm. When the rubble falls...not everyone has the option to make the good choice. Just the one that keeps their people alive.

[gardenful]

Yep. Sometimes there are no right choices. You have to do whatever you can live with, especially if the stakes are high. I know I've done my fair share of bad things because of it.

[unweathered]

Mmm. Even though you tried to avoid it?

[Schneider didn't even try at all]

[gardenful]

[ She nods. ]

Sometimes that stuff isn't avoidable, you know? Sometimes you just... blow up part of a city, even if you didn't want to.

[unweathered]

[ Oh. Schneider looks at Aerith again, a new measure of respect in her eyes. Her own sins were not so clean but she doesn't really regret her own choices]

Ah. Many people get used against their will, it seems.