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

[oinkoink]

awakening

[Sally's among the number of the arrivals that isn't taking this particularly well or in stride. Fortunately, she doesn't have the worst reaction--but it helps that her own miserable condition didn't leave her drenched in blood or covered in bruises. No, it's predominantly her mind that's rattled. The girl manages to keep in a scream, but as the crowd starts to come to life in their various reactions and their (apparent) host starts talking...she just can't take it anymore.

Hastily, she spins around to run the hell out of there, inevitably slamming into someone else in the dormitory's courtyard. Her eyes are wild, and while she apologies...she looks at them with the sort of boggled expression that would indicate they did something weird.]

S-Sorry...

[She backs up another pace as if trying to remove herself without spooking a wild animal, hands defensively in front of her, ready to bolt again. Or maybe just have a panic attack. Either one. Her legs feel pretty weak, all of a sudden, so perhaps she won't even get far if she tries to run.]

welcome party

[The very last place she wants to be is in another party, considering the one she was just taken from was, well, a bad time. Not to mention didn't exactly exist. But after she has a good cry in her assigned room, the puffy-eyed teenager figures the only way out is to go deeper in, and that means exploring.

...so, maybe the refreshments were a bit too tempting for her to help herself from piling up a plate for herself before she plasters herself to the nearest wall. Sally eats distractedly as she scans the room, seeming to be looking for something (or someone?) specific. If her intense stare lands on you for a bit too long, she hurriedly looks away again, face coloring. Nope, not one of the faces she recognizes.]

top models

[Exploring the city had been a pretty unfortunate experience altogether between unfriendly people and an unforgivable amount of litter. At least she was used to people being, well, standoffish, so she's figuring maybe she could try and do something about some of the trash when she finds herself being corralled into a photoshoot. Clutching at the bright, summery dress that's been shoved at her, she stands completely boggled, trying to protest.]

I-I'm really not--

[Yeah. This had to be some kind of trick. Who would want someone like her in their photoshoot? Her face colors as she tries to find a good way to escape instead of changing, grumbling to herself.]

Let's put the oinker in a dress and watch her squirm. Yeah, real nice.

wildcard

[Hit me with something else, if you'd like! My plotting post is here, and I can also be reached on plurk or discord at ddsapphire!]

top models

[emptyself]

[ ???? ]

What's an oinker?

[ from the blank look on his face, the situation is obvious: he has no idea what her self-deprecating comment meant. ]

[oinkoink]

[Sally startles--shoot, did she say that loud enough to be overheard? Her face reddens farther.]

It...it's a pig.

[Was he making fun of her? It should've been obvious, but he just looks so clueless. That was a trick, right? Todd had looked at her so kindly when he hadn't meant it, after all. This guy could be just as good at pretending.]

[emptyself]

Oh.

[ oh.

wait. ]

But you’re not a pig. [ extremely observational, soujuurou. ] Why would you call yourself that?

welcome party

[incompletely]

[ (Un)luckily for Sally, she gets caught in the act of staring, because Tenn notices right away. He's used to being stared at, but it's unusual to get one that's as intense as the way she looked at him. Well, normally he'd let that slide, but since they're stuck here together, he may as well try and see what's up... ]

Do you need something?

[oinkoink]

[Oh, good. Great one, Oink. Now he's coming over! She tries very hard to shrink even further against the wall, holding her plate of snacks so hard you'd think she's afraid it'll get stolen.]

Nope. Nothing. I'm not looking for anyone.

[That...wasn't what he asked. She frowns at herself.]

I'm fine.

[incompletely]

[ ...Huh. ]

Are you sure?

[ He doesn't look convinced, but he's also not the type to press the issue. So, instead, he grabs a bottle of water that's placed on the refreshments table nearby, and hands it over to her. ]

...Here. Remember to keep hydrated, too.

[ Especially with how flustered she looks!! Also he's just very diligent about drinking water, so. ]

awakening

[gardenful]

Oh!

[ Aerith was so caught up in her own thoughts that she's taken by complete surprise when someone bumps into her, but years in crowded streets means that she recovers quickly enough to see the way the girl in front of her backs away. She's so defensive already, huh... it's not like Aerith can really blame her, not in a situation like this. ]

You okay?

[ It's obvious that she isn't, but she feels the need to ask anyway. ]

[oinkoink]

I'm really not.

[She didn't mean to say that, but honestly it's a surprise in and of itself that she hasn't completely devolved into a panic attack. Sally will forgive herself being a little more honest than she'd like with a perfect stranger.]

Are you not, like, completely freaked out?

[gardenful]

[ To someone like Aerith, honesty is way better, even if it's not the good kind of honesty. ]

...I kinda am, actually. I don't know what this means for back home, or if we'll even get back home.

top models

[idealies]

[ Ai herself looks at ease in her yellow sun dress, but she's an idol and this is her kind of gig. She was told to wait for her photoshoot partner to arrive for some group shots. What she didn't expect was for the girl to look so uncomfortable. Was she camera shy? ]

I'm sure you'll cute in it, and look, we'll match!

[ She does a little twirl. She's wearing the same brand, just in a slightly different style and color.]

Re: top models

[oinkoink]

Right...

[Could she sound any more dubious? She knows how un-cute she is. Putting a pig in a dress doesn't make it any less a pig. Still, she doesn't see how she's getting out of this, so she inches uncomfortably toward the dressing room.]

I don't think we could look any more different.

[idealies]

Don't say that!

[ The girl's unhappiness leaves her feeling at a loss, but she gives her what she hopes is an encouraging smile as the other disappears into the dressing room. While she's waiting, she rifles through the accessories. There are plenty of cute ribbons and clips, but hmm, she has a feeling those might be even more unwelcome. She discards them and picks up a pair of sunglasses instead. ]

party

[ilfochrome]

[ ukyo also does not want to be here, obvious by his residence on one of the walls near sally. he's not eating or drinking anything, just watching everyone else like a particularly loud tree in the background.

so it doesn't take him too long to notice the staring, but perhaps surprisingly, his answer is to smile. ]

You don't need to be embarrassed, I know I'm pretty suspicious looking.

[oinkoink]

[Nope, she is beyond mortified at having been caught staring. Sally stammers, trying to recover, and also wondering why she's so adamant on explaining herself to someone who might not even be real.]

No, that's not it. You look just as suspicious to me as everyone else here does.

[And, anyway, he doesn't look like the people she remembers...which helps her relax a little. Well, she's still not relaxed, but it could be worse.]

[ilfochrome]

[ his brows furrow as he turns to face her more directly. ]

No, I'm definitely more suspicious than anyone else here. I don't know trustworthy everyone else is, but you definitely shouldn't trust me.

welcome party

[umurice]

[It's impossible for Hiiro to miss the sensation of a gaze boring into his skull, but since she hadn't approached him immediately, he had let it go for the moment to enjoy the snacks they had. Nothing like the omurice or hamburgers he wanted, but the crispy treats were still something he munches on happily, since he had been hungry from exploring all day.

Eventually though, when he decides that it's probably going to take forever for her to speak up, he turns to her curiously, only-- for her to look away.

It's exactly why he comes over to her, not quite frowning, but more curious than anything.]

Did you need something? I felt you looking this whole time.

[oinkoink]

[Shoot--she thought maybe he was going to ignore her, so why is he coming over all of a sudden? Sally shrinks into herself, unable to disappear into the wall behind her any more than she has already.]

No, nothing.

[She can't hide her embarrassment...and anxiety.]

I wasn't looking at you the whole time.

[umurice]

Ah, my apologies. Still, you were looking at me, then.

[So she's at least not denying that. The question is, what is the reason? Since she looks embarrassed and anxious, he's worried, but... Hmm...

Ah!]

Was I taking over the snack bar too long? If you wanted snacks, you're free to join me! The potato crisps are really delicious and crunchy.

[Clearly this was the reason.]

top models!!!

[oracool]

What?

[ It takes a moment for the oinker comment to click. Once it does, Grace gasps like Sally's just said a nasty swear word. ]

No no no! I think you'll look just great. We can find another outfit, if you like? We get to keep the clothes, so we oughta pick out something you'll wear again, eh? Always good to have a backup look!

[oinkoink]

[Sally startles, not having expected anyone to hear her, let alone react with so much...enthusiasm? Her shoulders pinched up against her ears, she holds onto the dress even more tightly.]

The outfit isn't the problem. I like the dress.

[If it was just a matter of keeping it and wearing it, she wouldn't be feeling so mortified.]

[oracool]

Oh!

[ There's a long moment as the gears in Grace's head spin fruitlessly. She likes the dress and she's undoubtedly look like a little cutie in said dress, so... ]

Are you camera shy? What's got ya nervous?

welcome party

[chimken]

[ The problem is that Falin is also plastered to a wall and staring at others. Once her gaze meets the other's, she immediately tries to look away, but realized that the intensity of the other's stare may be for a reason. Falin could never turn her back on someone who looked like they were looking for something.

Coming up to the other with her own plate, she smiled warmly. ]

You seem to be looking for someone...may I help?

[oinkoink]

[Sally stares a little too hard at her face before seeming to decide that she wasn't someone worth running away from. The intensity leaves her face completely at that moment and she shies back against the wall, shaking her head.]

No, um, that's fine. I don't think they're here, after all.

[Unless they were better at hiding than she thought, which could also be possible.]

[chimken]

I see. Well, would you be able to describe them? Perhaps I can keep an eye out.

[ Falin was trying to see if she could help this girl; she knew the feeling of being alone and trying to figure out something familiar for comfort...at least that's what she believed the girl was going through. ]