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

Leave Your Mark

[kandata]

[Kirumi has been watching Mafuyu draw the tree. When she's offered the crayons, she smiles politely, taking them]

What would you like me to draw?

[...apparently Kirumi took this as a tacit request for assistance in this art endeavor]

[beathollow]

Ah...

( mafuyu looks at the apple, and then back to kirumi. she was not expecting this... )

Maybe... a fruit or flower you like? Something that represents 'you'...

[kandata]

[Something that represents her, huh]

As you wish.

[Taking out the crayons, Kirumi gets to work.

The result is...well, truthfully, it's pretty elaborate! Arabesques finely drawn around the tree, surrounding it. Taking off one glove, she even is making some of the lines fainter, blurring them, smearing them, every move without hesitation nor secondguessing, like she already composed in her mind how this is supposed to look like.

In the end, there's an intricate halo of gothic appearance, all around the tree, but at the same time it's designed to complement instead of eclipsing. If anything, when staring at the whole thing it feels as if it's fading away when you look at the tree, putting Mafuyu's own artwork front and center. Kirumi put her contribution as something meant to be in the background while someone else's handiwork is what's meant to attract attention]

This should suffice. I apologize if it might come across as excessively bold.

[beathollow]

( it is elaborate! mafuyu watches with what trained eyes can see as a quiet interest, like she's analyzing how kirumi does this. she's used to checking ena's work, so maybe if she tells her about this, it might interest her.

... a frame, drawing attention to the single tree with it's single apple. it's poignant, honestly.

and telling. )

Not at all. It's beautiful, and I enjoyed getting to see you work.

[kandata]

Your praise means a lot. Thank you very much.

[It's subdued, but Kirumi is pleased. She always appreciates kudos at her efforts to support others, after all!]

May I ask if you had anything in mind for your artwork, in particular? It is a quite interesting contribution to the mural.

[beathollow]

... It's...

( mafuyu pauses for a moment, knuckle to her lips in thought. and then she points to the red apple. if kirumi looks closely, she'll see the apple itself is, while a lovely shade of red, and shaped like a heart... off.

a piece is missing. )

It's an abstract self-portrait. ... But... trees bear more than one fruit. So those who want to can add to the tree as well. What they add, I think, will be telling. Does that make sense?

[kandata]

[Oh, it makes sense and also says quite a bit about this girl, in Kirumi's opinion!]

It is rather generous of you to encourage others to add their own abstract self-portraits so close to you.

[Or at least Kirumi interprets it as something generous, that others can draw on the tree Mafuyu made. Whether that indicates Mafuyu is a sociable gal who is open towards others or craves some form of social interaction but doesn't tend to get it is something Kirumi hasn't decided yet. A maid needs to have an idea how the people she serves are like!]

[beathollow]

They might not realize the exercise, but thats okay. And it's only if they want.

( if her little apple winds up alone, thats alright. and if there's more fruit over time, that too is alright. she's willing to see where things go. ... but hopefully no one vandalizes it. despite her intense apathy at times, that might sting too much right now. )

... My name is Mafuyu.

[kandata]

Pardon me for not having introduced myself earlier. I am Kirumi Tojo, the Ultimate Maid. Please let me know if you require my service.

[Hypercompetent Kirumi Tojo, more like]

[beathollow]

"Ultimate"...? Was there a competition to decide...?

( god she hopes not. her mother would be thrilled to have her child be decreed the official best at anything. but otherwise she doesn't seem too surprised- one of her underclassmen is a housekeeper part time, after all. )

But, it's alright. We were preoccupied.

[kandata]

It is more a title I was bestowed. Where I am from, high school students who excel in a line of work or with a skill are given such a title.

[Which she wears with pride, really! Not afraid to be calling herself it!]

[beathollow]

I see.

( she thinks it sounds horrible. ... but kirumi seems to be happy. )

What do your services usually entail...?

[kandata]

Anything that might be required to support and encourage those I serve to reach their goals. Cleaning, taking care of pets, making lives easier in general.

I am quite versatile, as you will find.

[As if to indicate what she means, she gestures at the frame she drew around Mafuyu's tree. That was all to complement Mafuyu's own handiwork, provide something that plays to its strengths, and done without any more than just a request from Mafuyu. Kirumi Tojo really is more of an extremely skillful assistant than a maid, all things considered, but she keeps calling herself a maid no matter what]

[beathollow]

... And this makes you happy?

( there's no judgement in her tone- only a very sincere, almost childish curiosity. )

[kandata]

...happy?

[Apparently the question takes Kirumi offguard. Happy how so, Mafuyu?]

[beathollow]

Yes, happy. Are you happy doing this...?

[kandata]

I find personal satisfaction. I...

[.......

Kirumi's hands press together for a moment while she tries to gather her thoughts]

I had never considered it, but not saying 'yes' immediately perhaps is enough of an answer.

[Immensely talented Kirumi Tojo, the Ultimate Maid, can't say she's happy]

[beathollow]

( so personal satisfaction is different than happiness. but kirumi's not wrong- it was immensely telling that she didn't. )

It's okay. I'm not, either. You'll find what does though.

[kandata]

There is no hurry for the time being. Until then, I will simply do what I find satisfactory. It may not be happiness, but it is worthwhile.

[Better than wasting one's time, at least]

[beathollow]

... Can... I ask why you like to do this?

[kandata]

A lot of people out there have goals. Something they want to achieve, or something they want to focus on.

Helping them by taking care of everything else is a way to encourage them to pour all their efforts into what matters to them the most.

[Selfless devotion! That's her motto]

[beathollow]

And is that your goal?

( mafuyu pauses, and then offers a sheepish smile. )

I'm sorry. I'm still... I'm still trying to figure this sort of thing out for myself, too. So... asking helps. You don't have to answer.

[kandata]

It is. I doubt I will change my goal for a long time.

[If Kirumi gets out of this game still being exactly as she is now it'll be a missed opportunity, so naaaah, Kirumi, you never know what will happen!

Mafuyu apologizing gets a graceful smile]

Please do not apologize. If my answers are of guidance to you, I will gladly keep answering. As general advice, though, that you are attempting to figure this out is a good sign. You are on the right track.

[You won't get to an answer unless you seek it, so yeah, Mafuyu is doing well!]

[beathollow]

... Mm.

I... don't know what I want. Or what I like. I want to know, though. And... I'm starting to learn what I don't like, even if it hurts.

[kandata]

It is a decent starting point. Eliminating what you do not like will leave what you prefer.

[Ganbatte, Mafuyu]