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!
  

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Comments

[pharology]

Hmm... If I still had my Arts, perhaps I could have been more brave, since I could simply heal something away. [But he doesn't. There are no telltale sparkles of his healing Arts floating about him, no matter how much he tries to summon them. That's how he knows he's in trouble.]

Well, it's not as if I don't have the ability to help even without them.

Speaking from experience however, setting a bone the normal way than with healing Arts is much easier, even if it's slower.

[drawnorigin]

[Arts...? A familiar word used in an unfamiliar way, but with enough context for Jeno to think he has an idea of what he means.

But he's sort of surprised that someone is so open about having abilities that sound... special? It doesn't sound like your run of the mill thing like luminatics.]

Are Arts something you would consider magic, or is it something more... innate?

[there is no time to worry about PVP, now, he needs to Learn]

Ah, if it's not clear—my race produces an energy known as lumina, and there are those who can master lumina to do a myriad of things, which at first blush sounds like what your "Arts" may be.

[A beat.]

Though they may be entirely different, of course.

[pharology]

[Well, they're talking about this now, are they? Jordi can run with it, since it's not anything physical. He's so bad at that.]

Mmm... I would say... it depends on the individual? The study of Arts is not my area of expertise. [And Jordi certainly does not know who is, among his coworkers in Rhodes Island.] But I have been able to do so?

At the very least, I had some ability, before I could actually figure out how to use it properly.

[drawnorigin]

[Pats Jordi (metaphorically)... It's okay, the only physical things Jeno excels at is circus nonsense. He's in company.

Jeno's head cocks to the side, considering.]

Unfortunate to be dragged away before you could master your abilities, then.

[Which is something Jeno finds frustrating, personally. He's yet to master everything he can do with the Origin, and now he's here with a silent deck of cards? This is going to be such an annoying setback...]

Though if it's something that's more mundane to you, I can understand not having an in-depth understanding of how it works. I would hardly consider myself an expert in lumina and luminatics, after all, despite growing up surrounded by it.

[pharology]

I wouldn't consider that a loss, really. Healing doesn't need so much training to master as combat Arts.

[Which is downplaying his experience, really. But that's par for the course for Jordi.]

What are luminatics, then? Would it be similar to... magic?

[drawnorigin]

I would imagine that's the case only for someone with knowledge of medical treatments.

[He's not buying that it's easy at all, because few things in the world are.

He can talk about luminatics, though, and not Jordi downplaying himself.]

To the uninitiated it would look like it, though they're not quite the same. All Aurorians generate lumina, like I said, and its somewhat akin to... their lifeforce. Being drained of your lumina is... unpleasant and deadly.

[There's a stilted quality to his words, as if he's recalling something he'd rather not think about. Then he moves on, gesturing as he speaks.]

For some Aurorians, lumina is a lake, or a pond. It sustains life, but it's unremarkable. For other Aurorians, lumina is like an ocean—vast and filled with hidden secrets. Those Aurorians can manipulate lumina, which usually manifests as some control over the elements. Magic, proper magic, doesn't rely on lumina at all... whether that be simple sleight of hand tricks, or something more mystical.

[pharology]

So it's... [Then he hesitates. He's about to say that it sounds like the sort of energy that sustains life, but that also doesn't sound exactly right, the way the man puts it. It seems a bit more complicated, doesn't it?

He purses his lips, then thinks deeper, but there are no other words for it that he can think of. He can only say what he was meant to.]

It sounds like the energy that sustains life, but more complicated... It's such a simple definition, but the only one I can come up with.

[drawnorigin]

[He nods, since Jordi is basically on the right track.]

It's one of a few types of energies in my world, but it's vital to life as an Aurorian... so I would say that is as good a way to define lumina as any. Most Aurorians don't even know there's more to the world than just lumina.

[But... they're supposed to be competing, aren't they? Jeno laughs softly, shaking his head.]

Ah, but maybe we can talk about our homes and abilities later? We still have a game to play.

[pharology]

Ah-- [Jordi jolts, realizing that they're not here to talk shop, but for something else entirely. Oops.]

I'm sorry, it slipped my mind. Did you... did you have a game in mind?

[drawnorigin]

No need to apologize.

[Hm... What's an easy game for beginners?]

Are you familiar with go fish?

[pharology]

Isn't that a... [He needs to remember-- he knows it's a game of some sort, low stakes, supposedly easy. It sticks in his mind because it has an odd name.] A card game?

I'm not too familiar with the rules, though.

[drawnorigin]

[Nods!]

The coal is to get as many sets of four, known as "books", as you can. Cards will be dealt, and you ask your opponent for a rank of card matching one in your hand. If they have a match, or a "catch", they'll hand it over, but if they don't you have to go "fishing", which means drawing a card from the deck.

If you get a matching card, your turn continues, and if you don't then it moves to the next player, which would be me. When you get four of a kind, you set them in front of you, face up, and the game ends when all books have been completed.

[A beat.]

Was that clear?

[pharology]

[Luckily, Jordi does get it. Look, he may have his faults, but he tries his best! And it's not as if listening and thinking is difficult.]

I get it, I think. Of course, understanding what you said and actually playing the game is different, but I think I can actually play rather than be confused.

[drawnorigin]

Good.

[There's a slight upward tick of his lips, as he gestures to one of the gaming tables.

He takes a seat, grabbing one of the decks of cards. He shuffles them and deals them with fluid motions.]

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. This should be an equal match, after all.

[pharology]

Oh, I won't say equal. [Experience is always a big factor in anything, after all.] I'm sure I'll make mistakes.

[Then he sits from across the man, taking the cards... and it's obvious he's not used to handling cards, starting from the way he takes them from the table, trying to pry them off before ending up sliding individual cards off the edge of the table and into his hand.]

[drawnorigin]

Perhaps, but maybe luck will be on your side. Beginner's luck can certainly sway an outcome.

[Because, yeah, it's pretty clear he's a complete beginner at card games. Probably for the best this is mostly a game relying on the luck of the draw than actual skill or knowledge of the game.]

According to tradition, you can ask for a card first.

[pharology]

I can? [Tradition, and not rule? Odd, but also quite generous.]

All right then. Er... [Now he's at the point where he has to think about the cards in his hand and what he wants, and he spends some time gazing at them, brow furrowed.]

Do you have a four?

[drawnorigin]

[Everyone has their own rules and traditions with card games, which... might be a bit much to get into.

Jeno waits patiently, organizing his hand while Jordi thinks, but he nods.]

I do.

[He hands the card over to Jordi.]

So your turn continues.

[pharology]

An eight? [Look, he's trying to get things done, but he's not actually sure which of the ranks in his hand he wants to build first.]

[drawnorigin]

[Hands over an eight.]

You'll want to complete the higher ranked sets, first. So the face cards like King, Queen, and Jack, before the numbers.

[He's helping!!]

[pharology]

Well... [He looks down at his hand, before his lips turn down. Nope, clearly not.

He doesn't have a poker face at all.]

Nine?

[drawnorigin]

[...Poor Jordi, but it's fine. Jeno has enough of a poker face for the both of them.]

Go fish.

[He gestures at the cards on the table.]

Time to see if luck will be in your favor with the cards in the deck—and that's the entire gist of the game.

[pharology]

Well... It might not. [Jordi does draw a card from the deck, and notes that it's not a rank he has, so he just puts it in his hand.

See? He said it wouldn't.]