Link Up! Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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linkingup2024-07-30 05:56 pm
linkupmods) wrote in linkingup2024-07-30 05:56 pm
Week 1
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
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!
cleanup
Regardless, she's here asking him a question, and Fray answers truthfully.]
No. [fray please—] I came to see what this city has to offer, and see if there's a way out.
[Judging from his tone, he doesn't expect there to be. But he has to look anyway, because sitting idle simply isn't an option.]
It seems you've taken it on yourself to help out, though.
no subject
Do you think there is one? I haven't gotten a good look around the city myself, but...
[It's an interesting thought, though not one she's sure if she wants to entertain. Nevertheless, Fray's statement gets Sayaka to nod her head, and a smile comes onto her face as easy as breathing.]
Well, of course! Nobody likes living in a mess, right? I'm pretty used to cleaning up stuff around my house, so I thought I'd take some time to help clean up around the town. Maybe the townspeople will be a little less jerkish if we can make this place shine a bit...
If you don't end up finding a way out, sir--I think they're paying pretty decently to have us clean up, if you want to help.
[Give her a second while she gets another pretty decent pile back into the dumpster here--she's breaking a sweat, for sure, but it's a good distraction.]
no subject
["Sir"... No thanks!! He's just Fray.
But it does look like she could use some help, and it isn't as though the city's going anywhere. So without another word, Fray moves to help her. The heavier things - broken machines he doesn't recognize and... an entire car tire?? - are easily moved to join the trash Sayaka's been tossing into the dumpster, so she can continue her work uninterrupted.]
no subject
[mind, she almost finishes, despite. The honorific, which you will pry from her cold dead hands--she's surprised to see him joining in to help her with some of the heavy stuff. She took him for the standoffish type who wouldn't help, but...
If anything, it gets a smile out of her, and once she's done getting that pile in the trash--well. One good turn deserves another. Sayaka will get to picking up a bunch of stuff as well, in inspiration. If Fray's working so hard to help little old her, she should repay it in kind. It's only fair, isn't it? She'll absolutely redouble her efforts to match his.]
...I hope I'm not distracting you, but...thank you. For your help.
no subject
But more importantly, Sayaka does seem thankful for the assistance, and it's that little thanks that reminds him why he does this. Why they do this. Because knowing that you've helped someone out is its own reward. Ah, it hasn't been all that long and yet already he misses the Warrior of Light. He would have smiled at her and said No need for thanks! and that...
It stings, truthfully. He's probably still working himself to the bone without Fray there.]
You don't need to thank me. [There's no smile, no optimism and happiness in the statement as it would have been had he said it.] You look like you could use a helping hand and I can handle this well enough.
no subject
Nevertheless Sayaka finds herself smiling softly without meaning to. She absolutely had the wrong read on this guy, didn't she? It's strange. It's always the most intimidating ones that have a hidden heart of gold.
(The jury's still out on Oowada after he punched Naegi out but still--)]
That's not gonna stop me from appreciating it, you know. But...thanks. Let's make a little bit of this town shine a bit--maybe it'll make the town's people a little more tolerable, to have a clean town to go through...
[...It's kind of out of her mouth before she can stop it, but well. Someone's a little irritated with the people here. Either way, let her get this big old bag into the trash--]
If you don't mind my asking...what sort of place do you come from? I take it you're not from here, after all.
no subject
I don't mind at all. You're correct, I am one of the ones dragged here against my will.
[He doesn't sound overly bitter about it; it is what it is, it seems.]
I hail from a place called Eorzea - a collection of three city-states who are doing their best to cooperate in the aftermath of nearly going to war with a foreign power that sought to conquer them. Another city-state, Ishgard, recently joined them as well, after a brave hero ended the thousand-year war with dragons that plagued the people.
[With the background out of the way, he continues evenly:] That hero is known as the Warrior of Light - they also saved Eorzea from being plunged into war with that foreign power. They are currently my student in the art of the Dark Knight. Imagine my surprise on being brought here, when they would have been far better suited to the task.
no subject
Eorzea...I don't think I've ever heard of a place like that, but I think I'm getting used to not knowing this kind of stuff, ha. But it sounds like you're dealing with a lot of conflict over there, Fray-san...I'm sorry to hear that.
[Even so--]
You're training the person who saved everyone, though? That's...that's incredible! It sounds like Eorzea is heading in a good direction, then--or at least it sounds like it.
[Even so, Sayaka's cheeks puff very slightly.] But you shouldn't talk down about yourself so much--if they sought you out for training, that's gotta mean you have something going for you too, right? Not that you'd...probably want to be separated from your student...
What are they like, anyway? I take it they must be a really good student, right?
no subject
Anyway that gets a scoff from him and Fray pauses after dumping the electronics in the bin.]
I wasn't putting myself down, I was merely stating a fact. Companionship and working together comes naturally to the Warrior of Light; not so much myself.
[But he settles a bit after that, grabbing another one of those larger discarded monitors to bring back to the dumpster.]
He's exactly what you'd expect of a hero. He can't turn a blind eye to anyone or their troubles and he pushes himself to the very limit to reach out to others. I've told him time and time again to focus on what he needs, but...
[Fray sighs and shakes his head.]
Regardless, he is a good student. He takes his training seriously and though he hesitates to truly embrace the darkness within, he has grown much since we first met. I'm proud to have taught him this much.
no subject
[...Fray you are really dedicated to this. Sayaka is almost envious of him for that; to have something he's so devoted to that he doesn't even care how he sounds. Because that sounds like some shit a chuunibyou would say, and yet he says it so confidently. Sayaka wishes she had that.
She'll at least do the basic courtesy of not harping on him for the first bit much longer than she needs to, in order to listen. That's...]
...He sounds like the sort of person everyone should aspire to be like. Even if it sounds like he's going to burn himself out, at the rate he's going. [Give her a couple seconds to get that thing in the trash--and there it goes, nice and somewhat easy.] It's good to help people, and he sounds like a really good person. And very devoted to what he's learning from you.
If you don't mind my asking...what does being a Dark Knight entail?
no subject
But anyway, Sayaka moves on and Fray is content to focus on that.]
Protecting those who cannot protect themselves. We use our blades as a sword and a shield - whether that means eliminating those who would harm others or shielding people from harm. In order to become a Dark Knight, one must harness their inner darkness. Negative emotions like hatred and frustration and fear, things that could hold one back but instead give us strength when we know how to wield them. It is not an easy path to tread, but it is the one I have chosen.
no subject
Sayaka listens, though, carefully taking in every word of that. It sounds...well, it sounds edgy, but there's a kindness to it, if she can even call it that. Sayaka mulls it over in her head a bit as she keeps taking care of things, but--]
Harnessing your negative emotions...that sounds really difficult. I can't imagine learning how to wield things like that, but it does sound useful. And...like a really good thing to teach someone, I think.
You sound like a very strong person, Fray-san. It really is to be admired.
[She'll go to pick up another item, though she struggles a little bit with it--she takes it slow, at least.]
no subject
...You hardly need to compliment me for the path I've chosen.
[But there's something almost amused in the words; he's not going to try to argue the compliment any further, at least.]
It isn't an easy path to tread, but it is worthwhile for those who choose to pursue it.
1/2
[Sayaka has to turn that over in her head for a moment as she just kind of stares at Fray. It doesn't click immediately--why is it so odd to compliment such a thing? People always have dark thoughts, dark ones that make them lash out at one another, so being able to harness them to protect--it's a good thing, isn't it?
...
That's kind of odd.
You probably shouldn't be admiring something like that, you know.
He earned this power, and here you are, admiring it.
That's kind of ugly that you'd envy something like that.]
2/2
[Sayaka laughs, the smile on her face plastered back on in an instant. As if she weren't just staring a metaphorical hole into Fray's head trying to realize that if she wants to be a normal girl, she can't admire things like that. She wouldn't be a good girl if she did. No, no she wouldn't...
She winds up throwing the item into the trash with a little more force than intended. It's fine.]
But it sounds like you worked very hard to follow that path. I hope you're able to be reunited with your student soon.
no subject
As am I.
[He tosses yet another piece of discarded electronics into the trash. For a moment it seems like he isn't going to follow up on that, but...]
He's been pushing himself too hard lately. It's my hope that he will agree to take a break, but knowing him, my absence will merely spurn him further.
[In other words, he needs to get back home as soon as possible.]
no subject
Well that's not good at all! You can't just keep pushing yourself if you have no time to rest up, and working yourself to the bone isn't the answer for dealing with everything...
If he doesn't realize that soon, his body might end up choosing a rest time for him. I don't think anyone wants that.
[Sayaka continues to get some more trash out of the way while they talk, but dear god?]
Is this just the way he always has been?
no subject
[Don't worry about that pause there, he was definitely not about to choose a different word to better reflect his distaste for how those factions treat his student.]
It is, yes. [...] For as long as I've known him, rather.
His desire to help others always comes at a cost to himself. While I certainly understand wanting to help... one must prioritize themselves to make sure they can keep helping. It's the one lesson he's stubbornly refused to learn from me.
no subject
...An asset, huh. And only to various fractions?]
...If you value him personally, you don't really have to hide it, Fray-san?
[SAYAKA.
But anyway, Sayaka does listen after getting that out of her system, but given the way her brows knit even further in concern as she goes to pick up another item, she definitely gets what he's getting at.]
It sounds extremely frustrating. There's gotta be some kind of way to get him to at least try to take care of himself...I wonder if any of his other friends have tried to tell him something like that. If he keeps spreading himself so thin, there's going to be nothing left of himself to enjoy any sort of life...
I can sort of get it, though. Maybe he just...doesn't want to let anyone down, and is afraid of doing so? Even being valued by so many, they have to realize he's spreading himself too thin someday...
no subject
I wonder if they will, or if they'll push him until he breaks down.
[There's some sort of bitterness in the words before Fray shakes his head as if to dismiss that thought.]
Regardless, I've taken up enough time talking about such things. Why don't you tell me more about yourself?
no subject
[...You know what, Sayaka will take the segway because THAT IS WRETCHED??? Something about that sees her eyes widen, briefly, but she schools her look back to normal when Fray turns the question back to her, and she nods.]
It's okay, I never mind! But I can tell you a little--I'm an idol, for starters! I don't know if they're something you have back home, but...
Idols are singers that try really hard to be shining lights for the people around us. We try to set good examples for the millions who follow us, and we work very hard to perform for others and give everyone a good show they can enjoy! If that makes sense.
no subject
It does. We don't have the same thing, but there are a great many performers who seek to brighten the spirits of those around them. What made you decide to pursue this path?
no subject
[It's...strangely distant, the way she says it--she shifts a bit, focusing on getting the trash out of the way, first. Hesitant, almost, but--]
I watched TV a lot, as a child--it's sort of like a way to...hm. Think of it like a play that you can watch at any distance, or a performance--able to be broadcast all over the world? But when I was young, I saw these girls dancing on the stage and and with smiles that shined so bright...I could only imagine how they brightened the days of others like they did mine. And I wanted to become that same kind of light. I didn't really have a lot of direction in my life or any idea of what I wanted to do with it, so...
I wanted to join those girls on the stage, and hope that maybe...maybe I could do the same for someone else. It took a lot of time to achieve that dream, but I worked tirelessly to achieve it.
no subject
Most dreams are not easy to reach and the work required is what makes the dream truly worth achieving. It sounds as though you've come a long way to make this dream of yours a reality. Was it worth it? This path you chose to walk?
[It's a curious question, not a pointed one.]
minor cw parental neglect
I think so.
[It's out of her mouth before she can stop it, and it sounds so unlike her. It's uncertain, it's opening her up to so many questions, but--]
It's let me reach the people around me, and I think that's good enough.
[...Just excuse her while she gets back to work here--]
(no subject)