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

[gardenful]

Aerith.

[ She smiles, genuine, as she clasps her hands together behind her back. Hmm, what should she divulge? There's a lot that she could, so much so that she isn't sure where to start.

But ah. She knows. ]

You know how I mentioned that where I'm from, flowers don't really grow anywhere? That's because where I grew up is filled with metal. Metal buildings, metal sidewalks... a metal plate for a sky. Not the best place for flowers to grow, but some do anyway.

Maybe you'll think it's weird, but... I kinda like all that metal. You get used to it after so long, you know?

[ilfochrome]

Even the sky? That's... [ sad, or at least it sounds that way to him and it reflects in his tone. ]

I like capturing the skyline of a city as much as mountains and their valleys, but I couldn't imagine a world where only one of them exists. But if it's what you're used to, it does make sense.

You can get used to almost anything.

[gardenful]

You sure can.

[ There's a slight softness to her tone, something somber but not quite. ]

The metal plate is the underside of the city above us. We can kinda see the sun, or see parts of the horizon, but the open sky? It's a lot harder to come by.

I only really saw the sky a few weeks ago.

[ilfochrome]

That must have been exciting, even if it wasn't the full expanse of the sky.

[ he closes his eyes briefly, trying to imagine it, but gives up after a few moments. ]

What do you think of the sky here?

[gardenful]

[ Aerith thinks on it for a few moments. Her first thought? She didn't like it. Not at all.

And here... ]

I don't know. It's kinda weird, looking up and seeing something that's supposed to be familiar, but isn't.

[ilfochrome]

[ .... ]

It's a weird feeling, even if the change isn't that big. Kind of like déjà vu but wrong.

[ said strongly and with something that resembles conviction. ]

I don't think you have to like it, but do you want to see pictures of the sky I take? It might help you see it differently and shake that feeling.

[gardenful]

Yeah, that's it!

[ And like there's something missing, but she isn't quite sure how to put that into words just yet.

Still... his offer is meaningful, enough so that she takes a second or two to consider it before nodding. ]

You know what? Yeah, I think I'd like that.

[ilfochrome]

Then I'll show you whenever I have some good pictures!

[ his mood is right back to bright again, because it always feels good to help someone, especially when it involves probably the only thing he's confident about. ]

They'll be better than this cat for sure.

[gardenful]

And I already like that cat, so now you know I'm really looking forward to those pictures.

[ She grins, excitement apparent in her eyes. ]

I've got some high expectations for you, mister.

/2

[ilfochrome]

You do!? [ oops he did not mean to shout but that simple statement flusters him, his cheeks burning red. ]

[ilfochrome]

[ aaaaaaaaaaaaa ]

Y-you really shouldn't! I mean, I'm happy that you can think something like that about me but it's better if you don't.

[gardenful]

[ Wow, he's so shy and easy to fluster... it's unfortunate for him that that just makes Aerith want to bully him a little. ]

Oh? And why's that? Too much pressure for you?

[ilfochrome]

No...well yes, but that's not really it.

[ he tugs his hat over his face, fidgeting. ]

I'll disappoint you and I don't want to do that.

[gardenful]

[ She leans forward, looking up at him. It's hard to see his face when he's determined to tug his hat over it, after all. ]

You don't know that for sure. So... don't worry about it so much!

[ilfochrome]

[ aerith gets a messy mix of "trying not to die" and an expression that's complicated, solemn and grave. ]

I know myself, so— [ ahhh he can't seem to finish that sentence, but not for the usual reasons. ]

It'd be easier and better for you if you didn't think of me beyond this conversation. But I said I'd show you the sky, and I want to show you the sky...

Umm, if I tell you something, will you take it to heart?

[gardenful]

[ Aerith furrows her brows and her lips turn downwards ever so slightly. His lack of confidence seems to really go quite far for him, and she's starting to wonder why. ]

Sure. What is it?

[ilfochrome]

[ oh, good. he was half expecting her to protest so this makes things easier.

in contrast to before his voice is steady when he speaks, strong, even with the residual flush of a blush on his cheeks. ]

I'm a dangerous person. A bad person too, but that's not the important part right now. So you shouldn't have high expectations for me, because at best you'll be disappointed and at worst you'll be hurt.

Not that I want to do either of those things, but that's how these things go.

[gardenful]

[ Protest coming in 3, 2, 1... ]

Dangerous, huh? So, it's not like I don't believe you, but...

[ Hmmm. How should she phrase this? Being direct is probably the right way to go here. ]

You should probably know that most of my friends are being hunted as terrorists back home.

[ Dangerous doesn't really deter her, is the thing. ]

[ilfochrome]

[ there's the protest he was expecting. except uh, he was not expecting to hear terrorists? maybe something involving a biker gang, blue collar crime, or a thieves. he blinks, mouth agape in shock and awe. ]

W-what? Really? I mean, I believe you but that's—surprising and a bunch of other words I can't think of right now. [ it's more than that and plants a seed that he will have to deal with much later. ]

No one's ever told me that before. Uh, I'm not a terrorist. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing?

[ help. ]

[gardenful]

Depends on who you're asking!

[ She grins, proud of herself that she was able to catch him off guard in that way. ]

I'm just saying that I'm able to take care of myself. Trust me.

[ilfochrome]

Well, alright—I mean, yeah, alright.

[ sorry she keeps getting to see him having an argument with himself outloud. he really doesn't know what else to say to that considering the whole terrorist thing, so he is defeated.

for now. ]

Just don't hold back, okay?

[gardenful]

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

Do I look like the kind of girl that holds back?

[ilfochrome]

No, you don't. [ that he says confidently without thinking, and then he realizes he said such a thing so confidently and aaaaa- ]

Sorry! Sorry this is so weird and that I'm weird. Actually, I'm surprised you still want to see the photos after this. Uh, assuming you still do (?).

[gardenful]

Of course I do!

[ That, she doesn't even have to think about. ]

Be a little more confident in the things you say and the things you plan. You gotta assert yourself!

[ilfochrome]

Haha, you sound just like him... [ who? anyway. ] Then, is there anything else I can do for you right now? For all of that.

[ for dealing with him. but this counts as some type of assertive, right. ]