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

[incompletely]

[ Ah? Collaborate? Tenn was expecting to draw by himself, but maybe drawing together could be nice. It takes him a moment, but he reaches out to grab the marker Aerith's handing to him. ]

Thank you. ... Did you have something in mind?

[gardenful]

It's kinda basic, but I was thinking we could draw some flowers... right in that corner.

[ And she'll point to the top left corner of the canvas. ]

Easy to add to, if we think of some other things along the way.

[incompletely]

Sure. That seems simple enough.

[ inb4 Aerith is an amazing artist...... ]

I will follow your lead. It should at least look cohesive.

[gardenful]

[ should i roll for how good her flowers are ]

Follow my lead?

[ She smiles, just a little. It seems like the person she picked for this is pretty diligent, huh? Sure she asked to collaborate, but caring about it enough that he wants to make sure what they do is cohesive shows some real dedication to the task. ]

What if I wanted to follow yours? Go on, draw whatever flower you want and I'll follow.

[incompletely]

[ not the nat 1

Anyway, he's prepared to see what she wants to do, but then the tables are turned. Hm. ]

Mine? [ Okay, well, he's got this? He thinks? ] ... Alright, then.

[ He uncaps his (blue) marker and starts drawing a flower.

It is not detailed whatsoever. It's very simple, cute and cartoon-like, but he moves his marker at a certain angle and it ends up falling out of his hand, leaving a blue streak of ink on the canvas on the way down.

Oops. ]

[gardenful]

[ Oh.

Oops.

It's almost comical, the way that marker falls right out of his hand and leaves a trail behind before finally dropping onto the floor with a soft plunk. Aerith wants to laugh, feeling a giggle already bubbling up in her chest, but she doesn't want to get off on the wrong foot with the people here within the first hour. So, she covers up that laugh by clearing her throat. ]

Ahem. [ She sets her hands on her hips. ] Look at that, now we've got a vine to work off of!

[incompletely]

[ This is embarrassing. So embarrassing! He can just tell she wants to laugh, she can't fool him, but, ah... At least she's not being mean about it. A vine, huh? ]

...I guess so. Please, go ahead.

[ He needs a moment. Draw, Aerith! ]

[gardenful]

[ She picks that blue market off of the floor and starts to draw a blue flower next to that little line, curving out the blue line a little bit to create a distinct shape. ]

A common bluebell. You give these as a sign of appreciation, but they have other meanings too. Lots of 'em, actually.

[ Is she trying to distract Tenn from his own embarrassment? Maybe a little. ]

[incompletely]

[ Thanks, you're a real one for that.... He'll bite, though: ]

Hm? Other meanings, such as...?

[gardenful]

Hmmm... let's see!

[ Give her a moment to sort through the various flower meanings in her head. ]

Constancy and gratitude, for one. But the real interesting one is that, if you're able to turn them inside out without tearing any of the petals, you'll win the heart of the one you love! Fun, right?

[incompletely]

[ Oh, the way she talks about this is endearing. He gives Aerith a smile as he bends down to grab his marker. ]

Flowers tend to have very hopeful meanings behind them. It's cute. Is this something you study?

[gardenful]

You could say that.

[ She gives him a little shrug before turning to draw another bluebell, small smile on her lips. ]

I'm a florist. Kinda have to know the meanings of all kinds of flowers to be any good at it.

[incompletely]

I see... I get the impression that the job suits you very well.

[ Something about Aerith just screams flowers?? In a good way, of course. Tenn joins her in drawing another simple, fluffy flower next to hers. ]

Flower arrangements are nice to look at.

[gardenful]

[ Oh, cute... a fluffy flower. She draws one with more angular, defined petals just as a nice contrast. ]

Aren't they? They brighten up any space you put them in.

[ Especially if it's an otherwise empty space. ]

Which means... if you decide you need one for your room, I'll be more than happy to make one for you. [ A pause. ] For a price, of course!

[incompletely]

Name it, then. I wouldn't ask you to do that for free.

[ UNLIKE SOME PEOPLE!! Tenn knows that this is hard work!! Work that's certainly more difficult than whatever he's doing with these drawings right now. ]

[gardenful]

Wow, you put up no fight at all.

[ Not like she minds much. That just confirms to her that this boy is sweet. ]

Let's see...

[ She thought she would have a little bit more of a back and forth, so now that she has to think of something right now, she needs a second. ]

How about a meal? I bet there's a bunch of restaurants around here, so let's go eat at one when you find a place you like.

[ Like a little friendship excursion. ]

[incompletely]

Sure, I don't mind.

[ He wouldn't be caught dead doing that back at home, because him having dinner with a lady is something people won't like. Here, though? It hardly matters. ]

You have a say in this, too, though. It needs to be a place that both of us like.

[gardenful]

[ She laughs softly. ]

Fine. I would've been perfectly happy with whatever you decided on, but I guess I don't mind that either.

[ That's the kind of thing the builds connections anyway, so who is she to say no to it? ]

Once we've gotten a look at what kind of food we can eat here, we can start having some real discussions about it.

[incompletely]

I wouldn't have let that slide.

[ Just saying! This meal is for two, not just for him!!

He nods, because yeah, he doesn't really know what's out there juuuust yet. Instead, what they have now is flowers and art. He's been casually drawing them around Aerith's, and soon, the "vine" he totally meant to make is filled! ]

...Does it look okay?

[gardenful]

[ Teamwork makes the dream work, doesn't it? Putting her hands on her hips, Aerith steps back, satisfied. ]

I think it looks more than okay! We filled up a whole line on this canvas and it looks good. It's a job well done, if you ask me.

[ Which is why she'll hold both her hands up for a double hi-five. ]

[incompletely]

[ Aerith carried this commission, let's be real.

But! He'll go in for the double hi-five. He does it a little awkwardly, like he's not used to it, but he's smiling nevertheless. ]

It looks nice. ... Do you think we should sign it? Write a message?

[gardenful]

[ The awkwardness is endearing to her, because it reminds her of someone else. Though for Tenn, she didn't have to fight at all to get him to hi-five her. ]

Sure! What are you thinking? Something like... "Behold! Before you is the creative genius of Aerith and..."

[ She looks over at Tenn, waiting for him to supply his name. ]

[incompletely]

Tenn. Kujo Tenn.

[ Creative genius. He wouldn't say that, but he'll roll with it. He certainly does not feel like a creative genius in this moment. ]

Good work, Aerith-san.

[gardenful]

[ Wow, these teens and their honorifics... Aerith will let it go for now, at least until they know each other better. ]

Good work to you too, Tenn.

[ And now? She's actually going to write what she just said. ]