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

[bloodandstars]

Nothing — nrgh! — fits like I'm used to!

[ But the tank top and jacket are mercifully simple, and it is nice not to have to deal with a million buttons. It's only a little more wiggling before Maika unceremoniously shoves her door open too.

Her new choice of outfit shows off a good bit of what could be a slightly odd eye-patterned tattoo occupying a handspan of the center of her chest, but there's no sign of dissatisfaction with that as she tugs a little at the tank to adjust it. With apparently no concern whatsoever about how impatient the photographer might be getting, she sweeps a curious look over Aerith. ]

Looks like the learning curve wasn't so steep after all.

[gardenful]

[ Her eyes linger on that tattoo out of curiosity before she gives Maika a onceover. Yep, pretty edgy... and yet somehow summery. ]

Or maybe I'm good at figuring things out.

[ She laughs, grinning as she smooths out her dress. ]

You really did a great job picking. This fits perfectly.

[bloodandstars]

No great insight, when it's not that different from what you were wearing before. ...Suits you, though.

[ Is Aerith going to continue being nice enough not to point out the tiny flicker of a smile? Hopefully, because Maika "90% scowl by volume" Halfwolf is going to be hard enough to photograph as it is. ]

[gardenful]

[ Only time will tell!

But for now, she leans forward. ]

I think it's a little bit different than what I had on. Not all dresses are the same, you know. [ A pause. ] Oh, and I'm definitely taking that compliment.

[bloodandstars]

[ It wasn't... well, okay, it was a compliment. For a second she hesitates, trying to decide if she should backpedal it, until the pause becomes more conspicuous in her uncertainty. ]

...Well, it's yours to do what you want with.

[ "No concern of Maika's," this tone tries to advertise. She gives a little shrug and speeds up her stride a little. Time to take these pictures and get out of here. ]

Alright, we're ready. Now we'll see if any of the people here are about to hold up their end of a deal.

[gardenful]

[ Yep, that silence stretches on for way too long, so when Maika finally fires back with that... she can't help the laugh that escapes her. Sorry, Maika. ]

Do you have any ideas for poses? I'd like to see what you can come up with.

[ She'll start walking towards the little set in the corner of the shop. ]

[bloodandstars]

[ Hey!! At least don't laugh!! Aerith is getting a pout, but Maika can't leave without abandoning her clothes or the goal, so she's still following with her until they reach the photography staging area. ]

...Don't people normally just line up? Raise a fist? Stand there with an armful of grain or something domestic-looking?

[ She's paging through her mental rolodex of propaganda posters about as fast as she can go here... ]

[gardenful]

[ Aerith's brows furrow as Maika goes down her list of possible poses, and what she thinks is very clear on her face. ]

...Not really. At least, not where I'm from. People do, like, fun poses. Those sound way too serious and not summery.

[bloodandstars]

Well, short of him finding a lake for us to jump in...

[ What's summery, even? Summer... ]

I'm fresh out of folk dances. Pirate poses it is.

[gardenful]

Show me one of those "pirate poses."

[ Please. She desperately needs to know what that looks like. ]

[bloodandstars]

...Remember, you asked.

[ Sorry Aerith. That's all the warning she's giving before she reaches over to try to toss Aerith over her shoulder. ]

[gardenful]

[ Aerith is light and not primed for fighting when it doesn't involve a steel chair, so it's easy enough for Maika to pick her up even with only one arm. ]

Ah!

[ A little yelp of surprise, but she doesn't fight Maika to get down once the initial shock has worn off. ]

You know, I don't think this is how pirates carry their treasure.

[ Yes, she's assigning herself the role of "treasure" here. ]

[bloodandstars]

You'd guess wrong. There's a lot of pirates in my family.

[ She gives Aerith's back a joking proprietary pat, although she shifts Aerith's weight a little carefully. Probably not that comfy? She'll strike a quick pose with one foot up on the nearest box that'll serve and a quick glare at the photographer to hurry it up. ]

...Not many options with one arm anyway. You grab what you can how you can. And try not pick something breakable.

[gardenful]

[ You know, she can get used to this... well, now that her balance is a little bit better. And honestly? She's impressed by Maika's strength. It's not easy to carry a person like this with only one arm. ]

Is that your way of saying that you think I'm tough?

[ Probably not. Either way, there's a grin on her lips as she asks. ]

[bloodandstars]

[ If Maika knew she were being appreciated, she might flex a little. Alas! But the banter teases enough of a smile from her that the photographer is probably feeling momentarily mollified. ]

If you go hopping around on rooftops? You'd better be. Or maybe you're just part bird. [ She's light enough and all... ] How's the view up there, little robin?

[ You know. All, like, two inches that Maika has on Aerith. ]

[gardenful]

[ Those two inches are very, very important. ]

A robin, huh? Couldn't pick a more feisty bird?

[ Not like she really minds, honestly, given the smile on her face. Seems like this will make for a cute picture, since the photographer doesn't seem quite so irritated by their antic anymore. ]

[bloodandstars]

Not a chance. Those claws seem pretty small.

[ You know, unless Aerith wants to make her point by attacking Maika's defenseless head. She could maybe be convinced to upgrade then. ]

Mockingbird. Maybe.

[gardenful]

Hmmm... better than a robin. Would've preferred eagle or something, though.

[ For now, she'll try and twist out of Maika's grip so they can do a new pose. ]

I've got pretty big claws. They're just hidden.

[ The way she says it isn't particularly convincing, however. Her tone is way too light and humorous for that. ]

[bloodandstars]

[ Oh, that's sure a choice. Something flickers across Maika's expression, but she puts Aerith down and just gives a snort. ]

Eagles just look big. They're opportunists, and cowardly. You're better off picking a hawk or a kite.

[ Not like she knows anything about this stranger, though. Maybe she is just like Tuya, all sweet words and bright eyes until that doesn't suit her need anymore.

Whatever. They're posing now. Even if Maika's scowling a tiny bit. ]

[gardenful]

[ That look that crosses Maika's face, although brief, doesn't escape Aerith's notice. ]

Got it. Scratching them off the list!

[ It's easy enough to do, after all. She tries to think of a pose, and figures something simple might wipe that scowl off Maika's vace—so, Aerith tugs on her wrist to pull her closer for a simple smile towards the camera. ]

What about a condor? My friends helped a few folks see a giant one that's known to fly around one of the areas we passed through. I thought that was pretty cool.

[bloodandstars]

[ That trades the scowl for surprise, at least — it's strange to be touched so casually like this, without either threat or demand. Maika gives a grunt and glances towards the camera.

It's probably more of a thoughtful stare than a smile, but she could do worse. ]

They're loyal birds. You're a little small for that, though.

[ Okay, nevermind. She's smiling again after all. Maika's a small wolf herself, after all. ]

It'll do. I wonder why so many of the animals are the same when none of our worlds are.

[gardenful]

[ Surely her toughness can make up for her small size? No, Aerith knows that's not the case, but she smiles nevertheless. It's why she's still smiling when the photographer goes to change the camera's film and she turns to look at Maika. ]

So am I! Actually... you ever heard of a chocobo?

[ It's worth a shot, just to see how similar their worlds are. ]

[bloodandstars]

Nope. Maybe the name's different. How do they taste?

[ She's smiling for real now, so she might be joking. Maybe? Or thinking about tasty birds just makes her happy. ]

[gardenful]

They're big birds so... probably like chicken?

[ She furrows her brows, thinking about it a little more. ]

But we ride on them instead of eating them. They're really cute, and can do all kinds of things. I've been on ones that can climb up the side of a mountain.

[bloodandstars]

[ Everything tastes like chicken! She gives a snort at the safe answer. ]

Nothing like that where I'm from. Your best bet for mountains is unicorns, and their footing isn't all that steady. Now I want to see one of these birds.

[ Next time she's a fugitive across the countryside, that sounds like a huge improvement?? ]