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

[cleansewithfire]

Awakening
[ Whoever's present when they first show up might catch a whiff of two very wildly distinct smells. The first is the scent of something sweet and fruity, if you've ever smelt a plumeria flower, it's exactly that in potpourri form. Right under that is, to be blunt, the smell of an open grave.

The source of both of these is a short girl when dark ashen skin and blue lips, who's pulling her teal shawl over her head as if it'll help her situation (it does not). Despite her apparent lack of expression, the way she seems to be trying to shrink in on herself says she's aware of how she looks and smells right now.

Then there's a little 'ding' from the phone in her pocket, and she suddenly looks perfectly normal. There's still the lingering smell of something dead, but maybe the plumeria potpourri will cover that up.

...She still has the shawl pulled up over her head. ]

Cleanup
[ Once Sunrise has settled in, she takes the chance to wander around town, which has somehow led to her picking up the trash. She has a cart that she may or may not have borrowed (read: taken) from the back of a store, and it's increasingly being filled with whatever she seems potentially useful or interesting. Bits of scrap metal, some old and broken electronics... There's even a wristwatch somewhere in there.

Right now, Sunrise is examining an old, rusted bicycle with the look of someone wondering, "What the hell is this?" When she spots someone, she looks at them. ]

Do you know what this is?

Network
There does not seem to be any firedust here... I still have enough for four charges, but I need to consider what to do about ammunition. I wonder if there is a chemist here? Modification is also an option, but...

[ Wow, look at all these thoughts being shared without someone realising it. ]

Wildcard
[ If you want to do another scenario, feel free to. ]

network

[ushirono]

Do you mean gunpowder?

[cleansewithfire]

What is that?

[ Give her a moment to realise her thoughts have accidentally been shared on the network. ]

[ushirono]

[ You know what's great about having a phone that's internet capable? Linking wikipedia articles. ]

click me

[cleansewithfire]

[ It takes a long while before a response comes because guess who is taking her time to read through the whole article. ]

I see. I do not think firedust is the same as gunpowder since firedust does not release enough gas to be able to propel anything. Except in really large quantities, I suppose, but only a city could afford that much. Mostly it makes a lot of fire.

[ushirono]

Looks like you'll have to find some other weapon to use--hopefully without ammunition.

[cleansewithfire]

I can use my weapon without ammunition, I would just like to be able to set things on fire as needed.

[ As if having that option is very important. ]

[ushirono]

You can use other means to set things on fire. Carry a bottle of gasoline and some matches if you feel so inclined.

[cleansewithfire]

That seems impractical for combat.

[ushirono]

Either you get creative with your fire-making methods or work on synergizing with what you have right now.

awakening

[umurice]

[Well... that combo sure is alarming. The smell alerts him immediately, but seeing the skin color makes him wonder at first if she was a corpse. Did someone already die here?

That is, until he notices her shift a little. That didn't confirm she's not dead, but it does make him come over. Cautious, wary, uncertain.]

Hello?

[cleansewithfire]

[ It takes a moment for her to answer like she's not sure if saying anything would improve this situation or accidentally make it worse. ]

...Hello.

[ Oh. Thank goodness her voice came out normal too. ]

[umurice]

Oh! You're awake.

[Not alive, but it practically means the same thing with the relief in his voice.]

You don't look well. Should I be bringing you to a hospital?

[cleansewithfire]

There is no need for that. I am...fine.

[ Even if it is kind for Hiiro to offer. ]

[umurice]

Are you certain? I should be able to carry you quickly-- oh, but if you have an injury, we should get it treated immediately.

[She looks too pale...]

[cleansewithfire]

I am certain. My injuries have already been treated.

[ Which is actually true, even if the treatment is more like, say, sewing parts of her back together. ]

...But thank you for your concern.

For Richard

[cleansewithfire]

[ The second night everyone's here, Sunrise remembers that oh, right, she has to change her bandages too. She's borrowed the first aid kit in the building for a bit and bought some extra bandages from the store to replace what she'll be using up.

She's sitting on her bed in the room and pulling her gloves to reveal that her hands are completely wrapped up in bandages, fingers and all. ]

[ledbythewind]

[For the most part, Richard has been trying to keep to himself as much as possible to avoid bothering his roommate (it's a bit awkward having a girl for a roommate, much less having a roommate at all, though it's not as though either of them have any choice on that front). He greets her when she enters their room and treats her politely, of course, but that's as far as he intends to go on the interaction front unless otherwise forced.

Still, it's impossible NOT to notice those bandages swathing Sunrise's arms, and so concern wins out over the desire to keep his distance.]

... did you injure yourself?

[He's not really sure why he's asking. He's no doctor or healer, nor does he have any sort of first aid skills beyond the most rudimentary. If her hands are bandaged up, then they've clearly been taken care of by someone else, so it's not as though there's any need for him to do anything about it.

So why is he asking, then...?]

[cleansewithfire]

[ On the other hand, Sunrise hasn't seemed very bothered by the idea of sharing a room with a guy and has also treated him unfailingly politely. ]

I did. [ Actually true. She can only really blame herself for this.

...Oh, right, Richard might not be used to this kind of thing, so... ]

You might want to look away.

[ledbythewind]

[His assumption, naturally, is that she doesn't wish to upset him with the blood that surely lies underneath. A kind thought to be sure, but it isn't something Richard isn't already accustomed to seeing, and so he shakes his head.]

You don't need to worry about me. I'm not bothered by the sight of blood.

[She doesn't need to know why that is, and he's not about to share.]

[cleansewithfire]

[ Simply: ] Oh. It is not blood.

[ Fortunately any bleeding stopped a long time ago. ]

But it is not pleasant to see, nonetheless.

[ledbythewind]

[... ah. Burns, perhaps? Goodness, what did she even do to herself?]

Still, I doubt it will upset me. Go ahead and change the bandages if that's what you need to do-- don't let me being here stop you.

[It's something of a relief that she isn't expecting him to help with it, at least, because while she's nice enough, she's still a stranger to him.]

1/2 [CW: Burn descriptions]

[cleansewithfire]

[ It's a funny story, but in a black humor sort of way. Sunrise looks at Richard for a moment. Her expression is blank enough that it's hard to say for sure what she's thinking, but she's probably appraising him before deciding to take his word for it.

Slowly, she unwraps the bandages around one hand. The first thing worth noting is that the skintone of her hand is noticeably different than the rest of her; darker, with a different undertone. As she reveals more of her hand, Richard can see that her palms and the undersides of her fingers are covered in burn scars, and like she held onto something too hot for too long. It seems like it's been a while, but the raised, dark web of bumpy skin all over isn't nice to see. ]

[cleansewithfire]

[ And then, with her mouth pressed into a straight line, she slowly bends over where she's sitting on her bed. Her hand is itchy. Her palm and fingers...hurt? They hurt.

It's not as if she no idea what pain feels like (there are certain things that even if she knows them only through inherited memory, she can never, ever forget). But pain is a new and Exciting™ experience for her to have herself, which is to say, it's probably impressive that she hasn't made a sound and has limited herself to just sort of keeling over with her hand held out. ]

[ledbythewind]

[The burn scars are unpleasant to look at, to be sure, but even so they could still be perfectly innocuous-- the result of a child grasping for something hot without having the knowledge that it will hurt them. The different skintone is a bit less easy to explain, though it doesn't raise any immediate red flags just yet either.

Sunrise doubling over suddenly in what appears to be pain does get a response from Richard, and he's quick to take a few steps forward, though he hesitates simply because he's not quite sure what to do.]

What's wrong? Are you ill?

[Could something about this world be making her sick somehow...?]