WEEKS 7 & 8

[linkupmods]

WEEKS 7 & 8

THE SEASONS TURN...

Time really passes, doesn't it? Before you know it, you're halfway through the time that the goddess Braphine has promised that you'll be here, your home away from home. You are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, maybe, even through all the challenges and eventful (!) twist and turns that have followed you through your stay here. Surely there can't be anything else lurking in the wings, right?

Through the efforts of all of Braphine's chosen, the city definitely is starting to feel a little bit cheerier, in contrast to the temperatures that are starting to cool as the seasons in Sunset City turn and the leaves change their colour. The Shopping District and the Entertainment District look and feel decidedly more warm, and a quick trip into the Nekyia also show that the haze has cleared from both districts, with the Shadows lurking much fewer in number.

Further exploration will find that the haze has thinned to explorable levels in the Nekyia Fashion District - there are Shadows to be cleared, after all. Maybe if you are lucky, they might drop you a little something in reward for your efforts.

DO YOUR PART FOR CHARITY!

On Saturday, there's a notice pinned in the lobby of the dormitory:

CHARITY EVENT FOR THE TEMPLE OF BRAPHINE
9/21
FLEA MARKET AM
FORMAL MASQUERADE BALL PM
Come and support the temple when we need it most!



Yes, you read that right: There will be a Charity Event for the Temple of Braphine, hosted by no one other than her devoted followers. They sent this over to the dorms to request the Chosens' assistance, it seems, and as the flyer says, this is an all-day event to take place on September 21st.

In the morning, there will be a Flea Market! There's a note from the hosts that they'd like the Chosens to either find a vendor to assist, provide entertainment, or participate as vendors in the Flea Market. At night, a ball will be held with live music, dinner, refreshments, and an open dance floor for all. They are not asking for your assistance with the ball, however; rather, you are automatically invited as esteemed guests and are encouraged to dress your finest for the occasion!

Given that this isn't for another week, however, it is highly encouraged that you shop around to find an outfit you'll look snazzy in for the ball. You can also start preparing merchandise to sell; or maybe, perhaps, you'd like to save that street performance for the Flea Market? Either way, you've got a long week ahead of you…

…but it won't be all rainbows and sunshine.

KEEP DREAMING.

Late into the night on Saturday, you will dream. What that dream consists of varies with each individual, but you will have one, even if you've never dreamed before. This dream could be a core memory, or perhaps about something you've always wanted, your worst fear...the list goes on.

The next day, anyone who enters the Nekyia will find that, aside from the strange "Palaces" that have popped up, things aren't right yet again…but for an entirely different reason. No matter where you are, you enter the Nekyia to a hallway full of dressing rooms. It's a fairly long hallway, because venturing down it will eventually lead you to a door that has your name on it.

Why don't you journey there and find out what awaits?

–

After seeing "Sayaka" and finding your door, you'll find something even more strange.

That dream you had last night? Well, it's here. Your dream may manifest as a small, contained landscape from your dream; a creature that you may have dreamt of might be scurrying around; another version of you, different from a Shadow; or you could be unlucky and have one of your memories on full display for everyone to see.

This phenomenon will last for the next two weeks, and dreamscapes will shift with the different dreams characters have. It won't be a one and done ordeal, unfortunately…but there is, perhaps, a way you can stop it.

(OOC: Sayaka's top level is NOT time sensitive, nor is it a mod-run event. This can be treated like a regular top level to be tagged at your own pace!

Please see the "A Dream Unraveled" commission for some details on what's causing the dreamscapes to appear! Welcome to your dreamwalking/memory share event!)

WEATHER FORECAST

Temperature: hot and humid, but gradually getting cooler! Surprise showers may occur during these two weeks when you least expect it, so stay sharp and don't get drenched!

Characters who journery into the Nekyia when it is raining may find HP-restoring items dropped during combat with Shadows.

COMMISSIONS

REAL WORLD COMMISSIONS

BATTLE OF THE BRANDS

Two boutiques on Amaranth Avenue have been at war with each other - figuratively, at least. The sweet lolita brand Cookies for Mice and the punk brand Panthera Punks started out merely vying for advertising space, but have now been taking rather pointed pot shots at each other in their marketing. As the shops are across from each other, it’s plain to see the owners are taking it personally as they can’t seem to stop glaring at each other from across the road. Won’t somebody help mediate before it escalates any further…?

AN ALTERNATIVE CANVAS

Up-and-coming makeup artists are looking to land a job with a new makeup brand in the area, and their final test: finding a model (or two) to model their work and prove their skill. Characters will find that these artists are on the prowl for willing (or not so willing) faces - but at least you’ll be compensated for your patience as they endeavor to make you look your best?

FISHY FUN FASHION

Saffron Street has been chosen to host a highly regarded fashion show! The theme: aquatic life. They need models of all sexes and sizes to walk the runway in ethereal clothing that brings to mind deep sea creatures like bioluminescent jellyfish, or even angler fish! For those who are not brave enough to walk the walk, volunteers are needed to help maintain the large, specially made tanks the city’s aquarium has generously lent out for the occasion. The tanks are full of friendly fish and plant life to create the perfect backdrop for the show! …You know how to use diving gear, don’t you?

NEKYIA COMMISSIONS

THE LION AND THE MOUSE

She thinks she’s so great… I’ll show her! We don’t need her prissy, holier-than-thou attitude around here! We’ll see how she behaves when her shop’s reduced to shreds…

It seems the owner of Panthera Punks having beef with the owner of Cookies for Mice isn’t just a real world problem - she has her very own Shadow in the form of a level 30 Narcissus. Take him on in battle and help to loosen its grip on her in reality before things get much, much worse.

HER HEART WON'T GO ON

How could he… After all I’ve done, after all the money I’ve spent… He leaves me behind for her?! I’ll make him pay… I’ll make them both pay!!

It seems one of the local models has had a rather nasty breakup, and the ex and other woman may end up suffering a rather harrowing fate if all these feelings of anger are left to fester… Characters who follow these angry rants will find themselves face to face with a Level 32 Leanan Sidhe, a jealous lover all too willing to enact a very real harm on those who wronged her. Fight back against the Shadow and teach her the value in moving on from a lover who was never worth her time to begin with.

A DREAM UNRAVELLED

Deep in the Nekyia, whispers and wails can be heard; a fashion designer bemoans their dearth of ideas, and hotly defends their choice to steal their designs instead. After all, this was their dream, and they can’t give it up now - no matter the cost.

Characters may find the Unfaithful Dream-King in a nest of collected dreams of the populace - including some of Braphine’s own chosen. He will be a powerful opponent for sure, but it seems solving this particular Shadow problem is the only way to ensure everyone can have a good night’s rest once more.

Once he is defeated, he will drop a rare item. Who knows, maybe this will help you in your journey ahead.

(OOC: Please turn in your threads for this commission on the rewards page to receive a stat boost item, valid for one time use during any battle.)

OOC

READ ME!!!!

Welcome to your log for Weeks 7 and 8! Feel free to use this log for any developments that happen during the next two weeks. There will be no log posted next week, but a top-level for the charity event will be posted instead on next Saturday!
For plotting, please feel free to head over to this post on the OOC comm to post your plotting top levels.
For Nekyia commissions, you can assume that the Shadows will respawn until they've been beaten enough times to go back to normal.
Don't forget that the deadline for applications and character swaps is on September 28!

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Comments

[kandata]

[Danganronpa

Kirumi opened her door and froze, staring inside.

The room here is pretty barren. All there is, is one bear sitting on the floor, inanimate. Behind it, there's a screen, showing a series of very foreboding rules.

It's all the contents of a dream she has had very often. It's not much...but it's a constant reminder of what she remembers and knows.

So she stands there, staring at the screen and at the rules going in loop, visibly distressed, if the way she's clenching her teeth is any indication]

[unweathered]

[Another door. Another person. Huh]

Miss Maid...so this is where you've been.

[It's as kind as she's willing to be, her version of concern for a girl clearly distressed]

[kandata]

[It takes Kirumi a moment before she looks at Schneider]

...I...I apologize. I did not mean to stand here for that long.

[Her hand trembles while she closes the door enough for Kirumi to stop looking inside]

I did not expect such a straightforward reminder.

[unweathered]

[...]

The bear and the rules? It caused you problems then?

[She'd offer to go and shoot it for Kirumi, but she wonders if that would be helpful to begin with]

[kandata]

...yes. That bear, or more accurately whoever is behind it -- it is merely a mechanical puppet -- kidnapped me and fifteen other high school students, to set us in a game following those rules.

[.....]

I did not survive.

[Sucks to be Kirumi]

[unweathered]

...what a fucking shitty game.

[Even she can't fathom the depravity of humanity leading to something like that. And she's seen as far as the depths can go]

But it seems like there are plenty of us who no longer exist in our world. Let's go. We don't need to see that anymore.

[kandata]

[Kirumi closes the door, intending to leave with Schneider. After you!]

...to be frank with you, I had not intended to tell anybody about this...

[For many reasons!]

[unweathered]

[Schneider offers a hand to Kirumi, but if Kirumi doesn't feel inclined to take it, she'll tuck a strand of her own hair behind her ears]

Keeping your secrets close to your heart is only natural. No one wants to talk about how they died, when their bodies now live again.

[Schneider tilts her head back in thought]

It must have been painful...

[kandata]

[Kirumi does take the hand, although it seems a bit hesitant anyway. It's like she's not all that sure if she's doing the right thing]

...it was. I do not even know what was the reason behind such cruelty, but no matter what it is, it is unforgivable.

[vogelfrei]

Kirumi. It's not real.

[ It's the best he can think to say to ground her when he finds her frozen like that. He says it even before he begins reading the rules for himself, which... That's something. He's not sure what it is, but it sure is something. ]

[kandata]

...it is not real right now, but it was reality for me before coming here.

[It's unlike her to lose her cool, all things considered, but taking into consideration those circumstances were where she utterly failed and then died, yeah, she's trying hard not to flip out]

[vogelfrei]

And it's over.

[ It's... admittedly a little weird to hear that those were literally the conditions that lead to her death. It's a set-up that strikes McGillis as far too convoluted to possibly be true, and yet he can acknowledge the horror it would inflict if you were faced with it in all seriousness.

It does put a lot about the Kandata story into context. ]

You're already out of that place.

[kandata]

...I am. To be frank with you, this is one of the reasons why I am hesitant to simply go back upon completing this. I cannot accept to return if it means being once again captive in such a sick setup.

[There's so much Kirumi wants to arrange with the goddess, and no guarantees she'll listen. Kirumi hopes her efforts to lead the bonding stuff to success will be a good bargain chip, but will it be enough?]

[vogelfrei]

[ McGillis can understand not wanting to go back - he's not even sure going back would be possible for people like them who have passed away already. And with this... ]

Then why are you contemplating a return at all? Your skills could find employ anywhere.

[kandata]

...there is...something I must return to. Were I to never return, I would have broken everyone's trust for naught. I already have committed reprehensible actions to stop everything from crumbling down. I...feel that, since I was given a second chance at life, I should again fight to do what's expected from me.

[The weight of duty is becoming too heavy even for her, that's clear to see]

[vogelfrei]

To what end?

[ He's trying to phrase this as neutrally as possible. Kirumi is someone with a solid head on her shoulders and he has a hard time imagining her doing things without thinking them through entirely. He wants to know where these thoughts are guiding her, without asking leading questions. ]

[kandata]

...to be frank, this will sound hard to believe, but I am not one to jest:

I accepted a role in the higher echelons of the government. The Prime Minister of Japan, a client of mine, asked for assitance and diverted powers in the government to me, in preparation for an incoming catastrophe of a nature unknown to me.

On paper I am simply his new secretary. On practice, I have the lives of a country on my shoulders.

[beautifulknight]

[ Oh. That doesn't look very good. ]

Miss Kirumi, can you hear me?

...Please, take the time to turn away from those rules.

[ First, let's try to get her to turn away from all of that, especially since it seems...hrm, concerning. Very concerning, to say the least. ]

[kandata]

[Kirumi has her eyes shut while she's turned away. She's trying very hard to keep herself together, that's for sure!]

...I...am sorry for such an undignified sight.

[As if she needs to apologize for this!]

[beautifulknight]

[ Argenti notices right away, expression looking thoughtful. ]

You have no need to apologize. None of that was your fault.

[ Including her expression - where she froze up and was unable to take her eyes off of such a sight. There are indications about all of this that hint that this display holds a great weight on Kirumi's shoulders. ]

What you saw there is already indicative of matters that have brought great pain upon your heart, isn't it?

[kandata]

...it's what happened to me and many others right before the goddess brought me here. Yes. It is all too fresh for comfort.

[Leaving aside that she died! Which she hasn't mentioned to Argenti yet!]

[beautifulknight]

[ Can't wait until he finds that out (maybe) ]

I am sorry that such a distressing event is still so clear to you in your mind and by this showing, as well.

[ There's a small pause on his end, though. ]

...I am glad you are far away from the incident now at least. I hope whatever caused it is also something you do not have to worry about when you return home, however.

[kandata]

...I suspect it will still be. I cannot go back carelessly. There's much that needs to be done and find out why it happened in the first place.

It is unforgivable we were in that situation.

[Kirumi doesn't want to go back unprepared. The problem is that preparing is very difficult!]

[beautifulknight]

[ That sounds potentially troublesome to him, though he is still lacking some details, he thinks.

His eyebrows even furrow, recalling the rules that were - probably still are - displayed. ]

It does sound like it was particularly dire, given the nature of those rules. I do not blame you for feeling as if you could not forgive whoever was responsible.

...Do you know the true identity of the perpetrators of this situation at all?

[kandata]

I do not know. I believe you might have seen that stuffed bear in the room. That was the mastermind's way of communicating with us.

[Whoever set up that hell is a total mystery for Kirumi]