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!

ic comm | inboxes | ooc comm | full nav

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Comments

[townmusician]

dreamscape;
ooc; the prompts below are tied to the different investigation optionshave the potential for various content warnings, including death of a parent, psychological abuse (including gaslighting), and child trafficking. also spoilers for things not yet in the idolish7 anime, but, you know. mind the CWs.

[The room you find yourself is small, with tatami floors and a sliding door. There's not much clutter, and not much personality beyond the faded stickers on some of the furniture, remnants of someone's childhood.

You can leave the room, of course. Nothing's keeping you there, but maybe you'd like to investigate some of the items in the room? There are some that seem out of place in what is otherwise an average, nondescript room.

In the pen cup on the desk is a small flag that some of you might recognize as the flag of... Denmark? Strange, considering the undeniably Japanese styling of the room.

Next to one of the speakers, on the floor, is a crumpled paper angel. The paper is a soft pink, and it looks like someone missed the trash can when tossing it away.

Or maybe you'd like to check out the collection of CDs? Music does tend to be a good window into what someone is like, at their core.]

fishy fun fashion;
This seems kind of extra, doesn't it?

[It's an idle comment as Haruka looks at the fish tanks, watching the colorful fish swimming around. He doesn't have much sympathy for the people who've volunteered to help maintain them, because walking a runway seems like the lesser of two evils. He's not particularly bothered by how little fabric is on his legs, because it's no worse than things he's worn for photoshoots even if "ethereal" isn't quite what he goes for with his own fashion choices.]

They're really going all out for this runway when... how many people in the city even care about fashion right now?

[Sure, there are places where things are improving and people are less miserable... but at the same time, there's even more work to do.]

At least the clothes aren't bad... imagine doing this in something even tackier.

[Or he got lucky in what he got stuck in? Maybe some people are in something ugly, in which case please come talk to Haruka so he can laugh at you.]

an alternative canvas;
[Sitting in the makeup chair never gets less boring, even after going through it dozens of times. Haruka can fake patience, at least, keeping from tapping at the arm of the chair as he waits, eyes closed.]

Hey.

[He reaches out blindly, gesturing at... you!]

Do I look alright?

[Asking this right in front of the makeup artist....]

wildcard option;
[if you want to do anything else just hit me up! or whatever! yay!]

what's with the idols in idolish i must know

[idealies]

Sorry for the disturbance~

[ Ai feels a liiittle like she's trespassing when she finds herself in someone's room. Oops. Maybe she shouldn't have walked though the door in curiosity. She's about to turn to leave when her eyes catch the collection of CDs. Maybe they'll tell her something about what time and place she's in? ]

i hope ai enjoys petty fights--

[townmusician]

[Nobody's there to excuse her trespassing, but the CD collection is a good place to start. There's a mix of Japanese and Western musicians, and one CD that's yet to be tucked away into the display case is by a group named ŹOOĻ...

The room fades away bit by bit, the peace and quiet being overtaken by a feeling of unease and tension.

The interviewer sits stiffly, watching the men before him. You're in the middle of it all, quietly watching the chaos that's beginning to unfold around you. A red-haired man seems particularly incensed, voice raising accusingly.

"You guys just want to be cared for...!"

The blond and brunet seem particularly insulted, but the redhead continues on.

"Didn't you just say it? That it's not important to me or I don't care about the new song? I'm not your mother! 'Do you have your tissues? Oh, you did well!' Do you want me to tell you that?! Idiots!"

You lean back, letting out a small laugh as the fighting only gets worse, but that the adults are fighting just like kids, completely unconcerned with the interviewer right there, isn't a surprise to you at all. It's been like this since the inception, and it's by design. You're not ignorant to the plans of the company president, but things like that don't matter. You didn't agree to be a part of ŹOOĻ because of a genuine desire to be an idol.

The fighting just gets worse, even when the interviewer desperately tries to intervene. You still just watch, though, because this fight isn't about you. It's about the three of them, who can't say what they mean...

So, will you wait and see what happens next?]

[idealies]

[ Ai once again feels like she's intruding, this time on an important meeting, or what feels like an important meeting with how heatedly the men argue back and forth. This ŹOOĻ group seems to be experiencing internal strife. Showbiz can be unforgiving, and Ai's not blind to the agendas adults can have, but she's always been in it just to do her thing, so she can somewhat understand the feelings of the person whose memories she's peeking into. She sits still, not eager to draw attention to herself, but when they show no signs of stopping she shares a glance with the hapless interviewer and leans in to whisper. ]

What is it they're upset about?

[townmusician]

[The reporter looks at you, shrugging their shoulders helplessly. They have no idea where all of this drama is coming from, but it's clear that whatever it is... it goes beyond music. This sort of fight comes from a place where too many people have too many feelings they haven't aired, but...

All fights will end, one way or another, and the room fades and blurs and paint dropped into water until you're standing outside, the air brisk with chill of... fall? winter? You're not sure, but the sky is dark except for the moon—the lights of the city make it impossible to see the stars.

The red-haired man from before groans, dragging his hands down his face.

"That was almost such a disaster... Thanks for saving it, —."

That last comment is directed at... you? Or the you you are in this dream, but... Well. What did you do?]

[idealies]

[ Ai grows more and more confused, but at least it seems the conflict has been resolved? Even though she's not sure what she did. ]

Um, no problem! I'm glad it worked out. What will you do next?

[ She plays along assuming the role she's been given, and maybe she can fish for clues as she does. ]

i know what's with the idols but i must know more

[strawsandals]

[ Yoon is just snooping around everywhere in this dreamscape place, apparently, because when he enters Haruka's door, he's surprised. This room, in a way, kind of reminds him of his own, but there's still more personality to it than Yoon's. Still, he'll pick up the small flag and investigate it.

(lmao i almost went for the paper angel imagine) ]

[townmusician]

[Does Yoon even know what Denmark is?

Anyways.

The decorations of the room melt away, the traditional look being replaced with something far more modern—and something far more Western. The room is exquisitely decorated, though, with everything screaming luxury and money. Lots and lots of money. Yoon might recognize it as a hotel room, with a connected bathroom and amenities like a mini fridge, or... he might have no idea. I don't know what he knows about modern hotels.

Outside the window, snow falls. Wherever you are now, it's cold, but you have somewhere you need to be... and soon. You don't want to be late, but you have a bit of time to enjoy the room before you absolutely have to leave, or you can get a head start.

What will you do?]

[strawsandals]

[ lmao nope

But...wow, this room is really fancy. Yoon only vaguely knows it's a hotel room due to his time here, and he's seen glimpses of resort-like areas that look like this, so is...is Haruka like. High profile or something? What.

Still, Yoon is no fool and he's not going to stand back while he knows he has somewhere to be, with the all-too-familiar weather being what it is. He is headed straight to that destination. ]

paper angel

[unweathered]

[ Ah. Another one of these places. Schneider reaches down to pick up the paper angel.]

oh... schneider picked the winning option /o/

[townmusician]

[You untie your hair, shaking it out as you unwind from a long day of practice. You're sweaty, so you don't leave your hair down for long, but you're floating in the high of a job well done (and exercise). You've been working hard (doing everything that was asked of you, doing your very best to exceed expectations), and you've been making undeniable progress. You smile at yourself in the mirror of the dance studio, before you begin packing up.

You bow to the rest of the people in the room as you prepare to leave. They wave you off, and you have somewhere to be in about an hour...

So, you can either return to your flat to take a quick shower, or continue to bum around in the studio. What will you do, in this memory? Or is this a dream...?]

(one fear)

[unweathered]

[Honestly, it's a little odd moving and behaving in ways foreign to herself. But she decides to stay around the studio. There's no rush to be just yet. An hour is plenty of time.

She is Italian after all.]

it's fiiiine, just some youthful mems...!!

[townmusician]

[An hour is plenty of time, especially when your appointment isn't very far away. You listen to the idle chatter of the rest of the people filtering out of the studio, discussing blocking and scripts and... you don't understand much of what they're saying. There's something about their words that are hard to follow, something you don't quite know.

You know a little, but not enough to follow the more technical aspects of their conversation. A language barrier...? Or maybe it's just how language can be in dreams...

You take a drink from your water bottle, and one of the people from the discussion approaches you. They're loud, louder than they were when talking with the rest, and speak slowly, noticeably so.]

Are you going to see Mr. — today?

[Well? Are you? Or do you think you have different plans?]

[unweathered]

[Language is such a finicky thing. Schneider is a little reminded of her early days in Chicago, how she couldn't understand a single word. Frustrating...]

Hmmm...I suppose I have to, don't I?

[townmusician]

[They laugh the comment off, like you're making a joke.]

Alright. Could you ask him to come check out the lights in the theater if he gets a chance? Something's on the fritz.

[And this man... would know something about it? Apparently? It feels like you should know why, but it's not your memory even if it's you, so... you're not sure why he knows about theater lighting.

But whoever this man is, you've got to leave to make it on time. You make your way to the subway station, barely sparing a glance to the buildings you pass as you're familiar enough, somehow, to make your way to the line without needing directions or having to check you're going in the right way. The skyscrapers of New York City loom above you, which is definitely what a Chicago girl wants to see!

Your train ride is uneventful, and so is your walk up to —'s office. You knock on the door out of politeness, but don't want for an answer before pushing it open. A middle-aged man sits at a desk, posters of musicians and Broadway performances decorating the walls like points of pride, and he's looking over some sort of paperwork at the moment. He glances up at you when you enter, placing down the pen he's holding.]

Ah, —. You're here.

[He's not surprised to see you, but... he doesn't seem too enthused about your arrival, either.]

[unweathered]

[All of this seems pre-determined, but it's interesting to speak and see things--is this what New York looks like in the future? It's so...grand.

But hm. She'll keep going]

You're not happy to see me? I have a message for you about some lights.