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

[gardenful]

i. shopping trip;

[ With the upcoming charity event, Aerith's eyes are on the prize—the ball. It's excitement amongst the pain and drama that they've encountered here thus far, and so it's something she's choosing to look forward to.

After all, what else can she do?

That's why, should she spot anyone familiar in the Shopping District, she'll call out: ]

Have you gotten anything for the ball yet?

[ It doesn't matter how you answer, you will be wrapped up in shopping with her anyway. ]

ii. dreamscape (ff7 rebirth spoilers, cw: parental death);

[ The door labeled Aerith Gainsborough is unlocked, easily sliding open the moment your fingers touch the handle, almost as if you're being welcomed in. ]

Stopping at Sector 4 Undercity. Sector 4 Undercity.

[ Your view is obscured by dusty cargo boxes, but the moment you look around you'll find that you're in a train car, the conductor announcing your impending arrival to whatever this "undercity" is. The car creaks and groans as it traverses over the tracks, and a woman nearby coughs. Her hair is long and light brown, and she looks quite a bit like Aerith, even at a first glance. Should you move closer, you'll notice a young girl right next to her, clearly worried by that cough.

But suddenly, a butterfly appears right beside your hand, bright blue and illuminated in the dark gray of the train car.

What will you do? ]

iii. dreamscape two: dreaming intensifies (some ff7 rebirth spoilers);

[ When you step through the threshold of that door, you're suddenly in the middle of a street, crowds of people cheering on either side as loud music blares all around you and drowns out all of your senses. There's a display rifle being shoved into your hands by someone in a uniform and as you look down at your hands... you realize that you're in that very same uniform.

But there's no time to think—you're being pushed on ahead and right into the middle of the parade and into a performance. Everyone around you starts to move their rifles in a specific pattern and in a certain rhythm.

Roll a d20. ]

iii. the lion and the mouse;

[ Aerith watches carefully as the owner of Panthera Punks rants to herself, rage practically coming off of her in waves as she seems to plot the ruin of her rival's store. ]

Uh oh... so that's where that beef is coming from.

[ She looks at whoever has decided to join her on this little venture. ]

Wanna take out that Shadow?

iv. wildcard;

[ Create your own adventure! Feel free to hit me with one of the prompts I didn't cover or something else entirely! ]

iii

[prozaic]

[Will Shalem be lucky? Will he not be? Maybe he's fucked (1).

But he wanted to check the magic... and he certainly didn't ask for a gun to be shoved in his hands. He hates guns for many different reasons, even if he knows how to use them, and is quite resistant to performing with everyone else.

Actually, performing?? Oh. Oh no...]

[gardenful]

[ What does a 1 look like in a parade? Shalem could fall out of step, he could drop his rifle, or maybe he trips over his own feet.

Whatever it is, someone from the front slides in seamlessly beside him. ]

Did you miss practice?

[ The voice is probably familiar to him, as they've occupied a few shared spaces already, and the little bit of her face carved out of the uniform makes it easy to see that it's Aerith. ]

Here, do this.

[ She'll spin her rifle clockwise and briefly throw it up into the air before catching it.

Roll another d20. ]

[prozaic]

I'm not very fond of this-- [Shalem hisses a little through his teeth, before he quiets himself. He notes her motions and keeps them in mind, but even if he's always been quick on the uptake, he's... resistant.

And a bit distracted because he does recognize her, somewhat. She was there to help with Yoon, wasn't she?

(9)]

Definitely not fond of being a performing lackey. [Not like this, he means. He would rather like... a stage. And not be holding a gun.]

[gardenful]

It's just for a little while. You'll get a lot of money if we win.

[ This is all about a show for the president of some "Shinra" as evident by the signs hanging loud and bright around the city streets.

The 9 is enough for him to have suitable movements, at least enough that he blends in well enough. A newscaster blares into the microphone, stating that this unit's performance is simply "average".

Aerith exaggerates her movements just a bit, enough for Shalem to more easily see what she's doing. Roll another d20! ]

ii

[strawsandals]

[ That woman looks like Aerith, but not quite the same...still, he wonders if that is who this belongs to. "Undercity" doesn't sound quite promising, either, but he'll lift his hand to allow the butterfly to make a landing on it. ]

[gardenful]

[ He touches the butterfly and it bursts into little shimmers of light that morph into even more butterflies, touching various places of the train car until the floor is covered in hand-drawn flowers and grass—it looks almost like a child's vision of a meadow. ]

What if we went on an adventure?

[ It's a soft, leading question spoken aloud into the quiet train car.

A few more butterflies appear. ]

[strawsandals]

[ Depends on what kind of adventure, honestly, but...this is a nicer scene. This is more pleasant.

He'll hold out his hands for the other butterflies. ]

human experimentation cw

[gardenful]

[ Just like before, the butterflies burst into an array of colors, covering the car entirely in those flowers. The dingy gray of the car feels a lot more lively like this, a lot more comfortable. ]

To somewhere far, far away.

Without the men in white? And the needles? Would you get better there?

[ The young girl's questions are full of concern and... hope. ]

Yes, sweetheart. I think I would.

[ Despite the girl's hope, there's a sort of melancholy in the woman's voice despite her affirming words, as if she knows that she won't get better yet she can't help but hold a bit of hope for it in her heart anyway.

The car screeches to a halt, then, and the conductor announces that they're in the Sector 4 Undercity. In a rush, the woman takes the girl's hand and they leave the car as the flowers disappear, leaving Yoon back in the depressingly dusty car.

Will he follow them? ]

ii

[moodwrecker]

[-?!

Aubrey looks around wildly for a moment, trying to figure out where the hell she just ended up, only for her eyes to alight on the woman and a child with familiar features...

Frowning, she casts one last glance around before approaching.]

...Aerith?

[gardenful]

[ The woman and the girl both look startled to see someone else there, but Aubrey's youth is an advantage here—it's easy to see that she doesn't pose a threat, not like those researchers.

With a little smile, the woman regards her. She had probably said Aerith's name at some point during the ride, which is probably how the girl knows it... or at least she assumes as much. ]

Did I worry you? It's just a little cough. Aerith is perfectly fine.

[ She smiles at the girl next to her, who looks up at Aubrey and gives her a tentative nod. Her eyes are a bright green, just like Aerith's. ]

[moodwrecker]

[Looking between the woman and Aerith in confusion before it finally clicks.]

Wait...

[...?? Did she go back in time here? More importantly, act normal, Aubrey!]

Er... are you sick?

[gardenful]

[ The woman shakes her head, her smile warm as she regards Aubrey. ]

I'm just fine. You don't need to worry about me.

[ A flicker of worry passes across the younger Aerith's face, her eyebrows knitting together as she looks up at what is very likely her mom.

But before she can say anything in protest, the train screeches to a stop as the conductor announces that they've arrived in the Sector 4 Undercity. The woman stands, reaching out to take Aerith's hand.

She looks at Aubrey. ]

We have to get going now. Take care of yourself.

[ With that, she and Aerith leave the car with poorly disguised hurry.

Does Aubrey follow them? ]

ii

[idealitas]

[ Curiosity is what led Yi Sang through Aerith's door, and Yi Sang remembered what Aerith had said about living in the city... He sees that almost-familiar looking woman and her child, about to approach them as the woman does not seem well. But then that butterfly catches his eyes... He holds his palm for it to land, while his other is held close by as if to shield it. ]

What an odd place for you...

[gardenful]

[ It lands on his palm, its wings flickering through a few different colors before it suddenly bursts into several little butterflies. They flap around Yi Sang for a few seconds before landing on different parts of the car, grass and flowers springing up in their wake. It's as if the train car has been taken over by overgrowth, though the flora doesn't look quite real, either. Rather, it looks like a child's imagination of a meadow, brought to life and fluttering in the nonexistent wind. ]

What if we went on an adventure?

An adventure?

[ The girl's voice is soft, timid, but trusting. ]

To somewhere far, far away.

[ Another butterfly hovers in front of Yi Sang. Will he reach out again? ]

[idealitas]

[ Here's where something poetic about butterflies would go. They were a guide of sorts in Yoon's dungeon, and he knows of a... let's say it's something like the demons they fight for Nekyia commissions, with a butterfly for a head and watches over lost souls that have become more butterflies. Fluttering about with a surprising purpose.

Here though, they also seem to represent a youthful wonder, as their touch on the cold metal of this train brings forth plants and flowers. Followed by a mother's reassuring words to her child... Yeah, the little girl is definitely Aerith. This scene gets a melancholy smile from Yi Sang... It's a much, much gentler and innocent scene of a harsh world overridden with nature compared to a recent scuffle he had.

But, he'll leave it be. When he sees that butterfly in front of him, he reaches out again. Where will he go now...? ]

human experimentation cw

[gardenful]

[ An expansion of his adventure—the flowers fill the rest of the car, brightening up the depressingly dingy conditions of the walls and floor. ]

Without the men in the white coats and needles? Would you get better there?

[ There's an undercurrent of hope in Aerith's tone, as if she truly believes that getting far enough away will get rid of her mother's cough—that if they're far enough away, a real adventure can be had. ]

Yes, sweetheart. I think I would.

[ In contrast to Aerith's, her voice is... melancholy. She has no room to hope for much better once they get past this train car, but she can't let her daughter succumb to despair either, and so she does her best to comfort her.

Before they can speak more, the car comes to a screeching halt and the conductor announces their arrival to the Sector 4 Undercity. The woman takes Aerith by the hand and they leave in a bit of a rush—after all, they have a long way to go.

What does Yi Sang do? ]

iii. dreamscape two: dreaming intensifies (some ff7 rebirth spoilers);

[beautifulknight]

[ Did someone say performance?

Argenti is caught off-guard, but all the same he does his best to conform to the movements.

The stiffness of it all isn't exactly something he likes. Conformity in this manner isn't suitable to him, even if he conformed unnaturally well to the strict and in some ways - from an outsider's reasonable POV - suffocating way some might say he did with his oaths, as well as the knight training.

Anyway, he ends up doing passably fine (11) so far. ]

[gardenful]

[ A passable performance so far!

He'll soon find that a familiar face has ended up right next to him, her green eyes bright even amongst the drab Shinra uniform. While she's very obviously enjoying herself, Aerith is taking this very seriously, noticeable in the way she does her best to focus on her movements, keeping them as precise as possible. ]

Next move, go!

[ Roll another d20! ]

[beautifulknight]

[ The face is quite familiar indeed! He has spoken various times to Aerith to the point that he can recognize her outside of her regular appearance with ease. ]

...Ah.

[ He can't help the small sound of surprise anyway.

Things being what they are, Argenti will find something like a semblance of amusement rushing through him all the same. But, perhaps it is also what helps keep his morale even if he still isn't into it.

So, he manages to keep afloat, following the commands with less flourish, but to the letter, performing at another pass (11) ]

[gardenful]

[ He passes well enough to blend right in, well enough that the commentators don't single him out for being terrible—which, judging by their commentary, they wouldn't shy away from doing.

Their squadron marches for a minute or two, just further down what seems to be the main street, before stopping fully. Nearby, a man stands tall from his limousine, blond hair slicked back and wearing a fitted white jacket, his gaze calculating as he watches them. ]

Last one! Keep it up!

[ Roll one last d20! ]

ii

[imperiosity]

[He's gotten used to the capital's subway system by now, so the rattling of the car and the noise as the train traverses along the tracks doesn't completely throw him for a loop, even if he isn't used to riding with cargo. The coughing instantly catches his attention, so that butterfly is going ignored for now. Approaching the two and crouching down so he has a clearer view of them both, he speaks up.]

...Is she sick?

[gardenful]

[ The girl looks up at him first, her eyes a familiar bright green. Even though that ever-present pink bow isn't in her hair, it's obvious that the little girl is, in fact, Aerith.

Which means that the woman must be her mother. She coughs again, giving Aaron a small, but weak, smile. ]

I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me.

[ She isn't particularly convincing. Aerith seems to take her word at face value, however, and she turns to Aaron. ]

Are you running away too?

[imperiosity]

[It's surreal seeing Aerith as a child, but she's as recognizable as ever, even when they seem to be a good number of years into the past. The resemblance between Aerith and her mother is also striking, although the fact that the woman appears so frail is far from reassuring, especially with how poor these 'accommodations' were (if they could even be called that).

Even so, he's not a doctor, so the most he can do right now is answer little Aerith's question.]

Nah, I'm looking for a friend. All the signs seemed to be pointing in this direction, so here I am.

[gardenful]

[ Her eyes widen a little bit, but she seems to take his answer easily. ]

I hope you find your friend!

[ It looks like she's going to say something else, maybe ask him what his friend looks like, but the train screeches to a stop and the conductor announces that they've arrived at the Sector 4 Undercity.

Aerith's mother stands—albeit with some difficultly—and takes her daughter's hand. She offers Aaron a weak smile. ]

We have to go. See you.

[ She and Aerith leave in a hurry, walking fast onto the train platform.

Does he follow? ]