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

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Oh, for the love of--

Clearly, this version of Celeste isn't used to anyone being on his level. Eli's after him with ease, nothing slowing him down. It helps immensely that he isn't a starved urchin, of course.

He skips the loose patch of tiles and jumps down onto the balcony, landing right next to the scrawny thief. That done, he'll move to pin the guy to the floor of the balcony. ]

Sheesh, Celeste, you sure aren't as agile this young.

[cirquedesang]

[He's not. Not used to anyone being on his level, not used to someone chasing this persistently over a little petty theft, not used to people even noticing the theft itself much, anymore, not when it's so easy to be jostled in a crowd.

(Eighty-some years of practice doesn't hurt, either.)

And, yes, it does help immensely that Eli isn't a starved urchin. Something which, if he hadn't noticed yet, he sure will once he pins him to the balcony, oversized sweater unable to hide just how scrawny he is once contact has been made.]

You... know me?

[The gears are turning.

This guy knows him, but he doesn't know who he is.

He chased.

He's pinning him instead of throwing him off the balcony or worse.

The gears are turning, and he comes to the wrong conclusion.]

If you wanted something, why didn't you say so.

[fullmoonmutt]

[ There's a loooong, incredibly blank look that so often resides on Eli's face when puzzled. Okay, dream Celeste doesn't recall him, but-- ]

Uh, yeah? The thing you stole back?

[ What was... it even? Did the guy even steal anything or was this a trick of the Nekyia? Regardless, he'll move his hand from pinning mode to grabbing the front of Celeste's shirt, hauling him back up to his feet as he, too, stands. ]

Christ, you're scrawny. When the hell did you last eat?

implied prostitution............

[cirquedesang]

[Long blank stare, meet long blank stare.]

That's it? Usually when someone- Though maybe not on someone else's balcony...

[He's muttering to himself, trying to figure out just what's going on here when he's pulled back up to his feet. Here' he's only just barely taller than Eli, and with the way he slouches in on himself after it sounds like his well-being? Was being asked after? They end up at eye level.]

Dunno. Sometime a couple weeks ago, I guess. Look, if you're worried about me not being able to do something, I dunno, weird that you're into, then don't. The little ones needed the food more than me, anyway.

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Worried about not being able to—

Is he talking about... was Celeste a...? Eli doesn't dare let go of his shirt. He already knows the guy would bolt if he did. So, rather than let go in surprise, he pulls Celeste closer, face to face. He bares his teeth, sharp, sharp, every single one. ]

Give me my money back, and I'll buy you food, but not because I want any of this bullshit from you.

[ Eli... doesn't even know what was stolen. However, he will try and use dream logic in his favor. If he implies what was taken was money, it might become money. Preferably, money from this time in France. ]

[cirquedesang]

[He's jerked forward, closer, and rather than yelp or startle at sharp teeth bared at him, all he does is flinch like he's expecting to be struck. When he isn't, and when Eli tries offering him some kind of arrangement...

There's confusion, open and clear, and he seems to be reaching for his pocket to return what was taken.]

But what's the catch? I'm not stupid enough to think it's that easy.

[Dream logic says he probably stole his wallet. Dream logic also says there's probably usable money in it, if the Nekiya doesn't have anything to say about things. Lived experience; however, makes him hesitate before actually returning it. There's always a catch.]

[fullmoonmutt]

Mate, I'm not clever enough to think up a catch.

[ Which is Eli's usual — and generally true — joke when it comes to suspicion like this. However, this version of Celeste may not buy that. He's flighty, fearful, and probably confused by now. ]

But if you really need something to do in return, how about you show me around the city? I've never been here before and I don't know shit about France.

[ He'll finally let go of his shirt, freeing him to, well, hopefully not book it immediately, but we'll see. ]

[cirquedesang]

...What?

[People don't usually just... admit things like that. So, for a moment, 'confused' certainly overrides the 'flighty and fearful' parts of him long enough that he doesn't bolt when Eli lets go of him.

That's certainly a start.]

I'm not. Exactly welcome in the kinds'a places you'd want to go, though.

[The fancy, touristy places. Because those are obviously where everyone would want to see.]

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Eli wouldn't even know what the fancy, touristy places are, so. ]

Then take me the kinda places you are welcome. Or places that you like. Hell, we can even tour by rooftop. You already know I can keep up with you.

[cirquedesang]

[Oh. That's... kind of disarming, in a weird sort of way, and he's not entirely sure what to do with that offer, so he... diverts. Somewhat.]

Yeah... and it's not like I'd be running away, either.

[So there'd be no reason to keep up - and no reason to go careening off the rooftops because of faulty tiles.]

Before I agree or anything... Why're you being so nice, anyway? No one's this nice.

[fullmoonmutt]

No one's...?!

[ He isn't wrong, per se. Ughhh. Can't he just rattle young Celeste's skull around until he remembers him?! ]

Christ, do I really need a reason... Look. I'm usually a huge asshole. I've been trying to be less of one lately. So just consider yourself lucky and leave it at that.

[cirquedesang]

[If only it were that easy!!]

...Alright.

[And he's moving to climb over the edge of the balcony, like he fully intends to reach the ground that way. If a tour by rooftop is the intent, it does seem as though they'll have to go down to get back up.]

Why the change of heart?

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Eli's quick to follow, all with the same easy and familiarity he'd followed Celeste before. ]

Why? Well... It's kind of tiring, ain't it? Always being some angry piece of shit. It's good and all to be angry when you got to fight or when you're just trying to survive, but eventually, it just. Well. Splashed over onto the people I actually care about.

[cirquedesang]

[...Oh. Maybe this guy does understand more than he'd initially thought.]

...I guess. You gotta still have people to care about to hafta worry about that, though. Otherwise just surviving is more tiring.

[Back on the ground, he's... actually waiting for Eli before ducking into another alley to climb up the next building over - just completely avoiding the one with the damaged tiles. Fuck that one.]

So. Who're ya trying to change for?

[He's still Celeste. Still a nibshit.]

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Eli's down after him and then up the next building right behind without needing too much of a pause. ]

Hm...

[ Who? Who indeed. He won't name his friends back in the city. He won't even name Celeste himself. This version wouldn't understand. Instead, after a moment of thought, he says, ]

My mom, mostly. She has enough to worry about without having to keep bailing me out of trouble. I ain't a kid anymore. She shouldn't have to.