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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[bloodweapon]

dreamscape

( CW: Death, grief, spoilers for Heavensward. )

[This nameplate is strangely old and worn, bearing chips and scratches in its surface. It bears the name "Fray Myste", quotes and all. On opening the door, you find yourself standing on a long bridge - in the distance you can spy an airship and some ghostly figures. Behind you is the door, and several more ghostly figures. The bridge has thick walls to keep you from falling off, but you can tell you're up high, and the biting cold will risk freezing you regardless of what you're wearing.

There's a man beside you; unlike the other figures, he isn't ghostly, with his features instead filled out. He looks at you with a smile.]

Are you ready, my friend? We shall put an end to this once and for all!

[Though you've never seen him before, you get the feeling that he's familiar. That he is your friend. So now what?]

fashionista

[Well, now that the cat's out of the... helmet, Fray theoretically doesn't need to wear his usual armor all the time. That hasn't stopped him from putting the helmet back on and acting like that didn't happen back in Argenti's palace, but he's out picking through various stores for something that might be acceptable to wear.

...The problem is that he doesn't even know what he likes to begin with. He likes armor? He likes being protected from attacks?? How the hell is he supposed to pick out casual clothes, or even fancy clothes suitable for this ball?? So the end result is mostly just Fray glaring at everything and leaving instead of actually shopping, so maybe you can help him out...?? Or just laugh at him, that works too.]

wildcard

( I'm here for whatever so feel free to throw something else down or let me know and I can write a custom starter! )

fashionista

[destage]

[Sayaka's finally awoken, and frankly, she's celebrating their good luck with Palaces by going and doing some shopping for nice clothes, and it's there that she spots Fray glaring in one of her favorite stories like it owes him money. Cookies for Mice is a place she only poked in relatively recently, but she's absolutely adored some of the fashions she's gotten there, and...

There was already a part of her that was considering shopping for an outfit for Fray. Hell, she's even managed to pick something out and she initially almost startles enough that she nearly drops the rather dark looking clothing that she has in her hands, but--he likely doesn't know. Hell, he might even be in here for himself, and isn't that nice? It seems that fate works in mysterious ways. She hesitates a bit at first, but...

Well, she'll try to get his attention, at least--]

Fray, hey! [Sayaka walks over, gentle as ever as she looks to him. Her brows knit in a little bit of concern, adjusting the small pile of clothes she has in her hands.] I didn't know you were shopping here too! Are you finding everything alright?

[bloodweapon]

[Oh, Sayaka! Fray turns to her glad for the interruption to his train of thought about how totally hopeless he is at this.]

Sayaka. Well... not exactly.

[His eyes dart back to the clothes for a moment, though don't linger on anything in particular.]

I thought it might be wise to consider some other outfits now that several of you have seen my true appearance. Though it's... not going particularly well.

[destage]

[Oh! Sayaka's eyes widen briefly, and a smile quickly settles on her face. That's...actually good to hear, and she seems pleased with that to say the least.]

Ohhh, that's wonderful, Fray! I think a new outfit would really bring out a whole new you--so I can get what you mean, at least. I'm really glad for you, this is a great step to take!

[Sayaka beams brightly, in fact. Though...]

Are you having trouble deciding what would look good? Or...what you might even like? Have you had a chance to try anything on?

[Privately, goes unmentioned. She doesn't know how comfortable he is being perceived, so she can continue to treat this like a secret as long as he needs.]

I, um. Might have something?

[bloodweapon]

[Ohhhh, Sayaka's really excited about this. That makes him feel even worse about being unable to figure out what it is he likes. And now he's going to have to explain that—

Except he doesn't, because Sayaka guesses correctly. Though Fray's gaze darts for a moment again, he corrects it quickly. He didn't need to be worried about that, did he? Sayaka has always had quite a knack for reading him.]

I've never thought about what else to wear. I'm used to wearing my armor.

[He's only ever had the one appearance, after all. Why would he need to worry about anything else, when he was pretending to be Fray Myste?]

You do? What is it?

[And yet again Sayaka surprises him. She was thinking about clothes for him...?]

[destage]

[It's a guess that pays off--Sayaka has seen how little he's ever been separated from his armor. She's always wondered if he had more than one set of it, but she's very respectfully stayed out of his business. He's a private person, and though they're more open with each other, there are some things that Sayaka knows would be tactless to ask.]

...Seems like my intuitions guided me right, then.

[It's gently and softly said--but give her a second to put down the rather eclectic blend of clothes she's got (there is. a very obvious preference for pink), but she pulls out the outfit in question, folded and nice, for Fray's consideration.]

What do you think of something like this? I was trying to find something in a nice blue, and I wanted to try and see if I could find something that'd match your helmet--I...didn't really have any luck there, honestly. [Sayaka chuckles a bit, good natured but surprisingly nervous. She's not sure what he'll say, but...] But...then I figured, maybe something that'd compliment it a bit? I thought dark colors might be an okay place to start...?

[...She's not quite as rigid as she is when she expects to be scolded, but there's still a rigid nervousness to wondering if she's made a good choice that's likely obvious. But still! It's a try, she figures (hopes) that he won't mind it too much.]

[bloodweapon]

[So much pink... But then she shows off something that is gothic as all hell, and if Fray had his helmet off, Sayaka would've seen his ears shoot straight upward. The !!! is probably still obvious in the way he hesitates before carefully reaching out for the clothes.]

...It's very kind of you to consider my helmet. I don't... need to wear it. It's simply something I've grown used to.

[For several reasons, but those aren't really important right now.]

Several of you have already seen my face, so there's little reason to bother hiding it all the time now. Clothing like this is... interesting. I'd like to try it.

[It's not quite praise, but this is already significantly better than his own attempts, so at least there's that!!]

Dreamscape

[moodwrecker]

[But if he's a tank and she's a tank who's on healing-

No, Aubrey is confused, but swept up in the dream nonetheless.]

...Where are we headed?

[bloodweapon]

[sure would be unfortunate if we needed a healer, huh...]

You don't recall?

[The man looks at Aubrey curiously, but he explains regardless.]

We're on our way to put a stop to Archbishop Thordan's ambitions! He seeks to put an end to this war and establish an age of peace - by any means necessary. If we don't stop him, he'll summon a Primal!

[...That sure is a lot of words that say nothing familiar. Sorry, Aubrey.]

[moodwrecker]

[Fortunately nothing bad ever happens in Final Fantasy. Never.]

A primal? And wait, shouldn't the war end?

[BUDDY, EXPLAIN BETTER, PLEASE!!]

[bloodweapon]

[The man blinks, like he wasn't expecting to have to explain, but he recovers quickly and he nods.]

Of course the war should end! And you, my dear friend, have been working towards that! But by summoning a Primal, the Archbishop would put the very world in danger. To end this war in his way, he would want everyone under his thumb - and we simply cannot allow that, now can we?

[moodwrecker]

[Okay well that barely makes any more sense than before, but at least she's getting the gist of it now.]

So we just need to stop him? Alright, then let's go.

[bloodweapon]

[With a nod, the man starts off toward the airship. He doesn't get far though, because suddenly the cold increases and the sky darkens - it seems like time itself freezes, as snowflakes remain frozen in the air and the very world around Aubrey seems to stop.]

Are you sure about that?

[The voice that greets her is deep, heavy, and pointed. It sounds familiar, but unfamiliar at the same time - almost like she could place it, if she tried hard enough.]

You remember what happens to your "dear friend", do you not?

[Out of nowhere, Aubrey will be hit with a memory...? Is it a memory? It feels like one, but everything is all wrong. She sees this friendly knight lying on the ground in a pool of blood, dying or dead. Then his image flickers and suddenly he's no longer the knight. He's one of Aubrey's friends, likewise bleeding out.]

fashionista

[gardenful]

[ Fray is incredibly easy to spot in all that armor, especially when he's surrounded by finer clothes. It makes him stick out like an adorably sore thumb, in Aerith's opinion.

It also makes it incredibly easy for her to beeline straight to him—he's impossible to lose in a place like this. ]

I have a feeling that you might need some help in this department.

[bloodweapon]

[Why is he adorable now that y'all have seen his ears?? Terrible. Never should've kissed Argenti smh.]

What gave it away?

[Given the sarcasm in the tone, he is Suffering So Much. Aerith please save him.]

[gardenful]

Oh, I don't know... maybe everything about the way you're standing around in here?

[ She grins. At least she doesn't laugh, right? ]

You need something nice, that's for sure. Especially if you wanna impress Argenti.

[ Though she has a feeling Argenti doesn't need to be impressed... really, she's just saying that to tease him. ]

[bloodweapon]

[Thank you for not laughing, but also how dare you tease him immediately afterwards. Thankfully he is wearing his helmet so you can't see how red he is!!!!!! Unfortunately, Aerith probably already knows how red he is.]

I suppose there's no point in denying that.

[Sometimes you just adore one (1) Knight of Beauty.]

I'll admit my experience with such things is... limited. I'm used to wearing armor.

[gardenful]

Should I pretend to be shocked?

[ She practically giggles. It seems like teasing Fray is amusing in its own right to her.

But this is also something to take seriously, so! She puts her hands on her hips. ]

We'll find something nice for you. I bet you'd look great in a well-fitting suit.

[bloodweapon]

[That gets him to roll his eyes, but thankfully Aerith moves on.]

Do you think so? Very well. Help me pick one out to try on.

dreamscape;

[beautifulknight]

[ It is a matter of course that Argenti would inevitably find himself here - wandering into the door and pushing it open like he has with so many others. Catching sight of phantasms hanging once he makes it to a certain a point he has to take pause to try to discern the forms of the seven.

Though his armor is specially made to account for temperature differences this seems to matter little as well as he makes further strides, and then he is meeting the face of an unfamiliar man. He blinks, feeling something like a register of surprise before the sensation of that level of familiarity settles in. ]

...I believe I may be ready, yes. But, can you update me on the situation?

[ He asks carefully, wondering still if he can get away with a question like that, perhaps. ]

[bloodweapon]

Of course!

[The knight smiles; apparently this is a good question. If he notices anything amiss, it doesn't register in his expression or words.]

The Archbishop is attempting to flee - should he succeed in getting away from us, there's no telling where he may go! We must put a stop to his ambitions!

[He points down toward the end of the walkway; there's an airship waiting there. It's hard to make out from here, but there might be more of those shadowy figures down there? It's hard to tell.

You might want to roll a 1d20 for perception as well.]

[beautifulknight]

[ ...Oh, good. Probably.

Argenti isn't exactly certain he wishes to immediately cause too much chaos as of yet. That being said, those words also do very much make him give pause. The Archbishop, is it? Interesting. ]

I suppose it makes sense that is his course of action. Though I wonder why he does not even so much to consider repenting for his actions? Does he think himself still so far above reproach...?

[ Argenti takes a glance towards the shadowy figures and curiosity grips him tighter this time. But in general he keeps an eye out on his surroundings too (11), and all things considered he could have been worse at it. ]

[bloodweapon]

[Argenti will get the feeling that something is off. Exactly what it is is hard to tell, but there's something about this situation that will strike him as strange, almost familiar in a way, and that maybe there's something he should be doing. As for what he should be doing? Good question. It's hard to say. There doesn't seem to be anything strange in the environment...

The knight nods at Argenti's words with a frown.]

He would make himself the one true ruler, to ensure that there would be no more fighting again. Seeking to end the war with the dragons is understandable, but not at such a cost! Were he to proceed down this path, he would become a Primal!

[This is probably not helping, but the knight is doing his best.]

[beautifulknight]

[ Hrm...the knight really IS trying his best. It sounds like the way things are going this head honcho is going to be corrupted anyway. Into this "Primal" thing.

As for the sensation? It is extremely odd. Perhaps it is due to the aspect of the memory in some kind of abstract way that is giving off the uneasy vibes. But honestly, Argenti doesn't think he'll be able to narrow it down.

At first he had wondered if it had something to do with the shadowy figures.

Speaking of which...are the ghostly figures that are not down near the airship within reach? ]

What a wretched and foolish man. How many lives have been sacrificed for his foolishness already, I wonder? Definitely far too many, yes?

[bloodweapon]

Yes. Far too many.

[The knight shakes his head and smiles again, though this time the expression is subdued.]

But we can still put a stop to him, my friend! Come, let us hurry onwards!

[He's still waiting for Argenti to decide if he wants to proceed forward toward the airship. Of course, you can still ask him questions, if you'd like; he's an agreeable sort and will answer them. Or I guess you could also turn around and try to leave, that's an option too.]