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linkingup2024-09-14 11:29 pm
linkupmods) wrote in linkingup2024-09-14 11:29 pm
WEEKS 7 & 8
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.
Characters who journery into the Nekyia when it is raining may find HP-restoring items dropped during combat with Shadows.
COMMISSIONS
REAL WORLD COMMISSIONS
NEKYIA COMMISSIONS
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!
no subject
["Sayaka" looks directly at him, and while there are bits she's not confident in--she legitimately looks like she doesn't know how long it's going to be until the show, nor does she seem certain about a direction to go, but...
As if on cue, a door materializes behind "Sayaka", and Fray may notice that the way he came in has disappeared. Well. No turning back now.]
...I know I can't let something happen to her. I'm not going to. Those--those [REAR END IN A TOP HATS] can't get away with this shit. They're just gonna try and make her like everyone else here.
You've seen 'em, right? Weird, formless, barely even people?
no subject
A little more worrying is the cursing(???) that is uh... creative. Sure. We'll go with that. It's creative.]
Yes, I have. You believe that's what they intend to do to her? Well, I certainly won't allow that.
[Fray moves toward the door that materialized, drawing his sword as he does. He's not sure if he should expect a fight or not, but he's going to prepare for the worst anyway.]
Are you coming along with me?
no subject
You wouldn't want to attack anyone, would you? That'd be improper. Put that hand down--
He doesn't need to roll to reach for it, but it's another one of those weird thoughts that almost sounds like they're trying to be his own, but not.
At any rate, though--given the resolute look that almost looks like Sayaka's own in recent times, "Sayaka's" answer will likely come as no surprise.]
Of course I am! This is my fight too! I...owe her. I owe her for this. [...That second bit might sound like more of an assurance to herself, though if Fray wants to perceive further, he's welcome to. (roll a 5 or higher)] ...I don't have any sort of weapon of my own, though. They confiscated stuff from me and her when we woke up.
But you'll find I'm not one to give up like that.
["Sayaka" begins to open the door--you ready, Fray?]
no subject
Then stay behind me. I won't let you get hurt.
[He's a tank, he can do this!! Shame he doesn't have Grit here. Anyway, he does notice an oddity in those words and glances back to "Sayaka" curiously (9).]
Good to hear, though I didn't take you as the sort to give up so easily.
[It's lighter than his usual tone - a not-so-gentle reminder that he believes in her. Now then, what awaits us behind this door?]
no subject
It's definitely something that's noticed in how she says she "owes" her other self, like she's not entirely certain if that was real.
...Nevertheless, despite the words, Fray's declaration of protection...it actually gets something pretty nasty out of her, and "Sayaka" bristles practically instantly at it. The second part goes a good way towards toning down what's said, but--]
I'm not. Which is why I won't be hearing anything about staying behind you.
If we do this, we do it together. We get hurt? We do it together. Got it?
[It comes out perhaps surprisingly harsh; the brief glare she gives him is practically withering, though it tempers down into something less so after a moment, and she makes a point of stepping in front of him when they exit out the door.
What lies in wait for them is another hallway, this one seeming to lead toward the stage. It's long, with pathways off to the side that seem covered by curtains that don't budge an inch if touched. There's a few of those shadowy, featureless people throughout the hall here; some who look like they'd be around Sayaka's age, fellow idols, and some older, like security.
But of course, as they make their way down the hall, an announcement can be heard overhead. What seems to be an authoritative, male voice can be heard.]
Attention all performers and faculty; the main stage will be prepared in thirty minutes for tonight's main performance. All idols and faculty will be expected to report, unless otherwise unable to attend.
Do keep an eye out for any defects you see lying around as well. Discard them from yourself. Discard them from your head. Discard them from your being, and eradicate those who would defy.
[The voice is strange and distorted, and tries to claw at the mind itself almost--thankfully, it's not strong enough that one has to roll against it. Yet.
And yet it's almost instantaneous, the way the shadowy, formless people stop cold. One of the men clutches it's head, morphing into a Black Ooze, and two girls--one of them strangles the other when the other tries to run away, and they both morph into an Ame-no-Uzume.
Thankfully, both shadows miss their attacks; the Ooze only managing to Dormina (7) a wall as "Sayaka" dodges, and the latter missing a Bufula (9) against Fray. Something almost gleam's in "Sayaka's" eyes, and...]
Atropos, please--!
[...But nothing comes. Perhaps that's not shocking, but it does mean that "Sayaka" is going to have to be more direct.
Which means she's going to go over and punch the Ame-no-Uzume in the face (14), sending it careening back a bit as she cracks her knuckles.]
Come on, Fray! Let's show 'em!
no subject
Regardless, Fray nods at that. It still doesn't sit right with him; he'd rather protect her from anything that could come her way, after all. It's partially out of habit and being a Dark Knight, and partially out of his desire to see her safe. She's important to him, and he doesn't want her to get hurt.
But there isn't much time to think about it, as they proceed down the hallway. Fray lets Sayaka take the lead, though he's still a little apprehensive about letting her get into a fight. She doesn't even have a weapon...?? Well, he only has a moment to worry about that before that voice is back and fighting it off is harder than the first time.
...eradicate those who would defy. He can't let that happen, not to either Sayaka.
He dodges the attack aimed at him and prepares his blade. Sayaka's call for Atropos yields nothing, which isn't exactly unexpected, but definitely is worrying. He's tempted to tell her to stay back again, but Sayaka's faster - punching one of the beasts in the face while Fray blinks in surprise. This Sayaka has no brakes...]
Of course.
[He doesn't like the idea of leaving her to deal with that enemy alone, so Fray swings his blade at the Ame-no-Uzume (18).]
no subject
And needless to say, the Ame-No-Uzume gets a hell of a blow back, sending it to the ground. It attempts to cast Mazio (10, 9, 3), missing with approximately every single strike, and "Sayaka" rushes into the fray in an instant--]
Nice try, but you can't beat us! Die already!
[Considering the punch (19) that sends the creature into the wall before it promptly poofs away, the confidence is at least a little warranted!
Unfortunately, it seems like the Oozes have had enough with standing off to the side. They aim a Makajama (20) at "Sayaka", promptly sending her reeling back with an expression that's...blank, very blank. The other aims a Dazzler (16) at Fray!]
no subject
But she's hurt - and so's Fray, though he's far more concerned about her.]
Sayaka!
[He can heal her after these Oozes are taken care of. For now, Fray launches at the first one, slamming his sword into it. (13)]
no subject
Sayaka? Who's...that?
[Unfortunately, it seems that while "Sayaka" has no real abilities that can be stolen, the Forget status has made her forget her own name. Strange! Stranger still is how she almost starts to look faintly transparent...
Thankfully, the first Ooze doesn't take that blow very well, and promptly gets poofed like a proper low level enemy. The other Ooze attempts to aim a Dormina (10) at Fray, but thankfully misses. And perhaps somehow, that gets the currently identity-less creature to rise up--]
Hey! You leave him alone!
[It's not a strong punch (11), but the Ooze is pretty fucked up after that. One more blow should do it!]
no subject
no subject
At any rate, the Ooze tries to attack again, managing to hit Fray with another Dazzler (12)--and that's when the nameless girl who grows just a bit more translucent decides she's had enough, and one more punch (18) ends the encounter.
The lights have dimmed a smidge, and there's a very pervasive noise of static around, though the environment leaves them be. For now.]
...You're hurt. Because of...me. Her? Who are...
[It's not important. "Sayaka" walks over to Fray, look blank but seeming to harness an energy that almost looks like Dia, but... (roll 10+ for perception)]
...It doesn't [LOVING] matter. Let me see 'em.
no subject
Just as pressing is her own status ailment, here's a Me Patra to hopefully cure that...]
I can heal myself too; don't worry about me.
[See, he'll even cast a Diarama to prove it! He'll be just fine.]
no subject
What else he'll notice, though, is that "Sayaka" obtains that very same little wound on herself, though it appears oddly--a sharp, glass-like crack in her skin.]
Oh, stuff it, you can't just take...
[The Me Patra works, surprisingly, and even more surprising is that it makes "Sayaka" perfectly solid again. She seems to startle at this, looking down at herself and over to Fray, and at their current lack of enemies...but she seems stunned for a second, startled, and there's a brief flicker in the yellow of those eyes.]
...Do that again. I...I remember my name now, but there's something...else, I think, maybe--
[Well. It seems like something's managed to work here, though "Sayaka" isn't sure what.]
no subject
Fray casts another Me Patra on her, head inclined curiously.]
Do you remember anything else?
[He's still keeping an eye out for threats, but this seems promising.]
no subject
cw: parental neglect, brief anger issues mention
The memory is of a cloudy spring day. The streets of Tokyo are congested and busy as ever, and your point of view is incredibly small. The adults around you practically tower, though they all seem faceless and blurry. But there's a purpose in each step you take--across the streets, following the crosswalks and sidewalks down to a building with many rooms in it, anticipatory and briefly happy. You--or perhaps it would be accurately to say a small girl, greets the owner of it politely when she walks inside, and the elevator ride is lonely up to the 12th floor.But you see her face in the reflection of the elevator. A no doubt tiny version of the girl you knew, but it's still Sayaka nonetheless. Hair somehow even longer than her normal, and yet still trying to smile. She barely looks to be in elementary school, and yet she does this all by herself. There's a brightness in her expression, a tired hope in there as she exits the elevator and goes to find her door.
All of that sinks when she ends up finding it, trying it for a moment--locked. A sinking feeling enters her stomach, dulled only by the lack of surprise. But it's disappointing nonetheless. A brief flash of a day before goes through her mind and into yours of a promise that a faceless man made days prior, and yet her look is unsurprised but still saddened as she looks under a welcome mat and finds a key, unlocking the door to an empty, small, cold apartment.
"Dad...I'm home."
It's hopeless. He's not there, and she knows it, discarding her backpack and going into the kitchen, she finds a small microwave meal and a note on the counter.
I'm sorry I broke our promise. Work called me in today, and I don't know if I'll be back. We'll eat dinner together some other time.
- Dad
"...Of course you would. Of course you would, you--"
The note crumbles in the small child's hands, and you can definitely hear her start to sniffle. She's alone. Her father made a promise and he broke it, as he's done so many damn times--innumerable amounts, for as long as Sayaka can remember, some of them flashing briefly by. And yet, she hopes each and every time that he'll actually be allowed to keep his word.
If he actually means it. A shadow of doubt creeps in, and it results in Sayaka crumpling the note and stuffing it into a skirt pocket. Anger wells in the small girl, looking and seeing the small convenience store meal and proceeding to throw it into a wall with as much force as she can muster.
It's, unfortunately for her, pathetic. It makes a bit of a mess on the floor, and immediately, Sayaka's on her way to clean it up. Because that's what good girls do. They clean up their messes. They clean up their father's messes. They clean up every mess until there's nothing left. And this is just another one of life's messes that she'll be forced to bear.
It's not long before Sayaka takes matters into her own tiny hands, bringing out a pot and pan and timer along with some rice to cook while she reheats the meal, and settles in front of a device with a big, currently blank black screen. She presses the button and a beautiful idol stares at the screen, talking about dreams and the beautiful things about this world--
And then she starts to sing, and it brings Sayaka some sorely needed comfort.
[...It's as if no time has passed at all, by the time Fray comes back to, and what started as a hairline crack seems to have cracked and traveled up "Sayaka's" arm as she places a hand on her head.]
...Yeah. I...I remember some of our talk.
[It sounds disoriented, genuinely, though "Sayaka" looks to Fray for a moment.]
...You saw that bright light too, right?
no subject
Fray shakes his head as if to clear it.]
So I did. I saw a memory. One of Sayaka's, I believe.
[He looks to her, eyes trailing along that crack running up her arm. He doesn't think that's a good sign.]
Do you remember that?
no subject
["Sayaka" pauses, though she catches him staring at her arm and quirks her brow in confusion. She elects to ignore it for now.]
...It's a memory I brought up to her. To prove that...I was part of her. Yeah. Yeah, that I was...
[The crack goes further up, and even a little piece of that glass-like substance falls off--nothing initially comes out, but one can make out a black, wispy substance coming out.]
...That's all I remember, but we talked about that when we first arrived here. ["Sayaka" looks shaken, but she shakes her head.] Come on, we can talk and walk at the same time.
[Thankfully, the next set of double doors that Sayaka opens--with her good arm, notably, lead to a smaller, practically pristine hallway. It looks like a set of offices; suited, eyeless (but not mouthless this time) and formless people walk around talking about various business, and they don't pay you all any mind.
...Not yet, anyway. Though something seems to try and attack your brain again, and this time, you need to fight it harder. It comes when one of the suited, women-like shadows comes up and eyes them both.]
Oh, excuse me--did you need to speak to one of the managers? Who might you two be...?
Ah--Maizono Sayaka. You have my apologies for the trouble, ███████████, but we just need to get to the end of the hall... [Say what one will, but "Sayaka" can pull off Sayaka's doe eyed, demure schtick when needed.] Right, ████?
[Huh. How odd it is. There's a pervasive static not unlike what happens when "Sayaka" tries to swear, but it's unintelligible this time. Including what can only be assumed to be your own name, that exits her lips.
...You do remember it, right? (10+ to succeed; 5-10 your choice in how it goes, 1-5 failure+battle)]
no subject
He doesn't have long to ponder that before Sayaka leads the way onwards and he follows. Sayaka sells the act well enough, but the problem comes when she says his name. Is that his name? It must be his name if she's saying it, because she must remember it, right? Sayaka would know. But this isn't truly Sayaka, is it...?
Ugh, this is doing his head in. He raises a hand to his head and shakes it, trying to get rid of the fog and interference that is making it hard to think, to focus.]
...Yes, yes, of course.
[So he lies. He can't remember his name (7) but he trusts that she wouldn't lead him astray. He can play along for now, but this is... definitely a worrying sign. Is it because of the memory? Is it because of something this place is doing to him? Regardless of what it is, his response isn't exactly the most certain.]
cw brainwashing and depersonalization
████? What's going on? ████, come on, you gotta--
[Perhaps surprisingly, though, the so-called manager seems to step forward, not into Fray's personal space, but a pair of glowing, yellow eyes form on the woman's face, and her voice sounds oh-too gentle and sugar sweet.]
Oh, are you sure? You look a little confused, sir...you poor thing, she's trying to trick you and lead you astray, isn't she?
T-That's not--! Hey!! Let go!
[Two of the managers try to grab Sayaka's arms, and she thrashes to try to get them off to no avail.]
You must be one of the new security guards they're training, then. [It borderline sounds like brainwashing in the way she says it.] It makes sense why you'd be keeping an eye out for defects! They're nasty little things, aren't they?
[Despite the words, the manager's tone never leaves the realm of sugary sweet.] I'll tell you what; lay down your weapon and hand over the girl quietly, and you can get right back to work. How does that sound?
████, snap out of it!
[It almost sounds like an order from the manager, despite the pleading tone of the other--who may not even be who she says, and it may be a struggle to oppose what's in front of you. Do you?
(roll: 10+ to succeed. 5-10 to resist (no attack). 1-5 failure (brainwash, pick a memory to lose). 12+ to remember your name and 15+ to get an advantage.)]
cw brainwashing and depersonalization
The look on the girl's face is all too familiar (though there's something about it that's off, somehow) and he struggles to cling to the last memories he had; what he was doing here, why he was doing it, and what they were doing. The two of them were going somewhere together, weren't they? Was it really just to turn her in as a defect?
...No. No, she isn't a defect. She's Sayaka, and she is fighting for herself here. She's fighting to free herself and she needed his help and—
And just like that, his eyes flash red and the sword is back in his grip in a battle stance, ready to attack.]
Do you truly think I could be swayed so easily? I have come here for a purpose, and I'll not let you take her from me!
[Fray moves with practiced ease, spurred on by the realization of who he is, what he's doing here, and the pure fury that comes with being forced to forget such vital things. (20!) His sword strikes down the manager in one clean swing, and he turns on the guards before they have a chance to react. That sword once again strikes with precision, taking out first one guard, then the other, without even coming close to scratching poor Sayaka. Fray's eyes are still burning red even as he finishes both guards off, though he extends a hand to Sayaka anyway.]
Are you hurt? Do you need me to heal you?
[He can apologize for forgetting himself and their mission in a moment, but this is more important.]
no subject
...Holy [POO POO], you showed them!
["Sayaka" sounds outright awed and impressed, and she looks to Fray and to herself--finally seeing the cracks on herself (which have sadly increased thanks to the grip of the guards--there's a few more holes with that wispy black substance coming out, and one seems to be starting to form on her face), grimacing slightly, before shaking her head.]
I don't know if you can do anything about this, but...I should be fine. Thanks. For saving us.
[For saving me, she refuses to allow herself to say. It feels weird to call herself her own being when she's just...this, right? She's not Sayaka. She doesn't want the same things, some sort of comfort or anything, right? She's not the one who's practically bonded to the man, and she stares at him for a moment before she hesitates, glancing away.]
What about you? They didn't fuck with you too hard, did they?
[Come on, let's at least get to the next set of double doors--]
no subject
[Okay, Fray, calm down—
Anyway, Sayaka is doing a little worse for the wear here, but he casts a Diarama on her anyway, even though he doubts it'll fix the cracks or mend those holes.]
I'm fine. I'm more irritated that they were able to make me question myself in the first place.
[He's done quite enough of that here, thanks!! He'd rather focus on freeing Sayaka than his own identity crisis!!
But yes, let's move on so he can stop thinking about it!!]
no subject
I'm not mad at you for what happened, and if I could've--
[As if on cue, they reach the double doors and open them, and another white flash of light overtakes their visions. Another memory.]
cw: the idol industry, panic attacks, emotional abuse, blackmail, brief violent fantasies and very mild gore fantasy (mostly blood)
It feels like a bunch of memories all at once, that connect to a bigger whole.The audition process, and the rigorous training that Sayaka makes herself endure to get a spot. At first, it's well worth it; she's brought into a group of girls that need a proper center stage girl, and Sayaka's charisma even at a young age manages to impress the managers on duty. She's but a preteen at the time, but her eyes are starry with hope for the first time in her life. Sure, her father barely pays attention when she talks about it, but he does seem happy for her. (She tries not to be too miffed when her father mispronounces her group's name so many times.)
For a while, things are good. The managers drill into her head how much she has to sell herself; she is an escape now, as the other idols were for her, for the people who need a fantasy. If Sayaka was to be the ultimate fantasy for them, then she'd play her role well as a cute and innocent girl next door; no boyfriends, no boy friends, to maintain a pure and innocent appearance no matter what. She didn't like playing this up, but she did lean a lot into her natural charm at this point--it was enough for her to make friends with her group, and some even outside of it.
The managers didn't like that last part, though. Sayaka was always careful with what she said, but the managers were already keen on taking every bit of Sayaka's time for themselves. If she didn't have time to spend with her friends outside of her group, they could isolate her. Manipulate her. Not that she realized it at first, the memories vague and uncertain of the things she heard them talking about.
It takes them calling her into the office with smiles a bit too razor sharp and explaining the scandal that one of those outside groups were trying to get Sayaka into trouble that she'd never recover from. Rumors of a boyfriend, of smoking--of having an impure image, and it sent Sayaka into a positive panic. How could someone do this to her, when she'd done nothing at all? How could they? How could they?! All she wanted was to be good, to be good and loved, and this is the repayment she gets? What would her fans, her growing fanbase think? What would her father think, if anything at all? She couldn't disappoint them, she couldn't--
The managers prey on that insecurity. They whisper that they can fix it, but that they need her unflinching help to do so. Sayaka, desperate, agrees.
The scandal is reversed onto the girl that attempted start the rumor in the first place, and her whole group's career is ruined. Sayaka feels sick to her stomach, wanting to dismiss herself, but her managers oh-so gently remind her she has a handshake event to attend to, and oh, she can't be late! So she stuffs her feelings down and gets back to being everyone's smiling, beloved idol. No matter how much pressure they put on her, no matter how much she asks to have some space, they invalidate it as easily as breathing and all but ensure that her every waking hour that isn't spent at home is at the agency building--or monitored by one of the managers. Privacy and choices are no longer hers, at this point, or at the very least they're very minimal, and that's not even considering tabloid writers...
It gets easier as time goes on. Easier to isolate Sayaka, to manipulate her and her group--Ayaka, their strong leader, helping to coordinate everything. Satomi, bubbly and ditzy and with an ear to the ground. Harumi, elegant and levelheaded in all circumstances. And Kanako, who played a role as cute and clumsy, but also very calculated and good with distractions. The managers knew that Sayaka was the group's heart, always keeping them together and offering her gentle, easy words to help soothe tensions and keep them on task.
Fourteen other girls fall victim to this game before Sayaka finally puts several pieces together. About information that she didn't even speak of--that no one would know besides her managers gets used against her, and she finally confronts them about it.
For a moment, it seems like she has the upper hand. That she has power over the situation, using her analytical abilities to scrutinize them and poke holes right into their stories, until she's got them admitting with clammy hands that they orchestrated all of this. That they did it.
But then the managers gazes all turn sharp like razors, and they ask Sayaka what she can actually do about it. At the end of it all, she's the one who came grovelling to them for a dream, right? And it's not like anyone would believe her over this multi-million dollar company. Even her own groupmates would turn against her in a heartbeat at their say-so, and try as Sayaka might to convince herself that it wouldn't be the case...she finds she can't truly believe it, because she knows those girls better than anyone.
They're all masks. Precious, masked friends of Sayaka, but masks nonetheless. They remind her of what she'll have left if she tries this, and they even bring out recorded, manipulated messages and screenshots--stuff that they could use against Sayaka to completely ruin her, and it stops her cold.
...It stops her cold and briefly, she imagines lifting the chair up and starting to just beat these people to death. She shakes, bunching her skirt at the thought of killing them, of making them pay for what they've done, at a room filled with nothing but red and the bodies themselves tastefully unseen in the vision, but the catharsis clear.
She's back in the cold reality afterward, staring at her managers, who all smile too easily. They know she's trapped, and she knows she's trapped too. All she can do is bow her head as deep as it will go, put a smile back on her face, and apologize until they've decided they're satisfied and let her go.
Back into the cold reality of knowing she's alone, and knowing that she can't have any connections with anyone now.
[The next hallway is dark, though strangely enough, there's nobody here this time. It seems...dark, almost--a red hallway, the lights barely working, and doors with faceplates you've never seen before. The air is hostile, uneasy, and deeply unnerving, though thankfully the pervasive mind alteration isn't here this time. Maybe Fray scared it for good.
Unlike before, however, you can see the names and faces clear as day of the people who should live here, but the rest of the school is gated off--you can make out what should be a bright, white area in the distance, but you appear to have been walled off to the dorm rooms for now.
Welcome to Hope's Peak Academy.
Furthermore--"Sayaka" isn't with you at the moment. Do you want to start by checking doors?]
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How frustrating it must have been. How lonely. He can feel her rage and anguish as if it were his own, and it's hard to return to himself after the memory loosens its grip on him. He's left with a strange, unfamiliar hallway lined with doors. And Sayaka is missing, which is his first worry.
Fray's weapon is still out, and he approaches those doors preparing for a fight. Is there one with Sayaka's name on it?]
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Oddly enough, the nameplate for the room seems...loose? Like it was recently replaced, or...perhaps even swapped with someone else's.
As of right now, though, there's a pouring, wispy darkness that comes out from underneath the door. You can faintly hear someone breathing, though...it sounds more like they're wheezing, at this point.
Do you wish to enter? The door is unlocked...for better or for worse.]
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1/2
2/2, artistic gore cw???
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2/2
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