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

[goei]

[Those that know Izou will be unsurprised to find him in high spirits. He may be something of a ragged street dog of a man, but he enjoys the limelight and fine things. He's dressed up in his fanciest outfit, minus the parasol and gun. Despite the high quality silk and cotton his clothes are being made of being much different from his usual clothes, he wears them well. He's clean and neat, and buzzing with excitement. Oh and alcohol. He's got a big bottle of sake, where the hell did he get that.

At the start of the party he's mingling happily, and he'll offer to share his alcohol with anyone. Someone should probably also make sure he eats something... When it becomes time for dancing, it's clear he doesn't really know what to do, but is watching the people dancing with some interest.

Maybe tonight looking at him you feel something different than usual? (OOC: I am down for any relationship changes, no matter how chaotic, just let me know what you'd be interested in.)]

[privatedomicile]

Yo, manslayer, that's a bigass bottle. Didn't know they had BYOB...

[Jesse is not nearly as fancy, but he did try. He's even got a little skull half-mask on the side of his face for the masquerade theme.]

They must've still known how to party where you're from.

[goei]

[For addressing him with his awesome and cool title. Izou will even allow Jesse's subpar outfit to pass unjudged.]

Hell yeah! You want some? It's not a party without some drink, but fer some reason this's all I've been able ta find here.

[Mods said sake can be a favorite food...]

[privatedomicile]

[Hey, it's his MC name! Gotta put some respect on it.]

Hell yeah, I do, hit me! We're ballin!

[Because it's a ball, you know?]

[goei]

[Yeah Izou just interprets it as yes, we are at a ball. That is balling. Verb.]

Dunno if you yankees drink sake but I promise it's a taste ya won't forget!

[He will offer Jesse a cup of said alcohol.]

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Nope, he'll feel the same as he always does, which means he will again find a reason to be mad at Izou, wow. Here he is, in his own fancy suit, with his stupid fancy wolf mask, and then this guy strolls in to one-up him again?!

He points! Points! ]

Hey! What the hell?! Where did you even get duds like that?! I thought you were going to wear your suit again but you show up in something even better?!

[ Again! ]

[goei]

[Wow Eli looks good too, just in a different way!!!]

I wasn't gonna wear that same suit to a fancy event like this anyway, I was gonna get a new one! But then that cat brought my festival outfit ta Knife-chan and I got it back from her!

Pretty sweet, ain't it? Definitely the best outfit I've ever owned.

[He's so happy to be wearing it.]

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Impossible Challenge: Eli looking in a mirror and thinking he actually looks good. ]

Shiiit, there's no way I can beat that... [ Eli sighs but he'll push his hair back idly, only slightly messing up the styling, and get over it. ] You do look really good, Izou. I'm glad that cat brought you something useful for this thing.

[goei]

[Izou basks in the praise for a moment, but then;]

The hell d'you mean, you can't beat it? You look like the kinda guy who'd have girls lining up around the block ta get a shot at askin' you fer a date.

[Or boys, whatever you're into.]

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Ugh. First that Rutile guy, now Izou... ]

No one lines up for a guy with permanent dog breath, mate.

[goei]

[Well that guy said it because he's some sort of freak. Izou is saying it because he means it also he helped pick the outfit out anyway???]

They will if he's well dressed with a pretty face.

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Looking sharp can only do so much, Izou! His problem isn't all with what he ended up wearing! ]

A pretty face? Don't you mean handsome?!

[goei]

[Izou regards Eli for a long moment.]

Yeah, alright, with yer hair pushed back, handsome fer sure.

[fullmoonmutt]

...having my hair all messed up as usual shouldn't be what makes me pretty, Izou. It should make me look rugged and cool!

[ Izou?! Really?! But he is going to very consciously make sure his hair is all properly smoothed back now. ]

[goei]

Nah but it's yer eyes that make ya look handsome and manly, Eli, so when yer hairs in yer face they ain't as striking.

[He has some weirdly specific thoughts about Eli's appearance it seems???]

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Yeah, that is weirdly specific?! Izou?! ]

...Christ, what is it with people and my eyes tonight? First, that new guy is saying they look like stars in a night sky, and now you're telling me this? What have you been doing, staring at them or something?

[goei]

You were askin' me about yer looks, how'm I gonna answer that without starin'!?

[NOW HE'S EMBARASSED. BUT.]

They ain't like stars, that's not cool enough. They're way more intense than that.

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Welcome to blank looks town, population Eli, who is giving one to Izou. ]

The fuck is more intense than a star? It's a giant burning ball in space, ain't it?

[goei]

It is!?

[Hi Izou doesn't know about modern astronomy or possibly astronomy in general.]

[fullmoonmutt]

Yeah?! What the hell else did you think stars were?!

[ And just like that, they're derailed again. ]

[goei]

I dunno, just like, light! I didn't think about what they were! If they're on fire how come they're white???

[This is just typical them.]

[fullmoonmutt]

Uh, let me think... it was... that hotter fires burn at different colors?

[ Eli shrugs. This is only ever relevant so he would know what fires to avoid the most. ]

Don't ask me why. I have no idea.

[goei]

Huh...

[Dog boy learning moment.]

Well either way, down here they just look like little lights! Yer eyes're more like, well they're powerful! When ya get serious it's obvious from the intense look in yer eyes that you could off somebody if ya needed. But then the way ya look at people you like is real warm, so it'd make any girl feel like she could be safe with you, y'know?

[A fierce protector sort of thing.]

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Eli is over here having trouble deciding if Izou's been spenidng an inordinate amount of time thinking about his eyes or if he's just trying to be a supportive wingman. He's too puzzled to get flustered for once. Amazing. ]

Oh, uh. Thanks?

[ It makes him want to pull his hair back over his face, actually?! Do other people think that?! People who aren't Izou and Rutile?! Do they?! ]

I... guess I'll stop worrying about it, then? I mean. If you think they're cool, then they are. Like, you've got eyes like literal fire, so you would know and all.

[ Seriously, are those orange? Red? Is it a spirit thing?! ]

[goei]

[Eli you should learn to take compliments the way Izou does. He brightens up.]

Yeah, like a demon's eyes, ain't they?

[He's reclaiming being a demon, apparently. Definitely of his own volition and not because any tall handsome blond people encouraged him to.]