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

[beathollow]

( mafuyu is... not sure what to do. or wear. or anything at all. but eventually? eventually she makes her appearance, with a mask matching the deep blue and the silver star-like lights, faint feathery decorations not unlike a butterfly's wing.

she's quiet, and some might take it for a mysterious elegance... but mostly, it's just awkward wallflowering, up until she's presented with a stacked bento box. flavors and textures of home, without any of her mother's influence. onigiri, musubi, and so much more- it's like she's being set up for a picnic.

it's nice! and she's grateful! but also please don't perceive her. (do. she's gorgeous.)



( please tap for any heart string swaps!) )

[goei]

[Well, this is one person Izou doesn't mind approaching and letting his strings show for. None of these are embarrassing. He can see she's wallflowering, but also.... He is Big Brother now. He has to bother her a little bit.]

Mafuyuuuu.... it's a waste fer you ta look like a fairy princess and stay hidin' in the corner the whole time.

[beathollow]

Oh- um...

( hi izou. ... is he already drunk? )

I don't really know what to do in this sort of thing...

[goei]

[Yes a little but that's besides the point.]

Neither do I! So we can figure out how ta do it together, and if anything goes wrong you can just blame it on me.

[beathollow]

( ... hes not wrong but also. anxiety... )

That'd be rude...

...

You're having fun, though.

[goei]

Course. This fancy party's ta thank us fer all the hard work we've been doin', right? Knife-chan even got my fancy outfit back from that cat.

[He does a little twirl so Mafuyu can see the whole look.]

[beathollow]

--Knife-chan?

[supherb]

[Arven has a weirdly hard time approaching Mafuyu while she’s all dressed up like this. He feels kinda shy…

But it’s easier as soon as everyone has been served their meals and he spots the bento box. Unsurprisingly, his own meal is a super-packed sandwich.]

Oooh, bento! How cute!

[beathollow]

Mhm. I wasn't expecting it, but- it's really nice, isn't it?

( and very pretty. there's multiple layers to the box, even... she's not sure where to begin. )

... Um- would you like to try some? I don't mind.

[supherb]

It is! I’ve only seen bento this nice in magazines. So this kind of food is your favorite?

[And to his surprise, she offers to share. It’s hard to hide the twinkle in his eye.]

Wait, really? I love to try some! We can trade, even! If, uh. If you’re not tired of sandwiches yet, heh.

stabs u with this tag

[beathollow]

My favorite...?

( oh. right, that's what it was supposed to be. mafuyu blinks and then glances down at the bento. ... it's a picnic bento. something to share. )

... Things you can share, so you don't eat alone... ( she speaks softly, almost like she's just understanding it herself. ) ... I think so.

I don't mind either way. There's a few different layers, so it's a lot of options.

HEY,

[supherb]

[“So you don’t eat alone”, huh… Arven’s always had Mabosstiff by his side to eat with, but he won’t lie that having more human friends to eat with has made the food taste even better.]

I think that’s a great favorite. Let’s make a fancy picnic out of it, then.

[Will he ever stop finding a way to make picnics out of situations…]

Re: HEY,

[beathollow]

Ehehe. You love your picnics, huh? ... It's sweet, though. Okay.

( enjoy that genuine little laugh, arven. because she barely even notices it herself! she's more going through the different layers to identify everything. )

[finalmix]

[ joshua is... here! he cleans up nicely too, because he's dressed in a very elegant and fancy suit, and it's nowhere near the striking blue shade of mafuyu's dress, but it's close enough that he says, when he spots her-- ]

We match~

[ and out of the corner of her eye, mafuyu will see the white thread that connects them as strangers change to a pale purple, the thread that indicates friendship of some sort.

and so, joshua holds out a hand, smiles at mafuyu, and asks: ] May I have this dance? I promise I won't step on your toes~

[ friendship dance! let him take her on a whirl over the dance floor. ]

[beathollow]

( ... they can fucking change? what- what? mafuyu stares for a moment before she remembers what's going on, and gives a soft, polite smile. drawing attention to it might be bad, right now... or braphine's just fucking around again trying to encourage bonds. it seems in character of her, sweet as she is. )

Please, just mind my back. I was injured recently.

( otherwise, she accepts, taking his hand. )

[vogelfrei]

[ Hello Mafuyu, here's a Mysterious Masked Stranger!! Who happens to be extremely recognizable due to being freakishly tall, whoops.

In parties at home, McGillis liked to seek out wallflowers and keep them company, because that gave him ample time to wallflower himself. Here, this isn't exactly necessary, but he also just likes Mafuyu. He approaches her with a little bow, all proper gentleman. ]

What a beautiful dress, like all the stars in the sky. Are you enjoying your evening, my lady?

[ I leave it to you whether this is prior to or after the Izou disaster........ ]

[beathollow]

( there's many people taller than her, but few an entire foot (and then some!) taller. but it's a masquerade, and he's clearly having fun, and... she should try to, too, shouldn't she? )

Thank you. And I am, yes. But I'm actually not very good at more social things, so I'm having fun people watching, too.

( i'll flip a coin eventually since she'll be polite about it regardless. )

[vogelfrei]

I cannot blame you. It's quite the illustrious group we have here.

[ He's not usually getting sappy about Braphine's Chosen and he's not about to start, but he can admit that they're entertaining and very diverse. ]

The kinds of people who normally attend such events are less charming to observe.

[beathollow]

( oh, wow, a compliment for the group! he does love them!! )

I can imagine. When people who value their reputation above all else gather, I imagine it's... a little tense, underneath the airs.

But this is nice. Everyone seems happy.

[vogelfrei]

Not only underneath - the elite can be quite open in their barbs if they feel someone does not belong in their ranks.

[ Mafuyu is not among the people he has actually told that he's been adopted from a lower class background, but he's trying to be a bit more open about it here and there. This is now taking the shape of... cryptic statements like this. Whoops. ]

This atmosphere is much lighter in every regard.

[cirquedesang]

[Sorry, Mafuyu, you've been perceived. Though maybe this isn't the worst person to do it.

Or, well, maybe it is, if you wanted to stay a wallflower all night, because not only does Celeste approach, but he also offers her a deep, theatrical bow and an open palm for her to take if she pleases.]

Might I steal you away?

[Though, honestly, she's about the only one here who could convince him to wallflower with her for a while, if she'd prefer.]

[beathollow]

You? Always.

( which is to say, she accepts the extended hand, and his invitation- it hardly even matters to her what his plan is. this is, after all, the one she's chosen as family. maybe someday she'll be brave enough to say it beyond an outspoken wish they both mourn the necessity of. )

[cirquedesang]

[Theatrics continue as he kisses the back of her hand before straightening and leading her to the dance floor.

At least, for now, the music is slow, tempo more suited to quiet intimacy and hushed conversations between dance partners.

The perfect excuse to check on her.]

Have you been enjoying yourself today?

[With all the festivities! And the ball! It's a lot of activity to someone not injured, honestly, and she, well. Is. But it's all worth it if she's able to enjoy it.]

[beathollow]

Mhm.

( she got to perform- even if it wasn't with the girls- and now she's with her- ... her friend and temporary guardian. even if she's still a little sore from argenti's palace- all the healing helped, certainly, but mafuyu's never been harmed like that before- she still doesn't mind. she's sure even instinctually celeste won't be able to bring himself to touch where the blade had been. )

Did you see us, earlier...?

[cirquedesang]

[Her... friend and temporary guardian... will absolutely be avoiding that wound for the most part. Occasionally as they dance, as part of dipping her gently or twirling her around, he may have to touch it, but even then it would be light, barely-there... But yet a reminder that things can settle back to normal instead of awkwardly avoiding pain from the past.]

I did! I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

[He scheduled his performances around not missing any of hers, in fact!]