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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Comments

[beathollow]

( there's a lot of vegetables, tempura, fish and fried meats, and rice. my god the rice. and even some noodles, wow! )

It's a little hard for me to tell what everything is, specifically, but it's all familiar.

( the onigiri will be especially hard to gauge. with a spare plate, she begins setting a few different pieces aside.

... are those strings? )

[supherb]

[Mafuyu not being sure about everything throws him off a little.]

Oh, really? Have you not had ‘em in a while? Well, it’ll be a fun taste test, then!

[He’s about to reach for the plate, but the strings catch his eye.]

Huh? Where’d these come from?

[Did his suit have some loose threads he didn’t notice? That’d be embarrassing.

But as he looks closer, he realizes they’re stuck to both him and Mafuyu. That’s…weird…]

[beathollow]

It's hard to tell the filling when they're fried or baked in dough... same with the onigiri.

( surely that's reasonable, right? though, at least fried chicken always tends to look the same. she'll let him take his pick of some of the first layer items though. )

...

You see them, too...?

[supherb]

[It’s a satisfactory enough answer for Arven to not question it further. He’s got a bigger mystery on his hands now, anyway.]

Yeah, I do. Where’d they come from?

[Something to distract Arven from a picnic? Perish the thought, and yet…

He reaches out for the threads to examine them further, only for his hand to go right through them.]

Wha—?!

[What colors are they, anyway? Because things are about to get even wilder.]

[beathollow]

( well, the ones leading from mafuyu to him are... well.

mafuyu curiously taps one of the threads and- gets hit with a realization. hard. or- knowledge? she's not sure how to describe any of this. reassurance, friendship, concern...? )

What...

[supherb]

[Likewise, Arven’s threads to her are similar in both color and meaning. The sentiments from Mafuyu that hit him feel so real and genuine…as though she’s expressed them without actually saying them. It feels…weird and invasive on her behalf and yet…

And yet he can feel his face heating up. Can he just hide his face in his jacket for a second.]

D-D-Don’t tell me this is another one of Braphine’s pranks on us…

[beathollow]

I-

I-it might be? I don't-

( why is it so hot suddenly? --oh, that's just her blushing. okay. okay. this is-

this is love? or- something like it. and it's so much. she hides the bottom half of her face in her hands, eyes wide. )

Is it real?

[supherb]

[Looking up and seeing Mafuyu also blushing makes him want to scream even more.]

I-I- I dunno. [He continues to stumble over his words.] It feels real? But that just makes me even more confused, ‘cause like…y-you wouldn’t actually…

[You wouldn’t actually be interested in a guy like me, right?]

[beathollow]

I...




Is that what that warm feeling is?

( PLEASE, SHE CAN'T RECOGNIZE EMOTIONS, it's only because of the direct meaning being beamed right into her mind that she realies what this even is! help! )

[supherb]

I…guess so…

[He sure felt it when she held his hand that one time. When he felt like he really connected to her in a way he hadn’t to anyone else…

Once he manages to calm his racing heart just a little bit, he swallows hard.]

This is gonna sound so stupid, but would you…hold my hand again?

[beathollow]

( mafuyu blinks and is quiet for a moment, before reaching over almost delicately to take his hand in hers. she's glad that despite the way the gown is, she chose not to wear gloves- it feels... better, like this?

it's warm. even though she can tell he works with his hands a lot, its gentle. this is... )

[supherb]

[His hand is indeed a little rough— a testament to how much time he spends outdoors…and in the kitchen. But he holds hers with the delicacy she deserves. Shakily at first, but eventually settling into the gesture like it’s natural.]

…I really do like this.

[And that’s something he doesn’t need the threads to say for him.]

What about you, Mafuyu?

[beathollow]

I-

( her face feels too hot, and she can't help but fear her mother slamming the door open to scold her for even talking to a boy her age like this. but.

she does. mafuyu nods. )

I like it.

[supherb]

Eheh… [His laugh is light and bubbly as he carefully curls his fingers into hers.] I still dunno what the threads are all about, but… I guess they really do say what we feel. I sure wouldn’t have known what to think without ‘em.

[Because he’s dumb.]

But, um…I’m not sure where to go from here. I’ve never really…felt this before.

[beathollow]

I'm not, either. I- ... This is going to sound weird, but- I sort of... expected that my mother would wind up choosing a partner for me, to- um. Meet her standards.

(


oh that sounds so depressing spoken out loud. )

... I want... to figure out what's best for us, though. Not anyone else.

1/2

[supherb]

[He furrows his eyebrows for a second.]

Seriously? That’s not even fair to you. God, you weren’t kidding about your family being suffocating.

[supherb]

[…wait.

Wait.

Arven’s jaw drops when a thought hits him.]

Mafuyu… Were you, uh…on that anon post?

[beathollow]

( mafuyu just... nods in agreement, her grip on his hand tightening a little- and then she blinks. the anon post...? )

... I was, yes.

[supherb]

[He feels that tightened grip and he instinctually puts his other hand over hers.]

I think we were talking on there. About our parents.

Did you have Apple in your anon name? I was Cheese.

[Even if he’s wrong, he doesn’t mind outing himself to her. But Mafuyu’s regularly given him apple tea, so maybe he’s not reaching too much?]

[beathollow]

Ah-

( it was randomly generated, and yet a perfect fit. now it's especially telling. )

... I did, yes.

[supherb]

[Now that he knows he's right, he smiles.]

Thanks again for everything you said to me.

[He closes his eyes and breathes out a light laugh.]

I've got a feeling your mom probably wouldn't want me anywhere near you. I might have a famous dad, but I'm not following in his footsteps. And I'm not...good at school. All I've got going for me is my cooking.

[The threads speaking from his heart have gotten him thinking about his feelings ever since Mafuyu told him about her life back home...]

But at least I know you deserve better than what she's given you. I wanna give you everything you've missed out on. And if that makes your tower start to crumble...I'll be there to catch you when you fall.

[beathollow]

No, she wouldn't.

( it's a blunt confirmation, because... well, its true. even ena was only barely good enough for her famous father, and the idea of mafuyu appearing in the family's art was so appealing for her reputation. mafuyu squeezes his hand a little as she glances away, but... only for a moment.

... and then he continues and she feels her heart flutter, blush deepening.

mafuyu stares, and as he finishes, she moves to hug him around the neck, knocking her mask askew. )

Arven... T-thank you. I-

That sounds good.

[supherb]

[Ha. He knew it. But what does he care what Mafuyu’s mother thinks? After what he’s learned, he’d fight her every step of the way.

He quickly returns the embrace to support Mafuyu, grinning down at her. Hugs come a lot easier to him than hand-holding. And his hugs are warm. ]

Great! I, uh…guess we’ll see where this takes us, then!

Oh, and we’ll definitely have to tell Mabosstiff. Man, he’s gonna be so surprised!

[Mabosstiff will not be surprised. He has eyes.]

[beathollow]

( mabosstiff- )

Wait, he couldn't come, too?

( GENUINE DISTRESS. ...

she's going to stay tucked in his arms right now, though. it's- it's warm. and nice. and safe. she likes it. )

[supherb]

I wasn’t sure what the stance on dogs was gonna be… So many places around here haven’t let me bring him in.

[It hasn’t ever stopped feeling baffling to him. Pokemon are always allowed inside businesses back home?? Unless they’re too big to fit.]

I’ve got him with me, though. He’s in his Poke ball.