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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[speedingticket]

🎶 a dream of the depths (mild 4th anni spoilers)

[ How curious. The name on this plate seems to shift every time you look at it. Its letters shift like sand, or water, perhaps, never quite staying in place with each glance, like the promise of an oasis in the distance, or a word lost at the tip of the tongue.

Whose door is this?

Push, and there is resistance, as though something of great force holds it shut. Persistence pays off, however—push hard enough and the door gives, and from behind you first smell the brine of the deep, before the torrent of an entire ocean rushes between the gap to drown you in a dream of one who is not quite here yet...

Elegant structures, ones that perhaps once lined the streets of a grand city, now sit at the bottom of the sea, home to a colorful array of fish and coral. The powerful moonlight cuts through the water, lending the sight an ethereal, otherworldly beauty. You are completely submerged in the water, part of the aquatic scenery. Don't worry, though—take a deep breath and you will see that you can breathe.

It would be a genuinely lovely spot to take a leisurely swim for a little sightseeing, if it weren't for the carnage. Because this is the site of a battle.

Six individuals dressed in matching deep blue face off against two (...or one and a half? One seems to be nothing but a disembodied head—). They yell, they attack—all their words are garbled to your ears, though you can feel the currents shift violently as whirlpools and whirlwinds and flashes of light bounce among them, thin ribbons of blood from injuries snaking through the currents. None seem to notice your arrival.

Except one.

One of the six, bright green eyes and blonde bobbed hair, hangs back from the rest, clutching his hands to his chest. He doesn't attack. But his head does snap in your direction the moment you step through that door. The worry on his face is quickly replaced by shock, then by panic— ]

Who—?

[ That, you hear. ]

[prozaic]

[Shalem is not that fond of being underwater, he's a terrestrial sort of person, thank you. Both feet and tail on the ground and all that. Yes, he can somehow breathe-- odd, that-- but more than that, he's glad his hair isn't all over his face, because what's going on in here?

Before he can find a way to creep further towards the battle, Shalem hears that mysteriously-clear voice, and turns.

His eyes widen. And then he shrugs with a small smile.]

Hello?

[speedingticket]

[ The battle continues, the others still don't notice. Rutile looks between the new visitor and the rest, bewildered. ]

How did—how did you get here?!

[ He moves to swim towards Shalem, but the sudden sharp cut of an attack almost chops off his nose as he does, the wave blocking his path—

—And it sails right towards Shalem! Think fast!! ]

[prozaic]

[Think fast? No, move fast! Shalem manages to dodge in time (12), not even thinking of what exactly that was, only knowing that the thing was more magic than anything else.

Needless to say, he wasn't expecting that! This was a bad memory to be dropped into...]

[speedingticket]

[ Whatever it was, it dissipates into the water just past Shalem.

There comes more shouting, garbled and indistinct to Shalem's ears, but Rutile's brow furrows in worry as he looks between the fight and the newcomer, his attention torn between the two.

There comes another slice through the water, but it doesn't make it very far this time. And once it's gone, Rutile makes up his mind and turns his attention to Shalem. ]

Please, you need to leave. It isn't safe here.

[prozaic]

[Well, Shalem is aware of that...! But also.

How to leave...]

Unfortunately... [He gives a little shrug.] I haven't the faintest how I arrived, thus I do not know how to leave. [And he's smiling about this. This serpent is smiling, as if there's nothing wrong with the world at all. As if there's no battle raging just beyond them, and they're not underwater.]

[speedingticket]

You don't—

[ One of his own, dressed in dark blue, casts a spell like a bright, bright light. It interrupts Rutile as he flinches, shielding his eyes with his arms.

His eyes seem to swim for a bit as he recovers from the flash, and as he thinks. But when he makes up his mind, bright green flashes with determination. ]

I'll take you to shore!

[ He shouldn't be leaving, but—

However, he wasn't the only one blinded by the flash. One of his enemies (the one that isn't a disembodied head) was too, and he lets loose a wild, uncontrolled burst of magic. Shalem is unharmed, but as Rutile dashes through the water towards him, he gets caught in the crossfire, and sent careening straight towards the stranger to this dream— ]

[prozaic]

[Who is the one in distress, and who is the saviour? Perhaps, temporarily, the roles they're supposed to have assumed are reversed. Shalem immediately moves towards the young man when he's blown by the explosion of magic, and manages to catch him, even if he stumbles and almost falls over when they and their respective forces meet. At the very least, he has Rutile clutched in his arms.

He's fairly thick and solid for a man with that sort of face!]

I think... it's best if we both move to the surface, hm?

[speedingticket]

[ Rutile is a perpetual damsel in distress, unfortunately...

He lands hard in Shalem's arms, impact somewhat lessened by the weightlessness of the water. For a moment, he seems to struggle to breathe, and his jaw is set tight in pain, but he does seem to register what he says. ]

N-no, I can't...

[ Leave them behind, is what he wants to say. But when he puts his hand to Shalem's chest and looks up at his face, a sudden look of confusion colors his face. ]

...Hm...?

[ His brows furrow, eyes dart over his face, as though trying to piece together his memory. ]

This...isn't how that went.

[cleansewithfire]

[ When Sunrise smells the sea brine, the first thing she thinks is "oh no". Then she finds herself underwater, and the oh no intensifies, the instinctive fear of drowning kicking in enough that there is a shadow of it apparent on her face.

...Except she can breathe? Excuse her???

For a hot second she thinks she sees her roommate here too, but as soon as Rutile speaks she knows he isn't Richard. They just happen to look similar at a glance. ]

Where is this.

[speedingticket]

[ Oh, no a child got here. A child. The man's bright green eyes widen in distress when he sees Sunrise quite literally appear from out of the blue. Rutile feels his heart beating loud in his ears, over the sound of the battle. How did she get here?!

His head whips towards the direction of the fight again and he shouts, Stop! But they don't listen. The battle rages on.

After a beat, he purses his lips into a thin line, as though making up his mind, and then swims with—astonishingly quick speed to Surnise's side. There's worry written all over his face, and he grips her shoulders gently. ]

It isn't safe here. [ His voice is even, but there's a slight quaver to it. ] You shouldn't stay here, all right? We'll get you back to the surface.

[ Rutile doesn't notice, but maybe Sunrise will, over his shoulder—the disembodied head has noticed Rutile separating himself from the group, and he stares at him, eyes malicious. ]

[cleansewithfire]

[ Sunrise is tense when Rutile grabs her shoulders. Not necessarily because of that action, but mostly because she is underwater and she is remembering that right, yes, she can't swim, this is a problem. But seeing Rutile look so worried, perhaps even more than she is, while still trying to be brave gives her something else to address.

...Well, that and she does see the disembodied head giving Rutile the evil eye from over his shoulder, so without a word, Sunrise tries to manoeuvre to put herself between Rutile and that gaze. ]

[speedingticket]

[ Rutile moves a bit as Sunrise does, confused at first why she's moving him around. But he glances back towards the fight, just in time—

He doesn't know why he didn't sense this at first, and for a split second he doesn't understand why his senses feel so dulled. But he isn't afforded the time to think further about it, because it comes at him fast. The disembodied head opens his mouth, and out from it comes an icy torrent of powerful, powerful magic.

Rutile's eyes go wide. ]

Look out!

[ His body moves before he's finished speaking. He takes Sunrise in his arms and turns around to shield her. He takes the full brunt (20) of the blast, crying out in pain as the ice makes ribbons of his clothes and his back—and not long after, clouds of blood bloom from behind him. ]

[cleansewithfire]

[ Rutile, this was why she was trying to put herself between you and them! She figured that if anything happened, she'd be able to deal with it even if it would hurt a lot. Instead, she gets to see this kind stranger take the hit, and even Sunrise knows losing this much blood is Bad News.

Truthfully, Sunrise doesn't know how to swim, but she's not thinking about that as she grabs Rutile and tries to bring him with her toward the surface. ]

[speedingticket]

[ At least the water makes the job a lot easier for Sunrise, even if Rutile isn't all that heavy to begin with.

To say she's mildly successful, as Rutile is in too much pain to really notice. He grits his teeth; one hand slips from her shoulder to reach behind him and gingerly touch the stinging pain of the wound (in salt water? Ouch...). ]

Ortonik setomaoge—

[ Nothing happens. As they drift upwards, Rutile's grip on Sunrise gets stronger and his eyes widen, he repeats the same phrase over and over again to the same effect.

Nothing. ]

M-my magic...

[cleansewithfire]

[ Magic? Is he trying to heal himself?

... There are some dots she's trying to connect here but she decides getting Rutile to the surface is more important for now. ]

I can try something once we reach the top.

[ (Sunrise, secretly praying she can use her Persona here:) ]

[speedingticket]

Please... I hope...

[ Rutile grimaces between panic and pain. He pulls his hand back to see ribbons of his own blood dancing off his fingers and into the deep of the water.

How long until he turns to stone?

Without his magic it's going to take forever to get to the surface, without his speed he's going to die here in the presence of a stranger, and then his Mithra—

Except before they both know it, they break the surface. Has the ocean grown shallower, or do dreams simply warp perceptions of time and space?

Rutile's eyes settle on Sunrise, and it's like he's actually seeing her for the first time. He doesn't say anything, but the wavering light in his gaze speaks for him: help. ]

[gardenful]

[ She pushes and pushes and pushes, determined to find out who this door belongs to. There's a reason for the shift and change in the name, that's for certain, and Aerith is determined enough to find out just what that might be.

Hopefully it's not another palace.

Although, is finding herself in the middle of a battle in the ocean of all things much better? Only time will tell, but at least she can breathe just fine down here. She watches the events unfold in front of her, the way blood spills and gets taken away by the current in little rivulets, a frown on her lips.

Until someone directs a question at her, and her gaze immediately finds the owner of that voice. He's hanging back, probably hesitant to fight. At least, that's her best guess. ]

I could ask you the same thing.

[ Who indeed. ]

[speedingticket]

[ One of the six attacks, another joins him to attack in concert—one of those not dressed in blue, the whole person, long white hair swaying with the currents, takes it face on. More blood seeps into the sea.

The blonde puts a hand to his mouth in horror. His attention seems to be torn between the fight and the stranger, but ultimately, the stranger wins out. ]

We can exchange names later. But for now—please, find safety. Go back to the shore.

[gardenful]

[ She watches as even more blood filters into the water, her mouth set in a firm line. It's clear that Aerith is thinking about something, and she even nods to herself when her decision is made.

With resolve, she regards Rutile again. ]

Nope, too late. Tell me what's going on and I'll help you.

more mhyk anni4 spoilers

[speedingticket]

[ Rutile studies Aerith's face and he's...confused. Something's off. A normal human shouldn't be able to breathe under the water like this, not without their help. How is she talking to him?

But he shoves that thought aside for the moment. He bites his lip, stares hard at her, and then finally makes up his mind— ]

He's going to sink the island. [ His voice is quiet, as though trying to keep the others from hearing him. ] We need—if you can help evacuate people on shore, then...

[ The sea is vast. Very vast, though. Rutile's gaze darts to where, ostensibly, "shore" is, but what stretches beyond is a vast, inky darkness. The moonlight above is distant. They really are at the bottom... ]

[gardenful]

[ She lowers her voice too, doing her best to match his volume. ]

Got it.

[ As she looks up at the vastness of the sea above them, the difficulty of the task is apparent. While she would like to go off without further instruction, something this important can't afford to be messed up. ]

So I just swim back up there and move people off the island? [ Hopefully there are boats, but she'll find that out when she gets there. ] Are you coming along?

[speedingticket]

[ Rutile opens his mouth, closes it, then looks back to the group. As much as he worries for everyone present, especially the one not dressed the same as the rest of them, he isn't sure what else he can do, especially if his words aren't getting through to him...

There comes another blast of magic, but the wave of it rushes past them.

He looks to Aerith, eyes burning with resolve. ]

I'll go with you.

[ Without waiting for her response, he grabs her arm and shoots straight upward through the water with superhuman speed. ]

[gardenful]

[ Oh!! Shooting straight through the water like that is a surprise, but she manages to go with it well enough—at least past her initial gasp at their sudden speed. She grabs onto his arm too, just so she has something to hold onto. ]

Wow, I'm impressed.

[ Very impressed, actually. ]

Do you have a plan, or are we gonna wing it?

[ She's used to winging it, so if he hasn't given evacuation much thought beyond actually getting to the surface, Aerith isn't really worried about it. ]

[speedingticket]

[ As they break the surface of the water, Rutile just shoots a tiny smile back towards Aerith. He can go fast! It's his literal specialty!

The water droplets glitter around them in the moonlight, and in that moment of weightlessness, where they meet the air for the first time, they're like Lisa Frank dolphins.

It doesn't last for very long, though. Rutile thrusts a hand up and in it manifests a broom; he clings to the handle and hoists both of them up onto it. They're going to ride this thing? Yes. Like witches. ]

I do have a plan. [ The twinkling lights of the island are like tiny, warm earth-bound stars in the distance. Rutile looks at their destination, then back to Aerith. ] Some of the others should still be back at the castle, helping out already. Once we tell them what's going on, we'll have a better idea of what to do.

[ He looks forward again, and lowers himself. ]

Hang on tight!