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

code

Comments

[goei]

[Izou somehow manages to keep "Ryouma isn't even good at kissing" as an inside thought, instead focusing on the matter at hand;]

Yes?? Just cause we grew up together and it's hard ta forget all that even after gettin' fucked over don't mean I want him like that!?

[BUT THIS DOES ALSO GIVE HIM A THOUGHT CABINET PROJECT: MCGILLIS WANTS TO SMOOCH GAELIO?]

[vogelfrei]

[ That is... a fair enough point. In truth, McGillis doesn't know if Gaelio feels this way about him either and Gaelio is his closest point of reference in this mess. Hm.

He decides not to push the matter too far. ]

Then I apologize for my thoughts - even though they were meant to remain private forever. Trust me, I have no interest in going around speculating about your love life with others.

[ He's not acknowledging the context in which this thought came up. Izou should not, either. ]

[goei]

Yeah, you better! I don't wanna get eaten by his damn snake wife!

[Is he going to explain that, of course not. Instead he's getting closer (no point in distance now, the threads are already out) so he can jab a finer in McGillis's face more effectively and drop his voice to a still extremely audible hissed tone.]

The hell does a guy like you wanna kiss a guy like me for anyway!? I almost had yer arm off.

[vogelfrei]

[ McGillis barely stumbled over 'snake wife' anyway - after all he's learned about Izou's world, this does not seem too concerning even if Izou should mean snake literally instead of metaphorically. He merely stashes the information away as 'Ryouma is married' and then... Well, then he's forced to move on to unfortunately more relevant matters.

At least Izou actually manages to control his volume on this one. ]

And you want me dead, so I could much ask you the same thing. Or am I not good enough for 'kissing' as part of the process?

[ His own voice is quiet but sharp. Izou has just outed himself as enough of a romantic that this seems like a plausible assumption and it irritates McGillis to no end. His eyes narrow into a glare. ]

[goei]

[The glare actually seems to land a blow on Izou, he actually looks guilty??]

Wh- No that ain't it at all! That's obviously part of it! Just- I mean, I got eyes, alright??

[Apparently to Izou, being devastatingly attracted to McGillis is just natural and expected.]

[vogelfrei]

[ Well, McGillis has ample experience with people being really into him - his adult life has included a great many admirers of both sexes. Though money and status were surely large parts of the draw, he knows being tall and handsome doesn't exactly hurt his chances with people either.

So in a way, sure, he's not shocked by this. But also... He hadn't taken Izou for somebody who thinks with his dick even more than his heart.

But if the shallow route is the one they're taking... ]

So do I. Is that not answer enough for you?

1/2

[goei]

[McGillis literally why would you think this barking dog is above thinking with his lower half.]

I...
[???? McGillis thinks he's hot too????]

2/2

[goei]

Oi. Come down here a sec.

[Stop being so tall.]

[vogelfrei]

[ For a second, there is a whole Death Note style monologue running through McGillis' head about the mind games Izou could be playing with this request... and then he remembers he's dealing with Izou. He raises an eyebrow. ]

Really? Here?

[ This is not a 'no', but it is a 'you're aware we're making everything worse, right?'. It might also have a note of a 'make me though.... ]

[goei]

More suspicious ta go off somewhere else ta do it, don'tcha think?

[That opens speculation to even more salacious things.

Anyway he's perfectly happy to rise to the faint taunt, and McGillis's suit has this conveniently grabbable tie to yank him by! Izou is even diligent enough to yank by the knot rather than the tie itself so he doesn't accidentally strangle McGillis instead.]

Unless yer gonna stop me?

[vogelfrei]

[ Well, the last time they did something salacious in public it was nearly killing each other, so this is technically a step up. It's still a mistake - just a much less consequential one if only by comparison.

McGillis thinks of all the parties he has been forced to attend as the Fareed heir, of all the excuses he has found to hide himself away on balconies and in courtyards whenever possible... And then he thinks about how he's dead and his reputation is already in shambles. Oh, fuck it. ]

You're really walking into an open knife, you know.

[ This can absolutely not end well. The grey and black strings hang between them like a noose waiting to tighten. But if he's not going to be rid of Izou, who knows all his secrets now, then he might as well keep him closer instead. Closer and closer until he can crush him and all this is.

McGillis is not going to let Izou do the honors. He connects their lips before the other man gets a say in it. ]

[goei]

Ain't like I haven't done that before.

[He sneaks in a line he thinks sounds cool and pithy but is really just admitting he's a reckless idiot.

He's only mildly surprised when McGillis is the one to actually properly initiate the kiss. This means he freezes up for a moment like prey caught in a trap, but when there's no trick or secret cosmic punishment for what has happened, he relaxes and leans in. He catches McGillis's bottom lip between his teeth briefly, as a warning that he's still a dog that can bite.

But then, McGillis was wondering about how he'd think the taller man would taste, wasn't he? He'd hate to disappoint, so he tilts his head to go in deeper with his tongue. For his part, Izou unsurprisingly tastes most strongly of sake. Certainly it could be worse.]

[vogelfrei]

[ It's been years since McGillis kissed anybody. Married first to his job and solitude (and then literally married to Almiria) he had neither had interest in nor time for seeking out the kinds of flings he might have indulged in during his earlier days in Gjallarhorn. But back when he was confronting his demons by sneaking out with other men, he'd been a skilled lover and it doesn't take more than a second to fall back into rhythm.

McGillis wraps his left arm around Izou's waist and pulls him in closer, welcoming his tongue without hesitation. None of this is pure except maybe Izou's maiden heart, so it would be a waste to not savor it properly. It might be the first time he's kissed anybody who's actually meant something to him, even if 'something' translates to the remembered feeling of a sword to his bone.

Equally unsurprisingly, McGillis tastes of chocolate. ]

[goei]

[Despite all his barking and bluster, when actually put in the thick of it, Izou is actually surprisingly calm. He settles into the arm holding him in place like he belons there. While it has certainly been a while for him too, and getting him to actually admit to it would be a monumental task, he's no stranger to being held in any sense of the term. There's something comforting in surrendering his body completely to someone he trusts.

Not that McGillis is such a person. This is just a temporary indulgence. A very nice one, he can recognize that much. Though, the sweet tastes of McGillis's mouth is kind of funny to him. It doesn't suit how the man appears at all, but then how much of that is a front to keep people away? Izou recognizes the tactic in McGillis since he uses it himself. He pulls away for a moment;]

Couldn't've done this with yer bird mask on.
[Before going back in like he expects to get away with this taunt unpunished.]

[vogelfrei]

[ Izou is such a little shit - and at least it ensures that, despite the sentiments that caused this mess in the first place, that McGillis' own thoughts remain firmly with the man he's actually making out with. A victory for Izou, to be sure!

In what may just be another victory for Izou in the end, he's about to find out that two can play the biting game. Not that McGillis is aiming to draw blood here, he's just getting rougher in response to the insolence because he suspects they'll both enjoy it.

Blessedly, this means his eyes are closed and he is not noticing the rest of the party slowly turning to stare at them. ]

[goei]

[Yeah as far as Izou is concerned they're perfect covert and totally getting away with it!! Which is good because he's enjoying himself and wants to keep at it a little longer even though he knows this is all pretty reckless and probably ill considered. Then again, isn't this what they were brought here for?

His suspicions are correct though, as Izou lets out a pleased hum when he's bit, responding back in kind, for once showing some restraint in similarly not biting hard enough to draw blood, though he does clamp down a little firmer than McGillis as if it's a competition.

He also raises his hand that isn't idly hanging off the other man's tie to place on his chest in a way that seems natural for the way he's being held but is absolutely just an excuse to get a handful of the McTits as it were. He's already expecting this to be a one time thing, so he might as well.]

[vogelfrei]

[ McGillis had almost forgotten that it could feel so good to blow off steam through something like this, but he's rapidly remembering. The competitive nibbling is somewhere between endearing and alluring, and he's glad to keep up the pace in between brushes of tongue on tongue.

This is as far as they can go here, in public, but he's briefly allowing himself to imagine tugging on that pink string and taking it further in more privacy. The world's worst idea, surely, but unfortunately that makes it a lot more appealing than the idea of... just about any other hook-up, which he's generally over bothering with at all.

It's an indulgently long time before he finally decides to be the voice of reason and break apart. Sort of apart. They're still entangled with each other for the moment being. The way he has to bend down for it is very uncomfortable though, why is the size difference like this. ]

So. Were you properly thinking of me all the way through?

[goei]

[Imagine his yellow thread turns pink because of this... How embarrassing.

When McGillis breaks away,Izou is perfectly content to remain in his grasp a while longer. He's flushed, slightly dazed even, and admits;]

When I even managed a coherent thought, yeah. What about you?

[You've got just as much weird baggage as him if not more.]

[vogelfrei]

[ Oh no, he's so honest like this... McGillis had expected him to instantly bristle and pull away, but instead he's privy to this almost gentle expression. It's... unexpected but not unwelcome to be told so sincerely how much Izou's been into this.

For the moment, it makes him want to not be cruel. He smiles. ]

Just you as well.

[goei]

[As much as Izou would protest any statements about having a "maiden heart," McGillis will feel Izou relax in his grasp when he confirms that this was a lovely time for both of them with no psychological specters of other men involved!!!]

Good, that's good...

[Patting McGillis's chest almost absently, as the adrenaline wears off he's starting to feel embarrassed again.]

Maybe sometime we could-
[NO IZOU. CALM IT DOWN. BUT...]

I still wanna talk to you s'more. I've decided I can't justify killin' ya at the end of this 'til I understand properly.
[It's an excuse, but one they can both use as a crutch.]

[vogelfrei]

[ McGillis had not understood Celeste's obsession with calling Izou cute before, but he's getting a good idea of it now................. ]

'Talk', huh?

[ It's really too bad the strings aren't tangible, because he'd love to teasingly tug on the pink one right now. Oh well, he'll have to settle for subtly brushing his hand down Izou's side before letting go of him entirely.

Only then does he focus on the serious answer. ]

I doubt you'll reach the understanding you seek, but you have a few weeks left to try. Let's talk.

[ 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer' as the saying goes. McGillis neither wants to be understood, nor wants to be killed by Izou. Maybe there is a middle path somewhere between that, taking advantage of physical attraction to muddy the waters.

Or maybe he'd just like to see Izou try and fail to get close to him, ultimately proving that it's impossible after all. (Celeste had said that it's satisfying for people like them to be proven right on their own solitude. Celeste gets it a little too well.) ]