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

[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. ]

[cleansewithfire]

[ Suddenly, Sunrise finds herself hoping extra hard that she wasn't wrong and she can use her Persona here, or she might be seeing someone die in front of her again.

She doesn't think too hard about how she's managing to stay afloat when she doesn't really know how to swim, she just raises her hand. ]

Please help him, Ushas.

[ A four-armed, doll-like woman riding a chariot decorated with flowers appears above Sunrise, and two of those arms reach down to cast Dia on Rutile. It's not much, but Sunrise hopes it's enough that Rutile isn't in immediate danger. ]

[speedingticket]

[ This is most certainly the last thing Rutile is expecting.

He stares up, wide-eyed in shock at the woman and chariot. He's quite literally never seen anything like this before. The healing that comes over him is comfortable, but unfamiliar. Is that... That's not magic, is it?

With a slow breath of relief as the pain subsides, Rutile looks back down at Sunrise. There may be a bit of caution or fear in his eyes, but wonder and curiosity win out. ]

What... What was that?

[cleansewithfire]

[ There'd the pasue of someone trying to recall how this was explained to them before... And perhaps a bit of trepedition because she's seen even a bit of fear lead into unfortunate situations before. But Rutile doesn't seem to be panicking, so... ]

...I think the best way to call it is "a representation of my soul"?

[speedingticket]

[ Rutile lifts his hand out of the water. What Sunrise sees is him staring at his empty palm; what she doesn't see is him trying to summon his focus, but nothing. Sugar? Nothing. He's not strong enough to tell if something happened for the spirits to reject him, but, but— ]

A representation of your soul...

[ He looks up at Sunrise, head tilted, beads of water dripping from his hair over his face. ]

Am I dreaming?

[cleansewithfire]

[ There's another long pause, Sunrise gazing downward in thought. ]

...Maybe?

[ She's not 100% sure about what's going on herself. ]

[speedingticket]

[ Rutile looks between Ushas, Sunrise, Ushas, then back to Sunrise. ]

...Can I do the same?

[ This is the first time he realizes...something feels off.

This might be a dream. ]

[cleansewithfire]

[ Ushas gazes (or well, as much as one can gaze when one's eyes are perpetually closed) down, while Sunrise taps her chin. It's probably testament that this is a dream because she isn't already drowning. ]

If you are here, I do not see why you cannot.

[speedingticket]

[ Rutile tentatively places a hand to his chest and steels himself; for a moment, it seems like he's going to give it an earnest go, but something seems to change his mind.

He tilts his head. If this were real, something would've happened by now. Well, with regards to the fight and, and everything else... But the air and the water is still. The lights of Borda Island are faint on the distant horizon. ]

...

Where is "here?"

[cleansewithfire]

[ Please hold, Sunrise is trying to figure out what he means by "here". ]

...I came "here" through a door. There was a name on it, but I could not read it.

Perhaps this is a dream.

[speedingticket]

A door?

[ Suddenly, Rutile feels nervous. That's the first word he latches onto and he doesn't let it go, at least for now.

He needs to check something first. ]

Did you see anyone else? A-a man, tall, with red hair and sleepy eyes?

[ ...He has a feeling he knows what the answer is, but he wants to hear it from Sunrise first. ]

[cleansewithfire]

[ He's right. ]

I did not.

[speedingticket]

[ So he was right.

For a moment, Rutile seems disappointed. But it's a faint, fleeting shadow over his expression. It's quickly replaced by a glimmer of sorts, one that could easily be anger, or determination. ]

...I'm going to try it.

[ He doesn't acknowledge Sunrise's answer, either.

Instead, he places a hand to his chest, searching for the part of himself that could be his own Ushas, looking for any purchase he can grab and pull. This isn't anything he's heard of or learned about before, but something is clearly off, and as his brain scrambles to put the pieces together, this is the one thing that feels like it makes sense...

There's give, and a spark. Lightning cracks in his hand and through the water and before he knows it, a creature emerges from the water, curling around his shoulders.

Rutile stares, eyes wide and full of recognition, before slowly turning to look at Sunrise. ]

What does this mean?

1/2

[cleansewithfire]

[ Oh, it's so cute...! Is it possible to pet someone else's persona? She isn't sure. ]

[cleansewithfire]

[ Wait, she has more important matters to answer first. ]

I am not sure what this creature is, per say, but...I suppose this means this goddess has brought you here to help.

[speedingticket]

[ Even if Sunrise doesn't, Rutile does—he absently reaches up to put a hand on Mitis's head, though his attention doesn't leave the girl.

Eyes wide, still, because these are things he has never heard of before.

He doesn't notice that the ocean has long faded from this dream, and now they float in a starry space. ]

...Help with what? What goddess?

[ thanks and sorry for expositioning— ]

[cleansewithfire]

[ Sunrise gazes at the stars for a moment, nearly distracted while also trying to figure out how to convert important information. ]

There is a Goddess of Community named Braphine who has brought people like you and I here. She has asked for our help to rebuild the bonds and community between the people here.

There is another god who we know only as the God of Conflict. He is very unpleasant and has been trying to sabotage our efforts.

[speedingticket]

[ Despite the urgency of the situation he knows, he waits and listens patiently as Sunrise details what's going on.

All things considered, it's a very clear explanation and very easy to understand. But the reason Rutile's expression remains confused and his brows remained furrowed is that his mind still remains in his home world.

Absently, he keeps petting Mitis. ]

By "here," do you mean...the West? Borda Island? [ His gaze flicks over the distance, where the island would be but obviously, it's gone now. His eyes widen, then dart down, up. No water, no moon. ]

Where...?

[cleansewithfire]

[ Sunrise, who is thinking of a very different West: ]

"Here" would be your dream, I suppose. Outside of it is Sunset City, which is on an island.

[speedingticket]

[ Oh.

More questions bubble to the surface but quickly fizzle away—this poor girl can't answer them, Rutile realizes. Anxiety wells in his chest and he takes a deep breath to calm himself, before speaking: ]

I am dreaming...

[ He puts a hand to his cheek, still cold and clammy like he really did just come out from the ocean. ]

What's your name?

[cleansewithfire]

[ Sunrise vaguely wonders if she's only ended up making him worry more instead with the answers she gave... But she wouldn't know for sure. ]

I am Still Sunrise, but you may call me Sunrise. What is your name, sir?