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

anyone!

[oinkoink]

[The combination of cookies and a couple familiar faces running the stall is what brings Sally over. How can anyone resist cookies? Especially when they look like that?]

They're all so cute...

[She knows she should be good and not get, like, a crazy amount of cookies, but she seriously can't decide between them.]

Can I get a few of each?

[moodwrecker]

Oh, yeah, sure. Which ones do you want?

[Sally's fine by her. She even stands up to help.]

We've got chocolate-chip, snickerdoodle, and two different sugar cookie designs.

[oinkoink]

I guess I'll take two of each--one of each sugar cookie and two of the others.

[She fidgets as she pulls out her wallet, because what is being normal even just making a purchase like this?]

So, you all made these together?

[moodwrecker]

[Grabbing the appropriate cookies!]

Yup. It started because Eli wanted to sell something at the flea market, but we got Yoon and Arven to join in since they actually know how to bake.

[oinkoink]

Sounds like you got a whole operation going.

[In this setup, would Audrey be the brains or the brawn?]

Did you do any of the baking, yourself?

[moodwrecker]

All of us did. ...But Yoon and Arven did most of the hard work.

[oinkoink]

Oh--well, I'm sure that they appreciated your help anyway. [Something like that had always been one of her fantasies--cooking or baking with the people closest to her. It would be so rewarding, to sit down and eat together afterward.] It must have been a lot of fun.

[moodwrecker]

...Yeah. I guess it was.

Have you ever made food together with people before? ...It's been a long time for me.

[oinkoink]

[Sally shakes her head.]

No...my mom was never really into that kind of thing. I'd have liked to, though.

[moodwrecker]

Wow, really?

[Huh.]

Want to try something tonight? We can probably look up a recipe or something. ...Or just bully Yoon into helping again.

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Aubrey's already listing what cookies they have but Eli can't help but add, ]

Yeah. Aubrey was all for having the cute little bunny chocolate chip ones. Adorable, right?

[ Countdown to Aubrey punching him begins now. ]

[oinkoink]

They are.

[She guesses it's not too big of a surprise that Aubrey chose the rabbit design. She clearly liked rabbits. Sally glances between the two of them.]

Are you friends, then?

[Somehow, it felt like a stupid question...but at least she was trying for conversation instead of just standing there and staring like some kind of dunce.]

[fullmoonmutt]

Friends?

[ Huh. Wait. Eli looks at Aubrey first, then Arven and Yoon doing their own busy work in the back of the stall. ]

I... yeah. I guess we are. Weird.

[oinkoink]

Weird? Isn't it a good thing?

[Her fingers tug at her sleeves. No, it kind of was weird, in a way. They were all brought here together in such a bizarre circumstance. Wasn't it hard to make friends without all of that? Or was it that this was so bizarre that made it easier for some people?]

I mean...that's what we're supposed to be doing, right? Making friends with each other.

[fullmoonmutt]

It is, but...

[ How does Eli put this? Well, the same way he puts everything else. Simply. He does spend more time putting thought into all of this, really, he just doesn't say it out loud. Usually. Sometimes?

He does push his hair back idly from his face, giving his head a good ol' thinking scratch as he turns back to her. ]

I've just never had friends before. I figured I was bad at making 'em.

[oinkoink]

Oh...

[Even though she completely relates, there's still something so sad hearing someone else say that they don't have any friends. Or didn't, as the case was.]

I know what you mean. I've never had any friends, either.

[fullmoonmutt]

Nah?

[ But why...? She looks like a normal human?

Guess everyone where you're from is shitty, too, if that's the case. I mean, people back home have a reason to hate me, you know? 'cause I got lycanthropy and all, but you seem alright?

[oinkoink]

[She blinks at him. It's so strange, the way people regard her here--like she's not some walking embarrassment. It's nice, of course, but continues to take her aback.]

My name's Sally, by the way.

[It feels better to actually give her name instead of commiserate more about how people treated them.]

I think you seem alright, too.

[fullmoonmutt]

[ His usual reply would be "you'd think different if you knew better" but he's trying to get away from that, too. Being down on himself. It's too easy to do by far. ]

Thanks? [ Though he isn't sure he'll ever not sound unsure about people saying he's alright. ] I mean, really, thanks, Sally. I'm Eli.

[oinkoink]

[Sally gives him an awkward smile in return. It's true that she doesn't know anything about him--other than that he apparently has lycanthropy and she can't help wondering more about that--but if Aubrey and Yoon are close with him, she's sure he can't be so bad.]

Well, it's nice to meet you, Eli.

[And she wishes she didn't always feel like she was grasping at straws when talking to people.]

So, um, the cookies--do you have a favorite?

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Does he have a favorite? Does he?! ]

Aubrey's chocolate chip ones are really good, but I like the snickerdoodle bones best. Those were my idea. I mean, I never had a snickerdoodle before now, but the name was funny, so I figured, sure? Why not?

[ Oh dear, he's suddenly excited. It tends to happen when something he decides to do manages to work out. ]

But they're awesome! They're super soft, and the cinnamon gives them a great flavor!

[oinkoink]

[Oh, that excitement over such a simple question...Sally's smile loses some of its awkward edge.]

I like cinnamon--it makes me think of the holidays. It's perfect, what with summer ending.

[fullmoonmutt]

[ He's truly like a big, overexcited puppy sometimes. ]

Holidays?

[ Hang on, thinking, thinking. ]

Oh! Like Christmas. That one? Huh, I guess we have used cinnamon before when we've had it for stuff around then. It's a pretty good spice, as far as spices go.

[oinkoink]

Yeah, like Christmas. Have you ever had hot cider with cinnamon? It's heavenly. But Fall is great for cinnamon, as well. It pairs wonderfully with pumpkin.

[And she's talking too much about food, isn't she? Her face starts to color.]

That it to say...yes, it's a good spice.

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Look, Eli loves food. It's fine. ]

Cider... That's made from apples, right? Nah. I don't think we'll see much of those until someone gets an orchard or two back up and running. No idea how long that'll take.

[ Do they even grow apples out where they've taken farmland back? He's not sure. ]

Although, I guess I could find it here, huh?