linkingup | WEEKS 7 & 8

WEEKS 7 & 8

THE SEASONS TURN...

Shopping District

Entertainment District

Nekyia Fashion District

DO YOUR PART FOR CHARITY!

Saturday

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!

Charity Event

Flea Market!

ball

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.

hallway full of dressing rooms.

door that has your name on it.

journey there and find out what awaits?

here.

two weeks

OOC: Sayaka's top level is NOT time sensitive, nor is it a mod-run 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!!!!

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September 28

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[It should be no surprise that Celeste makes his own appearance at the ball, and not only that, he's dressed rather elaborately, to boot. When did he have time to get into that between performances and the ball, anyway??

Regardless, at dinner, there's the familiar sight of him lingering around others, glass in hand. Okay, tonight said glass is fancy, and the thick, deep red liquid inside could be passed off as wine at a glance, but look at him. We're leaning into the vampire aesthetic now that about half the people around are In The Know.

Then, later, when it comes time to dance, he's not a wallflower in the least. He might not know all the official fancy steps to official fancy dances, but he knows just enough that he can bullshit in time with the music - and isn't the point to be having fun, anyway? Aside from certain individuals he's already promised a dance to, he will be rather intent on picking on wallflowers, to make sure shyness doesn't get in the way of them having a good time.

So much so that when the threads begin to appear... well, he barely notices. For all it matters to him, the odd, shimmering colors in the air are just a trick of the light, or an effect introduced to make the night seem more magical... at least until he has attention called to them, at any rate.]

[ooc: Not super into relationship changes, but come at me with any and all threads/reveals! Plotting is over there if you want it!]

Edited 2024-09-24 07:27 (UTC)

[ Regardless of whether or not this is after the Izou smooches (I'll let you pick), McGillis is once again in his masked Montag getup. He cannot be stopped. At least he looks like he's enjoying himself!

He approaches Celeste with an easy smile. ]

Bon appetit. I'm amazed they did offer something to your preferences. Or did someone from our group offer?

[ If Mina brought the blood he desperately wants to know where she got it. From a hospital or....? ]

[Let's say it's after for the sake of the silliness that McGillis taking off and putting on the mask multiple times in the night provides.]

Ah, if someone had offered, we would likely be secreted away in a corner. [A light laugh, a pointed once-over...] Not that I would decline offers from handsome strangers, mind.

[He's been remarkably well cared for, all things considered, and he has very pointedly not been thinking about where the rations in the dorm fridge have been coming from. Truly, Mina works in mysterious ways.]

[ McGillis laughs at that. ]

Now, I cannot deny that I've been curious about the experience...

[ How often do you have a chance to find out how something you firmly thought fictional feels in reality? Vampire fiction is a little to the left of McGillis' story preferences, but he's read enough to wonder about the whole deal. ]

... but maybe I shouldn't risk a dizzy spell when I've promised a dance to somebody.

I can tell you it isn't an unpleasant one... but one best had in private, for you, I think.

[Quite the opposite! For everyone, it's a bit different, sure, but at the same time, it's always intensely pleasurable... and it's for that reason, and the similarities between them that he doesn't further press the idea here and now. In theory it could provide a giddiness akin to drunkenness, or the hazy euphoria of a drug-induced state, but... given how many ~~get sent to horny jail~~ experience a more sexually-charged reaction...

He's certain no matter the way McGillis's body would react to the bite, he'd appreciate the formality of explicitly informed consent and the chance to enjoy it without prying eyes. He could make Izou's knees buckle on the dance floor and only risk getting yelled at. He can't say the same here.]

And you have promised me a dance. It wouldn't do to turn you to a wallflower now, would it?

[ 'For him', huh? That (and Izou's flustered reaction to being caught during the biting act earlier in the week) gives him ample indication as to what kind of pleasant experience might await with a bite. It seems like vampires weren't icons of gothic eroticism for nothing, then.

'Volunteering his blood' is thus put somewhere up there with 'hooking up' on ideas that sound as intriguing as they sound unsettling. He still has time to consider them, anyway. ]

There would be very little turning required. Normally, I'd be taking any excuse to remove myself from the dance-floor.

[ The reason for that is not shyness so much as disgust with all of the people who might ask him for a dance, but... neither here nor there. ]

I am making an exception for you that I have made for precious few people.

Edited 2024-09-26 21:27 (UTC)

[The reputation is certainly well-earned - at least in his world. And even if neither curiosity is sated, just the consideration is certainly flattering on its own.

But, of course, there's still time.]

Would you now?

[And there's genuine surprise on his face at that, visible even behind his own mask in the way his eyes widen a bit and his back straightens. He'd assumed McGillis's own flair for the dramatic would have overridden distasteful company, but it would seem that was not the case. Interesting.]

Then I will happily take full advantage of this exception.

[ McGillis has done his fair share of public dancing to prove that he could, certainly, but it had never been with any genuine enthusiasm. McGillis would much rather spend his evenings quietly with the people closer to him or a good book - showing off for an audience only looking to find fault in him is exhausting, and so is being fawned over by women he has no interest in and who know nothing about him at all.

But Celeste is not a woman and knows far too much about him. The ballroom is in Sunset City and not on Vingolf. So McGillis can grin and take a bow, before offering his hand one more. ]

I'll gift you my first dance of the night, my dear Celeste. Our dance in the palace was a little tense and my health was still in jeopardy - I believe we can outdo ourselves this time.

[ Compared to Celeste's lovely getup, he's dressed pretty simply and honestly similar to how he usually does, just with some formal pinstripes and gray. Even with another coat that miraculously stays draped over his shoulders!

When he hears the music, he was content to just listen and vibe while leaning again the wall. Unfortunately he gets curious enough for his gaze to wander and see who's dancing... So his eyes meet a certain vampire's like it's a pokemon battle.

Oh no.

Here you go Celeste, have your little wallflower to pluck right off the wall. ]

[At least his usual outfit would have done well enough, even... not like some others. And the coat over his shoulders is a nice touch! A dramatic flair! Or, well, something like that.

Unfortunately for Yi Sang, though, there's no being a wallflower when you have an extrovert fond of you.

'Like a fragment of a forgotten dream, a mysterious Pokémon beckons to you...' And cue the battle load screen--

No, no, it's probably worse, actually.]

Ah, what are you doing over here alone?

[Just don't mind him taking your hands and steeeeepping backwards towards the dance floor, Yi Sang. It's fine. Really.]

[ He could almost get away with his regular clothes, but nah, the lack of effort would be something worth teasing about and thus undoing its purpose to get away with laziness... so! He can put in A Little Effort.

Also though... help he didn't prepare for this, pokemon battle or vampire friend encounter. ]

Enjoying the music from here...?

[ A harmless, but hilariously wrong answer in the presence of an extrovert, Yi Sang. The good news is he doesn't resist being tugged by Celeste at all... The bad-ish news is it's ecause the poor guy is terrified. ]

[Sometimes A Little Effort is truly the lazy option... amazing...

But, really, he should have expected something like this from someone, at the very least.]

From here? It would be much easier to enjoy it from out there, no?

[You know. The dance floor. Where the music is aimed at.

Truly vampires are creatures of horror, because he does seem to know exactly what he's doing.]

[ "Do not perceive him," is the MO. Obviously that means it's bound to fail, and there is not backup plan, he isn't that rude. ]

Yes... But I do not have a dance partner or know how to dance.

[ A beat. He continues to be tugged along. Because yes Yi Sang knows. Braincell and all that. ]

I'm... assuming you wish to address at least one of these problems.

[ Funny thing, how Eli's either been lingering near Celeste or spending an inordinate amount of time staring at him for most of the night, and yet? And yet he hasn't come up to him for a dance. In fact, he hasn't said a damn thing to him since dinner (although he'd been very distracted by food at that point). All thanks to these damn threads.

Once Eli realized they revealed feelings, well. Okay, look. He knows Celeste is aware of plenty of his feelings towards him, but there's one he realized he can't bring himself to mention. That stupid crush. Stupid, silly, pointless, because what else could it be?

All he has to do is look at Celeste, here, at the ball, looking amazing and perfect, and know his dumb puppy love crush is laughable. Sure, they had plans, but now it's all just so... embarrassing. So, he stands at the farthest point across the room from Celeste instead of at his side, which is where he wants to be instead and would be if not for these stupid threads! ]

[And for the most part, through the night, he's been content to linger near to Eli with a similar distance. At first it had been to give him time - and space - to consume all the food he wanted. Afterwards, it had become something a little more... nebulous. He doesn't approach either, partly because he has been pulled this way and that, and partly because, well, he's been doing some pulling of his own. There are too many introverts around here.

And then the threads start appearing, and there's more incentive to keep distance once he learns they reveal feelings.

Especially once he sees certain threads of his own trailing off and leading to Eli.

But as the night drags on... and as it's obvious that Eli isn't lingering near him anymore either, some part of him decides maybe it would be okay to follow these threads. Maybe he can indulge the sensibilities of this world a little bit and set aside his own hesitations.

So, eventually, he'll simply find his way to the corner Eli seems to have tucked himself away in, slotting in next to him with an ease that could make one wonder if he'd seen the threads at all.

But then again he'd found him far too easily.

He only had one red thread to follow, after all.]

We've been avoiding each other.

[Simple. To the point.]

[ He could run. It's his first instinct when Celeste tracks him down and slides in alongside him. Naturally, the second instinct is to fight, only Eli has no inclination to pick a fight with Celeste of all people. He wouldn't want to. He couldn't, even if it may save him from whatever incoming disaster.

Of course, in all the blind panic, Eli fails to realize the red thread goes both ways. Instead, he crosses his arms tightly across his chest and looks away, face flushed red and miserable under his mask. ]

...yeah, guess so. I don't know. It's been a busy night, yeah?

[He could run. Celeste could run, too, despite being the one to close the distance, considering all the nervous energy rushing through him.

He doesn't.

He drapes an arm loosely around Eli's waist to make leaning against him more comfortable, instead, because that's a familiar enough position to assume, and with nothing else to rely on it's easy to default to the familiar.]

It has. [Not technically a lie-] But... [And there's always a 'but' isn't there?] I've missed you.

[ That arm around his waist has Eli stiffening, muscles wound tight with nervous energy. Too stuck in his own head about this, all he can think of is how that red thread of his must be broadcasting every feeling direct to Celeste no matter what he does. Well, of course, how couldn't he fall for the guy? It's easy to do, isn't it? He can only imagine... there must be a dozen other red threads leading to Celeste... probably... somehow. ]

You did? [ That does have him tipping his head back up, sneaking a peek at Celeste. It's a dumb question, but it comes tumbling out of Eli's mouth regardless. He is pretty much the king of stupid questions, after all. ] Why? I'm the least interesting thing in this place right now.

[If there are other red threads leading to him, he hasn't noticed them - and why would he, when he'd been so stubborn about ignoring the one that exists? Acknowledging feelings like that was always intimidating - one never knew what to expect when rebuffing such strong feelings, after all.

And considering he doesn't want to, this time?]

Mhm.

[King of stupid questions he may be, but there's still a fond smile at that one in particular.]

You could never be the least interesting thing- [...Anywhere? Is he really going to let himself be that sappy? Now?] -anywhere, I think. [He is.]

At least not to me.

[ This earns a stare, a long one, as Eli thinks. He'd never be the least interesting thing to Celeste? But? Now he looks up towards Celeste fully, even though the mask still does a decent job of hiding how red his face is. Not entirely, of course, but... mostly. It'll have to do. ]

But... why?! I'm dumb as dirt. I have no manners. I cuss all the damn time and I pick fights for no reason. I'm even the worst looking person in this room right now, compared to... well... you know! Everyone!

[ He can't accept it that easily. It can't be true. ]

While you're all... gorgeous... and perfect and... well, c'mon, there's no one in this room you couldn't have if you wanted them, right? And they're all shit like heroic spirits or fancy generals or knights...

Eli.

[He sees that hint of red peeking out from under the mask, and there's the temptation to pull it off of him outright, to steal it so he can see that expression fully, but... They're in public, and he's feeling selfish. Sure, they're tucked away in a corner, but that doesn't mean no one else can see if they just look over there, after all.

So the mask can stay.]

Even if any of that were true-

[...Well, okay, 'I cuss all the damn time and I pick fights for no reason.' is true, sure, but clearly that doesn't matter to him.]

What makes you think I would want any of that fancy nonsense for more than a night or two, hm?

[He's noticed the pink threads going to and from himself - and those at least make sense. Those he can brush off as fleeting attraction, as both parties having eyes and a curiosity, easily sated and left by the wayside. What he can't simply brush away is how their threads mirror each others' near perfectly. How Eli putting himself down as he is makes his own heart ache.]

Besides, I'm far from perfect. I play with feelings like they don't matter while ignoring all of my own. Or... trying to. I've failed, tonight, clearly, but...

[And now it's his turn to blush - and regret the thin mask he'd chosen that hides next to nothing.]

But it would be even more terrible of me to pretend some of these don't exist, no?

Hey, Izou ain't fancy nonsense!

[ That's the first thing out of Eli's mouth because he can't help but defend his friend as he turns towards Celeste. Considering what they're discussing, that's an odd choice, but here we are. His brain does catch up with the rest of what Celeste has said a few seconds later.

Yellow eyes flit down to the threads between them. Pink, obviously. He knew that one. The others, sure, but then? Ah, he feels that urge to run again, though he can't tell if it's out of terror or the sudden surge of exuberance he feels. ]

W-wait, these aren't just my...? You?

No... No, he isn't.

[Sure, Izou isn't, but heroic spirits as a concept sure are - especially when held up alongside 'fancy generals' and 'knights'.

But that's besides the point, isn't it? Brains are catching up to eyes, and just to really drive the point home, Celeste tugs on his own threads after making sure his hand passes right through Eli's. Funny how they work like that. No denying whose are whose.]

So it would seem. And... while we could pretend we never saw this... [While he might have wanted to, if any of them had been one-sided.] It would only be delaying the inevitable, I think.

[ Yeah, but Izou would sure like to boast about being put in the same tier as fancy generals and knights. Good thing he'll never know. ]

Y-yeah, especially with...

[ Their plans. Sheesh, he may never stop blushing for the rest of the night at this rate. A pleasant shiver runs through him simply Celeste passing his hand through the threads, and that has him making an emergency decision. He looks out at the dance floor, checking where everyone else is, and then?

He slips out from Celeste's arm and snags his hand in his instead, tugging him towards the tall velvet window curtain near them. ]

Quick, before anyone looks.

[ He's learned from McGillis and Izou's mistake. ]

[He sure would. Maybe someday he'll get to know. As a treat.

For a moment, when Eli slips away, he gets an unfounded nervous jolt - is he pulling away? Does he want to pretend this never happened, go back to ignoring each other until later, until the threads are gone and they can carry out their earlier plans while pretending this never happened?

And Eli thought he was the stupid one.

Celeste spares a glance out to the dance floor as well, desperately hoping no one is staring at them, so he won't have to divert Eli elsewhere, pretend like they were simply headed to the dance floor themselves, don't mind the mutual blushing, don't mind how quickly they moved from the wall--

Maybe people have the sense not to stare after the fiasco with Izou and McGillis. Maybe he just doesn't actually care enough to notice if anyone is, despite the cursory glance. Whatever the case, he allows himself to be pulled to the curtain, and does his part of pulling the curtain around them in turn, for some illusion of privacy.]

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dinner, soon to be dance

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threads....

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