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

[cirquedesang]

[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.]

[vogelfrei]

[ 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.

[cirquedesang]

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?

[vogelfrei]

[ '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.

[cirquedesang]

[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.

[vogelfrei]

[ 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.