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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[ 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.]

[ There is ample space behind the curtain, thankfully, given how the ballroom's windows curve outward to offer little couches to sit on, revealed when the curtains are drawn back as they usually are during the day. Eli doesn't particularly pay those any mind, though. He's only grateful there was any space at all. Otherwise, they'd be two awkward lumps stuck between a flat wall and some fabric.

Yeah, he got lucky. He hadn't thought that many steps ahead.

Once they're tucked away from sight, he pulls his mask off and lets go of Celeste's hand, only for him to reach up for the collar of the vampire's fancy-ass shirt. He isn't going to stop and think about it. He isn't going to give himself room to chicken out. What he is going to do is pull him down to his level and mash his lips against Celeste's in a kiss.

It's a clumsy attempt, too eager by far, but he's decided to stop overthinking it. That's never been his style, anyhow. ]

[They got lucky. Not that becoming an awkward lump behind some fabric would have stopped them at this point, it just would have made their little escape much more obvious.

As if it wasn't obvious already.

One mask removed becomes two, and while Eli might be expecting some teasing for the eagerness... there isn't any. Instead, the intensity is matched equally - Eli's hand goes to his collar, but Celeste's goes to Eli's hair, promptly ruining any attempt at coherent styling as fingers tangle in short strands and as he meets the kiss with his own.

It's clumsy and eager, all tongue and fang, desperation clearly betraying how much they've danced around the inevitable already.

There will be time enough to overthink later.]

[ All that effort to put his hair into a sensible style undone in seconds, and Eli, being Eli, doesn't even think to care beyond how nice Celeste's fingers feel in his hair. Similar to how messy his hair is now, the kiss is about the same: sharp teeth clack together, and he isn't quite sure what to do with his tongue, but he does his best to follow Celeste's lead.

There is a time, however, soon after they've started, that Eli has to draw back for air and a short, breathy laugh. ]

Damn, you're a terrible kisser.

[ This is hardly true, but it's an attempt at humor to bring some space back between them. He has no idea if Celeste actually needs to breathe, but Eli very much does. ]

[It's fine, fluffy suits him better, anyway. Besides, it won't be the only indicator that they snuck away, should they decide to return to the ball, with masks replaced without mirrors, with clothing tugged askew, with makeup smudged between the both of them-

The curtain hiding a little alcove might have saved them, but it can't protect them once they leave.

It feels like Eli pulls back too soon, and Celeste follows just enough to steal one more ghost of a kiss before straightening just enough to rest their foreheads together. He doesn't need to breathe, no, but he can share a laugh at the situation.]

Am I? Well, in that case-

[If he's such a terrible kisser, then he'll just go--

But the furthest he gets is straightening his back the rest of the way, is angling his head just so and leaning just far enough away that any further kisses will take effort to claim.

He can handle the teasing good-naturedly, but that doesn't mean he won't tease right back.]

I suppose you won't be wanting any more, then.

[ It'll be whatever glitter Celeste's makeup leaves on him, calling it now. People will take one look at that and realize, though Eli wouldn't even fathom to think of that. That's a problem for future them to worry about — or not worry; let people imagine what they were up to, who cares?

In any case, there's a brief second or two of actual concern when Celeste draws back, face out of immediate reach, but then it hits him that he's only teasing him back in turn.

Of course. How could he have thought it anything else? ]

Hey, don't kid around like that. [ Though Eli's more than happy to carry on poking fun. ] It's very serious, and you're going to need a lot of practice to get better, you know? Good thing you have me here.

[People will take one look at them and know... not that it matters. At most Celeste will think to fix any lipstick smudges, but glitter? That's a part of existence. Barely worth considering. And a dead giveaway for anyone else who may not have noticed them disappearing behind the curtain.

It's fine. People are allowed to know.

If the concern had lasted more than a few moments, he might have had to relent. But it doesn't, and Eli's quick to carry on.]

You're right, of course. [His tone is serious, like this is a grave matter, but he can't keep from smiling.] I'd be in a dire situation without you here, wouldn't I?

[ It's fine, everything's fine, except the glitter, which is unavoidable. Eli finally realizes that Celeste isn't just playing with him, and it's unbelievably exciting. ]

You would be. I figure we'll have to spend all night practicing to bring you up to standard.

Oh, all night?

[There's a brief glance to that little couch tucked in the window alcove with them. Did fate put it there? Maybe. Results inconclusive as yet.]

I wonder if that'll be enough time... maybe we'll have to spend much of tomorrow as well.

[ Sure, there's the little couch, which isn't lost on Eli, either, but he wonders how long they'll want to remain somewhere this public. All that stands between them and the masquerade is a curtain...

...ah. That suddenly brings him back down to earth. ]

Tomorrow? [ Look, he likes the sound of that. Celeste could suggest practicing for an entire week and he'd like that, too, but. ] Oh, fuck... Where are we even going to go after this? We both have roommates.

[Even if they wanted to wait out the rest of the masquerade here, behind the curtain, that little couch would probably get uncomfortable sooner or later.]

Tomorrow. [Practicing for an entire week can be reserved for once they've left this world and don't have all these shenanigans going on...

But. Man. It has been entirely too long since he had to worry about roommates.]

Explaining why we would be banishing one of them from the room would be... troublesome.

[Would Yoon even understand he was being sexiled? ...Would his bed survive the night, since he's on the top bunk?]

Ah, we should have moved comfortable things to the roof sooner.

[Their spot...!]

[ Yes, the little couch would inevitably get uncomfortable, but that doesn't stop Eli from tugging Celeste along with him when he steps back towards it to take a seat. ]

Yeah, I don't know how either would take it.

[ Especially if blood gets involved? Can you imagine either Arven or Yoon coming back, and there's blood on Eli or Celeste's sheets? ]

I mean, we could use the roof, just bring a whole lot of blankets with us...? Or, well. I guess the temple would be empty by now, too.

[For now, Little Couch can be their solace, because sure, he'll take a seat, but he is absolutely going to be sitting sideways on it so he can pull Eli on top of him. They're past pretending to be prim and proper - at least until they decide to leave the safety of the curtain - and sitting neatly next to one another is right out.

If thinking has to be involved, at least let there also be easy, casual affection.]

At best, they'd ask too many questions.

[And at worst they'd worry. Especially considering there will almost certainly be blood involved. Double-especially if that blood is entirely incidental. Imagine the reaction if Arven or Yoon are the first ones to notice there's blood at all?]

The temple has certainly captured your imagination.

[It's not a no. It is; however, recalling how they'd wondered if drinking together in the temple would count as proof of a bond, and then how they'd considered going there earlier, as well.]

...And the roof is the first place we'll be looked for.

[ There's a brief look of surprise from Eli when Celeste pulls him over onto himself, but that'll be all. He has no complaints and cuddles right in against Celeste. ]

Well, yeah. I figure it's usually empty and indoors, which is better than the roof, right? Plus, it's kind of Braphine's fault for not giving us all our own rooms, so she shouldn't be surprised if we end up using it that way.

WEEKS 7 & 8

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