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

[bloodweapon]

[Oh wait, praise, how does he handle praise...]

Thank you.

[...He is absolutely turning pink. Sayaka has not seen how easily bullied this man is without his helmet on.]

I do like it, yes. It's very different - which is something I appreciate, truly. You've a good eye for this, Sayaka.

[destage]

[Thankfully, Sayaka will spare Fray's dignity and smile at him instead of heaping on the praise.]

Heehee! That makes me really happy to know--I was wondering if this sort of style might be something you like.

[She says it softly, and thankfully, there's nobody else around. She wants to be considerate of everything, and it means the world that she's managed to hit something he likes.]

It gives us a good starting point in case we want to go to any other stores. And black is such a nice, universal color--it's a good starting point because you can pair it with so many others...

But that might be my inner fashionista talking! [Sayaka giggles a bit.] I've always tried to keep up with fashion, because it was always good to help some of my schoolmates out. I'm not always the best at it, but I really am glad that it's helping you, Fray.

[bloodweapon]

It is, yes. Thank you, Sayaka.

[It seems she really does understand the struggles he's going through in finding himself, and she's careful to keep it quiet too. Really, Fray couldn't ask for a better confidant in these trying times... especially when it comes to helping figure out fashion.]

You're doing an excellent job. I hardly care much for fashion, but finding a look that is uniquely mine is important, and you've assisted tremendously today.

[But he should try on the others first!! So with a nod, Fray steps back into the dressing room for the next outfit. This is going quite well, and he finds the next one also fits and looks good - Sayaka really did pick up on exactly his sort of brand, didn't she? He is goth as hell.]

What do you think of this one?

[destage]

[Sayaka practically beams from the praise; it's so strange to receive it but it makes her expression go completely proud. Of herself, and of Fray. To think that she'd be able to help this man find something to call his very own--a being she can't understand in entirety, but she's still somehow able to fumble her way through the dark and find her way around.

It's genuinely heartwarming to her. Maybe, deep down...this is how she truly wanted to reach people. On an individual level, reaching and opening a hand that wants to reach the people around her. That wants to understand, that wants so badly to let them know they aren't alone.

Sayaka carries that thought with her as she looks when Fray comes out, and her eyes briefly widen for a moment as she looks the outfit over, and there's a very firm nod of the head.]

Oh, that dark red works wonderfully. You're definitely suited to dark, rich colors, I think. [...She doesn't know if that's rude to say because he is literally borrowing a redheaded catboy's appearance, but--] It definitely works as a nice accent color to bring some more of the outfit out, and it looks just perfect on you, I think!

Do you like this one too?

[bloodweapon]

[Fray's ears are already up in ! position, but they wiggle a bit at the praise.]

I'm pleased you think so. I assume I should have more in my wardrobe than just black, after all.

[And he has a fondness for dark colors after wearing dark blue for so long.]

I do like it. These outfits you chose are perfect; I wasn't sure what I was looking for when I entered here, but I've found it now, thanks to your help.

[destage]

[...that's adorable...]

It's not a problem at all, honestly. Really, it just makes me happy to see you so happy with them. It's pretty freeing, isn't it?

[It at least helps her mask her own insecurities about what to wear!!!]

I'll have to take you to some of the other stores too, at some point. Now that we've got an idea of what you like, we can have a whole wardrobe for you at some point!

[bloodweapon]

It is. It's allowing me to express myself in ways I hadn't really thought about before, and it makes me look very different from V'rhas.

[He glances at his reflection in the nearby mirror as if to confirm it. Yeah, V'rhas wouldn't wear anything like this. More for practicality's sake than anything else; maintaining clothes this nice while traipsing through the wilderness in search of Aether Currents wouldn't exactly be ideal...]

A whole wardrobe, hmm? I like the sound of that. Thank you, Sayaka. Truly; I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come along.