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!

ic comm | inboxes | ooc comm | full nav

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Comments

[emptyself]

Was it defending the store...?

[ that's how soujuurou's going to interpret this as he looks at the now-stone dragon from outside of the store. huh. who knew that could happen!

but the mission must continue, and that elevator has a weird light to it. ]

We probably have to go this way. Let's go.

[beathollow]

I think so...

( as they go, mafuyu has snow white cast diarama on yoon as well, though she's also very clearly hovering over arven a bit. but, yoon took a lot of hits... )

[strawsandals]

Thank you...

[ You are also a real one, and so is Arven! Anyway, it's elevator time, probably, so he'll just go with the rest of the group. Damn. Some dragons suck, actually. ]

[metagame]

[Atem remains silent as he follows along.]

CWs in memoryshare

[linkupmods]

[ given that there's a large number of them in dragon gang, the elvator is a little bit more squeezy than usual, but nekyia cognition shenanigans means that everyone will fit into the elevator! probably. ]

[ that said, remember that strange light from the elevator? turns out that there was a memory bubble hidden in the button that will send them to the rooftop, so enjoy your elevator entertainment in shitty grainy 2000s footage. ]

CW: character death, suicide, self-harm

set the scene. you find yourself in a quaint little tea shop - pale gold and fine china, expensive, classy, distinctively and recognisably japanese, similar to the one in the previous memory. the only difference from the previous memory? it’s now particularly, deathly quiet.

like an omen.

it might take at least a minute for characters to navigate the tables in the main seating area and into the back room of the tea shop, where they will find two people - joshua, dressed in an old-fashioned yukata, and another man who is older, taller, and speaking in a grave voice--

"You know there is no turning back from this, right?"

"Yes, you've mentioned this at least twenty times, Hanekoma-san. I heard you the first four times."

there is a knife, blade gleaming silver steel with an ivory hilt and a feather carved into the handle, laying on the table between them. two cups of tea sit to the side, untouched, soft tendrils of steam rising between them.

and for a moment, joshua's gaze flickers downwards towards the knife, and he hesitates, only for a brief moment.

"... Will you still be here, after it's done?"

the man called hanekoma inclines his head gently, peering at the boy over the top of his tinted glasses. he nods, and it seems to be all the confirmation that he needs.

he reaches for the knife. the weight of it is heavy, in his hand, but there's a determination that colours his movements, the way he twists it so that the blade is aimed at his own heart, the shaky, barely-there exhale and the way violet eyes close before the blade drives home, tearing through flimsy fabric and skin and flesh and it hurts--

it hurts for just that moment, but it's perfect.

it's the only word that his mind can cling onto, the only description for how everything has falling in place, this moment that all the other moments in his life so far has led to.

it's perfect.

██████████████ is eighteen and he's bleeding out all over the polished floor of hanekoma-san's tea shop with a knife in his heart, and it doesn't hurt anymore. hanekoma-san is watching it happen with impassive eyes to make sure that he dies.

he's dying, right?

he's going to die here, in shibuya. he's going to die here, with a man who is not a man to bear witness, alone as he has always been alone, and it's only the first step to something more. to join the game, to do more than join - to take it for his own

(to begin his life anew)

[ the elevator dings. you have arrived. ]

[beathollow]

( ... not even the presence of loved ones can help her right now. her breathing quickens, harsh shallow things as she covers her eyes like it will actually help anything. her chest hurts. her heart hurts. she hates this- )

[emptyself]

[ oh that was... definitely a memory.

soujuurou is shaken momentarily and has to take a breath of air to settle himself, but he's far more worried about mafuyu when he sees her reaction. ]

Mafuyu. Please, look at me. [ he's never tried to talk down someone from a panic attack (nor does he know what that is) but hey, who said you can't try something new! ]

[beathollow]

( she at least... peaks through her fingers, but there's no light in her eyes and she's desperately trying to just breathe. maybe not to cry, also but that's much lower on the list of priority. )

[emptyself]

It was a pretty awful thing to have to see. [ he nods. he hates seeing blood. he hates seeing people dying. ] Do you want to try breathe with me?

[ despite the memory he had just seen, soujuurou's breathing is calm and steady. this is one of the first lessons that he was ever taught, and one of the first things that he had to relearn a very, very long time ago.

he inhales. holds. he exhales. breathes in. holds. exhales. ]

[beathollow]

( it helps, a little. the care others are giving, too. little by little she's able to follow along, but... not yet enough to talk for a moment more- not until there's a barely whispered: )

T-thank you.

[emptyself]

Oh. [ he nods. ] You're welcome.

[ it looks like others have it handled, so he'll just... slink away to let the others take care of her. ]

[beathollow]

( mafuyu will remember this.




fondly, of course. but sometimes you have to be ominous. )

[cirquedesang]

Mafuyu... Mafuyu breathe.

[The vision was... something. But they'll deal with the contents of them later, when they deal with the owner of them. For now, they have to get her through this.

So he'll come down to her level, and speak to her gently and gesture for Mabosstiff to come over, too. You're a therapy dog now, buddy.]

[beathollow]

I- I...

( between soujuurou, celeste and celeste bringing mabosstiff over, she can at least feel a bit more... present. her throat feels slick and her stomach is churning so much, and her lungs and eyes burn from the struggle to breathe and the pinpricks of tears. )

[cirquedesang]

You don't have to be okay.

[She isn't okay - that much is obvious - but given they're walking into danger... she has to, unfortunately, be put together enough to at least not die.]

We're here with you. We're here for you. Can you stay with Mabosstiff until you're feeling more steady?

[beathollow]

( she nods, opens her mouth to say something... and then glances to atem.

even at her lowest she can see others' pain, after all. ... but she can't... not right now. )

[cirquedesang]

[They don't have to talk, it's fine.

He will put a hand on her shoulder, though, giving a light, supportive squeeze. They'll get through this.]

[supherb]

[Honestly, Mabosstiff has been an unofficial therapy dog for a long time. He easily pads over and nuzzles up to Mafuyu to support her.

Arven comes along with the Pokemon, kneeling next to Celeste and putting a comforting hand on Mafuyu's arm.]

M-Mafuyu...

[He's shaking, too. That was too much for anyone to see, and it's clear that it hits especially close to home for Mafuyu. It's heartbreaking for Arven to consider.]

It's gonna be okay, Mafuyu.

[beathollow]

( mabosstiff is getting a hug right now, but after a moment she reaches to take arven's hand. her own feels cold. )

... I- I'm sorry.

[supherb]

[Oh, Mafuyu...

He shakes his head and cups her hand for warmth.]

Don't be. You didn't do anything wrong.

We'll stick with you until you're ready.

[metagame]

[His throat tightens, and he forces himself to breathe to keep himself under control. They are hard, shaky breaths. Hands to the pendant around his neck, he squeezes knuckles white. Sharp edges press into his skin, steadying him.

He knows... he remembers. He'll never forget the pieces of himself that remain splintered and suspended in time. Blade in his hand... He...

He's going to be sick, but this isn't the time. No, not when Mafuyu is on the edge.

Another breath, he summons all his willpower to bury deep his emotions. Numbing himself is the only way forward.]