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

[pointzeropercent]

[The perception roll was a 15 so he definitely notices. Mmmmmmm don't like that.]

Out of my thoughts please, if you will.

[It's spoken not to "Sayaka" specifically, but just in general to the room to address whatever is pulling at his mind. His words are cheerful enough, but there's enough of an edge to them to show that he means business. Regardless, he will continue his actions for now, so long as the thought-stealing doesn't get more intense. He has as Sayaka to save after all.

Once he has the laptop in hand he will open it up and start typing away at the keyboard. Programs open quickly, and soon he's tapped into the internet and some other networks in the building.]

Big productions like this typically have cameras everywhere, and keep those cameras on a secure network. But I can get into networks easily.

[His hacking abilities have finally come in handy. This is his element, he feels confident with his actions here.]

Some footage from those cameras- specifically footage of the managers doing illegal things, should be sufficient blackmail to get them to cooperate.

[destage]

[...

Perhaps startlingly, politeness will in fact, get you somewhere. While it doesn't go away entirely, the clawing feeling will pull back just a touch for now, and he'll be able to hack the cameras with surprising ease. (1!)

Sadly, a lot of them are showing some level of static--someone should really maintain this building a bit, but he'll be able to see at least a couple main point of interest!

Namely, the main stage itself--there's a fair few managers there, and Sayaka herself can be seen at the center of a small platform on the stage, right at it's center, and she seems rigid but trying to put on a good face. The stage itself looks strangely and perfectly circular, and there seems to be a gauge behind her--and some...odd prongs that seem to line around that circle to form a slightly bigger one around it...

...There's no need to mince words, they've absolutely put Sayaka in the middle of a bear trap on stage.

In a slightly less terrifying image--there seems to be someone asleep at a control panel with the cameras. Which probably explains why the cameras were so easy to hack into. It looks like there's a pretty advanced control panel there, along with a map to reference...

There's also quite a few managers around who seem to be apt to sneak around and steal from the idols themselves--one can find them taking money, personal items, and other such things and either hiding them in their office, or taking them wholesale. Some even paying off security guards to grab some of the formless idols and transform them into proper monsters from down in Nekyia...]

You find anything good?

[pointzeropercent]

I've found some good blackmail material, which is helpful.

[Normally he would not say that out loud, but dream logic. No inner thoughts in dreams, only outer.

He starts recording all of these cameras to the computer hard drive and a cloud storage system he owns. He also downloads some still images to a flash drive, which he will take with him.]

I'm going to go handle this. Hang onto this computer and keep an eye on things, okay?

[Several backups are key for blackmailing success. Even if the feed gets cut, at least partial videos have already been exported. Also, now shadow Sayaka can see what's going on through the laptop. Meanwhile, Sou is going to take the flash drive with himself to the main stage.]

[destage]

Ha! I knew I could count on you for a reason! Leave the information protecting to me--you've got this.

Try to stay out of trouble, yeah? And--wait a sec.

["Sayaka" will see him off in a second, but she winds up undoing her headband first, passing it to Sou.]

If you need any help at all, squeeze this and I'll come running. [...] I don't know why I know that, but I don't intend on leaving my post. But...don't get yourself hurt going it alone, yeah?

[Nonetheless, the previous door disappears, and a new one appears. Once Sou opens it, it...

...Leads him to what appears to be a hallway. A bit of a sparse one, but there's still people there--some of them moving to and from, and Sou might recognize it. Or, at least one of the managers there.

Seems like she's got a cellphone from one of the other idols in her hand and seems to be checking through it.

There are, of course, other security guards and idols about, though they appear featureless. Two guards stand in front of the next door forward, and the idol girls talk amongst themselves in a group. How do you want to go about this, Sou?]

[pointzeropercent]

[He will hold onto that headband!]

Even if you don't come running, surely it will come in handy somehow.

[He's not one to say no to tools that might become useful later. He is from a point and click game after all.

As soon as he sees everyone standing around, he's quick to duck around a corner as he comes up with an idea. Manager with a cell phone, security guards and idols, guards blocking the door...Right, got it.

He's going to discreetly search the area for a box, a dolley, or anything that looks big but not too heavy. If he acts like he has a delivery to make, then maybe he can get through.]

[destage]

[Thankfully, dream logic will absolutely dictate that Sou will be able to find just the thing he needs; there's a few boxes of what appear to be props for the stage, along with a dolley that someone looks like they forgot to bring. How neglectful!

Even so, they're not too heavy; give me a stealth roll, my friend. (10+ to succeed, 15+ to succeed with advantage; 5-9 caught, 1-4...well. :) )]

[pointzeropercent]

[All of his efforts, just to get a 6. God damn it.

He does try his best and loads up the dolley, which he will start pushing towards the main stage door. He just keeps walking at a casual pace, trying to put of the air of a working stagehand. He doesn't even really slow as he reaches the pair of bodyguards, as he's found that if he acts like he belongs then people won't question it.

That shit won't fly with a 6, but he's trying.]

[destage]

[Well--it's not as bad of a fail as it could be, but the manager is actually the one who stops Sou, instead of the security guards.]

Hold on a second there. When did you get here?

[She carries herself with a polite, but disdainful posture as she looks Sou up and down, clearly not pleased.]

You're awfully individualistic for a little grunt worker. Do you even work here? What is your name?

[The security guards seem on edge, but Sou can probably hear the idols themselves behind him talking and whispering a little more clearly.

"Wait, what is Mane-san doing with that phone?

"███████████, isn't that your phone?"

"...Wait, that is...!"

"What should we do...?"

Your choice on what to do here, Sou. The guards themselves haven't stepped in front of the door if you wanna make a run for it. (roll 5+, will end up being chased) You could also sow a little bit of chaos as a treat... (roll 7+) But whatever you do, the choice is yours, and they aren't immediately attacking. Do whatever you need to do.

(if you wanna pull something outside of this, roll a 10+ and we'll see what we can do~)]

[pointzeropercent]

[Well I rolled a 12, so:]

C'mon, cut me some slack. I dyed my hair for a costume party and I couldn't wash it out! Just let me do my job, okay? I don't want the boss breathing down my neck because things are behind schedule.

[He is a fantastic actor, so his acts usually sound believable. He will also act like he felt his phone buzz, and pull it out to "check it" before turning to call to the boss with the phone:]

Oiiii! Mane-dono! You're needed on the set!

[destage]

[The manager looks to Sou for a second, incredulous, like she's about to start tearing his head off for being an idiot--

But thankfully, the phone gag manages to work, the Manager startling briefly before dropping the phone she was going through in a huff.]

The Boss really has incredible timing. Ugh, make sure you get it out by tomorrow or we'll be talking about your insubordination and your attitude!

[Manager: defeated! With some fine trickery. The security guards seem a little uncertain for a second and don't seem to be entirely convinced, but...

A girlish voice speaks up from behind Sou.]

Let him go, please.

[If Sou turns, he'll see a young woman in a get-up pretty similar to Sayaka's--while she didn't look fully formed before, she definitely looks like one of the girls in the little group talking over there. And it seems like she's got her phone back in her hands. When she speaks, it's with an elegant, big sisterly type of voice.]

This young man is working very hard to make sure that the show goes off without a hitch. It would be rude to keep him from completing his task, no? [The girl looks to Sou, and her smile is surprisingly genuine when she looks to him; the security guards will straight up disappear after they move a step away so he can move on, though, and everyone else disappears after.] ...I imagine this wasn't your intention, but thank you. For helping me get my phone back. Do you need any help in getting to the stage?

[What do you think, Sou? Do you want to go to the next stage alone, or do you wanna take a friend?]