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linkingup2024-09-14 11:29 pm
linkupmods) wrote in linkingup2024-09-14 11:29 pm
WEEKS 7 & 8
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.
Characters who journery into the Nekyia when it is raining may find HP-restoring items dropped during combat with Shadows.
COMMISSIONS
REAL WORLD COMMISSIONS
NEKYIA COMMISSIONS
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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The sound of such creatures retreating is also not lost on the Knight of Beauty, who listens keenly to the words of the 'back up' and he blinks as he looks up to see those who have come closer.
Is it that he is this "Captain" in this memory, he wonders? Well, whatever the case, he isn't going to allow them to do that, 'dream-memory' or no. ]
We should try to help him. It's not too late.
[ Argenti simply says, not letting go just yet. He is wary of these trigger-happy folks. And then, right then and there, he recalls instantly the brief moment of lucidity. ]
...For a moment, he had responded when I had called out to him. I believe something can be done in his case.
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You heard the Captain. Move it. That wolf needs to go down if we're saving this kid.
[ That has them moving, though the last figure to speak lingers. Argenti can feel their gaze on him, thoughtful and sharp. ]
You sure you're strong enough to pull the trigger if we can't do anything for him, Walsh? Because that's the only mercy we'll have left if you aren't right.
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As for the question...
...No, because of all the mercy kills he's had to do they were never so young. Still, he returns the gazes without breaking eye contact, stubborn as they come. ]
It shall not come to that. Whatever the case, I have the situation handled.
You can be certain of that.
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Go help them track down that demon, Archie. I'm getting him out of this hellhole.
[ When she moves to walk away — a short, sturdy woman in fatigues and gear similar to the other figures — the dream begins to fade away. The light and landscape of the regular Nekyia follow, replacing the dank chaos of the wolf den he had been in before.
This dream has ended. Eli is no longer here. ]
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But, at the least, he thinks it ended well. There is no other alternative - even if he doesn't know these people.
Well, there are other ones, but hopefully all continuously for the better. Maybe he should see if Eli is nearby, and if not, he can always catch him later, though. ]
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...Oh, Eli, there you are!
I was concerned about you based upon what I witnessed in that odd dream. It looks like there's been some kind of oddity other than Palaces going on. Do you know what I mean?
[ He just comes out and says immediately so sorry for ruining the post-nightmare snack... ]
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Oh fuck. That... Did that actually happen?! Did you see all that bullshit?! I figured...! I mean, since I woke up in bed, that! I thought it was just another nightmare?!
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It was...well, rather shocking. But, all the same, I feel as if...
I managed to see more than I thought I would.
[ Argenti has had an inkling it wasn't just him who was experiencing those parts of those memories, though at this point in time this is actually the first time he's wandered into it this week. So, what a nice choice for the very first. ]
I had no idea you went through such a struggle. Though, I hope it did not leave you with any adverse lasting effects.
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Sorry, Tin Can. That... that wasn't something I ever wanted anyone to see. I, uh. I don't get that nightmare as much now as I did when I was younger, so. That was sort of a surprise.
[ If only he could shake it forever. ]
Wish I could tell you better, but there's still a chance of that happening to me. S'why I was so worried about the full moon. That bitch that turned me, though... She's dead, at least.
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...It wasn't your fault. I don't think you could've controlled my seeing it.
[ It was unexpected, but out of their hands on what he'd end up viewing, from his own perspective.
As Eli continues to speak about that, he doesn't like the implications. Moreover, though... ]
I understand the concern about potentially losing yourself very well, though.
[ He does and he is not just saying this for being placating. He is vaguely thinking of his own situation, where it can happen (in a different way), after all. ]
While I am glad the cruel person responsible for your condition is no longer alive...
...Maybe there is a way to have it completely suppressed. Even after you leave this place.
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[ He was there. He saw. It felt hideously close to his own dilemma, but at least he didn't have any oaths or roads to worry about straying from. As for completely suppressing, well, to that, he shrugs. ]
Short of a cure, I dunno. Lycanthropy is technically a disease. Uhh, I think they use the word... metamorphic for it? Anyway, what we settled on was this.
[ He'll reach under the collar of his shirt and pull out a necklace. It's a thick metal chain ending in a giant wolf tooth pendant. The tooth is about as long as an index finger and wrapped in silver wire. A closer look will reveal runes carved over every surface of the fang, too, but those aren't immediately obvious. ]
They had to dip into all the magic bullshit that leaked over when the portals opened back home to come up with something. S'long as I have this, I won't change. Same goes for other folks with lycanthropy. Dunno what we'll do if we ever run out, but... that ain't really my problem to solve.
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But, he's more or less surprised that he can just shrug at that - is it because he's accepted it too? Or just, he realizes there is no point in constantly agonizing over it? Which he thinks is also valid. Argenti himself didn't necessarily consistently worry over it every day even if it was at the back of his mind, everpresent in his deepest fears.
Yet when he sees that, he feels relief, closing his eyes for a moment. ]
...Oh thank the Aeons.
I am glad that at the least there is something there to counteract it as a just in case. I hadn't realized you managed to obtain such a thing as of late.
But, this is quite the relief. I pray that it will exist as long as possible, and that there is an easy way to refill it should it ever get low.
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[ That's a problem for the future, though. Even if he did concern himself with it, there's no telling when that hopeful demon-free world will come about. ]
It's tricky, I guess. Even if we did come up with a real cure, I mean, I might not take it? Since then, I lose all the stuff that makes me good at tracking demons down and taking 'em out... but if I did lose all that stuff, people wouldn't be so scared of me anymore...
[ He is trying to be more accepting of his werewolf side. Argenti isn't off the mark there. Still, there's an underlying turmoil that Eli may have to live with forever. That "what if". ]
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...I also had no idea you needed to harvest anything from wolf demons at all.
[ That's curious too, but Argenti imagines that had become the way of Eli's world due to whatever that may have caused it. ]
I see that it also appears that settling this issue for you personally isn't quite so one and done. Wishing to help as you are with those attributes makes sense. Even if there's a risk. Though, I would hope that there'd be a more permanent solution that carries none.
[ There's also a small pause too. ]
...I hope you find your answer, however. Should a cure ever make itself available.
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[ Of course, there are societal problems, too. He won't go into them. They'd be here aaall night if he did. Instead, he pulls out what he was searching for from the fridge: leftover macaroni and cheese with hot dogs cut up into it. ]
Wanna split? There's enough for two since I make way more than I need when I cook anything like this.
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[ Argenti turns towards the food that Eli's got, and though he has expanded his list of foods he's like since he's arrived, anything savory is something he's always still managed to have a great preference for. ]
But, yes! I'd enjoy sharing with you.
Here, let me help get some plates. It's only fair. Oh, and thank you so much for your generosity, Eli.
[ The red head says while getting two separate plates incase the food is in like a tupperware container or something. ]
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[ Look, he'd planned to eat this straight out of the tupperware. Admittedly, that was before he had company. Regardless, he'll dish out half of the cold, somewhat gummy mac and cheese onto one plate and the rest onto another. It's peppered with chopped-up hot dog pieces. ]
You want yours heated up? I can stick it in the microwave if ya do.
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Argenti is still a proper person from beginning to end, even in this. Though, he doesn't mind if the other had planned otherwise; it's been a rough night given the nightmares and everything. ]
Yes, please. Though I wouldn't mind eating it cold, because it's already been cooked before, I am certain that food like this normally tastes better warm.
[ He's so expanded his list of food he likes since he's arrived here...but, macaroni and cheese is still a staple. So are hotdogs. He just hasn't tried it like this. ]
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[ And he'll do just that, popping each in the microwave for a good two minutes each before setting them back out on the counter. He'll pull up one of the tall stools the kitchen has to perch on. ]
It's just boxed stuff, so it's not fancy or anything, but it's at least one thing I know how to make.
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I do thank you, Eli.
[ Spoken sincerely as the other man goes to tend to the food, and Argenti will even head on over to take a seat of his own, waiting for the food to heat up.
In the silence, for however that lasts, it occurs to Argenti to speak up. He's always been like that, the type of person to talk at length with ease. ]
...It's hard to believe that so many months have already passed us by. So much has changed, hasn't it?
[ For them, their friends, their dearest ones, and even those they don't know. ]
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[ Argenti gets that fun little secret to himself. That aside, the food is on the table now, and Eli digs into his own plate with gusto. ]
Man, for real... I didn't even think I could make friends when I showed up here. Now I got lots of them. I don't know how that worked out.
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Really?
I hadn't known about that!
[ Something about that amuses him immensely. Though, it feels like he's gained further insight to how Eli is by the nature of this fact. ]
I wonder if it was the nature of our circumstances? I am used to more fleeting companionship, with little opportunity to dive deeply into the bonds that were made. And certainly never any that mean so much that I found myself...truly reflecting about how much they've made an impact in my life.
Does it make you not hope we can continue to be in contact with our friends even after all of this?
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[ All they needed was to be shoved together in the same space and fight dangerous monsters from another plane for a few months. Wild. ]
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[ Argenti refuses to call anyone here a 'friendless loser', though that is out of politeness - even if it's certainly something that could be attributed to correctly some of them before. ]
I have wondered what was her thought process behind choosing some of us, though. It is doubtless how we were interacting with others had factored into it, given the variety in people chosen.
...Though, that had to be other elements as well.
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