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

[gardenful]

[ Wow, it's weird how they're just not getting any closer to the island... what's up with that? Eh, whatever. She's not going to fret over it just yet. ]

Cetra.

[ She smiles a little bit, now that she's got a feeling he'll actually get it this time. ]

Probably something you've never heard of.

[speedingticket]

[ It certainly feels like they're still moving, but the wind and the waves slowly fade from their ears, and Rutile can hear Aerith clearly.

...Huh. ]

Cetra?

[ He repeats, the word foreign to him. He clearly looks confused. ]

You're...not human?

[gardenful]

Nooot exactly.

[ Close enough to one but far enough away that it's caused problems, is what her tone seems to suggest. ]

Not a wizard either, but I've got a feeling you are?

[ Y'know. Since he asked. And they're on a broom. ]

[speedingticket]

I am.

[ For a moment, he just studies Aerith. In his mind, there are two options: human or wizard. So what if someone claims to be neither? ]

...Then how did you get here?

[ Wait, what are they even doing, anyway? ]

[gardenful]

I walked through a door, so this is probably some kinda dream.

[ Is it bad protocol to disrupt a dream like this? Maybe, maybe not. It’s possible wizards are like her—at least in the sense that dreams to have a sort of quality to them that can be easily disrupted by someone more in tune with the world around them.

Or something like that. Dreams can be weird, and it’s not like they have their powers anyway. ]

[speedingticket]

[ A door piques his interest. Rutile's eyes widen slightly, and he can feel his heart beating hard in his chest. There's a bright crimson glimmer of hope in his mind's eye and he reaches for it, desperately. ]

A door— Whose door? Was there anyone else around the door?

[ He doesn't realize they're basically suspended, unmoving, in space at this point. ]

Tall, red hair?

[gardenful]

[ And she can feel his heart start to hammer in his chest as she clings onto him still. It causes her to feel a small, yet sharp, pang of guilt. ]

Nope... I think it was your door, actually.

[ Her lips pull into a frown, ready for the disappointment she has a feeling is coming. ]

Is there someone you're looking for?

[speedingticket]

[ His door?

The odd things begin to add up—the strange intruder, "Cetra," the door... And now, his strangely fuzzy memory. Who was back on land? Who has been helping with the evacuation?

Rutile looks into the distance, but Borda Island is gone. Around them, now, is a vast expanse of space, and they still sit on his broom. ]

...Oh, no, I just thought... [ That he was coming back.

He looks back to Aerith, confusion clearly written all over his face. ]

What's going on?

[gardenful]

[ No longer afraid of falling, Aerith pulls back a bit so that there's some space between them. It has nothing to do with wanting her own personal space, no. She wants to put a comforting hand on Rutile's shoulder, and it's hard to do that when she's holding onto him for safety.

Her head tilts slightly as she wonders what Rutile initially thought, but prodding him for answers will have to wait for another time. ]

My guess is that you've gotten dragged into this mess with the rest of us. Maybe you're not really "here" yet, but you will be soon enough.

[speedingticket]

[ So something is off...

The way she speaks is ominous, to Rutile's ears. He doesn't like the way here hangs in the air like that, so after a brief pause, where he rearranges the things he knows and the inconsistencies in his consciousness, he asks quietly— ]

Where is "here?"

[gardenful]

A different world, if you can believe it.

[ And she thinks that maybe he can, that all of the magic she saw earlier might make this a little bit more believable. ]

We’ve been asked to help save a city against a god of conflict. And the fact that your door showed up with everyone else’s tells me that you just might be here with us too. Call it a hunch.

[ She smiles in a gentle sort of way, the kind that says she picked up on the quietness of his tone. ]

[speedingticket]

[ A different world is the easiest thing to believe out of all of this, believe it or not.

What isn't, though, is why he would be summoned. Rutile has important things to do... He was, in fact, in the middle of something. Why him? Out of anyone else?

He looks at Aerith, somewhat eased by the softness in her tone, but still doubtful. ]

How...many of there are you? [ He pauses, just long enough for the fire to catch inside of him. ] Tell me what I need to do to get back.

[gardenful]

There's kind of a lot of us. At least twenty.

[ A good number. They aren't the only ones, and hopefully that's of some comfort to Rutile. ]

We have to save the world through bonds. Friendship is gonna right the balance of the world. Or at least that's the hope.

[ But if you ask her, friendship can solve just about anything, so it should work. She smiles, tilting her head. ]

So... let's be friends when you finally arrive.

[speedingticket]

[ Twenty. At least. Aerith doesn't know it, but the number settles bitter in his heart.

And the rest. That's nice. It really is. That's something he can do, he thinks to himself, but what good are bonds in another world if they destroy his home?

A question for another time.

This stranger has such a lovely smile, and Rutile feels a bit guilty that it doesn't totally alleviate his worries. Instead, his brows draw upward, at least trying to clear the clouds from his expression. ]

Then...tell me your name so I can find you.

[gardenful]

Aerith.

[ She could give him her last name too, but that's not really important right now. What is important however is grabbing his hand and giving it a little squeeze. ]

I'm pretty easy to find, so you'll have no trouble. Just look for a bunch of pink.

[speedingticket]

[ That's nice—and probably exactly what he needs right now. Amidst the confusion and the uncertainty it's nice to have a warm hand for comfort. He squeezes back, and at last, he smiles faintly. ]

Rutile.

[ No last name here either, because that would be strange. ]

That will be the first thing I do.

[ It's nice having something to look forward to.

And just like that, in a puff of bubbles and smoke, the dream ends, depositing both Rutile and Aerith into their beds... ]