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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[imperiosity]

[The atmosphere may be gloomy and oppressive, but the metal ceiling and dilapidated state of the undercity reminds him of the Blacklight District in the capital. To him, that's not a bad thing, but it certainly sends a message about the type of place he's stepped into. Moreover, trained medical professionals aren't always readily available in these sorts of places, so when he sees Aerith's mom collapse, he's not that optimistic about their chances at finding help even as he steps over to check on her.

Not that he can really do much, but he'd really rather Aerith not run off on her own, so.]

Hey, hold up! I can carry her over instead.

[gardenful]

[ The woman—Ilfana—motions for Aaron to come closer so she can lower her voice. ]

You don't need to try. I don't have much more time.

[ There's a sad sort of resolve in her voice, an old wisdom underlying it, as if she knows for a fact that this is the end of the road for her. She smiles, just a little, opening her mouth to say something else when a passerby suddenly yells out: ]

Quit causing a scene. Get your asses up and out of the way of the platform.

[ It looks like Aerith had tried to approach the man while Ilfana was speaking to Aaron, as she backs up a couple of steps, clearly taken aback by his venomous response. ]

But we just need a doctor...

I don't care what you need. Leave me the hell alone.

[imperiosity]

[Aaron crouches when he's beckoned, listening carefully. He can't say he didn't expect to hear that from Aerith's mom when she looked so sickly, but he still grits his teeth reflexively in response. The shouting instantly catches his attention though, and he stands up and starts walking over the moment he sees Aerith start to back away from the man. Aaron's stature isn't particularly imposing, but there's a clear confidence in his posture when he approaches the man from the side.]

We'll get our asses outta here once we figure out where a doctor is. So if you know where one is, then how 'bout you save us all the trouble and tell us.

[gardenful]

[ The man scoffs, giving Aaron a onceover, like he's assessing him for a fight.

Whatever he decides, it's clear that he thinks an altercation isn't worth it as he steps back. ]

Like you'll find something like that here. Look at this dump. You're better off trying to figure out whatever it is on your own.

[ With a huff, he walks away.

Aerith, meanwhile, tugs on the back of Aaron's jacket (or shirt). ]

Let's keep looking.

[ There has to be someone here who can help them, is what the look in her eyes seems to say. ]

[imperiosity]

[It's really for the best that the man backed off, because as much as Aaron doesn't mind teaching belligerent assholes a lesson or two, he's well aware that Aerith's mother is still on the ground behind him and that her time's running out. He looks down at the tug, and while he's no stranger to breaking bad news, he's not about to tell a child that there's no point trying.

So he nods at Aerith before walking over to Ilfana so he can lift her into a piggyback.]

Better hold on tight, lady.

[Even if she doesn't have much time left, they could at least find someplace peaceful so she could speak to her daughter and exchange final words. He looks back at Aerith once he has Ilfana secured.]

All right, let's get going.

cw parental death

[gardenful]

[ i'm so sorry to aaron but you gave me a chance to be evil and who am i to not take it

Aerith perks up when Aaron maneuvers Ilfana onto his back, a spark of hope in her eyes. Surely if Aaron is leading the charge, this will work out.

Though they don't make it further than a few meters past the train station when Ifalna speaks up. Her voice is soft and hoarse, and it sounds like she's struggling to speak. And with her resting on Aaron's back, he can feel her breath stutter a bit, as if she's having trouble getting air into her lungs. ]

Please... take care of Aerith. Give her this.

[ Ifalna reaches her hand over his shoulder to drop a small pouch into Aaaron's hand, should he hold it out. It seems like that movement exhausts the strength she has left because she goes limp soon after, feeling heavier on his back than before.

Her breathing, too, has stopped. ]

cw parental death because rip...

[imperiosity]

[wow!!!! this is rude to him specifically

Aaron's alert the moment he feels Ilfana's labored breaths, turning his head reflexively in an attempt to catch sight of her face. Of course, it doesn't do him much good -- the most he can see is whatever small movements she's making in his peripheral vision, and it isn't like he needs that to cue him in when she starts speaking to him.]

Hey!

[Her words only half register in his head, but the pouch is in clear sight, so he scrambles to adjust his grip so he can quickly take the pouch in one hand before moving it back into position. His first instinct is to look for a space where he can sit her down, but... ah. He feels that dead weight, and all the stillness that comes when someone's life draws to a close.

He's stuck in place for a moment as he clicks his tongue quietly, deciding to lower himself into a crouch so Ilfana's body doesn't slip from his back. He's going to have to move her into his arms before they can find a place to lay her to rest properly, but before that...]

Hey, Aerith. Keep this safe.

[He holds out the pouch for her to accept. He's definitely not looking forward to breaking the news, but given his own shout seconds earlier, there's probably a zero percent chance that Aerith hasn't caught on to something being awry. Even so, he's hoping that giving her something else to focus on will help somehow, at least until they find somewhere to have that conversation.]

[gardenful]

[ She looks up at him, perplexed, but takes the pouch. When she opens it, a soft white light spills out from whatever is sitting in the pouch. A moment of understanding seems to pass over Aerith's face, and it quickly gives way to sadness. ]

Is she...?

[ Her gaze shifts to her mother before traveling back to Aaron. ]

[imperiosity]

[Aaron's eyes are instantly drawn to the pouch once it's apparent that the contents appear to be glowing, but he immediately suppresses the curiosity that wells up in response to the odd sight. As much as he'd like to know what's inside, it's now a memento of her dead mother -- possibly one of only a few, considering how little they had with them -- and he's not about to try and snoop when it's something that precious.

Especially when she also reacts like that the moment she sees it. He knows there's no point hiding it now, but as blunt as he usually is, this is still a child -- no, even besides that, it's Aerith. So he pauses, and thinks back to when she told him about the lifestream.]

...Yeah. She's gone back to the planet.

[He's hoping that conveys enough.]

[gardenful]

[ Thankfully, he can snoop at a later date.

The phrase he uses seems to be the right one, because it seems to cut right to Aerith's heart. She looks up, eyes wide with shock. ]

She has...?

[ It's like she can't believe it, as if she wants to argue against what she knows to be fact now that she's holding that little pouch in her hand. Its meaning can't be understated, but before she can say anything...

As if he's just blinked, Aaron finds himself somewhere else—a run-down church, soft sunlight filtering in through its broken roof and nourishing the flowers growing on an exposed patch of dirt. A soft green light swims around him, wrapping lightly around his limbs.

And right in front of him, just a few feet away, is Aerith as he knows her. She turns, smiling softly. ]

I bet you could wake up right now, if you wanted to.

[imperiosity]

[The sudden change is disorienting, to say the least. Aaron finds himself squinting at the sudden brightness after having gotten accustomed to the dimness of the undercity, although this doesn't stop him from turning his head to see where he's ended up now. The rays of sunshine and the flowers growing amidst the dilapidated surroundings are enough to clue him in, though -- it's a home, for both her and her mom.

Of course, more eye-catching than the location is Aerith herself, who sounds like she has this whole situation figured out??]

Dunno about that. Besides, aren't you the one dreaming this whole place up?

[He doesn't think he's asleep but...???]

[gardenful]

Yep, I am.

[ She gives him a little shrug, moving to crouch in front of the flowers, her hand hovering over one of them as if she's about to cup the petals. ]

I didn't realize it at first, y'know. I was wandering around Sector 4, near the train station, thinking about what happened the first time I ever set foot there... then I saw you and a younger version of myself. [ Aerith looks up at him, smiling a little. ] Kinda realized then.

[ And using dream rules, she decided a change of scenery was the best option here, opting for her favorite place instead. Should she be able to manipulate this so easily? It's hard to say, but stranger things have happened, and those doors into everyone else's dreams are certainly strange.

That, and the thoroughness with which Aerith knows herself... she isn't too terribly surprised that she managed to become aware of it at some point.

But there's something important she needs to say before anything else— ]

You're a really good guy, Aaron.

[imperiosity]

[As Aerith recounts her experience, Aaron simply watches her from where she's standing, although his gaze ends up wandering over to the patch of flowers partway through. He'd been expecting her to recall some details, but he'd assumed it would be from her child self's perspective, not as an observer. Not that he's given much time to muse on how he feels about it, because Aerith goes and says that.

His eyes are back on her in that instant, although his usual smile is a little softer than his usual.]

...Didn't think I did anything that special, so what's with the compliment all of a sudden?

[gardenful]

You helped when no one else would.

[ Her voice is soft, sentimental. Aaron may act like a jerk some (a lot) of the time, but she knows he has a good heart.

It's nice to have it fully confirmed. ]

Y'know, back when I lost her... I tried asking around the town, and I got ignored or pushed or yelled at. It didn't matter how many people I asked, they just wanted to be left alone if they didn't get mad.

I got lucky and found the one who would become my second mom, but having someone there to defend me right from the beginning... it would've been nice.

[imperiosity]

[He’d only had that one encounter with the guy in the station, but it wasn’t hard to imagine the rest of the passerby acting the same way when no one else had seemed to blink an eye at someone collapsing in front of them. It’s like the complete opposite of his own neighborhood, all warmth and kind words even when they had no obligation towards a kid that wasn’t even their own.

He lightly musses the hair at the back of his head, speaking without the usual sass and pretensions in his tone.]

Well, it’s not like I was gonna run off right after I saw you. Said I was there to find a friend, right?

[Well, he said that to little Aerith, at least. He’s actually not sure she heard that when it happened in the train, but the whole thing is her dream, so.]

[gardenful]

[ It takes her a moment, like she needs to really recall it because he'd be right in thinking she didn't see that exact part. But it is her dream, so she can remember it if she really tries. ]

Yeah, you sure did.

[ Which, really, just solidifies her statement about him being a good guy. ]

You didn't have to try and carry my mom somewhere yourself either, y'know. Thanks for that.

[imperiosity]

Didn't take a genius to see how close you were to her. And if it had been my mom, I know I wouldn't have wanted to choose between staying with her or going for help.

[In the end, it didn't change the ultimate outcome, so maybe it was just his way of staving off whatever helplessness he'd been feeling when he realized she was going to die. Either way, it wouldn't have sat right with him to simply leave her mom on the floor while he went to keep an eye on Aerith, so he simply took a third option.]

[gardenful]

[ Aerith smiles softly, focusing her attention on the flowers again so that she doesn't have to look directly at him. He's right—she didn't want to choose back then. Hell, she didn't even want to leave her mom's side after she passed, but she had to. No one should have to make that choice. ]

She really meant everything to me. Even now, I still feel her loss. I'll think about how she'd feel about seeing me now, or what she'd think about the choices I've made. Or if she'd be proud of me.

Stuff like that.

[ Silly things, she thinks. But they're meaningful anyway, as little things like that always are. ]

[imperiosity]

[He closes his eyes briefly in contemplation. The memory may have been brief, but Aerith's attachment to her mom showed through as clear as day -- both in how she acted as a kid, but also in how her mom was presented.]

Growing up, it was just me and my mom too. She died when I was still a kid, but she's the one who got me into theater in the first place. So when I started performing for real, I used to wonder what she'd think of my shows.

[Those kinds of thoughts became less and less common as he grew older, but since people often compared him with his mom, his mind would sometimes wander in that direction regardless.]

...Anyway, that's just to say I get it. I'd bet you mira she'd be glad you grew up safely, though.

[Even if 'safely' is relative, but not everyone could go through the things Aerith did and still come out as cheerful and friendly as she is.]

[gardenful]

So we're kind of in the same boat, huh?

[ It's nice, honestly, knowing that someone like Aaron understands what it's like. It makes her feel a lot less alone. ]

I think she would be too. She'd be glad that the woman she asked to take care of me did such a good job.

[ Or, that's what Aerith would like to believe. ]

I bet your mom would be proud of you.

[imperiosity]

And here I thought I was the one giving the pep talk.

[Not that he dislikes the sentiment. Even if he's already set on doing his own thing no matter what, it's still nice to think his mom would approve.]

Your other mom sounds pretty impressive, too. Not everyone could take in a kid like that.

[gardenful]

[ A reverse pep talk uno card... She can't help but smile. ]

Yeah, it was really amazing of her. I got lucky despite the tragedy, y'know? There's happiness that can be found, even in sadness.

[imperiosity]

Damn. That sounds like a line right out of a movie.

[It's pretty cheesy, but that positive outlook is a big part of what makes Aerith... well, Aerith.]

But I get what you're trying to say. I wouldn't call myself much of a silver lining guy, but I figure moving forward and making the most of life is the best thing I could do for whoever's watching up there. Good food is still good food, and horsing around with friends is still fun. So we might as well enjoy 'em while we can.

[The nuance may be different, the positivity is still there.]

[gardenful]

[ Cheesy movie lines... yeah, that sounds about right. Not even Aerith can deny it.

And because it's Aerith, she appreciates the little nuance there too. That's what makes it Aaron's own brand of positivity. ]

You're right. If we look away from anything that might bring us happiness, or even bring us pain later on... then we're missing out. I know if I was looking down on my friends, I wouldn't want them to skip out on things like that, especially not because of me.

[imperiosity]

[He closes his eyes for a moment, faces of certain friends flitting through his mind.]

...Damn straight.

[His voice comes out slightly quieter there, although it's back to normal right after.]

It's a big world out there. There's plenty to see, so I'm not wasting that chance. And who knows, maybe somewhere I'll find some crazy dude who runs an obstacle course with dolphins too.