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

[goei]

[Yeah, probably!!! Both of the sentiments behind the pair of pink strings are tinged with similar shades of shame.... But then.... if it's mutual??? Maybe it's fine??? Luckily Izou has a lot of practice processing information and acting on it quickly, even if it's usually in terms of swordplay and not complicated social situations.]

No, I mean- [Surely!!! Surely it's fine!!! I mean, they're here to form bonds right???]

I mean, if you want to too, then I ain't against it!??

[fullmoonmutt]

It's...! It isn't that simple! I'm!

[ Ugh, no, stop. Breathe. He's starting to make a scene and he doesn't want everyone staring at them. That would make this ten times worse. ]

I... [ Much, much quieter. ] ...I think 'm in love with Celeste... and I dunno if... you know. If he'd be fine with... that? Or. Maybe he won't care? Or he doesn't feel the same and... it doesn't matter... but we do and then we ruin our friendship somehow?

[goei]

[On the one hand, frankly, this isn't that surprising to Izou because he understands the appeal of Celeste. And with the way they were so attached to eachother in Argenti's palace... On the other hand there is a part of him that's jealous because aformentioned understanding the appeal is of course based on his own attraction. On a secret, third hand, love is a powerful word. Does Izou love Celeste? Well, yes but, really, it's in a more platonic way that he feels connected to everyone that pulled him out of his palace. He wants Celeste's attention and affection, but he also wants Mafuyu's. Does he think Celeste is attractive? Would he sleep with him? Also yes.

But then, he could say the same about Eli. He loves Eli, probably. He would sleep with Eli. But is he in love with either of them??? There's a flash of someone else when he considers that question but he refuses to engage with either possible identifications he could assign to it.

At the end of the mind labirinth, the only thought that stands out to him as clear at this moment is he wants Eli to be happy.]

... Well. I think you aughta tell 'im. I think... I mean, you know how hard it is ta tell when he's being serious. But I think he probably does feel the same. After that... I mean... Ta me no matter what happens yer gonna still be my friend. So like I said, if ya want!!

[He manages to maintain eye contact for all of this. To show he's being sincere, but the moment he closes his mouth he has to look away because AUGHHHHH]

they really do need mcgillis' powerpoint presentation to figure this out.....

[fullmoonmutt]

You really mean it...?

[ Even though Izou kept eye contact during all of that, that he looks away at the end is worrying. All of this is. He'd rather keep his stupid crush to himself forever if it meant not upsetting Izou further, but it's a little late now, isn't it? ]

I mean, you're right. I never know when he's being serious... and he likes guys like us 'cause we're loud and react a lot to, you know, everything he does? He told me as much. And I know you like him, too. It's pretty obvious. If you don't want me to tell him, you just have to say, and I won't. You don't have to act like it's fine.

[ Eli, he just told you to tell him! Don't complicate this more! But hearing that doesn't stop him from worrying. Lots of people like Celeste. Eli may just be about to make a big fool of himself. ]

McGillis save us. Save us McGillis.

[goei]

[Lots of people like Celeste, it's true! Who wouldn't! He has much to offer.]

Yeah, I do, but... I don't think I could say I'm in love with him, y'know? You, Celeste, Mafuyu, all of you're like my family now, 's far as I'm concerned. We're gonna be close no matter what happens, right? Besides...

[He had his chance when he was alive, he thinks but doesn't say. He has... well, the other thought that comes to mind he doesn't want to even voice.]

It wouldn't be very cool of me ta hold ya back from chasin what ya want.

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Like family... or what Eli's other thread had been howling if Izou hadn't been so focused on the pink: like pack. His pack. He's beginning to realize that's why the year in the city back in his world was such a struggle. His pack was gone, leaving him behind, but he'd found a new one. ]

You're right. We're stuck with one another, no matter what. Hey.

[ Eli pulls his mask off, stepping back in to reclaim all that space he put between them. He'll move the mask to disguise what he's about to do from prying eyes... from one angle, anyway. ]

Come here before I'm a taken man, huh?

[ Well, assuming Celeste doesn't reject him, that is (spoiler alert: he won't). ]

[goei]

[It'll all sink in later. At which point Izou will just nod. A pack!!! That's what they are.

In any case, he's a little thrown off by the invitation, but then, isn't this exactly the sort of cool guy move he said Eli could pull off in that look??]

Like I told ya, in that look, who's gonna tell you no?

[He grins, and without any shame, darts forward to offer a kiss behind that mask, throwing an arm around Eli as he does. It's not a particularly lustful kiss, but it's warm, and slightly fierce the way he presses hard enough for their teeth to briefly clash.]

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Wild how Izou claims Eli's official first kiss. That isn't something he plans on sharing, lest the man's ego grows too large to be contained for it, but it is what it is. For Eli's part, he leans into the kiss, sharp teeth catching on Izou's lower lip but not at all hard enough to draw blood. It's more exploratory than anything else, though just as fierce, and then he's drawing away again.

Considering he has no intention of making out with the guy, here where everyone can see, unlike some people cough cough McGillis cough, it was always going to be short-lived. What matters, though, is that it happened at all, and then Eli's putting his mask back on to help disguise the flush that's spread across his face.

That all done, he offers a soft smile and a laugh to go with it. ]

Yeah, yeah, you did tell me. Looks like you were right.

[goei]

[It was very nice and happy and not full of weird shrimp emotions like that later makeout so it's fine!! Acceptable first kiss.]

I usually am!

[That's like not even a little bit true.]

That's how come you can rely on me, Eli.

[Izou now is not the time for big brother mode.]

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Definitely not the time! ]

Ha, right. You know, it's kind of funny. We were seriously trying to off one another when we first met and now we're best friends or some shit.

[goei]

Yeah. But I mean, sometimes it's good ta start from rock bottom, you know? Then you know yer not bullshitting, since you know the other person'd kill you if they didn't like you, y'know?

[Eli saw his palace. He knows how sensitive Izou is to the idea of being secretly hated and then thus easy to betray.]

[fullmoonmutt]

Eh, not always, but it sure worked out for us.

[ There are plenty of people he's started at rock bottom with and hasn't risen above that back home. Izou, though, is different. They're just too much alike. ]

Okay, uh, wish me luck? I'm going to try and talk to Celeste.

[ Another spoiler: he won't work up the courage until much later, alas. ]