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

[beautifulknight]

I did, yes.

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.

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Eli's left feeling awkward, for lack of any better word. Of all the things to see... ]

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.

[beautifulknight]

[ Argenti shakes his head at Eli's apology. No matter what, he refuses to blame him for that. ]

...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.

[fullmoonmutt]

Yeah. That whole Omen of Evil thing...

[ 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.

[beautifulknight]

[ Argenti simply nods at that.

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.

[fullmoonmutt]

I mean, someday we're gonna get rid of all the demons, but we may not get rid of lycanthropy. If there's no more wolf demons to harvest what we need from...

[ 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". ]

[beautifulknight]

A pity that your world has such an unfortunate demon problem. It seems I had not an idea of the depth of the severity of a great issue. Even if I know what that looks like as well.

...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.

[fullmoonmutt]

Who knows. We still got a lot to learn about RH conditions. For now, it's enough to know we can help folks come back from what they've been turned into.

[ 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.

[beautifulknight]

There is a silver lining in every cloud. So, I agree.

[ 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. ]

[fullmoonmutt]

Oh yeah, plates. That's a good idea.

[ 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.

[beautifulknight]

[ Help.

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. ]

[fullmoonmutt]

Nah, nah, I can warm 'em up.

[ 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.

[beautifulknight]

I've learned to never be all that picky about the state of my food, but...

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. ]

[fullmoonmutt]

I don't have to be picky about my food much at all. I don't eat, uh... you know... but I can eat other meat raw just fine. Stuff that's off a little. Stuff off the ground, although, back when we were chasing that Soujuurou guy? I only ate the kibble to freak everyone out.

[ 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.

[beautifulknight]

[ Argenti can easily imagine that there is good reason for him to be able to do so for the former. But the latter, Argenti coughs into his hand a bit - in honest and earnest surprise. Though, pleasant nonetheless. ]

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?

[fullmoonmutt]

Well, yeah? Of course. I don't want to make all these friends and then just never see them again. Guess that's why Braphine picked a bunch of friendless losers like us to come here.

[ All they needed was to be shoved together in the same space and fight dangerous monsters from another plane for a few months. Wild. ]

[beautifulknight]

...You certainly have a way of phrasing it...

[ 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.

[fullmoonmutt]

Guess it varies from person to person. Some folks here are already real friendly, others awkward, and then the people like me who were just, I dunno. Rude. Like, I can't see Aerith being a friendless loser, but Maika? Absolutely.

[ He doesn't mean to rag on Maika. He likes her! But! ]

But now those two are super close and shit.

[beautifulknight]

[ Absolutely crying. ]

...While I am not certain I have presumed the very same, even with such abrasiveness in mind, I can envision why others can see that those who hold such qualities may be seen as in that category.

[ Including Eli himself; he thinks the line of thought makes sense from someone who is viewing matters from his perspective.

Argenti absolutely assumed most people here definitely had friends, whether or not that was actually a fact. Though, at the other comment, the red-haired male makes a soft, but bright smile, full of nothing less than apparent appreciation and happy affection for his friends. ]

They certainly are. It is clear as day that they care deeply about one another, just by watching them.

I am not surprised that you would understand their happiness well.

It is simply more proof of how far each of us have come, to have such deep but beautiful bonds form between each of us.