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]

[ That works out for him!

Argenti can't really afford to wait around for anything. So, just like that, he ends up allowing Aerith to pull him along- ]

You are most certainly correct. I appreciate the reminder!

[ Where are they running towards? Where's the exit? ]

[gardenful]

[ They're running into... a hangar! It's cold and metallic, the sound of Shinra soldier footsteps echoing down the hallways as Aerith and Argenti follow behind them from a distance. ]

I think we can get out that way, once the soldiers are far enough out of sight.

[ Not that they couldn't fight them, but it's easier to sneak around and call less attention to themselves. ]

There should be a boat heading out... I think.

[beautifulknight]

[ Of course their enemies are in hot pursuit. Argenti is almost tempted to say that he can serve as bait to let her get away, but then she mentions a boat.

So, the plan in regards to that shifts slightly.

Maybe. First, he'll ask: ]

A boat? Is it one you're familiar with?

[gardenful]

Weeeell... if this dream goes the way it should, then it should be headed to Costa Del Sol. So you could say I'm familiar with it.

[ When did she realize this was a dream? At some point between the assassination attempt and when they arrived in the hangar. It was like a veil had been lifted from her vision, possibly brought on by the way it felt so strange to have someone else other than Cloud or Tifa with her. ]

[beautifulknight]

Oh!

You realized that this was just a dream? Just now?

[ That must have been when, right? Maybe? Well, that means they still have to finish it, probably. ]

...Well, either way, I am glad. If things hadn't worked out, I would have thought of another plan entirely. It seems you had gotten into quite an amount of exciting things, however. I assume for the betterment for this world, considering how...suspicious that man was.

[gardenful]

Yep, just realized. Sorry it took me so long.

[ But maybe that gave Argenti a better picture of what her world is like. She hopes so. ]

He sure is suspicious, huh? But... I have a weird feeling his deal was the real thing. [ She motions for Argenti to follow her to another corner, where she peeks out to see another empty hallway. ] Our friend was the one who tried to kill him, though.

[ She shrugs, giving Argenti a wry smile. ]

Can't say I really blame her for it, even if having Shinra off our backs would've been a huge help.

[beautifulknight]

It is alright, Lady Aerith.

[ Argenti isn't going to go ahead and start faulting her for it now, of course. He has gotten a good picture of her word, in retrospect from it indeed! ]

...I wish we had the chance to question him more as well.

I suppose I can't quite understand the decision for her to attack like that, even if it might seem pragmatic.

[ By which to say that Argenti doesn't wholly agree with that just yet, though he understands he still hasn't completely understood the situation entirely. Around this time he is making sure to follow her, prepared to go forward too whenever Aerith is ready - seems he doesn't always have Leeroy Jenkins tendencies! ]

But, Shinra seems like they are quite influential for being a company. The last that I heard of a corporation that had such might was the IPC. Though, not for the good of the universe like they say that they are. I suspect this is the same case.

[gardenful]

It sure is.

[ She peeks into another corridor and motions him to follow. There's a door at the end, which hopefully leads out to the dock... ]

Shinra has... done a lot of bad. Sure, they gave us all of this technology you see here, but this whole region was taken over by them too. And my friend's home? They tried to do the same thing there.

That's probably why she took what she saw as her best chance at getting rid of the President.

[beautifulknight]

[ Hopefully it does! Argenti will head straight towards the direction she's motioned him to follow in. ]

That does truly explain her motivations.

Especially if they were...not very kind in how they took over the region. The IPC can be rather forceful when they too come to bringing worlds under their thumb.

I suppose it is far too late to presume! But, I do assume the worst, considering the apparent might of Shinra, and what you have said of them just now in performing unrighteous actions.

[ He also recalls instantly the fact this Shinra has a military force? ]

[gardenful]

You're right to assume it. They'll use their soldiers to do all their bidding... and they love coming after us.

[ She frowns. ]

They've even got an elite guard called the Turks, who tend to do all the dirty work. It's kinda shocking how deep all of this goes with them.

[beautifulknight]

...Because they wish to rule the world with an iron fist and you alongside your friends shall not stand for it?

[ This company deserves to be put in its place, as far as Argenti is concerned. ]

Regardless, it does sound rather deep and quick intricately insane how much power they have, to even have an elite guard. It must have taken them quite awhile to get to that point - though I wish they hadn't in the first place.

[gardenful]

[ She nods. ]

They struck gold. They figured out how to use the planet's energy for electricity and technology. Everything here is because Shinra figured out how to make it.

[ And technological advancement is its own form of currency, isn't it? ]

But you're right. They basically wanna take over, even if that kills they planet. [ She frowns. ] Which they know they're doing. They know they're going to run dry of energy at some point.

[beautifulknight]

[ It certainly is - there is a price to pay for that, though. Argenti remembers clearly when Aerith spoke of the fact she needed to save the planet from dying...

Aerith's other words confirm his suspicions regarding the cause of the current planet's condition, though. ]

...I don't understand.

If they know it will kill the planet, why do it anyway? Do they even have a backup plan when all of that energy goes? Or are they just simply hoping and praying that it does not happen while they are alive?

[gardenful]

[ She frowns, shaking her head. ]

They're hoping that they're rich and powerful enough to find another place to go where they won't have to worry about what happens to the planet.

[beautifulknight]

Unfortunate, but I suppose if they are so in love with their hubris then they can perish married to it.

[ Argenti. ]

...But I am also equally certain of your success at least. Failure does not even seem like a guarantee, and I shall never waver in my faith in your efforts. Now, hopefully that boat will carry us away from here.

[ He will keep an eye out on it as their surroundings change, at least! ]

[gardenful]

[ Argenti is making some real points here!! ]

Thanks, Argenti. Your faith means a lot to me, you know. Makes me feel like we've really got this.

[ Her smile is warm as the din of the city begins to fade away, as well as the dream. When Argenti wakes, maybe he smells a hint of salt, like he's out at sea. ]