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

Keep dreaming - in a broom closet

[ledbythewind]

[It takes a few moments for Richard's eyes to adjust to the darkness, but the heat hits him right away, making his normal choice of several layers of clothing suddenly far too stifling. He's lifting a hand up to loosen his cravat slightly when the smell suddenly assails his nose and that hand changes course to cover his mouth and nose in an attempt to block some of the odor, his brow wrinkling in disgust.

So when something moves in front of him, it's all he can do not to jump back in the tiny space and reach for his weapon, his eyes still trying to adjust to the dim light enough for him to see just who or what it is.]

Who's there--?

[cleansewithfire]

[ Whoever s in front of him stills at his response, then tries to shuffle away from him as though afraidnir hurt. Not that there's much room to do that, though ]

[ledbythewind]

[Slowly, his vision begins to grow more clear, giving him a better idea of the size of whatever it is on the floor. A person...? Small, if that is what it is, but... a child, perhaps?]

It's all right-- I'm not going to hurt you.

[cleansewithfire]

...You are not angry with me?

[ The voice comes out raspy, and more like a whisper, but it's unmistakably Sunrise's voice. ]

[ledbythewind]

[That's what gets him to finally startle for real, the jerk of his shoulders visible should she be looking at him. He tries to kneel; then, realizing there's no space for it without the hilt of his sword hitting the door, he leans down a bit instead to get a better look as though the voice itself didn't make obvious just who he's speaking to.]

... Sunrise? Is that you?

[cleansewithfire]

Who is Sunrise?

[ This is absolutely Sunrise, but it seems she doesn't recognise the name... ]

[ledbythewind]

[This... is concerning in more ways than one, but he's not quite sure how to go about addressing it.]

Isn't that your name?

[cleansewithfire]

[ There's a long pause, though it's hard to say if it's due to hesitation or the typical "Sunrise contemplating answers and not saying anything until the thought has fully formed". ]

I do not have a name. ...Or I do, but it is not "mine".

[ledbythewind]

Whose is it, if it isn't yours?

[Then, remembering his manners, especially in light of the fact that he's getting the sense this may be a touchy subject:]

... I'm sorry, that was too forward of me. Please, forget I asked.

[He wants to know the answer, but if there's a chance that it might hurt her... he's not sure satisfying his curiosity is worth it.]

[cleansewithfire]

[ If it is a sensitive subject for her, then Sunrise doesn't seem to be aware of it herself. Slowly, she gestures to herself. ]

This girl's. [ As if it isn't confusing. ]

...Is Isara angry with you too?

[ledbythewind]

I'm afraid I don't know anyone named Isara.

[If Sunrise is volunteering this information willingly, then Richard will go along with it. Still, he wants to make sure that she's the one leading the conversation rather than him so that he's sure he isn't coercing anything out of her...]

Is she the one who put you in here?

[Because that's what he's assuming happened. He can't think of any other reason why she would be locked in a closet like this.]

[cleansewithfire]

...Yes. I am not sure how long I have been here.

[ And as Richard's eyes adjust to the darkness, it gets easier for him to see that Sunrise looks somewhat different from how he knows her. She looks much more gaunt, and there's an ashen undertone to her complexion, her lips even turning blue.

Notably, the grave-like stench seems to be coming from her. ]

[ledbythewind]

[Oh... his eyes widen at the realization, his mouth opening in surprise for the briefest moment before he's able to school his expression enough to pull it back to a neutral state. The anger simmering underneath is almost palpable even despite this, however, and it's all he can do to keep his voice level.]

Move back against the wall. I'm going to get us out.

[cleansewithfire]

[ She seems rather confused by Richard's reaction, unsure why he's angry. ]

But...

[ Wouldn't escaping just make her angrier? ]

[ledbythewind]

Stand back.

[It's a bit harsher than he meant for it to come out, but right now? He doesn't really care. All he cares about is freeing them both so that Sunrise no longer has to endure this sort of treatment. The exact details of how and why it happened are irrelevant... for the time being.]

[cleansewithfire]

[ She seems to...flinch (rare, coming from her), but doesn't protest further, crawling back against the wall. ]

[ledbythewind]

[Once he's certain that she's out of the way, Richard turns back to the door and lifts up one foot to give it a sharp kick right beneath the knob. He isn't anticipating the first one to be able to break it down, so he's prepared to do this as many times as it may take.

And if that doesn't work, well. He DOES have a sword, too.]

[cleansewithfire]

[ Richard does manage to get the door to open with enough effort. Unfortunately, he'll feel said door immediately hit something else outside, blocking its way. It seems the door has been barricaded.

There's some kind of distant noise outside too. ]