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]

[ Argenti doesn't quite find this behavior very...hm, comforting, to say the least. ]

...Is this something that happened unnaturally? Or is it just an unfortunate coincidence?

[cleansewithfire]

[ ... ]

Unnaturally, yes.

[beautifulknight]

And you're being blamed for it, aren't you?

[ Is the next conclusion he reaches. ]

[cleansewithfire]

Is it not my fault?

[ Can it really be called blaming in that case? ]

[beautifulknight]

I wouldn't assume so.

Why do you think it's your fault?

[ Argenti doesn't know the circumstances, but he isn't going to say Sunrise had any fault in it automatically...! ]

[cleansewithfire]

...Because I am here, and not her sister.

[ Sunrise has known this from the very start. ]

[beautifulknight]

But, that is not your fault.

...Even if this person has decided that it is.

[ Argenti detects what he perceives to be misdirected blame, even if the situation sounds complicated. ]

[cleansewithfire]

But... [ It's the sort of "but" someone says when they don't think they're being lied to, but they're struggling to believe in it all the same. ]

...She cannot look at me without feeling pain. [ It feels like her fault, still. ]

[beautifulknight]

Even so...

[ It does not sound fair - but is life really fair? Argenti has known that from the time he can still recall of his time as a child. It is not all fairytales; the world will not stop because someone is in pain. It will sometimes barely allow people to grieve. ]

Even if it may be that you unavoidably cause pain because of that, it doesn't mean that you are at fault for those feelings. In fact I do not doubt the pain of her loss is true, and must be certainly something that can never be diminished.

Yet, I do not think her mistreatment of you is justified. It may be hard for your to accept, but all the same you are innocent in all of this.

[cleansewithfire]

[ For a long time, Sunrise is quiet, and she looks up at Argenti as though this is a revelation.

No one has ever told her that she is not at fault—at minimum, she feels some sense of responsibility for everything that has happened; at worst she is keenly aware that simply...being is already a cause for alarm. ]

...I do not know what else to do.

[beautifulknight]

[ It's a difficult situation to navigate, for sure. But it isn't as if Sunrise had a choice in being brought into the body that she is in now. ]

There are those who care well for you, I am sure.

Myself included, my dear friend.

Remember well that they will see the truth for what it is. And that even if someone should look upon you, to spurn you for being who that you are, you have no obligation to accept it. There is no need to linger in any situation where there is only pain.

[ Argenti thinks what he is saying here is the right choice. The person who looks upon Sunrise will only see a reflection of her sister and never see her as her own person. He doesn't believe she should stay there any longer.

Even if in this dream Sunrise can't remember, he hopes her soul would. ]

[cleansewithfire]

[ "There is no need to linger in any situation where there is only pain."

...And now that Argenti has voiced it, maybe that is why Sunrise is out here. She had thought it was because didn't want to keep being a source of pain to Isara, but... Perhaps she was tired of feeling that way, too.

Normally she would not simply tell anyone this, but the way Argenti so sincerely calls her a "dear friend" and treats her so kindly makes her feel more comfortable. ]

...The truth is, I just ran away because I made her mad again...

[beautifulknight]

[ Before Sunrise must be a world full of unknowns.

Places she has never been - a land she has not witnessed before as of yet in the memory. But, the person before him must want to move onwards.

And he thinks truly, that her going back will only hinder her. So it's with that thought, he says: ]

It is not a terrible truth to reveal and I do not judge you for it. Your heart already longs to let go of that situation.

...I believe this is the time to keep moving on, and not to look back.

How about we continue to find a way out of this place, together?

[cleansewithfire]

[ For a long while, she doesn't say anything, apparently digesting what Argenti just told her.

...She isn't sure if she can't look back. She already knows too much regret for that, even if it isn't all hers. But—

For now, at least, she has to keep walking. Argenti has put into words the feeling that has already existed within her: that she wants to let go of that situation (those horrid feelings), even if it's only for a while.

After a moment, she awkwardly holds outy her hand, like she's cautiously asking for permission. ]

...Okay. Let us do that.

[beautifulknight]

I am glad to hear you agree.

[ ...Argenti certainly has.

Perhaps to great effect, considering what happens next.

Seeing Sunrise extend her hand to him, he can only reach out to grasp a hold of it, and continue to walk with her, hand in hand.

At least this way he can show in this way to her something important as well:

That she is not alone. ]

[cleansewithfire]

[ ...Oh.

Sunrise seems almost amazed by Argenti's gesture—or maybe by the experience of holding hands with someone in of itself, like it's a new thing for her. But it isn't unpleasant. In fact, she...thinks that it makes her happy, as best as she can identify that feeling.

Argenti won't find out what their destination ultimately is, since this dream ends before Sunrise had arrived there in reality. But he will know that a small, cold hand held onto his as the Sunrise from back then walked with someone else for the first time. ]