WEEKS 9 & 10

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WEEKS 9 & 10

AS YOUR BONDS DEEPEN...

The charity event and the dreamscapes have come to an end... and the Fashion District seems a little better than it once was. Your efforts are being recognized, acknowledged by the environment and by Braphine herself. There's still work to be done - the thinning fog allows you to venture even further into the Office District, where there are stronger foes lurking around the corner and in dark alleyways.

Speaking of Braphine, she is pleased by your progress as a group thus far, and has given characters a little blessing: If there is something you've always wanted to tell someone – whether it be how you feel about someone else here, someone at home, a secret you've been holding in, or something else entirely – but have lacked the courage to do so, you may find the strength to say it now. While the God of Conflict forced ugly truths out of you, Braphine would like ones that come from a place of willingness without fear. This sensation will last until the end of your stay here.

How nice, isn't it? To feel like you're finally starting to get somewhere with your fellow Chosen.

The God of Conflict, however, thinks otherwise.

A LOOK IN THE MIRROR...

The world around you has seen a few changes. There are the positives, thanks to your efforts in completing commissions and forming connections, both of which aid Braphine.

However…

If you look in any sort of mirror, window, puddle that will give you your reflection, The God of Conflict is there, looking back at you, gazing at you eerily, freezing you and holding you in place.

"Well, well, well. Fancy running into you here, Chosen. Tell me…do you really believe that you're aiding Braphine in her mission? Do you really think any of the bonds that you've made here matter all that much, so much that it'll stop me, in the end? Don't make me laugh. We'll see how much your flimsy little chains hold up in time."

And then, just like that, he's gone…not without another little gift, though. You will be surrounded by 2-3 Nekyia Shadows once he disappears…in the real world. The Shadows, notably, will not attack unless provoked, and the locals will not be able to see them. As always, the only way you can attack them is through using your Personas; as soon as you engage in combat, you will also disappear to the locals like the Shadows.

For those who decide not to fight them, they will simply stare at you as you leave... but they will each briefly flicker into another form: The God of Conflict. But before you can say a word, they’ll disappear.

However, should you choose to engage in battle with them, any harm done to the environment or the locals themselves through the battle will be tangible. If you slam a Jack Frost into a building, it will leave a dent, in other words. The locals will not be able to see the actual fight, but they will notice the weird explosions and damages happening to them and around them. An important thing to note is that, being outside of the Nekyia, you will drain energy faster as you fight them, but you can defeat them with your Personas as usual otherwise.

THE DARKEST BEFORE DAWN.

So, maybe you didn't spawn a Palace, or even create a weird Nekyia environment like Soujuurou and Joshua have. That, however, does not mean you are free of your Shadow selves.

However, you are trapped with them. If you venture into the Nekyia, every so often when you look over your shoulder, they may be there, watching you, taunting you, following you around, even interacting with people (yourself or others) as if they were corporeal-- blink and you may miss them hovering over your shoulder, and turn the corner and you may just see them in the distance.

What follows your Shadow selves even after you return back to the safety of the dorms are the nightmares... which you find yourself having a little more often than normal. If you happen to stumble into a shared dreamscape, it looks... slightly different from when you last saw it. The nightmares always end the same way, though, even if the dreams are different: your Shadow self is staring back at you, haunting you before you wake up.

For anyone who has already confronted their Shadow selves, however, there is a glimmer of hope. In the Shadow's place is the best version of yourself, reminding you that although this is a nightmare, it does not have to continue forever. You have changed thanks to the people around you. Perhaps this is Braphine's reminder to you that she is still here, and despite her quiet, she's still watching.

Speaking of quiet, though…

…Has anyone checked on Mina lately?

And why does a certain brown cat keep on pacing in the dormitory hallways?

( OOC: A few limitations to keep in mind regarding this prompt:
• Shadows can now appear exclusively in nightmares, in the Nekyia, OR BOTH.
• Since the Dream King has not been vanquished yet, those who want to continue the dreamscape prompt as your nightmares are free to do so (this is optional though). Your Shadows are going to be here regardless!
• In this prompt, Shadows are NOT going to possess any characters. They are haunting you in the Nekyia (and may engage with other player characters, should you desire to go that route)!
• On that note, you can let your Shadows manifest however you'd like – they can yap, they can be completely quiet and stand menacingly, they can appear in quick glimpses and jumpscare you or linger for as long as you're in the Nekyia. They can stick to you or talk to others. Either way, everyone will see each other's Shadows.
• At this time, Shadows cannot be defeated outside of Palaces and mod-run mini-events.
• The same limitations apply to those seeing their best selves over their Shadows. )

WEATHER FORECAST

Balmy weather with a light breeze. Weather looks fair and comfortable for the next two weeks but don't forget to wrap up warmly or risk catching a chill! You wouldn't want to fall sick, would you?

Characters who journey into the Nekyia when it is getting chilly may find that Shadows in combat may be randomly afflicted with Freeze during combat.

COMMISSIONS

REAL WORLD COMMISSIONS

NO HORSING AROUND

The zoo is looking for volunteers! They need hands available to feed and clean up after the petting zoo animals in particular. You won’t be dealing with lions on this job, but you will be face to face with goat kids with a penchant for headbutting, so do take care while you work!

ONE FOR THE BOOKS

A new writer is in town to promote their book at the library! The problem is... very few people signed up for the meet and greet. Library workers are looking for volunteers or, really, anyone off the street who can be convinced to at least attend the poor author’s reading and fill out the room a little. Those who do end up attending will be treated to a reading of a high fantasy tale with romance, trysts, and a surprising number of werewolves, but those who manage to stay attentive may just notice a suspicious individual slipping in partway through... A disgruntled netizen has decided to make a mess of the author’s first meet and greet, and will get violent unless someone stops them.

DABBLING IN DELINQUENCY

Some of the students on the island have decided not to return to the classroom after all - instead roaming in packs around the city and causing general mischief. Try to turn them back on the path of decency! Especially when the boldest of them decide you’re a prime pickpocketing target...

NEKYIA COMMISSIONS

FANDOM WARS

“Disgusting... Anyone could pick up that slop and read all kinds of depraved things... People who write that stuff should just die.”

It seems someone got a little too into fights online about books - because their gripes about today’s tales has created a Shadow in the form of level 39 Thoth in the Nekyia. Worse yet, those who are inflicted by Rage by this Shadow cannot be cured with a simple spell - instead, those afflicted will find themselves venting out their frustrations for their battle companion to hear. The effect ends once the battle is completed, or they finish getting everything off their chest, whichever comes first.

KILL THE LIGHTS

“Don’t they see? There’s so much money to be made! If we just expanded our influence...”

A crooked politician trying to drum up support for military activity has generated quite the shadow. A level 40 Eligor can be found deep in the Nekyia’s business district, muttering to himself about all the profits to be had with a little conflict. Needless to say, things will get very, very bad if he goes through with it - take him down before he can start anything!

HORSING AROUND

The Nekyia business district is overrun with Unicorns teaming up with Ganesha to make quite the formidable team of a fierce fighter and a powerful support. That said, those who defeat the pair may just find that their foes have dropped quite a useful healing item...

(OOC: Please turn in your threads for this commission on the rewards page to receive a Bead Chain, which fully restores HP to all allies (maximum 4 including the user) and is valid for one time use during any battle. This is only valid for the first turn in of the commission.)

OOC

READ ME!!!!

Welcome to your log for Weeks 9 and 10! Feel free to use this log for any developments that happen during the next two weeks. There will be no log next week.
We're heading into endgame and AC is due 30 September, Monday, at 2359 EST! The boon for this month's AC has been updated as well - please have a look!
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.
Palaces are still going strong - sign ups for Atem (here) and Kirumi's (here) capped palaces are still open, and sign ups for our FFA palace will be going up later today.

ic comm | inboxes | ooc comm | full nav

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Comments

[beautifulknight]

Wait...

[ Argenti is...frightened of Céleste right about now. How can he not be (6)? But, perhaps the most scary aspect about him is what if he hurts the man because something that he does tears him apart? So, yes, horrifying in the literal and mental sense in so many respects - enough that it instills within him a strong reluctance to attack...he can't.

But, his dear companions are in need of assistance! Argenti turns his attention upon those he notices who get hit! Immediately, he casts Media on Eli, McGillis, and Haruka.

Fortunately, afterwards, Arven's clearing status effect washes over him. Maybe just in time to react properly to Chaos... ]

ROUND FOUR

[cirquedesang]

[Eli both taking the hit intended for Sunrise and not retaliating in return does actually give him pause - Eli is usually one of the first to get in the thick of a fight, after all!

...And then Izou happens. Between the headbutt and the shouting at him, one eye flickers from gold to violet and back again. Something, or some combination of somethings is getting through.

But something else is also keeping the shadow's hold tight around his heart.

And then Aaron's kick lands square on his back. Usually, he might be able to tumble forward and get back to his feet, even with the crit (and only take the damage in the process-) but. Izou is there.

Celeste is now in Izou's arms, hi, hello, how are you.

But also since Cleanses Keep Happening, you know what time it is.

Majesty for Mafuyu, Arven, Izou, Yi Sang, Aaron, Sunrise, Rutile, and McGillis.]

[beathollow]

( hey. hi. guess who's hit with brainwash (1)?

why, the devoted daughter, of course. which is why celeste gets healed with diarahan. )

Enough! All of you- do you even care? All you're doing is making everything worse! Just go away!

[supherb]

M-Mafuyu...you...

[Arven doesn't know whether to be horrified or not. He doesn't want Celeste to get hurt either, but is it even possible to banish the shadow without doing so now?]

[cleansewithfire]

[ The look of someone increasingly feeling whelmed by these benny hill shenanigans. ]

[metagame]

[no, Mafuyu, Atem's pretty certain you've just made it worse. horus' eye x3. that was a full heal, wasn't it? how much magic did she drain from herself to accomplish that...

there has to be some way to stop Celeste taking control of them. focus, Atem! too bad his focus sucks, though. (9) he just can't see shit. the ribbons... the void... no good.]

[goei]

[Well, y'know, he was fine actually, and kind of against his better judgement enjoying the accidental hug a little because Celeste is pretty and probably smells nice??? Maybe he smells like blood but that doesn't bother Izou.

Or... Actually... It really does!!! Celeste is a big scary monster!!! He immediately detaches from Celeste with a yelp. He needs to get away from the scary thing!! Where will he be the safest???

Well, attached to McGillis, obviously. At least McGillis will get a Rakukaja for his trouble as Izou clings to his bad arm.]

[vogelfrei]

[ ... well, McGillis is also affected by Fear right now, which makes him maybe a bad meat shield. ]

Izou, what--

[ Is it harder to be afraid when there's something as bizarre happening as this? Or is it just stoking paranoia? McGillis can hardly decide. But he is going to Dia Izou because that heatbutt must have done a number on his own thick skull as well. ]

[speedingticket]

[ Rutile finally gets a good look at Celeste, and, ah. Majesty doesn't brainwash him but it certainly frightens him (6).

He squeezes his eyes shut, bites his lips, and pulls out the first spell he finds in him: Matarukaja. And when he opens his eyes, it goes to the first three people he sees: Izou, Mafuyu, and Arven.

Enjoy your increased attack...? ]

[beathollow]

( thanks fam but i cannot emphasize how devoted to not attacking she is this fight even without the brainwash- )

[cleansewithfire]

[ Why is the fear back, this is starting to fray her nerves (6).

Sunrise casts Rakukaja on Eli since he seems intent on tanking. ]

[beautifulknight]

[ This needs to stop.

Now.

Argenti looks to find a way to put a halt to Majesty...

...But, unfortunately, he's too oblivious (5) ]

[metagame]

[can't see shit club over here]

[supherb]

[Majesty hits him once again, only this time...this time Arven has had enough (10). Hestia appears in a fiery flash overhead and shines a brilliant light upon him as if to ward off Celeste's attack. He's now immune to Majesty.]

You might've bought yourself some time [Mafuyu full healing him] but we will get you back!

[He casts Energy Shower on Mafuyu, Sunrise and Izou.]

[beathollow]

( mafuyu gasps softly, and for a moment she looks guilty... but.

...

she can't fully regret her actions under majesty's influence. not when she wanted to heal him and take him from this awful fight all along. )

I...

[cleansewithfire]

Thank you, Arven...

[ She sounds tired, which is Something considering how monotone she can be usually. ]

[goei]

[Ah. That was a new one.]

... How come Celeste can brainclean us AND make us act scared!?

[I rolled to see if he connected this to what Celeste told him, but. (1) mayber later.]

Thanks, Picnic...

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Everyone seems to be too afraid to strike and with that full heal from Mafuyu... Good. What does he mean good? Is Eli brainwashed? No, he's not. He's glad for a brief respite from the violence. ]

...finally.

[ Eli gives Sunrise a brief glance before leaving her side, instead lunging after Celeste to grab him again. It isn't a hug (yet), so perhaps it's just an arm or a grapple (19). ]

I'm not leaving you alone or leaving you behind or anything else you think you want, Celeste! You're stuck with me and I mean it! Even if we can't save you from this place... I'll stay right here, in the dark, with you.

[ He did say he would deal with Celeste if he truly lost control but that didn't necessarily mean death. ]

[supherb]

[Arven can hear you over there, Eli. Bro?? Bro.]

Neither of you are staying here! Got that?!

[prozaic]

[Certain people are quite fortunate that Shalem does not attack people under a specific age. He just makes a disgusted noise. He would have cast a Danse Macabre right now, but he has Orpheus stop, watching Eli. Hmm.

He's not doing anything this round. Let's see what he can do.]

[idealitas]

...I see.

[ Hello Brainwash my old friend (1).

Yi Sang supports his fellow dad (and daughter) in crimes apparently, so he casts Maeiha on Eli, Argenti, and McGillis, but only hits Argenti (10, 16, 7). ]

We're surrounded by idiots.

[townmusician]

[WHY DID THE BOSS GET A FULL HEAL...

Ugh, whatever. Haruka is going to see if he has any better luck looking for a way to stop Majesty (13) because this back and forth is getting really annoying...

And he'll throw out an energy shower to Yi Sang, Rutile, and McGillis while he's at it.]

[imperiosity]

[When that Majesty hits, he feels... something strange is up, but he can't quite put his finger on what. He's never really taken his martial arts training as seriously as some other people he knows, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a good understanding of the techniques. Taking a moment to inhale, he dispels the Majesty with a yell (10) and we're back in business, baby!!!

except not, because his attempt at swiping at Céleste with one of his swords misses (4) rip]

[metagame]

[alright motherfuckers it's time for the Royal Voice]

Everyone! We need to somehow stop Celeste from controlling us! This battle won't end until we do!

We need to work together as a team!

[strawsandals]

[ In the midst of all the chaos, the drama, the fighting, a boy emerges and runs to where Izou and Eli are. He may not be the one to snap Celeste out of this, he may not be as close to Celeste as others are, but that flicker is so familiar and Yoon, if he's able to, will reach for one of Celeste's hands. ]

What Eli said – you're not alone, Celeste. I saw...I saw a small part of what you went through. The decisions you've made...they weren't easy, and now, you must be tired, right? So from now on, I'll make sure you're the one who gets in bed first. I'll even stay up even later to make sure nothing else happens to you, and if something does, I'll run and get help as soon as I can. I'll make sure you have an extra comfortable bed where you can lay your head down if you want to.

[ He's shaking. Maybe it's because of how scary this whole situation has been, maybe it's because he's seen people tearing each other apart, but... ]

People are fighting each other, screaming and yelling right now, because they care about you. We're a mess right now because we want you to be safe. You saw my mind and the minds of so many others here, and you didn't give up on us...so please...we can help you with your own, too. Please stop turning us against each other.

[ And now they're planning to do something, so following up on Izou's plan...

Sukunda. Lowering Celeste's agility for the moment, juuuust in case. ]

You don't need to run anymore. Okay?