WEEKS 11 & 12

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WEEKS 11 & 12

YOU CAN'T GET OFF THE RIDE...

The dream king has been vanquished, and with it, everyone’s dreams have returned to normal. For those who have had trouble sleeping in the past few weeks, that’s a relief, right?

You know what they say - one step forward, two steps back.

The border between the Nekyia and the real world is thinning - watch your step, Chosen. With your Shadows still haunting you at every opportunity, turn the corner and you may find yourself suddenly in the Nekyia, tendrils of dark fog curling around your feet even though you’ve spent so much effort trying to clear the previous districts of fog and shadows. Blink, and you’ll find yourself back where you were in the real world, with everyone looking at you quizzically because for a moment, you disappeared.

Braphine’s temple is oddly silent. Where there were once priests and priestesses around the courtyards and the main building, now, when you visit, there is nobody around to attend to you. Walking through the halls of the temple now feels fraught with danger, almost - look into a mirror for too long, and your Shadow may end up looking back at you.

Speaking of attendants – maybe you should check in on your local priestess.

Thanks to everyone’s help with the Business District, it is now... actually, it’s more or less the way it always has been. People are still standoffish, and there’s a tension in the air - it feels like just one little spark is all that’s needed to start an argument or a fight.

In fact, it isn’t even only the Business District suffering these effects. Though specific individuals may retain a fondness for characters who helped them, the population overall seems to have regained its old vitriol towards each other. The Chosen saw for themselves the positive impact they were able to have on the City - what in the world could have reversed it all...?

TEMPTATION TOUCHED MY TONGUE...

You blink, and it’s there. Blink again, and it vanishes.

Perhaps your eyes are playing tricks on you, but where there used to be a park just outside the dorms, now lies a large orange grove. It does, however, look a little shadowy around the edges, like it’s not supposed to be there - and the strange thing is that it can only be seen by Braphine’s chosen. Asking any of the passers by will just net you bewildered looks.

Despite the roiling storm and the grey clouds outside, the sky in the orange grove is clear when you enter into it.

You are surrounded by the smell of orange blossoms, and as the scent envelops you, a strange feeling of unsettlement starts to build.

The oranges are in the right season for harvesting, and somehow you get an irresistible urge to pick one and bite into it. But biting into it comes at a price– you start to forget. It could be a memory, a part of you, or worse, one of the bonds you have made here.

The more of the oranges you eat, the deeper you fall into the grove, and perhaps, just perhaps, you might come into contact with a familiar face that gives you a warning before you fall too deep into it. Keep eating and you won't just forget. You’ll start wanting to eat things that aren’t meant to be eaten too.

After meeting with “Schneider”, you realise there’s only one way out of this hazy mess: help others to help yourself. It could be collecting little memories that glitter like “stars” amongst the trees, and walking people back to the scattered fragments of themselves.

Or it could be helping the shadowy farm workers, who look at you with disdain and ask:

“You city folk here to do some real work for once? Hurry up.”

They ask you to do a number of chores: chopping up firewood, cleaning stables, harvesting the oranges (but don’t you dare eat them without permission) and planting new trees. There’s also a church that you could help clean up and donate your funds towards which makes the shadowy figures very happy. Schneider will not be.

Each successful chore completed is another “part” of yourself returned, and the better equipped you are to help the people around you. Better start working.

It’s odd though. When you look outside the orange grove, it’s almost like the raindrops are moving in reverse.

(OOC: Schneider'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! Welcome to your memloss event!)

WEATHER FORECAST

Gloomy. Grey skies about, and the sun seems to have hidden itself away for some reason. When it isn’t raining or storming, there somehow seems to always be the sound of thunder rolling in the distance. Eagle-eyed characters may even notice a metallic glint through the clouds, every now and then...

Characters that venture into the Nekyia during these two weeks will find themselves occasionally being afflicted with Dizzy during combat. Watch your step.

COMMISSIONS

TREASURE THE TEMPLE

Without the Priest or Priestess to care for the temple, it continues to grow dustier and more dismal by the day. Characters who work together to help with upkeep - dusting, sweeping, wiping down surfaces, even airing it out by opening up the windows - will not only receive the regular rewards, but also find themselves imbued with a gentle desire to spend some time taking care of those they care about, too.

MASTERS OF THEIR ELEMENT

There are Level 50 Shadows to be found in the Nekyia, though thankfully they are not on the prowl. One can be found in each cardinal and intercardinal direction: Garuda in the East, Surt in the South, Scathach in the West, and Fafnir to the North, as well as Dionysus in the North East, Michael in the North West, Alitat in the South West, and Belial in the South East. Each of these enemies has punishing attacks, and will need to be taken on by groups of three or more characters. However, upon defeat they will drop a stone that glows with a soft light that corresponds to an element colour (e.g. pink for Psy, red for Fire); offer these to Braphine’s temple to give the goddess strength, and receive a Magatama in that particular element.

(OOC: Please turn in your threads for this commission on the rewards page to receive an Elemental Magatama which deals medium damage to one target in one specific element, and is valid for one time use during any battle. This is only valid for the first turn in of the commission.)

BONDS AND CONNECTIONS

”My connection to Sunset City has been interrupted... I no longer have the strength to support you as I did before. Look out for each other, and keep forging new bonds; they will protect you when I cannot.”

While characters have gained strength from the bonds they’ve forged, there are still those who are freshly arrived with no such defenses; characters who make the effort to establish relationships with faces they have not interacted with much so far will be rewarded. If the character has not been used for a Social Link writeup, they are fair game! Characters may choose what activities they partake in at their own leisure, whether that’s battling alongside one another in the Nekyia or using one of those coupons for a free dinner at a fancy restaurant. They should, however, have a focus on getting to know each other during the activity.

OOC

READ ME!!!!

Welcome to your log for Weeks 11 and 12! Feel free to use this log for any developments that happen during the next two weeks.
Please note that there will be no log next week BUT there will be a network post going up for endgame plot purposes going up once Week 11's palaces are complete!
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 Haruka's palace are underway and will start later today, and our Clover (capped) and Moon (FFA) palaces will be going up later this weekend!
Don't forget to check in with AC to get your endgame unlocks and submit your rewards/Rank 10 social links before 20 October, 11:59PM EST!

ic comm | inboxes | ooc comm | full nav

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Comments

[bloodweapon]

[Man. Where does he even start with these things.]

Tomestones are remnants of an ancient civilization, Allag. They contain various types of information, though often the information is rather mundane. Certain collectors will trade items for them; V'rhas is very fond of gathering them to trade them for stronger weapons and armor.

[beautifulknight]

Oh, I believe I understand now.

They sound like they can be rather convenient to have! Perhaps comparable to being something similar to my cellphone indeed.

[ Or mini-computers, actually. The lore behind them does sound neat. But there is another question on his mind, though. ]

...But, I suppose not exactly if they are not able to take pictures, though?

[ If they're just something that happens to hold certain types of information... ]

[bloodweapon]

[Fray nods at that.]

Correct. They do not have nearly the same functionality as your cellphone. They are a receptacle for information, nothing more. I'm afraid you'll have to rely on your cellphone for pictures when we arrive in Eorzea, as that sort of technology is not commonplace there.

[Maybe in Garlemald? Honestly, he's not sure, he just knows their technology is much more advanced than Eorzea's own.]

[beautifulknight]

I shall have to ask Goddess Braphine for infinite space for my phone, then!

And I am certain that some shop around here sells instant cameras...I would love to have a physical photo album as well as a digital one, after all.

[ Argenti will arrive Prepared to Eorzea for certain. If there so happens to be something like that in Garlemald, that will just end up being a bonus.

Either way, he'll have so many photo albums to show off!! He's definitely going to be one of those people who are like 'look at my dearest one in this picture is he not the most handsome ever' if he gets to know them or if he already knows the person. It might get really embarrassing for Fray... ]

[bloodweapon]

[Argenti?? You're going to kill him?? Do not???]

Then we'll ensure we've brought plenty of supplies with us before we return home. Though I do have to wonder if the Goddess will be capable of bringing us back here... Well, I suppose that's a question for another time.

[Travel between worlds is something he's wondered about, but since his most important people both want to come to Eorzea with him, it isn't as big a concern as it could be. Still, it would be nice if they could return here to meet with the others occasionally...]

[beautifulknight]

[ RIP Fray, we knew ye well... ]

Yes, it will be wise to be prepared. I am certain the shopkeepers shall also enjoy our patronage.

[ Temporary or not...but, at the comment Fray makes, Argenti's expression softens a bit in consideration. He's wondered the very topic before, after all. ]

...I have wondered the very same. I had been hoping for something like that being a possibility - though, I am certainly prepared for it to not be. And if not, I hope the goddess can open up something like a channel of communication so we can continue to reach out to our friends.

[ But he would love to do interworld travel again. It too isn't that much of a concern for him either - he wishes dearly more to be able to reach out to other dear friends in some method, though he will be prepared to be content with that not being the case, either. As a Knight of Beauty, he is used to goodbyes, at the least... ]

[bloodweapon]

She was powerful enough to bring us here, so it is my hope she can find a way to ensure that we will be able to keep the bonds we formed here.

[She's the Goddess of Bonds, after all!! She better be able to do something about this!!!]

I would miss the others, certainly, but I am happy to be returning home with both you and Sayaka. I'm thankful you both agreed to come to Eorzea with me.

[He never had to stop and ask himself if he could leave Eorzea behind for another world, and he's grateful for that. Truthfully, he's not sure he could.]

[beautifulknight]

[ Here here!! ]

You and I are on the same page once again, my dearest midnight knight. I am certain it would also benefit her in turn.

[ Something something about bonds granting her more power and all that - gods here seem not too dissimilar to Aeons in certain ways, though he suspects how they originally became as much to be different, based upon what she has told him of her origins. ]

I am happy that us returning with you has brought you such joy - as it does myself, of course. Knowing that Sayaka shall be coming with us is quite wonderful, after all! I am certain she shall find the sights just as incredible as I will once we arrive.

...Oh, and perhaps when we arrive we should have a little celebration?

[ It can be quaint! But it's be fun, he thinks. As for Argenti going "home"...it isn't like he wasn't considering it before Fray asked, but...he doesn't really have a place to call home in his universe. And, there are things he enjoyed there, though he felt as if it isn't exactly where he pictured himself spending his future following the events of his Palace. ]

[bloodweapon]

Yes, I believe that would be nice. I am curious how exactly we'll return given my... circumstances.

[He definitely needs to find time to ask her how that's going to go. Given he's a part of V'rhas, does he get to keep his own body? Does he just live in V'rhas's head?? Is he going to go straight back to bullying V'rhas's friends, because he was about to confront his other self and try to steal his body and life, but like. It's fine. Don't worry too much about it.]

...Regardless, we will work something out. V'rhas is both far more understanding and forgiving than anyone truly should be.

[beautifulknight]

Your circumstances? But, you had a body of your own, yes?

[ The way that Fray phrased that does inevitably invite curiosity with the way he phrased it, because well yes he does recall what the man divulged to him of his very own nature, and all that. But, he wonders what he means by that.

In other words...yes, worry about it?? Hello? ]

Though, I have no doubts that we shall be able to tackle any complication together indeed. It is a relief to hear that your friend is very kind. But, I wonder why you also mention the forgiving aspect here as well.

[ He feels like he's missing something.... ]

[bloodweapon]

[...about that,,,]

I was borrowing the real Fray's body.

[So uh.]

Theoretically, I can create one of my own, now that V'rhas is more powerful. I don't know how long it would last for, however.

...Though obviously the form I've been given here is different. This body is identical to V'rhas's, and yet he isn't here with me. So perhaps keeping this body is an option.

[You can practically hear the ??? here.]

1/2

[beautifulknight]

[ ...

....

.....

...Wait. ]

2/2

[beautifulknight]

[ All he heard is that there are a bunch of maybes in all of this.

So... ]

We must see Goddess Braphine at once!

[ Argenti suddenly declares, because this sounds like kind of something that could be an issue?

Is it any surprise that he's worried and wants to make sure that there are no problems at all?? ]

[bloodweapon]

[Listen, this is a much better option than Argenti focusing on the fact that Fray was running around in a man's corpse—]

I have been meaning to ask her about it, yes. Very well, we can go now, if you'd like.

[Argenti has every reason to worry, so Fray's not going to try to pretend like it isn't a problem... but maybe he should've made this clear earlier... whoops.]

[beautifulknight]

[ HELP Argenti may in fact come back to that, but his mind is currently in mission mode so he blasted past that for a second. ]

Yes, let's go to the temple right away!

[ Argenti will make haste in that direction, though...

To cut to the chase, apparently Braphine is not there. Neither are the attendants who could help in summoning her. It seems they'll be unable to contact her at this current time.

This just gets a rare, frustrated outburst from Argenti - ]

Honestly!

[bloodweapon]

[Off we go! But without the attendants or Braphine herself here... Well, Fray can hardly blame Argenti for being annoyed, but this is the first time he's actually seen the man react like this to... well, anything. Fray immediately reaches out a hand for one of Argenti's.]

Try not to worry yourself so, Argenti. We will have our chance to ask her all the questions we'd like - at the very least after the God of Conflict has been stopped.

[Of course, that's easier said than done, and he knows it.]

[beautifulknight]

[ Yes, normally he is far more...not that.

His worries just sped up to him rather quickly at that - he sighs too, before relaxing at the feel of Fray's hand around one of his. ]

Yes, you're right.

[ He shouldn't feel so sour, so impatient. But, this has something to do with Fray's entire existence, and he just got him back. Argenti just squeezes gently the hand, though, expression softening, basking in the feeling of his loved one nearby. ]

...I also would not wish to alarm you with the sudden stress wrinkles. It would look quite unfortunate on me.

[bloodweapon]

[Fray can't help but smile at the joke(?), reaching out to take Argenti's other hand as well.]

Nothing could detract from your appearance, my beloved.

[Not even stress wrinkles!!]

But I don't wish for you to worry yourself so. I understand your concerns all too well, but these are questions we will have the opportunity to ask, I'm certain of it.

[beautifulknight]

[ It definitely is a jest for certain. Fray can easily grasp a hold of Argenti's other hand with ease like he did with the initial one, and his fingers easily curl around the other man's, granting another gentle squeeze with it as well. ]

When you say that, I can earnestly believe it.

[ He lets out another soft breath, letting the feeling of calm settle into him even further. ]

...I suppose it scared me. I had just gotten you back, and I was lost in my concern. I know better now - but hearing what you said helped.

We'll get our answers, and I am certain solutions as well - in time.

[ Argenti will have belief in that. There is no other option but to have faith. ]

[bloodweapon]

You've every reason to be worried, and I apologize for not broaching the subject sooner. I do believe that we'll have plenty of time to get answers from her before we're allowed to return to Eorzea, so there's no reason to worry. We'll figure something out.

[He squeezes Argenti's hands in return, as if to remind him that he's still here, and that things will be just fine.]

[beautifulknight]

...Well, after we cuddle for hours on end, I shall forgive you. [ A tease. He isn't angry. He is certain it slipped Fray's mind. ] But, you're right.

We shall figure something out.

[ Argenti was kind of joking, but then he gently squeezes those hands back. Then, he lets go of the other man's hands to only suddenly reaching out to aim to bring other man into an embrace. They've got the temple all to themselves right about now, after all. ]

...Though, I feel my faith in the idea grow infinitely stronger. Perhaps because we're so close together?

[bloodweapon]

[Well, the temple is empty, so it's not like Fray minds the proximity at all. He settles easily into Argenti's arms, nuzzling against him as he winds his own around his boyfriend.]

Mm, that is because you decided you wanted to hug me.

[It's lightly teasing, of course.]

I am pleased that you've faith in it, at the very least.

[beautifulknight]

Does this mean that you have managed to find me out?

[ What should he ever do with himself except continue to hold his boyfriend in his arms? ]

So far holding fast to that everything shall go well has managed to work out rather fine. You being with me right here, right now, is proof of that.

[ And like so many other instances, but Argenti is choosing to be mushy right now. ]

[bloodweapon]

[It gets a soft laugh from Fray and he nuzzles against Argenti again.]

Indeed. I've no doubts that you'd personally find a way to ensure our bright future together even if the Goddess herself couldn't. I know better than anyone just how stubborn you are.

[It's affectionately said, of course. That stubbornness eclipsed his own and is what helped bring him back from his shadow self. He wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.]

[beautifulknight]

[ Argenti thinks of it as a gentle, but beautiful laugh that sends a comforting warmth straight to his heart... ]

You do speak from experience, don't you?

...And, I am not so surprised that you find that one of my most loveable aspects.

[ The affection certainly is heard. Though, Argenti thinks that there is a truth that rings brightly within the way he expresses such a sentiment - and a true belief. ]