WEEKS 11 & 12

[linkupmods]

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

[speedingticket]

> bonds and connections.

Knock knock!

[ There's someone at the door to your dorm room! Yes, someone who has decided to speak the sound of knocking on the door instead of actually knocking...

Because if you decide to open the door, you'll find Rutile on the other side, and his hands are full. He balances a rather large tray, and it's stacked with little sandwiches, cookies, a pot of tea, and two cups. ]

Do you have a moment? Let's form bonds and connections!

[ He's taking this commission very seriously. ]

[strawsandals]

[ ...Eh? Wow, this is forward. He kind of respects it.

Yoon steps outside, though, in case Celeste wants this room to himself later. ]

Alright...sure. What's your plan?

[speedingticket]

I made cookies. And tea!

[ He lifts the tray more. See! ]

Is your room off-limits? [ peeking over his shoulder, ] Where would you like to go?

[strawsandals]

Not necessarily; I'm just not sure when Celeste will be back. That's all. Let's go to the lounge?

[ The food smells pretty good, too... Well done, friend! ]

[speedingticket]

That sounds fair to me. Let's go!

[ With a smile, Rutile sets off to the lounge!

When he sets down his tray on the coffee table, he'll stretch a bit. That was heavy for his twig arms. ]

Do you like apple cinnamon tea? Because that's what I've made.

[ He'll take a seat on the floor by the table. ]

[cleansewithfire]

Mr. Rutile.

[ Even though her expression doesn't change, she seems happy to see him... ]

Should I get Richard, too?

[speedingticket]

[ It's noticeable to Rutile! Especially as he's getting to know her better. ]

Hello, Miss Sunrise!

[ Smile! ]

Is he in? I'd love to meet him!

[cleansewithfire]

He is not right now.

[ Though if she dropped him a message he'll likely be back. ]

[speedingticket]

Aww, that's too bad.

[ His twin... :(

Rutile seems mildly disappointed by this, but only for a moment. He quickly brightens. ]

It's okay, we'll hang out so we'll be here by the time he gets back. How does that sound?

[bloodandstars]

[ Someone who knocks instead of barging in is already sort of weird. Someone who just announces their knock, which rules out Aerith by voice if nothing else.

Proverbs about curiosity and cats aside, Maika is a nosy wolf. Fine. She'll bite and open the door. ]

I was about to ask what's in it for me, but...

[ A nod at the tray. She perceives bribes, and they might work. ]

[speedingticket]

Snacks and apple cinnamon tea! [ A beat. ] And something a little extra if the tea alone isn't enough.

[ He beams! What does that mean? Anyway— ]

May I come in? I'd love to get to know you better.

[bloodandstars]

[ Something extra??? Her one impression of this guy is him drinking like a pirate during that weird party, so: ]

I don't drink. But I won't say no to the rest of it. [ She steps back and tilts her head in invitation. ] Sure, suit yourself. It's just me right now, though.

[speedingticket]

[ how did she know... it was a flask of calvados...

Anyway, he steps in with a bright smile and a nod of thanks, and he'll place the tray down wherever seems appropriate and has enough room for it. ]

That's all right. [ He'll stand, stretch a little bit, and tilt his head. ] Who do you room with?

[unweathered]

[ Schneider is... exhausted. Not from the palaces, but from something else. Rutile might perceive her shadow - a flickering child like person - pressing in close behind her. She smiles because this is how she rolls though]

Ah. So you know the name of the game. Bribery.

[speedingticket]

[ Rutile chuckles. Maybe it is bribery.

When he opens his eyes, he sees the child figure, the exhaustion on Schneider's face. But if Schneider doesn't acknowledge it to begin with, neither will Rutile. Maybe they can talk about it later (as is the name of the assignment)? ]

Snacks and tea, either for us to share, or all for you. [ Hehe. He lifts the tray slightly. ] May I come in?

[unweathered]

Sure. Aerith wont mind. She's not in right now though.

[Schneider is a surprisingly considerate room mate. The room is neat, clean but it's clear by the oversized jacket lined with black fur tossed onto one bed which side of the room is which. Rutile might take note of a vase full of flowers and feathers, organised into a very pretty arrangement. She gestures carelessly at the coffee table and cushions. Take a seat]

What brings you to my room though? Don't you know I bite?

[speedingticket]

You're Aerith's roommate! I had no idea.

[ That means they're neighbors! Rutile smiles brightly as he waltzes in.

He'll gently place the tray down onto the coffee table and make himself comfortable on a cushion. He doesn't move to serving things right away; for now, he flexes his wrists (maybe the tray was heavier than it looked?) ]

I saw the commission about getting to know everyone a little better. I thought, what better way to do that than over some snacks?

[ He smiles for a moment. ]

Especially after... Well, you know.

[ The palace........ ]

[moodwrecker]

Okay?!

[What is even happening here.]

[speedingticket]

[ Yes, this one!! They have encountered one another a few times, so there's a satisfied smile on Rutile's face when he sees Aubrey. ]

I'm coming in, then!

[ Taking that "okay" as permission. He takes a step forward. ]

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.

[moodwrecker]

[Just like. Stepping aside to let him in, confused??? It's a tidy little dorm room though, and the way she moves will block him from accidentally walking into a clean, well-kept cage for an equally clean and well kept bunny rabbit.]

Why are you- is this about that commission thing?!

[speedingticket]

[ OMG A BUNNY— ]

It is! I only got here a few weeks ago, so I thought I'd make good on the commission.

[ Gestures to his tray again! ]

Hungry?

[prozaic]

[After Sou's Shin's palace...

The door opens a crack, revealing a single, slitted purple eye and long, loose lavender hair. While not unkempt, Shalem was a little busy in his room when Rutile came along... But Rutile is lucky, this is a rare day that Shalem isn't accompanied by Haruka. He was busy doing something else.

For a second, Shalem just blinks, looking at Rutile, then stands up straight and opens the door properly. He's caught a whiff of the tea, and his forked tongue flutters out to have a scent, just to make sure it really is tea.]

I'm not one to turn down tea. Come in, come in. [Then he retreats inside to pull up two chairs. Convenient that he lives alone in this room, he can use both chairs and both desks any time he wants, and he can do whatever he wants without disturbing a roommate-- as evidenced by his sweatpants and simple shirt, having been in the middle of stretching exercises when Rutile came.]

[speedingticket]

[ Oh, this is where Shalem's room is! He sees the familiar face and his smile brightens; he doesn't seem all that bothered by the snake tongue or anything. ]

Yay!

[ Rutile's dressed pretty cozily himself, it seems he's found himself a pair of jeggings (?) to go with his oversized cardigan, and he's been wandering around the dorms with his slippers on. Doesn't seem like he had any intention of going outside today.

He'll set the tray down on the surface closest to where Shalem puts the chairs. And when he's free of the weight, he'll stretch. ]

How have you been?

[prozaic]

[The surface is a small folding table that Shalem placed his phone on. He pushes it to the side to make way for the tray, but Rutile might note that it's on a music app, though it's currently paused on a song.]

Doing fairly well, thank you. What about you?

[Shalem sits on one chair, looking up at Rutile.]

No lingering nightmares? [That really is what he's opening with.]

[speedingticket]

[ Rutile only glances briefly at the phone, but his gaze doesn't linger. He still doesn't really understand it beyond the little pictures he likes so much.

With a light chuckle, he'll sit down on the empty chair, tilting his head as he does so. ]

I'm all right. Sleeping much better now.

[ He pauses for a second before reaching to pour them both tea. ]

I've only dreamed of it once since.

[ lol... ]