songerein | { stroke of midnight }

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{ stroke of midnight }

STROKE OF MIDNIGHT

Although the Masquerade is being held on the night of the Fourteenth, some new problems arise in the days after. This log is split into two sections, the Masquerade and Around Town. Everyone is free to participate in either or both, whichever catches your interest.

More details on everything can be found here and here. As a reminder, events double as our TDMs and information can be found here with arrival details here. Any outside characters participating in the log are canonly logged as appearing in Songerein in February and will remain in Songerein from the IC date of February 14 through 28. TDM only characters can only thread within this log. Anyone who apps in and is accepted will have their character count February as their first time in the game without any disruption, so all content will carry over. Those who do not apply will disappear which should not seem too unusual, however players in game can choose to retcon and pretend a character was never there to begin with if it would be easier; or even think their presence was just a dream.

IMPORTANT! All outside characters MUST have "TDM" in their subject line, even if you might not app. This will help people differentiate those who are already in the game and those who are not.

TDM threads are required for samples. Refer to the Game Info for general information and feel free to toss any questions here. Reserves will open Wednesday, February 22nd and Applications will open on March 1. Our next cycle after won't be until JULY.

TDM Toplevel Link Directory (click to view, updated 02/22)

Avatar: The Legend of Korra - Korra
Avatar: The Last Airbender - Iroh
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night - Miriam
Chainsaw Man - Power
Dr. STONE - Dr. Senku Ishigami
Elsworld - Noah Ebalon (Nyx Pieta)
Final Fantasy VII - Cloud Strife
Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core - Zack Fair
Final Fantasy XIV - Erichthonios
Final Fantasy XV - Noctis Lucis Caelum
Final Fantasy XV - Prompto Argentum
Genshin Impact - Shikanoin Heizou
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist - Solanaceae
Katekyou Hitman Reborn - Hayato Gokudera
Kingdom Hearts - Ienzo
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Link
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Sheik
Marvel Cinematic Universe - Kate Bishop
NieR: Automata - 9S
Percy Jackson & the Olympians - Jason Grace
Percy Jackson & the Olympians - Nico di Angelo
Persona 3: FES - Shinjiro Aragaki
SinoAlice - Sleeping Beauty
Tales of Arise - Shionne Vymer Imeris Daymore
Tales of Symphonia - Kratos Aurion
Tales of Symphonia - Martel Yggdrasil
Tales of Zestiria - Mikleo
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - Sena
Your Wings and Mine - Shealtiel

We will request any thread submissions for certain prompts during AC and TDM threads will count. For more information, refer to the Game Notes.

I. MASQUERADE

It's time for the masquerade and the carriages will start arriving before sunset. Upon arrival, everyone who leaves the carriage (or mercilessly spat out if they try to resist) will be greeted by fairy godmothers with an eye for the most dramatic and extravagant fashion. It's a masquerade, after all! For those who already arrive with their outfits, the fairy godmothers may add a little embellishment here and or just change it completely if they think it could look better. For those who did not, they will create a whole new outfit that would fit the wearer perfectly—with magic of course. They will also create the masks and half of the glass slipper brooch that everyone will wear. The masks are enchanted so that regardless of obvious personality or physical traits, they are somehow unrecognizable at first. While it is possible to figure it out through interaction, or if it's someone they already know well, it's more likely they need to reveal their identity first. These outfits can be kept even after the masquerade is over.

A. Get in the Carriage. As the pegasus drawn carriages begin to arrive to transport those who have decided to attend the masquerade, there is some commotion from others. The pair of coach mice—who are only about four feet tall—can be found smiling and cheerily squeaking about the masquerade as they grab and literally throw protesting individuals into the carriage, whereupon the door will immediately shut behind them. Ho ho ho, it'll be such a grand time! Will anyone try to help the poor soul? Or perhaps help the mice? Maybe you're a struggling victim instead. Should anyone want to try and drive the carriage, they might have a chance…but good luck having the pegasi listen to them. Eventually the carriage will land and take them to the front of the castle where the masquerade is hosted.

B. Half of a Pair. Near the entrance, everyone is encouraged to pull out one or more of the shoe brooches contained in a large bowl. The rules are simple: 1) use the brooch to lead them to the person wearing the other half; 2) spend whatever time or activity with them, be it general socializing, a dance, a walk in the gardens; 3) keep the brooch or return it to a designated "Used" bowl. The brooches will absorb whatever kind of dreamotion energy is formed between the two, and the stronger it is, the brighter (if positive) or darker (if negative) it will glow. The interaction can be romantic, platonic, or hostile. For those who do happen to "click" and wish for some privacy, there are numerous terraces and balconies available. Some are public, but there are quite a few with curtains, so be sure to close them to signal the balcony is occupied!

C. Dancing in the Air. The main draw will be the dance floor, and the ballroom is wide and spacious to accommodate numerous pairs to dance to their hearts' content—the music is played by enchanted instruments so they'll keep going without much of a break! Of course, what makes this dance floor truly special is how it uses dreamotion energy to lift everyone up—literally. Pairs who are having a fun time may find themselves floating up and dancing in the air instead of on the ground. Somehow they can maintain some balance…but it's just as easy to lose it.

D. Royal Banquet. There are numerous tables one can use and be served an assortment of foods. In fact, one could make special requests and somehow the dragons serving will be able to make it, or at least as close as possible. One just has to imprint the idea of the dish onto a special card that the chefs will use to recreate it. There are also two bowls filled with special tear drop chocolates, one with only white, pink, and red, and the other filled with the other colors. The "game" is to randomly choose one from each bowl and share a kiss depending on what is picked.

E. Out in the Gardens. Every castle has extravagant gardens, and this one is no different. Filled with numerous pink, red, and white flowers, the gardens have their typical fare…with not so typical effects.

Extravagant mazes that one could easily get lost in are common, but what's special about these gardens is that the flowers will emit a soft, sweet scent that will feel as if they are walking through a dream. In fact, the section they are going through will begin to change to look like a place from their world and must now find their way out. When this change happens, only those who are in the area will be affected and no one else can enter the area until the main person affected gets out. Those inside can help, and there are no threats—it's all in simple fun…unless the place evokes certain memories and emotions for the person. Might not be as fun for them, then.
A crystal greenhouse where the temperature is perfectly warm (or cold!) and houses various different flowers. Here some may recognize flowers from their world, the scents also creating nostalgia. There are instructions left that indicate anyone can try to help grow the flowers. The key ingredient will be dreamotion energy, and should they succeed in creating a blossom, a small marble containing a symbol of their home. There are also special daisies that can be used to play the "they love me they love me not" game. If the last petal is "they love me," then become extra flirty and clingy. If it's "love me not," they become angry, jealous, and possessive. The effects only last for a short time…unless they keep plucking flowers.
The white fountain in the center of the gardens will have a bit of a musical playful side. It will splash colorful water at any who pass by, chime-like notes playing out as it does. But if one were to drop a flower that has absorbed positive dreamotion into its water, it will calm and let people sit to look and relax. There is also a strange frog wearing a crown that claims to be a prince. For those who believe its words that a kiss will free him from the curse, they will be sorely disappointed as nothing happens and the frog just laughs and hops away.

II. AROUND TOWN

A. Mask Up. Attracted by the masquerade, some enchanted masks have found their way to town and are now finding their way onto people, be it by tricking their victims to be put on or just forcibly latching themselves on. Depending on the type of mask, the wearer will behave based on a festive, dramatic emotion. While wearing the mask, the dreamotion that is projected is stronger. Examples are angry emotions will cause tremors and cracks on the ground, happiness could blind people or will cause confetti to fly everywhere, while sad ones will cause clouds and drizzling rain to appear overhead. The only way to remove it is to somehow make the other person feel the opposite of whatever emotion the mask is using. Once the mask’s emotion is countered and stabilized, it could be removed or even fall off if the countering emotion is strong enough. Masks can also be captured and collected before they attach to someone.

B. Special Messages. Throughout the month, valentine's are being delivered to people all over town. Some are even receiving some from the fae and dragons who live outside… Perhaps some caution should be had from those. Regardless, while the messages are brimming with both platonic and romantic (and questionable) love, the messengers are a bit… Well they need help.

Insightful Mockingbirds. Special mockingbirds are flying around and perch on random shoulders. They have the ability to "read" a person's thoughts and repeat them out loud. Without warning. Hope there aren't any secrets because that bird is going to make it public, especially if it's an observation or thought—good or bad—about another person. Good luck shooing it away, too—it'll stick around for a while because it might enjoy sowing this bit of chaos.
Arrow Delivery. The group from last year have decided to use their prank arrows for good and start a business in delivering special Valentine's messages via arrow. A "shot to the heart" in the less literal sense this time! While some of their archers are skilled, others are…less so. Some are hitting a bit too close to comfort or way off the mark. Some messages are going to the wrong person entirely. Help avoid, retrieve, or even deliver these messages around town.

C. Candy Kisses. A special assortment of flat bottomed, tear shaped chocolates are currently selling like hotcakes and can be found practically everywhere. Their main selling point is they come in different colors and each color has a special effect that will make the eater want to kiss the person near them in a certain way (see chart). Some people are deliberately swapping the wrappers around, so be careful!

D. Bleeding Hearts Return. It's Valentine's, yet Cupid is nowhere to be seen. That is because he's still corrupted from last year and now he's thirsting for love, any love. Using the Bleeding Hearts from last year, Cupid is using them to gather all that jealous, possessive love, but of course that's going to make it worse. We're not tackling Cupid here, but the main goal will be helping those who are afflicted by the Bleeding Hearts and purifying them via dreamotion instead of just destroying them. Purifying the Bleeding Hearts with pure love—romantic, platonic, familial, reminders of how they are loved and cared for by others—will help Cupid. Of course this could backfire and make the person feel worse, so be careful!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ienzo blinked at him. "So it's true, then. This ... this is a sleeping world, of some kind."

It just didn't seem to make much sense, based on the data he had already collected about such dreams. And yet, while he questioned the rather disjointed information the sleepy-looking creature had given him when he arrived here - he wasn't skeptical of what Demyx was telling him. Hm.

Of course, Demyx kept surprising him. "He is?" They'd been searching quite thoroughly for him - especially Riku and Kairi, of course. Ienzo looked a little frustrated, just for a moment, tapping his chin. "And yet, if we're cut off - there's no way for us to let anyone else know how to find Sora."

"That's how I think of it, but it's kind of a weird world anyway." Demyx admitted. "I haven't been here that long, I don't think, but it's alright. Mostly peaceful."

He nodded. "Sure he is." Demyx said, more than willing to share his intel. "So's Roxas and Riku. And Vanitas...look out for him." He turned more serious.

"He's a member of the True Organization but like...I dunno. He says he's not interested in that anymore." He'd asked him outright. "I don't trust him."

"Mostly?" Ienzo prompted gently, tilting his head. Given the previous information he knew about sleeping worlds, he wondered, "Have you encountered any Dream Eaters?"

Ienzo's smile remained bright, hearing so many of their friends were here - and then dissolved, quickly replaced by a puzzled expression. On the one hand, he admitted, "I can't really blame you. However ..."

For a moment, he searched for the right words to say to capture how he felt. Trepidation? Wariness? And yet, also ... "If it's true, that he no longer wishes to work for the True Organization ..."

He swallowed. Vanitas wasn't like them. He wasn't regrowing a heart after it'd been taken from him. He was something different, something created from the Darkness of Ventus. And yet. Did that mean that he couldn't improve himself, move toward the Light? Ienzo wasn't certain, and it felt wrong to dismiss him outright. Ienzo's face was twisted with his uncertain, conflicted thoughts.

As much as Demyx liked to put on airs and fool around, for Ienzo who he'd been working with, he was willing to get serious.

"Nothing like that. I did this...mission? Where I was in a story of some kind with Roxas and we were pigs. That was new. And took out some troublemaking gingerbread cookies."

He didn't know if Vanitas was beyond redemption or not, it hadn't entered into his equation. "That's what he said. Thing is, Sora said it that Xehanort could show up. I don't know what he'd do then."

Demyx didn't actually know what he would do either. "Anyone could according to Sora. Things are kinda...tense between us." He relaxed a bit. "I think though, he'd embrace you since you're a Somebody."

New was one word for that, wasn’t it? Ienzo blinked at him, but rolled with the information. He’s heard of things that were - as strange, honestly. Internally, he hoped he didn’t get caught up in those sorts of situations himself - he’s not suited to be ‘in the field’, so to speak, not in his book. “I’m glad you’re all right, then, if it ended up becoming dangerous.”

And yet any idea of dangerous gingerbread cookies were immediately forgotten. His eyes grew wide as saucers, visibly alarmed. “Xehanort? Here? But he’s gone, for good. We’re very certain about that.”

The idea that Demyx would turn against them didn’t even occur to Ienzo. He trusted him - after everything he’d done to help them bring back Roxas and Namine, why wouldn’t he? He already risked everything to help them. So Ienzo didn’t even think to be worried about Demyx.

No, instead - he looked disappointed, frowning slightly. “I should talk to Sora. He should know better, honestly.”

"If I got taken out by overgrown cookies, that'd just be embarrassing even for me." Demyx joked a little bit, easing back into his usual flighty ways.

"Yep, totally certain about that." He agreed, sounding cheerful even though it was a terrifying prospect. "But he said anyone can come here, there's no discounting the possibility. Sora also said he'd take care of it."

Demyx was absolutely certain Sora would. Just not for his benefit. He wouldn't turn against him, but he might have to keep playing both sides which was just an exhausting prospect.

"Don't worry about it. We talked." Demyx said, at least a little bit. "He just thinks I'm weird. Can't argue with that."

It’s a very terrifying prospect. Xehanort returning, not sentient holiday cookies. Whether or not Sora would volunteer to help face him - of course he would - Ienzo still worried. It took a lot to defeat him in the end. And the cost had been high. He didn’t want to lose anyone like that if he could help it.

Ienzo shook his head. “Still - after how strangely people treated him because of Roxas, well …”

He sighed and changed the subject. There wasn’t anything he could do about Sora’s treatment of his friend at the moment, after all. More important to discuss - “Why is he so certain, as you put it, anyone can come here? Is it the nature of this sleeping world?”

The difference between Demyx and Roxas was that he didn't have a heart, that was probably the plainest way to put it, and he'd never really given Sora a reason to trust him. Probably all Sora really remembered about him was the fact he fought him the first time around.

It didn't really help that Demyx was not the most forthcoming person, especially when his guard was up.

"Probably." Demyx agreed with a little nod. "That would be my bet. I don't think he's that thrilled I showed up and he said he'd like to avoid the others if at all possible. I wouldn't fight him on that. Marly or Larxene show up and I'm making myself scarce. Those two give me a headache."

Based on the research on how hearts regrew, Ienzo would openly doubt that conclusion. Not that he knew what Demyx was thinking. All Ienzo had to judge him by was all of the help he’d given them of late - which told him that Demyx had the same potential to be a good person as anyone else.

He frowned again, briefly - but Ienzo didn’t bring up his disappointment about Sora’s apparent hostility again. Instead, he sighed and nodded. “I’d like to think they would try and move away from their past with the Organization - and maybe they still will, given a chance. But like Vanitas, I wouldn’t blame anyone for being wary of them.”

Ienzo hesitated, and admitted, “As much as I want to give all of them a chance, I don’t think it’d be smart of me to try if they’re determined to fight.”

"Can't really say, but they weren't that thrilled to be around again. Larxene was already talking about trying another coup. They're idiots." It probably meant a lot coming from him. "They don't understand the long game."

He just didn't feel the need to sit around and let them insult him. He didn't think that was that strange.

"Don't know why they'd attack you though. Unless you have some kind of beef with them?"

Demyx was smarter than he let on, Ienzo had suspected for some time. Oh, not in a way like - he’d ask him to run calculations in a lab. But he was a spy. They relied on his reports then for a reason. Even if Saix complained about his reports constantly.

He held up his hands and shook his head. “No! Not at all - I want to give them a chance. I really do. All of us deserve to move on from the past, but …”

Ienzo lowered his hands with a sigh. “That doesn’t mean everyone’s ready to. I wish they would, but wishing something doesn’t make it real.”

"I guess, the past isn't that far away though." Demyx said honestly with a chuckle. There were probably a few people he'd avoid. Isa was one of them, even if he'd technically orchestrated Demyx's involvement. He wasn't sure how he felt him about him.

It wasn't as though Demyx looked like he was moving on either, he was still dressed head to toe in his uniform. Still running scared.

"I'm not gonna worry about it unless they show up though. You though." He teased. "I'm not worried about you. Besides...we kinda get along maybe?"

Were they friends? Someday, maybe, Demyx would really like to be.

He’s not laughing with him at that, however - Ienzo shook his head and said seriously, “If they want to leave it behind them - they deserve to be given that chance to. No matter how far away that past is.”

But with Demyx’s question, his expression softened. Ienzo gave him a smile, slightly shy, but genuinely warm. “I’d say we do? Your help has been invaluable - but I’ve also enjoyed your company. I hope I’m easier to get along with now than I used to be.”

When he was Zexion, he had little desire to see anyone. Ienzo hoped he didn’t somehow give off a cold vibe now. Right?

The past felt all too close to Demyx at least, but he wasn't going to be the one to pick fights anyway. His gold eyes were the testament to that. Why they hadn't reverted, it was hard to say if he was just corrupted or...?

He smiled at Ienzo's words. "Yeah! I mean, it's not that you were a problem before exactly or whatever, you were just quiet, but I like quiet okay." Demyx chattered to people, but only when he was playing the game.

"Heh, well I mean, guess that's good." He rubbed the back of his neck, thrown somewhat by the complement.

And yet, if that corruption was to twist anything within Demyx - it hadn’t touched whatever made him willing to turn on Xehanort and help them. To not just disappear and save his own skin, but to go out of his way to steal right from under their noses. Playing a dangerous game indeed.

At some point, Ienzo would spare a moment to start and consider what those still golden eyes might mean …

For now, he tilted his head at Demyx instead, bemused by his reaction. “I wasn’t just quiet before - some might have called me prickly. But I am telling the truth, you know … you’re easygoing, if that makes sense.”

Just because he spent so much of his time working, well, he didn’t mean to come off as a stick in the mud.

"Nope, I'm just gonna stick with quiet." Demyx teased him with a little smirk. He shrugged a little bit. "Am I really?"

That question was less a question and more something that was more along the lines of him actually wondering if he could actually be called easygoing. Maybe.

"Anyway, uh, I kinda wasn't expecting you here. I've barely been here but if you want I could show you around or whatever. I...did promise to catch up sometime right?"

“Compared to someone like Even? Sure you are,” Ienzo finally chuckled with him, joking right back. He didn’t think his friend would mind the comparison. Even didn’t see anything wrong with being seen serious.

“I’d like that. I bet you’ve scouted out this place really well.” Ienzo gave him a smile, remarking, “I didn’t exactly mean to be here, either, but I don’t mind.”

Demyx laughed rather loudly at that. "Even? Please! If I'm ever that uptight, just shake me!" He giggled. "Honestly!"

If he had to be that boring he'd probably die of boredom himself.

"I might've been looking around." Demyx confessed without shame. "There's not that much here, but come on, I'll show you where the markets are."

“Do they have any booksellers?” Ienzo asked first, because of course he did. But then he thought about it for even the briefest of moments and blinked. “As we’re in some sort of dream - do then even require currency?”

"I don't think anyone is selling books? But there's a big library with owls." Demyx offered.

"And nah, not that I can tell, but I haven't tried to go to the shops and get anything." He admitted. "I did work on a couple of jobs though...and I found a treasure chest with Sora."

Ienzo looked captivated by the idea, eyes wide, tone a little awed, “I’ll have to check that out.”

Hm, he’d need to see for himself - if he even needed to buy anything here. Ienzo supposed it depended on how long he was in this dream world. Long enough to help figure out where Sora was in the waking world, he hoped. With a little head tilt, Ienzo wondered, “What was in the chest?”

"It had this tiny snowman." Demyx described, showing him with his hands how big it was. "And it bounces around the house and cleans it for me. Also it kinda snows inside sometimes."

It was a bit chilly, but come the summer that was going to be really nice.

“I see,” Ienzo said, because that sounded as plausible as anything else Demyx described happening here. In addition, dreams didn’t have to be exactly logical, did they? Though surely, even if this place didn’t operate like the sleeping worlds he’d heard of previously, they must have their own internal rules nonetheless …

Better not become lost in thought - terribly rude, that. Ienzo noted, curious, “You’ve found yourself a place to live here?”

"Hm?" Demyx asked. "Of course I did. I'll show you where the residential area is after the markets." He offered.

"It's like living inside a tree which is kind of cool in its own way."

“Sure. I’ll need to find a place to live too, I suppose, if I’ll be here for a while.” Ienzo wasn’t certain if that was made easier for lack of a currency - or was he supposed to barter for it? Trade? Hm.

His expression was a little wistful, a smile turning up the corners of his mouth. “Honestly, that sounds rather neat. I’ve only read stories about treehouses like that, of course.”

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