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

Yasusada was a smidgen taller than the man Gokudera was looking for, but only by a couple inches, so really if height was all he was going by with everyone in these masks, it would be an easy mistake! The young man he grabbed onto though, was completely thrown off by the grab. You'd think a swordsman like him would actually be a lot more observant than this, but the whole festival of masks and merriment completely distracted him.

Turning his head a little he squinted from behind his white mask. Tenth...?

"I think... you might have the wrong person here? If I were a number I'd probably be the seventeenth?"

Gokudera lets Yasusada go as soon as he speaks. Oh.

“Shit.” He scratches the back of his neck and looks off to the side. “Yeah, wrong person.”

There had to have been something else that drew him to this person. Gokudera looks him over, but because of all this magic and the masks, he can’t honestly tell if he’s ever met this person before or not.

“It’s just a title… Who are you?”

Yasusada lets out a soft laugh, the other man seemed nice enough. Just looking for his friend which is a feat that Yasusada understands perfectly. His hands move to his hips as he gives the other man a lowish bow.

"I'm Yamatonokami Yasusada. I'm one of Okita Souji's favorite swords. I'd say I'm difficult to use but I'm quite capable. Hope we get along."

Most people don’t consider Gokudera nice, but he’ll take what he can get. Not like he cares what anyone really thinks, honestly. Gokudera’s just a bit worn down, dreading leaving the party, since he’s so new.

“What? You are a sword?” Did he hear that correctly?

“I’m Hayato Gokudera.” Not gonna give any of his titles, because so far, no one really needs to know what he does.

“Yasusada. I don’t know if anyone has told you, but you don’t look like a sword. More like a person.”

Pffft! Yasusada turns his head to hide his laughter from Gokudera. His reaction was honestly one of his favorites he's had so far from introducing himself!

"Well it would be pretty interesting to see a a sword dressed in a suit, don't you think? Though how would I party like that?"

He turns back around, a few little giggles slipping out as he tries to compose himself a little. "Mm, I suppose to most I do just look like a human, which is nice. This was the form I was given after my new master summoned me."

Gokudera doesn’t like that he’s being laughed up, folds his arms up, and gives Yasusada a frown from behind his mask.

“It’s weird enough to be talking to a sword…” He says with a grumble. The silver-haired teen has seen weird things in his life, but never talked to someone who claimed to be a sword.

“So then… you’re a spirit?” That’s actually kind of cool. He has no idea how to feel about Yasusada. It’s easier to assume this guy is a weirdo.

He didn't mean to be so rude! It was just Gokudera had a really amusing reaction to his introduction. Amusing in a charming way! He gives him a nod with a warmer smile.

"When a tool has been around for hundreds of years and has been cherished enough, they might bloom a spirit to watch over those who use them. That's how it happened in my case anyway."

Gokudera’s just a grump. He doesn’t have much to smile or laugh at, so when it’s his reaction causing the amusement, he feels like he isn’t being taken seriously.

“Don’t call yourself a tool. That sounds lame, even if it’s true.” Coming from a tool, he would know.

“So is your uh… master around, then?” Even if this guy is hundreds of years old, is he okay by himself? Not that Gokudera cares!

At the question of hus master, even under his mask it was obvious his face softens quite a bit. It was sort of a sensitive subject, but one he still talked about anyway. It just showed how much he cared, which might be why he understood why Gokudera was so desperately looking for his companion too.

"My previous master... he passed on a long time ago. He was an amazing man that I will always be proud that I served under him well... Oh but my new master is kind too! They care for me and a whole lot of other swords! They're back home though so they aren't here with us."

He paused for a moment, flustering for a moment as he flails his hands in front of his face.

"O-Oh but I'm not alone here though! My partner is here! And another companion too! So I'm not lonely!"

Not that Gokudera was assuming he was lonely, but he started blurting things out now.

Gokudera isn’t trying to touch on a sensitive subject. It’s just… if this guy is a tool and came about because of his master, it serves that his master should be around, right?

Yikes, didn’t mean to make this guy think about someone who has passed on. But his new master isn’t around? That’s a bummer. Now Gokudera just feels kind of bad for bringing it up. He looks a lot less irritated and just listens.

“…”

Wow, how lucky this guy isn’t alone. Gokudera gives something of a defeated sigh, containing his jealousy as best he can.

“Good for you.”

Gokudera’s pretty lonely. Even surrounded by all these people, with their disguises, and he has no idea why he dreamed up so many strangers.

Yasusada's flustered antics quiet down a little when he hears that defeated sigh. He moved in closer and reached out to gently tug on his sleeve with a smile.

"Well... it's definitely not the same I know. I'm not sure who your tenth is, but he must be really important to you and I could never take that place. But... I can keep you company if you'd like?"

The tug is surprising. Gokudera was kind of focusing on the wrong things there for a moment. He tugs his arm so the other isn’t touching him.

“His name is Sawada Tsunayoshi. He’s my boss and my friend, and I’m supposed to be keeping him safe. I can’t find him.” His expression reads very clearly I’M A FAILURE but he‘s not saying that out loud. It’s pretty obvious that the Tenth is important to him.

“You can help me find him if you want, I guess.” It’s not like he needs company, but an extra set of eyes can’t hurt.

“I don’t want to keep you from partying with your companions, though.” Gokudera may need the help, but doesn’t expect anyone to drop what they’re doing for his sake.

"What kind of sword would I be if I didn't help out someone in need? With that sort of mindset, I'd go rusty."

Which was his attempt to lighten the mood. He wanted to help though so he he sticks close to Gokudera. It'll be more difficult to find his friend here with all the masks on, but he wanted to help, even if his friend wasn't actually here.

“I see.” That doesn’t make any sense at all, actually! He doesn’t understand, but he’s not going to object the help too vehemently.

“Okay so… he’s around my age, and a little shorter than me. He’s got messy hair, and a powerful charisma, and always ends up getting into trouble.” He explains and walks, eyeing the couples dancing around and above.

“He wouldn’t be dancing unless his tutor had him do that… and even then, he’d be drawing a lot of attention.” So it’s none of these other party-goers.

"Messy hair... getting into trouble... short...! No wonder you mistook me for him at first!"

Yasusada lets out a delighted little laugh as he starts to look around the area.

"So really he'd be more the type to sit off on the sides, but somehow a commotion would be drawn to him?"

“More like, his tutor would suggest he dance, and he would probably be so good at it that it would draw attention.” Which is not true at all. Tsuna would probably fail so spectacularly that he’d make a scene. It’s just that, to Gokudera, it’d be an amazing scene.

“If he had his way, though, he’d be off to the sides.” Gokudera would be the commotion drawn to him.

“He’s very powerful… and there’s something warm and welcoming to him…” Because he gathers so many people and never wants to fight. He’d probably be helping someone else. Maybe Gokudera should keep an eye out for wallflowers, or for anyone in distress. It’s not that he wants to help them, but it’s what his boss would do, right? Or… it’s something he’d approve of.

"Your friend sounds really great. Someone who really lights up a whole room, even if he doesn't feel that way himself."

His master in a vague way sounded a bit like his old master. While he wasn't shy about being around others, he didn't like having a lot of the attention on himself. He would always help out the locals in town and play with the children making everyone just bloom with joy. If his friend was like this, Yasusada really wanted to meet him.

“He’s the best.” Gokudera says simply. He could go on and on about him all day, but doesn’t want some random stranger to hear so much.

“What are your companions like, hm? They swords, too?” He’s still not sure he believes that Yasusada is a sword. It’s not the strangest thing he’s heard, but he’s not eager to take that as fact when this person looks like… a person.

"The ones that are here? They're both equally different characters that's for sure!"

Yasusada covers his mask with some of his hair to cover one eye of his and clears his throat. "Uhahaha these old bones aren't what they used to be. Kid, could you do my chores for me? Uhahaha, you kids are so youthful~! That's what Norimune-san acts like. He'll treat everyone like he's their grandpa, but if you look at him he doesn't even have a wrinkle on his face! He's quite youthful himself so I can't let him get away with too much, otherwise he'll get lazy!"

Yasusada laughs and then gets into a new pose, hand on his hip while inspecting his nails with his other hand.

"Maaaah, I don't want to do field work today. I just redid my nails! Yasusada, you do it for meee. A sword like me isn't meant to do field work. That's what Kiyomitsu sounds like. He's always about his appearances!"

He knows he's rambling away, but Gokudera seemed really nice to him, and he thought maybe, a slight distraction might help ease his worry. With his arms now folded behind his back he smiles, continuing at Gokudera's side.

"I've only met Norimune here, so I haven't gotten a chance to really learn about him, but Kiyomitsu, he's my best friend. He's all about his appearances, but he has a huge heart too. He's always worrying about others in his own way, and helps out when others are in need. When he really likes you... he'll try to make you a little more cute because he wants you to feel loved."

Gokudera watches on in surprise. He wasn’t expecting character reenactments from Yasusada! But once they start, the bomber is definitely paying attention. He’d be taking notes if he had some paper on him. Norimune is the lazy pretend-geezer, got it. Gokudera nods, then blinks and watches as his new acquaintance gets into a new position.

He’d peg Kiyomitsu as vain, but that’s too shallow an assumption off the bat, likely.

“What do you mean by ‘make you a little more cute’?” Gokudera does not understand that.

“If he likes someone, why would he want to change them?”

"Ah... maybe I explained it a little roughly. It's not that he's trying to change you as a person. But he does little things to make you sparkle in your own way. Like... oh!"

He starts digging around in his suit (man these suits were so hard to get used to), tongue sticking out a little as he concentrates and finally he pulls out what looks to be a little spiritual charm bag. When he opens it he holds out a pretty hair pin with a smile on his face.

"Kiyomitsu made this for me. When I was summoned by our new master, I was sent out on a mission as a captain of our squad. I didn't do too well and ended up getting pretty injured. He made this for me because he likes cute things, but also it was sort of like a reminder to help keep me grounded for next time. I don't think cute things look good on me, but cute things make him happy so when he gives you something it's his way of trying to make you happy too."

Gokudera isn’t sure what he’s expecting, but he’s stopped everything at this point to listen in and learn more about this sword-person, and what he’s assuming are his sword-people friends.

“He made this?” The bomber looks down at it carefully. Gokudera’s wearing way too much jewelry, so he feels he can get a better look at it. It looks surprisingly intricate despite how small the pin is. Face still close to the pin (he’d need his glasses for a better look, but they aren’t going on while he’s wearing a mask), his eyes dart up in surprise.

“You don’t think cute things look good on you?”

BUT YOU’RE CUTE.

“I think it suits you well. No offense.”

Gokudera straightens up. Was what he said offensive? Maybe not, but it’s not something that Yasusada agrees with. So maybe the offense is just in that this grumpy teenager has a different opinion.

Instead of looking annoyed by his comment, he just looks a little embarrassed. It seemed like most people saw him as cute, but he thought he was rather plain himself. He gently tucks the hair pin back into his little satchel for it and tucks it back into his suit.

"That's what Kiyomitsu says too! But I dunno, I feel like I don't really look cool and flashy enough to wear things like that. Like this suit. I never wear anything like this usually!"

Gokudera wouldn’t be opposed to calling his boss cute, and if he mistook Yasusada for his boss… well. It’s not like he has any feeling about it. It’s just that they both seem kind. His boss is definitely cooler than Yasusada though.

“Flashy? It’s just one accessory.” As opposed to Gokudera, who looks like he’s smuggling a Hot Topic section under his fancy outfit.

“I don’t think anyone here is wearing what they usually would.” Gokudera is only wearing one belt when he’s used to wearing many.

"I guess that's true, but it's really out of my usual attire! I usually wear a kimono and hakama, but pants are really difficult to get used to!"

He huffs a little, almost looking embarrassed.

{ stroke of midnight }

Half of a pair

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