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

[ Not having the best time without one of his three friends, Noctis had kept to the wall for the majority of the time he'd been within the walls of the castle. He doesn't like this sort of thing, never did like everything that came with being Prince of Lucis, trying to live as normal a life as he possibly could, and having Prompto, Ignis, or Gladio here would make this tolerable at the very least.

He tries not to think of everything going on back home, the fact that life is continuing as if nothing had happened, as if he's not off galivanting in some dream. And it's hard, trying not to dwell on those things, of how bad things are for his kingdom, as he stands there by himself, in a place he doesn't want to be, wearing an outfit that reminds him of his father.

So, to say he's surprised, relieved, a little bit emotional when he hears his best friend's voice is... putting it lightly. ]

Prompto?!

[ He doesn't need to see the face behind the mask - he recognizes the voice alone... And the hair. Of course, he recognizes that hair. He playfully shoves him, a soft fist to his shoulder. All of the tension just melts from Noctis's shoulders because, thank the Six, he's not alone. ]

What are you doing here?

[ What Prompto is not doing, is thinking about what's going on at home. It's not good. He's not good, he's just doing his best to chill. Relax. He's mostly dealing with ordinary anxiety at the moment.

He is, however, glad to see Noctis. He smiles brightly and punches him back. ]

Six if I know. [ He shrugs helplessly. ]

Do I seem like the kinda guy who's fancy enough for a place like this? [ Please Noctis. He's the plebe to end all plebes. This is somewhere fancy. He's in formal clothes. He's so far out of his depth, if only he could've practiced more with Noctis, but the most formal events he totally didn't rate back then. He probably didn't rate now either. It was all some weird cosmic mistake, right? ]

Is it the same? [ He holds up a brooch in Noct's face, too close maybe? He'd figure it out. ] 'Cause if it is maybe it's a chance to bail.

Come on, I snuck you into a few events back home when we were in high school. It's not like you haven't been to something like this before.

[ Sure, it's been a while for both of them, but that's neither here nor there. Noctis is just so unbelievably relieved that Prompto is here, standing right in front of him, and looking incredible in the all black suit... But if they have a chance to bail, then he is all for it. This sort of formal event was for his father and all of the people in his circle, not for Noctis himself. It's overwhelming - the amount of people, the clothes he was forced into, the mask he's wearing - all of it. ]

But chill for a second, okay? [ A pause ] Just give me a minute to find mine.

[ He swats Prompto's hand away from his face and reaches into first one pocket and then another to pull out the brooch he picked up on his way into the castle. He didn't think he'd find a use for this thing (which is why it has been in his pocket), but it turns out--

The brooch begins glowing as soon as he removes it from his pocket, glowing brighter when he holds it up next to the one in Prompto's hand. That must be a good sign, right? Half of a pair. ]

Looks like we're a match? ...I think.

Yeah, but like, dude that was years ago! [ Nevermind he'd been planning on attending Noctis' biggest party yet before all the nonsense happened and they were just...well. That never happened. He hadn't had to deal with that particular brand of terrible...just a different kind of terrible. Nope. Not going there. Not right now. ]

Okaaaaaay. [ Someone else telling him to chill might be taken the wrong way but he knows Noctis doesn't mean anything by it. ]

Great! Cool! Now we can bail, right? [ Come on bro, you don't want to be here, he doesn't want to be here, why are they still here? ]

Look if we have to stay around here, there's at least like...somewhere out that way we could go. [ A garden of some kind. They can't get in trouble there can they? ]

[ Noctis leans in closer to Prompto and speaks in a hushed voice. He doesn't want the same group that forced him into the stagecoach and forced him into these clothes to hear any plans of escape they may have. It reminds him of trying to sneak around Gladio and Ignis when he was in high school, doing his best to be everything but a Prince. ]

Dude, do you think that's safe? [ He looks around, looking for anybody that may be listening to their conversation. ] Those mice abducted me and then they forced me into this outfit that looks like what my dad wore.

[ Staying against the wall, he waits for Prompto to make the first move, to decide where they're going to go since (apparently) there's a garden or somewhere else away from the ballroom that they can go to avoid the scrutiny of every single eye Noctis felt was on him (even though not a single eye other than Prompto's was actually on him). Sneaking around with Prompto was better than this, though, and he'll be the first to admit it. ]

If you're determined, then lead the way I guess.

Are you scared? [ He can't help a small teasing barb, but he smiles. ] I know what you mean I met them too.

[ Prompto is kind of determined because all of this socializing where everyone's watching them - they aren't - is enough to freak him out. He doesn't want to admit that his anxiety is so high, so he'll tease Noctis instead. ]

Yeah, let's check it out. Come on. [ He's tempted to grasp Noctis' hand but instead nudges arm and heads for those doors. Prompto doesn't look back, he's sure Noctis will follow him. Why wouldn't he?

The fresh air is going to hit him hard and do him so much good. ]

Me? Scared? [ He huffs a laugh] Yeah right.

[ Of course, Noctis is going to follow Prompto. He’s not going to let his best friend out of his sight, especially with everything he experienced in Gralea still fresh on his mind. There’s still that voice in the back of his head, Ardyn’s voice, that’s telling him to hang on to his dear Prompto or else. And… while there’s no Ardyn that he can see, no reason to believe that this is another wild goose chase or trick, he’s not going to take any chances.

He catches up to his friend as they reach a large set of doors, not really sure where they lead or what to expect. Surely it can’t be as bad as the things they walked through at home, like the Crestholm Channels when they were searching for that car part for Cindy, or the Balouve mines. ]

After you.

[ And he’s holding the door open for Prompto, taking one last look over his shoulder to make sure nobody is watching them, no suspicious mice following them as they make their escape. ]

[ Prompto is going to take the opportunity to escape out into the cool night air with a grateful sigh.

No thinking about Gralea, the Keep, Niflheim...any of it. He's going to focus on something small and easy to enjoy even if it is just a dream. He wants a nice dream. Noctis is there, after all, that makes it infinitely better. ]

Thanks dude. [ There's probably a railing he can lean against. ]

Not a big fan of crowds. [ Or enclosed spaces. Or heights. ]

Yeah, I know what you mean. Doesn't help that we don't know anybody here... and that everybody's face is covered by a ridiculous mask.

[ The thought is with him, it'll always be with him, that one of these masked people could be Ardyn. That somebody he knows could be Ardyn. It happened once, after all, and who's to say he's not in this damn castle, terrorizing them in their dreams like he did every waking moment across Lucis, on the way to Tennebrae, and then in Gralea.

Because dreams can easily turn into nightmares.

But he shakes his head, trying his best to push the thought from his mind and focus on the cool night air, his best friend at his side. His best friend who is definitely Prompto... Even with the mask on, he knows it's him. ]

So, what do we do now? [ A pause, and a change of subject because he is not comfortable ] I hate this outfit they put me in. I look like my dad.

Maaaan don't even mention that. [ He groans. ] That makes it so much worse if I don't know people here. [ And he doesn't. It just makes him more nervous even though in theory he could always never see a stranger again. That doesn't calm his heartbeat down at all. ]

[ Prompto hasn't considered it could be Ardyn. Not yet. That will likely haunt his dreams, but honestly, for just a moment he's thinking about the present. Noctis has a great advantage. A special skill that distracts him from most of his problems.

Especially those he doesn't want to face. ]

I mean, a little bit, but I think you look really nice! [ He reaches out to tug lightly on Noctis' tie. ] Look at this mess they put me in. Way too fancy.

Buzz off.

[ Swatting Prompto's hand away, Noctis can't help but smile... even if the situation they've found themselves in is less than ideal. He gives his friend a once over now that they're no longer in the crowded ballroom and he's impressed. ]

You look pretty good yourself... Black suits you.

[ It makes him think of how Prompto may one day look in a Kingsglaive uniform, but now isn't really the time or the place to talk about that sort of thing, so he keeps it to himself. At this point, Noctis doesn't even know if he'll ever see his friends in those uniforms.

He straightens Prompto's collar before turning to walk off, motioning for his friend to follow. ]

Come on, you're the one that wanted to get away from the castle, so let's go. Chop chop.

[ Prompto is stunned a moment and then he jogs to catch up. ]

Dude, dude, you'd leave me behind? That's so mean!

[ It isn't really, he's just messing with him. He...is still blushing beneath those freckles. ]

A-Anyway, it'd be pretty weird if I was dressed like you all the time.

I wouldn't leave you too far behind... Unless I found a good fishing spot or something, maybe a really soft bed. [ A pause ] And it wouldn't be weird - Gladio wears all black, too.

[ Looking over at Prompto, now by his side, Noctis doesn't see the blush. Fortunately for Prompto, it's dark and they're wearing masks. He'd never hear the end of it. As far as Noctis is concerned, it's not a bad idea, seeing Prompto in black more often. It's a good color. ]

Anyway, did you have any plan after we escaped the ballroom? Cause I sure didn't.

[ He'll have to never take the mask off at this rate. ]

No, no plan, but there's a garden we could walk around I guess? I just didn't want to be in there with everyone.

[ He's lucky this is a dream and he doesn't hurt like he did, and didn't want to mention. ]

If you ditch me I'll haunt you. [ He laughs a bit, teasing. ]

Come on, you can't haunt somebody when you're still alive. You've seen enough scary movies to know haunting is for ghosts only.

[ As they continue walking, Noctis relaxes a bit, happy to be away from the crowded ballroom. It's been a while since Noctis has been able to hang out with Prompto - just Prompto - and he admits he's enjoying himself despite the circumstances. For the last several weeks, it's been the four of them except for a few specific times he can think of... like when they went away from camp once or twice early in the morning, or when they sat on the motel rooftop. ]

But you know I'd never really ditch you... Here in this world, back on Eos, wherever we wind up.

[ Never again, not after everything that happened when they left Cartanica. ]

It's not like I can find another best friend. [ A soft laugh ] Nobody else is gonna put up with me.

Are you doubting me dude? I'll find a way! Ooooooooo! [ He waves his arms like he's a ghost, fully expecting Noctis might smack him for that one. It's alright, he'd deserve it. ]

I guess that's true. [ He muses quietly. ] You drool in your sleep.

[ Prompto is just kidding, but he's also in a much better mood now that they're out of the party and it's put a bit of a spring in his step. He's avoiding anything awful to think about right now. ]

[ At that comment, Prompto gets a hand to the face pushing him out of the way - something only Noctis (and maybe Gladio) could get away with. ]

I don't drool in my sleep!

[ He says this, confidently, as somebody who has never seen himself sleep. Small details. But he's got a smile on his face, happy to be laughing and joking with Prompto instead of standing against the wall inside the castle. He's glad his best friend is here with him, even though he's not 100% sure where here is. ]

At least I don't snore like you do.

Tell that to Iggy who has to clean it up!

[ He's laughing even with his face being shoved out of the way and he ducks down and gives a jab at Noct's waist, just a friendly bro punch. ]

I don't believe you!

Dude, you snore so loud you even wake Gladio up.

[ Rolling his eyes, Noctis keeps walking away from Prompto, finally coming to a stop in front of a bench near the garden. It's high time they took a seat, more walking than Noctis really wants to do wearing these clothes... The shoes aren't nearly as comfortable as his boots he wears back home, that he crossed Eos wearing.

He pats the open seat next to him. ]

So... you have any idea where we are? Did you pay attention to those things before being whisked off to this horrible masquerade ball?

Hmmmm. [ He thinks a little bit, considering that. ]

Something about this being a dream. Whatever that means. I can tell you we're definitely not in Niflheim anymore.

[ That place is cold and gloomy and partly full of snow. ]

[ He sighs, making the decision to take the stupid mask off. There's nobody there to keep it on, and they're not in the ballroom anymore. ]

...Tired of this stupid mask.

[ Looking over at Prompto, seeing him look so relaxed and almost happy? It makes Noctis happy, and so very glad they're no longer in Niflheim. ]

I don't think we're anywhere on Eos. This sounds like something from some anime or something, doesn't it?

Right?

[ He laughs lightly at leans back on the bench. Is he relaxed? Not really, not more than he usually is, but he's trying not to worry about anything. ]

Seems totally wild, I don't know what to make of it though.

Well, if those things were telling the truth, we're... [ He sighs, leaning his head back against the bench ] Stuck here.

[ This is all... so overwhelming, knowing what they left behind on Eos. Noctis left his friends in a horde of daemons, got on the elevator, zoned out a little bit, and then he found himself here. And it worries him, knowing that things were just continuing on back home, but there's nothing they can do at the moment.

Especially since they're stuck at this masquerade for the night. ]

Maybe we can look for somewhere to stay for a while? Hopefully it'll be a little better than camping.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{ stroke of midnight }

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