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dreamposts ([personal profile] dreamposts) wrote in [community profile] songerein2023-02-14 12:58 pm

{ 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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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!
flamekthunder: (ϟ 034)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2023-02-19 07:15 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, exactly. Just relax and keep your balance, and I can lead you through the dance just like this.

[Nice, slow, gentle steps as he keeps moving them in time to the music.]
azuresong: (( ♡´艸`))

[personal profile] azuresong 2023-02-20 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[ One foot... then the other! W-was she doing it right!?

As shocked as Lyria was the nervous and excited giggles could not stop escaping from her lips.

She finally peers up to look at Eustace after she's maintained her balance for a moment and happily rocks along to the sound of the music.
]

It's working... it's working! We're dancing, Eustace!
flamekthunder: (ϟ 192)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2023-02-20 10:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[A soft, but bright smile that turns into a small laugh as he looks down at her, carefully guiding and supporting her.]

Yes, we are. You mentioned dancing with the maidens, but is this your first time formally dancing with someone?
azuresong: ((˶◕‿◕˶✿))

[personal profile] azuresong 2023-02-22 01:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[ His laugh ringing in her ears is one of the sweetest sounds she has ever heard. She'll never quite know if she will ever get use to hearing it, as the sound is new and surprises her.

But it's a sound she'll treasure, and as she continues to follow along his footsteps, Lyria can't help but feel a contagious giggle sprout of her own.
]

Formally, yes! I know we get to do a lot of fun things as Skyfarers, but it's not often we get to attend a party like this!

[ She was certain the others would have loved this, too... ]

How did you learn to dance like this?
flamekthunder: (ϟ 036)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2023-02-22 09:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[...H...Hm....]

...It was a necessary skill for formal banquets and other parties that the organization sometimes held, especially for high ranking members like me.

[Let's leave out the real reason of needing to know to ensure successful infiltration for some targets—]
azuresong: ((°◡°♡))

[personal profile] azuresong 2023-02-23 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
Ahhh, that does make sense! You are a very important person, after all! [ To think that came with so many responsibilities! ]

Was the banquets just like this one?
flamekthunder: (ϟ 172)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2023-02-23 07:10 am (UTC)(link)
Not as extravagant.

...Personally I tried to avoid them.

[For obvious reasons.]
Edited 2023-02-23 07:10 (UTC)
azuresong: ((─‿‿─))

[personal profile] azuresong 2023-02-23 02:29 pm (UTC)(link)
It still sounds nice, though...!

[ Another giggle. That may have been obvious given his personality, but it was still funny to hear it come from him!

She gains a little bit of confidence as the continue to hand and, while keeping a tight grip on his hands, leans her weight back so that's she's slightly hovering above the dance floor.

The music was getting slightly more upbeat as the tempo grew faster.
]
flamekthunder: (ϟ 003)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2023-02-23 03:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[He keeps up with the pace while still being mindful of Lyria...but he'll give her a little surprise by spinning them around a little before saying—]

Do you want to try and twirl around?
azuresong: (( ^∇^))

[personal profile] azuresong 2023-02-23 07:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Waaaah! [ She starts to giggle profusely when they are spun around, delight racing across her cheeks. ]

Yes! Yes, please! [ So polite about it, too! But now that they started, she didn't want it to end! ]
flamekthunder: (ϟ 154)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2023-02-25 01:31 am (UTC)(link)
[A quiet laugh as he readies it up.]

All right... When you feel my hand starting to push you away, step out all the way the length of my arm and then twirl around. Ready?
azuresong: ((●´ω`●)ゞ)

[personal profile] azuresong 2023-02-25 04:51 am (UTC)(link)
[ She's ready, so ready to try and the excitement she feels can barely be contained.

She nods, ever enthusiastically, as eyes wait for him expectantly.
]

I'm ready!
flamekthunder: (ϟ 128)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2023-02-25 09:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[His smile widens a fraction before he does as he said, extending his arm out to "push" her out to the twirl his hand still holding hers for support.]
azuresong: ((˶◕‿◕˶✿))

[personal profile] azuresong 2023-02-26 03:55 am (UTC)(link)
[ Once she feels the push of his hand Lyria will take a small breath before dancing off of his feet. She allows Eustace's support to guide her and within moments one of her feet is extended off the ground next to her, the other planted firmly as she begins to spin.

Everything felt as if it was going to in slow motion and the faces of those around her blur with a mixture of blue hair and glitter that sparkled off of her dress.

It was so perfect... so magical...

She isn't sure how to handle the momentum once the twirl has completed it cycle, so she will awkwardly stumble over her two twisted legs as she attempts to plant them both on the ground.

But she was laughing, giggling the entire time and enjoying the experience to its fullest
]

Oops! Hehee!
flamekthunder: (ϟ 034)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2023-02-26 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
[It's all right, he extends an arm out to catch her at the waist, careful not to bump into her to make things worse. But seeing her so happy only keeps that smile on his face as he helps her straighten up.]

You did well.
azuresong: ((♡°▽°♡))

[personal profile] azuresong 2023-02-27 06:04 pm (UTC)(link)
That was so much fun!! [ She's still laughing when Eustace repositions her and an idea suddenly comes to mind. ]

Ah! Why don't you try it, too!? [ Copying Eustace's form Lyria will lift her hand allll the way in the air, as high as it could go! She'll even get on her tip toes and stretch!

Her eyes. They were so. So expecting.
]
flamekthunder: (ϟ 114)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2023-02-27 08:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[...

He's about to protest but...

.......

.......................]


I think you do it better than me.

[Makes one attempt to get out of it.]
Edited 2023-02-27 20:38 (UTC)
azuresong: ((☆▽☆))

[personal profile] azuresong 2023-02-27 08:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh please, Eustace! I'm sure you would enjoy it!

[ Lyria's.... still stretching!! She can't keep standing on her tip toes for long!!

Sh- she's shaking a little but still looking at him with those eyes

those eager starstruck eyes
]
flamekthunder: (ϟ 240)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2023-02-28 02:34 am (UTC)(link)
............................

[He just momentarily looks up as if steeling himself...

...

And...

...

Spins in place...

Definitely not with the same vigor or flourish as Lyria, BUT HE DID IT?? It was at least enough to make his cloak swirl around a bit.]
azuresong: ((´◡`))

[personal profile] azuresong 2023-02-28 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[ HE DID DO IT AND THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS

Lyria will erupt with happy giggles, bouncing in place as she does so.
]

That was perfect! You looked so elegant...!
flamekthunder: (ϟ 114)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2023-03-02 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
[HE FEELS SO EMBARRASSED the air might be rippling a little.

Anyway clearing his throat.]


Don't expect it again.
azuresong: ((●´ω`●)ゞ)

[personal profile] azuresong 2023-03-06 01:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ She won't, of course, but so very happy he attempted!

It was with another giggle that escapes her lips that she collides into him; wrapping her arms tightly around him for a hug.
]

Thank you- I'm having so much fun!
flamekthunder: (ϟ 034)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2023-03-06 07:18 am (UTC)(link)
[He's caught off guard by the hug, and although he falters for a moment, he ends up smiling and lightly resting a hand against her back as if to return it.]

I'm glad.
azuresong: (°˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°)

[personal profile] azuresong 2023-03-07 12:12 am (UTC)(link)
[ The touch on her back is welcomed, and she will glance up to him. Her cheeks flushed with happiness. ]

Can we dance again? Just a little longer?
flamekthunder: (ϟ 145)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2023-03-07 04:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[HOW COULD HE RESIST THAT?]

As if I could refuse.

[A gentle smile as he once more takes her hand... And maybe this time those light, fluffy feelings will help them float up a bit...]

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