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

I don't mind out of the way.

( He feels... awkward, asking her directly like this. He could definitely figure it out himself. Wander somewhere, sit in some house and call it his temporary home. But...

Maybe it's their time in Hell, or maybe it's his time with Luciferen, but he doesn't want to be too alone anymore. Not like that. Personal space is very important, don't get him wrong, but... )

You should probably head back to rest anyway, so if you're already going, I could just tag along.

[She bristles at his suggestion, initially-

"I'll let you get some rest, but it's really not a big deal-"

... it did seem to keep happening this way, didn't it?]

I suppose rest sounds... good.

[She beckons him and heads northwest of the plaza.]

Come on. The residential area is up this way.

Okay.

( At first, the walk might feel awkward. Shealtiel is quiet, even more than usually, and he seems to constantly be in thought. He's taking in their surroundings, too, but for the most part he's glancing ahead, and occasionally over at Azula.

Eventually, though, he pulls out a candy, a wrapped lemon lollipop, and passes it over to Azula. )

Want one? It's lemon. I don't remember if I ever asked if you liked it.

[... The sweets. She remembered he was fond of those.]

I don't typically care for sweets.

[Also she doesn't recall ever seeing him offer to share them- not just with her, with anyone. Odd.

...oh, right.]

...but thank you.

[The path she leads him on winds through the trees, past cottages and treehouses. It's just nauseatingly picturesque and cute. She's clearly headed for the most remote and sparsely-populated edge of the area.]

( He shrugs slightly, and then decides to unwrap it and pop it into his own mouth. He'll walk around with the stick of the lollipop sticking out of his lips now, eyes shifting more to their surroundings.

Honestly, it was his attempt at helping her because it helps his nausea. But he guesses she doesn't seem all that nauseous, even after passing out like that. Maybe she's just in pain? Or nothing at all? It's hard to know when she doesn't really talk about it, and he's not exactly one to criticize people for not sharing. Guilty of it himself, and all...

So. )

This place is weird. People can write with their minds, and I haven't figured out if there's any sort of leadership here.

( It was more comfortable for him to have a boss. Easier. More like what he was used to. He hasn't even thought about how that's weird. )

...I'm probably talking too much, huh. I know it's been a long time since we've seen each other, so that's probably weird.

[The observation about talking too much draws a look. Admittedly a mildly amused one.]

I once suggested that you should be less diffident. It hasn't been so long that I forgot that. And no, there's no real leadership here, it's vexingly undisciplined and chaotic.

[Although- wait. What was that other thing he said?]

Writing with their minds? You met Nanashi, didn't you?

( He wants to complain about the lack of leadership and organization, but the latter questions stop his train of thought. )

Oh, yeah, I did. You know him?

( Imagining him with Azula is... somehow cute? He's trying to picture him being so cheery at her right now. )

Wait, is he the only one who can do that? He made it sound normal.

He's not the only one who can, but he's the only one I know who does so regularly.

[The smug smirk comes back to her face.]

Dreamotion is versatile, but challenging to master. Even I struggled with it, until I found a method that worked for me.

[An admission she's only willing to make because she eventually won.]

Ugh, just what I need... another thing to struggle with.

( He's already bad enough at being an angel. Now he's going to be bad at dreamotion magic? Or whatever it's called? Shealtiel's candy stick sinks slightly with his sulk. )

What method worked for you? I met a guy who said he was able to use lightning because of his weapon or something, but my weapon doesn't do anything special with "elements". Can you do something with your fire stuff?

My firebending is as potent as ever. It has been since I arrived.

[A relief, after having it taken from her back in the city.]

But new applications of dream magic didn't work at all for me, or went awry. Eventually, I found the reason.

[She leads him up to a treehouse- not the largest, but relatively tidy, a series of small turret-like rooms connected across two levels, accessed by a winding stairway.]

I was tapping into the wrong dreams.

So I noticed.

( She had thrown some at him accidentally, after all. But he moves after her, up into the treehouse, steps slowing so he can appreciate how weird this is. But awesome? He feels higher in the sky like this, almost like... he's flying.

But he's not. )

The wrong dreams? What do you mean by that?

Dreamotion, as the name implies, is powered by dreams. That's what fuels all the magic in this world.

[The explanation seems to have drawn some of her old fire back- burning away the odd emotional fog since that thing came out of her.]

But nightmares produce a different form of dream energy. One that I have found far more responsive.

[For a 'treehouse,' the interior space she lets him into is actually surprisingly nice. A far cry from her sad poverty hovel back in the City. No decoration, but the furniture is comfortable and high-quality- chairs, a bed, a desk, a real table, and not a single cardboard box in evidence.]

Try not to flood this one while you're here.

I-I only flooded it because it was cheap! This place looks way nicer.

( Besides, he won't be... Looking at himself in the mirror here. Brushing off the comment with that, though, he moves in, helping himself to a seat in one of the comfy looking chairs. )

...Way nicer. I didn't know treehouses could be real houses. ( Not just toyhouses for kids? )

Anyway... So you use nightmares specifically. I don't even get how dreams have to do with this in the first place, but I have nightmares way more than I have any sort of regular dreams. I wonder if I could do the same thing?

It was a joke.

[Hilarious, her. She smirks as she settles down onto one of the chairs. Apparently when the chairs are nice she settles into them like thrones. She gestures to him to take a seat as he talks.

The smirk falters slightly when he mentions the nightmares- but, no. No, of course. There was that spine he kept so well-hidden. The hesitation lasts only a fraction of a moment before the smug smirk is right back.]

Be careful, nightmare energy is volatile. Not to be dabbled with lightly... or so people keep telling me.

[She sounds like she finds the entire thing terribly funny.]

Are you sure that demon-thing didn't come from using that?

( Shealtiel doesn't sit in his chosen chair like a throne at all. He's hunched forward, hands clasped, shoulders tense. Even when he stops hunching and leans back, he doesn't fully relax, staying stiff in his seat and leaving his hands folded together. )

Nightmare energy sounds like something a demon would use, after all. Maybe an angel is supposed to have more dreams than I do. ( He frowns. )

But I don't get why you'd need to use that at all.

[Her eyes narrow at that.]

Dreamotion is at the core of this entire world. It's the most powerful force in this place, beyond any of the abilities we bring with us. Not mastering it would be inexcusable.

[Relaxing slightly, she adds-]

If it did allow that thing to attack me, I'll simply have to take extra precautions.

Oh.

( He had no idea, and now he sinks a little in the chair, frown curving down further. How's he supposed to protect himself from stupid frogs or horrible demon-beasts if he can't even rely on his spear?

Well, then again, it did shatter that crystal. Was it enough after all? He'll think more on it later. )

Still, I don't think extra precautions are a bad idea in either case. How do you practice with it? Is it like training with a normal technique?

[Precautions. Hmmm.

Well, now that he mentions it, there is one way she could manifest nightmare energy more safely- after all, if she did it within a nightmare, it'd be right where it always goes anyway. If she could learn to control the dreamscapes of her own-

And she's getting distracted.]

So far, it's a matter of mental discipline. Repetition works as well as anything. When did you arrive here, anyway?

[...she finds it odd that she didn't try to find out sooner. There's an odd numbness, like her mind is dulled and distracted ever since she woke up from the...

Whatever-it-was. Demon, perhaps? Shealtiel seemed to think so, but she would have guessed 'spirit.' The bias of the familiar, she supposes.]

Hmm.

( It seems he has more of a thought on dreamotion magic and its nightmare equivalent, but he keeps it to himself for now, determined to research more of it on his own before committing to anything.

Instead, it seems like Azula is coming to more and more, now that they're away from where he slayed that demon. (It totally counts, that was definitely his first demon killing, right?)

He glances up and to the side at her question. )

I showed up and got taken immediately to some kind of ball. I forget how long it's been, exactly, but I know it hasn't been that long. How long has the ball been going?

( So, that long without a house, though... And his eyes do look a little darker around the edges than usual. He just has no frame of reference for time, right now. )

But you said you've been here four months, right?

[Since the masquerade? She blinks. That had been at least a week ago... two weeks?

How long had she been- She still wasn't sure. She'd lost all sense of time when she'd been...]

Where have you been sleeping?

[... And where was he? If he was at the-

Oh. Right. The masks. Ugh. It would have been nice to have somebody she could tolerate around, aside from Nanashi, that is. Particularly after Zuko showed up.

Rrgh. Inconvenient.]

...I haven't been.

( Shealtiel leans to the side in the chair, propping his elbow up on the arm of it and placing his cheek on his palm. )

Well, I've taken a few naps by the fountain you found me at, but that's it. Mostly I was busy trying to find out how long I was going to be stuck here, compared to the last place.

[She stares flatly at him for a moment, then rolls her eyes.]

I see you're as ridiculous as ever.

[Well, the bullying is back.]

You can sleep here tonight, we'll find you somewhere more long-term tomorrow. Do not make me regret your presence.

( It's a complicated mix of feelings that follows that offer. On the one hand, he's grateful. It'll be nice to sleep even in a chair, or on a proper floor, instead of the stone of a fountain. But on the other... he's highly on edge, nervous, anxious, afraid— why be so nice to him? He doesn't need to be coddled.

So, for a brief moment, he looks uncomfortable. Eventually, he settles on looking to the side. )

Thanks. I won't get in the way.

( And that's all he says, for now. )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{ stroke of midnight }

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