dreamposts: (Default)
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!
bakudan_bambino: (coughyousuckcough)

[personal profile] bakudan_bambino 2023-03-29 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
Well yeah if you pull the muscles or shift your shoulders a certain way, right? He’s pretty sure they do!

“What about other people? They probably don’t need to burn unless they’re bad.” Gokudera may be aggressive and a little bit of a jerk, but he’s not a bad guy. He doesn’t like the idea of anyone innocent getting hurt.

“Be kind of dumb not to with a space that large. And other people attending.” He can see some other carriages.
donfire: (halloween)

[personal profile] donfire 2023-03-29 05:43 am (UTC)(link)
"I can control my fire enough not to burn everyone, but you're right."

Ace smiles and wraps his arms round Gokudera's shoulders, to pull him along if the teen will allow it.

"Gotta find out!"
bakudan_bambino: (I'm an expert in... nameology!)

[personal profile] bakudan_bambino 2023-03-29 12:31 pm (UTC)(link)
“Oy! Get off me!”

Since when did they get so close that this level of affection is allowed?! Gokudera will walk along with Ace, but he’ll be damned if the guy is going to keep that arm on him.
donfire: (halloween)

[personal profile] donfire 2023-03-31 06:32 am (UTC)(link)
Ace laughs and hugs the kid a bit before taking his arm off his shoulders and putting his hands on his pockets.

"How old are you, by the way? You look way younger than you act."
bakudan_bambino: (yuck)

[personal profile] bakudan_bambino 2023-03-31 06:36 am (UTC)(link)
Gokudera straightens up his fancy outfit with a little indignant huff.

No one has ever asked him his age directly before.

“Why does that matter?”

He’s never really been treated his age anyways.
donfire: (bath)

[personal profile] donfire 2023-03-31 06:42 am (UTC)(link)
"It doesn't! I'm just curious to know if you're as young as you look."

Age is so weird to him, considering Marco is immortal and has been in the crew for so long that no one knows how old he really is.
bakudan_bambino: (I ain't getting him no fucking bagel.)

[personal profile] bakudan_bambino 2023-03-31 06:52 am (UTC)(link)
“I think I’m sixteen,” he answers back. Time travel’s gone and screwed him up a bit. There’s no way being stuck in the future isn’t going to have some impact on him.

“I don’t want to know how old you think I look, by the way.” Because no matter what, it’ll bother him. If he looks older, he’s gonna be worried that time travel really is messing with him. If he looks younger, he’ll just take it as an insult.

It’s probably not easy to guess his age through his mask, and he’s not very tall. He knows he’ll get there! Has roughly another foot of height in a growth-spurt to gain based on the clothing his older self had.
donfire: (wano i think)

[personal profile] donfire 2023-04-12 03:14 am (UTC)(link)
"Not bad! that's a good age." Ace smiles and laughs, because really, he thought Gokudera was younger (oops).

"Come on, lets get full on what i think is amazing foods."
bakudan_bambino: (damn!)

[personal profile] bakudan_bambino 2023-04-12 03:18 am (UTC)(link)
“Tch-! Is there a bad age to be?!” What the hell kind of comment is that?! Gokudera thinks he looks just his age! He would probably taken some kind of offense no matter what Ace’s reaction was.

“If any of it is purple, or has bugs or looks like it’s melting the kitchenware, don’t eat it.” He says, worried he’ll see his sister.
donfire: (Default)

[personal profile] donfire 2023-04-12 03:31 am (UTC)(link)
"totally! twelve sucks, for example."

Ace blinks, and looks at Gokudera, "why purple specifically?"
bakudan_bambino: (Apply directly to the forehead)

[personal profile] bakudan_bambino 2023-04-12 03:34 am (UTC)(link)
“Why does twelve suck?”

“My sister can turn whatever she touches into poison, and it’s usually purple.” Not always, though.
donfire: (sherlock)

[personal profile] donfire 2023-04-12 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
"Cuz! You're in the middle of starting puberty, and younger kids seem to childish, but older ones are too mature so you're just stuck there."

Oh, well, that makes sense! "That's terrifying!"
bakudan_bambino: (the calm?)

[personal profile] bakudan_bambino 2023-04-12 03:44 am (UTC)(link)
“I don’t think it was that bad for me…” Thirteen though, oof.

“She is! I can’t look at her without getting sick,” and that’s even worse, but at least he’s the only one who collapses.
donfire: (wano i think)

[personal profile] donfire 2023-04-18 06:40 am (UTC)(link)
"Mine sucked, I was always angry." Horrible, really.

Ace blinks, and laughs, because that's adorable! "Not even training can help you with that?"
bakudan_bambino: (blaugh)

[personal profile] bakudan_bambino 2023-04-18 01:47 pm (UTC)(link)
“I didn’t have anyone around so…” he shrugs. If he was angry or sad all the time, he just blamed his situation and would set his sights on something bigger. Some family to take him in… some way to prove himself.

“No. Literally, I cannot see her face without collapsing. She’s fed me so much poison…” he’s scarred. “Part of her face has to be covered if she’s going to be around me. Usually it’s goggles… sometimes costumes.” This party would make it easier to talk to her if she were here. He hopes she isn’t, though.
donfire: (Default)

[personal profile] donfire 2023-04-25 07:05 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah, well, you're a good kid if anything!" he just met him, but still.

"OH! That's quite a reaction your body gets then! I don't think I have anything like that.... But hopefully, if she comes over here, she won't make you too sick."
bakudan_bambino: (aghast)

[personal profile] bakudan_bambino 2023-04-25 02:26 pm (UTC)(link)
“How do you know that?!” Ace barely knows him!

“If she does, then she will. So I don’t mind these masks so much…” could be worse.
donfire: (hiyah)

[personal profile] donfire 2023-04-26 06:24 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm a good judge of character!" He laughs.

"Come on, let's go in."
bakudan_bambino: (sideglance)

[personal profile] bakudan_bambino 2023-04-26 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
What?! “Bullshit!” Gokudera shakes his head.

“I don’t trust you…” he says, eyes narrowing behind the mask. Gokudera steps in, and it’s… actually really fancy. There’s no one posted at the doors welcoming them in, no guest list to sign, no one seems to be in charge… it’s really not like anything he would have expected.

“Huh…” what’s the reason for this fancy party?
donfire: (Default)

[personal profile] donfire 2023-04-27 06:24 am (UTC)(link)
Ace laughs, this kid is great.

"You don't have to!"

The party is already happening, and it's really, really fancy. Ace feels like he'll be completely out of place, but he can still eat!

"Shall we?"
bakudan_bambino: (damn!)

[personal profile] bakudan_bambino 2023-04-27 12:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Gokudera isn’t sure how to feel about hearing that. Ace is weird, but he’s not bad company.

“Shall we what?” Dance? Eat? Try to guess identities of any of the countless masked people that move around before them. If they’d been discussing eating food before, it’s no longer on the boy’s mind.
donfire: (Default)

[personal profile] donfire 2023-04-27 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"Mingle and eat of course!" How will you be able to tell who's who without talking to them?

"come on, it'll be fun."
bakudan_bambino: (the calm?)

[personal profile] bakudan_bambino 2023-04-28 12:07 am (UTC)(link)
Mingle?! Gokudera doesn’t mingle! He needs a mission, something to focus on! He seems to tense up at the suggestion, figures he’ll just hang around Ace… see what happens.

“S-sure.” Yeah he sounds super uncertain.
donfire: (Default)

[personal profile] donfire 2023-04-29 01:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Ace chuckles, "You'll be fine, come on!"