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

[As soon as Tifa had heard the news about the upcoming masquerade, she made sure that her family came prepared. Of course, she could have waited until the night of, but she knew that she would have far too much fun picking out a dress for herself, as well as helping Eustace and Lyria find matching outfits to pass up the opportunity. And since, she has been waiting for this night to come, silently counting down the days until they would all be able to get dolled up and dance together.

The three of them arrive in the same carriage, brought all the way up to the castle on the island. She's seen many a castle in her days in Camelot, but this one dwarfs them all. It's like it's straight out of a fairy tale, and she can hardly contain her excitement as they leave the carriage and enter through the tall front doors. A fairy godmother is there to greet them as well, and with a flick of her wand, their outfits spark to life. The stars on her dress shimmer and twinkle as if she were wearing a starlit sky, and when she gives it a twirl, trails of them are left behind before their light dies away.

After agreeing to let Lyria wander off on her own to check out the castle, warning her to be careful and not get lost, Tifa and Eustace pick out a few brooches from the bowl, and she tries—as subtly as possible—to see if she can find one that would point her to him...

With no luck.

It's a good thing she's wearing this mask, or else he would clearly see the way her brow crinkles with disappointment, but there's a slight pucker of her red lips too.

He won't be given much time to spot it before she's walking further into the ballroom, and it's with a glance back over her shoulder that he'll see her grin at him instead, and her voice changes to something a touch more whimsical as she looks out to those already starting to dance.]

Wherever could my dance partner be...

Edited 2023-02-16 01:58 (UTC)

[If Eustace could, he seriously would try and pick out all the brooches that would lead to Tifa and Lyria.................. But he doesn't. Instead he'll follow along (with Tifa's persuasion) to pick out a few, but for now he pockets them. He only has one person he wishes to spend time with right now...and she's walking away from him.

Ummmmmmm what are you doing, wife?]

Is there someone else you have in mind?

[He'll be a little slow to catch onto her game, but once he does—oooooh she's gonna get it.]

[She's not sure right away if he's caught on or not that she's playing with him, so she simply continues, blissfully unaware of his confusion, thinking that he's joining in the fun with her already.]

Well... Tonight would be the night for a princess to find her prince, don't you think?

[A hand lifts to brush against her mask as she peeks at him from behind it, and it hides some of that glint of mischief in her eyes.]

But I wonder if I'll be able to find him with these.

[.........

This rabbit.

Now he understands her little game and while he does sigh inwardly, he can't help but find it cute as well. He's known she likes to play pretend for these sorts of things, and what kind of husband and partner would he be if he did not indulge her? So he'll just slowly step closer.]

What if you didn't need to use them?

[Rather he really would prefer if she never did at all, game or not—]

Someone might already have their eye on you right now.

[When he steps closer, she takes an equal amount of steps forward, away from him with the tiniest skip in her step.]

You think so?

[And further in she goes, not paying any mind at all if he's watching her.]

Well, he'd better act quick... Before someone else sweeps me off my feet.

[With that, Tifa's already hit the edge of the dancefloor, and those already there twirl around her, hiding her so that he only catches a glimpse of Tifa's grin behind her mask before she starts to disappear into the crowd.]

[He's still eying her and trying to keep up...but then she's suddenly hidden by those who dance by, forcing Eustace to step back in bewilderment as he loses track of her with all the flamboyant gowns, suits, and masks as people dance around. The light dimming doesn't help, either, and he can only stare at the spot she once stood before a low laugh escapes him.]

...This is a dangerous game you're playing, little rabbit.

[With a slight gleam in his eyes, he doesn't advance onto the floor, instead slinking towards the wall as he, too, disappears into the crowds as he makes his way in the general direction she could have gone.

Brooch? He doesn't need that. Nor will these masks do anything to hide her from him, even if he hadn't seen her before. She's made him chase her so many times this will be child's play, their bond only going to make it easier for him.]

[She knows how dangerous this is... She knows the repercussions of making a wolf chase her. A hungry one at that, but it doesn't stop her from wandering further into the crowd, politely slipping past the people happily dancing on the ballroom floor to escape him.

However, when she looks back to where he stood, she had been expecting to find him still there...

But he's gone.

Tifa twirls around in the center of the room, her eyes searching for him as best as she can, but her mask obstructs part of her view, making it harder for her to see in all directions...]

Sneaky...

[She laughs it quietly to herself before she turns around and makes her way in another direction, not to the opposite end of the room where she figures he might be waiting to catch her, but on the way, she winds up in the middle of a dance line, and is carried into it, being picked up by one masked man and then brought to the next, but it brings her closer to the edge—albeit slowly—where she can see a terrace.]

[.....Can he glare literal daggers at all the men who so as much touch her hand? But it does seem like she's still in the middle of the dance floor. It's a little difficult, but he can catch the tips of those ears from her mask, and he continues to ~~prowl~~ make his way around, keeping to the edge of the dance floor until he gets a clearer view of her.

Come on out, little rabbit... Don't make him too impatient to go in and drag you out.]

[As she's spun and twirled about, she hardly pays attention to which dance partner she's moved onto now, even as some of them try to spark a conversation with her. She's too busy searching for her white wolf, who she can't help but wonder of his whereabouts.

... Is he waiting her out? Or is he planning to chase her?

Even Tifa is starting to get a little impatient as she makes her way towards the edge of the dance floor, her eyes focused on the doors that lead outside to the terrace, but...

The song comes to an end and the dancing stops.

Only for it to be replaced with a slower song, and there are two men in masks who bow to her, asking for her hand in a dance—]

Ah, no! Sorry, I'm... looking for someone.

[All within Eustace's field of vision, as she scurries away in another direction altogether.]

[No longer able to just watch her dance with others, Eustace clicks his tongue and advances towards the dance floor from behind her. He's almost there, his hand outstretched to take her hand and pull her away from those trying to dance with her...]

—!?

[But someone else takes his hand instead, a...rather extravagant lady dressed almost as if she were a peacock with a large, colorful dress and bright feathers on her mask. A dress so large she actually bumps against Tifa (deliberately or not??).

......

Frowning, Eustace doesn't even grace her any words as he steps back, wrenching his hand free from the glittery gloved grasp.]

Huh—!?

[Tifa hadn't even seen Eustace come up behind her, so when she feels a puffy dress bump into her from behind as she's making her escape, she whirls around just in time to recognize him and pull his hand free from the lady's grasp. Yeah, that's right. Don't touch her hubby. >:(

The peacock-themed woman gasps in offense and mutters something about just wanting to dance, but Tifa is already swooping in, bristling a bit on the inside. She doesn't mean to bump the woman in the hip as she bustles past her, but her focus is too much on Eustace and getting him out of there for her to notice.]

Sorry, but he's already spoken for.

[As she slides her arm around Eustace's and drags him away to put some distance between them and the woman...]

Close one, my Lord.

[... before she's slipping away from him again in between the dancers.

This time, however, she really will make it out to the terrace that she'd been eyeing all this time, and her dress leaves behind a trail of golden stars in the air, as if it's meant to lead him right to her.]

[He's actually a little surprised to see Tifa react so strongly. He had a feeling if she noticed she would be displeased, but to be so aggressive...?

...

Not complaining.

If anything he now thinks the game is finally over and is about to once again cover her hand with his to keep her to him—]

—!? You—

[SHE'S OFF RUNNING AGAIN. Wow this takes him back.

With a new heat in his eyes, he stalks through the crowds, not caring if he has to shove or push aside people who get in his way. He is not letting her get too far this time. Seeing her enter the terrace, he follows swiftly after, glaring at anyone who even dares to think of doing similarly. And once he reaches the entrance, he drags down the ropes, closing the curtains as he also slams the doors shut behind him, ice forming around them to seal them shut.]

I think that's enough games.

[His voice may sound a little angry, but he isn't really...not at her, anyway.]

[She hears him coming long before he shows up—even over the music, Tifa would recognize those long, sturdy strides anywhere. But she simply stares out into the distance, looking to the gardens below and to the moons above them, pretending that she doesn't notice him as the drapes slide shut along with the doors, and she's forced to bite back her smile when she hears the crackling of ice forming.

But her shoulders shake slightly with a giggle when she hears how angry he sounds with her.

...

....

With a hand pressed dramatically to her chest, Tifa whirls around to face him, her good mood spreading golden stars around as her dress flairs outward.]

Oh, I'm sorry! I think you must have the wrong terrace.

[...........

REALLY SHE'S STILL—

There's a slight twitch of his lips that's obscured by his mask, but because he loves his wife so very much, he just lets out a breath and runs a hand through his hair as he steps forward.]

...No, I have the right one.

[Step. Step. Step. Although not too heavy, his footfalls are slow and clear as he approaches her.]

Unless you were hoping for someone else.

[YES, SHE'S STILL.

With every step he takes towards her, Tifa takes a step away, her own light and careful, until she's backed up into the terrace's wall that she leans against. Already, her heart is racing, her cheeks flushed as she watches his imposing figure close in on her, and all she wants is to tear off his mask and kiss him in the privacy of their balcony, but she manages—by some miracle—to hold it together.

Hidden under her mask, he may spot the wicked gleam in her eye.]

I was told a prince would be meeting me here... I wasn't sure if he was going to come...!

[Tifa lets her eyes rove over him slowly.]

Would that be you?

[So, he's supposed to be a prince, hm? He muses on that, thinking over his options as he continues until he's right in front of her, barely any distance between them as he leans an arm right alongside her head and leans over her.]

Would you be disappointed if I wasn't? Or... Not the kind of prince you were hoping for?

[She wonders if he can feel the heat radiating off of her as he leans over her, or if he can hear how fast her heart is beating with how close he's standing. Her fingers wrap around the rails of the balcony, and she meets his gaze, and even with the masks, her red eyes shimmer to match his bright blues.

Letting out an exhale, she feels her stomach flutter.]

... Why? What kind of prince are you?

[Even if he couldn't, he already knows he's getting her excited, not backing off in the slightest as he smirks. His free hand reaches up to twirl a loose strand of long hair between his fingertips. ]

The kind who won't let go of what he's caught.

[There's a very heated pause as she watches her hair drape over his fingertips, and she can feel a shiver forming right at the center of the back of her neck, ready to spread across her back and arms the moment he speaks, and it erupts over her skin so violently that he'll feel her shudder lightly against him.

Inside, her emotions are in a turmoil—the want to throw the act away and the temptation to keep it going at war with one another, the latter seeming more impossible as the silence between them stretches on, but she knows that the end of it will make it worth the buildup.

...]

Are you going to be a gentleman and ask me to dance, then?

[He can tell she's wrestling, and he just continues to push her a little.]

Depends on what kind of dance.

[He leans in close, their masks brushing against each other as his lips near her ears, his voice dark and low.]

The one I'm thinking of might be different from what you're asking...Princess.

[He'll hear her exhale when his low voice tickles her ear, and she allows herself to selfishly give in just a little, her body leaning towards his, head tipping in his direction to steal a brief moment of closeness. She knows he's testing her, seeing how far he can push her, and it's working...

... But they had better be careful, she has to remind herself. The night has only just begun and they are already toeing a dangerous line between staying and disappearing for the rest of the night, and she doesn't want to cut their time here so short.

Of course, that isn't to say that she will back away from the challenge he presents, and her curiosity and playfulness win out in the end.]

What kind of dance? And tread lightly, my lord... if that's even what you are.

[A scoundrel disguised as a prince, more like.]

Wouldn't wanna say anything unbecoming to a princess, would you?

[Just a low, breathy chuckle as the hand that had been braced against the wall lowers to the other side of her face, gloved fingertips lightly brushing against her cheek down to the side of her neck.]

I don't really care...and I'm fairly certain you don't it, either.

[Maybe he's a scoundrel prince, who knows. But now his lips lightly brush against her ear, teeth lightly grazing the skin as he gives her a playful nip.]

[She knew he would be bold, but to be this audacious... This wolf!

Tifa gasps when she feels his teeth pull at her ear with a nip, and her head instinctively rolls aside for him, that thrill suddenly rising inside of her as she momentarily focuses on the sound of the music on the other side of the doors... And now they are only feet away from the rest of the party...

She braces herself between the wall and the railings, starflowers coiling around where her fingers grab for support before her knees can give way underneath her as he slowly turns her to putty right in the palm of his hands...

Tifa swallows thickly, trying to find her voice again as she forces herself to lean away from him... not that she'll manage to get far at all with how he's positioned in front of and over her.]

You should. What you say or do next will decide whether you get that dance or not...

[Oh, yes. She can be daring, too.]

[Bold, audacious, shameless. She's the only one who will ever see this side of him, a side that no one would ever dare to even try and imagine.]

...So... What if I do this?

[And now he just stokes the flames further, his lips brushing against her skin, teeth lightly grazing against it. He is very tempted to bite her, but he at least has some awareness that he shouldn't...

....

Or should he, anyway? Seeing her with those other men already irritated him, even if it really shouldn't at this point. It was really more because he had wanted to spend time with her first, not let it be stolen away even if only for a few seconds. He's not that selfish................ Normally........

Whatever, he's going to tease and "punish" her a little for making him chase her like this, gently suckling and pressing the tip of his tongue against her skin as one hand firmly grips her waist as the other cups the other side of her cheek, tilting her head to expose more of her skin. He really won't leave a mark, but the threat is certainly there.]

[Maybe that's what she wants from him. Maybe that's why, despite her quiet protests that are barely more than a sigh, she lets him tip her head so that he can reach every inch of her throat that craves it, and leave a mark there, to let everyone know that she's spoken for. She really does want to dance with him and let him sweep her off her feet on the dance floor with all the other finely dressed people, but this... perhaps she can indulge just a little while they have some privacy...

If he really is a scoundrel, then maybe this is how her story goes. The innocent princess, wooed by a prince in disguise. Or so she thinks... The masks hide who they truly are, don't they? And that's part of the thrill of it all that has her leg shyly slipping out from under her dress to wrap around him, pulling him a little closer with just enough force while she grips the balcony for support with one hand, the other carding through his hair.

Finally, she finds her voice again, though it's airy, and her breath runs hot as she whispers near his ears.]

... What if someone finds us? I can't be seen doing something so...

[She can't even finish the thought.]

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