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

[Gokudera pouts at that chuckle, not quite liking that he’s so amusing when he’s serious! And… not a fan of having his personal space invaded so. His boss is his friend, but Gokudera is focused more on being a good subordinate, the Tenth’s Right-Hand Man. The silver-haired boy is focused on dedicating his life to protecting his boss and his place as the don-to-be of their world’s strongest Mafia family.

It’s not like he’s going to share all that information, though. He’s too busy looking disgruntled until Heizou gives him a little more room. Dramatic as ever, Gokudera visibly loosens up a little, then scoffs at that smirk/wink combo.]

It’s your name! Why should I care which one you prefer?!

[Gokudera crosses his arms, looks aside, then grumbles]

Hei-chan

[He has to contain his own smirk.]

Hei-chan! That's a new one!

[Heizou laughs brightly at hearing the nickname, clapping his hands once in delight. No one's ever called him that before, usually much too busy being frustrated with him to even think about it, so he can't help but find it hilarious.]

At any rate, as I've said I have no real preference for what you call me, Gokudera. So I'm leaving that entirely to your comfort level!

[The smirk doesn't bother him at all. He's in fact perfectly happy to return it with one of his own!] You don't have to be so serious with me, you know! This is a party, after all~

[Hei-chan it is, then. Might as well, especially to nail in the point that he doesn’t take this guy seriously. At all.]

It’s not for your sake, y’know? I’ve got a job to do. [That he’s epically failing, considering he hasn’t even found his boss.]

[That works just fine for Heizou. An overly cutesy nickname doesn't bother him, and at least for the time being it might be useful to come across as entirely unintimidating.]

Oh? Protecting your boss who may or may not be here? Maybe I can help you look for him! I'm actually quite good at that~

[Gokudera wishes it would maybe ruffle this guy’s feathers a bit. It’s not as much fun if he accepts the cutesy nickname. Well… maybe if he tries to introduce his new acquaintance to someone using it, it may be amusing.]

Yes. Even if he’s not here and I cannot protect him, I need to be certain I’m not bringing any shame to him.

[Who even knows what could bring him shame in this weird dream party? Maybe if he crashed the party? He’s going to do his best to use his explosives outside if they need to be used at all.]

Hm? What makes you so good at looking for people?

[He doesn’t want to seem like he needs help, but he also… really does need help. If they run into the Tenth, Gokudera can just say he met Hei-chan, and wasn’t able to lose him in the party… No reason for the boss to think Gokudera is getting someone outside the family involved.]

[Both eyebrows arch upward, his interest piqued at that phrasing. "Bringing shame" to his boss? There are some heavy implications with that, ones that are painting quite the picture in Heizou's mind. Even though all he actually says out loud is--] I see! We certainly wouldn't want that.

[He leaves it at that, though, back to just smiling and nonchalantly shrugging his shoulders.]

Besides having plenty of experience in doing so? I'm observant and have been told I have quite sharp eyes. I'm happy to lend a hand if you want me to!

But it’s so hard to identify anyone with these masks on! You’ll need a better description…

[He recites it all as if he’s studied it, quickly, and with so much certainty, it’s a wonder he isn’t absolutely attached to his boss.]

Sawada Tsunayoshi stands roughly at one hundred fifty-seven centimeters, weighs fourth-six point five kilograms, and has messy brown hair, and brown eyes. He also answers to Tsuna. Sometimes, he has a…

[Though proud of this next point, he doesn’t know how much his boss wants anyone to know of his powers. He’ll try to keep it vague.]

A lot of energy around his hands and on his brow. He attracts a lot of attention from unsightly people, and prefers peace and safety of his family and friends over most everything.

[His boss is a Good Person.]

[Heizou's smile broadens. It pleases him to know that Gokudera doesn't mind taking him up on his offer, and even more that he doesn't need to ask for a proper description. Missing persons cases have never been his favorite, but it does happen to coincide with some other fun mysteries about this new world he's found himself in.]

Oh? He sounds like an admirable sort of fellow. It's no wonder you're so fond of him!

[He smiles, mentally filing away all of this information for later.] I'll keep a careful eye out for Tsunayoshi-san. But as we've both established, with the effects of these masks in place, our search will have to involve more asking around than mere observation. Are you up for that?

[Gokudera nods. Yes, the Tenth is admirable. He’d be happy to talk about his boss all day if he could.]

I’m up for anything!

[Absolutely anything.]

Good!

[He beams, pushing himself away from the wall and getting ready to start walking around the room.]

There are a lot of people to speak with, so we best get started~

You wanna take the lead on the first person, then I follow your example?

[Also, he feels he must ask (he’s actively trying to do better when it comes to working with others), even if the answer isn’t what he’s expecting. Gokudera isn’t super great on the whole talking-to-strangers thing. Especially since he’s just going to go around accidentally misidentifying them.]

Or we could split roles and you ask them nicely, and I’ll threaten them if they don’t cooperate?

[That makes Heizou blink owlishly, genuine surprise taking over his expression for a moment. It passes quickly enough though, as he waves a hand to dismiss the idea.]

There's no need to threaten anyone, I think. I can't imagine anyone would have reason to lie to us about something like that, not without being somehow obvious. It wouldn't be easy to fool you, I'm sure.

He’s been kidnapped before. I beat up a lot of yakuza trash before we found him.

[Not like he fought a whole group alone. It was him and some baseball idiot, but he’s not going to clarify that.]

[Heizou hums to himself, giving Gokudera a thoughtful look. It's not that he doesn't think the man is capable of doing something like that. He's just impressed.]

Your boss really does mean a great deal to you, I see. [And is important enough to be worth kidnapping.] He's lucky to have your loyalty!

[Gokudera is not used to anyone having that kind of expression, or directing it at him. He feels challenged by it, even though his new acquaintance is impressed. Why?!

He’s gotten yelled at by his boss about how he should value himself more. Gokudera recklessly throws himself into trouble in an effort to keep it from the Tenth.]

I’ve spent a long time looking for someone I could give my life for… [But before he can do that]

I’m not planning on dying any time soon, so we better get the search started.

[Chuckling softly, Heizou pats Gokudera on the shoulder as he sets off.]

Please try not to sacrifice yourself here, then? I get the sense your boss wouldn't be too happy about that. Just follow my lead~

So hey, at least the search is now getting underway!]

I just said I wasn’t!

[Gokudera replies with a groan, and follows. He’s going to rely on this guy, since the teen isn’t very gregarious or eager to interact.]

I'm simply reiterating it for your benefit~!

[And now Heizou will just be going around and asking people about Tsunayoshi. No big deal, just a little light detective work.]

He’s not here.

[They’ve asked what feels like every person at this party if they’ve seen his boss. Gokudera is discouraged, but it’s unlikely his boss would be here for so long and not have some kind of scene around him.]

Maybe he’s just… having a different dream…

[If this really is a dream-world, it wouldn’t be ridiculous to assume that he’s sharing its with people from other worlds as well, right? It’s a bit much for him to wrap his head around, exhausting to keep up the anxiety that he is somehow failing in his duties as the Tenth Vongola’s right-hand man.]

I’ve demanded enough of your time, Hei. You want to grab a drink or walk around outside for a bit?

[It's hard not to feel a little disheartened by the lack of success. They really have spoken to just about as many people as possible, and so far none of them have lied about their identities or the people they've met at the party. The natural conclusion, then, is that Gokudera's dear boss has not shown up in this new world (yet).

Heizou puts a comforting hand on Gokudera's shoulder, letting out a small sigh as he glances around the crowd one last time.]

It isn't necessarily a bad thing, my friend. There must be about as many dream worlds as there are stars in the sky. I'm sure your boss is just fine.

[He offers him a comforting smile, just before nodding again.] But I wouldn't object to a drink!

[Gokudera is trying to push down that sense of defeat, trying to build himself back up, and it’s going pretty well until Heizou puts a hand on him. He shrugs it off and takes a step or two away. The teen’s not a fan of physical contact, and he’s trying to self-regulate a little more than he’s used to.]

I’m gonna be stuck worrying about him until I wake up…

[What kind of stupid nightmare is this?! He’s upset, and trying to be mature about it, and push it down.]

Yeah. Okay. He’s a strong guy, and he can manage on his own…

[But Gokudera can’t help the need to check in on him the way a parent or literal Guardian might.

A drink would be a nice distraction.]

I think I was drinking before I went to sleep. It was going to be a big day tomorrow… errr… is going to be, when I wake up.

[He's quick to retract his hand when Gokudera withdraws, even giving him an apologetic smile. He'd meant it as a reassuring gesture, but it's become abundantly clear that his new friend isn't one for that kind of physicality. So Heizou simply takes the initiative to head toward where the drinks are being served, happy to lead the way if it helps keep Gokudera distracted.]

Oh? In that case, let's make sure you drink well and rest well tonight! You seem a little young for most alcohol, but what sorts of drinks do you prefer?

[Gokudera’s not upset at Heizou for overstepping a boundary he never set. Hopefully, the body language gets the point across.]

I’ve been smoking cigarettes since I was 14, and the last I remember, I was getting ready for a big fucking battle. There is too much I have gone through to be too young for a drink. I’ll take a beer.

[He’s not feeling very creative with beverage choices, okay?]

[Body language read and message received! It doesn't even bother Heizou in the slightest. It's just something for him to keep in mind.

He chuckles a little, even as he goes ahead and asks one of the servers to bring a beer for Gokudera and something sour for himself.]

I was just making an observation. How old are you, if you don't mind my asking?

I think I’m sixteen. Time-travel makes things difficult. [Did he age at all during his trip ten years into the future? He’s still too young to be drinking or smoking, but he’s also not interested in following any age restrictions.]

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Feel free to handwave their search if you like, totally up to you! <3

Did you want to timeskip ahead or wrap it up?

I'm down for timeskip if you are! :3

Sure thing, dude!

WOOO

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