{ stroke of midnight }

[dreamposts]

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!

Comments

[beshackled]

...Aye. It seems this maze has taken on the form of a place familiar to me.

[Ahead, stone statues stand, three-headed snake-men with broad torsos appearing much like ominous guards.

They are but stone. They do not move.

Erichthonios, on the other hand, does, neck bending low to observe the little one.

He cannot fault her for being wary.]

You need not worry, though. I... believe I know the way.

[That is... if the maze has taken on the shape of Pandaemonium.]

[leveillpier]

A place that is familiar to you--? You can't be serious.

[ Because this whole thing looks bizarre to her. It's not the weirdest, but certainly not anything she's seen before. Though, she can't fault the dream world for creating its own false sense of reality. He must miss where he came from. She still looks around at the stone statue stands and the three-headed snake men.

Fortunately, they aren't moving. Alisaie can't say she won't attack sight if she feels threatened. What a peculiar-looking man he is when she makes eye contact with him. He's much taller than anyone she's ever met. She does at least relax a little to his words. He doesn't come off as hostile. At least, not yet. ]

That will be quite-- helpful you can get us out of this-- maze.

[ If it is something that manifested because of him, she's pretty certain that it may also play with her sense of reality too. Alisaie doesn't need to have her thoughts manifested in actual illusions. ]

[beshackled]

[Erichthonios is indeed serious. He has spent most of his life in this place. The real place, anyhow. Consequentially, he doesn't so much as bat an eye at the stone Ladon Lords.]

'Tis full of dreary halls, but I walk them often. So long as this maze remains true to the layout, we should be through in no time.

[At that, he strides forward.]

...though I do not understand why it has taken on this form. Do you know anything of this place...?

sorry for the really late reply. suddenly got a writer's block ;w;

[leveillpier]

[ Alisaie can't say she's seen these sorts of creatures before. Everything about this place feels foreign to her. It's as if they've transported another dimension of sorts. Her hand still hovers over her rapier, as she glanced around as looks at him, almost incredulously. ]

What sort of facility is this, pray tell? It feels quite-- ominous.

[ Alisai follows after the taller individual as she listens to his inquiry. It makes sense now that he asked about what kind of place this is. She looks thoughtful for a moment, before speaking. ]

This place is a dreamscape of sorts. It has a mind of its where the impossible can be possible. Mayhaps, you are experiencing something created from your memory, or something you've thought deeply about.

[ Alisaie just remembers the train incident with herself and with a few others she's encountered. The emotions of those memories lingered in the back of her mind, but they don't trouble her as much as when they happened. ]

That's alright! I got finger-nicked deep by a cardboard box so my typing has been limited

[beshackled]

[Erichthonios responds to her speculations with a nod.]

That... makes sense. I was there before I found my consciousness here, and have had numerous experiences those halls. Though, for a mercy, the magicks of the maze do not seem to be recreating the chaos that unfolded there recently.

[After walking a little ways forward, they reach the front gate of the building proper.]

...and to answer your question, this place, or the place you see recreated here, is Pandæmonium, a facility where some of the most dangerous of creations are interned. Though most creations that prove too dangerous to be released into the wider world are reduced back to the aether from which they were created so that they do not cause unwarranted destruction, some few are delivered unto the halls you see for further study, that we may yet learn from them.

oh my gosh! I hope you are feeling better and your finger isn't hurting too much D:

[leveillpier]

With much detail, might I add.

[ She's still a little skeptical about this whole place, though if he's reassuring her that it's safe, she supposes it won't hurt to trust his judgment a bit. After all. she's not familiar with this facility and what it entails. There's a brow lift for that statement. ]

I pray that it will remain that way. You never know with this dreamscape.

[ She continues following a little behind him as she looks around, taking in as much detail.]

Are you implying that all of these creations were manmade?

[ Alisaie might have read it in theory and seen her share of facilities similar to what he is describing, but not many as-- eccentric as this. However, it makes sense and solidifies that this person comes from Eorzea in a sense. Aether isn't a word that is used often in this dreamscape.

More importantly, she remembers the words that G'raha told her about those who come to form Eorzea having different memories and coming from different timelines. She's only seen these robes once before, so it doesn't take her long to finally put two and two together. Of course, she's going to keep it to herself. She doesn't have solid proof, otherwise. ]

I am back to tagging again. Sorry for the wait.

[beshackled]

Indeed, they are. Though there is a... small focus on creating objects in our culture, most of our efforts put towards the creation of new life.

[Though... sometimes that goes a little different than planned.

Stretching out his arm, Erichthonios wills the gate to open, and soon to join it, the foremost door. There is no need to linger overlong.]

Most creations are not so dangerous. But you need not worry. All are housed securely, well away from where they may cause harm.

nw at all. I know you had a lot going on <3

[leveillpier]

New life, such as animals, or even insects? What about people?

[ It's not every day that someone would talk about creating new life. She's quite used to the creation of weapons and other things in between. Of course, there are many variables and this statement itself is subjective. She does seem quite interested in his explanations at the very least. It gives her something to think about.

She can tell he isn't jesting when he stated that he knows this space. ]

It's not every day I hear that there's a facility dedicated to creating new life. Though, I've seen my share of creations from time to time. Not many carry such an appearance as this.

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[beshackled]

The halls are dreary, I admit. Our neighbors in Elpis have buildings and dwellings far more welcoming in appearance.

[And Amaurot even more so. But far more people live there.]

As for your other questions, animals and insects are common among creations, as is plant life. People, however... well, there are certainly creations that might be considered such in a sense, though as we are not able to create souls, they are not exactly like us.

you are welcome!

[leveillpier]

[ Alisaie recognizes the word Elpis as soon as he says it. The Warrior of Light had mentioned it once before and the story behind it. She doesn't know all the details, but it is a topic she's interested in for a while. ]

What sort of buildings do the ones in Elpis look like?

[ It's stark contrast if both architectures are like day and night. She's curious, what can she say? ]

How long have you been doing such research?

[ She tilts her head to the side as she listens to his explanation. ]

It sounds like you've quite the experience.

[beshackled]

I am merely a warder, but I have resided in Pandæmonium since I was a child. To travel there, one must first journey through Elpis. I recall the exteriors of the buildings there being much warmer in appearance, using red stones more than grey, and the interiors having geometric ornamentation.

[Far more 'homey' an appearance than what lay before them now. Still, he proceeds forward, sure in the path he takes.]

And no cages such as we have.

ooc:

[leveillpier]

[ due to the captcha check here, I just moved the thread over to an overflow thread if that works for you :) . ]

Re: ooc:

[beshackled]

(It does! I will hit it up shortly. If not tonight, then tomorrow.)