{ 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

[refantasma]

[Nico looks back out the window while Erichthonios slips into contempltion, wracking his brain for where he heard that name before. It is decidedly Greek, but not the name of any god he knows.

He looks back over when Erichthonios speaks again, stating his parent's name, and that name is Not-Greek-At-All.]

Nice to meet you, Erichthonios, son of Lahabrea.

Hopefully there's things to do other than dancing at this ball thing. They have to know throwing people into a social gathering against their will is going to end in a lot of awkwardness. Or fights.

[Some more social people might dance, but even then. Nico lets out a breath through his nose and slumps a bit. Very much a teenager being foreced to go socialize because it would 'good for him.']

[beshackled]

[Not Greek at all, and not truly a name, for the seat of Lahabrea is an office used in lieu of his father's true name. A title become synonymous with the man. Such is their custom.]

Hopefully.

[Erichthonios may be a kind soul, but he'll not dance on anyone's strings if he can help it. He's had more than enough of that.

A soft shake of his head precedes a shifting of his position, trying to provide a little more room for the boy to be comfortable.]

I am... unaccustomed to large gatherings of any sort, I must admit. I don't know any of the ways of this place, either.

[And now he is to be thrust into it.]

I don't suppose I could offer to look after a pegasos or two instead....

[refantasma]

[Nico shrugs.]

It couldn't hurt to ask. The worse they can say is no and shove you onto the dance floor.

[Well, there are worse things, but Nico's trying to be positive. This place doesn't feel dangerous. Just weird.]

[beshackled]

[There is perhaps a slightly pained wince in response to the idea of that happening. It was bad enough to be pushed into the carriage!]

Why must they shove so much?

[And if the mere thought was not bad enough, their destination soon comes into view. Though Erichthonios knows not where the ball is being held, the change of the speed at which they travel is enough a clue as to where they might be headed.]

How long is this... social gathering to last?

[refantasma]

Uh... last one I went to, I fell asleep. So I don't know.

[He shrugged.]

Hours, probably until early morning. But at least there'll be food.

[beshackled]

[At first, Erichthonios can but hang his head in defeat.]

Food... is nice, certainly. [Yet he needs little in the way of sustenance. Of that kind, anyhow. So there is to be dancing, and food, and... something else perhaps, though what, he knows not.

If only he knew more about what would be expected at such an event... He still feels very much like he is being thrust into the middle of something with little foreknowledge.

Which he is. He absolutely is.

Still, he can but make the best of it. Lifting his head, he takes a deep breath, gathering his resolve.]

I will... make the most of the situation. Perhaps I may learn something of this place in talking to others.

[refantasma]

[Nodding in agreement, Nico offers a little smile.]

Yeah, I plan on doing the same thing.

[Ask questions, be annoying until he gets answers]

[beshackled]

[Ah! Perhaps Nico di Angelo is in a similar situation to him! Strangely, the idea makes him feel a little better.

He smiles in return; a little awkward, a little bashful, but a smile nonetheless.]

In that case, should I learn anything, I shall be happy to relay it to you.

[refantasma]

And I'll do the same.

Apologies if I made you wait; was planting a small home orchard.

[beshackled]

[Though the offer may be small on both sides, it is nevertheless heartening. However, no sooner does he open his mouth to express his gratitude than the carriage lands, the wheels catching upon the earth and thus jolting the large man, who, distracted, does not move to properly brace until it is too late.

So much does he overcompensate in avoiding being thrown face-first into the frame of the vehicle, he ends up striking the top of his head on the roof instead, letting out a startled cry upon the contact.]

Ow!

[Bending, Erichthonios cradles his head as the carriage slows to an eventual halt.

They have arrived.]

Ohh, I ought to have been prepared for that...

No worries!

[refantasma]

[Nico, having shoved himself into a corner and having some experience with carriages, fairs a little better.

He offers Erichthonios a sympathetic smile and stands as the carriage comes to a halt.]

You get used to it. Stand back; the Pegasi might react badly towards me.

[Nico steps out and is immediately assessed by one of the fairy godmother, and with a flick of her wand is put into a fancy black suit with silver embroidery with a matching half skull mask.]

I guess it could be worse...

Injured my hand a little bit, so I may be slow with the long tags

[beshackled]

[Truth be told, Erichthonios is curious as to why a pegasos would react poorly to the boy in particular... though true though it may be, standing back and allowing the boy to be harmed is unconscionable.

So, while Nico exits the carriage on the one side, Erichthonios gingerly extracts himself from the other, moving towards the pegasi to soothe them; he's quite accustomed to dangerous creatures by this point. And these ones are far tamer in comparison -- one would not have very much luck in tying a pegasos of Elpis to a carriage! They are free-spirited creations, unlike to allow just anyone to ride.

Running a hand along the equine's side, murmuring to the creatures as the fairy godmother does her work, he aware on some level that a change of attire is taking place from overhearing the assessment.

Yet he does not quite grasp just how much of a change it is until he lifts his head.]

...Ah. So this ball is one in which people wear masks?

[Stepping away from the pegasi, he reaches for his own, in the process of lifting it to his face as the fairy godmothers turn their attention to him.

Drab. Much too drab. Such is their ruling as they assess his garb, the nearest one giving him a good glancing over.

A flick of the wand has all the detailing of his attire -- the design upon his mask, the embroidery and cords of his robes -- turn to gold.

So shocked is Erichthonios that his mouth drops open, the tall man registering the changes with mild alarm even as the fairy godmother continues to critique his appearance, the words not enough filling him with dread.]

S-Surely this is enough!

No worries! Hope your hand gets better.

[refantasma]

A... what's the word in English? [Nico avoids the pegasi; animals tend not to like him, so he gives them their space.] Masquarade? I think that's the word. A ball with masks.

He turns to look at Erichthonios when the man gasps.]

I think that's enough. [Nico steps forward and puts all the authority a prince of the Underworld has. Sure, the fairy godmothers aren't ghosts or the dead, but maybe they'll listen if he sounds like royalty.] Those robes are part of his culture. Changing them too much would be an offense.

[He's just opening his mouth and talking. Hopefully, he'll be listened to.]

Thank you! It's just a deep paper cut (cardboard box got me) in an unfortunate place for typing.

[beshackled]

[The man who just a moment prior seemed unbothered an undaunted by the potential of being kicked by not one but multiple pegasi, when confronted with a -- well-meaning, he thinks? -- fairy godmother, recoils.]

A-aye. The garbs are a communal concept, meant to look alike so that they do not inspire envy. To delight in disparity is an offense...

[An argument quickly turned around on him, as the fairy godmother is quick to point out that his plain clothing highlights just that. 'Disparity, you say? But wouldn't it be an even greater disparity if you were plain and everyone else not? Come now, a little color will not harm you. We shall even make it temporary.'

Thus his once black-as-night robes are turned to orange. And a hint of red. To match his eyes.

He's also slightly sparkly, the fabric having taken on a metallic sheen. Yet, for a mercy, the general construction of the robes seems to have not been changed. And they are also now leaving him alone, which is, in his opinion, an even greater mercy.]

...How... bad is it?

Ouch!

[refantasma]

[Nico's not sure what to make of a society where everyone wears the same thing. The military school he went to for a few months made him wear a uniform, and it wasn't horrible...

But he hated wearing the orange Camp Half-Blood shirts to the point where he made his own custom shirt to get Chiron off his back.]

It's a lot of red. I liked the black better.

[Black has always been the color he gravitated to, even before he knew his heritage.]

I'm not sure it goes with your hair.

Re: Ouch!

[beshackled]

[Shoulders sagging, Erichthonios hangs his head in defeat. 'Tis as he feared.]

...I don't suppose I can get away with changing it back before the ball is done.

[Will they be watching? Will they change it back again if they catch him returning the garb to the state it should be in?

The mere thought of it is sobering. And Erichthonios is already a generally sober fellow.

Gathering his will along with the tattered remains of his dignity, Erichthonios takes a deep breath, attempting to smile in such a way as to reassure the boy that he is alright.]

You, at least, seem to have fared better. For that I am glad.

[refantasma]

[Nico shrugged.]

Dunno. I'm unfamiliar with the magic here. But I don't see the harm in trying if it really makes you that unhappy.

[Nico looks down at himself.]

I guess I look like a proper prince of the Underworld for a change.

[beshackled]

The color suits you well.

[And while mention of the Underworld causes no pause in Erichthonios -- it is a very real thing, where he is from; the flow to and from it even observable to some, there is... one word with which Erichthonios is unfamiliar.]

...What is a prince?

[refantasma]

[Nico blinks.] Oh, wow, you must come from somewhere that hasn't had a monarchy in ages.

A prince is the son of the current monarch. Technically I am one since my father rules the Underworld, but it's not like he's ever going to give up the job. And even if he did, he has older children.

[Children that are divine in nature, though Nico's only met one and she wasn't pleasant]

[beshackled]

A ruler...

[His mind turns, grasping and sifting over the new information, seeking to understand it.]

If, by ruler, you mean one who makes rules... then this monarchy is... a system of governance? One in which the parent eventually steps down from their work and entrusts it to... their child?

[He cannot understand the why of it. What if the child has other interests? Other talents? What of others that may be suitable for taking up the duties required for the role?]

'Tis... different from the system of governance with which I am familiar.

[refantasma]

Mostly yeah. Most of the time, it was more like the parent died, and then the child took over. It's not the best system for mortals.

A lot of nations have gotten have moved on to democratic systems, even if they still have a monarch.

My father isn't just a king; he's a god, so he's going to rule over the afterlife forever, basically.

[beshackled]

It would appear as though it is not a very good system for gods, either, if their children are to never ascend to their position.

[Structuring their hierarchy as such sounds like it would lead to false expectations... and eventually bitterness.]

...though favoring one child over another due to mere age also sounds... less than ideal. There are matters of knowledge, skill, and of temperament to consider. I would hardly be considered for the position my father holds, for example.

[So deep is he in thoughts of governance that only once he has worked through them does he circle around to the other connotation of the information Nico di Angelo has given.]

But you... you said you are the son of a god? And that you are a prince?

Should I be referring to you by your title?

[refantasma]

Nah, I'm, like, his second youngest kid. My sister Hazel is younger by like a year.

[Though she was born first, but still.

He gives a shrug.]

I'm only a demigod, so I don't get much in the way of titles. I am the Ghost King, but I took that title after defeating Minos rather than enheriting it.

Sorry for the sudden silence... dealing with loss.

[beshackled]

[A demigod... hemitheos. For a moment, Erichthonios goes still, the words of Hesperos, a man succumbed to madness and transformed into mixture of man and creation, echo in his mind.

"For once, be grateful to witness a feat beyond your meager abilities. Beyond your shallow reckoning. I have slipped the surly bonds of mortality! I have become one with our mythic creations, and rid myself of imperfections. I stand upon the threshold of godhood! As a hemitheos shall I serve Master Lahabrea, ever faithful, unto the end of days... And he shall require no other!"

For a moment, Erichthonios can but feel an intense fear -- not of the boy, but for the boy, who he looks over as an adult would to a child that has been through some great danger.

Fortunately, though lagging behind his tumultuous emotions, his rational mind starts to catch up.]

...No... No, the word must mean something different to you...

I'm sorry to hear that, I hope things get better for you and yours

[refantasma]

[Nico catches Erichthonios freezing at the word.

Well, that was interesting.]

I'm not sure what it means in your world, but in my world, it means I'm half god. My father, Hades, was the god of the Underworld. My mother was human.