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!

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"For me as well," he said with a small chuckle. "Trust me, some days can feel as long as a tower is tall, and others as short and fleeting as a spark in the driving rain. But if you do not wish to speak, would you like some company? There can be comfort to found in a caring presence, even without words." He offered a warm smile.

There's something immediately familiar and comforting about the way this man speaks — his general effect... It takes Zuko pause, just staring at him curiously as he listens, but touched all the same. There aren't too many Irohs in the universe, he figures; but how far out would it be to assume he's going to run into his uncle in his dreams? And if he does— well, that wouldn't be the first time... He's still struggling to wrap his head around this entire affair, in the wake of everything waiting for him at home once he regains consciousness, or whatever is the case. It's all so complicated and happening so fast. But sitting in silence with someone who seems quite nice and understanding, not off-putting like the girl he met before... that's pretty simple and straightforward. Maybe the guy knows something. Zuko just doesn't know what he wants to know yet.

So after a short deliberative second, Zuko accepts Iroh's offer for quiet company with a single, sharp, decisive nod in his direction, sitting up straight fully. As if on some ingrained instinct, just making these vague mental connections, it seems a right moment to meditate gently. Zuko leans back in the chair, looking more composed and regal in his posture, and less like a depressed rag doll, and quietly stares forward out over the scenery before them. He practices very simple, shallow breath control to center himself, allowing this man to share his space with him in good faith. If it goes suddenly awry like talking with that girl a moment ago... he'll just leave. But he has a feeling that's not going to be the case. If anything, he almost spitefully wills himself to be patient and open, as if to compensate for that sour interaction. Maybe he's just proving a point to himself this way. But it seems a point worth proving.

Even if it just lands him quietly breathing under his mask beside a stranger eating noodles for a few minutes... That's easily the least uncomfortable part of his day.

Seeing the change in the young man - and from the few words he heard, he was guessing young man unless told otherwise, Iroh smiled again. A gentle smile, an approving one. He sipped his tea as he considered the youth's new posture. Much better.

In fact, Iroh was pretty sure this was proof that he had been right, that what the young man had most needed was quiet. Or perhaps he was being pursued by someone with whom he did not wish to speak and Iroh was simply dressing to make him look too busy to be bothered. That would be fine with Iroh. He was happy to help in general. And when he could help while sipping a fine tea and...

He put in a card for two bowls of hot spiced noodles. He set one bowl before the youth, a silent offer with no pressure, before he began to savor his own serving. And the gentle peace that seemed to be created amidst the revelry.

Perhaps the young man was not the only one to benefit from some quiet company free of pressure.

Zuko bows his head in thanks to Iroh when he sets the noodles in front of him, making sure to be respectful and appreciative, but he does not eat them. He's none too hungry. But the gesture is appreciated. He continues to sit in silence another few minutes, inwardly meditating off and on, though he keeps his eyes open and senses alert. After a little while like this, the man enjoying the tea and noodles, the boy enjoying the silence and pause, Zuko finally feels himself getting some better footing inside. "Balance" would be a gross overstatement. But he's calmer.

After a moment, he glances over at Iroh again, uncertain how to start chit-chat with a kind stranger, but feeling like he owes him the courtesy, at least. So he takes his best stab at an engaging, lighthearted icebreaker...

"...Some party."

Nailed it.

He had been content with the quiet as well. That said, he was also pleased for conversation.

"I suspect that one could say any party is some party," he said, mildly amused.

That gets an even milder amusement from Zuko, but not enough to smile even if Iroh could see it, of course. Just enough to feel more at ease talking to this stranger.

"I suppose. I haven't been to many parties lately," he admits wryly. Not quite a joke, but, um— something like it. Without context on how the past few years have gone for Zuko, the joke doesn't really land the same way to a stranger. But Zuko thinks he's serving the good humor right back, despite his dry delivery.

Though he does tag on another admission, a bit more earnestly, actually opening conversation for the first time all night.

"But soon, I'll have to get used to it. I have a feeling there are about to be a lot more formal events like these in my future..."

Which is why he's been practicing by lurking on the sidelines diligently watching everything happen without him and not talking to anyone... Yup.

Edited 2023-03-04 05:58 (UTC)

"One never knows what the future actually holds," Iroh said after a moment, gazing into his tea cup. "But the best way to get the future you want is to build it." He took a sip. "The thing is, everyone is building the future out of the same basic materials. The trick is to learn how to work with people you can trust, so you are all building parts of the same future. Otherwise one person is building walls another person is forever trying to knock down." And he should know.

"So what is the future you want? And where do formal events fit in?" he asked. Then shook his head. "Of course, you do not have to answer if you do not want to. At least, you do not have to tell me the answer. But if I might say, you seem uncomfortable here. Life is too short to be uncomfortable all the time, just because others say you should be."

Zuko listens carefully, the man's words hitting so many of Zuko's tumultuous emotions like a bullseye. He certainly is building the future, with people he's recently come to trust... ~~Something, something, knocking down the walls of Ba Sing Se...~~ He's well aware of all this. Hearing it spelled out unknowingly by a stranger just reaffirms his convictions on the matter. All he shows to indicate his agreement, though, is a simple nod. But a decisive one.

He laces his fingers together idly, twiddling his thumbs as he replies, indeed feeling uncomfortable here. But not too much to deny a seemingly wise man conversation... He should be so lucky if all the foreign leaders and generals and whoever at these formal events in his future, would be as wise and contented.

"There's a lot on my mind. That's all. ...Thank you for your concern," he adds as a second thought, and bows his head politely once more. Trying his best people skills...!

"A lot is changing for me. Our whole world is changing. And now this."

He gestures around the room with a dismissive hand, before lacing his fingers together again, returning his gaze to people-watch at some folk across the room. His decisive yet somewhat petulant tone of voice may ring familiar when he concludes, simply:

"I'm not in the mood for a party."

"That does sound like a lot to think about, a whole world changing." Did the Avatar find the spirit realm as odd as he was finding it, he wondered? "The world has been changing for some time now. In fact, it could be argued that it has always been changing. Just that at some moments the change is more noticeable than in others. But perhaps those are the times when an event like this are most needed."

Zuko pauses, uncertain how to respond, feeling the weight on his shoulders very much still. He toys with the idea of staying cryptic and polite(-ish), but something about this stranger's presence compels him to feel more comfortable being so candid...

"Trust me — the change will be noticeable. For years to come. ...A war has ended. After far too long."

He's not inclined to get too deep into details, but that much can be revealed comfortably, safely, understandably. He figures war happens in maybe every world... He'd never thought about it before now.

A long deep breath at that. Letting himself feel the words, letting himself pretend, just for the moment, the words had been of his own home. And then he let the moment go.

"The only thing better than the ending of a war, is for one to not have started in the first place," he said, putting in a card for more tea. And more noodles. A conversation this heavy called for reinforcements, after all.

"We're generations too late for that... But we'll do whatever needs to be done to heal the world. To get ourselves back on the right path. A path to peace. That's the kind of future we want to build..."

He notices the second ticket be put in, but makes no comment or judgment. Merely keeps his tone level, choosing his words carefully. He's not jumping into specifics but it's nice to hear himself say this out loud, even to a stranger. He needs to think of what to say in his coronation speech, too, after all. He's not really... planned for that... what with all the 'fighting to survive' stuff and all.

He gave a warm smile of approval. "Well said! I wish that my boys could be here to hear you say that. Each in their own way, I think it would have helped. On of them... he still may be able to hear those words, if you would allow me to repeat them when we find our way to each other once more."

Zuko's a little surprised to hear the man wants to quote him, feeling a bit smitten that he apparently said something wise. See! He can do it! All those years being subjected to his uncle's proverbs and musings is paying off, perhaps.

"Of course. Thank you."

He pauses awkwardly, unsure how to process this; but this, too, is something he'll have to get used to. People will want to listen to him, will want to hear his wisdoms. It's just something else to practice while he prepares to inherit the throne. He considers his next words somewhat, his tone drawn out and ruminative, even a little cautious, unused to finding himself in such a deep, heavy conversation with a total stranger. But he feels comfortable around this person, too, as if he's known him forever... He goes out on a limb to offer his sympathies.

"...I'm sorry to hear you and your sons can relate. I know firsthand how much pain and suffering a war can bring. To everyone."

He nodded. And did not clarify, because Zuko was as much son as nephew to him.

He sipped his tea. "I realized almost too late that war was not the right path," he said softly after a long moment. "I would says that it was too lat indeed, but I refuse to believe that there is ever a point beyond which one cannot work to make things better. The people who are gone will not come back..." he swallowed more than tea there. "But we can fix things for those who remain. We can try to make things better."

A single tear rolled down from under his mask.

Zuko's gaze is fixed on the masked man earnestly, unseen behind the enchanted gemstone eyes. Likewise, the man's single tear is unseen behind his own mask. But the emotion in the air is palpable, and Zuko feels it swell in his chest, this sympathy for his apparent grief, along with this stirring inspiration from the wise words the man offers anyway. It doesn't matter that they're not talking about the same war, or the same world, even — but it's still applicable, and it helps to hear. After a moment of deliberation, he nods slowly in agreement.

"...Yes. It's terrible, but... No matter how much is lost— It's never too late to change directions. To make sure that nothing was lost in vain."

The notion hits a strong, deep chord. One he wasn't expecting a stranger to strike. It puts him on the spot, emotionally, stumbling a bit inwardly, not at all accustomed to opening up so easily even to the people he's closest to... But whether Zuko feels awkward in the company of his own emotions is no matter — a good conversation is a good conversation. How rare are those? He'd rather keep it up.

"I think as long as the people of my world — uh— our worlds...?" He hitches, almost obviously casting his gaze aside awkwardly even behind his mask; he can't even make eye contact even when he's not making eye contact. He's also not used to talking to people from other worlds, okay, he's trying to be polite and inclusive, here.

"As long as people don't lose hope, who knows how much can change. Sometimes in ways we'd never even dream of..."

Behind his mask, he cracks a wan smile; it can't be seen, but it can be heard in the tone of his last sentence, something slightly warmer, almost even amused. A year ago, he may have discounted his current reality as some crazy alternate-dimension scenario, too, had someone told him the story — it's truly unbelievable. Now he finds himself thrown for yet another monumental loop in life, spirited away to some dreamworld right after the resolution of his whole life's narrative, feels like; and even he can't help but see some humor in that. Yeah, destiny surprises us, uh. Look around.

Edited 2023-04-07 06:39 (UTC)

Iroh nodded, sipping his tea. "Of all the powers and abilities I have ever seen people demonstrate, I think hope is one of the strongest." Though there were stronger forces. Love being one. But hope was up there as well.

"So long as we can hold on to hope, there is much we can do that might seem impossible to those who have no hope at all. I have seen amazing things done by people who seem to have little but hope. And I myself hold some hopes dear yet."

For Zuko. For Ba Sing Se. For the end of the war. For a peaceful life running a successful tea shop.

(( continued here! ))

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{ stroke of midnight }

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