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

[Unfortunately... he's kind of curious. This is about the liveliest he's seen Gokudera so far, and that's fascinating to him. But... Yes, they should definitely keep more dangerous activities clear of innocent bystanders.]

I'm up for it! Let's just not get anyone else caught up in it~

[He polishes off his drink and puts it down somewhere for a server to pick up later, then gestures for his companion to lead the way.]

Shall we?

I’ve been throwing bombs since I was little. I know how to keep other people safe.

[Gokudera takes the last swig of his beer and sets it by Heizou’s drink before following him. Explosions always make the teen feel better.]

And I have a bunch of shields in my weapon system, so I can contain it if I need to.

[As long as they make it to someplace empty, Heizou is happy. Even though he's... a little wary about this explosion business. He'd liken it to a certain excitable blonde from back home, except for the part where these "rockets" are used as weapons.]

Your weapon system? [His head tilts as he looks Gokudera up and down once again. He doesn't see anything that looks like it might hold any shields.] What's that?

It’s basically magic shields, and I can stand on one and it will lift me. As someone who is supposed to protect the boss, it’s useful that I have them.

[He’s not giving Heizou an explanation of the rest of his weapon system. It’s far too complicated, more of a sit-down conversation involving paper to illustrate it.]

[He quirks an eyebrow, clearly interested even though that tone of voice implies he doesn't want to get into it. Stop making him so curious about things you don't want to explain, Gokudera!]

I see. And you still have those shields here in this world?

[He hadn't really thought about whether or not he still had his Anemo abilities here, after all.]

They are an extension of my will. Here, I can show you as soon as we get outside.

[It wouldn’t hurt to bring them out, and they would only drain a little of his energy. It’s just to show off a bit. Demonstrations are more fun than explanations, after all.]

[Heizou smiles and nods-] Of course! [-as he continues heading outside.

He hadn't really meant to start leading the way, but he finds himself taking point, searching for a suitable spot for this demonstration. He has no idea how big Gokudera's explosions can be, though, so when he finds a spot that seems to work he looks back to his companion to check.]

How about here? Is this large enough for you?

Sure!

[Gokudera’s hand lights up with red fire, and he fusses with his jacket, opening it enough so he can get to his belts. He’s got boxes attached to it, and he punches that fire into one. A bright green disc forms beneath his feet and lifts him up, then large circles of bones appear, expanding, then shrinking before sliding between him and Heizou.]

See, just shields.

[He’ll let this guy check them out if he wants. Nothing is actually on fire, despite the way his hand is still glowing with pink flames.]

[Heizou's eyes practically light up with interest.] Oooooh!!

[And then he does go and check the shields out, circling them inquisitively, eyes tracing over everything. He tentatively reaches out with one hand to check if they're safe to touch, and if they are he lets his fingers trail along the lines of the bones. It's all quite fascinating to him, since it's so very different from the elemental shields he's seen other Vision holders use back home.]

What gives you the ability to make these?

[The shields won’t hurt. If he spins them, or uses them to bash at something, yeah, they could do some damage, but he’s not interested in that sort of thing. At the moment, they’re just out to help him prove he can contain an explosion, or keep any bits from his bombs from scattering down below. Gokudera is well prepared to show off a little.]

My resolve. They’re made from my dying will, after all.

[Or deathperation, depending on who you ask from his world.]

[That makes Heizou's eyebrows knit together, just before he turns to glance back over at Gokudera. Dying will?]

...Did you die, Hayato Gokudera?

[He doesn't sound quite so teasing or flippant anymore when he asks that. There's nothing but earnest concern there, and he's definitely studying the teen carefully from the corner of his eye.]

Do I look like I’ve died?!

I’ve had a couple close calls, but… It’s just the sort of energy that feels like a last-resort? Like… that strength you need to finish something, or what you’re fighting for with all your might.

[Gokudera had been tortured pretty badly a week or two ago, and has been training hard to develop his weapon system. He’s not going to talk about that, or what his resolve personally is.]

[There's visible relief in the way Heizou's shoulders sag upon hearing that, and his little smile falls right back into place on his face.] I know of stranger things happening than speaking with a ghost. It was worth asking.

But still... [He's right back to examining those shields, walking around them and letting his fingers do much of the observing.] It's an impressive ability! Is this the only form your "resolve" can take, or can you change it if necessary?

[Gokudera met a ghost in one of the carriages, but he’s not going to go around and tell people he did, or assume that others are dead. He could see how Heizou might take ‘dying will’ as maybe some kind of afterlife power. He didn’t mean to worry him, but… it’s just what it’s called.]

These are just pieces I unlock and strengthen using my resolve. The only changing they’ll do is in size and activity.

[The disc he’s standing on glides him forward and he puts his arm right through one of the bone loops.]

See, it’s only going to act like a shield if that’s what I need. If there were some way to keep it from draining me, I could wear it like a bracelet.

[The bone loop shrinks around his wrist, then he turns and much like throwing a disc, the mini shield flies from him, grows, then stops and gently bumps a shrub before gliding back over.]

Anyways, you can keep this one near you, if you want. I’ve got some explosives to show you.

[He also has a large cannon that he hasn’t called out, and his storm leopard, but Gokudera doesn’t want to exhaust himself. If something were to happen and he couldn’t defend himself (or his boss) properly, he’d be upset.]

I see... How interesting!

[As soon as Gokudera starts putting things into motion Heizou takes a step back, just to be out of the way. Neither of them are posing any kind of danger to the other, but he's seen the abilities of other Vision holders target perceived threats all on their own and he isn't sure if this might be the same sort of thing. It's not long before Gokudera proves that that isn't the case, so when he's offered a shield to keep close Heizou smiles and nods in acceptance.]

I'll do just that, then. Thank you! [He moves into the safe space that's offered by the shield, but his eyes stay trained on Gokudera for the time being.] Be careful not to overdo it or exhaust yourself~

[Gokudera is honestly very happy that Heizou accepts the shield. He won’t need it, but it’s a comfort to have someone trust he’ll look out for their safety. It’s odd to use his dynamite outside of conflict or training, so he makes sure he’s lifted well above the treetops, standing on his platform. The wind is intense the higher he goes, but he’s steady and takes a step forward while throwing his arms out.

A fan of dynamite sticks is hurled into the air, and after a second of falling, they change direction and shoot up higher before exploding over Gokudera, who ducks and uses one of his other shields to cover himself. There’s no heat or pressure, just the sound of the bombs exploding, and then smoke dissipating.]

DID YOU SEE THAT?! [He shouts down, eyes alight with excitement.]

Edited 2023-03-03 01:02 (UTC)

[Heizou has to hand it to him: Gokudera certainly knows what he's doing. He can tell that he's taking every precaution in the How and Where the dynamite goes off, and it's definitely something he appreciates. As for the explosive display itself, Heizou probably isn't the greatest judge. It's definitely impressive by his standards, at least! He even gives it a little round of applause, stepping out from behind the safety of Gokudera's provided shield so that he can see it.]

Very impressive!! [He has to shout to be heard, cupping a hand around his mouth as he does so. Still, he isn't much of a fan of yelling, so he might not be as loud as he hopes.] Do you control the sticks, too?!

[Gokudera is lowered down, now that all he can see is smoke, and there’s no debris. He’s done this often, just not been quite so high up. That makes him more nervous than the explosives, but the floating platform hasn’t officially been tested yet. It’s all been in training, so it’s nice to feel it hold his weight, feels like an extension of himself and requires a flame type (lightning) he doesn’t utilize often.

He isn’t expecting the applause and blushes. Gokudera heard what Heizou shouted, but just missed the first part. Once he’s back on the ground, Gokudera’s shields and platform vanish.]

I have a small set inside them that ignites, so they’ll change direction. So I have to make sure when I throw them, the timing goes off while they’re pointed at just the right angle.

My goodness, that sounds like quite a bit to keep track of! You've probably trained for a long time to get that timing right.

[It makes him wonder what kind of world Gokudera comes from that would make abilities like this even necessary. Every world must have its own problems and all, but... Wow, the life Gokudera must be caught up in.]

It was quite the display, my friend! And not a single leaf has caught on fire!

I’ve been throwing dynamite since I was little!

[Just, right off the balcony of his father’s mansion, down into the gardens below, though that was never the intended target. He would use paper airplanes, since they were more difficult to hit.]

I would hope there wouldn’t be.

[Gokudera was very careful. He’s not trying to make anyone upset at him. For anyone attending that may have heard the explosions, they likely sounded just like fireworks, practice fireworks.]

[Heizou chuckles a little. Since he was little? He'd be more concerned if it weren't for the fact that Gokudera is actually in control.]

Well, the practice definitely shows~

[He takes a few steps forward, casting his eyes around the area to be doubly sure. He doesn't see any smoke besides what's already dissipated from the initial explosion, so with that confirmed he turns back to Gokudera with an assured nod of his head.]

Like I said, a job well done!

You've got me curious now, though. Do other people where you're from have special abilities forged from their "dying will"? People like your boss?

Yes. Most of them are on our side, or are allies of the family… but a lot more are enemies.

[The Vongola family was being hunted, their future selves cut ties and hid away underground to escape those powers.]

Or, y’know… they’ll combine dying will with weapons.

["The family." So it's not just his one boss, it's also a whole clan that Gokudera has an allegiance to. That's not unusual by Heizou's standards; technically as a member of the Tenryou Commission he probably should be loyal to the Kujou family.

But... Eh.]

With weapons... like the bazooka you mentioned?

[Gokudera is fine letting someone think he’s a part of a gang, but it’s more formal than that. It’s not like he’s been able to recognize anyone, and they’re outside, far enough away from the party that he’s comfortable explaining a few things to Heizou. The guy doesn’t even know what a bazooka is, he’d be unable to help an enemy family.]

Swords, grenades, lances, guns, gloves, billiards, cannons. Basically, if something could be used as a weapon, it could be coated or powered by those flames.

Ahh, I see! So it's the flames you summoned that are this "dying will" power!

[Don't mind Heizou if he seems a little overly excited. Learning new things and solving puzzles have always been his shtick. He wouldn't be much of a detective otherwise!]

Truly fascinating. Your world sounds particularly violent if so many people are able to go around fighting each other with abilities like these, but it does seem to be something you're used to! How often do people come around to attack your boss?

{ stroke of midnight }

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