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

Alright. No pressure here. Time to do or die!

[Magilou tries to hype herself up as she faces the man! Of course, she'd try to entertain him whether he agreed or not. She has to see if the force of her humor can break this curse.]

Don't worry, I'm not about to leave you high and dry. ...Except in this case, that would be an improvement!

[...was that supposed to be a joke? kratos' expression remains unchanged.]

I would prefer that, actually.

[dry would be a significant improvement truth be told but, alas, that seems like a far off dream.]

Of course you would. That - that was the joke.

[She sighs.]

Okay, this is going to be a little harder than I thought. But I will make it happen! Can you tell me some things about yourself? Give me something to work with here, man!

[kratos mirrors her sigh. he still feels this is hopeless but fine.]

Very well. I'm skilled with the sword, I enjoy reading and writing in my spare time, my favorite food is fish and I dislike tomatoes.

[can she work with any of that?]

[She'll try her darnedest!]

A seafood fan, eh? Good news! If this place does go underwater thanks to you, you'll have yourself an all-you-can eat buffet!

[Okay, that's probably not her best material. But she's still getting warmed up.

So this guy's another sword guy. Maybe he can help Rokurou burn off some energy!]

So you use swords, huh? That explains a lot! Do you know why a good swordsman is bad at jokes?

[ok maybe that seafood one actually manages to get a soft snort out of kratos. did he find it the slightest bit funny? only slightly. slightly is enough for the rain to lighten up just a little, which is a good start.

alright, he'll bite and say the line expected of him.]

Why are they bad at jokes?

[she managed a snort but can she do the impossible and actually make him laugh? let's see.]

[She does notice that little snort and grins! She's getting to him, she just knows it!]

Because they're so good at dodging blades that...

[Dramatic pause!]

...They don't get the point!

[...

this would be when the proverbial cricket chirping happens. as there are no crickets, kratos instead settles for a few blinks and a moment of silence.]

I'm afraid it's because I do get the point that I can't help but be disappointed by this one...

[though, maybe it's thanks to the present company that he can't help but add.]

Perhaps I'm too sharp.

[Magilou immediately goes into a dramatic pratfall!]

A cutting response!!

[She then peels herself back up to her feet.]

Well, at least we've proven that you do have some jokes in you! Not bad, not bad at all for a living rain magnet.

[maybe that exaggerated movement coupled with the cutting comment is starting to make that amusement blossom a little more. the rain is actually letting up more and more! even if that joke earlier had fallen flat, magilou herself is managing to work some magic with brightening the mood.]

While I'm hardly a professional like yourself, I've been told I do have a sense of humor. [after a moment, he adds] Though, unlike me, it's rather dry.

[She does take note of the rain letting up! It's working. Even if it's not as straightforward as she intended, she can work with this.]

How convenient! That's just the kind of humor we need right now. Before you're all washed up!

[She grins and then gestures grandly towards him.]

I'm putting the spotlight onto you! Go on, unsheath some of that humor, why don't you!

[he quirks a brow but, you know what, he'll humor her.]

Here I thought you were the comedian, but very well.

[the comment comes across as very light-hearted. he had warned her but sure, he'll try with a joke. let's see... kratos contemplates for a moment before finally settling on what he thinks is a decent one.]

The difference between a numerator and a denominator is a short line. Unfortunately, only a fraction of people will understand this.

[dad joke said in a perfect monotone.]

[She does learn forward curiously, eager to see what he has up his sleeve. What kind of joke would this guy tell?

But then he actually says it, and she falls flat.]

Wh- what... Really? We're going for a math joke here?

[She can feel every bone in her body cringing. Part of her cringe might be because she totally gets the joke...]

I think I need to reassess you, to make sure I include 'nerd' somewhere in there!

[cue an immediate look of displeasure that looks remarkably close to a pout at being called a nerd. at least the rain doesn't grow any stronger. actually, even though it's not laughter, this bit of irritation further squashes that depressed mood and makes the rain become more of a drizzle.]

I believe your goal was to make me laugh and not judge my taste in jokes, wasn't it?

[he pauses and adds.]

And besides, that one wasn't that bad a joke.

[really now! that one's one of the better ones!!]

Yes, well no one said I only had to do one of the two!

[Magilou says as she throws her arms in a shrug. She does notice the rain dying down further... That's good. It might not have been the comedic triumph she imagined, but her plan is generally working.]

It was a smart joke, and those don't play well. People come to comedy shows to laugh, not to do math! That fraction joke will only work on a fraction of the audience! It just doesn't add up.

Given your understanding of it and then following it up with not one but two math puns of your own, I feel like this particular audience doesn't fall into that fraction.

[he's just saying.]

But fine, I'll try once more to please my audience with a non-smart joke.

[maybe he's enjoying himself just a little trying to come up with these jokes. is it enough to break through the rain? getting there. it's practically cleared up sans a few drops.

ah! he has is! this is about as non-smart as it gets. here goes...]

A sandwich walks into a bar. The barman says: 'sorry we don't serve food here'.

[She just wears an innocent smile on her face while he calls her out for being just as much as a math nerd.

And then as she goes on with that incredibly plain and basic joke, she bursts out with laughter.]

Wow, you really lowered the bar for the one! Good job! You might just make a cutting comedian yet! At the very least, you won't have to worry about drowning in your own sorrows anymore...!

[lowered the bar. ha ha ha. hilarious. though, if nothing else, the bad joke had gotten a solid laugh this time and maybe kratos feels a small sense of triumph at succeeding in doing so.

not drowning anymore...? just as kratos processes the fact that the rain had fully let up, the mask slips off his face and falls to the ground. he looks down at it briefly, giving a soft relieved sigh, before looking back up at magilou.]

At the very least. I suppose your comedy show idea worked, albeit not in a way I expected.

[no matter the method, however, it had worked and she had helped him out of a tough spot.]

Thank you for your help.

What can I say? Comedy's an unpredictable art that works in mysterious ways!

[She bobs around energetically, while shaking off some water that got on her sleeves.]

You did a good job as a sounding board for jokes. But of course, I"ll gladly accept any and all praise and favors that come my way! [She bends over to collect the mask.] And I might as well help myself to a souvenir while I'm at it!

[It could be quite interesting to study.]

[as magilou picks the mask up, kratos ends up giving it one final leer. maybe he's also a little on edge in case it tries to somehow slam itself back onto his face for round two, but luckily that doesn't seem to be the case.]

By all means, take it.

[just as long as she keeps that godforsaken thing far away from him.]

And I suppose should you ever want a favor in return for today, I'd be willing to oblige. [he pauses and adds] If it's within reason.

[no blindly agreeing to just any favor. but, should she ever need a hand or something of the sort, kratos wouldn't mind helping out.]

[She does turn it over a little as if inspecting it. It does seem to be safe right now, at least. Then she beams at Kratos.]

Oh, of course! Do I look like the kind of person who would take advantage of an itty bitty favor? You don't have to answer that right now!

[With that, she twirls around and waves!]

Now with my good deed for the day accomplished, I should be off! Let's do a comedy ac sometime. Good luck not catching a cold!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{ stroke of midnight }

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