04 - week four

[afflictionmods]

WEEK FOUR

Saturday comes to a close, and it’s time for some rest and recovery. Perhaps the TLC you deserve will come this week, or perhaps the nightmare will continue. It’s hard to say with things being so strange around you, from Wei Wuxian’s disappearance to the sudden addition of objects and places and creatures from your homes. Who knows what this week will bring? Nothing ordinary, that’s for sure.

You wake up on Sunday to an increase in those little glimpses you saw yesterday. What were snippets of songs, locations that might’ve seemed familiar, and creatures that were dormant, are now all alive and whole. When you go to the karaoke bar, the songs you once knew are there. Monsters and animals are alive and sentient. New business are abound. Vehicles are operable, and perhaps some of your old belongings are back, too.

However, some of these things aren’t even things that should exist outside of your dreams. They may be far too strange and unusual to be real, or just things you don't remember ever seeing. The only thing you remember about these things in particular is that they were, quite literally, in your dreams this week.

That being said, every few hours, all of these things from your homes and dreams fade out and get replaced by new sounds, places, beasts….only to maybe come back again at another time.

Well. At least there's one constant here: You’ve got a handful of new locations to look at, with the fog having spread once more, and they aren't going anywhere. There aren’t as many new places that are native to Estelline this time around, but that may be for the best, considering everything going on.


SETTING TRACKER

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

NEWSPAPER SUBMISSIONS + EDITION #1

SAGE / FLORENCE / LORELEI

MEM SHARE DETAILS

OOC NOTE

OOC: Details on this week can be found here!

Also, we have a lot of participants for the news activity from last week. Neat! Everyone who participated in some capacity will have a small polaroid camera delivered to their doorstep. There's limited film, though - 10 photos per camera. It doesn't seem like there's any extra film at this time, either.

Finally, there will not be any weekly tasks this week. You guys are going to be busy with memshare and dreamscape stuff; instead, enjoy the Estelline University Newspaper!

FULL NAV

(CODE)

Comments

SATURDAY

[afflictionmods]

non-interactive memshare (also large Hashihime spoilers everywhere ofc)

[unsinksyourship]

01. "Frog Man & Haruhiko-san" (cw: hallucinations)

[Scene: Umebachidou, surrounded by books and no one else.

Recap: You are an aspiring writer. A bookseller by unwilling trade. But none of that matters right now because you are in a Mood; you even started cleaning just to try and dust some of the stormy cobwebs away, but the weather seems determined to reflect everything.

You plop down on the floor, ready to continue wasting the day away. (TIMESTAMP: 51:21 - 57:10)]

02. "There's a large gap between murder and suicide, sometimes." (cw: explicit discussion of suicide, discussion of murder)

[Scene: Café Éclair, surrounded by people but having absolutely no thoughts (also 1000 thoughts, but none of them are floating to the surface). Kawase is here, like a part of the decor.

Recap: You are a mourner today, even if you don't particularly have nice clothes for such things, so you're just in your usual. It's nice to be out of the rain and crowds, but you're not particularly appreciating it right now. The entire day so far is a blur, so why bother setting the scene?

You will never see Minakami again, and neither of you know why. (TIMESTAMP: 3:04:33 - 3:11:40)]

03. "Doppelgangers are a pain in the ass, but especially this one." (cw: murder that may or may not count, hallucinations)

[Scene: Umebachidou.

Recap: You are a man on a mission, coming back to the scene of the crime (no, that's not quite right, but you don't really have time to spare for coherent narratives right now, and none of this is particularly coherent anyway). You walk into the shop with purpose; you have a plan. Two plans. Maybe three. Surely at least half a plan will work.

There's a familiar shadow on the floor... (TIMESTAMP: 34:10 - 43:52)]

04. "There's a crane in the chimney." (cw: murder, gore, hallucinations)

[Scene: Ikeda Manor. It's a dark and stormy night. Minakami is inexplicably, impossibly here.

Recap: You've just seen Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for the second or third time, but this might be the first time you've seen it with someone else. No thanks to Minakami. You're not sure if you've completely forgiven him yet. Still: right now, you need to give Kawase a piece of your mind. He promised to meet you there. Trying to get your closest friends together for a movie is harder than moving heaven and earth, and the heaviest thing you've moved lately is your pen.

Surely, though, if you can get them in the same room; if you can get them talking, even if you have to be a buffoon about it, you'll be able to save somebody. (TIMESTAMP: 44:01 - 54:22)]

[OOC: There are additional memories available here for those interested in a wider selection; just jot your character's name down in signups or otherwise hit me up on DM/plurk and I'll put something up for those prompts as needed. All memories except the marked one are non-interactive.

Timeline-wise, these can take place any day you want, but Tamamori will be holed up in Room #7 through Saturday; so if you want him to view the memory with you or otherwise be immediately available for comment (please note this in your tag somewhere), it should be set Sundayish. Otherwise, you could always invade Room #7.]

interactive memshare #1 (closed to Chongyun)

[unsinksyourship]

[PLACEHOLDER GO /fingerguns at soupie]

"This is a test." (cw: murder, gore, mention of child abuse, suicidal behavior)

[unsinksyourship]

[Scene: Ikeda Manor. This parlor is starting to become more familiar to you than Umebachidou's shopfront; a cold wind blows in through the window, which is broken for Reasons. Kawase is here, for now.

Recap: You're sure that this time -- this time, with Hanazawa and the power of science(???) on your side, you'll be able to finish this. You'll be able to chase away the monster, stop Minakami from being Minakami, and keep Kawase here. You have to -- or rather, Hanazawa has to. You can't do much of anything but rely on him, because he's the only one who even begins to believe you.

(The Professor doesn't quite count.)

All you can really do is keep playing the role you've given yourself. (TIMESTAMP: 50:22 - 1:07:23)]

cw; suicidal implications just for the thread

[teidaisei]

[ Who knows how a portal wound up in their room, even if the purpose of their seclusion wasn't from them specifically, but rather any type of chaos. At least that's what Kawase assumes has motivated Tamamori, that and punishment. For Kawase, he's parts too tired and parts too greedy to properly fight the situation he's wound up in, at least for now.

He still thinks it would have better if he died, better for everyone. Yet he's still human and still that particular brand of selfish, a bundle of contradictions that always winds up at the same answer and ultimately the same fate. That's why he's still here (for now), or at least that's what Kawase has told himself.

Seeing this memory—

Kawase smiles instinctively because that's what he does in situations like this, for all the twenty some odd years he's lived. Watching his own death isn't difficult, nor is hearing Hanazawa's honest words. He's been prepared for the former as long as he could string two thoughts together, and the latter is a burden he's carried since that one fateful night. Seeing Tamamori like that, though. A weird bubble of emotion wells up within him: sadness, jealousy, concern. Kawase is not a protector like Hanazawa, nor is he capable of giving others comfort like Minakami. What he's good for is being used, what he's good for is doing whatever he wants no matter the circumstance. ]

Tamamori-kun. Do you know what the opposite of a punishment is? [ He gesture with his hand as he sits back down the bed. Come here. ]

3. fyre what the FUCK is hashihime

[escardos]

[ well as soon as flat sees that, he won't even wait for sunday. as soon as that memory finishes playing, he'll go straight to tamamori's room and start knocking until he opens the door.

:D ]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[unsinksyourship]

[There's a few thumps and some annoyed hissed whispering, mostly consisting of things like Tamamori-san! Tamamori-saaaan! We have a visitor! Ta-ma-mo-ri-saaaaan!! in a high-pitched voice Flat probably hasn't heard before, and then a grumbling that sounds vaguely like Tamamori -- all of this right next to the door, for some reason.

Eventually, the thumps and noises cease and........ a humanoid frog creature creeps out of the bottom of the door like a piece of paper and waves a little. He's kind of 2D but he's doing his best.]

Sorry, sorry! We'll open the door soon! Ta-ma-mo-ri-saaaan, it's the French one! Um... Flat-san!! [at least one of them remembers names; after a moment more of fumbling the door is yanked open, slapping the frog-paper-cutout(?????) to the side like a particularly flimsy noren] ... Will you shut up if I answer the door? Will you? What do you want?

[Tamamori has opened the door maybe a crack, and he's eyeing Flat suspiciously.]

[escardos]

Take your time~

[ he'll wave back to the frog a little bit and he will actually stop knocking as soon as the frog tells him that tamamori is on his way. however, when the author is in front of him, flat takes a step back and say in a chipper voice-- ]

I'm very sorry for your loss!

03 - Sundayish! TAMAMORI PLS

[exofractured]

[Phantom should probably have learned more caution about these portals by now. Unfortunately he also remains terrible curious about them, and... well, he can't resist the siren song of a bookshop, even through an extremely suspicious portal. In he goes.

He is absolutely relieved that this one doesn't seem to be the kind of portal where things perceive him in return. It means he can poke around for a moment, until the arrival of Tamamori #2 (1???) interrupts him and he looks between the two versions, appalled.]

Don't tell me he actually had some idea what he was talking about?

[There's trauma portals and then there's This.]

I love that Phantom gets this one of all things goodbye his dignity (if he ever had any)

[unsinksyourship]

Hmmph. Of course I know what I'm talking about, you fool. How many doppelgangers do you think I've dealt with?!

[Hey, so did you want to deal with a third Tamamori, this one able to perceive you?? It's easier to tell which is which, because this one is wearing somewhat more modern loungewear than the shirt-and-kimono combo the other two are sporting, and he's not wearing glasses much like the counterpart that just came in.

Things to note: only one of the Tamamoris has blue eyes, and it's the one with glasses that's plastered to the floor.

Tamamori #3(?????) is leaning against one of the bookshelves with his arms crossed, though he's just out of sight of his doppelgangers, like he still doesn't want them to see him even if it's probably not a thing. He's watching Phantom with obvious displeasure. There's a tiny Frog Man on his shoulder, much like the one on the shoulder of the Haruhiko-san that just followed Tamamori #2 in; the amphibian with #3 has his Florence hat on, and he waves timidly under the glare of his master.]

But I shouldn't have expected anything from somebody who'd just waltz into other people's memories. Out! Out with you!

[Can they even get out of here. There's no exit.......]

I COULDN'T RESIST EVEN THOUGH HE NEVER HAD ANY

[exofractured]

Then perhaps your memories shouldn't pull in unsuspecting passerby!

[No, Phantom absolutely came in here entirely of his own volition. But it's not like Tamamori can prove anything. He scowls a little at Tamamori, but... the strangely polite hatted amphibian gets a much less severe look. And a little nod.]

And you can hardly blame me for doubting. Even you don't believe you.

[Phantom jerks his head towards the clown show playing out just in front of them, with the skeptic blue-eyed Tamamori. Which... is quite strange, actually. Phantom's world might not broadly mess with time travel shenanigans, but he wouldn't think a trip of three days would do something like that. Unless this is the biproduct of some kind of paradox, or... augh. Somehow it's not surprising that even Tamamori's memories are a headache.]

Besides, past selves are hardly the same thing as a doppelganger.

[ignihidden]

[Prompt 1 is more goal-driven as you'll try to calm or exorcise the spirit of a bride that wants to take Idia with her on her happy ever after... Prompt 2 is more for casual chatting.]

1. Ghost Marriage

[Idia Shroud has been... kidnapped! That's one of the first things that's made clear when stepping into this memory. The first part takes place outside, near Mr. S's Mystery Shop. The headmage, a flambouyant looking man in a mask, is trying to assure a robot boy that everything with definitely go to plan.]

[... a video monitor nearby implies otherwise, though, with a bunch of students in uniform laid out on the ground, stiff like logs. Close examination shows their lips moving, though. They're not dead. Just paralyzed on the ground. And in the cafeteria-now-marriage venue, Idia is having a time.]

"You! You'll help rescue my elder brother, right," [The robot boy has zoomed up in the face of the unlucky memory walker,] "... name not found in Night Raven College student database. Please register name and then save him!"

[The headmage isn't sure about allowing non-students into this situation (who might be part of the press) but... well, he's magnamimous enough to forgive it, provided they're able to make sure Idia Shroud is returned safely!]

2. Dance and Wishes

[Welcome to the Illustrious Night Raven College! It seems like there's some special celebration going on? Everyone is crowded around a large tree that lit up with these magical, star-shaped baubles. Many people are chattering and quite a few seem sure that the event's not going to go on. After all, check out all those storm-clouds...]

[Still, the performers take the stage. It's up to the beholder if it's cool or not but the three on stage are certainly doing their best.]

[The final performer seems to be- a boy? a robot? Either way, over the course of the dance, he flies up above the clouds. With a beam of light-!!! He creates an atmospheric altering event?! The clouds warp and then seem to be blown clear away from the area around campus. In the clear night sky that is revealed, dozens of shooting stars begin to descend. And, of course, the headmaster will say this was all planned.]

[Inevitably, if you've been drawn into this memory, your feet will find themselves pulled to one Idia Shroud, fresh out of participating. He's looking a bit pitiful and sweaty but looking up at the sky he can't help but smile a little. When he notices you, though,]

Eek! Uh, ah, that- N- Non-students aren't s-supposed to come to this area...

[Yeah, it's still Idia, after all. Still, the theme of the whole event is wishes and the stargazers are supposed to collect wishes... you could bully him into doing some overtime.]

[Or, maybe, if you search long enough, you'll find the current Idia hiding amongst the crowd. He's marginally easier to talk to.]

1

[selfconcept]

[ Hien really hopes he doesn't give off the image of being the press, considering he has no mic or recording device on him and he looks so... bland.

Anyway. What in the fresh hell is going on here-- ]

Name's Hien. Where do I go? Actually, what's even happening...? Does he not like his fiancee or something?

[ignihidden]

"Mr. Hien NoEntry, registering."

[It doesn't have the same cadence as [full name]-san but, look, we make compromises when roleplaying in the English language.]

[While Ortho is quickly creating a file, the headmage, a completely trustworthy looking man, will explain.]

["Rather than an agreed upon marriage, young Idia Shroud has ended up coming to the attention of a certain reoccuring ghost of ours. It's a portentious event occuring once every hundred years so it's never actively harmed a student... ... yet."]

"If she completes the ceremony with my elder brother, she'll take him to the land of the dead!"

[selfconcept]

[ Hien gives Ortho a dead look, but. Huh. He kinda resembles Idia. Just a little? Maybe it's the hair. ]

Okay, well... show me where he is. I dunno this place.

TUXEDO SHIZUKU i mean. 1.

[cheerfuldays]

( shizuku blinks for a moment, taking everything in- oh boy. ohhhh boy. this is... a lot. especially now that the little robot boy is pulling her into everything too. )

Ah... my name is Shizuku Hinomori. Though... I'm afraid I don't understand what's happening. I arrived here by chance.

( it's not a 'no', just a polite request for more information. )

this. this is for us.

[ignihidden]

"Ms. Shizuku Hinamori, please, if she kisses my elder brother he's going to have to go with her to the land of the dead!"

[And he's not! being allowed! to solve the problem with lasers! The young-looking robot certainly mirrors some of Idia's features, with his firey hair and golden eyes, but he's a lot more... forthright. The headmage holds his chin in his ornately clawed hand.]

["Sending in a maiden... I see, there is a certain progressive angle to that. I have heard many a woman declare that, should it be possible, intermingling with the same sex would be much easier. Still... the issue here is that the ghost bride is looking for her ideal prince!" he points dramatically.]

[excuse him as he turns to sam and starts discussing if they have appropriate costuming]

"We have an item called the binding band. If Ms. Shizuku Hinamori can put it on the ghost bride's finger, she'll be forced to move on."

we deserve an treat

[cheerfuldays]

( shizuku listens carefully, eyes growing wider by the word- what the actual heck is idia's life?! but then... hm.

well, she certainly can't let anything happen to idia. but if it's a prince the ghost bride wants... with a determined look, she nods. )

I understand. As a model, I'm used to wearing different styles, and part of my job includes charming others. Please tell me what mistakes to avoid, and help me find an appropriate outfit!

1.

[escardos]

Oh, hello! Are you an AI? You are, aren't you?

[ with his powers back on, flat can finally see his surroundings with ease. he looks around, nodding in interest. ]

Does he not like his fiancée? Oh, could it be that this is an arranged marriage?

[ignihidden]

"My body is advanced construct my brother made me-"

[but, like, it's question time before Ortho can go off about how wonderful his brother actually is]

"My brother's not supposed to be getting married right now! He was stolen!"

["And now," the headmage notes, "we have a certain kind of shotgun wedding. Very nontraditional but the motif of the shotgun yet remains."]

[escardos]

[ woah, what?! ]

He was stolen?! That's not good! We should object! He should only get married to the love of his life or someone that has a lot of money and power!

2

[magicam]

[Oh, hey, school, how are you? And it's the wishes event, huh?

...Well, at least he doesn't have to bullshit another wish, and no one's especially bothering him for being here (or in two places at once, as the case may be!), considering. Well. You know.

Anyway.

Since this particular Cater knows this is all an illusion put on by the place they're in, he doesn't spend a whole lot of time watching the event itself - he's seen it, three years in a row, in fact, and while Ortho's display had been super cool, he's more interested in finding the Real, Actual Idia, hiding in the crowd.

And, you know, for old time's sake - there'll be a double grabbing each arm when he does find him, though one disappears after the initial surprised reaction.]

There you are~ You didn't get to watch much when you were in it, did you~?

[ignihidden]

[The two of them were protected by the fact this wasn't real. Idia had his hood up but, in reality, no one was going to point out "another Idia Shroud" was there. Which is good because he absolutely yelps loudly when a double grabs each arm and then is gone before he can finish the sound.]

[he swats and both his jacket sleeves like a bug might be on them before realizing what happened]

Eh- heeeeh- [dipping his head down a bit]

If I'd have known this was what was happening, I wouldn't have come... I'm not some kind of narcissist who likes watching myself or some masochist that likes to relive being humiliated...!

2

[partymagician]

Oh, they aren't?

[ Well... hm. Fai wants to stay in this memory a little longer, though, so he doesn't make a move to leave. ]

I just wanted to tell you I enjoyed the show.

[ignihidden]

[With the Idia here, there had been some amount of ease. They at least had shared circumstances and he was trying. The Idia from the memories is a little more shut off. Especially since Fai is functionally a stranger to him.]

Old-fashioned... ... unnecessary... ... retire it...

[The ceremony was so super old-fashioned with the dancing and the taiko drum, why was it even necessary for people do to it when we have recordings? Honestly the whole thing? Retire it.]

[... ah! This person was still here.]

... Th... thank... you.

[In words intended for people to hear, he's more polite but slower and with less enthusiasm.]