Purgastory Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
polterguests) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
purgastory2025-12-21 01:08 pm
polterguests) wrote in purgastory2025-12-21 01:08 pm
week six
week six.
Once again, the fog moves, filling every nook and cranny of the blanket fort, letting it all slowly fade from view. As always, Heart locations remain, joined by a few new additions. You know the name of this game now. You know that choosing to stay behind is not the key to moving forward, and therefore, you must cross the border and plunge into the fog once again.
This time the fog has a bite of frost, the temperature dropping drastically as the cloud of fog peels back, revealing the shiny, glittering expanse of snow beyond. Shivers run through your no doubt unsuitable clothing, but luckily for you the luxurious resort beyond is just close enough to avoid the worst of the chill. (Your shoes will absolutely get wet though, sorry...) Once inside, the lobby is warm and toasty, filled with squat, comfortable couches and a minibar on the opposite corner. There is an elevator to take you to another floor, as well as signs for the ski slopes outlined on the walls opposite.
Welcome to your Wintry Wonderland! You may change into appropriate attire in one of the many changing rooms, but please be careful -- you will feel an urge to seek warmth as you explore this particular maze, whether by an embrace or through hand-holding. It will feel like second nature to you, and perhaps a godsend in this freezing landscape.
0. heart tasks
The notice board is still here this week, now with a new set of tasks written on it! Along the Akheron river, there's a fresh slew of boxes and containers along its bank. They're all locked up tight, but they have your names on them. They're also nicely decorated.
Whether you intend to or not, if you complete one of the above tasks, you'll know that your box has been unlocked. Inside can be an item from home, it doesn't matter how big or small. It doesn't need to belong to your character or your character's Eurydice, as long as it's something they might want. The box will have your character's name on it though and written in small script Good luck! Almost there. The item may also be a pet. You do not need to report this to the mods; we'll go by honor system.Mementos Mori Homesickness is a terrible thing. Complete one of these tasks and you may just find yourself with something to ease it.
✦ Bite someone with feeling and explain the feeling.
✦ Exchange thoughtful gifts with one other.
✦ Tell someone a secret, something you think that person should know about you.
i. central ice rink
Once properly attired, you are free to venture outside. Here, the fields of snow seem endless, bright beneath the winter sunshine. All that clean snow, just begging for someone to make footprints, construct castles, or initiate snow fights! What fun! What joy!
A little further ahead is a large lake, completely frozen over. There is a stand nearby offering skates of all sizes, for those who would like to skate along on top of the ice. There are also convenient guard rails along one edge of the lake for our timid novices. Take a few turns and get comfortable. Or maybe not too comfortable...
As you make your loops, you may notice movement, and as you coast to a stop, you will realize that the movement is in fact an image, a memory being played in full view on the ice beneath you. No matter where you skate off to, the memory will follow, seemingly endless in every direction. Of course, you could still try to stop the memory, perhaps by smashing your skate through the ice if you're desperate enough, but that will only send you and whoever is with you beneath the ice and into the freezing lake, where you will be both submerged.
Whatever happens, the memory will have a specific theme of either greed or charity, such as:
✦ A memory where you experienced some form of desire, possession, greed, or experienced the consequences of such greed from another.
✦ A memory where you experienced some form of charity, whether positive or negative -- when you received something from another that you desperately needed at the time. Perhaps it was a hopeful plea, perhaps it was demeaning humiliation. Or perhaps you were the one who sought to give, your intentions kind or conceited.
✦ A fantasy of all that you ever wished to possess, or one of all the things you've given to see others thrive.
ii. santa's workshop
If you venture down to the resort's basement, you will what looks like a charming, rustic... workroom? Or perhaps a storage room? There are piles upon piles of objects, some wrapped neatly in boxes, others still needing some work done, because apparently, all of these objects are broken in some way. There are instruments that still need to be stringed, shoes missing their pairs, flashlights that don't turn on, paddles with only the letters "Y A O" carved into them. Whatever you can think to find, you will -- except in a state of repair.
Just on the table beyond are a few very basic tools: screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, etc, but the supplies themselves seem to be missing...? Turns out that if you want to fix an object, you'll have to take apart something else to get what you need. Unfortunately, you'll have to apply a little bit of elbow grease to get what you want -- as the objects themselves don't feel like giving them up? Stuffed animals will take a swat at you, toasters will hit you with their cords, and sexy lingerie may even attempt to strangle you...
But they're just objects, and you can obviously fight back. Or if not, then feel free to try other more peaceful approaches: such as mentioning a time, object, concept, etc that you wish you could have or return to or telling someone what you wish you could give them. Once shared, the objects will go back to normal.
iii. the charity auction
Ascend the stairs from the lobby into the resort's magnificent ballroom, where apparently some kind of banquet is underway? There are crowds of shadowy figures seated at tables and milling about, holding sparkling glasses of champagne and eating little appetizers from large trays, but most of the activity is directed towards the stage, where a shadowy auctioneer thumps their mallet and calls out the name of the newest object.
A name that turns out to be... yours! Before you know it, you are ushered onto stage, squinting against the bright lights to see the crowd beyond. Distantly, you can hear the auctioneer announce your name, a fun fact, and why exactly you deserve to be taken out! Whether on a hot date or wiped from the surface of the earth. Or maybe both?
The only way to leave is if some merciful soul makes a bid for you. For those who find themselves in the crowd, desperate to save whoever's on stage -- you will feel the urge to make your bid (or don't, maybe you think this is funny). Of course, the bid has to be... substantial. Money can only go so far... We're looking for creative bids here, y'know?
Once your bid is accepted, you may escort your prize from the stage. Please know that whatever the bid is -- it must be paid on the spot. Maybe you promised an ear lick or a kiss -- maybe you promised to be their servant for an hour henceforth. Whatever it is, you have to do it in the Grand Charity Gala room in order to be set free.
iv. snowman sculpting
Maybe you decide to go back outside after the warmth of the resort, or maybe you'd like to keep playing in the snow... Nearby are several different snow figures, all in need of decoration. They are just so sad and naked without you...
🥕 Carrot Nose: You feel an intense curiosity to know everything you've yet to learn about the person you're with. What's their blood type? What's their dream wedding venue? If they were wooed by a shark or a pirate, then which would they choose? The questions can be completely nonsensical and unrelated to each other. It doesn't matter, because you need to know!!
⚫ Coal Smile: You feel the burden of your sins weighing upon you. Suddenly, you need for the person you're with to forgive you for what you've done to them, or for what you will do. Maybe you feel the urge to confess to a curse. Maybe you want to tell them that you thought they were really annoying once. Or maybe you want to apologize for thinking they're a great big degenerate.
🧣 Cute Scarf: Congratulations! You Are A Child Now. Feel free to keep your adult minds, or revert back to the mindset you had as a smol baby.
🎩 Snazzy Bowler: You are on the run from your creditors. You must hide now! Now! Take whoever's with you so they don't sell you out to the IRS, or because they clearly have crimes they're on the run from too. Go and hide in a cramped closet together.
❌ Naked: For some reason, you don't want to dress any of these snowmen. Boo, tomato, tomato! You will be haunted by three ghostly versions of yourself: past, present, and future, who will all talk about your faults and how you are not a good person and how you should turn it all around somehow.
mod notes.
✦ Hello again, darling clowns! This week's log features both the aforementioned maze and our central locations! Feel free to write central-specific or maze-specific prompts. Or both!
✦ For the Ice Rink, mods will not be policing what memories (trululus) or fantasies (delulus) you choose to have your character share, but please keep to the themes of greed/charity! Moreso, memories must have a canon basis, even if they’re headcanon. However, fantasies can be from alternate route paths (otome/visual novel/AU style) as long as they’re within the set parameters. There will be more opportunities for this in the future, so don’t worry about not being able to give out your lore. Have fun!
✦ Questions specific to this log can be directed to the #mod-questions channel in the discord!
✦ Maze Runs are available for this week!
no subject
[He types it out on his own compact. The "x" is silent but it is definitely written because they think it looks cool.]
We used to do more things together, but we've been so busy lately with our training that is has been difficult to do more than just ride the train together.
no subject
but then he shakes his head. nope! ]
Not an excuse! You're only gonna be as strong as your friendship is, and you can't only build a friendship on your work, man.
Besides, I figured you'd be inclined to that kinda thing just for some more inspiration.
no subject
[He loves his troupe... and then he sighs, rubbing the back of his neck.]
Still, our current schedule is a little... difficult?
[Coming from Tsukasa "go go go go" Tenma, that is saying something, too--]
no subject
I'm gonna guess you don't mean just because you're here, right?
What kind of difficult?
no subject
Let's see... I get up around five in the morning to go for a run and do my exercise routine. Then I make breakfast for my family and make lunch for Saki and myself. Then we go to school, of course!
After school, Rui, the others and I go to Morinomiya. We have further classes there, then ballet and then rehearsal. Nene has also been practicing for a role, so after that, we've been trying to spend some time in the SEKAI to help her refine her interpretation.
Then we go home! I usually get home around nine or so... it is later than I'd like to eat dinner, but I'm afraid there isn't much to be done about it right now. There is homework for both my usual high school classes and my Morinomiya classes, and then bed, of course! I can't sacrifice too much sleep, lest I not shine at my best each day!
[This is their daily schedule for three months.]
So I'm afraid trying to work more in is a little difficult at the moment.
no subject
Okay wait a minute, what the hell kind of homework do you get from Morinomiya?
Anyway, that's... I get it. I get that this is your guys' dream and it's an opportunity but how do you not worry about burning out?
no subject
What sort of homework? There is the study aspect to learning operas and ballets, of course. Reading, written reports, that sort of thing!
[He squints at Yosuke's written comments again, blinking as he processes the rest.]
Hm? Burning out? Nonsense, that would be impossible!
[Clearly, it isn't even a thought in his mind.]
We only have three months, after all. We have to make the most of every moment!
no subject
But it's theater and dance, why are there written reports? Like what are you supposed to do with that? How's that gonna help?
The thing about burnout is that even if you "only have three months" I know you.
You're gonna keep going beyond that. It's never "only three months."
no subject
Hm...
[It's an interesting question, so Tsukasa is going to ignore the burnout concern in favor of talking about ~theater~.]
Well, you see! You have to understand the meaning behind your role, and the ballet as a whole, in order to perform it properly. It is important to dance with purpose and meaning, and in order to improve at interpreting such things, you have to practice!
Hence... writing reports. Honestly, I don't mind it at all. I think it's a very interesting exercise! ... If only I had more time to do it. Ahh, and there my usual homework, which is much more troublesome sometimes...!
[MATH...
anyway burnout what burnout]
no subject
I GUESS. I just think writing reports about it isn't gonna help with your skill, but if it's just about the understanding then maybe.
It's still time though that could be spent doing other stuff is all.
How much sleep do you even get?
[ this is rich coming from him, who probably does not get nearly enough sleep himself. ]
no subject
Seven to eight hours of sleep every night, of course! How can I be expected to be at my best if I don't get proper rest?
[Don't worry, Yosuke... Tsukasa is married to the grind but he also does take good care of himself. The duality of Tsukasa Tenma.]
no subject
Tsukasa, are you telling me you have like maybe an hour of free time between when you get home and finish your homework and when you go to bed.
You know that's insane. That's insane? That's insane!
no subject
He blinks at that, head tilting.]
Well, yes.
[??]
What is wrong with that?
[It's infinitely better to him than when he was growing up and had nothing but free time--]
no subject
I don't think there's anything wrong with is, necessarily, but... it's a lot to juggle.
What if you mess up your homework? Or you oversleep? Or hurt yourself working out or whatever?
no subject
That would be disastrous!!
[Please!!!]
But that hasn't happened yet, and ideally!! It won't!
[A breath.]
I'm aware that it is a lot to juggle. I do worry about Nene, for instance; she has taken even more on by having that audition to prepare for on top of everything. Even so... most actors could only dream of having the opportunity to practice and learn at Morinomiya. It is worth juggling this and more for that alone.
no subject
... I'm not gonna tell you what you should and shouldn't do.
You and your troupe have obviously made it this far.
But I can be worried, right?
[ he will be concerned about tsukasa's burnout even if tsukasa isn't worried about it. ]
no subject
I appreciate your concern! And of course, as your friend, I can hardly tell you not to worry over me.
[He does plenty of worrying about Yosuke in return, after all.]
But even more than that, I hope you can look forward to our undoubtedly excellent performance after our training is all said and done!