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abraxasooc2022-06-13 10:18 am
abraxasmods) wrote in abraxasooc2022-06-13 10:18 am
Entry tags:
EVENT #8: MÆRE - OOC PLOTTING
Event #8 - OOC Plotting
go to the IC event post
Beginning on JUNE 18 - 26 (in-game), the Singularity continues to manifest its powers unbidden, this time resulting in a recurring nightmare and an Entity that will continue to haunt characters throughout this period.
Characters will have to confront their deepest fears and/or their troubled pasts alongside others, as well as give players a chance to shape their own nightmarish vision in whichever way they desire. Some may also glimpse something surprising in the Horizon.
As with all events, those who wish to opt out will simply not be affected by this phenomenon.
Characters will have to confront their deepest fears and/or their troubled pasts alongside others, as well as give players a chance to shape their own nightmarish vision in whichever way they desire. Some may also glimpse something surprising in the Horizon.
As with all events, those who wish to opt out will simply not be affected by this phenomenon.
Recurring Nightmares
During this time, when characters go to sleep they may enter a version of their own recurring nightmare. The nightmare can be based on anything, such as a real memory or trauma, a frightening story they were once told, or any fear they might have - real or imagined. Nightmares can occur as frequently or infrequently as players choose. It may happen once, twice, or multiple times, and not every dream they have will be of this nightmare (although it can be if you choose). In between the recurring nightmare, characters can experience regular sleep periods or unrelated dreams. However, the more they have this specific recurring nightmare, the stronger the Entity will become.
Shaping the Nightmare
Nightmares can manifest in whatever form you feel is suited for your character. One character's fear may not be another's! Additionally, nightmares can start as gentle dreams before they grow progressively worse - or anything else you want to play with. While the nightmare should be recurring, this does not mean it needs to be identical each time. Rather, much like recurring dreams of falling or missing an exam, various details and elements can change, but the underlying theme will remain the same. A character may find they are constantly suffering a nightmare of different ways their cat runs away, for example, with the theme being a fear of losing their beloved pet to the unknown.
Each character's nightmare has the potential of merging with another's and multiple nightmares can merge together to create an amalgamation of visions and landscapes. We encourage players to plot with each other to determine how their respective nightmares and visions will interact or meld. This can look like anything you want, whether the nightmare gradually shifts from one to another, if bits and pieces tumble together all at once, or if the differing landscapes struggle to gain dominance based on characters' emotions or the strength of their fears and traumas. Characters can band together to face their fears, hinder each other, or even harm one another. They may recognize each other or they may believe themselves strangers despite being familiar in the real world. Since this all takes place in a dream, anything is possible!
Furthermore, it is possible for characters to either have a variety of people enter and leave their dreams or to enter and leave a variety of nightmares themselves all within one night. Players have the option for the landscape to transition or meld from one experience to the next, or characters can even briefly wake up without remembering before falling asleep again. This is to allow for multiple interactions without having to force a character to sleep or dream an unreasonable amount of times. As events take place within a nightmare, the amount of time passing does not need to reflect that of reality.
While dreaming, characters will not know they're doing so, similar to how dreams normally work. Should anyone start to piece together while within the nightmare, however, they will find that their budding awareness makes things worse and distorts their thoughts, as though the dream itself is attempting to prevent them from acknowledging that things aren't real. The harder they try to maintain the idea that they're not in the real world or exert conscious control over their experience, the more terrors they will spawn from their subconscious.
Each character's nightmare has the potential of merging with another's and multiple nightmares can merge together to create an amalgamation of visions and landscapes. We encourage players to plot with each other to determine how their respective nightmares and visions will interact or meld. This can look like anything you want, whether the nightmare gradually shifts from one to another, if bits and pieces tumble together all at once, or if the differing landscapes struggle to gain dominance based on characters' emotions or the strength of their fears and traumas. Characters can band together to face their fears, hinder each other, or even harm one another. They may recognize each other or they may believe themselves strangers despite being familiar in the real world. Since this all takes place in a dream, anything is possible!
Furthermore, it is possible for characters to either have a variety of people enter and leave their dreams or to enter and leave a variety of nightmares themselves all within one night. Players have the option for the landscape to transition or meld from one experience to the next, or characters can even briefly wake up without remembering before falling asleep again. This is to allow for multiple interactions without having to force a character to sleep or dream an unreasonable amount of times. As events take place within a nightmare, the amount of time passing does not need to reflect that of reality.
While dreaming, characters will not know they're doing so, similar to how dreams normally work. Should anyone start to piece together while within the nightmare, however, they will find that their budding awareness makes things worse and distorts their thoughts, as though the dream itself is attempting to prevent them from acknowledging that things aren't real. The harder they try to maintain the idea that they're not in the real world or exert conscious control over their experience, the more terrors they will spawn from their subconscious.
The Entity
Within their nightmares, characters will find an Entity begins to appear. It may start as a barely-noticed shadow, a glimpse, or a flicker, but will grow stronger the longer characters stay within the nightmare and the more often they dream. This Entity can be seen by anyone else who joins your character in their nightmare. In fact, it may even be spotted by others before your character ever does.
The Entity should take the form of a manifestation or representation of your character's fear or trauma, related to their recurring nightmare. It can be a person, a beast, an animal, or some other twisted creation, but it must be a figure of some kind. This figure may shift and change somewhat (i.e. a face that morphs from one person to another). However, it should recognizably be the same figure haunting your character rather than a random thing spawning in their nightmare and each character will not have more than one.
Characters will sense that this Entity wants to claw into the real world, possibly to destroy both its creator and the world itself or with some other sinister intention, and that it's attempting to do so each time they dream - steadily increasing in its strength and clarity.
On Day 2-3, the Entity will show signs of beginning to come through - even when awake, characters will glimpse it in mirrors, shadows, or out of the corner of their eye. By Day 4-5 the Entity can start to physically interact with the Summoned in the real world - hearing it, feeling its breath or touch, or even leaving small scratches and bruises. NPCs and other natives of Abraxas will not react to these Entities, as far as characters can tell. It's as if they can only be seen by the other Summoned. Additionally, how much the Entity manifests depends on how often a character has their recurring nightmare. Players may use this mechanic to choose how strong they want their Entity to grow.
The Entity should take the form of a manifestation or representation of your character's fear or trauma, related to their recurring nightmare. It can be a person, a beast, an animal, or some other twisted creation, but it must be a figure of some kind. This figure may shift and change somewhat (i.e. a face that morphs from one person to another). However, it should recognizably be the same figure haunting your character rather than a random thing spawning in their nightmare and each character will not have more than one.
Characters will sense that this Entity wants to claw into the real world, possibly to destroy both its creator and the world itself or with some other sinister intention, and that it's attempting to do so each time they dream - steadily increasing in its strength and clarity.
On Day 2-3, the Entity will show signs of beginning to come through - even when awake, characters will glimpse it in mirrors, shadows, or out of the corner of their eye. By Day 4-5 the Entity can start to physically interact with the Summoned in the real world - hearing it, feeling its breath or touch, or even leaving small scratches and bruises. NPCs and other natives of Abraxas will not react to these Entities, as far as characters can tell. It's as if they can only be seen by the other Summoned. Additionally, how much the Entity manifests depends on how often a character has their recurring nightmare. Players may use this mechanic to choose how strong they want their Entity to grow.
Physical Imprints
Aside from the Entity's presence, other aspects of their nightmares seem to follow them in the real world: when they awaken, they may be out of breath from running, discover a bit of sand under their nails, or find a small scratch on their hand. They might even discover more severe injuries, such as a break or a deep wound, that matches the one they received inside the dream.
Players can choose to what degree their characters are physically affected. Not everything needs to manifest and what does appear can be so minor as to be barely noticed, like a faint bruise, or alternatively can be near-fatal. Moreover, regardless of how serious the injuries gained within the nightmare itself are, the effects can manifest with any level of severity that players decide. For example, a character might break a hand in their dream, but awaken to find only a fading ache in their wrist. Or they might have suffered a heavy gash in the nightmare world, but awaken to see that the cut is already mostly healed.
Injuries are not the only possibility. Other options can include grass stains on their skin, damp hair from the rain, or the lingering taste of an apple they ate.
Whatever is going on, though, it's apparent it isn't limited to their minds. Maybe the factions have a point when they soon suggest characters take action to contain the situation?
Players can choose to what degree their characters are physically affected. Not everything needs to manifest and what does appear can be so minor as to be barely noticed, like a faint bruise, or alternatively can be near-fatal. Moreover, regardless of how serious the injuries gained within the nightmare itself are, the effects can manifest with any level of severity that players decide. For example, a character might break a hand in their dream, but awaken to find only a fading ache in their wrist. Or they might have suffered a heavy gash in the nightmare world, but awaken to see that the cut is already mostly healed.
Injuries are not the only possibility. Other options can include grass stains on their skin, damp hair from the rain, or the lingering taste of an apple they ate.
Whatever is going on, though, it's apparent it isn't limited to their minds. Maybe the factions have a point when they soon suggest characters take action to contain the situation?
Faction Intervention
On Day 5-6, faction officials will reach out to the Summoned and offer to help them ease the effects of the nightmares and the Entity. They will be upfront that they are not certain if it will be effective, but will strongly encourage the Summoned to participate, stressing that if this Entity truly does begin to manifest, it could hurt innocents, if not cause a major calamity upon the world. At the very least, these nightmares seem to run the risk of greatly harming the Summoned, physically and mentally, which officials note should be reason enough to put a stop to it.
Participating in this is optional both ICly and OOCly. Officials will not punish or force anyone, but they will ask the Summoned to think of their friends who are suffering if not themselves. They will be given a date, time, and location to convene on Day 7. This will be the only opportunity they have, so characters must make a decision quickly. The Summoned can also try to convince their friends one way or another, or debate the merits of each choice. A separate event log for players participating in this portion will be put up alongside the main event log.
Participating players must have their character experience the scenario in its entirety. Regardless of how your character feels once they're in it, it's up to you to work out ICly how your character will eventually submit (willingly or unwillingly) to the following conditions, whether that is being convinced by their fellow Summoned, threats, bribes, fears, physical coercion, or something else:
Click to view the specifics for each faction outlined below. The full details will be revealed in the IC event writeup.
Participating in this is optional both ICly and OOCly. Officials will not punish or force anyone, but they will ask the Summoned to think of their friends who are suffering if not themselves. They will be given a date, time, and location to convene on Day 7. This will be the only opportunity they have, so characters must make a decision quickly. The Summoned can also try to convince their friends one way or another, or debate the merits of each choice. A separate event log for players participating in this portion will be put up alongside the main event log.
Participating players must have their character experience the scenario in its entirety. Regardless of how your character feels once they're in it, it's up to you to work out ICly how your character will eventually submit (willingly or unwillingly) to the following conditions, whether that is being convinced by their fellow Summoned, threats, bribes, fears, physical coercion, or something else:
◎ Characters must continue to proceed with their task and goal, even if they change their mind or begin to grow uncertain and believe it should be stopped. Officials will tell them there is no way to stop things once it's underway and it will be quite clear, during the process, that attempting to withdraw will put everyone in great danger.While the impact may not be felt at first, the number of characters who agree to this may alter how things develop for their faction in the following months...for better or for worse. After all, have they dispelled the nightmares or merely contained them? And exactly what else is the Singularity capable of manifesting through the Summoned?
Should your character attempt to withdraw, anyway, you are welcome to plot this out amongst fellow players as to how your character will end up completing the task nonetheless. Once the situation is immediately dire, officials will be less willing to step in among the Summoned involved even should things grow a bit more physical between them, so long as no NPCs are put in danger. Any fights that are spotted during the preparation or gathering stage, though, will be stopped.
◎ Tasks and experiences characters will undergo may include gathering a certain set of items, maintaining an object's or a spell's integrity, and willingly submitting to some discomfort such as feeling drained, irritable, or weakened.
Click to view the specifics for each faction outlined below. The full details will be revealed in the IC event writeup.
FREE CITIES
Characters in the Free Cities will be taken to an underground lab, a short trip into the desert. Their task will involve collecting crystals in a cavern above. Once that task is completed, they must alternate calibrating a device that absorbs their energy into the crystals and thus will leave them feeling dangerously drained if they do not take turns. They may find, however, that the situation grows dangerous enough that they must give more of their strength than they were anticipating, which will result in grogginess, headaches, and some physical weakness for 3 days afterwards. Magic and potions will not help them regain their strength, but they can find some relief from aches and pains.
They will be overseen by Aleksander Klingel and a variety of research NPCs. A few soldiers will also be present, simply to maintain control and lend the occasional hand.
KINGDOM OF THORNE
Characters in Thorne will be taken to an underground research area, deep beneath the Castle. Their task will involve researching and refining a new spell. Once that task is completed, they must implement the spell and cast it successfully. They may find, however, that the situation grows dangerous enough that they must give more of their magic than they were anticipating, which will result in a 3-day bout of insomnia that prevents them from sleeping, resulting in exhaustion and irritability. Magic and potions will not help them sleep until the effect naturally wears off, but they can be used to find some relief from headaches and such.
They will be overseen by Jolene Sybell and a variety of assistant mages. One or two guards will be stationed outside the door upstairs.
SOLVUNN COMMUNE
Characters in Solvunn will be taken to an old shrine full of strange unsettling statues, deep in the forests. Their task will involve collecting herbs and old animal bones found in the area. Once that task is completed, they must help weave a large round bowl made of their collected bones, leaves, and branches and begin a ritual led by one of the Elders. They may find, however, that the situation grows dangerous enough that they must agree to consume part of the concoction in the bowl, which will result in an increased appetite that will last 3 days. Magic and potions will not help suppress their appetite until the effect naturally wears off, but the people of Solvunn will helpfully provide them with all the cheese and fruits they want. Some may even find care packages of food left at their door.
They will be overseen by Rowan March and a variety of assistant mages and commune Elders.
Shadows in the Horizon
Those who enter the Horizon may find some reprieve from their nightmares, but in exchange will discover two of the following disturbing things:
◎ Both the Entity and aspects of their recurring nightmare may manifest subconsciously within their Horizon domain, against their will. The Entity will not be able to destroy domains belonging to another Summoned, but it can interact with the character's domain and affect it to whatever degree you decide, razing the entire place to the ground or merely wilting some flowers. Much of this will be dependent on how shaken your character is by what they're experiencing and their state of mind.
◎ Characters who step into the Horizon might find that there is a brief glitch or flicker of a strange scene before it returns to normal. Intriguingly, this is not something that appears to come from the character's mind or experiences as most things in the Horizon do, and it's difficult to tell how it's related to these recurring nightmares. In fact, what they see might be completely foreign to them, as though they have looked through a window into an otherworldly plane.
More intriguingly, they might find some of their fellow Summoned who experienced the glitching have seen the same thing they have while others have seen something different altogether. While it's difficult to tell what they're seeing, what's certain is that these images are shared among some of the Summoned and that they appear only when one is in the Horizon.
Exactly what the Summoned see will be revealed during the IC event post itself - but the longer they spend in the Horizon or the more frequently they enter it, the more they'll be able to glimpse each time the Horizon glitches for them.
Event Schedule
To allow for a bit of room for players to get things started, the event post will be going up a little prior to the actual in-game date the event occurs.
The IN-GAME EVENT will ICly take place June 18 - 26
The EVENT POST will go up June 17 for players to participate in.
The WRAP-UP POST for the event will be available on June 30 for players to view.
Ability or Transformation Gain
Characters will receive a gain of either one physical alteration, or one new magical spell/ability (limited to level 1 ability or the equivalent thereof) as a result of experiencing this unusual burst of activity from the Singularity. While this gain can be anything, we encourage players to consider linking their gain to what they've experienced during this event! To request your gain, submit it as usual on the upcoming Activity Check form.
Players who chose to receive their character's gain in April's event will not be able to receive another gain for June's event.
Players who chose to receive their character's gain in April's event will not be able to receive another gain for June's event.
Plotting Form
Due to the nature of this event, we recommend everyone use the plotting form below!
Questions and Answers
If after reading these you're still unsure about anything, or your question wasn't covered, please feel free to hit up our Questions thread below!
- What if my character doesn't need to sleep like a normal human?
- Because this is induced by the Singularity's power, characters who do not sleep can still find themselves entering a nightmare-like experience at some point. They may fall asleep for the first time in their lives or simply black out.
- Can characters be physically woken up?
- Players can choose how effective attempts to wake up their characters will be. It's entirely possible for characters to be trapped for a bit, and it's equally possible for characters to experience many hours passing in their dream within a 15 minute nap. Eventually, though, characters will wake up after a reasonable amount of time. They will not be physically trapped in an endless sleep.
- Does my character have to experience this with other people?
- Characters can have their nightmares entirely solo, but we encourage players to plot with others in some manner to play out the aftermath or otherwise demonstrate some interactivity when participating in this event! It's also possible for characters to share their recurring nightmare one night but not the next.
- Will faction NPCs be available for threading or speaking to during the intervention?
- Unfortunately, they will be quite busy and will not be able to have any extended conversations with the Summoned beyond answering some brief questions. For the assistant NPCs, you may assume they are there to do their best to help the Summoned succeed and feel comfortable including offering food, water, and helping to retrieve books or other materials.
- Is there anything suspicious that might be noticed during the intervention?
- Not from the factions themselves! It would seem that officials are genuinely concerned about both the world and their Summoned, and are being sincere in their efforts to help. After all, they need the Summoned to be whole and healthy - and they definitely don't want anything to harm the city they live in.
- How much can my Entity shift and change?
- As much as you want, so long as your character is able to recognize it as a single figure that is continuously appearing and following them from night to night - something distinct from the already strange state of being in a dream.
- What happens if my character spends remainder of the week inside the Horizon to avoid having nightmares? Will there be any physical effects?
- Typical to the Horizon experience, characters can spend weeks inside without any physical repercussions or changes to their body. This means when they awaken, they will not feel hunger, sleepiness, weakness, or experience beard/hair growth. They will awaken in the exact physical state they were when they entered it.
- My character is the sort to hide away in the Horizon, but I want them to participate more. How can I do so?
- Entering and staying in the Horizon requires concentration! It's entirely possible for your character to be so disturbed by the Entity haunting them and the shadows of their nightmares taking shape in their own domains that they temporarily disconnect from the Horizon and have trouble focusing to reenter.
- How will participating in the faction intervention work?
- A separate IC log will be put up during the event for this part. Characters can then tag in under their correct faction heading. Players are completely free to organize among themselves how they wish to play these threads out. You may make a traditional top level, join or create a free-for-all thread, or whatever you like. Just be sure to communicate with everyone you'll be threading with!
We will also be offering some mod roll options during this portion, for any players who want some curve balls thrown their way.
JEN
STEPHEN STRANGE (MCU)
Arcana: Death
Faction: Thorne
Nightmare theme: The loss of control and the burden of one's choices affecting many — and not always for the better.
Nightmare description: I'd like to stick with some very trippy imagery for this one, similar to Stephen's initial foray through the multiverse in his first movie. I would also like hand imagery to be prominent (to the point of possibly crossing the line into body horror), so trigger warnings for hand injuries may be present. Though to not be too repetitive, since I did hit on this theme a little for the memshare event, I think it would be fun for Stephen to constantly find himself in varying versions of the trolley problem—in which he needs to decide to sacrifice one person to save many, etc etc—and potentially have other character's nightmare imagery bleed into these scenarios.
Entity: Lots of hands, lots of eyes. Generally monstrous in appearance, but not necessarily aggressive, just Always Watching. (AKA I may make it up as I go along.) Likely, there will be a manifestation of the entity that looks a lot like himself.
Accepting faction intervention: Stephen will be accepting his faction's intervention, and will work tirelessly (or… very tiredly) to get the spell in working order. If anyone wants to deal with a very irritable sorcerer who thinks he Knows Best as his exhaustion escalates, he's your guy.
Is there anything you don't want to interact with? N/A, I'm pretty open!
General Plans: Stephen will be very concerned about this entity making the rounds, and he'll be willing to discuss everyone else's take on the matter; potentially to be addressed with the Thorn higher-ups at a later date, depending.
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i'm always down for more peter threads!! HAHA he's learning his lesson about visiting stephen's horizon unannounced.. at least now they can have a nice text chat with nothing tERRIBLE happening probably
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the probably sums up how things have been going for them lately. but what can go wrong with a nice little text convo!! nothing at all!
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there will still be inordinate amounts of Concern, but I'm sure it'll be fine. either way he will appreciate peter checking in :c
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body horror + trolley problem is always fun and i'm open to merging geralt into that scenario since there are a lot of options for morally grey decisions where geralt is concerned
and also feel free to kill geralt to save manyno subject
yes!!
If you wanted to incorporate elements of Geralt's in the nightmare stuff to add to the trolley problem, maybe we could have some trippy version of a witcher monster or something to be the main danger?
Will Geralt be utterly offended if Stephen kills him off— he's sorry these choices suck!
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And he will not. I think it might make for an interesting thing between them because he'd get it and he probably wouldn't hold it against him at all. Choices are terrible, he's been there.
But he might give Stephen some shit about killing him off down the line, for fun.
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oooh yes! that is the true test of a friendship: can thancred handle a grouchy, impatient stephen at 3 am? we can find out
he can also talk to him briefly about the readings he received on his watch too!
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oh true! since this will be a way's into the event, i imagine that stephen probably mentioned in passing that he got pings, but they can go into more detail in the thread and whatnot
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no spooky for you
okay fine
WHAT KIND OF SPOOKY
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wanda will also not be accepting intervention from her faction, so it might be a point for stephen to be like HM, THAT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA?
SEPHIROTH (FFVII)
Arcana: The Tower
Faction: Free Cities
Nightmare theme: Isolation, the feeling of not belonging/being different, the fear of being monstrous.
Nightmare description: Anywhere from being physically unable to reach anyone (always divided by some untraversable distance), to undergoing monstrous transformations (cw for body horror for sure on these prompts), with a focus on wings sprouting obtrusively and a bit painfully. :') This will be pretty traumatic for him because of reasons!
Entity: Good old Professor Hojo, but a particularly (visually) twisted version of the man. The guy Sephiroth hates the most and to whom he can attribute most of his baggage, if even unknowingly.
Accepting faction intervention: Yes! I would like for Sephiroth to get a bit more CR in general, and I think this would be a good opportunity to do so. Also, since he bases a lot of his personal identity on his strength, feeling abnormally weak for a few days will be a fun time, too.
Is there anything you don't want to interact with? Nope!
General Plans: Trying to get this man out there more, so I absolutely want to throw him in other people's nightmares, too.
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omg please don't worry! I dropped the ball pretty hard too with that event in general, SO IT'S ALL GOOD. We will give it another whirl!
If peter's going to go spelunking aka take part in the faction intervention, then I would love for them to work together! They can be each other's moral support when they inevitably get very, very tired…
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and he absolutely IS going spelunking, which is always better recommended with a buddy so would you look at that!! i love the idea of them being each other's moral supports when they (of course) over-excert. gd overachievers
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i agree!! do you have an idea of which flavor of trauma ciri might want to see? Or just view spookyman hojo lurking about the dream
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Also at this point I'm leaning towards Claude accepting the intervention, so they could also work together during it and develop some CR that way in whatever happens during it.
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claude!! I would absolutely like to get CR with these two — I think the theme of isolation and not belonging resonates with them both pretty aptly. Some of the settings from Claude's canon bleeding into Sephiroth's own nightmares would be pretty interesting, I think. It would definitely make an awkward meeting when they see each other again for a faction intervention prompt lol
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Also - I am totally all for revealing too much personal info either for both of them or for just Claude just to add extra awkwardness to having to work together later. Since Claude doesn't like to share anything about himself if he can avoid doing so this is going to be a nightmare for him on many levels, so depending on how Sephiroth feels about it they could just be stiffly working together pretending They Don't Know Things and talking it out later for some more development!
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