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October | Test Drive Meme
Jikan Test Drive MemeMinimize
You've seen this before. The thought strikes suddenly, during whatever it is you were doing. Having an important conversation? Running away from home? Dying in the midst of a fierce battle? Where ever you are, one things is true: you're certain this isn't the first time you've lived through this. But upon realizing this, that's when it happens. Like someone hitting rewind on the VCR, you're back where you were ten minutes ago. And it happens again. And again. And again--Until finally, something is different. A door stands in front of you. Will you go through it? Nothing else seems to be working, so this might be your only chance.
Upon opening the door and heading inside, a strange feeling overwhelms you. It's comforting and warm, like being enveloped in a soft, heavy blanket. You hear a voice murmuring in your ear, but it's unintelligible.
And in the next moment, you've appeared in front of a mysterious stone shrine in the middle of a forest, surrounded by the unfamiliar yet worried faces of fox-like humans in red and white robes, speaking in a foreign language that doesn't sound so foreign to you anymore.
Maryouku University
There isn't much time to process what's happening before characters are transported to the nearby Maryouku University. All injuries are completely healed, and those under mental duress will have a powerful soothing spell cast on them to calm them down. Their every need is met: food is offered, and questions are answered. "You've arrived in the Western Kingdom of Nippon, on a planet called Gaia," they explain. "When you became aware of the timeloop, we... well, let us explain."
Orientation Maryouku University, Kyoto
Everyone is brought to a large auditorium, where dozens of other people looking similarly out of place are seated around them. The Kitsune Yokai from before filter on stage, as well as a number of humans and other Yokai in labcoats. And after a brief introduction, they begin to explain. What they experienced back home was a timeloop. While the loops in their home worlds are smaller and likely to resolve on their own, the fact that such a small amount of time is being repeated is what makes them so dangerous for those who become aware of it. And they've been working around the clock, checking adjacent universes for others who've become aware. While the technical explanations may go over the heads of most, that's not the reason they were all brought together like this.
And they continue to explain: their own world was trapped in a year long loop for decades, if not longer. Through the use of an ancient form of bonding magic, they bound their world to the present flow of time, allowing it to progress past the timeloop. Or at least, that's how they thought it worked. In truth, Kizuna is very powerful reality-warping magic. And thanks to the powerful bond all refugees now share with the country of Nippon, the magic surrounding them will only continue to evolve.
Until a means of resuming the flow of time back in their home world is found, they'll just have to make due with this one. But not to worry, because Nippon is fully committed to taking care of the refugees!
A Brand New Home Kyoto, Kansai
Once orientation is over, characters will be allowed to choose housing in both Kyoto and Tokyo, enabling them the means of easily living between both cities if they please. These housing options will be fully paid for by the government of Nippon, with the NRL and MRU providing a stipend for food expenses in Tokyo and Kyoto respectively.
In lieu of providing transportation, all refugees will be granted an unlimited rail pass that they can use to travel all across Nippon! As of the beginning of May, express routes connecting Tokyo and Kyoto will be running at all times of day, allowing refugees to freely travel between the Eastern and Western Kingdoms.
At the Kiyomizu Temple in Higashiyama, preparations are underway for a festival coming at the end of the month. Refugees will hear talk of the locals trying to decide on what style mask they want to create, and at the Temple itself, they'll find craft booths offering free supplies for custom mask making. The masks must reflect what a person believes to be their inner self, and there's limitless supplies provided to bring their creation to light. It seems these are going to be really important later, so don't just half-ass it, okay?
Over at the dorms in Gion, a rather provocative game has broken out amongst the residents. Following a generous gift of prized sake from one of their patrons, the Geiko have decided to throw a party with the refugees, and somehow, this devolved into a competition of strip rock-paper-scissors. With just how many accessories the Geiko wear, they clearly have the advantage! But no one is talking it very seriously, and the night is filled with laughter and silliness. Join the fun? It's one hell of a way to make new friends!
In Uji, signs of autumn have taken over, as the famously rural neighborhood becomes filled with beautiful hues of red and yellow. At the Byodoin Temple, the monks have requested that all visitors bring offerings of colorful leaves for their resident Phoenix deity, who is known to drain the color from people who provide lackluster or incorrect offerings. However, it seems the phoenix is only interested in red leaves this season, and offering any other color will render the one making the offering temporarily colorblind. At least the effect only lasts about an hour? Such a picky bird.
NRL Time Refugee Support Network
Once they've received their housing assignment, all refugees will be given small handheld devices called magi-tech comms, or magi-comms for short. They're heavier than a conventional smartphone would be, but far sturdier, and powered by the ambient magic that flows through the city. They don't need to be charged, but they won't work outside of cities at all. Upon booting it up, they'll find a message linking them to a special channel for refugees.
#nrl_time_refugee_support - online
Use the following code for your top-level if you'd like! This is how network communication will look for characters in the game until more advanced magi-tech comms become available for characters.
A Tale of Two Festivals
As the leaves of autumn begin to change, so too are the refugees encouraged to change up their routine and pay a visit to the city of Nara. Located south of Kyoto, Nara is a city where Yokai and Ayakashi live in perfect equilibrium, with many aspects of life in the city adjusted to account for the Ayakashi's eccentric behavior. Likewise, the Ayakashi here are almost never known to curse anyone, and are generous in the blessings they offer both the people and the land in which they live.
Perhaps some are put off by the idea of a city where Ayakashi are allowed to flourish after past experiences with these strange creatures. But this month is special!
Starting on October 1st, the Tsukimi Festival is held every night after sundown for the next two weeks. Long ago, the gods gifted Gaia an enchanting string of pearls that entwined the planet, lighting up the night sky. However, the greed of mortals seeking power led them to fight over the pearls. As wars waged, the pearls would be shattered in the conflict, until only one remained. Seeing the way their gift was tarnished, the gods decided that those on Gaia would only be allowed to see the pearl in all its glory for part of the month, taking it away for the other half. This became the cycles of the moon, and the shattered remains of the other pearls formed the solid ring that is always visible in the night sky.
So what makes October so special? For this month only, the full moon will be completely visible for the first full two weeks of the month, never visibly waxing nor waning. But what happens after two weeks...? Well, you'll just have to be patient for that!
One With Nature Narashi, Nara
Nara is an interesting city. Buildings are seemingly hidden away by larger-than-life trees that tower overhead, with some even built into the trees themselves, and all of them brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow for the fall season. Lower streets and areas are lit up by special bioluminescent flowers that bloom on the lower sections of the tree's trunk. And while magic-powered lifts exist, the sheer number of elevated walkways and stairs make it a bit of a workout to explore. And of course, no matter where one looks, wildlife is around every corner -- though by and far, most of them are ayakashi. But there are no higanbana death flowers or dangerous tsutsumi-bara vines here. Instead, the refugees will has a chance to see more tranquil varieties ordinarily only found in the depths of Nippon's forests.
One of the more common creatures found in the main district of Nara, Narashi, is the Arukibake, the ghost-walker ayakashi. Utterly harmless, these little leggy ghosts can be found strutting around the city at every corner, ranging from the size of an apple to waist-height. However, they're known to be naturally attracted to people who have recently experienced bouts of depression or loneliness. The exact reason for this is unknown, but anyone seen with a small procession of these fellas marching silently behind them is certain to get more than a few concerned passer-bys offering them a warm meal, a hug, or even a shoulder to cry on if they need it. Even for the Western Kingdom, it seems the people of Nara are especially compassionate.
And then, there's the likes of the fuwakafun, the puffball ayakashi. No larger than your average cotton ball, these little guys are known to spread not pollen, but color as they move from flower to flower. And Nara, with its unique species of bioluminescent flower that blooms all year round, has no shortage of flowers even during the fall season. Should the fuwakafun land on someone's hair or clothing, it'll fade to take on the color of whatever flower the fuwakafun was resting in before. Ordinarily this effect is meant to create rare flowers as a gift for those who allow the fuwakafun to live in their garden, but with more fuwakafun than flowers, they've got to make do with what they have.
But for all that the Ayakashi in Nara are peaceful, there are still more than a few troublemakers. One in particular to look out for is the gurakurage, the glass-jelly ayakashi. Appearing in an array of beautiful colors, these ayakashi are attracted by greed and feelings of lust. It's not uncommon to see them tethered by a string in shops, where their increased activity serves as a warning to look out for shoplifters. But when encountered in the wild, these strange jellyfish will latch onto the bodies of people experiencing sexual frustration. A minor annoyance to be sure, as they can simply be peeled off, but just don't break the glass dome atop their head. Doing so will greatly anger the ayakashi, causing them to grow in size before... well. I think we all know where the prompt with the tentacle creature is going.
Dear Deer Narashi, Nara
While Nara is known for its high population of Ayakashi, the most well-known is the Saiwaika, the good-fortune deer. Growing no more than two feet high, these miniature deer can be found in parks throughout Nara, where they've become so docile and used to the presence of Yokai that they'll walk right up and cutely beg for food. Thankfully, vendors selling special crackers for the saiwaika can be found everywhere.
Being around the saiwaika has an interesting effect. Those who look upon their tiny, dainty forms will find themselves strongly compelled to be generous and kind to every living creature they meet. Originally a defense mechanism against predators, the saiwaika instead offer this power as a blessing to the people of Nara, which is said to have the lowest crime rate of any city in the Western Kingdom. Even cruel or downright evil folks will find their hearts filled with warm feelings, offering to buy their worst enemy lunch, help a little old lady cross the street, or maybe even offer some more of those tasty crackers to the deer...
All right, so there's a little bit of an ulterior motive to their blessing. But you can't deny they're very cute. However, they really do have a certain craving for these crackers. And while they've learned not to steal them off the stall tables, once the wrapping comes off, it's a free-for-all. The tiny deer have been known to swarm, nibbling at the clothes of those bearing the treats. Some even attempt to jump and steal them, with the saiwaika being well-known for its ability to leap nearly ten feet into the air. Yes, this looks as silly as you can imagine.
Perhaps its because of this that a common prank played by children in Nara is to slip a few crackers into an unsuspecting friend's pocket, causing the deer to hungrily swarm without the target knowing why. Shouldn't their blessing counteract these pranks...? Well, if the saiwaika is getting fed, is it really such a bad thing?
Behold The Pearl Narashi, Nara
Given the name of the festival, it should come as no surprise that the chief activity performed during the festival is simply observing the moon with good company and plenty of food every night. Its radiance will only grow brighter as the festival continues, the light reflecting off the ring that surrounds Gaia and causing it, too, to glow every night, occasionally releasing rainbow-colored bursts of magical energy only visible during Tsukimi.
For the best views, Sarusawa Pond in Narashi is widely considered to be the optimal location for moon-viewing parties. Food and drink stalls can be found lining the pathways that circle the pond, and with the backdrop of a five-story pagoda lit up by moonlight, it's also known as one of the most romantic spots in Nara.
But while there are plenty of places to sit and gaze up at the moon on the shore, the real celebrations occur on small boats that sit silently upon the water. Only allowed to sail at a certain hour before sundown, those hoping for a proper moon-viewing best board early. And once the boat has parked on the pond, a Mizu spell is used to still the water, causing a mirror-like image of the moon and the stars above to reflect upon its pristine surface.
But aside from being very beautiful, there are a number of superstitions associated with this practice. It's said that one should never stare at their own reflection in the water, or else they may see their reflection begin to twist and mutate into a monster. While limited to just their reflection, the effects of this spell may cause erratic or animal-like behavior when standing in the moonlight, with some becoming prone to acting on their every impulse, no matter how rash. It's not uncommon for at least one party-goer to make the mistake of staring too long, before throwing themselves in the shallow pond and thrashing about wildly. Unfortunately, the effects of this will linger until the festival ends on the 14th. Better bring an umbrella for tomorrow's Tsukimi.
OOC Notes
Welcome to Jikan's October TDM! The TDM is considered game canon, and also serves as the intro log! That said, whether you choose to carry threads over to the game or not is up to you!
• Current players are more than welcome to top-level, or take prompts from the TDM and use for their own logs! This may change in the future depending on how busy TDMs become.
• CRAU characters may start regaining their CRAU memories one month after the TDM. However, vague feelings of familiarity are allowed between previous game CR! For more on this, please read the FAQ!
• You do not need to sign-up for housing! Choose whichever style you prefer, in both Kyoto and Tokyo. Roommates can be chosen by the characters or can be random. If you want to switch housing later, your character has the option of moving at the beginning of each month.
• While you do not need to thread the mask-making prompt if you don't want to, these masks will become important for the event later in the month, so choose your designs carefully!
• The full moon will be visible in the night sky from everywhere in Nippon for the first two weeks of October. While Tsukimi celebrations can be found everywhere, the sister festival to this one is unique to the Kansai region, and will be explained in more detail in the event later in the month.
• Characters who have their reflection mutated by the pond's spell will retain a monster-like appearance when they look into a mirror or reflective surface until the festival ends on the 14th. This effect is for their reflection only.
• Similarly, whether their reflection becomes monstrous in a frightening way, or monstrous in a sexy way, is completely up to you. The change can be subtle or dramatic, and those around them will be able to see the changes!
Please leave any questions about the TDM prompts in the thread below! General game questions can be directed to the FAQ!
Apps are always open!
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2/2
W-wait. What aren't you thinking about right now?
[ Why did he whisper hard?? ]
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I'm not gonna say it out loud okay, I'm not stupid.
[ he whispered it so only Jesus could hear his sin, obviously ]
You know what I'm not thinking about! Don't try to play dumb!
1/2
[ She does not know what he's thinking about. She's actually worried what it might be if "cool" and "awesome" are interchangeable to him. What could possibly be interchangeable with "hard" that he'd have to whisper it?
And here he is, whispering again? ]
2/2
You must be ailing. You're confused about whose intelligence should be in question here and [ and, she's leaning closer ] you're face is red.
1/2
Despite everything she's still a girl, and being popular with the ladies is something of a life goal for him. So it should come as no surprise that his face immediately reddens in response, body going stiff as a board before he stumbles back -- ]
2/2
And then over it.
And then beneath it, as the entire thing tips over onto him with a loud yell, accessories and various mask decorating items scattering everywhere in the process. Oops. ]
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Um, are you hurt?
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...I ... I'm fine...
[ he's really not ]
1/?
She'll laugh about it later, but right now, she's looking from the stranger to the table. How should she...? ]
I'll move it. Just wait a moment.
2/?
Hngh..! Why... was this made so heavy.. and wide?!
[ She can't fit her hands on either side of it horizontally. The craftsmanship of the thing is admirable, but was that really necessary for a crafts table?! ]
3/?
[ It's moving!
It's moving... forward? ]
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, n --
[ And she can't quite keep her grip on it or sway it back. The table is making another rotation forward onto Law and Prim will be going along for the ride, draped over the top of it. ]
4/4
A-are you still alive?
slides on in here, omg you two
but, gods be damned, it's too crowded here. if a fight broke out or something, there are just too many people who could get injured... so Fan propels herself forward, weaving through the crowds of people both curious (but unwilling to leave) and completely ignorant or uncaring. it's not a long trail, really, to the scene of the crime.]
...
[and what a scene it is. one table toppled over with someone atop it, and someone... under it, too.]
Oh, what the hell? C'mere-
[Prim will have to deal with the indignance of being lifted up not quite by her collar, but certainly it's a little jostling and unceremonious. she weighs less than Fan expected, but that's not enough to send her off balance, at least, and once she's put the kitsune down, she can turn her attention to the table.
she'll get an answer to how this all happened in a moment, she supposes.]
no subject
his savior comes in the form of the girl he'd met earlier, the weird bird lady who wasn't really a bird but a chicken? and he can probably easily blame the inevitable concussion for the fact that none of the words he strings together makes any kind of logical sense to him right this moment.
the load's lightened a little when Fan plucks Prim up off of him, but the table is still crushing his bones into powder and he lets out a dying gasp, groaning as death comes for him swift and sweet.
okay, not really. but he's in a lot of pain, here. ]
no subject
Still alive down there?
[with movements that suggest this isn't the first time she's been in this position, she'll just... kneel down to find a good spot to lift Law up from. potato sack or princess? who knows. at least he doesn't look like he's actually that injured, other than proving he's a baby who can't handle like, less than fifty pounds of weight on his chest--imean.]
no subject
Of course, this means Prim doesn't stay where she's placed. This lady seems sturdy enough, so up goes a certain Kitsune, scaling to the tip-top and leaning forward over the lady's shoulder so she can look down at the guy. ]
H-he's too hard to be dead from something like this!
[ She looks briefly to the lady upon whom she is perching. ]
It should offset the weight of the table, right?
[ Nevermind the looks on the spectators faces at her statements. She's looking back down at a certain moron. ]
Hey, answer us already!
no subject
did she have to keep on shouting about how hard he was?!
his legs find purchase on the ground a bit as he's being lifted and like hell he's gonna let himself be princess carried out of here, so awkwardly held potato sack it is. ]
I'm not dead, just - could you please stop yelling about how hard I am???
[ please Prim there are so many cute girls who he hasn't gotten the chance to talk to. how's he going to be popular with the ladies if they all think he's some kind of pervert?
besides the blow to his pride, he looks none the worse for wear. while there are splotches of paint and glitter stuck all over him he's not bleeding and there's only the faintest twinge of pain in his expression when he moves. ]
no subject
and Prim, literally just balanced on her other shoulder, apparently. eesh, it's a good thing Fan's used to heavy lifting.]
I think the word you're looking for is resilient. Or muscular. Might want to hang on though, I'm moving again.
[not too far, at least, just so she can find a good chair or somewhere to set Law down in. she absolutely does not even blink at having probably a couple hundred pounds of weight across her shoulders. it's fine.]
no subject
[ As though he isn't, you know, right there and fully capable of hearing her technically agree with those adjectives. She holds as instructed with all the skill and comfort of someone accustomed to the activity. ]
Now that you mention it, you're pretty resilient yourself, Miss...?
no subject
[ he says, clearly not intent on addressing the other word.
it’s embarrassing being carried around like he’s a kid by a girl, so he’ll take the first opportunity to escape once she’s in the process of settling him into a chair, squirming like a cat until he’s able to get to his feet and stretch nonchalantly. for all the ache and the blow to his pride he’s pretty sturdy. ]
Back here again, huh? Did you forget to add more stuff to your mask?
no subject
[she says it all without a second thought, rolling her now-freed shoulder when he's escaped. what a baby he is.]
You can call me Fanerel. I'm an adventurer, so I've honed my skills for quite some time. And-- no. My mask is fine, thank you. [is that a thread of self-consciousness in her voice?] I just heard something when I was walking by and it sounded like someone needed help.
no subject
You're an adventurer as well?
[ She's so happy to hear sense and a familiar term. Even if they're from different worlds, the concept of adventuring can't be so different as to be something else entirely, can it?
And maybe don't mind Prim as she speaks. She's casually reaching behind herself to pluck her staff from its place at her back. Nothing unusual to see here. No reason. ]
no subject
there's parts of him that are a little sore, but it's nothing a good cut of meat wouldn't fix. ]
"As well", huh? Didn't know they let animals be adventurers...
[ okay, he might just be being an ass just because. Fanerel's here so obviously that means he's safe, right? right. ]
no subject
Put a pin in whatever answer might have been on the tip of your tongue, Fanerel, because Prim's pleasantness has been completely shattered as she erupts with a loud exclamation of: ]
You!
[ You'd think she'd be pointing at him, maybe jabbing his chest with her staff. He may very well wish as much momentarily. Instead, she is expertly maneuvering so as to hold her position atop Fanerel's shoulder and back as she raises her staff to bring it crashing down atop a certain moron's thick headed skull without anything remotely resembling restraint.
Most people who'd known her any length of time wouldn't imagine it would hurt terribly given her small stature. Many people, quite possibly like the moron she's assisting, quickly learn that this particular magic user is given to pairing ridiculously painful critical hits alongside her healing magic.
Like now. ]
I'll not tolerate that from the likes of some sparkly faced, mannerless, moronic brute!
no subject
... Well. You rather deserved that, I'll say.
[she's not about to come to his rescue on that point, though she does at least shift back a little more, pulling Prim at least nearly out of range to hit him too suddenly.]
But I'd recommend against giving him a concussion, he might already have one from earlier. Or he could just be that tone-deaf to manners, true.
[a beat, contemplative.]
... And perhaps climb down before hitting anyone again, if you would.
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2/2
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