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October | Test Drive Meme
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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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no subject
[He sounds amused at the thought, though he doesn't personally know if such things are true or not. Just the vague gossip from the recruits when suddenly the Harbingers had gained a new member. He doesn't believe for a second that age has anything to do with how approachable someone seems - after all he's easily been mistaken as the younger between the two of them before.]
I think that's just a trait of mortals. Always forgetting just how fragile they are while thinking they can take on everything life throws at them with ease.
[It would be funny, but something in his gut tells him the demise of so many people is not something he should be thinking.]
You Snezhnayans are resilient however, I'll give you that.
[It's happened again - Tartaglia's long legs have somehow managed to turn the tables, though this time he doesn't seem to mind, merely doing his best to keep pace.
Once they've stopped in front of the stalls, he gives Childe a nod in response. He said he wouldn't object and so he hasn't. Instead Scaramouche turns to look over everything on offer. There are a few sweets he recognizes as things also in Inazuma, some he recognizes as things he's seen while in Nippon, and a few others he's not seen before.
Eventually he settles on just dango. It's a sweet he knows he likes, and while the Eleventh is treating him he would like to not spend all of the money the man has on hand.]
...Thank you, Tartaglia.
[The words still somehow don't feel quite right, but they're easier to say this time.
Dates can only become real when you speak their name aloud.]
no subject
I'm glad you see it that way. [ And he sounds like he means it, too. Whether it's because Scaramouche has been conditioned to think that way through his time in the Fatui, or because it's some backhanded insult directed at Childe - though Scaramouche wouldn't do that, he would never do something like that, maybe in the past but that was all behind them now - he's not sure, but he's appreciative of the compliment all the same.
The stall they step up to has a variety of different desserts and such on sale, each one steaming hot and fresh. There's a good assortment of festival food, a handful of dango he recognizes and a few taiyaki, which he only knows because of his date at the all you could eat sweets shop last month.
He kind of wishes he'd been able to take Scara there, but now that they were "hanging out", he expects they had a lot of time to make up for all the things they missed doing together as coworkers.
Of course, the entrance fee might not be something Scaramouche would completely agree with... ]
There's an all you can eat sweets cafe over in Nihonbashi, if you'd ever want to go. [ Childe decides to bring it up anyway as he's paying for the food, after selecting a dango for himself and a few more for Scaramouche. ] I wouldn't mind taking you, but the uhm. In order to get in you'd have to pretend to be a couple. A kiss worked well enough for me last time but I can understand if you wouldn't want to go. [ With me. It hangs unspoken in the air as the transaction is finalized, but Childe doesn't elaborate any further on it and instead smiles softly down at his coworker. ]
You're welcome, Scaramouche.
[ a beat, and then: ]
You can call me Ajax, if you want. If it's from you, I don't mind.
no subject
[Scaramouche smiles as he recalls the event. It had been shortly after he arrived, and while his company at the time was a tad annoying he hadn't minded the actual sweets from the cafe. He could see himself going again to try what other things they had.]
I wouldn't mind actually going in, if that is truly something you'd like to do. Such a fee wouldn't be so bad if it were with a friend.
[He's practically beaming, no he doesn't think he'd mind at all. Who would have thought his first proper friend would have been a fellow Harbinger, a surprising outcome all things considered. And to think he used to avoid his coworkers as much as he could.
What comes out of Tartaglia's mouth next has him pausing.]
Ajax...
[That's-- that would have to be Tartaglia's real name wouldn't it? The Sixth looks shocked to hear it as he stares up at the taller man, a faint flush spreading across his pale face. They got rid of their names when they became Harbingers so anyone knowing of them would have to have known before, or be someone trusted enough to be told. The Eleventh doesn't sound like he's lying, with the way things had been going between them so far he wouldn't do that. Would he?
No it has to be the real thing. But if it was the truth then what did that mean? He and Tartaglia - no, Ajax - were working on being friends now, but they weren't that close yet. Were they? What does he do? It's a nice name, maybe he should say that. Compliments because they were good friends now, that's certainly what they were, what this meant.
His head feels like it's spinning, and he buries himself into the borrowed scarf and jacket. He doesn't have the social experience for this kind of thing, and so instead of a compliment he mumbles out the first thing that pops into his head:]
Kunikuzushi.
[Yes, his real name, Harbinger name, and alias are all stupidly long. His life is just like this.]
no subject
[ Childe immediately responds with, and scrutinizes Scaramouche in his coat and scarf a little. Is he cold, maybe? The Balladeer is small, so he would not be surprised to learn that he was also the type to get cold easily. That might have been one of the major reasons why he didn't like Snezhnaya, because of course one would find it boring if all they could think about was how chilly it was.
Mentally, he makes a few notes about Scaramouche's assumed aversion to the cold and tries to think of all the shops he'd seen that sold decently-priced, warm clothing. He might send him a sweater or something, since all he'd seen on Scaramouche were those little shorts and sandals.
It dawns on him, then, the Balladeer's comment about being okay with paying the fee if it were with a friend, and he feels the corners of his mouth soften into an intimation of a smile. Friend. He couldn't say he had many in the Fatui that he considered close - moreso since the lot of them seemed to prefer scheming in the shadows than being open and honest with their intentions - and while he hadn't been hurting for companionship, knowing that once this was all over they could go back to Tevyat and maintain this level of friendship with one another was nice.
It's not like he'd ever been lonely growing up, but it is a nice thought that Scaramouche would be around to hang out with him later. He had the sort of ruthless ambition and cruelty that Childe secretly admired, even if his penchant for being slimy and shying away from fights wasn't something he agreed with.
That's fine, he supposes. That just means more for Childe. ]
Ah - do you want to rent a boat?
[ Now that they're closer to the bond they can make out the number of tiny vessels making their way onto the water. The small fleet moored at the dock bobs enticingly in the moonlight, and Childe points at it excitedly. ]
I can do all the rowing. You can just sit and eat.
no subject
Actually it is pretty cute.]
Ajax, that's my name. Kunikuzushi. I know it's a bit long.
[He says it a bit slower this time, not because he doesn't think Tartaglia won't understand - the man is quite smart in most matters - but because he doesn't want him to mistake it again. This was the first time in countless years that he'd felt comfortable enough to offer his name to someone. An incredibly Inazuman name for someone that tended to dress the part regardless of weather.
The question on if they should get a boat is met with a swift nod. Going out onto the water sounds like a perfect way to relax in good company while enjoying the beauty of the festival, without being surrounded by other festival goers. It had also been what Tartaglia had mentioned doing before they had left the deer, so he couldn't just change his mind now, being quick to make his way to the docks. Have to keep up with the Eleventh's long strides for once.]
I can help as well.
[He's not that small that he can't row a boat. Probably.]
no subject
[ He supposes it does sound pretty Inazuman... He's a little embarassed by the faux pas, but Scaramouche doesn't tease him about it like he probably would have done before all this, so he's able to move past it without further thought.
It also helps a lot that the Balladeer is smiling at him like that. ]
Kunikuzushi. [ Childe will say it slowly as though savoring every syllable and committing it to memory. It rolls off his tongue awkwardly, as is the nature with first learning a name, but he repeats it again to himself a little softly and it sounds much better the second time around. It's as much of a mouthful as Tartaglia, perhaps even more so.
While Childe isn't exactly sure what it might mean it seems to suit Scaramouche as well as his Fatui name. He wondered if the other might prefer it over what the rest of the Harbingers called him. ]
Do you still want me to call you "Scaramouche"? And please, I insist. [ As if to argue his case Childe will show the additional sticks of dango he'd bought at the vendor. ]
It would be a shame for these all to go to waste. I specifically bought these for you to eat, so just relax and let me take care of you this one time, okay?
no subject
You're welcome to call me whichever name you prefer. There are already a few here that know that name, so it would not be out of place should you want to use it.
[Of course out of everyone that knew it now, only Childe was the one it had actually been given to. The others had either found out unintentionally or just so happened to be his creator. If the Eleventh wanted to use it then he would be the first to do so with permission, and that he feels matters most.
Scaramouche eyes the dango, mulling over the request in his mind. What's happening here is he's being bribed with sweets, something he doesn't particularly want to say no to. If Tartaglia wants to do everything then he has little reason to not allow him to do so, but a part of him feels it somewhat unfair - like he should also be contributing somehow. A compromise would perhaps would do well here, or he resigns himself to doing something else for the Harbinger at a later time.]
Fine, but eventually you're going to have to let me do something for you. You're not always going to have dango on hand to persuade me, and I'd like to do something nice for you as well. I won't take no for an answer.
no subject
He sees the way the other eyes the dango and he's struck with a sudden intrusive thought to pull it out of reach, make him jump for it like the snot-nosed rat bastard he is. It's such a sudden notion that he's actually thrown off guard for a moment, blinking and startling a little like he'd been physically struck. Where... where had that come from?
Fortunately, Childe is a quick recover, and while his smile is strained the rest of what comes out of his mouth is genuine. ]
I can see I'm going to fighting a tough battle, Kunikuzushi. [ The third time around the name sounds a bit more comfortable and easier on his tongue. ] In that case I'll invite you to do your worst. I'm going to do my best to not let you lift a finger if I can help it.
[ So saying, once they're within a respectable distance of the boats he'll hand the dango off and make his way to the pier to speak with the person manning them. They're given a set of oars and left to untie the boat themselves, and after stepping into the vessel carefully Childe turns to Scaramouche and offers his hand. ]
no subject
[There's a wide grin on his face as he looks up at Tartaglia. If he's being permitted to do his worst then that leaves room for plenty of options. While he isn't sure of much he can do on a boat - especially when the other Harbinger has already convinced him not to do any rowing - he's certain he can come up with something.
Scheming itself isn't anything new, though normally it isn't for something so innocent. Until he and Childe parted ways he would need to keep watch for potential openings, any weaknesses that may pop up, or for anything that could be used in the future. And that's another plan isn't it? Get back at him when he least expects it, possibly weeks from now.
It's a thought that's a bit odd, considering the less hostile nature of it all. But they're friends that have gone as far as exchanging names - real names - to do anything but something kind feels wrong.]
If I can't manage something this time I won't give up.
[The sweets are carefully held as the Sixth takes the hand offered to him, hopping down into the boat. A moment is taken to ensure the veils and rope on his hat don't catch on anything before he's sitting down and making himself comfortable. There's one particular point Scaramouche feels he needs to punctuate, after of course he takes a bite of the dango.]
You'll simply never know when I may strike.
no subject
What a dangerous thought.
But he waits until the other appears situated, noting for himself how much smaller Scaramouche looks now that he's been made to sit at the edge of their little boat, and against his better judgement a small smile ends up playing around the corners of his lips. When he isn't being an obnoxious piece of shit the Balladeer can actually be quite cute. The ropes keeping the boat tied to the pier are swiftly taken care of, and in no time Childe is settling himself into his own seat on their vessel. ]
You know me, Kunikuzushi. [ He doesn't need any kind of prompting to take up the oars in his hands and begin rowing. The ease that Childe does it suggests he's been out in a boat plenty of times, or at the very least he adapts to the motions of everything fluidly, like a fish to water. Fitting, given his Vision.
It takes minimal effort to push away from the dock and set them adrift in the waters, and as Childe rows he glances about at the other boats several feet away with all the amorous couples within. The moonlight shines down, bathing all in its light and casting a luminescent reflection on the water's surface. Gentle waves lap against their small vessel, lending a tranquil tone to the overall ambience of the situation and soothing whatever rising nerves Childe might have had.
He looks over to Scaramouche - Kunikuzushi - and smiles. ]
I love a good battle.
no subject
[He offers up a gentle smile in return, tugging the edges of Childe's jacket inward. Not that he's cold, but the enveloping warmth is pleasant as the boat is rowed out into the water and he enjoys his dango.]
Mm I suppose I could offer you a fight to make up for all of this, but that seems far too easy.
[There is of course the fact that he knows Tartaglia would enjoy it, and that in itself is a reason to consider it. A fight would likely make the other man happy, but he feels there's something stopping him from instantly making such a generous offer. It isn't that the Sixth dislikes fighting - it can be fun and it's nice to relieve stress that way from time to time - but he can be picky in what battles he takes and when.
Something else to consider is that Tartaglia is very much human. He doesn't doubt that the Harbinger could easily hold his own in a fight against him, but what if he overdid it and hurt him. Would he be able to handle it if he were to hurt Ajax? He's not skilled enough in the magics of this world yet to be able to heal everything. A risk he isn't certain he is willing to take he decides. Friends don't hospitalize friends.
Probably. He's not really had friends so he's yet to learn all the social rules. However it feels right to say that it is likely the case.]
I think I can do better than a fight. After all there has to be plenty you'd enjoy just as much.
[Even nice Scaramouche denies Childe a battle.]
You'd tell me if there was something specific you wanted, wouldn't you?
no subject
It wasn't as though he'd been particularly lonely during his time in the Fatui. When he'd first been granted his Delusion and cast as the newest and youngest of Her Majesty's Harbingers he knew that the looks he got from his colleagues weren't all good ones. Childe was the odd one out in a crowd of cranky, slimey schemers, and he'd never had a problem with that before.
He's not sure how old Scaramouche is exactly, just that's older than him. He's never been given much reason to care. ]
Now I feel like you're just teasing me. [ Childe laments exaggeratedly, even going so far as to throw the man a mocking pout. ] What else could be better than a fight? There's nothing else that can compare.
[ Even as he says it, the cloud cover overhead parts, allowing for slants of moonlight to spill even more over the pond they're rowing across. Doing so lights up the man across from him in an ethereal, otherworldly light, highlighting his pale skin, dark hair and bright, vibrant eyes.
Childe thinks he might have stopped breathing for a moment. He'd certainly stopped rowing.
He can think of a few specific things he'd want right about now. That was what Scaramouche had asked, after all. Right? ]
... come again?
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[The mock pout is met with a apologetic smile. Even if Childe doesn’t mean it a part of him feels somewhat bad to have even considered it, if declining was an option. The fact that the other is acting as he is, tells him at the very least there aren’t any hard feelings on the matter.]
Humans can be so fragile… I’d worry I would hurt you.
[The words lack the venomous teasing tone he normally takes when speaking on human fragility, his worry being entirely honest. The idea of accidentally causing Tartaglia serious harm doesn’t sit well with him.
When the boat stops suddenly, the Balladeer finds himself blinking, not entirely sure why this spot in particular had been chosen. Giving the surroundings a look over he decides that it’s not such a bad place to stop, Tartaglia wanted to row and if this was where he picked then so be it. He could just settle his gaze on the moon and snack on the remaining dango pieces.
At least until the Eleventh asks him to repeat himself.]
I asked if there was anything specific you’d like. Since you wouldn’t let me treat you or help. There must be something else. Or would you rather the surprise?
[Scaramouche seems to genuinely be contemplating which the best option would be. Merely asking took a bit of the fun out of things, but if it could guarantee that Tartaglia would enjoy what was given then that absolutely would make up for things. Of course a surprise would allow him more control over things, being able to repay the younger man in a way he felt was suitable for what had been given. A difficult decision, but he’s also not about to deny him anything that isn’t potentially dangerous.]
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[ Though when Scaramouche posed that last question that there's a multitude of suggestions that run through his mind. What would he like from him at this moment?
Childe looks at him, really looks at him, taking in the Balladeer's appearance as though he's seeing him for the first time. He looks so small like this, shrouded in moonlight and sitting at the end of the boat. So small in Childe's jacket, with his scarf draped around his neck. There's power in that tiny frame yet, he knows, but right now... right now, he can't think of any good reason why Scaramouche should leverage that against him.
There's a part of him that knows that's wrong, but he can't fathom exactly why that would be. Thrilling from a battle was a concept that came as easily to him as breathing. It wouldn't make sense that he wouldn't delight in it from Scaramouche, either.
But no - that's not what he wants from him. And when the realization of what he desires hits him like a truck, all he can do is swallow in response. ]
... hey. [ His voice is soft, but still loud enough to be heard over the water lapping against the boat. Childe will stretch out his legs, first one, then the other, and release one of the oars to gently pat at his own lap. ]
Come here.
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[The Eleventh is right, he wouldn't be in the Fatui if he were easy to break. And to be a Harbinger on top of it means that he can certainly handle himself in a fight, could possibly be a match for him, but even the most fight inclined humans still had their limits. At least as far as Scaramouche understands humans - and he'd like to think that being around them for his entire life means he has a pretty good grasp on how durable they can be.]
I would not want to overdo it and shock you harder than your body can handle. You, of all people, should know the kind of damage that could do.
[When Tartaglia goes silent he takes it as the man finally considering his question, using the time to finish his sweets and carefully set the sticks down on the seat next to him.
Scaramouche is more than content to simply sit and watch the moon in good company, give Ajax all the time he needed to decide what it was he wanted. If he wanted to decide on something. A decision that certainly didn't need to be decided upon immediately, and he considers mentioning that any time would be suitable but a request is soon being made of him. He blinks, processing just what is being asked of him - Tartaglia wants him... in his lap? He can't exactly find any reason to deny him.
Carefully he removes his hat, gently folding up everything attached to it to keep them from getting tangled and setting it in the most secure place in the boat he can. It'll likely be easier if he isn't wearing it, and he's far less likely to accidentally hit Tartaglia with it. Then the Sixth is cautiously moving over to straddle the other man and seat himself in his lap, doing his very best to not rock the small boat as he moves.]
Yes?
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he’s not sure if Scaramouche is naturally warm or if he’s simply reflecting Childe’s body heat back at him. at this point he doesn’t think it matters; they’re close enough that he can’t quite tell where his body end and the Balladeer’s begins and he’s finding that doesn’t bother him as much as he thinks it should.
there’s a lot about this situation that feels surreal, almost dreamlike in a sense. he remembers how he’d been close to throwing down with him at the coffee shop and all the other times back home, in Tevyat, but he can’t for the life of him figure out why he’d even been annoyed or aggravated with him in the first place.
looking at Scara now, feeling how delicate the bones of his hips are under his hands like the birds of a small bird… he can’t really think of much anything except how his eyes are almost a perfect shade of moonlight, luminous and bright in the dark.
he’s curling his fingers a little tighter before he can stop himself as though he’s expecting the other to leap off his lap when he moves. Childe leans in until there’s barely a breath between them, his lashes fluttering, lowering…
it’s rather apparent what his intended goal is, and if it isn’t it’s probably made more clear when one of his hands frees itself to tangle gently into the hair at the nape of Scaramouche’s neck. ]
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The second is that the more he thinks on it the more he comes to the realization that it's not so bad, that he may actually like it in some sense. He certainly doesn't hate it, physical contact that isn't negative in nature. Contact he opted into by sitting in the other man's lap. He doesn't feel threatened, and shouldn't given the situation, they were friends now. He's safe.
And of course, the third thing being that it would be terribly rude to not just ask politely if it were bothering him. Tartaglia would be understanding if that were the case, but the longer they sit the less it feels that way.
It takes until the grip tightens, until a hand moves up to his neck and into his hair, their faces incredibly close, that Scaramouche realizes what's actually happening. Face flushing immediately at the idea that Tartaglia wants to kiss him of all people - though it does help settle a part of his mind on the simple fact that he seems to understand what's going on if even a little.
This was something the Balladeer rarely indulged in, could count on a hand or two how many times he's kissed someone, there's almost never reason for it. Even falling into bed with another didn't call for such things, though that might have been due to his general aversion to contact he doesn't initiate himself. If his only interest was his own pleasure and he couldn't trust his partner then why waste time with kissing. Seemed much too vulnerable.
Though he had already said he'd kiss the Harbinger didn't he, stating he wouldn't mind going to that particular sweets shop together. But that was a kiss for entry, this was a kiss for a reason he's not quite sure of. Yet somehow he finds himself raising his hands to rest on Tartaglia's arms, sliding them up and over his shoulders as he closes the remaining distance between them and slots their mouths together hard like the action is something he also wants. Like he's decided he needs it.]
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It's strange, kissing him; not strange in the sense that he tasted off or inhuman, or strange in the sense like he were doing something that his body wasn't wholeheartedly agreeing with, because despite what conflict they might have had in their past there's little to none of that now. His only issues with Scaramouche now were that the other wouldn't let him spoil and pamper him like he deserved, like Childe was wont to do with his companions and his friends when he really liked them.
Kissing him should be more painful, he thinks, and the only confusion that that thought invokes is that it clearly isn't. That doesn't keep him from curling his fingers into a grip in his hair, adjusting, tightening by degrees as he angles his mouth and meets Scaramouche's pressure with his own. The kiss shifts between aggression and tenderness, like Childe can't quite make up his mind what he wants to do. Scaramouche's little display of force is met with the press of teeth into a soft lower lip, Childe surging forward like he means to devour him utterly, deeply, his fingers eventually crawling away from the Balladeer's hip to crawl up the small of his back and press him tighter against himself.
The rest of the world falls away. There's only the feel of Scaramouche under his mouth, the water lapping at the boat a distant sound to the Balladeer's little breaths and the steady pounding of Childe's heart in his ears. Childe kisses him with an intensity that he normally reserves for his fights; the lap of tongue over his lip is insistent, apologetic for his earlier bite, but no less yielding before he's delving it in to taste the Balladeer further.
A murmur of appreciation denotes Childe's approval and, unsurprisingly, it doesn't take long before the hand pressing against Scaramouche's back gently drags nails down the back of it as Childe's hips come up insistently, rolling up enough that the other can feel an unmistakable hardness pressing against his backside. It doesn't take much. ]
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But the desperation screams louder. He wants.
The onslaught against his mouth is finally met with retaliation of his own, pushing back with enough force like he intends for it to bruise, before parting his lips and allowing Childe in. All the while, fingers creep up the back of his neck, static dancing along his fingertips leaving little shocks as they brush across skin. His other hand slips under the collar of Childe's shirt, smoothing over the skin before the prickles of electricity bite just a little bit harder.
A soft gasp escapes into the kiss the moment Tartaglia dares to grind up, and the thought to stop flashes like lightning against the storm raging in Scaramouche's mind. There were other people present, out enjoying the night, it wouldn't be right to disturb that peace with their own pleasures when they could simply go elsewhere if things were going to escalate. As quick as that thought appears so too does the one that tells him it's been so long since he's done anything like this, that he's done nothing selfish and truly for himself all day. So he pushes the thought down, drowns it because he wants.
Wants like the man busy raking his nails down his back, and Scaramouche finds that it's easier to lose track of all that around him if he just focuses on the enjoyment that's being shared between them. Ignore the scrape of his hat sliding along the sole of the boat every time he shifts to angle himself better against Tartaglia and the small vessel dips and sways.]
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If there's any question as to whether or not Childe enjoys the inclusion of little electro shocks dancing beneath the Balladeer's fingers, one only has to look at the way the fabric of his pants is still straining under Scaramouche's weight, insistent and unrelenting even under the onslaught of the electric attack. It doesn't hurt, not really, certainly not as much as his Delusion had when he'd experimented (because how else were you supposed to face off someone who wielded Electro without building something of a tolerance to it?), but as their kiss deepens and becomes rougher, harder, so too do the sparks of static dancing over his skin.
Unfortunately for Scaramouche, Childe is hard to stop whenever he's really getting into it. If the Balladeer didn't have any notion of this before, he was going to find out soon enough. His fingers reassert their grip on the other's waist, guiding him, rocking him back and forth over his lap in mimicry of what he'll do to them with no layers between their bodies. The boat begins to rock dangerously back and forth with each buck of his hips but Childe's too busy dry-humping the other to really care much, too busy hooking fingers in the hem of his shorts and making the awkward decision of trying to worm them down the other's hips while unwilling to part from him for even a moment.
The fact that they're in public isn't any kind of deterrent and, if he happens to feel the lingering stares or hear the hushed whispers of literally everyone else out on the lake watching the pair of them go at it like a bunch of horny rabbits, then he doesn't pay it any mind.
The boat rocks harder. He can feel his dick throb between them, lips parting as a particularly indulgent wave of pleasure courses through him. He's already close - whether it's because of the shocks or because it's Scaramouche or maybe because he's a secret exhibitionist, who knows - but the grind of his hips doesn't stop, only taking on a more desperate edge as he kisses Scara like it's the last thing he was going to do, like he wants to devour every noise he makes, every breath, every -
Predictably, the boat chooses just at that moment to tip to the side with a particularly violent buck of his hips that has him shoving both of his legs against the side of the boat to get more weight behind the movement. The entire vessel tilts violently, sending the pair of them out into the cold lake with a loud splash that also helps sober him up like a punch to the gut. Goodbye, boner. ]
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It’s difficult to stay quiet as hands find their way back to his waist, the unrelenting grind of their hips against each other forcing him to acknowledge his own growing arousal as Childe sets his desired pace.
This isn’t remotely what he expected for kissing the other Harbinger — not that he had even expected to be kissing him — things rapidly escalating with no signs of slowing down. It’s needy, it’s giving into desire, it’s something he hasn’t indulged in for a very long time. It’s something that Scaramouche is honestly unsure anyone else could get away with.
Scaramouche knows little of the Eleventh outside of what circulates within the Fatui, of what he’s personally seen and experienced for himself, but hilariously of all those from Teyvat present Tartaglia is the one he knows best. The man’s presence is soothing in its familiarity, an anchor in the sea of new faces and people he wanted nothing to do with. Although he can be taken off guard, the Sixth at least has some idea as to what to expect, and it’s stupid how comforting that fact alone is. As though he can take this as far as he wants, allow it to go further because he’s safe in the knowledge of what will likely come after. He holds control.
Of all the people this could happen with, Tartaglia was the easy choice. No worries of being attached — as a colleague the man already held a place in his life whether he wanted it or not — and no concerns of things really changing between them. Even if it turned out to be a lie, even if it was something foolish to do, Tartaglia was laughably safe.
Fingers hook into the hem of his shorts and he doesn’t even bat an eye, allowing it even though they don’t pull down in the way he expects Childe wants. It’s tied specifically to not be simple to just slide down, tucked a little too well into his obi, and most importantly they’re too close for it to move much at all.
Still desire pools off of him in waves as he shifts ever so slightly, a poor attempt at allowing Tartaglia an easier time dealing with his clothes — like it wouldn’t be faster to just do it himself, but he has no interest in stopping the onslaught of shocks and lips. It might be something he’ll be horrified at later, allowing so much of his own control to be taken from him, being so pliant, but right now he’s too lost in the pleasure.
It might be something he’ll be horrified at far sooner as the boat pitches and sends them both into the water.
For a moment Scaramouche feels gravity overtake him, pulling him down into the depths and forcing the air out of his lungs. It takes longer than he’d like to admit for his body to recall just how to swim and that breathing, while a habit, was optional — though it doesn’t stop him from gasping for air when he breaks the surface and clings to the edge of the boat like a wet and startled animal.
Slowly his expression of shock morphs into something more irritated, though his anger seems far more tempered than usual. Childe’s jacket is thrown into the boat as he checks to make sure his hat hasn’t gone anywhere, before finally looking over to make sure his fellow Harbinger is okay. He can hear the whispers of the other people on the lake as he clings to the boat in defeat, and when he opens his mouth to speak it comes out more as a croak than anything else.]
Are you okay, Ajax?
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He'd made out with another Harbinger. With Scaramouche, of all people. As far as coworkers went he wasn't exactly his most despised, but he wasn't the most well-liked, either, on Childe's end or on any one else's side. The reality of what they'd done and everything they'd talked about hits him like a slap to the face and he simply stays there, treading water on the side of the boat, thinking about what the fuck just happened and what the fuck he was supposed to do now.
It would be a lie to say he'd ever thought about Scaramouche in that manner. Not even after arriving to Nippon did his opinion on the Balladeer change and, if anything, he'd only found Scaramouche even more aggravating than he usually was. Childe already despised the underhanded scheming and plotting that went hand-in-hand with many of the Fatui's clandestine operations. The Balledeer's attempts at deception still didn't sit right with him but that was more of a personal preference than anything else. When it came down to it, if people were stupid enough to be fooled by someone like Scaramouche who practically oozed malicious intent (it was the hat, obviously) then maybe they deserved to be swindled.
Said malicious-intended person breaks into his thoughts just then, voice unnaturally soft, unnaturally concerning and sending odd little chills of revulsion and discomfort down his spine. It seems that even though Childe had broken out of whatever spell the deer cast on him, Scaramouche was still suffering the effects. He looks over at him now, blue eyes no long kind and affectionate but wary and untrusting, mulling over how the Balladeer looks like the equivalent of a drowned, malnourished rat.
Childe has never maintained being able to hide his emotions very well. It was a wonder the Traveler didn't catch on earlier, with how strained and brusque he knew he could get whenever he was particularly irritated. He would not be at all surprised, then, if the Balladeer could pick out the way his eyes narrow and his lips set into a thin line of malcontent, giving Scaramouche a cursory once-over before he hauls himself onto their overturned boat. It's not especially cold but, given Scaramouche's affinity for Electro, he woudn't put it past him not to elecrocute him for real this time.
... and what was that before, anyway? Kunikuzushi? What the hell was he even playing at, here?
It almost feels like what went down in Liyue all over again. It's easy enough to blame the effects on the deer, but more than likely this was something of Scaramouche's own doing. ]
You can stop pretending. [ He mutters, and if it comes out harsher than he intends it to, then that's not his problem. It's what Scaramouche gets for leading him on like this, for - whatever the hell this is. ] Don't be so disgusting, Scaramouche. [ Nevermind that Childe was the one who'd been three seconds away from fucking him in the boat. ] Is this really all you've been getting up to in Nippon? You're messed up. Though I wouldn't really expect anything less from someone like you.
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For all he expected and felt capable of dealing with the words still manage to feel like a stinging stab to the chest. Just how lonely was he to be willing to risk his comfort like that, for a man that was familiar and nothing further. Compromising himself with vulnerabilities when he should know better - it's disgusting, much like the Eleventh had said. It wasn't the man's fault however, no this was solely on him allowing himself to be fooled so easily, even perhaps wanting the offered friendship. How foolish of him. Weak.
His fingers dig into the wood, barely able to hold his gaze on Childe. Looking at him makes his stomach turn and throat tighten, the harsh tone and displeased look he's been given at the forefront of his mind.]
I--
[What can he even say? The Sixth doesn't see claiming he wasn't pretending as something that would go over well, not when the other Harbinger seemed so upset with him. There's plenty he's done wrong, both here and back home, Childe has no reason to trust a word he says, regardless of the fact that he isn't prone to speaking lies. There was no real way of fixing things that he can think of, not from how he's messed it up without even meaning to.
Scaramouche eventually decides that the kindest thing to do is not to argue, make no claims to his case, because there's nothing he can say that will make things better and trying will only make them worse. Where Childe looks upset, he looks forlorn, gaze finally darting down to stare into the boat. It offers him no comfort, but it's better than confronting what his life of being cruel and pushing people away has done.
He thinks he could be left out on the lake and he wouldn't mind, gently float until it didn't feel like he'd done something horrible, ruining something before it could really begin. It's tempting to do so, but after a moment of thought he does scramble back into the boat. It was likely that Childe wanted to be done with this as soon as possible, he shouldn't be more rude and hold him up. The scarf is carefully removed from around his neck, swallowing hard as he holds it out, though he makes no effort to look up.]
Sorry.
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Perhaps if circumstances were different, Childe would have been kinder. He was not, by nature, an unkind person; least of all amongst the Fatui. He was perhaps the most well-adjusted out of all of them and that was saying something. His loyalty to his family was only matched by his loyalty to the Tsaritsa, and for someone that had been conscripted into the Fatui as one of Her Harbingers it was the least that could be expected from him. A majority of his actions were led by that ideal of seeing Her wish come to fruition and as such he could not be blamed for anything that may come about as a result of that. Would a victim's family blame the axe?
He was not unkind, but in this moment he hardly felt anything resembling a shred of sympathy for the Balladeer. ]
Keep it.
[ It's not out of the kindness of his heart. He just can't bear to touch it or Scaramouche.
Not because of how he'd been touching him earlier, marveling at how petite, at how frail the other had felt in his lap, the intoxicating friction of his body against Childe's own, the noises he made and how his breath had stuttered out of him when Childe -- ]
Burn it or something. I don't care.
[ He doesn't, since it's probably high time for him to finally change out of his Fatui uniform and into something different. He's certainly not going to wear it again after this. ]
The jacket, too. I don't want it.
[ Not after this.
There really isn't any further need to speak, so he doesn't. Instead, he takes up the oars in either hand and turns the boat sharply - or as sharp as one can in the water, but the fact that he's a Hydro user probably makes this an easy feat - and begins to row them back towards the shore. ]
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The Eleventh being the one he knew best was supposed to be a safe choice, a person he could predict when the fallout would come, if it would come at all. The Sixth realizes now that such is far from the case, blinded by the comfort found within that familiarity, of the prospect of a friend in a world where he felt lost. Safe would have been someone that knew nothing of him, of his life, as a person. It's an error that's left him holding the knife.
Dismissing it all should be a simple task, steeling himself as he normally did, but he finds that Tartaglia's anger lingers in his mind, his hurt. He can't even be angry back, no way to stop his mind from shifting back to how this was his doing, something he should have stopped before it could get this far. It's pathetic and so unlike him.
By the time the boat starts to move again Scaramouche has drawn in his hand, pulled his knees up to his chest as he all but curls in on himself in his seat, still refusing to cast so much as a glance in the other man's direction. The grip he has on the scarf is tight enough that his hand aches, but he's too preoccupied focusing on his breathing, of trying to keep his mind from going over everything he's done wrong.
Focusing on his breaths turns to counting the seconds pass, he can't get out of his own head, of debating with himself over what he should have done differently. How he's let this world affect him, something he needs to fix, this can't happen again.
Eventually he manages to whisper something, a response, though there isn't much to say.]
...Right.
[The sooner they get back to shore the better, all he wants to do is run - there isn't much else he can do in this situation, not when he's decided talking is out of the question. He'll hold onto Tartaglia's clothes, for when the man decides he finally wants them back, but no more talking. They can be a constant reminder to how much of a mistake this was, that being nice was a fool's errand. He should have learned this years ago.]
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