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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
[a lie, of course; the game rules are more than simple enough that Dohalim's picked up on it in a couple of rounds. but he thinks it's cute that Law's trying to explain it to him like a teacher to a student; it's rather amusing]
I shall try harder in the next round. However, for now...
[Dohalim sticks his other, foot, waiting for Law to take care of removing it.
now, for the next round, he has every intention of winning. he can't let Law figure out his plan so soon, after all. where would the fun in that be?
so when it's time for everyone to throw their hands down again, Dohalim keeps his in a fist as he plays rock; it's a statistical play. who would dare play rock again after they've just played it in the previous round?]
no subject
after a long, long stare at the other man, wherein he considers just letting him fend for himself just for the satisfaction of watching him struggle, Law eventually acquiesces and tugs his foot into a lap with a grumble of embarrassment. ]
Can't even take off your freaking shoes properly, what kind of high-class Renan lord shit --
[ but the shoe comes off rather easily, and Law's tossing it carelessly to the side. he doesn't care where it lands - though the telltale wet thunk and rising shriek of alarm is indication enough - and is soon enough turning his attention back to the game.
unsurprisingly, as soon as Dohalim throws down rock the other two women are quick to change theirs to paper. Law has also chosen rock - also unsurprisingly - and he looks from his hand to Dohalim's own with a sour look on his face. monkey see, monkey do. ]
Heck...
no subject
but as soon as he sees the womens' choices in hand as well as Law's, Dohalim sighs. well, at least the geiko still get to be clothed]
I see we've both made a statistical error.
[and it's not like he intended to lose this round in the first place. however, he doesn't move to take anything off, but waits for Law and gestures at the clasp with a clearing of his throat]
no subject
Law's already selecting the final gauntlet and unstrapping the bulk of it with dexterous, skilled fingers suggesting he's done this hundreds of times before. it falls into a heap on top his other adornments with a loud clang, leaving both arms smooth and scandalously naked. ]
... you've gotta be kidding me. Seriously??? You can't even undo a clasp???
[ he's practically groaning in suffering, giving Dohalim a long, long look. how did this man survive all these years. did he really have servants on hand to undress and re-dress him?
... actually, yeah, he can believe that. he's pretty sure there's a bunch of Dahnans in the city that wanted to "give thanks" for Lord Dohalim's selfless crusade in liberating the slaves. that checks out. ]
You're not even gonna wanna try to take it off yourself?
no subject
The more time you waste, the longer this game will take.
[there's a slight nuance in Dohalim's voice, one that's lightly teasing and playful. sure, he can try to take the clasp off himself, but one: both of them know that it'll end up in suffering, and two: Dohalim knows that Law will do it anyway. so really, there's no point on even attempting anything in the first place. and he can wait, but it wouldn't be courteous to those waiting on them.
the geiko watch this interaction and giggle among themselves, watching Law]
no subject
the rest of the article of clothing comes off without much delay, and he actually settles that carefully off to the side out of the way of whatever sake he'd spilled earlier. at least he's careful with his things. taking his filled cup in one hand, he starts shaking the other into a fist, looking from Dohalim to the girls with his expression changing into one of determination. he's going to see naked ladies even if it kills him.
a quick two more shakes, and then he throws down - scissors. ]
no subject
noticing that look of determination on Law's face, Dohalim just grins softly to himself and shakes his head, before mirroring the rest of the table and throwing his fist down yet again. third time has to be the charm, right? though, he does also notice the sake in his hand; he lets out a soft sigh]
I think you should take a break from drinking.
no subject
the array of hands held out are all different, varying signs; Law's is scissors, Dohalim's is rock, and the women, of course, choose paper. unsurprisingly, as they both take off one dainty sock they lift their hakama up scandalously high - a sight which Law feasts on, unapologetically, sake spilling from his slowly tipping cup onto his lap - with their gazes fixed on the Renan lord expectantly.
Law's so taken with the sight in front of him that he doesn't seem to realize that Dohalim might also need some help undressing. ]
no subject
but again, it's only for a moment.
as he holds out an arm for Law to remove one of his cuffs, he notices just how the little show of display has captivated his attention, and the current mess he's making with the spilt sake. with another sigh, Dohalim plucks the cup out of his hand and places it on the table]
You're making a mess. Cuff, please.
no subject
there's a softer, muted giggling at his expense from their female companions as Law's flush deepens, and he's finally able to tear his gaze away with a huff at being called out like that. ]
I-I wasn't looking!!!
[ he says, looking for one second longer before bodily turning to face Dohalim. he doesn't even seem to notice the sake has been taken from him, but it shows in his movements how much this was actually needed; he actually fumbles a little, swearing under his breath before pulling Dohalim's whole-ass arm into his lap and fiddling with it there. ]
no subject
[at some point, Dohalim should stop teasing Law, lest his head explode from embarrassment. but at the same time, he isn't sure if the teenager's learned his lesson. especially now that his arm is in the sake puddle in Law's lap...
yes, he deserves just a little more teasing. he'll apologise later. though, to save what little dignity Law has left, Dohalim does lean in and mutter quietly enough so he can only hear]
And you may want to clean up that sake at your earliest convenience.
no subject
it takes only a few more tries before he manages to get the cuff off, and when he does it joins Dohalim's shoe in being banished to some random corner in the room. the lord's hand is returned to him and Law ends up patting at the ground where he thinks he might have left the sake, but comes up empty instead.
notably, his gaze seems especially unfocused as he does this and he's wobbling a little. the next words out of his mouth follow a hiccup, and they sound slurred, meshing into one another like they're chasing each other on the way past his lips. ]
... Hey, Dohalim, have you seen my --
[ is all he manages to get out before he suddenly turns and heaves and -
well. that's one way to see if he's been drinking on an empty stomach. ]
no subject
he lets out an exasperated sigh as he reaches up to pinch the bridge of his nose; this is exactly why he didn’t want Law drinking anymore. It was bound to happen sooner or later, and now he feels the responsibility of having to clean it up (despite... never having actually done this), as well as take care of a very drink teenager... what does he look like, a parent?
He glances at the geiko apologetically]
My sincerest apologies... But do you mind gathering some towels? I will have to take this child to the bathroom. Do not worry, I will clean it up, myself.
no subject
closer inspection will show that he’s passed out and already drooling. there may or may not be a little schmutz on his cheek.
so like. have fun with that, Dohalim.
the geiko don’t seem to particularly mind but they also don’t seem inclined to help, either. really, who could blame them? ]
no subject
hoisting Law into his arms (surprisingly agile while he does so), Dohalim carries him to the bathroom to clean him up. how embarrassing for the both of them, but it couldn't be helped, at this point.
sitting him down against a wall and making sure he's staying upright (Dohalim really doesn't want to deal with the repercussions if Law were to choke on his own vomit and die), and with a quick search of a basin to stick on Law's lap, Dohalim gently shakes him awake]
Law, you need to wake up. It won't bode well for you to sleep like this.
no subject
Nnngh... five more minutes...
[ rub rub, rub rub. a Renan's skin is very soft. it probably shouldn't come as a surprise, since he's never touched one before, but still. ]
no subject
No, now. You've ingested quite a bit of alcohol, and you need to get it out of your system.
no subject
[ because that's what getting it out of your system means, clearly. he sags a little more where he's sitting, the expression on his face not unlike a petulant child.
he's already got one eye half-closed, the other well on its way to joining it. ]
no subject
It does not matter whether you are ready or not-- [whatever that means] --But better out than in.
[and he'll keep nudging Law, too. sigh, children]
no subject
the nudging gets the weakest of little baby slaps at Dohalim’s hands, the low grumble of displeasure making him sound like some kind of animal more than anything ]
I don’t wanna.
no subject
though he knows the boy will need some water too, at some point.
rubbing at his eyes, he straightens Law out a little so he doesn't keel over, and stands]
Do not go anywhere. [a small joke ha ha ha] I will be back with some water.
[and he really needs to clean up that mess out there... Law's lucky he's compassionate :|]
no subject
it looks like he wants to say something. his gaze flickers for a bit between something hazy and something muted, and he opens his mouth to speak -
and then goes BLEGH in the bucket in his lap. good call, Dohalim. ]
no subject
so he'll take the time to clean up his mess (begrudgingly, of course; he's never had to clean anything like this before... or clean at all) as best he could, taking care of the towels (very much considering just burning them because gross), and plucking up whatever discarded clothes they both ended up stripping and laying them off to the side.
it's a good chunk of time before Dohalim comes back, glass of water in one hand, and a damp face cloth in the other; he kneels down by Law again]
How are you feeling?
no subject
Like my mouth’s on fire. And I just stomached an entire full course meal of Alphen’s cooking.
[ he spots the damp cloth in Dohalim’s hands and gestures for it. it appears he’s sobering up pretty quickly… if not for the fact that he’s gesturing in a completely random direction nowhere near the cloth. ]
I can do it…