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February | 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 a laboratory, surrounded by the unfamiliar yet worried faces of people in lab coats, speaking in a foreign language that doesn't sound so foreign to you anymore.
Nanjikan Research Laboratory
There isn't much time to process what's happening before characters are ushered out of the arrival room. They're passed between a medical and a psychiatric team, checking them for injuries and psychological trauma. Their every need is met: food is offered, injuries are tended to, and questions are answered. "You're in a country called Nippon on a planet called Gaia," they explain. "You were brought here because you became aware of the timeloop... we'll explain everything."
Orientation Nanjikan Research Lab, Tokyo
Everyone is brought to a large auditorium, where dozens of other people looking similarly out of place are seated around them. The scientists and doctors from before file on stage, thoroughly explaining the situation. 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, it appears to be magic capable of distorting reality itself. But by the time they realized this was the case, they had already begun the process of rescuing others from similar worlds using that very same magic.
Until they find the means of resuming the flow of time back in your home world, you'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 Place to Call Home Tokyo, Kanto
Once orientation is over, characters will be given one of three options for housing. Housing will be paid by the government of Nippon until they decide to move elsewhere, with NRL providing a stipend for food expenses.
In lieu of providing transportation, all refugees will be granted an unlimited rail pass that they can use to travel all across Nippon!
Refugees arriving at their apartments in Nihonbashi will be making a horrifying discovery. Nestled just above their balcony are numerous pigeon nests -- but not just any pigeon nests. These are Rattle Pigeons, a common bird found in just about any city of Nippon. These birds get their names from the ominous rattle-like sound they produce when eating, which is often associated with bad omens. They're completely harmless otherwise, but it might make it a bit hard to sleep with "rattlesnakes" in the eaves.
Over in Little Edo, refugees living in their shared houses will be met with colourful gift baskets at their door, courtesy of their native Nippon-jin neighbors. Each basket contains a variety of rice crackers, sweets, and winter fruit. But one in particular will have a little note wrapped around it -- "wine fruit, for the grown-ups". True to its name, it's a very juicy fruit with a wine-like aftertaste. The reason being that it's naturally fermented in a way to make the entire fruit very alcoholic, causing drunkenness with only a few bites.
And in Yoshiwara, refugees assigned to the dorms will have to put up with a power outage affecting most of the neighborhood. For a neighborhood that usually never sleeps, it's downright eerie to see it go completely dark. Better find someone to cuddle up with until they fix the power. It's going to be a long, chilly night.
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
Just as the linked "website" states, once a character clicks the provided link, they'll find a message on the network seemingly posted under their name, stating exactly what was on their mind twenty-three minutes earlier. Clicking the link again will repeat this process infinitely, but it will not work if shared by anyone else. Did you know magical computer viruses exist?? Because apparently magical computer viruses exist.
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.
It's A Living
While the NRL may be providing shelter and food expenses, those hoping to do a little more with their time in Nippon should start thinking about getting a job! Thankfully, the economy is booming in Tokyo, and there's no shortage of work to be found. You might even find yourself doing something you love!
Or lovingly tolerate, at least.
Shopping Spree Shibuya, Tokyo
For those looking to pump up their wardrobe before setting out into the job market, they'd be best heading towards the neighborhood of Shibuya. Much like its modern counterpart, Shibuya is home to dozens of clothing stores and other retail storefronts. And one department store in particular is offering something special to all refugees: free vouchers for up to three new outfits in their latest fashion department.
But while browsing and trying on clothes, they might start to feel a little strange. After one hour, they'll be starving, as if they hadn't eaten all day. In two, they'll start feeling exhausted, as if they've pulled an all-nighter. And should they make it to three hours, they'll start feeling horrible, dizzy and hungry without any cause or explanation. Fearing a possible gas leak of some kind, eventually the whole building is evacuated -- only to find a rather large presence of Samurai officers and worried family members waiting outside.
It seems a very dangerous time surge struck the building, causing time to pass much slower on the inside. Every hour spent inside shopping translated to one full day outside it. And unfortunately, this one didn't affect their bodies. While it only feels like it's been three hours, in reality, they've all gone without food, water, or sleep for up to three days.
Everyone is offered food and water, as well as possible medical treatment if needed. And of course, the building is immediately shut down. Good thing those vouchers don't expire, at least?
Sakura Saku Yoshiwara, Tokyo
Refugees living in Yoshiwara should by now be used to the sight of raunchy or otherwise lascivious businesses opening up late at night around the neighborhood. While arts and entertainment ruled the daylight hours, at night, the grounds became known as Tokyo's red light district. Incense laced with special aphrodisiac, just barely strong enough to entice customers into their businesses, were a common staple along the streets at night.
But something was different today. Today, one of those businesses was open during daylight hours -- and they seem to be very keen in drawing in as many refugees as they can. The business in question is a host club called Sakuranbo. And they're not looking for customers right now: they're looking to hire.
It's really not a bad gig. And for month of February, all refugees will have the opportunity to work there under a trial-only basis, working only as much as they want. Jobs range from serving drinks, to live comedy or musical performances, and of course, private sexual performances. But when the owner promises refugees will never be touched by anyone they don't want, she means it. After all, Sakuranbo is first and foremost a voyeur's club. Customers watch sexual performances through a shoji screen or, for a sizable fee, they can poke a hole in the screen and watch directly.
It may not be the sort of work any refugee would choose to jump on, but seeing as all positions receive the same wage, and it is the highest paying job in Yoshiwara, it might be worth spending a day or two to give it a shot.
Slippery Salamander Nihonbashi, Tokyo
For those hoping to pass through Nihonbashi, it seems they might be waiting for a little while. A great Nippon salamander has found its way into the canals below the bridge from which Nihonbashi gets its name. Roughly the size of train car, the salamander appears to be trapped under a section of the bridge, and is very unhappy about it. It thrashes around violently, causing earthquake-like tremors that extend all throughout the neighborhood. Fearing a collapse, the Samurai officers on patrol are enlisting the help of everyone and anyone to try and evacuate the buildings that are located on that section of the bridge. And of course, one of those happens to be where some of the refugees have been living.
Unfortunately, killing it isn't an option. As a nearby spectator explains, they're virtually immortal and can regenerate even from near total incineration. And it's not like it's the salamander's fault it got stuck here! Killing such a long-lived creature would be cruel. But refugees are free to attempt other means of soothing the beast, at least. Perhaps if they can get it to stop struggling, it'll calm down long enough to evacuate everyone safely.
Eventually, the specialists are called in: the Hanzaki Clan, one of the many hunter clans in Nippon. When it comes to dealing with dangerous beasts and monstrous ayakashi, they're second to none! It seems the process of removing the salamander will be an icky one: it produces a thick, gelatinous coating around its body when it's stressed, and they'll need volunteers to help carve it off with specialized safety shears to free it. It's sticky, gooey, and gets just about everywhere -- but anyone who sticks around to help will be offered to join the Hanzaki if they think they'd enjoy the work. They promise -- it won't always be this nasty. But before looking towards new employment opportunities, might be a good idea to hit up one of Tokyo's many public baths to wash off the slime. Yuck!
OOC Notes
Welcome to Jikan's February 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. 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 the owner of Sakuranbo is earnest in wanting to help the refugees make a living without forcing them to sell their bodies, she's not above attempting to coerce them into sexual performances after she's earned their trust. These performances will always be alone or with fellow employees, and never with customers. This is an option for players who want to play the prostitution angle, but have characters who would not be open to it.
• Characters who leave the department store in the first or second hour will leave to discover that they lost one day or two days respectively. But there won't be any officers and medical help waiting on the outside. Attempting to re-enter will cause them to somehow arrive at the end of the third hour, no matter when they originally left.
• Clothing vouchers can be redeemed a week after the initial incident when the time surge disappears and the shop re-opens. For an idea of what sort of fashion exists in Nippon, here is a general idea!
Please leave any questions about the TDM prompts in the thread below! General game questions can be directed to the FAQ!
Reserves and Apps are always open!
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As Genbu lifts the blanket out, an arm slides free from the confines of the blanket. There's no voice of protest from the body, but that is definitely attached to a body.
A very still, very pale, very cold body.]
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KYA--!!
[Genbu immediately clasps his mouth, his other arm having no trouble carrying the "body". That startled him! But the Raen didn't want to cause a scene.
He had dealt with a "dead body" before, one that ended up being alive, stuck in a deep sleep. He learned not to jump to conclusions since. Taking a deep breath, Genbu finally supports the body with his other arm, and gently sits down against the wall.
Right. Now to find the rest of the body in this blanket. He'll check it's pulse first, panic later.]
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There's no breathing, but Genbu might note that while the body is utterly limp, there's a trace of warmth to the skin. Not nearly enough to be healthy--or human, in this case-- but after a minute or so of checking there is a faint beat of a pulse.
How that's even functional is a mystery.]
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[Visibly distressed, Genbu quickly scrambles to unravel the blanket, finally finding the body it contained. It felt...cold. But there was a very small warmth eliminating from it. His heart begins to race. His stomach tenses into knots as he panics, not hearing any breathing coming from the body.
He checks the pulse.
...
...
There is one. Barely. But by the Gods there's a pulse.]
GODSDAMN IT! Don't worry little buddy, I won't let ya leave for the aether plane just yet! You're gonna be okay!!
[He sets the young man down on his back onto the blanket, and sits perpendicular to him by his side. He had learned this move back when he studied some first aid to better look after others. Finally, it was time to put it to the test.
He pinched the young man's nose and tilts his head back. And slowly he begins to lower his horned head towards the other's, attempting mouth to mouth.]
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...Thing on his face?
Crimson eyes struggle to open, just in time to see Genbu plant his lips on his.
He has never shot from dead to the world to awake so fast.]
Mmph!!
[He's flailing a little, reaching up to grab--
Something hard and scaly? Uh-- He thought he'd find the guy's head, not horns.]
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Woah!! It worked??? But I didn't even exhale yet! This really is an effective move! Are ya ok??
....Oi, oi! Let go of my horns, it tickles!
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[It's said in a slightly hysterical whine. And now he's-- gah.
Kuro reels back as much as he's able, groggy and with his face clasped in the man's hands.
Horns? Scales? Uh... okay then.]
...Let go of my face and I'll let go of your horns.
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[Genbu releases the now-living stranger's face.]
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really?
Kuro stares at the man with baffled surprise for a long moment before letting go of his horns with a flat look.
This really was just his luck.]
Giving the kiss of life to a vampire is kind of pointless, y'know.
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Huh??
[Absolutely perplexed.]
There's no way you're a vampire! You're way too cute to be one! And not to mention I don't sense the dreaded aura of a voidsent on you at all! If anything your hair kinda makes ya look like a miqo'te more than anythin'!
ignore the blood, but The Face is a thing rn
Just ignore the fact his cheeks are turning a bit pink. Apparently Kizuna does that. It doesn't help that Kuro is gay, awkward and that guy's lips were just on his lips, so the compliment is definitely A Bit Much for him.
Though it doesn't last long, since confusion takes over.]
'Voidscent'? Did you expect vampires to smell bad, or something?
[He makes a grossed out face at that, sticking out his tongue. He bathes every day, thank you!]
That's gross. But I am a vampire.
Never got a notif for this >:[
Oh...OH!!! VOID..."SCENT"!! BAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
[Genbu's thunderous laugh roars though the halls.]
Seven hells!! That's a good one! I gotta use that later on! No, no, voidsent, as in sent to our realm from the void? No worries, you smell fine!
[Genbu still has the giggles, unable to process that the guy insisted being a vampire.]
Alas
[Kuro sighs as the man laughs, expression turning sulky. Listen, it's not like he knew that!
This laughter is far preferable compared to a moment ago, though.]
I'm not from this 'void', either. Doesn't change the facts that I'm a vampire. We're all from different worlds, remember?
no subject
[Genbu finally managed to utter some words behind his laughter. But he was just too giddy to get into the nitty gritty of his world's laws of nature.]
Still...I'm having a hard time believin' ya! You just don't seem scary at all! One look at ya and I don't feel any fear, I just wanna hug ya instead! You look like you need it, you're freezing!
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Kuro sinks into his blanket with a baffled look. There's pink coloring his cheeks again.] Hug? Why would you hug a self-admitted vampire?
[He is freezing, frankly... he needed to find some warmth before he dozed off again, but...]
Genbu rn: I've fought both undead monsters AND skinny pale boys!
[Oh God, he's serious.]
And uh...I mean, no disrespect, but...I've fought scarier. A small skinny pale boy ain't exactly intimidatin'. Not to me at least! Even if you are a vampire!
Genbu is Valid, kuro just hates himself
[Bizarrely, Kuro's almost tempted to try and scare him, just because how... friendly he's being is frankly
frighteningunnerving for him. People don't just...But that would take effort, and he's too tired to expend any, too cold to pull himself together enough for such a display. The most he'll do is open his mouth, showing off the sharp fangs he has with an exhausted, deadpan look.] I'm very youthful looking for my age, but I'm not lying.
;_;
[Genbu seems...shocked? Almost as if he finally came to realize that this small man wasn't lying.]
...check out those CHOMPERS!!!
[Immediately the Raen scoots closer to the apparent vampire, leaning in to take a closer look at the fangs. They were kind of cute on him, to be honest.]
So you really are a vampire!? Wait...hold on a moment! Is that why you were barely breathing and basically dead? Do you need blood!? Look, if it means it'll boost you up a bit, I don't mind parting with some of mine...if you promise not to drink all of it or turn me into a vampire, that is!
no subject
[Kuro leans back a little, grimacing slightly. This is weird. It's not like it's a set of costume teeth or something like that, why did this guy seem excited?
Then again, he did have horns and scales. Maybe this was 'cool' in his world.
But when Genbu makes his offer, something shifts in Kuro's expression. It's no longer exasperation, but a wild mix of emotions: disgust, fear, anger. His next words are snarled out as he presses himself away from him, leaning back into the wall sharply, clutching his blanket tighter. If he was in any shape to do so, he'd walk away back to his room right now and hide in his bed until the heat was fixed.]
No. I'm not drinking your blood, and I don't turn people into vampires. Don't ask that of me, and don't offer.
[Would it help? Probably. Not as much as Mahiru's blood, but all blood contained vitality. life. Still... he'd prefer sleeping it off to drinking from anyone, let alone someone not his Eve.]
Genbu be like omg just let me hug you
[Genbu holds his hands up, alarmed by the sudden shift in atmosphere. Was that a touchy subject for vampires? Funny, the ones back home would absolutely take his offer...even if he never offered. Was it different in this guy's world?]
Seven hells! Message received! I won't ask again, ya have my word!
...
Maybe ya really do need a hug.
please hug him he needs it
...Good. You shouldn't offer things like that so easily. Not to me, not to anyone...
[He seems even more exhausted than before, skin pale and shivers wracking his form. Whatever fire he'd summoned up was all he had.] You're crazy, aren't you...?
Cries my heart
Yeah, I've been told that. Who knows, maybe I am? But if bein' crazy means fightin' for those we have lost, and savin' those we can yet save...well then consider me the craziest wanker out there! I only offered my blood to help ya, not because I was bein' careless or anythin'!
[Genbu gently smiles as he walks up to the emotional vampire, and squats down in front of him, reaching out with one large hand to cup his cheek.]
Hey... what's yer name?
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Honestly, that speech of his... it's exasperating, but it almost seems to calm him. Maybe because it reminds him of a certain someone he trusts more than anyone. But if bein' crazy means fightin' for those we have lost, and savin' those we can yet save...
...So annoying.
He's snapped out of his thoughts when Genbu squats in front of him, stiffening for a moment as that hand cups his cold cheek... before inevitably leaning into the touch, letting out a sigh of relief.
He's so warm...]
....Kuro.
no subject
Kuro, huh? Cool name! Kinda suits ya. You give off that whole...err, edgy vibe thing. Right, anyroad!
[The Raen gives Kuro a soft gentle pap pap on his cheek where he hand was placed, before withdrawing said said.]
Let's get you back to your place, I'm sure it's more comfortable there than it is here.
...
I can carry ya if ya need me to.
no subject
'Edgy' wasn't really the vibe the guy who named me was going for.
[...He's startled by the papping, eyebrows rising in surprise. This guy was awfully touchy, huh...?]
I can walk... I think.
[He's pushing himself up-- and manages about 2.5 seconds of being upright before he's falling face first onto Genbu.
rip, Kuro.]
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