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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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"Speaking of our worlds... What kinda place do you live in that never has a power outage?" Oh, he did come back to it!
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"I see... I just come from, uh... I guess it's considered a normal world? Like. We don't have monsters, or magic, or stuff like that." He shakes his head. "But it's not a bad world. I still have fun there, even if I don't get to go on grand adventures, or anything."
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Pence would probably be all over something like a sudden blackout.
"Maybe we should try to find another room until the light come back." So nobody else accidentally runs into them like they ran into each other.
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"If you wanna hang out, or rest, you can crash at my place," he says. "I don't have a roommate, so it'd just be us."
He does not mind sharing. Actually, when Osomatsu had first ventured out into the dark hallway it was because he did not want to be alone during a blackout. That was scary! He wanted to find other people.
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It's actually the first time someone outside of the Organization asked him to visit their place. The times with the Usual Spot and the digital version of Hayner and the gang probably didn't count since Naminé made it so they were already all good friends.
"I don't have a roommate yet either." Not that he's really tried to find one. It's weird to think of staying with someone that's not Xion or Axel.
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"No? Did you just get here, too?" Osomatsu finds a spot on the floor to sit. He has another blanket nearby that he bundles up in, wearing it like Red Riding Hood.
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"A time machine... Geez, this place seems super old, but it's got crazy technology." Another sigh. "Time machines don't just exist, at least not where I come from."
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"Yeah, it definitely has an old-Japan vibe to it. I'm from, uh... well, it's considered modern Japan, in my world. But I guess that means nothing when you compare everyone's time periods. If there aren't people here who are from a future Japan already, there probably will be, eventually. Then I'll be from the past, too!"
Timey-wimey talk is hard. It makes Osomatsu's brain hurt just thinking about it. He rubs his head.
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Wait, no, this guy said his world didn't have any special, and Ochako talked about her world being full of superheroes. Even going to school to learn about becoming one. They must be different after all. But how many Japans can there be?
"I don't think I've run into anyone else from Japan yet."
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"...Well, it doesn't really matter where we're from right now, does it?" he says with a slight hum, mulling over his words. "We're... here now. Me, you, everyone else. Dunno how long we'll be here for, but we were all brought together for some reason."
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"H-hey, I didn't say we weren't connected to our own worlds. Of course we still are! All I was saying is... if we worry about what's happening back in our own worlds too much, we won't enjoy what's happening here."
He looks down into his lap. Of course Osomatsu is thinking about his family back at home. But he's in Nippon now, and he's going to enjoy it until he gets to go back to Japan.
"I think... coming to this world is kinda special, yanno? It sounds like not everyone gets to come here, only us. I just think that's cool. It's like a secret."
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"I didn't think about it like that. That does make it sound better." Even if the only reason they're here is because they noticed the anomaly. But there still has to be some reason for that, right?
He pauses, realizing that they've been talking this whole time and he's never introduced himself. "I'm Roxas, by the way."
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"Oh, yeah! Nice to meet you, Roxas." Osomatsu grins easily, like he's relaxed. And he is, despite the fact that he's freezing. "I'm Osomatsu!"
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"Eh, can't win 'em all," he says in response to the comment about his luck. Osomatsu's fairly lucky in his own right. Just not tonight. "I still had a good day."
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"Really? What happened before the power went out?" Roxas is admittedly surprised by the optisim.
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Osomatsu nods, a grin spreading across his face again. Roxas will eventually learn that Osomatsu is a simple man. He lives a simple life, and he enjoys things that are more mundane. But that's because his life is mundane. He lives at home, sees the same people every day, and doesn't have a job. Right now, he feels like he's on vacation!
"Like... I'm pretty sure I saw some yokai today! That was interesting. Ooh! And the restaurant I went to had really good food, but you wouldn't expect it from looking at it. This place reminds me of home, but, at the same time, it's waaaaay different!"
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