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April | 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 the Eastern Kingdom of 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 in collaboration with the neighboring Western Kingdom, 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 they find the means of resuming the flow of time back in your home world, the refugees will just have to make due with this one. But not to worry, because Nippon is fully committed to taking care of everyone!
A Place to Call Home Tokyo, Kanto
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 Kingdoms 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! Thankfully, 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 as they please. While this TDM and its prompts are focused on the Eastern Kingdom, you are welcome to have your character arrive in the Western Kingdom instead.
For those bound for Nihonbashi, be careful not to board the train too late at night. Because on Friday nights, the Loop Line's final train of the night is a party train! Every train car is set up with its own theme and decor, with this week featuring the return of the ever popular sexy maid cafe in the rear of the car! Dress up in a surprisingly demure maid outfit (this is 1921) and take customer orders, or have a seat and peruse the menu. Aside from a small bar, there's no actual food service or exchange of currency going on here, so it's all in good fun! The train will loop endlessly past the same station until sunrise, so hopefully they weren't planning on an early night's sleep.
In Little Edo, a Great Nippon Salamander has been spotted wandering the streets in search of clean water. While this may not seem like a big deal, these creatures range in size from that of a large dog to that of a large house. To subdue the creature, the local hunting clan, the Hanzaki, are searching for volunteers to help coax the salamander back out into the swamplands of the Tokyo Outskirts. While the safest method is to lead it using a hose or another source of water, those looking to get the job done quickly may instead choose to fight the creature, causing it to flee in whichever direction they point it in. Careful, they move faster than you think!
Over in Yoshiwara, the Tokyo branch of the refugee-owned nightclub, Club Hexxx, has finally opened its doors! Enjoy a dark and spooky atmosphere while listening to the latest jazz hits. And best of all, refugees will be offered a free glass of Club Hexxx's signature drink: Kinklist, a coffee-flavored drink that turns white after one sip, and causing the drinker's deepest sexual desire to appear written on their cheek in black ink. The text will remain until they finish the rest of the drink.
NRL Time Refugee Support Network
Once they've received their housing assignment, all refugees will be given small handheld devices called magi-tech communicators, 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. Now available with limited sepia-tone color, and video cameras! 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.
Springtime Flowers
With the changing of the seasons, the cherry blossoms have finally bloomed, painting the landscape with dashes of pink and white on nearly every corner. Not even the busy citizens of Tokyo can resist stopping to smell the flowers, or even enjoying picnics underneath them!
And those looking for the best place to view the flowers need look no further than Little Edo, a suburb in south Tokyo that borders the vast wetlands that separate Tokyo from Yokohama. And between the lush parks, interesting shrines, and mysterious ruins, there's no shortage of things for those settling in to explore!
A Very Special Festival Kanayama Shrine, Tokyo Outskirts
While most residents are celebrating the spring season under the cherry blossoms, a different sort of celebration is taking place at the Kanayama Shrine, located just south of Tokyo on a tall, narrow hilltop that juts out of the flooded landscape. Once more, it's time for the annual Kanamara Matsuri, and all refugees will find themselves invited to the little island to see the festivities. And what sort of festival is it, you may ask?
Why, it's the Festival of the Steel Phallus! According to legend, there was once a plague of a type of ayakashi that was known to live in the genitals of humans, whose vicious bite caused the birthrate of a certain city to drop down to zero. To combat this, an afflicted young woman asked a blacksmith to forge a steel phallus in order to break the ayakashi's teeth, freeing her of the curse. It's said the original phallus remains enshrined in the innermost chambers-- and in honor of this most venerated dildo, a festival is held every spring to celebrate sexuality and fertility, all leading up to a procession in which a giant steel phallus is paraded around the island.
(And no, I didn't make this one up.)
Refugees visiting the shrine will find no shortage of phallic-shaped foods and merchandise. Outside of the wide array of oddly shaped dildos to choose from, in terms of food, there are stalls selling lollipops, popsicles, sausages, grilled squid, octopus balls, cream-filled dick waffles-- but there's more at work here than a simple theme. Those who choose the popsicles will find themselves with a temporary oral fixation, causing an urge to have something between their lips at all times. Now, is this a naughty trick, or merely a marketing ploy to sell more popsicles? It's hard to say.
But the real treat is inside the shrine itself, where a single dildo stands tall among gilded offerings and flowers. The inner chamber is only ever put on display once a year, and for good reason. Anyone whose eyes fall upon the majestic phallus will become overwhelmed with a desire to fill or be filled - which might just be why viewings are done in groups of two or more, with the outer doors of the shrine closed behind them for privacy. There's a nice pile of pillows and no shortage of lubricating oils available, so why not get into the spirit of the season with a friend or two?
Flowers of Evil Little Edo, Tokyo
Festivals aside, many people are coming out to Little Edo to enjoy the array of cherry blossom trees for Hanami, or flower watching parties. Of these, the refugees will find themselves invited to a special gathering, taking place under the shade of a massive cherry blossom tree that was planted in their honor the year before. And yet despite it's young age, it's the largest tree around, continually growing since the initial growth spurt when it was planted. Although most understand that it was likely Kizuna that caused its sudden growth, locals have begun treating it as something sacred, leaving offerings and making prayers beneath its branches.
And should the refugees decide to take part as well, they may be surprised to find that whatever they wish for comes true. These wishes are rather limited, and some may only exist for a few minutes. But for those wishing to meet someone from home, the may be surprised to find that the person in question will appear beside them in Nippon... (See notes below for details!)
But while everyone else is enjoying the cherry blossoms, a certain park in Little Edo is drawing crowds for a different reason. After last year's outbreak of jubokko ayakashi, the cherry blossom trees in this area were permanently stained by the jubokko's red pollen, causing the pink petals to develop distinct red veins.
However, unlike the jubokko's pollen, these petals carry a very different effect. Anyone who stands under the shade of these trees will feel an irresistible urge to confess something. This can be something minor, like a strange food combination they are particularly fond of, or something major, such as the name of the last person they had sex with. This urge will linger even after leaving the flowers, until they've either confessed enough to appease the tree, or until the trees go bare when the blossoms fall.
Underwater Mysteries Tokyo Outskirts, Kanto
Those who are familiar with some version of Nippon may find the changed landscape to be rather confusing. Due to a massive time surge many decades ago, the entire region of Kanto was flooded, leaving many cities underwater or transformed into swamplands. As nature took over, the flooded region surrounding Tokyo came to be known the Tokyo Outskirts.
Ordinarily, exploring this area can be rather dangerous, given both the presence of dangerous Ayakashi and the unstable landscape that's peppered with the ruins of drowned cities. But this week, those looking for a little adventure can take part in special boat tours exploring the ruins and viewing the cherry trees from a unique vantage point.
Up to four people can fit in a single steamboat, which is preprogrammed to follow a path that will take passengers past the top of a large hill that's almost completely covered in cherry blossom trees, with the ruins of a few old buildings just barely visible beneath the overgrowth. But beauty aside, the real marvel is within the water itself, which is clear enough that one can look down and see roads, trees, and even entire buildings still mostly intact beneath the surface. You'd think the water just appeared one day, given that nothing seems to have been destroyed when the flood occurred.
But not every trip will go as smoothly as planned. Hidden beneath the pink petals that pepper the surface of the water, unlucky refugees may spot the long, long body of an Ikuchi, the sea serpent ayakashi. Thought to be the longest Ayakashi to exist in Nippon, these thick, snake-like creatures may take entire minutes just to pass under a boat. Spotting the body is simply distressing, and thankfully not of much concern. But should someone make eye contact with the third eye on top of its head, the Ikuchi will climb over the side of the boat and coil around it, attempting to drag it beneath the surface. And for the one who initially made eye contact, they'll find themselves affixed with a curse that temporarily makes it impossible to float in the water.
Thankfully, this ayakashi isn't interested in attacking those who fall overboard, and there's plenty of spots where the water is far more shallow. But those who fall in will have to wait until another tour comes by to ferry them back to shore.
OOC Notes
Welcome to Jikan's April 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!
• For this month only, please include in your top-level if you are a new player without an invite! Those seeking an invite can do so here!!
• 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.
• Despite everything, Kanamaru Matsuri is considered an all-ages event!
• Wishes can be anything, from food items to items from home. All characters in the game will be allowed to redeem one item, magical or otherwise, from home using this prompt! However, for new character apping into the game, you have the option to have your character join the game by being wished into the setting. The wish can be anything from a direct plea to see a certain castmate again, or even just a wish for more friends that goes awry. These characters will still remember a time loop, but will not remember seeing a door, instead appearing in Tokyo after hearing the wishing-character's voice call to them. These characters will then be encouraged to visit the NRL for orientation, and will be offered an explanation that Kizuna saved them from the timeloop directly.
• While characters may attempt to fight the Ikuchi, it will not fight back, and cutting its body will cause it to grow another head and become another separate Ikuchi. This new head is also capable of cursing people, so it's probably best to leave it alone.
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
I kind of lost track of time for a while. [his tone is apologetic, if a bit uncertain as he adds] Four years? It might be closer to five, I'm not really sure.
[. . .]
That's what your letter said, at least.
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[She thought back to those letters and which ones she had mentioned that time in, and knew it had to be one of the last... Aerith took another deep breath and made herself smile for him. He was Zack before he had died. And not long before that, if she had to guess.
Which meant she couldn't say a word to him about it happening. His future was not for her to discuss.]
Then its so good to see you again, Zack. It really has been a long time.
There are a few people you'll know here too, Reno and Rude. And... [Aerith hesitated a moment here.] Sephiroth is here. As well as a man by the name of Genesis. He seemed to know you when I mentioned your name.
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[it's a silly question, because he absolutely believes she did, but it's better to focus on that than the fact that he hadn't known how long had passed until he'd read her letter.
Or that it wasn't too long after that when he - well] It's - really good to see you, too. How long has it been for you?
[he asks, despite not being sure he wants to know. And then she lists off who else is here and . . . there's so many ways he can react and he isn't sure which to settle on. She doesn't sound concerned, but - he can't help but immediately feel on edge. Old habits die hard and all]
. . . [a forced, helpless little laugh] Of all the people to be here . . .
no subject
[A lot. She'd write a lot over the years but it seemed be hadn't gotten those. Just the one. Aerith supposed that made sense in a sad way. Why would anything have been easy?]
Five years, give or take. A lot happened while you were...away.
Sephiroth isn't bad. [Aerith was quick to reassure] He is from a before time. Before he went... And Reno and Rude are from our future I think. Its all very strange but we've all been brought here from different points in time.
I was just leaving Midgar when I was brought here.
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[the pause is . . . well, his lips twitch, briefly, into that rueful little smile from before] It seems that way.
[that . . . both does and doesn't make sense, even with the explanations when he got here about time loops and such, and his expression goes from on edge to just. Unsure]
He's not? Wait - do you know what - ? [at least the Turks being from the future isn't . . . so bad . . .
He's so thrown now, what even is this place] You were leaving?
no subject
[Her own laugh was a little embarrassed. The letters had been something of a habit on the end. A habit she'd known when to break. And then to have the man himself standing in front of her just felt so...strange. Aerith didn't know what to think.
So it was best not to dwell on that at all.]
Do I know that he died and some part of him went crazy and caused my friends and I no end of a headache? Yep! We were just leaving Midgar to track him down when time went loopy and then a door appeared out of nowhere. And now I'm here!
no subject
A-Aerith . . . [he can't help but drag a hand over his face]
I have so many questions . . . and you're making it really hard to be mad.
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[Ouch. What had she done? That took the wind right out of her sails. She was trying hard to be nice and calm and like this was all so natural seeing the dead alive and well and standing in front of her. What else was she supposed to do?
But it did hurt a little to know somehow she'd angered him. She just wasn't sure what it was she'd said or done that had caused it.
When she spoke next it was quieter, a little more subdued.]
What questions? I can try to answer... If I know the answer.
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I'm not mad at you. [he's sure to make that certain] I could never be mad at you. It's more - trying to be annoyed at myself and this whole situation, but I can't even manage that.
[he takes a deep breath and the smile remains, only a little forced]
I can guess the answer to the one thing we keep dancing around. [he faintly shakes his head] Who are you traveling with? Last I remember, only Shinra and the Turks knew about Sephiroth.
no subject
Then don't be mad at the situation. If you can guess the thing then you know why you being here is...why its such a good thing. And I'm really glad to see you again, Zack.
[Aerith smiled for him then, warm and kind. Though the next question gave her pause for a moment.]
Do you mean before here?
Well it was a group of us. There was Cloud and Tifa and Barret and Red XIII. And me!
But if you mean here in Nippon... Sephiroth and Reno have been watching out for me. That's why I know he's good. At least now.
no subject
I'll try. [he keeps his eyes on their hands, giving a soft little laugh] I didn't think I'd get to see you again. I missed you.
[another reason why it's so hard to be mad, when this is a chance he didn't think he'd ever get.
He pauses too, because that's two more names he hadn't expected, both for different reasons. It's hard to hide the relief in his voice] That sounds like a pretty good group, especially if Cloud is with you. But I'm glad . . . that you have people here, too.
[complicated feelings aside, if Sephiroth is looking after her, then he has no reason to worry]
no subject
He literally fell into my life the same way you did. I made him act as my bodyguard. I never realised I might actually need it. Or he would.
But you two were friends, right?
[And here a little warmth flooded her cheek, though she attempted to deflect it with another laugh.]
Yep! Being well looked after here!
no subject
[he brightens too, his smile soft] We were good friends, yeah. After - [a pause, and then he reconsiders what he wants to say] - he was with me when I was heading back to Midgar. He's - doing all right?
But - good. I'm glad for that,
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[She liked that smile. And wished that Cloud was here too so he could see it.]
He's doing...well. I think that's a good way to put it. Was is always so... [Aerith pulled on a grumpy stoic type of expression in comical example of how Cloud normality looked.]...scowly and stiff?
no subject
[he pauses before shaking his head] He was always a little shy around me. He could be pretty serious, but . . . I wouldn't say he was like that.
no subject
Zacks reply caused her to laugh and nod knowingly.] I'd had a feeling... But he's a good guy. A good friend. I miss him too. I miss them all... [Aerith turned her face up to the sky, to the falling pink blossoms and wondered if she could dare try and make another wish...]
no subject
[he turns his attention to the tree, thoughtful] He wasn't doing too good the last time I saw him, so . . . I'm glad he's doing okay now. And that he got to meet you. I miss him, too.
no subject
Yeah. [Aerith had removed her hand from Zack's to fold them behind her back, then turned to face the tree. She stepped back so she was stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him.] Who knows? Maybe you'll see him here again, if you stick around? Do you have a place to stay already?
no subject
[he still has the petal she gave him, and after a pause, he opens his hand to let the wind carry it away. Almost like he was making a wish] I guess I could stick around for a little while. There's not a lot to do in the Lifestream. [only he would say it so lightly, like the Lifestream is like any other place. He laughs a little to himself] There's the dorms, but I only stopped in there to clean up.
no subject
[She looked up at him then with a sad smile, and then she leaned lightly against his arm.]
I think this place would be a lot more entertaining than the Lifestream.
no subject
[he glances down at her, then wraps his arm around her shoulders to carefully hug her closer] Well, it'd be a lie if I said I didn't like this place better so far.
no subject
[Yeah, he was very real. This was so strange. He should have been dead. Returned to the Lifestream. But he was right there beside her and actually felt warm. This world really was a strange one that could even bring back people from the dead.]
Mmhm, Nippon is a fantastical place. I've never seen anything like it before in my life. It's even stranger than Wall Market!
no subject
[he says it with a laugh; it's easier to mention that, rather than the last few times he encountered any of the Turks.
It's strange, though, standing here and touching her - for all that he truly believed he would make it back with Cloud, a part of him still knew how impossible it was. He really is lucky that he at least gets this here]
I dunno, Wall Market's pretty unique . . .
no subject
[She laughed along with him and reached over to lightly whack his arm. He knew what she'd meant, he was being silly. But it was fine.
Maybe she should call Reno and give him a heads up?
And then she burst out laughing and pulled away, turning with an excited expression, eyes bright.]
Oh. My. God, Zack! You know Cloud! You know Wall Market! Did you ever go to the Honeybee Inn? I've been there. With Cloud. We went there to rescue Tifa! I helped Cloud dress up as a woman! He was so cute!
no subject
[honestly, Aerith being anywhere near Wall Market seems odd to him - it's not the sort of place for a flower girl, at least - but -
There's a moment where he's very clearly trying to process everything she just said, because it's so - Rescue? Cloud in a dress? What??]
I'm trying to picture any of that and it just isn't happening. [he does sound like he's trying not to laugh] Why did you have to rescue Tifa? And dress Cloud up? I really can't picture that part . . .
I, uh, I tried to go once, but they wouldn't let me in because I was too young.
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