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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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"Wait, what?"
If he knew Kyrie and Evan, then it had to be after he had Geostigma. When else could it possibly be?
"But you're not—"
Suddenly he doubled checked Rufus, as if to make sure he didn't somehow miss an invisible wheelchair trick. Or miss signs of the illness that Rufus was trying to walk off.
"You're walking around."
Of course, by now it was super clear that he came within a certain timeline. Rufus had been having a lot of trouble, stubborn as he was to admit it, and the best they had was a treatment they'd been working on, but no cure. So how was it possible that the president could look like this.
And then, suddenly, there was one other serious matter. "Wait, how can you not go to his birthday?! He's your brother! Am I the only one who even gives a damn?"
Considering the only reason Rufus even met him was to shut Reno up about: possibly.
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But then there was the matter of the disease that had been eating away at him for two years. Rufus rolls up his sleeves so Reno can see the bare skin that had once been covered with black sores and heavy bandages.
Sometimes it feels almost too good to be true, to suddenly be cured after the last two years. There are times he wonders if he looks down again it will have been a dream, another hallucination and that the marks will be back.
"You don't remember the rain." The expression on Reno's face tells him that much. He lowers his sleeves once more, his expression composed. "The rain, the pool in the church- it was the miracle cure."
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He liked Evan. He did. But damn if it wasn't painful watching an awkward teenage boy fail all over the place.
But on another note, one that nearly took his breath away... "There's a cure?"
It was hard to believe. After all their efforts they'd been happy just to find anything that would delay it. To help deal with the pain. Finding a cure had been a long way off.
What more proof did he need than his own eyes? Rufus couldn't know these things unless he was from the future, so he had to be cured, no matter how unbelievable that was.
"You're serious," he said aloud as if reaffirming it to himself. His expressions ran through a series of emotions: disbelief, shock, the kind of joy that made one cry. If there was one thing he had plenty of, it was a zealous love for his crew, and finding out that someone they'd been watching slowly deteriorate for years was suddenly better was a lot to take in. Oh, he didn't cry, but his eyes were rather shiny.
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He doesn't comment on how Reno's eyes are shinier than normal as he finishes his beer, setting the empty mug on the bar. It's a lot to take in after everything that's happened in the last two years but after a moment Rufus moves on.
"Evan is a Shinra, he'll be fine. He'll learn from his bad life choices and either survive them or, well I'm sure Kyrie will rescue him" Making questionable life choices was a proud Shinra family tradition though he's confident between Reno and Kyrie he'll be just fine.
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But it was true. He'd keep an eye out for him. Much as he'd like to think 'from a distance', Reno wasn't the strong, silent type. He'd drop in and talk to them.
"Did you want to get b-"
He cut himself off. A bit of a habit now, given that Rufus tired out faster when he was sick. They tended to try and make sure he got as much rest as he could, but now that he was healthy again he was probably aching for the good old days of causing late night trouble.
So, instead he grinned. "Did you see the dick parade?"
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He's sure Tseng would be reminding him not to exert himself too much, even though he had been cured the disease had taken a toll on him but Rufus was going to ignore that- Tseng wasn't here to be the responsible one. Reno was here to let Rufus live more than he had in awhile.
"I haven't but you're going to take me there," Rufus decides with that smile that he's sure Reno recognizes even though it's been awhile since they've had the chance to cause a bit of trouble.
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They all had their important roles. They needed someone like Tseng to keep everyone in line and keep things in order. For someone like Rufus, who had to grow up separated from most of society, always surrounded by people even when he went out, it was no wonder he'd gotten close to them all. But they all knew which Turk to go to for fun.
Reno finished what little was left in his drink and plunked the glass down on the counter, getting up immediately.
"Oh, you're gonna love this. The ultimate proof that people have always been pervs. I can tell you the story of the dildo that saved a city while we walk." Reno was never a history buff, but when it came to that kind of history, Rufus better believed he learned all about it. So he eagerly started telling him about the vagina teeth demons that had terrorized the city in ancient times as they headed out.
Of course, it wasn't that long of a story, so when he finished there was plenty of time for more conversation.
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But it doesn't take him long to relax a bit more as they make their way down the street, listening to Reno recounting the story. He has to make up for all the experiences that he's missed out when he was young, this was definitely a good start.
"Edge needs traditions like this, I think. It certainly would liven things up." Celebrations around Meteorfall were fine and all but always so depressing and lacking any kind of life.
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Who knew making up a religious tradition could be fun? But he'd love to see Tseng spreading a rumor like that because it was part of his job. Elena, too. Hell, even Rude, it would be hilarious to watch any of them spreading that kind of faith in earnest.
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He forgets his trepidation about being in the middle of a large crowd as they get to the parade, fascinated as he takes it in. Tseng would definitely disapprove even though Reno was with him for protection but Tseng wasn't here and what he didn't (yet) know wouldn't hurt him.
no subject
He really did wish they saw more stuff like that around Edge. It'd liven up the place; people were getting on with their lives but the devastation and following illness had taken it's toll. They were beaten down, struggling, and often focused on trying to keep a roof over their heads and avoiding getting kidnapped.
People needed something that'd make them smile again.
"You gotta check out the food!" Reno announced excitedly, jogging off to lead Rufus over to the table of highly suggestive goods. "I had some of it earlier. It's great." He picked up a lollipop and offered it to Rufus.
no subject
He takes the lollipop, amused- normally he would have to be concerned with appearances being out in public where everyone knows him but he doesn't have to think about there here as he tries the lollipop, letting himself enjoy the freedom as he looks at Reno with a smirk. "It's delicious."
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And he plucked up another one for himself because why not?
"There was some sort of sight-seeing stuff, too, but they only let in two or more." Which was why he hadn't gone in earlier. He'd been happy enough to see what was happening outside anyway, and enjoy the treats.
"I bet we could add even more to it at home. Think of it: dick virtual ride where you squirt down enemies as you ride."
no subject
"I love it. I should put you in charge of the planning with Rude to help." He looks over at the other food with the lollipop in his mouth. Street food was a completely new experience but he's enjoying it, wanting to take it all in while he's able to.
"Is this what it is like here all the time or did I come at a special time?"
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For making fun stuff? He was truly the right person to go to. And Rude could always keep him in line when he was going overboard. He was already looking forward to letting his imagination run wild.
"I haven't been here long enough to know for sure, but I'm getting a feeling that a lot of weird shit like this happens around here. My first day here I found a boy stuck ass out of a tree that didn't let him go until after a good banging."
That he generously provided, kind soul that he was. "...You might want to be wary of crawling through any tight spaces."
no subject
"How long have you been here? I assume you have found some accommodation." Since Tseng wasn't here, Rufus was going to trust Reno to take care of all the details, all those little things that happen without Rufus having to ask.
"But we'll find ways to adjust and make the best of it while we're here," he decides as he turns his attention back to the array of food. He's starving and Tseng isn't here to frown with disapproval at Rufus eating something that 's not healthy.
no subject
And although he was no Tseng, he'd done his best. "Yeah, me and Rude got an apartment. We've only been here a couple weeks, we're about to get a house!"
At least, they're about to get a house now that Rufus has arrived. They'll scramble and figure something out ASAP. "It's not very big, but you can have the bedroom 'til we work something out. We were planning on getting more set up before you got here, but we haven't had a lot of time. But, now that you're here, we can pick a location to set up and start building."
Because that's what Shinra's do, right? They build cities. Or they take over cities. All they needed was the money to do it.
no subject
He may not have planned for ending up here but like always, Rufus was going to make the best of it and adapt. He's not worried- he has two of his Turks and like always, Rufus is sure that he'll be able to have Shinra shape this world, in a new way.
But first thing first-
"What is that, I want to try it," Rufus peers over at the waffle Reno has, holding out his hand.
no subject
Or, sadly, even the first time they were without Tseng and Elena for a prolonged period of time... He wasn't happy about that, but they would hold down the fort just like they did before.
"Ah, this? Ever had a waffle with cream in it?"
He handed over the one he'd already taken a bite out of even though he could have picked up another one... But, if Rufus didn't like it, he could just hand it back, because Reno wasn't particularly worried about Rufus cooties.
"It's pretty good, but if you're hungry the octopus balls may be a better option. This is more like eating a crunchy cloud."
no subject
He's just going to take things as they come for once at the moment instead of having to plan every detail or worry about being recognized while wiping cream from the corner of his mouth like a commoner as he ate.
"I'll try some of those as well," he decides, realizing he should probably eat something more substantial than cream and waffle.
no subject
He sprinted ahead as if he was on a serious mission and acquired a pile of octopus balls - a whole bowl of them. Minus one that he popped into his own mouth. He grabbed a juice, too. Rufus needed to be properly catered to so he wouldn't go hungry. Or find himself in any trouble not of their choosing.
"Hey, boss," he asked as he brought the stuff back for him. "You never really got to do stuff like this before, did you? Did you ever want to?"
no subject
"No, it wasn't allowed. Veld had an uncanny ability to sense when I was going to do something I wasn't supposed to so my escape attempts when I was younger were always thwarted," he admits with a wry smile.
"I did want to, when I was younger. I wanted to see what life was like outside of Shinra as if I was just someone else in the crowd," he comments as he finds somewhere they can sit in the shade. "But I learned that such things were not to be- at least, back home. Evan got to live that life, a life I know I can't understand."
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His gaze fixed on the festivities and people wandering all around not noticing them.
"If you're better... then there isn't that much left undone back home. I mean yeah, rebuilding, but we can rebuild here, too. It doesn't make any difference to me, as long as our crew is together."
no subject
"I think I'll pass on the playground play date but I know what you mean. There aren't the same expectations." And he wasn't tied to the legacy that his father had left him- he could make Shinra his own now without that past.
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Because it was an 'us' thing. They were always a group. Always would be. It wasn't money or power or any of that shit keeping them together.
"This is going to be our Shinra. No Heidegger! No creepy scientists! Only sexy aliens allowed. We can have an indoor bar and make experimental drinks instead of labs. An entertainment lounge instead of a bunch of paper pushers! A giant indoor pool instead of no giant indoor pool!"
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