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May | 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 front of a mysterious stone shrine in the middle of a forest, surrounded by the unfamiliar yet worried faces of fox-like humans in red and white robes, speaking in a foreign language that doesn't sound so foreign to you anymore.
Maryouku University
There isn't much time to process what's happening before characters are transported to the nearby Maryouku University. All injuries are completely healed, and those under mental duress will have a powerful soothing spell cast on them to calm them down. Their every need is met: food is offered, and questions are answered. "You've arrived in the Western Kingdom of Nippon, on a planet called Gaia," they explain. "When you became aware of the timeloop, we... well, let us explain."
Orientation Maryouku University, Kyoto
Everyone is brought to a large auditorium, where dozens of other people looking similarly out of place are seated around them. The Kitsune Yokai from before filter on stage, as well as a number of humans and other Yokai in labcoats. And after a brief introduction, they begin to explain. What they experienced back home was a timeloop. While the loops in their home worlds are smaller and likely to resolve on their own, the fact that such a small amount of time is being repeated is what makes them so dangerous for those who become aware of it. And they've been working around the clock, checking adjacent universes for others who've become aware. While the technical explanations may go over the heads of most, that's not the reason they were all brought together like this.
And they continue to explain: their own world was trapped in a year long loop for decades, if not longer. Through the use of an ancient form of bonding magic, they bound their world to the present flow of time, allowing it to progress past the timeloop. Or at least, that's how they thought it worked. In truth, Kizuna is very powerful reality-warping magic. And thanks to the powerful bond all refugees now share with the country of Nippon, the magic surrounding them will only continue to evolve.
Until a means of resuming the flow of time back in their home world is found, they'll just have to make due with this one. But not to worry, because Nippon is fully committed to taking care of the refugees!
A Brand New Home Kyoto, Kansai
Once orientation is over, characters will be allowed to choose housing in both Kyoto and Tokyo, enabling them the means of easily living between both cities if they please. These housing options will be fully paid for by the government of Nippon, with the NRL and MRU providing a stipend for food expenses in Tokyo and Kyoto respectively.
In lieu of providing transportation, all refugees will be granted an unlimited rail pass that they can use to travel all across Nippon! As of the beginning of May, express routes connecting Tokyo and Kyoto will be running at all times of day, allowing refugees to freely travel between the Eastern and Western Kingdoms.
Over in Higashiyama, the Love Festival is in full swing at Jishu Shrine. In addition to typical festival foods and fare, visitors may be inclined to try the koiuranai-no-nishi, a pair of stones ten meters apart bearing a legend that says anyone who can cross from one stone to the next with their eyes closed will have all their relationship dreams come true. Unfortunately, some troublemaker has decided to curse one of the stones, causing anyone who attempts the challenge to temporarily fall madly in love with the first person they see when they open their eyes, whether they know them or not!
Over in Gion, a certain movie producer is seeking refugees for minor roles in a dramatic retelling of the mass-kidnapping that took place last year in June. Probably not the nicest way for new refugees to learn about such a traumatic event, but hey-- this guy pays well! Those auditioning will be placed in pairs where they'll need to recite a love confession between two refugees, as one lay dying in the other's arms... which never actually happened. For all the injuries, no refugees actually died back then. But those who can prove themselves with their acting skills might just find themselves invited to be part of the main cast, or even land future roles and enter the realm of showbusiness!
In Uji, preparations are underway for a special ceremony to be conducted later this month, put on by the Emperor himself! Of course, typically "ceremony" is just another way of saying "lavish party" where the Western Emperor is concerned. Regardless, volunteers are needed to help spruce up an old villa for the party itself, where it seems a colony of nyagumo have taken up residence. Thankfully, most appear to be the domesticated variety and can simply be carried outside, but those in charge of the top floor better look out for the wild one, since it's nearly five times the size and venomous.
NRL Time Refugee Support Network
Once they've received their housing assignment, all refugees will be given small handheld devices called magi-tech comms, or magi-comms for short. They're heavier than a conventional smartphone would be, but far sturdier, and powered by the ambient magic that flows through the city. They don't need to be charged, but they won't work outside of cities at all. Upon booting it up, they'll find a message linking them to a special channel for refugees.
#nrl_time_refugee_support - online
Use the following code for your top-level if you'd like! This is how network communication will look for characters in the game until more advanced magi-tech comms become available for characters.
Springtime Lovers
As flowers bloom in the countryside, over in the Western Kingdom, it's time once again for the month of love. Traditionally, it's the month where marriage proposals are made, weddings take place, and couples decide to settle down and start a family.
And in celebration of this beautiful season, numerous festivals and events can be found taking place all over Kyoto. In particular, the Ukiyo district, known for it's patronage to the arts, seems to be intent on drawing in refugees this month.
Archive of our Own Ukiyo, Kyoto
Art has always been known to flourish when times are peaceful, and Nippon is no exception. But one such art is finally gaining a foothold in the west: doujinshi, fanworks based on existing properties and media. And to that end, a special doujinshi festival is taking place at the beginning of the month.
But this is no ordinary doujinshi. This is refugee doujin, which stars well-known refugees and their friends. With thousands of refugees scattered across Nippon, telling tales of worlds far beyond anything the people of Nippon have ever heard of, it's no wonder they've become an object of interest in the eyes of the native people. And while most of the doujin changes names and places around, some are a bit more blatant, borrowing names and appearances wholesale.
But what kind of stories will they find? Perhaps the dramatic exploits of the refugees who were swept away to the land of Bakeneko this past March? Or maybe a steamy romance between a wandering samurai and the son of a powerful shogun? Or maybe the ever present tragedy of being forever separated when one side is forced to leave Nippon? Or, for true connoisseurs, they may even find the booth selling a magical book that automatically illustrates the reader in a random genre of manga, be it romance, fantasy, or pornography.
Honestly a good case could be made that all of this is more than a little invasive and could pass as sexual harassment. There's even some cosplayers! But it's all in good fun, and also thoroughly protected by Nippon's freedom of artistic expression laws. And for those who have just arrived, they'll be able to learn the "true" history of the refugees lives in Nippon so far!
Just be sure to keep an open mind when wandering through the 18+ section.
Fortunate Feelings Ukiyo, Kyoto
Although typically not the most popular tourist destination, as the oldest temple in Kyoto, Koryuu-ji is holding a special exhibition of rare ancient artifacts said to posses fortune telling abilities. Perhaps in a world of magic, this may not seem like a big deal. But this one is rather special -- because in nearly a thousand years, it's never been wrong.
The artifact is actually comprised of a set of small statues: two bodhisattva posed in deep thought, their faces expressionless. But upon being asked a question, a positive answer will cause one statue to smile, and a negative answer will cause the other to cry.
Naturally, there's a limit to what people are allowed to ask, as a power like that could potentially be used to sow chaos. But given the season, most people visiting are doing so for matchmaking purposes: should a pair approach the statues, the response they give will reveal whether or not the pair is compatible. Of course, whether or not this is romantic, familial, or platonic compatibility is rather open to interpretation.
And as a special deal for refugees, they'll each be allowed to ask one question, in addition to having their compatibility with whoever they came with assessed. This could be a friend they've brought along, or a fellow stranger waiting in line who may just be a fated to be with them someday!
But please don't blame the statue for the inevitable messy breakup that it predicts.
Flower Power Ukiyo, Kyoto
With spring in full swing, flowers are blooming all across Nippon. But for those who were present last year, they may see a rather distinct flower they don't recognize. It can be found blooming just about everywhere in Kyoto, with natives occasionally commenting that they've never seen anything like it. And perhaps the most curious thing about them is they only seem to bloom when someone is nearby, the bulbs otherwise snapping shut when they step away.
But for the refugees, they'll notice an additional effect: when giving the flowers a sniff, the petals will gently close over their nose as if giving them a soft kiss. And they smell delightful -- how charming! Surely there's nothing suspicious or dangerous about such cute little flowers, right?
Of course there is, you know where you are.
Upon inhaling the pollen of these pretty little flowers, the Refugees will feel a little light-headed -- but also warm and happy. It creates within them a desire to share that warmth and happiness with others through physical affection. They may find themselves leaning on a stranger's shoulders, gently holding the hand of an acquaintance, or peppering the cheeks of a dear friend with soft kisses. This effect grows stronger the more pollen one inhales, and with just how windy it can get in the city, there's no need to get quite so close to inhale the pollen.
But what it is? Plant, ayakashi, some strange mutation of both? The locals genuinely don't seem to know, and soon, Exorcist clans from across the West begin pouring into the city to better study these strange new flowers. But overall, the general consensus appears to be that they're rather harmless.
Still, just make sure the flower that you sniff isn't actually a Sakebana in disguise. They're known for being a little on the loud side.
OOC Notes
Welcome to Jikan's May TDM! The TDM is considered game canon, and also serves as the intro log! That said, whether you choose to carry threads over to the game or not is up to you!
• Current players are more than welcome to top-level, or take prompts from the TDM and use for their own logs! This may change in the future depending on how busy TDMs become.
• CRAU characters may start regaining their CRAU memories one month after the TDM. However, vague feelings of familiarity are allowed between previous game CR! For more on this, please read the FAQ!
• You do not need to sign-up for housing! Choose whichever style you prefer, in both Kyoto and Tokyo. Roommates can be chosen by the characters or can be random. If you want to switch housing later, your character has the option of moving at the beginning of each month.
• Incoming characters are welcome to find doujinshi about castmates not currently in the setting, with the implication that they may have been in the setting before. Make sure you have permission before finding doujinshi of characters currently in the game.
• The statue's predictions are 100% accurate, but open to interpretation because of how limited the answers are. For instance, the statues are capable of both crying and smiling at the same time for complex situations. That said, please do not intentionally write the statues being wrong.
• The severity of the flower's effects is entirely up to you!
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
watching the faerie, he takes in the rest of what they say, smiling at the introduction. ]
Dubhshláine. [ he says the name a couple of times, trying to make sure he's getting it right, giving them a sheepish smile after. ] Ah, you can call me Thoma. It's nice to meet you.
[ the mention of a queen definitely makes him want to ask more, but he decides to hold back. instead, he looks down at the book in his hand again, noting the way it's now showing the two of them. it has, perhaps luckily, remained a simple romance and the open pages just depict the two of them kissing. ] I should've expected that.
no subject
You're cute, so if you want to shorten it a little I'll accept that. I have had many sweet nicknames in my years. [a very generous offer, surely! They do give a tiny bit of pause at the prospect of being nice to meet, considering it in that moment before presuming that if they have fae kind where he comes from, they are certainly not as great and terrible as the unseelie, nor as known for their mischief as the seelie.] Thoma. It seems a simple name, for such a complex individual... 'tis a pleasure.
[what does half of that mean....? Maybe it's best not to worry too much. They're not of the unseelie, at least.
They are curious though, ears perking as he glances back to the book. Such a mysterious statement simply begs their approach, fingers laced behind their back.]
Oh? Has it changed more, is it anything fun? [not an ounce of hesitation arises as they slip up to his side. Never you mind that he's tall enough that he could hide it from them wholesale, they're just enjoying themselves.]
no subject
it isn't until the two of them are looking at the book in his hand again that he says anything else, laughing at the question, showing them without trying to hide it. ] A little more fun than it was, but nothing big.
[ thoma can admit that the kissing is more fun than all of the dramatics leading to it. he glances at his companion, looking curious and offering them the book, wondering how it might look in their hands. ] Do you have a nickname you like most? One I may call you, I mean.
no subject
[content to take the book, they watch with some fascination as the ink seems to melt away completely, the sensation of magick tingling against fingertips.]
Mm, not at all. Let me think... there were a few amusing choices over the years. Onya and Loni are fairly common, but I'm easy to please.
[As they speak, the page fills with new imagery. Frames overflow with scenery of ropes and blindfolds, delicate hands teasing over skin. Perhaps unsurprising, it leans into a much more explicit narrative than simple kissing, but what catches Dubhshláine's attention is seeing themselves on a followup page with wings out, large hands trailing over the delicate insectoid appendages. They certainly appear to be comically sensitive, leading to the fae leaning heavily on Thoma with their face buried in his shoulder.
If Thoma is paying attention, he'll likely see it - the flicker of a grimace on regal features, wiped away by a cheerful mask. How long has it been, they wonder, since they actually let anyone touch them so intimately?]
My, my. It seems to have quite a different idea of what romance is between us, no? How peculiar... but not unpleasant.
no subject
the nickname options have him tilting his head, considering both and smiling. ] Onya. But I'd like to get better with Dubhshláine, too.
[ there's still a little stumble over the name, but he knows the only way to actually learn it is to hear and say it. as he says it, he's looking at them, not taking note of the pages just yet. instead, he catches sight of the way they grimace and only then does thoma glance at the pages they're looking at, blinking and feeling his ears warm a little.
the comment about it not being unpleasant gets a glance from thoma, curious, before he's looking at the pages again. ]
Do faeries have relationships like mortals? Marriage, monogamy, things like that. [ the comment about romance, alongside the earlier comment about embarrassment and shame, makes him wonder. ]
no subject
You'll probably be fine with it after you find reasons to use it a bit more, I imagine. I'm not the kind of faerie who will use it against you if you say it wrong, at least.
[they... actually do not sound as whimsical saying that as one might think. unseelie fae are A Lot. that raised hand moves to their cheek then, considering the question.]
With other fae... hm. it's a lot more rare than with mortals - even we often have trouble living our whole lives with each other. [that snicker is amused and whimsical, though.] To us, monogamy is a contract. Fae honour their contracts for life, and we live... a very long time. You can imagine we're not keen to enter into that lightly.
no subject
another nod and then he pauses, both because of the comment and the way they sound when they say it. and then talk of monogamy gains more interest, thoma finding himself fascinated by the things he's hearing about. ]
I think some mortals consider it a contract, too. But I assume we don't live nearly as long and many mortals don't seem to care about honoring contracts so well. [ his curiosity doesn't end there, even after the brief, dissatisfied look over the way his own kind can change their minds so easily. after a moment, he points at the illustration of himself touching dubhshláine's wings. ] Is this something that bothers you?
[ assuming they actually have wings, thoma figures they're hidden for a reason. ] Thank you, by the way. I feel like I'm asking you a lot of questions.
no subject
[they are aware, of course, that most mortals don't think it's awful, and that it works fine for them - would probably work better for the fae in those circumstances - but it still sits poorly on their senses.
the question about their wings brings it all back, though at least this time it's easy to hide any reaction to the idea.]
I wouldn't say it bothers me, precisely, but it is terribly intimate for a winged fae to allow them to be touched. Greater than any other, for us - though they aren't quite so delicate as they appear, they are still a vulnerability. [which is, in part, why they're hidden. at his thanks, Dubhshláine arches their brows, huffing a deep laugh.] 'Tis a rare thing, earnest and eager curiosity. Besides, you've given me something precious in turn. If you step past the value of it, I'm certain I'll find some suitable arrangement or another for my continued compliance.
[... they're not explaining what he's given them, which... is mostly just because they don't think it needs to be said. Names and fae are a well-known correlation in their world, so it doesn't even register that that might not be the case elsewhere.]
no subject
It's a lot, isn't it? But I think it's easier for mortals to find someone they feel they could spend most of their lives with when they're usually only looking at double digits.
[ and he knows he'd eventually like to find someone like that for himself, though thoughts like that are better saved for once he's home again. a place like nippon doesn't exactly lend to monogamy, from what he can tell.
the answer he gets is an interesting one. thoma supposes it's not so odd that the book embellished reactions given everything else happening in it. he nods, giving their back a curious look for a moment, wondering if the wings actually look the way they're drawn. but given the answer, he's unwilling to ask dubhshláine to see them, feeling like even asking for something like that might be a little over the line given the intimacy that goes with touching them.
instead, he finds himself giving them a curious look, waiting for a moment before speaking up again. ] Something precious?
no subject
[there's a sort of wrinkle of their nose there, something that suggests more experience with it than once or twice. it's definitely a conversation they don't mind moving past -- or, well. the conversation moves on, anyway, not to the book (but don't think they miss that curious look) but to another conversation altogether.
Thoma asks that question and Onya blinks at him once or twice. it takes that moment for it to click, and then they can't help but laugh.]
Oh, yes, I suppose you wouldn't know, would you? Perhaps it's nothing to you, but we fae value names above all. There's power to them, and though a mortal's given name is rarely their true name, you can tell a lot by what someone chooses to call oneself. Who one thinks they are, as it were.
Thereby, precious. You've told me who you are, without an ounce of hesitation.
[raising a finger to their lips, they wink at Thoma.]
So you might want to milk it for all my generosity is worth, since you still seem curious about things.
no subject
whatever the situation, their opinions differ and he's not one to argue over something like that.
and thoma's far more interested in the answer he gets afterward anyway. he listens, curious, his eyes widening a little at the talk of onya's generosity. ]
What did you mean when you said a mortal's given name is rarely their true name? And you said something about not using my mispronunciation of your name against me earlier... are there faeries that would do that?
[ clearly, he's going to take advantage of the generosity while he has it, though he does add on after a moment, as if to explain any potentially simple-seeming questions: ] If faeries exist in the world I come from, I don't believe I've met one.
no subject
it doesn't matter, really, that the questions may be basic and simple.]
Well, it's like anything, isn't it? What one individual calls a rock, another might call a cnagchócaon, and so on. A person's name is what others call them for ease and understanding, but what you are in the eyes of a world is your true name.
We fae folk value those names above many things, and it isn't uncommon for the Unseelie to take offense and use mispronunciations as leverage or excuses for vengeance. They're a terrible type, you see. Cold and pointlessly cruel, unlike we seelie.
[his comment about faeries in his own world brings a little smile to their face, head bobbing in acknowledgement.]
Even in our world, many humans know nothing of our existence. It's tied to belief there, you see, so most adults become too tied to the idea that the whimsical and "supernatural" aren't real. You're welcome to ask anything on that subject - I can't speak for others, but we of the seelie court do not lie.
[which, as he'll doubtlessly know from his time living under the employ of the Kamisato clan, is a very different statement from telling the whole truth, but hey.]
no subject
[ while he's not sure he can picture himself trying to seek the information out, it's still an interesting thing to consider. the way onya speaks makes him wonder if it's possible to have one true name in nippon and another in teyvat. and if the name he was originally given is one of many they have.
it's the mention of the unseelie that pulls him from his wondering and makes him take note again, filing that away in case he happens to run across any other faeries.
as odd as it seems that some people might live in a world with faeries and not know it, thoma's sure there are things in his own world that are considered children's stories that could be true. so it's not so strange a thought, though he feels that some things are harder to deny in teyvat. ]
If adults in your world stop believing in you, does that mean they're not exposed to any other kind of magic in their lives normally?
no subject
[if you were to ask them, they'd guess a person's true name would be the same regardless of location - but with the seelie realm being connected directly to their Earth, it's hard to say.
the question of belief earns the first moment of what might be actual annoyance - not at him, but they kind of slump back on the table they were leaning on.]
Most of them actively deny that anything magick or supernatural exists altogether, even when faced with it directly. [fingers wiggle, a glimmer of little lights appearing and disappearing with the faintest effort.] Mostly, they explain it away as 'science,' or... mm. What did he used to say... "special effects, or absolute bullshit." Something like that.
[Onya gives a markedly odd expression when speaking the last bit, which melts into a carefree little grin. apparently, whoever 'he' is, they like him.]
no subject
but it seems like the way onya slumps against the table seems to be it for the person running the booth they've been lingering at, likely only made worse by a new set of customers who approach. given that all the two of them have done is linger, block the view of others, and touch merchandise without purchasing any, thoma can understand the look he gets and the nudge to the table onya's leaning against. ]
Maybe we should get going... [ his gaze returns to them as he makes the suggestion, a smile settling on his lips. ]
I already know I'll have more to ask next time we run into each other. Is there anything you'd like in exchange in the future?
[ it seems like a fair question after unknowingly offering his name. ]
no subject
Haaaa, I suppose that's true. [oh, they like this one. he's a little naive when it comes to being careful, but without a true reason to be wary... Onya's a little glad he hasn't met any unseelie fae. that probably wouldn't end well for him, if they even gave him the time of day.] Mm. You are going to prove salaciously dangerous to yourself and to me, being so openly generous.
[resting a hand on their own cheek, the fae gives a soft hum and vacates the table fully, reaching up to poke Thoma in the chest.]
Well, my favourite things to trade are things that are interesting - secrets, personal anecdotes, things of that ilk. I doubt we'll be unable to reach some kind of accord when we meet again. Until next time, then?
no subject
the comment about being generous earns a soft laugh from thoma. ] Is it really generous when it seems more like a fair trade?
[ onya's list of things they like to receive seems like an easy one. they're from different worlds, after all. while thoma's sure there are some instances of things being similar, he'd like to think that telling one another about their homes will prove interesting for both of them. ] I don't know how many secrets I have to share, but I'm sure there are a lot of anecdotes and other things I can offer. I'll consider it until next time.
[ with a smile, thoma gives a cheerful bow of his head and starts to turn away, pausing only to add on: ] I'm looking forward to next time.
[ then, with a wave added on, he turns to head off away from the stands. ]
no subject
It's all in perspective and the question of value, no~? You're talking to me, so at least you're safe enough, heehee. I've no doubt you've plenty to share with me, too.
[his cheerful little add-on only brightens their smile, offering an easy wave in turn.] Oh, as am I, dear Thoma.
[it's half to themselves, cheerily spoken as they go their separate ways (and subsequently leave the poor confused new customers to their fate).]