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June | 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, with express routes connecting the two kingdoms. Additionally, teleportation terminals exclusively for Refugees can be found at the NRL and MRU, allowing instant travel between Tokyo and Kyoto. While this TDM and its prompts are focused on the Western Kingdom, you are welcome to have your character arrive in the Eastern Kingdom instead.
In Higashiyama, a new shop has opened selling enchanted candles, said to utilize a unique method of spell-casting by using thin wooden talismans as wicks. Only while the candle is lit will the spell function. And for refugees, they've developed a special variety that's designed to nullify the effects of passive magic -- essentially, an anti-kizuna candle. Although the area of effect is rather small, it does appear to work in temporarily nullifying all kizuna side effects while lit. But for those hoping for something more exciting, other scents include: a scent that alters a person's personality randomly, a scent that makes people intoxicated, and even a scent that can bring people to orgasm. Light all three at once for a wild time!
In Gion, the local Geiko of the Hanamikoji Okiya dorm are holding a special workshop for those interested in traditional culture. While the workshop itself is certainly worth watching, what they really need is volunteers to be dressed up on stage, dressed as traditional Geisha, or as the more risqué Oiran. But the best part comes after, in which all volunteers will be taken out on the town to bar hop through Gion's most exclusive district. Those dressed up will even be allowed to drink for free, in exchange for singing or dancing for other patrons.
In Uji, those who visit MRU's campus will be surprised to find a high number of Oni visiting from Kyushu. Although it's not uncommon to see Oni in Kyoto, these Oni are distinctly pure-blooded, their skin a vibrant shade of blue, which they show off by wearing sleeveless kimono, or simply going shirtless. It seems they've come to assist with Kizuna research, and as such, can be found curiously watching refugees, or asking to "bond" with them. For science, of course. Sure, it might be a little intimidating to have a seven-foot-tall blue muscle man asking if he can hold your hand, but they're perfectly friendly. Oddly enough, despite being natives, Kizuna side effects will always manifest when bonding with one, and they may even linger for longer than usual.
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.
Above The Trees
Sitting south of Kyoto, the city of Nara is a popular destination for refugees, given the city's almost magical appearance. Located around a forest of massive trees, most of the city proper extends up into them, vast canopies stretching from tree to tree with buildings and infrastructure built into them. With little light able to reach the forest floor, the streets of the lowest district are lit up with naturally occurring bio-luminescent flowers and mushrooms in place of streetlights.
After all the excitement last month, why not take some time to relax in one of Nippon's most peaceful regions?
Wildlife Strife Narashi, Nara
Although the West is well-known for living in harmony with the ayakashi, no where is that more true than Nara, where ayakashi are treated with the utmost reverence.
One of the more common ayakashi found is the Arukibake, the ghost-walker ayakashi. Utterly harmless, these little leggy ghosts can be found strutting around the city at every corner, ranging from the size of an apple to waist-height. However, they're known to be attracted to people who have recently experienced bouts of depression or loneliness. The exact reason for this is unknown, but anyone seen with a small procession of these fellas marching silently behind them is certain to get more than a few concerned passer-bys offering them a warm meal, a hug, or even a shoulder to cry on if they need it. Even for the Western Kingdom, it seems the people of Nara are especially compassionate.
But among all the ayakashi in Nara, the most well-known is the Saiwaika, the good-fortune deer. Growing no more than two feet high, these miniature deer can be found in parks throughout Nara, where they've become so docile and used to the presence of Yokai that they'll walk right up and cutely beg for food. Those who look upon their tiny, dainty forms will find themselves strongly compelled to be generous and kind to every living creature they meet. Originally a defense mechanism against predators, the saiwaika instead offer this power as a blessing to the people of Nara, which is said to have the lowest crime rate of any city in the Western Kingdom.
Thankfully, vendors selling special crackers for the saiwaika can be found everywhere. And while they've learned not to steal them off the stall tables, once the wrapping comes off, it's a free-for-all. The tiny deer have been known to swarm, nibbling at the clothes of those bearing the treats. Some even attempt to jump and steal them, with the saiwaika being well-known for its ability to leap nearly ten feet into the air. Yes, this looks as silly as you can imagine.
But for all that the Ayakashi in Nara are peaceful, there are still more than a few troublemakers. One in particular to look out for is the Gurakurage, the glass-jelly ayakashi. Appearing in an array of beautiful colors, these ayakashi are attracted by greed and feelings of lust. It's not uncommon to see them tethered by a string in shops, where their increased activity serves as a warning to look out for shoplifters. But when encountered in the wild, these strange jellyfish will latch onto the bodies of people experiencing sexual frustration. A minor annoyance to be sure, as they can simply be peeled off, but just don't break the glass dome atop their head. Doing so will greatly anger the ayakashi, causing them to grow in size before... well. I think we all know where the prompt with the tentacle creature is going.
Sweets in the Sky Narashi, Nara
In the highest levels of Nara's main district, Narashi, a new sweets shop has been drawing in customers from all over the west. Very few businesses are allowed in the highest level, which is usually reserved for shrines or particularly wealthy homeowners, as it's the only area that breaches the top of the forest. With outdoor seating, guests will be be able the see the rarest view in all of Nara -- a sea of green stretched out as far as the eye can see, with the city of Kyoto visible in the distance. Probably not ideal for anyone with a fear of heights.
In addition to some of the cutest parfaits this side of Nippon, their biggest claim to fame is their enchanted candy, each variety possessing one of a number of special effects. Children in particular are quite fond of the goofier ones, such as chewing gum that alters a person's voice, lemon hard candies that cause people to shrink in size, and little sugar stars that create illusions of fireworks over the consumer's shoulders.
They even have special varieties for adult customers, which include: lollipops flavored with uki, ice cream filled mochi flavored with uki, uki taffy, uki hard candies, uki ice cream... you get the idea. As with all sweets filled with uki, those who consume them will feel a mild and pleasant high, lowering inhibitions and reducing stress, and occasionally functioning as a mild aphrodisiac.
That said, please don't fuck in their bathrooms (looking at you, Kazuha). There are plenty of reasonably priced hotels in the lower streets of Nara.
Starry Night Narashi, Nara
Those who visited Nara last October may recall the serene waters of Sarusawa Pond, built into an artificial park within the trees, and one of the best places to view the stars in Nara. Visitors can climb up to the highest balconies of a nearby five-story pagoda, or watch the stars as they're reflected in the near mirror-like surface of the water. And thankfully, this month, it's entirely safe to do so (we don't talk about October).
A special meteor shower is taking place during the second week of the month, and as such, many locals have taken the opportunity to hold a small festival within the park around the pond. Throughout the day, stalls selling food and little trinkets line the edges of the park. But once night comes, all lights are turned off, as a spectacular view of shooting stars can be seen in the starry sky overhead. And better yet -- the ring that exists around the planet Gaia causes some of these meteors to grow rainbow tails as they shoot across the sky.
Among the crowd, some refugees may hear whispers of locals suggesting that one should make a wish when they see a meteor with a rainbow tail. And while this is just a local superstition, for the refugees, it'll be so much more than that.
Those present in the park will find that their wishes may very well come true. Material goods will suddenly appear in their hands, any aches or ailments will immediately be healed, and those who wish for the company of a good friend will find them seated next to them (provided they are in Nippon, or are an incoming castmate or auxiliary NPC, see the notes for details).
Unlike usual kizuna-powered wishes, these ones will 100% stick around! How nice! Even the locals, though perhaps a little jealous, will see this miracle as a sign that their world has accepted them, the gods wishing to reward them for any hardship they have faced.
OOC Notes
Welcome to Jikan's June 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.
• Uki-flavored treats are available for customers 15 and older, as the age of majority in the West varies based on race.
• All players are welcome to wish any item from home, magical or otherwise, using the meteor shower wishes. Keep in mind, the item must be something they can reasonably carry home with them.
• Players bringing a new character into the setting may have them wished into the setting using the meteor shower wishes. They will still recall a timeloop, but instead of a door, they will hear the voice of the character wishing them into the setting calling their name, and will appear in Nippon when they turn to look for that voice. These characters must visit either the NRL or MRU within the next few days to receive a proper bond with Nippon to ensure they don't disappear. Additionally, players may bring in Auxiliary NPCs using this mechanic as well. Keep in mind, these characters will remain in the setting, but you are not required to actively play them, nor add them to the auxiliary NPC page unless you wish to do so.
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
He listens with obvious interest as Maglor explains the different people and his eyes light with intrigue at the sketch. A people who value horses like children? How odd! "Who was the king Lady Eowyn serving under? The ruler of the Rohirrim people?" Not too many people he knew used a shield, but they were often in stories. "Lady Irisse should meet Jin Ling! He's the best archer I know. He's still young but I won't be surprised at all if his skills become legendary." Someone might be incredibly biased.
Jingyi grins at both the name 'little crow' and hearing the new and surprisingly beautiful language. "That's lovely! You said your people earlier." He points at the map. "Where are you from? What's your clan called?"
no subject
He'd wandered with them, from time to time, trying to help them in secret as best he could.
"Aye - she was King Theoden's niece, and a fierce a warrior as any. I'm sure my cousin would enjoy meeting your friend." He smiles a little sadly. "But she is long and long dead, now."
Reborn by now, he hopes, but he has no way to find out. His eyes dim a little at the question.
"Ah, well. I am... from everywhere and nowhere, I suppose you could say." Where he drew the coastline he extends the sketch out, revealing whole other lands. "At the end of the First Age, Beleriand crumbled into the sea. That was where we had our lands, my brothers, my cousins and I. But we came not from there at all, but furthermost West, from Elvenhome, Valinor the Blessed."
He doesn't even draw that, only marking an arrow.
"We were the Noldor, the Deep Elves, who loved best learning and craft. For a long time we held the leaguer in Beleriand against our Enemy, but our lands are long overthrown. In Middle-earth now there are only a few strongholds left, and of those only Imladris, Rivendell in the common, has any substantial numbers of Noldor. Eregion and Lindon were swept away at the end of the Second Age, and my kinsfolk are now all dead or fled, saving those holding on in Imladris." He marks those on the map as he goes.
"My cousin Galadriel rules in Lothlorien, but her people are Sindar, for the most part, folk of wood and glade, for so too is her husband. If there are Noldor there, they will be very very few. The other elven strongholds are mostly Sindar and Silvan, as well, and no Noldor dwell there, for Thranduil Oropherion holds no love for the people who once attacked his childhood home of Doriath, and so bars the Greenwood against us, and Cirdan of the Grey Havens lives too close to the Sea for any of my folk to be comfortable there."
no subject
He refocuses on the story to learn about what Maglor is. He's surprised to find out he's talking to an Elf. There were stories and other folklore, but he didn't know they were real. Although, maybe they weren't where he is from. He's still getting used to that.
"Why would the Noldor elves attack where Thranduil Oropherion lived? Were the lands unjust?"
no subject
"I hope you will see him again, however, whether here or at home."
He shakes his head, and there is something very old, and very terrible in his eyes.
"Ah, would that it were so simple. No, no... Thranduil was born in Doriath, where King Thingol gained through the hands of his daughter and her lover's heroics, a heirloom of our house, one of the three Silmarils, great jewels such as you have never seen the like. The problem was, you see, that we were sworn to retrieve them, irregardless of cost or who stood in our way. We begged Thingol! So many letters we sent, none of which were ever answered. And in the end... we could not fight the Oath any longer. And so we descended on Doriath with sword and fire... Thranduil would have been only a child then. But he has never forgotten, and never forgiven, and I do not blame him."
no subject
"Were these Silmarils magical? Why did you need all of them?" He frowns as he remembers another story, much closer to home. "There was this stone called the Yin Iron that had great power and had been broken into multiple pieces. The Wen clan collected three of them and was set to conquer China. The other major clans ended up banding together to fight back and this caused an awful war. My mentor, Hanguang Jun, is one of the heroes from that war. There are many who can't forgive the Wen clan, even the innocent ones who had nothing to do with what their leaders were doing." He shakes his head. "It doesn't seem righteous either."
no subject
"Yes, and no. They were jewels, only, in some ways, but far more than that, in others. They held living light, as no other gem has done, before or since, capturing the light that birthed both Moon and Sun, the further the last remnant, now, of that. And they were hallowed, that they would suffer no evil touch. And they are weregild, also, for to claim them the Dark Enemy slew my grandfather, our king."
Lowly, he adds. "Some say my father put too much of himself into them, and perhaps it was true, that he broke off parts of himself to make them. No one knows, now - as Father never told, but if so they they are more precious again, for they might hold a part of him."
He sighs. "But mainly? The Oath compelled us to all three of them, and would have done even if they had been the most ordinary gems in the world. I would they HAD been, because then maybe it might have been easier for people to give them up."
He frowns. "I'm sorry to hear that, Lan Jingyi. War is never kind, but that folk should be treated so is indeed not right."
no subject
The part that is less clear, and given by how Maglor is reacting was the crux of his guilt in this story, is just who else he had to fight to reclaim the gems who weren't the enemy. It was like killing the whole Wen clan even if the peasants had no say in what their leaders did.
"Have the gods granted you peace now that you're here? A second chance, perhaps?" He considers the situation a moment longer before offering. "I can play for you and see if I can help your heart." He isn't the strongest of the guqin players in his clan, but he's been trying to learn the Song of Clarity. It won't be as effective as his elders but they weren't here and he was.
no subject
"I... suppose this is something of a second chance, yes." He says slowly. "My fosterling is here, and says that he forgives me. My brother is here, who is so very tired. My father, even, was here, and his fire did not burn, this time."
He shakes his head.
"Perhaps it is a reprieve." He whispers. "A place the Oath cannot touch me."
He blinks at Jingyi and tips his head curiously. "I would not object, youngling - it truly is a lovely instrument, and I am always glad to listen to another play. But you speak as if it does more than the simple joy of music? Are there Bards in your world too?"
no subject
He nods quickly as Maglor considers his idea. He doesn't know how an oath would affect him here, but that isn't important right now. As long as his new friend feels better and understands, Jingyi is happy.
"I'm not sure about bards. I've heard of them in stories, but our Gusu Lan clan is renowned for practicing techniques through our instruments, mainly this guqin. Our leader also plays the xiao. They're ways we channel our spiritual energy within us to help us with Cultivation. The Song of Clarity is used to soothe and clears the mind and heart. I can play the song, but not as well as my elders." Or Sizhui. His friend was going to be as great at the guqin as the Jades. "We can try it and if you don't like it, I can stop."
no subject
He smiles. "I would be honored to hear you play, either way."
no subject
"Maybe!" Jingyi, of course, has no idea what the Great Music is, but he's eager to find out. But first, the hopefully cleansing music. He wants to soothe his new friend if he can at all help it. Plus, once Maglor has heard his song maybe they would have something to compare it to whatever the Great Music is.
He takes a breath to gather his nerves and spiritual energy before resting his fingers on the long strings. Quietly at first, he starts to play and as his confidence builds the song gets louder. He doesn't brave a glance toward Maglor until the end in case he's not doing it well enough.
When he's finished playing the last note, he looks up with a smile and an eager-for-approval expression.
lol comparing to Lan Wangji is mean XD
LOL true, no one is as good as Wangji.
"Yes, practicing is supposed to be part of our daily discipline." His expression turns a bit sheepish. "I don't always succeed on that, but I do practice as often as I can."
Now on to something far more interesting. "Is the Song something you use? Why do so few men use it? Is it normally for women?"
no subject
"Oh! No, I meant Men as in Humans." He chuckles wryly. "Forgive me, I'm used to a world where one does have to specify... but yes, my folk... we elves are tied closer to the world than men... that is, than humans are. So we hear the Song of the world, the Great Music, clearer too. To be a true bard is to be able to work the Song into your own music, to sing with it. But since the Song is everywhere, and everything, everyone can use it, if they know how to listen, from the jewelsmith capturing sunlight in a crystal to the baker singing virtue into their pies."
no subject
He frowns as he processes how a song could be used by a jewelsmith or baker, only to figure out that this song/ music must be that world's spiritual energy. He kind of likes it being referred to as a song. He bets his mentor would approve of that comparison too.
"Why would someone use the Song in their pies? Is it just to make them better or is there power in the pies that affect those who eat it? I heard you have to be careful here about what you eat and drink because sometimes they have powers that influence your behavior. Is this the same thing?"
no subject
He shakes his head. "The food here is different - and fortunately usually marked! I can't hear the Song from them the same way I might in my own world. I suspect that it is the kizuna of this place that has caused most of the things here."
no subject
"It does seem strange. The cultivators use spiritual energy but there is resentful energy in the world too. To find out there's something other than those two here is difficult to understand. What is it? Where did it come from? Is it evil or good? You know?"
no subject
"Aye, I wonder too." He agrees. "The Song of this world is strange to me - which is not illogical, of course, but finding something unfamiliar is both interesting but also somewhat alarming. At the least, it does not seem to be evil. Capricious, maybe."
no subject
Though he doesn't really have any reason to trust the other man's judgment- since they just met- hearing that someone so in tune with the Song/ magic say the kizuna magic didn't seem evil is reassuring. He supposes a magic that simply does strange things and affects mood could be tolerated, in theory at least.
"Are you frequently in the park here? It would be nice to run into you again."
no subject
"I'm just as much a stranger here as you!" He cautions. "It does not sound malign to me, but I'm no expert at what this world is supposed to sound like - all I can do is compare it to mine."
He nods. "Aye - I like the trees, and they seem to like me too. Also, none of these ones are likely to try and entrap unwary strangers!"
no subject
"You've been here a while haven't you? That's got to make you a bit knowledgeable. You knew about the tiny deer creatures." Since obviously knowing about not feeding the insistent little animals is on the same scale as understanding the functions of the whole world.
"You have trees that try and trap people?"
no subject
He nods. "Not the trees themselves, specifically... but the Ents, the Tree-herders? They can be quite protective of their charges, and some of the trees in their care are very... awake. I would not wish to run afoul of one of their dark-hearted Huorns who hate folk who walk on two legs! But I was thinking of one of the trees here, which has a tendency to trap those who crawl through it's roots to the shrine at it's heart, and very deliberately so."
no subject
"Why would anyone crawl through a bunch of roots to get to a shrine? Aren't there plenty of other ones out in the open around here?" He supposes if there is something really special about that particular shrine, but it seems rather foolish to him.
It's almost as dumb as being in middle of the wilderness and hearing someone shouting for help in the distance. Doesn't everyone know evil spirits tend to do that to lure people to them?
Of course, that's his thoughts on the subject in theory. In practice.. he may have run a few times toward the distraught voice and then had to battle his way back to safety.
no subject
"I never asked." He says dryly. "But I assume the shrine itself is supposed to grant good luck, or wishes... that seems to be par for the course around here. The tree did not seem actively malicious, at least, not in the same way as the Huorns like Old Man Willow do, but it was certainly far more awake than I like my trees to be."
no subject
He stands and bows to Maglor with a grin. "It was very pleasant meeting you, Maglor. I hope we run into each other again soon. Please take care and don't go crawling under tree roots for shrines!"
(no subject)