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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 doesn't forget. He listens. When words fail him, that's something he's always been good at. Even still, he doesn't let go of Aether, settling into a support role (literally, he doesn't want Aether to fall flat on his poor face kjhfasd) ]
...
[ He sighs. ]
It's fine. [ He can sleep anywhere— This guy literally a Traveler and used to camping out?! That...didn't seem like a good idea in his current condition. So Cloud half frowns, shaking his head with a firmer, ] No. I've got a room you can sleep in. Booked a place to stay before I head back out to Tokyo.
[ Lodging is cheap! Thankfully. He still hasn't started to grind hard for money yet, but, he wasn't going to just drop Aether off some random place. If Lumine ever caught wind someone just plopped her poor brother off alone... ]
1/2
[Perhaps if Aether were sober (and certainly, after he sobers up) he'd better appreciate Cloud's kind gesture. As it stands, he's simply stating a fact: it doesn't matter where he goes, because he can get back "home" from anywhere.]
[But rather than just explain this, he decides to just make his point, pulling a strange gold talisman out of his pocket.]
Since I've got this--
no subject
[They're inside a relatively sparse living room, clearly in Nippon's usual style. But something strange must be going on here, because a glance out the window makes it obvious it's clearly daytime! And looking further reveals they appear to be on an island floating in the clouds.]
[But Aether? He seems... well, sleepy. And with a yawn, he ignores all of this in favor of just stumbling towards the stairs to his bedroom, kicking his shoes off as he goes.]
I'm just gonna sleep like this... 'm too tired to change.
no subject
Once Cloud's vision fully returns to him, he lightly clicks his tongue before loosing a sigh, trying to quell the tension in his shoulders. Everything happened so fast, still trying to wrap his head around their predicament. Or...more importantly, as he approaches the window and notices the clouds that sit ahead of them, a sea of them beyond the land ahead and still sitting pristine above them. ]
The hell is all this...?
[ "I'm just gonna sleep like this... 'm too tired to change." ]
?
[ Wait a second. You! You did this! ]
Hey, wait a minute. Where are we? Where're you going? Aether—
no subject
[He says this as if it explains everything?? Perhaps somewhere in his mind, he's aware that this isn't sufficient -- but that little dose of unhappy reality caught him off-guard, so he's quietly resolved to just not think about anything the rest of the night.]
[There's a reason he came out and let himself get as drunk as he did, after all.]
[Still, he pauses. And then turns--]
...what, did you wanna come too?
[The least sexy come-on he's done all night.]
no subject
...
[ Dot. Dot. Dot. ]
...
[ "did you wanna come too?" ]
Bedtime first. Questions second.
[ GOODNIGHT AETHER. ]
no subject
[But regardless as to whether Cloud is going to follow him or not, Aether heads up to his bedroom, throws open the door, and just faceplants on his futon to go to sleep. He'll deal with the outfit and makeup tomorrow.]
[Should Cloud decide to snoop upstairs, he'll find: a bedroom that seems to belong to a girl, filled with various knickknacks and photos, an obvious guest bedroom, and a few spare futons if he'd rather just sleep on the tatami floors of the living room on the ground floor.]
[Aether will be sleeping in until almost noon, so sweet dreams, Cloud!]
cw: wet dream 1/2
[ He winds up staring up the stairs at the stumbling blonde Traveler. For this time, the second his ears pick up on a soft "fwump" that is Aether faceplanting on the bed, he softly shakes his head with a sigh. Perhaps he'll go and check up on him later. Right now, it's probably best he figures out just where exactly they both vanished off to. Or at the very least, it'll leave Cloud alone with his thoughts as he decides to try taking a step outside the rather spacious home. The sight he's greeted to is...
Well. Ethereal was one way to describe it. It's like they were transported to an entirely different world. The skies are clear as crystal, and the weather pristine. If he weren't wearing shoes, the grass beneath his feet would be a cool reprieve. Sure enough, this had to be Aether's doing. And it's knowing that that enables him to not feel so concerned about his predicament. But more importantly, it leaves a question to mull in the back of the blond's mind. ]
(Aether...) [ And by extension, ] (Lumine... Who are you two?)
[ "It's complicated, but let's say for now I travel?" ]
[ A thin smile tugs at the corner of his mouth before he decides to venture out further into the Serenitea Pot's worldscape. In truth...there's really nowhere to go without running the risk of, y'know, getting lost? So his ventures around the perimeter only take him so far. Far enough to see him deciding to take solace beneath a well-shaded tree. There's something about this place...and the peace that it upholds, that reminds him of memories since long gone. He'd only just recently had some of his old memories unlocked, so making heads or tails of his life and what he was doing was still an adjustment period. But maybe...this was a blessing a disguise.
A chance to embrace a fleeting reprieve from all the questions that would continue to bombard his thoughts as the days rolled into weeks, weeks into months...
He supposes he has a certain sleepy drunk Traveler to thank for this chance meeting. Another little pitstop on their journeys as dreams sweep them away.
Sweep them away...
Sweep...sweep them...
His eyes feel heavy. And before he knows it, he's closed his eyes. ]
... .... .....
[ ...... ............. .. ]
[ "...oud?" Mn... "Cloud...?" ]
[ Eyes still heavy, his soft glowing blues still return to the real world nonetheless. But their weariness doesn't last for very long when he's greeted to the sight of a familiar face. He could have sworn he only just nodded off for a second. But wasn't this Aether's place? So then why was...? ]
Lumine? What are you—
[ He can't explain why, but seeing her standing over him, a wave of familiar warmth rushes through his system... A surge of heat that brings back other various memories from last month. Memories that he would like to keep under lock & key, yet sure enough, his words fail him, the taller blond cut off by the weight of the daintier Traveler suddenly straddling his lap and setting a finger to his lips to hush him. It's all Cloud can do in this steadily hastening space of time to keep still. Keep his hands to himself as his questions start flying out the window.
Especially when he's asked,
"Didn't you say...that we can keep going?" ]
...
Haa—
[ They shouldn't be doing this. They absolutely should not be doing this. Not here. This wasn't what he had in mind when he said that he wanted to reconnect with her. That he wanted to start things off on the right foot without some sweltering heat muddling their desires and seeing one another as another means to an end. That if he was going to be staying in this world, that he at least make the effort to try. And yet, here they were, their positions having changed, grass and dirt getting underneath Lumine's nails as she digs for any kind of purchase.
With Cloud, like a starved wolf in a rut, railing into her tight little pussy as he faintly registers the hot ripple of pleasure that surges through every tip of his nerves. One hand holds steady on the curve of her hip as her dress stays hiked around her waist, giving him a generous view as her ass rocks against his pelvis every time his cock bottoms out inside her. His other hand slips underneath, his abs clenching visibly as his palm splays over her lower stomach, a visceral feeling when he slides so deep inside of her, as if the two of them could feel him reaching and stretching her out.
Her name falls off her lips as she seemingly forgets her voice, barely able to manage getting back onto her forearms as she loses herself to this wanton heat. As Cloud loses what little sense of reason he has left. Why were they doing this? Why was Lumine suddenly here? If this isn't what he wanted, why was he dreaming it? ]
Still want more?
[ His question, trapped between velvet-toned words and clipped groans, is met with the blonde's head tilting back so she peak up to him from her place beneath him. Golds begging him to keep going. You'll do it, won't you, Cloud? You can keep fucking her, right? You can get back to her apartment and press her full tits up against the glass, high above the rest of the city and daring random passersby to look up? To see her being claimed by her "sparring" partner. He can handle her— ]
[ "I told you..." suddenly, a voice comes from behind, the hand that was once on Lumine's hip settling on her shapely backside when Cloud hears a different voice dripping into his ear. Someone more...masculine. More immediately familiar as he suddenly feels a pair of hands roam along that clenching abdomen of his and press against his back. Effectively sandwiching the swordsman between the mysterious third party pressing against him from behind, and the flushed, smiling twin sister daring the blond to continue.
His breath hitches when he feels a pair of lips against his ear, while at the same time his mind is telling him that Lumine's pussy is squeezing down even tighter on his turgid shaft. He can feel himself already on the brink of losing it—
And when Cloud spares a glance back, tilting his head towards the origin of the voice pressed against his back...
"Anything my sister can handle... I can."
His breath hitches, and just before he can reach the pinnacle and come crashing down the other side, Aether's teeth tug on his lobe whilst nails play through the chiseled grooves of his abs, ]
2/2
[ Suddenly, he opens his eyes again. Shooting upright, Cloud is still situated beneath the tree outside Aether's home, his heart racing and his body still riding on an artificial high. It wasn't like he was awakening from a nightmare. But...the shock was enough to jostle him back to the living room. Taking a second or two to catch his breath, he sets his hand over his chest to still his beating heart, deep blue eyes cast on the large home ahead of him. He remembers now.
He came outside to explore and wait for Aether to wake up, he found this tree and got lost in his own thoughts, soothed by the gentle breeze, and... ]
...
[ He sighs, more frustrated than anything as he coaxes himself back to his feet. ]
The hell...
[ It was a dream. Not a very common kind of dream, at that. And hopefully by the time he gets back to the house and checks up on the Traveler, he won't be so flustered anymore.
Or his pants will still looking like they're on the brink of tearing. KJFHSDA]1/2
[But he supposes this is karma for flirting with a straight guy all night. Worst boner ever.]
no subject
...oh, right. You were here.
[Rude?? Hopefully the tired tone of voice and the way he's nursing his head as he sips at some water is enough to convey it's not personal.]
[Thankfully, the aforementioned hangover means he won't notice Cloud's below-the-belt salute, should it be lingering and/or revived by the unintentionally kind of erotic traveler in the kitchen.]
Sorry for bringing you here last night. I can show you how to leave in a minute... let me finish this water first.
no subject
"...oh, right. You were here."
Cloud wasn't stupid. The poor guy was hungover and had too much to drink. Then again...it's not like a certain Ex-SOLDIER helped that matter. Nice going, Cloud. You fed booze to the already tipsy Traveler. Sighing with a shake of his head, he follows Aether into the kitchen as he offers the man some space. The burning question now? Where was 'here' exactly? If it weren't for the fact his sleep was otherwise peaceful despite the dream, he would have felt more cautious. That, and despite their first meeting, it wasn't like he distrusted him, either.
Especially if he could show him how they can leave. But before that, ]
Take your time. [ Leaning against the countertop close by, arms crossed with mild concern written on his face, he does well to keep focused in the present for now. ] You okay?
[ It's a wicked hangover. But, formalities. ]
no subject
I can still count on one hand the number of times I've been hungover. At least I don't feel sick on top of it.
[He sips a bit more at the water, and then moves to refill the glass and have a bit more. If only his specialty was Mizu magic -- then he could hydrate this hangover away immediately. But he supposed he can't leave Cloud here forever, so--]
We're actually still in Gion right now. The place we're in is-- it's like a pocket dimension. The space is only as big as a teapot, so I just keep the realm itself at the Hanamikoji dorms.
If you picture that, and imagine yourself standing outside of it -- you'll be taken right out.
no subject
[ Cloud's never had to worry about hangovers. ...primarily because he doesn't think he's ever drank himself stupid in the process. But on the other hand, the mako flowing through his system also did a good job of keeping his body and senses sharpened and focused. ]
Really. Just as simple as that?
no subject
[And should he test this, he'll find the teapot is just sitting on a shelf in a Japanese-style room, where one of the Kitsune from the bar last night will be tidying up -- who will take one look at Cloud before giggling out of the room.]