November | Test Drive Meme

[jikan_mod]

Jikan Test Drive Meme

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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.

"In order to bring you here, we used the very same magic responsible for freeing our world... Kizuna."

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, 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 Eastern Kingdom, you are welcome to have your character arrive in the Western Kingdom instead.


For those traveling through 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 a sexy maid cafe in the rear of the car! Dress up in a surprisingly demure maid outfit (this is 1922) and take customer orders, or have a seat and peruse the menu. There's no actual 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 certain park is experiencing a strange phenomenon. The trees here are already red year round, after being contaminated by the pollen of an ayakashi called a Jubokko tree, which can induce madness. As a result, these trees seem to be manifesting a similar affect. Upon walking under the falling leaves, Refugees may experience hallucinations, seeing things and people who aren't really there. And those with a weak constitution may even find themselves growing anxious and impulsive, acting on certain urges without thinking. Thankfully, the effects will disappear upon leaving the area.

At the Refugee dorms in Yoshiwara, a kagebi has been reported to be living in the stove for the past few days. Known as the false-fire Ayakashi, it's believed that many refugees may have been cursed unwittingly. As such, residents are asked to be alert for strange symptoms involving an inability to become warm. Those affected will be offered a potion to remove the curse, but will also require body heat from another to avoid developing a fever as their body temperature abruptly rises. Volunteer to be someone's cuddle buddy for a night? They could certainly use it!

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

Inbox

Text

Audio

Credit

nrl_support: Hello time refugees!
nrl_support: Welcome to your channel!
nrl_support: This is your exclusive contact channel hub for everyone who's been brought to Nippon.
nrl_support: Neat, huh?
nrl_support: Why don't you try out the new video feature?
scienz_rulz_1899: how many of you have come to see this place as a new home?
scienz_rulz_1899: just curious
scienz_rulz_1899: i know not everyone has a happy ending waiting for them when they leave nippon
scienz_rulz_1899: so i hope you can all find happiness here
scienz_rulz_1899: wait
scienz_rulz_1899: i swear this isn't a death flag wwww
scienz_rulz_1899: just feeling a lot of feelings rn
scienz_rulz_1899: anyway say hi to karu for me later this month

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.
<raw-code><div class="container" style="width: 506px;margin: auto;border-width: 3px;border-style: solid;border-color: #C1272D;border-radius: 3px; max-width: 100%;"><div class="header" style="width: 500px;background: linear-gradient(#EF7E87, #C1272D);display: inline-block; max-width:100%"><div class="headertext" style="font-family: 'courier new';color: #F7F7F7;vertical-align: middle;padding: 5px;font-weight: bold;display: inline-block;"><font color="#F7F7F7">#nrl_time_refugee_support - online</font></div> <div class="headerbutton_container" style="display: inline-block;float: right;vertical-align: middle;margin: 2px;"> </div></div> <div class="chat_container" style="background: #DDDDDD; width: 100%;"><div class="chat_options_header" style="margin-top: 3px; display: inline-block; padding-left: 5px"> <div class="chat_options_button" style="color: C1272D;font-family: 'courier new';font-size: 12px;margin-right: 10px;display: inline-block;text-align: left; margin-left: 5px;"><u>I</u>nbox</div> <div class="chat_options_button" style="color: C1272D;font-family: 'courier new';font-size: 12px;margin-right: 10px;display: inline-block;text-align: left;"><u>T</u>ext</div> <div class="chat_options_button" style="color: C1272D;font-family: 'courier new';font-size: 12px;margin-right: 10px;display: inline-block;text-align: left;"><u>A</u>udio</div> <div class="chat_options_button" style="color: C1272D;font-family: 'courier new';font-size: 12px;margin-right: 10px;display: inline-block;text-align: left;"><a href="https://isopods.dreamwidth.org/2311.html"><u>C</u>redit</a></div></div> <div class="chat_messages" style="background: #F7F7F7;color: #C1272D;font-family: courier new;font-size: 14px;border-width: 2px 0px 0px 0px;border-color: #EF7E87;border-style: solid;border-radius: 1px;text-align: left;overflow: auto;margin: 5px;padding: 5px;"> <!---PUT MESSAGES BELOW THIS LINE--> <b>USERNAME:</b> message here<br/> <b>USERNAME:</b> copypaste for each new linebreak<br/> <b>USERNAME:</b> note: this code is designed for comments only and may break if put in entries!br/> <!--PUT MESSAGES ABOVE THIS LINE--></div></div></div></raw-code>

Into The Woods

Autumn is in full swing, and with the dangers of the Sakumi festival behind them, many Refugees are hoping to coast through the rest of year without conflict.

For some, this takes them back to the East, where the Adachi Ward in Tokyo is celebrating the fall season with an Autumn Harvest Festival. Located north of the bustling downtown districts, Adachi is known for its numerous parks and orchards, and ties with Little Edo as one of the more peaceful areas of Tokyo. Those hoping for a little rest and relation are certain to find it here.

Still, this is Nippon, and as the Refugees have learned by now, this world is as fantastic as it is unpredictable.

Applepalooza Adachi, Tokyo
As part of the Harvest Festival, Adachi is celebrating everything apple, as they celebrate this year's successful crop. At the Furusato Orchard, guests are welcome to pluck fruit from the trees and eat them to their hearts content while exploring the grounds, and even offer fruit baskets and bottles of cider for purchase to take home as gifts.

As Refugees from another world, many of the cultivars here will be unfamiliar to them. At the end of the day, an apple is still an apple, but the flavors they contain may be surprising. In addition to basic red, green, and yellow apples, there's a curious variety of orange apple that tastes like a strawberry, an apple with smooth fuzz like a peach, and one with so many seeds it's virtually inedible -- but deliciously juicy nonetheless.

But chief among them are the Gacha Apples, bearing a vibrantly colored skin that gives off a holographic sheen when held to the light, giving them a rainbow-like appearance. These apples can only by found in Adachi, and though their flavor is second to none, the secondary effects of eating them have earned them a curious reputation.

Each apple is ranked according to a special system of quality, with higher quality apples bearing a more delicious flavor, but stronger secondary effects.

The 3 star apples will cause the eyes of those eating them to shift into a rainbow hue, growing more holographic the more excited they become. However, eating more than one or two comes with the risk of temporary blindness that may linger for up to an hour.

The 4 star apples will cause the one eating them to produce glitter and sparkles based on their mood, appearing as illusions around their head, or physical manifestations over their body and clothing. Occasionally, these spots of glitter may appear as handprints or kiss marks, leaving evidence of places they've been touched over the past few days.

The 5 star apples are among the most prized, causing all of the above, along with feelings of euphoria and drunken delight, said to be more potent than any liquor without any risk of a hangover.

Unfortunately, local children seem to enjoy mixing the varieties together to play pranks on tourists, so take care when choosing an apple.

Forest Out of Time Adachi, Tokyo
Those looking to explore the natural world need look no further than Kohoku Park, a small forest known to contain peaceful wildlife and unique plantlife, sitting at the junction between two rivers. With various trails and paths winding through the forest, it's among the most popular spots to visit in Adachi.

However, Kohoku Park has been strange these past few days. Unrecognizable plants and animals have been reported by locals, ranging from butterflies the size of a dinner plate, to willow-like trees with aggressive prehensile branches that seem keen on getting a bit fresh with anyone who walks under them. But so far, nothing truly dangerous has been discovered.

But all of that is going to change. On a particular day, those in the forest will witness something bizarre, as the trees and plants around them begin quickly cycling through seasons. Leaves and flowers bloom in an instant, only to wither, fall, and grow anew once more just as quickly.

Thankfully, neither the people nor animals seem affected by it. As word spreads, the NRL is sent to investigate, and concludes that the forest is experiencing a time surge. A unique phenomenon in Nippon, time surges cause time to flow unnaturally in small spaces, and range from harmless to catastrophically dangerous. As such, the forest is quickly evacuated.

But alas, those who were present when the time surge began will begin experiencing side effects in the days that follow. Some may see their hair seemingly grow and shrink in length, while others may struggle to eat as the food in their hands decomposes or reverts back to base ingredients.

But the truly unfortunate will experience changes in age, suddenly growing older, or very young. And it seems to be random whether or not their memories are effected as well. Thankfully, these effects will only linger for a few days, during which the NRL will recommend bedrest and minimal travel.

Coffeeshop AU Adachi, Tokyo
Of course, Adachi is still Tokyo, and civilization is never very far. Refugees roaming the streets of Adachi's downtown district will find posters advertising Moonkicks, a Refugee-owned coffee shop chain that's been growing larger in the timer since they opened last year.

Coffee is actually rather hard to come by in Nippon. Due to a lack of international travel and trade, coffee imports have ground to a halt, with the remaining stock being heavily regulated by the Port Market in Yokohama. But thanks to the owner's unique ability to grow seemingly any plant from his body, this chain boasts genuine coffee at a reasonable price! But how exactly does co-founder Shailesh grow coffee beans from his body-- look, don't ask questions you won't like the answer to.

But Moonkicks offers more than just good coffee. With a refugee as one of its founders, every location aims to serve as a community outreach center for fellow refugees, offering services provided by and for refugees only. And after facing the horrors of the Sakumi Festival last month, this month has continued their special afterhours refugee support group. Free coffee and snacks are provided, as refugees new and old are given a space to mingle and an opportunity to talk about things that have been bothering them with their peers.

Although some may not be keen on the open nature of these discussion forums, there is one side effect of attending. Regardless of whether they actively participate or not, all refugees who attend will leave with a temporary feeling of euphoria, as well as a lingering sense of familiarity and comfort whenever they visit a Moonkicks Coffee House. It seems gathering that many Kizuna bonds in one place can have a positive effect on people. Who knew?

OOC Notes
Welcome to Jikan's November 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. 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.

• As a reminder, there will be no TDM in December. New players are welcome to use this TDM for the month of December, but please keep in mind that these events ICly occurred in November. New players may handwave their characters arriving earlier to compensate.

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!

jikan_rpg ⌛ jikan_network ⌛ jikan_ooc

Rules ⌛ FAQ ⌛ Apply ⌛ Taken
Auxiliary ⌛ Hiatus/Drop ⌛ Activity Check ⌛ Bonus
Game Timeline ⌛ Code Directory ⌛ Contact

Setting ⌛ Housing ⌛ Businesses ⌛ Kizuna ⌛ Flora/Fauna ⌛ Magic
NPC Database ⌛ NPC Contact

Comments

Questions?

[jikan_mod]

Gatcha apples

[50000baht]

For the Gatcha apples, player can choose which one they mistakenly eat?

[protectorofsmiles]

Does the time lapse in the forest have to last a few days, or can someone be lucky enough to only have it last for like...an hour or two?

Chongyun | Genshin Impact

[spiritblade]

1 | Icy Hot Exorcist
[After a very confusing arrival, Chongyun eventually settles in the Yoshiwara dorms. Somehow he manages to get a room to himself, which is for the best -- since he immediately sets the AC as low as possible. What a wonderful invention!!]

[But after a few days, it starts to feel like a bit too much. And yet, even after turning it up, he still feels so cold. Which is unusual -- he never gets cold! Not even soaking in the icy waters of Dragonspine were enough to truly counteract his Pure-Yang spirit. But what should he do? He can't bundle up or sit by the fire, that's just asking for trouble!]

[Could this be... the work of an evil spirit??]

[(Well, yes, actually. He'd be right about that for once, for all that Ayakashi aren't quite spirits, nor truly evil.)]

[In any case, he hasn't gotten the memo about the kagebi yet, and can be found in a small courtyard outside the dorms, mediating on a patch of grass -- and shivering so much he looks like he might die.]


2 | Meanwhile, In Shinjuku
[Never one to neglect his training, once the incident with the Ayakashi is behind him, Chongyun seeks out information to better understand the world he's arrived in. This brings him to Shinjuku's Awanokuniya Bookstore, where a certain shelf has caught his attention. "Refugee Doujin"?]

[Of course, upon picking up a single book, he realizes he's discovered pornography -- and his first immediate impulse is to throw it.]

[Which is going to hit whoever happens to be nearby, only flustering him further. Will they recognize the people making out on the cover of the book that slams into their face? or are they one of the ones pictured?]

--ah! I-I'm so sorry, I was just-- are you okay?


3 | An Apple a Day
[Upon realizing the big city of Tokyo may not quite be for him, Chongyun heads out to the quieter region of Adachi, finding peace in the orchard. Apples fresh off the tree are cold, crisp, and refreshing -- just the sort of thing he can eat without worry.]

[Or so he thinks, because he takes a nice big bite of an apple with an unfamiliar name, and practically chokes when he ends up with a mouthful of seeds. Like an inedible pomegranate.]

Ugh... what kind of apple is this?

[Alternatively, find him perusing the selection of Gacha apples, appearing to be thoroughly distrustful of their shiny skin. ]

Are these really edible?


4 | Wildcard
[Chongyun can also be found: wandering around after the orientation at the NRL, walking through the forest just before the time surge, and being a wallflower at Moonkicks while avoiding any coffee. Hit me up at snarfle if you wanna plot something else!]

2, I hope it is okay to be fashionably late

[emet_sulk]

[ Emet-Selch has also, coincidentally, found himself in the same store. For his part, he had been engrossed in the pages of a treatise he has not laid eyes upon for well over 10,000 years when his reading is abruptly interrupted by the front cover of a porn novel.

He reels backwards. The porn lands together with his own book in two consecutive thuds. Emet-Selch, clutching his poor nose and still seeing stars, yells: ]

What in Zodiark's name is WRONG with you?!

1, also sliding in late

[vennessa]

[Someone sitting on the grass shaking like that would be enough to draw attention all on its own, but as Vennessa draws closer her initial curiosity is overtaken by immediate concern as the pace of her steps picks up and she closes the distance in a few swift strides.]

Hey, there--

[It isn't that she doesn't recognise meditating when she sees it, but there's clearly something not right here! The woman slings off her coat and wraps it around Chongyun, peering into his face with a worried look on her own.]

You don't look well.

Kinn Theerapanyakul --Kinnporsche OTA

[50000baht]

Coffeeshop AU Adachi, Tokyo

Coffee.  Kinn is dying for a good cup and he very wisely pretends to be oblivious how they bring it about over here.  Choosing to go on his own, (because it still smarts that Vegas has Pete and Tay has seemingly found people and Kinn is... well.  Kinn is Kinn) he walks in wearing decent 1920's newsboy frock and exuding ridiculous amount of 'big boss' energy. 

The coffee is fantastic and more because he hasn't had it in a while.  It's criminal that they don't have coffee around here.  Criminal!  .... hey... maybe there's something he could do to keep the cash flow going on-because he's going to need that if diamond collars keep popping up on Pete's throat and Vegas keeps looking smug as shit about it.

But before he could start thinking on how best to bring more coffee around into the ports of Nippon, someone bumps into him.  And while normally he would have swerved and pulled out his gun (which at this point was unloaded.  He couldn't shoot, but he could pistol whip a son of a bitch) he instead looks highly concerned, turning to help the clumsy fool  "You okay? Do you need a hand?  There's coffee and mochi donuts on the table."


Applepalooza Adachi, Tokyo

[As Kinn travels around the apple orchards, marveling at the different colors and textures of the fruit, he's given an overfilled bag of apples by a native child and they run off, giggling like mad.]
[He's suspicious at first, but hey, it's a bag of apples, right?  He'll rifle through it, all the way to the bottom just to make certain they were 'just apples.'  At least just apples for this world.]

[Picking out one in the middle of the bag, he uses the small knife Wen Qing gifted  him when he first arrived to slice the apple and feed himself a piece from off the knife, his other arm shouldering the basket with ease.]

[[OOC:  Apple eaten in question is a gatcha apple!  responding player has the choice of which gatcha it is~ let me know!]

Coffee Shop AU

[afoolshope]

He rubbed his nose from where he had smashed it against the gentleman, shaking his head. "No, I'm okay. I tripped."

Minato even looked down to see what tripped him up and it seemed he just got too close to a chair leg. Made sense given he had been flipping through his MP3 player, earphones clipped to his ears. Well, that sure meant he really needed to pay for attention. But then, his eyes shone with a bit of anticipation as he belatedly caught on to the words.

"Mochi donuts?" He looked towards the aforementioned table and made a hasty bow towards the gentleman. "Thank you, sir."

A distracted and apparently hungry teen, this one is. Who also seemed to be packing, if the white holster clipped around his waist is anything to go by. Don't worry, it isn't loaded.

Kaeya Alberich | Genshin Impact

[icepatch]

Applepalooza

[Apples were one of Kaeya's favorites. Then again, was it really any surprise when he enjoyed apple cider from Angel's Share if he had to pick a non-alcoholic beverage there (not that it ever stopped him from getting the boozy kind too)? So, he was all the more excited go to the orchard to take a look around.

And don't mind him if he already has an armful of a few of the usual suspects because if they are allowed to pluck and eat, then why not? Apples didn't fill him up like most foods did, so he was content with trying not only the usual kinds, but the new ones as well. He only had a few in his arms, but the one he bit into had him stopped with a jolt as stared at the apple in perplexation.]

...why does it taste like a strawberry?

[And, of course, he takes another bite, cheek bulging lightly given he didn't even finish the first bite. How very strange! Sorry if Kaeya just totally stopped right in front of you.]

Forest Out of Time

[Kaeya remembered this place, he had been here before, right? When Diluc looked older for some reason, and Father wasn't with them for some reason. And he met the Anemo Archon as well, who treated him to some yummy apple cake and apple juice.

But as he was ushered out of the forest and given a plain, child size kimono to replace his obviously too big clothes (seriously, why was he even wearing a big kimono?!), Kaeya felt himself grow anxious. He didn't see Diluc anywhere. He didn't know how he even got here again. It frightened him terribly. He stepped away from the weird grown ups and away from the crowd of strangers who had also been found in the forest with him.]

Diluc! Diluc?! Where are you?

[He felt his face begin to crumble as he continued to call out for his big brother, tears welling in his eyes. He sniffled and rubbed at them, shakily readjusting his eyepatch that was clearly too big for him even as he tightened the strap.]

M-Master Crepus!?

[He tried, to no avail. He sniffled again. This was reminding him an awful lot like what happened before. When his father abandoned him at Dawn Winery. Was it happening again?]

Venti! -hic- Venti! I wanna go home...

[Which home now was anyone's guess. But he was in a very unfamiliar place and he didn't know what to do.]

Wildcard

[If you want a different prompt with kid!Kaeya, let me know and I'll do a custom starter. mossflower#4962]

Forest Out of Time

[anthroparion]

[A child in clear distress is something that can be classified as being a very pressing matter. So Albedo initially doesn't spare too much time considering who exactly this child must be before going about calming him down first.

Children are unique in that they are more delicate and honest with their emotions, but, they're also often very capable of grasping surprisingly complex concepts on a basic level. With that in mind Albedo calmly approaches the child to drop into a one knee crouch so they can be at a more even talking level.]

["Master Crepus" ...While he's not going to touch that one--]

If it's the Diluc or Venti I'm thinking of they shouldn't be hard to find. But, just to make sure... Could you tell me a little bit about them?

Applepalooza

[lightduties]

[Rhea'li isn't exactly going to say no to an open invitation to pluck fruit from the orchards. While cider doesn't appeal to him -- it would have, once -- he does tie his cloak into a makeshift bag so he can gather apples more easily.

Which is when he comes across Kaeya, stopping in front of him with his mouth full of apparently strawberry tasting apple.]

How strange. Mayhap your fruit is faulty. Would you like to try another?

[And with that, Rhea'li offers another apple to the stranger, expression perfectly neutral. The apple looks quite similar to the one in the other man's hand, but unbeknownst to Rhea'li that apple is full of seeds. But, given the strange appearance of the other apples in his cloak, perhaps the apple he handed over being unusual wouldn't be so surprising?

Rhea'li himself is a rather short, dark-skinned man, standing at just under 5'3" with feline like ears and tail. His left eye is slightly discoloured from blindness, and there is a grimoire attached to the belt at his waist alongside a skinning knife.]

forest out of time/wildcarded.

[notgrande]

[ Venti's probably not the one most people would identify as the 'responsible adult'. Sure, he's usually the oldest person in the room, but he's far from the most responsible or mature. Even he would admit it himself. But, it's one thing to be responsible because something is a burden, and another because you're doing something you want for someone you care about. And he cares about Kaeya's wellbeing and safety.

The hand-off with Albedo was easy enough, and before long it was just the two of them.
Venti got down a little and was looking in the eye of the child he didn't really expect to see again. He's smiling bright. ]

Fancy seeing you again, Kaeya.

[ He sounds just as happy as he looks to see him. ]

Emet-Selch | Final Fantasy XIV | open

[emet_sulk]

1. Forest Out of Time (Tokyo)

Seeking to shake off the exhaustion of the events of the past moon, Emet-Selch decides to travel to Tokyo to settle accommodation matters in the Eastern Kingdom. Just like in Kyoto, the rooms leave much to be desired - but one cannot really complain when they're being offered it for free (and being given a stipend for food on top of it).

With that in order, he takes some time to sightsee and ends up at Kohoku Park. Unaware of the time surges said to be occurring there, it is inevitable that at some point he steps into one and emerges a wholly different person...

OPTIONS:
a) The man who steps out has just as stern a countenance as the man who went in before, but his hair is shorter, dark brown, with a wing of white on the right side of his face and what seems to be a white pearl in the middle of his forehead. The man pauses, looks around him as his brow furrows.

This isn't Garlemald.

b) The man who walks out is-- exactly the same? Huh? That's strange. You were quite certain that there was a time surge in that location but he looks no better or worse off from the experience. He does, however, pause to narrow his eyes at his surroundings. Perhaps he noticed something amiss after all...?

c) Instead of a man, it is a child who walks out of the surge. A child with hair just as white and eyes just as vibrant gold, but with none of the frown lines of his adult self. The child comes to an abrupt halt and looks around quickly, eyes wide. The only outward sign of any panic he feels is in his clenched, trembling fists.

d) (Or perhaps your character is the one suffering the time surge instead? I'm also open to picking from a different point in time.)

2. New Glam (either kingdom; please specify east or west)

After receiving a spontaneous but not unwelcome gift from an odd fellow, Emet-Selch decides to familiarise himself with the weight and balance of his new claymore. He finds a wide, vacant spot in a park or field somewhere and takes a few moments to examine it properly. It's a ridiculously decorative-looking piece. One might wonder if it's even meant for combat. But aesthetics aside, the steel is sharp and true and he sees no reason not to put it through its paces. The little boy had claimed it would never dull. Well, he will soon gauge the truth of that.

After a quick warm-up, he takes a proper stance and begins a few cautious swings. Once he has a feel for the weight and balance, he progresses to proper weapon drills and strikes at imagined opponents. If you're stopping to watch, do take care not to step into the blood circle!

3. Wildcard

Other ideas? Don't be afraid to hit up my CR comment here.

Sord (eastern kingdom)

[lightduties]

Rhea'li has taken his pick of apples from the Furusato Orchard, the fruit conveniently bundled up in his cloak, which he had tied up as a makeshift bag. There was plenty more to explore in Adachi... which is how he comes across a familiar figure facing away from him swinging an unfamiliar sword.

Ah... there's really no mistaking who it is.

Rhea'li steps closer towards the trees and stills, masking his presence by using the hunting skills from his childhood. Silent, unmoving, he watches Emet-Selch train, uncertain of what he wishes to do.

After their last encounter, he had no idea what to think. Should he play it off as if nothing happened? Emet-Selch himself seemed to wish for him to forget the entire incident.

It's only when Emet-Selch looks like he's about to pause for a moment that he steps forward, cloak bulging with apples, waving with his other hand.

"Emet-Selch! Have you time for a break?"

Fishing one of the various apples from his cloak, he waves it at the ancient, as if he can easily see the fruit he has on offer.

Forest Out of Time

[censorshipnutkin]

Thancred found himself in Tokyo after everything settled, wandering a bit to get his wits around him. Whatever this place was... he hoped nothing like what happened last month happened again. Might as well see some of the sights while things seemed to be... calm.

But instead, he finds himself standing in front of a familiar, and still somewhat unwelcome (but not AS BAD), face. He'd heard rumors that Emet-Selch was here, but. Well, He didn't know what he expected.

"Well, well. Emet-Selch, a face I didn't expect to see here." For specific 'he wasn't around anymore' reasons.

wildcard because it's azem

[starshepard]

It feels rather rare these days to not hear anything from Hades at least every couple of days. So when he seems to have gone quiet, there's only one thing Azem can do and that is check up on their dear friend.

They start with the apartment he's been given as that seems as likely a place to find him as any. They give the door a quick knock before trying to knob. They don't know if he locks his doors, they certainly don't. They haven't quite figured out why that's a thing just yet.

Whether the door opens or not they'll call out to him, "Haaaaadeeeees. Are you there?"

forest out of time - smash cut from the other thread

[conceptreview]

Hythlodaeus resists the urge to pat little Hades on the head. Even when they were both young, he'd always thought it odd that Hades was so sullen and serious. As a child, he'd tried to encourage him to lighten up and have a bit of fun, and as an adult...

Well...he still does that, doesn't he? Maybe Hades is right when he says that Hythlodaeus is clearly not very grown up still.

He wonders exactly how old Hades is right now, and how old he should be according to his friend. How long have they known each other, according to Hades? What sorts of mischief have they been up to? He feels a sudden pang of nostalgia, but pushes it down for now. They do have an investigation to conduct.

"There's a laboratory near here, I think, that might be able to help us. It's where we...appeared when we first arrived here," he says, glancing up and down the street. "You and I came here together, you know. How much did Az - did Dionysos tell you?"

Elidibus | Final Fantasy XIV

[heartofsalvation]

1) The Loop Line (NSFW is Hard Mode, but I'm willing to discuss)

[What was Elidibus doing out at such a late hour, you may ask? Making a mental map of the territory and everything contained within, at least as best as he can cover in a day's worth of transit. So by the time he gets to the train, it's late.

He immediately senses something amiss before even boarding, as there's too much commotion and... frippery in the carriage. Against his better judgment, he steps on board, and is instantly crowded by a bunch of women who think he is positively adorable, cooing about how they'd love to serve him.]

Ah... I really don't think--

[A pause as his voice cracks. Suddenly, he turns red and attempts to escape to the back of the carriage, because despite all his wisdom and collected demeanor, he is still a young man, and this is something he has no experience dealing with whatsoever.]

You'll-- have to excuse me!

[Help?]

2) Forest out of Time

[Still on his exploring kick and undeterred by the previous incident, Elidibus enters Kohoku Park, unaware of the fluctuations plaguing the park right now. What emerges from behind the cover of foliage is one of two people:]

2a) [The first is an Elidibus not much physically different from how he looks right now, but somehow more subdued in demeanor, more serene, even a little sleepy-looking. It seems as if something has happened to him, something certain individuals will recognize as him becoming Zodiark's heart. He's sitting on a bench, eyes closed and lost in his thoughts, and almost appears to be completely unaware of the setting around him.]

2b) [Alternatively, an older Elidibus in Ascian robes may instead appear, and though it is difficult to see behind his mask and under his hood, he's absolutely gorgeous, with longer hair and older features. However, it seems like he's less lively than his younger self, to a point where it's hard to tell if they're even the same person. He's looking down at his hands and flexing his gloves, as if he does not recognize them...]

3) Wildcard

[For any custom prompts or ideas you might have! Feel free to PM me, PP me at crystalzero, or add me on Discord at qu-ko#6810!]

1!

[beshackled]

[Still very much new to Nippon, Erichthonios is getting his bearings a little bit at a time. At last feeling ready to attempt riding the train, he ventures out after the after-work crowds have thinned, the last to step into a car that he belatedly realizes is significantly more full than he expected.

The doors close behind him, and this time realization dawns on him much more quickly; there is no backing out. There is nothing he can do but find a seat... if he can find a seat.

His journey through the cars is slow. The train is crowded with partiers, leaving him to wonder: how many festivals do the people here hold, exactly? Still, he makes his way down the train, squeezing through the aisle and attracting no small number of looks and glances... and touches.

He doesn't much care for the touches, and so pushes on as quickly as he can away from them, hoping for respite at the back of the train. Yet, as he nears the final car, he hears an oddly-familiar voice--

--a voice that sounds almost distressed.

Heart picking up in pace, Erichthonios hastens to the door of the rear car, pulling it open with borderline-dramatic urgency.

He knew it! He would recognize that voice anywhere!]

Themis!

[Is he alright?]

2b

[emet_sulk]

[ He had spotted a flash of familiar white hair disappearing into the park and hurried forward, still clutching his new claymore. Surely it couldn't be...? ]

Elidibus? Elidibus, is that you?

[ Is he destined to meet ALL of his former coworkers here? When he sees them re-emerge from the trees, he breathes out a sigh. ]

So you are here as well, I see.

1

[lightduties]

[Despite his appearance, Rhea'li has a way of blending into the background when he desires, so when a stranger steps on board the train wearing the robes of an ancient but in white, he sits back and merely observes for a moment as the maids swiftly move to block his escape. Who is this? The only ones he knew who wore robes of white are... Venat and Elidibus.

Well, this certainly isn't Venat. And while the possibility of the stranger being someone else from a different time or someone he didn't know is a distinct possibility -- after all, he'd met that red-head -- if he squinted, there's something rather familiar about that countenance.

The fact he takes a little longer to intervene has nothing to do with amusement. None at all.

Eventually, he stands and strides over with a pleasant smile, pushing through and standing in front of the stranger.]

I'm afraid he is with me, my friends. But I'm sure he's quite thirsty, so bring us a menu and your best drinks, will you?

Erichthonios | Final Fantasy XIV |open

[beshackled]

I. Hallucinations in Little Edo (spoilers for Pandæmonium questline)

Parks, as it turns out, are some of the few places Erichthonios can walk around unimpeded. The trees are even tall enough that he can almost pass for normal-sized in this location... as though this were a tiny, manicured garden of Amaurot, the illusion only broken whenever he crosses a bench made for sitting, or when he happens upon another person walking beneath the reddened boughs. Yet, for a while, he is almost content in the small park.

However, the illusion of normalcy is not the only illusion the park has to offer.

The wind picking up, leaves scatter upon the breeze, tumbling through the air in meandering descent. Through the vision of cascading red, Erichthonios sees something else -- a flash of blond hair, and trailing warder's robes.

His heart catches painfully in his chest.

"Hesperos?"

No... it cannot be. The man is dead.


II. Perusing the Apple Orchard - Adachi Ward, Tokyo
Hearing about the Autumn Harvest Festival, Erichthonios cannot help but begin to wonder if Nippon has a festival for nearly every occasion. However, curiosity soon leads him to Tokyo's Adachi Ward, and inevitably to the Furusato Orchard, where the most notable of festivities are taking place.

Struck with wonder at the sheer variety of produce, Erichthonios ambles among the trees, stopping to pick a fruit high in the branches here and there upon request; he is certainly tall enough to reach most of them... even without the aid of a ladder!

His mood elevated by the occasional shows of gratitude, he continues to wander the orchard, offering help where he can. Eventually, he comes across a setup where goods are being offered for sale, and pausing, considers the spread thoughtfully.

"I wonder if they would like something..."

They, of course, being the people from his home that he has encountered thus far... and perhaps one other certain helpful fellow. Surely a small gift would not be unwelcome.

Genbu Onishi (WoL) | Final Fantasy XIV | post contains self-violence

[protectorofsmiles]

I "Gacha" An Apple But I Eated It :(

Kweh! Kweeeeh!
[There's an odd, high-pitched sound somewhere in the festival, much like an animal of some sort. It's follow by loud, hearty laughter that can be heard from malms away. Follow it, and find a view that can be amusing for the familiar, and odd for the unfamiliar. A man sitting under a tree, his scar-ridden body definitely seeing better days, dressed in an outfit that's way too light for fall weather. Iron horns adorn his head where ears should be. Next to him is a large, raptor-like bird adorning bright yellow feathers with added orange and red hues. The horned man seems to be in a state of bliss, his face red as he takes another bite of a shimmering apple in his hand. The raptor bird follows suit, munching on an equally brilliant apple.]

Wowsers! The fruit here is as wild and amazin' as ever! I'm so glad ya can experience it with me this time, Emmy! Woooooo! Strong stuff!

Bitter Memories Revisited

[It's that raptor bird again! But there's something wrong. She's by herself, and running about frantically. Concern shows on her face, eyes darting about until she spots someone walking by. She runs up, crying and warking and even going as far as to run behind them and push them forward with her head. She is clearly trying to get them to follow her. Should the chosen stranger follow, they'll eventually come across an unsettling sight...

A.

[A child, perhaps around 10-12, slowly wandering around the forest, frightened. He is dirty, covered in soil, with hands covered in blood. Small, white nubs stick out from the sides of his head, lacking ears. He is wearing a black tanktop, revealing arms adorned with white scales.]

Big Birdy? Where did ya go...?

B.

[An older boy, perhaps around 15, Is sitting against a tree, hugging his knees. Broken horns are attached to the sides of his bloodied head, covered in fresh wounds. Next to him is a bloody rock. One can probably imagine what the teenager just did.]

I'll...never hurt anyone again...I'll never go back to the village...I promise...I'm sorry...

---

[ooc: not looking for smut at this time u_u ]

2b

[emet_sulk]

[ Anyone from Eitherys (well, the Source at least) would recognise a chocobo. Emet-Selch certainly does, but he doesn't expect to be approached by one and harassed into following them. Even he doesn't want to say no to those deadly talons and that sharp beak. ]

Yes, yes, I'm coming! By the stars, don't tear my robe you persistent bird...

[ His steps come to an abrupt halt when they reach the boy. Unlike his two friends, he is not one to go running up showing motherly concern but his brow does furrow severely. As if it didn't have enough lines creasing it already. ]

...What happened here?

Simon Snow | Simon Snow series | ota

[rosebudboy]

i. Party Train

[It wasn't like this was the first time Simon had been on a train. It was, however, the first time he'd seen a...maid...café? Normal bars, vampire bars, bars full of magickal creatures--he'd seen all of that. But this was-

He looked visibly uncomfortable, for one reason or another. It might have had something to do with the hump on his back, under his clothes, or the way one of his pant legs twitched occasionally. Or maybe it was entirely because of the maid costumes. He wasn't staring at any one person in particular, but he was definitely staring.

Surely, there had to be food here though...right? Spotting the menu from a distance, he brightened and headed over to have a seat. Blinking at the menu, he blinked again. Then again. At the same time that his face went an impressive shade of red, he stood up like the chair had burned him. So fast that he knocked it to the floor, causing a loud clatter.

Realizing people were looking at him, Simon hurried to right the chair. With an English accent, he said-]

Sorry, I. I, um. I don't think I should be here.

[Then he hustled towards the door connecting to the next train car. Catch him along the way or after he made his escape.]

ii. Cursed

[He was freezing, absolutely freezing, and he couldn't seem to get warm. The potion he was given seemed to help, but he was still off. He wasn't right, wasn't warm enough or maybe he was too warm. Maybe he was both at the same time. It was strange and he wasn't really a fan.

There was a blanket wrapped around his shoulders, which did little to hide the odd hump on his back, just like it did little to make him feel like a functioning human being. Was he even human anymore? Sometimes, he wondered.

He approached someone hesitantly.]

Hey, um. Do you think- Do you think we could- [He gestured vaguely from himself to the other person and back again, which didn't help clear anything up.] I mean, I was told-

[He huffed out a breath that was strong enough to stir the golden curls on his forehead.]

I think I'm sick or something. Not contagious, though!

[He knew the real answer was cursed, but what sounded better? 'Cuddle me, I'm an idiot who got cursed' or 'cuddle me, I'm sick'?]

iii. Network/Text - un: snow

has anyone seen a tall bloke with dark hair?
like unfairly handsome
his name's baz

iv. Applepalooza

[Simon had never been one for moderation, especially when it came to food. The apples were delicious and no one was really stopping him from having more--though it wasn't like people hadn't tried, he'd just waved them off. If they were magical apples, he was pretty sure he was immune. Except he wasn't. Not even slightly.

He tucked into at least three 5 star apples. They were healthy for you, right? Apples weren't like cider or scones; they were good snacks. As if healthy or unhealthy had ever stopped him from eating everything in sight before. The point was, he ate so many apples he got all of the effects--and he couldn't see a damn one of them because he went temporarily blind.

Eyes shifting colors like a rainbow, sparkles ringing his head like a halo, he was feeling too drunk to be very concerned about his eyesight. He knew he should be, he really did, but would these people have apples lying around like this if people went permanently blind from them?

He walked around with his arms outstretched, feeling in front of him like some black and white movie mummy or zombie. Laughing when he ran into a tree, he carefully felt his way past it and continued until he grabbed onto a person.]

Oh! Sorry. I can't see a fucking thing.

[Yet he didn't let go. But he wasn't holding on too tight, either.]

v. Wildcard!

[ooc: come at me with another idea! I'll also match prose <3]

iv. Applepalooza

[maxwellsdaemon]

No kiddin...?

[The voice, warm and amused, the young man kind enough to reach out a steadying hand to the poor schmuck who seemed to be having a time of it.]

Think you need to sit this one off, pal. Let it work it's way outta your system. Least until you can see again.

[Dems the rules, at least as far as Duo knew them to be. These things didn't tend to last long if you were lucky. An hour or two normally. A week or more if you were really down on your luck.]

xingqiu | genshin impact

[rainswords]

A PLACE TO CALL HOME

---

[ Once again the scene unfolds from the start, like the previous times he is the sole inconsistency through it or so he thinks. He takes note of the door soon after he begins his usual perusal through a stack of old tomes as he concocts a plan to make the others aware of the uncanny situation. Drawn to what he deems as irrefutable proof of what he initially tried to explain to his companion there is no opportunity for him to call the doorway to attention because the moment it is open and he steps inside he is no longer in at the warehouse; the loop has come to an end at last but not in a manner he finds ideal.

At a completely different location, the best he can do is push himself to attention, he won't be resting any time soon so despite the lingering weariness that comes with sleep deprivation he would be sure to note any important details being offered through the orientation. Once that's over and done, he decides that for the time being he has little choice but to settle in.

Xingqiu has yet to cast final judgment on whether he finds it fortunate or unfortunate that he isn't alone through this; while he hasn't met misery at least he has company. There is no need for anyone to find residence alone, although he is sure it would be simple enough to achieve perhaps it's a daunting task for others. Taking the initiative he will approach anyone he believes is looking for shelter in this nation. ]

Greetings, it would seem we are both facing the same predicament so perhaps would you like to explore the housing options with me? I would like to preview our choices before I finalize my decision.

[ Company would be good along with a second opinion, he would rather not hastily make a decision in order to get some rest. ] So what do you say, would like to tour through our options together?

PARTY TRAIN

---

[ A warning would have helped immensely, completely unaware of the particularities of the line's schedule on Friday nights Xingqiu was quick to board the last train. Nothing struck him as unusual when the ride commenced, although he noted some people in odd fashion around Xingqiu decides to attribute his perception to the fact he wasn't fully accustomed to this land. However, there does come a point when curiosity transforms into caution with the train flies past a scheduled stop; the first sign for him to remain alert. After two more stops are missed, it is then that he finally stands up and goes in search of answers. Unfortunately, what he discovers immediately is something completely different that comes with his attempt to board the next carriage; swinging the door open only leads to him striking something that yelps in pain.

That's how it begins, how he comes to discover this line's function, and how he finds himself becoming a replacement for one of the maids on the party train. Upon agreeing to take the maid's place after he caused her harm, all he can think is that he is glad there are no familiar faces around, that assurance is soothing enough that it leaves him confident in his ability to do a marginally good job in her place. There is no time for him to fully grasp what he has agreed to, soon there is a patron in need of attention.

With a polite smile, Xingqiu offers a menu as he stands there wearing the appropriate dress for the role; a chaste and demure maid's outfit. ]

Here have a look and please be sure to tell me when you're ready to order.

APPLEPALOOZA

---

[ Arriving at Furusato Orchard. the welcome he receives warms him toward the nation. While perhaps he cares more for baked goods than fresh fruit he won't reject a chance to pluck some apples from the orchard. Xingqiu finds the typical variety he is most familiar with (red apples) and for him, these are a safe option. Feeling just a little adventurous, he goes on to taste some of the other varieties found and he is pleasantly surprised by their exquisite taste. It's tempting to actually make a purchase here but perhaps it's best to get ahead of himself so soon. It's only when he comes across the Gacha Apples that their outward appearance gives no clue regarding taste and for him their bizarre appearance is enough of a warning to keep him from consuming any. He is adventurous, certainly but not to the degree of ingesting anything — that's more Xiangling's department of experimentation.

He would enjoy his time here without taking unnecessary risks, or he could always wait and see what effects those apples have on other people who decide to take the plunge and have a bite. It's not long before he gets a chance to observe the effects of the gacha apples and he can't help but internally congratulate himself on his decision of avoiding them.

Soon spotting someone who seems to be battling with a decision he had quickly resolved, he decides to speak up. ]

Having a difficult time deciding on which to pick or have you made a decision? My apologies, I guess I am interrupting. But those apples, I am not so daring as to eat something with such a strange appearance but there are a few brave souls around who have given it a go. They don't seem to be dangerous but...

[ He would motion towards someone in the distance under the effects of a gacha apple. ]

FOREST OUT OF TIME

---

[ What draws Xingqiu to the park is not so much the wildlife or unique plantlife, instead it is its tranquility, a place where he can settle in and enjoy nature as he reads a book. Certainly he has found far more peace here to read to his heart's content than he could ever find back home the only issue being is that his collection of books is vastly inferior to the one he has managed to amass in Liyue. Of course, calling a single book a collection might be a bit much but that's all he has to work with currently. Attentive enough, he has noticed a shift with a sudden surge of personel in the area but it's not long before whatever they were doing concludes.

Peace doesn't remain however, of course he ends up becoming one of the unfortunate victims of the time surges happening through Kohoku Park. That's why he stands as a bright eyed child in clothes too big for him on a tree branch above the ground. How did he get there? He climbed the tree of course, and not so much concerned with the fact that he is lost. Rather he gets the attention of someone directly below the branch he is standing by waving his hands causing his sleeves to flutter. ]

Hey! Catch me!

[ There is no chance to refuse because Xingqiu will jump! As it turns out, in that moment he leaps from the branch he begins to return to his normal age, and his memories resurface so there is no longer a child falling but a young man wearing a confused look on his face. ]

WILDCARD

---

[ pm me if you want to plot something else/or just throw something out here. ]

Forest Time!!

[spiritblade]

[Naturally, Chongyun was drawn to the forest when he heard about the strange phenomenon reported there. Time surges? He doesn't know much other than the name, but perhaps they could be the work of evil spirits?]

[Or... whatever these "ayakashi" are, because they don't quite seem to act in the way he'd expect a spirit to. They don't respond to his Yang energy at all, and exorcisms seem to be hit or miss depending on the type. As such, he's still dealing with this "kagebi" thing he happened to be cursed by shortly after arriving. Which is possibly why little Xingqiu didn't recognize his friend, given Chongyun is unusually bundled up right now to keep himself warm. He's heard about about these supposed "cures" and frankly, he wants none of it. He's an exorcist, so he'll figure it out himself!]

[Or at least, that was what he was thinking about before a voice suddenly called from above. He hardly has the chance to turn around before he's abruptly flattened-- by a familiar face.]

Ow... what was tha-- X-Xingqiu!?