January | Test Drive Meme

[jikan_mod]

Jikan Test Drive Meme
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 a country called Nippon in a world called Gaia," they explain. "You were brought here because you became aware of the timeloop... we'll explain everything."

And they keep their word.

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, 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.

"Ultimately, the reason all of this happened was because of our world. By decree of the emperor, we at NRL have been chosen to speak on the behalf of all the people of Nippon when we say... we are sorry."

Down the line, each one bows deeply at the waist, some going so far as to kneel to the floor. And they continue to explain: their own world was trapped in a year long loop for decades, if not longer. When they finally found a means of progressing past the loop, they realized that time was corrupted at a far greater scale than they could have ever imagined. Until they can find a way to truly undo the effects, all they can do is save those who've become aware of it on other worlds, so that they won't suffer.

And you, dear refugees, are the first wave to be rescued.

A Place to Call Home Tokyo, Kanto
Once orientation is over, characters will be given one of three options for housing. Housing will be paid by the government of Nippon until they decide to move elsewhere, with NRL providing a stipend for food expenses. Click here for some ideas and examples of what their housing might look like.

Most of the refugees will be placed in one or two bedroom apartments on the edge of Nihonbashi. These rooms come fully furnished, and are scattered around the district in clusters to encourage intermingling with the native populace. They're a little small, but fairly luxurious considering the location. If you're lucky, you might even snag one with a western-style bed instead of a futon!

Those who've decided they wish to live in groups of three or more will be provided old homes in Little Edo. It doesn't take more than a glance to realize these homes must have been abandoned at some point before being used for refugees, with some odd furnishings sometimes left behind. While the buildings could use some heavy TLC and have no built-in heating or cooling systems, there's plenty of space, and even a private little garden!

And those who think they might struggle with settling in (or who simply aren't so lucky to get an apartment) will be assigned to a dormitory in Yoshiwara. One or two people share a small room with communal kitchens and living areas, and a private toilet with no bath. There is, however, a public bathhouse nearby that residents can use for free. These dorms are strictly for refugees, and are by far the most run down. But surely getting to live in the exclusive Yoshiwara Entertainment district makes it all worth it, right?

Characters will be provided transportation to their new accommodation. Those in the apartments will be encouraged to introduce themselves to their neighbors. The shared houses are going to need a bit of cleaning and sorting of old furniture to make it more livable. And the dorms, well... they let you pick your own room? Though given how small some of these are, it seems a bit unfair that you won't even have it to yourself.

NRL Time Refugee Support Network
Once they've received their housing assignment, all refugees will be given small handheld devices called magi-tech comms. 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

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 introduce yourself?
scienz_rulz_1899: gee, ain't even gonna explain it, huh?
scienz_rulz_1899: these channels are connected to the internet. there's public and private reply options.
scienz_rulz_1899: they're only configured for text and audio, but they should have a new model out with a camera soon.
scienz_rulz_1899: maybe video?? i'm workin on it. gimme time.
scienz_rulz_1899: h e h
scienz_rulz_1899: :)
scienz_rulz_1899: anyhoo
scienz_rulz_1899: let's break the ice, huh?
scienz_rulz_1899: what were you doing before time got all loopy?
scienz_rulz_1899: did you try doing the same thing over and over again?
scienz_rulz_1899: or did you think the gods were giving you a second chance?
scienz_rulz_1899: discuss it amongst yourselves
scienz_rulz_1899: and i'll catch up with you all later

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: #0f380f;border-radius: 3px; max-width: 100%;"><div class="header" style="width: 500px;background: linear-gradient(#306230, #0f380f);display: inline-block; max-width:100%"><div class="headertext" style="font-family: 'courier new';color: #9bbc0f;vertical-align: middle;padding: 5px;font-weight: bold;display: inline-block;"><font color="#9bbc0f">#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: #8bac0f; width: 100%;"><div class="chat_options_header" style="margin-top: 3px; display: inline-block; padding-left: 5px"> <div class="chat_options_button" style="color: 0f380f;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: 0f380f;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: 0f380f;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: 0f380f;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: #9bbc0f;color: #0f380f;font-family: courier new;font-size: 14px;border-width: 2px 0px 0px 0px;border-color: #306230;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> copy+paste for each new linebreak<br/> <b>USERNAME:</b> note: code is designed for comments only, will not have a scrollbar, and will break if put in entries!<br/> <!--PUT MESSAGES ABOVE THIS LINE--></div></div></div></raw-code>

Happy Actual New Year

With the refugees showing up on New Year's Day, it's no surprise that they're immediately met with new years activities. But even those familiar with a Japan-like culture might find some of the excitement to be a little extreme. The streets are so packed, many have been closed to anything other than pedestrians. Fireworks light up the skies for hours on end every single night, well past New Years Day. And some people can even be found openly sobbing as they make their way to the various shrines around the city, seemingly overwhelmed with relief. As the scientists at NRL are happy to explain -- this is the first real new year since their world was freed.

"I know that many of you might not feel like celebrating right now, but please understand...
It's been 1920 for a very, very long time."

Bridge Buffet Nihonbashi, Tokyo
By far, the most lively celebrations will be in Nihonbashi. Located at the heart of Tokyo, Nihonbashi is home to a large bridge comprised of many intersecting paths, standing as a crossroad to every neighborhood in the city. Rather than simply connecting two sides of a waterway, the designers sought to make Nihonbashi a hub for all of Tokyo, with pathways going across the water, down underground, and even high into the sky, allowing pedestrians to walk alongside tall buildings to get to where they need to go. And with all the foot traffic, it's no surprise that many shops, restaurants, and food stalls chose to build on or around the bridge.

With all the celebrations, food stalls selling traditional Japanese new year's food currently make up the majority of business on the bridge. And thankfully, the stipend provided to refugees includes money for food as well! But while the food may look delicious, it seems something strange is going on right now.

Characters may bite into some freshly made mochi only for the mochi to turn into raw grains of rice in their mouth. Hot cups of ozoni soup will be steaming hot one minute, and ice cold with raw vegetables the next. And the most egregious: their food disappears entirely, leaving them with a full stomach and no memory of just how delicious the food was. When asked, the food sellers can only apologize, explaining that a time surge, lingering aftereffects of their world being suspended in time for so long, had settled on the area a few days ago, causing the odd occurrences.

But even with the odd occurrences, there's no denying that Nihonbashi is the best place you can watch the evening fireworks. It's still rather cold this time of year, so why not find someone to curl up with and watch the show?

It's Symbolic 🎵 Yoshiwara, Tokyo
For those looking for some entertainment, they'll be swiftly pointed in the direction of Yoshiwara, the entertainment capital of Tokyo. Surrounded by tall stone walls, with entrances at each compass point, Yoshiwara almost feels like it's own city. Buildings vary wildly between very old and very modern, with some bearing more exotic architecture as well. Naturally, the people here are eager to ring in the new year, too.

The Shinbashi Theater has been preparing for this day for a long time. Ordinarily, tickets can be rather pricey. But for the first week of the new year, all shows will be free, playing all day with the cooperation of every acting and performing troupe in Yoshiwara. The performances very greatly from one to the next, ranging from Bunraku puppet theater, to action-filled Kabuki plays. But the refugees might find one play in particular to be of interest: an artistic re-telling of how the world was saved.

It starts with an ordinary scene. Two people greet each other on stage, have a simple conversation about a show they watched the other night, and then exit. The scene then replays three more times, before one of them suddenly appears to snap, screaming in anguish as he falls to his knees. But almost immediately after -- they exit, and the scene repeats once more. From there, the same man who snapped is shown again, after years of reliving the same day over and over, utterly convinced he'd simply lost his mind. Finally, it's not until a young woman sees him on the street and reaches out to him with compassion that something changes -- and then, the next day finally comes. The play ends with a monologue, preaching the importance of fostering bonds between one another, so that no one is left behind in an unending past ever again.

Strange. Is that really how they saved their world? Or was there more to it than that?

In Memorium Little Edo, Tokyo
And for those looking for a more quiet or somber affair, look no further than Little Edo. Seemingly preserved as a slice of ancient Japan, the quaint, wooden houses and dirt roads stand in stark contrast to the metropolis that is Tokyo. But it wasn't always this way. Despite the celebrations going on, their world isn't exactly fixed yet, and Little Edo stands as a testament to that. A rather large time surge is to blame for the buildings of Little Edo look as though they were build hundreds of years ago. Because they are, in fact, buildings that only existed hundreds of years ago, having replaced the modern neighborhood that once stood in its place.

Those who visit will be encouraged to leave incense and prayers at one of the many shrines or temples located there, in honour of those whose bodies and minds couldn't handle the anguish caused by the time loops. "You're the lucky ones," they say. But there's no resentment in their words. If anything, refugees will be treated with more kindness here than anywhere else in Tokyo. Individual families may welcome them into their homes for a free, homecooked meal, or offer to give them a tour around Tokyo. And all shrines will be offering free cups of amazake, a sweet and creamy fermented rice drink, served hot.

But for those patient enough to wait for a chance to visit one of the many crowded temples, they'll have the opportunity to make an offering. Whether it's a stick of incense gifted by one of the families in Little Edo, or a five-yen coin they found on the sidewalk, in return, they'll be given a fortune. Ordinarily, one wouldn't need to put much stock into these sort of things unless they strongly believed it. But for the refugees, unbeknownst to them, the Kizuna magic surrounding them will cause those fortunes to come true. Characters who drew "small blessing" might just find a ¥500 coin on the ground. "Curse" might cause one to trip on their way out of the temple. You'd better hope it has something nice to say about your love life!

OOC Notes
Welcome to Jikan's first TDM! Jikan is an invite-only game, and you must be invited by randomsnarfle or one of my friends to apply!

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!

• Please note that characters do not know what Kizuna is at this point in time. This will be revealed in the first event!

• 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.

• Time surges on the bridge can affect more than just food, but cannot effect anything living! For example, fabric can be returned to raw cotton or piles of loose thread, but people can't suddenly become younger. More powerful time surges in the future may have these effects!

• The effects of the fortunes can be immediate or long-term, but will be nullified if a new fortune is drawn.

Please leave any questions about the TDM prompts in the thread below! General game questions can be directed to the FAQ!

Reserves are open, and Apps will open January 1st at 12:01am EST!

jikan_rpg ⌛ jikan_network ⌛ jikan_ooc

Rules ⌛ FAQ ⌛ Reserves ⌛ Apply ⌛ Taken
Auxiliary ⌛ Hiatus/Drop ⌛ Activity Check ⌛ Bonus
Setting ⌛ Kizuna ⌛ Flora/Fauna ⌛ Businesses
Calendar ⌛ Contact

Comments

Gershom Alter | Original Character

[accidentallich]

[A]
[He'd been very, very tempted to not open the door. Sure he saw the same tweet being posted six times in a row, but how much did life really change in his apartment to begin with? And, more importantly, how much did he want to risk being seen by others?

...But he's here now, and there's not much he can do to hide.

At orientation, there's a skeleton in cat-patterned pajamas doing his best to make himself as small as possible. He looks terrified, but it's more because of the large number of people than changing worlds.

Even after orientation is over and everyone else is filing out, he's paralyzed with anxiety.]

Ah... ah...

[Maybe you should reassure him?]

[B]
[He'd really wanted a one-bedroom apartment, but apparently they were all out, so.

It's fine. He lives under this blanket now. Surely his new roommate will not be curious as to why he insists on being completely covered at all times.]

H-hello, um, nice to meet you...?

[C]

#nrl_time_refugee_support - online

Inbox

Text

Audio

Credit

tikkunolam: I miss cat videos already :(

A

[terribletwos]

The explanation had done little to reassure Roxas of his situation. The time loops had been confusing enough but now he's supposed to just buy that he's been brought here for his own good. What about his friends? They'd have no idea of knowing what happened to him. How was he supposed to tell them?

His attempts to grab at one of the speakers for more information is interrupted by the sounds of distress just behind him. His eyes widen when he sees what appears to be Jack Skellington. Only the clothing is all off. Jack never wore anything that colorful. Nobody in Halloween Town did. Are there other worlds with people who looked like Jack?

But never mind all that. This guy looks even more unhappy about the situation than Roxas is. He can't just leave him like this. It's not like he has to keep to the shadows anymore.

"Hey, are you okay?"

[accidentallich]

Gershom jumps a little at being addressed. He's expecting people to yell or curse at him, not... express polite concern?

"I... I haven't been around this many people in a long time, and usually people try to hurt me when I am. So it's a little frightening..."

[terribletwos]

Roxas blinks at that. "Why would people try to hurt you? Are they confusing you for someone else?"

He remembers something about the people of Halloween Town wanting to be scary. But shouldn't that just make people run away? Not try to attack.

"Anyway, I'm still getting use to this many people too. I don't usually talk to a lot of people. You're the first person I've tried to talk to here."

[accidentallich]

"I don't think so... Nu, but things like me aren't supposed to exist where I'm from."

How do you explain the entire concept of undead to somebody...

"I-it's nice to meet you. My name's Gershom."

[terribletwos]

Ow, that resonates in a certain way. Roxas' eyes widen again for just a moment before returning to their usual size.

He offers a hand to the skeleton. "I know what that's like. I'm Roxas."

[accidentallich]

Someone... is willing to touch an abomination like him? What?

Gershom's touch-starved enough that it only takes a moment of surprise before he's reaching for Roxas' hands. His bones aren't the most comfortable thing in the world, but he's trying not to cling, at least.

"I'm sorry. I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

A

[ordinaryman]

[Anxiety feedback loop here we go. Really Really. But at least Sigma has learned 'fake it til you make it' as a survival mechanism. So he smiles wobbly at the ...skeleton?? left in the room with him.]

Hey, you doing alright over there? ...That sure was a lot to take in.

[accidentallich]

Ah... sorry, I haven't been around this many people in a few...

[Uh, hang on, he has to think about this. 'Decades' might be too short.]

A long time.

[ordinaryman]

[Here's to wondering how to address the literal skeleton in the room or if he even should.]

Right. [He nods reluctantly instead.] At least it looks like most of the crowd has cleared out here for now. But they could come back. So would you like help finding somewhere that's a little quieter?

[accidentallich]

[He Knows.]

You wouldn't mind? I don't want to be a bother...

[ordinaryman]

[Enough people ask about it he's sure.]

It's no problem at all. I also wouldn't mind a distraction if I'm honest.

[Sigma smiles for realsies while heading for the door. Booting up Casinoexec.exe.]

My name is Sigma, by the way.

[accidentallich]

Gershom. It's nice to meet you, Sigma.

[Following at a polite distance. Nobody wants to be too close to an undead abomination, right? Right.]

B

[notmymother]

[Currently Ashi is investigating the mystery of... the kotatsu. Most everything in the house is something she's seen before and while she's seen tables plenty of times the kotatsu is a new twist.

He finds her standing near said bit of furniture, scratching at her chin with a furrowed brow. She blinks a time or two at the greeting before she glances over at him and then quickly adopts a sheepish grin.]

Oh! I didn't know anyone else was here. Hello.

[accidentallich]

D-don't worry about it. I try not to be obtrusive...

[Obviously, because he's hiding under a blanket right now.]

[notmymother]

Ah, I see.

[A beat, then she points at the kotatsu. Apparently him hiding under a blanket is just something she's going to ignore? Or she might not even notice it.]

Do you know why there's a blanket on this table.

[Or under it?]

[accidentallich]

It's a heated table. For keeping warm in the winter.

[He's never had one, but he knows what they are at least.]

[notmymother]

Oh!

[Now she looks at the table with new appreciation.]

That sounds useful.

[Back to him though and now that blanket seems to garner her notice.]

Are you cold?

[accidentallich]

Oh, n-no, please don't worry about me.

c.

[disasdeer]

What happens in cat videos?

Like, what are they doing?

[accidentallich]

Cute things. Like sitting in boxes and pawing at laser pointers. Anything cats do is cute really.

[disasdeer]

...What? How big are those boxes?!

[accidentallich]

It depends...? Average size, usually.

[disasdeer]

[ it takes awhile because there's just a confused stare at his phone because he's missing one critical piece of information: ]

How big are your cats?!

[accidentallich]

[This would all be easily explained if Gershom had the faintest inkling this person was anything but human. Unfortunately, as far as he knows he's the only non-human here.]

Oh, I don't have any pets of my own. That's why I live vicariously through the internet.