July | 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! Thankfully, express routes connecting Tokyo and Kyoto will be running at all times of day, allowing refugees to freely travel between the Eastern and Western Kingdoms as they please. 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.

In Nihonbashi, the lingering rainy season means the streets are consistently rather wet, causing an increase in accidents as people slip and slide all over the place. Which is dangerous enough on any busy street, but Nihonbashi is completely elevated, with only waterways and the streets of Shitaya below. Thankfully some areas are equipped with nets to prevent people from getting seriously injured, but even so, refugees might just find themselves being called over to help pull someone out from the water!

Things are a little more frustrating over in Little Edo, where some streets have become so waterlogged, they've actually flooded. None of the flooding is too bad, but some refugees might be unfortunate enough to wake up and find a little pond has formed in the genkan, causing their shoes to float away! Better hope your neighbors are proficient in Mizu magic to get rid of all this water!

And over in Yoshiwara's dorms, predictably, the ceiling leaks. Which wouldn't be such a big deal if the rooms were big enough to place a bucket or two. As it is, many should expect to wake up with a soggy futon. Thankfully, certain rooms seem to be entirely unaffected, so refugees will just have to share those rooms until repairs can be done! Just think of it like a bonding exercise.

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

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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: hey
scienz_rulz_1899: i hope you guys are okay ):
scienz_rulz_1899: i didn't know that was going to happen
scienz_rulz_1899: guess things have really changed around here
scienz_rulz_1899: i'm gonna send you all a gift okay?
scienz_rulz_1899: i'm here if you need to talk

All refugees who see this message will receive a giftbox of Japanese snacks delivered to one of their residences. Strangely, it's not a snack that exists anywhere in Nippon, so this is the only way they'll be able to try Pocky!

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>

Tanabata Festival

As the new month rolls over, most of the refugees have now physically recovered from last month's ordeal, in which a criminal organization from the Western Kingdom held over 100 refugees hostage for nearly a week. Most of the criminals were caught, but the scars of the incident still linger, with many refugees feeling uncomfortable in public and wary of the native population.

In response to this, the people of Tokyo wanted to do something for the refugees, to let them know the majority of the people in Nippon absolutely love and appreciate them. And Tanabata is the perfect time for such an occasion!

The Wish Weaver Nihonbashi, Tokyo
According to legend, back before Nippon was two distinct kingdoms, a human empress by the name of Orihime fell in love with Himeboshi, the Princess of a distant Yokai clan. Aware that bonds between Human and Yokai were forbidden, Orihime attempted to elope with Himeboshi. But she was caught, and Himeboshi was exiled to the furthest reaches of Nippon. Orihime is said to have wept endlessly, and soon, the people began praying for her happiness. Through the power of their bond, the wishes of the people came true, and Orihime's tears became a long river, which Himeboshi was able to follow to reunite with her. For this reason, Tanabata is held at the end of the rainy season, when Orihime's tears have dried and Himeboshi can safely follow the river to return to her side.

Clearly the legend is a little different from what some refugees might be familiar with, and many natives insist there's historical precedent for it being true. In any case, on Tanabata, it's customary for people to make wishes and hang those wishes on stalks of bamboo. While many make wishes for their own happiness, wishes made for the sake of others are said to have a higher possibility of coming true.

All around Tokyo, little displays of bamboo can be found set up on nearly every corner, where people have been writing wishes on rice paper and hanging them on the bamboo. Refugees are sure to notice just how many of these wishes are explicitly for the sake of others, with the bulk of them focused on wishing for the refugees health and healing. But actual wish granting isn't unfamiliar to many refugees by now, as incidents of wishes coming true have been reported since as early as January. And this month is no exception, with one important detail: any wishes read out loud by a refugee will eventually come true, in one way or another. This effect will only last until the festival's end on the 8th, by which time rumors will begin to circulate about the refugees holding some sort of sacred power.

Fire Flower Tokyo Outskirts, Tokyo
Tanabata is a bit wetter than usual this year, but that isn't stopping people from enjoying the brief sun breaks that occur throughout the month. One week in particular sees crowds headed for the Tokyo Outskirts, the name used to describe the flooded region between Tokyo and Yokohama. Once a bustling and busy city, a time surge caused the land to abruptly shift hundreds of years ago, well before it was understood what time surges were. The result is a large expanse of water that stretches like a river through Kanto, connected to much of the flooded areas up north.

Over the years, the artificial Tama Beach was built just south of Little Edo, allowing for some sandy shores. Here, small stalls selling fireworks can be found, which are all offering special deals for refugees. They mostly sell just sparklers and the occasional ground dancer, but one firework in particular has an interesting effect. They're small, slow burning fireworks that take the form of a small fire flower held on the end of a thin string. As it burns, the petals fall based on random timing. And this timing is what inspired a game: The first one to lose all their petals has to tell an embarrassing story!

Refugees may find themselves being corralled into playing this game with children and young adults alike, eager to share their culture and maybe get a funny story out of it. But they should be careful, because while most flowers burn red, those that burn blue burn much faster, and come with a small truth-telling spell to encourage honesty. Just make sure to keep the stories G rated if playing with local kids.

Bamboo Wishes Tokyo Outskirts, Tokyo
On July 7th, the Tanabata Festival begins properly, with festival food and games set up along the Tama Beach. Those who attend are encouraged to wear their brightest kimono, to match the colorful strips of paper used to make wishes. But this year is very special, as for the first time in a very long time, the emperors of the East and Western kingdoms are set to make a symbolic appearance together on a ship crossing the Tama canal, in honor of Orihime and Himeboshi's reunion.

As such, the crowds are larger than usual this year, with a higher number of Yokai attendees than ever seen in Tokyo. With this in mind, security at the festival is much stronger, with Exorcists from the West in attendance to prevent any suspicious magic or spell activity. Powerful Yokai magic users, the Exorcists are the Western equivalent to the East's various Hunter clans, specializing in taming dangerous beasts and ayakashi. While taking their job very seriously, many have also brought familiars to entertain the crowds, including a strange nekomata with an odd, bus-like appearance, allowing passengers to go on high-speed rides bounding across the tops of buildings and trees. Care to take a ride? They promise he doesn't bite!

The festival runs late, well until midnight, when all the bamboo wishes around Tokyo are collected and brought to the water. Here, the bamboo is sliced and cut in half, creating little boats for stacks of paper wishes to sit on. The paper is lit with a match, and the boats are sent out into the water, creating a beautiful display of hundreds of little lights that slowly flicker out as the paper and bamboo burns together. Refugees will be asked to set out the first boats, with the hope that their wishes are granted.

But come the end of the night, only Katsuragi-no-mikoto, emperor of the West, will be seen briefly aboard the royal vessel, looking a bit forlorn as he waves to the people on the beach. Were they not able to meet after all?

OOC Notes
Welcome to Jikan's July 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.

• For current players apping a second character, you have the option to have your character join the game by being wished into existence during Tanabata through the power of Kizuna. These characters will be encouraged to visit the NRL immediately to be examined. They will remember a time loop, but will not remember seeing a door, instead appearing in Tokyo after hearing the wishing-character's voice calling to them. How they appear is up to you, so feel free to get creative or silly!

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
Calendar ⌛ Code Directory ⌛ Contact

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

Comments

Questions?

[jikan_mod]

Lewin "Lightning" Light | Blue Exorcist

[lightningruins]

network option

#nrl_time_refugee_support - online

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lightning:time 4 a poll
lightning: what absolutely batshit things did u do in the time loops
lightning: before u got here
lightning: prize for best answer!!1!

rainy day blues
[Oh it's raining, and you've slipped on the sidewalk and gone flat on your back. There's a laugh from nearby, and a hand offered to help you up.]

Careful, it's slippery!

[Lewin's not tall, not particularly interesting-looking, just a guy with a scruffy start of a beard and dark hair hanging over his eyes, wearing all black from his fingerless motorcycle gloves to his heavy boots, aside from a red fabric poncho flung over his shoulders. And a bright, cheerful smile despite being absolutely drenched in rain water.]

wildcard
[[ooc: you know the drill, contact me hydok or hydok#5433 on discord if you want to plot. or just yeet a comment at me.]]

WILDIN': Reverse Taming

[chichichi]

[ A few days have passed since the bamboo displays went up and it's a wonder the tip of the pen doesn't slice clean through the paper as Setsura resolutely etches her wish into it. Whatever doubts she had over the course of the past few days regarding this course of action have been laid to rest in the midst of loss and a quietly growing concern born from Mephisto's words when she'd summoned him to Nippon from Assiah and, of course, the time of the year, the nature of the Tanabata festival and her history with that date -- here and now, she doesn't sigh like she has in the weeks leading up to the seventh, like she has for decades. No, she levels her gaze at the paper in her hand and inhales quietly, the circular seal on her tongue aglow with energy.

She definitely won't apologize to him or herself should this work. ]

I wish for the Leaf I married in Lunatia on Prismatica to join me here in Nippon.

[ She recites the words she chose so carefully because words have power and it's important to be specific. Presses power, energy into them in a bid to magnify the force at work, her will an indomitable thing, seering --

She wants him. She's always wanted him and it's wind that erupts around her, whipping paper and startling unwitting passersby. If it's in her power... ]

Wildcards u

[meinwaifu]

[Where is Lewin right now? Anywhere? Yeah, anywhere sounds good. Probably just under the eaves of a building as it starts raining again.]

[Which is optimal timing for a dreaded voice to come from... below. Suddenly, there's a dog standing next to him.]

My, look what the cat dragged in! Or was it a little bird this time?

Kio Kaidou | Loveless

[piercedpainter]

#nrl_time_refugee_support - online

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PiercedPainter: Thanks for the pocky. I usually prefer strawberry but milk chocolate is good too.
PiercedPainter: Is there somewhere to get Chupa-Chups though? They're my favorite.
PiercedPainter: So where are the fun places to hang out and have a little fun and get to meet people?

Tanabata Festival
Kio was happy to see a festival, more than happy to join in on the celebration though he wasn't all too certain about the stories and traditions. It was an excuse to have fun and for people to come together. There was a lot that you could learn about people based on their wishes, and about the people that they were wishing for. For the first part of the festival Kio wandered around, reading the different wishes, making a note of the names and the wishes of each. He didn't really think to add any of his own, mainly because things were pretty complicated and he wasn't exactly sure what to wish for, and partially because those he knew weren't here in this world so he didn't think a wish would be able to reach them.

With the flowers and stories though, Kio took a seat. He leaned forward and rested his elbow on his knee as he listened to many of them, laughing and sharing some of his own stories of fun times in school and with friends. Every so often as they played with the fire flowers he would take a moment to sketch the scene out, pulling out water colors and painting the scene in front of him. Capturing the excitement of the kids, or at times just capturing someone who seemed to be lost in thought or enjoying the display around them. He didn't really ask before he started sketching though when he was done he would offer it to them if they wanted it.

text; un:sillystring

[getstoned]

shit man, i prefer blueberry but i'll take what i could get
wrong time period for chupa chups, maybe if you chat up the scientists they could do something about that tho
depends on what you're into tbh
like there's host clubs, or if you're into vegas-like fun we could chat in dm about that

Festival

[notquitebeloved]

Kio's voice is what draws Soubi closer. He doesn't expect a warm welcome, all things considered, and perhaps he should stay away even now. So he does hold himself back for a while, just watching. But also searching for any sign of Seimei or Ritsuka, any other familiar face or voice.

Only when hours have passed without finding them does he finally approach and plop down beside the other, reaching to snag some paper and a pencil since he didn't have any himself.

Iroh | Avatar: the Last Airbender

[truehumili_tea]

#nrl_time_refugee_support - online

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JasmineDragon: hello
JasmineDragon: what a remarkable way to communicate. it is much more convenient than a hawk.

Fire Flower:
"What a magnificent flower. I can see why the kids enjoy them so."

Of course the firebender was more than happy to celebrate and have a flower of his own, having seen many of the fireworks and marveled at their elegance and brilliance. Now though he was focused on the flower that bloomed and danced on the end of the string held between his fingers, several others gathered around waiting to see who it was that would have to share a story. Not that Iroh was worried for he had plenty of them to share.

"It is a shame that Zuko is not here to enjoy such a game. Though something tells me he would not like to be the one to lose."

A place to call home.
It was a marvelous sight to behold indeed, one that surpassed even the elegance and brilliance of what he had seen of Ba Sing Se. A rail system that connected two kingdoms that would have taken days or weeks of travel before were now only a short time apart. Though it did seem to be very wet here, as the rain continued and Iroh found himself thankful for the wide hat and umbrella he had found to help keep him dry. Though when there was someone to slip and fall, or someone needing help from one of the nets he was certain to stop and offer his hand.

"That was quite a fall, are you alright?"

text: un: fated

[fated_dance]

You can send images as well. They are called videos. I could demonstrate if you wish?

kiritsugu emiya ( fate/stay night )

[problemagus]

→ network

#nrl_time_refugee_support - online

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CONTENDER: I don't suppose a man could find work in this place?

( Pls help him, he needs pocket cash. )

→ tanabata festival

[ the wish weaver ]

( Perhaps-- had he been several years younger, he would have balked at the thought of this kind of festival. Ultimately, in his mind, these wishes would amount to nothing. Just a temporary nice thought. But not only had he grown more prone to sentimentality as the years passed, but he was alone in this place, now separated from both his children. There was a part of him that wanted to fall into the calming, the sentimental.

So as he writes out his wishes, he hopes for his daughter's happiness, for his son to grow up safe. That's the most he can do for them, can't he? It was all so futile. )

[ bamboo wishes ]

( Well. It was an excuse for carnival food, wasn't it? Definitely one of his more unhealthy coping mechanisms. Indulging in the cakes, or mochi, or takoyaki. He was a simple man, after all. Perhaps we would have been more inclined to mingle had he the company. By his own nature, he was fairly solitary.

That's not to say he doesn't have his soft spots. In particular, being cajoled by one of the village children to aid them in their endeavors in winning the various festival prizes. Parked at one of the booths... did time just, lapse? Hrm, interesting. )

bamboo wishes

[acutabove]

[ He recognizes a few of the little scamps from his own dealings with them, when he'd first arrived in Nippon only a month or two ago. It appears that they've found themselves a new victim, and while Childe would have been perfectly okay just leaving them to their own devices - there's a few games he'd seen that he'd had his eye on, ones that invited a user to "test their strength" - his bright orange hair is practically a beacon of light in a cloud of darkness. It isn't long before one of the children detaches themselves from the booth and Kiritsugu to cling to his arm and pull him over with the reasoning that two were better than one. ]

What game do we have here? [ Childe comments, giving Kiritsugu a nod in greeting as he settles in beside him. ] If it's not anything that doesn't test my limits, I might not be inclined to try so hard. [ He jokes, but he does give one of the children a pat on the head in reassurance after a small chorus of "awws" rises up from the booth. ]

Scotland | Hetalia

[kilts]

NETWORK.

_{[ It should be noted that Scotland tried to fight most of the people at the beginning of this process, so he's still a bit prickly after all of that.. but also a bit hungry. Old soul as he is, he was reluctant to use the technology here even if it was extremely dated. However, maybe he could get some answers he had and also complain to the void: ]}

#nrl_time_refugee_support - online

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b.stewart: fuck all of yeas
b.stewart: load of shite it is
b.stewart: fuckin kill all yeas
b.stewart has logged off.
b.stewart has logged on.
b.stewart: OI TAKE ME BACK HOME
b.stewart: BOGGIN WANK-STAIN
b.stewart: ALL OF YEAS
b.stewart has logged off.
b.stewart has logged on.
b.stewart: where the bloody hell can i get somethin tae eat around here

FESTIVAL: WISH WEAVER.

<sub>[ Technical difficulties aside and a few days later, Scotland took advantage of the free housing, along with anything else he could possibly get that didn't cost him much. He hadn't really gone out to explore his surroundings, holding a grudge from being put here of all places while something was going on with his timeline. It really wasn't his forte, but he was certain that if things didn't get fixed soon, the proper threats would get him what he wanted.

For now, though, he attends the festival because even with how reclusive as he can be, he always enjoyed a good party. He doesn't dress up at all for the occasion but he attends and listens to the legend of Orihime and her tears as explained by a native, his nose wrinkling at the tale as his arms remained cross over his chest. So he was supposed to make a wish and hang it on bamboo? It sounded like a load of bollocks to him. However, he makes further observation as the attendees make their wishes— he was a little bit curious, sure, especially with how superstitious he could be.

Once the area is apparently empty (or has less people around), Scotland will write down his wish and tie it on a bamboo stalk. He seems to be praying with his hands pressed together followed by: ]</sub>

Amen.

_{[ Further observation one will see his wish is short and to the point: fucking scotch ]}

this is gross.

[amant]

[ After the last party, and kidnapping, France has been feeling a little more of a homebody than usual. The well-wishes for the refugees left on the bamboo along the street corners leading up to the main event has alleviated his stress enough to give it another shot.

He is also a simple man and an offered beach come the summer months lures him out of hiding, but the retelling of such a love story has him GOOPY AND WISTFUL... and cursing colorfully in French no less when he sees a familiar face praying like he's just taken communion. ]

Ecosse?! [ Oh look, a part of the United Kingdom that France isn't tempted to annoy immediately. He is rather quick to make his way over to the bamboo and the redhead. Gross, he's smiling. Gag. ] I was just about to make a wish but there's no point now. You look minimally ruffled. Are you okay?

Alcina Dimitrescu | Resident Evil: Village

[supersizedbitch]

NETWORK.

#nrl_time_refugee_support - online

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A.DIMITRESCU: It seems that I've been brought here at quite an inconvenient time.
A.DIMITRESCU: Difficulty with matters of time or not, I'm not the least bit pleased about all of this.
A.DIMITRESCU: Heed my warning. I will get what I want while I am here.
A.DIMITRESCU: A castle. A spacious home. These mere apartments will simply not do. They are rather... tight for me.
A.DIMITRESCU: Failure to do so will only result in blood and death... genocide, if you will. Inferior beings such as yourselves are remarkably droll when it comes to my threats, but maybe some of you are clever. Perhaps I want some of you to survive, perhaps not.
A.DIMITRESCU: That is what makes it fun after all.
A.DIMITRESCU: Now then.. have I gotten the attention of you all? Who do I need to speak with to make this arrangement?
A.DIMITRESCU: I'm quite sure the people who first spoke with me would just love to see me again.

_{[ aka they were terrified of her ]}

NOT THE FESTIVAL.

<sub>[ While terrorizing a fun-filled event and maybe gobbling up some people sounds like the perfect way to relieve some stress, Alcina has decided to lay low for the time being. After all, she is recovering from loss and questioning her own worth, so what better way than to scout out a bar and try to drink away some of that sadness? When you're just over 9 feet tall, it's quite easy to spot some place to grab a drink.

She's gotten used to entrances and areas being a smaller fit for her stature, but here it seems immensely different. She always hated going into town, but at this point, she would do anything for alcohol. So, she takes a seat at the bar and asks for wine. Truly a wine mom right here.
There is the last cigarette left in her quellazaire and with a groan she decides to ask the person next to her: ]</sub>

Do you have a light?

_{[ She seems.. disgusted with the question. Ugh. She hated asking mortals (?? or seemingly mortal, depending on your character) for assistance even with the smallest tasks. ]}

Not the festival

[baronetess]

( Typically, Integra is the one who is used to being gawked at. Be it her own height, her manner of dress, her titles. And yet, she finds herself captivated by the quite enormous woman before her.

Attempting to keep herself from outright staring, she turns her attention to fulfilling the woman's request, rummaging for her cigar tin through her suit pocket, pulling out the box with a gloved hand. )

Would that be all, madam?

Ranpo Edogawa | Bungo Stray Dogs

[sweetsleuth]

1 | Soggy Catboy Cuddles | Yoshiwara
[It's late at night when Ranpo goes to knock on the bedroom door of someone whose bedroom isn't leaking. And while they may find it frustrating being woken up, the sight is surely a sad one. Even now, Ranpo still hasn't been able to be healed from last month, so his arm is still in a cast, his ribs are still sore, and now-- he's soaking wet from head to toe, his permanent cat tail hanging low to the ground behind him.]

Can I stay here tonight? A big leak opened up while I was sleeping, and my bed is soaked.


2 | Wish Upon A Bamboo | Nihonbashi
[As Ranpo holds a pen in hand to write his own wish, he's not sure what to put down. Not just because he's aware that wishes have a tendency to come true here when made by refugees -- but because he's not sure what he might want right now.]

[He's not unaware that's he's been feeling lonely more often than not. He has plenty of friends, yes-- but he keeps losing them, too. And not even being able to say goodbye was harder than he thought it'd be.]

[Which is why ultimately he writes down a wish to make more friends -- and tries to hang it quickly before before anyone sees him doing it, because that's a little embarrassing, honestly??]


3 | Flower Challenge | Tama Beach
[His mood is cheerier when he hits the beach, dressed up in a blue kimono with a subtle cat-paw as he goes through and tries just about every food this festival has to offer. And then maybe trying everything a second time for good measure.]

[Eventually he finds himself in a circle of adults playing with the flower fireworks, who've added a rule that you have to take a sip of an alcoholic drink for every lost petal. He's a little tipsy by the time someone else's firework goes out, and he grins over at them.]

Gee, looks like it's your turn for an embarrassing story!


4 | Cat Romance | Tama Beach
[At the end of the night, Ranpo can be found crouched down at the water's edge, watching the little bamboo boats as they drift out into the sea, the burning lights flickering out. There's a smile on his face as he watches, and then, as he turns and looks up at the person watching them with him. With only the dim festival lights behind them, the array of tiny candle lights cause his green eyes to seemingly sparkle.]

It's really pretty, isn't it?


5 | Wildcard
[Ranpo can also be found relaxing on the beach, wadding in the water up to his knees, getting a little drunk at a specific stall with seating, and watching the emperor's ship go by.]

3

[holeful]

[Fukuda looks just as amused and tipsy, though frankly it's not much different from his usual expression, frankly.]

An embarassing story, huh...
[Is he capable of being embarassed.]

Ah, well one time in high school I spilled full rice cooker on the floor?

childe | genshin impact

[acutabove]

A - The Wish Weaver

[ It's a tradition he's not entirely familiar with, but it's easy enough to get the gist of. It's certainly not something that he can compare to any kind of tradition in Snezhnaya - or Liyue, when he thinks about it, save maybe the Lantern Rite - and while that is a little strange, it's not so unsettling enough that he takes extra efforts to avoid the bamboo stalks altogether and, as a matter of fact, he finds his eyes straying to the wishes on the paper more often than not.

He'll be found today perusing a particularly large bamboo plant, gloved fingers letting the little wish papers cascade over his fingers with an expression akin to a sort of child-like wonder. The handwriting on each varies between quick, rushed scribbled to delicately printed and carefully arranged lettering shrunk to fit an exceptionally wordy wish on the little slip of paper. He considers writing one himself, but he can't think of any except - ah.

Well. There's no harm in at least trying to wish for good tidings for his family at home, right?

Acquiring the paper is easy enough, but as for pens... he pats down his pockets, looks around. All of the ones that had been handed out are currently being used by refugees and townsfolk alike, their postures hunched in concentration as they scrawl.

He turns to the nearest passerby or straggler, looking a little sheepish. ]

I don't suppose you've got a pen on you?

B - Fire Flower

[ Fireworks is something he's also only vaguely familiar with, having only seen them in passing when they were smuggled from trade boats arriving from Inazuma. The handful he'd seen were small, nondescript fireworks, lit papers that coiled into charcoal snakes and sticks that dazzles with sparkling light at the end. It was a curious thing, and seemed to be favored mostly by those that had no Visions of their own, if only because it allowed them the opportunity to at least pretend they were those precious few blessed by the gods.

Childe had only just made his way to the beach when he'd been accosted by a few familiar-looking children, including a quiet girl who he last recalled seeing with her face turned into Zhongli's brown coat. Some of the boys who he'd promised to teach how to fight were asking him to make good on his promise, and he'd only gotten them to settle after promising to stay with them and light fireworks on the ends of strings. It's accompanied with a game, as is the nature of children to make play out of everything, and because he doesn't have much experience with fireworks it's a game that he finds himself losing quite often.

The Harbinger affects an exaggerated look of defeat when his firework flower burns bright and burns fast until he's left with nothing but a blackened string. ]

It appears you little scamps are better at this game than you let on. Very well, I'll tell you all about the time I almost got frostbite in the summertime...

C - Bamboo Wishes

[ Childe recalls, briefly, the last time he'd been set to attend a rite involving the appearance of a god (or two) and the violent aftermath that had followed. Perhaps he's still a little bitter about it, enough that he resigns himself to stay out later than usual, watching as all the papers scattered around the city are collected and brought to the water. For what purpose, he's not sure, but this, at least, reminds him of home enough that he can't help but to linger. Well - not home, home, but where he'd been before being transported to this world.

He hasn't chosen to dress up in the kimonos around the city, because it feels too much like leaving himself at a disadvantage, but he's got a few skewers of meat and vegetables in hand as he sits crosslegged in the sand, watching the whole goings on. A few refugees that he recognize have been asked to set out the boats, and it's just as he's finishing the last of his skewer that he spots another refugee being approached, one who happens to be all by their lonesome, and unceremoniously corraled into setting out another boat. There's a few here that look suspiciously like his own wish, so he gets up, dusting himself off, and makes his way over with the end of a skewer sticking out of his mouth. ]

Here, let me help you with that.

D - Wildcard
[ Childe can be found mostly at the beach, dressed down only to the shirt underneath his jacket, maybe standing in the water with the bottom of his pants rolled up. In his downtime he'll either be found alone or with children, bending the water into the shapes of animals and such - like tiny whales or dolphins - and sending them off, much to the delight of the kids. If alone, he'll just be walking along the beach, occasionally stopping to pick through the sand and pick up shells. ]

Wildcards u, C eventually??

[steponme]

[Childe is in front of a stall selling a variety of meat and veggie skewers, which seems to be one of more popular food stalls around. Which is all the more reason Shell seems interested as well, coming up behind Childe with a hand on his chin, looking up at the variety. Usually he ate meat plain to avoid upsetting his stomach, but maybe he can handle a little seasoning this time? He's been keeping it down more often than not.]

[Unlike Childe, he's actually dressed for the event, but even with it being cooler by the water, he looks a little overheated.]

...you probably know more about flavors here than I do. Which would you recommend?

Ragetti | Pirates of the Caribbean

[woodeneye]

a - tanzaku

[ Lot of bamboo decorated with pretty papers popping up recently. Ragetti's been wondering what all that's about, and luckily, it doesn't take long to find his answer in the form of a kindly older storyteller recounting the holiday's legend to a wide-eyed gaggle of children. He kneels at the back of the group, a much taller child, and listens raptly, beginning to sniffle as the story of Orihime and Himeboshi nears its conclusion. The power of true love ;_;

So now he knows that what's written on those papers are wishes for the future. And hey, the last time he made a wish here, it came true, at least for a few minutes. The only problem, of course, is that he's still illiterate as hell. Maybe there's actually some benefit to this "knowing how to read" thing after all.

He shifts awkwardly before the nearest array of bamboo, staring down at the provided stacks of paper and pens with a certain helplessness. Finally, he turns to whoever happens to be standing closest to him, his mind made up: ]

Hey, mate - if I told ye what I wanted to say, would ye be willin' to write it down? Could draw a picture, but... I dunno if that'd count as a wish. Gods can be picky.

b - wildcard

[ Just the one prompt this month, but feel free to go wild with something else! DM me here or vethica, or just comment! ]

a

[reliesondirtytricks]

[ Mingye has never really paid much heed to these things, too busy being a pawn to his own father. Though, he does listen to the story and gives a slight smile at it. He doesn't believe what this place is giving, so he doesn't bother with the bamboos.

His hanfu is pinned covering the lack of right arm, his xiao in his left hand. Though, when he hears Ragetti, he gives a bit of a nod.]

If you can hold the paper at the corners, I can write it down for you.

[That's not to say that if he writes it down for Ragetti, it might be in Chinese and not English.]

baku | original

[dreamvour]

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tapir: hello nippon! (ﾉ> ◇ <)ﾉ♪ tanabata is one of my favorite festivals to watch
tapir: in my world, the lovers are able to meet more than once
tapir: tanabata is celebrated on the seventh of july in some places
tapir: but on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month in others under different names
tapir: (that's in august)
tapir: so they're given two opportunities because people believe the legend to be on one of those two days
tapir: the first time it happened the lovers were so happy and cried so much that they flooded the river and they couldn't meet until the following year
tapir: i wonder, who here knows about orihime and hikeboshi? or maybe you know them as zhinü and niulang? or other names?
tapir: or~ is this your first time celebrating tanabata?

The Wish Weaver

[celebrating Tanabata isn't new to Baku, but celebrating at a festival is. And admittedly she's a little excited, because she's never been able to participate before. She scribbles down a wish and adds it to the many hanging off a bamboo stalk before moving away.

When she learns that supposedly reading wishes allowed makes them come true, well. She may or may not be doing that. Maybe she's reading your wish, out loud, right now]

Fire Flower

[Baku loves fireworks and eagerly buys some sparklers and ground dancers - but more importantly, the fire flower one, because the game involved sounds like a lot of fun and far be it from her to turn down a couple of local kids who try to get her to play with them.

And, being the way she is, if the children try to get someone else to join in, she's right there to help]

Won't you play with us? I promise it's harmless. [look, she even has a fire flower for you. Come embarrass yourself]

Wildcard

[she can be found all over, reading wishes and playing with kids, at the festival proper - sitting alone to watch the boats - or wherever else, if you have a different idea!]

text; @nazuna

[pinkfox]

We also had tanabata in my world. It was so much fun and cute!

And like any festival, it's a great time to sing to crowds, too!

Kuro | Servamp

[neetvampire]

Rainy days
[Kuro unfortunately lives in the dorm.... and that means he's been having to get used to the ceiling leaking everywhere. He does his best to manage, but enough is enough when he wakes up in the middle of the night soaking wet, his futon soggy and gross in a way that's utterly impossible to roll over and ignore.

Familiar faces might wind yp with Kuro knocking at their door at two or three am in the morning, hair still hanging damply in his face and dressed in pajamas, eyes pleading and feline ears drooping. He gives off the same vibe of a wet cat begging to come in from the rain, honestly.]

....My bed got soaked by the rain. Can I sleep with you?

Wish weaving
[Kuro knows about Tanabata, if only because he's seen it once before in Japan. He hadn't really celebrated at the time, but that was because... Well.

He fiddles with one of the paper slips, ultimately sliding it onto one of the bamboo set up around the place. He doesn't read it aloud, but it isn't a wish for someone here.

Happy Birthday Mahiru.

There's a hint of melancholy on his face as he heads off to wander around the festivities.]

Rainy days

[streunerhund]

[Somehow, by some stroke of luck, Heine's room had been spared of the current ceiling leaks. That was fine for him, since he wasn't inclined to find another place to rest, even if he doesn't do much sleeping.

The albino is awake when he hears a knock on the door, but he's not really expecting guests though -- is he ever? -- he ignores it and hopes they go away. It's only on the second knock he gets up and opens the door, dressed in his own pajamas. He peeks out, his red eyes flicking up and down the soaked form of his guest.

Despite it being Kuro -- or maybe just in spite of it -- he closes the door, especially since his choice of wording just immediately reminded him of the very weird dynamics of their relationship. He groans, then opens the door again.]

Yeah, come in. I'll get a towel.

[protectorofsmiles]

Memories of the Moonfire Faire

[A festival! A festival! Perhaps one of several things Genbu misses from home. From the music to the stalls, to the food...it's enough for Genbu to shed a tear. Oh how he missed the Moonfire Faire back home...

With his energetic and outgoing personality, it wasn't long before he's been offered a job at the festival...by many of the staff.

One can catch him at different times of day and night in his happy coat, barking for a specific stall, entertaining children with tricks here and there, such as little magic tricks and juggling, or more barking. Either way, he is giving his all.

How will you find him this festival day?]

Fever Dream

[It's been rather rainy these last few days. Which... wouldn't usually be a problem for Genbu. His diet and exercise and solid body made it difficult to get sick. And yet, for some reason, the Kami of this world decide to be unfair this time.

Genbu never stops his routine unless it's an emergency. Rain isn't an emergency. And so he runs and trains in the rain, dressed in his half-pants and nothing else. This goes on for several days.

On the third day, in Genbu's usual run, he feels himself getting dizzy. And just as he turns into a semi-busy street, he collapses.

If one walking on this street doesn't notice at first, then perhaps they'll know something is wrong when they see a small crowd form, or hear someone yelling for help.]

A Wish is a Wish Your Wish Makes

[You might find yourself on the beach around the evening, participating in the many traditions of Tanabata, or whatever other reason you have to be there.

A piece of paper lands by your feet. If you read it, it might contain one of the following, in really bad Nipponese handwriting:]

'I wish for my friends to find their way back home soon.'

'I wish for my friends back home to be safe'

'I wish for my friends here to be happy and healthy and their bellies full of good food every day.'

[At that moment, a tall, horned man will run up, shouting.] Ah, sorry! That's mine! I dropped it!

wildcard

[hmu at kougamyazawa or discord if you wanna do something else!]

[sweet_malanore]

[She'd watched the man run by from under her umbrella and let out a gasp when he simply collapsed like a bag of bricks in the road. Carefully hurrying through the crowd, she shooed away the curious populous and took a deep breath. Golden light sparkled from her fingertips to Genbu's body, lifting the large Au Ra off the muddy ground. She put her umbrella over the two of them, so that the rain wasn't constantly sprinkling on his face.

She wasn't sure where to take him, so she took him to her dormitory, stripped him down to his smallclothes, then thought better of it. Cold cloth on a sick body was certainly never helpful! So, the ever-helpful Nephelea removed those for good measure, dried him off and tucked him into her futon, adding a second blanket when his feet stuck out the bottom and onto the tatami.

It was only then she remembered to lift the float spell and send him gently falling the
two feet down to the bed.]

There, poor man.

[handler01]

NETWORK

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Thermopylae: This is Major Vladilena Milizé from the Republic of San Magnolia. Can you read me?
Thermopylae: Can anyone read me?
Thermopylae: I have never had real chocolate before.
Thermopylae: Please let me repay you for this gift.

A Place to Go Home

[ If you are suddenly woken up by the even cadence of someone walking to-and-fro outside your door, please do not be surprised to find a drenched, white haired teen in her pajamas, hugging a pillow, practicing how to properly ask for permission to share someone's room. There might be some very loud comments, made to herself, about living a spoiled life thus far and how others have had it far worse, please ignore that.

Or don't because she's making a lot of noise psyching herself up. ]

Come on Lena, you can do this. You have led people to battle, how can you not do this?

Fire Flower

[ Lena cooed and crooned over the small fireworks, having never seen anything like that before. They had large firework displays at the Republic of Magnolia, cold and distant, the artificial falling stars competing with the bright city lights. So she gladly joins the children in novel game. Her firework burns out the quickest. ]

Who me? Uh... [ She flusters so easily. An embarrassing tale... an embarrassing tale... that doesn't exactly spill military secrets. ] Once I walked into one of my men while he was showering?

OOC

(( Hello, potential new player here bringing Vladilena Milize from the anime (or volume 1 of the light novel series) 86. You can hit me up at aiyayayaya or at Aia#9124 if you need me. ))

A Place to Go Home

[pinkfox]

[ Nazuna reaaaally didn't like to be awoken during the night with people talking loud outside and being a general nuisance; the ceilings are leaking (thankfully not in her room) and of course that means everyone has to deal with that, even those people who just don't care. With a frustrated sigh, she stares at the ceiling while her ears twitch with annoyance, hoping the noise will die out or she will just fall asleep again.

Until she hears someone outside her door. nazuna being nazuna, she gets up to open it, only to meet another girl ]

... Did you get lost?

Roui | The Crown of Leaves

[constellationseeker]

1. Arrival

Roui was at a party; apparently one for him. That's what he was told, anyway. By two beings from the Flat who claimed to be his friends. It was weird how he couldn't remember them, though they seemed to know him so well. One of them was so mad that he couldn't remember. What was his name again?

Flynn. That's right. And then...

Just as Flynn unveiled the gift for him - a veglamb - he asked for a hug. And seconds later, pierced Roui through. And Roui fully expected an afterlife, if there was one.

Instead, he got sent through a loop. As things rewound and repeated, he had to wonder: was this a dream? It'd make sense, right? Creatures from the Stream can't survive in the Flat, and there's no way he had friends in the Flat, either. But why was it on repeat, again and again? Pretty weird, even for a dream.

The door appears, and he steps through, to be greeted by humans; these are nothing new, though they look higher class than the ones back home. He gets told about his home and what's going on with the time and... This leaves as bad a taste in his mouth as the Mad Rook and the adults who believe in such childish tales. These people sound insane, but what other explanation does he have? However grumpy he is about this, he still goes with the flow. He signs up for a house and tries to get as settled in as one can.

What's with all this rain, anyway? It's making Roui keep a permanent frown plastered on his face. And it isn't long before he slips and falls. He's been having so much bad luck with water, hasn't he? Back home and here. Maybe he crashes into you to keep himself upright, maybe the water from his sudden slip splashes all over your clothes, or maybe he slips and falls at your feet. Either way, he has a profanity or three to share in his predicament.

"Shtain! Will this rain just fucking stop already!?"

He'd rather stay on his feet, thank you very much!


2. Network

Roui's all for seeing how new things work. And it's way more easy to grasp than this whole Time Loops thing. Mostly because it's something physical, in his hands, that he can tamper with.

#nrl_time_refugee_support - online

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JustAJeweler: Hi, I'm Roui.
JustAJeweler: If I died in my "loop" thing... Given that it's not some weird and convoluted story...
JustAJeweler: Does that mean I'll be dead if I go back home?
JustAJeweler: ...Or is that just an unsolved mystery?
JustAJeweler: Asking for obvious reasons...
JustAJeweler: I'd kind of like to NOT die.

3. Tanabata - The Wish Weaver

The amount of people that believe in magic here is just staggering. Even if he arrived in less-than-explicable circumstances for otherwise. It feels like the mysticism of the Hillcamp followed him here. But maybe everybody just needs to feel like magic exists... Maybe he should parse it as something his world and this one have in common, rather than the thorn in his side that it actually feels like.

The crowds are vast, and the security to "prevent ill magic" just feels... annoying. Yep, he can't get around it. But here he is; he might as well enjoy the food. It was pretty close to festivities back in the Hillcamp, too. Before he got abducted to the Flat.

Still, despite all that, he finds himself filling out a wish on rice paper: I wish that Serban would open his own jewelry shop in the future.

If he might not be able to return from this place alive, then Serban deserved something nice. He was a good kid with interesting ambitions. Ones that Brilla surely would hate him for, and surely Brilla doesn't miss him, either. Honestly, Roui doubted he would be missed very much from the Hillcamp...

After he puts his wish on the tree, Roui's own curiousity is getting the better of him, reading them outloud mostly to himself. Maybe he reads yours, maybe he reads one he found particularly amusing and gives a snicker, maybe he reads a cute-little-kid's wish... Either way, you can find him rummaging through all the hanging wishes, for no other reason than to just take a look around.

...Until one snaps off, and his eyes widen. Whoops! That wasn't supposed to happen! Less concerned with if anyone saw, he's frantically trying to get it back on the tree. But his sudden shame is keeping him from doing it well.

Help.

[pinkfox]

[ unlike Roui, nazuna is minding her business.

Okay, that sounds harsh, but she can be a bit harsh at times. But she is finishing writing her wish and about to put it up on the tree when she sees Roui rummaging through the wishes, and because she feels self-conscious, she decides not to hang hers just yet and wait until the other is done and stops doing that.

And then he snaps one off, nazuna's ears perk up, and she continues to watch for a little while longer. ]

... just get a new string to attach it.

venti | genshin impact

[notgrande]

[ ooc note: Venti, through all prompts and interactions, is available in several different forms as he has been shapeshifting. Please let me know your preference, or if you want me to roll and see what happens. There's of course is default form, a taller version, lady Venti, or Archon form. If a prompt calls for a specific one, I'll note it. ]

I. NETWORK

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bard: Oh wow!
bard: This place got really wet. Was not expecting that!
bard: Hope everyone is staying safe!
bard: I've never seen a festival like this before.
bard: I have to say I like the idea of making wishes.
bard: Everyone seems to be very thoughtful.
bard: This is the perfect time to get some drinks.
bard: Or something like that.
bard: Let me know if you'd like to meet.
bard: <3

II.TELL A STORY

[ The fireworks are interesting. He loves celebrations, and he's a fan of the fireworks, sparklers, and the fire flowers. He watches a few people play the game, and decides that he will play regardless as to whether or not he has to tell an embarrassing story at the end of it all. He thinks it sounds like fun and a great way to hear stories about the others around here. Plus, the locals here seem to want to drag him and others who are from other worlds into the game. He'll reach for a passerby and offer a fire flower at them. ]

You should play with us!

[ A smile - how can you say no? ]

III. PLAY A SONG

[ He has to say he's a fan of the entire feel of this festival. The beach, the festival food, the games, and the wishes. He loves the idea of wishes. It's romantic and delightful. And he's here to celebrate this with everyone here. He's dressed in a green kimono with bright blue and yellow accents throughout. He has both his lute and a flute that he had picked up in town on him to play. The music that he plays is mostly upbeat, and it may occassionally be accompanied by him singing.

He's positioned himself near various booths to draw attention to them periodically through the night. The goal was to draw attention to them, and for the most part it works. At the very least, locals seem to enjoy him for the entertainment and stories that he seems to be telling. No care for how true they are or not. Songs about war, sadness, love, and romance. Between songs, he says: ]

Any requests?

[ Or, catch him on a momentary break where he's getting himself a drink, both water and alcoholic. If caught getting a drink, he'll ask: ]

Having fun?

IV. LATE NIGHT

[ He hasn't felt like himself since he returned from getting kidnapped. No matter what he did or who he was with, just something felt off and wrong about himself and his body that he had to try and just put on a strong face. Once the party has ended and most have left the beach, Venti lingers behind. He finds a secluded spot and settles into the sand, looking around to see if he can hear or see anyone, but he doesn't, not right now. He shifts to his Archon form, wings flowing out behind him, the outfit perfect for a warm summer night on a beach. He lifts up his lute, and his fingers start to move over the strings in a song he's played many times before. If he goes uninterrupted, he'll shift to another song after a few minutes - and eventually another. Eventually, they will be less practiced songs, and more him just playing and making up as he goes along.

Lingering long enough means he'll notice. He'll stop, glance over in the direction of his guest, and say: ]

You can sit with me.

Wildcard + Note

[ Wildcard is always an option! He will be around most places, and it's safe to assume he'll be playing his lyre. Prompt I/network prompt is fine to go to action, as well. ]

play a song!

[hoasen]

[Listening to the tales, to the music, it has her enraptured that she sits for a while to keep watching this young man entertain. So when he asks for a request, she waits, seeing who else wants to go, before making herself heard.]

What is your favourite kind of song? Or story?

ryo asuka | devilman: crybaby

[recidivate]

I. NETWORK

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prof.asuka: These phones seem a bit out of date.
prof.asuka: All of the basic, necessary functions, though.
prof.asuka: So they'll do.
prof.asuka: They were kind enough to share a lot of
prof.asuka: information upon arrival. However, I am more
prof.asuka: interested in your individual experiences,
prof.asuka: thoughts, or perspectives. Anything you're
prof.asuka: able to - or willing to share.
prof.asuka: Things that aren't given up at the time of
prof.asuka: orientation. I have gathered it is Tanabata
prof.asuka: here, as well. So if you would prefer to
prof.asuka: discuss in person, that is also an option.

II. TANABATA

[ The entire series of events was chaotic. The timeloops were entirely unpleasant; however, the wet apartment and this place were still a step up from whatever remained, which was certainly nothing, at home. So he would go out, he'd see what Tanabata meant to people here, and he'd get to understand the culture on a whole new world. It's not like he had somewhere else to be anyway.

The locals here were... friendly, to say the least. A quick observation of the wishes and there were many well wishes for the refugees to this place. He moves a hand up to them, and then glances to a nearby person: ]

Did something happen here?

[ He can put two and two together. ]

Wildcard

[ Wildcards are always an option! He'll be around Tanabata. Just hit me up. ]

Altair | Original Character

[aquilasshadow]

((OOC: Altair has an ability that lets him hear a person’s soul song, which is a unique song that represents a person’s soul. There are various levels of this. All living things have the same vague cosmic song that sounds like a song you can’t quite hear. If he or his shadow touches your shadow, he can hear that person’s individual soul song. At this level, the song represents the person as a whole and it can be as simple or complex as you want. As he understands the person more, he can understand their song more and start to see some of their inner thoughts through the song. It is a bit like mind-reading but with music.

Altair will only use this ability with the player’s permission, otherwise, he will just hear the general cosmic melody that all souls have. If you want Altair to use his ability, you can plot with me on plurk@Nicholaj, Discord@Nicholaj#7374, or pm, whichever is easiest for you. Or you can describe your song in the tag if that is easier for you.))


I. Here we go again

[Altair didn’t know what was going on and he hated it. He never liked surprises and fighting with Sirius was bad enough without being stuck in a loop where he couldn’t just tell his friend to drop it. Instead, he was forced to listen to him making the same arguments over and over, and he was stuck in an endless cycle of guilt and anger. The door that suddenly appeared in one of the loops was incredibly suspicious, but Altair had to get away from this fight. Yes, he was running away, like he always did as Sirius loved to point out, but he couldn’t take anymore. Everything was too painful, so go ahead and call him a coward. He didn’t care and he stormed through the strange door without even looked back.

This wasn’t Altair’s first time traveling to a new world. He didn’t trust the hospitality of the people here, but it was useful how they were willing to explain everything. He didn’t have that last time and he didn’t want to rely on a stranger’s kindness again. Altair was never good at science, so the technical explanation went over his head, but the magic part was interesting. He could still feel a faint connection to his magic, but it felt a bit different here. He wondered how much this Kizuna magic would affect his magic and he decided to test it out.

He stretched out his shadow so it touched the shadow of the person he was sitting next to. The ethereal music that he never could quite grasp was there but was he still able to hear individual souls here? (see ooc note on his ability for this prompt.)]


II. A Place to call Home

A.) Out in the Rain

[Altair had always liked the rain but not when it was combined with elevated streets that were dangerously wet all the time. He cursed as he lost his footing but before he could fall, he vanished into his shadow, creating the illusion that he had sunk into the street, only for him to be thrown out of a random person’s shadow just moments later, landing painfully on the street. So much for not falling. He picked himself up with a muttered curse that sounds similar to Arabic as he glared at his shadow in confusion.]

What the hell was that?

B.) Lost Kitty in the dorms

[When Altair reluctantly fell asleep, his body transformed to conserve energy and accumulate to this new world’s magic. A black cat that was a bit larger than a house cat but with slim limbs that were just on the edge of normal, so something was slightly unsettling about it, was curled up in his place.

Sometime in the middle of the night, the cat got tired of getting wet and went to search for a drier place to sleep. You might hear the soft pitter-patter of paws before he stopped and timidly scratched at your door. Please let him in. It’s wet and lonely out here.

Or maybe you already let the strange violet-eyed cat in only to find a man passed out on the floor instead of a cat in the morning.]

III. Network

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crow: What kind of magic did you have before coming here?
crow: Has anyone noticed their magic acting differently in this world?

IV. Tanabata Festival

A.) Wish Weaver
[Altair didn’t know anything about the customs here. Once again, he was a stranger so even if he didn’t like crowds or people much, Altair decided to check out this Tanabata festival so he could learn more about the people here.

Altair quietly scoffed at the numerous wishes hanging on the bamboo stalks. No god would just grant a wish for free, and he had no intention of getting caught in another godly web of deceit and manipulation. His eyes narrowed at all the wishes dedicated to the refugees. These people were dedicated to their friendly ruse. Unless they really did care about the people stranded here? Altair pushed that dangerous thought aside and turned away from the bamboo wished with a bitter mutter.]

I doubt that.

B.) Fire flower

[Altair always liked fireworks and the fire flower instantly drew his attention. When a group of local kids asked them to join their game he reluctantly agreed with a small smile. He had a soft spot for kids so he couldn’t say no. When his fire flower turned blue the kids started giggling and Altair looked at the children in confusion.]

What? Are blue ones bad?

iii. un: ash2.0

[subroutined]

I've never had any kind of magic. That sort of thing doesn't exist where I'm from. But some of my functionalities have been disabled, since I was brought out of my time loop into this world.

But then, there are things I can do here that I couldn't do back in my world, so I suppose it's a mix.

okada izō | fate/grand order

[hitokiri]

① 以蔵.EXE HAS STOPPED WORKING time refugee support network

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manslayer: so lemme get this straight
manslayer: this is like normal earth but different?
manslayer: hows that work
manslayer: i get theres a kyoto and then a fucky magic kyoto here right
manslayer: that the same for people or just cities?

② IT COULD BE WORSE...? a place to call home

[ compared to some of the places izō's slept in the past, the yoshiwara dorms aren't really all that bad. sure, the ceilings leak, but he can deal with that. mostly.

it eventually gets wet enough to drive him out of the room, but he's not about to knock on any doors. the hallway's just fine, thanks. sitting with his back up against the door, he has all the essentials for passing the time — sake and something to smoke. like he was going to show up in alternate reality timey-wimey japan and not spend his cool government-issued stipend on cigarettes and booze? please. given the way he's dressed — it sure doesn't look like he bought those hakama recently — and the fact that he's sitting with one of his swords propped against his shoulder like he does it all the time, he can easily pass for a local flavour of vagrant. Only, this is supposed to be a refugee-only sort of situation, right?

maybe it's the smell of smoke you notice or have been driven out by the damp yourself? or... maybe you just have to step over the guy who will make himself comfortable here in this spot the longer the night goes on. ]

③ THIS ISN'T WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE tanabata

[ so the story's a bit different from what he's used to, but it doesn't matter much since the outcome is ultimately more or less the same. the lore's more for the kids anyway, right? the last time there was some kind of festival, he was in chaldea and he'd totally justified that time as work because he was there making sure there wasn't any trouble for his Master (or this was his official story anyway)... at least until he inevitably became the trouble in question himself because he spent the entire time drinking, but that's beside the point.

at some point, you might find him around one of the bamboo stands, seemingly hanging a wish or two. he'll glare right back at anyone he notices has caught him red-handed spotted him. ]

What? One fell off, so I was puttin' it back.

④ WILDCARD

[ ooc; anything else? hmu @ koutenko or koutenko#5884! ]

2

[aquilasshadow]

[A black cat with slightly unnatural long legs crept into the hallway, looking to escape the rain. It's fur was drenched, making him look more unsettling and he vigorously shook his head, both in an attempt to dry off and because he didn't like the smell of Izō's cigarettes. His violet eyes stared at izō as he cautiously sat down a few feet away from him, his tail swishing back an forth slowly as he studied him. Was the weird smelling human safe?

The cat's shadow almost seemed to have a mind of its own and sometimes looked like it wasn't connected to the cat at all. There is probably nothing to worry about. The light is just playing tricks on you.]

Souma | OC

[kokuryuu]

[Test-driving an AU version of Souma, this version is the prince of his clan of shadow yokai warriors.]

1. Invite Yourself In

[There is a knock at your door during the worst of the flooding. When you open it, there is a tall, rugged, dark-tanned man wearing loose black pants, a blue and white fabric tied somewhat like a skirt or sarong over the pants, and no shirt, his chest bare under an open, long indigo brocade robe. He is wearing a golden circlet around his forehead set with a lapis lazuli stone, several golden necklaces with various motifs that look like primitive gods on them, and his hair is braided long in the back with goldedn amulets in it. There is a pillow and a small duffelbag in his hand.

He pushes right past you to walk in and look around at your apartment, stern look on his face.]

This will do.

[And he makes himself at home on your bed, or sofa, or floor-- whatever you were planning to sleep on, and fluffs his pillow.]

2. Wish Weaver

[Seated at low picnic tables around a bonfire on the beach, Souma is watching a storyteller recount the story of Orihime and her lover. He is raptly listening, leaning forward, because he finds this story completely riveting. At the end, there are a few tears in his eyes, and he has to try and hide the sniffle that is threatening to make itself heard. He picks up the nearest cup and drains it of sake, then signals you to come closer. His expression is impassive.]

3. Fire Flower

[Your firework runs out just after Souma's. The score of little children playing with you two give a loud cheer. Souma points over at you and says:]

You lost. Spill your embarrassing story. Now.

4. Wildcard!

1. I'm sorry, It was too fun a prompt not to tag. I apologize for Altair in advance.

[aquilasshadow]

[At first, Altair ignored the knock at his door. Whatever they needed, they could ask someone else as far as he was concerned. But the knocking was annoying so with a tired sigh he reluctantly answered the door with a scowl. His scowl deepened at the intruder's lavish attire and the rude way he just pushed past Altair before he could get a word in. His blood started to boil at Souma's response. Oh no you don't you spoiled bastard. Altair gripped his arm tighter and his scowl turned into a dangerous smile as he leaned against the doorframe with a scoff.]

By all means, make yourself at home.

[His voice was dripping with sarcasm and there was a hidden threat in his tone as if Altair was daring Souma to continue to act like he owned the place. He was getting bored before this, but tormenting pretentious rich bastards was always fun. So princess, how are you going to respond?]

Kiriho | OC

[royaladvice]

1. Network

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SecondSight: I am unamused.
SecondSight: You people have all of this knowledge and are able to write and transmit knowledge from person to person easily.
SecondSight: And you use it on the stupidest messages possible
SecondSight: The fuck was I trying so hard to help my people survive for if this is the future
SecondSight: Gods help us all this is a disaster
SecondSight: I am hungry and I want to eat
User SecondSight has signed off. (05:49 PM)

User SecondSight has signed on. (08:12 PM)

SecondSight: Going out was a mistake, your foodstuffs are garbage.
SecondSight: I demand to know where my horse is, and the nearest place to get reagents.
SecondSight: And who the hell did what to your rain deity, because I just wanna have a few words

2. Caught Red-Handed
[You are unlocking the door to enter your room when you realize it was already unlocked. Wait... what? Opening the door, you come upon a petite young man in a white kimono and purple flowered haori overcoat, rifling through anything he can find-- drawers, shelves, any stacks of paper, or so forth. When he hears you, he freezes and turns, staring at you in surprise and weighing what to do next.

In his right hand is something he found in your room and thought was of value-- it might be money or jewelry, it might be a pretty trinket, it might be something that is purely sentimental such as a photograph. As you try to figure out if he is merely lost or confused, his fingers tighten ever so slightly around the item, and he juts his chin out at you, narrowing his eyes.

What is the item, and what do you do?]

3. Playing With Fire
[Kiriho is at the beach, watching children play the game with the fireworks-- from afar, without joining in. All of the sights and sounds of this place are starting to get to him, and the day's humidity and heat didn't help. As he watches the sun setting on the sea and the fireworks exploding overhead, the surrealness of this whole experience hits him hard and he starts to feel as if he is rising out of his body and floating upwards, looking at his toes as he tumbles end over end up into the sky above. Good, he thinks, and he is sure that he can float back home.

That's how it feels, anyway. In reality, his eyes go half-closed, his chin goes to his chest, and he slumps to the ground, about to fall on his knees and then face-first into the sand. His small, delicate hand reaches out to grab onto anything or anyone nearby, which may be you. If you check, Kiriho is burning up with a fever, possibly from stubbornly sitting in the wet in his room in Yoshiwara for the last few days. His breathing is too rapid. You may also find signs that he is dehydrated and hasn't eaten a real meal in several days.]

4. Shopping Around in Yoshiwara
[Kiriho struck out to find supplies and wandered and wandered within this city. It's so huge that he can't begin to imagine how many people live and work here, and why, and how they all survive in one place. Marveling at the buildings and the goods on sale, the restaurants and the diverse people all around him-- Kiriho has never been more fascinated.

As he pauses to look at cheap costume jewelry on display outside a fashion shop, a young woman wearing a fur stole and a flashy, brightly flowered kimono suddenly comes around the corner and bumps into him from behind. Kiriho is shocked to see the woman hang her bag on his arm as he reaches up to touch one of the earrings on display. Then the woman stumbles backwards and throws herself onto the ground on her bottom, legs splayed out painfully and one strap of her zori broken.

"My handbag," she fake-cries to two people who come around the corner next. One is another young woman wearing red and one is a very, very large and intimidating man, big enough to be a wrestler or a bouncer, with his kimono open in the front to show off his huge chest muscles. The woman on the ground points to Kiriho with one long, pink-painted fingernail. "Oh! That guy, he grabbed me and took my bag!"

People gasp, and you hear some comment. A thief, a thief! Someone call the police!

"Get him, Kansuke," the young woman in red asks of the man, who holds up two massive fists like hamhocks, ready to fight. "Don't let him get away!"

Kiriho is so dumbfounded by this scenario that he has no idea what to do at first. During the silence, there is enough time for you to step in and intervene, or maybe you wait to enjoy the beat-down.]

5. Dormitory
[As you are walking down the hallway towards your lodgings, you notice a door open. So much water pours out of it that it looks like there was a swimming pool held inside of it. You recognize it as the door of the room from which there is often a completely lovely golden voice, singing snippets of songs you have ever heard the like of. Maybe you liked the serenade, or maybe you were irritated by the noise each time-- but you know it came from that room.

Kiriho steps out, sniffling and sopping wet from head to toe. He is carrying a small bag of his personal effects and an umbrella. He parks himself in the hallway on an orange crate, huddling into a ball with the umbrella covering his head from the leaks in the roof. He looks up and sees you, and looks away quickly.

"What're you looking at," he snaps, sullen. His eyes are bloodshot wet, and the eye makeup around his eye corners is running, making it look like he is sweating and crying blood. He smells like a certain kind of recreational herbal smoke.

Then after a moment passes, he sighs from deep down and grumbles under his breath, "Okay, fine. I'll tell them, just-- stop." That's when he raises his voice and addresses you again. "Hey-- you. Yeah, you. Look... don't go to sleep tonight. You will regret it."]

6. Wildcard!

5

[hitokiri]

[ izō is hardly in better shape, having just come in from the downpour outside. he can use his spirit form to get around and avoid the rain completely, but not if he wants to carry anything with him, which was one reason he hadn't bothered buying an umbrella yet. apparently, he did not foresee an instance where it might be raining and he might have something to take back to his room occurring at the same time. he's gotten pretty lucky so far!

other than a cold look in passing, he all but ignores being snapped at. if he picked a fight with every asshole who talks to himself on the street who said the same thing he'd never get anything done.

that warning though? not what he expected to hear. ]

The fuck is that supposed t'mean?