jikan_rpg | January | Event: Trials and Trains

January | Event: Trials and Trains

Trials and Trains
↲ OOC Plotting
As the refugees settle in, they might begin to notice strange things happened around them. Even now, receiving a fortune from a temple or shrine will cause whatever is written to come true. Time surges grow more frequent, and soon, other supernatural effects start to appear. A young refugee couple walking down the street at night may start to radiate light from their chests when they hold hands. A male refugee begins to sparkle after being offered a free helping of extra meat from the cute waitress at his favorite restaurant. And the elderly refugee couple next door who bicker all the time find themselves plagued by mysterious horns growing out from the sides of their heads.

None of these effects seem to last very long, but they're distressing enough that soon, reports begin flooding in asking the NRL scientists for help. It seems they may not have fully explained just what circumstances the refugees have found themselves in.

What is Kizuna?

In response to the reports, the scientists at NRL put out a message over the network about a special emergency meeting all refugees must attend on the 15th. Once everyone is gathered in the auditorium, they proceed to explain the cause of these happenings: Kizuna, an experimental type of magic that was responsible both for saving Nippon, and for allowing everyone from other worlds to stay here.

"From what we've gathered, Kizuna is a type of bonding magic. It can create bonds between anything, and has been used by the Yokai for thousands of years in things like marriage ceremonies. Of course, it's never been used on this scale before. You see, the only reason you're all able to exist in this world and communicate with all of us... is because we created a bond between you and the country of Nippon itself."

It seems what they know about Kizuna is rather limited. It's not as though it was chosen by choice; there were no other options. As such, they'll be willing to answer any questions the refugees might have, offering as much information as they're able to give. They earnestly wish for the refugees to trust them, with many apologizing once more for any negative effects the Kizuna may have on them.

The scientists will be answering questions in Q&A format. All characters who attend will hear the questions and answers given. These questions will be asked and answered ICly, so please leave any OOC questions about the event itself to the OOC question thread.

For Science!!

With the explanations out of the way, characters will be given the choice to simply go about their day, or volunteer to stay behind for some testing. Now, the scientists have no desire to turn the refugees into their guinea pigs. Rather, they simply want to verify that Kizuna is the cause of all of this, and reassure everyone that it's entirely safe. And for that, they have a few experiments they wish to perform.

Characters are welcome to participate only in the tests they feel comfortable with. While most characters are unlikely to notice anything while bonds are being made, others may feel a tingle, a warmth in their chest, or simply a sense of being more at ease once a bond is made. The extent of these feelings is completely up to you!

Cuddle Science Nanjikan Research Lab, Tokyo
The first is the simplest, but arguably the funniest. Kizuna is theorized to grow stronger with physical contact. Likewise, multiple Kizuna bonds being located in a single place is thought to cause an overall increase in kizuna output. And to test this, characters will have to form cuddle piles in both an attempt to foster Kizuna growth, and increase its output. It's all very scientific -- characters will have small devices pinned to their sleeves to monitor Kizuna levels, as they flop around in piles of soft, warm pillows together! But just because it's for science doesn't mean it's not awkward. Go on. Give your neighbor a snuggle.

Next is a test for bondability, or rather, how easy it is for bonds to be created. Characters will hold speed-dating style introductions with one another, as well as with control-subjects who haven't created any Kizuna bonds. Without making physical contact, characters must introduce themselves, and then proceed to exchange compliments with one another back and forth. They will be encouraged to try and find a commonality between each other in the hopes of fostering a small bond. Of course, should they decide to fling insults instead, no bonds will be created... er, unless they're into that.

The last test is a bit more vague. Characters will be told the test is related to magic resistance, a theoretical property of Kizuna. They will be given two cookies to eat. One cookie is completely normal, while the second cookie contains a minor spell that will cause the character's hair to temporarily change color. However, in reality -- they're both completely ordinary cookies. The real test is for something far more dangerous: the theory that Kizuna can manipulate reality. Will your character fall for it? Unless they truly believe the cookie is magic, nothing will happen. But if they do, and their hair changes color, the scientists will look grave before explaining the actual test, and then excusing themselves to go compile the data.

Anyone who participates in all three experiments will be rewarded with a small amount of money that they're free to spend on whatever they'd like, and will also be offered the opportunity to come back once a week for continued testing. All subsequent experiments will be paid. It's not enough to make a living, but for those who just want some extra spending money, you can't go wrong.

Party Train

Before anyone can leave, the scientists have one more gift: an unlimited rail pass. Trains and trolleys are the most common forms of automotive transportation in Nippon, and while they can see the appeal in having most refugees stay in Tokyo, they want to be sure everyone knows they're free to travel as they please. For all that it may be temporary, Nippon was their new home. And besides, surely it would be best for them to enjoy their time here as much as possible! The less time spent agonizing over the fate of their worlds, the better.

Loop Line Lag Nihonbashi, Tokyo
For those wanting to travel around Tokyo itself, it might take a little practice to figure out where the different lines intersect and transfer. But by far, the line they're sure to ride the most is the Loop Line that circles Tokyo. Once on this line, you'll be connected to every district of the city -- forever, unless you tranfer off of it. As the name implies, the Loop Line is a single circular track, not connected to any other lines. While plans have been made to connect it outward, with the flow of time only now starting to move, it's no wonder that plans for new infrastructre have suffered the most.

But for those who are unfortunate enough to board the last train on friday night unknowingly, they'll find that the train never arrives at a destination. Looking outside, they'll see the same cityscape looped every time they pass through a tunnel, the outside world trapped in an endless dusk. While the world may have been freed, small time loops such as this still pop up every now and again. But it seems commuters are used to this. While many people in Nippon are understandably wary of the lingering time loops, some have chosen to embrace them. Friday Night Loop Lines become wild parties that last well into the night, with free food, drinks, and nonstop music. With individual groups responsible for the quick set-up of each car, there's a wide variety of unique themes to choose from. One car is a masquerade, with masks provided upon entrance and a wide selection of ridiculous costumes. Another, themed around a new type of music gaining popularity at home and abroad. Another appears to just be a cat cafe-- how did they sneak these on the train?? New themes pop up every week, so go wild!

It won't be until the trains begins running again at 6 am that the train seems to catch up with the present time. After going through one more tunnel, it will abruptly become day and stop at the next station, and the party goers pack up to leave before the rush of weekend commuters.

Pleasure Ride Nihonbashi, Tokyo
But not everyone is here just to party. In the back two cars of the train, things seem to be quieter. It would be easy to assume this is where actual commuters who simply missed the previous train go to rest for the night, but no. The moment the door to the train car is opened, characters will be struck by the powerful aroma of incense. All around the car, the lights have been covered by colorful shades, flooding the entire car with a dim, amber-colored glow. Sitting by the door is an older woman in an elaborate kimono, her obi tied in the front, with a voice that's almost intoxicatingly sweet: "Won't you stay awhile?"

This isn't any ordinary incense. It's aphrodisial incense brought in from Yoshiwara, and was specifically crafted to draw in customers from the street and entice them to stay. While the first train seems to be rather tame, full of passengers lounging and openly flirting with staff and fellow passengers alike, the second train is far more risque. The lights are almost completely turned off, and between the darkness outside and the rumbling sound of the train running along the tracks, there's an illusion of privacy, with the atmosphere growing hotter and heavier as the night goes on-- even with everyone staying more or less fully clothed. Those looking for a little heavy petting or more need look no further. After all, what happens on the Loop Line stays on the Loop Line.

Welcome to Yokohama

Outside of the Loop Lines, refugees will now be able to easily travel to the nearby city of Yokohama. On their way there, they might notice the landscape is fairly dramatic. As the train leaves the city limits, looking out into the horizon reveals that much of Kanto seems to be fairly barren outside the cities, with large and unfamiliar bodies of water making it seem as if the train is passing over the ocean itself at times. But things seem to even out once they reach the city. And there's far more things of interest to be found in Yokohama proper!

Sightseeing Slights Kannai, Yokohama
Once the trains come to a stop, passengers will disembark at Kannai Station, located in the heart of Yokohama. With word of the refugees spreading throughout Nippon, those who chose to head straight to Yokohama will be met with a small welcoming committee, who offer them tours and maps to introduce them to the city properly.

One of these tours is a tandem steam-cycle tour. Refugees will be paired up in groups of two and rented out a two-seated steam-cycle. Unlike a traditional tandem bike, both passengers must work together to pilot it! And "pilot" is the right term to use here. Upon reaching a certain speed and pulling a few levers, a pair of wings will extend from the wheels as the bottom release a large amount of steam, causing the steam-cycle to become airborne. Thankfully, there's a particular street lined with trees to help guide them through the sky safely! Or at least, it'd be safer if it wasn't winter, and the trees hadn't become large spiky obstacles. At least they won't be responsible for damages if they crash.

Yokai Watch Zhongguo Town, Yokohama
One of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Yokohama, Zhongguo Town is named for the neighboring country of Zhongguo, and is home to the largest number of human foreigners living in Nippon. While there are a number of streets representing cultures from other nations, by far the largest representation comes from Zhongguo itself, reflected in the district's unique architecture.

Because of this, it's not uncommon to see a wide variety of Yokai living in and around Zhongguo Town as well. For many refugees, this may be their first time seeing them, as they very rarely venture as far as Tokyo! Unlike humans, Yokai are a very diverse group of people, ranging from the those who appear more beast-like to those who are seemingly indistinguishable from humans. They walk on two legs, speak the language of Nippon, and pay taxes just like everyone else!

But for the refugees, they might notice something odd. Whenever they pass by a Yokai, they'll suddenly find themselves stared at, and potentially even questioned as to who they are and where they came from. While most of these questions are asked with polite curiosity (and perhaps a bit of confusion when they explain their status as offworlders), Oni Yokai will become very aggressive and may even attack refugees in small groups. While they won't explain this aggression, piecing together the insults they fling seems to imply they think the refugee has insulted their culture somehow.

If there isn't a friend nearby strong enough to help, calling out will eventually alert one of the many Samurai guards who patrol the city, causing the Oni to flee.

Scammed Port Market, Yokohama
By far, the one place tourists just can't skip when visiting Yokohama is the Port Market. A large shopping arcade stretched across multiple blocks and streets lining the port area, the Port Market is well-known for its delicious food, as well as its rare and unusual merchandise. Although the country is currently isolated due to dangerous time surges in the ocean, that wasn't always the case, so many of the wares that can be bought here are clearly not from Nippon. They range from exotic snacks to fairly dangerous-looking weapons. Are some of these even legal? But most notably, Yokohama is the only city where shops regularly sell coffee, due to the limited supply imported prior to the appearance if time surges! Better stock up before heading back to Tokyo.

Unfortunately, the Port Market is also known for something else: pickpockets. Even if one manages to catch the thief in the act, so long as they can run faster, they can pawn off their stolen goods seemingly in an instant. After which, the pawn shop will only offer it back for a price. It's so obviously a scam, but given that all security in the market is run by the very same organization backing up the scammers, there isn't too much that can be done.

But don't worry! The Market is very forgiving. They'll happily forget the payment in exchange for a few hours of work. It could be working one of the shops, spending an evening playing host to some rich old ladies, or even playing the role of the one who mugged them in the first place. Just make sure not to get on their bad side. Because the Port Market is both the name of the location, and the name of the shady organization that runs it. And they happen to be among one of the largest criminal empires in Nippon. Violence will be met with violence, and only forgiven with increasingly horrible or even illegal work. Some folks may feel right at home here, while others would be better off staying away after dark.

OOC Notes
Welcome to Jikan's first event! Please direct any questions to the Question thread in the OOC plotting post! Any questions involving Kizuna can be included there as well, and I'll try to incorporate any clarifications into the Kizuna page and/or FAQ as needed!

• Please be sure to read the page on Kizuna as well as the Kizuna section on the FAQ! As a reminder, you're free to utilize Kizuna effects whenever you want, all month long!

• As this event is intended to introduce both a key concept and a key setting, it might feel a little disjointed. Future events will be more cohesive!

• Remember kids: Murder is a crime. If your characters chooses to kill the Oni in the Yokohama prompt, they better have the means of destroying the evidence. The Oni themselves will not be looking to kill anyone, just rough them up.

• Characters may also choose to work with the Port Market of their own volition, if they'd like to enter the criminal world of Nippon. Like all jobs, you do not need to sign up, and are free to get creative with what they do while employed.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Considering he's never really been spoiled, it'd be a first if he was.

Everything about this was foreign to him, but the searing press of Dazai's lips was something that he was enjoying, as it sent shivers down his spine and had a very soft sound breathing out past his lips. Those kisses were warm, inviting and soft; a far cry from the last thing that had ever truly made contact with his neck.

It was enough that he was beginning to lose himself in this feeling, his head tilting back to allow more access even as his hands moved to run up along Dazai's arms tentatively before curling into the fabric of his sleeve on his biceps. ]

Cute...

[It's a low murmur into Akutagawa's neck, before he lightly nips at his skin.]

Can I make you feel even better, Akutagawa-sama?

[ It's almost embarrassing how his breath caught in his throat just then, with both the apt compliment and following nip at his skin. He felt so light, warm and almost dizzy, to where it was nearly overwhelming. ]

Mm. Go ahead... and do it.

[ Ugh why did he like being called that so much? It just sounded strangely appealing to him. ]

[Dazai grins, and pulls back so that he can settle onto his knees in front of Akutagawa. He presses his mouth to Akutagawa's clothed groin, nuzzling against it.]

Mmm~

[ While he wasn't entirely cognizant of things of this nature? Such a thing was incredibly hard to miss the connotations of, what with Dazai's mouth pressed to such a spot and nuzzling against it.

It had his cheeks turning a much darker shade of red, along with the mixed desire to kick away the red-head and grab a fistful of his hair. Mostly since it'd startled him, but it'd also felt rather good, though surely he hadn't just made a godawful whimper at all just then.

Of course not. ]

[Dazai will never tell anyone. That sound is for him alone.

He lifts up the edge of Akutagawa's coat so that he can duck his head under it, and tugs Akutagawa's underwear just enough out of the way so that he can place a kiss more directly on his cock before wrapping his lips around it. If it weren't so dark, it'd be obvious to anyone looking at them what's going on under there.]

[ Okay so it wasn't his usual coat - that had been left with the weretiger back home - and was more of a replacement for now? He'd never been more glad to have it than he did in this moment.

The darkness around them did well to conceal a lot. Such as the obviousness of what was going on here, as well as his horribly blushing face. He was thankfully preoccupied with the fact that Dazai had ripped an embarrassing, shuddering moan from his parted lips before he'd brought one hand to his mouth. ]

D-Damn it...

[ Was it always supposed to feel THAT good when someone did that? ]

[Dazai would like to think he's just especially good at what he does.

He starts to bob his head, sucking more and more of Akutagawa's cock on each pass. A muffled moan emerges from his lips - he certainly isn't trying to hide how much he's enjoying himself.]

[ While he was at least mostly successful at muffling the sounds he was making, Akutagawa's body was much more honest in it's reactions. Such as the soft shudders and trembles that wrack his body, warmth building in the pit of his stomach quickly.

At some point, one of his hands came down to duck under the coat as to wind his fingers into Dazai's hair firmly. If he tugged a bit harder than he intended, or his hips stuttered forwards a little with one of the red-head's ministrations? It was something he didn't even notice, breaths rough and disjointed.

God. At this rate he wasn't going to last very long. ]

[Whenever Akutagawa pulls his hair or thrusts into his mouth, another moan escapes Dazai's lips. He wants nothing more than for Akutagawa to use him for his own pleasure.

He slides far enough down onto Akutagawa's cock that it passes into his throat, nose brushed up against Akutagawa's pelvis.]

[ He doesn't know yet that he has this power, but when the day comes? Dazai will definitely appreciate it.

Going this far, considering nobody's ever done this to him before? It was intense, overwhelming and all he wanted was more of it. His fingers tightened in Dazai's hair, shaking a little as he felt himself just on the brink of whatever this feeling was. ]

Nngh... Dazai...

[ Essentially this was the only warning he'd be able to give, and that the next thing he did was going to push him over the edge completely. ]

[Hearing Akutagawa moan his name like that is music to his ears. He doesn't pull back - if anything he redoubles his attentions, humming around Akutagawa's cock and surrounding him with the vibration.

He'd like his Akutagawa Prize now. The prize is coming down his throat.]

[ All of it really does become too much in that moment, his breath catching in his throat just before letting off quite the low moan as he came. His whole body shivering and trembling from the intensity of it, not even having the logical thought to try and pull away as it happened.

Thankfully it's what Dazai wanted, right? ]

[Exactly. Dazai greedily swallows everything he's given, only pulling back once he's sure Akutagawa is completely spent.

He emerges from underneath Akutagawa's coat, licking his lips clean and smiling broadly.]

[ In the heat of the moment he'd released Dazai's hair, trying to remember how to breathe as he came back down to himself. Even removing the hand from his mouth as it wasn't needed, his cheeks still bearing a healthy flush of color. ]

...You seem proud of yourself.

[ He was starting to try and wrap his brain around this whole thing, and the fact that because he'd still been breathing in that incense? Kinda wanted more but he didn't know how to even go about asking for such a thing. ]

Just how long have you been wanting to do that?

Since we met.

[Admits that without an ounce of shame.

Dazai gets to his feet. His arousal is obvious, but he's certainly not going to ask Akutagawa to take care of that - he's already indulged Dazai plenty, in his view.]

Shameless bastard, aren't you?

[ It'd be an insult if it wasn't true.

Though something has started bubbling up inside of him and he gets an idea, straightening up as he cast a look around the rest of the car. Everyone else, even with the dim lighting, was in their own world so they could try and not pay much attention.

Such as the air rippling a little and suddenly there is long strips of what look like fabric from his coat shooting out to grab Dazai by his forearms firmly. ]

I've decided I'll do what I can to repay you.

[ Oh he's going to essentially use his ability to have him and Dazai trade places if the other man has no protests, already moving to anticipate the switch in their positions. ]

Hhholy shit.

[Yes hi his dick is very into Akutagawa pinning him wherever he wants him with his magical coat. Please manhandle him all you want.]

[ At least he's using the less scary side of his ability to do this, utilizing the fabric tendrils with ease to essentially pin the other man back into this corner where he'd been before. Being in such a position of power and advantage was what he tended to like, so being able to do so in a situation like this was strangely nice. ]

I may lack your experience in these matters but I doubt that will be much of an issue.

[ Mostly since Dazai was already kind of into this as it was. Though he did step closer, tempted to have one of Rashomon's tendrils snake around the other man's neck, but it wouldn't be done with any sort of lethal force whatsoever. ]

Tell me, then. In what way do you want me to help you? Don't be vague about it, either.

[Make that very into it. It's a wonder he hasn't come completely untouched.]

Please touch my cock please please please-

[ Oh. This is kind of dangerous. It may or may not be stirring something up in him. ]

How desperate. You're at my mercy and I really could do anything to you.

[ There's a large part of him underneath it all that's still nervous about everything but it's being overshadowed. Especially with how he stepped closer and in a striking, bold move, firmly pressed his one hand against Dazai's clothed groin while flashing quite the edged smirk.

He'd wait a moment for that reaction before he continued, naturally. It was going to be worth it. ]

[Dazai's whole body arches into the touch, as much as he can while still bound by Rashomon.]

Akutagawa-sama...!

[It's a throaty moan.]

Y-you can take whatever you want from me...

[And he'd thank him for it.]

Is that so?

[ He shifts close enough to brush his lips against Dazai's neck, teeth nipping at the skin while debating for a second before beginning to undo the red-head's pants. Was he winging it? A little. Maybe he just liked having someone else at his mercy here right now. ]

Someday I may even indulge you and take your life from you as well. [ Rashomon's tendrils tighten just a little for a brief moment of emphasis, just in time for Akutagawa's hand to move in beyond any other layers of fabric and wrap directly around Dazai's cock. ] You'll have to make do with this.

[Having his life threatened should not be hot. It shouldn't be, but this is Dazai, so it's the hottest thing anyone has ever said to him, and he finds himself immediately on the precipice of climax.]

Oh - oh god, close-

[He lasts for about one or two strokes before spilling over into Akutagawa's hand.]

[ O h. That was satisfying. Shit. He shouldn't like that as much as he does.

Carefully drawing his hand back, Akutagawa realized there was nothing to clean his hand off on. So that meant one thing. ]

Clean up after yourself, would you?

[ Why yes, he did hold up his dirtied hand for Dazai to do just that. He didn't care how. ]

January | Event: Trials and Trains

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