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

[WELP. If Ranpo can crack jokes like that, he's at least not in any serious danger, and the comment does get a tiny smile to appear on Ochako's face. She does have to touch a bit, and even press, apologizing and letting Ranpo know when she does it. It doesn't seem like a break, but there's really no way to tell by a cursory check up like this.]

Does it hurt to move? I can carry you. [Easily, in fact. Even though Ochako is far smaller than Ranpo is.]

[He doesn't doubt she can, given her ability and all. But he also knows he's not very heavy.]

I wouldn't be sitting here being a pigeon perch if I could move.

[For all that he's being a whiny baby rn, when he actually moves, the winces will make it more obvious that he is in a good amount of pain right now. Even the less serious injuries still hurt.]

[In all honestly, the relatively sassy, salty replies are nothing compared to the fire and brimstone that comes out of Bakugou's mouth sometimes. Ochako simply nods, then moves forward to carefully place a hand on Ranpo's shoulder, with all five fingers. He'll start to float off the ground a few inches, before Ochako scoops him up like the princess he is.]

Alright, then I'll carry you like this, is that alright? I'm sure we can spot a hospital or clinic from up here, too, or ask someone when we get down... Someone much nicer. For now, let me know if I'm hurting you when I hold you, alright?

...does hurting my pride count?

[DOES SHE HAVE TO HOLD HIM LIKE A PRINCESS of course she does.]

[Okay, this time Ochako actually does snicker and giggle a bit, but she's at least relatively polite about it. Ah, of course...people are usually not too excited about this sort of carrying, especially older people...and guys.]

I'm afraid I can't fix that, either. Please endure it until I find a place you can get looked at. [Another laugh, and she'll begin to approach the edge of the building with him, looking out to see if there's a sign or anything looking even remotely like a hospital or clinic.]

[He'll still be whiny, but a laugh is what he was aiming for, so he can't complain too much. Thankfully, she won't have to look too hard to find the hospital -- Ranpo points them in a direction, at which point, they'll find a Samurai officer who escorts them the rest of the way.]

[While not as modern as the ones either of them are used to, hospitals are still more advanced than they would have been in the 1920s. And their status as refugees even earns them free medical care in Kanto.]

[And assuming Ochako will wait while they look at him, he'll eventually hobble out, his face and hands a little bandaged up.]

...so it looks like they cracked two of my ribs. But they can fix them, I'll just have to stick around here for a little bit.

[Ochako does indeed wait for Ranpo - she's not just going to leave him to his devices without at least making sure he'll be alright. Yeah, he's probably an adult (or at least older than she is), but she likes him, and considers him good company. A friend, certainly.

So, when he comes out, she's happy and excited for a moment, a smile on her face, before it drops and she looks concerned and a little sad. It's not a terrible diagnosis, but it's not the best, either.]

Oh...I-I'm so sorry, Ranpo-san. I mean--! I'm glad it's nothing more serious, but...um. I'll come visit you, if you want. I'm sure having some good company will cheer you up, right? [She leans in, lowering her voice and putting a hand by her mouth.] And I'll bring you a bento that I'm sure will be better than the food they give you here.

[And here Ranpo is about to reassure her that it's only a few hours while they prepare and administer the potion to heal the bone, but-- then she offers to make him a bento.]

[Will he really take advantage of a teenaged girl's feelings to make her cook him foo-- of course he will, he's a goblin.]

Well, I could certainly use the company! And I'll probably be pretty hungry once the pain goes away.

[In all honesty, if Ranpo simple asks her to in the future, and she'd probably do make him food... Ochako likes Ranpo well enough to offer, after all, and if he reimburses her for the ingredients, she'd make him a bento, no problem. Her cooking isn't gourmet quality (l-like Bakugou's is...), but it's simple, tasty and make with TLC. Plus, if she learns from her very talents friend and roommate, she could easily get more experience and make better things.

She smiles, clapping her hands together and tilting her head to one side.]

Okay!! Then I'll come by tomorrow. Is there anything in particular that you like or don't like, Ranpo-san? I'm not the best cook, but I'll do my best for you!

As long as I can't taste the vegetables, I'll eat anything!

[A CHILD]

[Also now he's gotta find a reason to be stuck here for a full day! ...which won't be hard, because spoilers: turns out growing bone back to make it heal is actually very unpleasant and he would have whined to stay longer anyway.]

[A CHILD INDEED.]

Ranpo-san, you really should eat your vegetables, but I'll let you go this time. I have an idea - do you like katsudon? I can make it so you don't taste the onions too much, and the sauce and egg should hide the flavor well enough to--

[As she's talking, Ochako pauses a little bit, her excitement dying down and her smile starting to fall away into something a little more melancholy and bittersweet. Haha...ha. She didn't even think about it when she said it, maybe it was just thoughtless coincidence, but...of all things.

Of all things she thought of...

She picked Izuku's favorite food.]

[...]

[Well, he doesn't have to be a master detective to see through that. But of course, Ranpo sees a bit more than most people would--]

Hmmm, Katsudon is pretty good, but-- how about yakisoba instead? I usually can't taste the vegetables if you overcook them just a little bit!

And besides, I'm probably not the one you want to be making Katsudon for, right? You should save that for him.

[Just calls her the fuck out??]

[Turns out keeping secrets from Ranpo is, in fact, very difficult.]

[Jumping a bit, because yeah, thanks for the callout, Ochako slaps her hands to her face and shakes her head furiously, hair whipping back and forth as she...begins to lift up off the ground. Yup, accidental quirk activation, she is just...going. Oops.]

N-N-NOO!! IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!! I-It may be...a friend's favorite food, b-b-but he's...h-he's not here right now...a-and--! [She flails a bit, then drops from the air, landing with a wobble and flailing of her arms.] I'm just...worried!! I-I mean. Um...it's been so long since I've seen the rest of my class...m-my friends...and my fam--

[Ochako clears her throat, then shakes her head again, letting out a long breath.] N-Nevermind. I'll make yakisoba, no problem! J-Just take care until tomorrow, alright, Ranpo-san? I'll see you!

[He should feel bad, but he doesn't. But he does think-- he'll have to do something nice for her in turn after that little stunt. Especially since she did just save him and all.]

All right, all right! I'll see you then, Uraraka-chan.

[So.]

[After pretending to be uneasy with the initial treatment they offered, it turns out there do have one that would take two days.]

[Unfortunately, the one that takes two days is awful simply because of how slow it is. Instead of instantly healing just the bone, it speeds up the healing process for everything! ...so he's exhausted, because his body is going into overdrive to heal naturally, just 100x faster.]

[This is what he deserves for being a goblin. And it's why he'll kinda look like he's just melted on the bed when Ochako shows up. But he's fully dressed and not hooked up to anything, so it's not really immediately obvious why.]

Hey Uraraka-chan.

[He's so tired?? His personality turned off.]

[Like promised, Ochako is here and has a small bento box in a bag hanging by the crook of her arm. Seeing Ranpo exhausted and lacking in energy is not something she's surprised to see - it reminds her a lot of when Recovery Girl heals people, using their own stamina to accelerate the healing process, but leaving them drained and tired afterwards. Hell, she was on the receiving end of that herself, a few times.

So, her smile is gentle as she approaches where he is, setting down her bag on a side table drawer and pulling out the little bento box. It's nothing fancy, and not overly large or anything - in fact it's pretty basic - and sets it within reach of Ranpo. She also brought a can of iced green tea.]

Hello, Ranpo-san, how are you feeling? Any better than before? I brought you a bento - and it is soba, like you asked for. Ehehe I had to ask for help from my roommate, so...if it's a little spicy, that's his influence... [It won't be, thank god, but it will be tasty looking.] I hope you like it!

[tmw this fucker realizes he's never had a girl make him a bento box before?? This loser.]

I'm pretty tired, but it's nothing a home-made meal won't fix! ...and maybe sleeping for a few weeks.

[He shifts upright in bed, careful to move slowly -- no more wincing, at least! And yes, he's absolutely going to dig right in.]

But going to all this trouble after saving me... you really are a hero! I'll have to find some way to repay you for all this.

[Ah, that's going to make her blush, and rub the back of her neck sheepishly. Ochako giggles softly her herself, keeping a close eye on her friend to make sure he's comfortable. If he really needs anything, she'll get it for him. Ochako really in a genuinely kind person, and she likes Ranpo well enough, so it's really not an issue.]

Ehehe, you don't have to repay me at all, really!! Ranpo-san, I'm just sorry I couldn't get to you before you were hurt... I really don't mind making the trip, it get me out of the house, and I'm not...really doing much else anyway, outside of my chores. [It's sort of been really, really boring without school, or hero work to do. Ochako has been having some serious cabin fever.]

Really? Not interested in doing the hero thing here?

[Look, he gets their world is clearly more Structured in that regard, but his mind still jumps to vigilantes in capes flying around.]

Ah...believe me, Ranpo-san, I want to, but it's not the same as it would be in this world, I think. Quirks don't exist here, and neither do heroes...so I don't know if there's really even a need for them. Someone said a guard would work, or some sort of officer, maybe...

I haven't been looking too much though, I'll admit.

[Man, Ochako would love to resume her hero work. It's what she always dreamed of - become a Rescue Hero and making a lot of money to give to her financially ailing parents, so they could live a happy and worry-free life. That eventually evolving into wanting to simply save people in general, but Ochako's overall goal never changed. She does not for herself, but always for the sake of others.]

What, so you can't save people unless you're being paid to do it?

[Despite sitting here eating the bento she made for him-- he's not one to mince words. Sure, there's likely far more to it than that, but does there need to be?]

You saved me from being attacked, because I stepped in to help someone else. That makes both of us heroes -- something this world definitely needs! You don't need to be part of some big organization or whatever your world has to do all of that.

Of course not!!

[Ochako, for once, actually raises her voice a little bit, looking relatively insulted by the insinuation. Yes, she may be a penny pincher, and got into the hero scene because she was dirt poor and needed money...but her heart was always in the right place. She'd save up anything she could to her her mother and father, who had been struggling financially ever since her quirk developed - when she was five. It's been over a decade and...they're still are day where she's had to skip a meal or two, just to save money to siphon into their account. Just to give them a little peace.]

I know that, I do...but it's not quite the same. I can't explain it easily, it's just something is missing in this place. [It's not the fame, not the notoriety, but just the presence of hero society as a whole. The culture was ingrained into life as a whole, it was just...a way of life, really. Ochako can do heroic things here, certainly, and so can Bakugou! They can be seen as worthy heroes who win, and who save, but their goals...their dreams...they're not here.] I have to find what's missing - me and my friend, too - and I don't think it's going to be easy.

Until we find it, I don't think we can really feel like proper heroes here.

January | Event: Trials and Trains

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sarah i'm going to fight you LMFAO

huehuehueheu

🔪🔪

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