October | Event: Goodbye to the Golden Moon

[jikan_mod]

Goodbye to the Golden Moon↲ OOC Plotting

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On the evening of the 14th, as citizens throughout Nippon enjoy the final day of the Tsukimi festival, the refugees will receive a message on their magi-comm from MRU in Kyoto. Which is rather unusual, as typically communications through this network come exclusively from the NRL.

"To all refugees who will be staying in the Western Kingdom for the annual Sakumi Festival, please be aware that there is a curfew for all humans and hanyo before sundown. It is for your own safety that you heed this curfew, and remain indoors until sunrise.

The Festival will continue until the night of the 31st. It is recommended that refugees not to look at the night sky for the duration of the festival.

Should you or anyone else you know experience strange symptoms after dark, such as erratic behavior or transformations unrelated to the side effects of Kizuna bonds, please contact the MRU right away. Affected individuals are encouraged to remain indoors and in brightly lit rooms, away from any open windows.

We apologize for the short notice, and are working with the NRL to communicate better in the future. Please enjoy the festival, and may the gods bless you all."

Understandably, this message is not met well.

Upon hearing of curfews and strange happenings, many refugees choose to flee, flooding the last train to Tokyo and contacting the NRL to secure accommodations in Nihonbashi on short notice. But they aren't the only ones, as most of the seats have been reserved by native Hanyo and Humans, as those who can afford it are also choosing to leave until the end of the month.

But what's the big deal? Weren't people excited for this festival? Well, as it turns out: it's only "celebrated" by Yokai. For everyone else, the Sakumi Festival is the worst time of year to be in the Western Kingdom.


A Celebration of Darkness

According to legend, the moon was a gift from the gods. Once a beautiful string of pearls, now only one remains, the others shattered by greed and war, their remains gathered together to form Gaia's ring. This is the story of the Tsukimi Festival, celebrated throughout Nippon.

But there's a continuation to this story, told only in the Western Kingdom. Because this gift was no ordinary gift. It's said that the light of the moon is what allowed the Yokai to evolve from mere Ayakashi into enlightened and intelligent beings. However, that same intelligence is what would prove to be their downfall, as various clans rose in power and sought the magical radiance of the pearls for personal gain. As more and more pearls were destroyed, fewer and fewer ayakashi were able to benefit from their light, with the last remaining pearl not strong enough to offer even the slightest of blessing.

As punishment for their greed, the gods took back the final pearl, with no intent of returning it. Without its light, the Yokai became twisted, devolving back into their basal instincts, and feasting upon one another with reckless abandon. Saddened by their plight, the gods quickly reversed this decision, and the final pearl returned to the sky after 15 nights of darkness.

This is the Sakumi Festival, held in honor of those fifteen days their ancestors spent in perpetual darkness. As the festival begins, on the evening of the 15th, the full moon will begin to fade away, like a lightbulb that's gradually losing power. Within an hour after sunset, it will have disappeared entirely, causing the rings around the planet to dim in turn.

But just what effect does this have? And why does this festival carry with it a sense of danger?

Paper Faces on Parade Tenri, Nara
Due to the nature of the festival, it should come as no surprise than many of the festivities are held during the day, starting early to take advantage of the daylight hours. For those unable to secure transit out of the West, or simply not giving in to the fearmongering, they'll be encouraged to visit the Tenri district of Nara, where most of the best events are taking place.

But there is one thing of note that makes the Sakumi Festival different, which can be seen regardless of whether one attends a festival or not. Everyone at the Western Kindgom is wearing a mask. And every mask is unique, telling the story of the one wearing it and how they've chosen to preset themselves. The Yokai in particular are noted for having quite extravagant looking masks, some of which must have taken weeks if not months to craft.

But this is more than simply a fun tradition, as signs can be found throughout cities explicitly stating that masks must be worn outside festival grounds and that individuals will be held accountable for their behavior should they remove them. Those curious enough to ask around will receive an explanation:

"It's like this, yeah? The masks are who they've become. And the Sakumi Festival is about what they once were. They wear the masks to remember who they really are. And-- look, I mean this literally! You'd be better going home before it gets dark. Things have gotten better over the years, but not everyone sticks to the rules. And you don't wanna be outside when the monsters come to play."

Thankfully, for the first few days, everything stays pretty peaceful. It helps that there's no shortage of businesses offering mask-making services, though many of these now require a fee for those who waited to the last minute to craft one. As during the Tsukimi Festival earlier in the month, these masks are meant to reflect how one pictures their inner self. Though at the end of the day, all that really matters is that it was crafted by their own hands.

Seven Minutes in Hell Tenri, Nara
As part of the Sakumi festival, one shrine in particular has become a popular destination for those looking to add a bit of spookiness to the season. At Chogakuji Temple, a rare set of paintings depicting scenes of hell have been placed on display. These paintings are very special, as the paint contains a very complex spell that's long since been lost to time. And according to rumors, should someone sit in a closed room with the painting, they'll be taken inside and forced to experience a hell born of their worst fears.

As it turns out, the rumors are very true, and have been widely spread by youths who enjoy pranking visitors by nudging them into the room and closing the door behind them. The effects of the painting are immediate, often leaving the visitor shaken until someone opens the door to free them from the spell.

However, should more than one person be forced into the room, the effect is very different. While they'll still be pulled into a mysterious dreamscape of their worst nightmares, these nightmares have all taken on a distressingly sexual edge. Those with a fear of snakes may find their friend transformed into an irresistibly sexy naga, while those with a fear of heights may themselves in the middle of fucking their companion while atop a very high mountain. Whether the fear be one they share or one that belongs to only one side seems to be random.

Why exactly does this happen...? Well, no one knows for sure, but theories suggest the painter may have simply been sexually frustrated, given some of themes in the initial hell painting. Honestly, it's a shame no one knows how to cast that spell anymore.

Monster Mash

However, hardly a day passes before it becomes known that the refugees are indeed a special case. Due to their Kizuna bond with Nippon, they now resemble an existence seemingly nestled between Hanyo and Yokai. This is what enables them to learn the native magic so easily. However, it also means that they are not immune to the effects of the new moon.

Those who stay indoors between sunset and sunrise, or who simply avoid the Western Kingdom all together, will experience no changes throughout the month. But this is unrealistic, and at some point, someone in the West is going outside. And when they do, they'll find themselves transforming, their bones bending and bodies stretching and as they become monsters.

Wereyokai Kansai, Western Kingdoms
The exact form of these monsters is widely varied. Some simply become more monstrous forms of themselves. Others may not transform at all, instead gaining supernatural abilities or minor cosmetic changes. And even others may become entirely unrecognizable. These transformations will last until sunrise, and should they forget their mask again the next evening, a different transformation entirely may very well take place. And as refugees from different worlds, the monstrous forms they're capable of taking seem nigh endless.

But what now? Well, that depends.

For some, they remain completely lucid throughout the transformation, merely transformed in body but not at all in mind. This is most common for those who choose to head indoors upon transforming, away from the transformative effects of the darkened night sky. For these refugees, the transformations are just a fun quirk of the holiday or an inconvenience. Thankfully, this is generally pretty easy to avoid happening more than once, as they won't feel compelled to transform again.

For those who were unfortunate enough to stare at the sky for any extended period of time, their transformation may be more extreme, as their personality becomes corrupted. Certain aspects of their personality may completely overtake everything else, while others may act entirely out of character. But perhaps the worst part is that those who experience this corruption will feel a strong desire to trigger it again, despite the lack of a guarantee that it won't be any worse the next time.

And for the truly unlucky, they may find themselves in a state the Yokai refer to as a lunar curse. Those who are under the effects of a lunar curse will be overwhelmed with an insatiable appetite, hungering for any number of things, be it a specific type of food, a heightened sexual appetite, or even a desire to feed on the flesh and blood of others. As it turns out, this is the most common side effect, and is the true reason for the curfew: as Humans and Hanyo caught outside by a Yokai afflicted by a lunar curse may find themselves devoured. Once someone has been afflicted by a lunar curse, they'll do whatever they can to continue the cycle the following evening, growing irrational and violent near sunset, even while wearing their mask.

Dangerous Dating Narashi, Nara
Thankfully, festival grounds are still considered safe spaces for exploring these transformations without putting anyone in danger. Powerful masked Tengu Yokai stand at the ready to round up any "monsters" trying to cause trouble, putting them in a timeout block until sunrise. And while some Yokai still prefer to keep their masks on, the majority attend these festivals in whatever form they're granted, no matter how monstrous.

Unlike the festival earlier in the day, these late night monster fests are far less family friendly, with booths set up for smoking uki, no shortage of special sake saved just for this festival, and rather suspicious food items being sold. While in some cases, it's obvious the booths selling mystery meat and glasses of bright red liquid have simply gone with a theme, adding food coloring to achieve the effect, others are a bit more suspect. Where exactly are they getting this meat and blood from...? Maybe it's better not to ask.

But not everything is like that, and one festival in Narashi is holding an impromptu dating auction every night of the festival. Guests can sign up to be auctioned off to the highest bidder for a romantic evening with a pretty stranger. Of course, while the rules officially state that it's just an innocent date, given the nature of the festival, there's a general assumption that these dates will end in sex.

But some in the crowd have more dastardly things in mind, so perhaps it'd be a good idea to buy up your friends before a monster snatches them away. All money raised go towards feeding and caring for the saiwaika who live in Nara's parks, so it's for a good cause!

Consuming Darkness

Starting on the 24th, as the Sakumi Festival enters its final week, those bold enough to look up at night sky will notice that the stars are disappearing. The night sky will appear to grow blacker and blacker, absorbing any light and appearing more like a dark void overhead than a night sky.

All of this culminates on the final day of the festival on the 31st, during which the sun never rises. A perpetual night blankets the nation, and as Humans and Hanyo remain huddled in their homes, the Yokai gather at temples all across the West to welcome the return the moon. Large bonfires are lit, as masked Yokai dance around them, singing songs to beg the mood goddess Tsukuyomi for absolution.

And as the clock strikes midnight, all masks are throw into the fire as they look up -- and watch as the moon and stars slowly fade in, lighting up the night sky once more.

Goodnight Stars Kansai, Western Kingdom
The disappearance of the stars is an uncommon occurrence during Sakumi, but not unheard of. For those affected by the transformations, the lack of stars in the sky does little else but make the night a bit more eerie, as even streetlamps seem to struggle to keep the city well-lit. Rather than simply disappearing, it's almost as if light itself was becoming a luxury.

But for certain refugees, the gradual loss of the stars and the moon will have more devastating effects. Those with an affinity for stars, space, the moon, or who have begin learning Sora magic will begin experiencing bouts of sudden weakness. Without warning, they may suddenly collapse on the street, or fall unconscious all together. This effect will be more pronounced for those who attempt to hide from the festival's transformative effects by staying indoors or wearing a mask.

As the end of the month draws nearer, this effect escalates, as those afflicted will seemingly begin to fade away, their bodies growing translucent the weaker they become. Only prolonged contact with someone they've bonded with seems to have a positive effect, slowing or even reversing the symptoms. But once someone has faded entirely, they won't come back until the end of the festival on the night of the 31st.

Where exactly do they go? Somehow, it seems the only way they'll be able to contact anyone is through their dreams. The moment they appear, the dreamer becomes lucid, and though there's nothing they can really do, perhaps they can at least offer some comfort. Rather curiously, anyone visited in their dreams by one who has faded away will notice that all their dreams take place on the night of a full moon, even weeks after the festival ends.

Day of Darkness Narashi, Nara
The final days of the festival prove to be the most chaotic. As more and more Yokai find themselves lunar cursed, they become more bold, as some will roam the streets at night and snatch the masks off of people's faces to force them to transform. Others treat the streets as their hunting ground, feeding on anyone unfortunate enough to be caught outside alone. Even with the aid of every Samurai clan and Exorcist guild in the West, they just can't keep up, and even the peaceful city of Nara seems to be getting hit rather hard this year.

To combat this, volunteers capable of putting up a fight are enlisted in Nara to provide safe escort between stations and supervise festival goers to be sure nothing illegal is going on. For the most part, refugees will be in charge of protecting and monitoring other refugees, as their unpredictable powers are harder for native magic users to figure out. Not that refugees from one world will necessarily understand another world's magic better, but not everyone is very informed about how these off-worlders work.

All of this culminates into the final day, in which the sun never rises. All sources of light appear to have gone dim, and the monsters prowling the streets grow ever hungrier. Those with a thirst for sex grow bolder, fucking in the streets or on public transit without a care in the world. And many restaurants begin offering crazy deals on all-you-can-eat buffets to keep the prowling masses satisfied.

As evening approaches, whether they know where to go or not, those who've transformed will find themselves compelled towards one of many shrines throughout the West. There, a special ceremony is conducted, as monsters are bewitched with a spell to compel them to confess their sins. These confessions are told around large bonfire, which crackles and glows brighter the more sins are offered to it. Then, just as the clock strikes midnight, those present with masks will be asked to throw them into the fire, and as they burn, the sky up above begins to clear up. The ring around Gaia surges with rainbow light, as the full moon one more reveals itself. Those who've transformed immediately revert to how they once were, and the night ends on a more somber tone, as they thank the gods for their compassion in returning their gift.

With the festival coming to an end, all that's left is to pick up the pieces of their beleaguered city. Humans and Hanyo return to the streets once more, while the Yokai attempt an awkward return to normalcy. And for the refugees, perhaps now they'll understand a bit better why Hanyo in the East never speak very fondly of their homeland.

OOC Notes
Welcome to Jikan's October event! Please direct any questions to the Question Thread in the OOC Plotting post.

• If you do not wish to participate in this event: characters who are able to flee to the Eastern Kingdom will not experience any of the effects of the moon's disappearance.

• If your character would flee but you want them to participate, it's entirely possible that they may find themselves utterly unable to secure a ticket to leave the Western Kingdom, given there is only one train.

• While the sky will continue to look spooky in the East as well, this annual phenomenon is explained as a scientific one. As Gaia's moon and rings are magical in nature, the increase in energy expelled during the Tsukimi festival causes them to release a gas-like by-product that blots out the sky at night for a period of two weeks. This has been proven to be true, but the reason this happens at the same time each year is still unknown.

• You have 100% freedom to pick whatever sort of monster your monsterfucker heart desires, be it from Japanese lore, your character's canon, or another canon all together. Whether transformations are painful or not is up to you, and monsters with supernatural powers or abilities will also be allowed to keep those powers! Go wild!

• You are free to have the transformations linger even upon going indoors, but putting on their own mask or waiting until sunrise will always end the transformation.

• There are no limits to how often a person can sign up for the dating auction, and for players who want to participate but have characters who would not ICly sign up, they can find themselves strong-armed into it by a transformed Yokai.

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Aether | Genshin Impact

[brilliantdiamond]

1 | Stars On My Window | cw: optional prompts for dubcon/noncon smut
[Aether's seen enough shenanigans in this place to know that warning like that really ought to be heeded. Unfortunately, all trains out of the West are reserved by now, so he has no choice but to stick it out.]

[As soon as Aether hears about what this festival is really like, he opts not to lock himself indoors until sunrise and instead dons his mask to take to the streets. He knows he'll have to be careful, aware that Yokai were powerful and that he can't exactly kill any of them. But if he can help at least a few people make it safely back home, he'll have at least made something of a difference.]

A | cw: dubcon likely if things turn smutty
[For those walking alone at night, either with a mask or with a more mild and peaceful transformation, he'll offer to be their escort back to their home for the evening. Not that he'd be able to easily tell whether someone is agreeing just to trick him into dropping his guard...]

B | cw: noncon likely if the monster is lewd
[Should he see someone being followed, or even attacked by one of the monsters, he won't hesitate to step in, drawing his sword and letting it crackle to life with electro energy to hopefully draw the monster's attention towards himself. But he might just get more than he bargained for, because not all monsters are just looking for something to eat.]


2 | Dendrite | cw: blood drinking
[But despite his best efforts, all it takes is one curious glance out the window for the darkened night sky to find him. But his transformation isn't too extreme. His hair and skin grow pale, as his eyes shift to a deep red that almost seems to glow. His nails sharpen into thick points, and his teeth become sharp as knives.]

[Had he his wits about him, he could have simply grabbed his mask to undo it. Instead, he steals out into the night, as he finds himself overwhelmed with a thirst for blood. And only blood will return his sanity so long as he remains like this.]

[As such, Aether can be found huddled in dark corners as he tries to regain his sense of self, at the festivals drinking from a glass of dark red liquid, or even stalking behind someone, eyes wide and out of focus, as some part of him struggles to hold himself back.]

[Regardless of where he's found, it seems he won't be very talkative until after he's had some blood. Or, should someone find him when he seems to saturated in vampire pheromones, maybe sucking something will satisfy him instead.]


3 | Dove | cw: forced crossdressing, risk of vore??
[Eventually, he grows to accept this new normal. As long as he can get blood quickly enough, he can keep himself from hurting anyone while transformed. Which means he's visiting the festivals every night, and eventually, this leads him to the one holding the dating auction.]

[But alas, at the urging and insistence of some of his Yokai friends, he ends up being more or less forced onto the stage -- but not before they take the opportunity to dress him up, because of course I was going to put another crossdressing prompt on this event.]

[But it's here where his relatively still very human appearance will be working against him, as a number of transformed Yokai in the crowd smack their lips as they quickly drive the bids higher and higher. Step in and save him maybe?? Or maybe take this opportunity to buy him for yourself.]


4 | All Stars Fade Away
[But everything changes when the stars begin to disappear.]

[At first, he's just a little more tired than usual, and he blames it on not getting very much sleep. He's been staying up most nights, after all! Then, he considers that maybe the blood he finds himself drinking at times is making him sick. It can't be very healthy to be drinking something like that so often.]

[But everything begins to escalate when he finds himself collapsing to his knees in the middle of the street. His head is spinning, and when he reaches up to run a hand over his forehead, he's startled to discover that he's become translucent.]

[Hopefully someone is nearby to grab him in time, before he fades away completely. Though that might be easier said than done if it's earlier in the evening, when he's still mindlessly seeing blood.]


5 | Dream Ended This Way | Tokyo Prompt
[It's not until the last few days of the month that Aether finally makes it out of the West. Thankfully, the bizarre monster transformation doesn't seem to have followed him, though it'll be weeks before he stops tasting blood in his mouth. He plans to check in with his friends to let them know about what happened and that he's okay, but it seems like Sakumi has one final obstacle for him: despite leaving the Western Kingdom, the disappearance of the stars was still having a negative effect on his body.]

[He hardly makes it ten minutes from the port before he starts to feel weak again. But he knows by now kizuna is capable to reversing the effects -- he'll just have to hope his message reaches someone fast enough, unable to focus on who exactly it gets sent to:]

in nihonbashi need help


6 | WILDCARD
[If you wanna plot something, hit me up here!!]

4

[baneofallevil]

[ The idea of wearing a mask wasn't all that bad overall, as he just used his own anytime he headed out to try and head out and see if anyone needed help with all the chaos going on here.

It's a good thing he did, too.

It was early evening this time when he found Aether, looking awfully transparent in a way that had Xiao hurrying his steps over to him. Sure the other didn't seem himself either but that wasn't stopping him in the slightest, able to take care of himself if need be. ]

Aether. Take my hand.

[ He held out his gloved hand, brows narrowed as he looked to the blond. Risks be damned. ]

I won't let you fade away.

2

[princyss]

Aether.

[Her voice is firm, coming just after a jump down in front of him in this alleyway. She'd heard that there was a blonde man terrorizing some, and while she hadn't seen her brother lately, she had hoped it wouldn't be him. Unfortunately... there he is. She'd caught him mid-stalking some other victim, and been quick enough to cut him off like this. Her own mask is firmly in place, a delicate and lacey white one adorned with golden stars.]

Just what are you doing?

[She's confused, and troubled, and here to help, she hopes. Why didn't he have his mask on?]

4ish

[baedou]

[ It's an absolute no-brainer when it comes to helping out someone in need, especially when it's someone she knows. She just wishes it was a bit easier to track Aether down after she actually makes it out to the Western Kingdom.

...Naturally when she does find him, he's keeled over like a drunkard in the middle of the street. The search before hadn't been frantic because, and let's be honest, the traveler has always been self-sufficient. Maybe that was a mistake... but she assumed that he could hold his own until she arrived. But seeing him now like this puts an urgency in Beidou's steps as she makes an approach before anyone else can even think about taking advantage (as if she'd ever let them, first of all. Not on her watch.).]

Aaalright, easy now. I've got you.

[It's something is off here. That much is obvious as Beidou presses a firm hand between his shoulder blades. It is ridiculously dark here, in the west-- so it's hard to be absolutely sure of what it is immediately. Regardless she rubs comforting circles into his back. ]

Hey, focus on me. Can you walk on your own?

calanthe × original

[floralisse]

— the masked stranger.

Trust me~

( the person helping Calanthe make her mask seems... concerned that she chooses to do little more than shape the mask to fit her face and features, little more than dying it a brighter shade of white. they watch her smooth her hands over the material, across the edges and over the cheeks, but nothing more seems to be done.

he warns her, one last time, that she needs to have some decoration on her mask, and Calanthe flashes him a dazzling smile before placing it on her face. )

I'm not worried.

( and, as though reacting to her words, something seems to shift and grow over the very edges of the mask, a soft tuft of green moss. she waves, once, and heads on out into the daylight.

now. who looks interesting? ah! )

So, what's the story behind your mask?

( hello stranger, please regale her with your design decisions. )

— sexy hell.

( a hell born of her worst fears? well, Calanthe has no idea what those could be, but she's curious enough to follow the rumours, casting a glance around at those heading in the same direction. though her mask is still present, the moss has crept further across the white, a mushroom blooming at the base of one cheek as though the mask itself is decaying and rotten.

(well, they did say to represent yourself. or something like that.)

she catches the arm of the nearest person as she approaches the temple, wrapping herself around them like a vine. )

I hear it's quite scary. Want to go in together?

( she doubts it's anything, and if it is, what would they even pick for a girl with no fears? but this other person... well. maybe there's something interesting there. )

— monster mash.

( the night she steps out and thick, black wings sprout from her shoulderblades, tearing apart skin and knitting together a whole new structure in a way that burns, that aches all too much like training at Central, Calanthe bites her tongue and forces herself to remain standing.

old, familiar agonies with strange new effects, that yet boil down to the same end:

more power. she feels it coursing through her veins, in the sharp points of teeth as she presses her tongue against them and the click of claws together. horns sprout and twist out of her skull, already decorated with vines of leaves and flowers, and she beats her wings experimentally.

beautiful.

with all of this power, it's only right that she finds a way to use it. but a weapon without an owner to channel and order it is...

well. feral. )

What are you doing out at this hour, little one?

( but she much prefers that sort of freedom, personally. Central would never approve of this.

but Central is back in her old world. and it can burn for all she cares. she has a new place to take over. )

— wildcard.

( want to do something else? hit me with it! my plotting comment is here if that helps. )

the masked stranger

[notbert]

A mask, you say? A simple one at a glance, far more nuanced at closer inspection. Since the person in question is pausing to turn and acknowledge Calanthe, this will be a fairly simple task. He seems to have a small cluster of arukibake who have copied his mask design (inasmuch as a fallen leaf or flower petal colored vaguely red can be called 'copying') who pool around his feet and watch with interest as the two interact.

"Among my people, it is the symbol for the seat of office I had the honor of being chosen for." What mask could he make that would be any better? Mind you, if Calanthe is the type to invade personal space, there will be signs Elidibus will seek to keep a polite distance between them. But otherwise, he will stand patiently.

"Is your mask complete?" A hand come up, resting the curve of his fingers to his chin. "...No, it seems it is progressing?" He sounds interested.

it was the mash --

[sixtyeighth]

Little one?

[ He looks at her through the small slits in his mask, those red eyes clearly focused on her. He's unbothered by the change in her and still recognizes her. She's a nuisance and irritating and somehow he's not mad about seeing her. What he doesn't seem to like is those words.

He didn't need to change to have power. He was built with it. ]

Maybe you should go home.

[ A laugh. ]

It seems like you can't handle yourself without going mad.

lisa minci × genshin impact

[kyuukei]

— tokyo, a library.

( it sounds like she was lucky to be here in the first place, given everything that's been said about the people rushing out of the west. whatever's going on... well, she'll find out from someone else. she's in no rush to discover the horrors or be dragged into some sort of event. that sounds like a lot of work.

and besides, she has plenty of work here, what with the new job she's picked up at the library and all of that. it wouldn't do for her to get a new job and rush off adventuring, would it?

no, it wouldn't. so instead, Lisa can be found at the library desk, a stack of interesting and colourful books about the refugees here sat next to her and a yawn building in her throat.

mmph... it must be getting close to naptime. can she go on break yet? )

... If you're here to return something, I'll need to see your card.

( Lisa, you could at least look up when you're addressing patrons. )

— wildcard.

( wanna do something else? hit me! )

[icepatch]

What? I can't say hello to my favorite librarian~?

[As soon as he heard that Lisa had arrived, Kaeya knew he needed to find her. It was easy enough to figure out where she was even without his usual intel. He definitely wasn't here to borrow any books any time soon though, with the influx of people fleeing Kyoto and Nara, he was a bit too busy helping Diluc at the bar. But he had some rare down time and wanted to put it to good use.

He leaned his elbows on the desk, chin in hand and a grin on his face.]

[whitepierrot]

Oh. This... it's just my first time at a library like this so I don't really know where the best place to start with actually is...

[ Better being here than over where things were crazy, right? So he'd decided to venture around Tokyo until he'd made his way over to the library to check things out.

He enjoyed reading so a library sounded like a good idea. However it's set up a lot differently than the ones he's used to seeing, which even then was limited all on it's own. Life with his former master had been certainly something else to say the least, and if Allen could leave that behind and not speak of it he wouldn't. ]

Is there a particular genre you would recommend?

[ Allen was dressed in his usual outfit, which made him stand out as being much newer around here as well. ]

[notgrande]

You know I've never borrowed a book in my life.

[ At least not properly and not from a library? Has he just walked out of libraries with books before? Yes - especially if he needed them for any reason. But he's not really needed any here long term. Sometimes he comes in and does a little reading about Nippon, or entertains himself with fanfic.

Today is no different.

Except - today there is Lisa.]

I'm glad to see you in your element.

wildcard because i don't want to figure out an event timeline;

[dedicatedwinds]

[There's a lot of people in Nippon. There's no way Jean could come to know everyone there, what with more people arriving and leaving because of the uncertain nature of this place and time itself...

But she still tries to take note of everyone she passes, coming to recognize several of the faces around her. So when she one day sees a face she recognizes, that she hasn't seen in months...

She almost doesn't believe it, but she makes her way over to the familiar woman before she can lose her in the crowd.]

Lisa!

[She smiles wide and bright, glad to see the librarian.]

Jotaro Kujo | Jojo's Bizarre Adventure

[getcloser]

I. Paper Faces on Parade

[the only reason Jotaro is here is because he'd come to the west for a shopping trip. One that was supposed to be quick; some things for the apartment, because he only realizes they need something when he goes to grab it and it isn't there. And for origami paper, because the stands keep going through it and at least here, he can grab more that may last longer than a week.

He wants nothing to do with the festival, or masks, or anything, so of course that means when he tries to get back . . . well, he can't]

For fuck's sake.

[which means . . . if he's stuck here, then he has to make a stupid mask, because he ain't risking shit. The only problem with that is he has no idea what he pictures his inner self as]

II. Goodnight Stars

[seeing as he wants nothing to do with the festival, he plans to stay inside. While he thinks a lot of what happens here is bullshit, far be it from him to ignore the warnings even if it still sounds like bullshit. So he makes a mask and he stays indoors at night, and it's a good plan to avoid any of the chaos the festival brings.

Unfortunately, it's still unavoidable.

He's walking home before the activities of that night get underway when all of a sudden, he's slumped on the ground. Embarrassing, but he chalks it up to being tired and continues on his way once he pulls himself back to his feet. But it keeps happening, and he realizes that it isn't a lack of sleep but something else when, as it gets worse, Star Platinum is affected, too. Star, who appears because something is wrong, long enough to be distressed about his user not being okay before he disappears again. And he's very distressed, because he can't do anything about it.

When it starts getting bad he's MIA, but maybe you catch it happening when he still chances quick trips for food]

III. Wildcard

[maybe you catch Jotaro before the event or maybe there's something else you want to do. Feel free to hmu and we can plot! ♥]

ii-ish

[hierophany]

[ It's him, the one person who came here for the festival itself, knowing that it would be horrible and still kind of enjoying it. He's wearing his mask. He's staying inside at night. But there's a grotesque beauty to it all. As long as he does what he needs to to stay safe, he's having a good time.

And it puts him a good distance from Jotaro, which is valuable right now.

So he's minding his own business, seeing the sights, subjecting himself to being locked in a room with those paintings for the upteenth time because look, look, some of us have issues, okay? When Something Very Large scoops him up unceremoniously and, unusually, Hierophant doesn't immediately act in his defense. And then, then he's moving impossibly quickly. He realises it's Star around the same time he finds himself brought to an unfamiliar place.

An it's a moment later that he catches Hierophant hovering around Star, making an uncharacteristic amount of noise in the form of concerned whirring and beeping. ]

Lucy/Nyuu | Elfen Lied (manga ver.)

[scarredhorns]

I. This is Hell (Nyuu) | CW: violence committed by a child; child death; gore; mental trauma

[Nyuu had the misfortune of being one of the victims subjected to the pranks. She tried turning the door knob, but the door wouldn't budge. When she turned around to face the room, she jumped as the room had transformed into the interior of a train, but what really surprised her was that there were people in here now, mostly children, and she recognized some of them. Kouta, his little sister Kanae, an older man who must be their father, and... Her child self, or Lucy rather?! So Lucy had met Kouta before when they were kids?

She isn't given much time to process this new information as a horrible scene unfolds. Lucy uses her vectors to kill Kouta's sister and father, spraying the inside of the train with blood. Nyuu can't even scream at first, but child Lucy's cruel laughter fills in the silence along with Kouta's screams. This didn't make any sense...! Kouta always said that his sister died of an illness and his father in a car crash, so why--?! Is this an illusion created by her own fears, or is it one of her lost memories?

Only after Kouta tackles Lucy to the ground and begs her stop does Nyuu find her voice, letting out a blood-curdling scream with her hands holding her head as she hunches over herself. Her vectors pound at the door, creating plenty of noise but the door itself doesn't give.]

II. Dating Auction: Buying or Being Bought (Lucy or Nyuu)

[On different days, both Lucy and Nyuu find themselves as candidates up for auction, not that either of them had intended to participate at first; someone else had signed them up without their knowledge. On top of that, their horns have grown longer, much to Lucy's annoyance and Nyuu's chagrin. To Lucy, it's more of an inconvenience, but for Nyuu, she thinks they truly make her look like an oni.

Lucy stands with her head held high, doing her best to give off a menacing aura so that anyone, monsters or humanoids, who might be thinking of doing "dastardly things" to her think again. She wouldn't hesitate to beat them down. Nyuu, on the other hand, trembles as she sees some of the literal monsters in the crowd. Perhaps she locks eyes with someone she knows in the crowd, or she thinks the person looks nice enough to help her out. Either way, she silently pleads for help with her eyes.

Or perhaps it was another character who locked eyes with one of the girls, also pleading for help. Or it's someone that Nyuu cares about (or someone that Lucy cares enough about) to save from being taken by a monster. Hopefully this won't bleed their savings dry...]

III. Insatiable Appetite (DNA Voice + eventual Lucy or Nyuu)

a. Flesh & Blood | CW: cannibal cravings

[At last, the DNA Voice managed to take control of the body, but the main difference is that the eyes are completely black; not even Lucy and Nyuu's red irises are visible anymore.

Being kept under better control by Lucy had done little to curb its desire to bring harm to others (especially humans). In fact, its desire is so great that the Voice has a sudden curiosity to taste human flesh and blood. When it picks out a target, the DNA Voice follows from a distance until they're alone and away from the crowds. Even if the target discovered beforehand that they were being followed, or if it's the DNA Voice that's being hunted, it only grins malevolently, unperturbed by the hunter if that's the case.]

Yes, you'll do nicely.

b. Food

[The DNA Voice controlling Lucy and Nyuu's body can be found at a stand that sells udon, slurping the noodles down very loudly and with a ferocity as though it hadn't eaten in forever. For anyone who already knows Lucy and Nyuu, this may seem out of character for them as they didn't seem to be the types to be obnoxious eaters. If the DNA Voice catches someone staring, it at least has the decency to swallow its food before speaking (but then it just licks its lips and wipes its mouth with the back of a hand).]

What are you looking at?

c. Sex | CW: Possible dubcon at first (see plotting comment)

[Even the DNA Voice can't escape the effects of the lunar curse. However, it's never experienced such an upswing in libido before, so the big question is how to go about it? In the end, it decides to go with an upfront approach.]

It's dangerous to be alone right now. I could keep you company. [The DNA Voice even trails a hand up the other person's arm to their shoulder.]

IV. Wildcard

[Feel free to hmu if you'd like to plot or do something else! Lucy or Nyuu could also use some consolation after the big bonfire. It's also possible for the DNA Voice to become turned on by fighting.]

I

[hierophany]

[ There's something almost relaxing about being locked up with the pictures. Oh, it was dreadful the first time. It's dreadful every time. But with every time he does it, it's a little like diluting it. This isn't real. He's encountered Dio so many times, now, and only once was it ever real.

So once again he's shoved into a room, and he hears the door click behind him, and he waits for the alleyway and the smell of roses and-

-and something is wrong.

The sound is wrong, the constant rumblings of a train moving. Instead of blood and roses, the air just smells of blood. And he knows those hands. Hierophant's tendrils fly out to try to catch them, to stop them, but they just pass through. Because this isn't real. It can't hurt him, but nor can he change any of this. Instead he can just avert his eyes, because a fondness for his own horrors doesn't mean he particularly wants to watch this one.

It's the screaming, that lets him know that he isn't alone. ]

Lucy. [ Or- wait. She mentioned another name, didn't she? It's hard to remember right now, in the middle of the carnage. ] Lucy. Or- Nyuu? [ Was that it? ] It isn't real.

Nikolai Gogol | Bungo Stray Dogs

[quizpersona]

i. Paper Faces on Parade feat. the devil on your shoulder

[Gogol doesn't leave the Western Kingdom despite all the warnings, he doesn't even try to. It's because the tradition behind it all is intriguing, or so he thinks. It puts a real pep in his step truly. The idea that there are monsters who wish to refine savage cruelty into cultivated manner- to evolve away from a nature of instinctual violence. They've existed as something bad until they learned that they could be good. That's why it's so interesting.

Because in a way it is the antithesis to what he's seeking. As social creatures humans have no choice but to become entrapped in the cage that is having connections with others. This festival is simply proof that mankind is not the only form of life that struggles to assert perfect free will ...Connection and empathy, these are the glories of humanity that disrupt carefully laid plans without fail. They exist as the opposing force to the horrors of authentic freedom.

Thus Gogol, with all his cheery notes and energetic state today, is in a good mood not because of the violence that will inevitably happen. He's pleased because of what he's thinking about. What of the people who understand and sympathize with the reasons for wearing a mask? It's the right thing to do. Yet they could choose to embrace the crooked path most are trying to avoid?

It's a poetic opportunity to test the possibility of true freewill. It's for that reason he lounges, with his mask held upside down in his gloved hand, in the festival grounds. The clown is bursting at the seams with excited motivation when he reaches an open palm out to an unsuspecting time refugee. There's something more honest about his smile this time.]

Come discard your humanity with me.

ii. Wereyokai (cw: a lil bodyhorror)

[It's a tenuous thing but he's lucid- well it depends on one's definition of lucid. But what can be said in full confidence is that knowing exactly what will happen Gogol looks directly at the sky for the fun of it.

The tragic thing about it is that the Tengu Yokai, at least for the ones that exist few and far between, all have a disposition that can be aptly described as serious. The corruption of personality manifests itself as being at odds with how Gogol appears to usually present himself. His perspective on everything shifts before he can blink, leaving him to reel in the face of another more obvious problem.

The wings. Those are a serious problem as well. The glistening red on his newly dark clawed nails corroborate the painful tracks in his sides. Must have been a way to cope with such a sudden transformation. That hurts enough. But in comparison his shoulder blades are in agony. It really starts to paint a picture when the majority of the top half of his attire is missing and he's got his own bloodied shirt thrown over his bare shoulder. It would be more concerning to be standing out in the middle of the street like that if he didn't know for a fact that other people have gone off the deep end in droves.]

It's a literal interpretation of what I'd like most. [Nikolai interweaves his hands together in thought and casts his gaze towards the sky.]

That's very inconvenient.

[It's the most deadpan he's ever been.]

iii. Dangerous Dating

[It's not his usual style, that's for sure, but he locates a backless shirt to go out in without continuing to be shirtless. While the form he took sure was an accident, but the fact that Gogol ends up inconspicuously blending in with those Tengu guards is not. That is until anyone looks close enough to realize he resembles the Hanyo more than a full Yokai- but who is keeping tabs on that?

Certainly not like how he's keeping tabs on a Yokai he knows for a fact has been doing terrible things to their dates each night. What's more is that watching it happen again and again after finally piecing it together has gotten real boring.]

You there, I'll give you some distressing information. You won't want to go with that one.

[So tonight, following a bid from the Yokai in question, Gogol makes eye contact with the dating auction's candidate and pipes up suddenly.]

I could make a larger bid or I could just kill them instead. Your thoughts?

iv. Wildcard
[Want something else? Come plot with me here. Gogol won't have access to that nifty space manipulation ability in the second prompt.]

iii

[lyingstars]

[The entire reason Scaramouche found himself going outside nightly had been to revel in fights and bloodshed, not to partake in whatever foolish festivities were going on. Most certainly not to participate in the date action, which before this night he hadn't even been aware of. The concept is laughably desperate, yet he's found himself roped into it.

Pushed into taking part by some yokai physically capable of just picking him up like he weighed nothing. And considering how minor his own transformation was, there likely was little difference in his weight compared to what it was normally - honestly it was likely all just added weight from his incredibly long hair than anything else. An oni, far closer resembling some of those from his own world than the ones here, skin still pale and build still slight and fragile looking that even the horns didn't make him look dangerous. Deadly power in an unassuming package.

The Harbinger would have cut into the idiot had he not been pushed onto the stage and bidding already started. He considers doing so anyway but the thought is cut off by one of the guards is speaking to him, voice familiar. His gaze turns and almost instantly a devious grin spreads across his face.]

Mm I'm not one to shy away from bloodshed, but surprise me.

Kuro | Servamp

[neetvampire]

I. A Celebration of Darkness
[Kuro normally doesn't mind staying indoors much. He's a self proclaimed shut-in, likes to stay inside, likes to sleep in. He was perfectly content staying inside and doing his own thing.

Unfortunately for Kuro, he's rather uniquely not suited for a nighttime curfew. Mainly in that on the average day, he's incapable of maintaining a human-shaped form during the daylight unless indoors or in the shade. Which means... well, he's going to run out of food, sooner rather than later.

So he opts for a time-honored and well-tested tactic: mooching.

There's a rather clever, small black cat wandering around during the daylight hours, most specifically approaching anyone with food or near a food vendor with a sweet, plaintive 'mew'. Wide kitty eyes and it's diminutive size adds to the adorable image of an adolescent cat or kitten, hungry or seeking affection. If ignored, he might even jump up on a table next to someone, continuing the cute act.

Please spoil him. He's starving.]

II. Monster Mash
[However, two weeks is a long time to try to stick to the curfew when he's naturally nocturnal. After about four or five days, Kuro makes a mistake. He can feel the suppressing power of the sun fade as it dips beneath the horizon, and he's far from where he's staying. He glances at the sky nervously as he tries to get home, but there's no place convenient to transform privately for extra speed.

Surely it wouldn't affect him? He was a vampire after all--

Unfortunately, that desperate wish is useless.

It's the cravings that hit him hardest first. So much so that he barely notices he's returned to his regular form, fingers coming up to grip at his chest. Everything feels hot...]

III. Wereyokai - possible smut, vampirism, seduction
[After that, Kuro can be found out at night.

His usual features have changed just a little, but the biggest change is his demeanor.

Maybe it's in a bar, in a darkened corner. Maybe it's somewhere out on the streets where the amorous mingle. He reaches out to grasp someone's hand, looking up at them from beneath his lashes. His kimono hangs loose, barely clinging to his shoulders, a generous amount of pale skin bared to draw the eye.]

You look like you could use some company.

IV. Consuming darkness - Violence, vampirism, possible dubcon
[In the last few days of the month, things take a decidedly worse turn as the corruption grows further. The cravings are too intense, and unfortunately, night is his natural habitat.

His natural hunting ground.

It's all too easy to fall back into the subconscious instinct ingrained in his body. Without the light of the moon, it's far too easy to stick to the darkness at the corner of streets, alleyways, bars or shops. Somehow he blends in like he was made of darkness itself, and it helps that the chaos in the streets makes for a good distraction.

After nearly two weeks of locals and refugees alike going wild, some might notice the feeling of being followed, being watched. Some might not realize until it's too late.

Perhaps it's just a hand reaching out to tug someone into the darkness of a side street, slamming them into a wall with inhuman strength, shadows clinging to his form like a second skin. Perhaps it's Kuro coming up behind someone to grab them instead, grip like iron.]

[OOC: feel free to plot with me here!. As a note, Kuro is only sexually interested in men, but all other prompts are open to non-sexual acts.]

I - Celebration of MOOCHING

[notbert]

[Having a semi-permanent gang of arukibake hanging around most of the time brings up some interesting questions.

Do they eat, for instance. Elidibus doesn't really think so but there's a point during one of his lunches that he orders a little extra just to see if there's an interest. The masked and robed Ascian sets a single tray of takoyaki before the two- themselves having somehow managed to get red leaves and petals to stick over their eyes like a mask to match their chosen person- who have settled in a seat on a chair beside his own.

It's an outdoor table, so easy to approach, watch or jump up on when Elidibus does not immediately turn toward the plaintive cry of a starving kitty.

The ghost-walkers have watched Elidibus eating. They understand the concept but their nourishment comes from elsewhere. Perhaps their fellow simply wants to give them the chance to copy him further. Thus effort is made. One leggy tip tries to wrap around the small serving utensil that comes with the breaded spheres. But prehensile it is not. Therefore, the second leg- this time causing the ayakashi to tip back- is brought to bear. Both limbs together succeed in lifting the utensil! Success!

Completely missing the fact that one needs several more steps to go, the others of the pack seem to congratulate the first for lifting the serving stick.

About this time, Elidibus's attention is brought to the cat that just hopped on his table. He studies Kuro for a moment, eyes hidden pretty well behind the slits of the mask. Then he speaks.]

Was there something you needed?

Xingqiu | Genshin Impact

[evilsoother]

Tokyo

Shinjuku

[Xingqiu was very much a curator of books. But without the backing of his family, he had virtually no way to get all the books he wanted! Which, being everything in Nippon was brand new to him, was everything. So, he was going to have to plan accordingly. He already used his vouchers for the free clothes. Three free outfits at any store? Perfect! While it would likely never match the quality of his usual garb, Xingqiu wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth as he recognized generosity where he saw it. Housing was also free and the stipend he received was for food only. That meant he needed to secure a job if he wanted the extra spending cash for the books he was so clearly craving!

Not that he didn't settle for getting a library card in the interim, because a library was just as important as a bookstore. He just really adored owning books.

Xingqiu walked all around looking for any and all bookstores to apply to. He walked out of Awanokuniya, the last stop of his pseudo-book tour and promptly sat down hard on the sidewalk. His legs ached from all the walking and his face was a little red from what he saw in that particular bookstore. While it was not unlike what he saw at the library when he met with Aether earlier this month, this place was... well, let's just say he thought what he found at the library was explicit already! Xingqiu wasn't exactly immune to what he saw either, it was just easier to ignore when he had a target (like Aether).]

Oh my... just what has everyone been up to for the natives to have such imaginations for them?

[Was it bad that wanted to purchases some of the series as well? Certainly the ones with the traveler first. Will he end up on the shelves? What if Chongyun arrived and saw? Or Hu Tao?! Ah, no use worrying about it now. He stretched his legs with a groan, rolling his ankles. It was starting to get chilly, perhaps he should forgot the shorts from here on out.]

Wildcard

[Xingqiu only just arrived, so he never left Tokyo. I'm down for anything else as well! Reacting to the stars and the moon disappearing, getting into shenanigans in the other districts, whatever! mossflower#4962 or mossflowered]

[whitepierrot]

[ Things in the West had gotten pretty... wild, to say the least.

He had missed the train back, then got caught up in helping people there and consequently involved in his own chaotic mess. One he refused to think about. It'd been the tipping point and despite his insistence he'd not use it again back home, since the damned ark had somehow shown up with him?

Allen needed an out and opened up a gateway, ventured through the ark and opened another gateway in an alley within Tokyo. Soon as he exited, caused the gateways to consequently close so nobody else would be able to use them and then headed out into the street. The presence of light was very much welcomed and he sighed in relief as he walked forwards, blinking when he caught sight of a familiar face sitting on the sidewalk. ]

...It seems to me two people could exist from the same world and the natives make their own unusual assumptions.

[ Okay so he'd been assuming that the other boy was talking about those questionable books. Something he hated thinking about in every stretch of the word because um, wow. ]

I wish they'd be a little less... creative with them...

Elidibus | Final Fantasy XIV

[notbert]

1. Sakumi Festival - 10/15 - 10/23


a. The Grounds [Wildcard] - Nara

In the daytime hours of the Sakumi Festival, a hooded figure robed in white wanders the grounds designated as 'safe' from the fickle tempraments of the yokai. His mask- a red half style covering his eyes and nose- seems simple but there is no doubting it was not a piece hastily put together from the offerings over the last month. He may be considered a distinctive enough sight as he's seen daily in his wanderings, though none would have seen him before the thirteenth of the month.

Elidibus is quite new to Nippon.

But apparently he's become known to the citizens of Nara. He and what appear to be a permanent detachment of the arukibake though far less than the crowd he'd first appeared with. The Ascian had put some time in, and still does, toward minimizing the impact such a sight had on the populace. Speaking with some, sharing a meal with others. Talking and learning of their local customs and ways. Most importantly setting boundaries. As Elidibus learned of their culture, the people of Nara learned when and how to approach the robed figure and accepted his limits favorably because he was willing to give just the right amount of reception in return. All was thus kept balanced.

The particular ghost-walkers who still accompany Elidibus- the ones most static in their present around him and therefore solid- have some form of red splash of color over their eyes. A crimson leaf fallen from a tree, a particularly vibrant petal or even a bit of makeup or paint that some passerby had helped the armless ayakashi adorn. All to match the man they follow in a symbol solidarity. Elidibus appears to be oblivious to their presence if one were to solely trust his demeanor. But even those leggy bois which have the stubbiest of legs seem able to keep up with the Ascian's pace without too much trouble; timely pauses to observe the crowd or taking up a conversation. None of the little creatures have to worry about lagging behind.


b. Paper Faces

While Elidibus had a mask of his own and no need to make one, it's not as if he couldn't have been roped into helping someone else who waited until the last minute to construct a piece. Perhaps he holds the mask still so a finicky detail can be finished without risk of shifting the entire piece.

Or at another time, he could be convinced to be the one adding a detail. Delicate lines painted in place for a person worried enough to have donned the mask for security and only after realized it was difficult to put the appropriate decorations on. There is a mirror nearby, toward which he waves after this particular touch.

"Would this suffice?"


c. sake to shokuji suru

Not all of Nara's residents have been completely altruistic. Elidibus has been the subject of a number of tactics from children and adults alike to try and unmask him. Or at the very least get his hood pulled down. After all, you put a man completely covered from head to toe in a town known for mischeivous pranksters and during a festival dedicated to what they once really were and he's going to be the target of intense curiosity.

The current effort is a gaggle of young yokai in masks plying him with food and drink. Sake in particular, spiked with inhibition lowering powders. Which though the robed man drinks does not appear to be effective, much to the trio's chagrin. A discreet bit of spellwork is either nullifying the contents of the beverage or simply annulling whatever Elidibus imbibes, including the purely alcoholic side-effects.

Perhaps seek to rescue the man before the yokai get impatient; or aid the trio in their aim, for if you've been watching they've certainly been at it a while and not just with the wine and dine routine.

Unfortunately for them, it seems the Ascian is more than a match for their tactics.



2. Goodbye, Starry Sky - 10/24 Onward

a. A Fading Constellation

Elidibus has been feeling weakened since his arrival. And thus he rested inasmuch as the local environment has allowed, resting and waiting to recover from the events which occurred before his arrival to Nippon. 'Rest', inasmuch as going to sleep for a few centuries as his kind sometimes did (or would like to do), did not seem to be an option.

So when weakness overcame him on the first night, he wasn't entirely sure if something was truly amiss or this was just a result of his exertions in keeping out of trouble- or helping others get out of trouble- while amongst the yokai of the West and their festival. Yet retreating to shelter and sleep and food does not help and word would no doubt come quickly over the network about the fading refugees.

The Ancient race saw much in the stars. Their very world but also their most important seats of governance were likened to constellations which would guide their people. Perhaps it was symbolic, yet Elidibus's people put belief and thought into literal creation. And Elidibus held the seat of the Emissary.

Besides, there were other, no less important connections the Ascian had.

One of the more earthly, at least as far as Nippon was concerned, give cause for Elidibus to rise from his rest and seek out Emet-Selch. Instinct? Yes in a way, but also concern that the other Ascian would be fading just as he was. They had lost track of one another over the past few days. But it was time to get in touch again, before the weakness managed to overcome the sheer amount of willpower he could stubbornly bring to bear. Which was considerable indeed but also particularly finite these days, between the circumstances of his arrival and already exhausted.

To find Emet-Selch may take some time however. There is a festival going on and he can't risk much for concern that it will exhaust him any further. Perhaps you encounter him as he's resting quietly, a gentle edge of transparency encroaching on the white robed figure settled on an out of the way bench.

Or as he walks at a sedate pace, quick eyes scanning for signs of his fellow Ascian under a mask that hides the urgency written in his features.


b. Stars In Our Dreams

[OOC: The choice of this prompt will depend on whether events halted him from fading or not. If he fades, he will appear in dreams, if he doesn't, he is receptive to dreaming of faded people. They do not have prompts, as I figured each dream would be a little different for interested parties! Anyway, this will be available after I figure out if he fades or not through other tags!]

path i >Faded

path ii >Did Not Fade

The Grounds (Nyuu)

[scarredhorns]

The mask that Nyuu crafted earlier in the month seemed to be having an ocean theme going on. She'd been wandering around the festival grounds as well, wondering if she should buy anything on sale to take back to her Nihonbashi apartment as a souvenir, when she noticed Elidibus, or rather--the arukibake accompanying him.

"Aha~ Don't you all look adorable with your masks!" she exclaims, coming closer to get a better look at the leggy ghosts' masks. Her eyes are soon drawn to the man they're following. "Did you make these for them?" she asks, "I mean, their masks look similar to yours, so I figured you were the one they're following around."

Scaramouche | Genshin Impact

[lyingstars]

I. WEREYOKAI: SEEKING FUN AND SELF DEFENSE

[When the warnings come to leave the West, Scaramouche pays them little mind, he has magic to be learning and none of that can be done in the East. He has no doubts in his abilities, if anything goes wrong he can take care of himself, much like he had been doing for his entire life. Besides it wasn't like he wouldn't be able to get back over to the East once he finished his training for the day - except that was exactly what it meant.

The Harbinger finds he's stuck in the West and unable to return to the East - at least for now - meaning he has more time to study, not all that interested in participating in more of the festival. He'd partaken enough during the previous week as a way to relax, now was hardly the time to continue to distract himself from what was more valuable. So he studies, and when night falls and he decides to stretch his legs? He goes outside, ignoring the need for a mask. He hadn't brought his hat with him, hadn't made a mask - his own mask was on his hat why would he need another - but what was the worst that could happen?

It turns out he's not immune to the effects of the sky, though his transformation is thankfully something minor. An oni of sorts, not much of himself changing physically - just long protruding red horns, a red ring around the pupils of his eyes, fangs, and hair nearly as long as he was tall. If ever there was doubt he was related to the Electro Archon, the new hairstyle alone answers that with ease with the long purple streaks being significantly more visible. While in terms of personality changes nothing seems to shift too drastically, save for a much stronger lust for blood, be him the one to cause it or merely bask in that already spilled.

Due to this there are two places where one might find him throughout the night, picking fights with yokai who seem easy to rile up and thus satiating his need for blood as best he can. Or once he's satisfied himself enough, finding a suitably quiet roof to lounge upon, lick the blood from his hands, and stare at the sky he very much should not be looking at.]

II. GOODNIGHT STARS: PLAYING THIS DANGEROUS GAME

[The final week of the festival hits the hardest when the stars begin to disappear, leaving Scaramouche feeling somehow exhausted and dizzy. He wonders if he's over exerted himself picking fights just in search of a little blood, but it seems unlikely. Fighting has never caused him issue in the past, even if he was far more selective on where and when such things happened. Even his transformation had not been overly stressful on his body, as far as he believes.

But he is no expert on whatever the festival is doing to him, nor does he have the mind to concern himself with whys when he still finds himself wanting to draw blood.

Not every decision he makes is a winner, finding himself picking a fight with the first yokai he sees, only to then feel weak in the middle of it. Something he forces himself to push past, fully confident in himself that he can get what he wants out of this without repercussion. Perhaps he would have, had his vision not started to blank before he collapses to the ground.

Help.]

III. WILDCARD

[ Desire other things? Lemme know or do whatever. Plotting post is here. Alternatively smack me on twasbrillig or disco. ]

II for Chaos

[brilliantdiamond]

[Aether was the sort who was prone to helping a stranger in need, but even he had his limits. He hears the familiar voice of a certain Fatui Harbinger and has no immediate interest in offering a hand. Besides-- he's a Harbinger, he can handle himself, right?]

[But when Scaramouche collapses, and Aether hears the Yokai laughing about how easy this "snack" was to find, his conscience just won't let him ignore that. Sword drawn, it doesn't take much to make the Yokai back off -- though even he wouldn't be able to explain why the first thing that pops into his head to say is--] This one is mine, back off!

[He might be a little hungry still. But it's fine -- he can control himself!! Kinda. Sorta. Okay, not really. The slowly disappearing stars have made him feel a bit strange as of late...]

[Which is why, when he goes to try and lift Scaramouche to carry him to safety, he instead finds himself staring down at him with bright red eyes, a hand tracing down from his chin to his neck, as he grapples with what little self-control he still has.]

...hey. Are you awake?

Mettaton | Undertale

[glitzandglamour]

1. MONSTER MASH — wereyokai {{ cw: possible body horror impending }}

Remain indoors, lest we're possessed with "erratic behavior," is that right...?

[All seven feet of Mettaton recline too comfortably upon a chair indoors, his long legs crossed and device propped up before him. It's one of the first nights for certain, before Mettaton's caught wind of the truth of these purported dangers.

Heaving a sigh, he shuts off his magi-comm and slips it away, glancing outside. The sound of festivities continues on strong... or perhaps stronger than before, the party raging on into the night, thanks to the spirited yokai who inhabit the Western Kingdom. Longingly, he tucks his hands between his knees and rolls his eye.]

... Say! Darling.

[So you thought you were off to your room. Or perhaps you were just passing by, lounging nearby, or something like that. Mettaton regards his accosted company brightly.]

If I'm not a human... [As he is very much not. Mettaton is a robot.] Do you think I'm safe to disregard the curfew?? Why is it only humans, you think?

[[ooc: this is a "let's do some fun transformations" prompt! so please feel free to use this if you wanna explore some of the fun involved with your character's transformation, painful or otherwise. I'm cool with all of the nitty-grittiness of monsters & transformations and the like.

As a note, Mettaton will be transforming into a rabbit-like monster like a dark-furred puca, built onto his NEO design. Ears, fur, tail, shapeshifting abilities, with optional high libido/thirst for blood.]]

2. MONSTER MASH — dangerous dating {{ cw: possible dubcon/noncon implications }}

[There's nothing to eat off of the bones of the next auctioned date prospect, as Mettaton is herded into the front of a crowd of yokai. Donning a lacy mask of blacks and pinks that barely conceals his flashy features at all, he's a robotic humanoid before a mess of monsters and demons, all of whom appraise him as the starting bid rolls out.

Yes... without introduction. Mettaton's given a price, and the crowd begins to analyze his use. What good is this thing? some muse. Others are more adventurous, curious about the strange "object" they see before them. Pay up and find out, others cackle, wondering what sorts of potential the mechanical man has for their devices. A bid is placed, and then another.

One thing's for sure: their intention is not to eat this refugee.

And yet somehow, Mettaton remains totally composed before the hungry, roving eyes of his audience, tapping his foot and sneering at the lack of any formal introduction.]

Tsk. How rude. The least you could do is outline my romantic qualities. Such as my sensual voice, or my lovely legs, [Which he strokes with a hand;] or my voluptuous hips, [Which he also caresses, moving from leg to hips;] or... ...

[Mettaton is far more hung up on his lack of flashy introduction than he is on his fate as a toy for yokai. He might need a bit of help out of this one... but it looks like he signed himself up. So maybe not??]

3. CONSUMING DARKNESS — goodnight stars

[Standing alone on the outskirts of the festival is a figure so dark, so faded that he nearly blends into the shadows. Covered in patches of dark fur and with tall rabbit-like ears, complete with strange, pointed wings with luminous, pointed feathers, he's a real chimera of parts. Which is fitting for a robot, fitting for a monster who became a robot, and one who became something else entirely, too.

But here, he fades. He stands in front of a closed shop, staring into the glass as his body begins to fade into the night, becoming nearly ghost-like in appearance. Mettaton is so horrified at his own reflection that he doesn't notice anybody watching him nearby.

But at the slightest impression of sound, Mettaton gets on the defensive. The beast of a robot snarls, backing against the window and even cracking it with his metal wing, clearly distressed at the prospect of someone being nearby. His eyes are bright and golden, nearly glowing in the night despite his fading body.]

You can't...

[... His steps are pitifully stumbling, faltering, weak. His ankle rolls, heels unsteady on the walkway. The only hints of him in the dark if one isn't focusing on him are the pinkish glow of his wings and the bright gold of his eye, wary and unfocused.]

0. WILDCARD

[[ooc: pls feel free to get in touch via MTT's plotting comment, or catch me on Plurk @ smaaaaash, etc! Or just throw a prompt at me, or ask for a unique prompt, and I'll roll with it.]]

3

[unsundered]

[Had Emet-Selch wondered what had become of his former Bonded (former... any number of things, all important, all dear) as this festival of truth and blood progressed? It had crossed his mind, just as thoughts (and increasingly insistent memories) of him had plagued him, in any unguarded moment. But he hadn't searched for him. During the day he hadn't come across Mettaton, and during the night--

Of course the Ascian gone out, maskless and insolent, dismissive of the warnings, assuming that he wouldn't be affected. And every night since he'd continued, and though he recognized it as a compulsion, that he was just as influenced as anyone else so reckless- he couldn't find it in himself to resent it. Even when the agitation at sunset grew progressively worse, as he waited and waited for light to fade and for the blessed night to ensue, a relief from restlessness and concern alike. Each time it was a quicker process to let go of everything that was troubling him, everything that grieved him, or to at least find easy diversion from it. There was a peace in this madness, and though it would be too far, perhaps, to say that he enjoyed it--

It wasn't unpleasant. Even when his body was forced to transform, as though this poor host of his had become trapped between the other shapes he could assume, Emet-Selch didn't mind. The large, crystal-studded, deformed wings felt natural as anything; the masks that used to be embedded in them are missing, though the cavities where they had been remain. On closer inspection, the spaces are... wet, the leathery-like skin underneath raw, as though they'd been ripped out. (He doesn't remember how it happened. But what need was there for masks on nights like these?)

His arms had become discolored, more heavily towards his wrists, bearing sharpened nails that are closer to talons than anything human. Around the edges of the Ascian's altered form, a strange translucence had begun... something new to these nights, but apart from the occasional flashes of weakness, he didn't care about it.

No path in mind, Emet-Selch stalked the edges of the festival, aware of an increasing sort of hunger as he comes across a robot looking more ghostly than ever.

Even transformed, even mostly faded, even in the staticy distractability of his own mind, Emet-Selch had no hesitation when it came to recognizing Mettaton. His soul was known to him, and even if it was fading out like the rest, it was still there. And the black fur, long ears, an eye brilliant in its gold (an unnatural glow in the dark, when he could see nothing else through the haze--), yes... what could be more Mettaton than that?

This was the robot, the puca that he remembered. That he sometimes remembered... his memories as a whole flitted in and out of relevance, but when the dark was all around him, what did that matter? Even the stars had given up, something deeper than cloudcover having wiped out all light from the sky, but this was all as it should be.

Though his footsteps carried little sound, his wings- one crystalline structure dragged across the street with a sharp scratch, and Mettaton reacted with a flurry, defensive and animalistic, and the Ascian nearly laughs, his own gaze similarly bright in the dark. The aggression, the sound of metal on glass has his own wings shudder, the leathery ribbons that attach to them (and somehow, into his back as well) lashing once, as if reacting to a potential threat. Or just in excitement. Why had he been so reluctant to find Mettaton in the first place? He couldn't recall, not when he was right in front of him.

It doesn't stop his approach, on slow steps, letting the edge of one wing score marks into the street as he walks towards him. His voice, when he speaks, carries a slight echo to it, an odd reverberation.]

Now there's a nostalgic sight.

[Of course, it was a bit different from what he could remember, the glowing wings an unfamiliar addition. And the fading... it was hard to miss, even if it ironically made the robot an easy thing to miss, if one wasn't attuned to him. And that disturbed, on a night when he didn't want to be disturbed, and his ribbons twitch again.]

You can't claim it doesn't suit you.

[The fur and ears, the wings, the beastly response to his approach... the spectral quality too. The Ascian makes no distinction. And in his heart he loved it all.]

Kiriho | OC

[royaladvice]

[Permissions & Optouts | Kizuna Effects | Character Profile
Note: Kiriho is pansexual, so m/f/non-binary, anything is ok! Please note age, as he is 28. For romance/smut, character needs to look/act 20 or over. Otherwise, they can be buddies and have a non-romantic/non-sexual interaction.]

1. Hare-raising Transformation
(platonic)
[ Kiriho wasn’t careful to heed any rules in the Western Kingdom. Oh, he made a mask for himself, yes, but didn’t make sure to always wear it, and he refused to go home at dark. Now he is reaping the consequences of not doing as he was told. With his seer’s tools in a bag slung over one shoulder and carrying his hide boots, Kiriho walks home to his lodging at the inn with a sullen expression, with two long, silky-soft brown rabbit ears with black tips atop his head, his human ears completely gone. His nose is now velvety and leoporine, and twitching in a way that signals how restless and alert he feels. Kiriho’s hands have turned into padded rabbit paws, with thick tufts of baby-soft brown fur that end in sharp scythe-shaped claws that shimmer like labradorite. His eyes are brighter red than usual, luminous in the darkness. Four falcon wings-- two large on the top at the shoulder blade, and a smaller pair below that-- with mottled gold, brown, and cream-colored feathers have sprouted out of his back, leaving gaping tears through the back of his kimono. The wings are pretty, but he doesn't seem to be able to control them, because the right top one is slow unfolding and folding as if on its own. The left bottom wing flicks every now and then, as if trying to swish away a pesky fly. One look at his feet answers the question of why he isn't wearing the boots, for his feet are now an eagle’s, with long, cruel talons.

This is a creature his people the Kii believe in, a tuoho. It is a type of vampiric rabbit monster that is based on the Tibetan woolly hare and the golden eagle. The tuoho relates to the Ya, one of three soul-genders in his culture. It is said to crave drinking blood and be highly sexual. A tuoho is unpredictable and is a symbol of dominance, as they handle partners roughly during courtship. In tales told about the tuoho, it might pleasure a human partner for days on end, enjoying drawing climaxes out of them until the human reaches exhaustion or death by orgasm, or it might slay a victim and present the remains as a trophy to a different partner. A tuoho can be benevolent, too-- they can be asked to deflect evil magic or fight off liars and manipulators. It represents virility, cunning, and protection. He has transformed, but hasn’t been fully taken by the lunar curse yet. Unfortunately, he will definitely be staring at the sky later on.

To someone like Kiriho, this transformation is embarrassing. He knows that nobody knows or cares what the cultural meaning of a tuoho is, but he can't shake the feeling of having some of his inner sexual struggle being a bit exposed by fate. He wants to get home now, because the fluffy little rabbit tail inside his hakama isn't getting any less fluffy and he'd very much like to keep that concealed, thank you.

If anyone so much as glances at Kiriho as he walks by, his long ears swivel in their direction. He scowls and puffs up his chest, drawing himself up to look taller than his diminutive stature. His nose twitches adorably, which ruins the intimidating effect he is trying to have. ]

What’re you lookin’ at, ah? Got something you wanna say? Quit starin’!

2. Dating, a Pain in the Neck
(male/female/nonbinary characters okay! Platonic is okay! NSFW/spicy things possible. CW: vampirism, D/s dynamics, first time)
[ As his best friend and queen Akaposi’s seer and spiritual bond, Kiriho has always been raised in an isolated state of ritual purity, all 28 years of his life. He has, at most, experienced hugging Akaposi and holding her hand. After all, she was his best friend. He’s only rarely experienced physical touch, and never outside his tribal duties of healing, palmistry, and comforting them when they are upset. He knows all of the lore and information passed on by his tribe about sex, he knows the particulars of what to do and how to do it, just… never had the opportunity before arrival in Nippon. He’d never wanted to risk Akaposi’s spiritual safety, and in turn that of the whole tribe, by engaging in relations with anyone.

But… they told him that all of his people were dead. That reason, he knows, no longer can be used as an excuse to refrain.

But now, after the long hours he has spent gazing at the night sky trying to read his stars, the transformation to a vampiric rabbit yokai is wearing his self-control thin. He is restless and bored and hungry, and that is why he signed up to be in the date auction. He did request that the auctioneer mention that he needs to drink blood in the advertisement, full disclosure, right? Maybe, he hopes, somehow, he can put the seething to rest. He doesn’t know much about the specifics of how he will do it, but, he cannot resist the urge to try.

Kiriho's body is part tuoho now, and though it is a lucid transformation, he can feel that he has heightened needs for touch and asserting power over others. His body now craves those. It’s impossible for him to resist. He needs to drink blood, he feels it in his mouth as he salivates anytime he is near another person. He needs to taste their life energy and their unique chemistry on his tongue and savor it as he swallows. He wants to pull them close, feel hot skin against his, he longs to rake with his long claws and bite and fight until it is clear he has control. His paws seem to have a mind of their own, and they keep thinking about wrapping around a soft neck and pushing on the arteries just so, the way his people tell about doing in the heat of the moment.

His usual pecadilloes won’t do anymore, he can’t just go into a trance, check out of his body, ignore shit and pretend it isn’t an issue. It is an inexorable pulse coming from his rapidly beating heart, one giving an order that he cannot push aside. He needs blood and heat and pressure and fight and force, more and more by the passing minute.

Now, the date auction is over and Kiriho is being led to the person who has bought a date with him. He is wearing an exquisite and ornate kimono in gold brocade, adorned with spectacular floral designs in orange, red, and cream. Over the top of this he is wearing deep gold hakama with a subtle geometric floral design and a few gathered obi tied around his waist in green, red, and gold that make a decorative knot at his left hip where he carries his priest's knife. The effect of this clothing is one of allure and beauty that sets off his fine collarbones delicate facial features, but with the bold colors and the way he carries his shoulders and arms he still retains a certain look of strength and power.

As the bid winner for the night nears with the auctioneer, Kiriho can't help but feel a bit of trepidation over putting himself up for auction. Why did he do this? What if they don't like him? What if they think he's a failure? What if he doesn't do well? What if Kiriho’s inexperience shows? Quickly, to cover this moment of worry, he cocks one hip to the side and flexes his paw-like hands, brandishing his long claws so that the winner has a clear view of how sharp they are. ]

All right. You won the privilege of being escorted by me for the evening. I want some blood, that's part of the deal, but, this doesn’t have to be anything like, you know… a big deal. We can just go grab a drink together, or we can just hang out and shoot the shit if you want to. But if you want to back out, no hurt feelings, now’s the time.

[ Kiriho says this haughtily, not bothering to make eye contact in order to assert himself. He glances to the side and inspects his claws, the red eyeliner delicately painted at the corners of his eyes catching the lantern light. ]

3. In Dreams
(Platonic OK, NSFW/spicy things possible.)
[ Well, the stars and moon disappeared from the sky, and Kiriho did too. One night, you lay down to sleep and when your mind floats off to dreamland, there’s this incredibly grouchy-looking face glaring at you, rabbit nose right up against yours. He prods your chest with one tufted paw. If you don’t wake up, he’ll poke with the claws. ]

Hey. Hey, lazy. Open your eyes!

4. WILDCARD!
Have something else in mind or need a custom prompt? Try here for TDM prompts, go wildcard, or to contact me on Discord, Shiru #9324 (preferred method) or by PMing this account.

3. In Dreams

[notbert]

I'm aware of your presence.

[Apparently the man in question isn't asleep. But that was difficult to tell with the red mask and white robes and how he lay prone in the grass on a beautifully clear day. The location itself is featureless enough to make it unclear just where they might be; the world of Gaia, Elidibus's world, maybe even Kiriho's.

Unless the grass isn't green and the sky isn't blue there.

The robed man seems adaptable to this lucid dream, though maybe the possibility isn't surprising to a seer. The dream on the other hand will shift as Elidibus slowly sits up, then starts seeking to get to his feet provided the visitor will let him.

Darkness and a starry sky. The surface silver-gray and dusty without signs of vegetation or other life. Not featureless; there are cliffs and rocks in the distance. Hints of some man-made elements. And then there is the most prominent feature of the sky itself; a brillant blue planet.]

Is it purpose or happenstance that brings you to my dreams?

[Elidibus also seems to be aware Kiriho is no figment of them.]

Korollan/"Koro" | Original

[infernaltouch]

The Hell I Create

[Yet another victim of the serial pranks performed by some very troubled kids, at this point. Koro finds himself into a room, soon surrounded by visions of his home.

Hell itself.

Anyone else would scream in horror as they witness horrific nightmares and tortures beyond their comprehension. But it's what Koro has called home for thousands of years.

But he isn't calm and relaxed. Rather, he stays still, frozen in anguish, as he's surrounded by wicked souls twisted in agony. The warped, pained faces drill into his mind and into his gut, and he stares silently, tears rolling down his cheeks, as he's forced to witness the one thing he hates the most. Humans in pain.]

No...please...

[Koro isnt sure who he's begging. God? The Devil? But he begs, slowly shaking his head as some of the souls slowly transform into the friends he has met in his life, some here in Nippon. It's enough to make him weak in his knees and collapse onto all fours, to watch his friends mutilated by the demons around him who he, too, had counted as friends.]

All I ever did...was my duty. I only ever punished the wicked...I never harmed the innocent...why is this happening to me? Why do I deserve this?
---

[ooc: sexy nightmare visuals not necessary. In fact I'd prefer discussion first if you want that.]

The Monster I Become

[In the dead of night, unsettling sounds can be heard in the distance. It sounds like weeping and wailing, but way too low to be made by any human. No, rather it sounds much more monstrous. Demonic.

Should one be courageous enough to follow the weeping, they'll eventually find themselves deep in an alleyway, where the noise will come from a shadow in the corner, hiding behind some barrels. Based on the sounds, it seem to be upset.

It hears.

It notices.

It begs in a terrifying, demonic voice.]

No! Don't come any closer... don't look at me! DON'T LOOK AT ME!
---

[ooc: unless your character is special in a specific regard, they should not recognize the shadow/monster as Koro. But hey, Koro's debut as his true form! I attempted some doodles for a basic gist of how his demon form looks. Warming, they are pretty unsettling, even if drawn by some who has no experience in drawing. front view side view. I'm sharing these images here so I don't have to post them on every reply.]

The Wild I Card

[ooc: hmu of you have any other ideas!]

The monster I become

[fallendragon]

[Arrakis never could prioritize his own safety and when Altair was distracted, he ran outside to help. He knew it was dangerous but as long as he wore his mask he would be fine and it was worth the risk.

When he heard the strange mix of wails and weeping, he hesitantly followed it. They sounded upset. He flinched slightly at Koro's demonic voice but they way he begged for him not to look was stronger and he stopped like he asked, quickly closing his eyes.]

It's okay. I won't look. I promise.

[Arrakis tilted the mask to reveal one closed eye to show Koro he was telling the truth. Hopefully that didn't count as taking off his mask. Arrakis's birdlike mask seemed to shift between two designs depending on what angle you looked at it. One was a flying songbird, the other was a dragon made of mist.

A small gust of wind circled around Arrakis and he carefully used the wind to feel the way in front of him as he blindly stepped closer. The dark was more frightening then the demonic voice but he squeezed his eyes shut tighter, determined to keep his promise. Arrakis was careful not to let his fear into his tone as he calmly called out to person he couldn't see.]

Are you alright?

Fanerel Zesmir | Original

[lifemirror]

1. Wereyokai

a) the first transformation; cw: violence
[just stay indoors. that's all she had to do. just stay indoors, keep away from the moonlight, don't wander about.

but fanerel is an adventurer to the core. even before her misfortunes, she'd never been able to avoid conflict, never been able to ignore the sound of pain and suffering somewhere out in the world. more still, there are just... things needed. and remembering a mask when you're simply not used to them? absurd.

the first step outside fills her with something that, to anyone else, might feel like dread. darkness and shadow are her affinity, though, and at first, it brings her no alarm. it crawls, familiar and heady, along her skin, oozing and dripping in her senses. and on the outside, it crawls across the ground, creating shadows in horrible shapes, all emanating from a single point. they threaten death and violence, and truthfully beckon none closer.

even still, if one should find their gaze meeting Fanerel's, they'll find she launches forward without hesitation, seemingly unaware of who she's looking at. or... really, if one could compare it, she launches herself with more violent desperation if it's someone she does recognise.]

b. subsequently, trouble; cw: violence, possible smut idfk
[subsequent days see her out with more and more vigor, and a change in her demeanour that's almost... sensual, certainly unsettling. runes appear to be carved into her body, tendrils of shadow flickering from some of their edges. whenever she finds someone she deems might be a suitable fight (or just something to tear to pieces, the rest of her thinks), she moves a bit like an ill-controlled puppet, limbs loose and meandering, but not without finesse.]

Found~ you~!♫

[she's not exactly subtle, and there's an elated giggle that catches in her throat, her tone twisted and wrong.]

2. Dangerous Dating

(un)lucky break; cw: potential dubcon; drugs
[how did she end up here? better you don't ask, probably. this isn't anywhere Fanerel would go willingly, but there are plenty of ways to subdue her in this state. which, early on, is with her paranoia and sharp tongue muted by uki, rendering her some sort of docile.

it isn't much consolation, as the auctioneers will warn. she's a "wild one" with a penchant for violence, so bidders beware! they promise she's at least calm enough, but who knows what a date will actually be like.]

3. Day of Darkness

a. sin for sin; cw: torture, murder
[around the bonfire, her sins feel like nothing. it doesn't make her feel any better about sharing them, intoning word after word in both a common language and another, stranger one...

her shoulders are tense and she's clearly uncomfortable, even as the words continue to spill unbidden from her lips.]

b. licking your wounds; rpghouse but invaders are welcome
[by the time it's all over, exhaustion settles in her bones. it's a deep, painful thing, moreso even than the ache of overworked muscle and injury. everything hurts, and it's a feeling she'd rather forget. even Stevie is quiet now, and her footsteps take Fanerel to the door of her shared home.

with luck, she can make it past the doors and sneak her way into her room without notice. she'd really like to deal with this on her own, and in the absence of a really sturdy tree to punch a lot, locking herself in her own room is the best she can do, isn't it?

never you mind how hard the door slams and practically rattles the whole area.]

Wildcard
[As always, wanna plot something? HMU on any of my contacts! As a note, Fan is intersex.]

3b he's a cute invader

[fallendragon]

[A startled chirp came from the highest piece of furniture in Fanerel's room when she slammed the door. A few seconds later, a small white gryphon cautiously peeked its head out from its high hiding place, its ghostly white wings were slightly unfurled incase it had to fly away quickly. Are you a friend?]

Arrakis Faylare | Original Character

[fallendragon]

I. Wereyokai (cw: body horror)

[Arrakis knew it was dangerous but he couldn’t just stay inside when people could be in danger. It wasn’t easy, but he managed to get away from Altair. He felt bad for escaping when Altair was just trying to keep him safe, but it wasn’t enough to change his mind. He slipped his mask on. It was a bird-like mask with a design that seemed to shift depending on the angle. One was a flying songbird and the other was a dragon made of mist that looked like it was falling. Altair really outdid himself.

Arrakis tried to be careful but somehow in the chaos, his mask was removed. One minute he was fine and the next he was on his knees screaming as a pair of ghostly white wings ripped through his back and his blonde hair grew longer until it touched the ground. His eyes changed into cat eyes and white cat ears poked out of his now long hair. Not one but two cat tails curled around his legs and he curled in on himself to try to deal with the pain. Arrakis looked to the sky for comfort like he always did. That turned out to be a mistake and he felt a part of himself sinking. His light blue eyes lost their gentle spark and Arrakis looked away with a quiet sigh, now fully transformed into what seemed to be a mix of a tengu and a bakeneko.

His eyes narrowed slightly at the onlookers nearby and he slowly got to his feet, suppressing a cry of pain under a quiet hum when he accidentally moved his new wings in the process. His slightly furrowed brow was the only hint that he was in pain as he pushed through it with practiced grace and confidence.]

II. The Lunar Curse

[Arrakis was hungry and alone. Both of which he couldn’t stand. He wasn’t sure what he was craving exactly, attention, affection, just the simple warmth of human touch? it didn’t matter. He wasn’t going to stay lonely. For once he was going to take what he wanted. As soon as he saw someone wandering on their own, he swooped down in front of them. His long blonde hair kept getting in the way when he flew and he gracefully brushed it away from his face with a friendly smile.]

Careful. It’s dangerous being out here alone.

[His pair of tails swished back and forth playfully and his smile turned dangerous.]

Come play with me.

[It wasn’t a request.]

III. Goodnight Stars

[Arrakis’s dream is covered in darkness. You can hear a variety of sounds, laughter, music, and an ominous metallic sounding pounding underneath it all, but everything is painted over with darkness, except for Arrakis who is in the center of the darkness. Arrakis had this dream almost every night, but the full moon was new, and his tear-stained cheeks were illuminated by its glow as he stared at it with a weak smile. The light of the moon was a nice change from his world of darkness and he couldn’t look away.]

IV. Wildcard

[Interested in something else? After the crazy fun Arrakis had during the festival, his body needs to replenish his magic and he will revert to his magical form, a small white gryphon that is the size of a housecat. Feel free to run into this cute flying menace anywhere. When his magic is replenished, Arrakis will change back to his normal self, resulting in fun misunderstandings.

Feel free to make your own starter or plot with me on plurkNicholaj, Discord@Nicholaj#7374 or PM whichever is easier for you.]

Altair | Original Character

[aquilasshadow]

I. Wereyokai (cw: body horror)

[All they had to do was just stay indoors. Simple, or at least it would be if someone stayed inside like they were supposed to! For once could Arrakis not endanger himself for others? Altair continued to angrily mutter to himself as he grabbed his mask and headed outside to bring his friend back. Altair had no intention of revealing his inner self to people he didn't even know so his mask was a cat mask, much to his annoyance but Arrakis had a point, with a very colorful abstract design. Good luck figuring out his secrets. He was an artist even if life never gave him the chance to explore it so it counted as his inner self.

Altair should have known with his terrible luck that was only a matter of time before he lost his mask. Thanks to his time in Ryslig, Altair was at least prepared for the painful transformation that followed. He staggered into a nearby alley before the worst of the pain hit. His shadow wrapped around him, black fur sprouted wherever it touched. Altair screamed as his limbs stretched longer adn his screams started to sound more like cat yowls. The painful transformation triggered his memories from Ryslig until he was lost in a haze of nightmares and pain.

When his transformation was finished, he looked like a gangly black cat yokai surrounded by shadowy flames, like a Kasha but with shadows instead to flames. His own shadow looked like it went through a transformation as well and it was replaced by the shadow of a monstrous cat. Altair leaned against the wall and wrapped his arms around himself to stop from shaking. He muttered a foreign curse that sounded a little like Arabic.]

I did not need this right now!

[He escaped that hell and he didn’t want to be reminded of it. His angry spilled out into a threatening glare for anyone that intruded on him when he was vulnerable like this.]

I’m fine. Go help someone who isn’t used to painful transformations!


II. Enemies in the shadows (possible multithread with Arrakis)

[Altair’s violet cat eyes darted quickly back and forth. Everyone felt like a threat and he needed to eliminate them all. Altair ran his hand through his hair with a barely restrained sigh as he tried desperately to reign in his murderous thoughts. First an agonizing transformation and now he had to fight back a murderous rage? This was just like old times. So, who was he going to murder for this horrible trip down memory lane?

Maybe he will start with you? His living cat shadow grew larger and more monstrous as Altair locked eyes with his prey, his cold violet eyes narrowed dangerously. If it is someone he recognizes, even if he considers them a friend, he will only get more violent as the memory of betrayal twists his mind even more. Everyone was an enemy in his eyes, and he needed to destroy them before they took away the few precious people he had left. His mind is a bit hazy on who those people are though so he could very well attack the very people he was trying to protect.]

((OOC: if you want the multithread option with Arrakis please let me know in the subject line, thanks.))


III. Goodnight stars (cw: drowning mention, multiple deaths)

[Altair hated sleep. Thanks to his magic he didn’t have to bother with sleep most of the time and he preferred it that way. Nightmares were all that awaited him when he closed his eyes. At least here the nightmare wasn’t real but even a reminder of that place was bad enough. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find Peace anywhere and he heard a rumor about people showing up in dreams. So, with a weary sigh he closed his eyes. The things we do for love.

Altair fell into a dark sea with faint colorful lights that were just out of reach. Thousands of muffled songs played at once but instead of sounding like a cacaphony of noise, they blended together into a cosmic symphony with hundreds of different parts that slip away if you try to focus on them. Since this was a dream he didn’t have to drown but he still shivered as he floated effortlessly in the dark depths. A woman's chuckle rippled throughout the depths.]

You’re back sooner than I thought

Shut up. I’m not here for you.

[Altair purposely ignored the voice and searched for any sign of Peace. His eyes narrowed suspiciously at the full moon that filtered through the water.]

That’s new.

[Altair floated towards it to get a closer look. He thought he heard Peace’s soul song in the distance and he whirled around in the direction of the song.]

Peace?

[He suddenly found himself back in his room, awake. Altair glared at the ceiling and ran his hand through his hair with a groan. Why did he have to be such a light sleeper? He closed his eyes with a sigh, willing himself to fall back asleep. His brow furrowed when all he saw was the darkness from his closed eyes. He growled and muttered a foreign curse as he changed position. It didn’t work. After trying a dozen different sleeping methods, Altair finally found himself back in those chilling depths to the same infuriating laughter.]

Trouble sleeping?

[Altair glared at the invisible voice.]

I wonder why?

[This was all her fault.]


IV. Wildcard

[If you are interested in something else feel free to make your own starter or plot with me on plurkNicholaj, Discord@Nicholaj#7374 or PM whichever is easier for you. Just like Arrakis. Altair has an animal form too and he will also need to recharge so feel free to run into a creepy black cat with violet eyes and a living shadow.]