jikan_rpg | January | Event: Castle in the Snow

January | Event: Castle in the Snow

Castle in the Snow↲ OOC Plotting

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As winter rolls through Tokyo, some may find themselves longing for a little snowfall. While it certainly gets cold, there's very little snow in Tokyo proper, with the storm of last year having been something of a fluke.

But as it turns out, those looking for a little snow will get their wish, as the NRL announces an opportunity for refugees interested in traveling to visit the northern region of Hokkaido for a weeklong getaway.

A City Encased in Ice

Visiting Hokkaido is something of an undertaking. Well beyond the stretch of Kanto's flooded valleys and city ruins, the only realistic way to visit Hokkaido is by train. And once there, navigating it makes the train something of a requirement. This is because Hokkaido is home to a unique phenomenon known as the Everfrost, a frigid storm that perpetually blankets the region in snow and ice, no matter the season.

Following a lengthy train ride, the train enters a tunnel that sends it underground, before finally emerging into a station seemingly carved out of dark blue ice crystals. And yet the refugees won't feel a chill, as the unique properties of ice formed by the Everfrost prevents it from melting, even with the heat on. From there, it'll just be quick transfer, and they'll arrive in the Minami Ward of the city of Sapporo.

Earn Your Keep Minami, Sapporo
The refugees will be staying in Sapporo's famous Ice Princess Hotel, a luxury resort made entirely of Everfrost ice and located in the shadows of a massive castle. Ordinarily, the rooms here would be too expensive for even the wealthiest refugee. But seeing as this is the off-season (no one wants to visit a perpetual winter wonderland in the winter, obviously), they've arranged special accommodations that even the NRL can afford! The rooms are nothing grand, arranged in a suite style with multiple bedrooms connecting to a shared living area. And of course, while the rooms are still rather warm, the walls themselves are made of thick Everfrost, which is just as cold to the touch as ice ought to be. Make sure not to lean against it after a shower.

Unfortunately, these accommodations require each guest to work a minimum of one work shift at the resort. While it's not impossible to argue one's way out of working, seeing as they were not informed of this part of the deal, those willing to grin and bear it will find that the work available really isn't that bad. There's ordinary jobs, such as cleaning, managing the front desk, or helping out in the bar or kitchen. But most of them will be given opportunities to learn more about Hokkaido's Everfrost up close.

Those who can handle the cold will be invited to a workshop behind the resort where the Everfrost is processed into workable materials. Harvested from the eye of the storm in the center of Sapporo, these icy blocks are carved into shapes and then polished until they shine a brilliant blue. Walls, frames for furniture and decor, glasses and even plates used for cold desserts are all common uses for Everfrost. The ice is plentiful and can easily be frozen back together again, so there's no need to worry if your carving skills aren't up to par.

Those who assist here will also be given an item made of Everfrost of their choice, ranging from gemstones to be inlaid into jewelry, to an icy blade that never melts. Just remember, it is very cold, so try not to wear it anywhere it touches the skin.

Gourmet Tourism Ainosato, Sapporo
Due to the sheer cold of Sapporo's climate, the only way to travel through the city is by underground train, with only the locals brave enough to navigate the streets on foot. But the refugees are certainly welcome to try, and will even be offered snowshoes to make the trip easier.

Heading north to the Ainosato Ward, refugees will find a Beer Museum dedicated to all the brews made throughout Nippon, and including some rare international brands. Naturally, there's free samples, but do try not to get drunk until you reach the bar at the end of the guided tour. This is also the only bar in the East with a permit for selling imported Uki beer, which is almost cloyingly sweet and sure to be an acquired taste, even for those who normally enjoy Uki.

For those seeking Sapporo's signature snack as a souvenir to take back to Tokyo, they'll be sure to find no shortage of shops selling Snow White Lovers, which are said to invoke strong feelings of pure and innocent love when gifted to someone else. Which is very literal, because the gift boxes they arrive in are enchanted with a temporary love spell. At least the cookies are fine??

Nippon's Snow Level

While exploring the city is all fine and good, the real draw of Hokkaido is the sheer amount of outdoor activities visitors can do out in the snow! Naturally, winters in Hokkaido are even harsher than usual, so all refugees interested in exploring will be encouraged to take with them a special haori that can be worn over their clothes, imbued with a magi-tech heating element to keep the wearer nice and toasty.

The Ice Princess Hotel is connected to a large ski resort, and is a short distance from numerous hiking trails. But take note: the cold isn't the only threat out in the wilderness, and those without the ability to protect themselves may be joined a local Hunter Samurai just in case they get lost or encounter something dangerous.

Regardless, whether one is interested in renting some skis, sleds, or snowshoes, the ski resort is still sure to be a pleasant experience!

Crystal Tears Minami, Sapporo
Although Hokkaido is stuck in a perpetual winter, that doesn't mean nothing grows here. In fact, Hokkaido is the only place where crystalflowers can be found. As the name suggests, they're flowers with a crystal-like appearance, with jagged petals and a clear stem. And despite growing like flowers, attempting to handle the fragile petals will cause them to melt like ice.

These flowers can be found all across Hokkaido no matter the time of year, but the best place for viewing them is at the summit of the Ice Princess Ski Resort, where an elaborate garden showcasing different varieties can be found. Some grow on spiky vines like roses, while others grow straight from the ground like poppies.

But beautiful as they are, being surrounded by so many has an odd side effect. For those with an affinity for water or ice magic of any kind, be it local or from home, they may find themselves starting to cry when standing amongst the flowers. While they won't be able to understand why, they'll feel a certain sense of melancholy when looking upon them, as if reminded of someone dear they've lost in the past.

Thankfully, this effect will wear off after getting some distance from the flowers.

Remnants of a Goddess ???, Sapporo
But not everywhere in Sapporo is safe to explore. Those with a penchant for getting into danger may find themselves wandering into the eye of the storm at the very heart of Sapporo. The Everfrost is not a natural occurrence, and is in fact the result of a powerful Goddess who is said to have met her untimely demise at the hands of the people who once worshipped her. While the true history has been lost to time, there's no denying that the source of the storm pours out from a single region in Sapporo.

Although there are many signs warning visitors to keep their distance, should anyone press through the snow, they may hear the sound of someone screaming into the wind. Following it will lead them to a large chasm, with a single bridge of ice leading to a large crystal-like structure. The bridge is slippery, and the only way into the structure is to follow the winding staircase of ice that circles around the outside to an entrance at the top. The chasm is too dark to see the bottom of, so hikers best be careful not to slip and fall.

But once they reach the inside, they'll find no person waiting for them. Instead, they'll find the entire inside of the structure is carpeted with crystalflowers, and at the very center sits an absolutely massive flower, which begins to stir as if it were alive.

If the elaborate set up wasn't obvious enough: this is a boss fight.

The flower is capable of summoning icy phantoms, who take the form of beautiful young women. These phantoms will surround their opponents with cyclones of icy wind, causing a death by a thousand cuts if they aren't shattered. Only by shattering the first phantom will the flower once more return to dormancy. Attacking the flower directly is also an option, though it is far more dangerous, as the entire structure is filled with the flower's roots, capable of wrapping around opponents and stabbing them with icy thorns, sapping the heat from their bodies.

Defeating the flower will calm the storm down long enough for them to safely return to the city proper. But should they stay long enough to explore the inside of the structure, they'll find numerous riches and expensive offerings that no one is going to stop them from taking. Just don't take too long stuffing your pockets, or you'll have to fight the damn thing twice just to get out.

Icy Reflections

Just behind the Ice Princess Hotel sits a tall and imposing building within the castle complex. Believed to have once been the keep where an ancient goddess ruled over her subjects, this area isn't part of the main hotel. Instead, guests are welcome to explore the maze-like corridors on their own.

Unlike the hotel, the castle isn't heated, and the structure isn't entirely made with Everfrost. Instead, it appears as though the Everfrost simply blanketed every inch of the original wooden castle, with everyday objects and decor sometimes visible beneath the unpolished ice stone, forever frozen in time.

But for those who dare explore the highest levels of the keep comes an ominous warning: should you meet a phantom of ice, shatter it immediately, lest it assume your identity and replace you.

Mirror, Mirror Minami, Sapporo
Throughout the castle's keep, there's only one thing that hasn't been covered by the Everfrost. On each floor sits a large mirror, seemingly enshrined into the center of each room. And looking into these mirrors reveals a distorted image of oneself.

As they ascend to the higher floors, the images will become clearer, revealing the reflections to be glimpses of alternate timelines from their home worlds. Each floor will reveal more of a specific timeline, their altered reflection growing more and more detailed. And upon reaching the highest floor, looking into the mirror will cause them to trade places with this alternate version of themself.

These alternate versions are the result of a kouribake, the ice phantom ayakashi, and appear just as real as the ones they replace. They retain all memories of the original's life in Nippon, as well as any memories from the alternate timeline. However, they have a significantly lower body temperature, and their bodies will crack and shatter when injured.

But what do they want, exactly? It's hard to say. Some of the more peaceful ones will even admit to being reflections of alternate timelines, given solid form thanks to the ayakashi. But others will retain some shades of malice, intent on taking over the life of the original, and silencing anyone who finds out the truth.

Shatter Me Minami, Sapporo
Now some may be wondering why something so dangerous is open to the public. But that's just the thing: ordinarily, these ayakashi aren't dangerous at all, and their phantoms simply melt away after about an hour, freeing the original from the mirror. But things have changed. And the ice phantoms will exist indefinitely unless destroyed.

Is it Kizuna? For some reason, the locals and even the NRL don't believe that to be the case. But regardless, these phantoms need to be dealt with.

Thankfully, many phantoms can be convinced to leave peacefully. These phantoms may simply have a short list of things they want to experience or share, and will leave willingly once satisfied. It could be sharing their alternate past, finally confessing their feelings for someone they met in Nippon, indulging in sex or a specific kink, or just eating their favorite meal from home. Upon being satisfied, they will fade away until all that remains is a crystalflower.

But others will be more stubborn, and may need to be shattered entirely. Naturally, this is easier said than done when the phantoms share the face of someone you care about. These phantoms may have powerful new abilities from their respective timelines, or even ice-themed versions of their original's powers. While their bodies are constructs of ice and magic, wounds that would otherwise be fatal will still be fatal for the phantoms.

Of course, the fastest method is to simply destroy the ayakashi responsible for creating the phantoms. But by the week's end, any remaining phantoms will turn into crystalflowers, with the kouribake responsible nowhere to be found.

And perhaps the most troubling thing about all of this is that the original may receive memories of the phantom's time spent in Nippon, as well as vague memories of life in this alternate timeline. Was the alternate timeline real after all? Or was it just all an illusion conjured up by the ayakashi? Perhaps some things are better left unknown.

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

• Characters who won a trip in the TDM's ice skating contest will be upgraded to private, luxury rooms as per the contest's rewards. As there was no need to sign up for this, players who want their characters to have a fancier stay without needing to work for a day can just say they won a prize!

• As the Hi element concerns both high and low temperatures, characters who have mastered either Hi or Mizu can also be affected by the crystalflowers.

• The giant flower cannot be fully destroyed, nor will the structure melt if subjected to fire. That said, the crystalflowers can still melt, and will cause the chamber to fill with icy water if too much heat is applied.

• The treasure will not include modern day currency, but instead will include jewelry, gemstones, very old gold and silver coins, and ancient artifacts like vases, cutlery, and weapons. These can be sold in Sapporo to collectors for a high price (upwards of 500 thousand yen), or sold in Yokohama's Port Market for an extremely high price (upwards of 10 million yen). Only the weapons will not sell, as upon explaining where they were found, most collectors will presume the weapons to be cursed and will suggest they enshrine them instead.

• Ice Phantom AUs must be possible deviations from canon, but otherwise, can be as wild as you'd like. For example, you can't do an AU where Naruto is a Pokemon trainer, because Pokemon don't exist in Naruto's canon. But you can do an AU where Naruto is adopted by a canon villain and grows up evil, drastically altering his personality and past.

• AUs will still retain memories of their original's time in Nippon. Whether these memories are skewed to suit their new personality/backstory is up to you!

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[taking off his pants normally wouldn't be that awkward, it isn't like he hasn't undressed in front of people before and, if we're being entirely honest, Itto doesn't have a lot of shame.

But this time it's the traveler, who he's ended up in two . . . uh, well, not so normal situations with, and really that his mind went there at all deserves some acknowledgement because he isn't as stupid as people think . . . sometimes]

Er. If you wouldn't mind . . . ? Since uh, you're here and all.

Of course! I offered to help, didn't I? It's hard to block attacks when they're aimed lower, so they might even be worse off than your arms.

[Hopefully he doesn't have to bandage his ass. He would, but that would get very awkward very quickly.]

[Not that this isn't going to get very awkward very quickly anyway, but u know.]

At least I have some protection on my legs - they're usually fine, when I end up in a fight. This time is just - you know, sharp stuff.

[right, okay, he is going to take off his pants and not be awkward about it, because he's a gosh darn adult and his friend is just helping him out, that's it]

[It's totally not awkward!! It wouldn't be the first time he's seem Itto dressed down, and besides that, they're both men! Aether's seen plenty of his friends in the buff at various hot springs and spas across Nippon, and this isn't even that! He's helping his friend with his injuries! Nothing more, nothing less!!]

[God, he could camp under that thing in a thunderstorm and not get wet.]

[But okay, okay, horny thoughts go out the window when he sees that Itto is pretty scratched up, and because leg injuries be like that sometimes, it probably looks more gruesome than it is. But it doesn't stop him from frowning, grabbing the cloth from before and adding more of the healing ointment to it.]

A lot of sharp stuff, from the looks of it. Hopefully none of them are very deep... do any of them hurt?

[Welp.]

[It's time to get on his knees in front of Itto so he can clean those wounds up. This is also fine.]

[IT'S ABSOLUTELY NOT AWKWARD AT ALL IN NO WAY WHATSOEVER . . . especially not when Aether gets down on his knees to bandage him up. He's not turning a little red at all, no sir.

He coughs, looking elsewhere so that he can try to expel the less helpful thoughts from his brain]

—no, no, not any more than the rest. I don't think any of 'em are worse . . .

Mm, they don't look too bad, at least.

[He's actually very focused right now on getting these wounds taken care of, seemingly not realizing just how suggestive this is until he's done. And he's not going to realize that until he sits up between Itto's knees, hands atop either of his thighs, as he looks up at Itto and smiles.]

There, that should take care of every--

...ah.

[Perhaps it's only because Aether can still count the number of times he's been in this position on one hand that it didn't immediately register what it looks like. But it sure does now, and his face quickly burns red to match Itto's.]

[And yet-- he doesn't move, nor does he pull his hands away from where they sit atop Itto's thighs. This is hardly the first time they've been in a situation like this. But maybe there was nothing wrong with that?]

Does it... feel better now?

[wow Aether did you know that the ceiling in your room is really nice, like, the perfect distraction and everything. Not that he needs a distraction!

(he absolutely needs a distraction)

He chances a quick look - and that's a mistake, because he turns a little redder seeing the traveler blushing, and he quickly looks away again to. Figure out what the hell he should do next]

Yeah - yeah, a lot better. Thanks, man. [CASUAL . . . ]

Mm. No problem.

[...]

[Briefly, he wonders whether it would be easier to just stand up and let Itto get dressed and pretend this little moment didn't happen, just like they have with every little moment that's bloomed between them since they met here. His heat is already beating faster in his chest with every second he lingers, and he knows he can't just stay down here without making a choice.]

[But as he tries to think of what to say, it occurs to him he's never really propositioned someone while completely sober or without the influence of kizuna in some way. So unlike how bold he was on the train, there's just a touch of awkwardness here.]

Say, uh... you know, we have this place to ourselves right now, right?

[maybe that's the problem, there's no alcohol involved and no weird magic making them do anything. It isn't that he doesn't want to - he wasn't drunk on the train, and he was definitely into what they were doing until he stopped them, but - the drinks were a nice excuse in case it wasn't something the traveler had wanted. A get out of trouble card, if you will.

And - okay, he has no experience with this, he's not afraid to admit it, but do you just - kiss someone or - ? There's like, rules or whatever to this, aren't there?]

- huh? Uh - yeah, we do. Were you - staying with anyone?

Only Paimon. But I know she's staying with another friend of mine right now. So she won't be coming back to this room tonight.

[And honestly, he should go find her and tell her he's not some weird alternate version of himself anymore, but that can wait. She'll understand! Maybe. Or bully him into buying her a gourmet ten course meal later to make up for it-- it's fine.]

[He pushes himself up now and instead rests his hands on either of Itto's shoulders, perhaps hoping that standing face-to-face versus face-to-dick will be a little less embarrassing. But it doesn't do much to help him find the words he needs, short of just asking outright. In all honesty, he doesn't think the suggestion would be rejected -- but if the mood is too strange, it might just not work out.]

So, I was thinking... maybe tonight we could pick up where we left off on the train?

[oh. Well, Aether dropping the subtlety sure helps him figure out real fast what's going on. It's a real good thing there's no chance Paimon will come back here, either - a concern he didn't have until just this very minute. Wouldn't that be really awkward, seeing the little one for the first time when he's probably about to -

Face-to-face does make it a little easier to formulate an actual response, though, even if it still takes a few moments of staring and a cough to clear his throat]

You want to? [wait, no. that isn't what he meant to say!] I mean - yeah, we could.

[he's such a smooth criminal. But at least he knows what to do with his hands, reaching out to grasp Aether's waist and tug him a little closer. Because if the awkward stuttering isn't a good enough answer, maybe this is]

I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to.

[Just like Itto wouldn't be pulling Aether closer like this if he didn't want to as well. Or so he thinks, at least. But despite their previous encounters, this still felt like fairly new territory between them, so maybe starting off slow like this wasn't a bad thing?]

[Aether is still the far more dressed of the two, but that just means he has an advantage with touch right now, his fingertips drawing up along Itto's bare shoulders and into his hair. He remembers that his horns were sensitive, right? So maybe he can brush against them under the guise of raking his fingers through Itto's hair.]

But if you're still sore, we can take it easy. And just-- do whatever feels good?

[it's definitely new territory for him, despite the last two times they got caught up in something together. At least, in the sense that it isn't weird magic or alcohol behind it]

Sore? Nah, this is nothing - [he's momentarily derailed by the Aether's fingers on his horns and he tilts his head with what he hopes is an encouraging hum. If there was any doubt that he wanted this, though - Itto reaches up for one of Aether's ears, carefully scritching it]

Slow's not a bad idea, though. I can do slow.

[If he wasn't already purring, he certainly is now, letting out a hum of his own as Itto rubs at his ear. He's not sure he could explain what he likes about it so much -- they were sensitive, yes, but the intimacy surrounding it added to the pleasure as well. There aren't too many people he allows to touch him like this, after all.]

[He gently runs his fingers up along the length of Itto's horns, thumbs applying just a bit of pressure as if to test how solid they were. There's a certain desire to explore, seeing as the last time he was allowed to touch these, he'd been pretty drunk.]

[Of course, through all of this, he realizes -- he's still completely dressed. But he's not keen to pull his hands away just yet, instead taking a moment to lean in and steal a kiss.]

[one day he might get a clue, that he shouldn't just pet Aether's ears because they're cute or because he can and that really, the traveler is letting him get away with it. It hasn't quite dawned on him that touching the ears is a lot like touching his horns.

Which feels just as nice as last time - even nicer, really. Just like Aether, Itto didn't just let anyone touch his horns, but then again, no one would think they're sensitive. He tils his head into it with a pleased little noise, and that puts him at the perfect angle to kiss back.

He slides his arm around Aether's waist to pull him closer, and - maybe he should like, take Aether's clothes off to even it up a little?? Posssibly. A thought put on hold when kissing isn't so distracting]

[If Itto is hoping this kiss won't be distracting forever, he's mistaken. Because Aether isn't planning to stop with just his lips. As much as he wants to keep spoiling those horns of his, for now, he starts to move down. After sweeping his hands down to Itto's shoulders and then drawing down his chest, Aether starts peppering kisses lower, finding a spot at the crook of his shoulder to give some attention.]

[He remembers Itto saying he didn't have much experience with this back on train -- if any at all, really. So Aether has no qualms with taking control for now, pushing on Itto's chest to urge him to lie on his back.]

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January | Event: Castle in the Snow

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