April | Event: Skybound Travelers

[jikan_mod]

Skybound Travelers↲ OOC Plotting

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As everyone settles into a routine in Nippon, newer refugees may find that visiting the Western Kingdom is something of an undertaking. Although considerably faster than traveling by airship or on foot, the underground train that connects Tokyo and Kyoto still takes at least five hours. And not everyone enjoys the roller coaster-like experience of the Sunday-only time surge that shortens that ride into ten minutes. But lucky for them, the NRL are finally ready to release a special new travel system!

Developed in part thanks to the refugees for gathering the necessary etherblossoms back in March, refugees will now find teleportation terminals available at the NRL in Tokyo and MRU in Kyoto. These terminals only connect to each other, with plans to expand to other cities in the future.

Or at least, that's what they're supposed to do.


Nippon Traveler

With the announcement of fast travel between kingdoms quickly spreading among the refugees, many of them are clamoring to be the first to take advantage. After all, the train is rather inconvenient for those with friends and family in both kingdoms, and even more so for those who wish to work in one while living in the other.

Thankfully, the NRL took this into consideration, and made sure to add additional platforms and a timed queueing system to make things run smoothly, essentially creating a small station on the top floor of the NRL's main building. And with exclusive elevator access on the outside just for traveling refugees, it's certainly built for convenience.

Ready, Aim... Kyoto, Western Kingdom
Despite the fact that the NRL has been using these teleporters just fine for transferring between Tokyo and Kyoto for the past few weeks, the sudden inundation of users is causing the system to overload ever so slightly. As a result, the teleporter hasn't been sending people where it should, occasionally redirecting them to random areas throughout Kyoto.

On the one hand, magic is so commonplace in the West that no one really thinks anything about the Refugees popping in and out of existence, with most natives just assuming they're teleporting using the local magic. But on the other hand, this assumption means the natives will think it's intentional, resulting in a large number of refugees finding themselves in both literal and metaphorical hot water after teleporting straight into a public bath, fully-clothed. Hopefully it's a mixed bath, or they might find themselves being carried away by the patrolling samurai guards for questioning.

In addition to becoming a public nuisance for the natives, some may find themselves teleporting into the homes of fellow refugees instead. They may wind up as an uninvited dinner guest, or perhaps they'll appear during a private or intimate moment between lovers. Some may even end up appearing in a closet, giving them ample opportunity to hide until they can make their escape!

Thankfully, this bug is discovered quickly enough that it only creates a few days of chaos -- so don't let that put you off the technology forever!

Here Comes a Thought Higashiyama, Kyoto
But of all the locations the teleporters are sending people to, perhaps the most common one is Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto's Higashiyama neighborhood. As one of the most famous temples in Kyoto, its already a popular tourist destination, with beautiful gardens, a veranda overlooking all of Kyoto, and is home to a magic school that specializes in the Mizu Element.

Those who are lucky may simply find themselves suddenly standing in front of a very tall pagoda, or overlooking the view of Kyoto. But most refugees will instead find themselves standing before the Tainai Meguri, a dark underground passageway beneath one of the many shrines in Kiyomizu-dera. Naturally, it'll be assumed they want to go in, and they may find themselves ushered down by a shrine maiden or two who don't want them holding up the line.

Blanketed in an inky darkness, the Tainai Meguri is composed of a single hallway and a rope along the wall to help guide visitors down to the lowest part of the passageway, where a mysterious stone can be found. Glowing with a mysterious power, the stone is the only source of light in the tunnel. And those who touch the stone with a clear mind will see the carving in the center change, showing which magic element they have an aptitude for: Tsuchi, Mizu, Hi, or Kaze.

However, those who touch the stone without a clear mind will witness something different. Because the stone in question is a Memory Stone, an ancient magical artifact capable to creating illusions of a person's memories. Once the stone is touched, the light of the stone will jump out into the darkness, projecting illusions of their past on the walls around them. Whether these illusions appear as text, an exact replica of one's memories, or something more abstract, varies by the person.

Those whose memories are being projected may find themselves completely overwhelmed by the emotions they felt at the time of that memory. For this reason, no one is allowed into the Tainai Meguri alone, so those affected better hope that their partner in the darkness is prepared to drag them out of it.

Into the Unknown

As the technology powering these terminals is still quite new to the scientists at the NRL, actually releasing these to the public is still a way off. Although there's zero risk of harm coming as a result of using the terminal, they have noticed that occasionally the terminal registers another point of travel, as if another terminal exists. A reverse transfer always brings them back just fine, but little is known about where these objects are ending up.

To that end, the NRL is asking brave enough refugees interested in exploring to take the teleporter to these unknown locations and report what they find. But don't worry, they're not asking they do this for free! All participants will receive a moderate sum of money, as well as a week-long stay at the Ōwakudani Hot Spring Resort in Hakone, to be redeemed whenever they like.

Cold Cuddles Sapporo, Hokkaido
For the first mysterious location, volunteers will be bundled up in warm clothes, as objects that come back always arrive very cold. And indeed -- upon teleporting, they'll find themselves in the midst of a snowstorm, an ancient version of the same terminal below their feet, and strange ruins all around them. And stranger still, the walls of the ruins appear to be covered in dark blue ice that won't melt no matter how much heat is applied.

It seems this teleporter is somehow connected to Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Nippon. Due to an ancient curse, the land is perpetually snowy and plagued by unmelting ice called everfrost. And while those who visited the region prior may recognize their surroundings enough to know they're actually very close to the city of Sapporo, others may not be so lucky, nor willing to take the risk of missing their return window.

Worse still, they're just far enough away from the city that their magi-comms won't work! With no way of activating the terminal from their side, and two hours before the NRL reactivates it on their end to bring them back, it looks like they'll need to huddle together for warmth to ensure they don't freeze.

Thankfully, the terminal is located in a covered area, and the remains of an old campsite nearby even has some blankets and supplies. And upon their return, they'll be given hot drinks and no shortage of apologies for not considering the risk of giving them such a long window to explore.

Party in the Dark Jigoku, Shitaya
The second mysterious location is by far the most intriguing, as it's clearly somewhere that people have access to, and yet no one has tried coming back through the terminals. Instead, empty cans and half-finished drinks sometimes end up on the terminal, with no explanation as to who was drinking them prior. And as this phenomenon only occurs late at night, that's when the volunteers will be sent.

Upon arriving, at first they'll find themselves blanketed in a perpetual darkness, surrounded by some sort of stone tunnel, with the sound of music echoing from further in. They'll still be able to contact the NRL, leading the scientists to suggest that they may be in Jigoku, the catacombs of an abandoned subway system below Tokyo.

Should they be brave enough to follow the source of the music, they'll stumble upon what appears to be a secret speakeasy in the dark, run by the Hanyo who live in the neighborhood of Shitaya. As many Hanyo still possess the Yokai ability to see more clearly in the dark than Humans, the lack of lighting is more a feature than a gimmick.

Still, for having made it all the way down here, they'll be offered free drinks and a playful atmosphere -- so long as they promise to keep their illegal supply of Uki-based drinks and snacks a secret from the authorities. A popular recreational drug in the West made from the naturally sweet Uki Weed, Uki is highly regulated in the East, and causes lowered inhibitions, feelings of calm or euphoria, and even functions as a mild aphrodisiac.

Which might just be why many patrons are taking advantage of the dark and inviting atmosphere for romantic trysts in the dark, with futons set up in nearby tunnels for all your sensory deprivation needs. The Refugees can contact the NRL to return at any time, so why not let loose and join the fun?

Castle in the Sky

After a week of using the teleporters, Refugees will discover a new warp point is now listed alongside Kyoto and Tokyo: Tengoku, the nation of Tengu, comprised of dozens of airborne cities that float high above Nippon. According to the NRL, the technology used for these teleporters was developed thanks to the Tengu of Skytower, as a much belated thank you for the refugee's help back in March 1921.

And while Skytower itself remains off-limits, the Tengu Capital of Miyazaki has decided to open its doors to outsiders for the first time in centuries.

Fly High Miyazaki, Tengoku
The Tengu cities are unlike anywhere else on Nippon, comprised of a single, massive amount of land that towers upward, and numerous smaller islands that float up and around the main part of the city. Mysterious magic-powered technology can be found all around the city, though the appearance is quite different from the more modern magi-tech.

But perhaps the most notable thing is that these cities are not designed to be very accessible to those who can't fly. Very few actual pathways lead upward into the city proper, and the entrance to most buildings are located on the top floor, with only a small balcony in front to land on. But thankfully, there's a means around it!

Upon arrival to the capital of Miyazaki, all Refugees will be offered a small backpack with a tiny pair of wings attached to it. Upon putting it on and jumping, the wings will grow larger, acting like a part of their body and allowing them to fly! These backpacks will only function in Tengoku, but they're welcome to keep them should they decide to visit again.

Of course, just because they have the power to do so doesn't mean they'll actually be good at it. Refugees may struggle to become airborne at all, or may find it difficult to control themselves in mid-air, flying into walls, other refugees, or accidentally hurling themselves over the edge of the city. Thankfully, there's patrolling Tengu who are always prepared to catch those who fall, but considering it always comes with a lecture, it's really not the best experience.

But those who persevere will be able to fly up to the very top of the city, where they'll find a beautiful garden overlooking the clouds. The flora here is far more alien than anything commonly found in Nippon, with plentiful etherblossoms, crystal-like mahougi trees, and-- is that a nuruname bloom? Maybe stay away from that one...

Liquid Happiness Miyazaki, Tengoku
Being so high up in the sky, completely isolated, meant that the Tengu cities were designed to be completely self-sustaining. Although they do conduct trade with the mainland below, almost everything they need is either grown or produced by the land itself. Which might just beg the question: where is the water coming from? Because nearly every level of the city is accented by canals and waterfalls.

But those who visit on a rainy day will get their answer. As high as they are, the Tengu cities are close enough that they can draw from the magic properties of the ring that circles the planet of Gaia, which is only visible at night. Thus, the rain that falls in Miyazaki has magical properties: in audition to a rainbow color, it can be infinitely multiplied, instantly heal wounds and certain illnesses, and seems to cause feelings of euphoria similar to Kizuna when one stands in it. For this reason, the rain that falls in Miyazaki is referred to as liquid happiness.

But for Refugees, these effects are even more extreme. Those who visit Miyazaki during a particularly rainy week at the tail end of April will begin to manifest severe Kizuna side-effects, especially the supernatural variety. While ordinarily these effects are only possible when feelings of love are present, the power of the rain will allow Refugees to share their thoughts and feelings with the people around them, whether they want to or not.

So strong are the effects of the rain that these effects will linger well after they leave, and may even become contagious to those they meet later on the surface. In the end, the NRL issues a warning for Refugees to avoid lingering in Miyazaki in rainy days until a more conclusive study on this "liquid happiness" can be conducted.

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

• Characters will not be allowed into the Tainai Meguri alone, and must descend in pairs.

• Sapporo is roughly a twenty minute walk away, and characters who are familiar with their surroundings will be able to go to the city proper. Magi-comms will also begin to work again. More information on Sapporo can be found on the Setting page!

• You are welcome to assume there is Uki-based incense in the underground party if your character would need an extra nudge to participate.

• Given their isolated status, the Tengu cities only contain Tengu Yokai, who range from entirely human-like with wings, anthropomorphic birds, and the traditional long-nosed variety! Although Refugees may be treated as a novelty by the people there, only elderly Tengu will treat them rudely for being outsiders.

• Characters will find that inns and hotels are both plentiful and cheap in Tengu cities, as the cities are very far apart from one another, and it's very common for Tengu to travel far from home. Miyazaki, for instance, floats above Kyushu near the Westernmost point of Nippon!

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Vennessa | Genshin Impact | OTA

[vennessa]

i. Ready, Aim...

[Vennessa's home is a relatively small bakaneko village in Wakayama, and she does not get many visitors save for a couple of neighbours. Anyone who manages to get teleported way out here is in for a long journey back home.

The woman is not too concerned with her ability to protect herself, but bumps in the night - or the day, in fact - are almost always unwelcome no matter who you are. When she finds whoever happened to accidentally teleport into her house she looks first wary, then confused, then she plants her hand on her hip with a curious half-smile.]

Well, you're a long way from home, aren't you?

[Standing at 5'10 and built like a stone wall, it's no wonder she doesn't seem too worried. She only sighs and tilts her head towards her small kitchen.]

It's going to be a long trip back, you should have something to eat before you go.

ii. Cold Cuddles

[Of course she was going to try out the teleporters. The money and the holiday only sweeten the deal as far as she's concerned, and she gets bundled up warmly to go to the first mysterious location along with whoever is also headed that way. Despite the warm clothes, the frigid air still bites at her at the very first moment and her first breath almost seems to freeze in her lungs.]

By the Seven! [She exclaims around chattering teeth, the shock of the transition into such a cold environment all but locking her in place for several long moments.

But she had explored Hokkaido enough to realise where she is after a few minutes of looking around. She calls out to the person with her, pointint off into the snowstorm beyond the shelter of the ruins.]

I know where we are! Sapporo is that way. Should we head there?

iii. Party in the Dark

[Undeterred, she heads for the second location as well once she's safely back in unfrozen civilisation. At least this one didn't seem as if it was going to be so cold. Though at first the darkness is more than a little alarming (and she might grab onto the person next to her, sorry) the sound of music does ease matters and heading towards it seems like the only sensible thing to do.

What she finds is clearly some kind of illegal operation, but nothing there seems to be doing anyone any harm. In fact all of the 'illegal' drinks and snacks are ones she has either seen or tried before, and she doesn't really understand the East's fierce regulation of such things.

So Vennessa decides on enjoying herself, settling into a dim corner with a drink and a few snacks, and she watches the people moving back and forth in the speakeasy. Now and then her eyes settle on someone as they walk in wearing the same curious look she had had when she arrived, and maybe for a moment she thinks she knows them and waves to catch their attention.

Whether she knows them or not, she smiles crookedly and offers them a seat.]

iv. Wildcard

[Wildcard! Any other prompts, kizuna nonsense, etc. I'm up for it. Or DM me/hit up my plotting comments!]

cold cuddles!

[currysseur]

( Izumi doesn't exactly think of herself as the kind of person they're targeting with this quest, but she's new, she needs money, and this seems like as good a way as any to try and understand this world she's been whisked into. it's Japan, but not as she knows it.

still, it's Japan enough that when she appears in this snowy land, she figures out where she is pretty quickly. )

E-eh? H-hokkaido? ( augh, maybe Sakyo-san was right that she needs to dress more warmly in general, but she doesn't think there's any clothes warm enough to block out the chill of this snowstorm. her arms wrap around herself, hands rubbing her arms in a futile attempt to push some heat through her body, and after a moment of chattering teeth, the voice of the woman near her registers.

oh! wow. she's tall, and gorgeous. she'd make a great protagonist for a play, with that confident air and gleam in her eyes. )

How... How far is it?

( if they can get into Sapporo reasonably quickly, she doesn't mind going. maybe someone there can offer them a fire to huddle in front of for a little bit. )

[vennessa]

Hmm...

[A good question. Though she knows they are in Hokkaido and can generally gauge the direction that Sapporo ought to be in, she couldn't say how far it would be in weather like this. It's difficult to see anything with the snow, and despite how the storm blocks any attempt to look through it she still goes to the edge of the sheltered area to try to peer through it.]

If I could get higher...

[But... in weather like this, using magic to get into the air might not be the best idea. Vennessa presses her lips together and shakes her head.]

It might be a few miles. Maybe it's safer to stay here? I can scout ahead, but... [Hrm, she doesn't really want to leave this girl here by herself.]

[currysseur]

( this shelter doesn't have much to it, either. there's a few blankets, and the teleportation device. the ruins around them offer height, but Izumi wouldn't feel safe having either of them climbing up on these glistening ice walls. she scans the horizon, but there's not much visibility with the snowstorm going on outside.

goodness, it's freezing. she's just going to grab a blanket and throw it over her shoulders to try and conserve some heat. )

It's only t-two hours, right? If we get lost in the storm, we could miss our return.

( maybe she'll do a cardio workout or something to try and keep warm while they wait. )

[vennessa]

I... suppose that's true...

[Hrm, she does hate staying in one place like this, just waiting, but she can be reasonable about it and concede that Izumi does make a good point. She starts to look around while the other woman goes about grabbing herself a blanket, and the remains of a disused camp in the shelter are quickly located.]

Ah, here! Do you have anything to make a fire?

[If she can find a flint she can probably manage it, but...]

[currysseur]

Hm?

( Ah! Hm... Nothing in her pockets, unfortunately. Man, who would have thought it'd be nice to have a smoking habit right now? She could have a lighter or at least some matches then.

So, in lieu of anything on her person, Izumi frowns at their surroundings. What is lying about that might work? )

Uh... There's this. ( She reaches down to grab a couple of loose stones that look about the right size and shape for flints. Not that she's ever personally had to light a fire like this, but she's heard about it. ) These look like flints, right?

[vennessa]

Oh... yes, they do!

[Vennessa presses her lips together and holds her hand out for the rocks. The campfire looks like it's ready to be lit, but the dampness caused by the weather conditions would probably make it difficult.

Not the worst way that Vennessa has ever had to make a fire before. At least there is some wood left to begin with, even if it's a little wet.]

Something dry would help... paper? There must be something here.

[Even with how warmly she's dressed and her hardy nature, Vennessa is starting to feel the cold. Being away from the warm country of Natlan for as long as she has hasn't quite rid her of her preference for warm temperatures.]

[currysseur]

( Paper! Hm... There could be, but is it dry enough?

Unfortunately, the first sheets Izumi finds are definitely not going to ignite any time soon, all but disintegrating as soon as her fingers brush against them. She frowns for a moment, staring at the pile, staring out at the rest of the space when— )

Oh! ( she's got her purse with her, and her purse is a treasure trove of receipts and other papers. ) How about these?

( A whole bunch of things she's saved from home, from the first couple of places she's visited here in Nippon. They're certainly less useful stuffing up her purse than they would be helping light a fire. )

[vennessa]

That should be enough to get something going...

[All she needs is to make a flame strong enough to catch on the wood already in the campfire and that should work fine. She takes the pile of papers and arranges them carefully, moving the wood around in a way that will hopefully make it easier for it to catch, then she crouches down and starts striking at the flint.]

I lived out in the wilds for a while when I got here, so I haven't lost the knack...

[Very necessary skills.]

It's just getting the angle right...

[currysseur]

( Izumi, meanwhile, knows... uh, about as much about camping as she learned in school. Which isn't a great deal, really. She's much more impressed by Vennessa's confidence here.

Thank goodness someone knows. )

You did? ( That... seems dangerous, honestly. But again. Izumi is not used to the idea of living outside of usual settlements. Towns, cities, villages. Sure, it happens and you hear about it, but it isn't a usual thing to do. ) Had something happened?

[vennessa]

Hm? Oh... no, I just didn't feel very comfortable in the cities. Too big.

[And with another few cracks of the flint, she manages to get enough sparks to fly to set the kindling ablaze. Vennessa drops the stones immediately and leans in to gently blow on the flames. They struggle to catch on the cold, damp wood, but slowly it begins to smoke.]

I grew up in a nomadic tribe, and then a... a small settlement outside a city.

[This isn't the time to have the slavery conversation.]

We had to take care of ourselves.

[currysseur]

( Yeah, probably a good idea to not prod too deeply into things like that on a first meeting. )

Oh! I see why that would be difficult.

( Izumi Tachibana: constant friend of feral Genshins.

But ooh, that fire provides a little relief, and Izumi inches her hands closer to let the heat warm them a little bit. Ah. Nice. )

Back home, Tokyo is much busier. ( If it wasn't for the magic, this would actually be kind of relaxing compared to the usual crush of peak times back home. ) Sometimes, it's nice to get away.

[vennessa]

You have a place like this where you come from?

[She hadn't broached the topic of coming from another world entirely, though it doesn't seem to be uncommon here. Vennessa settles beside Izumi and warms her hands as well, flexing her fingers against the warmth.]

Is that where you're from? The Tokyo in your own world?

[currysseur]

( It definitely helps to be a little closer together, Izumi notes. Not quite touching, but close enough that body heat radiates between them and the cold is blocked a little bit.

Thank goodness the fire seems to be holding well, too. )

Uh-huh. ( Well... ) I grew up in a town outside of Tokyo, but the Veludo district is the best place to go if you want to work in theatre.

( Also she had to stop her dad's theatre from being demolished by the yakuza. Just gacha protag things. )

[vennessa]

Theatre?

[Vennessa might have been dragged up to be a fighter, but she is aware of the finer things and had been even before her arrival in Nippon. Though, theatre is still not something that she has given much thought to.

But it's an interesting topic, and it takes her mind off how chilly the air is.]

Is that what you do?

[currysseur]

( Theatre good! Theatre helps everyone! )

Yep. I'm the director of a theatre troupe back home. ( She all but glows as she says that, so tangible is her warmth and pride in what they're doing with Mankai. There's still a long way to go before she's even a shadow of who her father was, but she's delighted with their progress. ) Before that, I did a lot of behind the scenes work.

( and before that, she was an actor herself. But they don't need to talk about that! )

[vennessa]

Oh, that does sound exciting.

[In its own way. Not something that Vennessa herself could ever visualise doing, but... there is certainly going to be occasion in the future for her to be at the helm of some important operations.

Hm. Perhaps there's something to consider, there. Or maybe it's just the cold.]

I don't know that I'd be too good at acting.

[currysseur]

( Oh, you're treading dangerous ground, Vennessa. )

I think you'd look great on stage. You're very beautiful and you have a strong presence. ( Talking about people this way comes easy. She's always looked at others and considered their acting potential, even before becoming a director. ) And your diction is clear, too. Those kinds of qualities are very important for an actor.