jikan_rpg | April | Event: Skybound Travelers

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April | Event: Skybound Travelers

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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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

i. Ready, Aim...

[The room you end up in is large but dark and sparsely decorated. The fires in the sconces appear to be green. There are no cupboards or closests to arrive more discreetly in, only the cold stone floor beneath your feet and one very tall, very annoyed-looking Ancient Greek God who currently has you at the wrong end of a scythe so ridiculously large it looks impossible to wield it with any kind of grace or accuracy.

Yet the person pointing it at you is holding it with one hand and is not struggling with the effort. A quick glance around would find no available door to make a quick escape, and there appears to be no windows either. So just where are you, and how are you meant to leave?

It's anyone's guess whether or not the sole inhabitant of the room actually means you harm or not.]

Speak. Quickly.

[Well, at least you get the chance to plead your case. Quickly.]

ii. Party in the Dark

[Why did he actually agree to this? Probably on the urging of someone else, but maybe Hypnos would like the idea of a week's vacation somewhere... He doesn't think that his twin would say no.

Thanatos doesn't care one way or another about mortal legalities, but the cautious curiosity which has been building in him over the past few months is what keeps him lingering in the speakeasy instead of immediately calling the NRL and leaving. At least he doesn't stand out too much, given they had persuaded him to put on some more native-friendly clothing just in case, but his height of seven feet and the broadness of his frame make him difficult to miss even in the dark.

But maybe you do, and you walk into him trying to get back to your seat. Or maybe be bumps into you while trying to return to his. Either way, you're probably going to be looking up.]

iii. Fly High

[Thanatos doesn't need wings to fly, but he was interested in this Tengu city regardless. He notices the struggles that the other refugees have with the wings easily enough, and the way that the natives will lecture them when they need to be rescued from the results of their own ineptitude. So, the next person who comes hurtling in his direction or is spotted flying into a wall or over the city edge will find their forearm being grabbed with a large, cool-skinned hand belonging to a man who does not look like he has any business being in the air at all.]

Be careful.

[And then he lets go, carefully, because physical contact is still a little strange and moreso with people he doesn't know. Hopefully the brief reprieve was enough for the other refugee to regain their equilibrium.]

The natives here have limited patience.

[... Relatable, really.]

iv. Wildcard

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

[For all the mishaps with the teleporters Kuro still liked using them, lazy cat that he was. It was quick and easy, and if he got misplaced well... he'd have needed to take the train anyway to get various places.

Really, the amount of energy he expended just in effort to be lazy was probably questionable at best.

And he certainly doesn't mind mishaps when they lead him here, to Thanatos, his own eyesight well adjusted for the dim lighting of the room but crimson eyes wide nonetheless at the scythe pointed towards him.

His first thought tumbles directly out of his mouth, freed by the surprise of his sudden appearance and situation both.]

...Has anyone ever told you that you look really attractive like that?

[Open mouth, insert foot.]

[Three things happen very quickly.

The first is that the scythe is immediately moved from a threatening position. Kuro may be immortal, but Thanatos does remain one of the people here who could kill him regardless. The second and third things happen simultaneously. Thanatos lets out a sharp 'tchk!' sound and averts his eyes, and a faint flush rises to his face.]

Kuro. [Blood and Darkness...] I could have killed you.

[But doesn't Kuro know him well enough to know that such a thing would never have happened? Even if the person had been a complete stranger, Thanatos is not a god easily given to violence despite how intimidating he can sometimes be.

As for him looking attractive when he has someone else on the wrong end of his scythe... the colour on his cheeks is evidence enough of what he thinks of that particular comment.]

You wouldn't have, though.

[Thanatos had the power to kill him sure, but he wasn't the type to attack first and ask questions later. Kuro wasn't at all afraid of that happening.

Which unfortunately meant his brain latched onto the first impression of 'ooooh handsome' instead.

He reaches up to rub the side of his neck, hoodless for once and unable to fiddle with it.]

My statement still stands honestly. Your flustered face is cute, too.

[Kuro.]

[Kuro...

There are definitely not many people who could get away with teasing Thanatos like this, but Kuro is not mistaken in thinking that he is definitely one of them. Thanatos clearly struggles with several conflicting emotions at once before he sighs and dismisses the scythe entirely in a flash of sickly green light.]

I am not cute.

[How dare you.]

But if you must know... no, no one has ever said that to me before.

Guess we'll have to agree to disagree there.

[Honestly, the fact that Thanatos reacts to his teasing only encourages him to tease him more. It's not like he's normally almost... flirtatious, but it's easy with Thanatos, to want to provoke those endearing reactions from someone he's so comfortable with.

This is what Thanatos gets for letting a cat into his life.]

Shame on them, for not noticing. It'd certainly be one upside on the whole dying thing.

[A soft grunt leaves him. Agree to disagree, indeed... There is a certain itch that comes along with disagreement that makes Thanatos want to vanish on the spot, but he resists it for the moment and huffs out another sigh as Kuro continues his borderline disrespect.

He gets away with it only because Thanatos is already so fond of him.]

Recently deceased shades have other concerns on their minds than ogling the God of Death. [Really, Kuro!]

I will leave such matters to you, though, as it seems you can't be dissuaded from it regardless.

A handsome god to escort you to the afterlife is better than a grim reaper any day.

[It's said with some cheek, and there's no room for doubt that Kuro is enjoying this. Teasing Thanatos is fun, flustering him with the truth is even better.]

Nope, definitely can't change my mind there.

Tch... and if they are one and the same?

[Look, he knows he isn't changing Kuro's mind here but that doesn't mean he's going to just take it... Except he is, because there's really no defence he can mount against what the vampire is saying except to protest that he's entirely wrong.]

Look, you can think what you like, it doesn't make you right.

[Ngh... embarrassing.]

But you can stay a while, if you wish.

[The man, well elf to be precise, at the wrong end of the Death's sceptre does not look frightened. He looks curious, more interested in the weapon than the person wielding it.]

Interesting design. Have you made it yourself?

What.

[It's less a question and more an expression of entirely exasperated irritation. He doesn't lower the weapon, but it looks a fraction less like he might just cut off this intruder's head with it.]

How in Chaos' name did you get in here.

Teleportation.

[Obviously]

Of course, it's not working correctly. It's sent me way off the mark twice today. I mean, how incompetent you must be not to realize with so many people the device will eventually overload, so that's most likely what is happening now, but nobody has corrected for the error yet, either, they don't see it, or are too slow to react to it, so it keeps happening. The stupidity of it is mind-boggling, isn't it?

[Yes, he is one of the brightest minds of his people. Of all time. Period. Truly legendary. His social skills, though....eeeehhh... could use some work.]

[Ugh.

If this had been anywhere else Thanatos may not have been so openly hostile about having such abrupt company, but this space is somewhere that even his twin does not enter without permission and he finds the casual manner of this person to be entirely grating.]

No more than the stupidity of those who continue to use the devices when they aren't working correctly. [He replies waspishly, then with a small gesture of his hand a doorway appears in one of the walls.]

Get out.

[This is exactly the kind of situation gets him in trouble with people every time it happens. Here's he's doing proper research in a rigorous fashion and yet some people get their hackles up about how he's overstepping the boundaries, and intruding, and what else.]

I cannot point the flaws in the design if I haven't used the thing.

[Isn't it absolutely obvious? It is to him. He's also easily distracted when a new topic catches his interest. As he is when a door appears out of nowhere on the wall.]

Oh, neat.

[He can be a lot more eloquent when he's not in research mode.]

Pity. I hoped we could have a conversation about that weapon of yours. It's most interesting design.

[Is he going to just step into a portal leading who knows where? Of course, he is. Isn't it how he got here in the first place?]

Farewell.

[as a matter of fact, Silver is actually pretty good at flight. even if he's getting used to these strange wings and it's a whole different feeling, the concepts aren't dissimilar.

the problem... the problem stems from Silver's unique troubles. namely, his apparent inability to stay awake when things aren't immediately intense. the first few times, he gets by with little more than a wobbly shake or two, but eventually? he's jostled out of his light doze and subsequent careening off to one side by a cool-skinned hand, jolting awake and almost scrambling to regain his equilibrium.]

A-ah-! Sorry, I--

[oof. what a time to fall asleep... at least he was saved by someone, and he's not at all weirded out by that someone having neither wings nor obvious propulsion?]

It... seems I dozed off again. Thank you for your assistance, sir.

[he inclines his head in a little bow even, rather solid on his wings now that he's. yanno. awake.]

[He hadn't realised that the young man he had righted had been fast asleep, but had he a mind for such things he might have noticed that he does seem to keep running into similar kinds of people.]

You managed to fall asleep in mid-air. That's...

[Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous in a way that reminds him so very keenly of his twin brother that he's almost startled by it.]

... Impressive.

[Sure, that's the word we'll use for it.]

Does that happen often?

It's frustrating.

[Silver does not pout very often, but one could imagine it on his face. rubbing his temple with one hand, he shifts slightly. at least Thanatos isn't the only one who thinks it's ridiculous.]

More often than I would like to admit. I'm not certain why, it's just always been that way. Hardly conducive to doing my job well.

Ah. I'm Silver, by the way.

Thanatos.

[And still not entirely used to this whole 'socialisation' thing, but he is certainly doing better with it now than he was months ago when he first arrived here. A good deal of credit for that can go to a certain vampire, that much is certain.

At least he doesn't have to continue to be polite about the apparent inability to stay awake, if this person finds it irritating as well.]

Your job? [He does find himself just a little curious - enough to ask.] What would that be?

It's a pleasure to meet you, Thanatos.

[As the other asks about his job, Silver inclines his head and adjusts his flight pattern a little, focusing his attention on the conversation.]

I'm one of the bodyguards for Malleus Draconia. Which... I assume probably means pretty much nothing, if you haven't stumbled on him here.

Likewise... and I have not.

[Which is not entirely unexpected, really, when this is the first time he's actually been out in public for a while.]

I'm not often in a position to meet people.

[This is his way of saying he's kind of a shut-in, but the way that death operates in Nippon has been taking its toll on him from the beginning and sometimes it simply feels... safer to stay back.]

But this place seemed interesting.

[Silver exhales a little laugh as Thanatos speaks - it's an understanding sound, even if the youth himself doesn't exactly feel the same.

it's a little like Malleus, he imagines, who sequesters himself... well, sometimes (often) to his own detriment.]

It seems like it would be an easy choice for you, too. I take it flying comes naturally? I'm still getting used to being able to physically manipulate something to fly, but it seems easier than a broom.

Naturally, to a point. The physical laws which bind mortals to the earth mean little to me.

[It would be awkward indeed for him if they did, and if he had to take to his feet every time he needed to escort a shade into the afterlife.]

Why would you use a broom?

[To fly? Sir, that makes no sense.]

I see.

[normally, Silver's first assumption would be more along the lines of technological advancement, but he doesn't miss the "mortal" bit of the statement. Granted, neither does it give him much pause - even if he hadn't met Hypnos the other month, many fae are capable of flight naturally.

On the subject of brooms--]

Eh? They're enchanted, of course. Most mortals can't fly naturally - even fae like Father and Malleus have to use a broom at school. [something doesn't add up with Silver's mortality there, it's fine.] Oh, although the students from Scarabia sometimes also have enchanted carpets to fly on.

[Something doesn't add up, no, but Thanatos doesn't think too hard about it just yet. It's another world after all and why should he question it?

Though, admittedly, the way the young man speaks as if Thanatos should understand the context of everything he's saying holds a certain kind of amusement, as much as the novelty in the fact that he doesn't.]

Fae, is it?

[Hmm. Now there's a question.]

Not too familiar with fae, but a mortal living with them sounds like an odd thing.

Mm. It's fairly unusual... father found me as a baby and chose to raise me as his own.

[He just inclines his head there, glancing off in a brief moment of thought. There's no realisation that he's speaking of assumed knowledge, either; Silver is a good man, but he's not always the brightest.]

April | Event: Skybound Travelers

Thanatos | Hades | OTA

Ready, Aim...

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