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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Comments

[hypercriticals]

You'll do no such thing.

[ Prim pauses in stepping despite her words and turns her eyes over her shoulder to Bricks. She isn't terribly accustomed to snow herself. The Greenwood never saw it and it's been six years since her departure from that place. Six...? Seven? She'd had a birthday in Nippon, but that's of no consequence at the moment. What is of consequence at the moment is staying upright and making sure she and Bricks don't wind up getting separated, which, for her, also means staying above the snow. ]

I am a notoriously difficult personage to lose.

[ There's nothing ominous about that statement at all. ]

[historicallyloaded]

[ Nothing suspicious or ominous at all! ]

You say that but I won't exactly have anyone to complain to if you're wrong!

[ He's mostly complaining for the sake of it, because it's cold, and he already regrets this. Still, he moves with purpose, bow-legged steps taking him through the snow as he keeps up with her. ]

Is that the camp up ahead you mentioned? [ Even if he had both his eyes he'd have trouble scouting at a distance, much more suited for studying details. ]

[hypercriticals]

It is. 'T is not far now.

[ It isn't. It's clearly visible to her, barely a stone's throw away, and while she's tempted to bolt for it, she doesn't. Her own statement echoes in her ears, her expression... shifting. ]

'T isn't near enough in this cold.

[ Rather, she reaches to grasp Bricks' hand and tug him along so they can get there more quickly. ]

[historicallyloaded]

[ Gloved fingers fit between hers with little resistance, though the warmth of any contact in this frigid hellscape is starkly contrasting, something he wants to hold onto. He's polite in his grasp and follows along, not wanting to slow her down.

In short time the veil of white welcomes them to a small cabin. There's camping supplies outside; a small fire pit, a small wood pile, and maybe some other dilapidated provisions that would take time in the cold to search.

Up the cabin steps, Bricks lets go of her hand only to help pull the sliding door open. He's not terribly strong, but this place is old, weathered and the door slides open without much fuss. ]

[hypercriticals]

[ For that, Prim is grateful and quick as a whip to recapture Bricks' hand to tug him along inside with her. No sooner than he's across the threshold does she turn to close the door behind them, and with a sigh.

There are supplies outside. She saw them, but they can wait a moment. ]

Is it colder in here?

[ It's darker, but it won't be for long. She softly murmurs something -- a spell -- and light emanates from the staff at her back, illuminating the room.

Nevermind that she hasn't let go of Bricks' hand. ]

[historicallyloaded]

[ This time he flushes when his hand is recaptured, not asking nor expecting it. Grateful all the same as the moments he'd been without her felt jarringly cold. She's right. ]

Certainly feels that way.

[ His eye goes wide as she luminates the room from her staff. Permitting a moment of distraction, he cranes his head and upper body to look on in awe. It might be simple for her but to him it's fascinating. ] I didn't know you could do that with your staff. [ He looks it up and down quickly, wondering if it was mechanical and voice activated or something more supernatural. He'd, disappointingly, bet on the latter. ]

[ He isn't distracted for too long as it's glow of light does reveal more of the cabin. It's not very large, and despite not being in use there's hardly any cobwebs. Bricks takes in a deep breath, trying to analyze on aroma. No obvious mold or mildew or pungent smells; just a lot of cold air, heady wood, a bit of dust. ]

Appears to be excellent condition despite its age. Testament to the craftsmanship of this place.

[ As they explore he doesn't dare to let go of her hand either. Bricks, in fact, sidles closer to her side with one palm gently resting on her shoulder as his body threatens to shiver. For some reason this is what makes him feel the warmest. ]

Wonder if there's a fireplace or k-kettle in here.

[hypercriticals]

[ At any other time, Prim might mind that close contact. She isn't oblivious to it now, but it's cold and the only present source of warmth is that contact. So long as he's mindful about where he's placing his hands, it's excusable. That's what she tells herself, anyway. It isn't inappropriate considering their situation, but it's going to take some additional movement to remedy. ]

Should a thing like that not be central to the structure?

[ She tilts her staff in that direction to look and sure enough, there's a fire place there with a bit of wood stored nearby it. ]

'T would seem we're in luck. Could I trouble you to get that started? I'll see if there's a kettle in the kitchen and some blankets about.

[ She isn't betting on food, but then, she has plenty to snack on in her inventory should they need it. ]

[historicallyloaded]

Certainly.

[ He breaks from her reluctantly but does as is asked, especially when everything is conveniently there. The only thing that'd make this any easier is if it were electric only needed the flick of switch. In short time and with a couple of clack clacks of flint, he gets a fire kindling. This should be good enough, something just to weather them through this momentarily.

He waits for her by the growing fire knees tucked up to his chest. ]

[hypercriticals]

[ It doesn't take Prim too terribly long to appear in the doorway. Before that, there's the sound of clattering something, the sound of something contacting the floor once, twice, thrice, and again. Footsteps, some knocking. Something is being moved, something else -- certainly not anyone straining -- and there Prim stands with a kettle in hand and a couple of blankets in hand, on her head. She can at least sort of see. ]

I found them!

[ And doesn't she look sort of proud as she quickly moves to join him by the growing fire. ]

Ah, and you've got a wonderful little fire going. Here.

[ She doesn't drop to the floor just yet, but she does offer him a blanket. The kettle is going to need water to be any sort of useful and that means... going outside to gather some snow. She knows. ]

[historicallyloaded]

[ Despite none of her rummaging sounding alarming his ears are still keen to it as he cranes his head in the doorway's direction.

Softly, casually, ] Prim?

[ Trying to not sound worried over the last knock, ] Darling?

[ Oh phew, nothing to worry about when she re-emerges. And with a blanket! ] What luck, thank you. [ He beams at that and tucks it over his shoulders. He's about to hold his arm open to entice her in under it but she doesn't sit.

He looks at the kettle and then her. Oh it needs water... doesn't it.

If water were more easily found in this place she wouldn't be hesitating, would she. ]

Want me to come with you?

[ He doesn't want to particularly go back out again, being completely selfishly honest, because it's a momentary inconvenience but because of that same reason, and maybe also being selfish that the more time he's physically away from her the more cold he feels is that why offers. ]