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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[tightbod_bigrod]

In one quick whiff the pants were down. Around his ankles, at least. It was fun, being able to do that without worrying about getting in trouble. No particular obligations to bog them down. No reason they couldn't ditch the clothes and have some fun in the middle of a not-so-abandoned subway station. If only a few of their missions had ended like this before.

He slid himself onto Rude's lap, pressing his dick up against Rude's. His was fairly normal in terms of size - he'd never worried to much about that, it was plenty big enough and he knew how to use it - but his vanity definitely showed in not only how well-groomed he kept it but in how it matched his hair. Too bad that couldn't be appreciated too much in the dark.

Heated, stiff shafts pressed against each other, he rocked his hips eagerly to create friction, squeezing them between their bodies and rubbing them together. He wrapped a hand around them to keep them together as he moved, leaning forward and wrapping his other arm over Rude's shoulder as he leaned in for a kiss.

[suitandshades]

In the darkness there was the sound of a low, deep laugh. Rude was more than amused that Reno hadn't even bothered to completely remove his pants. They were around his ankles. It felt so ridiculous. But it was a fleeting thought, as Reno was soon back where he could almost see him, and straddled upon his lap.

Rude wasn't sure what his partner had planned, whatever it was he didn't think he would mind it much.

He wished he could see. Wished he could see how Reno moved above him. Rude felt when he shifted his hips and lined them both up, the friction of Reno's cock against his own caused him to groan in pleasure. And when a hand wrapped about them, the pleasure was only heightened. It could have been the dark, the fact they were in a semi-public place, or the drink he had enjoyed. Whatever it was, every touch felt like fire upon his skin and he found himself lifting his hips to thrust his much larger cock up into his partners hand.

And then he was being kissed. Rude leaned his head up to meet it, straining against the bindings of his hands. He nipped at Reno's lower lip, demanding, wanting more of that kiss.]

[tightbod_bigrod]

He grinded against Rude as he leaned over him and dove in for a taste of his mouth. The nips just got him to press in harder, until their mouths were practically grinding together just like their cocks were. Maybe they'd accidentally nibble too hard. Maybe they'd get a little reckless and leave a bruise. He didn't care. They could laugh about it in the morning. Right now he was letting his other head make the judgment calls.

Every thrust sent a shiver through him. Rude had an impressive cock - he'd always thought so - and being hard and squeezed together felt amazing. He wasn't sure if he wanted to finish like that. Just the idea of stopping to do something else was painful when he felt so close. Would it be good like that? To have their cum splattered all over their stomachs? Maybe...

Of course, that would leave a mess. Even if that would bother Rude more than him, he still didn't want to feel damp while wearing his clothes.

Pulling away with a breathy gasp, he asked Rude, "How do you feel about licking me clean?" Even with the distance his heated pants touched Rude's chin as he tried to catch his breath.

[suitandshades]

Rude was fine with bruises. He didn't care. A little pain was fine. He was also fine with Reno taking control. That didn't stop him from pulling more against his bindings, groaning as he chased his partners lips and more of those harsh, needy kisses.

They moved together, matching each other in perfect sync. It could have been beautiful if it hadn't been so primal. All either of them wanted was that sweet release, Rude didn't care how he got it, just so long as it was at the hands of Reno.

But then the kiss was broken and words spoken, and Rude almost burst out laughing. Would have, but the only sound that left his lips was a panted grunt after Reno's cock had rubbed against his own in just the right way. "... I'll suck you fucking dry so long as you do whatever you just did again."

[tightbod_bigrod]

"You know it's a fucking bad idea to give away your weakness."

But then, he also knew Reno was an impatient little bastard. And hey, who could give up a promise by Rude to suck them dry? Reno practically fell against Rude, arm slung around him as he went spelunking in the other man's mouth. He was never one to keep his tongue to himself.

At the same time he ground their hips together like it was the last time they would ever get to do this. He might've been in his thirties, but his enthusiasm mirrored that of the teenage delinquent that he looked like. With every thrust he set out to push Rude over the edge and make him keep that promise. Fast, hard, reckless. Maybe a little sloppy, but their was passion behind those heated movements.

[suitandshades]

"Not to you."

If there was anyone Rude felt comfortable knowing his weaknesses, it was Reno. There wasn't much the redhead didn't already know. As far as weaknesses went, this wasn't a common one that any old person would be able to use against him.

But life was danger. And Rude embraced it.

Rude got what he wanted then. Lips on his, a wicked little tongue near fucking his mouth even as Reno attempted to start a fire between the both of them. A fire that threatened to burn Rude alive. Each thrust pushed him further and further toward the edge toward pleasure that made his damn toes curl. It was too much, he might have been embarrassed at just how quickly he came from Reno grinding their cocks together, but he hadn't yet made the connection to the drink he'd had earlier adding to his levels of horny.

He came hard against his lover stomach and his own while his hips rocked up to get a bit more of that amazing friction, a harsh groan was swallowed up by Reno's lips.

[tightbod_bigrod]

The fact that Reno managed to hold out was due to the promise and only the promise. Grinding against Rude, against that hard body and cock, and feeling the heat practically radiating between their bodies... He was really on the tipping point. It took everything he had to clamp down on Rude's lips instead and hold back as soon as Rude came, quickly wrapping a hand around his own cock and covering the tip to hold it in.

It was on the verge of painful holding back, but when he didn't get that release his body settled back into being firmly horny, rocking steadily against Rude to ride out that hot stream of cum. He didn't even care that it was leaving a mess on him. Liked it even - for now. It'd probably get in the way when they needed to get dressed again.

Holding back was a real strain. He panted roughly against Rude, having to take some time to catch his breath. But when he was able to get a hold of himself he lifted up. Hands on the pipes the Rude was tied to, he raised his now slick and messy stomach up past Rude's face, until his still throbbing - and now rather desperate cock - was in front of Rude's mouth.

[suitandshades]

His whole body felt like it was on fire but there was enough tingling to make him believe that there was some electricity there too. Whatever the hell was in those drinks had done a real number on him. First giving him the opening he needed to get Reno to do this with him, and second to have the most mind bending orgasm of his life! Rude was so far gone that he hadn't even realised that Reno hadn't come with him but had stopped himself before he had gotten there. He might have protested if he'd known. Because in his haze he'd almost forgotten his promise.

Until he felt his partner moving above him, pulling him from his fog just in time to see the cock sliding into focus.

And then it all came rushing back to him.

Rude gave a low, amused and breathless laugh before he parted his lips and stretched out his tongue to lap at the weeping tip before him. That salty taste on his tongue had him groaning and soon lifting his head as best he could to take Reno into his mouth, sucking him in as deep as he could go. With his hands bound and his movements restricted it was as good as he was getting. Unless Reno was kind enough to help him out and angle that cock better.

[tightbod_bigrod]

Fortunately, Reno had nothing to be ashamed of but he wasn't as large as Rude. It was a lot easier to take him in - though he was still going to take care. He didn't want to make Rude gag.

With both hands on the pipes to hold himself up in that position, he adjusted himself as Rude's mouth slid over him, a satisfied moan escaping him as he searched for the best angle to slide himself into Rude. Really, it was more of a fantasy than anything and he was going out of his way to finish in an unnecessarily complicated position, but he didn't care. He could hold himself up and he was happy to leave Rude tied so that he had to do everything with his mouth. It just sounded hot as fuck in his mind.

And Rude's mouth felt hot as fuck. Maybe it was because of how heated their bodies were and how close he'd already come to finishing, but it was like sliding his cock into a hot bath.

The fortunate part was that after almost cumming in the last minute his cock was already a throbbing mess ready to burst. They only needed to endure all of the awkward positioning and impediments for a short time. He shakily glided in and out of Rude's mouth in short, slow strokes, legs trembling under him as Rude's tongue continuously sent a thrill through him.

It wasn't long before the floodgates burst. His wanting cock gave way and he clung onto the pipes as he leaned into Rude to spill it all out. His body was so tense that it was a wonder that he was even still holding himself up. But just for a bit longer... Just until he could feel Rude drink in all in before he let himself slump against the other man, a hot, sweaty and slightly overextended mess.

[suitandshades]

Big or small it was all the same to Rude. It belonged to Reno and that made it perfect in his mind. He'd take it. Lets face it, he had no choice but to. He was bound and completely at Reno's mercy, after all.

He held himself still, waiting for Reno to gain purchase on whatever he was reaching for, Rude could hear it happening but couldn't see a damn thing. He couldn't even see Reno's face when he looked up. But somehow that added to the thrill. Almost as much as the way his partners cock slid across his tongue as it moved deeper into his mouth.

Rude groaned and for a he allowed Reno to take the lead, fucking his mouth at whatever pace he deemed fit. Sucked him in and let his tongue slather along his partners shaft or tease his tip when Reno pulled out. But all too soon he could feel that throb against his tongue, the sign that this exhilarating moment was about to reach it's end. And as promised, Rude took it all. Not a drop was wasted. Rude lifted his head to take Reno even further into his mouth, the act of swallowing, the suction, all aiding in milking that cock for every drop cum he could get.

And when that was over and Reno couldn't take any more, that was when Rude released himself from his bindings.

He could have done it at any time, really. But hadn't, since it was something Reno had wanted. And now? There was a snap of leather and strong arms wrapped around the redhead, pulling him back down and holding him while he caught his breath.

[tightbod_bigrod]

They both damn well knew those bindings couldn't really hold him. Reno said nothing about it. He didn't even get his pants back up, settling down instead on Rude's nude lap and leaning into him.

After panting a bit he spoke, "That was fucking hot."

Too much work, to be sure, keeping up an awkward position for no other reason than a fantasy. He wouldn't want to make it so overly complicated every time, but it was good to change things up once in a while.

He wrapped his arms around Rude's shoulders and crashed there, even enjoying the fact that he was basically sitting on a mess. But that mess was Rude's lap, where cum was on his stomach and his spent, slick cock was. Satisfied or not, he enjoyed feeling the aftermath.

"I think... I might stay right here a while."

[suitandshades]

Rude was left panting once Reno had pulled out of his mouth to settle against him. The mess they were in was one of the very last things on Rude mind. He'd folded his partner within his arms and held him as tight as he dared.

He admitted that was hot as fuck. And also that he had no intention of moving for the time being.

"Then stay here with me." Rude breathed, once he was able to actually speak. He'd licked his lips, Reno's taste was still on his tongue and made him smile.

[tightbod_bigrod]

He sniggered.

"Sounds good to me."

He was happy to stay there, for however absurdly long they felt like, being a sticky, sweaty mess on top of Rude. If they didn't have normal work like they did back home - 'normal' being a relative term - then this? This was a perfectly acceptable substitute for passing the time.

He closed his eyes and rested his head on Rude's shoulder.

[suitandshades]

Rude just grunted what could have been a reply, but who knew? He was sated and content and for once he was fine with being a mess. This was a good kind of mess. The kind that could be just as much fun getting clean as it was getting dirty in the first place.

But that was for later. For a future him to deal with. Current Rude didn't want to move a single muscle. In fact, current Rude wanted to nap.

With Reno settled upon him, his head on his shoulder, warm breath tickling his neck, Rude closed his own eyes and let himself do something rare in a semi-public setting. He drifted off into a light doze.