June | Event: Trial of the Soul

[jikan_mod]

Trial of the Soul↲ OOC Plotting

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By now, most Refugees have likely experienced various side effects of Kizuna while living in Nippon. Most of these effects have been mild, but occasionally, they've produced dangerous results due to Kizuna's unstable nature as pure Sora magic. But more than just a minor annoyance, studying how to harness Kizuna is vital to the NRL's goal of fixing the refugees' home worlds. And yet the professors of MRU have been limited in what they can do to assist the scientists in Tokyo with that goal.

But all that is about to change, as MRU announces a special collaboration with the Oni Clans of Kyushu regarding ancient Kizuna practices. Although Oni are not particularly known for their magical prowess, it's believed that the concept of Kizuna bonds originated in Oni culture. As such, they are by and far considered the best source to figure out the true nature of Kizuna.

Up until now, the Oni of Kyushu haven't been receptive to MRU's requests to help the refugees, due to infighting between the two leading Oni Clans. But it seems something has changed their minds...

A Tales of Two Clans

Naturally, the MRU isn't expecting the Refugees to volunteer to head to Kyushu for free. All Refugees willing to participate in the research will be rewarded financially for their time, in addition to being provided food and lodging during their stay. Just think of it as a nice little summer vacation!

But getting to Kyushu is no simple task. Although one could certainly take the train, it'd be a two-day trip, as Kyushu is located on the westernmost island of Nippon. Thankfully, many refugees have technically already been there: Kyushu is the region above which the Tengu city of Miyazaki sits. And with a little help from the Tengu, a new teleportation terminal is added to the region below, allowing for instant travel between Kyushu and Tokyo/Kyoto.

But when they arrive, they may find that their experiences will vary greatly depending on which city their lodgings are located, as Oni culture varies greatly depending on which Clan controls that territory.

Passive Aggressions Kumamoto, Kyushu
Those with lodgings in Western Kyushu will find themselves in the city of Kumamoto, located in Ao Oni territory. The Oni here all have vibrant blue skin, and the refugees will find that the locals are both friendly and curious about them. Aside from a handful of Inu Yokai, very few other varieties of Yokai can be found living in Oni territory, and no humans whatsoever.

Refugees will be housed in a resort located near the ocean shore, where they'll be treated to gourmet five course meals, a natural outdoor hot spring, and even complimentary massages. It's the height of luxury, though it does come at a bit of a cost. Although the Ao Oni are polite, there's always a distinct sense that they're being looked down on -- a certain passive aggression, as they show wonder in the fact the refugees can do anything for themselves. Whether it be constant compliments over their ability to use chopsticks and speak the language, or outright disbelief that they can perform magic or fight, it's hard to say whether it's founded in malice or ignorance. Especially seeing as many will remark that they've never met humans before.

As one of the more popular cities in Kyushu, Refugees may wish to explore some of the shopping districts, where artisan crafts and unique fashion can be purchased. Unlike typical fashion in Nippon, Oni fashion leans towards the risque, as their vibrant colored skin is a mark of pride. Kimono are often cropped at the sleeves and left open, with minimal fabric underneath to maintain modesty. Still, men are rarely going around outright topless, and will always wear something to cover those pesky male presenting nipples, be it a tube top, thin strips of fabric, or even leather straps.

If the Refugees hope to be treated with a bit more respect, switching to the local fashion is perhaps the only way to go. And hey, it's pretty hot in Kyushu, so surely it's a win-win situation!

Tsunderoni Oita, Kyushu
Refugees staying in the Eastern half of Kyushu will instead be taken to the city of Oita, located in Aka Oni territory, where the Oni possess bright red skin. Unlike the Ao Oni, the Aka Oni are far less friendly. Even those in charge of the refugees' housing will seem somewhat disinterested, simply showing them to their rooms in a small inn without fanfare. There's no luxury to be found here, though at least the food is decent.

The streets of Oita are a very different sight than what the Refugees may be used to in Nippon. Kyushu is an island rife with volcanic activity, and all throughout Oita, thick plumes of steam can be found rising out of buildings and from the sewers below the street. As such, the entire city is extremely humid, which some may even find to be downright unbearable. And while the inside of every building is equipped with powerful cooling spells, it may discourage some from exploring.

But perhaps that's for the best. Those who walk the streets of Oita will find themselves being treated as an oddity, with many businesses hesitant in serving them. Some locals may even be outright hostile, picking fights and jeering at them in streets. Those bearing obvious Kizuna effects will receive the brunt of this treatment.

And yet those same refugees will find that these encounters may in fact spawn additional Kizuna effects, on both themselves and the Oni harassing them, as if a bond were made between them. Nevermind the fact that Kizuna bonds between refugees and natives are usually very rare, the fact that there's a bond at all certainly implies that their hostility isn't hostility at all. Are the Aka Oni just really bad at dealing with new people??

Revolutionary Bond Kizuna

After a few days of familiarizing themselves with the Oni and the region of Kyushu, all refugee volunteers are taken to a small region of Oita known as Beppu, where elders from the two Oni clans are waiting for them in front of a large shrine. Behind them, many natural springs filled with boiling water create a smokey atmosphere, with the water occasionally boiling over and shooting into the sky like a geyser. They certainly know how to pick location to set a mood.

"Humans and halfings have long made a habit of taking that which they do not fully understand. These Kizuna bonds were once an important part of maintaining a unified Oni nation, but fell to the wayside as Clan divisions grew deeper.

Today, only fragments of those bonds remain, carried across generations through our blood. It is a powerful magic that binds souls together, weaving their connection into the fabric of reality itself!

...understandably, it grew less popular as divorce became more commonplace."

That's right: Kizuna bonds are an ancient Oni marriage ritual.

They continue to explain that the form of Kizuna used by the refugees has been mutated due to the sheer size of the bond that keeps them in Nippon. This is what causes the severe side effects, and is likely the reason that some refugees are able to manipulate reality to a small extent through wishes or other means.

To address these issues, the Oni's plan is two-fold. First, they'll teach the Refugees a secret arte that will allow them to wield the Kizuna they produce. And then, they ask that all refugees participate in three trials once performed by all Oni prior to their marriage. This is so they can better appreciate the gift they possess, and hopefully better understand the culture behind that power.

Soul Artifacts Beppu, Oita
Kizuna magic is a type of pure Sora magic, which is magic that deals with the soul. Thus, Kizuna bonds are bonds between two souls. But that bond can also be used to summon a construct known as a Soul Artifact. This is the magic the Oni will teach the Refugees how to perform, as the act of summoning an Artifact will help use some of the excess Kizuna that would otherwise produce side effects.

Soul Artifacts are physical representations of the soul. They can take any shape or form, and some even have special abilities. While it is possible for someone to summon their own soul artifact, it is far easier to have someone else who they are bonded with summon it instead.

The spell itself is deceptively simple. Simply calling someone's name and picturing an item being drawn from their chest is enough to summon the Soul Artifact. But the simplicity of it doesn't mean it'll be easy, and for most Refugees, they'll spend the first hour or so calling each other's names while awkwardly grabbing at each other's chests.

But eventually, should their bond be significantly strong enough, the image of what that artifact is will suddenly appear in their mind, allowing them to draw it out. While the Artifact can be anything from a weapon to an ordinary household item, the color scheme and general appearance will reflect the person it was drawn from. Likewise, all Artifacts are allowed one magical ability that may vary based on the bond between the pair.

Feel free to get creative with this! A knight may draw a sword from his princess's chest capable of shooting energy beams. A librarian may draw a book from her lover's chest that can predict the future one week ahead. A dominatrix may draw a dildo from her sub's chest capable of growing three times its size. As the most powerful magic in the world, Kizuna can do seemingly anything!

Really, it's no wonder the Oni want the Refugees to learn how to control it.

The Trials of Beppu Kyushu, Nippon
Those willing to accept the Oni's terms must participate in the Trials of Beppu, an ancient rite of passage once required of all Oni before the Clan leaders could approve of their marriage. Although the tradition is no longer widely practiced, the Clan leaders insist that the Refugees take part in order to show respect for the Kizuna they wield.

As Refugees are capable of bonding with anyone, they will be allowed and encouraged to retake any trial as many times as needed with as many people as they have bonded with.


The first trial, the Trial of Promise, is the most simple. A bonded pair must enter a special cave located behind a massive waterfall in Takachiho Gorge, said to have been the very same cave where the goddess Amaterasu once hid herself away, causing all light in the world to disappear. Upon entering, the cave entrance will abruptly seal itself, shrouding the pair in darkness.

Should the pair's bond be sufficiently strong, the cave will light up, revealing a hidden message carved into the stone: "You cannot leave until you"... do what, exactly? The prompt will vary based on the pair in question. Some may need to kiss, others may need to fuck, and others still may need to tell a secret, defeat one another, or even attempt to kill one another. Upon successfully completing the trial, the entrance will open, allowing them to leave at their leisure.


The second trial, the Trial of Devotion, will have a bonded pair enter a forest at the foot of Mt. Aso at night, armed only with their partner's Soul Artifact. A gently sloped mountainside home to an active volcano, the pair must ascend to the highest peak just outside the forest before sunrise. Toxic fumes pouring from the volcano's caldera aside, the forest itself is filled with terrifyingly huge monsters, including dodongo, lavahounds who combust when threatened, and giant beetles called daikabuto who can grow as big as houses.

Thankfully, there's a trick to all of this: as long as they maintain physical contact with one another, a special spell will protect them from all harm, though they can still be pushed around by anything attempting to separate them. The spell will only last until morning, but will refresh with a kiss before the morning sun -- so they best make haste to the top if they want a chance of getting back safely. Those who return with their spell intact will pass the trial.


The third and final trial is the Trial of Love, though it seems rather poorly named. In this trial, a pair will wield each other's Soul Artifacts, and must engage in combat against one another. The goal is to destroy your own Artifact without destroying the one you are wielding. Thankfully, as Soul Artifacts are only representations of the soul, destroying them will have no ill effect. But it can be very painful, not unlike a bond breaking, as one of the Aka Oni will demonstrate: shattering the sword drawn from his own soul, before falling to his knees and wheezing in pain.

Essentially, it's a battle for who can destroy their own Soul Artifact first, in order to spare their partner the pain of their Artifact breaking. But how is this supposed to work? Not all Soul Artifacts are weapons, after all!

As it turns out, the trial is a trick. Following the rules as given will still allow both competitors to pass, regardless of who wins. Likewise, should both participants come together and choose to either simultaneously break their Artifacts, or surrender the trial all together, it will still count as a pass. Because the true Trial of Love is simply the act of participating in the trial together to test their bond.

Aftermath Beppu, Oita
Once the trials are complete, those who passed at least two trials will be invited to a special ceremony, designed to mimic that of those long past. Naturally, since no one is getting married here (unless they want to??), the ceremony is mostly just an excuse for a massive feast. Taking place in a large open park just outside the city, hundreds of Oni have arrived from all over Kyushu to witness this rare event, where the current leader of the Aka Oni clan offers a few brief words.

"Time's finally changing, and after so much time unchanging, we Oni should learn to better embrace these changes. Otherwise, we're no better off than we were in the time loop. The bravery put on by these alien halfings is nothing to sneeze at. And I'd say they're as worthy of the Aka Oni name as any of you ol' farts sittin' out there drinking your asses off!"

Refugees who passed the trials will be considered unofficial members of the Ao and Aka Oni clans, and will find that from then on, the Oni of Kyushu with treat them with familiarity, as if somehow able to sense the bond they now share with their homeland. In addition to no shortage of food and booze, there's music and dancing that will last until well past sunrise.

Hot and Steamy

With the trials behind them and a new form of magic under their belts, the Refugees will be allowed to simply enjoy the rest of their vacation in Kyushu however they may please.

But there's just one question remaining: why did the Oni suddenly decide to help with the Kizuna research, despite Kizuna being such a cherished aspect of their culture?

As it turns out, the Refugees are having a larger impact on this world than they may realize.

Hellish Bathwater Beppu, Oita
As it turns out, the Trials of Beppu draw their names from a certain natural phenomenon known instead as the Hells of Beppu. It refers to an area in Eastern Kyushu where a number of naturally occurring hot springs carry unusual effects. However, unlike the enchanted pools of Hakone's Owakudani, not all of these springs are safe to enter.

Of them, one of the most popular is the Umi Jigoku, the sea of hell. A vast boiling spring with vibrantly blue water, this spring is said to be the deepest pool of water in Kyushu, with massive lily pads floating atop the surface that are believed to stretch for miles below. Brave and foolish Aka Oni can sometimes be found jumping between the lily pads to cross the steaming pool, or even grabbing passerbys to strand them on a lily pad in the middle. Standing in any one spot for too long will cause the lily pads to sink into the water, burning flesh within seconds, so those who visit may need to be prepared for an emergency rescue or two.

And those hoping for a spring they can actually soak in will find it at Chinoike Jigoku, the blood pond of hell. Appropriately named, the water in this spring is bright red in color and has a strange almost gooey consistency. Relaxing in this spring is said to have powerful healing effects, and according to legend, it can even revive the dead. Perhaps it's the latter reputation that keeps it from being more popular, but Refugees who soak in the strange water will find any aches, pains, or chronic conditions healed -- including those previously thought to be incurable.

The only downside is that the strange water has a tendency to get the blood boiling in a very specific way, leaving those who soak in it for too long in a state of prolonged arousal, earning the pond a second name: Chinchin Jigoku.

Stone Dragon God™ Sakurajima, Kyushu
Those looking for a little more excitement on their vacation look no further than Sakurajima, a region perpetually blanketed in smoke and ash from the nearby volcano of the same name. Thankfully, there hasn't been an eruption for a few weeks, so the region is currently safe to explore.

And they really ought to go take a look. In fact, the Oni will insist that it's a place all refugees ought to visit.

In addition to curious ruins of ancient cities forever half-buried in old mud flows, Sakurajima is currently home to a new species of ayakashi the Oni have taken to calling Ninseki, the stone people. These ayakashi only started appearing recently, and really, calling them ayakashi feels inaccurate. Capable of limited speech and organizing themselves in quaint villages, the only reason they're called ayakashi is because Ninseki used to be Kaoseki.

It's unknown how they came to evolve at such a fast rate, but the MRU has a few leads. And perhaps the most damning comes from the Ninseki themselves, who have taken to worshipping a figure they refer to as the stone dragon god, statues of whom can be found throughout Sakurajima, seemingly crafted using some kind of Tsuchi-based power unique to the Ninseki. A gift from the stone dragon god, perhaps?

Thankfully, the Ninseki themselves are extremely friendly, and will happily invite any refugees to join them in a meal or dance, or even challenge them to a race up the mountain! Perhaps it's because they were once forever stationary, but the Ninseki enjoy any activity that keeps them moving!

And for those who happen to recognize this stone dragon god of theirs, perhaps they'll understand why the Oni thought it vital that the Refugees learn to control the Kizuna they produce, lest they permanently alter this world well after they've left it.

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

• While characters do not need to participate in the trials to visit Kyushu, they will not be provided lodgings, and may find it especially difficult to procure any on their own unless they visibly look like an Oni.

• Only characters who participate in this event will be able to unlock Soul Artifacts. Future characters will eventually be able to unlock it via Bonus AC.

• You have 100% creative control over how your character's Soul Artifact manifests. Likewise, you are welcome to have it change shape depending on who draws it from their soul. For example: Both Tom and Fred are bonded with Gloria. Tom draws a sword from Gloria's soul because he has a strong desire to protect her, but Fred draws a teacup because he greatly enjoys their weekly meet-ups at the local coffee shop. And Gloria draws a gun from her own soul because of her double life as an assassin.

• Teleporting out of the Trial of Promise will only work if both participants agree to forfeit the challenge. Likewise, agreeing to forfeit will cause the door to open after about an hour.

• All dangers in the Trial of Devotion are optional, as some may simply never come across any monsters during their hike, and all pairs are welcome to travel in groups. No climbing is necessary to reach the top, but it is a very long walk.

• There are no hints to imply the true means of passing the Trial of Love beyond the name, as the Oni will only tell them the rules and will answer no questions.

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Rin Okumura | Blue Exorcist

[chaoticstupid]

1 | Luxury Spa | cw: Underage, smut optional
[Rin's never been in a situation where he could say he was living the life of luxury, but this? This is luxury. After a five-course dinner, a post-dinner massage, and maybe a few non-alcoholic drinks spiked with Uki, he heads to the outdoor spring and jumps right in, letting out a loud and content sight. It's still pretty hot, so he opts to sit on the edge of the spring to let himself cool down from the evening ocean breeze.]

[Now see, Rin is under the impression that the spring is divided by gender. It is not. So he's not bothering to cover himself up, face flushed as he glances over at someone else in the spring. Behind him, his long black tail is wagging happily.]

I've never been to a place like this -- these Oni guys are pretty nice! You havin' a good time?


2 | Fashion Disaster
What the hell is this? Is this supposed to be a shirt?

[It's hot in Kyushu. And despite being a guy who fights while bathed in flames, the weather here is doing him no favors. As such, he decided to go search for something a little cooler, and instead found a place that seems to sell nothing but crop-tops. The one he's found is mesh, with little solid hearts around the nerps. Seriously??]

Man, maybe I'll just go shirtless... that's probably fine, right?


3 | Dramatically Clutches Chest
[Rin doesn't really get this. So he's just supposed to say their name and pull something out of their chest? Seems simple enough, even if the uh... marriage ritual part of it is something he'd rather not think about.]

You think we need to use our full names? Or is just the first name fine?


4 | Obvious Trap | cw: Underage, smut optional
[Now it was time for a proper trial, and after getting to know some folks here in Kyushu, he feels... well, not sufficiently prepared for a marriage ritual, but he can do some wacky magic things, sure.]

[And after making his way to the trial location in Takachiho gorge, he looks at the cave they're supposed to enter, and then back at the person going in with him.]

So... we're just supposed to go in? There's not gonna be some kinda trap in there, right?


5 | Wildcard
[Rin can also be found: getting egged into jumping across the lily pads by Oni or rescuing folks who get stranded, participating in the Trial of Love, getting stuck in the Chinoike spring because he has a boner and can't stand up, or laughing at someone else for having a boner in the same spring!]

[Also open to handwaving first meetings if anyone wants to jump into the latter prompts with established CR! Hit me up here if you wanna plan something specific!]

3

[reflash]

First name should be enough. [Yukio says, confidently.]

Do you want to try it first, or should I?

Aether (Traveler) | Genshin Impact

[brilliantdiamond]

1 | Fractured Soul
[This isn't the first time Aether's used Kizuna magic related to the soul, and perhaps that's why he feels a little hesitant at first. Despite assurances from the Oni that Soul Artifacts are mere representations and can't cause the soul any harm, remembering the ordeal he went through last August still causes a strange ache in his chest that he can't quite place.]

[Still, knowing that researching all of this is necessary to one day fix the worlds they came here from, he'll do what he can to participate. Which is what brings him to Beppu to try and summon a Soul Artifact.]

[Of course, little does he know, any artifacts drawn from his chest will actually reveal what happened to his soul nearly a year ago now due to the unique appearance it'll have.]

Is there anything special I need to do? Or can you just... grab it?

[Does he need to lay down? Swoon into their arms?? The Oni didn't really specify further than this.]


2 | Lewd Promise
[The scenery at Takachiho Gorge is beautiful, but as much as he wants to get out and explore it, first he has a trial to finish. And it's here, standing in front of the cave entrance, where the first trial will take place.]

So... we just go in? They said things will be obvious once we're inside, so... maybe there's some kind of puzzle?

[Choose your own adventure! Possible prompts could require them to: Have sex against the wall, make each other laugh, reveal a secret, list off past sexual partners, explain their wildest sexual fantasy, create sexual tension, explore their bodies intimately through touch, share a romantic kiss, or even multiples of the above!]


3 | Goron City
[Once given the go-ahead to explore, Aether quickly makes his way to Sakurajima along with a handful of other curious refugees -- and perhaps your character included! Meeting the Ninseki is a strange experience, but they seem friendly enough. The landscape is certainly unique, with the ruins of an old city just barely poking out of the ash and mud that's long since hardened, trapping everything beneath.]

[But at some point, he breaks off from the bulk of the group until it's just him, Paimon, and someone else. And it's then that he happens upon one of the statues, to which Paimon exclaims-- "Wait just a second! The stone dragon god... is Rex Lapis!?"]

It, uh... seems that way, huh. But we should probably keep that to ourselves.


4 | Wildcard
[Aether can also be found: shopping for a new wardrobe in Kumamoto, relaxing in the hot spring or indulging in drinks during dinner at the resort, or saving folks from the boiling spring, or relaxing in the gooey chinoike spring!]

[If you'd like to plot something specific or would like a closed starter, hit me up here!]

Closed to Melissa

[brilliantdiamond]

[The Trial of Devotion certainly seemed like a pretty big step up in danger compared to the last one. Ascend to the top of an active volcano through a forest filled with monsters in the middle of the night while holing hands and only wielding a single seemingly random weapon?? Yeah, that sounds like a recipe for success. Even with a protection spell, he finds himself feeling a little wary. Did the Oni really have to do this just to get married?? Maybe most of their race was born out of wedlock.]

[The sun hasn't quite set yet, but they still needed to prepare by summoning the artifacts in question. And so, he turns to his partner for this particular run of the trial -- Melissa.]

Do you want to draw first, or should I?

[It's only polite to ask before pulling a girl's soul out between her boobs.]

Closed to Dainsleif

[brilliantdiamond]

[The Oni's explanation seemed simple enough. Call someone's name and envision pulling something from their chest to summon the soul artifact. But rather than do this surrounded by everyone else at the shrine, given the potential intimate nature of seeing the shape someone's soul would take, Aether offers to head to the location of one of the trials first -- and then using the method described to test the strength of their bond before the trial.]

[After all, he was doing this with Dainsleif, and surely someone as mysterious as he would prefer no one else see such a thing! And of course, Aether had his own reasons for not wanting too many people to see his own as well.]

[The way to the Trial of Promise was a bit more out of the way, requiring a hike down the gorge to reach the waterfall in question, behind which the cave is located. But it's not until they're nearly there that he finally... addresses something.]

...aren't you hot? I feel hotter just looking at you.

[For his part, Aether is considerably dressed down, wearing only his usual black crop-top and a very very short pair of cropped hakama, along with his usual boots and gloves for some armor. And if not for his Hi magic keeping him somewhat cooler, even that much would be unbearable.]

2

[localweirdo]

[Meanwhile, here Hu Tao was, standing in front of the cave. Giving a sigh, she knew what she was in for. Having spent the past couple of days here, she was fully prepared for what was to come in the future. However, it didn't stop her from exploring the area in hopes learning new information about this world.

When she saw a person next to her, she raised an eyebrow.]

I believe so. Shall we go inside and find out?

2

[guujigang]

[ Yae is right behind Aether and Paimon when they made it to the gorge. She's relieved to be reacquainted with someone familiar, who's also trustworthy and reliable. Crossing her arms, she has her gohei in hand as she stops to take in the sight of the cave entrance. It's not so different from the caverns of Inazuma, making this feel like an adventure with the Traveler back home.

When Aether speaks, Yae looks at them and nods ]

There's only one way to find out. Lead the way, little one.

[ Yae is a bit of a fragile speedster, so it's only smart to let the more physical combat oriented person to take the lead while she watches the rear. As they enter the cave, the challenge becomes clear as it's written on the cave wall:

"List off past sexual partners"

The audacity of the challenge was enough to even give Yae a pause, but she let out a laugh to hide her nervousness. ]

Now that is a novel question. Aren't you just dying to go first?

Wildcard: Trial of Love (Lucy)

[scarredhorns]

[To call it the Trial of Love is ironic to Lucy, considering the seemingly violent nature of the trial. Then again, perhaps it was about sacrificing your comfort for the one you loved? To spare them from the pain of having their Soul Artifact broken? She certainly knew a thing or two about that, having given the ultimate sacrifice to save Kouta. While Lucy wouldn't say that she's in love with Aether, she's found his company pleasant so far and he's never done anything to make her feel bad. She trusts him enough to be comfortable with pairing up for the trial.]

I'll pull out your Soul Artifact first. Just relax.

[She says his name and reaches for his chest, though it takes a couple of seconds of her hands resting against Aether's chest before a clear picture appears in her mind. The mental image makes her incredulous at first, but sure enough, she draws out a sword from him. Having never held a sword before, she uses both hands and holds it awkwardly (to the trained eye) in front of her, tip pointing straight up to the sky.]

You must be tougher than you look. I wasn't expecting to draw a weapon from you.

kamisato ayaka | genshin impact

[mistsplitter]

🌸 a: passive aggressions
[ Kyushu is a lovely place, so Ayaka thinks, but she's finding the fashion a little... not her style, so to speak. It was fine at first-- some oni passing by telling her she has such a nice dress, or she looks so "guarded" with armour on. She's not dense. She gets it! And she thought she could survive in this place without having the need to conform, but...

When she wanted to buy an ornamental fan at a shop? She was complimented again for her "nice dress" that covers up her skin. And, unfortunately, the oni ended up upping the price to three times its worth. That's a little unfair, isn't it? She just wants a souvenir... but if people are going to be rude about it, then fine. She'll play their game.

And hope that no one she knows sees her on her little shopping trip.

Yes, she ends up changing into a red kimono just so she can buy some things. Fortunately, there was a satin slip for sale, too, so she can cover herself up a little... And with Ayaka showing more skin? The oni shop sellers are happy!

She sighs... covering her face as she walks around with her new fan. There are still some things she needs to buy, souvenirs for her friends, so she's still roaming about in the streets in what looks more like lingerie than actual casual wear. ]

🌸 b: soul artifacts
[ This is what they came for, isn't it? Ayaka is ambivalent at first, but the notion of seeing her soul manifested into something physical entices her in the end. There's... something romantic about the whole idea, not to mention? Being in Nippon has made her discover who she truly is-- Ayaka, not the Shirasagi Himegimi. She'd like to see what Ayaka's soul looks like.

That is, if anyone would partner up with her, anyway. Just about anyone would do, because in the end, she believes she'd be able to create a bond with this person if they'd just met. And if they already know each other? Then that's a bonus!

Approaching anyone who doesn't look busy, she tries to make an effort to reach out. ]

Would you like to summon a Soul Artifact with me?

🌸 c: trial of promise
[ Simple as the trial may be, Ayaka feels a little unsure as to what it is they need to do. They'll find out when they enter the cave, after all, and not knowing now is making her anxious. But, she would like to do this entire ritual properly. Looking over at her partner, she tries to smile. ]

I hope what it is that we have to do will at least make our bond stronger.

[ From acquaintances to friends, from friends to good or best friends, and all that! Ayaka would hate to have a bad relationship with anyone. That's just not something she enjoys, if she's presenting herself to someone personally.

Inside? The cave will reveal what they would have to do. (Pick a prompt or create your own! Ideas I've thought of so far are to make the other person cry, share a secret, mark one another, pleasure the other with one's mouth-- non-smut or smut options a-okay! ]

🌸 d: trial of devotion
[ It is nighttime, and there's still much to be done. Ayaka thinks she can fend for herself with her partner's Soul Artifact, if only because her Vision rests on her back. She should be able to get her and her partner out of trouble with her skillset. She's not all that scared! ]

Please do not worry, [ she says encouragingly. They can do this! ] With proper strategy, and if we are careful, then we should be able to achieve our goal with relative ease.

[ Truly optimistic! ]

🌸 e: wildcard
[ Anything goes! If you'd like to do something with Ayaka, feel free to write a custom starter or plot with me and I can whip something up! ]

C!

[brilliantdiamond]

I think with the two of us, we shouldn't have much trouble!

[Or so he hopes. Given this is a trial meant to test the strength of their bond, could it be that they'll be expected to do something to test their friendship? It seems fairly likely.]

[Of course, maybe he's the one testing their friendship right now, because he's very much dressed for the weather -- only wearing a skin-tight croptop and a very short pair of hakama, with his hair pulled up in a ponytail to keep off his shoulders. Of course the man who wore a croptop on Dragonspine wouldn't tolerate the heat very well.]

Hopefully it's a bit cooler inside, at least. It's tempting to just stand under the entrance for a while...

[Since it's behind a waterfall, and all.]

[holdshisown]

1: passive agression.

[The way the residents of Kyushu act reminds Maedhros a lot about how people treated him after he returned from Thangorodrim. Treating every little thing he did like it was some sort of acomplishment. It was extremly condescending and was starting to get on his nerves.

Neither was he very fond of the fashion around here, but he knew the value of following the customs of the land you are visiting. So he has chosen to don clothing that will be deemed more apropriate by the locals. Even if it left him feeling exposed and vulnerable. Wich is why he is currently walking around town looking both uncomfortable and pissed off.]

2: soul artefacts.

[Listening to clan elder's explanation about what these kizuna bonds actually were informative. If it is some sort of marrige ritual, no wonder the effects were the way they were. He might have made a misscalculation comming here however since the elders want them to participate in these trials and he's unsure how they will take a refusal.

So now he is standingwith the rest of the people that had traveled here, his nervousness hidden behind a blank expression. He'd rather not find out whatever twisted form his broken soul would manifest as.]

Are you sure you wouldn't prefer doing this with someone else?

3: trial of promise.

[Being stuck in a dark cave was not what he had set out to do today. Nor did he appreciate the fact that his release was conditional on his compliance to the instructions the wall had so kindly seen fit to give them.]

I am not telling you any of my secrets!

4: wildcard.

[Maedhros will be wandering around, merely observing the goings on around town. If you want to plot something out you can do it here]

arataki "this event was made for me" itto | genshin impact

[oneandoni]

I. A Tales of Two Clans

[of course something important like kizuna bonds originated with the Oni! It isn't that surprising to hear, but Itto is still incredibly happy about it all the same. The very second he hears they're heading to Kyushu Itto is ready to go - it's easy when you don't own a lot - and . . . okay, maybe getting there via the Tengu city is really annoying, but not even his incredibly fair and legit bias against them will stop him.

"But Itto!" You may ask, because you totally care about what Itto plans to do. "Which clan are you going to stay with?"

Well, silly reader, the answer is obvious! He's going to stay in both cities and get to know both clans!]

a. [what passive aggression? Itto doesn't notice it at all! He's more than happy to accept their compliments and answer their questions, especially ones about his own Oni heritage. He doesn't stay at the resort, but far be it from him to pass on some delicious food or hot springs. So if you're hanging out in Kumamoto, there's a high chance you'll find him around.

And hey, check it out, he already dresses like the locals! Isn't that a neat coincidence?]

b. [Itto doesn't feel at home any more with the Aka Oni than the Ao Oni; he's always held a deep respect for the Blue Oni's sacrifice back home and that shows in his interaction with the Ao clan, but he is descended from the Crimson Oni. But Oni are Oni to him, and the obvious disinterest won't stop him from befriending these Oni, either.

He shows some surprising patience with their hesitance - he doesn't get a free pass just 'cuz he happens to be an Oni, too - but when it comes to the ones who pick fights, well . . .

Look, a good fight is just another way of having a conversation! Just with more violence! And Arataki "friend to all Oni" Itto knows how to talk just as well this way, too]

Geez, did ya see how hard that guy hit me? Hahaha, he'll have to try harder than that to knock me out!

[as for the kizuna effects, well, his horns have taken on a slightly different shade of red, one that matches the vibrant Oni here in Oita]

II. Soul Artifacts

[he is 100% down for whatever this weird soul stuff is, if it's important to the Oni, then it's important to him!

But uh . . . is he just supposed to like, imagine pulling something out of someone else's chest? And is he supposed to think of something specific? A sword would be super cool, but maybe it isn't supposed to be a weapon??]

Sooo . . . do you wanna go first or should I give it a shot?

III. Trials of Beppu

[maybe you end up in the cave with Itto, trying to do the Trial of Promise.

Or maybe you end up in the forest for the Trial of Devotion, and apologies in advance cuz those are some real big beetles do you think they can be trained for beetle fights??

Or there's the Trial of Love, which - y'know, someone else might have to figure out the trick, but he's down to fight]

IV. Aftermath

Wait a minute, it's a what?!

[someone didn't get the memo.

After the initial shock over that is over, Itto hops right into partying, because even if it was some ancient marriage thing, he can forget that for now cuz there's food and booze and music and - you get the picture]

V. Wildcard

[as always, hmu in discord or here for plotting ♥]

TRIALS

[brilliantdiamond]

...they said we just have to go inside, and the rest will be obvious. But it shouldn't be anything we can't handle, right?

[After making their way down to Takachiho gorge and finding the location of the trial behind a massive waterfall, all that remained was passing under a torii gate and entering the cave. It seemed simple enough!]

[And for his part, Aether's been feeling a little giddy over this. This is an ancient Oni marriage ritual, and Itto was an Oni... even though they were only doing this to aid the MRU in their Kizuna research, it all felt a little romantic anyway.]

asch the bloody | tales of the abyss

[charredflame]

I. Passive Aggressions

[it's only because Asch holds some interest in this world's magic that he decides to go to Kyushu. And it's with great reluctance that he exchanges his uniform for something more appropriate for the warm weather; it's only coincidence that it happens to comply to the local fashion.

Speaking of the locals, Asch picks up on the passive aggression almost immediately, and while he doesn't think it's meant to be malicious, well, it still strikes a nerve and patience is not a virtue he holds. So when he isn't at the hotel for meals or to rest, he spends most of his time at the beach, keeping to himself outside of the trials. Though he can be found in one of the shopping districts now and then]

II. Soul Artifacts

[well, this is kind of familiar.

He doesn't look all that happy about having someone pull some representation of his soul out of his chest - or doing it to someone else - but if that's how he'll learn more about magic . . .

Though, has he even bonded with anyone? Asch certainly doesn't think so.

Regardless, he'll go along with it. He crosses his arms and sighs, looking faintly annoyed anyway]

Well? Are you going first or am I?

[guess which option he'd rather do first]

III. The Trials of Beppu

[ah . . . of course it's much more annoying then just the artifacts.

But he agreed to this and so, he'll continue to do what he's asked, even if being stuck somewhere until a task is accomplished seems to annoy him much more than it should.

(Feel free to come up with a cave prompt, or even a way to bond with him more before they get a task!)

Or maybe you end up doing one of the other trials with him! Having to traverse a mountainside or battle with artifacts is far less troublesome to him, oddly enough]

IV. Wildcard

[feel free to come up with something else if none of these work or hmu at my plotting comment if you want to plan something out!]

III.

[hypercriticals]

[ There's an abrupt noise -- like rapidly shifting earth and stone -- and darkness consumes the space previously well-lit space. It's sudden enough that Prim jumps, ears perked and alert, and turns sharply to look in the direction from which the sound came to... find the entrance to the cave has been sealed? And by more than earth and stone.

There's a spell behind it. ]

Wh...?

Melissa Foddebrat | Beware the Villainess!

[shatteredstoryline]

1. Titty Straps Cause Titty Snaps
[Melissa doesn't really give much of a fuck and leans so far into it that she nearly has something scandalous going on. But hey! Better than sweating to death.

Though unfortunately that means those suspenders get SNAPPED when she's wrestling with those Aka Oni who love to pick a fight. Hell, she might even get into a confrontation so escalated that she gets shoved right into your character! Watch out, though. Kizuna is oozing everywhere thanks to the 'playful' argument, and Melissa might even be sporting lion ears and a tail!]

2. Revolutionary Bitch Melissa
Hey, come on! Just try it! I wanna see!

[I'm sorry, were you busy? Melissa is pulling aside anyone she can to see if they're willing to try. Even if it's someone new. Because why the fuck not? It may be more difficult, but she's up for the challenge. Are you?]

3. 30 DAY FREE TRIAL
[Melissa is happy to go on a trial with anyone who needs a partner. In fact some give her a weird look but don't say anything. This is a CHOOSE YOUR OWN. Let me know what trial you'd like to run and I'd be happy to do a specific starter.]

4. Frogger
[Because of her (friendly) spats with the Aka Oni, Melissa is often left stranded on a lily pad or asked to race about on them. Which means if you're in need of rescue (or would like to rescue her) there are plenty of opportunities to run into her out there.]

5. Wildcard
[Bring your own prompt, or hit up my plotting comment to have me write a tailored starter just for you!]

purchases winrar

[sultanofsquat]

[ It took a little bit for Cloud to plainly stop staring up when talking or looking Melissa's general direction. Now? It's all about what he sees in his peripheral view. ...that and it doesn't help that Melissa has an inch or two over him. Then again, it wasn't like Cloud's outfit was any better. Cool as the sleeveless jacket he's sporting is, in order to secure his Buster Sword on this trip and fit in with the locals he was strapped with a harness to cover up those MALE PRESENTING NIPPLES. It doesn't help that his low hanging pants reveal the straps hugging his hips and that pelvic dip.

Misunderstandings on the wayside and on far more amicable terms, when he thought about wanting to patch things up with this woman, meeting back up in a sweltering hot volcanic land with risqué outfits wasn't what he had in mind.

Yet here they are! The first trial of this ritual, and they must enter a cavern to begin. Staring at the waterfall ahead of them and the cave that awaits behind it, as they walk and talk, Cloud can't help thinking aloud, ]

This waterfall's the coolest thing about this place,

[ he says with a thin sheen of sweat and glistening skin from the mist because it's still so hot. ]

Cloud Strife | Final Fantasy VII Remake

[sultanofsquat]

凶 A.) Himbofication & Passive Aggressives
[ Cloud was, if nothing else, adaptable. So of course he was going to Kyushu if it meant making a good chunk of money. Still securing odd jobs despite his efforts, he was working hard and fast to secure a place in Kyoto. Along with, however, came the need to build up other necessities. Like a wardrobe bigger than just one SOLDIER uniform, a summer yukata and a rental kimono from the dorm he first stayed in. Suffice to say, however...when Cloud had settled down in Kumamoto and finally caved in securing a new outfit to better fit in?

It took far too much humming & hawing before the blond ultimately succumbed. ]

Hell with it...

[ The dark sleeveless coat that hangs from his shoulders was cool and all, but in order to secure the Buster Sword (and to cover up those pesky MALE PRESENTING NIPPLES), he's been fitted with a harness that completes the Oni visage. At least the outfit comes complete with pants. ...pants that hang low enough to tease that sweet v-line and reveal straps of the harness that hang from his hips. Without the Ao or Aka Oni breathing too hard down his back for his "nice boots" or offhandedly remarking "gee that sword is so big you ain't compensating, nooo"

Cloud can be found all over. Whether he's spending quality time alone on the beach to get away from the hustle & bustle, window shopping as he eyes up things he could bring back, or just trying to look as casual despite his embarrassed red face wandering the streets? This is the most skin he's shown off period. ...and the belts covering his nipples feels weird. He almost wishes he could just let them breath if he's gotta let it all out. ]

凶 B.) Soul Artifact
[ More intriguing than the whole "Oni Marriage" root of Kizuna bonds, was the revelation that he could manifest a part of his soul into something usable. The only thing is, Cloud still couldn't visualize what his artifact would look like. And after focusing on himself and concentrating alone for a while, hand grasping upon his exposed chest only to pull thin air repeatedly, the blond hangs his head in defeat.

They say that you can manifest it easier through someone else, by an established bond. The wallflower in him wishes that he could just luck out and somebody ask him to save the embarrassment. Not to mention approaching anyone in his current outfit was still taking some getting used to. With a furrowed brow and steeled resolve however, he can be seen keeping an eye out for those amongst the crowd who may not have a partner. Deep breath...aaand socialize. ]

Hey, [ A beat. ] You working on your Soul Artifact too?

[ Alternatively, you can catch Cloud before he has a chance to ask someone. ]

凶 C.) Trial of Promise
[ Partner up. Head for Takachiho Gorge. Undergo a trial within the cave behind a waterfall. For Cloud, it's a two-birds-one-stone ordeal. He was here in Kyushu reaping the benefits of getting money for participating. ]

Might as well get something outta this, [ he mentions to his partner for this trial as they head behind the massive waterfall. Funds were important, but on the other hand? He may as well put his best foot forward now that he's been pushed far enough to try. Furthering the bond with his partner carried no downsides in his head. If he can strengthen his Kizuna and learn to draw from himself his own Soul Artifact once more, all the more power to him.

Cloud resists the urge to draw his Buster Sword as they approach the cave's entrance, a force of habit when exploring dark new places. But this is a sacred ritual spot; he'll put his trust in the Onis. For now.

Once inside the cave and it seals shut on them? Should your bond with Cloud be decent enough upon entry, the light will reveal what they must do. ]

凶 D.) Trial of Devotion
[ Regardless of the Soul Artifact that Cloud is possessing, there's the added bonus that he's also still packing the Buster Sword on his back throughout this trial. He'll play along and guard his partner's artifact just as he entrusts them to guard his. This kind of journey was no problem for a former SOLDIER, who was used to hoofing it from sunrise to sunset and on. But if his partner couldn't hack it and keep up...well. He couldn't be a complete asshole and just leave them behind. It's not a race. Especially as they traverse through the forest and the distant sound of various monsters and branches snapping fills the empty space between them. Sooner or later, something was going to come after them. ]

Just stick close to me.

[ He'll tell you this regardless whether you can handle yourself or not. Cloud was no stranger to bodyguard work and looking out for people. So long as they didn't complain like Barret did about 59 floors. ...never doing that again regardless. ]

凶 E.) Wildcard
( Hit me with anything! If you have any other scenarios or prompts in mind that you want with Cloud, write a custom starter or hit me up on my plotting post! As for the Trial of Promise prompt, I'm open to both smut & non-smut options for what the cave asks them to do. Silly and mundane things, fight, secrets shared, sexual partners, hidden fantasies, kiss, feel each other up, list goes on. Feel free to ask if you're not sure or curious about something! )

Soul Artifact

[afoolshope]

Hm? I don't need to, I already have one.

[It had taken a couple tries, given he was used to using his Evoker to do it, but Minato figured out how to pull out Messiah without anyone else doing it for him. Honestly, it felt really good to be able to do that. While he understood the need for the Evoker, it was much better to release the Persona this way (and it didn't startle others).

But, that didn't mean he wasn't willing to help.]

I can pull it out on my own. But I can help with yours.

Brickston | original (Blades in the Dark)

[historicallyloaded]

Flying Skirt

[ It took some patience, persistence, and enduring more than one passive aggressive remark from shop sellers before Brickston managed to find a kimono with sleeves that made him and his very posh Victorian Nobleman sensibilities feel like he had a modicum of decency. However, it didn't take him long after walking out of the shop to realize he had been sold a version that did not include the sash to tie around his waist. Figures! After all his fussing! Now he's left to explore the two Kyushu cities while occasionally awkwardly tugging the hems any time the robe fluttered open from a breeze. Enjoy the brief flashes of that pale nearly hairless chest and those pesky male presenting nipples. Rarely, he has the misfortune to catch a gust of steamy air from one of Oita's steam sewers or vents as it blow up from under his robe, making him yelp and scramble away. He's wearing short shorts underneath but still! Enough is enough! Time to ask a random stranger for help. ]

Excuse me? Hello? Yes I beg your pardon but I'm in need of some help. I'm looking for... I-I suppose it's a sash or a belt? A um... ko— [ He motions a wrap around his hips. ] it goes around the kimono... [ Koshihimo. He's trying. ] Just— just this part, Not the whole thing. It keeps everything a bit more closed and modest. Do you know where I can purchase one? [ He's trying so hard. ]

Demon Souls Artifact

[ He'd been increasingly curious about the potential magic applications in Nippon but this Sora magic was something else. He stands in front of his prospective partner and tentatively sticks his chest out. ]

Sooooo... just... um, just say my name and have a go at it? [ He suddenly shirks away, a nervous quirk on his lips and furrow in his brow. ] It's not going to hurt, is it? [ Fortunately no! ]

Trials in Tainted Beppu

[ Trial of Promise - Once the cave goes dark Brickston yelps and clings to his partner, fumbling in the dark for their shoulders. This lights up the cave and the message reveals itself, which he squints at and reads aloud. ] You cannot leave until you... [ and what will follow will be one of three things; "hold hands", "kiss", or the wall simply and vaguely says, "choke"...Choke?! ]

[ Trial of Devotion - Scaling a mountain/active volcano is not his idea of a good time at all. He cowers and runs at the sight of any aggressive looking monsters and even the less aggressive ones convince him to keep a respectable distances between the heat and lava, curiosity be damned. As far as contact-required traversal, he'll propose one of two ideas depending on the size of his partner. Bricks is 5'7'' and lightweight - if he's the smaller party, carry him and he'll help navigate. If you're wielding his Soul Artifact it's probably a giant chainsaw, have fun with that if you need to literally carve a path. If he's the taller party, then he'll offer to hold hands or even backpack-carry someone, albeit it he's not very strong so progress is slow. He'd go faster if the weight was distributed more evenly, you see! N-not that he's calling you fat but—ahem. Either way, carried or carrying, halfway up Mt. Aso he makes a suggestion.] Should we take a break here? [ Here, hopefully where they won't be attacked by anything on fire. ]

Dance magic dance

[ Parties are hit or miss for Brickston; he can always appreciate free food and drinks, and he's had more than a couple of drinks by now. His face is tinged pink, very amendable to company. However, he stays off the dance floor. Instead he can be found in a chair scrawling in a notebook; scrawling anything from his observations on the onis and Kyushu culture to the other refugee's various Soul Artifacts he may have witnessed or even experienced personally. ]

Lily Bad Springs

Help...! [ How long has he been stuck on one of those lily pads? Too long if you ask him. The steam is sapping most of the indignant ire out of his voice, tapering it into a desperate tired whine. ] Please, is there anything you can do to liberate me of this lily pad? [ He sulks, wiping sweat from his brow. He's mercifully light enough it's not sinking completely so long as he kneels with his legs and weight spread out. But, he's just far away enough it's impossible to simply jump off and back to dry land. ] It's so hot I don't want to be sous vide inside my own skin.

Gooey Springs

[ Brickston wasn't necessarily skeptical about the healing property of these springs, morbid rumors and hellish appearance aside, but he decided to take a methodical approach to it. His feet were admittedly aching, so upon visiting the spring he sticks only his bare feet in and sits on a smooth rock near the edge. After getting over the strange consistency it quickly becomes pleasant and he starts to slouch, sighing and relaxing with his eye closed. It's definitely doing wonders for his feet, and that pleasant feeling eventually gives way to other parts of his body. He becomes dimly aware of his own budding arousal the exact moment another person walks by. In a panic he gasps and not-so-subtly shoves himself off the stone and submerges his whole body in the springs to try and hide his indecency. His forced grin is very suspicious. ]

Ah— didn't... didn't see you there. Sorry for the freight. [ Who's fright?! ]

Fortune Roll

[[ THE WILDCARD OPTION. If you can dream it we can do it. Write up or request a custom prompt or feel free to tweak or mix and match some of mine. Here's the ooc plotting post! June CR meme! Tinker emporium network & log, or anytime any reason inbox if that's more your jam. There's info/permissions in his journal if you'd Like To Know More. ]]

A Lily Bad Trial - I'd like the combo meal please

[shatteredstoryline]

[With all the humidity, tree vines aren't exactly non-existent. In fact, there are quite a few with the thickness of a sturdy rope. Sturdy enough to hold an adult human, it seems, because Melissa doesn't even bother to announce her presence before dashing up a tree to swing in and scoop Bricks off his sinking 'ship'.

They're in the air for a brief moment longer, but when the edge of the boiling pond is in sight she has to let go. At least she does so in a way that has her taking the brunt of the impact as they roll on the bank away from the shore.

It hurts more than she expected it to. The scrape of the uneven ground on her exposed skin isn't pleasant, but she's already convinced herself she's sturdier than Bricks. The minor injuries are worth it.]

Edelgard von Hresvelg | Fire Emblem: Three Houses

[crimsonflower]

I. Trials of Beppu
[Edelgard had volunteered to go and participate, but when it comes time to take the trial she is at a loss. After all, despite meeting a few people hear and finding them to be helpful and nice... she isn't sure if she could call what she has with them "bonded". So, she will stand alone before the trial as she watches people go in and out. A few oni whisper about how weird it is for her to be alone at a trial of couples and bonds, but she's not asked to leave.

After all, isn't it the point that refugees can bond with anyone? Each day can be a starting point of a new journey, the beginning of a friendship or more. So if anyone else happens to be lingering — whether they too are alone or need to retake a trial because they failed — Edelgard will approach them.]

Take my hand? Perhaps I can assist you.

II. Hellish Bathwater
[Having heard of the rumors of Chinoike Jigoku, Edelgard is eager to make for the spring. While she doubts that it will heal her abysmal scarring, she can at least hold hope for easing the nasty pains she gets when the weather changes or turns cold. What she either doesn't hear about, or maybe even tunes out, is what else the spring is known for.

But at least the gooey consistency makes the opaque pool so it's difficult to see what she has submerged, and because of that if anyone comes near or shows interest in it—]

Why not join me? It certainly lives up to the tales people have spun about it.

[It's great, really! She feels amazing. And if she dips herself to just below her collar bone all her scarring is hidden.]

III. Stone Dragon God
[Ever excited to learn more, Edelgard does not need much convincing to visit Sakurajima. Happily she will explore ruins where there is apparently still plenty to find despite their half-buried nature. Truly Edelgard just wants to know more about this Dragon God because she did not have have a good standing with gods or dragons back home. Options for ruin diving are:
1. Item Collecting
2. Trap dodging
3. Admiring architectural and cultural art significance (aka nerding out).]

IV. Fashion Fail
[After spending a few days in the oppressive heat of Kyushu, Edelgard finally relents. Whether it's because she's had her clothes replaced by oni pulling a prank, or because wearing long sleeves nearly gave her heat stroke, she gives in. Edelgard purchases a short sleeved yukata that the seller so helpfully insists she only wear one shoulder of. The 'skirt' of it only hits at her mid thigh, and her exposed arms and hands? Well, funny enough the helpful oni thought it would be "badass" to have her wear a fake tattoo glove. The entire thing is somewhat sheer to give the illusion of a real tattoo (especially because oni do not want to hide their colors) but the intricate designs obscure her scars quite nicely!

The only thing she has trouble with is the bandeau that covers up those pesky breasts. She was unable to get the last two latches to hook, so she asks the nearest person for help.]

May I have a moment of your time?

V. Wildcard
[This is where you can make your own adventure, or swing by my plotting comment and we can discuss me making a personalized starter just for you!]

IV

[localweirdo]

[At times like these, she wasn't sure if she should be thankful that she was used to the heat in Liyue. The hot summer weather didn't bother her as she walked around the streets. And yet, she couldn't deny she needed a change of clothing as her eyes wandered toward the local fashion. If she were to truly blend into this new world, she might as well try it, right?

However, her thoughts were immediately cut short the moment she heard someone nearby. As she saw the stranger standing in front of her, all she could do was stare.]

Of course, what do you need help with?

[Because she sure wasn't used to seeing breasts suddenly out in public.]

Minato Arisato | Persona 3

[afoolshope]

Soul Artifact

[Minato wasn't quite used to wearing haori without sleeves, but he found a nice blue one with an intricate design to wear over simple black hakama and some sandals. He wore a white wrap around his chest, although he didn't quite understand why he needed to but oh well. And despite his slight appearance, Minato thought he looked quite nice in the outfit.

That being said, he spent his time at the shrine in Beppu as the Soul Artifact information had interested him greatly.]

A - cw: suicidal images/ideation



[The whole point of this exercise was to access his Soul Artifact and the way it was described, he knew exactly what it actually was. There was no need to ask for someone to bond with him to access it, he already had the access. It was his Persona. The only real question was possibly summoning it without using his Evoker. Especially because he had tried and the Evoker was quickly taken from him when he had placed the gun to his head. They didn't throw it away, thank goodness, especially after Minato had frantically explained that it wasn't a real gun and he had used it all the time to summon his Soul Artifact previously. The Oni cautiously agreed to not toss it but they wouldn't give it back until he could summon the Soul Artifact on his own without it.

Tch, we don't need you scarin' the kids, kid!

So, with a heavy sigh, Minato thought through the process and decided to give something else a try. They were supposed to touch the other person's chest and say their name to retrieve the Artifact. What if...

He placed a finger to his head, mimicking a gun, but placed his other hand to his chest.]

Persona!

[There was a tug, but nothing more. Hm...

He thought of a boy with dark hair and a long, yellow scarf.]

Thanatos!

[Minato gasped found himself bend backwards as two white gloved hands shot out from his chest, followed soon by that familiar metal mask and dark clad body. The Persona growled and roared as it used Minato's own body as leverage to pull itself out of the young teen's chest. Minato fell back onto the ground with a soft cry and a grunt. It hadn't hurt but damn, what a rush. He panted heavily, his hair sticking to his face as a rare, elated smile split across his face and he laughed.]

There you are, my friend.

[At least he wasn't ripped apart like poor Orpheus was when he first came out. The being knelt down beside Minato on those oddly shaped feet and patted his head.]

B



[After a few more practiced summonings, Minato figured out how to pull out different Personas that he carried (twelve, to be exact) and in a less dramatic fashion as he didn't relish falling over all the time when a particularly overzealous Persona burst forth. But now he decided that with that out of the way, he would help the others who seemed to be having trouble. The Oni also gave him his Evoker back as promised, if a bit nervously. The guy couldn't decide if he should be scared of the kid or impressed.

He approached them with his usual slouch and almost listless look, tilting his head at them.]

Need some help?

Wildcard

[I'm up for other stuff or even setting up a custom starter if you want!]

b

[mistsplitter]

[ Ayaka could use the help, and is especially happy to see a friend. Little sakura blooms appear out of thin air and start spinning around her, because of it. Who knew Minato's presence could elicit such a reaction from the young Kamisato? ]

Ah, you're just in time. I am looking for a partner.

lapis de fiore | original | closed prompts

[crisantemo]

[ This is where I'll be posting some closed prompts for peeps! If you're interested in anything, feel free to hit me up on plurk floriographies or on my plotting comment! Or poke at me in the disco server I'm there too. ]

melissa

[crisantemo]

[ It had been a chance encounter outside the shrine, but since Melissa and herself needed a partner to get into these trials, they just opted to go in together. Sure, it's odd for people who just met to participate in what is basically a wedding ritual, but Lapis didn't care before and she certainly doesn't now. Though she has to wonder why climbing a mountain at the dead of night while being harassed by the local wildlife is required to get married... At the very least the Soul Artifact Melissa may have drawn from her is something useful in this situation - a small, but sharp dagger. Petite but still deadly.

Hopefully there won't be any need to fight anything, however, especially since it seems that... just holding hands is enough to bring up a shield around them. Which is also something Lapis had done without hesitation, fingers wrapped firmly around the other woman's hand as they trudge up the mountain.

Though there is one beetle that is really persistent on trying to dislodge them - ]

... How long has that been following us?

kaito nagano | original

[nagano]

I. PASSIVE AGGRESSIONS

[ There are whispers going around about a human who's picked a dozen fights with the locals since entering Kumamoto. Around the corner leading to a restaurant (a noisy one, if the howls and shouts filling the air are any indication), there's one (1) Kaito Nagano sitting outside at a table...

Arm wrestling a built Ao Oni woman.

Scratch that, he's just defeated his opponent with a decisive SLAM. The jeering and heckling from the crowd around them is cut deathly silent before cheers erupt from the onlookers. Kaito rubs his temples before glancing across the table. His opponent's fangs are bared... but she smiles and pats his shoulder before standing to leave. Sighing, he glares sidelong towards the proprietor. ]

Okay, that's twelve in a row and I can barely feel my arm. I can leave now, ri—

Absolutely not! This is great for business! You wanted to make some money, didn't you?! One more match!

[ His eyes lock with the passerby, and he points. Uh oh. ]

You! Come on over and take on our arm wrestling assassin! If you can beat him, your food's free!

[ Kaito shakes his head but seems to be compliant. He turns to face the new hapless victim and perks a brow. Another Refugee? ]

II. SOUL ARTIFACTS

...Maybe I should have stayed in Nara.

[ Admittedly, Kaito had been entranced by Nippon the moment he got his bearings. For someone who's grown up around his world's yokai, interacting with the residents of Nara almost came naturally to him. His penchant for curiosity was being satisfied left right and center, but when it was announced that the Oni of Kyushu would open their doors to Refugees he didn't hesitate to travel.

...Now, after a few days of shenanigans, he's sitting in front an Ao Oni official explaining the process of manifesting these 'Soul Artifacts' from someone he has a 'Kizuna bond' with.

Honestly, he feels a little out of place. Sighing, the empath glances sidelong to another Refugee seated beside him. Gloved fingers gesture towards the Oni, then them. ]

What do you think? We're supposed to be able to 'bond with anyone' [ there go the finger quotes ] and quite literally only arrived in Nippon a few days ago. The whole chest groping process seems like a recipe for disaster here, but do you wanna give this a shot?

III. TRIAL OF PROMISE

[ Well, this can't be as strange as having his chest fondled until something glowing comes out of it, right?

Like any stereotypical loner dressed in black, Kaito loiters around the entrance to the caves, making little effort to actually look for someone to participate in the trial with.

That is, until he accidentally locks eyes with another person hanging around by their lonesome. It's probably out of some awkward self-enforced obligation that he slinks over instead of just breaking contact. ]

...Yo. Wanna give the cave a shot? No pressure. I'm just bored, y'know?

[ Bored and terribly curious about the trial. ]

IV. TRIAL OF LOVE

[ For what might be the first time since arriving in Kyushu, Kaito looks eager. Not quite excited, but there's a lighter bounce to his step that clearly contrasts his usual shuffling or slinking.

Golds glimmer with barely-contained anticipation as he glances down to his chest and gives it a few pats. Eventually, he manages to cool himself down and shove his hands in his pockets before...

Glancing around.

Yep, that's right.

He's alone again.

For a two-person event. ]

...Hm. I don't think I planned this out all too well.

V. WILDCARD

[ idk fam just message me on plurk or discord and we can talk about a plot! kaito has chosen kumamoto but can just as easily portal his way to oita for shenanigans. he's one of the most likely to get caught in a misunderstanding that leads to some silly conflict with the locals, if the arm wrestling prompt's any indication lmao... ]

I

[accursedwings]

[ It really had just been that he was hungry and intending to try and find somewhere here to eat. Then he'd eventually heard the loud noise and figured it wouldn't really hurt to check it out at the least.

At some point the locals here really had gotten into it with some arm wrestling which was odd but who was he to judge? Yukie knew he couldn't just blend in so easily with the crowd, not with his bright hair, pointed ears or the massive, whitish-beige wings he had tucked in close to his body.

So it didn't surprise him as much when the very vocal proprietor pointed at him only seconds after meeting his gaze. Yukie was about to turn it down before glancing at the other man who seemed tired - who wouldn't after twelve rounds? - of doing this. He sighed and stepped forwards as to sit down across the other man. ]

Very well. How am I to turn down such an enticing offer?

[ While the locals before weren't anything to scoff at, being oni's and not at all that small? He figured it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot and see how much his inhuman strength matched up here. ]

Let's just hope he keeps to his word about it only being 'one more match'.

Y'shtola Rhul | FFXIV

[silversight]

Street Fighter

I beg your pardon?

[The insult isn't heard by any passerby, but it's hard to avoid the sight of several oni surrounding the Miqo'te woman, some jeering, others posturing aggressively. The way she plants her feet and turns her head, ears flattening back is all many people need to know to understand her annoyance visually. The Oni, however, as aggressive as they seem to be arent picking up on these clues.]

I'll ask you to stand out of my way, lest you learn what happens when you do not heed fair warning...

[Y'shtola isn't type to fly off the handle, but this is getting ridiculous. If she has to, she's not afraid of slinging a spell or two. Especially if someone decides to touch her again. What she MIGHT just appreciate is some backup, or an excuse to quickly exit this rapidly deteriorating situation.]

Emergency Rescue

[It took great effort to get here, and wether she managed to pass the trials with a partner or not is between her and her partner -- Y'shtola is not about to sit idly back when people need help.

The dangerous flesh burning water mixed with clearly idiotic and aggressive oni isn't something beyond Y'shtola's ability to rectify. The spell she casts is another she's learned from book somewhere or another, one that lets her hover just a few inches above solid ground, or in this case water. She strides out towards a lillypad and holds a hand out to someone stranded.]

Take my hand. We'll get to shore and get you dried off. Trust me.

[[ooc: If you would like a custom starter please DM me on discord or shoot me a PM.]]

Jean Gunnhildr | Genshin Impact

[actinggrandmaster]

Passive Aggressions

[Jean finds herself in Kumamoto, with the Ao Oni. Characters can find her wandering around looking at things, checking out out the hot springs... and maybe even relaxing with a massage. People will note that she's in a different outfit a halter top and a leather skirt. Other styles had been presented, but she tried to stay a bit covered.]

Hellish Bathwater

[Speaking of hot springs, Jean can be found in the Hells of Beppu checking out the different springs... and trying to avoid the Aka Oni so she doesn't end up on a lily pad in the boiling water.

She can also be found relaxing in the Chinoike Jigoku, especially after the strange goings of the day. No, she doesn't know of the special effects of the spring yet, oops.]

Stone Dragon God

[Obligatory 'isn't that the Archon of Liyue' post here.]

Wildcard

[Let me know if you want something different, because I can be very back at top levels. Hit me up on plurk or Discord to plot something!]

Chinoike Jigoku

[lakan]

[ After completing the trials together, Troy and Jean decided to recuperate at this supposed healing spring. Dirtied up but not hurt or tired, it was more curiosity that drove Troy to want to see it. Wearing a men's kimono with one half of his torso and entire arm exposed like an kyudoka would, Troy still felt hot from the current weather and the exercise. Once they reached the spring, Troy volunteers to go first just in case there's any funny effect then he'll be the one to suffer it instead of Jean.

After his turn into the gooey pool of healing, he feels his energy and strength rejuvenated but also felt an urge to be with a woman. Troy didn't pay that last one any mind, since he's always thinking about such things. So he comes out of the pool, gets dressed in his pants at least and nods at Jean. ]

Hey, Jean! Come on, my turn is over. So far, nothing funny happened so it should be safe.

Chang Wufei | Gundam Wing

[pilot05]

I. Soul Artifacts

Wufei frowns tightly as he concentrates and tries to summon the Soul Artifact from his partner, calling their name and reaching out to grasp at their chest... fruitlessly. Despite how silly it all seems, he's taking it very seriously.

(OoC: His item will be either a book, a sword, or a daisy depending on his relationship with your character. I'll include which it is in my reply.)


II. Trial of Promise

Wufei jumps a little as the cave seals behind them, sucks in a breath that sounds a lot more panicked than he would've liked. It probably has something to do with the fact that he's trying very hard not to panic all the sudden. It reminds him too much of the lunar base, of the vents being shut and the air getting thick and heavy as the oxygen ran out.

He's not panicking, damnit. He refuses.

Atsushi Nakajima | Bungo Stray Dogs

[whitemoontiger]

Soul Artifacts

[ Just getting used to the idea of what kizuna was and what this world actually expected of the people here was something else in itself, but now they were saying it was some kind of ancient marriage ritual and they were able to draw representations of their soul from their chest now too?

Atsushi fidgeted a little, feeling a little apprehensive about the whole thing as he felt maybe people shouldn’t see whatever his artifact was. What if it was really ridiculous? No… he couldn’t run away from this.

He shifted his weight to his other foot then looked to his partner, clearing his throat and straightening up. ]

S-So… did you want me to try first or..?

[ There was nothing to worry about. What would be the worst that could happen here? ]

Trial of Promise

[ The waterfall here really was amazing,if he was honest. He could have spent much longer admiring it so closely but they had to do this trial and it seemed simple enough. His eyes were surprisingly bright as he turned to the person with him, holding out his arm towards the cave.

Something like this seemed simple enough so what was the harm in doing it? Okay so Atsushi wasn’t as well versed with how absolutely ridiculous Nippon could get, so he was going into this fairly blind. ]

It can’t be that bad. I’m sure we’ll only be in there a short time.

[ A pause. Maybe he should step up here. He was past a lot of his old timidness from when he’d first joined the ADA, and after dealing with the Hunting Dogs, The Guild and the like? He could handle this. ]

What do you think needs to be done?

[ It will vary on what has to be done, ranging from ‘reveal a secret’, ‘leave a mark on each other’, ‘share a kiss’ or ‘each have to admit to a sexual fantasy’. ]

Aftermath

[ After everything’s all said and done, this is just what he’d been looking for. So he was more than happy to get a plate with some food piled up onto it, though a bit more than he’d been intending on as some of the oni’s had insisted he needed more ‘meat on his bones’ and he couldn’t even argue that with his body being so slim with minimal muscle.

He found what passed for a quiet-ish area and settled down with a relieved sigh and a smile. ]

…They really are quite lively. It’s almost exhausting.

[ Mostly he was musing to himself, but anyone around could have heard him. ]

Wildcard

[ Nothing strike your fancy? Feel free to surprise me!

Also, I am 100% open to handwaving first meetings when it comes to going into the trial itself so there’s some established CR! :D ]

[jikan_mod]