「 TDM 03 」

[watertrade]

i. Arrival

There isn't any strange feeling or sudden blackout to warn someone of what's to come - it simply happens. One moment they're in their own world attending to their own business, and the next they're underwater. Specifically, the dark, cold waters of the Sumida River. With the final days of spring having already given way to the summer heat the water is actually quite refreshing, but the sudden shock leaves new arrivals at risk of drowning.

Luckily, they aren't alone. The crews that constantly patrol the river are quick to fish the newcomers out, dry them off, and explain the situation. Maybe the words and names mean something to said newcomers, and maybe they don't. No matter the case, they're the same for everyone: you're in Yoshiwara, near the city of Tokyo in the country of Japan, and you're here to stay. If your surroundings aren't familiar, that's to be expected; this world isn't the one you know.

New arrivals that feel up to the task are encouraged to help with retrieving other newcomers. Those that don't welcome to sit quietly out of the way until the boats return to docks. Once there everyone is given directions to a nearby dormitory, where they can find temporary housing - and maybe a change of clothes - before their faction assignments are finalized. Those that still feel overwhelmed are permitted to mingle on the docks. There's not much to do but sit around and drip dry, but at least there are friendly locals that are willing to answer any questions for them.

ii. Humidity Is Rising

The onset of summer hasn't just brought high temperatures. The rainy season is in full swing and this week in particular has been plagued with heavy downpours. Hopefully everyone has an umbrella!

But even those that don't aren't out of luck.

Ougai, the old man that runs an oden cart in the west district, has some spare umbrellas, left behind by previous customers. Anyone who happens to pass by and is in need of an umbrella will be given one for free. It's a simple act of kindness, but it's one that inspires a warmth in the heart, and the desire to spread that warmth to others.

Anyone who accepts one of the umbrellas will feel compelled to share it with other people, inviting even strangers into the dry space beneath. It seems that even the shy and antisocial are drawn in by this compulsion. It doesn't stop there, of course. Once two people step beneath the same umbrella to share it, they'll be overcome with romantic feelings for one another. It's not unusual to feel symptoms similar to a school girl with a crush, hearts beating faster, each brush of shoulders causing a rush of ecstasy, the risk of rain bringing the couples closer together with each step. However those feelings might show is up to each individual, of course, but one thing is for certain: this is love.

At least for now, anyway. These feelings certainly seem real, and they can last for up to a few hours after the umbrella has been set aside. They do eventually fade, however, leaving behind nothing but confusion and, perhaps, a faint longing for what was just lost.

iii. No Sun Up In The Sky

Unfortunately, lovey dovey umbrellas aren't the only ones being passed around. On occasion, someone may pick up or be handed an umbrella that's not so nice. Some begin to fight the user, closing over their head while they're walking, pinching fingers, or smacking any passerby to instigate violence. Others sprout legs and take off, leaving you soaking in the rain. Some might even stretch out subtly above you and create holes for the rain to fall through anyway.

These tricky umbrellas love to catch people off guard, so it could be a good while into your stroll before they pull a fast one on you. Hopefully there are some kind souls around to lend you a hand, since sometimes even ditching the umbrella and heading indoors doesn't solve the problem. Some people will find themselves stuck with an unfortunate case of bad luck that can last up to a few hours after leaving (or being abandoned by) the umbrella. Bad luck can manifest in a number of different ways, such as horrible butterfingers (especially when it comes to handling fragile items), tripping over your own feet (and into others, most of the time), and standing under the wrong portion of roof just before it collapses from the rain and pours all over you.

Though the umbrellas look quite normal, something about them may seem distinctly odd or unusual to those that are exceptionally perceptive or sensitive to the supernatural. These individuals have a chance to avoid these pesky umbrellas or even warn other people away from them, provided they're present when said umbrellas are being passed out.

iv. Just Play For The Fun

The heat and the rain are both driving residents inside, which means that certain indoor-only businesses are booming. One of said businesses happens to be an arcade! With big posters advertising a discount on tokens and a special tournament, word gets out fast, and people of all ages are making their way inside for a break from the rain with some fun. Tokens give you access to plenty of games, so try your hand at anything from crane games, side-scrollers, platformers, puzzle games, and rhythm games. It's easy to get pulled in to spending more and more tokens, but with the discounts, what harm is there?

In addition to the average arcade games that can be accessed, there are posters and signs all over announcing a special tournament for some kind of shooting game called LOST CONFLICT: DREADHUNT, the title of which is written in letters that drip blood. The game is played in teams of two, and centers around killing demons that have overrun a resort town. It's over-the-top gory, liberal in its use of nudity, and seems to be something of a classic. To enter, players simply fill out a form at any of the various locations throughout the arcade and wait for the announcements later on in the evening. Characters will be paired off and have the very simple rules explained to them: shoot everything you can, and earn points doing it! The team with the most points advances.

A little friendly competition never hurt anyone, right? Unlike normal tournaments where only one main winner gets a reward, competitors are rewarded with each battle won. Vouchers for food, drinks and prizes within the cafe are handed out to each winner of each round, meaning that it's a tournament focused on getting the most wins. Have fun!

v. Cafe Lazy

But don't think that the rain, arcade games, and umbrella-related mishaps are enough to make Yoshiwara give up on its true nature. The cafe Lazy is running another one of their special promotions, offering a free full serving of an iced (on sunny days) or hot (on rainy days) drink to any passersby who look appropriately warm and sweaty, wet and cold, or just plain unoccupied.

Anyone who accepts will find themselves whisked into the cafe, seated at one of several kotatsu (which are all partitioned off with thick curtains), and presented with a tall glass of the drink of their choice. They won't be alone, either. Everyone is seated with at least one partner and encouraged to make idle chatter while they drink. The socially awkward might find the small book labeled 'conversations starters' helpful, and if that doesn't work there's also a small box of goodies on each table. It sure is a friendly atmosphere.

Perhaps too friendly, which may be familiar to some established residents. It turns out that some, but not all, of the drinks are laced with aphro, a variety that causes both arousal and mild giddiness. The thick, nearly soundproof curtains might make more sense now; they're clearly meant to muffle the sounds of lovemaking from other patrons. Visitors don't have to mingle so extensively, of course. Again, some of the drinks are just regular drinks, and there's no discernable pattern behind which are spiked and which aren't. Still, the 'conversation starters' book goes from fairly innocent prompts (like 'if you could have any one animal as a loyal pet, which would you choose?') to more risque ones ('describe your ideal sexual encounter') in a hurry, and the box's goodies consist of lubricant, sexual position guides, and bullet vibrators. Sex is clearly the intent here.

On the way out customers will be told that the whole process is an advertisement for the cafe's 'couples service', thanked for their participation, and sent on their way with a smile. Maybe it's a good idea to accept Yoshiwara's generosity with caution from now on.

Wildcard

As always, there are plenty of other things to do. Perhaps some newcomers will want to poke around the town's various locations, check out its assorted businesses, or even visit a legitimately haunted house. There's plenty of things to see and very few limitations to exploration, so there's no reason someone has to stay near the docks and temporary dorms if they don't want to.

OOC

Hello, and welcome to the Yoshiwara Nights TDM! Use this post to voice test characters, decide who you want to app, and get a feel for the game and your fellow potential players.

Events of the TDM may be kept as game canon. Once you've been accepted you can submit a thread of your character pulling people out of the river (Arrival) to gain bonus reputation with your starting faction. You can only submit one thread, and it must have five comments from you to qualify. Both new and current characters may submit reputation threads.

Reserves will open on June 3rd (that's tonight)! Our monthly schedule can be found here. If you haven't already please make yourself familiar with our information pages.

Due to this TDM being a last minute change in the schedule and going up so late, we will be allowing 10 comments required for applications to come from as many individual threads as needed. If you’re still unable to reach 10 comments, you may also provide a standalone written sample. This applies to this application round only.

If you have any questions about the TDM prompts please direct them here. You can also follow us on Plurk at yoshiwara for further updates.

Comments

[mechanics]

( Thank god someone thinks so.

The smile only fucking endears him more and god damnit he's in so much trouble. So Much Trouble. Like, if trouble had a fucking photo in the dictionary, it would be of Ichiro, and the definition would be transcribed in Dirk's shitty orange text. Because that's what this is. Trouble.

But whatever, it's fine. It's fine. Dirk can keep his chill on, he'll kick some ass at the game, and hopefully walk away without making himself look like boo boo the fool. )

Sure, man, we'll see.

( It takes Dirk a hot second to figure out what he's talking about; his shades. Of course. )

Ah, fellow pop culture connoisseur. ( He flicks at one of the points of the shades. ) Sweet anime shades are my jam.

[steelo]

[ man, if you thought he was smiling before, the response of 'sweet anime shades' gets dimples. finally a man of culture in this godforsaken game!!!!!! ] No shit, I knew it! Kinda G*inax, right? They're dope.

[ as he straightens back up and takes his proper spot next to him at the machine to pick out his own character, the megawatt grin fades into cool confidence and less geeky loser from ikebukuro. maybe. ] 'm Ichiro, Yamada Ichiro. You new around here? You gotta let me pick your brain about anime when I'm done kicking your ass.

[ the game jingles, and with a "faito!!" it begins! ]

[mechanics]

( Jesus christ just fucking kill him where he stands. This guy has hella looks, boasts being rad at games, and also digs anime? Sign him the fuck up for this new city, he's on board if it means meeting people that are actually on his level like this.

When Ichiro takes his place at the console, Dirk's attention snaps back to the screen as well, opting for a primarily offensive character, high speed, but lacking defence. Maybe a little too standard fare, but he needs some familiar reins if he's going to actually play against someone that's even slightly more challenging than the computer.

The introduction isn't missed, and it isn't that Dirk's ignoring it, but he's single-tracked right now setting up for the game. It's only when they're getting into the groove of things does he actually bother to answer, inflection deadpan, as though he were talking while perusing the dictionary rather than trying to keep up with someone that actually might give him a run for his money at this game. )

Strider. ( A beat, debating it; first name is probably fine, right? Especially among a fellow anime consumer. ) Dirk. New, yeah, finished my fine ass attempt at drowning a couple hours back. ( And he isn't even going to rise to that, Ichiro!!! He'll be the one doing the ass kicking!!!! )

[steelo]

Haha. Sucks, right? [ he's not at all unfamiliar with the briny depths of the river.. at least it's not february this time. on his end, he flicks through the character selection screen himself before choosing an all-rounder--the sort of character you're instructed to choose if you're just learning.

though he will lose, probably, ichiro puts up a good fight. he's skilled at the game, able to keep up with the easy pace of conversation as they fight their way through the different rounds. ] Nice to meet you, man. I usually go out and pluck people out of there, but I was--ah, shit--working.

[ he makes his character dodgeroll before it gets much worse. phew. ] Don't worry, you'll get settled in quick. Long as you can make friends and watch your back for the weird shit, you'll be fine.

[mechanics]

Same. ( Nice to meet himm, that is. And to look at him?? Which he's really trying not to do because he wants to win. ) Makes you feel any better, wasn't much to fish out. Helped a couple before ditching the rescue mission. ( Ultimately, Dirk knows he's too selfish to stick around for that. They were all strangers, and the residents out there helping looked to be fully capable.

So, y'know, absolved of responsibility and all that.

Even with that dodgeroll, Dirk doesn't let up. A constant barrage of offensive moves; it leaves him open more often than he'd like, but he's hoping the stream of attack benefits more than hinders. ) Kinda fuckawful at friend-making. ( Half a shrug. ) Social ineptitude is probably my superpower in one of the alternate universes out there.

[steelo]

[ the look on ichiro's face is pretty approving, actually, because it's nice to hear people helping. the last time he went he ran into jakurai and ramuda, and a part of him was hoping his bros'd be around, but.. no dice.

leaning forward a little into the game, ichiro keeps up with the consistent attacks. his character blocks and dodges and attacks back, but his hp bar's getting chipped away at pretty consistently. dirk's commentary makes him laugh, though, surprised out of him at the candidness of the statement. ] Well, anybody who can hold their own at arcade games and likes anime's legit, so. You've got at least one friend already.

[ and -- bam, with a badass finishing move, his character's hp bar drops down to 0. ichiro smacks the table of the cabinet with a- ] Damn. [ but that was really fun?? ] Shit, man, I haven't played anybody that good since I got here.

[ turning towards him, he offers a hand for the ultimate hand slap bro shake of respect ]

[mechanics]

( They can sit in their disappointment about the lack of bros together, really. Dirk's lowkey bummed as fuck that Dave isn't around; he'd probably sever a limb for him, Jake, or Roxy to be there. But hey, it's fine, right? Dirk's making a fuckin' friend already.

For perhaps the first time since they started speaking, there's an actual facial expression happening on Dirk's face??? Like, there's a slight twitch to the corner of his mouth and everything, because despite his conceptions of what would have gone down in the game, he's glad to be dead wrong. )

Been a while since anyone kept up with me. ( Which is true; he's used to wailing on Jake until the guy is hiding his face under a pillow and waxing poetic about how unfair his life is and that he wasn't gifted with better video game skills.

The brodacious hand shake of bros is met step for step without missing a beat. )

I'd ask for a rematch but I'm pretty sure you'd kick my ass this time.