「 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

[inthemiddle]

Not rude at all. [Silas chuckles a little awkwardly, having his own question that might be considered more rude than that- he should answer the inquiry about himself first.]

I am human. The flowers and the other oddities in my appearance are cause of my becoming a druid. Which is to say. I am able to use some magic. Healing is my specialty.

[kisekae]

Huh... [ He wasn't sure he got it, at all. But he had really no reason not to take Sials' word on it. ]

Is that something that's acceptable here? Do the other humans not react strangely to it?

[inthemiddle]

To magic? It is common enough to not cause much of a fuss. There is a variety of reactions to such arts. I do try to be... conservative. In my use of magics. [a waiter arrives and drops off Silas' tea, which he gives thanks for before the man retreats, not wanting to be an interruption]

Are you of such inclination? Magical?

[kisekae]

[ ... Should he say? Nothing about this guy was putting him off. He seemed really nice, actually, and seemed to radiate a pleasant aura. He was kind of handsome... maybe it was just how nice his drink was making him feel, but he felt like he could say more. ]

I'm not sure I'd say it like that, but I'm not human, if that's what you mean. Ah, how to put this...

So. I'm a sword.

[inthemiddle]

A. Sword. [Silas repeats, mind turning, before he jolts somewhat. He's wrong, but assumption he makes is that Midare must be a being from his world. Or something similar.]

You're an Incarnate? [just looking at Midare, that seemed unlikely- no flowers, after all.]

Or... something like that? Perhaps. A soul within an object?

[kisekae]

Hm... You're pretty clever. You got pretty close. [ And more than that, he seems willing to accept Midare's existence, was a good place to start. ]

Tsukumogami, is the term. It's a word for an object that has achieved a life of its own, as a youkai or spirit. Normally this only happens to abandoned objects, and they don't always turn out as nice as me, heh... [ At all. ]

So instead, I'm the product of a ritual, performed by a great Saniwa, or sage.

[inthemiddle]

[He looks very intrigued by this! Leaning in some with a curious glimmer in his eyes]

That is most fascinating, good- .... [he pauses, eyelashes fluttering before he decides to actually ask]

... a, apologies. May I ask what manner of title you prefer? As a sword. I would not be aware if gender is of consequence or of preference to a being such as yourself. [Midare, are you a very pretty boy or, like, what? Silas' world is pretty calm about sexual and gender fluidity as a concept, but it can be a rude assumption to make still. Silas is ever polite!]

[kisekae]

[ Midare couldn't help a small chuckle. Well, that's definitely a unique perspective on that particular topic... ]

This body is sexually masculine, if that's what you mean. But I don't really have much preference. All I care is that people think I'm cute~! [ A giggle and a wink. ]

[inthemiddle]

[The charming response makes Silas relax and chuckle, even tossing a wink back to the man as he was snappy to respond. Thanks, spiked tea, lowering his overly thoughtful nature a tad]

You are very cute. Indeed. [anyone who thought otherwise had a severe case of bad taste]

[kisekae]

[ The drink definitely made Silas' compliment that much better, Midare preening under the attention, scooting his way around to sit closer to the other man, leaning over the table. ]

Do you... like cute things, Silas-kun?

[inthemiddle]

[Ah. Closer. Hrm. Silas' posture straightens all the more as Midare approaches, ever an awkward man in flirtatious situation, though not entirely inept. He's certainly not breaking his focus from Midare for an instant]

Cuteness is a finer quality. I believe. Certainly worthy of admiration.

[kisekae]

And how do you like to... admire cute things, Silas-kun?

[ Midare didn't miss how he straightened there, but it only spurred him on further. He had a feeling there was a really fun experience hidden under those nerves... ]

[inthemiddle]

[Silas isn't a dense sort, he knows he's being teased, if not directly flirted with. Reaching for his tea, he takes another sip, hoping the steam could help mask the reddening of his cheeks]

I should hope my gaze upon you does not cause any bother. A shame. I believe. To avert my focus. [Midare is so eyecatching it cannot be helped, right?]

[kisekae]

[ Midare reached up to trace a finger along Silas' jaw, letting out a low little sigh of delight as he did so, making it crystal clear just what he was doing now, had it not been before. ]

Swords do like being beheld, but do you know what kind of admiration we like best? I'm sure you can think of it...

[ Being handled. ]

[inthemiddle]

[unfortunately, Silas isn't sure what Midare might be getting at, don't trust a pacifist to know what to do with a sword.]

I've never actually held a sword, sir. I am a healer. Not a man of war.

[kisekae]

Would you like to?

[ And this time he was pressing himself right up close to Silas, finger pulling away only to cup his cheek with his hand, draw his fingertips along the edge of Silas' ear, just beneath the flower.

Right to the point. ]

[inthemiddle]

If it will... help me better appreciate your beauty. Than I suppose I should. [Silas would never get into a fight brandishing a weapon, but he'll sure hold an attractive man claiming to be one]

[kisekae]

[ Good enough of an approximation of enthusiastic consent for Midare. Keeping his hand on Silas' cheek, he crawled his way into the druid's lap, resting his weight there as he craned his face towards his to steal away his lips in a heavy, immediately hungry kiss, rolling his hips as he did so. ]

[inthemiddle]

[Silas' enthusiasm is present in many ways. His hungry reciprocation of that kiss, for one, his half erect bulge being ground down into, for another. The druids hands reach to embrace Midare, caressing curiously up his back, gentle as one should expect of a healer. He doesn't even suspect the drink of meddling in this encounter, Midare was charming enough that Silas is certain he's just a sucker for such attention. He'd fall into this with or without outside help...

Still, he's clumsy in the sudden escalation. His usual control is lost for a moment and he catches Midare's lip with his tusks. He can feel it happened and immediately, instead of pulling away, he realigns to kiss the spot directly, healing any cut or discomfort he caused before separating]

M, my apologies. For the sharp teeth....

[kisekae]

[ He had been aware of those tusks. It was hard not to be. And didn't particularly mind when his lip got caught on one of them, even if it did hurt just a bit. But it was the healing touch of his lips afterwards that really had Midare shivering, his blood rushing as his excitement grew that much more, Silas no doubt feeling it press beneath. ]

Whoa...

[inthemiddle]

Did that feel strange? It is my magic. I did not want you to be pained. [he realizes he didn't exactly ask if the man was alright with such a thing. Some could be picky about magic, after all. Silas wasn't feeling his most cautious, in this state. Not with Midare grinding down into him, the two becoming increasingly aroused together]

[kisekae]

It's fine, just... unexpected. [ Silas-kun is pretty wonderful... Midare giggled, leaning back in to pepper kisses along Silas' jaw, going back to rolling his hips, feeling the other swell beneath him, eager to feel him even closer... ]

[inthemiddle]

[the druid was quick to arousal normally, given the couple of tea sips and Midare's advances are already met with him being fully erect beneath his hips. The sway of his weight makes that more than obvious, along with Silas' breathy groan. His hands falling around Midare's back. Carefully, he sweeps the long blonde hair aside so he doesn't pull on it. Smoothing the locks forward over one of Midare's shoulders, Silas's feels more free to explore with his hands along his newfound partner's back.]

My magic can feel quite good. Sir. If you wish to know more of it.

[kisekae]

Show me... [ No hesitation what so ever. ] I'm so excited... I want you to show me how good you can make me feel...

[inthemiddle]

If you wish it, sir. Let me touch you more directly. [Silas needs to take his hands back, but it's to catch the finger of his glove between teeth and pull them free. Much as he liked to touch with the gloves on, his magic needed them removed. The druid won't hesitate long beyond that, reaching to remove what clothing might be on Midare's lower half, seeking to reveal his petite body further. He had such elegant legs, spread out over and around Silas, the druid wants to see more]