memewara | 「 TDM 01 」

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 air temperatures in the high 40s it's not a pleasant experience and 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, warm them up, and explain the situation. Maybe the 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.

New arrivals that feel up to the task are encouraged to help with retrieving other newcomers. Those that don't welcome to huddle under blankets until the boats return to docks. Once there everyone is given directions to their faction headquarters, where they can receive their housing and job assignments - and maybe a change of clothes. Those that still feel overwhelmed are permitted to mingle on the docks. There's not much to do but sit around and shiver, but at least there are friendly locals that are willing to answer any questions for them.

ii. Loose Change

It's easy to drop things in crowded areas and hard to retrieve them. Luckily that doesn't seem to be the case this time. The sound of a coin hitting the ground is quite clear and the coin itself is easy to locate. Considering that single coin likely represents a distressingly high percentage of any given newcomer's wealth, picking it up is highly advised. The supernaturally inclined might sense the faint magical buzz around the coin, but nothing significant.

Maybe two people reach for the same coin at the same time. Maybe one of them realizes it's not theirs and turns it over. Whatever the case, the second they're both touching the coin they find themselves stuck to it. No amount of tugging or prying can get it to detach, even though there's no sign of any sort of adhesive holding them in place.

Upon closer examination the coin isn't a real one and is instead inscribed with the words 'Pinky Swear', along with an image of the act in question. And that's the only clue to the method of escape: the two parties must link pinkies and make a solemn oath to one another before they can let go of the coin. Fortunately is seems any oath will do, even one as simple as 'I solemnly swear to give you a high five'. They shouldn't take their newfound freedom for granted, however. Breaking the oath or leaving without trying to fulfill it will result in the two being stuck together again and a new oath will be required to escape a second time.

iii. Hot Chocolate

Despite their reputation the people in Yoshiwara can be generous. Anyone who looks appropriately cold, bored, or just plain unoccupied will find themselves approached by attractive young men and women bearing sample cups of hot chocolate. The beverage is rich, warm, and expertly crafted, and even comes in dark, milk, and white varieties. If someone wants more, they're in luck: the cafe Lazy is running a special promotion in which all newcomers can receive a full serving for free.

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 mug of the hot chocolate 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. It turns out that the hot chocolate is 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. But the 'conversation starters' book goes from fairly innocent subjects to ones likes 'describe your ideal sexual partner' 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.

iv. Later That Night

No one would call Yoshiwara safe, but the dangers are predictable. An actor might end up with a stalker, a prostitute might have to deal with a violent client, and a business owner might have to deal with a criminal extorting protection money. There aren't really surprises when it comes to the sort of threats one can expect to face. The rigid control exerted by the four factions ensures that.

But there's money to be made in Yoshiwara, especially when it comes to visitors from off world. For some groups the reward outweighs the risk. Newcomers in particular tend to be disoriented and there's rarely anyone to miss them, which makes them ideal targets. Any new arrivals alone on the streets after dark run the risk of being kidnapped by a group of shady individuals prowling the town. Their methods range from snatch and grab tactics to luring targets into dark alleys, but once caught everyone is given the same treatment: gagged, hands bound, and left in a dimly lit room to wait until they can be removed from Yoshiwara and sold to a third party.

But the kidnappers are hasty and prone to mistakes. Victims may get a chance to shout before they're subdued. Their bindings are often loose. The rooms they're left in often have one or more other occupants. Escape is quite possible, especially with a little teamwork. The police are on the case, as well, and they're not picky about the help they'll accept. Newcomers can assist the cops in tracking down and freeing people as well, and help from already escaped victims is especially valuable.

But not everyone is opposed to this operation. Sufficiently motivated newcomers may also be recruited to assist the kidnappers. It's dangerous work, but the profits are high and the connections one makes in the process are invaluable.

Between the police and the assistance from newcomers most victims will be freed shortly after they're kidnapped. For those that aren't, the kidnappers will be stopped as they try to leave town and any remaining victims will be rescued at that time.

OOC

Hello, and welcome to the very first TDM for Yoshiwara Nights! 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're accepted you can submit a five comment thread of your character pulling people out of the river (Arrival), assisting the kidnapping victims (Later That Night), or assisting the kidnappers (Later That Night) to gain bonus reputation with your starting faction, the police, or an unknown third faction, respectively.

Reserves will open on February 3rd! Our schedule for the next few weeks can be found here. If you haven't already please make yourself familiar with our information pages.

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"They'll probably ask for some things that are a little more... subtle." In other words, they hope Squalo remembers not to blow up a building in broad daylight or something. They know he can do it if he tries. Although that reminds them...

"Especially since it looks like things are pretty set in a status quo between the various factions right now... We'll have to navigate carefully on that front." Both as they work up the ranks, and whenever they decide to make something of their own.

Squalo snorts derisively. He's not entirely incapable of subtlety, Varia's success record is proof of that, but he strongly prefers not doing it.

...the other bit of news just put a slightly manic grin on his face. "For now. That sounds like it'll be real damn easy to throw them into chaos." As far as he's concerned, a status quo means that most parties involved do not wish to see it disturbed for a variety of reasons; holding onto power is usually a big one. Scare them, unbalance them, even make them fight each other -- and all you need to do is climb over a few twitching corpses to get to the vacuum of power.

"If we can make everything fall into place right." Chaos is all well and good, but it's better to have it work to their advantage- for example, the first time they'd tried to go against the Vongola and could strike unsuspected at people who believed them to be one of their own. For now... "I'd like to know a little bit more of what we're dealing with."

That had been where they'd gone wrong with the second coup attempt... The lack of information that they hadn't thought to pursue because they hadn't thought it would be a problem. (Well, that, and Reborn and Colonello getting in the way with their stupid rapid miracle training.) Mammon doesn't want to deal with another Mukuro Rokudo type situation.

"Fair enough." He sounds the tiniest smidge deflated, because honestly, he always enjoyed a good trainwreck with plenty of fighting over something like results, but Mammon has a fair point. And he can't just throw his life away in a place like this anyway. Xanxus still needs him. Will probably keep needing him, the goddamn baby. No offense to the literal baby next to him who's somehow much more mature and composed than either of them. Go figure.

"I'll try my luck with the factions then. See if there's anything we could run on the side to make things go quicker." Anything that hopefully doesn't involve being pimped out for hard cash. Which is totally happening but let a guy dream for a bit.

There there, Squalo, you huge baby. Mammon doesn't even pat his arm or anything, because he's a big boy and can get right the fuck over himself. Varia Quality amounts for a lot, but it's still only the two of them here with not enough information. They need to either find a way back or make a living here, and settling down a little is instrumental for both of that.

And the most important thing for establishing themselves is...

"Then I'll get back to this job I've picked up." You know, kidnapping whatever dumbass they possibly can. Listen, in a district like this, that's the individual's fault. "As I am normally, I'm working at a casino in the south, so we can meet up again there."

Is Squalo surprised at their latest occupation? Because he really shouldn't be.

All good points. Which is also Varia Quality of them, obviously. Squalo will behave, too. Doesn't mean he won't pout about it every chance he gets.

"Sounds good." Yeah, he's not even blinking at the news. Of course Mammon would find themselves an occupation as close to as big stacks of questionable money as possible. A day that ends in y. Still, he's not quite in a rush to disappear; a familiar face is oddly comforting in these circumstances. "Want any help?"

"If you have nothing else to do." Mammon certainly won't refuse any help, especially if they're confident that they can grift the other party. (And they're confident they can do that with you, Squalo, sorry.) Their illusions can make up for teamwork, when it's necessary, but the less they have to use their Mist flames, the more energy they'll have in reserves.

"Would you prefer to hide in the shadows, or help play out bait?"

(Damn it. They're not wrong, though, even if a big part of it probably is that Squalo simply doesn't care about money enough.)

He half-grins, holding his hands out a bit as if gesturing at himself. "Do I look like a believable damsel in distress?"

(He only cares about swords and ass, they know. They understand you, Squalo, and that's why they handle Varia finances.)

Mammon huffs a little bit, keeping their amusement lowkey. "Put on a cute dress or a kimono, and who knows what could happen." But in the shadows, then. Got it. "Just remember to not do too much damage."

(Also dick, in the case of Xanxus, so shh. Also wow the Varia really has a lot of understanding for each other, no wonder they're all still alive.)

"Do they even make cute dresses in my size?" Squalo teases back, because haha did you think that would annoy him, he would rock that shit. "Define too much damage."

But he's already putting the sword away. Like, he can probably murder with his bare hands anyway, it's at least a little bit easier not to like this.

"In a town like this, someone can get off to it, so absolutely," they shoot back without blinking. Crossdressing is always someone's kink somewhere, and Yoshiwara is all about that. Hell, there's probably someone who's really into the idea of someone crossdressing while being a complete dick to them- something Squalo should have absolutely no problem with doing.

"At any rate, the less damage, the better. This is merchandise we're trying to get." Whatever the use of a living human being, keeping them in mint condition is often for the best.

"That a big theme around here, huh." The getting off part. Sure, Squalo would have no problem with that indeed, but at the same time, he prefers non-sexual violence to occupy his time with. Okay, a bit of both, then, but still.

"Gotcha." He flexes his fakeass arm's fingers, then steps away from Mammon, allowing them to take the lead and keeping some distance behind them, doing his best to stay out of sight. That includes pulling a Varia leather hood over his white hair, obviously. He may be vain but he's not stupid, that shit shines way too bright for this.

「 TDM 01 」

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