「 TDM 01 」

[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 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.

Comments

3) LATER THAT NIGHT

[kivatteru]

[ After the couple attempts of kidnapping that he had thwarted just in time before they went awry, Wataru came to learn there must be an organization targetting new arrivals like him. He comes up with an idea that has high potential of risk, but he relies on the possibility that the criminals are ill equipped, considering the past attempts.

He allows a group to whisk him away, with little resistance on his part. Once inside their hideout, he easily squirms out of his bonds and, with the aid of other prisoners, knocks out the guards watching them and makes sure everyone in his group is freed before he sneaks back inside to look for other victims he can help break out.

That's when he's made witness of a horrific scene that leaves him stunned for a moment. A woman is seemingly choking the life out of a kidnapper, releasing muffled sounds he doesn't even want to bother deciphering. His body automatically moves forward with the urge to stop the situation, regardless of the danger he may run into. He can't just stand and do nothing as a murder is taking place in front of his eyes. ]

Stop it, miss! Let it go! I've come to help you out of here!

[fuckinghysterical]

[Seeing as her hugging power took a lot of concentration to work, she doesn’t immediately respond when the stranger speaks to her. She always thought it was a little strange her nanomachines gave her that sort of power, but at this moment she really didn’t mind it at all, if this was what would save her ass in this situation.

However, just before the kidnapper can lose consciousness, LB finally realizes there’s another in here with her and loosens her hold out of pure surprise, if nothing else. She manages to catch the last part about him being here to save her, which elicits a muted sigh of relief. She, however, doesn’t completely let go of the man as she presents her wrists to be free of the restraints. She wasn’t going to risk the offender trapping her again, okay.]

[kivatteru]

[ The progress is not much, but it's at least better than not getting listened to. Wataru stifles a sigh, anxiety pounding in his chest while he hurries to move behind the trapped kidnapper and makes quick work of the woman's bonds. He will gently reach out to touch her arm, in an attempt to coax her. ]

You can let go now. Please.

[ In such a state, he strongly doubts the kidnapper can come up with any retailation by now. ]

[fuckinghysterical]

[With her restraints undone, LB at least looks a little less crazed than she did before, since she was in a far more advantageous position now. When the stranger does suggest it, she indeed loosens her hold, paying no attention as the kidnapper falls abruptly on the floor as she removes the tape over her lips. Of course, the first sound she makes is a rather empty sounding laugh while recovering.]

I— I shouldn’t let him go, ahaha, he’ll just keep doing these things unless he gets taken care of. [Her eyes warily rest on the kidnapper who had since passed out (but was still definitely alive).

[kivatteru]

[ He takes a step back when the kidnapper drops to the floor as he expected, sparing the body a glance before looking over at the woman with concern. Eerie laughter resounds along with normal sentences and he wonders if it's a peculiar speech tic or the situation is just that amusing to her. Either way, he's going to try prevent something unnecessary from taking place in front of him. ]

We'll take him and the rest of his group to the police. The other prisoners and I knocked them out before I found you here.

[ Though he has his doubts about the justice system here, he finds no reason to kill them while they're already down. ]

[fuckinghysterical]

[LB keeps staring that the unconscious man on the ground, worried that he might try something if she took even a second to look away. These men didn’t seem that dangerous, but she (and the rest of her hometown) had underestimated a group of people before and that had not turned out well, to say the least. She didn’t seem completely satisfied with the response she was given, but LB supposed that as long as she didn’t have to deal with them, she could deal with it.]

Y-You’ll make sure the police capture them? Ahaha? [There’s an uneasiness about her expression, making it obvious that this laugh was definitely not one of amusement.]

[kivatteru]

[ Wataru nods, feeling like he's walking through the dark in a room full of landmines because he can't predict what the woman will do next. Although he learned more about people the past year at home than he ever did in the other twenty-one years of his life, it's obvious there will still be unpredictable moments like these cracking his confidence. ]

I will. It's best for us to have them locked up. [ He will chalk the laughter off as a verbal tic eventually, and focus on more important things like escorting her outside and checking that the other prisoners have alerted the authorities already. ]

We should leave.

[fuckinghysterical]

[She wasn’t sure what to think of the police force here, as her original hometown didn’t really have one of its own. However, coming out of a militarized faction, she did know that organized groups might be able to keep someone at bay too. Either way, LB would have felt more confident in just killing this person, but ultimately decides to just leave him be for now.]

Ahaha... all right. [She sighs, finally turning away from the man on the ground.] I didn’t see how I was brought here, so you’ll have to show me the way back to the downtown area.

[kivatteru]

Me neither, because I was blindfolded. I don't think it'll be hard to navigate through the area, though.

[ Yoshiwara has a simpler map than he imagined, mostly thanks to the factions system. Of course, he didn't have time to explore everything, but he'll be able to know where everything is with some patience of his own. He goes on to promise the woman that he'll lead the way, before he starts guiding her outside the kidnappers' den, carefully stepping over the other knocked out thugs in the hallway. ]

I'm Wataru Kurenai. Japanese, but definitely not from this place. Where are you from?

[fuckinghysterical]

That’s too bad... [It wasn’t going to be as easy to get out of this neck of the woods, however, this wasn’t the worst situation to be in either.] But it’s better to be in company, than alone, in situations like these.

[She normally would have be area mapped out, in her mind, but she was too new to get too familiarized. LB wasn’t too sure who she could trust, in a place like this, but she’d take whatever help she could get. Following him outside, audibly exhales in relief as they manage to make it out of he building. She listens to him introduce himself, already feeling a little awkward for her own.]

Laughing Beauty, hahaha... [Because even if it wasn’t her birth name, it was the last codename she had — going back to her original name didn’t feel right now.] I was stationed in South America for a while, but originally? Norwegian.

[kivatteru]

[ Though he acknowledges the name with a hum, questions swirl around his mind and he knows any of those would be too rude to ask as they've just met in an incredibly unfitting situation. Wataru tries to be educate despite the fact he wasn't raised and educated properly. For one, he knows what respect is about.

"Nice to meet you" sounds the utmost awkward even for someone like him who's still getting used to social cues. Therefore he proceeds silently across the short distance separating them from freedom, opens the door, and is welcomed by a sight of Yoshiwara at night. The sound of police sirens blare in the distance, growing louder. ]

... Someone must have called them eventually. That takes care of it.

[ He turns to her, offering a small smile. ]

By the way, how should I call you for short?

[fuckinghysterical]

[The sound of sirens startles her at first, because she’s sill more used to being on the battlefield — any sirens there definitely didn’t mean anything good. However, it only takes a couple of seconds to ease herself — police sirens weren’t nearly as ominous. Yes, it usually didn’t mean anything good, but she figured it was better to have someone else deal with the mess inside.

However, it takes her at least a solid minute or two to contemplate when Wataru asks for something shorter — she hadn’t gotten around to thinking of something for that yet.] Um... I don’t really want to be called "Laughing", or anything like that... and Beauty. That — haha — that feels a little pretentious, doesn’t it?

[She’s aware that she’s attractive enough for the codename, but she wasn’t going to insist on people calling her by that name either.] Just go with whatever you want?

[LB forms a faint, forlorn smile, continuing.] I seem to collect a lot of names.

[And not all of them good.]

[kivatteru]

[ Either alternatives don't sound any good for him either. Back home, he was also appointed humiliating names for being the shut-in of an allegedly haunted house. He knows the importance of having a name attached to someone, which is why he won't come up with one for LB right away as he doesn't want to accidentally offend her. ]

I'll think about it properly. [ He promises, smiling softer. ] We should get going. They may take us in for questioning.

[ Unless LB is keen on the idea of being taken by the police, he begins walking, leading her out of the area. ]

[fuckinghysterical]

Heh, all right then. [Her shoulders raise briefly in a shrug. It’d actually be pretty hard to offend her with a name, but it did seem like there were bigger things to worry about, at the moment. Like getting out of the area before the cops got there.]

Ah, right... I really don’t think I want to deal with that. [Because chances were that just the atmosphere of being questioned would get her panicked so much, she might make herself look far more suspicious than she actually was.] I guess we should pick a direction and hope for the best.

[kivatteru]

[ Before long, the pair will leave the unfortunate scenario behind as the police arrives and arrests the criminals. Wataru keeps LB's words in mind, relying on his intuition to make a path and hope it takes them somewhere. The streets are mostly silent with few murmurs of cars and people chatting in the middle of the night, with the sound of their footsteps adding to it. ]

With some luck, we'll reach the City Center and navigate better from there. [ He shoves his hands in his pockets. ] What faction have you been sent to? I'm from Nishi.