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memewara2019-03-24 02:48 pm
watertrade) wrote in memewara2019-03-24 02:48 pm
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「 TDM 02 」
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. While it's not freezing outside it's still 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 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 huddle under blankets 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 shiver, but at least there are friendly locals that are willing to answer any questions for them.
Those that wander the city will find it a touch disorganized. Between the visible police patrols and half-repaired storefronts it's clear that something just went down. Asking around will net newcomers brief explanations about a recent epidemic caused by a strange drug with withdrawal symptoms that drove users berserk. They'll be immediately reassured that there's nothing to worry about, though. The police apprehended the dealers, so those that have just arrived should go and enjoy the parties happening throughout town.
ii. Hanami
After all, a little bit (or a lot) of chaos isn't enough to deter the residents from doing what they do best: charming their way into visitors' wallets. Hanami is the perfect excuse to celebrate, and this year's exceptionally beautiful and fragrant blossoms have drawn a larger crowd than usual. Picnics and parties can be found in all of Yoshiwara's parks, and while many of them are private a fair number are open to all comers. A few groups will be generous about sharing their food and drinks (though either may be spiked with apho, alcohol, or both), and there's always the option of simply playing games and making conversation with other partygoers.
But while the newcomers are encouraged to take it easy and enjoy themselves, there's limits to how much they can do for free. Luckily, someone has already taken that into account. Newcomers that want more food, drink, or excuses to socialize are encouraged to pair up with both established workers and other newcomers in order to put on a show for Yoshiwara's guests.
The shows don't have to be lewd, however. As a general rule, the guests are most interested in the new beginnings and blooming romances associated with early spring, so they're largely content watching Yoshiwara's workers play ice breaker games. 'Would you rather', 'two truths and a lie', and 'corrupt-a-wish' are all popular options and many workers can satisfy guests simply by indefinitely chatting with their partners.
Guests are free to make requests, however, and if two workers have good chemistry they may be encouraged to ramp up the flirtatious behavior. If it feels a bit demeaning that's because it is, but it has the potential to pay well. In addition to free food and drink, workers that put on good shows can expect to receive tips (and more than a few phone numbers) from their happy customers.
iii. Kiss Kiss Fall In Love
Of course, hanami itself is still a celebration, and newcomers and old arrivals alike are encouraged to take a break from work to relax and enjoy the flowers - but the longer someone sticks around, the more likely they are to experience some unexpected side effects.
At first, the scent of the sakura will simply lull someone into a pleasant, fuzzy sort of relaxed contentment. Eventually, the 'fuzzy' element of that relaxation can be identified as mild arousal underscored by directionless affection. It's the desire to touch and be touched, and it seems like the only way to rid yourself of that pesky warmth is to cuddle up to someone else. That's not always enough, however, and sometimes cuddling up will only intensify the arousal and affectionate feelings.
This effect is most likely to take hold from dusk to dawn, with the bright light of day chasing away the worst of the trees' aphrodesiac. The feeling will linger, regardless of contact, for up to an hour after leaving the area of the trees, leaving ample time for anyone to find a partner and make their escape to a more private location.
iv. Portentous Moments
Sex may sell, but that's not the only industry in Yoshiwara. Stores and stalls hawking a tremendous variety of goods and services can be found all over the city, and rather esoteric goods are no exception to this. Anyone wandering around the central district may stumble across a fortune teller, swaddled in a heavy cloak, sitting at a small table situated at the end of an alleyway. She calls any passersby over in a calm, soothing voice, inviting them to have their fortunes told for the low low price of free - no strings attached!
Anyone who approaches and accepts the offer will be handed a deck of tarot cards and told to shuffle, after which the fortune teller will take the deck back and ask her customer to draw a single card. But no matter when a character arrives, where they draw the card from, or how thoroughly they shuffle the deck, they'll only ever draw one of three cards - the Lovers, Death, or the Three of Cups. The fortune teller will offer no explanation as to what each card means, only promising that good things are to come before shooing her customer away. The fortune teller will vanish the second her customer departs, leaving said customer to figure out the effects on their own. That won't be hard, though. The effects aren't subtle.
The Lovers creates instant chemistry between strangers. Not just in a romantic or sexual sense, but in a platonic one as well. Hateful misanthropes will find themselves draw to and intrigued by other people, who will in turn find said misanthrope charming. Those afflicted by the the Lovers card may be aware of how strange this reaction is, but realizing that isn't enough to shake the attraction they feel for their new friend, crush, or lover. This effect can last for several hours before it wears off over the course of a few seconds. It may not wear off both parties simultaneously, however, leaving one party to wonder what they've done to make the other act so cold.
While the Lovers card draws people together, Death drives them apart. Those that draw Death will find themselves both regarding others and being regarded by others as a mortal enemy. It's just that the vehemence of those feelings doesn't always match the 'crime', and something like cutting in line at the grocery store may be treated with the same severity as burning someone's village to the ground. Arguments over the most minor of infractions are breaking out all over town and things are starting to look ugly, but no one will get hurt. As soon as the arguments escalate to the point of either personal insults or physical violence, both parties will suddenly snap out of their rage. Neither party will have any idea of why they got so angry, though whether they apologize for losing their cool or simply continue the fight is up to them.
The Three of Cups works a bit differently from the other two. Anyone who pulls it will be inflicted with 'wrong luck'; that is, incredibly good fortune that doesn't benefit them at all. Vending machines will dispense two cans of their least favorite drink. They'll win a free meal at an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet despite their deadly fish allergy. The cops decide to let them off easy after harassing them for crimes they didn't commit. The Three of Cups may also get stuck to either the Loves and Death cards, and thus the two effects can combine. That said, the Three of Cups' effect lasts until the character gets a solid night's rest, even if the paired effect wears off well before then.
While the Lovers and Death can't be drawn at the same time, they can interact. Should someone afflicted by the Lovers encounter someone afflicted by Death both effects may kick in for both people, leaving them with intense and complicated feelings for one another. Alternately, each person may only experience one of the effects, which won't necessarily be the same effect for both of them.
v. Rainfall
cw: mild gore, mentions of death
Did you know that underneath every cherry blossom tree a corpse is buried? The roots tangle themselves around the body and feed off its nutrients, and by absorbing its blood their pure white blossoms are dyed a soft pink color.
... That's the story, at least, but it's an easy one to forget in Yoshiwara. Even when the town's bright facade cracks and the seedier dark side shows through, such grim urban legends rarely take center stage. Newcomers that aren't already familiar with the story are unlikely to hear it before they depart the docks and start familiarizing themselves with the city.
Which is unfortunate, since knowledge of the story might spare them some trauma. As they go look at the town's various trees, some of them may be overtaken with a strange compulsion. It's as if the trees is calling to them, filling them with the urge to stretch out beneath the branches and take a nap. Of course, if they do make themselves comfortable they'll find it increasingly more difficult to wake up; even the sensation of being slowly but steadily buried under falling blossoms may not be enough to rouse them. If they can't work up the willpower needed to wake up and walk (or at least crawl) away they'd better hope that a helpful stranger stops by.
As for those that don't feel compelled to lay down, they may find that it's suddenly raining despite the clear skies. It only takes a brief look around to realize that rather than falling from the sky, the rain is falling from the cherry blossoms - and that instead of water, it's blood. The droplets well up from the center of each blossom, staining the petals red before finally falling to splatter against clothing, hair, and skin. The 'rain' is limited to the immediate area surrounding whoever happens to be watching, and it stops the moment they leave. While the rain can only be witnessed by the person being rained on, the blood does not conveniently vanish. Hopefully the observers weren't wearing anything nice, though there's no helping the alarmed looks they'll receive for their blood-splattered state.
vi. Wildcard
Hanami may be in full swing, but there's 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 in the parks if they don't want to.
OOC
Hello, and welcome to the second 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'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.
Reserves will open on April 3rd! Our monthly schedule 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
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[pot meet kettle.]
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[ Easy! ]
Your turn.
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who would she even-- Brighid.]
Kiss, of course. [no tongue involved, though. Brighid probably wouldn't like that.]
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[ It seems she's already taking this as a win. ]
Come on, ask your next dumb question while I'm all fired up.
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[she’s terrible at this.]
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[ Subtle dig at the Brig???? ]
Which buttcheek would you pick?
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[she's beginning to suspect that Mythra is drugged and/or aphro'd. yup. nevermind that an Aegis shouldn't even be affected by those things... right? not that Mòrag would know much about Aegis physiology.]
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[ She frowns, more of a pissy little pout than anything though, and gives Mòrag some of her signature stink-eye. ]
Apart from the gross water in my mouth when I arrived? Nothing yet. Why'd I have to wind up in water anyway?
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[aside from the usual stuff with aphros, which she conveniently won't bring up.]
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[ Because that'd be funny but maybe a little dangerous? She's not an expert on fire blades buuuut. ]
Hold on, did you just say drugs? That's illegal, isn't it?
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This city isn't quite steadfast when it comes to morals and law. The culprits had been rounded up, but that doesn't mean other drugs have been taken off the streets. [Mòrag helps organize drug shipments as part of her conscripted employment to the yakuza. good stuff. awful stuff. the guilt is eating at her every day. she'll tell Mythra about that some other time.]
Don't let your guard down while you're here. That's all I'm saying.
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[ She's not sure whether or not to really worry about any drugs. Nothing is certain for her since she's Pyra-less. Anything else could be different and that's, you know, bad. ]
... It must be hard for you. Going from being an Inquisitor to letting other people handle the law, right? Probably sucks.
[ Mythra shrugs at her observation as if it was the same as, say, Mòrag losing her hat. Which is to say she doesn't feel any seriously painful empathy over it. ]
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[not really. she's just good at laying low. no point in making a fuss when she's completely powerless and at a disadvantage against an entire crime syndicate.
... so, yeah, it sucks.]
As for yourself... you've never been separated from Pyra, have you? [and no flashy overpowered space gundam mech to call upon.] Will you be alright like this?
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[ Mythra looks her up and down. Yeah, she's not buying Mòrag's clumsy little lie but it's not so annoying as to force her to press the issue outside of a slight remark.
Speaking of clumsy little lies and dodging the truth... ]
Pyra wasn't always around, actually. I'll be fine.
[ Remember the last time she didn't have Pyra though? Mythra smiles to hide a tiny prickle of dread from trailing down her spine. ]
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[she's not teasing.
honest!
she's genuinely concerned.
honest!]