takamagahara | (no subject)

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test drive

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TEST DRIVE # 07

Whether you're trying to figure out how your character would fare in this setting, trying to get some samples together, or just dipping your toes in the water, you've come to the right place! The Test Drive is here to make your life easy by letting you see what the game is like without actually joining it first. So here is how it works:

1: Post a starter with your character, including whether they are a god or shinki in the subject line.
2: Act like your character is established enough in the setting to allow your thread to go places.
3: Take on any god/shinki of your choosing, as long as they're not already in the game!
4: Comment around to the other people on the meme.
5: Have lots of fun!

To get you started, here are some ideas for thread-starters! Feel free to come up with your own ideas if these don't strike your fancy, though.

Echoing Endlessly

Many people in the area are complaining about a strange echo following them around. It never seems to go away and, in fact, collects more and more echoes with each passing moment, creating a cacophony of sound. There have been reports of a few people slowly going crazy because of this echoing. It's your job to find what's causing it and put an end to the echoes!

French Frenzy

The new craze has swept over the city! Everything French is so in right now, and everyone wants something newer and Frenchier to make them stand out from the crowd. Just your luck, you happen to have something very French you can peddle - or maybe you can convince someone just how French your very Japanese things are!

Gateway Guardians

A very strange old shinki has left you with a very simple request: guard this door and don't let anyone through. It looks like a totally normal door on a totally normal house! You might be curious to peek through it, but it's locked and you were told not to go through yourself either...

Helping Hands

There's an ayakashi roaming around that is literally just hundreds of hands that randomly grab people and things and move them around before disappearing. The odd thing is that they are... actually doing good things? Maybe it's a scheme to suck people into a plagued afterlife without being caught, or maybe they just really want to help people out.

Irksome Illusions

There's a certain street in the downtown area that has some of the craziest rumors being spread about it. Apparently going down this street will just bring you back to the entrance, but when you turn around to head back you'll only find yourself at the entrance again. Moreover, there are a lot of creepy things that whisper and appear as you walk, more with each turn you make...

If you're uncertain about anything, feel free to check out the Premise, Rules, and FAQ posts. And don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have on the FAQ!
When and if you're ready to join the game, check out the Taken Characters before throwing in a Reserve and starting on your Application
Have fun!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Francais?

[The polite voice comes from a man wearing some sort of convenience store apron. With his left hand, Souma offers forward a small kappa doll. It's very Japanese, handcrafted and beautiful, but that doesn't seem to be the point he's trying to make here.]

[His emotions get to be a bit too much, and all of a sudden, he's whipping out his katana with his right hand and swinging it around. The stranger he'd just tried to sell this kappa doll too is now too horrified to stick around, running off and screaming about the madman with a katana. It's creating such a scene that other people are beginning to see him, as well.

Still waving his sword, he shouts:]

Guarding!

[That door is very curious, isn't it? Initially, Souma had thought so as well, but as soon as he had approached it, he was instructed to guard it. The old shinki had such an air of authority to him that he wouldn't dare question it, so now he stood with his katana at the door.

Unfortunately, that means that anyone who gets even a little too close is met with a sword pointed at their face.]

[He looks very firm about this. Maybe a little too firm...]

[Amane's from the store over, trying to peddle her own fares (and probably stealing Souma's customers?), which are anything with flower decorations. Her own headband and vessel form being the sole inspiration for this.

But then, she saw the commotion and stopped in alarm. She quickly runs over and stop at a safe distance. That's probably not a real sword (... she thinks), but it probably can still hurt someone.]

Everyone's fleeing because you're being loud and waving the sword around. Please, quiet down and lower the sword.

[It's definitely a real sword. A real sword that's now being pointed at her— not with any real intention to hurt her, of course. He has control enough to know how not to hurt an acquaintance!]

My sword...? Ah, because my emotions became too heightened, I got excited and pulled it out without thinking about it. My apologies. [He still hasn't put it down, though... He swings it a little as he gestures to those who are still fleeing or eyeing them warily.]

But this task has been trusted with me alone! How can I properly sell this french item when I know nothing of it myself? I'm at a loss! I've let down my master and the one who entrusted this task to me!

[That sword looks far too sharp and probably shiny to be a fake... Wait a minute, it's real!

Her eyes briefly follows his sword's movements, before she turn her gaze back onto him. There's a frown on her face.]

Please sheathe your sword first.

[How can he even draw any customers like this...]

If you know nothing about French culture and items, don't you know anyone that may teach you?

I continued to swing it without thinking, once more! I apologize.

[Thankfully, he just sheathes it this time without making a big deal.] I've been here for such a short time that I have few numbered acquaintances. However, my boss has instructed me to sell these "hot french items" as quickly as possible! If I cannot manage even that, then I will only bring shame upon the good name of this store!

You... Aren't you the one who so diligently works in the shop across the street? A rival, and yet... I can't help but admire your work! [He steps closer a little, fingers clenching into fists at his sides.] If I could be so forward as to ask for your assistance...!

Thank you.

[Thankfully. Now it's easier to talk to him. Nnless, as she understands it, he get emotional again?]

Ah, you're new? [That is speaking to her instinctive desire to help.] I haven't been here for very long as well, but I...

[And then she blinks when he steps forward. Ah, well, they are technically rivals in this job. Amane blinks again, before she nods.]

Of course, I do not mind helping at all, however little it might be. [Well... her god didn't forbid her from helping out a fellow shinki, right? Right.] I'm Amane Kuzuryu. May I know your name?

Kuzuryu-dono, I am in your debt! I will do whatever it takes to master this art of "retail" and better provide for my god!

[How is he managing this when he's so invisible? The sword swinging probably helps. But right, introduce himself.] Forgive me for not introducing myself sooner. I am Souma Kanzaki, shinki and employee at the store over there.

[He looks to it and then offers her the kappa doll.] What is Kuzuryu-dono's advice in selling an item like this? I was told I should emphasize how "French" it is.

Kuzuryu-dono?

[Such a respectful address feels almost familiar for her. Unfortunately, she doesn't remember why and she keeps herself from dwelling on it. But as they're both follow shinki, it feels a little strange right now for her.]

You don't need to use -dono for myself, Kanzaki-san. I am just another shinki like yourself.

[Now that's out of the way, she takes the kappa doll and looks down at it. This... is definitely a kappa. She looks it over in her hands. Is there a "Made In..." label on it?]

Your store did pick a hard product to advertise. [She's selling flowery products, so it's not hard to make a connection to French aesthetic.] It's a kappa, right? I don't know if France have a creature similiar to it, but you can focus on it's made from France or it's something French people like. And show people that it's nice to have..

While we may both be shinki, I believe that Kuzuyru-dono deserves nothing less than respect. As someone who wishes to show respect whenever it is due, I simply cannot imagine addressing Kuzuyru-dono as anything less!

[It seems familiar to use it, for him, so surely it would only work out in both of their favors! For now, he watches as she glances to the kappa. It probably is made in China, which doesn't help at all... It's small, printed on a tag.]

I wonder if this is something that French people do enjoy. Does Kuzuryu-dono have experience with this? The owner told me things like "Just tell them it's from France, do it well!" and so I obeyed without question! But I know nothing of "France", myself.

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twiceinhabited - 2016-08-03 05:41 (UTC) - Expand

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kendont - 2016-08-03 05:57 (UTC) - Expand

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twiceinhabited - 2016-08-04 03:27 (UTC) - Expand

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kendont - 2016-08-04 04:08 (UTC) - Expand

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twiceinhabited - 2016-08-08 14:49 (UTC) - Expand

Put the sword away, Kanzaki.

[He probably should have expected as much... but while Souma's behavior is pretty predictable, the situation seems a little weird. Kuro leans down a bit to peer at the doll in his hand, then glances back up to him, one brow raised.]

So they've got you playin' salesman, huh? [why...] You can't go and scare people off like that every time someone tells you no.

Kiryu-dono—!

[He surprised him! Souma looks startled for a second before lowering his katana and sheathing it.] I do not see how my sword would be a problem here. I grew so nervous that I drew it and began swinging it in hopes that I would draw their attention back to me.

[He glances down to the kappa doll in his left hand.] Perhaps Kiryu-dono would be much better suited to a task like this. The more I attempt to explain this doll's french background, the more people grow afraid and run off screaming. I do not understand it at all!

[This is because as he's explaining, he always gets excited enough to pull out his sword.]

Well, it sure gets attention, but not the kind that's gonna help you out here.

[Inspecting the doll a little more... "French background"? That's definitely not going to fly, or at least not on its own.]

You're gonna have a hard time convincing anybody this thing's French with the way it looks now, but maybe if you dressed it up a little...

[Is he already planning how to scale down an outfit for this thing? Absolutely.]

Could it be that Kiryu-dono has some insight into this "French craze?" As expected of the admirable Kiryu-dono! If such work were trusted to you in the first place, it would have been completed by now, with flying colors!

[He's so proud and happy, it's a miracle he doesn't pull his sword out again. It's probably because he's busy holding up this doll now.]

But I mustn't rely solely on the strength of others! As this job was entrusted to me, I take full responsibility for selling this doll. So, please, though I ask for your assistance, help me to make its clothes on my own!

[He has a sneaking feeling this could end in Souma getting too excited about it and tearing the fabric... but he's so determined to do it himself...

Kuro huffs out a sigh and shakes his head, a little smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.]

Alright, alright... I can't say no to a request like that.

[Unsurprisingly, he's already been doing some sewing work, so supplies won't be hard to take care of; besides, people really go for small, cute things, right? Making these will still be a good use for it.]

C'mon. If we do that out here, it's just gonna get the fabric dirty.

Yes, Kiryu-dono! Please, lead the way! In your hands, this project will become a success; I will not let you down!

[He's so hype about sewing clothes for a tiny little doll. Straightening himself, he follows proudly after Kuro to find some place where they can get everything indoors. Likely back to the convenience store?]

If I may ask, how quickly does Kiryu-dono expect this to be finished? If I work my hardest, can I expect to have this finished same day?

[They're just going to use the back room of the convenience store or something, nbd. It's not like most people will even notice... they're fine. It's fine.]

Well, it'll be pretty small, so not countin' one for practice... yeah, probably.

[On his own? Less likely. But with Kuro helping, and if he keeps it simple- it should work out okay.]

[Let's skip ahead to when they're in the back room, set up with materials and sewing tools aplenty! Souma is incredibly excited about all of this, and draws his sword to swing it at the air behind him.]

What matter of dress will best work for this doll, Kiryu-dono?

[Look at that perfectly innocent young man waving his sword around in what is a perfectly reasonable manner.

Or: look at this punk terrifying the civilians! He must be stopped!! Does it help ease anyone's mind that Kija marches right up to block his sword-waving with a giant lizard hand? No, no it doesn't. But Kija doesn't have to know that.]

Why are you behaving like this? Are you an ayakashi in disguise?

[murder]

[Eh? He can't keep swinging his sword around because it's been blocked? But people are still screaming and running away. That's okay, because he hardly connected the two things to begin with. He blinks in his surprise, slowly moving his gaze to Kija's face.]

What's this? It seems as though my sword has been blocked by a rather strange hand! Such strength... Is this what they call a "worthy opponent?" A challenge, perhaps? But this challenger is mistaken!

I am no ayakashi! I am Souma Kanzaki, honorable warrior and shinki, and hard-working employee of the convenience store just over there! [He points with his kappa doll. He's even wearing the apron, see?] If this is a direct challenge, would it be too much to ask for it to be rescheduled? As it stands now, I am still "on the clock" as they say.

[That's a lot more words than he figures any ayakashi are capable of firing off at a given time, but— still!! He's scaring the people!]

You are waving a weapon around in the street! I will challenge you to put it away! [Like, he won't take his own advice and put his giant hand away, but that's not out of the ordinary at all.

Briefly, he looks at the convenience store.]

Although you are a public menace, I cannot in good conscience disrupt your employment... Very well! I shall wait until you are released from "the clock" to prove your actions are inappropriate!

[the clock must be powerful]

I do not understand... What does my sword have to do with any of this? I became so full of energy that I drew it out suddenly and swung it in the air, as that is the quickest way to calm down! As I swing my sword, I picture the calming waves of the ocean and feel at peace.

[He pulls his sword back closer to himself, at least, but he doesn't put it away just yet.] I do appreciate your patience. Though, while it may be rude to point out such an obvious thing so bluntly, is that "hand" of yours not the thing causing so many people to flee currently? I feel that if anything should be put away, it is that.

Edited (ur patient) 2016-08-02 19:50 (UTC)

[EXCUSE

THIS PUNK]

They were fleeing before I arrived!! I am not the one waving his weapon around at normal people!

[All of that weird ocean nerd stuff is put on hold while Kija yells about his hand.]

...I see. If it is truly believed that my sword is such an obstruction, then I will sheathe it for the time being, even if I cannot understand that mindset.

[Slowly, he puts his sword a way. See, no harm, no foul!] Big hand-dono, if I may ask such a personal question...

[He leans a little closer, far too much into Kija's personal space as he eyeballs that huge ass hand.] Is that normal? Is this a skin condition? Somehow, it calls to me as something that is beautiful, so I almost wish to touch it...! But such a thing would be improper when we've only just met, and crowds are screaming around us!

[Yes very good, listen to his wisdom... Ah, but-]

Kija. It's Kija. [or big brother, later... This sure is an- interesting response to his hand, so suddenly. He's quite tired of it being considered an abnormality or skin condition (how? what skin does this that isn't divine??) already, so at first he frowns— but hm!

It is beautiful isn't it!!]

It is meant to look like this, rest assured! This is a mark of my strength as a warrior! [yeah!! and, more sheepishly,] L-later, you may see it in a more appropriate location...

Edited (why) 2016-08-02 23:20 (UTC)

Your strength as a warrior...

[That huge hand is that? For a moment, Souma glances down to his own hand. Nothing. He switches the kappa doll over to his right hand, only to find that his left hand is also... lacking. Suddenly, he feels nothing but shame and drops to his knees.]

I had no idea...! Please, forgive my insolence, Kija-dono! To think that I would stand in the presence of someone with such great strength and only continue on the path of ignorance is nothing but shameful! In apology, I will commit seppuku and atone for my sins!