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

[Well, he's in a similar predicament, but thankfully he's not at the level of despair that he's freaking out, or he'd be waving his katana around all over. For now, he's just noticed this strange guy on the floor by nearly tripping over him himself.

On the ground... That must mean... there's some sort of emergency?! He drops quickly beside him, one of his hands clapping over the stranger's shoulder.]

For something to bring someone to their knees so finally, this must be a foul sign indeed!

[He looks. Ramen flavored bread? He's not sure he understands. Actually, it sits entirely wrong.] Has this "ramen-flavored bread" wronged you in some way? Though it may be rude of me to include myself in this matter where I have no place being involved, I cannot simply stand by and watch as someone is thrown into despair! Please, tell me how I can help!

R-Ramen...

[ He extends his arm towards the shop in agony. Is he hurting? Is he crying? It's difficult to tell. ]

I need ramen... M-Miso ramen... Why is it gone...?!

Edited 2016-08-02 03:24 (UTC)

[!!! This poor guy must be starving! Or dying? Ramen, his last wish is ramen! As it turns out, Souma had recently found the One Shop in this city that still had regular, traditional food instead of french madness. It's so far, though. Normal humans (or shinki?) couldn't possibly get there as fast as his trained legs could, right?

Not knowing of Naruto's own skill, and only caring to save him, he scoops up this stranger in his arms, bridal style.]

Please, be strong! Though it will take some time for me to carry the both of us to the nearest ramen shop, rest assured that I will grant your last wish, on my honor!

[Now... they're running. Or rather, he's running and holding Naruto in his arms. This is fine.]

[ Souma is a true food warrior. Naruto would find the strength to get on his feet again if he knew there was one more source of actual nourishment left in the city, but... The Ramen Shock is strong. He's completely out of commission. This is how you best a true ninja. What is the meaning of anything when there is no ramen? Does instant ramen exist, or is it now instant baguette? Instant croissant? ]

They're gone... they're all gone... Don't worry about me...

[ He's not even aware that he's being carried. Please forgive him. ]

As a warrior, I cannot leave behind someone in dire need of help, no matter what it is! I beg of you, be strong and hold on! The end of your suffering is near!

[Souma is a very determined food warrior. His speed is exceptional despite being a normal high school student, and he's able to burst into this traditional ramen stand like a hurricane, sending multiple people running away in a panic.]

Quickly! I need a serving of miso ramen immediately, or this poor soul may not make it!

[The person behind the counter actually notices them with a quick "coming right up." But Souma doesn't set Naruto down yet. He's busy intently watching the process!!]

[ Slowly, oh so very slowly, he begins to notice a few signs. The place's layout... the noises of the people who didn't trip over themselves to get away from here (not that he noticed that), the sacred words of "coming right up," and...

The smell of heaven. The true heaven, not that place where he lives now where there aren't any good restaurants around. ]

—Ramen?!

[ Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Why does he feel like he's floating? That can't just be his sense of happiness, he's really floating. He looks at Souma in his confusion. He's still dazed. He's not freaking out over the princess carry (yet). ]

[Has this being stirred to life once more in his very arms?! Souma looks incredibly relieved to see movement, staring down at him in surprise.]

Has the smell of your last wish returned you to your senses? I am relieved to see it. To be honest, I had been worried that I was too late. But here, your miso ramen will be returned to you shortly, so please, regain that strength little by little!

[When will he let him go, though...]

[Eh?

Naruto blinks once. Twice.

Someone (a guy?) (his savior?!) is talking to him. And he's saying some words? And also, is he... in that person's arms?!!!??! ?!! !? ?

Eeeeeeeeeeehhhh?!

[ It may be important to mention that even though he yelled like that, he still hasn't tried to scramble away. But don't blame this poor soul. One shock after another! This is too much even for a great ninja and a great shinki like him! The delicious smell of miso ramen after what seems like a century or so is the one clouding his senses. It has to be.

Anyway, he really doesn't want to equate this guy's angel-like smiling face to the delicious smell of ramen! No!! Bad!! Ramen is sacred!! ]

[A surprised yell?! Ah, but since he isn't scrambling to get away, it must be a good sign! Souma continues to look pleased before he remembers himself and blinks, quickly shifting to let Naruto down.]

Ah, my apologies! I was so wrapped up in your tragic situation that I hadn't realized I'd been holding you for so very long! Is it difficult to stand? Please, have a seat here.

[He's guiding Naruto over to one of the chairs, now, overly worrying as he makes sure he sits down.] This ramen must mean a lot to you, to have affected you so deeply. I hope that with this bowl, hope can be restored to your heart.

Ah... but I still must introduce myself! I have been careless up until now. I am Souma Kanzaki, a shinki.

[ Naruto is completely out of his element here (did this person carry him here?!). Because of this, he is easily led in his confusion, and he sits where Souma tells him to. He also fails to register a word he says. But then. But then!!

A bowl of miso ramen. Placed in front of him.

The being who just called himself Souma Kanzaki, a shinki, has made this happen. But he can't be a shinki. Shinki don't make miracles for other shinki happen. Did he hear his prayers?! ]

A-An angel...?!

Edited 2016-08-02 06:58 (UTC)

An angel? [He repeats it in clear confusion, glancing around the little ramen stand before realizing and touching a hand to his own chest.] Could it be that you meant me?

I am no angel! I am a warrior of justice, looking to help all of those around me who are in need! From my lack of memory, I am sure— no, I am positive that there are those I disappointed and left behind! Because of this, I feel it is my duty to do what I can for everyone around me.

[Well, it's not quite right. He feels like he's missing his real direction in life still, but he'll find it through perseverance! Probably. Anyway, he lifts some still wrapped chopsticks and shoves them at Naruto eagerly.]

Please eat and enjoy this meal that was longed for! Or is it perhaps that you cannot focus and eat your ramen without proper company? [Maybe that's it!] Then I will join with a bowl of my own!

[There's another "coming right up," solely because Souma has been so talkative this entire time that attention hasn't been dropped from him.]

[ If this sparkling person is going to insist that he's not an angel, fine, he'll keep his secret! But only an angel could have done what the (future) greatest shinki couldn't (and that's Naruto, by the way). He takes the chopsticks he's being offered with gratitude and Determination. Souma seems to like words way too much, but it looks like it all boils down to a moment of brotherhood, each man and his own bowl of ramen, joined together in harmony and food. And that's the way it has to be. That is a language Naruto is prepared to understand! For this, he can sustain himself on just the smell of miso ramen for a little longer. ]

Whoa, you're a great guy!! Alright, Souma! Let's eat together!

[ This place is really getting livelier and livelier, for a definition of lively, now that an extremely loud person has joined an extremely talkative person. But if even more people are choking on their ramen now that he joined in, and throwing resentful glances their way, and leaving, he's blissfully unaware of it.]

I'm Naruto, by the way!

Edited (icon change yes!!!) 2016-08-02 18:21 (UTC)

[Could this be... his first friend?! Other than his master, of course, who has asked him not to call him master. His bowl comes quickly, and so soon enough he's able to sit down next to Naruto and hold up his own chopsticks happily.]

I am glad to be witness to such a full recovery, Naruto-dono! Surely, to have pushed himself so far that collapse would occur, Naruto-dono is the true "great guy" here. I have only admiration and great respect for someone who can push themselves to such limits!

[He breaks his chopsticks apart.] Let's enjoy this meal together!

Yeah!! Thanks for the food!!

[ Breaking the chopsticks and then grinning at the bowl of ramen as if thanking it for existing, he digs in! At last! This is it, this is what he needed! Ah, ramen!

He's going to be in silence for a little bit because he's enjoying it too much, and then speak, with his mouth full. ]

You dwon't hwave to call me Nwaruto-dwono, you wknow? Just Nwaruto's fwine! [ This transcription of his words is an approximation. ]

[What... is he saying...!! He can't make sense of those garbled words at all. He finishes the bit of ramen he was slurping up before covering his own mouth a bit, eyeing Naruto.]

I apologize, Naruto-dono, but I couldn't quite make out what was just said. Perhaps if each job your mouth was responsible for was reduced to one at a time, it may be easier to comprehend...

[Don't speak with your mouth full, in other words.]

[ Souma is forming some complicated sentences again, but thankfully, he's making the universal face for "what are you saying" as he does. ]

Whwat I'm swayiwng wis [ He finally swallows. ] that you're being too formal! Just Naruto's fine, you know!

R-really?

[This time, he understands, and his face flushes a little. "Naruto" on its own, without anything else! How forward...] Would that not be too personal for the two of us, who have only just met? I would not wish to show any disrespect... Especially to someone who has clearly worked so hard.

But that's too much, you know? How are we gonna be friends like that? Or... Hmmmmm. Do you want me to call you Souma-dono too?

[ Coming from him, it sounds kind of meaningless, though. Like that honorific lost all traces of honor. ]

[First name basis... Gasps. He's a little flustered, but is this friendship? Could he have a friend here, for real? Is that what this means? He leans a little closer to Naruto in his excitement.]

Though it is strange to hear it spoken in such a tone, no! If Naruto believes it is unnecessary to add the honorific, then as a symbol of our friendship, we can refer to each other just like that!

I feel like I should commemorate this event, somehow.

[ Naruto nods several times in succession. Sharing good food with friends is the best after all! And if Souma is leaning closer, well, maybe he's cold! ]

Yeah, yeah! That's great! Let's commemosomething!

Edited 2016-08-03 07:56 (UTC)

[Hmm. This "Naruto" seems like someone who doesn't think too much, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. He has spirit. And he must be a fine warrior if he pushed himself so far without food!! That's Souma's line of thinking as he has some more of his ramen before nodding firmly.]

In that case, I will prepare bento for Naruto tomorrow. [That... seems appropriate? How does one commemorate making friends? He's not sure.] Perhaps some time we could also train together!

[ He's going to prepare a bento... A bento?! That's a thing girls do, right? But eh, Souma seems like he'd prepare a really great bento, so who cares. As expected of the Angel of Ramen! ]

Whoa, a bento! Thanks! And yeah, training sounds great!! But what kinda stuff do you train? You're not a ninja, right?

[Maybe he'll even try to make Kuro's suggested "cute" bentos...! Can he pull off an animal shape well enough? He's trained for it, so maybe!]

I am not. I happen to excel in kendo, and have taken a liking to running laps and other such exercise, as well. I am not as fast as some skilled runners, but I hope to improve. As it is, I liken myself to samurai, but every time I say such things my master tells me "You're not a samurai!" and cuts himself off before continuing.

I may never recall what I've been in my last life, but that's of no matter to me. In this life, I am a shinki and a warrior, and I will train my hardest in every area necessary.

[ Souma is so serious and nice! What a good guy!! He's so pumped up now! ]

I'm a shinki too! It sucks that we don't remember our past life, but I decided I'm gonna become the best shinki ever, you know? So I've been training a lot too! Running laps and doing sit-ups and all of that stuff is boring when you're alone, but it could be fun if there's company!

I dunno how to fight a kendo master [ -that's what Souma said, right? He said the word kendo, and the word master at some point- ], but if you wanna fight a ninja for training, I'm here! We gotta be ready for all types of ayakashi, right?

[The best shinki ever, huh? He does enjoy the spirit of Naruto, and hearing that fires him up even more! It's a good thing he's holding his chopsticks, or he'd be whipping out his katana and swinging it around in his excitement. Friendly competition like this is the best way to grow strong, together.]

That seems nostalgic, somehow. I'd very much enjoy training with Naruto, so I look forward to scheduling these meetings. I have a "cell phone", so once we have finished our ramen, we can exchange numbers and mentally prepare for the training ahead.

I wish Naruto luck in becoming the great shinki he'd like to be. [He smiles and nods firmly.] I hope we can encourage each others growth.