takamagahara | (no subject)

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

I'm afraid I don't think I want anyone trying on my clothes.

[They are, thank you, his. Besides, he doesn't need money that badly!]

I might have to find somewhere else to be if that fad ever happens. -- I'm sorry, I don't believe I introduced myself by name! Cho Hakkai.

[Okay, but maybe some people are into... grungy green chic. It's not impossible!]

Hazel. Hazel Grouse. Ya sure you're not keen on bein' the center of attention? Ya got one of those faces.

[Excuse you, that is scrupulously clean green chic you're maligning. It's not blending very well into the crowd today, because he will be damned if he lets anyone put him in a beret and something striped with a scoop neckline, but the plain collared shirts he's taken to wearing blend to near-invisibility in city crowds all on their own.]

Do I? I think you stand out a little more here than I do, Hazel.

[It's grungy. It's very 90s garage band green, Hakkai. Be reasonable and open a GQ magazine sometime. He waves a hand, like yes he is very beautiful thanks for noticing, but also-]

Sure ya do! Well, mostly just the face, I s'pose. [is this a compliment] But I guess you're also... a bit tall?

Oh, well, I suppose you have a point about the height.

[There's no denying that. Hakkai eyes the stranger.]

Luckily, you don't have that problem!

[Wow... literally low blow...]

Thank ya kindly. I hadn't noticed from all the way down here.

[You're the one who brought up height, Hazel, don't make that face. Hakkai beams in a parody of politeness.]

Oh dear, was that a sensitive subject? I'm sorry.

In any case, I hope you're settling in well here?

Edited 2016-08-05 00:28 (UTC)

[See, this is the faux politeness he expects. How familiar!]

Somethin' like that. Been wonderin' if I might see a familiar face or two. [or four] That tend to happen often?

I wouldn't know.

[He is a shinki, after all. The smile has a slightly irritated edge, although someone would have to know Hakkai's smiles well to catch it. It's nothing about Hazel: it's just that familiar faces are still a sensitive subject.]

But, being a god, you might!

[Did he hit a nerve? He can't quite tell. Somehow, he kind of hopes so...]

A man with a startlin' attractive personality like mine? They might just come right to me.

[But never mind that, he surely means nothing by it.]

What's it like not knowin'? Outta curiosity.

Every new meeting is an exciting surprise.

[It's said with slightly too-perfect sincerity to match the smile on Hakkai's face. That's a very personal question, Hazel. He's not asking you in detail what it's like not knowing if you'll be forgotten by the people who matter to you, is he?

Which in fact he could. If he wanted to. It's just that that would be taking the gloves off a little too obviously.]

[Definitely touched a nerve, that time. Hazel holds up his hands in easy deference, like he surely didn't mean anything by it. Genuine curiosity and nothing else!]

Alright, alright, I know when I'm bein' shut down. Just figured I'd take the opportunity to ask, since you've been so uniquely polite so far.

[Uniquely polite indeed. Well, at least Hazel knows how to hit back, Hakkai thinks, and smiles a little toothily.]

I'm sure it's a different experience for everyone, so you might as well use your imagination.

Mercy, sir, even imaginin' that kinda big, clawin' hole in a man's memory might keep me up at night. I wouldn't dare.

[He says, to a shinki... Look.]

It must be downright dreadful.

Ha ha, I suppose life after death isn't for everyone.

[--he says, and beams. There's no hiding the aggressive edge to it now. After all, it's clear they both do know what they're saying.]

Hah, maybe so! Though we can't be sure what kinda man ya really are, to be makin' that judgment.

[Well. Some of them can't. Not naming names.]

Oh, I thought you were the one making the judgment! I'm only agreeing.

Someone has told you that shinki are dead souls, I hope?

[He is new. It's possible he missed that part of the orientation.]

I've had the grand tour, more or less.

[If he tries to steal a shinki's soul, does the whole shinki disappear? Wouldn't it be lucky for a situation where that's necessary to arise. But not right now.]

What's your point, sir?

This is life after death, at least for me.

[Whereas with gods, well, who can tell?]

[Okay... so...... he crosses himself, just to be polite.]

Mighty sorry for your personal loss, sir.

Oh, I'm just explaining what I meant. Shinki existence certainly isn't for everyone.

No, 'course not. Like I said, it's gotta be somethin' dreadfully unpleasant. For some folk.

That's right. Ah, it's been so diverting talking with you, I almost forgot I need to go get some shopping done.

[He considers the wares Hazel is hawking, and says, with equal pleasantry:]

Elsewhere. I'm sure I'll see you around.

Sure thing. Don't let me keep ya.

[He'll peddle his fake French garbage to someone less discerning, no big deal.]

Ha ha, of course I won't.

[He lifts one hand in a polite, tiny good-bye wave, and turns to go.]