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takamagahara2018-11-01 10:38 pm
godsoffortune) wrote in takamagahara2018-11-01 10:38 pm
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Test Drive #34
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!
Feel free to come up with your own ideas if these don't strike your fancy, though.
The fresh new spring fashion trend is accessorized denim. Super-accessorized! Bells, chains, beads, zippers, belts and more drip from every inch of this season's hot styles, and the stores need someone to model their new stock -- and bring in the buyers. It's your job to convince the fashion-savvy residents of Tokyo that these new jeans are exactly what their wardrobe needs, without getting your five chain belts tangled.
A huge, panther-shaped ayakashi is haunting the streets of Asakusa, and the pigeons at the local pigeon shrine have disappeared! Take care of this feline predator so the surviving sacred birds won't end up as dinner on the wing.
The residents of an Ikebukuro high-rise have an unusual problem: no matter how sunny the day or how long it's been hanging, their laundry just won't dry! Do they have a moist microclimate? An ayakashi of mold and despair? Or do they just need someone to get all that wet laundry to the nearest laundromat with a dryer until the weather warms up?
A gardener in Ueno has planted a brand-new strain of muskmelon in his window boxes, and this plant is going wild! Vines have taken over the exterior of his apartment building, and beach-ball-sized fruit are popping up all over. He needs help bringing in the harvest… but his neighbors are begging for this plant to wind up in the compost heap so their lives can go back to normal. Whose side will you take?
A community art project is being hosted at the Tokyo Art Museum! Jigsaw-shaped pieces of wood about the size of a hand have been handed out to artists and crafters throughout Japan, and the pieces have just been shipped back. Now, they have to be assembled into one giant jigsaw puzzle for display. There's just one problem: someone forgot to number the pieces before they were shipped! Now they've got a 20,000 piece puzzle whose pieces don't match, and it has to be finished this weekend for the grand opening. Help!
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!
no subject
I doubt it would reconsider it's behaviour should we try to reason with it.
"Oh, excuse me gentlemen, I shall forsake my devious ways, refrain from eating people and become herbivore for the rest of my life. I may even consider joining a covenant on a later date."
No, I don't think this could work.
[If anything this mockery shows he's in a suspiciously good mood. Answering to prayers is all fine. He can always use some more followers and not only for the ego boost, as if he ever needed one. In truth, he was just itching for a real fight for some time now. So, dear kitty, you are most welcome.]
Let's get closer then so you can get a better reading.
[One of the more useful perks of Iskandar being a god not a Servant is that he can now just teleport in front of the construction site. So that's exactly what he does. Saves a lot of walking. Or riding for that matter. In short: useful.]
no subject
Don't be reckless, Iskandar.
Iskandar can handle it, but bad things happen when people are reckless. Waver will... just have to stand in the way of those things, and hopefully guide his god towards something just as effective and satisfying but more tempered in approach. A tone that's almost as light:]
Oh, I don't know. The reason of the sword might prove pretty persuasive in this case.
[A beat. Then two. Teleportation - the world changes. Then Waver hums thoughtfully as he glances into the gaping pit of the earth where a steel and concrete skeleton rises grasping to the sky.]
You've been looking forward to something like this.
[It's troublesome, sometimes, having a shinki that is as observant as hell. Mostly in the keeping the lid on the goods sort of way, sometimes in other 'hey... right now I'm reading you like a book' sort of ways.
And it's troublesome, sometimes, having a relationship with a shinki that so closely mirrors the one that was before, abet matured, and seasoned on both sides with all the scars life can inflict on a soul, even beneath that thin veneer called memory. It's easy to forget...
... perhaps this is one such moment. Perhaps not.
Waver, for his part, figures the observation can stand on its own. Pointing out the eagerness may be more than enough. Besides... they came here to kill the cat before it ate any unsuspecting souls... and Waver has just pinpointed it.]
Look. Up on the third floor overhanging the homeless camp.
[There's a flicker like witchfire to their eyes, a bright lash of tail out of the shadows. Waver had said he had belled the cat and this is perhaps what he meant. The ayakashi has mana clinging to it like embers from a fire, thrumming and preventing it concealing itself in the darkness without leaving a telltale crackling glow.]
no subject
[From his side Iskandar is totally comfortable with it. Waver's observational skills are unparalleled. It has been one of Iskandar's greatest joys to witness the myriad ways in which that scrawny boy he once knew transformed into the grown up man Waver now is. Though there is some of the boy left, hidden behind the snark. Iskandar would love to hear the story of it. All of it. It frustrates him to no end that it is not possible in their current condition, nor it ever will be. Even then he's quite happy with the result.
He would rend no ayakashi without his shinki. Yet what's even more important he would miss this prayer deeming it not worth his effort or gone unprepared because he is reckless and he does not hold back.
Luckily someone kept his cool and has been actually paying attention. And that, even more than the fight itself, what brings out the grin on Iskandar's face.
Also tagging the beast with that gold trail is a strike of genius. Maximum effect with minimum effort. There is no way one could not applaud it.]
I see. [He nods.] Let's talk swords with the kitty then.
no subject
You don't make it hard.
[... there's a sort of fondness to that sigh as he continues to take in the terrain, flickering a look at his partner. Iskandar is the type to wear his heart on his sleeve. He laughs louder than anyone Waver has ever met in his short unlife, rages harder, blazes warmth like wildfire, ... is more of an idiot and an hedonist than the shinki can ever believe at times. Larger than life.
(It's because of that, Waver feels that if Iskandar ever chose to really hide something, discerning it would be... tricky. If only for the fact when one puts everything out there all the time, people don't expect anything to be held back.)
He would have no other god.
Then Waver's hand sweeps back as a crane feathered fan materializes in a shimmer of mana. This is it.]
This is going to be one interesting conversation.
[Waver dips his head.]
Gods first.
no subject
When they enter the building, it's dark. Whatever light there was outside just doesn't seep in. The artificial lights are few and far between. First floor doesn't do the future office space justice. It's all cramped. Clearly used as storage. Filled with parked equipment: all the machines the construction company probably prefers to keep inside in this weather. There are some forklifts, a melex or two, and stacks upon stacks of construction materials of every possible kind. So many places for a predator to hide. Should the ayakashi want to stalk this area they could be in trouble.
Second floor is not cramped at all. Quite to the contrary. There's nothing there but empty space and some supporting pillars. There are no dividing walls. No external panels or glass on the building sides either. Gusts of icy wind travel right through the whole building unhindered.
It's the third floor which is most shielded from the elements. No surprise then that the building's illegal occupants found a spot there to set camp. Right under the scaffolding the construction company left for some reason even after they moved work to higher floors. Sudden flashes of gold give away the presence of the cat. It doesn't seem to sense them yet though.
Iskandar surveys the scaffolding with growing suspicion. It was designed for construction workers, yes, but Japanese ones. Not for a man of his posture. It might not hold were he to try and go there. He would rather not collapse all of this steel and wood on the people below.]
Well, it's better come to us because I'm not climbing those flimsy sticks.
no subject
The cat won't be able to get through, but Waver has manipulated its permeability to allow them to pass unhindered in both directions. The humans on the other hand can pass into the first floor from their escape from the third if that becomes a necessity, however no mortal will be allowed to go up and get caught in their battle.
The second floor holds much more promise as a battlefield. Wide open spaces, little to get in the way of magic or movement, and despite the danger of being knocked out of the building due to lack of any barrier, the wind whistling through the air is a boon as well. Waver can manipulate it to catch either of them if they get thrown into trouble and there is always the option of weaponizing it as well.
The third floor is... problematic. It's more shielded, yes, but the presence of the homeless means that their options are limited as long as they have unknowing bystanders that can get caught in the crossfire. The scaffolding the cat is hunched on isn't potentially reinforced enough for Iskandar's weight... hell, it might not even hold Waver's, slight as he is compared to his god. There's all the detritus of survival scattered about... and look, there is a fire to warm against the chill of the air, bodies huddled around it.
There's the cat... and that looks like all the people...
Waver mutters under his breath, slashing with his fan to dome a Bounded Field reinforced borderline over the people. His first priority is to make sure the cat can't pounce from above into the crowd... or bound down and off a wall to launch itself into the masses at an angle. His second priority is to keep the field permeable to the smoke and the smoke alone - it's no good to cage these people in to protect them, only for them to suffocate.
The cat's tail lashes fire, there's a growl that rattles and echoes, and glowing eyes swing to face them as the beast coils, starving fury writ in every tensed muscle. But it's a cold rage. Instead of leaping at them, it stares, another snarl rumbling up in its throat.]
It'll come. But it knows why we're here.
[The beast has survived this long - it's learned its own brand of feral cunning. Patience. Waver feels like it's looking for an opening to flank them, as he brings down the fan again to start cutting off the exits. He leaves the ones that lead to dead ends for the last; tempting opportunities for escape leading only to being cornered. The other hand of his is raised, with fingers tensed to snap - just in case the cat doesn't attempt to flee and instead attacks head on.]
The only question now is how'll it come at us.
no subject
And there's more. The cat limps. Just a little but Iskandar noticed it tries not to put too much weight on it's left, hind leg as it turns to them. All the more proof it had recent encounter with another god/shinki pair. Or maybe just shinki. Both equally probable as Iskandar is acutely aware that there are many gods here unable to actually slay such a beast.]
It's cautious. Someone did hunt this creature before.
[Hopefully they survived the encounter. The cat might not jump as high or move as swiftly as usual but the wound is hardly fatal or debilitating. It's only lasting effect being that it made the beast a whole lot angrier.]
And failed to finish it.
[It's not exactly reasonable but Iskandar always tries to wait with calling any of his shinki's vessel forms up to the last moment possible. He may not be willing to admit it but he still hasn't accepted the fact that he's basically using his people as weapons. Not that he wouldn't fight anyone trying to suggest they are not the most exquisite, beautiful, deadliest and perfect weapons that ever existed in the whole of human history. Of course he would. Still the fact troubles him deeply.
And that might be why, when the monster cat finally decides that - as delicious looking as they are - they are not worth the risk and bolts, Iskandar is not ready. Fortunately, the only escape options available are the dead end ones that Waver left open on purpose. So they will be able to corner it far away from any possible civilians. Which actually is an improvement. Still Waver should prepare to hear a lot of cursing - out loud, in Greek - while they chase the beast.]
no subject
After we kill it.
[There is no judgement passed on dropping of ancient Greek curses from his swear prone shinki as the cat bolts and they give chase to where it will be ultimately cornered. Waver fires off a 'fuck' as his own as he takes point, ultimately not surprised. He planned for this, after all, and he's ready.
This is going to be the most dangerous part; the cat is going to be furious, terrified, and desperate when it finally realizes it has nowhere to go but through them if it wants to keep its malignant life.]
no subject
Come to me, Ninki!
[Red flashes in the semi darkness of the empty corridor as sword materializes in Iskandar's hand. Not just any sword. The guard carved in red jade, magical symbols flow down the blade in black and gold. This is as much a weapon as an artifact of the arcane. The beast cat hisses. It knows. It can well sense this is it's end coming.
As soon as he's able to get a good grip on the sword Iskandar charges closing the distance between him and the beast in mere seconds. Yet the cat scrambles back, hunched low, as low as it can, barely above the ground, belly sweeping the floor. It lets out dissatisfied growl as it's tail hits the wall at the end of the corridor. A dead end.
The beast swings it's tail left and right, watching Iskandar approaching, looking for an opening and finding none. So it lounges forward almost at the very moment that Iskandar was going to strike it. Yet the hit still connects wounding it. Iskandar doesn't intend to wait for the monster cat to shake off the impact and lands another blow. With wall behind it, it has nowhere to run.]
Rend.
[That's it. Monster cat's form dissipates in a cloud of black smoke. Iskandar is finally able to exhale. He wasn't holding his breath intentionally. He just needs to guard himself more closely with Waver. The connection between him and any of his shinki is stronger when they are in vessel form. Emotions and intentions flow freely. This is a boon in many situations but when they fight there is so much Iskandar must keep hidden from Waver. It makes focusing on breathing properly just a little difficult.]
Return Waver.
[There is one more thing Iskandar failed to notice. A trickle of blood is dripping down his left hand from three, longs scratches and their edges start to turn slightly purple. The beast managed to get to him eventually. Not good.]
I think we should be heading back now. Unless you have a bottle of holy water with you by some chance.
no subject
... and Iskandar keeps himself in reserve, as always. There are things Waver sees and doesn't comment on. A shinki's duty is to protect their god and respect their privacy and keep them from harm. He does not ask Satya if Iskandar is more open with her when they are like this.
Honestly, he does not want to know.
... if Iskandar ever chose to really hide something, discerning it would be... tricky. Waver sees and knows this is ground where he cannot go. Accepts it, as long as it doesn't bring Iskandar harm, he will live beside the truth and not hunt it down. Preserve the Mystery.]
Breathe.
[Iskandar is not at his best in this fight. It would be difficult to tell from the outside, but Waver hisses as he sees the bright lines of blood appear down Iskandar's left hand. This should have been ended in one blow and one blow only.
... and then the cat disperses into black fog which progresses to clear air as Iskandar uses him to rend. Which means Iskandar will be rushing to return him to human form and he doesn't disappoint.]
... I keep some on me as a back-up, always. [Waver's head is bent, long black hair falling in front of his face like a curtain as he reaches inside his red coat.] Never know when it might be needed against an ayakashi.
Give me your hand. I'm no healer, but... [He withdraws a drinking flask... one normally used for spirits. Waver has a few smaller capsules on hand too, but it is better to be prepared.] At least I can take care of any blight.
no subject
[Iskandar smiles while he allows Waver take care of the blighted area on his arm but he still a bit rattled. The fight left him with something more than a couple of scratches and a purple mark. It made him realize something.
This is wrong. It has to stop. He just can't continue hiding like this.
It's not only that he was sloppy with the cat. That happens. Though it shouldn't. Sloppy was never vice he possessed. It's that he left Waver out of the fight. It's that he, Iskandar, elected to withdraw from the conversation. To hide how he enjoys the fact that they're in this battle together. To the point that he stopped enjoying it himself. And in doing so hurt him.
Iskandar told Satya when they first met that for them to they achieve anything there must be unity of purpose. A clarity of intent. They should be of one mind. Otherwise it just won't work.
He still believes it. Yet he got it so easy with her. They have no common memories, nothing to worry about that he could accidentally spill and cause trouble. It's doubly cruel then to shut Waver off. Even if to protect him, even if to shield him from the past they share. Glorious past, yes, but ultimately dangerous past that could send him spiralling into despair. Because in all truth as long as Iskandar won't be stupid enough to mention something specific he should cause no mayhem with Waver either.
So no more hiding. His people are his greater treasure, the bond he has with them his source of pride and joy. He can't keep them, keep him, at arms length.
Iskandar flexes his arm. Water had additional effect of helping the wounds seal. They're pretty shallow so now that the blighting is gone they too will be gone in no time.]
Oh? I am quite confident in your healing abilities. They seem to be working just fine.
no subject
[Waver's ears have turned scarlet, and he's definitely using his hair as a shield to hide how red his face has become as he points out a Servant's healing factor. Idiot. It's just the properties of the water.
(please continue, though... he doesn't want to admit how he's lapping up the praise, especially right now when he kind of needs the reassurance)
He reaches again into his coat, looking for something to wrap the wound until is fully heals. A cloth handkerchief will just have to do.]
But until you do, I want to keep this clean. I don't want to find out if gods can get infections.
no subject
[Iskandar observes as Waver ties the handkerchief on his arm trying not to look up, not to meet his gaze.]
Left to myself I would probably ignore it to my own detriment. Then we would know if gods can get infections. Not exactly the knowledge I'm eager to acquire.
[Iskandar catches Waver's hand before he's able to withdraw. Oh, no. You're not running away from me now. Not before I am certain you understand what I'm saying here.]
I think you dismiss the blight too early. You came prepared more than I did. You brought holy water even if nothing indicated you might need it. Or that I would be here and I would need it. And you're quick to improvise.
See then it has everything to do with you. And I'm grateful for that.