sevenvices | week 0

Entry tags:

mingle,
week 0

week 0 - arrival

seven vices arrival

♫

saturday & sunday

36 players remaining
You remember happening upon something awful and nauseating. What it was, precisely, is lost to you, but you have the instinctive feeling that by escaping from it, you've avoided something terrible.

When you open your eyes, you find yourself laying in bed in a dark, dusty room, facing a digital alarm clock. Its face, reading 12:01, is one of the only sources of light in the room. The other comes from the window, shadows flickering about. Opening the blinds will reveal that it is nighttime, and what looks to be a massive bonfire has been lit in the street at the front of the building.

A wooden talisman hangs around your neck, with one of seven symbols carved on the back. Attempting to take off the talisman will result in a wave of intense dread, and the all-too-familiar nausea. A brass key engraved with a unique room number lays on the bedside table beside the clock, as well.

But you won't get any answers just sitting in your room all night.

>Investigate?

This is an open mingle for arrival in the town. Waking up just after midnight on Saturday, characters will have the weekend to explore and socialize before the plot begins. The profiles and IC rulebooks (both the personal ones and the public one at the chapel) have not been revealed/given out yet. The kitchen will still 'prepare' breakfast on these days, and the bonfire will burn continuously into the daytime.

Per items: smaller items that a character could easily carry with them will be in their rooms. Animals and larger objects will either be waiting outside or in the hotel lobby.

cast
setting

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( On one hand, Dhaos has managed to snap him out o fhis anxiety. On the other, he's presented Urashima with something else he hasn't even considered since he'd woken up in this place and realized Kamekichi was missing. )

You think we were stolen?!

( Stolen. Not kidnapped. What the hell you can't just take him away? He already has an owner!!! )

[ Stare... okay that was an odd way to phrase it. ]

Kidnapped, stolen... such things are one in the same.

In either event, it would seem everything thus far points to that conclusion. The odd nature of this enclosed area, and the fact that my own memory is missing of how I reached this place. I presume I am not the only one with this issue.

( Urashima is quiet for a moment, mouth in a tight line and eyes darting about as he thinks carefully about things. He's been stolen before... and he didn't like it. The last time he was stolen, he had to wait for someone to rescue him. He was separated from his brothers in that place with those spirits and... )

I don't know how I got here either... ( Which is scary and he's tried to avoid thinking about it because it's such a large and concerning topic to consider all on his own, ) But this place... is different from the last place I was in so...

( He can't have been captured by the Kebiishi again? This place is nothing like that dark, timeless space... )

[ Dhaos just wished for once things didn't have to be so complicated. Yet, here they were, in some place he's never seen before in his life. ]

... Indeed.

[ Although, he does think of something. Which probably may not help, but-- ]

What is the last thing you do remember before that so-called memory gap?

( He opens his mouth to answer and then shuts it, thinking again. He was at the Citadel? Ah, no... that doesn't sound right and he thinks very carefully. He remembers feeling sick to his stomach and like something bad happened? What? He can't remember... was he out on the Frontlines then? Did something go wrong? If so, then where is everyone else?! Just thinking about it makes his stomach knot and he feels weak, )

Something bad happened... really bad, I think...

( But what? He can't remember. )

...Yes. I had the same memory of something akin to that, and just as unclear.

[ It was only about .0001% helpful, of course. But he thinks it does seem to confirm something. ]

Yet, surely, if we were brought here after that with positive intentions, we would not be trapped here, and only left with that muddled memory as well as this trinket as our only clues for now.

[ Small gesture to that wooden pendant. ]

( Looking down at that wooden pendant... Ah, he'd noticed it and had played with it some but he hadn't really thought much of it since there were more pressing matters at hand. However, the fact that he has one and this guy has one and they have similar experiences or memories just makes this seem kind of creepy.

Very quietly, he'll ask, )

... Do you really think we're trapped here?

[ He gestures quite easily to beyond the buildings. He had already been outside exploring, and, well... ]

The darkness that coats the outer edge of this location appears to do very well at keeping us in. So for now, we are trapped.

Perhaps if we're lucky, our generous kidnappers will give us one inch more of the land to walk in.

[ That was a terrible attempt at a joke, however sardonic or sarcastic it was. ]

( He... hadn't even noticed the darkness around them? He just thought it was dark and... he takes a few awkward steps forward as if he's torn between staying still and running to the very edge of the town to see for himself. He was so concerned with finding Kamekichi, he hadn't even thought to scout out his surroundings and he looks around, turning on the spot and taking everything in. He's one of the best scouts in the army back home... so it doesn't take him long to realize some thing about this place. The western style buildings, the snow, the vague darkness around-- )

Ah...! ( A panic begins to set and he begins to dash around a bit in the immediate area, trying to get better looks at their surroundings. ) N-no!

I just... ( Met his brothers again? They were together again after so long? ) I don't remember-- ( How he got here?

And he recalls that vague feeling. That sick feeling like something bad happened and he begins to fumble about his person, searching for a short sword by his side, holding it out and drawing the blade from the sheathe and turning it over very carefully, inspecting the blade, )

... Did I break...?

( Did he... die? Is that what that feeling was? Did he die? He turns his attention back to this strange man, biting down on his lip for a moment as if debating if he's going to speak what's on his mind or not but finally he asks, )

Are you... a spirit too?

( Is this a spirit world, maybe? )

[ Dhaos is not expecting the other to panic so much. Or maybe, Dhaos supposed he should be just as concerned, but he did most of his original freaking out internally and already figured it out, so. Still, however, he watches the other, trying to figure out what to say to try to... maybe alleviate it a little.

When he hears those quiet words, 'Did I break?', Dhaos is confused, and suddenly maybe a little worried. Was the information too much for him to bear? Did he just break someone? ]

You--

[ He pauses, digesting that yes, the other had asked that question. He wondered at how the other male reached that conclusion. He said, 'too', however. Which he supposed would explain why he was easier to interact with than with a human. Still, such a thing was surprising... ]

...In a way, you could say so.

Putting that aside for a moment, however, I am sure you are not broken. I did not intend to say anything to suggest you were, and I am sure we will figure a way out of this mess. Second of all... what type of spirit are you, exactly?

( But if he's not broken, then what was that feeling? Did they lose a battle? Did they fail in a retreat? He can't remember but here he is and his sword is fine...

He holds onto his sword tightly and wonders how to answer. It's different with humans. There are very strict orders to keep their mission and their identities secret and with humans, he should never, ever reveal his identity to them because it could ruin their missions. But spirits are different... he's never met another spirit outside of battle, let along one that wasn't grotesque and so obviously detached from their humanity? )

... Urashima Kotetsu. ( That's the type of spirit he is. The spirit of Urashima Kotetsu. ) A wakizashi ( he raises his sword some to signify what that is ) passed down from generation to generation of the Ikeda clan...

[ Dhaos does notice the hesitation, and well, he could understand. Some people were not likely to believe in spirits or whatnot (such thoughts due to him not knowing about the other's reservations or that it was for a different reason entirely). ]

... You may refer to myself as Dhaos. I am not exactly bound to anything, except to assist in the upkeep and protection of my land.

[ Still, he hasn't met a sword spirit before. ]

Hm, regarding that bit about being 'passed down' seems to indicate a certain amount of importance-- and you are connected to that sword?

[ Because if so... then perhaps the 'break' thing would make sense. ]

( Protection of a land? Is this guy some sort of powerful spirit then...? Before he can ask, he's presented with another question and he nods, )

Yes, sir. ( He isn't sure if this guy is a guardian spirit or something but it doesn't hurt to be polite just in case? ) I'm one of the Ikeda family treasures.

( Literally a status symbol for them but that might not make sense, given their cultural differences. )

Are you an important spirit? Like a guardian?

( A kami? )

[ Usually Dhaos wouldn't even say jack, but. He doesn't think the guy is the type to blow other people's information about this sort of thing. Probably. ]

... You can say I am more or less a guardian now, and at point once helped lead my people. I was the designated Prince of a certain portion of my land. Although the leading of my people is now difficult, considering current circumstances. Not to mention the events before even being forced here with humans made it increasingly difficult to get anything done.

[ He is still bitter over the whole Demon King thing. That aside, though, he would never call himself a god.

Even though he's powerful enough to be considered one. ]

While we are speaking about this, however, are you saying that humans forced you to become their treasure? Unfortunately, I do not understand the implications behind that too well.

( A guardian spirit! And a prince too?! Weh... he's a very important spirit, then and Urashima stands up a little straighter. He's just a humble sword spirit, even if he is a treasured one.

Once Dhaos is finished explaining, he bows low, his hair messily falling over the top of his head and bangs over his eyes. He can't help but get the feeling that this guy is... frustrated with humans? Something about his words rubs him the wrong way...

Standing up straight again, he shakes his head no, )

No, no! Uhm... they made me one but it wasn't like that! ( Not by force! ) I don't really get it but I was just a normal sword at first. I was given to a family to take care of and they cared for me for over a hundred year which is how I got my spirit. ( His spirit was literally born from the attention and love poured into him over a century. ) When I was born, I was already a treasured sword! And they kept taking care of me for as long as I can remember...

[ Dhaos opens his mouth to say something, but the words don't come out when Urashima bows, because he was about to indicate such a thing was not necessary. But the moment's certainly passed (due to his own question) and surely it may come up later once more. ]

... So, they doted upon you until you were able to manifest due to it. Such diligent humans; yet I had not thought they would be so patient in order to make such an event occur. And they still took care of you as well.

[ That pang that went through his chest right there. He cannot believe he is getting a teensy bit jealous. ]

Hmph. A little surprising, but it is far from a bad action on their part.

They didn't know it would happen! ( Heh heh... ) They were just normal humans, you know?

They couldn't see me so they never knew about me... it was just me and Kamekichi that whooooole time.

( And he goes quiet because... he can't find Kamekichi? He's been with his turtle for literally as long as he can remember and now they're separated... )

Edited 2016-02-07 08:31 (UTC)

Mm, so they were not doing it for their own gain.

...

[ Noticing that pause there. Despite how bitter and angry he can get, Dhaos figured that could be pushed to the aside for a bit. At that rate, in this case, he does attempt to think of something uplifting to say. ]

Regardless, I have no doubts that we shall leave this place soon and reunite with those from our respective lands. Surely, you believe the same...

[ Actually, he doesn't, but he doesn't want Urashima to cry again, or be too sad. H's just met him and he's another spirit so... ]

That's right!

( Look, he's a proud, spoiled spirit and that's all thanks to humans, okay, Dhaos! He loves humans a lot. And Dhaos has already been pretty effective at getting his mind off of more distressing things with all this talk so when he tries to cheer him up even more, it's super effective.

Urashima holds his head up high, puffs his chest out some, and nods his hea with a grin, )

Mhm! Yeah, yeah! It won't be long until my brothers and master realize I'm missing and they'll come find us!

[ Dhaos is still a little jealous about that, and very bitter about humans, but it's not like he's expecting raving will get them anywhere. Besides, they needed to work together, and maybe seeing someone happy in a situation like this makes for the better, albeit temporarily. ]

Either that or we find a way to break free ourselves very swiftly. We are all certainly capable of that.

[ Once again, he is saying things he has trouble believing, but maybe deep down inside he hopes to believe them regardless. ]

( He tilts his head to one side at that, giving Dhaos a one over before asking, )

Can you fight...?

( He figures a kami would have great power but he doesn't see a weapon or anything??? )

Yes, I can.

[ ... ]

If you so wish it, you can step closer, and I can give you an example of how I fight.

. . .

( He takes one half step closer but he seems a little uncertain. He likes Dhaos enough but he's still going to be a little wary around strangers. )

How do you fight...? With magic or something...?

[ There's the trickle of water out of thin air, because why not. Although it's close by enough that it may or may not land on Urashima. The time he used the small spell was short, however, because he didn't want to accidentally splash a good amount of sudden water in the other's face. ]

Yes, and this is only the simplest of spells. I presume you utilize the sword you have on your purpose with a good amount of skill as well?

( Of all the elements Dhaos would pick, it would be one of the ones he has a closest affinity to. He's immediately intrigued and comes to get a closer look. Ah, that's... real water?! It's water! He looks from the water to Dhaos and back again. He's never seen magic before. Not like this, at least, because he supposes his existence is a form of magic in and of itself. )

Ah.... mhmm! I wouldn't be a good sword if I couldn't use myself, you know?

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the real tag, i promise. gomen gomen.

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