⇨ The Tourist Trap: WEEK 2

[ringleaders]

Who: Anyone, anywhere in Portland.
When: October 7st - 14th, 2017
Where: Portland area, in the new reality.
What: The week begins as the time of the Animal Fair finally arrives! Meanwhile, the truth of this reality starts to be revealed, and forces both human and celestial alike attempt to take advantage of a rare opportunity.
Warnings: Individually marked!

BY ANY OTHER NAME↴ Tensions thicken as various supernaturally forces react to the events of the previous week. Something critical is afoot, and it's only a matter of time before things start coming to a head. It's time to find out more about what's happened to this world, and what will happen in its future. ► A NIGHT AT THE FAIR: From the night of the 7th to the morning of the 8th, the Animal Fair is officially in town. There is a top level down below with more information, though you can also RP content from this elsewhere if you wish. The host, who is very likely something called a Wyld Fae (if you discovered that ICly), will be present, but they will only be appearing to you of their own accord and attempting to track them down by force will be ineffective. Just kick back and relax! Fairs are supposed to be fun. ► THORNS IN YOUR SIDE: Culminating in a full fledged attack against the Sanctuary, it would seem that The Rose Queen is declaring war on the changeling population of Portland. Though the vicious attack of thorns against the safe house was eventually stopped, it wasn't without damage, and the black roses that caused it are still popping up around the city and threatening the places where homeless and lost changelings would be likely to congregate. It's obvious now that this is a serious threat - will it ever stop without an intervention? ► HELL ON EARTH: As Anath's march draws near, the first waves of her demons will be entering the city. Primarily acting as scouts and foot soldiers, these demons will be attempting to secure loyalty from the local demon populace, as well as taking out any angels they can manage to catch. It's a level of aggressiveness against heaven's forces that hasn't been seen for years, and it's a foreboding hint of things to come. These demons can be NPCed by anyone, and will mostly be thugs or manipulators who don't know much about Anath's plans but do know that you need to join their side. They are also rowdier than most of the demons in Portland, and are a threat to the innocent mortal populace as well, if they decide to try to get their kicks here. ► THE WIZARD POLICE: The Enlightenment Council seems to have demanded control of the local Circle chapter, and now backup has arrived. These mages are being sent out into the city as if they are a police force, and will be attempting to demand control of various common supernatural areas, as well as questioning community members that they run into. Whatever is going on, it seems to have resulted in the Council instituting what is essentially martial law... of course, not everyone sees any need to heed their demands. If you are a demon, warlock, or other rogue element, expect to be harassed or even attacked by them. These character can be NPCed, and if you need additional information you can ask the mods.

Comments

Closed to Gongenzaka

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya shows up the night of the 6th with a few books in hand. He's wide awake despite the hour. He did offer to visit and help Gon in return... but truthfully, he also hadn't been able to get rid of the nagging feeling since their encounter. Somehow he knows Gon's face, but when he tries to remember where, the image is... starkly different. Sometimes more human, sometimes... less.

He's not the only causing Yuya to second guess his memories, and it only makes him more determined to discover the truth.

He knocks on the door rapidly.]

[otoko]

[It's fortunate that Gongenzaka thought to tell Yuuya ahead of time that he wouldn't be working this evening-Gongenzaka himself hasn't had too many concerns regarding Yuuya beyond the obvious. Something seems familiar, somehow-like they've met BEFORE but...well, the most he can think is that perhaps they ran into each other a year or so ago, and simply didn't introduce themselves. It makes sense, after all...

...He seemed younger in those 'thoughts'.

The buzzer rings, and Yuuya is allowed into the apartment complex-and soon enough he hears the knock on the door, prompting Belle to start yipping, and Gongenzaka to go answer it. With the sun down, the curtains are open-for now. They'll be firmly closed around 4AM regardless of if he plans on turning in for the day or not, just to be safe.

The apartment itself has the lights on, thank goodness. It's rather clean, if not a bit simple.] Ah...Hello!

[He's not quite used to this whole...Visitors thing.]

[hippocarnival]

Hey! [Yuya pulls a smile back up on his face once he faces Gongenzaka. He can dwell on those feelings later--right now, he has a promise to a friend to fulfill.

He waves the books up in the air.] You're in luck! The Sanctuary had a few books that might help. One of them was even written by a vampire!

[He just had to wrestle thorny vines for them, but that's fine.]

[otoko]

Hmmm??

[Gongenzaka stares at the books for a moment, but before saying anything about them (written BY a vampire!?! Woah!), he steps aside to allow the other in. It's a rather simple apartment-one bedroom, and yes he sleeps!!! But it's a simple apartment with a relatively tiny kitchen and dining area, and the brunt of the place formed by the living area he's filled with things from 'over the years'.] Aaah...I appreciate this, truly... ...do you want to come in though, before I take those..?

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya nods and walks in, looking around. It's definitely nothing as nice as Bob's house... but he kind of likes how cozy it is.

Yuya hands Gon the books before going to make himself comfortable on one of the chairs.] So this is your place? You have a lot of stuff!

[otoko]

Ahhh...yeah, I've lived a while, so... [The door is shut, and he moves to sit down himself, various knick knacks staring back at them.] ...Come to think, most of these are probably antiques now...

[hippocarnival]

That's cool. [He leans over to get a better look.] Can you tell me about some of them?

[otoko]

Ahhh... [He pauses. Come to think... ...so many of these things are merely blurring in his mind, as if he's not even sure where they came from. He stares over the objects on the shelf, until finally what he picks out is what looks a bit like a little doll, porcelain pieces threaded together.] ...This. ...This is a 'karakuri'; it's a small robot, you could say...

It's from before I left Japan, many years ago. [That much feels natural. It is, after all, as he describes it. A relatively old automaton, from that region...]

[hippocarnival]

You're from Japan? [Well, that makes enough sense. Yuya could tell his name was Japanese, like his. But he'd always lived in the United States all his life. Mostly Portland.

... Right?

Yuya reaches for the doll to distract himself from that thought.] Do you like robots?

[otoko]

Hmm, I am. It is where I was [Turned? Somehow he isn't entirely certain that's the answer, but-] Born, [Is the word he eventually uses, though to the attention of both, there would apparently be no pause.]

Hmmm..I wouldn't say I like robots necessarily, though... [And why does he feel like he keeps saying that wrong??] ...This was more valuable when I first got it, however. And considered very 'advanced'..! It delivers a tea cup across a table!

[hippocarnival]

That's still pretty cool. [He wouldn't say no to having funny looking robots deliver things around the house for him, if his telekinesis wasn't more convenient and, frankly, even cooler.

Once he figures out how to get it to work around walls.

He turns the bot over in his hands before setting it on the table.] That was a really long time ago, right? When did you move to Portland?

[They're fairly innocent questions, but... he might also be needling for an answer why he feels like he knows Gongenzaka. Maybe they met when he was very young?]

[otoko]

I'm glad you think so..! ...it was unheard of at the time... [he finds himself muttering, as though unsure of why that was. It becomes worse when he tries to think of...when DID he move here? He finds himself blinking through confusion at the thought, trying to determine it in his mind.

The more he thinks however, the more he comes up with nothing.] ...It was quite a long time ago, [He finally says-that must be why he can't remember, after all.] Only a few years after I was turned, I would say.

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya lets out a low whistle.] That's forever ago.

[He lends back in the chair and looks up at Gon, considering how to phrase himself.] I kind of feel like we've met before... I could have seen you when I was just a little kid, right?

For Jack

[hippocarnival]

[The roses make practice around the Sanctuary difficult, but Yuya's still determined to show Jack up.

Which is why the day after the animal fair he's lugging that trash bag of pinecones around (it's starting to tear) on the look out for him for another challenge.] Hey! I'm ready for a rematch.

[kingofd]

[Jack is doing what Jack always does when he's bumming around the Sanctuary: drinking coffee in the courtyard, or some other hidden away spot. Today he was in the former, making him an easy target for Yuya to find, as well as already being in the perfect location for their rematch.]

Already? I find it hard to believe you could've improved that much in such a short period of time.

[hippocarnival]

I was unprepared last time! [He clenches his fist with determination.] But I'm ready for you this time. I won't be beat so easily!

[kingofd]

Unprepared? [Jack scoffs.] Neither of us had played the game before, the playing field was even.

[He stands up, pushing aside his finished cup.] But hat doesn't matter, I accept your challenge! I except you to put up a real fight this time.

[hippocarnival]

I plan to. [He drops the bag at Jack's feet before turning and bouncing back to give them a few fair feet of distance.

Then he faces Jack once more, holding his hands out at the ready.]

[kingofd]

Hmph.

[He'll believe that when he sees it, but Yuya does seem serious, and so Jack will take him serious as an opponent. His pride is on the line here as well!

Jack reaches down into the bag and scoops out an armful of pinecones.]

Then on the count of three we'll begin.

[The countdown follows, and as soon as the imaginary timer starts, Jack begins lugging pinecones at Yuya.]

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya's more than ready on three. He stops the first pinecone in a dime, only a foot in front of him. Then he stops the next one, and the nest one, and they collect in front of him like a shield.

He doesn't throw them back just yet, not until he has five or six... and then he throws them all back at Jack at once.]

the legacy of jack punching himself in the face continues

[kingofd]

[Jack's the kind of guy who keeps trying the same thing over and over again, even after suffering the repercussions. His method to victory was to apply pressure with power, and so he usually played games where that was a viable option.

It wasn't a terrible strategy, but it was easy to overcome with a little cleverness. As the pinecones gather in front of Yuya, Jack realizes the gargantuan mistake piling up in front of him only once they all come flying back.

He brings his arm up to shield his face, but even his hellfire is unable to disintegrate every last pinecone before it can touch him, and the few that get through are too close to dodge.

Thunk thunk.

That's the sound of Yuya's victory as Jack's hellfire fades, and two pinecones roll at his feet.]

Is this what he'll be remembered by

[hippocarnival]

[There's a long, stunned silence as Yuya stares at Jack when the final pinecone knocks into him. It's a heavy air he can't bring himself to break.





For about five seconds, before he's hollering in joy and throwing his fists in the air.] Yes! I did it! I win!

I hope so

[kingofd]

[Jack lowers his arms, a small scuff on his hand where a pinecone had hit him. He seems a little begrudging, but not entirely.]

Your practice paid off, but don't think this is the end! Next time, I'll be the one beating you.

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya settles down and looks at Jack as he speaks. But he really can't help himself from laughing, despite Jack's serious tone. He's just so pleased with himself.]

Yeah, yeah--if we're gonna keep challenging each other, I'm Yuya. I don't think I said it last time.

[kingofd]

[Jack doesn't even crack a smile, he just watches Yuya with the same stern expression. He's sore after the loss, but he's not a sore loser.]

You should already know who I am.

[Except he never told Yuya his name, and Jack's not as famous as he seems to think he is.]

Then if that's over with, I won't let you beat me a second time.