PHASE I [ 9 00 ] You open your eyes, and there is a chicken pecking at your face. It's not a very happy chicken, either, but if you can manage to fend it off, then it will be clear that you are in a village. It is... medieval-esque, in that video game sort of way; the details don’t seem too clear, but if you look to your left, there’s a cow! And to your right, a well! Ignore the clear evidence of modern technology in the buildings such as lights, gas, and 21st century plumbing; CERES is dedicated to authenticity.
Looks like the new ViViD level has finally been released, and everyone is invited to play, whether they want to or not.
The game (because this time, that's surely what it is) will start simple. Everyone begins in the same place and every NPC villager will say the same thing: to get out of here, you have to go through the caves. They’ll shove a stick at you (“take this, it’s dangerous to go alone”) and off you go, into the caves… !
Which are full of tiny rats and more chickens. They will try to fight you, but it’s really not very effective when they’re perfectly small and average (especially when everyone still has their typical powers and abilities -- CERES didn't mess with those at all this time). The caves are winding and circular and maze-like, and to make matters even worse, the only ones around are the other poor saps stuck in this situation.
But if you kill enough of the rats, you’ll get to hear the satisfying level up jingle. Congratulations! You are now level 2. It's probably satisfying just for a minute or so until you finally find your way out of those maze like caves and -- You're back in the village again. Great.
PHASE II [ 930 ] You’re carrying a bag. No matter what you do, you can’t take it off, either; it’s stuck with you through thick and thin. But it is awfully heavy. Maybe you should actually open it and see what’s inside?
The problem is, it’s going to take a while.
The bag has clearly tapped into its true hammerspace nature; there are items for days in there, and they’re all very, very strange. You might end up covered in hats of all sorts, buried in logs as you pull out one after another, or look like you have an odd fetish for pickaxes.
Maybe there’s 1/3rd of an evil turnip, half a piece of pie and an egg.
Geez, what in the world are you supposed to do with all of that?
PHASE III [ 1200 ] Eventually, you make it out of the caves the right way despite the harassment of the rats and chickens and the fact you'll keep perpetually getting lost. Hooray! You come out into a large, peaceful, scenic meadow, with a small river bubbling off to one side, and a house.
You'll immediately notice that there’s a bridge to cross the river, but there’s someone standing in the way of that bridge. When you approach to go past him, no matter what you try to do, you won't be able to. Asking him why he won't move will only get one thing in response -- “Bring me a fish. Cooked.”
Then he’ll shove a fishing rod at you and expect you to get to it. You can’t attack him, you can’t get past him -- looks like the only thing to do is to catch and cook that fish. Time to sit back, relax, and get to work. Or maybe you’ll team up with someone else and be the person in the house making sure that the fish gets cooked properly. For some reason, if you leave it too long it turns right into a pile of ashes.
Weirdly though, no matter how good you are at cooking or fishing usually, it’s as if you’re right back at the metaphorical level one. Any sort of seasoning or effort to cook it faster falls flat and in the end you'll only be able to place the fish in the pan and set it on the stove, whole. This may take awhile.
And if you try to cross the river itself, well... no, really, don’t try to cross the river.
At least if you get eaten, you’ll just respawn back in the village, but do have fun traveling through the caves again!
PHASE IV [ 1430 ] You made it through the caves. You made it across the river (with a slightly burnt fish). You’ve made it to the wide open world, and you can finally adventure to your heart’s content. You take a step forward on the road and --
A message pops up, bright red and in your face.
[ Restricted Area: Members Only ]
No matter what you do, you can’t go past that point. In fact, if you’re not careful and you’re going too fast, you might run face-first into it like it’s an invisible wall (which it is).
Then, just like that, you're back in the village. Again. Only this time, there's a nice, blinking message -- Pay a small subscription fee to access member's content. Oh well. No big deal, you can just start again.
Except then you see a cool sword and when you try to pick it up, you'll get that same message, and end up transported back to the village yet again. And again, with some shiny new armor. And again, with that attention-grabbing NPC over there. Looks like you're caught in an infinite loop here but no matter how much you inspect the pop up, there's no... actual way to pay the subscription fee (and why would you want to?). But at least you have company, because you can't be the only person who thought that sword was cool.
(It was really, really cool.)
BONUS [ xxxx ] What’s that on the ground in front of you? It looks like… some bunny ears? Or maybe it’s a chicken head, or a pumpkin head. Either way, the moment you touch it, you have a strong need to put it on your head -- and once it’s on, it’s not coming off.
To make matters worse, each hat has an effect associated with it; the bunny ears will, in fact, randomly turn you into a cute fluffy bunny for anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour before you pop right back to yourself, whereas the pumpkin hat will, in a complete reversal, turn you into Cinderella for a bit -- complete with beautiful ball gown and the ability to talk to all of those cute fluffy bunnies.
Also the rats will love you, so maybe you should go back to the caves again.
Meanwhile, the chicken hat won't transform you into any odd creature, but it will inspire in the people wearing them a very real, persistent desire to build a nest. This will involve picking up twigs, trash, shiny things and whatever else catches your eye to try to build a nest out of it. You'll also try to pick up whatever food you find on the ground to eat, have the weirdest desire to lay an egg, and basically have all sorts of odd chicken-like instincts inflicted upon you.
At least you look festive!
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it's a deep insight into the. inner workings of okitaism. or something
Doxxed by Okita Souji.Still, she feels an immense amount of comfort conversing like this. It's different to being with her Shinsengumi... Though she loves them, and of course she's grateful to them, they intimidate her in a way. In fact, there's only one person she can relax around and that's... Funnily enough, this Okita-san's presence reminds her of Toudou-san in a way. He's not as... Silly, shall we say, as Toudou-san, but she appreciate being able to speak as equals rather than as a subordinate. ]
... Ehehe. [ She presses her fingers to her lips to stifle her giggle. ] I can't imagine our Hijikata-san wearing anything like that. I've always known him to be so serious. [ She mimes a stern face, before dissolving into giggles again. ] I can't imagine our Hijikata-san as younger either... Was he really like that? [ Because, well, wait for it... ] ... Your younger Hijikata-san sounds like our Toudou-san. [ Maybe not as picked on though. She quietens for a moment, before speaking with absolute sincerity. ] ... I hope you can see your Hijikata-san again soon. Being separated from the people you love hurts.
[ Speaking of-- she nods again, cheeks flushing again. Hopefully she can forget that little blip soon. ] ... Yes. They're called forget-me-nots, I think. They remind me of... Well, the Shinsengumi. [ Funny, though; she can't quite remember who told her about the flowers. ]
they're like hijikata's poems... no one knows what they mean
[And incredibly funny, which is very important, and Souji just can't rest until he's properly doxxed Hijikata in every way possible.
But gosh, he breaks into giggles as well as she makes that face, nodding enthusiastically. This girl apparently Gets Him.] Oh yes, the Hijikata-san I know makes a face like that too, and then he says Souji all seriously. But... well, it was a bit different when he was younger. He was less disciplined, and he let his temper show more, and... well, he used to relax a bit more too.
[He sounds a bit wistful for a moment then, but then he grimaces a bit and rolls his eyes.] And he always used to meet with other men's wives, and wasn't even discreet about it. He could be quite disrespectful to them too. I'm glad he stopped that.
[He won't say that he hopes he sees Hijikata again soon too, because the words hurt a bit, and anyway it's probably obvious. He looks just a hint flustered when she says "loves", because it's such a direct word, but he won't dispute it either.]
So the Shinsengumi... since you work for them now, they're sort of a bit like your family, is that it? [Look, he can't really imagine anything different.]
GHFJK #SICKBURN (thats not a tb joke)
Still seated, she straightens her posture and draws herself up, scowling deeply (although this effect is somewhat ruined by the fact her lips keep quirking up into a smile), takes a deep breath and bellows Souji! in response, before dissolving into giggles again and settling back down. ] Like that?
[ His next revelation, though... Her eyes go wide, and she clamps her hands over her mouth, both in shock and in another desperate attempt to stop her giggles. ] I can't imagine Hijikata-san doing anything like that...! [ To be fair, she can't imagine Hijikata doing a lot of things that don't involve work or frightening the general populace
or collars. But... She glances around quickly, and leans in conspiratorially. ] Once, an acquaintance of Kondo-san's left their child with us for a while and... Hijikata-san helped me look after it, but it mistook Hijikata-san for it's mother and, well, the child was hungry... [ She really can't finish that sentence, lest she laugh too hard. It was already bad enough back then.Luckily for him, Kotori is a little bit dense, and doesn't notice his flustered expression. Saves the awkward explanations, at any rate. ] Yes... I think so. Hijikata-san is like our mother, and Kondo-san is like our father... Even though they're a little intimidating, they're all good people. [ Yes, even Okita-san. ] I want to do my best to help them.
(don't lie to me) also icon c-c-c-c-combo!
A bit like that. But he doesn't really shout it, so it's more like a... [He tries to scowl as well, which goes about as well as it does for her, and to mimic Hijikata's best "I am disappointed in a truly stern and manly fashion" voice.] Souji.
[He grins.] But then when I play pranks at him, he does shout, and sometimes he chases after me and threatens me with spankings and no dinner. It's a lot of fun.
[Spoken like a true Okita(TM), hellbent on Hijikata's suffering - albeit in a very loving way. And god help him all this laughter is going to make a coughing fit happen sooner or later, but right now it's just a lot of fun to hear about.] All the time. There were always women coming and going, and young men too. [He sighs, making a small face. SO GLAD that it's over.] And... oh dear. But you know, it's not as weird as I thought, imagining the Hijikata-san I know with a baby, so maybe it's not so strange that the Hijikata-san you know is such a good mom that even a baby can see it?
[He reaches out his hand and takes hers, beaming.] And then I guess we're family too. All Shinsengumi are like comrades, even if we're from different worlds.
(I SWEAR IT WASNT not to u at least) !!!! hiji-k-o!
Again, she dissolves into fits of giggles, then for the first time in what feels like forever, she laughs out loud, clutching her stomach in mirth. Part of her prays privately prays that they won't somehow attract one of their Hijikatas carrying on like this... The consequences might be dire, in both cases if Okita's words are to be believed. Finally, she calms herself enough for a response. ] That I can imagine our Hijikata-san doing. Especially to Toudou-san or our Okita-san... [ Kondo might be on that list if he wasn't Hijikata's superior.
Her eyes widen once more (this time accompanied by a tinge of colour in her cheeks-- she's pure after all, not like some people we could mention) and she covers her mouth. ] It's strange to imagine a Hijikata-san like that acting like our Hijikata-san in the future... [ People really can change in all sorts of ways. ] ... Eheheh. I didn't expect ours to be as good with children as he is. [ She smiles gently; it's a silly memory, but a fond one. ] I suppose since they're always looking after all of us, maybe that's why...
[ Slightly surprised, she jolts at the contact, looking up at him curiously for a moment. It takes her another moment to process his words, but once she has...
Oh dear, she's started off again; with her free hand, she hurriedly dabs her eyes with the handkerchief she's still had a hold off. ] I-I'm sorry, I just--! [ Please wait while she mops up the waterworks, again, before finally offering her biggest (and dampest) smile of the day. ] ... I'm really happy to hear you say that, Okita-san. It means a great deal to me.
(good that would've been TerriBle...) ugh crashes into bed
For his part, he's not worried at all about attracting disapproving Hijikatas. The one from his world might chase him and grump as much as he likes, but he also lets Souji get away with just about everything, up to and including dragging him around a candy store by his hair.]
Well, people change when they get older. Besides, even guys like that settle down eventually. [Is there a trace of smugness in Souji's voice there for a moment? No no, surely not, it must have been imagined.
But he'll nod emphatically at her assessment of Hijikata's skill with kids.] I'm always the one playing with kids, and he wouldn't agree at all, but... well, I've always thought of Hijikata-san as the kind of person who would make a great parent. And he has taken care of Tetsu-kun really well.
[Ah, but... oh no, he made her cry! It seems to be happy tears, but he nonetheless makes a worried little sound, reaching up to brush a stray tear from her chin.] Well, in that case I'm glad. And as long as there's still a smile on your face, that's the important thing.
(DID YOU JSUT) ugh tucks u in... i apologise my mobage games came between us,
Settling down, huh... [ Now, she's not exactly the most perceptive of people, and so she hasn't noticed the hint of smugness in his voice, but she can pick up the connotations, at least somewhat. ] Does your Hijikata-san have a lover? [ She can't keep the surprise out of her voice, really. It's just such an alien concept to her, given her experiences. ] What are they like? Do you know them, Okita-san? [
SPILL THE BEANS OKITA SHE'S NOT ONTO YOU BUT I AM. ]I see... Is Tetsu-san young then? [ Well, she's young too but hey. ] ... Heheh. I can't picture our Okita-san being nice to kids... Or our Hijikata-san, but I think... Both of them would be good with them, somehow. [ Maybe it's like a universal law or something, right next to "Okita Souji will always drive Hijikata Toushizou nuts no matter what world they are from"? ]
... Thank you so much, Okita-san. [ And truly, she means it. ] I'm very glad I was able to meet someone as kind as you.
(I DID NOTHING) it is okay i am in Sweden time is an illusion
But gosh, those questions are really KIND OF IMPERTINENT, whatever Souji might have gently inferred there, and he surely can't be blamed for going a delicate shade of pink at the questioning. It's not that there's anything weird about it, of course, or as if most people back home don't know, it's just that it's not something you talk about directly, is it? So it's hard to know how to answer in an appropriate manner, but he will do his best.]
It's the kind of thing where... he and I have always been very close, and he is my superior, and ah, it- I suppose you could say he favors me in a lot of ways.
[THERE. Please understand the inherent social coding, because he's more than just a bit pink right now. Right now it's a both a blessing and a curse that his Hijikata isn't actually around, because he would probably be a lot more blunt about it, and while that would be embarrassing it would mean that Souji wouldn't really have to search for the right words like this.
Tetsu is easier to talk about.
Everyone likes talking about their kids, right?]Mm, Tetsu-kun is around seventeen now, but when we took him in he was around fifteen. But he was so short, he looked about ten! And, well, he was a bit childish too - still is, sometimes, though he's growing up well.
[No seriously, look at this proud smile, even as the blush is fading, and it's followed by a disarming little laugh as he leans in and bumps a shoulder against hers.]
I can't imagine why I wouldn't be kind to someone as nice and cute as you, though. That would be silly.
(DIDNT YOU) ugh holds ur hands...... european timezone buddy
-- Oh!!! [ It's her turn to go pink now. Gosh, that was unexpected! Not bad, of course, she just. Needs a minute. And another to apologise actually. ] I-I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-- to pry and-- [ If you listen closely, you can actually hear the sounds of her face steaming. Still, part of her would like to hear about them. Another time, perhaps. And not in the middle of nowhere, at that.
But it warms her heart to hear him speaking about Tetsu, nonetheless. Pulling her knees up to her chest, she leans her arms on her knees, and her chin on her arms, she can't help but smile listening to him. ] Tetsu-san and I would be about the same age then... [
That's because you're historical protagonist counterparts.] How did you meet him? ... Was it at Ikedaya? [ Her voice loses its cheerful tone for all but a moment, but she pulls herself together again quickly.How can't she? After all, this Okita-san has been so kind to her! Flushing slightly in joy, she ducks her head shyly at his words. It's sort of like being praised by an uncle or a brother or something... ] T-thank you very much...! ... Ehehe, it's kind of strange to hear that coming from you. [ Here, she pouts slightly. ] Our Okita-san is definitely colder than you, Okita-san...
(im innocent) YOU UNDERSTAND MY STRUGGLES
It's alright, you weren't to know. And it's not really a secret, just...
[A small shrug. Well, she lives in Japan too!!! Hopefully she understands that some things are just Personal and you don't just go around talking about them - and anyway, it's not like it's needed when most people can usually read the signs in their interactions.
Then he raises his eyebrows a bit, tilting his head.]
That's where they met you, is that it? But no, Tetsu-kun joined before then. He actually fought at Ikedaya though, and really well too.
[Look at all that pride. And even prouder still he is of Tetsu's decision, to stick to who he is and to do everything he can not to have to kill. Tetsu isn't like Souji, he's not a born killer, and that is something precious and beautiful. He had still defeated Yoshida, and Souji had been only too happy to kill the man for him.
He lets out a small, soft noise.]
Well, even people who seem cold... sometimes they do so because they want to protect themselves, or protect people who are dear to them. So you shouldn't take it as a sign that he doesn't still care about you, right? [He winks.] But don't put up with him being mean either.