Beginning

[thecastle]

One moment you were elsewhere, surely speaking to your friends, fighting in a battle of your life, dying, or even in a state of non-existence in its entirety. It doesn't matter now, since when you open your eyes it’s become clear that not only is everything around you foreign and unfamiliar, so is everyone. And there seems to be a fair lot of you, at that.

It's easy to discern a few things upon a cursory glance, once you pick yourself up from the field of grass you're resting on. The place you've awoken in seems to be fairly tranquil, for the first few moments at least, and the view of a newly budded sakura tree is among the first that will greet you. In the distance, is a towering castle that manages to look all at once both imposing and welcoming at the same time. There's also an odd pendant around your neck, which you'll find won't come off despite your best attempts. In your pocket you'll find a room key, engraved with a number.

The weather is currently cool, with the sun brightly shining in the sky, though there are a few too many clouds to make it a completely clear day. While most of them appear rather normal, every so often you might spot one that looks just a bit off— like a storm cloud that's completely lost it's way. Lucky for you, it doesn't seem like you're going to have to worry about any inclement weather anytime soon, as they'll vanish from your vision as quickly as they came.

A large stone wall surrounds the entirety of the castle, though it's anyone guess why that is— maybe it's for your safety, maybe it's to keep you trapped, or maybe it's for another reason entirely. The only breach in the wall is a single gate that looks like it certainly led to the outside at one point, but that too has been cordoned off by solid stone.

Fortunately, there's nothing to stop you from entering the castle itself, where you'll find it's pretty grand all things considered. The lighting inside is provided not by electricity, but by magical flame that adjusts to the time of day or night. Actually, if you're looking for anything electronic anywhere, or even a simple power outlet, you'll be sorely out of luck.

For now, it might be best to explore and make some sense of where you are and why you're here— maybe one of your fellow travelers might know something? There are some plaques in the Great Hall that might catch your interest given their focus, in addition to one ridiculously large golden one that seems to bear rules.

Welcome, fellow warriors, to your very long stay.

Comments

[buddyoldpal]

I. The Grass Is Always Greener

[ Nishitani's first thought: well, this sure beats being dead. He sits up and checks his chest and arms for wounds and comes back empty. Cool, those aren't bleeding anymore, either. So maybe this is the afterlife, or maybe it's a weird hell. That's actually pretty okay with him, it sure beats an eternity of nothing. And hey, the weather's nice, huh? ]

Shit, if hell's this nice I shoulda died sooner.

[ He's kidding? Maybe? He sounds pretty cheery, actually. ]

II. Reading matters, kids.

[ Never one to stay down for too long, eventually Nishitani starts exploring the grounds. He's found his way to the plaques and the rules. Gee, you'd better hope there's nothing embarrassing on there. He sure doesn't seem to mind what his says. ]

"Duelin' other guests... is encouraged," huh? [ His eyes light up as he reads aloud, fingers itching at his sides. What a creepy-looking guy.... ] Fuck, I'm gonna like it here.

[ Never mind the whole murder bit, doesn't that sound fun? ]

III. Three is for Wildcards

[ idk other stuff??? go for it ]

ii

[coinflipped]

[He is all for this. All for people who want to fight. Yes, good, this is very good.]

It's nice to see a place that encourages fighting. Hopefully it won't get too out of hand, but I imagine we all know our limits.

[...maybe.]

[buddyoldpal]

[ yes, fighting. fighting is good. Nishitani gives Eizen a look, sizing him up. He's pretty hot for a blond dude. ]

Hell yeah, right? Maybe they'll hand out free food or somethin' if we fuckin' have at it. Ya wanna go right now?

[ When has Nishitani ever cared about limits.... ]

[coinflipped]

[Whether or not he actually cares about his looks is up for grabs, but he'd be happy to hear that nontheless. He more or less cares about the other guy sizing him up. Yes, good.]

I'd rather have alcohol, but if I need to fight to get it, so be it.

[He shakes out his left hand like he's loosening it before balling it up into a fist by his side. At the moment he hasn't taken stance, but he will once they both get this nice little spar confirmed.]

So yeah, let's go right here, right now.

ii

[deontological]

Is that so?

[Sen can't really bring herself to be surprised. There are enough men itching for a fight where she comes from - it's statistically likely that at least one person who's down with violence would end up here. There are probably more, even.]

I'm afraid I would make a poor sparring partner, but from the look of things there are plenty of others that would provide a challenging duel for you.

[buddyoldpal]

[ Oh, a girl. A cute one too. It's too bad she can't fight :'( Nishitani shakes his head like she's just said something tragic. ]

's a damn shame, girlie. Ain't nothin' better than a good fight, ya know? I'm lookin' real forward ta gettin' a taste of everybody else here.

[ Why does he say things in the worst way possible ]

[deontological]

[She smiles apologetically. Sorry, Nishitani.]

Watching a good fight would come in as a close second.

[So, y'know, if he wants an audience... She may not be on board with murder just yet, but watching the others take up arms is something she isn't opposed to. Better to see what they're all up against.]

I wouldn't be opposed to learning to fight, though I fear it would take some time before I could hope to pose a challenge to you at all.

i.

[toubib]

That's because hell's empty, and all the devils went to town long, long ago. [ a bit of a bastardization of the original quote, but vanitas isn't trying to earn any literary points. he's perched on a tree branch, blinking down owlishly at nishitani.

if nishitani looks up, he'll shake a branch and drop some leaves on him, because he's like that. with a sly twist of his lips: ] Or maybe not all of them, since evidently we've come to take their place. Say, how did you die?

[buddyoldpal]

[ Ah yes, a deep quote that goes over Nishitani's head.... Nishitani does look up, of course. ]

What, ya some kinda bird demon comin' ta say hi?

[ Which he would be totally fine with, mind you. He's an open book. ]

Me, I went out in style! Shot right ta death so a pal o' mine could make it outta fuckin' jail. Ain't no better way ta die when yer a yakuza.

[ He really is proud of that... ]

[toubib]

Caw caw. [ just because. vanitas' quirks one brow, evidently impressed. ] That is impressive. Someone ought to be writing a book about you back in the world of the living.

I

[gyakusatsu]

[Misora turns to look at him with a raised eyebrow.]

Excuse me?

[She must've misheard that, surely.]

[buddyoldpal]

Ya heard me, dintcha?

[ He shrugs. Is this news? ]

Hell. The end o' the line fer us criminal types. Ain't this the place?

[gyakusatsu]

"Us criminal types...?"

[She raises an eyebrow, repeating the words with notable incredulity.]

You're assuming quite a lot, you know.

I

[fedorascout]

I know, right? I can't complain about being here if this is what the afterlife's like.

[Despite what he just said, Kizakura doesn't look particularly bothered either]

[buddyoldpal]

[ See, this guy gets it. ]

I was expectin' a whole lot more darkness an' fire an' that kinda thing. This shit's kinda nice.

[fedorascout]

I expected more the 'eternal oblivion' part, not existing anymore. I was never a religious kind of guy.

II

[divertimento]

[Elliot hasn't actually looked at the shiny rules plaque yet, but he does overhear Nishitani. He blanches a little. Dueling? Yeah, uh... about that.

Elliot's not really about picking fights he can't win. Which would be all of them.]

Err... that makes one of us. I think I'll pass...

[Also, yeah, Nishitani is kind of creepy looking? But oh well, too late, words are already out.]

[buddyoldpal]

[ This creepy old man has locked eyes with you now, Elliot. RIP. ]

Oh, yeah?

[ He gives him a cursory glance... then frowns. You are officially too weak to fight, child. Maybe that's a good thing? ]

Figures. Yer so fuckin' scrawny, fightin' ya would be like kickin' a dog.

[divertimento]

[Oh no. RIP Elliot, dead literally on first day from creepy old man gaze.]

...Aha... ha. I... I guess that's true?

[Well, hey. If it keeps him from getting his teeth knocked in, Elliot will absolutely take it as a good thing.]

If it's any consolation, I think I've seen a couple other people that might put up a better fight, maybe?

i

[miirai]

Hee hee hee. Do you honestly think that this is actually hell?

[ There's a sly grin that appears on the girl's lips as she giggles a little bit, unfitting of a child of her stature. ]

[buddyoldpal]

[ oh good, a creepy child. Now this is more like the hell he expected. He'll even be a little more respectful to her because everyone knows vengeful spirits are not to be fucked with. ]

It's sure nicer than I expected it ta be. Ya got any experience with the real thing, girlie?

[miirai]

While I've never been to hell myself, I have a good picture of what it's like, having died over and over for around a hundred years or so.

[ This is how to make a good first impression, ladies and gentlemen. ]

II

[pseudoregelia]

Is that any language to use around a young lady?

[Hiyono's frowning from nearby, having just finished reading the plaques. Does she know he's yakuza? Naturally. Is that going to stop her from protesting his coarse language? No.]

[buddyoldpal]

[ He laughs, full stop. ]

Yer pretty fuckin' funny girl. Sorry ta disappoint ya, but I ain't never bothered tonin' myself down fer anybody. Ain't gonna start now.

[pseudoregelia]

[She gives the appropriately appalled gasp.]

What ever will we do about the children?!

[Okay, no, it's not even appropriate anymore, this is just over the top.]