thecastle: (ᴄᴀsᴛʟᴇ)
UKIMIYA mods ([personal profile] thecastle) wrote in [community profile] ukimiya2017-07-29 12:50 pm

Beginning

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.
gyakusatsu: (三)

[personal profile] gyakusatsu 2017-07-30 05:11 am (UTC)(link)
I take it you have a plan then?

[It's partly jest, partly serious. His plaque might have alluded to that as a skill, but she's genuinely curious.]
godinsolitude: (hand in hand)

[personal profile] godinsolitude 2017-07-30 05:30 am (UTC)(link)
Not yet, no.

[But he might have a few ideas forming. There's a familiar face on the wall, after all.]

I'm not some sort of magician. But there's surely things we can do to try to improve our chances here.

[He nods towards the plaques on the wall.] For starters, getting to know our fellow prisoners. Gauging personalities and finding out what kind of people they are.

[Like Miss Misora here.] For example, you're an FBI agent, and you don't strike me as being morally flexible according to your dislikes. You're cautious but rational... and concerned about a teenager like me being dragged into this.

[A cool head with strong morals. Basically, at a glance, someone he might be able to trust to not devolve into a fearful panic and give into extreme courses of action like murder.]
gyakusatsu: (七)

[personal profile] gyakusatsu 2017-07-30 05:58 am (UTC)(link)
[Ah. An astute kid. Already assessing the threats, making note of potential allies...and of course, trying to get inside her head. It's the most logical and most basic measure to take, but it still surprises her that he's so put together. Most high schoolers would still be moping about their phones being stolen, probably.]

....You're used to this kind of thinking, huh.

[An assumption, not a question, but she pauses to see if he'll confirm or deny.]
godinsolitude: (in my madness)

[personal profile] godinsolitude 2017-07-30 06:06 am (UTC)(link)
My Elder Brother and Sister In Law are both detectives. Maybe I learned it from them?

[Ha. It's the truth... and a lie, but not a lie at the same time. But he won't deny that he's a little weird, being so calm.]

No.... I'm just a cautious person, that's all. I'm used to looking out for myself. And of course I don't want to die, so considering this much is important.
gyakusatsu: (二十七)

[personal profile] gyakusatsu 2017-07-31 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
[Misora is quiet for a moment. She approves of course, that Ayumu is taking good steps towards taking care of himself, but phrases like, "I'm used to looking out for myself" from sixteen year olds really just points to something... well, sad.]

Sounds like you've had a rough life.

[Her tone is softer; sympathetic even.]
godinsolitude: (the sound)

[personal profile] godinsolitude 2017-07-31 03:33 am (UTC)(link)
Where did I say that?

[He has, but having to looking out for yourself.... it wasn't that unique or odd a situation. He could name many, many people he knew personally who had it much worse than he did, in one way or another.]

It just means I try to live smart, that's all.

[....Well, it was the truth. He wasn't all that comfortable with people reading into his words like this, or showing, of all things, sympathy.]
gyakusatsu: (七十九)

[personal profile] gyakusatsu 2017-07-31 04:03 am (UTC)(link)
You didn't, don't worry.

[She smiles a little apologetically.]

Let's just call it intuition on my part. At the risk of being even more intrusive, let me ask you something: are you familiar with the basics of self defense?
godinsolitude: (And I have always buried them)

[personal profile] godinsolitude 2017-07-31 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
Self defense?

[He looks surprised at that, any other response to her previous words forgotten.]

No, I'm not. I've never been fond of confrontation, so I never thought to learn.

[Why did his skillset include marksmanship, then? Funny story, and one he won't be sharing unless asked.]
gyakusatsu: (三十二)

[personal profile] gyakusatsu 2017-07-31 04:47 am (UTC)(link)
[And right on cue....]

So you learned how to shoot instead, huh.

[It's not an accusation, her tone is much too disbelieving for it. If anything she sounds like she might be on the verge of shaking her head.]
godinsolitude: (ones that we learned)

[personal profile] godinsolitude 2017-07-31 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
I learned to--

[He gives her a look, as if she must be joking. 'What kind of person do you think I am?' is written plain in his expression.]

I know how to shoot because I've used airsoft guns. I dislike violence.
gyakusatsu: (八十三)

[personal profile] gyakusatsu 2017-07-31 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
Airsoft...

[And now she really is going to shake her head. But she offers an apology as well.]

Sorry. It's just that it wouldn't have surprised me either.

[For the first time, she sounds... a little jaded though she doesn't offer any further clarification.]

Anyway, you're a fast learner, right?
godinsolitude: lyrics 'Flaws' by Bastille (When all of your flaws and)

[personal profile] godinsolitude 2017-07-31 05:33 am (UTC)(link)
I'm 16. It would be illegal for me to own a real gun. But I can't blame you for being suspicious, in a place like this.

[He's a bit jaded too, to be honest.]

But you're right-- I'm a fast learner, when I want or need to learn something. Another good guess on your part?
gyakusatsu: (七十二)

[personal profile] gyakusatsu 2017-07-31 06:12 am (UTC)(link)
No. Something I hoped more than anything else.

[Partly true anyway. Ayumu had mentioned a strong desire to survive and looking out for himself. The inference had seemed natural here as well.]

I don't like the idea of kids wandering around this dangerous place without some basic knowledge of how to defend themselves. The best advice may be to run, but it doesn't hurt to know how to give yourself a bit of a chance when you have no other options.
godinsolitude: (And I have always buried them)

[personal profile] godinsolitude 2017-07-31 07:57 pm (UTC)(link)
.....Are you offering to teach me?

[He is genuinely surprised, by that. No one has tried to teach him anything like that before-- or... much at all, really, in terms of skills outside of school.]
Edited 2017-07-31 19:58 (UTC)
gyakusatsu: (四)

[personal profile] gyakusatsu 2017-08-01 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[Misora smiles a little at his surprise and nods.]

Bingo. Assuming you want to learn from me, that is.
godinsolitude: (pic#11591591)

[personal profile] godinsolitude 2017-08-01 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ayumu wasn't sure how apt he'd be at self-defense... yes, he had good reaction time, but he wasn't an athletic type.

Still.....]


I'm more than happy to accept your offer.

[Every little bit could help.]
gyakusatsu: (二十四)

[personal profile] gyakusatsu 2017-08-01 07:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Mm. I'll plan on teaching within the couple of days. Ideally, we won't be here that long, but if we are... well, I'll give you an update.

In the meantime, if anyone else you run into could use the lesson, the invitation is open to them as well.
godinsolitude: (Can you fill it?)

[personal profile] godinsolitude 2017-08-01 07:37 pm (UTC)(link)
There's at least one person I can think of, off the top of my head. She hits pretty hard, but I don't think she's been trained in anything.

[Yes that.... friend of his....]
Edited 2017-08-01 19:38 (UTC)
gyakusatsu: (三)

[personal profile] gyakusatsu 2017-08-01 09:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh?

[...Well actually she can guess at this one. It's not that hard considering Ayumu's name is mentioned on her plaque.]

Hiyono Yuzaki?
godinsolitude: (We pick ourselves undone)

[personal profile] godinsolitude 2017-08-02 03:42 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, her. She's a classmate of mine.

[And if she was here.... well.

He'd want her to have every advantage possible.]
gyakusatsu: please do not take these icons for your personal use (一)

[personal profile] gyakusatsu 2017-08-02 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
Is she really just a classmate? Her plaque seems to indicate she's quite taken with you.


[Not that it's of personal interest to her, but seeing "stalker" on a profile really makes people wonder.]
godinsolitude: (ones that we learned)

[personal profile] godinsolitude 2017-08-02 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
We're acquaintances.

[Because he refuses to use the F word. He pause, before he signs, dramatically put upon.]

She's something like my stalker really, but she's not so bad I guess. She's helped me out of a few jams.

[....This kid is a bit weird, isn't he?]

gyakusatsu: (三十二)

[personal profile] gyakusatsu 2017-08-02 05:11 am (UTC)(link)
[....Kids these days and their complicated relationships. Misora refrains from shaking her head. She's beginning to feel kinda old and she's not that old.]

...Right. Well in any case, as I said, she's welcome to learn as well.

godinsolitude: lyrics 'Flaws' by Bastille (When all of your flaws and)

[personal profile] godinsolitude 2017-08-02 06:01 am (UTC)(link)
[Really, all this teenage drama... Hang in there, Naomi.]

Thank you. I really appreciate this, honestly.