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

rules

[coinflipped]

[You know, Eizen likes this guy and all he said was 'wanna fight'. Yes, good, he can do this, he enjoys a person who's brash like this. A good replacement for Rokurou, too, from the looks of it, since he hasn't seen his daemon samurai friend around. Sadly.]

I'm good with that. Just tell me when and where and I'd be happy to take you up on that offer.

[maddogs]

[ "always?" he's about to ask but he figures eizen probably wants a real answer not just shit. ]

Ain't like we got anythin' better ta do, right? Wanna go now? Confusin' shit always makes me wanna punch somethin'.

[ everything makes you want to punch something majima, but ok ]

[coinflipped]

If that'll help you clear you head and bit, sure. It'll probably help me think, too.

[And get out all of his agitation that he's missing Very Important Items from his pocket that he's not happy about missing!?

Either way, his left hand curls up into a fist, knuckles popping like he's ready for a brawl.

Hell yes, he loves fighting! Because... that's what you do when you meet people, size them up by fighting...]

[maddogs]

[ majima grins and raises his fists too ]

That's more like it.

[coinflipped]

If you're good, let's start!

[He'll step in first, trying for a left upper cut aimed at the other's jaw. Eizen's got a wide grin on his face, so it's clear he's all in this for fun, games, and pain.]

[maddogs]

[ those are pretty much all majima's priorities, too. he's fast -- stepping away from the punch and quickly going for a counter.

but not as fast as he used to be...why.... where the quickstep option or heat??? in general??? ]

Wish they hadn't jacked our weapons.

[coinflipped]

[Counter. Good. He's happy at the action back as he blocks that with his right arm.]

Why? Men talk with their fists and all, right? It'll help me to get to know you better?

[Though he does try some magic and... well shit...

Guess he can't use magic with his punches, huh? Weird.]

Guess it's not just our weapons they took, though. [As he decides to side step, going in for another punch. Well, this works all the same.]

[maddogs]

[ majima laughs happily - his new sparing buddy is right, of course, men talk with their fists and it's best to get to know people that way. but he's been bringing knives to fist fights for a long time because

because yolo???

majima goes for another punch try to break his guard, but the dude's guard does seem pretty strong and before he makes it there he gets hit by the punch eizen throws. not that he seems to mind. kind of the opposite, actually.... ]

Eh? Ya missin' somethin' else?

[coinflipped]

[Hey, everyone fights in their own way, and that's okay. He'd be totally fine with knives in a fist fight and he'd work around that accordingly. Because that's what men do. They don't bitch, they accept what's been brought and fight.

Well, the punches to his guard definitely hurt a bit, but that's good. Yes. Fight him for real! Not that anyone wouldn't fight him for real or take him for a wuss.

However, his punch connects, and normally he'd go in for a series of hooks, but he's not here to quite beat the shit out of this guy. They're... 'talking'... Instead he tries for another left jab just to see how this guy will respond.]

Yeah, I'm missing some items, but I'm also missing my elemental abilities. That's something that shouldn't be possible, but I'll worry about that after this.

[maddogs]

Elemental abilities....

[ he repeats it, sounding out the syllables. sure those words have meanings but also ??? what??

because, obviously, all the weird shit that happens in yakuza is Perfectly Normal whereas magic is not. thats just how it is.

he almost misses the punch but manages to block it at the last minute, using his other hand to go for a quick counter that's more flathanded than punch. ]

Damn, we got magic and old-timey castles. This shit is intense.

[coinflipped]

[He takes the counter, and steps back a bit, though he's still all smiles. Good. He's glad, this is all good.]

Is it? I find it's pretty normal.

[Aside from the waking up in weird places part.]

[maddogs]

[ great, then it's majima's turn to be on the offensive, and he goes for a high kick more or less aimed at his chest. fights are all about knocking people down, right? ]

Guess it'd have ta be for some people, right?

[coinflipped]

I suppose. Then again, people typically don't have powers.

[He's implying he's not a person, but whatever. He doesn't care right now. Instead, he's more focused on blocking that kick with his arm, though that does make him stagger a bit. Not enough to knock him down quite yet.]

[maddogs]

[ majima knows an opening when he sees one, so he goes to follow up with a combo of three fast punches. ]

Like that elemental shit you were takin' about?

[coinflipped]

[He ends up taking those blows, but he's a fucking tank, so he can stay up. Though he's glad to see a good warrior who knows to see openings.]

Yeah. I'm earth aligned myself.

[A guy who looks like a pirate is aligned with earth... okay...

Once he takes the jabs, he'll counter low, trying to aim for the stomach.]

[maddogs]

That's a good one.

[ he?? supposes??? majima takes the hit, though he tightens his muscles just in time not to get winded ]

But it's even better that ya can fight without it.

[coinflipped]

I can't let those setbacks hold me back at all.

[They're who he is, but he also needs to be able to fight without it... though... it's weird... but okay.

Still, yes good. The more he fights Majima, the more he likes him.]

Seems like you've seen a fair share of fights. If I were testing your strength for my crew, I'd let you join.

[maddogs]

[ "his crew" the comment strikes him as hilarious and he actually has to stop to laugh for a moment ]

Ah, damn that's a good one. You're a good kid.

[coinflipped]

[....kid?]

It's true that sometimes I act like a kid, however, I don't quite get why you're classifying me as one.

[He's accepted that people here seem to think he's insane, though... for some reason.]

[maddogs]

'cause, yer, what? In your 20s? I'm a fuckin' old man compared to ya.

[ that's all. ]

'sides, I've had my own "crew" for a long time now.

[coinflipped]

...I'm one thousand years old.

[Who's the old man now?]

[maddogs]

Eh? No shit?

[coinflipped]

Yeah, I am. Though whether you chose to believe that or not is up to you. It seems a lot of people here don't exactly believe me, though without my abilities, I can't even prove I'm a malak.

[Which is annoying, but whatever.]

[maddogs]

The fuck's a malak?

[coinflipped]

We're a spirit of sorts, though I believe we are closer to a seraph than a spirit since we have domains that give people blessings. We also require people to think about us to get stronger powers-- so we require worship in a sense.

[A shrug, nonchalant and all that. Then again, his domain sucks and no one should ever be 'blessed' with it.]