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]

Yeah, that part ain't what it's cracked up ta be. I'm likin' this a lot better.

[ But it's nice to meet you, fellow dead person. ]

So what's your deal? I got shot ta shit before I showed up here.

[fedorascout]

[Talking about the exact situation he was in before is something he'd rather not do, but...may as well just say how he died]

Got poisoned and fell from a couple dozen stories high trying to save someone. Not the most pleasant way to die, that's for sure.

[buddyoldpal]

[ There ya go, see. Honesty is good among the dead! ]

Shit, that's pretty fuckin' rad though. Sounds it'd be one helluva story.

[ Which he knows better than to press because sometimes Shit Happens. ]

Betcha died quick from the fall, eh? [ Don't ask that, Nishitani. ] Did ya get ta save that someone?

[fedorascout]

I'm pretty sure I died from the poison before I even reached the ground.

[Kizakura sighs]

I do hope so. I know she was safe when she died, but it was a dangerous place. With several dangerous people on the loose near her...anything could happen.

[buddyoldpal]

Aw. Damn shame. Poison's a fuckin' shitty way ta go. No honor in that.

[ #Priorities. ]

I feel ya there. But eh, ya did what ya could. Rest was up to yer girl!

[ I mean, Majima turned out okay but that was probably more thanks to his own resilience than anything else, see. ]

[fedorascout]

She's capable, even more than I realize, but it's not like she has any fighting skills. I should have offered to teach her a trick or two. Not that I'm that good of a fighter.

[buddyoldpal]

Better hope she's got some tough-ass friends, then. Cause a girl who's a damsel ain't gettin' too far on 'er own.

[ There's not need to be sexist, Nishitani. ]

[fedorascout]

[Kizakura snorts. Yeah, she doesn't have anyone tough with her]

She may not be strong, but she has smarts. Besides, I dealt with the biggest menace there was nearby. As long as nobody takes the spear I pinned him to a wall with, she'll be okay.

[buddyoldpal]

Fingers crossed, eh? Brains are a pretty good weapon ta have, long as nobody else's got a gun!

[ What a poor joke, you got killed by a gun, Nishitani. ]

[fedorascout]

[Kizakura laughs. He likes this guy, he's fun]

So who are you? My name is Koichi Kizakura, former talent scout.

[At least that was his main role in the Future Foundation, despite being the leader of a branch]

[buddyoldpal]

Nice. Good ta meetcha, Kizakura-kun.

[ He has not looked at the plaques, he's got no clue. ]

Name's Homare Nishitani. I was the Chairman of the Kijin Clan back home in Sotenbori. Guess here I'll hafta add "former" ta mine too.

[fedorascout]

Clan...clan as in yakuza?

[Asked rather casually. Kizakura doesn't seem too worried about the possibility he's talking to a yakuza right now]

[buddyoldpal]

[ Nishitani smirks. How many civilians are there in here who're chill with the yakuza?? ]

Got it in one, pal! Ya ever met a yakuza before?

[fedorascout]

I used to teach at an academy, a high school. The heir to a yakuza clan and his hitwoman were students in the last class I had. They were very honorable people.

[And then he was relegated from teaching duties, so it wasn't like he was close to them]

[buddyoldpal]

Ha! What, for real?

[ Doesn't that Godo guy have a son. And that one Dojima dude. Nishitani knows a few dudes dumb enough to have children... ]

Musta been one high-class fuckin' academy, then.