September 2022 Mingle!

[jigokumods]

MAIN NAVIGATION


The influx of fresh Lost Souls means the factions need to have a little welcoming party for them. So some recreational activities are in order. All Lost Souls will receive a message from their respective faction leaders with orders to go have some fun.

Shuten - WEENIES ON PARADE

Shuten Clan newbies will be summoned to the Arena, which has been set up with a very different kind of fight than usual. The members of the Shuten Clan do nothing by half-measures. Partying, drinking, and eating are all encouraged to excess. This time they're inviting new recruits to test their mettle in various eating contests. You'll need nerves of steel and a stomach of iron to succeed. Hot dogs, marshmallows, pizza, lobster rolls, breakfast cereals, rice, and more are all on offer.

See how much you can eat and try not to get sick! Competitive eating is a messy, disgusting affair, regardless of the emergency buckets stationed strategically throughout the building.

If you're feeling especially ballsy, you can take on the biggest onis and other youkai by teaming up with your fellow Shutens. They're all confident enough to take that bet.

Glory, prize money, and antacids to the winners. Shame to the losers – they'll be run through town in weenie costumes.

Better eat up 🙂

Tamamo - ALL NIGHT LONG

The newest Tamamo recruits are summoned to a local gymnasium. Strangely, rather than sports equipment laid out on the court, there are a number of light futons, blankets, and pillows. Everyone will be sorted into one of two yukata patterns – one purple and one blue – and sent to their respective sides of the court to lie down in bed and pull up the covers.

It is then that the referee will explain the rules of competitive pillow fighting. When the whistle blows, jump up and grab one of the authorized pillows at the center of the court. It's a game much like dodgeball, but the goal is to hit the opposing team's king with a pillow from your half of the court. Team members use blankets and sometimes their bodies to protect their king.

There will be a few rounds, and you can rotate who is king at your discretion. Protect them with your life! Or whatever. Star players will receive a bonus and a coupon to one of the best Tamamo spas.

When the competitive stuff is done, the sleepover proper will begin. There will be liquor, sodas, and light snacks for everyone while movies are projected onto a screen late into the morning. The movies range from classic dramas and romances to outrageous yokai comedies.

Sutoku - GROSSERY GANG

The Alliance has found themselves in the possession of an entire truckload's worth of reject children's toys. Ever the opportunist, the Daitengu has assigned the project of inventorying and trashing the particularly offensive ones to the new guys.

Of course, you're expected to play with a few of them as well. Maybe one of them is decently fun, and they could sell the rest, you know? Many of these toys are gross out bathroom humor in nature, and spit water randomly at anyone who loses their round. The Daitengu has thoughtfully provided a selection of alcohol to make this game a little more adult friendly. Toys that lack the appropriate spitting mechanism can still be played over shots, really, go nuts.

While you 'work', there will be plenty of motivating music piped into the warehouse. The sound quality is not great, but they tried?

Everyone who sorts through a decent amount of toys will get a little extra pay, although who is really paying that much attention to who's doing what here?

Credit where it's due: We turned kids toys into drinking games

Enma - BREAKING THE ICE

Welcome to the Department of the Enma. New Lost Soul recruits will be summoned to a large conference room in Kaigo no Bou, which has been outfitted with a variety of buffet table offerings and tables which seat between 5 - 6 people comfortably. You are invited to fill your plates at your discretion, the craft services people are used to feeding bottomless yokai stomachs and the food will not run out.

Clipboards with a variety of icebreaker questions have been provided at each table. The pens have assuredly been firmly affixed to the clipboard. Please return them together.

Every 30 minutes Captain Shiki will blow her whistle to signal that you are to migrate to another table with fresh companions. You are, indeed, being forced to get to know your coworkers, lucky you. This isn't tedious at all.

Pick a few of the questions below to answer, and get chatting. Or Captain Shiki may come over to stare at you with intense disapproval. You can't get away with just zoning out to that sweet smooth jazz playing overhead!

1. If you had a time machine that would work only once, what point in the future or in history would you visit? 2. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? 3. If your house was burning down, what three objects would you try and save? 4. If you could talk to any one person now dead or alive, who would it be and why? 5. If you HAD to give up one of your senses (hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling, tasting) which would it be and why? 6. If you were an animal, what would you be and why? 7. Do you have a pet? If not, what sort of pet would you like? 8. Name a gift you will never forget? 9. Name one thing you really like about yourself. 10. What's your favorite thing to do in the summer? 11. Who's your favorite cartoon character, and why? 12. Does your name have a special meaning and/or were you named after someone special? 13. What is the hardest thing you have ever done? 14. If you are at a friend's or relative's house for dinner and you find a dead insect in your salad, what would you do? 15. What was the best thing that happened to you this past week? 16. If you had this week over again, what would you do differently? 17. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about 'God'? 18. What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten? 19. If you could change one problem in the world today, what would you like to change? 20. What book, movie or video have you seen/read recently you would recommend? Why?

All Factions - THE GIFT OF SONG

Did you all enjoy having some of your wishes granted? Well, so did a flock of those annoying magpie! They asked for the gift of music. These feathered nuisances, however, have fallen in love with an old school metal band. That is all they will be singing for the foreseeable future! Different members of the flock have taken up different instrumentals and vocals for the track, spread out across electrical wires and rooftops, singing their favorite rockin' tune to the skies!

Lost Souls have been asked to please catch them and get them to knock it off, they are truly annoying everyone, across all factions.

Should you catch these musical magpies, and not one of the other clans, they will tell you their sorry tale! They love this band, but the group broke up years ago. All the magpie want is for their favorite old dudes to be reunited to jam with them, one more time!

The old dudes are out there in the city, but who knows why they broke up and if they can even be convinced out of retirement. Good luck, if you succeed your boss will give you a favorable bonus, which would be a great boon to a newbie just getting settled.

In the meantime:

Shabadabadia
Shabadabadia
Babababa
Babababa
Babababa

Welcome to the IC mingle!

• If you have any questions about the mingle content, please ask them here! We're trying something a little different to help reduce comment clutter a bit, so that link actually goes back to a header on the Substory post.
• If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.
• For Rewards, threads in the mingle will be worth one (1) point!

Comments

Tama Mizumori | Hashihime of the Old Book Town | Sutoku Alliance

[fuckdogramagra]

THE GIFT OF SONG: an overly-familiar tune [all]

When you grow up in the country, you get used to a lot of weird sounds. Like weird roars or trotting where there should not be any trotting. It's usually easiest to just look to your neighbors with bemusement, then go back inside, rather than make much of a fuss and get involved. Someone else will do something about it, and a blind eye means that someone won't have to be you.

Unfortunately, he can't pretend that this time. He missed the first efforts of the magpies due to work, but it works out because Tama can come prepared. It's after the Sutoku mingle that he decides to act- with two semi-transparent tupperware under one arm, and a bag of baked goods from a nearby bakery in his other hand, he figures this is his best shot. It's with a tired, familiar sort of muteness that he sets his goods down on the ground, just below one of the awnings a couple of the hardcore magpies have decided to call their stage.

Tama knows how to get birds down from ridiculous places; it's all a matter of negotiations. He grew up with chickens, and there is only one authority that a chicken will listen to, it's stomach. Looking up at the birds and cupping a hand over the top of his glasses, and whistling as sharply as he can, to get the attention of the magpies...then holding up the croissant from the bakery bag and waving it in the air over his head. "Fo~od!"

WILDCARD: if you want to do something other than watch Tama feed magpies [all]

My CR post is here if you want to discuss a wildcard a prompt, or anything else! Also, I'm more than willing to match style, don't worry that you can't tag this with brackets or anything.

[psionicmolotov]

Kimmuriel is tuning out the magpies with moderate success. Nothing yet has managed to breach his threshold of "at least it's not the nightmare blood rain", so he's able to go about his business just fine.

He does stop at the sight of Tama, arms full of baked goods, seemingly tempting fate, however...

He doesn't know a lot about birds, but:

"Is this not going to attract more than birds?" He has to question the wisdom of this plan, honestly.

[peacewithouttyranny]

The singing magpies is... Tolerable. Sure, Soundwave wishes he could tune them out, but he can endure this over being pecked repeatedly.

Although he was asked to help catch the bird, he can't be bothered to. Catching birds feels like a hassle more than anything. Unless explicitly ordered, his current interest lies elsewhere.

While on the way to a bookstore, Soundwave, in his holoavatar, hears the whistle. Then, sees Tama. Then, sees Tama waving what looks like a bag of... Breads? If he correctly recalls what those are.

"..."

You know what... He's curious to see how this plan goes. So, the avatar stays back and leans against a wall, arms folded, watching.

slowly collects the book boys

[crimsonhorizon]

[Well, she had been about to ask for more help with the softball special, but here's this guy, about to summon the fucking Horde down upon him, and Tsubaki has stood back to watch.

...Did they start playing different music?]

...You may want to drop the bag.

Hizen Tadahiro | Touken Ranbu | Shuten

[harimaya]

( SHUTEN ) GOOD FOOD,

(Usually, Hizen isn't one for these clan get togethers. He's always been on the more introverted side and prefers to keep to himself. He finds large crowds to be exhausting and he never feels completely comfortable. He's always quick to leave without saying good bye to anyone but today?

He's right in the thick of it. He stares at the different tables with all of their different foods! Gyoza! Rice balls! Sushi?! Ramen! Chicken! There are so many options and so much food. And there's alcohol too?!

He's practically sparkling. If he had a tail, it would surely be wagging right now, It's he best day ever. The absolute best day of his life. He is here to eat and while that alone would be enough to make it a good day, he also has no intention of losing!

No one mind this short twink signing up for a table for a competition. Are you going to let him sign up all on his own? Offer to join him? Or maybe you're already aware of Hizen's bottomless pit of a stomach and came looking for him…)

( SHUTEN ) GOOD DRINKS,
cw: excessive alcohol, potential violence

(This is truly the best welcome party ever. This is the longest Hizen has ever stuck around for a party. Normally he would have left hours ago but he's still here. This time, he's sitting at a table with some oni and they're all taking turns pouring drinks. The glasses never run empty and it eventually gets to a point where they're starting to carelessly spill almost as much as they're drinking.

Hizen is really getting into the mood. It's obvious that on top of getting (being?!) drunk he's getting influenced by the oni around him― becoming uncharacteristically boisterous and… well…

He catches you looking at him and grins. He's confident-- pushing into arrogant-- and doesn't seem to have any cares in the world. There's no sign of his usual gloomy or reserved disposition, )

What're ya lookin' at? I'll kick your ass.

(All you did was look at him and he's ready to throw hands???)

( SHUTEN ) GOOD NIGHT...?

(And as the party comes to an end…. he is here. He is still here. He has literally never lasted this long at a party ever. He's full of food and booze and with things quieting down, it seems he's taking it easy too. He can be found at one of the tables with his head down. He's holding onto an empty cup in one hand and is cradling a bottle in his lap.

He looks like he might have finally conked out after a full day of eating, drinking, and picking fights except for the fact that he moves and starts to talk,)

... had too much...

WILDCARD

❀ Hit me with your own idea or you can message me if you want to work out a custom starter
❀ I also have a catchall with some substory prompts if you'd rather meet Hizen when he's more himself
❀ cr meme comment if you want to plot anything else out
❀ contact; yosakoi | discord: eski#9874 | PM

Good Night

[inspiteful]

[ Just when he thought Hizen could be trusted to be acceptably irresponsible, he gets proven wrong mere days after. Maybe he shouldn't be so surprised since there's food involved, though... ]

Come on, we should head back home.

[ He's done with all the partying, and he gets the feeling the journey home is going to take a while. ]

good food

[neonleon]

[This kid looks about Mikey's size. Not height, but the everything about him. And it does make Leo a little... Well. Call him sentimental.

So he sees Hizen signing up and decides to join him.]

So what kinda meal you looking to get out of this?

good drinks;

[littleshield]

[ Felix has never been one for parties, but there has been an abundance of good food, so he finds himself in the thick of things. He himself is rather grouchy about being pulled into things, though as long as he doesn't have to talk to people, it's fine. He doesn't plan on staying late.

All the same, he decides to do so, seeing how rowdy some of the onis get, and if he has to put them in their place, he does. After two or three drinks, Felix comes across Hizen looking like that, and a smirk of his own is almost appearing across his face. ]

Hmph. You really think you can take me as you are?

good drinks

[karumic]

[Well, well, well. This is certainly a sight Kazuma isn't used to seeing.

Under normal circumstances, he might even find it funny, but considering how horrible he feels right now (which is entirely his own fault, but never mind), Kazuma isn't really in the mood to humor him.]

Hello, Hizen.

[He just sounds tired and grumpy, because he is. He is also a little bit drunk himself.]

Maybe you should drink some water.

Darin Altway | Original Character | Shuten

[forgeabettertomorrow]

-WEENIES ON PARADE-

-ONE SHALL STAND, ONI SHALL FALL-
[This is not what Darin was expecting when he was told to come to the arena for a competition. But with all of the amazing, exotic food, it comes to Darin's attention that he hadn't had much to eat since he arrived. Famished, he runs around to any stalls and smaller competitions as he can. He has no idea what half of this food is, but he tries it with gusto, often leading to messy conversations as he talks with his mouth stuffed with strange combinations of food. Maybe you'll see him cramming rolling up pizza with various sushi and taking enormous bites. Is he even tasting any of it?]

[He's managed to win a few of the qualifying rounds...but then he sees that you can take on one of the oni as a team. Sadly, you're the closest one to him when he realizes this. Impossible looking chili dog in hand, he nudges you with a free arm.]

Hey. Hey, come on. You wanna team up and see if we can put one of these big guys in their place? This food is delicious! It should be a cake walk!

...Maybe we'll have to eat cake to beat him! See? Our victory practically writes itself!

-WEENIE DOWN-
[Oh gods why did he do this. Why did he think any of this was a good idea? Why did they serve such wildly different, incompatible foods at the same place?! This was such poor planning! There was a whole new kind of turf war going on in Darin's belly and his clan was absolutely not winning.]

[He'd been bested. Likely because he was over-zealous (read: too stupid) to pace himself and limit himself to one competition or type of cuisine. But Darin always honors a loss, so he's dressed in that weenie costume. Problem is...he's sprawled out on his back making ungodly groaning sounds, unable to move. Or unwilling to move. It's not immediately clear.]

Gods this was such a bad idea. Hey...hey, what do you think happens when you die in Hell? Do you just go to Double Hell? Gods I don't ever want to see another marshmallow fluff corn dog again...

[Do you help him? Or just leave him there to groan pitiably.]

-GIFT OF SONG-

[Darin has spent the better part of his life in a forge, so this kind of racket hardly phases him. But he can easily see how it wouldn't appeal to most. Maybe it's because he's hardly bothered by the music that he's able to catch one of the magpies simply by convincing it he wants to get 'front row' to the show!]

[Though, after hearing the magpies tale, he's so moved that he lets the little guy perch on his shoulder. Who is he to stop him from jamming with his friends one last time! The least he could do is help him out! So, Darin's been asking around, having the magpie sing a few bars as reference to help track down his good pals. There's literally no way to do this covertly, so you can either help him...or try and stop him as a member of a rival faction.]

Hey, hey! Okay, random question, but we're looking for some old friends of this little guy. They sing the same style so can you tell me if you know of anyone who sings anything like this? Hit it, little guy!

[The magpie on Darin's shoulder belts out its portion of the song...much to everyone's (except Darin's) chagrin.]

gift of song

[nmc0204]

[ Ryoko has a feeling that even if she weren't spectacularly prone to headaches, this racket would have set her off anyway. She's been doing her best to drown out the noise with a pair of cheap earbuds and some music of her own but all she's really managed so far is adding to the din. This place really is hell.

So if she looks spectacularly unimpressed by the magpie's dulcet tones, it's not you, Darin. It's... okay, well, it is you. It's just everything else, too. ]

Please don't make him do that again. [ She looks so, so tired. ] Aren't they all making enough noise as it is?

Rhea'li Akhbala | Final Fantasy XIV | Tanamo

[lightduties]

TANAMO - All night long

Rhea'li can't say he's ever participated in something as benign as competitive pillow fighting, but he enters with as much gusto as if it were something with higher stakes. Because he's enjoying the novelty of not being Known anymore, Rhea'li usually takes up a flanking position on his team, a pillow at the ready. He's not very tall (less than 5'3") and has feline-like ears and tail. While he's agile, his left eye is slightly discoloured from blindness.

If you're on the opposing team, be prepared to have pillows hurled at you at full force (though they are just still pillows...).

After the pillow fighting dies down, if you look like you're missing drinks and snacks you get a delivery (free of charge) from one (1) catboy! Regardless of apparent age, Rhea'li will have both liquor and soda on hand when he offers them both to you, bottles dangling from his fingers.

"Care for company?"

OTA - The gift of song

For some reason, the merry band of magpies take flight whenever Rhea'li approaches, even when he keeps his distance and makes no signs of aggression. Even offers of food aren't able to convince the singing birds. It might have something to do with him looking rather like a cat.

But it's through sheer dogged persistence of following the flock of magpies around -- having the semi-intended consequence of forcing the band to take flight and break off the racket -- that eventually one of them deigns to hang around, albeit with the intention of yelling at him. Cue Rhea'li calmly talking the bird down and asking it what's going on, resulting in the current scene: a catboy and a magpie sitting on a streetside bench, with the maggie sobbing (or rather, 'sobbing') raucously into a wing.

"They were just the best, y'know? They were legit, the real deal!"

WILDCARD

[ooc: Got something else in mind? Hit me up at jesii or via PM! I match styles!]

[starshepard]

The pillow fight was certainly something. Azem might have been a little over the top with their competitive nature coming out, but it was all in good fun.

But if they were honest, they were really looking forward provided treats. Though they've decided to set themselves up in what they consider a prime location before grabbing any treats.

They blink up in surprise when offered a drink from one of the newbies. They stare at him for a moment, taking in his features and finding them similar to G'raha.

"Ah, thank you." They smile, bright blue eyes shining up at him. "I'd very much enjoy the company."

kate galloway 👟 original (tamamo)

[bratherine]

waking up the giant that's been sleeping / pillow fight #1

( There's no hesitation to Kate's movements when the rules are announced: she grabs a pillow immediately, yanks the length of her purple yukata up and out of the way of her legs, and dives straight into the fray.

Straight forward attacks are part of this strategy — aptly and creatively titled kill 'em all — with Kate using her short stature and agility to duck under attempted swings before lashing out with her own weapon. But that isn't the only method of attack, nor is it her primary one.

Instead, Kate watches the other fights, waits for moments opponents are distracted, and thwacks them around the head from behind.

Sorry she's not sorry about it. )

Too slow.

( Can you really say that if you snuck up behind someone? No matter, she did. )

playing this game for a reason / pillow fight #2

( The longer the game goes, the more tiring things become. Even Kate only has so much stamina. Movements become more sluggish, it's harder to dodge even obvious attacks, and when you do...

Well, sometimes you lose your balance and fall on your ass. Wincing, Kate holds up her hand as if to ask for a second. Please hold, she's got an idea prodding her ankle gingerly. )

Shit... think I twisted it. ( A terrible, and believable, side effect of a game like this, right? ) Give me a hand?

( Do you trust this predicament, or not? )

been playing this, playing this game / sleepover (cw: underage drinking)

( As tiring as that bout was, Kate's eyes are bright as she settles into what can only be described as a throne of pillows, a glass of gin and tonic in hand as a cheesy black and white sci-fi flick scrolls through the opening credits. )

Oi. Pass me a straw.

( She cannot sip from a glass when lying back at this angle. )

never say die / wildcard

( you know what this is for! as ever, hmu at exits / exits#8071 if you need to talk anything out. and check her permissions for power related things, if you haven't. )

Pillow fight #2

[lightduties]

[Absolutely he trusts this predicament. It seems obvious to him that this girl has hurt herself, so Rhea'li -- a short, under 5'3" man with feline ears and a tail -- is by her side, offering a hand up.]

Are you alright to stand?

Kaede | Elfen Lied | Sutoku

[long_live_the_queen]

3 am Kitchen Cryptid Collective [Sutoku]

[Maybe you're stumbling home after the team building exercise. Maybe you're just getting up to leave for it. It didn't matter; there's someone in the communal kitchen. There always seemed to be.

Kaede was squished into a corner of the counter seating by the windows, looking out over a strange city that didn't sleep. All very poetic, down to the mug of tea in her hands. It'd long gone cold, and Kaede only remembered its existence sporadically—usually when she heard some creak or scuff that might be an approaching set of footsteps. Her fingers tightened on the cup like it was some ceramic stress ball, and the blunt horned diclonius turned to look at whatever the sound was.]

Gift of Song [ota]

[Normally, Kaede was kind to animals, in her own way.

Normally, magpies weren't singing at full volume in her ears constantly, everywhere, and really, really, really trying her patience.

There was no coaxing required to get her to act. Once she'd spotted a group of the birds she'd barely stopped to put on a face mask in a vain attempt to keep her identity concealed to stop the things from snitching on her wherever she went. With her horns and pink hair, though, that was probably unlikely.

There was a canvas bag over her shoulder, the type one usually stuffed laundry or mail into. It seems occupied with rather opinionated, squawky cargo, at least three things with beaks wriggling a bit inside. The birds don't seem to be ill or injured in any way—on the contrary, they seem to be sharing lyrics with each other, even debating on the merits of each, and occasionally squabbling when one inevitably disagreed.

The last magpie, of course, wasn't getting in the bag. No sir. He's perched on top of a light pole and squawking the bird equivalent of expletives, demanding the mean pink lady return his friends, or, or, or—

Upon spotting someone else the magpie immediately changes his tune, fluttering his wings plaintively and making his voice all thin and whimpery.]

"Please, please, you have to help! She's got my friends in that bag, I don't know what she's going to do with them!"

[Kaede says nothing, and the mask obscured the lower part of her face. But she's probably scowling.

Intervene? Or assist in the kidnapping?]

[Wildcard]

[For Third Options or custom prompts! My plotting post is here.]

3am cryptids

[playfoul]

[ Food is plentiful and cheap in Sutoku where there's no lack of places to grab a quick bite, but more days than not Yuri finds himself preferring the taste of something homemade. He comes slinking into the communal kitchens at an odd hour, because his kind of business is the kind to finish late. Yuri moves quietly enough that he might have escaped notice if he didn't start to rummage through the cabinets, clinking together pots and pans. ]

No need to look all tense. I'm not up to anything nefarious. Not now, anyway. [ He says wryly to the youkai(?) he finds staring at him, producing a pot and setting it on the stove. ]

Shikanoin Heizou ◈ Genshin Impact ◈ Sutoku

[shikanoinheizou]

i. sutoku alliance - sneaking out

[While playing around with malfunctioning children's toys to the not-so-dulcet tones of slightly crackly bass beats might be some people's idea of a good time, it's decidely not something that Heizou is willing to put too much of his time to.

Oh, he shows willing. He shows up, just to see what's going on and if he can actually get anything out of the experience, but it's only about ten minutes before he's heading for the door. He's not even trying to sneak out, just leaving in plain sight.

He catches the eye of someone on the way - maybe they're giving up too, or wondering how he has the audacity, or just waiting for someone else to walk so they feel like they can - and gives a wink and a cheeky smile.]

Coming?

ii. the gift of song

[Heizou doesn't look like he's trying to catch any of the noisy magpies. At least, not yet. He's standing on the street below a small group of them that are currently singing their hearts out, with one hand planted on his hip and his head tilted back to watch them.]

Wait-- wait. Just a tick. [The young detective puts his arm out to someone who rolls up beside him looking like they're about to interrupt the show.] They've got good pipes on them, right?

[Look, he can appreciate the effort they're putting into this.]

I'll admit, I've never tried catching birds before. These ones are smarter than your average pigeon.

iii. wildcard

[You know how this one works.]

sneaking out

[rainswords]

[ Playful and coquettish come to mind as he watches Heizou stroll over to the warehouse exist, he would even call him confident as he catches his eye and sends a wink in his direction. The question, short and composed of a single word does cause him to pause and consider the invitation. However, it won't be immediately accepted. He has done plenty of work for the alliance, he has also avoided some of it but never has he walked out in the middle of a task. ]

You only just arrived. You could at least pretend to have some shame. Or you know, next time don't show up at all?

[ Never mind that is near the exit, or that he is holding a crowbar (wherever he got that from!). It's not meant to be threatening, he isn't here to police what other alliance members do. He is just busy looking for a particular something that may have to do with the melodious tune reverberating through the warehouse.

He is definitely not a violent person! ]

Barnaby Brooks Jr. | Tiger & Bunny | Tamamo

[hundredpower]

i. all night long (TAMAMO)
[Barnaby's... well, he's making a token effort to participate in the pillow fight, if that token effort makes him look like an adult who's gotten dragged into playing sports with a group of unruly children, which is kind of what this feels like. Since he's on the taller side he's opted to stand at the front with a blanket to offer cover for his team (and, let's be real, have a little more dignity than being one of those throwing pillows around).

... That is, until a pillow from the other side flies high enough to miss the blanket entirely and smacks him square in the face, knocking his glasses askew.]

Ah--! Watch where you're aiming!

[With that loud complaint, he drops the blanket and straightens his glasses. Could it be... that prim and proper Barnaby looks on the verge of losing his temper and actually getting competitive???]


ii. all night long (TAMAMO)
[With that... event... out of the way, Barnaby is happy to just burrow under a blanket in the dark and watch a movie with a gin cocktail (necessary, after all of that hassle and indignity from before). A saccharine romance is playing and he's torn between dozing off and scrolling through his phone, lingering on his contacts list like there's someone he's considering texting.

Eventually he decides against it and drops his phone on his chest, covering his yawn with a hand, which is when he notices someone watching.]

Yes? Are you looking for somewhere to rest?

[The floorspace is getting pretty crowded...]


iii. wildcard (OTA)
[I'm open to other things not covered here, or cross-faction shenanigans! Feel free to hit me up via PM, the game discord, or moonsilver.]

ii

[perfectdistance]

[He's fully tuned out of the movie. Romance is... well. It's not dead, but it's not quite alive either, but that's just his own personal thoughts.

He has some snacks for himself and a blanket over a shoulder.]

Yeah. Is there space here?

dosei / original / tamamo 🕷️

[aphonik]

≫ Hit'em where it hurts

[ all's fair in love and war.

while he would prefer hitting people with something a little harder, there's a certain giddiness in being told to just go apeshit. he could care less about protecting the king, whoever that is- he has priorities, and the priorities are murder.

physically strong he is not, but he's nothing if not determined and perhaps a little more resourceful. and also, nobody said you couldn't use the rest of the gym.

which is why, naturally, he's grateful he tends to blend in and look small, because hardly anyone spares the all-blue figure a glance as he slinks his way halfway up the gymnasium walls. he's got two pillows tucked under his arms, and when cat-like eyes finally lock upon a target, there's nary a sound as he promptly leaps right off the wall and just straight chucks it.

death from above, bitch. ]

≫ Lights out

a).[ this is...certainly a new experience. sure, he lived with people before, but you could hardly call their circumstances sleepover-worthy. but this? it's...something!

he builds his own little fucked up blanket fort, clearly enjoying the new experience, with a collection of soda cans and especially fruity liquor bottles next to it. should you get too close, you'll find a pillow beaning you upside the head before you get a glimpse of his masked scowl. don't touch his shit. ]

b).[ what's more appropriate for a sleepover than a horror movie? which is, quite in his opinion, ten times better than the sickeningly romantic garbage he zoned out for in favor of dicking around on his phone.

he's sitting, enraptured. or he is for a while, because while the blood-splatter and guts is pretty fun to watch, he eventually has to note something of worth. so he nudges whoever's closest, hands illuminated in the flashing lights from the screen as his hands sign out a message- one you can somehow understand, regardless of whether you know sign language or not. ]

<< why are the characters in here always so whiny. >>

≫ Snatched

[ dosei has had enough of these fucking birds.

the stealing his shit was bad enough. normally, he wouldn't even mind this type of music- but now that they're blasting it everywhere, 24/7, he's decided he's had enough. and now that walls and ceiling as easily his territory now, catching them is easier than ever.

rather than music, you'd be fortunate to hear loud squawking once you approach this particular scene- dosei clutching a very unhappy bird in his hand. like...holding a squeaky toy. there's an odd silverish substance smeared on his hands where the thing has opted to poke him, but he's relatively unphased. his hands move in a few gestures you can't quite see from here, but it just makes the bird squawk louder- loud enough to hear it. ]

whaddaya mean a meat grinder?! what kinda guy jumps right to that, you outta try bein' reasonable-!

[ oh, dear. ]

≫ Wildcard

got something else in mind? want to torment the bastard? feel free to hit me, pm me, or message me at lupical!

(b)lights out

[quizpersona]

That's so when they kick it in the next scene it feels like just desserts. What a relief! They must want us to think. What a relief those pesky side characters are gone so the leads can take us to the climax of the movie.

[ What's this? Some elusive clown that wasn't there 30 seconds ago? That's right. Speaking of spooky... Gogol is crossing his legs at the ankle and flicking a piece of popcorn at the screen. ]

[ The man's got fluffy slippers. ]

marie daenthelm | oc | sutoku

[adversus]

i. gift of song
[You know, she still hadn't forgotten how she was basically assaulted during the last festival.

They picked at her hair, at her skin, had gotten into her drink... This was the last straw. Some of these birds looked all too familiar (honestly, they probably weren't the same birds, but she was still angry, none the less), and she feels the need for revenge. Her footsteps feather light, as she slowly begins her approach on the birds. Marie sneaking right behind them, and using both her hands to grab at whatever birds she could first.]

Alright, you little shits! This is payback from the last fucking festival--

[She's about to launch them forward, away from their instruments. That is, until they start telling their little sob story. That Marie just completely ignores so that she can actually launch two of them forward, and into their little band of magpies. All of them squawking, and actually taking the hit. Some of them rolling away, while Marie grabs the few of them by their bodies to keep them in check.]

That'll teach you to fuck with me next time. Damn birds.

ii. wildcard

[ooc: hit me up on plurk, hepaticas, or dm me.]

gift of ultraviole--I mean song

[crimsonhorizon]

[Well, see, she had been going to approach Marie in help catching them. But it's been made evident that Marie needs no help with that, and also probably won't appreciate the suggestion of a peaceful resolution, which leaves Tsubaki just awkwardly standing there with a little sprite in one hand. There are so many things to say, and none of them useful.

"Ma'am what did those birds do to you?" Something at a festival, use the context clues, Tsubaki.

"You know you probably shouldn't attack magpies they're exceedingly petty and mean?" I don't think she cares, farm girl!

"Are you like, okay?" Rude and probably not going to be appreciated right now.

...By this point she has realized she is staring. Quick, Tsubaki, you are a genius wordsmith, say something clever so this isn't awkward!]

.............hello.

[Nailed it.]

kazuma asogi | the great ace attorney | shuten

[karumic]

[ 01. before ]

[It's early in the afternoon. Kazuma hasn't had much to drink yet. As such, he is still possessed of his more reasonable faculties, and has only been watching the competition thus far.]

Surely there is a better way to test one's mettle than this.

[He means he'd rather cross swords than stomachs (if only because it makes for a more appealing mental image). Still, Kazuma is very easily goaded into competition, and it's only a matter of time. The fact that he's even paying attention to the event is testament to this. In other words: he is totally being a hypocrite.

Call him on it or don't; he's raring to fight either way.]

[ 02. during ]

[It Happened To Him: Kazuma had finally had enough to drink and someone (perhaps... you??) managed to bet him that he couldn't keep up in the eating competition, and Kazuma couldn't let that stand. So he's thrown his lot into the ring.

It has very quickly become apparent that this was a mistake.

It's between rounds, and Kazuma is curled up feeling sorry for himself at the participants' bench. He isn't out of the fight yet, but it's only a matter of time. He had already drunk too much, and now he has eaten too much. If one more thing enters his digestive system he is going to explode.

And the next round is starting soon.

The smart thing to do would be to tap out now. However...]

Ughhkhghhk.

[There have existed much smarter men than Kazuma, and he's pretty sure the moment he opens his mouth he's going to hurl.]

[ 03. after ]

[So, he lost. That's fine. He can't win at everything.

He also feels a lot better after having drunk some water and, er, purged his system of toxins, so all in all, while the evening has been a humiliating experience--as if he hasn't had enough of those this past week!--it's less of a loss than it could have been.

However, there remains a problem: the weenie costume.]

I am not putting that on.

[He very unsubtly rests his hand on the hilt of his sword as he says it, leveling you with a glare. Dare you try and call him on it???]

[ 04. wildcard ]

[Contact me via PM or at cerebrah if you would like a custom thread, or just throw something at me yourself!]

02

[neonleon]

[Leonardo is, unfortunately for everyone, a teenager. An American teenager from 202x. He is prepared for all of this, having gotten used to fighting his brothers for food and scarfing down whatever he can. But he also knows it's about pacing himself. Pops taught him that too.

So he's sitting next to Kazuma, having recognized him and hadn't really said anything. But as the other guy is not looking good, Leo leans over.]

Hey, you gonna be okay? You're lookin' a little green.

[Ha. Get it.]

Kanade Yoisaki | Project Sekai | Tamamo

[composalvation]

[A; All Night Long (Tamamo)]

[When the clan is summoned to the gym, Kanade is instantly wary. Whatever's going to happen... she can't be good at it. Even just walking here made her feel tired. That wariness wasn't eased at all when she enters and sees not training equipment, but... pillows and blankets and and all sorts of bedding. She was given a purple yukata to change into, and she did with some hesitation. Was this... was this something more like what the people in the orientation were talking about? Was there some sort of racier purpose to this? Oh no, she couldn't-

... Her train of thought screeches to a halt when the rules are explained. It completely launches off the rails when the fighting begins.]

W-Wait, wh-

[She chokes on her words as she just barely manages to dodge a pillow flying at her. She nearly trips over her own hair stumbling back to avoid another. Kanade, as thin and frail as she is, looks very much like a frightened, wounded deer facing down a pack of wolves.]

Hold on, I can't really play-!

[SOMEONE.... PLEASE HELP HER...]


[B; Afterparty (Tamamo)]

[So that was honestly the most harrowing experience of Kanade's life up till this point. Not even appearing in Hell threw her for a loop as badly as this tournament did. Even after the dust settles and movies start playing and snacks are offered, Kanade can still feel that anxious buzz under her skin. It's just... too much, and she has to get away for a little while.

So, after grabbing a soda and some snacks, she drags one of the futons and some pillows off towards a corner of the gym, setting up a nice little nest for herself. For a while she just... lays there, staring up at the ceiling. She's been through so much, and she's so thankful that she has Mizuki here in the same clan, and Ena elsewhere but still present. It's... comforting, knowing she's not alone. That through all the craziness happening right now, her friends are here and willing to support her.

... Still. Something is clearly missing here. There's simultaneously a hole and a heavy weight in Kanade's chest, whenever she thinks about it.

Shuffling around, she pulls her phone out of her pocket. None of her usual apps work, but that's fine; instead, she taps on the photo app, bringing up some old pictures Mizuki had sent her, random snapshots of the members of Niigo on one of their outings. Anyone snooping and trying to get a look will likely notice Mizuki, what with her being from Tamamo and all. Ena would be another familiar face for some as well. But there's a fourth girl there, too - a girl with long purple hair, similarly colored eyes, and a strangely blank expression.

Kanade sighs as she stares at the photo, a small frown crossing her face.]

I hope you're okay, Mafuyu...


[C; Wildcard (OTA)]

[Wanna throw together something that's not in one of those prompts? Drop it here! If you wanna hash something out beforehand, feel free to poke me at OwlKnight or OwlKnight#3531 on discord.]

she rly is just gonna Protect The Girls in every goddamn game eh

[nmc0204]

[ Honestly, compared to where she thought this was going for a second, a pillow fight is preferable. Though she's fully aware that she's one of the people here mostly likely to get owned, Ryoko nevertheless fully commits to the bit because what the hell else is she going to do. She ties off her yukata so she's not stumbling all over the thing and just goes for it. She's in the middle of an honestly kind of unnecessary duck and roll under a flying pillow (girl, it's a sleepover??? chill) when she comes across Kanade flopped out across the floor.

... honestly, she can relate. ]

You're a sitting target like this. [ She grabs Kanade's elbow and, firmly but not unkindly, starts doing her best to pull the other girl up. ] Get on your feet and move as quick as you can. If you don't want to play, we'll get you to safety.

[ IT'S A PILLOW FIGHT!!! PLEASE CALM DOWN ]

mitsuya takashi ≫ tokyo revengers ≫ shuten

[rightdragon]

≫ Weenie parade

[ now, mitsuya's got a competitive streak, but even he knows his limits. his stomach has never been as big as some, and there's something a little, uh...nauseating about watching this display. might just be all the vomiting, though.

he's just watching for now, sitting outside the arena with a snatched snack of his own. somehow, despite the initial queasiness, it's at least not ruining his own appetite much...being around a bunch of messy teen gangsters will probably do that to you. he leans forward, watching another round start about 10 feet away with plates full of pancakes, and shifts his gaze towards the person he'd sat beside. ]

Not up for stuffing your face either, huh?

≫ Fix-me-up

[ weird, metal screaming birds be damned, he's spending time being more productive than chasing around a flock of winged menaces. he's got neither the appropriate skills for bird-catching, nor the immediate want to do so. besides, it's thankfully quieter indoors.

he's just started, on recommendation- which means he unfortunately has to keep working up front. but beggars can't be choosers, and a man needs cash to burn and something to keep him busy.

it's a clothing shop in shuten territory, but too far off that anyone else couldn't see it. the words JAWSOME are emblazoned on the sign offering tailoring and custom work, flickering with a luminescent light, and the clothes in the window have a wide range from classic oni-patterns to sharp-looking suits. were you to enter, it'd be warmly lit, with a soft smell of salt coming from...somewhere. there's nobody behind the register, as the only figure is the young man with purple hair, dragon tattoo stark against the pale of his skin, currently standing next to a mannequin and adjusting a half-tailored suit jacket.

it takes him a moment to look up, needles clenched between his lips, but after he's satisfied, his attention is all on whoever walked in the door. right, professionalism...or however much you need, in shuten land. ]

Welcome. Boss is in the back, but I can help you out. Need somethin' in particular?

[ this is gonna take a while to get used to. ]

≫ Wildcard

Want to do something specific? Other faction stuff? Hit me, PM me, or message me at lupical !

Weenie

[inspiteful]

[ Lark's own plate of food is very modest—a bit of rice, a bit of chicken, that's basically it. And he wasn't exactly looking happy to be here, at least up until Mitsuya talked to him. ]

Yeah. It's just...kind of gross, to be honest.

[ To say nothing about how he feels like it's not properly appreciative of the food. ]

Akira Kurusu | Persona 5 | Sutoku Alliance

[sacrilegiousact]

SUTOKU - INVENTORY

[As far as first jobs go, this is hardly the most glamarous Akira's been sent on. Games, huh. Most of the games they're sorting through are designed for kids. Or well. All of them, rather.

He picks up a pack of cards, though. Tarot, but for kids, with cartoonish drawings on them. He lets out an amused huff, flicking through them. If he spots someone glancing over at him, he'll present a hand like he's about to do a magic trick.]

Pick a card.

[He actually might be.]

SUTOKU - AFTERMATH

[Akira can be found in the common kitchen area, sometime later in the night - or morning. The time's something A.M, and Akira can't sleep. So he's making coffee, as fancy as he can with the limited equipment at his disposal, no specially imported coffee beans from Columbia or the Himalayas, just whatever he could buy. In hell. Hell beans. Sojiro would make a killing.

If he sees he's not alone, he'll give a nod in greeting.]

Want a cup?

[He frowns, considering.]

...I'm new. Are all the tasks so uh, important?

SONGBIRDS - INTERVENTION

[Annoying birds... And they talk, too. First cats, now birds. What's next? Snails? Akira's not sure he'd like to have a talking snail telling him when to sleep or very badly trying to flirt with Ann.

It looks like, despite his very flat expression, he's been arguing with these birds for a while, and times are truly desperate because he pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs.]

Look, all I'm saying is... you can't just blackmail them into reuniting. You don't even know why they broke up in the first place.

[He'll glance over toward whoever's nearby, and look at them with an expression that's almost pleading.]

...Help.

[This is so stupid.]

JOKER - WILDCARD

[If you've got something else in mind just PM this journal, dm me on discord at ectoplasmfear#9086, or reach me at plurk at ectoplasmfear. Akira's going to be largely laying low and keeping his head down.]

intervention

[nightcalling]

[ nazuna has been watching this kid argue for a good five minutes now. why would she bother interrupting? he's totes got it covered, y'know? besides, this is entertaining. she lives for this shit, man. still, when he asks for help, she approaches with a casual wave.

no, not at akira. that'd be dumb. at the birds - one in particular, actually. ]

Yo! Kurotori, right? [ the bird in questions hops forward, bobbing up and down by way of a nod. ] What's all this about blackmail, huh?

[ a small explosion of sound, as half the magpies start indignantly squawking. wrong! wrong! not! no no! good! help!! if you want to update nazuna, you're probably gonna have to do it yourself, akira. ]

Emet-Selch | Final Fantasy XIV | Enma (will match format)

[emet_sulk]

He stares at the clipboard and its questions, quite impervious to any lingering, purposeful stares by anyone trying to encourage him to finish it. Since it seems he'll be stuck here until he finishes, he slowly starts writing down a few answers. Terribly slowly. So slowly that he may not even finish within a single half-hour session.

(The first question takes the longest and hurts the most.)

1. If you had a time machine that would work only once, what point in the future or in history would you visit? My people, before the Final Days tore us apart.

12. Does your name have a special meaning and/or were you named after someone special? My true name has no particular meaning. 'Emet-Selch', however, derives from an old name for a constellation and is believed to mean 'angel of truth'.

17. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about 'God'? Zodiark

18. What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten? Archon Loaf

19. If you could change one problem in the world today, what would you like to change? I have no intention of trying again.

you know me my friend. i gotta

[apshot]

[ Emet-Selch's thoughts are about to be interrupted by one blonde teenager. More specifically, the cussing and cursing of a teenager followed by a "don't fucking touch me" and "what the fuck let me go" and "I don't even wanna be here."

What occurs is that one of the Enma officers is literally dragging Katsuki over by the arm. And then the collar of his shirt. Practically throwing him into the seat by the OLD MAN. ]

I'll take the trash gathering "team bonding" bullshit over playing twenty goddamn questions!

eddie munson | stranger things | shuten

[axeiled]

WEENIES ON PARADE - SHUTEN

[When a guy’s a new-ish arrival, and therefore mostly broke, how’s he supposed to pass up a celebration of free food?

That’s what an eating competition is, in the end, and Eddie’s not going to scoff at the idea. Sure, he might not be able to stuff a gazillion hotdogs down his gullet like some of the bigger guys and gals, but that’s not going to stop him. If he has to tap out, at least he can say he went down fighting — with enough lobster rolls in his stomach to count as lunch and dinner into tomorrow.

So, you can catch Eddie in various states of this competition:

A: Right before it begins, he’s indulging in the art of talking shit. He holds up a beer to the closest person (competition) walking by, a faux toast, a wide grin on his face, saying—]

Hope you’re hungry! ‘Cause you’re goin’ down either way.

[B: Sometime after he’s made his grand attempt—and it was a valiant one—his belly full and his willpower now just a flickering ember. He’s made it pretty far for a kid of his size, but when one plate’s taken away only to be replaced with another stacked high with hotdogs, he groans.]

There’s no fucking way.

[Weakly reaches for his beer instead.]

Just looking at it makes me wanna barf.

[C: The aftermath is an Eddie Munson with far less enthusiasm, long having given up, elbows pressed onto the table and face buried somewhere in his arms. When someone taps him on the shoulder, he looks up, bleary-eyed, to see a youkai holding out a weenie costume with a smile.]

Nuh-uh. Does it even look like I can walk right now? [Losers gotta wear it, he’s told, and he just looks at the youkai like he’s been told to put on a space suit and walk on the moon.] Whatever, dude. Just… leave it. I’ll put it on later.

[Eddie slumps back down; the youkai obliges, and drapes the weenie costume across the young man’s defeated form.]

THE GIFT OF SONG - OTA

Hey! We gotta get the old group back together! You got any idea where to start?

[Of course Eddie, self-proclaimed metalhead, would have an interest in the sorrowful stories told by the magpies, especially if that tale has to do with a broken-up band and the promise of one more reunion tour. He waves a bag of hot dog puns (swiped from the eating competition) around.]

Got something to lure birds down from their perches, too. Food always works, right?

[He shrugs a shoulder, and then a little more under his breath-.]

I mean, even if we can’t find the old band members...

c

[empression]

[ Haru continues to watch as the members of her clan make horrible decisions and she kind of winces as she makes the rounds yet again, only to see one of the youkai drape the costume on the defeated body of-- ]

Eddie-san? Do you need some water? Just to sip at slowly and carefully?

alphen | tales of arise | shuten | ota

[sincleavers]

i. weenies, but make it spicy

[An eating contest is not Alphen's usual thing. There's something a little unsettling about the idea, actually, especially with Dahna being the way it was. It wasn't uncommon to see people starving around you, fighting over food, eating rotten scraps...

The giant asterisk on this is that the one thing Alphen can't resist is spicy food.

So when one of the yokai mentions something about spicy pepper contest! how spicy can YOU handle?! Alphen likes to think the answer is a lot. Quite a lot. And that's why he's here, watching a couple contestants really going for it, tears streaming down their face. When the round ends, he volunteers for the next one pretty much immediately. Are you also competing? He offers a genial smile.]

I hope you're ready for some stiff competition, because I won't go down so easily.

[He also has an insane stupid advantage, so.........i'm sorry in advance for your sinuses and intestines.]

ii. aaaAAAaaaAAAaaavian menaces

[What is he doing here? Who convinced him this was a good idea? His sense of taste might be dull, but his hearing is just fine, and these noisy birds sure are one hell of a headache. And yet here he is, staring down a magpie, making direct eye contact...unable to grab it because it's just out of reach.]

Anyone got a net?

[Or a ranged weapon? Anything? Bueller? How does he always find himself in this situation, face-to-face with a flying enemy and lacking a ranged partner?]

iii. wildcard
[pm/discord (kribbit#6023)/posolutely if you want to hash out a different scenario! or throw something at me, i can take it]

Power | Chainsaw Man |Shuten | OTA!

[thefinalpower]

Weenies on Parade!

A) Hubris

Yessss! Bring on the chicken tenders! The gyoza! The sashimi! I'll have it all, and nobody shall defeat me!

[ Power is, shall we say, slightly overconfident in her abilities. She loves hoarding food, she loves eating food (provided there are no vegetables involved), and despite her thin, gangly frame, she can really put it away, so theoretically, this is right in her wheelhouse. Only time will tell if she's victorious or not, but in the meantime, are you gonna put up with her trash talking? ]


B) Regrets

[ Here lies Power: she was defeated by a mountain of fried chicken tenders. She's sprawled out face-down across the table, whining piteously, and anyone who approaches her will be met with a pained groan, as she waves their concerns away with a limp hand. ] ]

Leave me to dieeeee....


C) The inevitable weenie costume

It isn't my fault! These clearly weren't designed for horns, therefore I shouldn't have to wear it!

[ To her credit, she did manage to actually put the weenie suit on. Unfortunately, Power's horns have stabbed through the top of the hotdog, ripping two giant holes in the costume. The yokai aren't happy with her, she isn't happy with the yokai, and if she catches anyone staring at her (or, heaven forbid, snickering,) Power will turn to point accusingly at them, and snarl: ]

What are you looking at, fool?!


Wildcard!
[ For anything else! PM me or hit me up at sonopants if you'd like to plot something. ]

B

[shrieking_violet]

[ A surprisingly gentle hand comes to rest on Power's back - rubbing in slow, soft circles. Despite Power's insistence. Go ahead and punch her when she's feeling nice because she wasn't dumb enough to kill herself with food. ]

Giving up on life already? Coward.

[ Nice-ish. ]