We are live, everyone. Take the time to mingle, make introductory posts, all that. We'll be aboard the train before long, I just figured some might want to do a thing or two in The Terminal pre-boarding.
Fabricant451
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Queen of Hearts
STATUS: You'd think after like 15 years I'd stop feeling like a fraud when writing posts but I still do which is both a statement on my self confidence and a compliment to how good my partners are as writers 25 days ago
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You'd think after like 15 years I'd stop feeling like a fraud when writing posts but I still do which is both a statement on my self confidence and a compliment to how good my partners are as writers
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5 mos ago
Why are you talking about Final Fantasy 10 like that
5 mos ago
Final Fantasy 13 is a top five entry in the franchise but ya'll still ain't ready to have that conversation
6 mos ago
This Bears/Packers game is gonna make me believe in the power of Chicago Pope
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The older I get the more I start to think BBQ potato chips are the worst flavor, actually.
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Bio
Look, I got lost on the way to getting some jajangmyeon and it'd be foolish to leave now.
Most Recent Posts
The magical community has recently come under fire by an as-yet unnamed group that seems to have little regard for the barrier between the magical world and the nijū world. While sources say the group has been around since late last year, it has only been in recent months that their activities have started to be noticed. Two nights ago a storefront in Shibuya was found to be vandalized, the display glass shattered and the interior ravaged. The owner of the store had no comment for the press but has stated publicly that nothing was taken. This follows after another attack, this one on a noted dining establishment, where apart from vandalism there was graffiti written in a script that left nijū officers confused.
On the surface these attacks hardly seem connected but the graffiti at the restaurant was an ancient script dating back to a time when wizards inscribed spells onto stones to imbue them with magical properties. The restaurant's owner is a graduate of Mahoutokoro School of Magic who, upon marriage, settled into a nijū way of life at the insistence of his wife. It is yet unknown what connection the Shibuya shop owner has to the roving gang of vandals, but it is clear this group is likely to strike again. Business owners are understandably anxious.
This anxiety has been brought to the attention of the Magical Diet, the governing body of our magical world, though action has yet to be taken. Shohei Kurosawa, the current Minister of Japanese Magic and head of the Magical Diet has voiced his opinion on the matter.
"We have no reason to believe these attacks, such as they are, are anything more than a bunch of miscreants looking to cause a little bit of trouble for people. Misguided youths most likely. Rest assured if we feel that action needs to be taken, it will be taken. This is a job the nijū police officers can handle."
Many remain unconvinced by the Minister's words and his inaction is yet another mark on a reputation that has been anything but sterling thus far. After the controversy surrounding the Diet's decision to work more closely with nijū government in matters that don't affect both parties, many are in the belief that the current Ministry administration is far more interested in tearing down magical borders than reinforcing them.
-Continued on page 5A
"Bah, that Minister needs to be ousted already. He and that whole organization."
"He's right, though. This isn't their responsibility."
"They know ancient runes, doesn't that mean there's magic users among them?"
"Exactly my point! What's to stop them from going after more magical businesses? Or the SCHOOL? I've got a daughter going there today! How is she supposed to feel safe if thugs can just do what they please?"
Tokyo Station was, as usual, bustling with activity. From regular commuters on their way to work to the conductors trying to maintain order, down to the students who were back for another year of school shenanigans. Even the shops were opening up to provide coffee or paper to those who were too busy to have the luxury of a breakfast at home. Spring was here at long last and the station was newly remodeled to provide easier pathways and fewer stopgaps in foot traffic. There was, however, one corner of the station that always seemed to be under construction.
In a corner of the station, away from the cross traffic and the blaring announcements of which lines were now boarding, was a seemingly abandoned gate. While the nijū referred to it as 'Deadman's Corner' due to it looking like a place where urban legends would spawn, those in the know called it the 'MT Line'. All it took was a flash of a special ticket on the turnstyle and everything became clear. A lengthy escalator trip downwards through the MT Line gate opened up to a side of Tokyo Station that was a world all its own.
The MT Line Terminal was the epicenter for young students embarking on their journey to Mahoutokoro full time. The Terminal was like every part of Tokyo Station condensed into one singular platform. One side, stretching down the length of the tiled flooring, contained various shops and stands. Students could purchase the newest issue of the Kotodama Shibun, the premiere newspaper for the Japanese wizarding world. If they needed snacks for the trip over, various shops and stands offered those services, including the always popular takoyaki and taiyaki stands that were next to each other and owned and operated by a sibling duo that often bickered with each other while filling orders.
For students that couldn't arrive via the MT Line Gate there was a shop that served no purpose other than to serve as an exit for an interconnected Floo Network. There was even a shop for students who were a bit lazy with preparation and dealt in secondhand textbooks and school supplies at a reasonable, though inflated, price. The Terminal was a prime place for returning students to meet up with friends, for parents to say goodbye to their young children, and for first timers to truly start to get a sense of awe at the world they were about to embrace fully.
The other side of The Terminal was where the pride and joy of the Mahoutokoro transportation line sat. A sleek, pristine pearl train that resembled a Shinkansen, or bullet train, sat on the track. Though it had the look of a bullet train, its speed wasn't that fast as they wanted students to fully enjoy the fact that their transportation to school took them on an underwater journey complete with a chance to see aquatic creatures from the comfort of a train so smooth it barely made any noise as it went on its way.
Inside the train were compartments and in each compartment were cabins that comfortably sat four, two per seat, with a car designed for looking out at the water and for larger socializing known as the Observatory Car. Before arriving at the school and getting into the spirit of intramural competition, the Mahoutokoro Shinkansen was the place for students of opposite houses to mingle freely, without the spirit of competition hanging over them.
It was the start of yet another school year and students were shuffling about, saying their goodbyes and making their greetings. The concerns of the magical world seemed far away from the hustle and bustle of The Terminal.
The Mahoutokoro Shinkansen was now boarding for yet another year of education and wonder.
No matter how often she saw it, the sight of The Terminal always brought a smile to Junko's face. Coming down the escalator and stepping out into what was basically another world held just as much wonder now, going into her fifth year, as it did when she was a naive kid embarking on her first year's courses. Everything about it brought about a happy feeling. The sight of faces familiar and new bustling about, the proud look on parents as they saw off their first year students, the buzz of conversation of all sorts flowing from every direction, the delectable aroma of takoyaki...
Junko Serizawa pierced an octopus ball with a toothpick and popped it into her mouth, completely ignoring the warning from its chef about how hot it would be fresh off the fryer. The regret was written on her face, which tensed up, eyes widening, and mouth closing shut. It was like putting a ball of fire directly into her mouth; a ball of fire that was utterly delicious, but she was regretting letting her hunger take temporary control of all her sense.
Presently the incoming fifth year was seated on a bench near the row of snack shops, a tray of five takoyaki resting in her palm. By her count, that being the clock hanging overhead that didn't tell time so much as it displayed a countdown to departure, she had twenty minutes before she had to board. Twenty minutes wasn't a lot of time but it was enough to mingle, to enjoy takoyaki, and most importantly to find one of two things. People to share a cabin with on the trip over or a certain person who did so have a knack for being late. Or lazy. The two were synonymous.
Another year was on the horizon, and though she didn't show it due to the warped-by-hot-food expression on her face, Junko could not have been more excited to get back to the castle atop the mountain.
@jetipster Then you are all good
@jetipster One question. The second paragraph under Background. Seems like a bit of a glitch in the Matrix there. Barring that it's fine.
@Caecillus I think there was a mixup in your fontmeme thing, might wanna look into that!
@Caecillus I think there was a mixup in your fontmeme thing, might wanna look into that!
The IC is on the way. I hope to have it up before this evening!
Normally going to bed angry was cause for little other than having a poor night’s sleep. While Shauna Flynn returned home Monday evening rather angry and annoyed at the events that transpired in drama club, she found a different method of channeling her anger and in so doing found that she slept like a newborn. As the sun crept in to mark the arrival of another sure-to-be-fruitful day, so too did Shauna blink awake to the familiar sights of her room. What was not a familiar sight was the face that had been next to her. It didn’t take long for her to connect the dots and given that there was a haphazardly thrown cheerleading outfit at the foot of the bed the events of Monday flowed right back into place.
That didn’t explain the one thing she still had questions about, namely the name of whoever it was that she had worked out her anger on in a singularly pleasurable manner. Shauna being stirred awake caused the freshman at her side to wake up too and greet Shauna with pleasantries about the morning. ”Who are you again?” The color drained from the face of the freshman who could not believe the audacity from Shauna. There was little sympathy to be found from the senior who had had her fun; and really the would-be cheerleader had been warned.
”That’s not important. Why are you still here?” Shauna didn’t wait for any sort of haphazard explanation as she got out of bed and started rifling for the unwanted morning guest’s clothing. ”I suppose it would be rude not to at least see you to school. Get dressed.” Shauna tossed the previous day’s clothes to the still bedridden girl as Shauna disappeared into her connected bathroom to go about her daily routine of cleanliness. That luxury was not afforded to the guest of dishonor but then had she gone home the night before she wouldn’t be showing up to school in the same clothes as yesterday.
After a rather awkward bit of breakfast (toast, coffee, and eggs for Shauna; bread and jam for the cheerleader), Shauna and her one night fling set off in a car so lacking in conversation that the squeaking of the pedals were as loud as a concert. Shauna pulled her car into the student lot, killing the ignition and unlocking the doors. ”This is where you get off. Because lord knows you couldn’t manage that last night. Ta-tah.” Her passenger was out of the car with a vigorous slam of the door.
Shauna followed suite, stepping out of the car with a whistle in her voice and a slight spring to her step. Despite the awkward morning after she was in relatively bright spirits. That was sure to persist throughout the school day.
Madison saw the girl who was passed over for Hana yesterday walk straight past her with a face like thunder. With a raised eyebrow she looked forward, waiting to Shauna to inevitably follow close behind. In the senior’s hand was one of the fliers for the boat party, which had been spread across the school. Having had the night to calm down, Madison came to the conclusion that Owen wouldn’t like her stirring the pot by getting involved him his affairs, but she would still keep an eye on him and his problems.
She saw Shauna shortly after, and approached the shark. ”I see you’ve broken another heart,” Madi dryly greeted her with.
Of all the students in all the schools in all the world, Shauna didn’t count on running into Madison so early in the day. The sight of the fellow senior brought about a sly smirk from the drama star. Shauna was well used to comments of that make and they rolled off her like rain down an umbrella. ”Is that jealousy I’m detecting, Madison? You know there’s always room in my book for your inevitable heartbreak at my rather skilled hands.”
Shauna was laying it on rather thick but it was the only consistency she knew. And to her credit it had worked numerous times in her favor.
Madison gave a joyless chuckle and averted her eyes. ”Is the prospect of getting my heart broken again supposed to be tempting? You know what happened with Shiloh. Besides, I’m not sure you could even break my heart.”
Shauna merely shrugged in response, not coldly, but it was about the only response she thought to make outside of an arm around the shoulder; Shauna assumed that Madison wasn’t the type to respond to a sudden arm around the shoulder so a shrug would have to do. Shiloh was a name Shauna was familiar with though where it got muddy was in who was the first one to have a piece of candy; what was less muddy was Shauna’s response to Shiloh. Madison clearly had more than just passing feelings if she was making comments like that.
”I’m sure I could make a go of it if you let me try. But I get it. Afraid to take a chance on something...or someone..what a waste. You want to get over Shiloh? Do what I do and find a nice girl to help you forget.”
Get over Shiloh? Madi wasn’t even fully over Lee yet! Shauna had slept with a great many girls in this school but it was clear that she’d never had feelings for any of them from the way she talked about ‘getting over it’. Still, Shauna’s words got a smirk from Madi, who raised the flyer. ”There’s a boat party tonight. I’m not ready for the dating game but I’m going to go to this party and get very drunk, and who knows? I might meet a nice girl. That’s not an invitation, by the way. Besides, I don’t think I’m your type. Too old.”
Shauna looked at the flyer with a bemused expression. A boat party on a school night? Bold. Very bold. Boats provided many opportunities for romantic lines and romantic views to the point where it was almost like shooting fish in a barrel. So many still wanted their ‘Titanic’ moment but without the freezing to death in water that marred the back half of the movie. ”I’ll be there. And if you ask nicely I’ll hold your hair back if you drink too much. But some advice, Madison? No one really likes drunks so maybe try drowning your sorrows with something...warmer.”
Madison stopped to consider this. ”Do you think they’ll have any at the party? I admit, I don’t know much about parties. I used to think that everybody got drunk and that was the point. As much as I hate to say it, I might need your help.”
Well there was something Shauna wasn’t expecting to hear. Very few people came to her for help unless it was for running lines before a rehearsal, and certainly even fewer came to her for matters of parties and alcohol, let alone romantic pursuits. That was shocking, of couse, given her otherwise sterling reputation among the population. ”Have you never been to a party before? Come to think of it, I don’t remember seeing you at the beach party...but then I was a bit...occupied. Yes, there will almost certainly be alcohol, how else do you think some of the more brainless sorts get anywhere near a woman or man or whatever? But yes, I will help you. Though what do I get in return?”
Shauna’s smirk towards Madison was almost as skeezy as Shauna’s own reputation.
Madi shook her head when she asked if she’d been to a party before, and raised her eyebrow again at Shauna’s last question. ”Don’t push it. Though, I should give you something in return. Is there any way I can help you?”
Shauna held up her hands at chest level, palms forward as if she were surrendering. A playful gesture and her way of ‘not pushing it’ though her smirk certainly lingered. What was surprising, though, was Madison’s party virginity, or at least what seemed like someone with minimal experience in the field. Perhaps Madi always just had something much more time consuming to deal with. ”Oh, I’m sure you can, but I’m feeling altruistic this morning so consider this a favor from me to you. Shauna Flynn doing something nice. Spread the word.”
”I don’t think anybody would believe me. Besides, I believe in fair trades. I will owe you a favour after tonight, and I expect that you will cash it in at some point. But, thank you.” Madi added sincerely.
”Oh believe me, Madison, the favor will certainly be called in. But try not to think about that. You came to me for help out of everyone, I won’t forget that. So tonight, at this party, consider me your wingman. I’ll show you a good time, or rather how to have a good time. The things I do for you girls.” Shauna added that with a chuckle, thought it was punctuated by a sincere smile from the shark. She might have had a rather notorious reputation, but she was truly happy to offer help. Why more people didn’t come to her for such advice was beyond her, but at least Madison knew a good idea when she saw it.
Madi smiled back, and was about to walk away, but then stopped. ”Should we meet at the party, or meet beforehand? I’m not sure how much prep work’s involved in a party. Dresscode, I imagine is anything you wouldn’t mind getting lost or stolen, worn over swimwear.”
Shauna stifled a laugh and it was one of the more difficult things she had done lately. It couldn’t be helped; Madison was just so preciously naive. Shauna remembered her first party, though, and the nerves and wondering about etiquette were strong even then. It only got easier and at least Madison wasn’t going to be one of those strange sorts who never went to a party before college.
”Dresscode? This isn’t some wedding or fancy affair. It’s a high school party. Wear something casual but flirty. Wear something that catches eyes but leaves them lingering. Wear something that you can slip in and out off easily. Leave the swim wear at home,unless you’re wearing a bikini and nothing else. This isn’t a pool party, Madison, the only things people will be swimming in is alcohol and loose morals. But if it makes you more at ease, I’ll help you pick something out beforehand. Trust me, I know what looks good on people.”
Madison nodded, smiling like the two were already friends. ”I’d appreciate that.” She said, before checking her watch. ”Ooh, first period’s about to start. We’d better get going.”
I'm gonna introduce the awkward Nicoletta into the mix either tonight or tomorrow!
It all seemed to come back to basketball. The last thing Ellie remembered before everything went horribly wrong was the soft grooves of a basketball as it slapped down to the gymnasium floor from her hand. The swish of the net as the ball sailed through it with an almost effortless shot. The sound of feet stomping the ground aggressively blending with hands colliding with each other and even that getting lost in the cacophony of cheers and shouts from the side lines. She could feel the sweat on her forehead and she could picture the game as clearly as if it were a movie. But one thing that was missing was the look of pride from the sidelines. When she looked to the side to see the coach, her father, nodding as Ellie and the team widened the lead towards victory.
When Ellie looked now, there was no one there.
Ellie Duke hadn't left her room all day which was only unusual given that she so often preferred being out and about. Up around dawn and home after sundown was basically a way of life for Ellie and when she wasn't practicing she was either at Grimaldi's or just enjoying her youth. She knew she wasn't the only one to have to make certain adjustments in life in the wake of what the media was still discussing at an exhaustive length, but everyone who lost something in the outbreak had a way of making it feel like the worst thing in the world. Because for them it was.
What was hard for Ellie was walking to the kitchen a few days after everything settled only to find the door to her parents' door closed. Ellie's mother was coping with the loss of her husband by holing up in the room they used to share. If it wasn't for the fact that the food Ellie left in front of the door kept getting eaten she likely would have assumed far worse. Given everything, it wasn't surprising that Ellie was choosing to stay inside and idly flip through the news channels or let it linger on some daytime talk show but it did often feel depressing.
"Dammit." Nothing would get accomplished just sitting around. While a normal life might not be immediate, she knew her dad and she knew he wouldn't want her moping about letting her ability go to waste. Things were different now, but there were still constants in life. Basketball. Saturday Night Live. Pizza. It was that last one that inspired Ellie to get off her ass. That was another memory she had of the night. The smell of grease and cheese that came with a victory slice. The last slice she would get to share with him.
Ellie stepped out of her room and gave a quick knock on her mother's door. "Going for a slice. Maybe I'll talk to you later." An optimistic desire but maybe knowing Ellie was making the best of it would help the transitory period of loss.
Outside, Ellie put her hands in the pockets of her shorts, walking the bitterly familiar path towards the best thing the neighborhood had going for it, other than her fire on the court of course. Her head was kept pointed downwards, as if glancing at familiar sights would be unbearable. The process was long, but it was at least a process. It's why recovery programs had a step method. Ellie was at least past step one, which was more than could be said for some people she knew.
Grimaldi's loomed in the distance and the 'OPEN' sign was never more inviting, being the first thing she saw as she turned her gaze forward. It looked the same. It smelled the same. And when she opened the door to hear the little bell she was glad that it sounded the same. "Please let the pepperoni taste the same. I'll settle for a cheese even." The world had already taken one great thing from her, she didn't know if she could handle another.
@Scarescrow Well, let's hope the school will be a good place for him as he seems like he could use some positive things in his life. And at such a young age too.
@Pirouette With that I believe all the captain slots are filled? I'll have to give another read through but Quidditch is going to be interesting. Put 'er in the tab.
@Pirouette With that I believe all the captain slots are filled? I'll have to give another read through but Quidditch is going to be interesting. Put 'er in the tab.
It is my intention to start this RP up and proper no later than Sunday March 11, 2018. I will not be closing off applications so people that are lurking or come into it later are more than welcome to join. This has attracted a fair amount of interest and for that I thank each and every one of you. I will not be implementing a posting limit yet unless I feel things are moving a bit too fast. For those of you who like to start planning things early, the first few posts will be on the underwater train to the school as a way to have more focused and individual interactions as well as set the tone. The first 'arc' if you want to call it that will mostly be centered on readjusting (or adjusting in the case of the first years) to school life. A sorting, a welcome banquet, some blurbs about classes, Quidditch practice, etc.
I suspect the first bits will be more free form but the guiding hand of interaction lurks ever in the background.
Again, thanks everyone for joining thus far and let's have fun with it.
I suspect the first bits will be more free form but the guiding hand of interaction lurks ever in the background.
Again, thanks everyone for joining thus far and let's have fun with it.
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