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【MAY plot arrivals】
May Mingle
Welcome to Starsand
According to the locals, you are not the first stranger from another world to be dragged to this one. This is a world that, up until five years ago, did not know magic. Fantasy did not expand beyond its designated shelves of the library; There were no gods or spirits, only science and reason.
But five years ago, the secret was blown. Magical 'spirits' exist in this world. You may have seen them as flickers of light; Souls without a body. They were once invisible and powerless, existing silently alongside the rest of the living. But with enough faith from the living, spirits can manifest. They can even have the magic powers that others believe them to have.
Nowadays, spirits and magic are impossible to ignore. Magic has transformed the architecture, average people are learning spirit magic, and technology is being upgraded with this new power. Electricity is going out of favor; Spirits now power homes in exchange for shrine offerings and prayers. Though traces of the old era still exist, they are slowly being replaced by magic. Every city is changing at a different pace depending on how the citizens reacted to the news of spirits.
But you're not here for a lore drop, are you? You just got here.
New arrivals have become commonplace in the City of Star Sand. In fact, the city is named for this phenomena; People from other worlds ("stars") appear so frequently that it's like a beach of sand. Even those who normally travel between worlds have found it impossible to leave the pull of the Star Sand once they get here. Some people have even come from other time periods. (the date here is 2025.) No other city is reporting this unique problem for some reason.
Roleplay-wise; This is a semi-private sandbox for a modern-fantasy blended setting. Characters can either be whisked away from their homes or wake up as AUed residents. While there will be a lot of background lore and a mystery to dig your teeth into, it's all optional. First and foremost, the sandbox is meant to be played in. The City of Star Sand is a very flexible place to stretch your imagination. Some parts of the city may just seem like normal Tokyo, while others might feel like a DnD campaign. The world will gradually expand as the sandbox takes off as well, so you'll be able to submit your own cities with unique cultures.
It is possible to handwave arrival and assume your character has been in the setting for months.
Anyone can top-level in a mingle post. You do not need to be playing a new character.
You do not need to feel restricted to the listed prompts.
Player characters may use this prompt to interact with each other.
This prompt will invite an NPC interaction.
Most May arrivals are dropped into Starsand at the same time.
The handprints can be anywhere that a person might feasibly grab your character.
The unfriendliness of the locals should not be malicious.
Kami & Spirits will continue to treat Fallen Stars kindly.
New Arrivals can also investigate the shrine.
The voices characters hear can be from any point in their canon, past or present.
Native characters will not enter the shrine.
The black goo is repelled by Fallen Stars, as if by a magnetic force.
Festival food can come from any culture.
Food is free and leftovers can be taken home in containers.
The cherry blossoms renew at midnight. Petals will fall backwards and back onto the trees.
Blossoms can be viewed on all levels. There are many picnic areas throughout the city.
Missing people can be brought back and disappear again.
Illusions can speak, but they disappear before they can be interacted with.
Goo puddles do not disappear until the missing person is brought back.
The black goo is repelled by Fallen Stars, as if by a magnetic force.
! Out of Character Notes
(A) Arrival: The Firm Grip of Space
Typical arrivals to the City of Starsand have always been peaceful. Remarkably so. Characters would blink their eyes and find themselves transported into this new world without any pain or drama (Well, aside from the drama of being in another world.)
But it’s different this time. Characters blink and leave their old world, yes, but there’s a less peaceful transition this time. They can feel themselves being forcibly pulled. Like someone grabbed their arm and yanked them across an invisible border. They are moved without balance, sometimes even aware of a finger grip-like sensation on their arms or legs.
And they do not arrive in the city. They wake up in a space that is strangely empty. The only light comes from their own bodies and the ripples left with every step. If they look at these ripples, they can see scenes of their lives reflected in the not-quite-water; Choices they’ve made, choices they missed, even events that have yet to happen.
Characters may see others in the distance and be able to reach each other. These meetings will be brief. A humming sound grows louder and the lights coming from their bodies gradually becomes brighter. Eventually, the hum is too loud for them to hear each other and the light is too bright to see passed. They’ll ‘white out’ and awaken in the Starsand City.
! Out of Character Notes
(B) Arrival Part 2
Welcome to the City of Starsand! Which is still blessed by now out-of-season cherry blossoms, filling the city with a sweet scent. Characters may find their eyes and ears aching from the experience of that other space. Some might even forget the experience all together, or find their memory temporarily blurred.
Regardless, they are here now. And they don’t look like the usual arrivals to the Starsand City. Typically, the civilians regard new arrivals politely and act like it’s a normal occurrence. But this time, there is something different. It’s something that the arriving character themselves may also notice: They have red marks on their skin. It’s always an exposed part of their body, like their arm, wrist, an exposed ankle, or even around their necks. Fingermarks, pressed so tightly (and supernaturally) into their skin that they’re visible for hours.
The townspeople are distant this time. It isn’t the usual friendly greeting of past months. They whisper cautiously: Isn’t it strange? Did a Kami do that? Why would a Kami do that?
Fortunately, spirits will flock to the new arrivals this month. Brave and kind civilians will push passed the rumor to offer aid. Free food, housing, clothing, etc. will still be supplied. But it will not be as easy-going and friendly as before. There are also a lot of new arrivals at once, as opposed to a sprinkling at a time.
! Out of Character Notes
(C) Old Arrivals: A Shattered Shrine
At the same time that this month’s new arrivals were dumped enmass, something dramatic happened on the top level. The TimeSpace Shrine, which had locked doors and closed windows, has changed. All of the windows that lined the spiraling staircase have been shattered and have a dark, sparkling liquid leaking from the cracks. The liquid is gathering at the foot of the shrine and everyone seems rightfully afraid of it.
”What is this? Did someone vandalize the shrine?”
”Is the Kami inside there alright?”
”There are so many new Fallen Stars! Are they connected?”
People murmur from a safe distance.
When approaching the shrine, one can hear a strange humming noise. Like static from a radio with a distant melody lost in the noise. As you climb the stairs, the sound gets louder and louder until it’s unbearable. You can hear voices and sounds from the world you once knew, but they’re drowned out by the static.
If you manage to reach the top and touch the door, you may find yourself in the same space as new arrivals. Use this to interact with new arrivals from Prompt A! You can also put !NPC REQUEST in a thread title for an NPC interaction.
! Out of Character Notes
(D) No Plot: Cherry Blossom Viewing
It is a few days after the Shrine of SpaceTime broke. Reception to the new arrivals has grown warmer as the marks on their skin faded away. In order to ease tensions, the Kami of Love has renewed the cherry blossom trees and called for a final good-bye party for the season. Grassy parks are lined with picnic blankets, food vendors are opening all kind of stalls, and cherry blossom themed trinkets are being sold for faith.
It’s an easygoing sort of prompt. Fallen Stars, as out-of-worlders are called, are welcome to join in the festivities. People are encouraged to take a spot on an empty blanket and view the blossoms. The blossoms are renewed with faith every day, so the trees do not go bear for long. But because the blossoms are faith-based magic, they also don’t linger on the ground. Try to take petals home and they’re disappear overnight. Perhaps it’s a small price to pay for reviving the sight over and over again. The blossoms are getting no rest this month.
! Out of Character Notes
(E) Rumor: The Fallen Stars
Unfortunately, despite the Kami and their attempts to maintain peace, Rumors still exist. These stories carry the power of faith, which can turn a lie into truth if spoken enough. They’re unfortunately common in the City of Starsand, though admitting to their power will only make it stronger. Very few average civilians realize that Rumors exist, and those that do know better than to explain this dangerous magic to just anyone.
Since the Shrine of SpaceTime shattered, there has been a common rumor about Fallen Stars. It’s one whispered between the native civilians, which they try not to let Fallen Stars hear:
”Perhaps the reason that they’ve come here is to replace us? So many of the Fallen Stars have magical powers unrelated to spirits and Kami. Are they going to replace us? Is the SpaceTime Kami trying to make a stronger and more magical world?”
This Rumor has an unfortunate power. It is replacing civilians with illusions of Fallen Stars. You may see someone you know suddenly running the general store in the place of the old lady who once gave you free snacks. Once you get closer, both the person you saw and the person who should be there are gone. In the civilian’s place is a pile of the dark, glittery substance that was leaking from the SpaceTime Shrine.
The missing people can be brought back. If Fallen Stars visit the broken shrine, they can pray for the return of missing civilians. Missing civilians are typically the ones who bravely reached out to help at the beginning of the month.
! Out of Character Notes
Notes for May
The arrivals in May are different from normal. Arrival process is expected to return to normal in June!
There will be a second part to the Rumor event later in the month.
There is a possible third event that can be triggered by exploration this month.
The NPC contact is open to anyone who wishes to interrogate/meet a specific NPC.
Madoka Kaname | Puella Magi Madoka Magica
[Her last memory was of reaching through the darkness, pushing past despair and pain in order to lead her best friend to the light. She had clasped Homura's hands and... then...
Madoka was here. She woke on a sidewalk, pressed against a shop's display window. One look at her reflection and Madoka knew that something was very wrong. Her hair, once longer than logical, had been cut short again. It lay flat against her shoulders, without the red ribbons that she had handed to Homura so long ago. Her eyes had lost their golden omnipotence and turned a rosy red. And her clothes were a white dress, not complicated or lined with space like her goddess attire.]
This is... Am I back in the barrier?
[Her memory felt cracked. Minutes earlier, Madoka had been suffering from self-induced amnesia and had been fighting through Homura's witch labyrinth. Her friend had trapped her in her normal life again, but that cage was now cracked. Madoka knew she had broken free and yet...
A light panic threatened her. If she was back in the labyrinth, then she hadn't saved Homura. Her most precious friend was still hurting and Madoka needed to save her..! Lifting her head, Madoka scanned the crowd. Then, a few feet away, she saw a familiar silhouette. Nothing else mattered but that person. Homura, who Madoka thought was still hurting and beating herself up over her wish... Nothing would stop Madoka from saving her.
Madoka rushed away from the window, barreling towards her friend to hug her from behind.]
Homura-chan!
[02] the spacetime shrine
[Kyuubey had once called her a god. While the world still felt a bit extreme for how Madoka saw herself, she did wonder if she should tread lightly here because of it. If kami were as approachable as she'd heard, perhaps she could ask one of them about it? Madoka didn't want to step on anyone's toes.
Her first point of investigation had been the Spacetime Shrine. Since she herself had been thrown out of the bounds of spacetime, perhaps this kami was one she should acquaint herself with... And yet, the shrine was empty. Not just that, but a black goo was oozing from its openings.
Madoka boldly approached, a soft face hardening to something more serious.]
It looks like it's bleeding... Are you sure? [Yes, she's talking to the shrine.]
[03] cherry blossom viewing
[Madoka laid claim to a picnic blanket and basket, picking a location that was out of sight. It had been so long since anyone could see her... So since anyone could touch or hear her. And so long since she'd enjoyed festival food!
Yes, Madoka was also surrounded by food. A ridiculous amount for someone so small, but hey! She loved to eat! And the Japanese street food was too nostalgic to pass up. She looks at her sample with a nervous smile, feeling awkward.]
Maybe I bought too much... Oh? [Sensing someone nearby, Madoka looks up.] Sorry. Am I in your way? I don't need the whole blanket...
[Well. Except that half of it taken up by food.]
3
[ Hanyuu wears an apologetic smile of her own, wearing a wide-brimmed hat to cover the horns that are atop her head. ]
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[Madoka looks from Hanyuu to the treetops, her mouth falling open with awe.]
You must be a really good climber..! I couldn't even imagine doing something like that.
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[ She floats a bit off the ground. It isn't revealing that she's a kami, she's just doing magic. (Not that she'd call this magic.) It's fine. ]
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[Madoka gasps in surprise, a shocked expression held for a second... Then she laughs nervously and scratches her cheek.]
Wait, oh... Oh goodness. Something like that still surprises me. Sorry, I- I hope I wasn't rude.
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[ She laughs a little bit, but it's something more earnest than impolite. ]
No, it's okay, miss. I'm not used to being able to show that sort of thing to other people.
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[oh-] I guess it's safe to say? I'm a magical girl, you see. Madoka Kaname, actually! That's my name.
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[ She trails off, sounding and feeling much more awkward than usual. ]
Furude Hanyuu. That's my name. You can just call me Hanyuu, though.
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[Madoka brightens into a more confident smile.]
Pardon my asking, but are you also from another world? It seems like there are a lot of us!
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2
[The rather... Distinctively-dressed woman was looking at the shrine from a short distance. Her horns, wings and tail were concealed at the moment.]
I would be careful not to touch the goo, either. It can burn even those who normally would be fine touching acids and such.
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Madoka looks up and blinks in surprise.]
Wait. Have you touched it? Are you okay?
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[The woman chuckles a bit.]
But yeah, just figured I'd warn you. This shrine... Something's happened here, and no final answer as to what. Not yet.
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[Her eyes shift back to the shrine,] Do you know if the kami inside is okay, at least..?
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[Madoka, too, is worried. She had thought that the shrine might answer some questions or at least alleviate some of her concerns. It doesn't seem like that will be the case after all...
Sighing, she turns away from the bleeding shrine.]
I'm sorry. Here you are helping me and I haven't even given my name. My name is Madoka Kaname. I'm also from another world.
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[Pidonus bows a bit.]
There are people hoping to solve this, and the disappearances that may be related, among us. I'm planning on joining them soonish. Comes with being a capital-a Adventurer I guess, can't just leave the situation.
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01; it's t i m e
But waking up, here: in the blink of an eye, in an unknown world, surrounded by a crowd of strangers, terrified her. This wasn't Mitakihara, or even her reimagining of it.
Suddenly lost in her thoughts, she found herself wondering if this could be the work of the incubators, or what power she had access to. However, for a brief moment, none of would even matter, when the felt the warmth of arms curling around her waist, and the voice of her most beloved, precious friend, calling out, causing her to gasp in surprise. )
M-Madoka.
( Physically, she was the same-- for the most part. Donning her school uniform, she bears a, perhaps, familiar red ribbon tied around her hair in a band, and most curiously, a black cuff with a purple jewel adorning her ear. )
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[And for a moment, Madoka feels her knees threatening to give out from under her. The horrible rush of panic, that paralyzing fear of Homura being stuck as a witch, it's all soothed by her friend's warmth. Madoka hadn't known what she would do if Homura was impossible to save. She's so glad that she doesn't have to know either.
Still. She can't go collapsing in the middle of public. Her hug loosens to be something less urgent.]
That was so scary. I thought we'd been separated again.
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I understand how you feel, Madoka.
( After all, she'd been questioning her own memories by the time they last met. Though, as she remains in Madoka's arms, she's able to feel her cheeks flush in a radiant hue. )
Should we take this elsewhere?
( Now in her field of vision, bearing witness to Madoka's struggling knees. )
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She loosens her hug and meets Homura's eyes. With a calm nod, she releases the hug.]
Yeah. We need to figure out what's going on. [Though Madoka could hug Homura for much longer... This could be a witch or worse. They need to sort that out before their reunion can truly be happy.] I'm glad we're not alone.
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Except, she hardly knows where in this world could be considered "safe," feeling dumbfounded for the first time in quite a while. )
We should assess our location.
( And with an uncertain step, leads forward. )
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It looks like a city, but I've never heard of buildings like these... I wonder how that can be?
[She refers to how the buildings have gemstone decorations and pastel hues. Surely if this was a city from their world then they'd have seen it on Insta or something. It looks so cute!]
03; https://youtube.com/shorts/BsuY9lHxg88
I hardly mind at all.
( Said, as he opens the huge parasol he nabbed from one of the vendors, donned in a simple, blue yukata, made of light cotton. )
Would you like to share the parasol?
( It's a practical offer, he thinks, not wanting to see the kid getting sunburned. )
its my dad
Oh. Oh my goodness, I didn't pack sunscreen! Yes, please, uh...
[This is embarrassing. Madoka must look like such an irresponsible kid! At least she can redeem herself by showing off her stranger danger know-how:]
I'm Madoka Kaname, um. You are..?
The Adoptioning
Sorry, you reminded me of someone. That's all.
( His voice is, quite soft. Nearly muted, with something akin to sorrow creeping in. )
Kiritsugu Emiya.
( Said, offering his name in return, as he firmly plants the parasol in the ground, studiously shadowing the whole of the blanket. )
Just let me know if you need anything.