23 - Crazy Cat Shuffle

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Crazy Cat Shuffle
When: September 20
Where: Shibuya & Ikebukuro, as well as the Far Shore
Summary: The new Crazy Cat mascot keychains are sparking real passion in Tokyo's hot spots. Brawls have broken out over the extra-rare versions, and all of this angst is attracting ayakashi. The gods have been asked to step in before things get out of control.







Crossing Crisis

The Shibuya scramble crossing is always busy, but it's especially wild today. Ten new Crazy Cat vending machines have been installed at the mouth of the alley across from Shibuya Station's exit. Rumors are flying that these machines have extra Blue-Star Cats in them: the very rarest kind! A crowd of hundreds of excited fans have gathered, but the people at the front of the lines are buying lots of cats, and the mood is starting to grow sour as the people at the back of the lines begin to wonder if there will be any left by the time it's their turn.

This crowd needs crossing guards... or just someone who can snag some of those ultra-rare Cats and sell them to the back of the line for crazy cash. Everything a god does is righteous, after all.

Sunshine Struggle

Crazy Cat machines dot the Sunshine City complex in Ikebukuro. The machines here are attracting some particularly nasty ayakashi: jealous little purple creatures with too many legs that stoke buyers' envy and need for more and better collectibles. Under their influence, it's not just the Cats going fast. The local stores are selling out of everything cute on the shelves.

Worse, some of the ayakashi victims are turning to theft when they run out of pocket money. Time to exterminate those bugs before they start a new crime wave.

Taking Stock

Accident? Sabotage? No one's telling, but a delivery truck carrying boxes of new keychains to restock the machines blew a tire and overturned on a major street. Under the influence of those greedy little ayakashi, collectors are descending on the wreck to snag their favorites before the police show up.

The dazed driver doesn't know what to do, the crowd is starting to get violent, and those Cats do look amazingly cute. And appealing. And, for that matter, valuable.

Bad Kitty

The cat keychains are super cute! Even gods or shinki might be tempted to buy one and take it home, but taking these keychains back to the Far Shore will give away their hidden secret. It's not just human envy that's attracting ayakashi to the Crazy Cats. There are ayakashi hiding inside this batch of cute kitty dolls, and bringing them through a shrine to the Far Shore will force the hidden creatures out of their plushie prisons.

They're big, they're mad, and they're hungry. And the Heavens are full of souls that smell delicious.

The ayakashi escaping from Crazy Cat dolls on the Far Shore resemble gigantic (taller than a person at the shoulder) versions of the cute plushie cats, with very real and sharp teeth and claws. They run and attack at random once released from the dolls, so even gods and shinki who did not bring the toys back could be faced with a fight. The patrolling shinki will do their best to hold them back with borderlines, but they need help to rend these crazy cats before they do too much damage!

In Summary:

• Placate the crowds
• Squash bitty ayakashi
• Struggle with temptation
• Defeat the cat invasion
• Have fun~

Comments

for Yona

[futhark]

The Yoyogi Park seems almost like a safe haven, after all the stampede going in the main Shibuya. Perfect for getting a breather, and maybe something cold to drink.

Then he remembers..

The reason why he went to Near Shore at all, before he got caught in all the insanity and cats - cats everywhere. The promise to meet with Yona in the park, enjoy the change of season and have him share some of the stories he promised to tell. There was something about homework too, but he forgot about it already.

It's going to be hard to follow up on that promise with people running towards anything looking like a capsule machine. So he takes the phone, still in silenced mode, and he quickly writes the following

The park doesn't seem like a good idea today. It's kind of crazy here.

Too bad when he writes it's already 3 minutes after the meet-up time. That's a bad moment to call stuff off and he does feel a little guilty.

[darkestbefore]

[ Yes, it's more than a little too late, considering she'd just spotted him (and his bright shirt?) and was crossing the open area of the park towards him when the phone in her pocket vibrated.

She pulls it out to glance at the message, even as she calls out to him in greeting. ]

Hello, Caster! I didn't keep you waiting long, did I?

[ And then she sees the message and stops in surprise, blinking at it and then at him before giving him a sheepish smile. ]

Ahh, it is rather crowded, isn't it? I almost couldn't find it either. Would you prefer to reschedule for another day? I wasn't expecting everything to be so... busy, today.

[futhark]

Oh, hi Yona- [ Hawaiian shirt the debut is here. It's very bright, it's very colorful. It's awful.

And he scratches his head taking on similarly sheepish expression ] Well..! Since you're already here we could at least give it a try.

[ A promise is a promise, even in face of what could be some ayakashi incident. And if not, then the reschedule will have to happen ]

We could seek shelter in the park. [ There aren't any capsule machines there...r-right? ]

[darkestbefore]

[ It's wonderful. It had made him very easy to find, at least?

Yona gives a small hum as she glances around. ]

We could, it might still be quiet there? Do you have any idea what's happening around here? What has everyone so frantic?

[futhark]

[ Yona, is his only ally, everyone gives him shit for this shirt, not her. She knows, she understands and sees the true use of it. Being the giant, walking, neon sign “I’m here!” ]

It has something to do with the cats and toys. There are those machines that are giving them and everyone are- [ And as they start walking towards the sanctuary of the park, someone shouts something about machine- and a crowd stampedes right past them - yeah into the park ] -kind of crazy about them

[ They had just a good example of that craziness pass them by… That’s for sure going to be “quiet” ]

Not sure if it’s normal here, or if it’s something that should be investigated….

[darkestbefore]

[ In which case, the shirt serves its purpose beautifully. Who would have a problem with that?

Then again, people of importance often wear bright colors like this where she comes from. It's almost a symbol of status, to be able to afford or possess such things.

For the moment, she just steps to the side to make sure she's out of the way of the sudden stampede, watching it pass with wide eyes, more than a little alarmed by the frenzy happening about town. ]

Ahh, this... doesn't seem normal? I have never seen them do anything like this before... Maybe we should make sure everything is alright? It seems like a lot of fuss about a few toys, does it not?

[futhark]

Investigation it is. I hope it won't make me feel old.

[ He's still slightly weirded out. Make all this progress in adapting to the modern times, and then it drops at you something so baffling and illogical it sets you back few centuries again. ]

Let's follow the tracks, they must have found another one of those machines.

[ And he nudges them to follow the crowd, once in the park it's not hard to notice all those people gathered around small refreshment shop- or rather around it's back, because that's where the gacha machine is ]

I don't see any ayakashi, but can we sense them somehow?

[darkestbefore]

Sometimes you can, if they're strong enough, or if they affect an area around them. [ She follows him, still looking bewildered as she takes in the crowd of people. ] Some of them can be very subtle though, and they are much harder to locate.

Wait, why would this make you feel old? [ She doesn't understand that, either.

Pointing at the crowd of people presents a problem. ] If the ayakashi is hiding in whatever they have clustered around, we're going to have a difficult time getting a look.

[futhark]

[ He laughs lightly as they traverse the increasingly denser crowd. He grabs Yona's hand just in case, to not get lost among the people. They might not notice you and work themselves around them, the normal forces within the big cluster of people are still working as usual - ie it's getting more and more cramped ]

Well I guess I am old. [ As a dirt ] When I think I start to understand this world, it stops making sense-- isn't that how old people feel? [ He's joking here, he knows that he's adapting well, and given time he'll get better at this. While he wants to add something more, something about ayakashi and how easy those buggers can hide, a sudden strong push of the crowd breaks their hold ]

Shi-- Yona!

[ Precautions taken- failed. New quest - retrieve rest of the party, bonus points for: not getting trampled over ]

[darkestbefore]

[ The sudden surge of the crowd catches her off-guard as well, prompting a surprise exclamation as her hand is torn free of Caster's grip and then he's lost in a sudden surge of people, all pushing to get closer to the machine at the center of this mess. For a moment, there's a jolt of fear as the crowd presses too close and it's hard to breathe.

She reacts without thinking, pushing against the bodies that press far too close to hers, a hint of panic in the move as she's cut off and stranded in a sea of strangers. Because of it, her control isn't what it should be and there's a sharp gust of icy wind that rises up around her. The people around her are pushed and shoved back in equal measure, staggering at the sudden wind that seems to come from nowhere, strengthened by the momentary fear that had caught her by surprise as much as the pushing had.

But with a space suddenly cleared around her from the shoving gusts of wind, she staggers herself, going to one knee as the people around her try to right themselves, too, confused and annoyed. ]

[futhark]

[ Before the crowd returns to its previous tight mass Caster jumps in and picks her up ]

I got you- [ Are the words that he can offer her before he launches them few meter above the people in an impossibly high jump, just to land outside the gathering. He's less surprised about the show of magical powers and whatnot, and more concerned that they apparently got triggered by distress. Getting her away from that crowd must have been the first step to make ]

You showed them right, they shouldn't have separated us.[ And he's still making light out of the situation ]

[darkestbefore]

[ For a moment, they're airborne and it reminds her so sharply of Jae-Ha that for a moment, she can only clutch her fingers in the front of his shirt and bury her face against his shoulder as she tries to catch her breath and slow her racing pulse. Her eyes sting, the moment of panic followed so swiftly by a wave of homesickness that it leaves her dizzy. ]

I... S-sorry...

[futhark]

It's okay, shh. [ He gives her a small hug, and an encouraging pat on the head. The crowd is already busy with the cats and the machines-- no one seems to be hurt, but he can't be sure. Still, if the appearances say everything is okay, that's what he's going with. He's more concerned about Yona's wellbeing than the anonymous gachamaniacs-

Yeah, he's kind of shit of a god.

And so he carries her away, into the calm part of the park, finding an empty bench for them ]

Better now?

[darkestbefore]

[ She manages a nod, still trying to catch her breath after the momentary panic of being caught and swept away by the crowd. ]

I... yes. I think so. I don't know what happened.

[ And recalling she had shoved everyone in reaction with her magic, her head comes up, eyes suddenly wide and alarmed for another reason. ]

I didn't hurt anyone, did I?

[futhark]

They're fine,- [ and very much not of his concern ] -already lining up for those blasted machines.

[ No ambulances in sight, no one lying on the ground. Maybe some of them got shaken a bit, maybe something worse - but if so, none is showing that. Or it's just easy to overlook in the bunch of people gathering crazily around the gacha machine ]

Don't worry about them... You want anything to drink? [ Not that magic causes dehydration - sure it might, who knows, that's not the point - it's distraction tactics ] Water, tea, juice, take your pick.

[darkestbefore]

[ She slumps forward a little in relief at his words, lifting a hand to rub at her temples. ]

Oh, thank goodness. I could have... At least it was only wind. But still. Thank you, Caster. I think I'm okay now. Just... give me a moment to catch my breath.

oh god i lost this notif

[futhark]

[ "Only" wind. So there could be other after effects. He blinks at that wording and gaze focused on her as if he was studying something that maybe could be seen or not- then he closes his eyes ]

Troubles with magic? [ A hum sneak outs of him. He doesn't go out of his way to offer help- he's not sure if he can, being a warrior at heart he didn't gave his magic studies that much heart.

But maybe, just maybe it falls within the scope of his capabilities. And if it doesn't, he can always offer an ear to listen. ]

it's okay! ;)

[darkestbefore]

[ She gives him an apologetic glance as she lifts a hand to brush her hair back from her face, trying to ignore the way it trembles a little. ]

Something I was... gifted with, when I arrived here as a god. I'm still... It can be a little... tempermental, at times. It hasn't been as easy to master as a weapon, although I've been trying. But it only works when I'm feeling an emotion strongly. It's like it reacts to it. Which means it's not always an easy thing to train or practice, and when I do, it's very draining.

[futhark]

[ What a curious gift to give someone. The forces that be here surely have some interesting ideas ]

So it ain't magic you're familiar with- Makes sense. [ Magic is a tricky thing to control - double so if it's entirely unfamiliar. And untrained mages left alone for themselves... ahh, that's why people like that should be taught.

Emotion, temperament, sounds like something based on most troublesome things to control. ]

Do they offer training for new gods? They should.

[darkestbefore]

Most of the training I've seen for the gods has been in physical fighting - which is also necessary. But it seems like many of the gods here were given a gift that is unique to each of them. With all those options so varied and different, I can see why it might be hard to organize some instruction for it. [ She gives a sigh, rubbing fingers against her temple for a moment. ] I hadn't realized it would be something I would lose control of so quickly in a moment of panic. I'll have to be more careful.

[futhark]

Geez, what are they thinking? [ This sounds so irresponsible. Sure, it evens out things, what god even is without powers? But leaving people in the dark is potential for disaster ] That's not good. You can't grant such gifts without saying what's it about.

[ He taps his chin thoughtfully and stays silent for a moment before standing up from the bench and stretching ]

Eh, fine. [ The decision is made ] If you want someone to practice them on, I volunteer.

[ He's sturdy enough, familiar with magic, and while he never was a teacher, but he could try and channel Scáthach a bit - you don't forget that kind of training. Not to mention, isn't that a role of a druid?

"Druid" ha ha ha... ]

[darkestbefore]

[ She blinks at him in surprise, her hands dropping back to her lap. ]

I can't practice on you!

[futhark]

Why not? Trust me I can take a punch.

[ Or set magical defenses up. Also innate magic resistance skill-- he'll be okay

Or at least, so he thinks. ]

[darkestbefore]

[ Yona gestures emphatically, trying to express why that would be such a terrible idea. ]

It's not a punch! I mean, it could be, sometimes it is. But other times it's setting something on fire, or freezing everything around me or making me invisible. it's never quite the same thing, although sometimes I can duplicate what I did before if I concentrate on whichever emotion triggered it the first time. Sometimes that's easier said than done, however.

[futhark]

Fire, ice- protection from the elements those are some basic runic writings. Besides, I have- [ HOW TO EXPLAIN SERVANT BULLSHIT ] -a natural magic resistance. [ Yeah, sure, that works ]

And having two heads to figure that out is always better, no?

[ Bring it on. If stuff exploded even better ]