28 [Open Post] The Rainy Season, Summer Events, and Summer Ghost Stories of the Hyakumonogatari Kind

[stillnotretired]

It's the early summer, and once the Rainy Season is over, it's going to be getting warmer and warmer in City *****.

And now, it's the time for all kinds of Summer Events!

The Merchant District and World Tree Mart have all started their Annual Summer Events and Summer Festival Sales.

The Pools, Beaches, and Seaside Resorts are all gearing up for the Summer Season. So are the various Mountain Resorts.

But wait - Something strange is happening, as it often does in the World Tree System.

Yes, it's a Reality Wave - And some people are getting a strong urge to get together and play the Hyakumonogatari game!

[The Hyakumonogatari Game / Ritual : People get together in a group, light a 100 candles, light and take turns telling each other tales of the supernatural, or just plainly strange tales, etc. Ghosts, youkai, any theme that fits is fine. Each time a tale is told, one candle in blown out. Something strange is supposed to happen when the last candle gets blown out.]

[The Hyakumonogatari Reality Wave : What happens at the end of the Hyakumonogatari Game / Ritual is all up to the Muns.]

[Whether the characters are affected or not by the Reality Wave is all up to their Muns. All the Reality Wave's effects will end in 3 days, or whenever the Muns want them to end.]

[This is an open post, and the Muns can make up events and thread with each other as long as it fits the themes.]

Comments

Hyakumonogatari at Yuuko's Shop of Wishes!

[stillnotretired]

[Yuuko looked up at the night skies.]

[She hadn't done any version of a Hyakumonogatari for such a long time...]

[But now, it was time to light a 100 candles again.]

[No risk, no gain, right? Ho ho ho!]

[ein_boof]

**well, look who just trotted around the corner, sniffing randoms sneefs on the ground and pausing to sniff the air.


Well, at least he looks cute, right?**

[stillnotretired]

- Oh hi, Ein-chan!

[Yuuko said with a grin.]

...Long time no see, eh?

[Pet Pet Pet!]

The Return of Usagi and her friends, family, and otherwise!

[moondreamteam11]

[There is a new holo sign floating on top of the place where the Usagi and her friends used to live in City *****]

For everybody who was worried - The people and beings who used to live here are back!

[And then, a smaller holo sign was floating beneath that one.]

They aren't living here anymore, though, it seems...

[And floating a bit away from those holos signs is a third one, with holo arrows floating underneath it, pointing at the houses, apartments, and a newly arrived Hikawa Shrine.]

These are mostly not the exact same people you were waiting for (with some expections), but hey - Why don't you come and talk to them, anyway?

Re: The Return of Usagi and her friends, family, and otherwise!

[badassbooksnake]

[James looked at the house in front of him, and tilted his head.]

[It was in the same place that the Tsukino house had used to be, but it didn't look the same, and now the sign said "Chiba".]

[Aand that was when a small familiar girl came and stuck her head out of the window, shaking a World Tree Phone!]

...Mom, Mom! See, it wasn't just a dream -

[And then, she paused as she caught sight of James.]

- James-saaan! It's you!

[James looked up at her, and waved his hand, wanely.]

...Hi, Kousagi-chan.

[Kousagi looked about an year older then the last time he'd seen her, James though. And then, he took a deep breath.]

- Is this your house?

...Yeah, yeah! Mom, Mom, come here, James-san is here!

[James felt a bit numb as he saw the door open, and a woman who looked like she might be in her 30s poke her head out.]

[It was an Usagi, but not the Usagi who he'd used to know.]

[one_one_se7en]

Kousagi and Chibiusa returned to the World-Tree. His mission had been accomplished. Only then did John allow himself to return home.

He had become a fireball when he fell from the atmosphere, covered by his armor and by a heat shield from the world he followed the people he swore to protect. But for the first time in a long time, even as the world whirled past him, he knew he was returning home after having succeeded.

Kousagi was safe. Chibiusa was safe. Kotomi was safe.

That was all that mattered.



It took him a day to walk back home. In the time he took in order to leave his world, this had been the closest he could get to the city he inhabited. But the titanium plate armor was impossible to miss, as were the identifying marks of this version of John. The number 117 painted on his breastplate, as was the japanese kanji of luck in his shoulder piece.

He sought for Kousagi and Chibiusa to ensure they were both safe. Neither of their phones were hard to track, and upon ensuring their vitals marked green, he felt at ease.

When he walked through the streets of the town, he immediately stopped upon recognizing another voice.

James.

Just across the street, a familiar man in armor stood in front, golden visor staring at him in surprise, unmoving. Then, as his stance softened, he undid the locks of his helmet. With a hiss of oxygen, he revealed himself.

John.

(1)

[badassbooksnake]

[James' eyes widened as he caught sight of John.]

...John! You're back!

[He said with a wane grin, and went up to John to pat his arms, as there was no way he could reach his shoulders.]

- Darn, I missed you so much. Even if there was a guy back home that reminded me a lot of you, once I remembered you properly...

[And then, he tilted his head a bit again.]

- If only I could figure out when or how I got back...

[He muttered under his breath, and then whispered in John's direction -

...I remember going home to my homeworld, but then, my memories just got cut off right in the middle.

What about you, John?

[And then, he nodded toward the Usagi in her 30s, who was still looking at both of them, quizzically, and whispered again - ]

...And that's not the Usagi we used to know, I don't think.

[He showed John his World Tree Phone. The list of icons for the Usagi they'd known here and her friends (with the exception of of Kousagi's icon and Chibi-Usa's icon) were all slowly blinking, with a sign hovering over them]

Please wait - It's complicated!

(2)

[badassbooksnake]

[And then, James took a deep breath, and turned back toward the Usagi who was Kousagi's mother, who was still watching them, patiently, with a smile on her lips.]

...Um. It's good to meet you, Ma'am! You're Kousagi-chan's Mom, right?

[And then, he gave her a bow with a bright grin.]

- My name is James Mordecai, and I do sightseeing tours as well as many other things.

So if you want me to show you and your family around this place...

[The AU Usagi who looked like she might in in her 30s chuckled, then.]

...It's good to meet you, James-san! So you weren't just a figment of my daughter's imagination, eh?

[And then, she turned toward John, and looked up, a smile on her face.]

- And you must be...John-san, right?

[one_one_se7en]

He knelt. Just as well, his own armored hands held his shoulders, ensuring he was safe and whole. Even to the cold air outside his helmet, outside of the analyses and projections of his heads-up display, he could sense him.

The movement of his blond hair. The smooth skin on his features. His confident smile and intelligence.

But when James showed the cellphone... the icons...

Usagi. Chibiusa. Kousagi.

"I had a promise to keep."

He sensed another presence. The Usagi that mothered Kousagi.

Slowly, John stood back up, as if in service to her.

"Yes, ma'am."

[moondreamteam11]

[AU Usagi smiled at that, and gave him a small nod, looking up at him.]

...It's good to meet you too, John-san!

[Aand that was when Kousagi's World Tree Phone began to ring!]

[Kousagi looked at it, blinking.]

...Haah?

[And then, she poked it with her finger.]

Kousagi, Kousagi, are you there? It's me, Chibi-Usa!

[Kousagi stared at the Phone, and then looked sideways, where a Chibi-Usa that looked like she might be around 12 years old was looking back at her, quizzically.]

...But my Chibi-Nee is right here! Who are you?

[There was a groan from the other side, then.]

I'm the older Chibi-Nee, silly! The Chibi-Usa you met here, in the City!

[And then, there was a sigh.]

...Never mind - I'll teleport there right now, OK?

...Okay, I think?

[Kousagi mumbled, and then, she sighed as the other Chibi-Usa clinked off. And then, she poked her head out of the window on the second floor again.]

...Hey, James-san, John-san - Chibi-Nee says she's coming here, even though she's right here already?

I have no idea what's going on...

[And that was when the Chibi-Usa who was Kousagi's elder sister poked her head out of the window too.]

...And I don't have any idea what's going on either, but you're cool, Mr Robot Man!

[She said toward John with a grin.]

[James' eyebrows rose as he saw a version of Chibi-Usa who was much younger then the version he'd always interacted with.]

...Ho, ho, ho...

[Aand that was when there was a swirl of light - And Teenager Chibi-Usa poked her head out of a nearby Mini Teleport Station!]

- Kousagi! Are you there?

[She said - And then, she blinked and smiled as she caught sight of John.]

...John-san!

[Chibi-Usa said with a big grin.]

[James waved his hand at that.]

......Hi, Kid! I'm here too, OK?

[Chibi-Usa chuckled at that.]

...Hi, James-san, long time no see!

[one_one_se7en]

His visor casually turned as the younger Chibiusa called him 'robot man'. That confusion has continued to stick, it seems.

From beneath, the Master Chief glanced upwards at the house and flashed a green acknowledgment LED twice from the side of his helmet. Even while among civilians, some old habits died hard. Spotting the motion from the window, he immediately recognized the the two younger Chibiusa and Kousagi from the second floor.

"Is Usagi here?" John asked, his visor turning to both the younger Chibiusa and Kousagi, "is Miss Ichinose?"

In spite of Kotomi asking everyone to refer to her as 'Kotomi-chan', the title felt appropriate. She had grown, become a mature woman, as brilliant and as commanding as Dr. Halsey, Ami, or Cortana.

Once again, even with the missed memories, he wanted to ensure they were all safe.

The Secret Hyaumonogatari Party at the Misty Spa!

[mistbornchild]

Kasumi was looking up at the skies, where a large holo sign was floating.

Let's take a nice bath, chill down at the nicely lit pools and night, and light up the candles!

It's time for a Secret Hyakumonogatari Party!

[There was also a smaller sign floating beneath the larger one]

The Hakurei Shrine and Yuuko-san's Shop of Wishes will also be taking part of this project! Please stay turned for further updates!

[Kasumi slowly tilted her head.]

...This is the first time I have heard of this.

What about you, Yuuko-san?

[And then, she thought some more.]

...And how can it be a secret when it's being advised out in the open like this?

[Yuuko chuckled at that.]

Well, I wasn't planning for this, either, but...

I'm pretty sure those holos aren't visible unless one is being invited to the Hyakumonogatari, if you get my meaning!

Re: The Secret Hyaumonogatari Party at the Misty Spa!

[puellamagia]

[meanwhile, at the Hakurei shrine, Reimu Hakurei sees the holo sign with this announcement and groans.] "Since when did I agree to participate with this project? No, I didn't. This is never the case with this world!"
[It wasn't the first time the hakurei shrine did a Haymonogatari party. There was one a couple of summers ago sponsored by her human friend Kosuzu's book shop. Even though suprisingly nothing supernatural happened at the end aside from an illusion prank ghost involving a kite and Marisa's energy magic. It actually ended up being a fun experience in the end, and both the human and youkai guests seemed to get along. Hopefully it would be the same this time. And hey, this random new portal here shortcutting to the spa; Reimu could use some relaxation!
And here comes Marisa, wearing a cotton summer dress over a contemporary western swimsuit, her thick blond wavy tresses trimmed shorter for the season] "Yo Reimu! A Hyaumonogatrai party again, huh? sweet, ze!"

Re: The Secret Hyaumonogatari Party at the Misty Spa!

[aremadeof11]

[Reimu groaned again - And then, she grinned.]

Well, it was pretty fun the last time, I must admit...

[And in the meanwhile...]

[Two Incubators were looking up at the Shrine, blinking.]

...Ohhh! A Hyakumonogatari?

[Seven said with a grin, while Eight just groaned.]

- Seven. Have you already forgotten that the last time we were made to take place in something of this, we almost ended being turned into plushies?

Re: The Secret Hyaumonogatari Party at the Misty Spa!

[puellamagia]

"Nope! Don't remember. probably was when I was extra drunk or somethin'." [Nanbei snickered] "what's a hyakukmori anyways?"
"It's a tradition in japan, especially in summer time, where people gather, placing 100 candles and go around sharing horror stories, and after each of the stories a candle is extiguished."
"huh. that's cool"

meanwhile Reimu was eagerly trying to go into the spa, ready for relaxation, but something blocked her way]
"now now Reimu, don't you think you should set up for the Hyakomonotari?" Reeimu heard her gods speak.

Re: The Secret Hyaumonogatari Party at the Misty Spa!

[aremadeof11]

...Do I have to?

[Reimu groaned.]

Yes. yes you do - Cleaning up the rooms are a important part of any rituals, and you know it!

[Reimu sighed, then.]

All right, all right...

[Marisa, in the meanwhile, was quickly turning around and getting ready to run away.]

...OK, then, see you at the party, Reimu!

Not so fast, young woman - You should help with the cleaning too!

[The goddess chuckled, then.]

...And we'll even give you something to make the cleaning go faster, OK?

[Reimu and Marisa both sweatdropped as something that looked like round cute cleaning robot appeared right in front of them, and beeped happily.]

Ta-da!

Re: The Secret Hyaumonogatari Party at the Misty Spa!

[puellamagia]

[Reimu groaned and sweat dropped] "Yeah, the last time I was given a cute robot helper for cleaning, she broke down down in just a week, remember." [Reimu was referring to the robot maid she was given years ago when she was still young. Stupid thing was too good to be true.] "how did you even get this little cleaning robot anyway, gods?"

Re: The Secret Hyaumonogatari Party at the Misty Spa!

[aremadeof11]

[The goddess chuckled at that.]

Oh, Rolly-chan here was donated to the Shrine - She'd gotten into the habit of playing pranks on her owners, and they didn't like it, apparently...

[The round robot beeped at Reimu and Marisa, happily.]

[But that was when the servant gods who served the goddess spoke up!]

...Wait! Reimu - You mean, you never got around to fixing the poor thing?

[One of them asked, while the other one sighed, and said -]

Poor Ruu-chan! I can feel her sleeping, so she's still not gone, but...

[And then, the goddess laughed!]

...Well, we can get her fixed up now, at least, right?

Please do go and try to fix Ruukoto-chan, Rolly-chan!

[Rolly beeped happily, and suddenly, several long mechanical arms with hands came whipping out of the round rolly-polly robot.]

[And then, it beeped at Reimu, sounding very much like it wanted to ask a question.]

[Reimu and Marisa both sweatdropped at that.]

Um...I think I rolled Ruukoto's body up in one of the old futons and put her in the futon closet?

[Reimu mumbled.]

Hyaumonogatari - James, John and Chibi-Usa!

[moondreamteam11]

[Several days after John and James had gone and talked to Kousagi's family and Chibi-Usa's family...]

Re: Hyaumonogatari - James, John and Chibi-Usa! (1)

[moondreamteam11]

Hyaumonogatari - James, John and Chibi-Usa!

[Several days after John and James had gone and talked to Kousagi's family and Chibi-Usa's family...]

[Someplace near the City Hall of City *****]

[James looked up at a holo floating in front of him.]

This is a invitation to the Hyakumonogatari Party taking place today in the Misty-Yu Spa and Baths! We have very nice baths, sauna's and refreshments - Please do come!

Special Hyakumonogatari Prices - Only 2000 Points for use of the baths, towels, relaxation clothes (jinbei style), one meal, and the use of the room the Hyakumonogatari is scheduled to take place in.

[There was a snicker behind him, then.]

...Oh, it's following you around too?

[James turned around with a smile.]

- Hello, Miss Chibi-Usa. We are in the same boat, it seems...

[Chibi-Usa grinned then, and pointed toward the direction the Misty-Yu was.]

...I think I'll go - I haven't been to the Misty-Yu in ages, you see...

[James nodded at that.]

I go there pretty regularly, but I'll go too, I think. Miss Kasumi might need some help with this, after all.

Re: Hyaumonogatari - James, John and Chibi-Usa! (2)

[moondreamteam11]

[Somewhere near John is]

[A handsome man with hair down to his shoulders was staggering though the streests, mumbling to himself.]

...You know, I'm pretty sure I was supposed to be die. And stay dead. Maybe head for a new reincarnation, with a clean slate. What the 'ell.

[And that was when several young handsome men came running down the street!]

...He went this way, I'm sure of it!

[One of them said.]

[The first man stared for a moment - And then, he looked at John, mouthing "help me". And then, he scurried behind John into a side street, and wedged himselves between a small Teleport Station and some bushes, obviously trying to hide.]

[And then, his aura went all fuzzy, blending in with the surroundings.]

[In the meanwhile, the Sailor Reach part of John, also known as Joan, was getting an odd feeling that she should help this fellow.]

[Aand that was when one of the young men came up to John. He was shorter then the others, but had a nice smile.]

...Excuse me. Have you seen a handsome guy come running down this street? We need to talk to him, you see...

[And then, he looked around the place they were, sighing.]

- Oh, and we'll appreciate it a lot if you could tell us where we are. This isn't Tokyo, right?

[senshiofreach]

Even after finishing the fight in his world, John learned to appreciate life whenever possible. One never knew when would you have your last hot shower. Your last hot meal. Your last hot meal. Being in Infinity and the World Tree made him appreciate Japanese culture deeply.

He made a mental note to visit the hot springs. Now that they were all safe... and... having learned more about the world Joan felt reconstructed, the two identities wished the same. Rest, and watch the night sky.


It had been John himself who had spotted that person, but it was Joan who had the feeling they should help. His eyes tracked the person for a while, sensing that request. Then, after they seemingly left his field of sight, he placed a hand over his chest.

John glanced up, as his body glowed. When it faded, Joan turned to the person, and began to follow. At the moment, dressed in a black yukata with silver trims that was oversized for her (Joan tried to fold it further over her chest to cover it), the wooden sandals made a softer clack over the pavement.

It was then when she was asked by the younger fellow.

Joan stopped, trying to study the person and see if he was a threat to the other.

[moondreamteam11]

[The young man and his friends, in the meanwhile, were twitching as they saw John transform into Joan.]

...Darn. I asked the wrong person, apparently?

[The young man said, tilting his head.]

- Is that so?

[Joan said, and smiled softly but menancingly.]

[The young man smiled back, then, with a sharp edge to his smile.]

...Well, when one's world is apparently getting invaded by strange people with strange powers who look like normal human beings normally but can go through whole buildings when they transform into their other forms, you sort of get worried about some things, you see...

[Joan slowly blinked at that.]

- How interesting. Could you tell me what those strange invaders are called, perchance?

[The young man slowly looked at her, then.]

...That depends, actually. They don't all seem to come from the same place, just for one thing.

Some of them were clearly trying to take over territory, but some of them were just plain energy vamps with no larger plan, and there apparently some kind of mega-monsters who tried to eat the Earth entirely, though we never fought them directly.

[The young man smiled, then, coldly.]

Oh, and there's a major faction who are called the Moonfolk, who've been trying to take over the Earth for forever and a day, apparently, but they're not really interested in destroying the Earth at all, or so they say, so that's that.

[Joan looked at the young man for a long moment. And then, she pointed at the large City Hall.]

...If you go there and tell them you're newcomers, I'm sure they'll be happy to explain how this all works.

Or you could just ask your World Tree Phones.

[The young man took out his Phone, then, and showed it to her.]

You mean this? Do smartphones just appear from thin air here, as a general rule?

[Joan smiled a bit, then.]

They do, actually. No joke.

[And then, she tilted her head a bit. There was something she should say, right?]

Ahh, right - Welcome to the World Tree System and City *****.

[Joan waited until the young man had given her a nod.]

Thank you, Ma'am.

[And then, he shook his head at some of the other handsome men when they looked like they didn't seem to like this idea.]

Let's go - We'll talk about this later, all right?

[Joan waited some more, then, until the pack of young men had rounded the corner, and then she turned toward where the other man was hiding.]

[The man was still hiding between the bush and the Teleport Station, but now, both James and Chibi-Usa were stuck close to him, with both their auras in stealth mode.]

...Ohhhh. That doesn't sound good.

[James said eventually, while Chibi-Usa nodded.]

[senshiofreach]

Joan tilted her head after overhearing a familiar voice. She turned to her sides, apparently wondering where that person was. The lights flickered for a moment, and Joan seemingly walked on...

... while the real Joan uncloaked above James. Towering over him, bust nesting over his head, as she needed the height that her friend lacked.

"Do you know anything about the moonfolk, James?" She asks, "I know I have heard of them before. And I need to know where and how. If they come."

[badassbooksnake]

...Stop the towering, will youuuu?

[James groaned toward Joan - And that was when James actually heard Joan's words.]

[...Wait, what?]

[James sweatdropped, then. So did teen Chibi-Usa.]

- Please wait a minute, Joan.

[James said, and then he nodded toward Chibi-Usa. They both did have to make sure that their guesses were correct, after all.]

[And then, they both turned toward the handsome man, who had come to his feet soundlessly, his aura carefully in bland mode, and his expression blank.]

[...Huh.]

[Chibi-Usa looked at James again, and nodded.]

...OK, I'll ask him.

[And then, she turned toward the handsome man.]

- Hey. About those "Moonfolk" your friends or ex-friends or whoever they are mentioned - Do they call themselves the "Moon Kingdom" by any chance?

[The man looked at her, then, his eyebrows raising, and sighed.]

...I believe they do, quite often. It's one of their older names, you see...