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Post by nimblewing on May 27, 2013 20:37:48 GMT -5
Looking through the list of claimed characters, several of my first picks were taken, and I have some trouble with colors at times, so I'm hoping that I got the color coded stuff correct. (Not quite color blind, by many colors look the same to me.) Anyway, it looks like Yukari (and Ran) are open? If that's the case, I'd like to go ahead and put down a flag to claim at least Yukari, and perhaps Ran as well, if that's alright. If there's anything you'd like me to do for this, let me know! I read over everything, and nothing specific other than "claim them" caught my eye. Thanks!
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Post by nimblewing on May 27, 2013 22:48:19 GMT -5
Nope, totally wasn't me! I was looking at the list of claimed characters, and it can be difficult for me to tell colors apart. I'm sure there's a word for it, but my eyes basically hate me. Some colors just look the same to me; blue and purple, orange/red and green, different shades of the same color, etc, etc, etc. So perhaps the list said they were claimed, and I guess wrong on the colors? If so, I apologize. I'll take another look at some point and see what I can come up with.
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Post by nimblewing on May 27, 2013 22:57:51 GMT -5
Oh, ok, good. I was afraid my first post here would end up being a major derp! I'll wait, then, and see how things go. I'll be looking forward to seeing how this turns out! And even if Yukari ends up being off limits, there's always Ran. Perhaps Chen, too. I've just always been fond of Yukari and the two shikigami below her.
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Post by nimblewing on May 28, 2013 17:07:13 GMT -5
Ah, alright, I understand. It's pretty easy to see how that could become a problem! So, with Yukari out of the picture, I suppose I turn my attention to Ran Yakumo, then. As long as there are no issues situated around her, then she'd be my next choice of characters to go with. And then, going down the line, if there's an issue with her, I'd go with Chen. Is that alright? And, provided that it is, is there anything more required of me to put claim on either of them?
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Post by Utsuho Reiuji on May 28, 2013 17:08:56 GMT -5
Both are, to the best of my knowledge, free, and are not sufficently major charaters to demand applications. So, unless you decide you prefer Chen, your request for Ran is approved.
EDIT
Nevermind. As Ran is a stage EX boss, I will require an application for her.
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Post by nimblewing on May 28, 2013 17:15:56 GMT -5
That is, also, quite understandable. Just so I don't mess up, and because I didn't see any sort of template or guidelines in regards to canon character applications, is there anything you would prefer that I do in that application? I only saw a guide for OC submissions, and every other RP canon I've gone into, including the one that I run, has some form of template or guide for applying characters. If it's freeform, then just letting me know what info or whatever you'd like in it would be sufficient. As soon as I know what I'd need, I'll get to work on it for you!
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Post by nimblewing on May 30, 2013 20:03:51 GMT -5
(Well, this took more than the 24 hours I promised... but oh well. Ended up having to take a friend to the hospital to visit his grandfather, and that took up most of my day. The rest was spent unlocking and beating MoF's Extra Stage. That makes three Extra Stages and the Phantasm Stage that I've completed! But that's not important; I hope this is what you were looking for in an application! I got a bit... creative with it. I also did quite a bit of research to make sure I got all the little details correct. Enjoy!)
A small book lies upon a table, unmarked and in seemingly perfect condition. To any regular passersby, this book wouldn't stand out in the least; it wouldn't catch anybody's eye. Not, of course, unless they were looking for it. Despite their perfect appearance, the cover and pages feel old and worn. This book is not new and had been around for some time now; the pristine appearance must be from some sort of enchantment or something. After all, what else could it be? This book didn't exactly belong to just anybody. The first page is short and simple, entirely to the point. The reader doesn't have to go far to get a good understanding of things.
Ran Yakumo
I suppose that, beginning a new life here, I should have a place to write down my thoughts. I'm too tired to write much for now, but I'd better jot down a few things. It just feels more natural that way. I've been taken in, and I'm now a Shikigami to someone named Yukari. She's given me that name: Ran Yakumo. It's not mine, but I have no choice, considering my position. Either way, these last few days have been hectic. I need to sleep, and I'll write more tomorr--
The writing slides off the page, almost as though the one holding the pen had fallen asleep while writing. Considering the words on the page, this was entirely likely. The next page is written quickly, as though the writer were rushed as they held the pen.
I can't believe I fell asleep while writing last night! I'm lucky I don't have any ink smudges on my face, but that's not too important. I do need to write down what happened, though, so I can get all my thoughts in order. So, my birthday was four days ago, and I finally got my second tail! It still tingles a bit, and it feels strange to have a whole new tail there, but it was so exciting to wake up and see it there! This marks my first step towards getting all nine tails, and then moving on to becoming a Tenko, and then achieving divinity! I was so excited that I ran around, wanting to show it off a bit, but that was probably a mistake. I suppose I'll find out soon enough. As I ran, I stumbled upon a woman. She was just sitting there on a rock, holding an umbrella, and staring off into the distance. She stood up once she noticed me, so I turned and ran away, realizing just how far from home I'd gone. When I got home, I couldn't stop thinking about the woman for some reason. Who was she? Why was she there?
Well, they say that curiosity killed the cat. But, I thought, I'm not a cat! So giving in to my curiosity surely can't get me killed. The next day, I decided to return to that same place, but the woman wasn't there. Disappointed, I turned around to leave, but she was standing right there! I'd come from that direction, so I couldn't understand just how she could have gotten there. And, thinking back, I swear that I saw a patch of what appeared to be eyes floating behind her. Surprised, I moved to run, but as I rounded a corner to hide behind a tree, she was there again! I decided to gather up what courage I had left and sat to listen to her. She said that her name was Yukari, and she said that she'd taken a liking to me for some reason. She offered me a position as something she called a Shikigami, which she explained to be a sort of servant to a master. If I accepted, she would be the master, and I the servant. I wasn't fond of being kept as a servant, but she went on to say that I would gain much power from becoming a Shikigami, and that it was more than I could attain on my own. I was indecisive, to say the least, and so she gave me 24 hours to come to a decision.
I thought long and hard that night, hardly able to sleep at all. It wasn't an easy decision, but I finally came to decide to accept her offer. After all, I may be a fox with two tails, but that's no reason to think myself powerful enough to push for divinity. What if I encounter somebody stronger than me and die?! I'd never get that far if I'm dead! I'd be ferried across the Sanzu River and be stuck in Higan! Although, that actually makes me wonder about how long that trip would be. Just how wide is the Sanzu Riv I suppose that's why a pen isn't all that great. No erasing here. That can be a thought for another time. Anyway, I went back to Yukari the next day and told her that I accepted her offer to become a Shikigami. She smiled, overjoyed at my acceptance, and then suddenly ripped open a hole in the air. It was full of eyes, the same eyes I'd seen the day before, and she pulled me into it with her. That place was terrifying! Surrounded by so many eyes, and I think I saw an arm or two at some point! It's not a pleasant place, but she apparently goes there quite a lot.
When we came back out, we were in a very strange place. I'm not sure how to describe it; perhaps I'll put some research into the exact details later. But the air just felt different, somewhat stagnant in a way. Yukari said that we were in the Netherworld, near a place called Hakugyokurou, which was also near the border between life and death. It wasn't exactly where she lived, though. I think it may have had something to do with the proximity of such an important border. Details on that can come later. Anyway, she quickly prepared and performed some type of ceremony to make me her Shikigami, and I suppose it worked quickly enough. The only real way to explain it is that my form changed. Where I was once a fox, I now resemble a human, although I still have my ears and tails. It took me some time to get used to it, but I can get around well enough now. Because of this, I've not only become a Shikigami, but I can also be considered a youkai as well. We spent the rest of the day looking around the area so I could learn what all was there, and then getting me used to this body. Yukari, insisting that I call her Mistress, Mistress Yukari, or Lady Yukari, went to bed shortly afterwards. She's actually been asleep for some time now; I wonder when she'll wake up. No matter; she will eventually. This is all a lot to wrap my head around, though, and I sincerely hope this promised power is worth it. I need to go for now; Lady Yukari has asked me to do some chores.
The pages turn, but progress through the book is slow. Whereas it only appears to have about two-hundred or so pages, it actually contains far more than that. Any doubts that this is not an ordinary book are long gone. Time flows by as the pages turn, the reader going through hundreds of years of daily writings. Stories pass, telling of many exciting things. A young fox growing up, her growing affection for her master, her growing power, and her growing knowledge. The writings become more complicated as time goes on, sometimes being interspersed with long and complicated calculations; they are generally labeled as points to do with the Sanzu River. They quickly grow too complicated to follow, and so they're not worth the time reading, but they're certainly not the most interesting parts in the little book. The next entry of interest come some time later.
It was my birthday today! This officially marks the five-hundredth year of my existence, and I once again woke up to another tail! I've got six of them now, and they're quite lovely, if I do say so myself. I'll have to make sure I modify all my clothes so that they can allow the extra tail, though. It shouldn't be very difficult. <Several calculations and diagrams fill the page, depicting clothing and tail placement.>
But that's not the most exciting part of the day! I approached Lady Yukari today and told her what today was, and she seemed happy for me, although she wasn't very interested. After a moment of hesitation, I asked her if I might be able to have a Shikigami of my own. I told her that my power had grown, and I thought that I would be able to handle one well enough. I flinched a bit when she moved, ready for a few good hits from her umbrella for trying to do something for myself, but oddly enough, she didn't hit me. Instead, she told me that I could, as long as I took full responsibility and didn't slack on my chores. I don't know if this means she's happy with my progress or if it's a birthday present, but I'm happy either way! Tomorrow, when I'm done with my chores, I'll begin searching for a suitable subject. I've been thinking of a cat...
More time passes, and more stories unfold. An interview with Aya Shameimaru, finally perfecting her calculations on the Sanzu River, a growing bond with her Shikigami, Chen, and eventually gaining her ninth tail. Not a single day goes by without another entry, leaving the book with over 250,000 entries, spanning over 400,000 pages. It's an impressive tome, that's for sure, and it can be assumed that the entries continue up to present day, seeing as the owner is still very much alive. Many more years pass, however, before another entry of note comes up. It seems very recent, and the writing seems different, as though the writer had been tired, injured, or both at the time of writing.
My writings over these last few days have been very brief, but within reason. Now that the matter is finally settled as of today, I'll take the time to write it all out, if only in fleeting summary. It started about five days ago as I was finalizing my plans for what I would do at the upcoming banquet. Poor Chen came running into my room looking terrible. She told me that some girl had come flying into Mayohiga, where she'd been left as a guard, and completely avoided all of her danmaku! Not only that, but they'd fired back with their own attacks, which she just couldn't keep up with. I got her all bandaged up, thankfully none of the wounds were serious, and told her that it was because she'd been so far away from me. With her diminished power, she could have been beaten by anybody. I left her to rest, and then went out to do some more chores for the day, one of which took me near Hakugokyurou, and I heard a strange tale. Apparently, some girls had come to the Netherworld seeking to end some sort of endless winter and defeated Yuyuko's danmaku. Whoever it was must have been pretty quick, but Yuyuko is still fairly weak. I wasn't worried at the time.
About three days later, I was working on more preparations for the banquet when I sensed that Chen had been defeated once again. This was surprising because we were very close at the time. As I searched around to investigate, I was approached by a girl who matched the description of one of the three who had defeated Yuyuko. I didn't mention it at the time, nor did I care, as I had a duty to avenge Chen's defeat. I underestimated them at first, but they quickly proved by be a slippery target, and so I threw much of what I could at them. Somehow, they managed to even slip past some of my most powerful illusions and got by a combined attack with Chen! Sadly, I was defeated in the end, and the girl demanded to see Lady Yukari. She was asleep at the time, however, so I told them that they couldn't. I sincerely hoped that that would be the end of things. How I wish that could have been it...
Two days later, making it earlier the same day that I write this, I was headed back to my room to sleep after finalizing everything for the banquet tomorrow. To my dismay, however, that accursed girl returned and challenged me once again. I was tired and still recovering from the last fight, so I was defeated once again, even when I enlisted the help of Lady Yukari's crows, Zenki and Goki. This girl proved to be nothing to trifle with. Unfortunately, Lady Yukari had to come out and handle the intruder herself, throwing her own danmaku at them. My Mistress' attacks are much more powerful than mine, so I was sure that the girl would be defeated. To my horror, though, they managed to move through with only a few close calls. In a move of desperation, I dove in to assist Lady Yukari with one final attack of my own, but even with the two of us working together, the girl refused to fall. Even Lady Yukari's ultimate danmaku attack did nothing to this girl, and she proved to be superior, somehow, to all of us.
The girl spoke with Lady Yukari after the battle, scolding her for her behavior. She even had the nerve to demand that she repair the border between life and death! It's bad enough that we all lost, but she's just adding insult to injury with that one. Now, I can only hope that the banquet tomorrow can help the three of us forget about the troubles that the girl caused us, as well as help our recovery. I'm expecting another beating from Lady Yukari's umbrella, but perhaps she'll be merciful this time, considering that she lost, too. Only time will tell. For now, though, I need to sleep.
A soft laugh escapes the intruder as she reads over this; it's the first noise she's made since entering. She continues to turn the pages, glancing over the next several days with interest. She looks up in surprise, however, when the door to the room opens up behind her. Ran steps into the room, and a look of anger comes across her face. Chen, her Shikigami, quickly shuts the book and bolts to one corner of the room.
"Chen! Were you reading my diary just now?!" She walks across the room to push the chair back into place under the desk, and then to put the book back in its place. She regards Chen with an expression of disappointment now, having never expected her to do something like that. "I've told you before not to mess with my private belongings! This isn't something I'm going to allow!"
"I-I'm sorry, Ran-Shama... I was only curious." Ran's gaze softens a bit as Chen looks down, her childlike innocence coming through like it has so many times before. "I won't do it again, I promise!" Ran steps over to her and places a gentle hand on her Shikigami's shoulder, an old saying coming to mind.
"You shouldn't have done it the first time, and you know what they say, Chen. Curiosity killed the cat." She takes her hand off of Chen's shoulder, making a small gesture to her cat ears and twin tails. "You're a cat, so you should heed that warning especially closely. I wouldn't want to lose you over something like that!" She smiles down at her for a moment, but then the situation comes back to her, overriding her moment of leniency. "But that doesn't mean I won't punish you for this. Some extra chores should do the trick, wouldn't you say?"
"Y-yes." Ran gives a small nod, but glances up with that same childlike innocence in her face, hiding a small smile. Ran shoos her away, meaning for her to go back to her room for the time being, and then turns back towards her desk. She lets out a small sigh, her tails drooping low to the floor. Sometimes, that cat could really put her through some emotional roller coasters. Shocked, angry, forgiving, strict, regretful, it went on like that every time she broke a rule, and it won't change any time soon. I suppose that's the reason I chose her. She thinks to herself as she picks up a pen and opens her diary to the first blank page. She has power when near me, and she's like a child; curious and pure. It has its ups and downs, but I wouldn't give her up over that. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she begins to write.
It's been another year down the drain, today marking the anniversary of the day that girl came and defeated Lady Yukari. Nothing much to say on it, but perhaps I'll do something special for the Mistress once she wakes up. <Various ideas fill the page, going from a small festival to simply getting a gift. Many of them are marked over, and Ran makes a note to think more on it.>
I also caught Chen reading through my entries today. I reminded her of the saying "Curiosity killed the cat," and I'll assign her some extra chores, but I'm sure there wasn't much harm done. After all, she's my Shikigami, so reading over some things about me can't be all that bad. I just need to make sure she keeps that curiosity in check. I'm sure she'll be all happy and running around again by the night's end.
Anyway, I had a few thoughts while I was doing my chores today. I considered returning to...
She loses herself in the writing, adding yet another entry to the book. She'd lived a long life, full of many adventures, some good and some bad, and she had just as much life ahead of her. She wonders briefly where she might end up next, or what crazy events might happen soon. One could never really tell, though, living here in Gensokyo. Especially considering she was the Shikigami to Yukari; things were never dull while she was around. But Ran couldn't know what would happen next. Only time will tell.
(Aaaaaand that's it! I hope it's up to whatever standards you guys may have here! I originally planned to have Marisa reading it, being the thieving magician she is, but I couldn't think of a reason for her to go to Ran's diary. So, instead, I tried to put a bit of Ran/Chen interaction at the end. I think it could be better, by quite a lot actually, but it's what I've come up with here. Anyway, thanks for the consideration!)
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