YEAR OF THE TIGERDRAGON

[vengaboy]

No matter what language you speak, no matter what country or universe you reside in, a mysterious letter has found its way to you. Those who can read it will recognize it as an ornately scripted Japanese new year's invitation; those who don't might not even know these elaborate squiggles mean anything at all. Either way, when you look up from the neatly folded paper, you're probably nowhere near home anymore.

Where is this?! When is this?! Welcome to Japan as it was kinda, sorta, just shy of the year 1600, esteemed guests! If it somehow feels like it isn't even the right month anymore, that's because local time and date is still on the lunar system. It's fine. New Year's parties are New Year's parties.

And those parties mean alcohol! Music! Dancing! Feasting! Don't be shy! There are a number of attendants in colourful livery nearby, eagerly expecting an influx of new guests. They're all friendly enough, but they don't seem to bear the crest of any particular clan and sharp-eyed visitors may catch the briefest glimpse of a striped fluffy tail or a foxy grin... or is it a trick of the light? If you want nothing to do with any of this, they might pout a little but will send you home without any problem. But if you choose to follow them beyond the gates, get ready for one hell of a night. The only kind of explanation you get for what's going on is that the Takeda and Date clans have set aside their rivalries for a night of PEACE AND PARTY and everyone's invited. What does that mean? Go find out for yourself.

Of course folks from all over have been invited to this thing, but outnumbering the other guests by far are a bunch of rowdy samurai types, some in their armour, many in more formal robes, several proudly bearing banners of red or blue. Nobody appears to have any weapons on them, but if any guest takes that as an opportunity to start some shit they're going to be swarmed in like two seconds, so... maybe don't do that. However! There is plenty of space outside to spar in, if that's your thing! Or you can stay inside and drink, eat, enjoy the music, exchange raunchy stories, be an awkward wallflower, drink some more, witness some weird and kind of horrific family bonding, watch the unique display of gun- and canonfire alongside the fireworks, explore the scenic countryside outside of the compound, listen to some smug asshole in an eyepatch and some kid in red scream really loud at eachother, get playfully bullied into taking part in a ceremony you know nothing about, drain a bottle or two, flirt with famous historical figures, or... whatever you want!

All fandoms, all mediums, AUs, doubles, OCs, etc are all fair play here! Invite your friends! Invite your dog! Go nuts! Just slap a warning up if any threads take a particularly violent or sexy turn. Or both. I ain't judging.

LET'S PARTY!

Comments

[whyyyy]

[Hey, who said that some red and blue chumps got to have all the fun? Kanbe's never invited to like, any parties ever (mainly because he's a general cloud of gloom and also a huge inconvenience), but tonight he's actually managed to tunnel his way into the party of...Uh, the week? Shit, the Date are always partying. It's hell on his tunnels underneath Oshuu, let me tell you what.

But anyway.

Kanbe's basically staying on the fringes of the festivities, tonight; why lug his ball and chain into a crowd and get escorted from the premises when he's got more than one skill rattling around in his genius, handsome head?

There are little crudely-carved karakuri automatons shuffling around underfoot the whole night, most holding sake cups or little bowls. If they run into anyone, they wiggle their empty crockery upwards and refuse to leave their target alone until an offering's placed on their trays, and then off they go. Following any one of these little monstrosities back will lead you right to Kanbe, who's sitting behind some bushes and happily scarfing down whatever he gets.]

[autolatrist]

[Hey, what do you know! There's another garbageboy stinkman here who never gets invited to parties! Although in Karamatsu's case, gloominess isn't the problem...

But here he is anyway, (in)apropriately dressed, playing a dangerous balancing act between getting drunk off his ass and playing the part of cool, mysterious loner. At least it's really easy to stick to the shadows when you're actually really shy and nervous around groups of strangers. Not that the Sunglassed Wanderer is that kind of loser or anything!! Just. Just saying. For no reason.

So he's leaning against a wall, pouting sulking frowning like the cool and aloof guy he is, until he notices the tiny creepy puppet raise a cup to him. Whoa! Robot slaves! Nice!]

Heh. Don't mind if I do.

[He's going to... try to take the cup. He can't tell it's empty with his shades on, okay.]

[whyyyy]

[LISTEN HERE YOU LITTLE BITCH THAT'S HIS FUCKING HAUL.






Which is to say that as soon as the karakuri is separated from its cup, it starts emitting a screaming whistle from somewhere in its cog gut. And that brings Kanbe running-- "running", ball dragging over people's feet and arms clobbering partygoers as he thunders on over. Look, whatever. No one's going to fight this asshole and risk getting their shit crushed in by the ball. Kojuro'll throw him out eventually, right? Right.

Until then, said fucking nuisance is just gawking stupidly at Karamatsu, fingers twitching in a desperate attempt to not just choke him to death.]

THAT'S MY HARD WORK YOU JUST RUINED. [Kanbe, it was just a cup] DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT TOOK THIS HUMBLE KANBE TO FASTEN THOSE ON SO THAT THEY WOULDN'T TIP OR SLIDE BUT SO THAT I COULD STILL TAKE WHAT THEY BROUGHT TO ME?!

[cue nazejaaaaaa.mp4. The karakuri is just wiggling its legs in the air and screaming away. What a mess.]

[belomancy]

[ Rather than being annoyed, she's curious what these contraptions and why one of them had asked for assistance to get food. Are these the horses people keep talking about? It doesn't take too long for the priestess to follow these horses(?) and see who owns them.

When she does see who it is. She covers her mouth in surprise. ]

Oh, it's you! I didn't realize badgers were also invited.

[whyyyy]

[Honestly, somehow he did NOT expect anyone to actually track one of the karakuri back, which is exactly why Tsuruhime's greeting makes him choke on some pork. Just give him a second. He's doing his best.]

Oh, uh. Hey, Lady Oracle. I...I'm not doin' nothin', just enjoying the party! Eheheh.

[But then it finally clicks, and he delicately, lovingly picks up the automaton she followed to him, if only to hold it out to her. Look at his child, Tsuru. Look at this baby.] You like my work? It took me a little while, but I figured this way I can just have all the food and drink I like without making anyone too suspicious or...Getting in the road! Yeah!

[We just neatly dodging the question of being invited, aren't we. Yep.]

[belomancy]

[ She leans down to take a good look at the machinery. Taking note of the whirling cogs and nuts it has just to move, what a strange little thing. It's kind of gross in a way. ]

Horses looks much smaller than how people seem to describe them. [ She tilts her head curiously before looking back at Kanbe. ] But why are you eating outside, Badger? Surely people would make way since you're an invited guess, I'll be more than happy to let everyone know.

[ Unless you're causing trouble again and we can't have any of that. ]