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

[synastries]

[ It takes her a few seconds, but she finally spots him. This must be her day, he hasn't disappear far off just yet. His features are hard to make out from the darkness but it just adds more to his mysterious charm. She can't handle it! Why is he so charming! She's head over heels!!

Thanks to the fact she's dressed for the occasion, she didn't have her confession letter in her pocket, just a couple of darts. She hides her hands behind her back as she takes a deep breath, preparing to yell her feelings from the spot she's standing. It's now or never. ]

Um, I've always wanted to thank you for saving me back at school! And, and, a-and... and I like youI- would like to spend the night with you!

[ Someone save her from herself. ]

You know we could celebrate New Years together and spend hatsumode right after, get our fortune for next year and also pray for your university exams right after. Eat somewhere together-- or I could cook you lunch every day like Matsu-san if you'd like.

[ Gods help her, the moment Kotaro sits still long enough, her confession breaks out like a dam. Tsuruhime covers her face with her hands, she finally confess to the man of her dreams. ]

[vengaboy]

[Okay you can't just yell something like that at a party of drunk rowdy samurai and not draw attention. Maybe there's a couple of sad little 'aww's from guys who realize it wasn't for them but there are also several whistles, including one from this guy. Get it, gurl.]

[brosokabe]

[ This one doesn't even QUESTION the hows or whats of how he got here. All he sees is a bunch rowdy samurais that remind him of the boys back home in weird get-up and just rolls with it. Honestly mate, he's just here for a laff and that much is promised when he hears a certain girlie professing her love a content distance away. Or, y'know, at least enough to hear what else she spilled out. Also, how convenient he chooses to ignore that ]

YEAH [ hiccup! ] YOU GO GIRLIE!! GO GET YOU [ hiccup! ] SOME OF THAT HOT ACTION!!

[synastries]

[ Hey you know

If this all fails



She already has an idea who to blame this

Just so you know ]

[brosokabe]

[ ... bruh ]

[synastries]

[ No yeah, it's definitely the fault of a certain delinquent. Later in the night, after all that misunderstanding with Sasuke clears up, she marches up towards him ready to tear him a new one. ]

Look what you and your gang have done!

[brosokabe]

[Listen listen Linda He's just trying to have a good time here and keep to himself and his improv clique. Why are you doing this to him, his night was actually starting to look promising without you on his shadow [

'm sorry, what?

[synastries]

[ Too bad, she's stepping on his shadow and he's not allowed to go anywhere until she's done scolding him. Also gods Motochika, are you underage drinking. Why. ]

You heard me! He- he ran off because you scared him with your drunken yelling.

[brosokabe]

[ What are you? Some kind of shadowmancer Whatever!! This Motochika refuses to be phased! ]

Are you sure it was me and not your over-theatric monologue that tipped him off?

[ How many times must he go over this with you? You have this scary effect, Tsuruhime. Need he say any more? ]

Because lesbehonest... I'd run from you if y'were screamin' at me like that too.

[synastries]

[ There's a lump in her throat and her eyes feel like they're burning, but focuses on nothing but the boiling sensation in her chest. She's not sad, and she's here to prove a point!! ]

I wasn't screaming! And- and he was just shy, which you and your crew scared him off b-by yelling all those stupid things at him. He didn't like the attention, and I wasn't screaming!

[ However, she probably is now though she hasn't realize her volume or the cracks in her voice. ]

[brosokabe]

[ He might be a bit under the influence but even with the buzz he was sporting (holy shit, he does not remember being this light-headed after a few rounds) it doesn't help he's also in the mood to be a little mean and that he's consciously aware of that. In fact, her targetting him gives him the perfect excuse and he doesn't really register the added gloss in Tsuruhime's eyes since he's all too focused on her lips moving and barking at him over something that didn't even matter. Kotaro would be leaving next year and he'd long forget all about her! Why was she even sweating him when the end of his year was quickly approaching!]

Shy? Ever try to put it together that maybe he doesn't like your attention or you in general? I've never seen him run off as fast away from Kasuga or Itsuki like he does with you.

[ Did he mean a little? Sorry, he meant a lot. He's even laughing now. ]

Actually, come to think of it, isn't it about time you stop pinning the blame on others and just accept the facts already? He's just not that into you or in ya little bitties.

[synastries]

[ She clenches her fist until she could her nails digging into her skin. Moments like this she immediately remembers the people back in Omishima. None of the her priests liked seeing her cry, they would always gently guide her to either direct the stinging pain in her heart as happiness or anger. Keep moving forward and put those emotions to constructive use, direct that anger to someone who deserved it.

Does he really deserve it? ]

You're wrong! Wrong! Wrong! He saved me before and we danced together during the Sport's Festival, unlike you he isn't some- some- stupid asshole who likes to talk about girls in a vulgar way. He's a sweet, and thoughtful, and gentle and, and you'll never be like him-- you'll never be a girl's prince! Stop trying to make me angry!

[ She's still have a year, she'll confess to the nicest boy in school before he graduates. Until then, she'll keep moving forward, she refuses to back down especially in front of a bully like him. ]

I love all of you for this 1/2

[taciturntwilight]

[Kotaro was about to hop away to observe another part of the party when Tsuruhime starts her yelling followed by whistles and yells from other people. (The yells from the men around her might have done more to make him stop that hers. He's used to hearing Tsuruhime yell in his general direction)

So, this is the Tsuruhime from the same time as him. He fishes for something in his pocket.]

2/2

[taciturntwilight]

[ Kotaro holds out a piece a paper to her.

...

It's a generic school notice letting her know that the book she wanted in the library is ready for her to check out. ]

[synastries]

[ Goodness he's up and close near her, she has her arms open and ready finally embrace her beloved. In her heart of hearts, she just knew that Twilight held the same feelings as her. There's no way that the string that's tugging her heart be anything else but her other half calling out to her. She's the earth and he's the sky, they couldn't be any more different but they complete each other.

And now, they can begin a new chapter in their lives as a couple. Tsuruhime pauses when she realizes Winged of Twilight is holding out a piece of paper. It touches the deepest core of her heart, so they were both reaching out for each other in a similar manner. It hadn't just been her, they really are made for one and another. Has he been too shy all this time? Is that why he runs despite his own soul yearning to find its other half? ]

Oh, it's okay, I understand your feelings. But I'll still read your letter.

[synastries]

[ She prepares herself to read what her soon-to-be boyfriend has been trying to say. Maybe he has a hidden gap moe and he talks about how cute she is or maybe try to tease her clumsy nature. Or maybe he really is alluring and romantic as he-- ]

"A translation of 'Hellenistic Astrology: The Study of Fate and Fortune' is now avalaible in the school library."

[...]

Are we going on a study date?

[taciturntwilight]

[ Don't ask him. He doesn't know what that book title means, but the book will be found on the hold shelf.

With his task done, Kotaro is ready to dash off into places unknown. (Or maybe just to deliver another hold notice to another student.) He turns to leave. ]

[synastries]

[ It's sort of weird in a way that she's so used to seeing him leave at this point that the familiar movements almost seemed to be at slow motion to her.

Doesn't mean she's going to act like a deer in headlight however. ]

Wait! Don't leave just yet!

[ On impulse, she tries to grab his arm. ]

1/2

[taciturntwilight]

[ And as is tradition, there is a burst of black feathers. ]

2/2

[shinbunshinobi]

[ And in his place is his very confused and annoyed newspaper kouhai that Tsuruhime has just grabbed the arm of. Sasuke does his best Yukimura impression and yells. ]

WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!

I should have known (bless u)

[synastries]

[ Lo and behold, her black feathered angel has been swapped for an unlucky monkey.

Tsuruhime does a double take before she joins in screaming. ]

NO GET AWAY!

:3

[shinbunshinobi]

[ He has his own stuff to deal with, Kotaro you bastard! He gave you her letter and everything. The least you can do is properly respond to her feelings like a man. Like he's one to talk, Mr. I am totally not crushing on my best friend.

Sasuke will just step aside (before he gets thrown to the ground) and let whatever happens next happen. Kotaro's probably not that far away.

Jerk. ]

[synastries]

[ As per the usual fashion, she tries to find him in midst of the chaos (she created) but she can't find the object of her affections easy. At least no one had fell over or thrown down to the ground, but Tsuruhime is frantically looking left and right for Kotaro. ]

Oh no, where did he go?

[ Wait wait that was Sasuke with her. ]

Saru-oniisan, did you see where he went?

[shinbunshinobi]

[ Not getting hurt or nearly hurt in any fashion is good enough for Sasuke. He could do without pointed objects being thrown at him. ]

He's always jumping places, so I'm going to guess he's somewhere up high.

[synastries]

Oh no... Even my darts can't reach that high.

[ She's about to cry. If only she could jump that high, like jumping from ship to ship. ]