Another 'I'm new to this' thread

[Entropy]

Mainly don't want to end up with a controlling partner who has a post five entries a day, each no less than 1000 words kind of policy. Other than that- hoping for someone who's easygoing, creative, and perhaps as inexperienced as I am. Who wont mind how often either of us replies-twice a day or once a week- as long as its something we can both be excited about. It also helps if you have a hankering for mushy romantic stories.

 

As for theme I'm thinking an eventual +18 story having to do with nature spirits. Perhaps loosely based on Mushishi, Natsume's Book of Friends or Into the Forest of the Fireflies Light. If you have another idea, I'd be happy to oblige assuming that it doesn't include my two least favorite things in the universe- rape and love triangles.

 

Any positions can apply.

[rainytea]

Hi, I would be willing to try an rp with you. I'm not exactly a beginner, but I haven't actively rped for about 3 years. Just getting started up again. I usually write in the literate style, paragraphs as opposed to script, but I'm not picky about length as long as things move along. I don't understand how some people are supposedly able to write pages when they get to a point where it's mainly dialogue, haha. I've watched all of Natsume Yuujinchou and a few episodes of Mushishi, generally cool with forest spirits. I have only really ever rped uke, but I don't mind trying seke/seme. Oh, and I wouldn't mind if we want to comment/critique each other's writing as we go along.

[Entropy]

Oooo. I'd love to be your top. And, maybe even more, would enjoy feedback about how I'm progressing. Yes. You definitely pass. One minor thing- I don't mind emoticons when we're chatting [i have a terrible habit of using them, too] but during the rp I'd like it if neither of us did. You don't have to listen to me, but personally I'm taking it up as a challenge because I think it'll make my writing more meaningful and maybe expand my vocabulary.

 

So I have two ideas.

 

1.C1 is a spirit expert, travelling around curing people who have had invisible spirits meddle in their lives. One day he encounters spirit (C2) who wants to follow him on his journey. C1 politely declines leaving C2 as a pesky follower that C1 tries to lose multiple times. C1 tries not to feel guilty about C2 sleeping out in the elements and starts leaving food out 'accidentally' so C2 wont have to hunt himself. At some point C1 gets into trouble, C2 aids him- C1 gets over his initial uneasiness- and they continue their journey together as their relationship strengthens.

 

Problem- No clear ending or overarching plot other than romance.

We could also have the really offsetting idea of having the relationship actually continue past 20s

And then the spirit would have to deal with watching his loved one die as their lifespans are so different

That'd be difficult to write and not make creepy

If we pulled it off it'd be a masterpiece though.

 

2. C1 is a biologist in an extremely small town out in the middle of nowhere tracking the development of an endangered species. C1 struggles from intense anti social behavior which is why he chose such a lonely occupation. Other than a few visits to the super market or mostly impersonal conversations with colleagues that are trying to reach out, C1 doesn't spend too much time in the town. This behavior gets him a few weird looks. But underneath his indifference C1 suffers from loneliness. He speaks out loud to the mountain about everything that's happening in his life. C2(animal or mountain spirit who has taken a human form), has known him for years at this point but never approached because he knows humans are a cause for suffering whenever they set foot on the mountain. C2 starts to think that this is the first human who seems to be a part of the place. C2 approaches C1 slowly by leaving little hints here and there as to not drive him away. C2 and C1 finally meet and they both feel that they have found a connection to a completely different world. If we want to turn this one into a tragedy we can incorporate some railroad that a huge company is planning to build, leaving the mountain demolished(hurting C2) and killing off the endangered species C1 holds so dear. And then C1 can have a really painful monologue about how this loneliness is far worse and far better than the one he knew before.

 

Problem- This isn't really a problem but we'd have to do a bit a research on whichever endangered animal we pick and a bit about the actual process by which a company tears down a mountain.

 

 

The second is much more fleshed out. But I really want to hear any story ideas you have. Maybe come up with at least one and then after you've typed yours out you can go ahead and tell me which one you'd be most interested in. Or if we should continue brainstorming. Afterwards we can pick characters and write our little personality descriptions yada yada yada.

 

By the way, I don't necessarily want to write a tragedy. I just didn't know how to end either of the stories. So your response can include alternate endings of my stories or your own happy endings. There are still no requirements.

 

One example of a happier alternate ending could be if the human in the story becomes a spirit or vice versa.

[xAkachix]

hey i,d love to rp with you i,m just getting back into rp myself so i,m pretty laid back as along as its not a one line response .

[rainytea]

Haha, emoticons and chat abbreviations never come out during the rp, just during casual chat. You won't have to worry about that at all.

 

Brainstorming is fun! Here we go:

 

3. C1 is an exorcist who targets powerful spirits to use as servants. One day, he is injured by a forest guardian he is trying to catch. C2, an attendant of that spirit, finds C1 and takes care of his wounds without knowing the exorcist and his master had fought. C2 leaves C1 near a path humans frequent. After recovering enough to move around, C1 comes across C2 disguised as a human. The two grow closer and confide in each other. They even discuss their viewpoints on spirits, spending many hours on the topic. When C2 discovers C1 tried to capture his master, he makes excuses to leave and disappears into the forest, feeling betrayed. Distraught, but unable to find C2 or understand what happened, C1 throws himself back into his job with a vengeance. When C1 attempts to capture the guardian again, C2 reveals himself.

 

Whew, came up with that one on the spot. I deliberately did not write an ending, as the resolution can be decided or just rped out if we choose this one.

 

4. C1 is a student able to see spirits. Recently forced to leave his home where he was living alone, he comes across a dilapidated temple. The spirit residing in the temple, C2, is fairly neutral when it comes to humans. He is usually either lounging in trees or helping some of the weaker spirits against stronger ones. After wandering around, C1 prays for permission to stay on the grounds until he finds a new place to live. Intrigued by the politeness of the human, C2 watches C1 as he goes about school (or work if we decide he's not a student) After a few days, C2 reveals himself to C1 and. Subsequent arcs continue to develop their relationship and several of the more bloodthirsty spirits try to convince C1 that C2 should be eaten or gotten rid of.

 

This one is pretty open plot-wise. But I think you can tell, lol.

 

Out of your prompts, I'm inclined to try the first one. It's only really creepy depending on the spirits that are encountered, so I would suggest a balance of scarier spirits and more mischievous ones. We could also potentially incorporate an element from the second prompt, where C2 has been observing C1 one for an interval of time and found C1 interesting. Heck, we can even combine the idea that C1 does something (nearly) unforgivable in C2's eyes, C2 is injured, and C1 is forced to contemplate his loneliness.

 

I guess development of the plot really has to do with their relationship, therefore we can discuss arcs for whatever development we want in their relationship. Actually, the prompt is appropriate for an rp because of its open-endedness. An arc on human mortality could be really fun, too. If we really want to have more plot guidelines, I would say to discuss as we go along. Can't say which kind of ending is more appealing to me at the moment. I love drama, but I also like happy endings and bittersweet endings. it really depends on how the relationship evolves, I guess.

[Ero Gaki]

Lemme i- Awtsu, someone got the place already. T_T XD

[Entropy]

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I appreciate your interest but I'll have to pass. If all goes well, maybe next time.

---

 

First- I'm extremely pleased that we're on the same page about abbreviations.

 

Next- Both of those were really good ideas. And completely unique. I will say that if we're going to go through with 4 we'd maybe have to cut out the prayer part- I have an aversion to any overtly religious action. He could ask in another way, though. Something that still gets the same point across but isn't praying. That or I could be the spirit so I wouldn't have to write that part out myself.

 

In 3, what would C2's relationship with his master be like? If they're too chummy I don't like the thought of C2 being subservient to someone else. But we could use that to the story's advantage if C1 is more of a contrasting loose cannon character. Maybe the master can take human form, too, and does that so C1 wont recognize him(only C2 knows what C1 looks like at this point because he patched him up). And then C1 can become horribly jealous. Maybe it actually takes effort for C2 to stay in human form as a spirit so he always reverts to his spirit form at night- or by some spell he knows when the exorcist is asleep. One morning after C1 and C2 sleep together, C2 is still in still in his spirit form but touches C1's hand(or plays with his hair- use your imagination). C1 still feels it and wakes up, C2 realizes he must be the exorcist because of this and quickly leaves before C1 has a chance to see him. The plot continues in exactly the same way you described.

 

I think the difficulty with 3 would be that there'd have to be an excuse for other humans to also be around the area. If C1 suspected that the master had turned himself into a human and then went into some largely populated area as camouflage then I think C1 would be skeptical the entire time and the story would suffer for it. But if the area wasn't populated and C2 and the master were the only other 'humans' there then that'd be questionable as well. They need an alibi. And there need to be more people. If there aren't then C2 isn't the brightest crayon in the box for not suspecting that the only guy in the woods is the exorcist.

 

From your ideas I think 3 sounds really interesting. The problem that I see with my own first idea is that it's very episodic. We'd have to be extremely creative to keep the story from being a bad Mushishi rehash. It has the potential of just keeping that same "they meet person x, cure them- go to person y, cure them etc". And that's a lot of pressure. Even further, Mushishi could rely on its amazing animation and always showed character backstory so we cared who was being cured. But if we keep writing character backstory for every person we meet then our romance will become more of a side issue. Honestly this could probably be fixed by spending more time on the individual arcs than Mushishi spends(one episode). Or largely leaving off the travelling part until their relationship is already clearly defined. Maybe have one story arc going on at the same time that they're falling in love and then speed things along once they start moving as a cohesive unit.

 

Maybe I'm just saying this because most of one's plot is still up in the air and I've never done this before- but personally I think 3 sounds most interesting. If we can figure out the questions I asked earlier. But at this point I'm confident that anything we choose with our combined imagination will be awesome. We should probably at least get to narrowing down though. Which of these storylines do you like more as a whole? Assuming it's not also three then depending on how complicated the two storylines are we can 1. try to weave them together or 2. Find a happy medium.

[rainytea]

I'm pretty cool about any of the prompts, really, though I do agree the episodic nature of 1 would involve additional planning for each arc as we both seem to be the type who like having the option of falling back on a basic plot if we get stuck. After all, the whole point is to see where the characters take us, but a framework for jumpstarting does make me feel more secure. For now, let's try working out 3.

 

I imagined C2 being the sort that admires his master and is very loyal. C2 is like a primary retainer. Perhaps the guardian picked C2 up as a orphaned young one, or something. It could be interesting to have the personality contrast between the guardian and C1. I think of the guardian as generally cheerful, almost gentle and charming, but willing to take necessary action to protect his charges. He's an unusual spirit in that he tries not to categorize beings but is willing to see someone for they actually are. He would probably enjoy pranks, since he does spend time with children. C1 is the character I have not really thought about as much. Could be fun if he was an extremely passionate guy, somewhat stubborn. I would be quite amused if there was a scenario where he became jealous because the guardian deliberately provoked C1 in order to tease.

 

I do like the idea that C2 can only maintain a human appearance during the day. Though I do imagine him as a more humanoid spirit, it's really up to whoever plays him. Maybe he's an animal spirit who has a kemonomimi intermediary form, or something, and the fully human form is limited.

 

In regards to the part where C2 discovers C1 tried to capture the guardian, I was actually thinking C2 puts things together based on things C1 says. C2 had only heard about the attack on the guardian after the fact. I guess that still makes C2 look naive or unobservant in that moment, but that could contribute to the disappointment that makes him leave. C2 tends to take after his master in kindness, I guess. I do approve of the realization occurring after they have slept together/gotten very close.

 

As far as the human population, I'm suggesting that they spirits live in a pretty wooded area with enough people hiking through that the spirits aren't excessively bothered as long as they're left alone. It would sort of account for the guardian's relaxed attitude about humans. The woods are near a decent-sized community. Sort of a Natsume-esque setting. Also, the guardian isn't likely to leave the woods very often if at all, so the attempted attack in the beginning would take place in the woods. Maybe a lot of people get injured, and C2 has a habit of tending the cases he finds.

 

So yeah, I'm fine if you suggest things, grab elements from the other prompts, want to change something, etc. Just throwing ideas into the pot to flesh things out. And of course voice things that need further development. Not that I don't think you won't do those things, I just want to be clear that it doesn't bother me, especially if a decent reasoning can be thought up.

[Entropy]

I like your idea for the human population issue. There could be nastier spirits in the woods and once in awhile when someone wanders in the meaner spirits give them a minor injury to convince them to leave the forest. So C2 thought that was how C1 had gotten injured but C1 is too stubborn to leave because of some really lame excuse like wanting to witness the wildlife but C2 figures C1 is strange enough to not be lying- C2 tells him that he lives in the forest too (house or no house) and decides to tackle tagging along with C1 to make sure he doesn't get himself killed while trying to find the exorcist. It'd be kind of comedic if we went that route because it's the whole 'this is inconvenient for both of us' plot- C1 can try losing C2 a few times (who thinks he's just incredibly incapable of taking care of himself). But we don't have to do it that way. As you said, we better figure it out as we go along. That's the fun part- yes? If we just sit here talking about 'well wouldn't it be fun if..' I'm going to get too distracted to start the rp.

 

So if we're both alright with [general] 3 then we can pick who we want to be.

 

Personally, I want to be the first character. I think I could write the exorcist well -though I suppose there's a danger in making him out to be a bit too cool. But since I'm already considering that I'm sure I wont slip up and write anything like 'and then my super awesome character did a quadruple backflip in the air while wielding the almighty sword of truth and kicked the guy in the face so hard his head cracked open. Oh, and tripped and got injured. The end'. Also it seems more natural to be a top if I don't have a master and instead have this sort of 'wanderer' quality. But if you want I'll be the second.

 

And then after we pick which characters we are we can write a small summary [posted once here to make sure it looks okay/detailed enough and then on the thread before the first post] including whatever we decide is relevant and pick names and get going. We can pick whichever names we'd like but I'm thinking we should give the same type of names (Greek, Japanese etc.) to all of the forest spirits. And then a different type for any villagers that are in the story. And the wanderer's name comes from perhaps nearby country. It seems silly to be so detailed about it but imagine if the master's name was "Frank" and the second character's name was "Argyros". I guess it doesn't have to be the same type as long as they sound a bit familiar.

 

And then a title and we can start. Wooooot!

I suppose it could be anything.

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. Though it sounds kinda dumb. Or something simple that doesn't take itself too seriously. "Into the forest" or "A beggar's knife". Or we could make one of those stupidly long but funny titles. Do you have any ideas?

[rainytea]

Wheeee sounds good to me! And yes, we should probably just go ahead and start putting together things for the thread. I'll take the spirit, as I'm more attached to that character anyways. My automatic inclination was to go with a modern Japanese setting, unless you have another suggestion?

 

Do you want to write the summary, or shall I? Other person obviously looks it over before it's finalized, yada yada.

 

Uuuhhhh title... I think I'll wait until we decide on a setting to finalize, but I'll throw out "A drop of honey." Potential plot device, perhaps. *shifty eyes*

[Entropy]

But there isn't honey in this story.

Unless you want there to be honey in this story. Is that the point?

Mmmh. I am most definitely up for that.

 

Wait. Clarify first.

If I'm right then it came out of nowhere.

Tell me what you mean

Because at this point I'm three seconds away from titling the thread "Our sexy adventure"

While happily singing careless whisper

-----------

 

Japan, huh?

 

First name: Lenka (meaning- 'taker')

Last name: Krupin (meaning- 'barley')

Nationality: Russian

Age: 29

Height: 6'1

Weight: 180

Eyes: Hazel

Build:

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Likes: Whistling, wilderness, exorcism, opera

Dislikes: Spirits, people, servitude

Backstory: Grew up as an only child to an unemployed crazy mother and a emotionless (hardworking) construction worker father.

 

--------------

I'll take a crack at it.

 

Summary

"An exorcist fails to bring back [insert master's name here]'s body to sell on the black market. Now he's in a rumored to be dangerous forest, too stubborn to let go of his kill. Who is this person that he can't seem to shake? And why doesn't he want to?"

 

What do you think?

I think it unfairly showcases my character more than yours.

Can you help me make it more balanced?

[rainytea]

Ahahahahaha the honey thing was completely random, but it sparked ideas on my end. We can go with it or not, I'm not picky. And I think we can change the thread name at least within the first 24 hours or so. Or that's how the edit post function works. We could start of with "Entropy/rainytea rp (private 18+)" with or without adding a title. The main title is always one of the hardest things for me. "Our sexy adventure" would definitely be a title that doesn't take itself seriously hahaha. I laugh a lot and am easily amused. Can you tell?

 

Any ideas on setting from your end? Or you cool with fictional modern Japan?

 

Not going to post a character until after country is decided since mine should be based in the area.

 

I like your summary because it's simple, to the point, and fun to read. Let's see what I can do with it.

 

"An exorcist fails to bring in the body of an exceptionally powerful spirit to sell on the black market. Severely injured, a stroke of luck brings him help in the form of a young man. Now he's in a rumored-to-be dangerous forest, too stubborn to let go of his kill, and the strange man keeps popping up wherever he goes. Who is this person that he can't seem to shake? And why doesn't he want to?"

 

That seems to introduce my character a bit more smoothly. Thoughts?

[Entropy]

Wow. That's really what you were referring to.

And here I was, thinking you were shy.

I was going to bring this up earlier but it completely slipped my mind.

I think they should have a honeymoon period after the first time and before your character finds out the truth.

Let their relationship build. So maybe the first time they're nervous or it's really rough

And by the third time they're acting like little kids and playing with honey.

 

Fictional modern Japan sounds great to me.

Especially because then there gets to be cherry blossoms

(That and koi fish are really the only things I know about Japanese nature- and I'm looking at a wikipedia article that says koi fish are actually domestic animals. We can just ignore that if we want to)

 

Anyway, it sounds like a good idea to me.

I chose Russian because it's kind of close to Japan and seems to come off as a sort of 'tough guy' country. However, I couldn't find a good specifically Russian-looking character on Google images. All of them were pretty boys. So if you want us to change my character to be South Korean I can find another picture/name. But Japanese setting is definitely happening.

 

That summary is perfect. I wouldn't change a single thing about it. Good job!

 

Also- I guess I have a question. Are you thinking that the spirits should be able to cast magic?

Because I was thinking of letting my character have a sword peeking out of his backpack(to be used on spirits), and a small handheld around his waist (for security- he was cocky and left his long range weapons that he uses to entertain himself back at his house because he didn't expect to stay in the forest for very long). But if the master can cast magic (and I think he should because-since you guys are spirits- it would be weird to see you wielding normal weapons) then I'm either going to need armor or give my sword the ability repel magic. The second means we're okay with making this character a bit of a badass by being able to dodge spells coming in from multiple directions easily by spinning or something. But not enough of a badass that he doesn't end up getting injured anyway. Are you okay with that? On the other hand, if you can be effected by bullets then I'll get rid of the handheld (I don't plan on using it for anything defense-related anyway) or conveniently lose it during the beginning of the story.

[rainytea]

Yeeeeeeees, totally agree that there should be honeymoon and relationship-building before the grand reveal. Makes it so much more dramatic. And hahaha, my brain went to interesting places thanks to your honey comment. Any more suggestions/final decisions on the title?

 

I like Lenka, he seems to be the sort that comes across as really grumpy. I am also amused by the fact that he seems to dislike interacting with people/sentient beings, but will probably (internally)squeal over a cute puppy or something. Or that's what I'm imagining based on his profile, hahahahaha. So yes, let's keep him. I'll post my character when I come up with him.

 

Cherry blossoms and koi are awesome. Just reference Natsume, especially if you get stuck on the environment hehehehe. And whatever other modern Japan-based anime/manga you have had access to.

 

Uuuuhhhh yeah, Japanese spirits are magic-users, especially the more powerful ones. The majority of magic users will probably use elemental skills as opposed to actual magic. A low-ranking spirit probably won't be able to use magic at all. The guardian really should be able to use magic, and my character will probably use elemental magic and healing techniques (mainly medicinal and herbs and stuff).

[Entropy]

No rush.

Remember that Priority #1 is just to relax and have fun with it.

Plus, this gives me time to think of titles.

 

You want to make guardian's bio, right?

The only solo interaction I'll probably have with him is 1. During that initial battle

(Do you want to role play that action sequence? I don't know how believable it'll turn out if we're both trying to write it but [as always] I'm willing to try if you're interested. If not, another alternative is sending you a draft of that scene beforehand to make sure I'm not doing anything you don't agree with) 2. Or some other short scene if you decide you want him to approach me alone later for whatever reason. So it doesn't make a whole lot of sense for me to decide his personality. But if you want I can. Also, while you're writing yours (and his if you decide to) be sure to include two pictures since they have two forms. The two pictures don't have to look anything alike.

 

Just wanted to make sure-

In Book of Friends a lot of them aren't shown to have powers- Like

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And others are so weak that it hardly even counts. I can't remember what that broken teacup that ran around under the house to protect it did in its final moments but I'm sure it wasn't anything overly spectacular.

But you're right, all of the high ranking ones that I can think of did. And I like it better that way.

[rainytea]

Lolol yeah, definitely no rush on the title.

 

Sure, I'll work on the guardian's bio as well. It certainly makes more sense for me to do it. Thanks for the reminder of the two pics. If the two forms didn't look alike, it would definitely explain why Lenka wouldn't recognize they're the same people if he happened to see both forms.

 

Oh yeah, now that I think of, the vast majority of spirits had one particular skill if they had a magical power at all. Most of them were low-level. That makes my character a mid-rank spirit, particularly if he has any sort of magic ability.

[Entropy]

Are you still thinking?

[rainytea]

Ahaha, yes, and drawing. Since spirits can be pretty unique.