forum The Crimson Lantern Festival | Chinese and Japanese Influenced Roleplay | Closed

Started October 20, 2019 by @CasiCasino group

tune

The judge made a mental note of that.
”So… a Kirin kind of creature but as a fox mixed with a dragon… possible indeed” the man in black and gold then turned to the last person.
”And finally, the last lady”

Jennifer went over the list of spirits she knew of–all Japanese, either through media or discussions with friends she'd made back in her senior year. One of them stuck out, and it brought a little bit of a smile to her face to think about it. Almost everybody she knew loved cats, and she herself had grown up around them, so… "How about a Bakeneko?" she asked.

”The shapeshifter, sinister little cat. I like that” the first judge stated before he turned to see someone had opened the doors of his court.

“Fifth Judge Yanluo is arriving!!” The soldier who came running in shouted into the court as the first judge knelt down, going down immediately on his knees.

Without given the chance to tell the four visitors what they should do, the person who was named paced into the court.

A scarlet robe with white lapels and golden accessories, red eyes with sharp edges and the hint of cruelty, black hair in a shoulder-length straightened hairstyle with a small ponytail coming out from the back, a cutout of a crimson colored Oni mask which covered the judge’s face’s bottom half still with white sharp fangs on them, a fan made of white and black feathers, and a golden trident strapped to his back.

The soldiers who guided him made way for the new judge who had came in as the first judge, Qinguang, bowed once.
”Greetings Judge Yanluo, I hope you are having a fantastic day today” the friendly first judge greeted as the red irises of the fifth judge scanned the room, looking at each individual.

”So these are the ones you told me about…?” the fifth judge’s deep voice was crippled slightly by the mask he wore.

”That would be correct…” Qinguang confirmed.

The fifth judge pointed his fan at Kaito…
”Baku”
At Koki…
”Zashiki-Warashi”
At Ryuusei…
”A Kirin mix between a fox and a dragon”
And lastly, at Jennifer…
”Bakeneko”

”Alright, all of you come closer to me” the fifth judge jerked his hand towards himself.

The four soldiers who came with the judge were all in their kneeling position, not one of them saying a single word.

The boy had bowed his head as soon as the fifth judge had walked in. Bowing before a superior could mean the difference between life and death where he was from, so he quickly showed respect to the new judge out of pure habit. He remained still, his head bowed, listening to the man's words as water drops slowly dripped from his soaked hair.
He raised his head slightly when he heard his name, enough to get a better glimpse at the new person and everyone else around, before raising up entirely when the judge called them forth. Hesitantly, Ryuusei took a few steps towards the judge, his hands clenching the torn fabric of his sleeve, not daring to raise his eye towards the face of the other

When Ryuusei took a slight step forward, Kaito did as well. It was a weird sensation; a judge who did not look as friendly as the first one gave him chills down his already hurting spine. He did the same thing Ryuusei attempted, avoiding eye contact with the fifth judge.

”Hm…? Do you two not even have the wits to face me directly? Pathetic…” the fifth judge turned away in disgust. It was hard to tell what he was thinking but it seemed like he wanted to see courage and confidence from the souls around.

Koki hummed a bit as she stepped forward, not bowing. Most people did, but it wasn't part of her culture. "Hello! I'm Koki, that's a nickname, Popoli." She stuck out her hand in greetings. "It's nice to meet you!"

(I needed this kind of character, thank you XD)

The fifth judge, who had his hands behind his back, turned to the small girl, his cruel red eyes widened at her. He stared at her for a bit.
”I’m not shaking your hand, but the name’s Yanluo, others would know me as the fifth judge” the judge turned back to Ryuusei and Kaito. He eyed the small child again once, his face shaking back and forth slightly for an unknown reason.

The first judge, Qinguang, looked at the situation and smiled warmly at what had happened. He pretended that he had no idea though.

When Yanluo’s head became still, he raised it to face the two people coming towards him…
”Would you two hurry it up?!” he growled at them.

Maybe by instincts, Kaito’s speed was increased significantly and not long after, he was in front of the fifth judge.

Koki frowned, she looked like she was about to scold the judge. "That is incredibly rude mister. I would understand not wanting to do the cheek kisses, that's for family and friends. But shaking hands!" Koki spoke with her hands, her frown deepening.

(First impressions are very important to the Italian culture XD)

Jennifer bowed as well, since this was Japan and the fifth judge was definitely someone who deserved respect. "Sir," she said, looking him in the eye. It wasn't a matter of what he said, it was a matter of how she'd been raised: eye contact equals respect and shows you're listening. Jennifer was certainly listening; hanging onto every word that would decide her fate, actually.

The boy felt a slight chill run through his numbed body, raising a semi tensed gaze upwards, his mouth slightly opened, his tensed hands nearly tearing apart the worn fabric of his sleeve.
"I meant no disrespect sir." he quickly apologized, doing another quick bow. "It was just that i was always told to never face a superior directly. I apologize."
He did another bow before returning to a standing position, this time his face raised towards the judge, his single light green eye gleaming in its socket

The fifth judge turned back to face Koki.
”Not in my culture I’m afraid young girl” the eyes of the judge didn’t look so stressed… or at least not as stressed as they were before.
”…and you—“ he pointed with his index finger at Jennifer ”—quit the formal greetings and get over here” he said in an almost threatening voice.
He turned his attention back to Ryuusei.
”…alright, I forgive you this time, but there’s no next time for me. When I’m talking to you, either look me in the eyes or show me some confidence in your lifeless shells” the judge demanded with widened eyes as if he’s ready to tear someone apart.

(Ryuusei: kldjasvndsonfon I WAS TOLD IT WAS DISRESPECTFUL I'M SORRY
Jennifer: Wdym it's like literally the most respectful thing you can do)

Koki frowned but kept her other thoughts to herself. I have to remember that this man is Japanese and some sort of god, not my gods. She reminded herself, clasping her hands.

Jennifer would have bristled if anyone else did it, and she opened her mouth to speak and then caught herself. I was only trying to show respect, you ass, was what she was going to say, but the guy was kind of the only thing keeping her from literally going to hell. "Alright," she said, and approached. She noted the way his demeanor changed when he was speaking to or dealing with Koki. At least someone gets the long end of the stick.

(Eh… close enough I guess but I’m not spilling every part of it… yet)

”Alright, this process of soul transfer is going to be quite painful so…” he looked at the four figures around and laughed a bit ”…who wants to go first?” he asked with a slightly sinister giggle at the end of his question.

Ryuusei gulped silently. He was going to have to go through it sooner or later, so he gathered up his courage and took a step forwards.
"I'll go" he announced, pressing on his words and looking the man in the eyes. The judge had demanded he showed more courage, so thats exactly what he was going to do. Besides that, he was used to pain and his body was currently numb so the thought of more incoming pain didnt scare him one bit. It had been his life's aspiration to grow up to be a samurai, and a samurai showed no fear when it came to pain

Yanluo nodded as his feather fan turned into a book; a spell book to be precise.
”Very well then, come and stand right in front of me… and have your back turned to me” the judge requested and the book started to glow.