On The Boundary
When the bell tolls,
And Fate calls your name
There you stand, On the Boundary
Between Life and death, Harmony and Chaos
Existence, and Extinction
Which will you choose?
---INTRODUCTION---
The Hakurei Shrine.
The Shrine on the eastern border of Gensokyo.
As the seasons changed, so did the temperature.
The color of fall slowly began to drain, leaving the trees bare.
As the hues of red, orange and yellow drifted to the ground, an aura of loneliness enveloped the shrine.
Yes. This is because that place is no longer a home.
Leaves blanketed the ground, making the stone pathway below not visible. However, if one were to see it, one could possibly not even know it is there. Grass had begun to sprout forth from the various cracks that sat between every stone.
The grass that grew on the sides of the shrine was untamed and overgrown, making it seem more like a forest than a pristine building.
The large red torii still stood proudly in it?s place at the top of the stairs, as if it was watching over Gensokyo, and would continue to for eternity.
The shrine itself however, did not look so proud.
The building sat silently, as if it had been forgotten for ages. The interior was covered in dust, left untouched by any sort of creature. None would dare defile this shrine however. Even if it was in disrepair, even if it was desolate, even if it had long been abandoned by the humans of Gensokyo, it was still the great Hakurei Shrine. The Shrine which exists to protect the thing that allows Gensokyo to exist at all.
The Great Hakurei Boundary.
A gentle breeze ruffled the leaves that still remained on the trees, knocking one down.
As is slowly floats down, the breeze stops, and silence reigns over the shrine once again.
Eventually, it hovers only centimeters above the ground. Just about to touch.
An instant gust of wind impacts the walkway, tossing the leaves into the air chaotically.
As the leaves drift towards the ground, the cause of the gust frowns.
?So there?s still no one here??
The girl has short black hair and is wearing an outfit mainly comprised of black and whites.
Hesitantly, the girl lets out a sign and turns to leave.
She casts one more glance at the lonely state of the shrine before leaving in another gust of wind.
---
The Scarlet Devil Mansion.
The home of the famous Scarlet Vampire.
Despite being late in autumn, the garden was still filled with vibrant colors.
A woman with flowing scarlet hair moved slowly and smoothly in front of the mansion?s gate. To those unfamiliar with this practice, it would appear as if she was dancing.
After a few minutes, she stopped.
?Hah!? She said as she placed her hands on her hips and took a few deep breaths.
As if on cue, a small winged being flew over to Meiling. In her arms, she carried a bottle of water. Without saying a word she offered it to Meiling.
?Ah. Thanks? Meiling said as she took the bottle from the fairy maid and took a large gulp.
?Ah! That?s better?? Meiling says aloud to no one in particular. She hands the bottle back to the fairy maid and the small being retreats back into the mansion.
?Well I best re-? As Meiling is speaking, something catches her eye. She turns her head and gazes in its direction.
There in the garden sits a small girl with wings wider than she is tall. She holds an umbrella over her delicate looking body. Unaware of Meiling?s presence, she continues to mouth words that Meiling can?t hear from the distance at which she stands. In front of her is a large rock.
Meiling?s expression becomes one of worry. Her blue eyes seem pained, as if sympathetic. She whispers as she gazes at her.
?Mistress??
---
Hakugyokurou.
The large mansion overlooking the netherworld.
The change of seasons was no exception here.
?Ah~ This is so much better than the summer heat~?
Yuyuko Saigyouji sits on the veranda, watching the autumn scenery.
A moment later, Youmu comes into the room. She?s holding a small tray with two cups of tea on it. She calmy walks over and places it down beside Yuyuko, sitting down beside the tray in an orderly fashion.
?Ah, Thanks Youmu? Yuyuko says as she picks up a cup and takes a sip. Yuyuko makes a pleased sound as she looks out at Hakugyokurou?s grand garden.
After a few moments of silence, Youmu speaks up.
?Lady Yuyuko, you seem very cheerful as of late? She says as she turns her gaze to Yuyuko. ?Why is that??
?Well,? Yuyuko begins, keeping her gaze on the autumn leaves that dance to the ground. ?That?s because it will be a short winter?
Youmu looks puzzled. ?Um?I don?t quite understand?How do you know??
?Well,? Yuyuko turns and smiles at Youmu. ?The flowers are eager to bloom right?? Her smile flickers for a moment. ?Next year will be a fun year?
---
Moriya Shrine.
Log ago, the Hakurei Shrine was the only shrine in Gensokyo.
But years ago, Kanako Yasaka, the resident god of the shrine, decided to move it to Gensokyo in order to gather youkai faith.
Many years have passed since then, and the amount of faith hasn?t changed very much.
Maybe the concept of Faith has changed since the days of old, when power and dominance gained worshippers. Maybe now faith is more transient, and that the gods will need to work hard to garner faith.
Or maybe, there is no more faith.
The autumn leaves danced gently in the cool breeze.
Sanae watched from inside as they whirled about, a warm smile on her face.
Life had been good to her. She had ascended to godhood at an early age, and even though she had to leave the advanced society of the outside behind, she was able to live normally here in Gensokyo.
As she watched the leaves without any cares, a voice called out to her from the front of the shrine.
?Mom!?
Sanae blinked, her awareness returning to the present. She quickly got to her feet and began heading towards the shout.
?Coming!? She called back.
---
Kourindou.
A shop that specializes in goods from the outside world.
However, due to the owner?s poor business sense and no one knowing how to use the items that reside on its shelves, not many things sold.
Rinnosuke sat silently in his store, a book in his hands and a cup of tea within reach. As he flipped through his book, the bell of the shop rung.
Rinnosuke quickly looked up, his words moving faster than his eyes.
?Ah. Is that- Oh, it?s you.?
A small girl with wings came around the corner.
The girl frowns as she flips her hair out of her face. ?You don?t sound to happy to see me? She says as she walks over to Rinnosuke.
?It?s not that, it?s just?? Rinnosuke starts, but the girl cuts him off.
?She still hasn?t shown up?? She asked as if reading his mind.
??Yeah? Rinnosuke says as the girl sits on a near by stool. ?Would you like some tea??
The girl looks at him then nods.
Rinnosuke retrieves the tea and returns soon after. He hands it to the girl and she takes a sip.
?So?? She starts, looking out the window at the sky. ?Has there been any sign of her??
Rinnosuke hesitates, then shakes his head.
?Mr. Kirisame hasn?t heard from her either?
?Oh.? The girl says, lowering her head slightly.
??Are you worried?? The girl says.
Rinnosuke looks at her, then he smiles faintly.
?I imagine it?s natural to worry? He starts, his gaze moving to the window. ?But she?s stronger than I, she can handle herself?
The winged girl looks slightly surprised, but smiles.
?I hope she?s alright.?
?As do I??
----------
Year 159. Winter. New Years Eve. Dawn. Location, Hakurei Shrine.
The abandoned shrine sits silently in the darkness. Not a single sound is heard. Nothing stirs, not even the wind blows. Human and youkai alike are sleeping in their cozy beds, dreaming. All of Gensokyo is still, as if it was just a photograph.
As the time slowly passes, a faint light begins to glow at Gensokyo?s edge. As the dim light reaches the desolate shrine, a figure appears from darkness.
A tall woman steps out onto the snow covered pathway. Her clothes are extravagant, decorated with countless frills and ribbons. She holds a lace parasol in her hands, much like one would rest their hands on a cane or a scepter. She gazes at the uninhabited shrine. Her expression is devoid of emotion, her eyes as sharp as a needle.
As more light begins to pour into Gensokyo, the marvelous scenery becomes more visible.
The woman stands silently and firmly, her gaze locked onto the shrine.
Moments of silence pass slowly, making them seem eternal.
As the sun reaches the horizon, the silence is broken.
?Yukari-sama.?
The woman shifts slightly, turning her head just enough to gaze at her shikigami from the corner of her eye.
?The unrest amongst the youkai is growing. If something isn?t done soon??
?Ran.?
?Yes??
The woman turned to face her subordinate.
?I?ll take care of it.?
?Ah-?
Her eyes met with the fox?s, immediately silencing her.
??I understand.? Was all the shikigami could say in the face of her master.
Without a moment?s hesitation, the fox vanished, as if she had teleported to somewhere far away.
The woman turned her gaze back to the shrine.
?It?ll be soon, don?t worry.? She whispered.
She stood there, as if she was watching over the shrine.
And she did so until the sun had risen into the sky.
----------
---THE START---
? Year 160, Early Spring ? New Hakurei Shrine Maiden
And this is where our story begins?
---RULES---
1. I control the world, you control your character.
2. What I say goes. My final decisions are absolute.
3. Killing is prohibited unless otherwise stated.
4. I will be playing with my own character just like everyone else.
5. Players can, and are encouraged to discuss and negotiate with me. Don?t be afraid to ask if you would like something to happen to your character or you have ideas for any sort of addition to the roleplay in general.
6. All players will be human.
7. No one shall be overpowered. This rule will be heavily enforced.
8. The best way to gain my approval is to impress me with your ideas. This does not mean to make them big and flashy, but to make them interesting and appealing.
---THE PLAYERS---
Daidouji Kohaku, The New Shrine Maiden of Paradise
Ayatsuya Sora, The Amateur Maid of The Scarlet Devil
Kochiya Amaya, The Fledgling Shrine Maiden of Moriya
Nanbu Takuma, The Rough and Runic Human Magician
Furuika Sanaya, The Traditional Youkai Exterminator
Laresa Krales, The Direct and Laconic Youkai Exterminator
Kyoki Kisei, The Relentlessly Reckless Apprentice Thief
Tetsumaru, The Conceptual Blacksmith Apprentice
Yamagishi Senri, The Elegant and Handsome Tea Server
Kikasu Nanaya, The Young and Innocent Aspiring Hermit
Ohno Hotaru, The Wanderer of Phantasmagoric Sensation
Shimizu Yumiko, The Library Assistant of Reminiscence
? All player characters are human
? Abilities will be monitored
? Combat Abilities will also be monitored
? If you are unsure about anything, don?t be afraid to ask
? Be creative and unique. It?s no fun if everyone is the same old boring thing.
? Give your character life. It?s boring talking to a wall.
? I will try my best to be fair and equal.
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