OPEN RP POST (wip)

[onegreeneye]

This is a general catch-all post for anyone who wants to thread with Ginko in his original setting - or at least something resembling it. Want to play an AU? Post-jamjar? Unexpected interdimensional travel? It's all good! In addition, if you want to thread something with mushi and such but in a more modern setting, I'm totally open to modern-day AU's. I'm fine with prose, brackets, whatever.

Please note that I'm totally open to using this post for action, fluff, whatever, but not smut. If you have any additional questions about the setting or types of mushi, just message me on this account!

(here's a placeholder for if i ever get around to putting actual prompts on here)

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ONE FINE DAY

[goldeneyeball]

It was a clear day.

Finding himself in unfamiliar countryside wasn't anything new for James Walter. Walking stick in hand, the man stood out like a psychedelic sore thumb against the countryside in his purple shirt. Not to mention the antlers. They were a thing, six tines in summer velvet. But it was JW who was doing the staring.

He'd never seen a rice paddy in his life and stood for some time on the ridge, looking at the strangest ditches he'd ever seen. What were the people doing down there? Catching frogs?

Shaking his head, he traveled on, leaving his strange sneaker prints in the dirt, until he noticed a well on the other side of the path. Weeds grew up around it and it stood in the shade of tall weeds, but he couldn't help himself. Sometimes people threw money down wells and by God he was going to go see if there were any! Unbeknownst to him, this well was inhabited by Suiko.

[onegreeneye]

When Ginko was first asked to come here, all he was told was that people had been disappearing under "strange circumstances". It wasn't until he arrived that it became clear that the situation was actually pretty clear-cut. An infestation of Suiko in the area's water supply had resulted in numerous infections - leaving Ginko with little choice but to try to figure out which wells were infested and have them blocked off.

This one, though, hadn't been touched in years, anyway; as such, nobody had thought to mention it to him, or point it out, and so it wasn't until that day that Ginko was actually getting around to testing the water.

He didn't see the strangely-dressed man at first, focused on holding a small glass jar under one arm as he pulled on his gloves, just to be safe. Then he happened to glance up.

Dammit.

"Hey!" Ginko sped up, all but running toward JW, clutching the jar in one hand. "Get away from there, that water isn't safe!"

[goldeneyeball]

James had already pulled up a wooden bucket by the time Ginko's shout came echoing down the slope. He paused, hand shoved into the bucket and frowned at the white-haired man.

"I'm not going to drink it."

This guy better not be after his wishing well pennies.

[onegreeneye]

As he got closer, it got harder not to notice how odd this guy looked, even by Ginko's standards. But that wasn't something to think about while he was sticking his hands in a possible mushi nest.

"Good. Ideally, you shouldn't be touching it, either." He leaned over to examine the water in the bucket as he got closer. It looked perfectly normal, of course. But that didn't mean anything. He set about unscrewing the cap on the jar to scoop up some water, making sure his gloves were on all the way first.

[goldeneyeball]

JW actually pulled the pail away slightly. He was here first and he didn't need some bottle bleached weirdo over his shoulder.

"Why?"

[onegreeneye]

Wow. Ginko glowered at him, reaching for the bucket again. "I need to check it for Suiko."

He figured he would have remembered seeing this guy around the village, so he didn't expect him to know about its current mushi problem. But he didn't need someone stopping him from doing his job.

[goldeneyeball]

That got the tall man's scowl to uncrease as he loosened his grip on the bucket.

"Suiko...that some kind of chemical?" His mismatched eyes flicked down to his gunk covered hands. Who knew how long the green stuff had been sitting on the surface of the water?

[onegreeneye]

"No, it's a type of mushi. A dangerous one." He took that chance to grab the bucket, scooping up some algae and water in his jar. He lifted it up to the light, examining it carefully for a few seconds with a frown, and then a glance at the stuff on JW's hands.

[goldeneyeball]

James just stared at the man as he worked and waited patiently for him to explain what the hell a mushi was and what was it doing in the well in the first place and also maybe what those weird ditches that he passed were.

But one thing at a time.

The Otherworldly Door (a.k.a. you got your FMA in my Mushishi)

[solperierat]

It's a strange case, to say the least. Fuki had sprung out of the ground seemingly from nowhere, the mud seeping into the water supply and poisoning the whole village to some extent. What made it even more odd was the state of the light vein running through the nearby mountain; it's perfectly healthy, and the mountain lord in good health. By all accounts, the Fuki shouldn't be there at all.

And there's another strange tale, one that the villagers whisper about fearfully. There's a strange figure that lurks in the heavily wooded valley, a golden ghost that drives off any intruders with the very ground itself. It was not long after the apparition appeared that the poisoned mud came bubbling up, and they worry that it is the thing's anger that has cursed them. Certainly, there must be a connection, but...

Ginko isn't met by any resistance when he ventures in, though he may see very...strange formations as he explores. Grotesque stone figures that seem carved but have strange rectangular flakes, and the ground beneath them is scooped out as if pulled up to form the statue. And other, more mundane things--someone has been living out here, long enough to have already worn paths leading through the woods. And eventually he will find a small shack, shoddily put together and only just large enough for someone to live in comfortably. It doesn't seem like anyone is in right now, human, mushi, or otherwise.

finally gets to this,

[onegreeneye]

As Ginko moves through the woods, he... isn't quite willing to even try to draw any conclusions. If he did try, he's not sure what he could possibly assume, based on what he's seeing; it's unlike anything he's encountered before, and there's no denying his trepidation as he makes his way along the path.

He slows to a stop when he spots the shack, his brow furrowing slightly. Now, that's odd. Usually, in cases like this, the locals tend to be quick to mention any strange behavior from those among them - and someone living alone in the woods in the midst of all this would qualify. Which would leave the possibility that the villagers aren't aware that anyone is living out here.

Maybe this 'ghost' is more alive than they realize...

As quickly as the thought rises in his mind, he doesn't quite dismiss it so much as set it aside. That still wouldn't explain the anomalies on the ground in the area... but it might be connected all the same.

He makes his decision - really the only one he ever could have - and walks up to the shack. If the door isn't locked, he'll push it open and peer inside.

and suddenly cult horror stories

[solperierat]

The door is indeed unlocked, and rather notably of the European variety with a swinging hinge. The walls and door have that same odd flaking, and if Ginko cares to look there doesn't seem to be a single nail holding the structure together.

Of course, what is inside might be a little more alarming. The living space is small enough, a slightly elevated bit of wood planks towards the back clearly being used as a sleeping area while the rest of the floor is exposed dirt. Stacks of rough-made paper are strewn about, scribbles of a language Ginko wouldn't recognize written all over them with odd, geometric diagrams interspersed throughout. And on the walls there are more diagrams, but rather than ink those are all very clearly drawn with blood, with strange runes and designs that almost seem to evoke wings if one squinted just right.

A ways back on the trail Ginko had just come up is a young man plodding his way along, a shoddy kimono wrapped hapzaardly around him. Missing an arm and leg, he hobbles along with the help of a walking stick and peg leg, though it's slow going. Edward had just finished checking around the area for the day, trying to find the source of the strange pulsing power he had felt since coming into this valley. He knew he could tap into it, already had, but he needed to study it further, and theory wasn't going to do him any good at this point.

/nopes right out

[onegreeneye]

He takes it in a bit at a time as he wanders into the shack, noting with some confusion the door, the flaking walls, the strange writing... then his eye settles on the wall, and he stops where he is.

He had already known that this was all a little strange. That goes far beyond "a little strange", and looks like it might just be a little outside his area of expertise. NO THANKS.

Ginko grits his teeth and tears his gaze away from the wall, turning back to the door without much of a thought beyond getting the hell out of there and alerting the village to this.

[solperierat]

Unfortunately for Ginko, he's not clear of this pile of trouble by a long shot. Edward spots him before he gets barely a few yards away from the shack and scowls, picking up his pace in that pathetic hopping sway that one might imagine an irate old pirate take. "Hey! The hell are you doing, get away from my house!"

(Ed, you moron, THAT'S WHAT HE IS DOING.)

And Ginko is in for another shock once he gets a look at the young man. While his golden hair and eyes are perfectly natural, if somewhat uncommon where he's from, the all too familiar streams of golden light flowing out of the young alchemist's shoulder most certainly are not. Edward seems completely oblivious to the light vein seeping out of his body, of course.

[onegreeneye]

Ginko jolts a little at the voice, spinning toward the source with wariness written all over his face, ready to run if necessary. He does not want to get stabbed again, and from what he saw in that room that seems like a very real possibility here.

When he actually sees Ed, though, he pauses, his brow furrowing for a moment - then his eyes widen in alarm. It's not the odd hair and eye color that catch his attention, or even the missing limbs. If Ed can tell where he's looking, it might seem a little odd for the man to be staring at a point just slightly to the side of his shoulder, but in the next moment Ginko takes a tentative step toward him, speaking up with a distinct mix of sternness and concern.

"What have you been doing with the light vein?"

[solperierat]

He can tell that Ginko's gaze is at least in the area of his shoulder, and rolls his eyes. Goddamnit, every fucking time. You'd think people hadn't seen a freaking amputee before! He opens his mouth to snap back something about taking a picture, but he stops short at the seeming non-sequitur.

"...what the hell are you on about?"

[onegreeneye]

"The light vein, you've clearly been exposed to it... do you not know what that is?"

He takes a couple steps forward, eyeing Ed warily. He still doesn't know whether to assume this guy could be dangerous... but he can't ignore the issue of his obvious infection.

Child of the Mountain

[gainedlove]

Spring has arrived, and the mountain ahead of Ginko is nearly bursting with life. It's almost surprising that there isn't a light vein close enough to need the watchful eye of a mountain god, considering the vigor with which nature bursts forth here. Bright green leaves and tiny, sweetly scented flowers cover every branch, and there seems to be an odd, timeless quality to everything here. The path up through the forest is clear enough, and it doesn't seem like anything is amiss in the area.

However, he isn't alone here. Frisk has been watching him since he first entered their forest, curious about this strange, white-haired man that the little monsters all gathered near. The branches rustle as they pass, but they don't let themself be seen just yet. There have been a few other travelers that had been dangerous to be around, and Frisk would rather not have to wake up again if they can help it.

[onegreeneye]

Something is definitely following him.

It would be impossible for Ginko not to notice, given how much he has to monitor everything around him to begin with, from the terrain of the mountain to the mushi that cluster around him before thry're chased off by puffs of cigarette smoke. At least the weather is pretty good for travelling.

He slows to a stop, then moves to sit on a fallen log, swinging his box down from his back and digging around in it in search of his map. He casts another glance upward before turning to the scroll, mumbling mostly to himself under his breath. "If I go that way... might be able to get to the other side by tomorrow evening. Long as the weather holds up, anyway."

[gainedlove]

Creeping closer and closer, Frisk pauses for a moment when Ginko starts talking. At that moment curiosity and that helpful instinct of theirs finally wins out over wariness and they step out from behind the bushes, barefoot and clad in a shabby striped kimono. Perhaps more noticable are the tiny yellow flowers peppered throughout their hair--there's no way the plants simply got stuck in there from a romp in the woods.

Quietly they walk up behind Ginko, leaning around to try and get a good look at the scroll in his hands. "I can show you a faster way."

[onegreeneye]

Ginko isn't quite as startled by the sudden voice as he would have been if he hadn't already noticed the presence trailing behind him; as it is, he just freezes for a moment before glancing over his shoulder. More than anything, he's just kind of startled that the presence in question was apparently a small child.

"...That would be appreciated." He's trying not to stare too much at the flowers in their hair (he thought there wasn't a light vein here...? He hopes there isn't a light vein here, now).

[gainedlove]

Frisk is calm when Ginko turns to look at them, rocking back and forth a bit on their heels. They don't mind the staring (every human has done that) and just smile brightly, nodding and stepping around to face him properly. "Can you see the little monsters, too? They like you a lot."

[onegreeneye]

"The..." He tilts his head slightly, then suddenly understands what they mean. "...you mean the mushi? Well... yes."

He glances at the few clustered in the trees around him. "...I suppose they seem to." He doesn't sound too happy about it, but he doesn't seem upset either. Just... resigned.

"Are you out here on your own?"

[gainedlove]

"Mushi? Why do you call them that?" It seems like an odd name to Frisk. They're not like bugs at all!

To the second question they nod with a calm smile. Not like being alone is anything out of the ordinary, after all. "Uh huh! I live here."

[onegreeneye]

"It's what most people call them, actually. Those that have a name for them at all, anyway."

He... doesn't look very reassured by that. "You live out here by yourself?" And then, only after the few seconds of thought that are inevitable before someone like him is going to ask a question like this, "...Do you have a family?"