Mission 7 - Come on and slam, and welcome to Japan

[kublan]

Who: Troy Dantes, responders to his public invite, and maybe you? (just give me a PM if you want in)
What: 4 and a half day vacation trip
When: April 26 - April 30
Where: Tokyo Subarchway
Why: Why not?
Rating: PG at most.

Destinations:

• Haneda Airport - The starting point, upon entering the subarchway from Attleton. The group will find themselves arriving to the subarchway like ordinary tourists.
• Ryokan Kamogawa - Where Troy booked some rooms for the entire vacation. Traditional Japanese inn with rooms too small for his liking, but they're pretty nice.
• Odaiba - an artificial island in Tokyo Bay, full of tourist attractions such as: Daikanransha (a 377-ft Ferris Wheel), Tokyo Leisure Island (24-hour video-gaming, karaoke, and bowling), Venus Fort (a Venice themed shopping mall), Tokyo Big Sight, Diver City Shopping Center with the Gundam Statue, a replica of the Statue of Liberty, and an onsen-theme park called Oedo-Onsen-Monogatari.
• Meiji Shrine
• Senso-ji Temple
• Edo-Tokyo Museum
• Tokyo SkyTree
• Mount Takao - The last destination on Troy's itinerary, and would take the entire day. Mount Takao is a popular tourist destination, long associated with Tengu. There is a ropeway ride that takes tourist halfway up the mountain. On a clear day, Mount Takao has views of the city of Tokyo itself and even Mount Fuji in the distance. There is also an onsen/bathhouse on the mountain where tourists can relax after a long day of hiking.
• Meguro River - Passing through a suburban neighborhood away from the noise of the city, and a popular destination for photographers during spring-time, due to the cherry blossom trees.

Shopping:

• Shibuya - For not-so-expensive casual, cosplay-inspired fashions, and street wear. Has the famous Takeshita-dori and Shibuya Crossing, both sights are brimming with shops.
• Akihabara - Come on, you know this one.
• Ginza and Roppongi Hills - For some higher-end fashion brands.

Dining:

• Gonpachi (Azabu branch) - The inspiration for one of Kill Bill's fight locations, Gonpachi is an izakaya style restaurant serving "foreign friendly" Japanese food.
• Hananomai Ryokoku Kokugikanmae - an izakaya with a sumo wrestling pit in the middle, where you can watch a match while you dine. Put on a sumo suit and horse around with the actual sumo wrestlers!
• Ichiran Ramen - A ramen restaurant where customers can order without human contact, and place your order on a vending machine.
• Wildcard! - Eating does not have to be in a restaurant, you can eat (almost) anywhere you like! Tokyo is littered with convenience stores and fast food chains that serve actually-decent food that Troy wants to binge on before going back to eating clean. He would most likely pick a spot where there's a great view of the city.

[OOC: If you are stuck on a starter, just leave a blank comment or which of these places/ideas you want to do, and I'll start us off!]

Comments

Odaiba

[orlokbutterfly]

[Gale wasn't exactly in the best of moods given recent Nova City events, but there were a couple reasons he decided to go with Troy on this trip. On top of needing to cool down and relax, Troy was the one deputy Gale trusted to put him in his place if things got too rough, and if he wasn't gonna be in Nova City, Gale didn't want to risk being there.

So today, Gale happened to be looking up at that Gundam statue, his eyes squinting over his sunglasses and his arms folded over his chest.]

The hell is that thing, and where do I get one?

[That comment sounded drier than a desert, but Gale had to get some kind of humor in his life right now.]

Tokyo SkyTree

[highprices]

[Thin fingers trace along the railing over looking the city. A smirk tugs at the corner of Crystal's lips as she looks down on the Shrine's and other landmarks unique to Japan. She loves it's culture and has plans to return sometime soon.

The sky is clear and in the distance Mt. Fuji silhouettes the horizon.]

It truly is beautiful.

[It's difficult to hide the awe in her voice.]

Shibuya (I couldn't resist)

[skilledwithwords]

[Levy bounces on her heels as she steps forward. She's holding a light blue and pink dress to her thin frame marveling at the color.]

Look at this! It's so cute but there are so many cute things here.

[She is rarely this much of a girly girl but she can't help it. All these shops are adorable! She'll come back with the intent of getting books later.]

Which should I get? This one or the green one?

[kublan]

[Troy arrives with two drinks in hand that he got from a vending machine. He gives one to Gale, tapping him on the arm with the bottle before taking a drink himself.]

A statue of a popular anime robot.

[He swears he's seen one like it. But since Genessia's nature to block memories of universes if there is a pendant wearer from that said universe, it makes it impossible to remember that this is a Gundam]

You can't get that one, but there's a store in there that sells plastic model kits of 'em. They're not as cool as my Deputy Guardian action figure though.

[kublan]

I couldn't agree more.

[Troy stands next to her, taking in the view from the observation deck of the SkyTree. Looking at the city below and not seeing the towering buildings he knows from his world was a welcome sight. Buildings that were just too tall really changes the feel of a place, and Troy is pretty-old school anyway]

This is the second tallest building on the planet in this timeline, apparently. Just dwarfed by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Funny, since the Burj is just an apartment building in my world.

[While the Burj is still among one of the tallest buildings in Troy's version of Dubai, it's definitely no longer the biggest one there.]

[kublan]

[Most guys hate going out to shop with a girl when she's buying clothes, but Troy wasn't one of them. In fact, whenever it's with a cute girl like Levy, he enjoys it. Not only does he get to spend time with them, he also gets to have his own private fashion show! Seeing Levy come to him for some fashion consulting, Troy checks both dresses that Levy was eyeing.]

The one with the pink seems to be more your color, but the green one's design would fit you better without having to get a matching jacket or shoes to go with it.

[Did he mention he knows a thing or two about fashion and style? Because he does]

[orlokbutterfly]

[He glances at his arm and notices the drink, taking it from Troy with a nod of thanks. He looks back up at the Gundam, eyebrow raised.]

Huh. I'd watch whatever it was from just for the robots.

[He does enjoy some giant robots. He cracks open the drink and takes a sip, putting his other hand on his hip.]

Model kits, huh? I oughta get back into making those. Maybe I'll get a couple before we leave. Reminds me that I still need to get a Gripen kit one of these days.

[He gives Troy a side glance with a faint smirk.]

You're awfully proud to have a figure of yourself, aren'tcha.

Akihabara

[infinitejustice]

[Naturally, Athrun's attention was drawn to electronics stores. Since he's here, he might as well spruce up his computer a bit more.

He's got a brand new keyboard and mouse tucked under his arm, and at the moment he's looking at speakers.]

I want something better, but not too overpowering. What to buy...

[skilledwithwords]

[Levy spins quickly looking between the dress in her hands and the one that's currently hanging behind her. Her lips form into a slight pout as she begins looking at the two.]

That doesn't help. One with color and the other design... which is better design or color?

[She doesn't mean to leave it up to Troy but she can't make up her mind and she doesn't think she has enough money to buy both.]

Edo-Tokyo Museum

[namemeansbeauty]

[Belle did say she wanted to explore. So she had asked to come as well and she kept her words and came and found herself rather excited to say the least. So when she had gone to the museum she couldn't help but look at everything she could.]

There is so much here I wouldn't have known before.

[highprices]

Japan has a very fascinating culture, one I've always been interested in. Tokyo Tower is renowned like the Eiffel tower though Skytree towers above both of those. [She'll always have a weakness for France and she can't help but compare the towers and their origins.]

I know only a little of Dubai.

[She looks over at Troy, curiosity shining in her eyes.]

When was the Burj Khalifa constructed? Was it set as a symbol of peace or accomplishment?

We going to Mount Takao

[weavemyownfate]

[Sometimes Satsuki does a little mountainside training, so naturally she would gravitate for an invitation to head to Takao. Even if there will likely be very little training involved, it's a good opportunity to catch up with Troy, clear her head, as well as make some attempt to be more social.

She isn't adorn in junketsu today, but rather hiking attire including a vest, casual-ish clothing, and a backpack with essentials- Not to mention her hair done in twin braids. What may come as a surprise to Troy is that Satsuki actually appears more relaxed- Or at least less intense than usual, even with a lot of things on her mind as the group is carried up the ropeway. And look at that hair shimmer as the sunlight shines through the window!

As for what she's thinking so much about- well, that would be taking a step forward in uncovering more of Genessia's mysteries.]

[kublan]

Of course. I get to play with myself!

[He laughs out loud, tilting his head back. Not looking an ounce worried at current goings-on in Nova City, even though deep down he is]

There's a place here that sells 'em. I'll show ya. We can come back there later after we go around the place. Anything else you want to see?

[kublan]

[He nods. Japan is indeed a good country, but of course he still prefers his own culture. It seems people in wealthy countries have lost touch with each other, making even big cities like Tokyo or New York feel cold and lonely.]

Apparently in this timeline, it started in 2004. Back in my world it started earlier than that. 1996, but the same month and day as a symbol of accomplishment. Just to show off to the rest of the world that the UAE can keep up with the other big countries.

[kublan]

[He chuckles wryly, just watching Levy and feeling his problems melt away in her company. Troy cannot help but keep smiling[

Design and color can be trumped by one thing - the fit. Sometimes, even when an article of clothing looks bland off the hangers, it changes when it gets worn.

[Troy takes a step closer to Levy, gently taking the dress from her hand]

How about I'll pay for the other one? It'll be a shame to just get one to grace your body.

[He waggles his eyebrows once, grinning with another wry laugh through his teeth.]

[kublan]

[Troy stands close to Satsuki, holding his camera to document the trip for future viewings. He's wearing a pretty normal set of clothes to blend in, with a backpack for essentials like Satsuki and many other hikers inside the ropeway car. Troy notices Satsuki looking silent and wondered for a second just what she's thinking about. To prod her to be more active, Troy points the camera to her]

Smile, you're on camera.

[kublan]

[Troy walks side-by-side with Belle as the crossed the replica of the old Nihonbashi bridge inside the museum. Hands halfway in his pockets, his stride was slow enough just to give Belle a lot of time to look around. Not to mention there's plenty of people inside the museum at this hour]

Yeah. Really broadens your horizons, huh?

[He's not into museums much now that he's grown up. Especially when he's now part of an organization that hid many truths about the past, making it difficult to appreciate what's being told through museums and books when you know it's not all true. But when he was a lot younger, he really enjoyed visits to these sorts of places. ]

Where did you live back before Genessia? The US?

[kublan]

[Troy is following Athrun with one hand halfway in his pocket, while the other is holding a paper cup from 7-11 that he's drinking from. He's just wearing a fitting t-shirt, some jeans, and basketball shoes - blending in with the locals.]

Aren't the electronics here a bit too dinosaur compared to the ones you guys have? Or even in Nova City?

[He looks at Athrun with a raised brow, taking a loud sip of his drink]

[namemeansbeauty]

Yeah. I've not really explored much outside of Storybrooke back home, but I mean I have explored the cities in Genessia at least.

[For the first one it was for good reasons in the fact something would always happen if one would try. She soon finds herself stopping for the moment, turning her head.]

As I just mentioned... I lived in Storybrooke... Though to be more complicated I could mention where I loved before I found myself there.

[highprices]

Some of the best accomplishments come from countries trying to prove themselves to others.

[The space race was due to a similar situation though perhaps a little more competitive.]

Do you live in the Burj? You mentioned it was an apartment building.

[skilledwithwords]

[Levy feels her cheeks flush brightly as he takes one of the dresses from her.]

Are you sure?!

[The blushing quickly subsides at the thought of him spending money.]

I have enough money. I just wanted to limit myself. I can get the pink one... beside it might look better at the beach.

[Which is a party that she's planning.]

That tag certainly made me smile!

[weavemyownfate]

[For whatever reason it didn't occur to Satsuki that Troy would have the nerve to start recording her on that device. After hearing his voice she turns her head, then her brows raise in clear surprise.]

... Excuse me?

[Said brows then furrow as she, predictably, frowns. She attempts to keep a neutral stance, but eventually raises her hand to shield the side of her face.]

I prefer my photography to be work related.

[orlokbutterfly]

[That earns a laugh from Gale while he was in the middle of taking another drink, causing a spittake. He laughs, wiping his mouth with his glove and looks at Troy.]

How scandalous! Even the Deputy Guardian himself is guilty of such things!

[Wow, that was a much needed laugh.]

Not sure, bein' unfamiliar with the place and all. Hell, I can't pronounce ninety percent of the names in this place. Got any recommendations?

[kublan]

[They managed to reach the other end of the bridge before Belle stopped her pace. Troy slowed his own steps, moving just out of the way of the others]

For the record, Genessia isn't my first "other world", so I'm used to complicated by now. Shoot.

[kublan]

Ohhh

[Troy looked intrigued all of a sudden, a hint of mischief grows on his lips]

If that's the case, then the pink one would definitely suit you better. You didn't tell me you're looking for some time in the sunlight.

[Troy is still intent on buying the dress for her, just as a sign of good will and to better forge their bond. He could use some more friends and allies now that Aqua and Pixy are gone]

You looking to take a dip at Fayren's beaches? They're a little too tacky for my tastes, but I know a better one.