Omeboshi Harvest

[Kel]

Note from the creator, Kel!

This is all entirely out-of-character, just to get my idea for this rpg out into the open air. Breathe.

Anywho. If anyone is familiar with Fruits Basket, you'd know what I was alluding to with the "umeboshi". If not, then I'll tell you!

An umeboshi is the filling on an onigiri (or "rice ball") most often seen in Japanese cartoons (anime). Onigiri can have many different kinds of umeboshi. In Fruits Basket, Tohru (the main girl) was talking about jealousy. People are jealous of each other because they can't often see the goodness and talents in themselves.

So it's like an umeboshi on an onigiri. It's stuck to the back. You can see others' umeboshi so easily, but you can't see your own because it's stuck to your back.

This RPG might be a little different than the others. It's called "Umeboshi Harvest" because it's about finding love, life, and friendship in Mineral Town. I've only ever played FoMT, MFoMT, BtN, and MM, so Flowerbud Village will be left out. Sorry!

In this one, however, you can play an original character OR you can play a canon character! That is, a character in the game! Here's a list (combining both the BtN/FoMT cast and MM) that I've compiled, using the names of each one with the corresponding name from the other game. I liked some of the names in MM better than in BtN, so I've used them as I liked them!:

(Strikethrough means it's been taken by someone else!)

Ann
Mary (Maria, but Mary is sweeter)
Popuri
Karen
Elli
Dia
Ellen
Eve
Katie
Gina
Gwen


Anna
Barley
Basil
Carter
Doug
Duke
Ellen
Gourmet
Gotz
Harris
Jeff
May
Saibara
Stu
Sasha
Thomas
Won
Zack

Alex ("Doctor" in BtN)
Gray
Cliff
Rick
Kai
Carl
Dan
Joe
Kurt
Louis


That's it that I'm going to be using! I know it seems like a lot, but most are just supporting characters. The names in PURPLE are characters that I'm going to play because they're more or less just filler characters.

The characters that I picked because I want to play them are in red!

If you really want to play one of them, just leave a note on here or private message me and I'll update the roster! The same goes for any other character you'd like to play. I've already picked out one or two (I haven't decided) so have fun!

The rules are as follows:

1) Follow the rules for the entire forum! I can't stress this enough! In order to post here, you need to be well aware of the rules of conduct for this forum and the forum provider (which you were if you read the terms of agreement when registering).

2) Two characters maximum per person. It just gets a little tiring for someone to play more than that, and I'd like to have a variety.

3) This is more of a suggestion than a rule. I would really like it if you did not play couples. Rick/Karen (or whatever), Kai/some girl... play someone that will not fall in love with your other character. It's just more fun that way!

4) Don't be rude. That's just more or less self-explanitory and a rule for the forum in general.

5) Keep it PG. I know everybody loves a love scene, but this isn't the place for that. Kissing is fine and so is holding hands, going on dates, but ... bedroom stuff stays in the bedroom! If you wouldn't want it with your mom and/or dad and/or Priest or Nun, don't do it here!

If you have any questions, please let me know! I'm going to give this until July 1, 2006 for people to sign up. But FEEL FREE to sign up even after that date! That's just the start date so I know when to start the rp.

I will do the first post to set up the general setting and maybe even a little storyline. So please don't post until then! We'll make this fun!

EDIT: Please feel free to play an original character! Just let me know their names and a little about them in this thread and I'll add their names to the roster under the original character heading!

Edit: If, by July 1, some of the characters aren't taken, I will fill them in if someone needs them for a particular reason. If Gray is needed, but no one picked him, just let me know!

Also, please put who you're posting to ("ATTN: Rick/Kai/Popuri") in the subject heading. That makes it easiest if someone needs a character who hadn't been signed up for.

[Kel]

This RPG will be set in Mineral Town. There are two farms available. One is in the spot where it is on FoMT/BtN and one is down near the beach (and Kai). ^^ First come, first served! If you want a farm, tell me! Also, people CAN share them if they like!

I'll be doing up a world map, too, if I can find the picture that I used last time for my fanfic. Which was lost on the other computer when it died.

There is a plot, of sorts! I thought maybe posting it up might get people more interested. After 12 views, no one's said anything, so I guess it's not interesting enough!

Mineral Town is as it always is: small, quaint, charming. The two farms are for sale, not being inherited by some far-off relative of a deceased person. There are normal houses for sale in the town, and jobs available in places such as the winery, the library, the blacksmith, etc. You can even be a farmhand at Yodel Ranch or the Poultry Farm.

Mineral Town is a thriving village, full of hopeful people. Mysterious letters begin arriving all over the town, sent to various people. Mayor Thomas gets the first one. Then, Gotz gets one. Followed by Barley and May, then Ellen (the old woman) and Stu. They all say the same thing:

"I'm coming."

Just those two words. Who could it be? It's just a fun and easy side-plot while the whole thing gets started. ^^

When you tell who you want to be, if it's an original character, please include what job you want!

[Akane-la]

Gray


Name: Gray

Age: 17

Gender: Male

Birthdate: Winter 6th


Appearance: (Link)

Hair Color: Orange-y red
Eye Color: Icy blue
Body Shape and Structure: Firm/Strong
Height: 5'10
Weight: 140 lbs

General Personality: Doesn't often speak up, sticks to the outer edge and lets everyone else voice their opinions. Works hard to please his grandfather, Saibara, who always crtitiques his work making him frustrated and sometimes short tempered

[MakiAria]

:] Okay, I'm playing Gwen, as I stated then edited out. x3 Um, I think we all know who she is and sucheth, though I think she'll probably end up OOC because I'm not a very dimensional RPer. So, anyways, I'll just head out to RP.

[Kel]

It's technically the first of July!

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

Kai sat on the beach on the last day of Spring, watching the waves roll onto the sand and take just that much more of the earth away. His short black hair didn't move in the cool evening wind, though his bangs did ruffle, the bandana he was known for sitting in the sand beside him.

Wiggling his dark-skinned toes, the boy stood up and brushed off the rump of his khaki shorts, tugging down the hem of his plain black t-shirt with a bit of a sigh. Summer was coming and he didn't know what to do about his snack shop. Sure it was his fault for hardly being open, but ...

"I guess all I can do is what I've been doin'," he said to himself, bending to retrieve his bandana. After slapping it against his knee to get the grains of sand off, he jammed it on his head and started for the town, nearly-black eyes pensive.

But if anyone happened to see him, he'd put on a quick and easy smile. He was lucky enough to have the money to come back to Mineral Town this year. If he didn't make enough in the summer, he might have to live in Mineral Town all year long. The thought of it scared him.

[MakiAria]

Gwen let out a soft sigh, using her wrist and arm to push away loose strands of hair falling into her face, as her hands were preoccupied. She was busy in the kitchen of the Inn, filling dinner orders for the few customers who had decided to eat out this evening. The heat in the kitchen was almost unbearable, all of the cooking devices she had on were letting off warm vapors, air or steam.

Time ticked by slowly, and she took a moment to peek out to see how many people were sitting at tables. The occupancy of the room was pretty minimal. She hurried up as she made the rest of the meals ordered, taking them out to their respective persons, before returning to the kitchen to clean up. Relieved that she didn't have to worry about desserts, as she had baked several earlier, she took the time to go off work.

As she walked outside of the inn, Gwen felt relaxed at the fresh air, a nice alternative to the usual stuffy kitchen. She strolled slightly down the lane, stopping in front of the bench next to the lamp post. She layed down on the bench, on her back. The evening was practically over, and the night sky was setting in. Summer was just about here, and the thought excited her, especially since it was her birth season. She let her hands reach behind her head, her knees bent, as she watched the changing sky with a smile upon her face.

[Miss Jade]

Alex took the thermometer out of Dia's mouth and checked it one last time.
"Hm..Your temperature seems to be going down, perhaps some fresh air will do you some good."

Dia let out a loud sigh and rolled her eyes.
"I suppose, I haven't been getting any better just sitting around all day." She said as she hopped off the bed, and ran her hands over her green dress. Dia's eyes locked to the floor.

"Um, maybe...You would like to join me?"
Alex was slightly startled by the invitation and began to blush. "Well, uh, sure. Why not, it might do me some good as well."

Dia lock her arm around Alex's arm for support, she felt like it was just one of those days she didn't feel strong enough to walk on her own. They walked out of the hospital arm in arm, making their way to the Inn, when they saw Gwen laying on the Bench. Alex’s frowned slightly at the sight.

“Are you feeling okay Gwen? I can run back to the hospital and get my bag or medicine if you need any.”

[MakiAria]

The evening faded into night, and Gwen's eyes closed at the sudden brightness of the lamp post that had just turned on above her. Opening her maroon orbs slowly, she looked away to help her pupils adjust to the sudden onset of the bright light. Lazily, she turned her head back upwards to the sky, closing her eyes again. In the back of her mind, she could hear voices, people coming perhaps.

And she was right. Her ears caught ahold of a voice, a question, directed towards her. Sitting up, she shook her head towards Alex. She couldn't help but smile at his kindness, he was always thinking of others. Of course, that's a quality you should have when you're a doctor, especially in a small town like their's.

She noted Dia with him, holding on for support. Gwen didn't know Dia very well, but she knew she had come here to recover from a surgery or the likes, and she felt a bit sorry for the fainthearted girl.

"Oh no, I'm fine, Alex! I was just relaxing out here in the fresh air, my shift was up at the inn and I needed to get out of those stuffy kitchens!" she said, grinning, "So, what are you two up to? Retiring for the night, Dia? I can take you on up to your room, if you'd like, or I can leave you two alone so you can talk." her grin turned mischievous with her last comment.

[Kel]

Kai had been standing off into the shadows for a good few minutes, listening to the conversation between Alex and Gwen. He smiled a little to himself as he watched the tavern girl, her blonde hair shining like spun gold under the lamp's light. His dark eyes flickered to Dia, the strange girl who almost never came out of the hospital, and concern passed over his face.

He didn't know her very well, as most of the villagers, but stepped out into the false, harsh light of the lamp. "My, ain't this cozy?" he asked, the usual casual lilt to his voice, a swagger to his rakish step. He'd built up a recognizeable image in the town. What would people say if he suddenly changed? "You on a date, Doc?"

He stepped up to the little group, grinning smirkishly, wearing that purple bandanna of his. His dark skin shone bronze in the fading light of the sun mixed with that of the lamp. When Kai was in town, Summer wasn't far behind. His eyes lingered perhaps a little too long on Gwen, smile faltering just a bit before he pinned it back on.

`Keep it together,` he thought to himself. `Nobody likes a wimp. Lookit Rick.` He chuckled inwardly.

[Miss Jade]

Alex couldn't help himself and began blushing at the suggestive comments that came from Kia and Gwen. His skin shot to a pale white, while Dia remained stoic.

Dia's eyes narrowed at Gwen.
"No...I'm good, I'm staying with Alex. So I don't need a place to stay." She said curtly. She never did like strangers, especially pretty ones like Gwen, she felt threaten by them.

Alex slightly winced at Dia's harsh tone, he felt the need to try and clear things up.
"*Clears throat*. What she means is that I've offered her to stay with me, so that I can take better care of her. But I assure you, there's nothing going on between us.." He shot a glance over a Kia.
A hurt look quickly flashed across Dia's face. She looked down at her shoes.

Alex continued to look at Kia.
"Dia and I were just going out to the Inn to get something to eat. Perhaps you and Gwen would like to join us, that is if you don't have any plans." Alex was trying to make sure that he got the point across that he and Dia were just friends. But little did he know that he was hurting Dia's feelings by doing so.

[Kel]

"Sure, Doc, but I wouldn't wanna get in the middle of that." Kai gestured to Alex and Dia. "It'd be like butter in there, with all the tension. So I'll have to cop out. I did see Cliff headin' that way, though. Maybe you can talk to him. I'm sure with Dia and Cliff, conversation'll be real involved."

It was a mean joke, and Kai knew it, but he wasn't pegged the nicest member in Mineral Town. Cliff and Dia weren't much on conversational skills, so a lot of the time spent with either of them was silence, and Kai used it to poke fun.

"I'm gonna take a walk, anyway. Evenin's too nice to spend it inside." He flashed a brillian aviator smile before looking at Gwen. "You wanna walk with me, or go spend time in the inn with them?"

Deep inside, Kai was afraid of what Gwen would tell him. He knew that Dan had his sights set on her, and being his cousin didn't help. Dan was more suave and had a better pick-up repetoire than Kai did. But he couldn't apologize and he couldn't take it back.

[Miss Jade]

Dia shot a sharp glare at Kia and let out a low growl, she had secretly put him on her 'Not to like list'.
"Hmph, what a shame, I was really hoping to have your charming self around us a bit longer..." She said sharply, with a dirty grin.

Alex knew that if he didn't get Dia away from Kia, things would get pretty ugly.
"I think we should get going now. It was nice talking to you Kia." He tried his best to sound authentic and polite as possible. But at times, Kia really did get under his skin.

Alex and Dia headed toward the Inn together. Dia was hoping that Gwen wouldn't join them, or that maybe, just maybe, the Inn would be empty for just this night, so she and Alex could be alone.
She was slightly disappointed at the site when they walked through the door. A couple of people were scatter here and there. Most were probably too drunk or too heavy into a conversation to even notice that Dia and Alex had just come in.

Dia picked a table that was in near the corner of the Inn, with a window view. Alex pulled out the chair for Dia to sit in, before he sat down himself. He began to look around.
"I wonder if there is anyone here to wait on us?"

Dia shook her head.
"The service here was always pretty crappy."

[MakiAria]

Gwen watched in silence as the conversation powered on between the three. She was studying Kai, mostly, because his demeanor seemed a bit different than usual. Well, at least until she found his eyes lingering a bit too long on herself. In her mind, she rolled her eyes, but on the exterior she smiled slightly.

Listening to Dia's answer to her question, she couldn't help but wince slightly. It hurt her a little to be treated like that by a stranger, but she didn't let it get to her too bad. She shook her head at Alex's offer.

"Mm, no thanks, I just got out of there, so I think I'll be spending the evening outside. Y'all go on ahead!" she said, gesturing her hands.

Kai's question caught her attention, she looked at him, then away for a minute. Weighing her options. 'Well, he's cute..but that doesn't mean much, he doesn't have the best reputation in town. But, neither does Dan, and he's pretty nice, I guess...' Her thoughts were too busy contridicting themselves, so she just shrugged at smiled at Kai.

"Well, why not? I'm staying out here, and so are you, so we might as well be out here together!" she said, congratulating herself for her logic.

((>_>; Sorry, I haven't had much time to be on, I'm visiting my family in Oklahoma and such. :]))

[Kel]

He laughed aloud at Dia's pathetic attempt at a retort and grinned as they walked away. Part of him wanted to follow to maybe see Ann in those cute little overalls she wore. But Gwen had said something and Kai looked over at her.

"Right," he said, lofting an ebon brow. "Sure. Wanna walk up the hill? I haven't seen the spring flowers up there in a long time." Kai? Like flowers? He started walking, shoving his hands in his pockets as he did so.

***

Meanwhile ...

Cliff sat in the inn, nursing a cup of wine, staring at it balefully. Things just weren't going right in Mineral Town. Even with the job at the winery, he felt an outcast, a stranger to be mocked and disliked. No one ever talked to him but Pastor Carter, and even then it wasn't very often.

He sighed heavily, turning his cup around and around. His expression was so dejected, rejected, as he sat there, blonde-tipped hair hanging in his pale face, dark eyes sombre. Sometimes Ann would come over, but all he could do was stare at her. Her personality was very hyper, and it overwhelmed him.

When the door opened, he looked over and saw Dia and Alex come in. He sniffed derisively before turning back to his cup. Dia seemed spoilt to him, and he tried not to have a lot to do with her. More often than not, he found himself wondering if she was even ill, or if she was a predator wanting to take control of Alex.

Cliff sighed again.

[Miss Jade]

Alex spotted Cliff sitting by himself. He didn't know why, but he felt sorry for him. Yet, he had a lot of respect for him.
"I think we should go and sit with Cliff. I want to chat with him a bit."

Dia sighed lightly. "I'm sure he doesn't want our company...I-"
Alex cut her off before she could finish.
"I'm sure he wouldn't mind. He looks like he could use some company."

Alex stood up and grabbed Dia by the hand, they walked over to Cliff’s table.

"Good evening Cliff, would you mind if we joined you?"