open Cultures Unite (1x1 with GeneralDirection)

[Samurai Equine 50,969]

@GeneralDirection

"Well, depends on what you mean. If you mean how long until we have to board the train..." Samurai begins. "Next stop, Tackyo! Next stop, Tackyo!" an announcement is made. (Tackyo = Tack + Tokyo) "Then the time is now." Samurai escorts Silver on to the train. "However, if you are asking how long it takes to get from one place to another, the answer is faster than you think."

5 minutes later...

The trip was short but just long enough to see some sights, maybe take some pictures if you were so inclined. The train comes to a stop at the next station. "Now arriving at Tackyo! Now arriving at Tackyo!" Samurai escorts Silver off the train and into the big city that awaits them. It is easily comparable to Manehatten or Las Pegasus. Big buildings. Electronic signs. Lots of ponies and other creatures everywhere. It's another pony equivalent of a concrete jungle. 

[GeneralDirection 1,042]

@Samurai Equine

“Oh, ok then.” He replies as they board the train. This train was definitely not like any others that he’d ridden before, this one was much faster. Silver tried to pay attention to the scenery outside his window but things were flying by way too fast for him to notice much.

When they arrived at their destination, Silver was somewhat surprised that a city this large was all the way out here. He had clearly underestimated the size of Japone.

“This is quite the place.” He commented. “I don’t suppose you come here often, do you? Doesn’t seem like your scene.”

[Samurai Equine 50,969]

@GeneralDirection

"I go where I am needed." Samurai says with a knowing smirk.

And so, they begin the walk around Tackyo. The sights around this city are indeed different, but instead of it being loud and rude, it's only mildly loud. Every citizen is actually very polite and considerate. No one raises their voices. Everyone apologizes and bows if they accidentally bump into each other. You might have missed it in the traditional towns, but here in this modern city, you can see citizens have separated their waste into three different recycling bins. The streets and sidewalks are as clean as can be. "Oh, excuse me a second." Samurai even helps an elderly lady cross a small flight of stairs by letting her hop on his back, walker and all. "There you go. Have a good day." Samurai tells her as helps her down.

"So what would you like to do here, my friend? The city has far more activities. Tourists seem to like the arcades, the manga centers, and the karaoke bars the most. Though some do enjoy the maid cafes and the themed restaurants." Samurai asks.

[GeneralDirection 1,042]

@Samurai Equine

“Should’ve known you’d say something like that.” Silver shook his head and followed Samurai through the city, noticing how much quieter and friendlier everypony was here compared to other big cities he has visited.

“Well, I haven’t spent a ton of time at them, but I’ve come across a few arcades in my travels. How about we head there?” He asks as they walk along.

[Samurai Equine 50,969]

@GeneralDirection 

"The arcade it is. But I warn you, many Japonies games tend to be a little harder than their western releases. In Japone, we like a good challenge." Samurai tells him.

The arcade is more than just a building with games, it's a center! The main rooms have a variety of games. Arcade cabinets, rhythm games, motion-detecting games, interactive games, VR games, and more. Some are playing for fun, but some are playing with laser-focused precision. The upper level of the center has food courts and stores dedicated to video game merchandise, most of which look like rare or exclusive merch. The third floor seems empty; with signs about how it is reserved for the next convention. But hey, you get a free gift just for entering! A cute keychain of a video game mascot.

[GeneralDirection 1,042]

@Samurai Equine

“Meh, that’s fine. I’m not very competitive anyway. Now my marefriend on the other hoof, she’s super competitive.” Silver laughs as they enter the arcade.

There’s quite an impressive array of games here, some Silver has seen before, but a lot of them he hasn’t seen. They even have food here and other stores upstairs, clearly gaming is taken very seriously here. The kirin places the keychain in his saddlebag. Charlotte would probably like that. Silver thought to himself.

Turning his attention back to the arcade, he mills around the machines for a few minutes, taking in the sights and sounds, but also looking for a game that might catch his eye.

“Do you have a favourite game, my friend?” He asks Samurai. “I was always a fan of the racing games, myself.”

[Samurai Equine 50,969]

@GeneralDirection

Samurai thinks about it. "Can't say I do. I probably spend more time dedicated to being a samurai than playing games. Though I do appreciate anything tests one's real skills."

He thinks about it. "The standard cabinet games are good for solo experiences. There are some motion simulators and some booth games. Each one offering different experiences depending on your taste. And the linked ones are good for a Player VS Player experience." Samurai points to one of the motion simulators. The controller is also one big kart that you can sit in, and it will move around and such like a real kart. "I played this one once. I don't have a need for racing, but this game provides a surreal experiences that changes wildly as you play. It really tests your ability to adapt."

[GeneralDirection 1,042]

@Samurai Equine

"Oh..." Silver responds, eyeing the game with the kart for a moment before looking back over to Samurai. “Well, what do you say? Care to join me for a race in this one?” He asks. "Isn't every day that you get a kirin challenging you to a race, after all." He says with a wink.

[Samurai Equine 50,969]

@GeneralDirection

Samurai looks back and fourth between the game machine and Silver, then walks away. ...To buy game tokens. With a smirk, he holds up the first game token. "Grab the controls, player one."

[GeneralDirection 1,042]

@Samurai Equine

Silver silently nodded his head in reply and hopped into a kart and waited for his friend to do the same. He wasn’t used to having company on his trips unless he happened to make a friend on his way there, much like right now, so having somepony else to play with was a bit of a treat for him.

[Samurai Equine 50,969]

@GeneralDirection

Samurai puts the tokens into Silver's arcade machine before putting tokens in the one right next to his.
The game acknowledges that Two Players have entered the game. It's a competitive game.
After picking their vehicles of choice, the game starts off normally. However, as they race, the game gets crazier and crazier!
Each check point randomizes their location. They'll go from a normal road in the country side, to a volcano valley, to a diamond mind, to big city, to outer space with no defined road, to a reality-breaking void, etc.!
And if that wasn't whiplash enough, each time they complete a lap, their vehicle randomizes. So does the controls.
But at least their are bonus items and power ups they can pick up!

[GeneralDirection 1,042]

@Samurai Equine

Silver settles down and tries to mentally prepare himself for whatever this game may throw at him. At first, everything seems to be normal, but as the game progresses, things start to become rather chaotic. Things randomly change without warning, even the kart he’s driving switches every lap. Silver does his best to stay on top of things, but he certainly has his share of struggles. He also notices that there are bonus items of sorts that can be picked up, so he drives his kart through one said item and waits to see what happens.

[Samurai Equine 50,969]

@GeneralDirection

"What did I tell you? A test of being able to adapt." Samurai says as his kart passes Silver's. Thanks to the item collecting mechanic, he now has 3 floating companions around his kart and big red flag. He also drops some explosive barrels as he passes, creating an obstacle for him. "Try not to touch those." Samurai taunts a little.

However, his taunts cease when the terrain changes again. This time, it looks like a pixilated, old school video game. "Ugh, I detest this section. It always forces the lead kart to slow down." Samurai says as his kart comes to crawl.

[GeneralDirection 1,042]

@Samurai Equine

Silver is slightly caught off-guard by the explosives but manages to evade them and stay in the race. Then another track change occurs, this seems to slow Samurai down considerably, allowing Silver to pull ahead into the lead. He waves as he passes his friend but quickly returns his attention back to the course, awaiting whatever it may throw their way next.

[Samurai Equine 50,969]

@GeneralDirection

(Rolling dice to determine winner... 3! You win.)

After 5 total chaotic laps, the game finishes. Silver manages to win. They'd have to put in my tokens to keep playing. Samurai smiles. "Well done for your first time! This is not a game I usually recommend for first time players. There were plenty of laps where I thought I had you." Samurai says as he hops out of his kart.

[GeneralDirection 1,042]

@Samurai Equine

For the next few laps, Silver does his best to hold on and finish the race, even managing to take first place. He hops out of his kart and shrugs.

“Thanks! But I’ve never played anything like this before, so I don’t know how I managed to win.” He smiles. “You played well though, not sure I’ll play that one again. It’s a bit too chaotic for my liking.”

The kirin looks around for a moment. “Did you wanna go check out the shops upstairs?” He asks.  

[Samurai Equine 50,969]

@GeneralDirection

"As you wish." Samurai says before leading the way.
The shop has merch from many different video game franchises, and some generic merch too. Toys, food, clothing, accessories, and more. Going into the shop, Samurai looks upon different things, but he seems a little overwhelmed.

[GeneralDirection 1,042]

@Samurai Equine

Silver looks around at the various wares, but nothing really catches his eye. He looks over to Samurai and notices he doesn’t quite seem himself. “Hey, you ok?” He asks. “You look kinda… distracted or something.”

[Samurai Equine 50,969]

@GeneralDirection

Samurai looks at Silver and offers a casual smile. "Sorry, it's just... I feel out of place here. I'm not much of a collector of stuff like this. I am sure it makes others happy, but for me, I feel like I'm being over loaded with options. I don't want to buy something just for the sake of buying something. I'd rather obtain things that are personal to me. But feel free to pick anything you like. I'll buy it for you this time."

[GeneralDirection 1,042]

@Samurai Equine

“Oh, no need to be sorry, it’s fine. I get it, I’m not a huge collector either. I just like to pick up something for my marefriend and my sister since they don’t usually join me on these adventures. But much like yourself, I don’t like to buy stuff just for the sake of it, I only get them something if I see value in it. And, um…” He looks around. “I’m not seeing it here. You happen to know of someplace that has some nice gifts?” He asks.

[Samurai Equine 50,969]

@GeneralDirection

"Nice gifts?" Samurai tilts his head, confused. "Hmm... Maybe you'd like to find a different place? This shop is more for gamers and otaku." Samurai suggests. He's not wrong, this is not a store for casual shoppers.

[GeneralDirection 1,042]

@Samurai Equine

“Yea, someplace else, I don’t think they’d want anything from here.” Silver thinks for a moment. “Hmm, any place you know of that makes good jewelry? Like bracelets, earrings, that kind of thing. That’s one of the things they like. Or maybe art supplies? My sister’s an artist, I’m sure she’d appreciate that.” He thinks aloud.

[Samurai Equine 50,969]

@GeneralDirection

"Of course. I can help you get supplies, but if you wanted an art piece, I could have made a ukiyo-e painting for at my house." Samurai says.

He leads the way out of the gaming center and to a local jewelry store. While there are plenty of jewelry pieces that you've seen just about everywhere, there are some pieces that reflect Japonies culture in a way that is classy and not over-the-top or gaudy. There is even a geisha pony who is buying fancy ornaments for her mane, which is done up in a traditional bun style.

Samurai looks at a silver ring that has caught his attention. It has an engraved sakura pattern on it, filled with a reddish pink to make the pattern stand out. The ring in question is made for unicorn horns.

[GeneralDirection 1,042]

@Samurai Equine

“Oh, that’s nice of you to offer, but that won’t be necessary.” He explained and they walked along. “Both my sister and I make plenty of our own art. But supplies? We can always use those, especially for her since it’s her job.”

Samurai leads Silver to a local jewellery store, where he intently looks around to find a bracelet that his marefriend would appreciate. However, he notices Samurai staring at some unfamiliar-looking rings that pique his interest.

“Hmm… what are these for?” He asks while staring at the rings.

[Samurai Equine 50,969]

@GeneralDirection

Samurai looks over at his friend. "A ring like this is what you might give your special somepony. Especially if you were getting married. Maybe some day, if I am lucky... Of course, she'd have to be a pegasus at least." Samurai tells him, whispering that last part. "But don't mind me. Feel free to pick anything. If you have a question, the staff can help you out." Samurai says.

Samurai moves away from the rings. It's obvious by his demeanor that he is just casually browsing, not really looking for anything in particular. He might stop at the clufflinks, the earrings, or the badges/pins. There is an advertisement about making custom jewelry. A hanafuda-themed bracelet catches Samurai's eye for a moment before he moves on again.

Hopefully Silver can find something that matches what he is looking for.