jigokufever | June 2022 Test Drive

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June 2022 Test Drive

1. CLEAN UP

The curse has broken, finally banishing the oppressive air around the city and the many sightless eyes of the accursed haniwa. Life will have to return to normal now but first there is lingering clean-up that must be attended to:

SHUTEN CLAN

The Shuten Clan is out in force to rebuild damaged storefronts. Eager oni appear in their festival happi, singing oni working tunes. You can pick up the words easily enough, join in and help out. The mood starts bright, but after a number of unlucky accidents there is less singing and more grumbling. The cursed energy left behind has made all of you much more prone to workplace accidents but the storefronts need to be scrubbed, broken glass needs sweeping, new furniture needs construction. There are any number of thumbs smashed by hammers, hands cut on saws, heads hit with falling debris or that board of wood you didn’t see someone carrying towards you. It’s a cursed day to be out on the job.

Rewards will come in the form of free drinks for a week from specific bars and a generous amount of chips for the casinos. If you aren’t of age to drink or gamble? Well… they’ll look the other way this time. Have fun.

It should be noted that the uniform -- a happi, a hachimaki, and fundoshi -- is required. The Shuten Clan is very traditional, after all.

TAMAMO CLAN

The bathhouses in Tamamo clan territory remain full of bloodied water. They need to be drained and scrubbed to make them new again. However, reaching the drains is a tricky business. You can’t simply reach in to pull out the plug, you will have to wade into the water to twist it free. Easy enough, right?

Unfortunately, residual curse energy has made this a very dangerous task. Phantasmal hands will reach out and try to drag you under as you get too close to the drain. The phantasms can be distracted, so you’ll need some teamwork to succeed. Your reward is a significant amount of free bath coupons. Some of the advertised baths even have “special” properties. Take the chance to relax, you probably need it.

Those that are rejuvenated in the newly purified baths will find themselves with seemingly limitless vigor. That vigor may sometimes manifest in the form of desperately needing to fuck the first thing willing to do so. Which might turn out somewhat embarrassing...

SUTOKU CLAN

The residual cursed energy in the Sutoku Alliance territory has congregated in their many arcades. The prizes in the UFO catcher machines seem off and they keep shifting around. If you happen to win a prize, the prize slot snaps shut on your hand with amazing force: the machine out for blood. To clear the curse, the prizes need to be removed from the machines and purified with the help of a local shrine maiden. Unfortunately, the key ring to open the machines has been stolen by some of the unruly prizes. You will need to use your UFO catcher skills to fish it back out.

Try not to lose any fingers.

Other machines are shooting tokens out of their coin slots at astonishingly painful speeds. A strange phenomenon, as even the machines that take swipe cards are doing it. Where are those tokens even coming from? You will have to get the machines open and give them a deep cleaning to get all the residual blood off the coins and mechanisms. You need the same keys that are stuck inside the UFO catcher…. Better hope you can fish out the one you need.

For your troubles, you will be given unlimited free plays for a month. Perfect for winning a totally-not-cursed prize for your sweetie.

ENMA DEPARTMENT

It’s the Department of the Enma’s turn to go begging for good will. They are considered to be mostly responsible for the way the cursed haniwa were handled in the first place. Enma souls should get out on the streets and see what the people need: Food, clean water, housing repairs and maintenance, as well as exorcisms. They’re all high on people’s priority lists and most people want it done pronto. Try not to get snappy with the angry people, the department’s reputation is on the line.

The Enma is slated to give a press conference at some point. It's up to the rest of the Department to assure that there will be reception to his words. They are likely to be of grave importance to the rest of the city.

A hard day’s work is its own reward, but you’ll also get a day pass to a theme park on the edge of the city – in the name of community outreach, of course.

2. GHOST SHARKS

The very streets themselves are treacherous with residual curses. The isonades may have been intimidated out of town for the moment but the anger of their ancestors lingers in the bloody puddles that still glisten in the streets. Come too close to these puddles and spectral sharks will lunge from beneath the surface: Blood for blood! Lives for lives!

While spectral in nature, the teeth on these sharks can still do real harm to anyone they lash out at. They don’t seem to take damage in kind, but will pop and disperse for a moment when struck. The ghostly sharks are being populated by a magic totem that has been partially buried in the dirt of a local park. Destroy it and the sharks will disappear.

Unfortunately, a pack of snotty local children have taken a shine to this magic totem. They are not keen to let you take it from them, nor break it. It’s theirs. It’s special. If you’re feeling brutish or cruel, you can fight the children or deceive them, but your boss would probably suggest you try to bargain with them for appearance’s sake. They’re entirely unreasonable though, as children can be, and it will be quite a chore to get them to agree to your terms.

3. CURSED CORNERS

There are certain corners and alleyways which are simply predisposed to gather cursed energy. These areas are still haunted enough to affect the reality around you. You may experience hallucinations or visions of lost loved ones, past regrets, personal failings. These visions are played out in the area for all to see. You will remain frozen in place until your moment is done, or someone brave comes to pull you out.

Now that the worst of it is over, some of the more morbid and voyeuristic members of the public may be lurking around these haunted areas, waiting to see what horrors will be unveiled. They have out their phones and their cameras to record the show.

The cruelest of the spectators provide commentary to their social media followings as they observe. Anything for that monetization!

The biggest of the streams is a kerakera onna who goes by her channel name: Lipsticki. She leans in over the rooftops to cackle loudly at people’s misfortunes and give petty, scathing commentary about their misdeeds and failings.

4. THE ENMA SPEAKS (PLOT RELEVANT)

Outside the hospital where the Enma was being treated, there is a huge press gathering. The judge arbiter has been deemed fit enough to release. Hungry for word, journalists from every publication swarm the area. Most press-outlets in the city are controlled by the Sutoku Alliance, who have a vested interested in interrogating the Enma.

A number of other onlookers have tacked on as well, including Lost Souls both old and new. Lost Souls may even find themselves ordered to attend the statement by their faction.

It is assumed that the Enma must have something of grave importance to say, after all.

The Enma approaches the podium. He is dressed in his usual suit, his crown, and his stern expression; it puts a hush over the crowd through its tremendous pressure alone. No questions have been asked, yet, but a statement has been prepared. He clears his throat:

"The cause of the curse, the enemy of Jigokucho, is... Haniyasu. The Department's focus will be shifting to determining our next action in regards to this entity. That is all."

Just like, the Enma's secretary and a retinue of armored shinigami move to flank the Enma and guide them to a waiting limo down the steps. The press yells their questions over one another, but are pushed back. The Enma doesn't even seem to perceive them, simply focusing on getting into the car.

Unfortunately, if you're a representative for one of the factions -- especially the Department of the Enma -- that makes you fair game to hound for questioning too. Do you stand your ground or try to run away?

[[banner art by s-tokimura]]

Welcome to the test drive meme!

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NEWBIE TOP LEVELS

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ There's something terribly sincere and understandable in the bits of emotional response that tumble out of him. It's like watching glass crack under the weight of something heavy, or maybe seeing a sprout pop out of the soil. She's not too sure which is more apt. ]

It's nice to meet you, Jonathan Sims. [ What he tells her is enough to tug at her heartstrings, truthfully, and she beams at him with sympathy laced through her smile. ] You're about to meet a lot of people as yourself.

[ Such a thought would terrify her, but it's refreshing to see someone reveling in it. ]

Edited 2022-06-26 07:10 (UTC)

Yes, you as well, Aerith.

[He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, forced calm. It's fine. Martin would have wanted this, probably. If they were going to truly be somewhere else, he would have wanted Jon to be able to be himself.

But that...]

I apologize, but may I ask one other thing? A bit weird, but I-i would like to ask.

Hmmm... nope!

[ Can he tell she's joking? With a little laugh, Aerith shakes her head. ]

Of course you can, Jonathan. What's up?

[There's some relief in that, hearing a laugh.]

I've only been here half a day, but before today. Has there been or have you seen anything else particularly bad? Rather, um. Ghoulish, or... Or nightmarish?

[The way he asks, it sounds like the blood rain doesn't even qualify for these descriptors.]

Edited 2022-06-26 07:45 (UTC)

[ There's a pause on her end, and she realizes that... ah, he really, really can't see. ]

...

[ Well, someone has to tell him, right...? ]

Do you mean... giant spiderladies kind of ghoulish? Or political assassinations kind of nightmarish?

[She gets as far as "spiderla-" before everything about him goes taut, the hand that was resting on his jacket gripping it tightly for something to ground him.

There's something there.]

Th-the first. Definitely the first.

[ Ah, yeah, he is protected by his inability to actually make something of what he's seeing at the moment. God help this man when he can see again. Aerith holds her tongue for a moment, and looks aside to a random worker. It's a fukuro mujina: a badger youkai, who is watching with wide eyes, and a slack jaw.

Aerith motions for them to cut it out. ]

They're called... Jorogumo. They're a normal resident of the city. Hey, did no one tell you? Where you are?

um. Hell? Or something like it. Um. I think I've heard the name 'Jigo'... something around.

But nothing truly horrific, then?

[Maybe there's hope. Maybe-

Only one other thing he could ask to be absolutely, completely certain.]

Or, god. Any tape recorders around? Particularly the last couple of hours?

Jigoku. [ It took her a bit to remember, too, honestly. ] That depends on your definition, I guess. I'm starting to guess that your line of work was pretty different from mine.

[ To say the least. ]

Tape recorders, no. Winking assholes, yes. There's a lot of spirits around, monsters, things like that. Gods, too. [ The badger is motioning for her to shut up now, and Aerith rolls her eyes before turning back to Jon with her full body. ]

Plus, the giant woman laughing at people on the streets downtown... Not to mention annoying badgers.

[ A scandalized gasp comes from the badger, who had totally been minding their business. ]

[Shit. Shit shitshitshitFUCKshit, there's enough normalcy mixed in with his own mess that it could conceivably be not his mess, but not being able to see properly anymore has his paranoia spiking again like the old days. God, if what Annabelle said was true, if that was the doorway for them, it's conceivable they got here before him, and the Spiral could have messed with things more as far as how long they've been here and made it normal, but- No tape recorders she's seen doesn't mean no tape recorders at all, but would they even need him anymore? What about when they're ready to move on again, would they just use him again, or start all over?

Too many variables, too many unknowns, and he doesn't know anything anymore. He hates this. Jon hates this with every fiber of his being.]

All right. Thank you, Aerith, I'm sorry, they're weird questions to ask someone you've just met.

[ She's not even going to try disagreeing for politeness' sake here. Her mother raised her better, but her mother also raised her to take no shit. ]

Yeah, it is a weird question. Can I ask why tape recorders?

[ She's not entirely sure if he means... sentient ones, now that she thinks about it. ]

It's a long story.

[A slow inhale and exhale, like clearing the air of his own mind. He's no nearer to an answer if the Fears are here or not. He'll have to do some old fashioned digging around like he used to. Maybe it'll be refreshing to have to do it this way. A mystery.]

And one that should probably come after I've drained the diluted blood from this bath now that I've gotten my breath again.

Jonathan, let me ask you a question.

[ Because, frankly, it's been on her mind since the beginning. Her tone is quick, and she's already starting to get to her feet. She's not too sure on letting him get into the water, now. ]

Do you need... glasses?

Hm?

[Ah. Well. He'd been doing well up to this point.]

I- Honestly? I used to. Haven't for the last few years, but it um. Seems I may have to do something about it again. You know, I thought being dead and all, it wouldn't matter.

And you've been getting around like that...?

[ She doesn't even bother trying to mention they haven't quite figured out the status of their lives yet; there's just an immediate flash of annoyance at her superiors. All of them, in fact. ]

Yeah, I was wondering. I thought, at first... that maybe you couldn't see magic, but then, that wouldn't make sense, would it? Because, you're right here, and you know everything that's going on. So, you probably just couldn't see my spell.

[ With a shrug, she dips her legs into the bloodied bath water. ]

You stay here, I'll do this. Thanks for your jacket, by the way, but... I already wore this thing in the rain.

Sorry. I was... Just trying to...

[To do what? Not let a bunch of strangers worry about him half-blindly wandering around?

But then she's getting up and climbing in.

Look, I need to see this thing through with Peter to the end-

Something clenches in his heart hearing the small ripples in the water hit the side of the tub as she climbs in. There has to be something he can do from here... Surely? But what could he do, she's already confirmed to herself he can't see more than a foot or so in front of him. It didn't even used to be that bad, he had decent near-sightedness.]

I-i just. Was told some cleanup needed to happen, and it sounded a bit rough, so... I. Just wanted to help.

[Anything to try and make up for the things he's done.]

[ His reasoning reaches her ears, and she doesn't think there's anything wrong with it. Aerith is, however, a storm of a woman, and when she wades through the water, she acts foremost within the interest of getting the tub drained. Disappearing under the water for a moment, she pulls the plug, and the whirlwind vortex starts.

When her head pops out of the water, it's draining quickly. ]

Jonathan?

[ She pulls herself to the edge of the tub, and rests her elbows over it, still half submerged. ]

Sorry. You upset? [ There's sympathy in her expression, but not her voice. It's more like the childish sort of tone you might get when a kid wants to know if they're in trouble, even if she's way too old for that. ]

I'm glad you're here. I hope we can get you some glasses soon. [ Honestly? She might have buy them for him herself. ] What are we gonna do with you missing all these horrors beyond comprehension?

[ The badger kicks a bucket and leaves, thoroughly insulted. ]

[The noise of the bucket hitting the wet tile has him jump, if only because he couldn't see it, didn't know to expect it. But he settles again easily enough.

He has to strangle another nervous laugh that threatens to come up. Horrors beyond comprehension. She has no idea. He doesn't hear screams, he doesn't hear anyone wailing in agony, no sounds of pain and fire and muscle and sinew being rended from someone begging. No, she firmly does not know. And that may be for the best.

No, if these Lost Souls around him somehow aren't from his universe and haven't had their own run-in with the Entities, it's best to leave it be. Until he can confirm they aren't here, he doesn't even feel safe speaking of it, giving them a foothold through him again.

That thought alone is enough to keep him from cracking a little more, that last brittle sense of self composure he's keeping a stranglehold on. Later, later, he thinks.]

Thank you, I'm sure I'll manage to at some point. Though I suppose until then I can do with my own imagination, hm?

[ A huff of a laugh escapes her, then, and Aerith hoists herself out of the quickly draining tub. She's sopping wet, but at least the easiest part of the whole ordeal is now done. It's worse from this position, honestly, looking at him and thinking about all the strangeness he's plopped into her lap. ]

Your imagination is going to be worse.

[ Honestly. The youkai aren't that bad. ]

Oh, I'm sure it'll be just fine.

[It's probably a little odd, how calm and assured his tone sounds with the discussion at hand. But at least it sounds like this tub is finished, and he can at least see the blur of red receding in front of him.]

...Thank you for answering my questions, I know they, um. They're a bit odd.

[ She dips one of her hands into a bucket, producing two spotless rags for them to ruin in their unending quest to clean up messes that, technically, have nothing to do with them. Though she makes note of his tone, she does not press it— Aerith merely thinks it'll aid him in the future. You need people who can process information quickly and not be too bothered by it. The horrors of Hell are not really the youkai, anyway. ]

A bit? I think they're gonna stick out in my mind forever. It's one way to make a first impression.

[He blinks down at the cloths. Ah. That makes sense. He takes one of the two, wishing they had a mop instead really. This is going to cause some problems. Maybe if he's careful. Just take it slow.]

Sorry, um. Apparently first impressions are something I'm known for to most who've met me.

How about, um. Possibly easier questions? Like what I should expect here.

[ Maybe some day Jon will look back on this moment and reason that it was likely that Aerith had access to a mop or two for cleaning the tubs. They're provided, of course, you merely need to look for, or ask for, one. If he reasons that, he might be able to figure out that Aerith is terribly bad at saying goodbye to people quicker than she likes; selfishly, she makes it so that the two of them are stuck scrubbing the tub down, just to keep him stuck with her for a bit longer.

Sorry, Jon. ]

Oh, you know... [ Aerith dips back into the bath, landing with a wet noise. She giggles, quick and soft, before she continues. ] Political assassinations. Cursed dolls that give you nightmares. Nightmare rain... Drugs from the black market... What else? [ She stops to think for a moment, gathaering up recollections of her time in Hell. It doesn't take long for her to think of something else to tell him about, at least. ] Oh, right. Parades.

Hm.

[He carefully follows after, more climbing in instead of simply hopping down. Without the water handling the weight balance, it's clear there's an odd way he shifts his weight as he walks favoring the left. But there's enough residual blood on the sides that he can focus on that instead, leaning a bit as he starts carefully scrubbing and wiping.

Honestly... That all slots pretty well with what he thought the Spiral might have done if they did get here before him. 'Nightmare rain' is enough of a hint. Cursed dolls, god does that mean the calliope is also here in some form?

He's already asked enough weird questions. The last comment feels like the sort that's tacked on as a polite conversation starter. He'll cling to it.]

What sorts of parades?

[ Her rag is already going red from blood. Aerith hums and strains it, looking very unbothered by the whole ordeal. If anything, it's nice to be getting rid of it as opposed to drowning in it. ]

There's different sorts of parades? [ The sincerity in her voice makes it clear that she means this question. She has rarely ventured outside the slums, and when she has... it's not like she had all that much money for her to do something up there. It was purely business. ]

Well, there was the parade the night I was contracted. We were told to make all kinds of trouble, chaos... break a lot of things. [ She didn't, obviously. It's not her style. ] But the one we set up for— The Night Parade... It was huge! There was an orgy, wrestling, fortune telling, and flower viewing...

[ There's more here, but she wonders if it's worth mentioning at this point, considering the sheer wealth of stuff that was. ]

June 2022 Test Drive

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