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jigokufever2022-06-24 11:00 am
jigokumods) wrote in jigokufever2022-06-24 11:00 am
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June 2022 Test Drive
MAIN NAVIGATION
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
helly r. | severance
[ It's been a long period for Helly. She went through the sterile waiting room for her ticket to be called, got shuffled out as soon as she got her assignment, and had to stumble her way through the city in dissaray to arrive at the department headquarters. Of course she got assigned a fucking job, because truly there's no rest for the wicked when it comes to office workers.
But then the meeting ends, she gets her own key (and assured twice that yes, this is her own living space, it's hers) and is escorted out of the building. Once alone, on the busy streets, her breathing increases, her chest heavy, and a smile bubbling up on her face. Holy shit. Holy fucking shit. ]
I'm free. [ She mutters with a large grin, staring at the key to her new home between her manicured fingers, and bursts into laughter ] I'm free! I'm fucking free!
[ As her laughter explodes, Helly starts to jump in the air in place. She pumps her arms up and cheers, screaming up to the sky- ] GO FUCK YOURSELF LUMON! I GOT OUT!
[ This continues on, no matter how many people awkwardly stare and try to avoid her when she goes into the crowd in her jubilation. ]
Clean Up [Enma]
[ Well, it was fun while it lasted.
Ok, that's not fair. Having a job is still bullshit, but she has her own place, her own autonomy, she can even dress herself like a normal person does. She can't be too mad about having to do some bullshit labor. At least it's not in front of a computer sorting weird scary numbers.
So, she'll be going up to people's apartment doors, a quick few knocks, and waits idly. And when you open up (or maybe you don't?) she'll be on the other side with a polite smile. ]
Hi there. I'm Helly R. and I work for the Enma Department. I want to know if there's anything you need to help you right now with the, uh, cursed stuff?
[ She honestly didn't read the documents they gave her about it. Whatever. ]
Cursed Corner [Spoilers for Severance]
[ "I know you're unhappy with the life you've been given... but you know what, eventually we all have to accept reality. So here it is." ]
No.
[ Helly hitches her breath and stares at the woman in front of her. A woman who is her near mirror image, only dressed in a more business casual look. A classic thick blue shirt appropriate for winter and a tan pencil skirt, black pumps for easy comfort and daily use in the office. Yet the more eye-catching thing is how distorted she appears. It may remind some on-lookers of watching a person on VHS tape, trapped in the box and its imaging.
Helly tightens her fists and steels her expression. She wants to punch her. She wants to grab her hair and pull it so hard it starts tearing off the skull. She could even kill her.
Not being able to move is a nightmare she never thought. It was just like the first time.
"I am a person. You are not. I make the decisions. You do not. And if you ever do anything to my fingers, know that I will keep you alive long enough to horribly regret that. Your resignation request is denied." ]
You bitch.
[ Finally she's released and her body stumbles forward, catching herself before she falls onto her face. There was so much struggle to get free before it happened. When she looks back up the mirror image is gone. And instead all that's left is to coldly glare at a spot on the concrete where she was. ]
I hope you die. I was so close. [ She inhales and then lets it go through the nose, eyebrows raising. ] But hey - always next time.
[ And if she ever gets a hint that bitch could come out, she'll do it again. ]
Arrival
Lalli is not good at conversation though. Again, feral man of the forest. And for a moment he looks up at the Enma building, wondering if he can possibly get someone more sociable to come down and handle her. But he decides against it, and he figures that if this is his One Good Deed of the day then he can nap on the job later. So he lets go of the door handle and walks over to where Helly is prancing around, and then he clears his throat to try and get her attention.]
no subject
What? [ A cheeky sardonic grin flashes. ] Never seen a person dancing in the streets?
no subject
[That's not it, he's seen people dance before. ...wait, he just said the opposite of what he meant again.]
...yes. I have seen it. Everyone else sees it too.
[There's not that many people around, most youkai don't stray too close to the department of the Enma if they don't have business there. But a few youkai here and there are watching Helly do her little dance thing, and they're looking a bit perturbed.]
no subject
Ok. Point taken. [ She kicks the ground with the tip of her kitten heel shoe and wraps her hands together behind her back. ] I'm just excited to be here, strange as that might sound.
no subject
[He remembers hearing her say that a few times, and he nods in understanding. This place isn't exactly 'free' to him, it's more of a sideways promotion than going forward or back, but if someone's life was so terrible that this is 'more free' to them then he understands why they would prefer him.]
Understandable. But celebrating that is risky. It makes you look like an easy target to pickpockets and organ sellers.
[One unfortunate character trait about Lalli, which will become clearer to Helly the longer she's a co-worker of his, is that he often thinks of the worst possible results and has absolutely no brain-to-mouth filter most of the time. Comments like this aren't meant to be mean, they come from a place of Lalli wanting to be helpful, but they're still common.]
Cursed Corner
[He'll reach out and offer her a hand to help her stand back up. Jeez, one weird thing after another. It almost felt like Chicago. But with a Japanese setting... actually, yeah a part of Chicago, now that he thought about it.
Like the park district. Only it wasn't. It's a whole, modern city.]
I know you probably didn't like... whatever that was. But in my experience it's not a good idea to antagonize, or threaten, mirrors.
[In fact, it was usually a very, very, incredibly bad idea. ]
no subject
[ "not a mirror"? She clamps her mouth before the rest slips out. No, she has to be careful. Giving away information that could get her in trouble isn't worth correcting him. Having freedom doesn't mean she should fuck around and find out. ]
--Right. Yeah, you're right. [ She deflates and gives him a nod. ] Mirrors are just reflections. They can't hurt you.
no subject
[The opposite tends to be the case. If the person was lucky, what was on the other side might not be interested in them.
He adjusts his ratty, straw hat.]
Hey, look, mirrors aside this isn't the most friendly place in the city. So what brings you here?
[A job, he's guessing.]
no subject
What brings you?
no subject
[Said as curt and short as possible. Challenge clearly neither met nor recognized. It didn't work for the Chicago PD or the FBI, probably not going to work here. A person can't keep a good "reporter" down!]
That, and looking for a new story. [Or stories in this case. Better to get his Addidas covered feet on the ground and moving as quickly as possible. Kolchak has a feeling there's a lot of catching up to do.]
no subject
Well, unless you want to interview a woman brand new to Hell, I can't offer you much sir.
no subject
[Angles on angles on angles, all getting puzzled together to form the larger picture. Or at least the frame to put it in, he mused.]
Carl Kolchak, Independent News Service.
[A hand gets held out for a shake, while another shows his reporter pass through the mess of straps holding his camera and tape recorder. He actually looks like he just stepped out of the 70's.]
no subject
Helly R. R for Riggs.
[ Her hand slips back to her side and she shrugs. ]
As for what brings me here, I was on my way to do an errand for an elderly... youkai, I think is what they call themselves? I work for the Enma Department.
clean up
Cursed stuff?
[He opens the door slightly wider, permitting Helly to see more of his place. Honestly, there's not much. Even for Shuten housing, it's a bit shabby; Spartan decorating, too. There is, however, a stain of red pooling in his ceiling, dripping into a large mixing bowl he's placed on top of a towel directly under it.]
I think it's passed. At least in this area. But I could use some help with the leak.
no subject
Um, yeah. Ok sure. [ She steps into his home and keeps her eyes on the blood dripping in. Why didn't they give her a memo on this? ] Do you have any ideas, besides the bowl?
no subject
[He doesn't seem phased. When you live here for a few months you get real normal about a lot of things real fast.]
And yes, I looked it up online, actually. I was going to ask a friend, but seeing as you're already here... [Off to one side of the room are a couple plastic bags from what appears to be a hardware store. They crinkle loudly as he rummages through them: turns out, he's bought a plastic tarp and a roll of tape. It'll be way easier to hang up with another person.]
If you could help me open this?
no subject
So, I have to ask: what's up with the blood dripping from your ceiling anyway?
no subject
[Typical Enma Department mismanagement. He shakes his head, getting to work on unfolding the tarp once Helly's managed to open the packaging.]
This city was cursed. For days on end, it rained blood, and we all saw awful visions... I think even this leftover water is still cursed. [He gestures with a tilt of his head at the leak, dripping away.]