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!

Threads here can be considered game canon.
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NEWBIE TOP LEVELS

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Unfortunate? In hell, you mean?

[ it is amusing, although ryouma recognises anything else about this could have struck him as funny. curious. ]

I suppose that explains what was happening earlier. I knew you weren't from my world, but the symbols stay the same.

In hell.

[It's just... it's just so funny. He's sorry. He won't laugh anymore. Honestly, he's done.

But it's really funny.]

If you aren't from my world, I'm afraid I'll have to reserve judgement on you, despite your unfortunate name. I can't say I've met the other man I know to have the same name, but I've been led to think poorly of him.

[He is terribly excited about this multiverse business, though, tell him more.]

We're a valuable commodity, us Lost Souls. If nothing else, we're useful.

[ ryouma is definitely not having an ideal time around here, but he doesn't think he's here because he did anything wrong. ]

Oh, and I bet you have. I was the guy lookin' to put you and your masters out of a job, after all.

[Oh Sannan is... one thousand percent sure he is in hell for every reason.]

Probably not me specifically. I may once have had some standing, but it wasn't meant to last.

[Cryptic~]

I imagine you and I could have some interesting discussions about various events, given the chance. It seems frivolous and utterly pointless to carry any but the bloodiest of rivalries through to a place like this. I had my pride in my former position, most assuredly, but I won't hold your differing opinion against you unless you wish for that.

[There's something almost tired about him. Not resigned, really, just worn very, very thin. It doesn't mean there's no fight in him, but he's half willing to give someone who's done him a kindness a chance.]

Probably not. Can't say I kept up much with that business; the Shinsengumi were busy looking inwards so I didn't really care.

[ he can give the man a chance but he will dunk on the organisation forever. ]

That being the case, I've really got nothing against you here and now especially. Why should I? I won.

[ he can also be petty, but he's just joking. it's all so far and removed from ryouma's perspective that it really would take special circumstances to hold a real grudge against anyone. ]

[A wry smile.]

Indeed they were. And at times everywhere but where they should have been.

[Dunk away. He has his pride, but they did kind of completely give up on him, so. It's not like he wouldn't dunk.]

Is assassination considered winning now? I wasn't aware.

[He's joking, evidenced by the little laugh.]

Well, I walked right into that one, didn't I?

[ where it counts, ryouma died with no regrets, so he doesn't mind the joke. ]

Yoshinobu returned power peacefully and all the suggestions I wrote down ended up getting adopted, so it's a pretty good win from where I'm standing. What happened, happened but it came as no surprise, really. I've always believed we come into the world to accomplish a duty and I'd done that.

You did. We'll say you did it on purpose, if it makes you feel better. I'll even say I appreciated the gesture.

[But that's up to him. No pressure. There's a practiced detachment, a faint smile, and an apparent utter lack of care about his own past.]

What happened is far away and irrelevant, isn't it? Are you clinging to it for some reason, or trying to intimidate me, perhaps? Or would you like to hear my take on the situation? The possibilities astound.

Well, you did ask.

[ he loves that excuse. ]

But you're right, it's so long ago I've lost track along the way somewhere. But it happens every time, like a little dance. Maybe it's just a peculiar thing that happens when you meet people out of their time. Besides, we're from different worlds; reasonable to check if history ran the same way to you, hm?

[He would be a little more of a jerk, but he's actually really here for this multiverse business. Tell him more.]

That would be reasonable. [And interesting...] Though perhaps standing around here isn't the best place for it. I don't mind giving you the historical details as I saw them.

[He will... have to figure out how to talk around knowing about events after he died, sure! But that's a problem for twenty minutes from now.]

Tell me though, had you heard of me before now, or am I a... non-entity in your world?

True enough, but you'll find there are no shortage of places around here to get a decent drink, if you're interested. I'm on a break.

[ because all he does is work, the breaks are whenever he remembers to. ]

I've heard of you. Back when I used to keep up with sword fighting and the who's who of all the dojos I remember your name because you beat Kondo.

[ and given his thoughts on that guy, that's a point in sannan's favour. ]

I've never met a version of you that's a Servant — which is what I am and is a little complicated, but it involves magic — although I've met a couple of the others. Not to say "you" won't show up one day, only that you haven't yet.

I'm interested. And in the conversation, as well, of course. Please, do lead on.

[It is pleasant enough to be remembered for that reason, at least, though Kondo is a bittersweet sort of topic at this point. He's far removed from that, or at least it feels that way. Things necessitated a lack of time to grieve and nothing but manic, insane plans and methods. This place isn't so horrifying, really. Yet.]

At least you've heard of me, though probably not what happened to me.

[He'll buy the magic thing. And he doesn't mind complicated, so he files that away for now in hopes of getting the full story out of him sooner rather than later, simply because there's absolutely nothing that is beyond belief anymore.]

I highly suspect things will diverge more ways than not, if there's magic in your world.

[ ryouma is happy to lead the way, familiar enough by now with the confusing nature of the streets at least in this part of town around here to know when to turn. soon enough they arrive at a little hole in the wall bar that isn't particularly remarkable on the outside, but it's quiet enough for a conversation without feeling like everyone else might be eavesdropping. ]

I admit, I quit keeping up with things after a point, so I'm afraid not. You would've been in Kyoto 'til the end, right?

[ whether he means the end of the shogunate or the end of sannan's life is unclear. many people died before the former, after all. ]

Once I got into things in Nagasaki, Kyoto was way too stuffy for me! But things more or less happened the same way in different worlds, it seems like. I finished my work and that was that! I didn't become a Servant until after I died.

[It's a good introduction to the area, when he can simply follow and look around at the sights. It helps. This place will get sorted out in his head sooner rather than later. And when they arrive, he's pleased to note that it's quiet enough, and not fancy at all. He doesn't need fancy.

He takes a seat where directed, relaxing against the back of the seat with his arms crossed.]

Who could blame you? You were a busy man.

[Sannan is Aware of some of Ryouma's dealings, at least. And the fact that he was assassinated by former Shinsengumi affiliates and it was pinned on the Shinsengumi.]

We left Kyoto, but I parted ways with the main body of the Shinsengumi on less-than-amicable terms a few months after we relocated to Edo.

[In other words, he didn't die in Kyoto. Curious, isn't it?]

That's true! Tryin' to topple something that took hundreds of years to build up to what it was couldn't happen overnight.

[ because at this point, there is no reason to act like he isn't proud of doing exactly what everyone suspected he was up to. ]

Is that so? Didja get a sense of the way the winds were blowin', or was it something else?

[ an ideological dispute or a personal one. that would certainly give him some insight into things. someone comes over to take their order, and ryouma orders sake for the table — because current financial constraints aside, he can afford this much — but of course, sannan is free to add whatever else he might like too. ]

Can't blame me for askin', right?

You did an... admirable job, all things considered. From the perspective of achieving what you set out to do, I mean.

[He smiles, because you know, there's something to be said for taking pride in your work.]

A little of each, in a sense. I didn't approve of the way Kondou was grasping for power prior to his death, nor the way Hijikata directed things. And, considering some other variables, my time with them was hindering me from progressing in both research and personal goals. So I left, and took my men with me.

[Look, if he already knows the Shinsengumi had some shit going on, who's Sannan to avoid the unpleasant topic? He deals in unpleasant, and even in tactless on rare occasions. Despite time having passed and Toudou's reassurances, Hijikata and Sannan never really saw eye to eye on anything. And Kondou had spent too much time trying to kiss ass, and not enough time investing in the value of the men under him.]

The shogunate's fight was no longer my fight, you see. So why should I bother being loyal to those who have no such similar feelings about me?

Well, I can live with admirable.

[ ryouma hadn't done any of it for anyone's approval, of course, but for the people — which is why he laughs. ]

That Hijikata's really somethin'. [ an understatement considering the man is a berserker. ] Can't imagine it was easy dealin' with him back then either, but I respect ya gettin' out when ya did. Not 'cause'a what y' believed in, but 'cause ya knew it was time t' go. Too much went to waste all for nothin' back then.

[ he fills two cups when the sake arrives and slides one across to him. ]

... So a bit'a caution then, knowin' that. The Shuten Clan loves the whole honour business.

[ so don't step in it like he did. ]

You'll have to make do with admirable, I'm afraid. I've pushed myself to my limit for you.

[Just a little joke. He is a bit of a kidder, when he's relaxed enough.]

I may have left too late, when I look back on things. They strayed too much from our shared ideals, and refused to let me contribute... That was part of the initial disillusionment.

[He perhaps left a little later than one might think, but who's he to correct that when it's not relevant? And who is he to get into the whole... rumors of death greatly exaggerated thing? Or the Furies? Not yet. It'll happen. And then he'll get to see what Sakamoto thinks of the Shinsengumi's ambition all over again. Somehow, it's kind of... fun? It's fun. It's hilarious, because of course no one would know about it from the outside. Certainly the Sakamoto in Sannan's timeline didn't know. ~~Or... did he?~~]

The final straw was Hijikata branding me a traitor when I was simply doing what needed to be done to protect others. So which of us had honor? I'd have to leave that up to an outside observer to determine, I suppose.

[He accepts the sake with a gracious bow of his head, and takes a sip.]

I'll be cautious, however. I don't plan to run afoul of anyone I don't absolutely need to.

Oho? That was fast, I'm just gettin' started!

[ that's it. he's just going to get worse. ]

It's all so clear in hindsight, ain't it? It's like... if I'd done one thing different, so much would've changed.

[ ryouma doesn't need a third party review to know where he stands on that. his whole complicated relationship with izō informs him just fine. ]

Tryin' t' protect people was what the whole Shinsengumi deal was to begin with, wasn't it? Or, that's what I figure. That's what had everybody all fired up back then.

[ that's how it had been in ryouma's experience. that's why it made it difficult to really take issue with any of them, even if he might also find them irritating. ryouma has always managed to hold those paradoxical views at once. ]

I guess that depends on what happened. But like ya mentioned before, it's sorta ancient history now. This is a different world in every way. Take advantage of it, I say.

[ ryouma finds it a lot easier giving this advice than he does actually living it himself. ]

[It's fine, he actually responds best to people who challenge him (respectfully, at least). And he has a sense of humor, despite how he seems on the surface. But Sakamoto is already on the receiving end of that rapier wit, so he'll surely get it.]

It's nearly crystal clear. I spent a good deal of time trying to rectify someone else's sins that conveniently became my own.

[Vague, but true.]

It was exhausting. Call it a bad habit, taking certain lost causes on. But that's just the Shinsengumi in your eyes, right?

[He sips his sake again, and looks mildly almost wistful.]

While there are people I'll miss, this opportunity can't be looked down on at all. I plan to take full advantage of it, once I find my foothold. Somehow, for your sake, I hope you're making the most of it.

It's easy for me t' make a snap judgement 'cause I'd be lyin' if I said I haven't thought back on it all sometimes with a less open mind.

[ he can be completely petty occasionally and will own this. ]

But really there were lost causes on both sides if it makes ya feel any better. People always lumped me in with the Imperial Loyalists, but it was more complicated than that. In the end, it felt like the whole thing was balancin' on the edge of a blade; fall either way and it'd be a matter'a war, jus' who was fightin' who would be different. Keepin' the foreigners out, fightin' the shogunate, fightin' each other. In the end, it was all just a waste. A waste of good people an' good ideas.

[ maybe that's a particularly blunt take on the whole thing, but when it comes to the political landscape of those days he tends not to look back on them fondly. ]

But I'm doin' alright for myself around here, I suppose. I never wanted t' be in politics, but it figures if I'm gonna end up in politics, it'd be here.

I will, in fact, drink to that sentiment.

[And he does, polishing off his sake and setting the cup down politely. But then he moves to pour for them both this time.]

So much of it was needless, though it was complicated in my world by... outside actors. [Demons.] While the difficult choice I made was mine alone, many good men had their hands forced.

[Not to say he's self-pitying whatsoever; he definitely doesn't sound it. But he wants to save those men more than he wants to save himself, even now.]

A shame that you've been dragged into it, after all the efforts you went to.

Is that so? Ya got me real curious about how things are in your world now. In mine, I'm part of the very literal counter force that exists to handle outside actors, whatever form that ends up takin'. Humanity finds real creative ways t' try an' destroy itself, I tell ya what.

[ what else can you do here but laugh? it's dark, sure, and he's seen some shit. it's a perfect time to empty that second cup of sake too. ]

My whole purpose in comin' into the world is to accomplish somethin'. That's what I've always believed, past an' present. This place gives me more room to do my own thing than my last job though, so I can't complain too much.

If I tell you, it's entirely possible you'll think I'm lying. Then again, if anyone ought to hear it, it's people who were similarly involved. Though... understandably, it wasn't you, but a different version of you, who dealt with things in my world.

[He's down with the multiverse. And all its oddities.]

In my world, the Shinsengumi became involved with a doctor of Western medicine under the orders of the shogunate. This man had a serum of unknown origin that turned men who ingested it into... creatures, of a sort. Hollow imitations of humanity, who drink blood and lose control of themselves at the mere scent and sight of it. He disappeared from our midst, and soon thereafter his daughter came to Kyoto searching for him.

[This is a long story, but he'll try to be concise.]

Around that time, I was injured and lost the use of my left arm. Then, for my part, I lost sight of my purpose and buried myself in research. Ultimately I became one of those creatures, called Furies, of my own accord. The story of my death and defection was a cover for my joining the Fury Corps, and becoming their commander.

[He smiles, and sips the sake.]

To complicate things further, a group of demons began meddling in our affairs, as they were trying to take custody of the doctor's daughter. What followed was a many-sided, ugly war, with the Shinsengumi essentially becoming puppets of the shogunate, and with my men being used as elite soldiers and cannon fodder in equal measure. Certain actions on the part of the aforementioned doctor necessitated me allying in small part with the demons to eradicate rogue Fury soldiers from opposing forces who were killing civilians indiscriminately, and this is what led to me leaving the Shinsengumi.

Mm. I doubt it. [ he chuckles and leans forward curiously. ] I've seen things that'd make your head spin...

[ ryouma is quiet after that and lets sannan tell his story, emptying his cup at least once more throughout. it keeps him quiet as long as he needs to be. ]

"Furies", huh? Ahh, I sure got lucky, didn't I?! I sure don't envy the me that had to deal with that on top of the country bein' in danger too! 'Course, the shogunate usin' ya as puppets ain't much of a surprise. They were gonna let all the western countries cut us up like they did to China and India if it meant livin' a little longer, so they wouldn't think twice about steppin' on you or I. Sorry ya had t' find out that way... doesn't gimme any joy in seein' it no matter what side anybody's on.

[ ryouma had also witnessed the tosa loyalists be betrayed by the men and ideals they followed, to their deaths. he can sympathise, even if he might be ideologically opposed to what the shinsengumi believed in. ]

June 2022 Test Drive

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