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]]

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NEWBIE TOP LEVELS

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ She nodded when he said his name and, ah. Just a first name, huh? That was interesting. But first to answer his question. ]

It's kinda tame compared to what I'd imagine hell to be like. [She tilted her head.] I mean, there are scary and dangerous things of course...

[ Some which worried her a lot. She would be lying if she said she hadn't been scared or endangered quite a few times since her arrival in this reality. But compared to what she had experienced in DDLC? It was nothing less than heavenly to her. ]

But hell? That's not even close.

[That's not even close... He doesn't have his powers anymore to be able to tell what any person is feeling at any given moment, but judging solely by her tone, it sounds like she had experienced 'hell' herself before. He's curious enough to ask.]

... Have you experienced 'hell' prior to your arrival?

[He's in agreement, somewhat. So far from what he's seen, this hell, though an undeniably dangerous place, is nothing at all like the 'hell' he experienced during wartime. If anything, it's a little peaceful and less chaotic than what he'd imagine.]

[ Oopsie doopsie. She's kind of let on more than she should have, huh? Well, she'd lost the habit of speaking to actual living people in person... So that wasn't so surprising. ]

Oh, um... [She trailed off a bit.] I wouldn't say that. But my homeworld was a pretty unpleasant place.

[ She forced a smile. She didn't really want to go into details. Technically, she was an AI. And if she revealed it, she ran the risk of running into troubles... Even though she didn't think he would be one to judge, given he wasn't human. ]

I like it better so far.

[Fortunately, Soundwave is more open-minded than he was years ago, he won't likely judge her for being an AI, whereas most Cybertronians would probably be disgusted by the idea of AIs... and besides, her being here is probably enough to convince that she is a real person, at least in his view.

There's a short pause from Soundwave, before he speaks.]

Must have been truly unpleasant... if "hell" is preferable and better than your own homeworld.

[Though Soundwave, lacking in most social skill and awkward as he may get, gets enough hesitant ques from her that it is a subject she's very uncomfortable with sharing. Curious, but he knows better than to push. So, he's fine with changing the subject to something else.]

Do you happen to know someplace more... quiet? At least away from the... cursed areas.

[ She didn't reply immediately. Unpleasant was an understatement... But she should probably underplay it. What she considered a fate worse than death, perhaps others would think it tame. That and she didn't want people to start getting overly worried about her or anything like that. ]

Mhm. [She tilted her head to the side.] My world is really small... And well, it's a lonely place.

[ That could describe anything really. She smiled embarrassingly at his question though. ]

Oh, um... I'm sorry, I'm new here too. I was exploring to try and get an idea of what this place is like actually.

Ah... [He was hoping she would know more than he does, but that was fine. After another pause, he then proposed:] If you are not against the idea, we could explore this city together?

[Knowing now that she came from a lonely place struck a chord in Soundwave, though likely wouldn't admit to it. He did not know who Monika is or what kind of world she came from, but he can sympathize feeling lonely.

Thinking about it, this was the first since millions of years that he had ever feel so alone. It's such an odd feeling not to have his friends around with him.]

[ She smiled and nodded. It was so strange... He looked like a robot straight out from a scifi novel, yet he was a person just as everyone else. Maybe not that strange... She wasn't exactly human either. ]

Yes, of course.

[ Best to explore with company than alone, huh? And she did feel a certain kinship with him already. ]

So um... [She tilted her head to the side.] Were you like, created on Earth?

[ Sorry, this Monika has absolutely no clue about mechanical beings that can come into existence through natural evolution. the same way biological beings can. ]

[See, if it was a human who knew about alien species or from his universe, he would've been annoyed. But he reminds himself that apparently most of the human Lost Souls were apparently from different reality of Earth-- she is likely from a different one if she doesn't know a Cybertronian. He can give some leeway.

That said, it doesn't stop the hard lineface behind the faceplate. Even though calling him a robot does imply that he was created, and Soundwave is able to handle it to some degree, just hearing the word 'created' by itself sounds.... icky.]

No.... [He manages to keep his tone neutral, air huffing out of vents.] I am a living being, formed naturally and not from Earth.

Oh, um... [Blinks blinks.] I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you.

[ She may not be a psychic, but she can tell when something would offend someone. She could hardly wrap her head around the concept, mechanical beings that form naturally? That... Sounds weird. Most definitely doesn't fit with the laws of physics as she knows them.

But he comes from another reality, one where that might be possible. ]

That's-That's really amazing...!

[It does sound weird for anyone who isn't a Cybertronian. Especially if he were to describe how new Cybertronian spark were harvested and formed, it essentially sounds like coming out of the ground like baby potatoes. Which, in Soundwave's view, is totally a normal thing.]

I am aware that you meant no offense. None of the organics here seems to have met a mechanical lifeform before.

[With the reactions he's getting, she likely wouldn't be the last to make such an assumption about him. So far, people- the offworlders at least- he's met have apologized for the assumption, like she had. Admittedly, it was surprising at how respectful and understanding they were about it here than the humans from his universe.]

I have no doubts that others may assumed that I am a robot or an AI. I will have to nip that habit in the bud as best I can while I am here.

[At least he's not very offended or upset about it. So long as the organic in question doesn't insist on using or argue about the offending terms.]

Mhm... [She nodded and tilted her head.] Well, there is nothing wrong with being an AI or something, right?

[ Just asking for reasons. Nothing to be seen here, good sir. But AIs can be really cool. They're not all HAL-9000 or Skynet! Who knows, maybe some AIs are just cute high schoolers who want nothing more than to live a long and beautiful life with their lover. Maybe some even feel and think like humans and never knew they were AIs till very recently.

What are the odds of that, but you never know! ]

But that must be annoying to be mistaken for one all the time...

.... Depends on who you ask. I haven't met many AIs to form an opinion about them. Curious... Why do you ask?

[His answer is as neutral as they could've come. He's actively trying to not be an ass and keep an open mind at least, especially so in a place that's seemingly bring people from all sorts. That said, it was still an odd question to ask him about, of all people.]

... Yes, it is infuriating to be mistaken for one. Nothing about me is artificial or programmed. And I doubt any one Cybertronian would appreciate being called that.

Oh, just out of curiosity since you mentioned them. [Nothing to see there!] They're a pretty big topic on Earth... Some people think we'll have sentient AIs within a few decades. That brings a lot of philosophical questions on the table.

[ Surprise: it's not a few decades, they already exist! Though Monika still has a hard time thinking of herself as an AI when she feels human in every way that matters. Even after her epiphany, she'd still felt as though she had a human body within her simulated reality. ]

Well, I'll be mindful in the future.

[If he had his powers, he could sensed there's more to it than that. But right now, he'll take what she said in face value. If you ask him, he would think Monika's a real human and not an AI. Her being here is proof enough? Since every otherworlder is a Lost Soul, and typically artificial beings don't have souls, as far as his understanding of them goes.]

Philosophical questions... given how humans viewed living mech as simply nothing more than unfeeling robots, I have the feeling that they would not view sentient AIs standing on the same ground as humans.

[He's including Cybertronian, too. No doubt most would be disgusted or creeped out by the idea of AIs.]

That said, most beings have the capacity to change their mind or opinion.

[Although, it took him being emotional and have it broadcasted everywhere on Earth to convinced humans that 'hey, even alien mechs have feelings, too'.]

You're probably right. [She nodded.] Humans are... Very prejudiced on certain things. And they can be very cruel.

[ Her creator most definitely had not given her a chance. As far as he'd been concerned, she hadn't been worthy of "human rights." She hadn't been worthy of anything. And then he'd put her through that nightmare...

Had he even known she was sentient? The more she thought about it, the more likely she thought it was. ]

Mhm. Well, some can be stubborn aha. [They're the worst.] Thankfully, I get the feeling neither of us are that kind of person.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

June 2022 Test Drive

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