AUGUST 2022 TEST DRIVE

[jigokumods]

MAIN NAVIGATION

1. SHUTEN TERRITORY - Muscling In

art by tohdraws

In the aftermath of the curse crisis, the Shuten Clan forgave a bunch of protection payments in the region, and helped cover the costs for rebuilding. Unfortunately, some of the street gangs in the area are much less civically minded. They have used the Shuten's relaxed policies as an opportunity to turn their own screws on the local business owners. These unaffiliated youth gangs have been much rougher with the locals, and have been asking for even larger collection fees. This has pissed off the folks who are just trying to get their lives and businesses back on track!

Unfortunately, the opening of Sai no Kawara in the underground drew so much of the clan's focus and manpower, that the issues up top just slipped through the cracks. Until now! Toraguma is in a bad mood and is looking for people to take it out on: the youth gangs will do just fine.

Volunteers are being solicited to join the regular Shuten enforcers in driving these interlopers out of Shuten territory. The gangs are wise to the usual Shuten tactics, though, and they're prepared for a fight. They are also appealing to the influx of Lost Souls: they act as though they're the victims of the factions' power struggles! They propose that taking up arms against the Shuten Clan will win them favor with the other groups in the city. (It will look less good with the Shuten Clan, should you be assigned to them.)

Fight with the Shutens, or with the gangs. Either way, a fight is coming.

2. TAMAMO TERRITORY - Throat Goat (NSFW)

at by akai riot

This prompt is overtly sexual in nature. Please use the proper NSFW labelling in your top levels and threads.

While the Palace of Sai in the underground is doing well, that doesn't mean the other businesses in the Tamamo Clan's collection have been slacking. One of the least "classy" soaplands has decided they're going to hold a contest to drive up business for themselves! They are partnering with some of the other sex clubs in the area for the sleaziest of events.

The Hyottoko Cup is looking for volunteer participants! The competition is pretty straightforward: a ruler is drawn on the throat of each participant and an array of members is presented to swallow. Whichever contestant can take the guests deepest and longest will take home the "coveted" Hyottoko Cup! Ok, there's a little judge favoritism involved too, so put on a show.

The guests have likewise been pulled in as volunteers, with instructions that they don't have to make this easy on the participants. Guests are provided with special seals that they can use for the length of the competition to enhance their natural assets. For those lacking the equipment entirely, there's a seal for that too.

Have fun and play nice.

3. TAMAMO TERRITORY - Strike a Poise (GEN)

Other businesses looking to jump start this month's earnings are also getting in on the spirit of competition! Businesses less oriented towards sexual service have come together as a means to draw in the high dollar clients, and one local club has proposed something old school.

Sign up for the Poise Contest, where contestants are placed into more and more ridiculous geta while tasked with serving drinks to the guest. Spills are expected, and the guests are cheerfully kitted out with cheap club-branded ponchos to protect their clothes. (Marketing, am I right?) While spills are expected, the contestant will lose points for each of the spilled drinks. Try to keep your balance as you attend to increasingly absurd drink orders. The intensity of the traditional footwear will only make your job that much harder.

Do you have what it takes to pour a champagne fountain while wearing teetering tengu geta? Prove your balance and dexterity is the best and the take home prize is some sweet cash. For Lost Souls freshly in the city, the chance to win some extra money can't really be passed up, huh…

4. SUTOKU TERRITORY - Jigokucho's Got Talent

Ever since Moonday's beloved singer – Ringo-chan – was kidnapped at the Tanabata festival, the band has had to cancel all of their scheduled gigs. Unfortunately, they were a hugely popular act, booked solid in most of the Sutoku Alliance's various nightclubs. This has left a ton of empty spots that need to be filled quickly, before the crowds get upset and demand… refunds.

That's where you come in, Lost Souls! Desperate promoters and talent bookers are literally grabbing Lost Souls off the street and begging, pleading, with them to perform a set for the night. They just need to have something to fill the space Moonday would have otherwise occupied. At least give the crowd something to see!

Acts do not need to be of the musical variety. Any performing talent is accepted, no matter how esoteric or bizarre! If it can fill out a 15-30 minute set, the club owners will be happy and the customers will at least see something interesting; even if it's a bad kind of interesting. So get on stage and show this city what you've got!

( Help us fill our time slots, please! We're desperate! 😩)

5. DEPARTMENT OF THE ENMA - Sticky Paws II: Outta the Bag

The Enma Department is busy: they have a kidnapping to investigate, a primordial god to pin down, and the crisis of their ever-shifting public image to manage. However, crime never sleeps and is always there to add to the troubled Department's workload. Worse still, we thought this little crime spree was over six months ago! But here it is again, much to the Enma's chagrin.

Cat cafés are a popular tourist attraction all across Jigokucho. About six months ago, a gang of bakeneko infiltrated several of the cafés to rob customers occupied with kitty bliss. Wallets, jewelry, and anything else those sticky paws could snatch away were being picked in droves. The cat capers are afoot once more!

Are you a hapless victim of these furry thieves, or are you helping the Department of the Enma track down these cat burglars? Unfortunately, the bakeneko are exceptionally clever and are using a seal to disguise their secondary tails. This makes them look just about like any normal cat. Better make sure your lead is good, or you'll be chasing down an ordinary Felis Catus. Soft to pet, but not going to return your pilfered cash.

Of course, the café staff might be in on this caper too… It's never easy to tell who's getting a cut of the profits. Be careful who you trust out there.

6. ALL OVER - The 100 Billion Yen Man (PLOT RELEVANT)

The local TV news has been announcing that Kaberou Kannazaki – the legendary finance wolf and the father of kidnapping victim, Ringo-chan – will be making an announcement this week. People have flocked to television sets throughout the city; at the squares, around TVs in bars, electronic stores, each other's phones, and any other venue with a connection. The kidnapping has been a highly public ordeal and the talk of the town. Many of the locals were present at the festival and witnessed the crime. They want to hear what the word is!

The public doesn't have to wait long. Wolf-eared Kaberou sits at a press desk, surrounded by microphones, and dazzled with flashbulbs. He clears his throat and, as he begins to speak, he is direct and to the point; not unlike a wolf lunging for the throat.

"As of today, I am issuing a bounty on the man known as the Iron Bear, who has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of my daughter, Ringo Kannazaki. The payout to the party responsible for bringing me Iron Bear, dead or alive, is 100 Billion Yen. Individuals or groups, I don't care. Just bring my daughter back to me, and the money is yours."

Well! The Department of the Enma's hopes of an orderly investigation have been dashed, but this is certainly an opportunity for anyone brave enough – or, more accurately, stupid enough – to traverse the Wasteland. Maybe one of you out there will find the legendary Iron Bear and bring him to some form of justice.

Local businesses are quick to leap at this opportunity, too. They begin to aggressively push sponsorships at would-be bounty hunters. Weapons? Armor? Survival gear? All at discount prices! Each faction has their interest in collecting the massive bounty as well. They will all be putting a lot of pressure on recruits to get ready to head out to the Wastes.

If you just got here? Well, it would definitely be in your interest to start finding gear, and finding people willing to collect that bounty with you. It could mean a big step forward toward your eventual contract, after all.

Welcome to the test drive meme!

• First of all, big thanks to our discord chat for the "Throat Goat" prompt idea. Stay golden, gang.
• IF YOU'RE TOP-LEVELING A NEW CHARACTER, post it here!
• Characters already in the game can top level as well.
• Threads here can be considered game canon.
• Characters can be recruited to do work for any faction until they're given their official assignment.
• If you have any questions about the TDM content, please ask them here! You can find information on the story so far here!
• If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.
• Reserves are open until September 5th.

Comments

Makoto Naegi | Danganronpa (Spoilers)

[cloversandcranes]

[OOC: This Naegi is from the end of the second game but before the start of Danganronpa 3 the anime. So just before his trial. More info on him and permissions here (It was originally for memes but it works still. I will work on it more later).


1. Why can't we be friends (Muscling In) (Danganronpa spoilers)

[Makoto was having a bad day. First, he woke up from his (for once) restful sleep to find himself surrounded by all kinds of yokai. They were ranging from the well-known yokai like Kitsune and Oni to the lesser-known Tsuchigumo and Uwabami. Even the obscure ones that were only sometimes mentioned in video games he used to play.

Second, he found out he was in Hell. That was certainly a surprise. He didn't think his actions would warrant this but apparently, he was wrong. And if that wasn't enough, he found out Hell was...interesting. He didn't know what he expected but it wasn't this.

Third, after waiting and finally having his numbered called, he found himself being dragged into helping out the crime groups of the city. This wasn't his first time working with criminals (the end of the world made it difficult to be picky with your allies) and it certainly wasn't the first time he had helped out people like them but this...he was screwed.

Saying he wasn't a fighter would be an understatement. In fact, he was so much of a pacifist (and pushover) that it took a lot for him to even think about fighting back, especially physically. Even after his training in the Future Foundation, he only fought back physically when absolutely necessary. And rarely violently.

So why was he stuck in a gang battle between the Shuten Clan and some smaller gangs? Because life likes to put him in uncomfortable situations and frankly, he was used to it by now.]


Prompt 1A:

[Makoto gritted his teeth as he held his injured arm, narrowly avoiding another hit from a spiked bat by twisting to the side. If there was anything he was good at (other than being optimistic), it was surviving. And thanks to that training, he had gotten quite proficient with evading. Ducking to avoid a punch, he wasn't fast enough to dodge the kick that came after. Reeling from it, he slammed into a wall, gasping but quickly recovering just in time to avoid another hit.

And if that failed, he had learned to take a hit. No more days of being knocked out with only one strong punch.]

Cou-cough-Could we talk about this? There's no need to-!

[But his opponent evidently wasn't much of a talker. His attacker growled and struck at him again, grazing Makoto's hurt arm as Makoto moved to the side. Letting out a small cry of pain, Makoto closed his eyes in pain for a moment before using his leg to sweep at the man's legs. The attacker temporarily lost balance and Makoto quickly jumped to his feet and out of the way just in time for an Oni to swing a giant spiked club at his attacker, sending the other flying.

Makoto looked in horror at the splatter of blood from such a hit before rushing behind a wall just in time to avoid some bullets. He heard howls of rage behind him and more gunshots as he tried to catch his breath. This was insane! He had seen and been in these kinds of battles before but seeing this was new. Home didn't have Oni that could carry a weapon the size of him and use it to beat their enemies into submission.

Was he going to die here? Again? He had to die to even get to hell, right? Was this going to be his second time dying?!

...You might want to help him out.]

Prompt 1B:

[Letting out a sigh, he looked at some of the casualties on both sides. While this was mostly just a demonstration of power, there were some casualites. He was saddened to see that most of the injured were supposed to tend to themselves.

He rubbed his sore cheek sullenly as he remembered when he tried to help some of the injured, only to be greeted by scorn and aggression. It didn't help that he had helped someone from the other group get to his comrades despite working with the Shuten. He had a broken leg! Of course he would need assistance to get back to his group!]

...I suppose some things never change.

[He ignored his own injuries, letting his bleeding arm dangle to his side as he wallowed in bad memories waiting for a continuation or end to this battle.]


3. Standing on the edge ...with shoes (Strike a Poise)

[Makoto wasn't sure this was a good idea. Sure, it was a lot of money but he's...not graceful. Like, at all. The way he was prone to bad luck made that impossible. And adding to it, he was still recovering from that battle for Shuten Clan...This was a really bad idea honestly.

But he needed the money. Even with his assigned apartment, it wasn't much. He needed some money to get some essentials before it became a problem. He was also broke still. He didn't get much money from his performance with the Shuten Clan, especially after helping someone from the other side. He wasn't surprised at all, but it made things harder for him.

So against all his worries, he decided to sign up for this job. He was trying very hard to stay upright while he tried to adjust to these geta on him. While he was forced to change his clothes and had already dealt with some rowdy guests, it was mostly the large geta on his feet that were making his life difficult. But to be honest...]

I hope you enjoy your drinks!

[He bowed to a guest with a bright smile before walking towards his next customer. This was going okay! He was doing better than he expected! Usually, things like this never worked well and he always made a fool of himself. Sure, he had spilled quite a bit of liquid at the beginning but now he was doing pretty good! He didn't think he was going to win the big prize with his performance but perhaps he was going to get some money from this after all!

He carefully walked toward the next guest when someone bumped into him and made him lose balance.]

WOAH!

[Trying to regain his balance, he instinctually grabbed for something to hold and unfortunately dragged a person down with him with a yelp.

...So much for a prize.]


? Wildcard?

(((OOC: Wildcards are welcome! If you want to talk, I'm available at CeyahWolfsong and on Discord as Anne#6966!)))

1B

[overcertificated]

[She happen to come across the aftermath of a clash between gangs. While it's currently none of her concern, she did spot what looks like a injured person who seems rather out of place there. Maybe he's a member, maybe he's not. What she can see is his injured arm, which makes her frown.]

Excuse me. Yes, you.

[A young woman with a demonic mask is approaching Makoto. She glance at his arm, before looking back at him.]

You need to tend to your arm. If you don't know how, allow me to help.

peter parker | spider-man (mcu)

[maturedecisions]

1;
[ so while peter has a lot on his mind and plate in general at the moment, he can't do anything but roll with what's going on right in front of him. and what's going on, is a gang of young men harassing a local. no matter what's going on in peter's life, he's just plain unable to ignore these sorts of things.

no spidey suit, but no problem... he'll just try to talk it out, maybe throw a fist or two. nothing too obvious!

so, he makes his way over, placing himself between the local and the gang of men, hands up in a gesture of peace. ]

Hey, hey, no need to start a fight here. Why don't you just tell me what's going on, and I can— Augh! [ a punch comes his way, straight to the face, knocking him back a step or two. uhhhhh, why did his peter tinkle not work there. a fluke???

as he rubs his face, twisting it into a grimace to test the damage, he tries to keep talking. ] All right, lucky shot. But you don't need to—

[ aaaand another one to the gut, as the men explain clear as day that they're not looking for talking this out with some rando.

holding his stomach, confusion taking over his brain as he wonders how the heck he's getting so easily messed up. nothing in his head is warning of what was coming, and his strength feeling strangely sapped. huh?

anyone want to step in here? kind of need it. ]

2;
[ peters been roped into being a sideshow attraction at the talent show, but, uh... he's kind of missing the biggest thing that he can use. he doesn't have his suit, nor does he particularly have any charisma when it comes to talking in front of crowds. he's just plain bad at it. and even more unfortunate is that he was thrust on stage without even a chance to get out of it. one minute he's scouring the streets for what to do next to figure out some personal matters, and next thing, he's on stage without any mask to hide behind.

and boy does he look awkward up there. ]

Uh, hey, I, uh... I'm not supposed to... I think this is some kinda mistake, so...

[ the crowd does not seem amused by this. ]

3;
[ all this kid has on him is his wallet of cash, and all this kid has recently gotten stolen from him is... exactly that. fun. the last thing he expected here was to have a cat cat-nap his wallet like that. he just wanted to pet it! one little, tiny nugget of joy in this strange japan-like place and it was taken from him! just like that!

so, he's running about looking for the little rascal, because he can't exactly deal with losing all his cash in this foreign... country-world.

and he may just run into you! ]

Hey! You seen a cat go by here? One carrying a wallet in its mouth?

[ and because this is kind of embarrassing: ] Asking for, uh — for a friend.

4;

[ wildcard?! feel free to pm! ]

1

[neonleon]

[All right, these gangs keep gathering up and trying to start fights. Especially with people just passing by or trying to help keep the peace. And watching this guy starting to get smacked around is like watching one of his brothers. Also he can hear that NYC accent a mile away, which is like. Honorary brother.

So Leonardo jumps down, hands gesturing vaguely.]

Hey, heeeey, is this necessary? He just wanted to talk, whoa- [He dodges one punch coming his way and hops a step back with a grin.] You sure you wanna do that?

3

[lightduties]

[Well, the person Peter happens to run into happens to look rather like he has a pair of cat ears and tail! Turning, Rhea'li regards the stranger with a slow blink. His eyes aren't slitted like a cat's, but his left is very slightly discoloured from blindness.]

I'm afraid not.

[The cat thieves are quite brazen, aren't they?]

Allow me to assist you. Which direction did you last see them go?

2

[transcompilation]

Put a little bit more of yourself into it!

[ huh? ]

Play up the awkwardness, the 'I'm sure that if you just check the paperwork, you'll see that there's probably been a filing error,' maybe a little more wibble and shiny eyes, and then maybe you'll be able to sell your act to this crowd!

[ is this unasked for advice ... helpful?

is it supposed to be? ]

Vanitas || The Case Study of Vanitas

[anindomitablewill]

I. Muscling In

[ So a bunch of delinquents were going around stirring up trouble, hmm? It’s not really something he’d ever really bother to help with, but this sort of thing was hard to avoid around here.

They totally think it SO easy, finding this lanky teenager who sticks out like a sore thumb in his ‘outdated’ clothing that screamed ‘why yes, I am from the 1900’s’ and think that this is going to be a walk in the park to handle him. At least up until the point a few of them had approached and he just canted his head to the side and cracked a smile.

Almost condescendingly so. ]

My. You really need to work on those people skills. You really think you’re going to appeal to people THAT way?

[ He barked out a laugh and one of them went in for a hit, but Vanitas just ducked down and laid out the one who’d tried to attack him as he let off a disappointed hum. ]

Atrocious fighting skills too.

[ Then two more guys showed up and they were real tall, muscly individuals. Talk about hell, indeed. His smile twitched and then took a step back, right into someone else who’d come up. ]

Lovely timing! Do you have a moment?

II. Throat Goat (NSFW)

[ Being from the 1900’s, this sort of thing was absolutely appalling and he’d been ready to just back out before his face burned any warmer than it probably already had initially.

Though this absolutely didn’t stop Vanitas from seeing someone nearby who was clearly hesitating and eying things. He needed a clear distraction and didn’t wanna think about things, so he’d plastered on a grin and leaned in close to this particular individual. ]

Come on now, no need to hold back. I’m sure if you entered, you’d get quite the impressive score.

[ They’re also going to get a semi-obnoxious nudging forwards, grin still very clearly not going away any time soon. ]

It’s not like you have anything to worry about, right?

III. The 100 Billion Yen Man

[ A chance to make a considerable amount of money to find someone and bring them back? It wasn’t anything Vanitas could really pass up, and of course… they were promising all kinds of fancy weapons too so that didn’t hurt.

He wasn’t typically a do-gooder type but money was money, wasn’t it? Then he spotted another Lost Soul like himself and it was enough to have him sidling up as if it were nothing, blue eyes glinting a little within this lighting. ]

A bounty like this may be best undertaken with two and you look quite strong. How about a partnership, hmm?

[ Okay while he didn’t look like much, he did have enough fighting skills under his belt and could pose as a possible distraction to let this other person get some good hits in. Worst came to it, he could use his intelligence to figure out a way to take the enemy down. ]

IV. Wildcard

[ Feel free to throw anything at me! Surprise me and i’ll go along with it! :D ]

the 100 billion yen man (gotta lovingly bully vanitas with both jeanne and noé)

[archivists]

[ Noé has heard about the whole incident involving a father offering a bounty for finding the kidnapper of his beloved daughter. Since this is such a terrible deed, he has decided to join the cause on the spot and search for the Iron Bear to bring him back here alive. It would be more efficient to join forces with someone, but he's been unlucky in that regard.

And it looks like his bad luck continues when it becomes apparent that not only Vanitas is here, but he also wants to go after the kidnapper. ]

This brings back memories.

[ For the sake of the old times, he could decline, but Ringo might be in danger. ]

You're doing it for the money, aren't you? We won't be accepting the reward if we manage to catch the Iron Bear and bring madmoiselle Ringo back.

III

[fffffclass]

I'll pass.

[ Yoojin doesn't even have to think about that answer. That too-bright expression, the soft, pretty skin, the Victorian-styled clothes and dandy-like appearance.....

This guys is definitely...a model. ]

Stuff like this should be left to the authorities.

i.

[dissimilar]

[ the person he'd backed into happens to be a stoic teen who looks entirely too unruffled by the state of things, what with this territory being on the verge of a gang war. still, his gaze rakes over the situation — the man on the ground, the others encroaching. and lastly, the person addressing him.

without missing a beat: ]

Yes, I have a moment.

[ what can he do for you. ]

II

[berryhappy]

[ Once Miwako realized what this was of course she was a little hesitant, mostly because it seemed kind of strange doing this with a complete stranger right?

It wasn't until she realized someone was talking to her did she begin to fluster all of a sudden. ]

I-I mean... I've only done this with one person and he isn't here, so it's a little... maybe it's kind of embarrassing meeting someone like this don't you think?

[ French, that was definitely a French accent... George always did say that things were different in Europe, but to this extent? ]

lottie person | snotgirl

[oomfies]

𝟭 💪 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡

[ Lottie would've been worried about the impending battle with these gangs, worried about being accosted on the street and being forced to have a conversation, however she is hopelessly lost. Coupled with little to no sense of direction? She's fucked. Has been fucked, because even cabs cost money when you're dead and it's just awful. After about thirty or so painful minutes of wandering from street to street, alleyway to alleyway, in an act of desperation she wanders into the first establishment that's bustling with life: a bar.

Clearly, she hasn't thought her plan out well. When she steps through the doors, it's loud and overwhelming. There's a table in the furthest corner having a drinking contest and there's another table adjacent arm wrestling (looks to be, playing footsie, too? Or just kicking each other, she can't really tell). Staff wander to and fro and she can't even seem to figure who to ask for help, much less where to stand.

But the worst part? There's people asking for help, too. The ones trying to recruit fresh faces for their cause, and like a sixth sense for solicitors, Lottie decides it's time to dip. Except it doesn't go as planned, ]

Oof!

[ She walks right into something solid, something firm. Something definitely warm and alive and trying to enter this bar and, oh god, this is a person, isn't it? She stumbles back, hoping and praying she didn't knock face first into someone's chest when her eyes open and see the poor person she slammed into: you. ]

Oh my god, I'm sorry!! I.. I guess I wasn't looking.

𝟮 💃 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗔 𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗦𝗘

[ Sure, she's visited her family back in Japan every now and then. But her family never put her through this.. Lottie's sat at a table, the starter pair of geta in her hands and the heels she was wearing off and on the floor beside her. She wiggles her toes uncomfortably, trying to focus on something else other than her nerves. Whether you're a patron, or someone else sitting at the table entering the contest, she'll talk towards you. Well, at you. ]

My toes feel so weird.. [ A gasp, ] What if I break my ankle?

[ And then, with a turn of her head, she's talking to you, a little panicked. ]

Will they deduct points still??

𝟯 🐐 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗔𝗧 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗧 (𝐍𝐒𝐅𝐖)

[ Lottie is a terrible employee who has, really, never had a normal job in her life and is definitely exploiting working at a bathhouse to.. Get free baths and spa days. And yes, she's aware that many things happen here. But she's an adult!! She can handle explicit things, right? ]

6 inches? That's scary.. [ Too big, her tone implies. ] Who here has a dick that bi-

[ She's saying this aloud after having wandered, stumbled, and accidentally watched some of the beginnings of the Throat Goat™ contest -- this amounts to people getting inches marked on their neck, and Lottie's face heating up (because she's not interested in this, she's just, curious! Healthily curious!). Her cheeks are a pretty pink, and when she realizes someone's actually beside her and may have overheard her commentary, she stutters: ]

I, uh, I mean, [ Fuck. She really can't come up with anything to say. ] Not that I'm going to join or anything!! Not that it matters, it's just..

𝟰 🐈 𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗬 𝗣𝗔𝗪𝗦

I can definitely check! One second.

[ Comes Lottie's confident reply at checking the validity of whether this cat is actually a cat or not. Has she been listening to what it is her partner (you) has been telling her to look out for? Nope. Has she paid attention to what it is they're looking for in a cat? Never. What their lead even told them? Absolutely not. This entire time, Lottie has been following you and your intellect and helping where she can (which isn't a lot, but she's got a notebook to write down what she remembers!). And in an odd bid to try and prove her worth, she's offered this: to fully prove this is their perp.

The problem is, Lottie has never owned a pet. She's allergic to any and all fur, and has no idea how to pet, or pick up a cat, much less treat one properly. So when she walks over to the cat, she bends over and just.. Stays like that, moving her arms around vaguely and visibly thinking over how to do this. The cat looks unamused. ]

One.. One second..

𝟱 🌴 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗗
[ if you want to do something specific with a prompt i don't have up here, feel free to hit me up here or through pm!! c: and re: throat goat prompt, there is potential for nsfw (f/m and f/f 18+ are a-okay with me!) but the actual prompt itself atm is just lottie being embarrassing.... sorry AFAUFYG ]

4

[mahoraga]

[ Megumi has no actual affiliation to the Enma, besides living with people in that faction. There's no reason for him to heed the request for help capturing the cat burglars. He's only doing this because the local cat cafe is giving out vouchers to whoever catches a bakeneko in the act, as the thieving cats are ruining their business. That's why he's agreed to this at all. Though, given that he can't use his dogs here (and risk every cat in the cafe going into a wild frenzy), it's looking to be a more difficult task than he had expected.

With his serious personality, he's naturally assumed command, and is ... ordering an adult woman around ... sorry Lottie......... why are teenagers like this

Only, for some strange reason, Lottie seems to freeze up before picking up that cat, even if she was acting like she understood the assignment. ]

Uh .... Something wrong? [ Does she not know how to pick up a cat? ]

Emet-Selch | FFXIV | will match format

[emet_sulk]

1. Shuten Dead (Shuten)

"I beg your pardon?" This sharp question slices through the rabble. Its source: a stern, thirty-something-year-old man with shoulder-length white hair that looks as if it has only been perfunctorily combed. He wears floor-length grey robes with an equally stern red mask and...honestly does not look terribly frightening at first glance. More like some kind of religious (or cultish) man.

A man who looks more than prepared to send these ruffians on their way.

Except...there's a problem. Namely, the lack of aether available to him. Even though this is the Underworld (or 'hell' or whatever you want to call it), which should really be the heart of his power. He can't seem to access that deep font of aether which he has always taken for granted. Still - he hasn't survived these past twelve millennia without learning to brawl. Accordingly, he raises a fist.

"Lay a single hand on me and you shall regret it."

2. Geta Move On (Tamamo)

"Absolutely not."

He stands there, scowling deeply, resisting the urging of the strangers around him who wish to see a six foot man stuttering about on two dangerous-looking stilts of wood. What if he twists an ankle? Breaks a leg, hits his head - any manner of injury is likely with this rowdy crowd, and he's already seen several people fall. Stars above, all he wants is to find somewhere to drink without being bothered. He'd heard that the bars in this area serve decent liquor, but no-one warned him about how boisterous and lascivious the establishments here are.

3. Cat Burglars (Enma)

The public broadcast seems to be abuzz with news about some prominent figure or other announcing a bounty on someone's head, but Emet-Selch turns away from the inevitable crowds to pursue a more manageable quest: the thieving bakeneko. He has no idea what he's supposed to look for though, and asking around only gets him the very unhelpful answer that they look like regular felines save for their two tails.

None of the cats he spots darting about the streets resembles one. Eventually he surmises that they must be disguising themselves, so he starts trying to chase down each one he sees and stare them down intently, eye to eye.

...He may have gotten a scratch on his cheek at some point for his trouble.

"Are you one of the thieves?" he asks his latest feline capture, holding it firmly around its midriff at eye level.

[conceptreview]

Ah, but would he not know that slightly posh voice anywhere? His chest feels pleasantly tight with anticipation even before he turns around to see the man, standing a few paces away on the street, holding up a cat. Perhaps his dear friend hasn't noticed him, too preoccupied with his feline adversaries...or possibly Hythlodaeus is slightly less recognizable now that he's wearing clothing that isn't his robes. It hadn't taken him long to “go native”, as it were (though his mask is still on its rope around his neck – it still feels a touch strange to be without it). Either way, what a delightful opportunity to surprise him.

The chance to be together yet again – how lucky are they?

“My goodness,” he says, strolling towards Emet-Selch. His ever-present smile is on his face, of course, but more important is the warmth in his gaze. “If I had known that such high-ranking officials were working on this case, I would've just stayed home. I've no chance of finding the thief first if you're searching as well.”

kirei kotomine | fate/

[falsepriest]

sticky paws

[ This sort of task is somewhat amusing to be on, if he had a sense of humor. Thankfully for everyone, he does though it is exceptionally dry.

He sits in a cafe with the cats rushing all about the customers. Well, most customers. A lot of the felines are actually avoiding the man dressed in priest garb. But he does not seem to mind.

Instead, he politely asks for a cup of coffee and any hot sauce that the staff may have on hand. There is some mild confusion but he is given both. Without much hesitation, he squirts some of the hideous red liquid into the cup -- and proceeds to drink.

His gaze is fixed on the cats themselves to see if the animal's face twists in disgust, horror, surprise, or all three. He does, of course, smile around the porcelain cup, as he sees out of the corner of his eye that the staff is looking a little green. ]

Your coffee is quite good. I do hope you don't mind me doctoring it some. [ As he unscrews the cap of the hot sauce, he looks prepared to pour it into the cup. ] I know there are purists who believe that anything that dulls the flavor is sacrilege.

[ He's doing quite a lot of things, but this could be considered sacrilege in and of itself. ]

100 Billion Yen

Hm.

[ Kirei stands in front of a store with multiple televisions on. His hands are cupped behind his back as he listens to the plea of the man on the screen.

The priest smiles.

Hell certainly is not what he expected, but it is what it is. He was destined for it as soon as he agreed to learn magecraft. Yet still, he did not expect there to be warmth or familial love among the yokai present.

His smile fades.

Well, I suppose I am in Hell, then. Because he still cannot feel that which others would call "joy." Even the joy of a demon that would find his child safe and sound, if such an outcome would be possible in this landscape, is beyond him. ]

Ah, the cruelty of Hell feels the same as life on earth.

Wildcard

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

billion yen

[shrieking_violet]

Kinda... weirdly mundane, isn't it? For being any kind of Hell.

[ Maybe that's the hellish part!!! ]

Honestly, people have more fair expectations for me here than what I came from, so I dunno what's up with that.

REX SPLODE/REX SLOAN | INVINCIBLE (Animated)

[himbomb]

2. the cumpetition, NSFW;

[One might think, with the copious amounts of concerning material he's been consuming since a breakup that was Absolutely His Fault, he'd be a bit less horrified by display going on. He watches with widening eyes, his genuine surprise a good reflection of some of the interesting contradictions of the country he's had to keep safe over the years. If he were a better superhero, and frankly, a better person, there would have been a "done his best to" clause somewhere in there, but...

Let's face it, that just wasn't the case.]

Aaaaah.

What the fuck is this supposed to be?

[He'll turn to the nearest passerby, jerking his thumb in the direction of the, err... Hap-peen-ings? Whether said stranger is alien, demon, robotic, or humanoid, Rex won't seem particularly disturbed.]

The backdoor alley blowie brigade? Forget the backdoor! They're practically milkin' themselves on the front lawn, holy hell! Who let he dogs out, more like who let the dicks out, am I right?

Jesus Christ.

[And yet he is still turning to look... Smh.]

4. jigokucho's got fart jokes

[Rex pours over the talent listing, raising an eyebrow here and there. This is perhaps one of the few times anyone will catch him sporting a pensive expression that isn't strikingly sour.]

Y'know...

They really should be a lot less lenient with these openings. Microwave the wrong bean burrito and scarf it down an hour or two before this lights/camera/action shit and, phew! You've got yourself a symphony, only it's soooooo not the classy kind.

Does anything that comes out of an ass count as classy? Huh! Food for thought.

3. strike a prick- yes i'm doin these out of order what about it

[Rex can be found in this competition laughing pseudo-maniacally and generally having a blast. When it comes to balance, no matter how many strange objects are shoved into his hands or what uncomfortable shoes he's forced to wear, he tends to stay upright with an almost ridiculous air of ease.

That is, until he gets angry, and honestly? It doesn't usually take much]

notes!

[Feel free to wildcard me! Rex will be in his supersuit for most of these, but in the NSFW prompt, please keep in mind that he is eighteen and will only respond to flirtation from characters 16-25. Thank you!]

2 (nsfw mentions)

[nerine]

Business is business!

[Monts, being part of the Tamamo Clan for the past six months now is... Well, she was honestly taken aback about the soaplands holding such an event, but on the other hand, the blatant indecency of it all did seem to be up Tenkohime's alley. Libertarian freedom and all that.]

And well, it wouldn't be a red light district if they didn't dial up the raunchiness though we're already on that mode 24/7.

[She's very pleasant and casual about the whole thing.]

One hell of a way to welcome newbies to the fold at least.

happy chaos | guilty gear

[discorchestrator]

Muscling in
[Oh, this is wonderful. Chaos is under no illusions as to what's going on here; a conflict with no real right or wrong, only opportunists versus set order, but he's determined to put a little oomph towards the side that deserves a more compelling story arc.

It's the middle of a fight between one of those snot-nosed street gangs and a Shuten crew, and he simply hops down in beside some of those little punks. Whether you're on their side or Shuten's, doesn't matter. He'll just start chattering away merrily, even as he draws his gun and starts firing at the nearest Shuten operative.]

It always comes down to this, huh? Boomers versus the kids they helped raise into the monsters they are today. [And, if you're on the wrong side:] Aren't you a little young to be helping out some old coot keep the kids from spreading progress?

[He knows damn well it's not progress at all, and that the team he's currently standing on will lose, but despite the obvious confusion on their faces, the punks around him seem rallied by his sentiments all the same, more willing to fight instead of hiding behind walls. Dangerous...]


Throat Goat: you can't fuck Osmosis Jones (still nsfw tho)
[w

what's this??

Okay, this is the most hilarious shit he's ever seen. Whether you're dicks out or ready to get goated on the sauce, he's just going to trot over and examine the required equipment very seriously. Throat or dick. Dealer's choice.]

Sooooo. Dick-sucking contest. Public relations stuff. You in it to help society out, or just to get a little action? No judgment! Just curious. You using those seals to help make things smoother? Or not, I guess. Depends. Fancy magic, that. Don't you think?


One Hundred Billion Yens
[He's standing in the middle of a crowd watching the press conference from a wall of TVs in an electronic store front. When the reward gets named, a hush falls over said crowd, before they disperse to chatter about it amongst themselves.

Unfortunately for you, Happy Chaos has decided that you're his new conversational target, and he slips in close, slaps one big white-palmed hand on your shoulder, and steers you towards the nearest alley.]

Hey, pal! Buddy. That's a lotta cash. What're you thinking? You going for it? Or do you think he's just spouting shitty numbers to get his girl home? Can't blame the guy, can you? Maybe he really would make himself broke just to see his smiling daughter again. [All said very sincerely, like he's actually concerned for poor Ringo-chan.]

eligius desmarest | original

[bighorn]

(ooc: son of a high-ranking member of the (c. 1970s) demon mafia; recently got out of the business. now does odd jobs & helps an unaffiliated half-demon summon demons to the human plane. proud, petty, and vain, but loyal with a good intuition. also he's a sheep lizard. slizzard? 🐑🦎)

1. muscling in;

[It was only half a year ago that Eli had stormed out of his father's office, intent on setting out alone; no mafia, and no legacy, hovering over his head to dictate his every move. And for all six months of his freedom he'd never once wanted to go back. Not for anything.

Whatever force has led him here's got a horrible sense of humor, that's for sure.

But the fact remains. Foreign as Jigoku-cho and its inhabitants are to him, no matter how different these demons are from his family and friends, they're still the mafia, and this is still an underworld. It's not too hard to fall in line with the oni's ranks.

And however loath he is to step back into his former life, the role of enforcer, as it always has, fits him like a glove. Hell, he's built enough to pass for a small oni himself, if not for his scaly tail and very different horns-- curled like a bighorn sheep's. In less than a day from his assignment, he's out patrolling on the streets with Shuten and roughing up unruly rival gang brats, shouting down any passersby who try to get in his way.]

2. throat goat (nsfw);

[Eli's not participating, because he can get dick without having a stupid ruler drawn on his neck, thanks-- but spectating this show has been pretty fucking hilarious thus far. He's sitting in the audience watching with his chin impassively in one of his hands, but his tail's betrayed him, flicking back and forth with interest.

Lazily, he nudges his neighbor--]

Hey. This is getting boring. Let's shake it up a little, huh?

[--and lazily points a claw over to the center of the small stage the Tamamo clan's erected (hehe) for this mess.]

Bet you 5000 yen the little guy takes it deeper than big boy over there. Kid looks competitive.

[His lips curl into a wry grin that bares pointed teeth.]

3. the 100 billion yen man;
text, un: lanolin;

This is bullshit. That much dough is tempting, but big name bounties like these always turn into a circus. If I were you I wouldn't waste my time.

wildcard;
[hit me with whatever :3]

2. | what if i an oc also despite having no art

[quickdelivery]

[ That 'neighbor' that Eli nudged happens to be standing to watch, on account of being about three feet tall at most, more like a proportionate doll than a child- their nearest wing shifts and resettles, but they don't seem too bothered by the motion, nor the...'shaking up' of the competition. ]

Oh, one of them is going to puke, if they try that. [ It's said with such a sighing affect, and yet the short winged person has to cover their mouth with a gloved hand to keep from smiling. This kind of thing...its debaucherous compared to where they come from, but if everyone's participating earnestly and happily, then it's hard to be very put-off. ] But I am curious, so I'll take that bet. Though, this is as much a test of those offering up their genitals. Can you imagine failing to perform, under such scrutiny?

Miwako | Paradise Kiss

[berryhappy]

🍓TAMAMO TERRITORY - STRIKE A POISE🍓

[ This seemed easy enough, right? Wearing exaggerated footwear was Miwako's very specialty, and serving drinks... honestly how difficult could it be? Considering the theme there's no way Miwako would pass on styling it up while wearing these geta. ]

I hope this is okay, I wanted to get more into the role--like an elegant geisha right?

[ She spoke to the person pouring drinks as she finished putting up her hair, they didn't seem particularly interested in this but it didn't bother her any. Taking up the tray with the drinks she turns and takes a deep breath before smiling and making her way over. ]

Hi~♡ I'll be your server, please let me know if there's anything I can do for you.

[ For now she seemed to be handling herself well enough in the tall shoewear, but it'll surely take only a small distraction to make it more challenging--or maybe taller heels. ]

🍓DEPARTMENT OF THE ENMA - STICKY PAWS II: OUTTA THE BAG🍓

[ This was supposed to be a nice little visit with the kitties, something nice and relaxing. But what little money Miwako had seems to just have vanished like that. Without knowing what has been going on all she coud do is be disappointed in herself. ]

I must've dropped it somewhere... but where? I had it before going in, but the staff said they didn't find anything.

[ Being in a strange new place with no money and no one she knows around it really was becoming more distressing by the moment. ]

... I wonder if they'll let me work at the cafe so I could at least have a little money.

🍓OOC🍓

[ This is Kitty here! If you want to do something else that I don't have up here just go for it and I'll follow your lead ♡ If you feel better about hitting me up on plurk you can reach me at itachuu I'm open to anything and everything and welcome people to ask questions. ]

Sticky Paws II

[tsukky]

[ Tsukuyo can't help but overhear the stranger's evident mounting distress. That and she has a very particular reason for being here and the girl's comments are exactly the kind of thing she's here to deal with. ]

Ya had money with ya before you went in the cafe ya say?

[ Yeah, she might have a very good idea what happened to that. ]

Darin Altway | Original Character

[forgeabettertomorrow]

-MUSCLING IN-

[There was a lot for Darin to process, but perhaps the biggest shock to his system was that this enormous, modern city was 'Hell.' It absolutely was not what he imagined, considering this was supposed to be the realm of the Archfiends. He also wasn't expecting it to be so technologically advanced. Honestly, the least surprising thing to him was that he was apparently dead. Honestly, it seemed like it was going to happen sooner or later, considering...well, him.]

[Something definitely wasn't right. He still had a semblance of his powers...but they were severely weakened. And he wasn't sure how he felt about this 'faction' business. Darin hated the idea of being under someone else's thumb, and the inclusion of contracts had him on edge. No, Darin was someone who didn't give a good gods damn about things like 'territory' or 'boundaries.' He may not have his abilities anymore, but he still had his principles. So when he sees a group of people being accosted by Shuten thugs, Darin calls them out.]

Oi!

What, people can't loiter in peace? The only people starting 'crap' in 'your' territory is you assholes! So, tell you what! If you want to dance, I've got an empty dance card here just lookin' to get filled!

But before we start, does anyone wanna call for an ambulance? I think we're gonna need...[He starts to count, then promptly shrugs, giving up.] I dunno. Some of you might have to share~

-STRIKE A POISE-

[Honestly, this was this element to the city was something a little more familiar to Darin. As a blacksmith he had to learn how to ply his trade in the various marketplaces in Alvale. During that time, Darin promptly learned that the best way to draw customers was to put on a show. So, it's no wonder that the extroverted, blue-haired man is doing his damnedest to be as entertaining as possible.]

[He seemingly has no issues walking around in geta; the broad, muscular man has spent the better part of his life training his body precisely to hide his incredible strength. So, he moves around easily, carrying bottles and trays, pivoting and turning with large, exaggerated, sweeping motions. He's even making bets with guests; if they order drinks from him, they can challenge him to do tricks and stunts while balancing precariously on the footwear.]

[If you catch his attention, he'll happily make his way over to you.]

Hey there, friend! I gotta say, you look thirsty as hell, and yes I realize where we are~ What can I pour for you? Champagne? Beer? Or do you want to try the Darin Altway Mix-a-Drink challenge? If I spill it, it's on me! Literally~!

-STICKY PAWS-

OH YOU HAVE TO BE FREAKIN' KIDDING ME!

[Darin's voice cuts through the general tumult of the city as he pats himself down. He'd just come into a generous paycheck and was really looking forward to putting some aside to get his own business up and running. But his obvious joy made him an easy mark; someone got their hands, or paws more accurately, on his the pouch on his belt where he was keeping the cash!]

[He looks around, expecting to lock on to some cheeky pickpocket...but when he sees a cat with his pouch in his mouth, he's not sure how to react. The cat gives him a smug look before disappearing down an alley.]

LIKE HELL YOU'RE GETTING AWAY YOU DAMN FLEABAG!! GET BACK HERE!

[It's hard to tell if he's more angry that he was robbed or that the damn cat was so smug about it.]

[He tears off running and makes a skidding hard turn into the alley, attempting to give chase. He explodes out of the other end, trash, tied up cardboard, and other refuse blowing out behind him from the force as he searches for the cat.]

[He grabs the nearest passerby, you, by the shoulders.]

Hey! Did you just see a cat carrying a pouch run by here?! I swear I'm gonna find it and burn through eight of its nine lives!

-THE HUNDRED BILLION YEN MAN-

[Whether this was really Hell or not, Darin finds the news of the kidnapping unsurprising. There's shitty people no matter where you go, it seems, and the fact that this is supposed to be 'Hell' just means they're in greater abundance.]

[Still, the news that this poor guy's daughter got kidnapped doesn't sit well with him. He might only know half the story, but really, this is the only half that matters. A young girl is in danger and his own principles wouldn't let him just pretend that it was someone else's problem. Besides, who knows? Maybe he can clean up 'Hell' just a little bit. It's far from the stupidest thing he's ever considered.]

[Darin's never been one for armor or any other protective gear, but he could use a weapon, especially since he's lost his dao. But as a Master Blacksmith, Darin is more than particular when it comes to his gear. He's hyper-critical of even the slightest flaws and looks over the wares in this particular shop with an obviously trained eye. He's examining the edge of a katana thoughtfully when he spies you.]

So, I'm new around here and I'm hearing a lot of buzz about something happening out in the Wasteland. What's all that business about?

[Darin knows little about what's out there and though he's reckless enough to go after Iron Bear, he's not exactly stupid enough to go without some information or let people in on the fact he's going to make the attempt.]

Strike A Poise

[17l]

[It ain't every day that one runs into a shit brick house on what are supposed to be sandals, but they have the height of stilts. Adding to the novelty is the fact that on top of walking in the strange shoes like it's natural to him, he occasionally does tricks on them.

Compared to him, everyone else wearing the geta sandals looks clumsy. It entertains her, slipping a few yen in whatever pockets she can find on the man.]

Gimmie a beer, ya giant twinkletoes.

Mia Fey | Ace Attorney

[chiefdefense]

1. Muscling In

[Mia has never been a fan of punks. She's especially not a fan of them when they're loitering around, clearly spoiling for a fight and happy to take it anywhere they can find it.

Ordinarily, she'd not let the little brats ruin her day and stand up for herself, but she's also acutely aware that the last time she stood up to a bully in the flesh, she'd ended up with her skull caved in and dying on her office floor.

Even if she is in Hell, she doesn't particularly relish the prospect of reliving one of the top five worst experiences of her tragically interrupted life.

So she decides she's going to steer clear of them, and instead, opts for the time honoured tradition of safety in numbers. Spotting the first friendly looking face, she waves and smiles brightly, rushing over.]

Oh hi! How are you? I haven't seen you in forever!

[And as she faces down the confused looking stranger, she adds under her breath:]

I am so sorry but I really don't feel like picking a fight with those guys right now, do you mind if I walk with you?

2. Strike a Poise

[Growing up in Kurain Village, steeped in its own share of eccentricities and traditions, Mia is not a stranger to the practice of balancing on geta. It had been a game, trying on the wooden sandals with their stilt-like ha and seeing how long she could stand on one leg and then see if she could last for longer on the other; she and Maya had got really good at it one summer about three years after their mother left.

Mia figures she's got this.

Spoiler alert: she has not got this.

Mia has not factored in the fact that the last time she tried to balance on tengu geta her physique had not... matured into what it is now, and the subsequent changes to her centre of balance means that it is not at all the same thing and she's swaying like someone's done a decent job of consuming a whole bottle of champagne, let alone pouring it.]

Whoops!

[She wobbles, sloshing champagne over the rim of the glass and down onto the table as she tries to get herself readjusted, and flashes a dazzling (if not somewhat apologetic) smile at the person holding the glass to try and disguise how annoyed she is with the whole predicament.

Hell is, apparently, humiliating yourself in the vain hopes of earning some cash.]

Sorry about that. At least it's not going to stain?

[She hopes.]

3. The 100 Billion Yen Man

[There's nothing like a good mystery to help make a girl feel at home and distract her from the circumstances.

Mia listens to the statements and reads as many newspapers as she can find to get a handle on the case in the aftermath of the announcement. She really, really hates kidnappings.

And she also can't sit by and watch mob justice take over. Whoever this Iron Bear is needs to be tried and the truth needs to be found, and Ringo needs to be brought home. Those are the two truths of the matter and the money is neither here nor there. She's seen both sides of the argument, representing an accused kidnapper and desperately trying to see to it that her own, kidnapped kid sister was brought home safely and the perpetrator caught. It feels appropriate that she have a go at solving this with her own particular expertise.

Thing is, she doesn't know where to begin.

So she starts in Enma, trying to speak to someone who might bring her up to speed.]

Um, excuse me? Do you know where I might find the detective in charge of the Kannazaki kidnapping case?

[...Mia. Mia that is not how things work around here.]

4. Wildcard: Choose your own adventure

(OOC: Happy to roll with whatever you might want to go with for her!)

3

[saintclaire]

[Kim steps out of massive elevator bay in the Enma's headquarters, looking right at home with her trim businesswear and legal briefcase –– the only sign that she isn't actually with the Enma is the absence of any pin on the lapel of her jacket. She walks like she's got somewhere to be, but when she makes eye-contact with someone who looks like a peer, she bothers to stop to listen. One professional to another.]

For the Kannazaki kidnapping? [Her pronunciation is practised but still American. Her reply comes with a raised eyebrow.] Good luck. I've been trying to connect with him all morning. His inbox is full and his secretary won't say if he's in or out.

Themis (Elidibus) | Final Fantasy XIV

[heartofsalvation]

[OOC note: I am caught up to 6.2. Though I'm undecided on canon point, it'll definitely be pre-Final Days. Any spoilers will be marked in the subject of the thread, though I intend to try and avoid them at all if possible. And for clarity, I don't count "Themis is young Elidibus" as a spoiler.]

1: Muscling In

[The frustrating part of all this is that, as Emissary, he's inclined to try and stay neutral, he's duty-bound to stay neutral -- and yet he's been warned multiple times now about how doing so is a bad idea. It conflicts with everything he's learned, but in order to get by, he may have to forgo the idea and find a niche somewhere.

And unfortunately for Themis, he does not look like the type capable of defending himself at a glance when it comes to gangs on the prowl. He's petite, somewhat slender, and has something of a baby face to go with it. And while it'd be a lie to say this does not serve its own ends at times, when it comes to scaring off people who might want trouble... it doesn't at all.

With his magicks watered down as they are, he might need some help. These gangs are nothing if not persistent.]

Begging your pardon. I am not seeking trouble, I simply wish to--

[As soon as he raises his hands in entreaty, one of them throws a punch. He catches it, taking a step backwards, but knowing full well he's outnumbered and outmatched in a physical fight. If he can just muster the aether for a binding spell...]

2: Strike a Poise

[Well, this seems innocuous enough, and suffice it to say he's going to need to start earning his keep in a society where there is no such thing as being provided for, where the Convocation has no sway. And, well, the veritable stilts on these sandals do make him look taller!

The trouble is, they're just as tricky to move about in as he figured they'd be. Themis takes slow, careful steps, but even then, there are times when he sways while attempting to shift his weight one way or the other. He even makes it to the table to pour the champagne, but right when it counts, his grip slips, his ankle rolls, and he goes down.

He does manage to make the split-second decision not to grab the tablecloth for support, to his credit. But he does his best to set the sandals flat on the ground so he can get to his feet, brushing himself off... and noticing the pool of champagne all over the tablecloth, and on the customer's lap.]

My apologies... This contest certainly is a worthy challenge, isn't it?

3: 100 Billion Yen Man

text; username: emissary

An announcement like that certainly does galvanize the public into action... But I know little and less of the wastes, so I would ask about the potential dangers of the area first. Is it more or less comparable to a desert in its harshness, or is there more to it?

1

[emet_sulk]

[ A hand suddenly clamps upon the shoulder of the one who threw the punch. A familiar visage looms: Emet-Selch, mouth set in a thin line and brow knitted in its seemingly perpetual frown. ]

I'd advise against throwing another punch. Or is it custom for men to attack emissaries now?

Kotetsu T. Kaburagi | Tiger and Bunny 2

[earnedmystripes]

✪ i. ｍｕｓｃｌｉｎｇ ｉｎ ✪

[You know, there's certain things one expects when working as a superhero, and it's not that death isn't among them, but. But, what he does not expect is to wind up in the midst of bureaucracy even more complicated than Sternbild's Department of Justice, told he is currently in Hell (of all places! NO RESPECT here!) but that he may or may not be dead, and that if he works hard enough he can go home.

Annoying! Stupid! But Kotetsu has learned some level of self-preservation over the years (just, a little bit,) and so he does not get his ass kicked out into the Wastelands for throwing an entire tantrum about this state of affairs. He will play along FOR NOW, Jigoku-chu. For now.

The best laid plans. See, in the period while he's waiting for his assignment, he stumbles into this situation with the youth gangs and Shuten and the only thing he really understands about any of it is that there are some innocent shopkeepers (innocentish? Technically they are in Hell but he is also in Hell bUT...ah, whatever--) getting bullied, and he's not about that.]

Look here, I don't care about your stupid factions! This nice old lady doesn't want her shop windows broken again, and anyone who wants to mess with her will have to go through me! Get lost or I'll kick your asses!

[Yes, he will kick everyone's asses, all by himself. This will go just fine. Totally great. We are making only the best choices here.]

✪ ii. ｓｔｒｉｋｅ ａ ｐｏｉｓｅ ✪

[Now see, Kotetsu does have some familiarity with wearing geta, being Japanese himself and growing up in the town he did. He does not, however, have anything resembling an iota of grace. This is a man who has tripped over a banana peel wearing sensible gym shoes.

So it is perhaps predictable that he, uh. Is not racking up a lot of points. In fact, it's possible he might be approaching the negatives after a few rounds of increasingly complicated drinks and geta. But Kotetsu T. Kaburagi is not a quitter, and so he totters up to the table in his tengu geta with the tray balanced on one hand, trying to keep his already stupidly long legs under him. He even gets all the way to the table before trying to bend his knees a little to set down the tray unbalances him and the liquid and tray go e v e r y w h e r e. It's just a good thing these drinks are not served in glass containers because all the other contestants would be having a real bad time right now.

Maybe you're one of the unfortunate people in the splash zone? Kotetsu puts on his most sheepish grin if you look his way, rubbing at the back of his neck apologetically.]

Sorry, sorry...! I haven't walked in these things in a long time, ahahah....

✪ iii. ｊｉｇｏｋｕｃｈｏ＇ｓ ｇｏｔ ｔａｌｅｎｔ ✪

[The thing about your superheroics being broadcasted as part of a reality TV show that also involves things like performing in choreographed specials and such means that Kotetsu isn't incapable of doing a set of some kind on a stage. The problem is putting him up on that stage without making him rehearse such a routine, choreographed by an actual professional, for days if not weeks in advance.

So when he's all but dragged onstage at a Sutoku nightclub, told to perform something, anything at all, for just the next fifteen minutes, honest, there's a moment of frozen, uncomfortable silence, before Kotetsu decides to just go ahead and give it his best shot.

Unfortunately, his best shot is ... .... ....... the robot. He's just up there doing the fucking robot. Including the robot noises. Beep. Bop. Boop.

He is not even a little bit sorry.]

i. kotetsu my beloved

[reallyfishy]

[Raven's also been doing some patrolling, shooing these gangster kids off when he sees 'em. Looks like he's been beaten to the punch this time!

Since he and Kotetsu have a similar goal, he'll lend a hand, right?

...

He cups his hands on either side of his mouth.]

Yeah! You heard the man!

[This goading is shouted entirely from the sidelines in more of a "fight! fight! fight!" fashion.]

I'd beat it if I were you!

[...he'll lend a hand, right?]

Dohalim il Qaras || Tales of Arise

[ilqaras]

I. Strike a Poise

[in all honesty, Dohalim can’t remember how he managed to land himself in this situation; the person who strong-armed him must have been very convincing. or, perhaps it has something to do with wanting to partake in what seems to be a cultural festivity… because really, is he the type of person to pass up an opportunity to learn of this place through diving head first into some local fun? though, he will also admit to himself that the winnings from winning this competition is also a little bit of a motivator.

and, on top of it all, a contest such as this, is much more harmless than contests he’s used to, which is a breath of fresh air.

however, Dohalim had not taken into consideration the difficulty of trying to so much as walk on the teetering geta when he’s not used to the footwear at all. from a young age, he’d been taught grace and poise in everything he did, down to the very steps he took. back straight, chest open, shoulders back, all very strong foundations of someone who had to present himself to the eyes of many who saw him (even if he didn’t want to). walking is one thing, but as time progresses and drink orders come in flows, having to tend to guests becomes increasingly harder and harder.

as he approaches a table, there’s a look of determination on his face as he stands tall, albeit a little shaky at this point]

What may I get for you?

II. 100 Billion Yen Man

[Dohalim isn’t usually one to take on bounties (or, at least, he doesn’t think so, not having been raised in an environment that requires that set of skills by any person), but the sense of righteousness compels him to take on the mission, and not because of the bounty reward, or the mounting pressure from the factions. perhaps Alphen may have rubbed off on him; doing what’s right for the sake of it rather than the gain, monetary or otherwise, has always been the other man’s modus operandi.

needing a weapon of sorts (and severely missing his rod), Dohalim goes through the staffs on display, picking them up one at a time to test its weight and balance, before putting it back down. they’re just not the same…

he glances over to the closest person to him, watching them for a moment before speaking]

I take it you are participating in the bounty as well?

III. Wildcard

[none of these are to your liking? throw up a wildcard!!]

I!

[sisterlyshield]

[It is entirely likely that Kisara, being caught up as she is in the matter at hand (which consists of a more proper plan to deal with thieving furry friends), that she doesn't immediately take notice of one relatively graceful Dohalim. Or that his priority is delivery of his drinks with eloquence and less really focusing on the faces of patrons.

Beneath her hands, gloves off to the side, she's in the midst of scribbling something down with relative quickness. A diagram of some sort? Probably layout of the area and notes about where she's checked, what she's found, what's remaining, and so on. All in all, very detail-oriented.]

Tea, please, if you—

[No. She knows that voice. Knows it. Lifting herself to sit a little more proper, she pauses rather suddenly when she puts familiarity of voice with familiarity of face. A plethora of different feelings run through her at just the mere sight of him. Ambivalent ones that she supposes she has mostly herself to blame for. She was the one, after all, who followed him blindly.

This is not the time. So instead, she opts for what she thinks might be more appropriate, and falls right back into old habits.]

You don't need to do that, Lord Dohalim.

[But it doesn't take her too long to figure out what he's up to and she can take a guess or two as to why. Never mind that she's still digesting that he's actually here. And Alphen isn't in the immediate vicinity to keep her from losing her cool, again. She'll have to figure out her own discipline.]

crow armbrust | trails of cold steel

[chevaliered]

i. muscling in

[ presidential alert... the gaaannnggggs are fighting! because that sure is a fight going on over there. but instead of actually getting involved, those not taken in by the rough housing and violence might spot a white haired guy crouched on the outskirts of the fighting, just watching.

he's positioned in a way that suggests he did the math while looking for somewhere to observe -- close enough to the action that he can get a great view, but just far enough and secluded enough that he's unlikely to take a stray fist, or weapon to the jaw along the way. when he spots someone else in the area not fighting, he makes a "come here" motion with his hand. ]

Wanna make this fun? My money's on that scrappy looking guy over there. Look at him go. Gotta love an underdog story, right?

[ why he's trying to make a bet when he's got nothing on him by the clothes on his back, who knows. but that does seem to be what he's doing. want to take him up on it? ]

iv. Jigokucho's Got Talent

[ crow is leaning against the wall near to the entrance, just watching the desperate promoters trying to grab anyone -- literally anyone, apparently, is that yodelling in the background? maybe it is -- to fill the gaps in their schedule. it'd be kinda funny, if they weren't clearly at their wits end over here. ]

So... some girl got kidnapped? [ he pulls a face, mouth twisting slightly. ] Poor kid. I'd offer to lend them a hand, but backing guitar ain't exactly exciting without something to back, y'know?

[ ... he's talking quietly enough to avoid any of the promoter's ears catching the word "guitar", but given the fact a couple glance over he might not have been too successful. ]

v. Sticky Paws II: Outta the Bag

[ there's a "cat" on the floor in front of crow. it's hissing at him, a low and angry rolling sound.

from where he's sat, crow just looks amused. ]

Yeah? Sucks to be you, I got nothin'.

[ oooorrr... wildcard me! nothing nsfw on the TDM though. ]

meow

[vivens]

[ well, isn't this a sight? most of the cats here are generally nice and yet here is a ""cat"" who is far from being affectionate or curious. the reason might be easy enough but— ]

Dare I ask what happened here?

prof kasukabe / dorohedoro

[nekronomicon]

Muscling In (cw for violence)

[ There is one unifying fear in the world, Kasukabe thinks. It's not death, it's not the darkness, it's not anything like that. Those are intangible, and Kasukabe is talking about tangible, physical, upfront fears. His fear?

Youth groups. Gangs, hoards of children with the intent of murder and mayhem. A universal fear for anyone over 25, he thinks, teenagers with their undeveloped brains and lack of long-term planning. Truly, they are the horrors of the world.

Proof? Well, Kasukabe is currently being held at gunpoint, pressed against the wall of some sheer alley, the youth currently rifling through his pockets to find whatever money, loot-- and okay, trash too it seems, that's his straw wrapper from before that they just pocketed. He has his hands raised by his face, the universal sign of surrender, and misses Jonson a lot in this moment. Every moment, really. ]

Oh, could you leave that? [ Kasukabe asks, genuine, as they pull his keyring out. He gets smacked across his face for his efforts. Ow. He looks out at the road just beside him... he doesn't expect help, but it really would be nice right now. ]

Sticky Paws II: Outta the Bag(cw for animal (bakeneko/cat) cruelty)

[ Kasukabe has talents. Specific talents, talents sought out by the Enma department. They need a lure for the bakenekos, they need someway to either break the seal or get definitive proof. Cat murders are, turns out, more difficult for some people than actual murders! Neither have much of an impact on him, so all he asks for is 3 (three) bakeneko, dead, or as close to death as possible. ]

[ Making the shamisen isn't hard. He's made a magical door before, a completely nonmagical but made out of bakeneko skin shamisen is barely a task. The people in the public housing with him are less enthused about his new task, though-- but his results are undeniable. When collection day comes, he holds out the gory creation with pride. ] Let me know if it works! I think they're supposed to get sad or cry when it's played. But thanks for the job, this was fun, thanks. [ His smile is only offset by the bloodsoaked instrument and his bloodstained labcoat. ]

muscling in

[heretic_blade]

Oi, fuck off.

[ Izō puffs up, approaching the punks with a sneer. Teeth bared, wings flared, his hand on the hilt of one of his swords. ]

Ain't got time for trash like ya...Better get th' fuck outta here before ya learn what a real fight is.

[ Not that he even knows who Kasukabe is, he just has no time for little shits like these causing trouble on Shuten turf. ]