AUGUST 2022 TEST DRIVE

[jigokumods]

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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

Rui Kamishiro | Project Sekai

[hyperfix]

Strike a poise

[Oh, this is the most fun Rui's had in at least a few days. He's wearing a branded poncho, perusing the geta on offer with utmost seriousness...At least on a surface level. Look at his eyes, and it's clear that he's actually thrilling at the challenge.

It's...Not actually part of the contest, to pick your geta from the get-go, but it's not like the organisers are going to turn down a newcomer who loudly proclaims that he wants to start at the top, pointing at the single-tooth geta before he even gets handed a tray of drinks. Catch Rui putting on the tallest single-tooth geta on offer, looking rather pleased with himself before he's even standing upright in the horrid things.]

What do you think? It should at least be a spectacle, right? Fufu...

Jigokucho's got talent

[It's--

hm.

He doesn't have his stage costume on, or this would be far more impressive. Still, Rui's not going to turn down a chance to perform...It's just that he's not accustomed to doing so without actual actors, small and robotic or otherwise. And he only has one drone on his person, small, pink, and round with a cat face...This isn't ideal at all.

Yo, fellow Lost Soul. If you're looking as Lost as the name suggests, you might just be getting approached by him, looking rather pleased to find someone who needs help as much as he does.]

You got roped in too, I see! How about we work together? I'm in need of an actor, and as long as you can take direction...I'll try to make it easy on you.

[Ominous...Is it worth it?]

[OR WILDCARD ME. No nsfw for this little creature, but we can totally hash things out and I'll happily write custom starters!!]

jigokuchos got talent

[rottencactus]

[How did he end up here...]

[He was just minding his own business, trying to get out of that horrible crowd when someone just grabbed him and pleaded with him for help. It was honestly probably a really comical exchange as both of them were near hysterical, but in the end, Mayoi found himself before a stage.]

[He is an idol, yes, but he has never performed alone before. Ah ...the thought of all of those eyes on him, it is already making him feel lightheaded--]

A-Ah?

[Oh. Who was this? Another person? Oh, this is happening very fast. Sorry if the person Rui has decided to talk to looks like he's about have a panic attack.]

An ...actor? I- Um. [No, hold it together Ayase, this is probably exactly the sort of help he needs. He hasn't found the rest of his unit and he's about to face his worst nightmare. He takes a minute to compose himself.]

Yes. Y-Yes, I can take stage direction. I am ...I'm an idol. What do you have in mind?

[hyperfix]

--An idol? Then I'm dealing with someone who actually has stage presence and experience...That's a bonus. I have one of my drones, so we're not completely at a loss for fellow actors...And I typically don't have sets or costumes, anyway...We can make this work, if I'm careful about our limits.

[He's, uh. He's not really looking the part of performer, right now, but that's also never really been too much of a problem for him before Mizuki decided to dress him up properly, no sir.

Out comes the drone. Pink cat orb, eyes lighting up when he presses a button.]

I was thinking...Perhaps a simple play. You would have to be the lead, of course, and I could work as an antagonist and narrator. The drone could be your sidekick. Or do you have any other talents that you'd prefer to showcase, as an idol? I'm all ears; this is simply what I'm best at, of course.

[rottencactus]

[This person talks a mile a minute. What an overwhelming presence... Still, it's comforting to be dealing with someone who has no problem taking charge in a situation like this. He's a little out of his depth right now. If Rui has an idea of where to start, then he can fall in step, maybe.]

O-Oh. No ...I haven't exactly had any acting roles. [Not yet, anyway. He will in fact be part of an award winning production much later, but he doesn't know that.] But my skills in ...singing and dancing are at your disposal.

[Lead role... that is also strange for him, since he thinks he's much better suited as the hideous monster destroyed at the end of an epic story.]

I'm. I'm not suited to anything bright and happy. Perhaps a gloomy tragedy, or a mystery.

[hyperfix]

I see...

[He circles around Mayoi, knuckle rapping gently at his chin and brows knitting together. Hm...] You don't sound confident about much at all. Although a gloomy tragedy or mystery may perhaps suit a more sophisticated audience, that sort of thing requires far more heavily on ambience than I can work towards...

But I can sing, a little. So, Idol-senpai...

Would you feel more at home to perform a duet? We can certainly come back to your idea once I'm able to build more props and drones, so don't let go of that idea. It's an intriguing one that I'd love to follow up on~

[rottencactus]

[As Rui circles him, it's very obvious that, despite his claims of being an idol, Mayoi holds himself very guarded and closed off. His arms are very close to his body, and his hands are always near his face, like he's ready to shield it from ...something.]

I-I'm sorry. I'm, truthfully, a worthless bug, but more importantly I-I'm not used to being ...without my unit...

[But, Rui's suggestion gets a good reaction from Mayoi. A duet would be comforting, yes. His shoulders ease a bit and his interest piqued.]

A duet? Ah- yes. Yes! I would- ...if it isn't too much to ask. May I hear...?

got talent

[reifies]

[ Sen sure is Lost right now and it's obvious on his face and actions as he looks here and there. All this is new to him, and suddenly Rui is here asking if they can work together. Huh? Huh?? ]

I'm no actor though... but what do you mean take it easy? Everyone should just start right away from the standard level!

[ Whatever that means. Either way, he looks like he'll go with Rui. ]

[hyperfix]

[OH NO WORST THING TO SAY TO HIM WORST THING TO SAY TO HIM EVER

aka Rui's face absolutely fucking lights up when Sen says those words, and he reaches out to grip his shoulders in solidarity and excitement.]

You're right. I don't want to intimidate beginners, but if you're willing to accept a challenge...Then I won't insult you!

Are you good at fighting? Or pretending to; we don't have any weapons, but I could likely find a piece of dowelling or two that would work in a pinch! A short play culminating in fighting the evil wizard! Wonderful!

[reifies]

I have never fought anything in my life!

[ That's. Well. It's true, in a sense. Either way, he has absolutely 0 combat ability. ]

But I'll do my best! It sounds fun.

[ Besides, he got to watch a swordsman in action all the time, so he thinks he can pull it off. If he can't, that's fine. The experience is what matters. ]

[hyperfix]

Then we'll make it slapstick. Simply be as grandiose and theatrical as you wish in your fighting, and I'll roll away from your blows as best I can. We simply don't have the time to choreograph a whole fight, and I worry that trying to teach you how to feint blows might be moot in such a small time limit.

[Two pieces of stray wood laying backstage? Now their weapons. Rui picks them up (finally releasing Sen from his death grip), and brandishes one.]

Just don't aim for the head, or hit too hard anywhere in the middle. We can make it work, if you trust me~

[reifies]

[ He doesn't trust anyone, but he'll go along with it even if he faces consequences—he doesn't think too much of it. Wooden stick, brandished! He feels like he's some sort of hero.

Sen also thinks slapstick means dramatical stick fighting and that should be a cinch! He just has to remember what his traveling partner used to do whenever he brandished a sword— ]

I don't think it would hurt anywhere even if I tried my best.

[ He's weak. ]

Do we go up on the stage now? I'm ready!

jgk's got talent

[fibrillate]

[all right, gayer kaoru seta, let's do this.]

[is exactly what leviathan does not think because they don't know what any of those words mean. instead they seem just a little surprised to be pulled on stage, but considering that ringo-chan means a lot to them and they want to help out moonday however possible, it could be worse. they're at least here willingly and looking modestly inappropriate for a performance. but they're gonna try.]

Oh, um. Yes. Yes, I can help—I don't really know how to act, but I can take direction pretty well after all. And I know the band who had to bow out, so. [as they talk, they rub the back of their neck nervously.] What were you thinking of performing?

[hyperfix]

[oh shit GAYER than Kaoru herself???? That's


yeah fair

also that's absolutely a more appropriate outfit for performing in than what...Rui's stuck in...But country boys make do or whatever, anyway. The point is: willing performer, has a reason to do a good job, so clearly Rui has to put his all into it as well, for this poor girl's sake.]

It's alright. I can't promise anything mindblowing, given how unprepared we both are; normally I'd have far more resources available to evoke scenery or other actors, but...We can at least do a quick play, I think. I've worked with less, fufufu~

[He pulls out a small, pink orb, and presses a button on the underside; its face (distinctly feline, insofar as =3 is feline) blinks to life, and a propeller on top whirs fast enough to lift it from his palm.] Tell me, what's your favourite kind of story? Quickly.

[fibrillate]

[honestly? honestly? the loud outfit makes them feel almost at ease. it's always important to see people living their truths. and to that end, that's the kind of answer that levi gives—after a quick second or two to admire the orb with a face that he just has. fantastic. delightful.]

[they look up (a considerable distance) towards his eyes and fix him with a grin.]

I like stories where those who society treats unfairly are given the chance for justice. Where the people who have been mistreated by everyone above them finally take back control so they can be who they are and live their lives without fear.

[you know, they don't say, fantasy.]

[hyperfix]

[HEY OW WHAT THE FUCK WHO SAID YOU COULD SAY THOSE WORDS AT HIM, BUDDY...

Rui looks like he's been slapped. Sure, he's always been himself, doesn't know any other way to be, but it's barely ever accepted. Who would he even eke out revenge against, for the hell that middle school put him and Mizuki through?]

...I see.

...Societal revolution, then. But on a smaller scale, since it's just us two...I'll be the antagonist. I'm well practiced at such a role. [His stomach churns.] Perhaps a small town, lead by a small-minded mayor, who forbade anyone from wearing colours. [And he shrugs off his hoodie, for emphasis, before offering it to Levi instead.] And the brave outsider who paints the town in a rainbow, and shows them the beauty of loving things as they are, without sucking them into monochrome existence.

[fibrillate]

[they're uncertain. not about the play being written before their very eyes, no; that's a little bit like a magic trick. but they hear the way he says that he's used to playing the villain. they saw the way he'd reacted just to the very idea of someone else thinking "people being themselves is a good thing". and they think that, given the story that's being told, they had actually been prepared for this role from childhood, no matter how much they refused that call. so they politely refuse his hoodie and shake their head.]

I think you should be the hero of this story. I can be the villain. After all—[and, with just a little faux malice on their face, they raise their hand and shoot a tiny shower of blue electrical sparks from their fingertips.] I already have the evil powers.

jigokucho's got talent

[nocturnalpetals]

Eh— [ wait, even before they turn around, that's a voice mizuki knows. ] Rui??

[ mizuki's practiced voice briefly cracks, before smoothing back out, resonating high in the back of their throat. ]

I can take direction! How many times did we talk about your show ideas on the roof, huuuuh?? [ feigning irritation, prodding a couple of times at his chest. ] Guess I'll help you out! Since you're all desperate and everything ♪

[hyperfix]

So it is Mizuki~ I wasn't sure if I was hallucinating, as one could be expected to do when in hell.

[Of course he doesn't bring up their voice cracking, or even react to it; all that matters is that someone he trusts is here, and therefore, there's a damn fine chance that they'll come out on top.

Or at least have a hell of a time otherwise. Which, really, is all he wants. See: the way he chortles even as he's being prodded. It's not even the typical chortle, aloof and manic; this is something warm, truly grateful to have a familiar face alongside him.] I'm truly lucky, to finally get you as a lead in one of my shows. But...Now I want to know what sort of show you want to put on. You know what I like, after all. What sort of story do you want us to tell?

[nocturnalpetals]

[ they—she? not quite, not now, not with questions of acting and performance on the mind—nod, expression turning thoughtful. ]

Hehe, it's kinda embarrassing when you say it like that. But how about a revue?

[hyperfix]

[something something irony in two people determined to be themselves enjoying performing in their own ways something something] A revue...

I think that we could easily manage that. We could even perform some songs from your group, if you want. Something of yours in the music, and then something of mine in the skits~ Perhaps the overarching theme could be a clown wanting to befriend the beautiful acrobat?

[let him cartwheel please please please]

Jigokucho's got talent

[inspiteful]

[ This is the face of someone who was absolutely dragged into this by some desperate staff and is currently sweating trying to figure out how he should even handle this situation. It was hard to say "no" outright given what had happened recently, but now he's in a different kind of hot soup. He can't just half-ass this, but he's never actually performed on a stage! ]

Oh, uh. ...Not gonna lie, I've never acted on a stage before. [ Does bluffing people count as acting experience? He has no idea. ] But I could use direction and I'll do my best to follow.

[hyperfix]

I doubt many people here have! You're in luck however; I have.

If you're worried about acting, however, do you have any talent in singing or dancing? Just as a back-up measure~

[Rui emphasises that last statement with a neat little spin that says that he's...Also into dancing. Horrible.] Either way, we'll make it work! Or have fun trying, fufu~

[inspiteful]

Even less experience with either of those, so... Let's just go with acting. [ He thinks if he tried singing his voice might just give out midway, either out of nervousness or embarrassment. There's no way he can match his mom or sisters in either of those things, anyway. He watches Rui do that little spin, which makes him wondering if this means Rui's in entertainment too. ] But...no harm in giving our best shot, I suppose.

[hyperfix]

As you wish! Let's see...You seem uncertain, so perhaps a hero role for you. I'm far more adept at playing the villain anyway, but it's easier to relate to an audience when you're the one they should be rooting for. A story...Something simple, that you can adlib with as required. We don't have time for a script, and I don't exactly recall one off by heart now that I'm put on the spot! This is exciting...

[Rui shut the actual fuck up?

At least he takes a breath, fixing his temp troupe member with a faint, distinctly feline grin.]

What's something you hate? It can be ridiculous or serious, but if you have conviction, you'll find it easier~

[inspiteful]

[ Skylark raises his eyebrows a little at "perhaps a hero role for you", if only because it's hard to not think about...

...Well, honestly a lot of things that's happened in his life at this point. And Skylark is aware that maybe this is just his own bias talking, but it makes playing the role of a hero almost funny, in an ironic kind of way.

(He's also raising his eyebrows at "far more adept at playing the villain", but he figures he's overthinking it. He's not going to contradict himself when he just said he can take direction either, but doesn't Rui seem pretty excited at the idea of a challenge...?)

That's a "hmmm" as he thinks about how to answer Rui's question, in the way of "give me a moment, I need to figure out how to express my honest, serious answer acceptably". ]

I guess the best way to put it is "self-righteous people".