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jigokufever2022-08-25 05:44 pm
jigokumods) wrote in jigokufever2022-08-25 05:44 pm
Entry tags:
AUGUST 2022 TEST DRIVE
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 riotThis 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.
2
[ -- was not anticipating grabbing today, and Haru looks a little startled, but slowly pieces the situation together (kind of) as the woman speaks. ]
I'm sorry, they didn't come towards me, but I did see them running north... well, one of them, at least. The mostly black one.
Are they your cats?
[ This poor woman, did she lose them? ]
no subject
[Well. Maybe Zareh, but she's not here and she's not really her cat so much as she was Migal's and a part of the Gold Dust Cats. But that's neither here nor there, all things considered.
She's filing away what information Haru gives her, wondering where the other one might have wandered off to. She'll probably have to chase someone else down for that one. Assuming anyone even saw it. In a crowded place like this? Her stuff just might be gone forever.]
This might sound a little weird, but it's true—they took some things of mine. I'm just trying to get them back. You didn't happen to see any pieces of armour or anything like that, did you?
no subject
But I'm fairly certain the cat I saw was carrying something similar. Would it be all right if I helped you look?
[ Since she kind of just watched it happen without stopping it. Oops. ]
no subject
If anything, Zareh is proof that cats can be incredibly intelligent. Kisara's nodding along, thinking over the situation with some care and rationale. If the cats aren't just leaving it around, they have a greater purpose for what they may be taking. Could be at the behest of someone in particular. Could be just to hoard such things. Chances are there's a singular central location such trinkets could be brought to, or multiple, depending on what's really at play here.
The gears in her head are turning even as she smiles to her newly-found companion.]
I could use the help. I won't turn it down. Let's go after the one you saw first. I can worry about other one afterwards. It doesn't sound like you had anything taken from you.
[Which just brings about if there's certain people being targeted. Kisara does cut an imposing figure in just her armour. Maybe someone thought she looked intimidating?]
no subject
[ Haru does a quick patdown, checking pockets and glancing down at herself. Everything appears to be in order, much to her relief. ]
But I imagine a cat carrying armor wouldn't have much room to steal anything else, or the time to with someone in pursuit... [ Or so she can hope. All the same, her chin comes up and she nods once, firmly. ]
All right. Then, if you'll permit me to lead the way--
[ She'll set off in the direction she indicated in the first place. ]
Perhaps one of us can keep an eye on the ground level and the other can look up, to see if they might be making use of any rooftops?
no subject
[Besides, Haru has a very good point. If there really is a centralised location and not just a case of cats stealing items and hiding them in a nearby bush, chances are that they won't be stealing much from others. In that respect, she'd rather have her own things taken than for someone else to go through the same.
She offers a nod once more, more than content to follow along.]
Sounds good to me. Pick a direction, up or down, and I'll take care of the other. Here's hoping they aren't using the rooftops, though. That'd be a little more difficult to get to, I think.
[And she really doesn't want to have to explain to building owners why they need to get to the rooftop. It just sounds silly if she tries to say she had things stolen from her by a cat.]
no subject
[ But since she's the one who brought it up-- ]
I'll keep an eye on the rooftops. And, er... do my utmost not to run into you or anyone else in the process, but I apologize in advance if it can't be avoided.
[ She! Will do her best! Dammit! They're going to solve the mystery of the Cat Burglars! ]
no subject
[It makes things easier and without a doubt, Kisara feels safer and more confident with it, but even before entertain the guardsmen, she can recall days easily when she put herself in harm's way without question. There's no use in being afraid. There's only doing her best and putting her best foot forward.
She's careful to keep an eye on their surroundings even as she's investigating the ground. Cats can easily weave between feet and it's not like tracking a zeugle or something a little larger.]
Name's Kisara, by the way. Should have said that sooner, but I was caught up in the theft. Thanks again, for the help.
no subject
[ She dips her head politely, in acknowledgment, gaze flicking briefly from the roofs to look at Kisara properly. Not for long, she has to make sure no sneaky cats choose that time to make a move. ]
It's a pleasure to meet you, Kisara-san, circumstances aside. Which I... find myself saying more often than not, here. My name is Haru.
no subject
Kisara offers Haru a meaningful and appreciative look, whether she catches it or not.]
It's nice to meet you. What's the '-san' part mean? If it's easier just to say 'Kisara,' you can just stick with that.
no subject
The '-san' is an honorific. It's respectful... a lot like saying "Miss Kisara", for example. I'm a little too used to saying it, so it doesn't bother me.
no subject
The thought kind of makes her laugh. 'Miss' is such a tender word for someone like her who's always wanted to be a little more feminine and elegant. Kisara, whilst strong and powerful, has never really seen herself as particularly... ladylike. Or much of a 'Miss.' Everyone else back home just calls her 'Captain,' which makes sense. That's what she is, but...]
Oh, I see. Should I be calling you 'Haru-san,' then?
[No cats yet, but that's okay. The company is making up for it.]
no subject
[ You've flustered her, Kisara. She's even doing the frantic hand waving. ]
no subject
If one wants to call it that. She weighs the options between formality and being personable with another. And concludes—]
I'd like to call you by whatever makes you feel the most comfortable. Doesn't mean it has to be a part of my culture to do so.
no subject
I'm really fine with anything... so if you were planning on calling me Haru, that's more than fine with me.
[ Seriously! It's not anything insulting, so she truly doesn't mind. ]
no subject
Back home, I got accustomed to the formality after a time, so sometimes it's nice just to be called by name. [Rather, it's going to end up a new adjustment. She's been 'Captain' for long enough that in some ways, it's challenging to just be Kisara.] But I know different places have different customs. Is formality a big part of your world's culture?
no subject
[ It's fascinating, but it's also a lot. She's learned to adjust and people have more or less accepted her own manner of address, with some adjustments. ]
Of course, not even in Japan will do this, either. My friend will just call me "Haru", when normally someone his age would use "-san" or "-senpai", since I'm older.
no subject
[The part about having to change how to call someone based on the relationship, though she guesses that it might not be completely surprising to hear it. You wouldn't call your parent the same thing you'd call someone you worked with. It's kind of like when she's trying to break the habit of referring to Dohalim as 'lord,' versus how she'd call just about anyone else.
She assumes that 'Japan' is the country in question, which Kisara knows well enough she can't recognise. Definitely not a place in Dahna, which means Haru is from a completely different world. Maybe easy to tell by her style of dress.]
I think I get it, though. But it sounds like, if I'm hearing this correctly, that sometimes those rules aren't even upheld back home. Or not always, anyway. Do people ever worry about titling someone incorrectly and offending them?
[And come to think of it—what would happen if you did offend someone in Japan?]
no subject
... Honestly, explaining it now, I can see why it would sound complicated.
[ She sounds apologetic about it. She'd been raised to use them, but to Kisara, who clearly is not from Japan (or maybe not even from Earth), it might be a Lot. ]
no subject
She looks thoughtful for some moments, casually scanning about them, though not yet picking up on anything that seems particularly suspicious.]
Well, it might be complicated to me, but it’s not to you. I’m sure it’s a learning process. It’s not like you knew about it all from birth either, so at some point you had to learn how to properly address people. Once it becomes habit, it’s like a muscle. You practise it and eventually it’s just second nature. I’m sure as I learn more about it and utilise it here, it’ll become easier over time.
[She smiles reassuringly. It might be a little complicated, a little convoluted, but there’s nothing wrong with that. Kisara does not dislike learning something new.]