jigokufever | AUGUST 2022 TEST DRIVE

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AUGUST 2022 TEST DRIVE

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!
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Reserves are open until September 5th.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I can't say I was much better off when I got here.

[There's so much normalcy here. It's so weird after everything they've gone through. But thankfully a department store isn't too far over the Sutoku territory line.]

You haven't gotten a run down yet then, I suppose.

Nothing at all yet. Just ... trying to get used to having civilisation, to be honest.

That I get. Took me weeks to get used to it.

[As much as he can. He's been compartmentalizing so much, focusing on day to day than the bigger picture of what's happened. He opens the door for Martin to a little western-styled department store, one he's become familiar with since Kim brought him here originally.]

Right, so. Clothes first, catch up after.

[ Weeks ... Martin just looks even more dizzied, if that's even possible. ]

R. Right. Er - wait, what about money?

[Jon just...... looks at him. Awkward. He rubs at the back of his neck nervously.]

I'll take care of it. Don't worry about it. Pick out whatever you like, Martin.

[The offer from all the shops for the free change of clothes has since expired but honestly... He'd pay for Martin's clothes, or anything he likes, no matter what. He doesn't know what faction will scoop Martin up but he'll ignore it anyway.]

Y. You're sure? Wait, are you being paid?

[ Clearly he needs clothing, but still. ]

I'm sure.

I've been here for a few months now so... Yes. I'm... Being paid.

[Try not to think about his rank try not to think about his rank try not to think about his ra]

It's all desk work and fairly boring, really.

Oh. Well - I mean, we both know that that's not necessarily everything that goes into desk work...

[He doesn't wanna talk about iiiiitttttttt. Instead he finds a nice cloudy blue shirt for Martin, holds it up to him.]

I think that would do. [But looks up at Martin at that.] For once, it mostly is. It's just... Tedious.

[ Martin isn't going to argue with anything Jon picks out for him, except maybe the price tag. He's still in awe at having clean clothes. ]

Really? Are you sure? No hidden catch?

There are some minor details attached I'll tell you about over tea.

[God, if Martin's about how he was when Jon arrived, he could probably go for some food as well. It isn't as though he has much, but he already wasn't spending much the last two months. He can at least afford to take care of Martin getting him started.]

But no, otherwise... It's. A Japanese flair to it all, of course, and the [he glimpses over at the attendant, tanuki by the looks of it.] residents and all were already here. Aside from that, it's about as ordinary as London ever was. B-before.

[ He absolutely looks like he's going to be famished once he realises that he's hungry. Ditto with having access to a shower for cleanliness...

(He also eyes the tanuki.)

He could ask about most of that, but in the end ... ]

God, I could really go for some tea about now.

[What is probably the only positive about Jon having gotten here first is that he knows giving Martin the full choice of spread in front of them is likely to be overwhelming. Jon couldn't wrap his head around Kim telling him to pick out whatever he wanted to wear, not after the end of the world. So while Martin thinks about tea, Jon sets about finding at least one other shirt for him, a simple pullover. Nods to himself.] That should do it.

I'll grab these for you and we'll head somewhere quiet to get just that. Something to eat as well, I think.

[Doesn't take but a couple minutes to get things paid for and into bags. He offers an arm to Martin.]

Come on. We can get you washed up at home.

[ That's absolutely the better option here. Martin takes what he's given much better than he would have made any kind of a selection. And takes Jon's arm after. ]

What, an actual shower? With hot water?

[He smiles up at Martin for that.]

Yes, actually. I finally got the person who lives in the flat above me to stop using all the hot water, so there should be plenty for you.

[He gestures a bit as they walk through the streets.]

Welcome to Jigokucho, though. It's ... a lot. But isn't that bad. A bit like Tokyo, actually.

You say that as if I've ever been to Tokyo.

[ But he's SO pleased at the prospect of a hot shower. And fresh clothing. And tea... ]

I have. Also not been. But I've seen enough pictures. [And. Y'know. He could just Know it.

Still, back to Enma territory. The buildings start to look less shopping district and more quick takeaways and business buildings, only a few full service eateries here and there. But it's mostly professional administration type looking districts before they get to the housing areas.

The building itself isn't much to look at. Honestly, it's likely around the same tax bracket Martin was living in before. The steps creak as they go up two floors before Jon keys open the door.]

It isn't much but... It does the trick.

[Now that he thinks about it, he's never invited anyone to his home since he got here. There isn't much, mostly day to day items and the like. Nothing so... personal that Jon would have. No photos, only a small handful of books. He really only has been here for a couple of months.]

[ Honestly? Yeah. There's something soothing about being in surroundings that just look normal. Anything fancier would have made him nervous.

As it is, though, he gladly follows Jon up to the door. And inside the door. And ...

Ah, that's a bit sad. ]

You haven't been here long, have you?

...Only about two months now. I got here and was almost immediately put to work.

[Which is fine. Two months to settle in to this new afterlife (even if Aerith says they don't have to die to get here, how else would they? This is Hell, not another dimension.

He'll grab one shirt out of the bags and start leading Martin to the bathroom. Plucking out an extra towel and everything to use.]

I'll get some tea going while you clean up. All right?

[Even if he looks like he doesn't want to let Martin out of his sight... Those blood stains are ever present and he should really see about getting it washed for him.]

[ No objections from Martin. He takes the towel and the extra clothing, already moving to get out of his ruined jumper, at least. ]

Tea would be lovely. I'll - do what I can to help, yeah? I assume they help you with the job finding part ...

[Jon watches him, hand lingering on Martin's arm before squeezing it gently.]

I'll explain everything when you're done.

[He gives one more reassuring squeeze before letting go. And once Martin closes the door, he sets to work. Digging out whatever spare mug he has, getting the kettle going. He has a couple spare takeaways in the fridge he'd picked up the day before in case he got busy. Getting put to use now is better than going bad, he supposes. And then starts digging through his cabinets. He knows he bought a nice caramel rooibos to keep on hand - mostly when he started missing Martin, he'd sit with a cup and be lonely for a bit. But now that he's here, well there's only one obvious choice, isn't there?

When Martin comes back out, there's fresh hot tea being set out to steep and he's gotten the takeaways split into two plates of hot curry and rice with shrimp.]

[ Meanwhile, Martin takes a bit longer than usual in that shower. First to enjoy the shower itself - good lord he missed hot water and being clean - and then to just be overwhelmed by everything. He has a good long cry as the water streams down his face, and he hopes the redness around his eyes will look like the result of a good scrubbing rather than tears.

Thankfully, the mirror is fogged up by the time he’s done, so no concerns there. He emerges soon enough in that blue shirt and dark jeans, feeling better than he has in … god, how long since the apocalypse started? Since then, however long that was.

But he feels even better seeing Jon with actual honest-to-god takeaway and tea. After months of hell? Actual Hell seems downright heavenly.

He settles into the chair across from Jon, tears threatening to spring up again. ]

Oh. Oh it’s lovely…

[If Jon notices the amount of time taken, or how red Martin's eyes look, he doesn't comment on it. He'd had much the same reaction after being given clean clothes and a meal from Kim.

he'll pull the chair out for Martin to sit with a little smile. The last real reprieve they had was at Salesa's, and he isn't sure he even counts that with how on edge he must have been around Annabelle. He wishes he could remember more of those few days.]

Right? It's - most of the food around here is quite good, actually. Help yourself.

I - well. I will, but - tell me if I’m taking too much of your portion?

[ Because now that he has actual food in front of him he might just devour all of it on the spot. He absolutely starts to put a large portion of each on his own plate. ]

[He chuckles softly, a way he hasn't since he got here. God. Martin does just soften the edges.]

I will certainly tell you. [No, he won't. For now he'll settle to mixing some sugar into his tea. And watching Martin, like he hasn't seen him in a million years. Honestly he nearly looks a bit lovesick.]

So. Until someone claims you, you're staying here. Not hear anything else of it until then.

[And if some faction besides Enma claims Martin, well. They'll cross that bridge when they get to it.]

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