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!
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.

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_{[ As they begin to walk, Megumi will hear a sudden flap and feel a light gust of air before being completely covered in shade. Akira has stretched out one of his wings over the other boy— giving him a hellish kind of parasol. It’s unknown if he observed Megumi’s fair skin or he just recognized how hot it is. Akira’s body can withstand heat, and his feet are equipped with adorable paw pads, protection from even the hottest flames in Hell. He says nothing to the kind gesture; only sheepishly smiles for a moment.. as much as a monster could.

Then, he answers. ]}

I was born a human, but during a time where global warming is melting the ice. In my world, demons inhabited Earth before God created humans. The ice age froze what was left of them, and now they are coexisting with humans with the ice melted, waiting to destroy them and reclaim the Earth as their own. Their time for conquest is now, so I teamed up with my friend who has been researching demons for some time now. Demons possess by merging and engulfing another beings body and becoming stronger through melding with them rather than just possessing their spirit.

_{[ The whole thing is bizarre, but it just gets worse. ]}

Perhaps it was reckless on my part, but I gave up my human body to merge with a demon to claim his body and powers as my own so that I may fight the demons that are a threat to humanity. A person with a kind heart can vanquish the demon, and my friend thought I would be the perfect candidate.

I refuse to let my sacrifice go to waste. I didn’t merge with this monster for no reason.

[ Megumi's a bit startled at the sudden flap of Akira's wings, ready to evade and retaliate against any potential attack, but what comes instead is some relief from the burning, stinging sensation of the sun. His skin seems to cool immediately, the red splotches still present but the associated pain now significantly reduced. It's an odd sight for sure, but he is being covered by what's essentially a wing-shaped umbrella. He looks up at the devil, expression relaxing as he eases his guard. The consideration being paid to him is definitely noticed.

As they walk and Akira explains his circumstances, Megumi listens keenly, taking in all that information despite the unchanging look on his face. He's the sort who absolutely can listen to a long story and recall every detail. Finally, when it looks like Akira is finished, he can give his response to it.

A response that's dry, flat and wholly unamused (but somehow not entirely harsh). ]

You are an idiot. One of the biggest idiots around. You could have lost yourself forever. Surely you know that.

[ Megumi's reminded distinctly of someone else, and for that reason his words come off as a scolding rather than a plain insult. There is another boy who recklessly puts his life on the line to save others, even if he barely knows them and it makes little sense. Even their circumstances are similar. ]

_{[ He hadn't expected this guy to outright insult him and he looks visibly offended, one hand splaying over his chest in offense. He looks away for a moment. ]}

While that is true, I knew that before I allowed the demon to try and possess me.

_{[ I mean, what kind of guy would be like: yeah sure, I'll do this or I'll die and go to Hell, only one way to find out, yolo.
Akira's tail swishes back and forth. He's stuck like this and it is his fault; it was his decision. Now, he's not even in the same realm the humanity he was trying to protect is in. ]}

I guess that just makes me kind of reckless, huh? Still. I can't reflect on choices I've made in the past.. only what I can do with them now in the present.

_{[ His tone cheers up a little. ]}

Besides, if I hadn't, then I wouldn't be able to provide you with this kind of shade.

_{[ Yep. Idiot. ]}

Edited (typo) 2022-08-30 04:00 (UTC)

[ When he called Akira an 'idiot', he really meant 'reckless'. Megumi never uses that word in any actual insulting way. Despite his harsh demeanor, he considers to offer Akira his full attention as he expresses his inner thoughts. ]

A real idiot. [ In response to that light-hearted comment about providing him shade. There's more fondness now, because he's made his assessment of the demon's character and they seem just as pure-hearted as their story had set them up to be. A kind person, the type that Megumi is drawn to. ]

If you work hard for your faction, you might be able to go back to the living world if that's what you asked for in your contract.

[ The cave Megumi had spotted in only a few meters away now. ]

_{[ Once they find a place to relax, Akira looks down at Megumi with a smile, sharp fangs poking through his upper lip as he enter the mouth of the cave. ]}

Yes, that is what I asked for.. also protection for all of humanity and elimination of all demonic forms. It's a tall order, so I want to try and do my best here.

_{[ He crouches slightly.. then circles himself akin to how a dog would before they sit to relax and finally sits with his tail curled around himself. His eyes fan shut before his body shrinks and he seems a lot more human looking— smaller with the lower half of his body still fuzzy. It's easier to mess with your wounds when you have smaller hands. ]}

Do you have a first aid kit?

_{[ Cause guess who jumped into the fray without one. ]}

[ Megumi watches with some interest as Akira shifts in form, taking in his new look. This - or something similar to this - is probably how the demon looks like a human. They are in shelter, and he can't sense any youkai in the immediate area, so it's probably safe they let their guards down just to treat their wounds.

As for Akira's contract, he actually has some words about that, but he'll bring that up later. From within the shadow Megumi is casting, a small bag emerges and he pulls it out. It contains all sorts of antiseptics, saline and dressings. ]

Were you hurt anywhere? [ Naturally, he tries to tend to everyone else before himself, eyes scanning the demon's body in search of injury. He is doing this when he himself has a huge cut across his chest that is soaking his shirt. ]

Whoa.. that's really cool.

_{[ What kind of magic is this? More importantly, what else is in there? Akira peers curiously at the shadow until he's asked a question. ]}

Huh? Me? Yeah, I'm a little hurt, but like I said, I'll heal.. I kind of just wanted to patch it up myself in the meantime. You, though.. you realize you've been bleeding through your shirt this whole time, right? It's really distracting for someone with demonic blood like me.

[ It's somehow just a bit easier to relate to this demon (or perhaps, they might just be a teenager like he is) now that they have shifted into a more human-like form. Megumi feels like he can read Akira's expressions a bit better.

Megumi shifts the bag further towards him, allowing Akira to take whatever he needs to patch him. ]

Because you want to eat me? [ A very frank accusation and a fair assumption, given the way Akira had torn apart and devoured that youkai corpse just now. Somehow, he doesn't feel too threatened - not with the sincerity and kindness he can sense from Akira. He has to treat this wound before he loses too much blood anyway, and he's confident he can take on this demon if they were to lash out.

Often the sort of person to do everything by themselves, Megumi motions to patch himself up, hiking his shirt up to reveal the fair skin of his chest and the angry cut across it. It's difficult to keep his shirt up when he needs the use of both hands to tend to the wound, so he bites the fabric with his teeth.

As he cleans the blood around the wound, he also listens to whatever Akira wants to say. It's a bit difficult doing this by himself. ]

_{[ Megumi really hit the nail on the head with that and Akira makes a small noise of alarm, not responding to him right away. He watches as the other boy takes to his own wound, which looked a lot worse than the injuries Akira had. But something is quite hypnotic the way the other peels up his shirt and reveals both skin and blood-- Akira finds it difficult to tear his eyes away, but it's mostly because of having blood so close to him. He can smell the blood even more now that the wound is exposed and he looks away only to glance again. His mouth waters slightly but he quickly swallows it away before distracting himself by helping himself to the first aid too.

His voice is almost meek when he speaks again. ]}

Yeah.. exactly that.

_{[ There's a silence, realizing how weird and honest that confession was and he back pedals, feeling his cheeks tinge pink from making such a weird first impression. ]}

—No, wait! I mean, I never would, not when I've sworn to protect humans. Please don't worry. It's just something my demon did to me when I merged with it. It makes things.. hard sometimes.

_{[ He probably sounds so weird, but it's alright. He stretches out one of his legs and wiggles his toes (perhaps Megumi may see a glimpse of paw pads if he looks at the right time) before he starts treating a laceration on his thigh-- an injury that cut through his fur. ]}

[ Akira's very honest for a demon hybrid, and for that reason it makes him easier to trust. It's better for Megumi to know outright what he might be dealing with. For someone with such urges, they've demonstrated a lot of control, anyway. Not the type to speak when his mouth is occupied, Megumi pauses, letting go of the shirt between his teeth but keeping it from sliding down and coming into contact with the wound. ]

You control yourself well.

[ Akira had many opportunities to attack him but he didn't take them. Right now is such an opportunity. It seems that in his kindness, he is holding himself back tremendously and suppressing those urges. Megumi's still curious about the nature of these urges, and he wants to ask more, but then he notices the demon's feet as he kicks them out.

That's so unexpected and takes him by surprise, cutting through the mood. ]

Paw ... pads? [ Without much thought, he reaches over to poke them. ]

_{[ Akira is busy tending to his injury, and he will gladly assist Megumi too if he finds the other teenager needs help, but seeing as Megumi's attention has diverted elsewhere, that may not be necessary.

When prodded, the claws already visible push outward forward and Akira withdraws his foot, seeming affronted. ]}

What the hell. I'm not some circus act, you know.

_{[ Now he's like.. self conscious? He pushes the bottoms of both his feet into the ground to hide them as he grumbles. ]}

I didn't have a choice in what anatomy I'd be given when the demon merged with me. Don't be weird about it. If there's something you're curious about you can just ask.

_{[ There was that part of him that wanted to draw understanding between humans and Devilmen. Akira knew there was no way he was the only one out there that this happened to. ]}

Edited 2022-09-02 17:28 (UTC)

[ There's a slight awkwardness now at being called out, Megumi turning away and looking somewhat embarrassed. Why did he do that? He was just so surprised by the sight of them. Akira will learn today that when he is feeling embarrassed, he becomes unable to use proper sentences, his voice lowering into a soft mumble and his words becoming staccato. ]

No -- reminded me ... my dogs ... [ He thought it was cute! ]

Sorry.

_{[ He watches Megumi with his own embarrassment seeping over him, but the second that Megumi explains (struggles to explain, rather) his expression softens. Dogs? He has pets? Or he had some pets that he cherished, and maybe they aren’t here anymore. A brief silence passes through the air before Megumi will see Akira presenting the back of his foot to him again, looking away also. ]}

.. Sorry, I thought you might have thought they were weird. If you’re really that curious, it’s fine.

I was kind of surprised when I realized I had them, honestly. They do make me more resistant to walking on certain surfaces.

Edited 2022-09-03 01:20 (UTC)

[ The paw pads, they are back. Still awkward about his display from before, Megumi doesn't motion to touch them this time, but he does glance at them with curiousity and fascination as he continues to clean up his own wound. Youkai very often had the features of animals, even if some of them were chimera-like. He wonders what sort of animal Akira's body is likened to. ]

Foot pads on dogs and cats are designed to provide traction, absorb shock and protect them against hot and cold temperatures. Though your body is strong, the bones of the feet can be delicate. It makes sense that you have them.

[ Did anyone ask for his random information? No. But Megumi enjoys flaunting the general knowledge he retains from reading so much.

At this point he's finished cleaning the wound and has the bandage out, attempting to balance the gauze over his chest so he can wrap the bandage around it. He's clearly struggling with doing this by himself, sighing in frustration a few times, but he does not ask for help. ]

_{[ Akira gives his toes a little wiggle and settles his foot back down when he thinks that Megumi has seen enough and purses his lips together, seemingly interested in this sudden onset of information. Woah. This is the most he has heard this guy talk! ]}

You really like paw pads, huh? I guess they’re kind of cool.

_{[ He finishes dressing up the wound on his thigh and can’t resist seeing Megumi struggle like that. He shifts his haunches and leans in close, taking the bandage from Megumi and grinning at him. ]}

I’ll do it! Just hold your shirt up, okay?

[ Called out for furry behaviour.

But he does like animals, which explains the random knowledge that he has. There's no need to respond to that first question because they're focused on the task at hand instead. A task he continues to struggle with, until the demon leans in close rather unexpectedly.

Though he's gotten used to sharing a touch with certain people (a very, very small list of people), Akira is still new to him, and he feels that familiar nervousness set in when the boy comes too close. It's even more awkward that he's got his shirt hiked up, and the task requires the demon to touch him.

Yet, it's the rational thing to do, because he was struggling with doing the dressing by himself. Finding the eye contact awkward, Megumi averts his gaze, looking at the side instead. ]

... Fine. Only because it's quicker. [ There's a sigh, and his long fingers hold up the fabric of his shirt, almost demure in his demeanor now despite his blunt way of speaking. ]

Do ...what you need to.

I mean, don’t be weird about it, it’s just dressing a wound.

_{[ Says Akira whose nostrils flare to take in more of his blood’s scent. It was intoxicating to be so close to a wound like this— Megumi will see his tongue roll over his lips and fangs followed by a sharp exhale. His touch is delicate, though, gently pressing the gauze into place. He leans in closer so he can reach around Megumi, almost embracing him to wrap the gauze all the way around him a few times. Once it’s dressed, he holds the gauze in place before securing it, again with utmost care and concern.

With that, he leans back on his haunches, his tail thumping against the ground in accomplishment. ]}

There! Not too tight, right?

[ There's a frown given at the accusation, like he doesn't understand how the way his acting is in any way 'weird'. As far as Megumi is concerned, anyone would feel nervous getting so close with someone they just met; especially when he has to be half-exposed, and their hands were on him. It feels like so much to explain, so he doesn't, sighing again as he leans back and looks away, a bead of sweat rolling down the side of his face. When it's over, he can relax, at least. ]

It's fine. [ He does think he could have done a better job himself, but he's also not too picky about how his wounds are being treated in general. ]

How was that being weird? [ He was acting normal? What an accusation! ]

It’s fine? I think it’s pretty great! I did a pretty great job.

_{[ why is he singing his own praises.. ]}

Oh. You’re being kind of weird probably cause I dressed your wound and didn’t event introduce myself.

_{[ He splays a hand over his own heart, smiling warmly with a dip of his head. ]}

Fudou Akira. It’s nice to meet you.

Yeah, we skipped a lot of steps. I know a lot about your life now too.

[ The real reason he was acting 'weirdly', as Akira has put it, has more to do with his general awkwardness with proximity, but there's no need to draw attention to that. He'll just go with this explanation. It's the truth, anyway. He's learned so much about the demon in this short span of time they have been together, and he's only just learning his name. ]

Fushiguro Megumi. [ He has a girl's name u_u ]

Fushiguro.. Meg.. umi?

_{[ im so sorry meg he is stifling some laughter.. blame his 80s toxic masculinity .. ]}

I see, I see. Well, _{[ a firm grip on his shoulder, a bright smile ]} I guess we have no other choice than to look out for each other.. Megumi-cha— I mean, —kun!

With me around, I promise you won’t get a nasty cut like that again, okay?

_{[ He grins, withdrawing his hand from Megumi and rubbing his thumb under his nose. ]}

[ There's a glare he gives in response, like he doesn't appreciate having his name be ridiculed. Megumi is very aware that it is a girl's name, and he has his father to thank for that. Another glare at that slip of the tongue, using that cutesy honorific on him. ]

Is it really that funny ...

[ It's a strange situation to be in, another person his age protecting him like this. Megumi is used to taking on that role instead. ]

Worry about yourself first. [ There's a sigh. He does think they've had enough chit-chat, and from the looks of things he doubts they'll get anywhere finding that girl. He shifts, starting to stand up. ]

I'm not getting anywhere, so I'm heading back to the city. What are you going to do?

_{[ cont. ]}

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AUGUST 2022 TEST DRIVE

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