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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.
no subject
Rex's smile is spiteful as ever, but something about it feels strained.
Whoever this guy is, he looks a lot like Rex's old man.]
I get that your head's funkier than your fugly toenails, but who do you think made those?
[Fortunately for Rex, it's easy to make a distinction between the two.
His own father wouldn't have cared this much.]
Kids, probably! The truth is, sad shit happens to everybody, dickhead.
I'm puttin' my life on the line for my goddamn planet, which means I can do whatever the fuck I want.
You're not the boss of me.
no subject
The textiles guild doesn’t do child labor, but I get where you’re comin’ from. Yer point still stands.
[Because even if kids aren’t toiling away in that guild, the Union is still crawling with strays who had nowhere else to go. He’s seen plenty of kids out fighting monsters and risking their lives who had no business doing so, but it was purely for survival— to have somewhere to belong.
He crosses his arms, unfazed by all the back talk. Because Rex is right! Raven isn’t his boss, dad, whatever. But he can still be concerned.]
You’re admittin’ it, then. You do it ‘cause you’re feelin’ like crap. Now I really know you’re too young fer this.
An’ I don’t mean it in the legal sense.
no subject
Get off my jock, will ya?
[Rex's tone of voice goes from pissed to exasperated. He's reminded of why of he doesn't spend much time in regular society. There are so many of these "concerned adults" who are willing to voice their problems with his attitude, but ultimately have no way to truly provide any additional support. Where were these assholes when he was sad and starving? Nowhere!]
Listen, man, I know this kinda soul-wide sinkhole is probably where I'm gonna end up permanently someday, but as of right now?
I just wanna feel a nice buzz and pass out somewhere.
[Having the weight of the world on his shoulders is a much simpler burden than dealing with his own shit. His course of action is determined by his superiors, and in the heat of battle, he tries to do what he does best- Stay alive. When it comes to Rex's personal nonsense, if he were to truly sit down and attempt to metaphorically shrug off his own emotional turmoil, he'd simply be crushed under the weight.]
I'm superhuman, dude. Not even metaphorically speaking! Literally, that's what I am.
Booze doesn't screw with me the way it does the regular-degular poonheads. As for my body, it's hot as shit, but already fucked!
So I don't see how you doggin' me for wantin' to chug a cold one is gonna change much.
no subject
I ain't gonna actually try ta stop ya, if that's what you're so worried about. It'd be mighty hypocritical of me ta act like I don't know the feelin' of just wantin' ta ignore reality fer a time.
[The cruel reality of the world was just a little kinder to not hit him as a kid, though?!
Anyway...]
I'm gonna need an explanation, though. When ya say "superhuman"...whaddya mean, exactly? I just- I dunno, wanna understand?
no subject
[Rex snarls. If he couldn't rip through ten of these assholes, he wouldn't be standing here.]
I blow shit up.
Me.
And I don't need dynamite or anything else to do it! Let's start there.
[Under most circumstances, he'd begin rattling off his accomplishments immediately. It's his first instinct in this instance, however, to be suspicious.
Their abilities aren't at full capacity, so Rex will be vague at best.]
I do well in high temperatures, and if you're gonna try stabbin' me, don't.
That's all you're getting, jackass.
[He's making a beeline for the exit.]
I want my money.
no subject
[What does he look like? A shady old man seemingly asking for information that could be used nefariously??
Oh. That's exactly what he looks like. Oops.
UH. He quickly staggers to his feet and nearly trips for the first time tonight.]
Wait wait wait! Hold on, I was just askin' 'cause--!! You can do all that without a blastia? Seriously?
[That's what he'd normally attribute such abilities to. It's the only way people can have "powers" back home.]
no subject
[Yes, Raven, that is exactly what you look like.
It's also what Rex is most accustomed to.]
I need an object to charge, but, yeah.
Like I can turn any old nickel into a bomb, basically.
no subject
They're like...
[God, how does he explain such a simple concept for someone who has never heard of them. He makes a circular motion with his hands.]
Devices used ta channel power. Kinda like the charge you just described. Ya charge up the appropriate blastia 'n' make somethin' explode. Among other things.
Bein' able ta do that without one is...definitely rare.
no subject
He seems interested. Explosions are kind of his personal bag.]
Sooo, If I'm understandin' ya correctly, a "blastia" is just another name for your standard, state-of-the-art explosive.
Yeah?
no subject
[He really could have worded it better, but why did this kid zone in on explosives so quickly?
#concern]
You can use 'em to make explosions, but they do a whole lotta other things dependin' on the type! Like cast magic, make barriers or power ships. S'all stuff people can't do on their own.
no subject
Laaaaaame.
[Oh boy, the shitty smirk is back.]
And, aaah, correction! They can and they will!
Provided that they're super-people.
You were right about that kinda thing bein' rare, though.
[Especially considering that their world just lost the best ones.
He has some pretty big shoes to fill. Maybe Hell is the better option, for right now.]
There aren't that many of us.
no subject
Whatever, not important.]
Normally. Normally they can't. There's only one person in my world who can.
[Does this make Estelle a super-person... Food for thought.]
So from what you've told me, you use yer power ta protect yer planet?
no subject
[He'd sound happier about it if...
Well, you'll see.
He was at the start.]
On account of all the murder! But, y'know.
It is what it is.
no subject
[Raven's completely caught off guard with that one. Rex what the fuck you just went out and said that--]
Is it, though? I mean, I've got no clue about your world but I gotta assume that ain't typical.
no subject
The original Guardians meant something to people. People from all over the world knew their names. They had also, in a way, been a symbol for misfits and outcasts everywhere, proof that even if you were a freak, you could always find your people.
Their passing had left Rex in a difficult place. For one, he hates funerals attending, especially superhero funerals. He's known since his very first day on the job that any second he breathes could be his last, and he has yet to even turn twenty. Fuck, nineteen! So he didn't go.
He also made some pretty poor decisions surrounding the incident.]
Eh! That depends on what you're askin', Grand-poop-papa.
[The answer he delivers is so startlingly bereft of corrosive Rex-Splodian fare, if it weren't for the casual turn of phrase, one could easily mistake it as coming from someone else.]
The OG-Guardians were so high n' mighty, they didn't think anybody would ever be able to take 'em all down, not all at once like that.
[While the others sleep, Rex has the tendency to stroll down into the lobby and check to see if there's any midnight snacks he can squander from the fridge.
He's taken many a good, long look at the bloodstain Cecil left on the wall, wondering which Guardian that awful shit gushed out of. Rex hasn't the faintest clue.
And, that's the thing- When you die, it's just over. Does it really matter who you were, in the end? Rex would like to think so.
He certainly isn't expecting that his own funeral service will have a turn out resembling a fraction of that of the original Guardians. He'll be lucky if all of his teammates and Eve even bother to show up.]
But death? It's like most things.
After a while, it gets old.
And then you just get used to it.
no subject
The lack of vitriol in Rex's voice is noted when he explains further. A group of world defenders, murdered all at once. And now someone has to take their place.
That would weigh heavily on anyone's mind for a multitude of reasons.
Raven leans against the wall near the back room's exit to give Rex his full attention. No pity this time, just...understanding.]
Yeah. Ya do get used ta death when you're on the front lines, and it sounds like you've been on 'em fer a long time.
But it's gotta feel heavy, right? Fillin' in the shoes of those who'd gone before, s'pecially like that.
[He almost sounds like he's speaking from experience.
He may not be a superhero, or understand that life. But this scenario isn't altogether unfamiliar.]
no subject
The switch is almost instantaneous.]
Ohhhhh, great! So now ya feel bad for me.
Guess that means you should just quit while you're ahead! Just so it'll be easier for me to 'nab all of that prize money.
I'd offer to buy you a drink as a consolation prize, but you're not my type, Arty Old-Farty. Old-Farty McFuckface? Ugggh, fuck. I can't even decide, bro!
The pubes on your face are distracting as hell! That's definitely the kind of beard that says, "Wow! I Sure Do Hate Myself."
The next time you're in the shop, you should ask for a closer shave.
no subject
[Ohhhh boy, there he goes again. Raven just stares with absolute bewilderment as Rex starts in on his new tirade.
...and maybe rubs his chin self-consciously because he may have been called out just a little bit.]
I get it, I get it. Ya don't wanna hear the old man relatin' to ya. Fine, I'll lay off.
[He pushes off the wall and moves to join Rex at the exit. Even in the most elaborate shoes this place has, the height difference between the two of them is still apparent.]
But I still ain't goin' easy on ya. You need ta be knocked down a peg or two. But more importantly, I need a drink now more than ever.
no subject
[Rex looks down at Raven, the wicked grin on his face widening immensely. Boy oh boy, does he love feeling tall. When you stand at a measly 5'11" amidst the kinds of guys who are somehow 6'8" and built like army tanks with legs, it becomes pretty easy to pick apart your own appearance.
He's done it countless times.]
I've fallen outta burning buildings and landed on my feet.
There's no way you could ever win against a guy like me.
You saved up for retirement and shit right?
[Rex he is 35, not 65...]
Maybe try cashin' one of those checks a few years early.
I'm sure it'll save ya.
no subject
Am I supposed ta be intimidated or somethin'?
[Outside of this place, Raven has no doubt that he would have his hands full taking on someone with apparent superhuman abilities. But here? They are more or less on equal footing. They are putting their acrobatic skills to the test.]
If I were you, I'd take up a lesson or two in not judgin' a book by its cover. Maybe you'll feel less embarrassed when ya get yer butt handed to ya.
[Raven's not usually one to give it his all, but this has certainly lit a fire under him. Leave it to a bratty kid with a big ego and bigger burdens to be the lighter.]
no subject
Intimidated? Ohhh, no!
[Rex lets out one final spiteful laugh.]
Don't get it twisted!
[That was absolutely what he meant, he is just a cantankerous asshole.]
I'm just tryin' to "set expectations," as my friend with the nuts n' bolts up his butt would probably say.
[It doesn't matter that Raven doesn't know Robot, Rex is going to use the joke anyway for his own enjoyment.]