(OVERFLOW) 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! 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

[crimsonhorizon]

Nothing I have is worth worrying about to begin with. And they haven't tried for the one thing that would be.

[Wiggling her fingers a bit with the ring.]

They're just things. Neither money nor store-bought clothing have any actual value.

[afflatusexarch]

[ This place really is wild. So many different types of people. Many different worlds and stars are represented. If the fact that people may or may not really be dead didn't have the implication of kidnapping attached to it, G'raha would be rather interested in spending his time purely getting to know everyone and their homes. ]

I suppose you could put it in those words, yes. Unfortunately, I believe I know about as much regarding this place as yourself.

[afflatusexarch]

[ Of course there are words and terms that G'raha can't quite understand. However, he seems to know the meaning of "harvesting" well enough. ]

Is that not detrimental to your star? Usually harvesting energy with no means of returning it would tap the star dry.

[ And that would lead to death of the planet. ]

[afflatusexarch]

P-push myself!? Hardly!

[ He does. A lot. But Rhea'li likely knows that anyway. Hence the need to comment on it. While G'raha has to admit it is a bit odd to fall into such informality? It doesn't feel wrong to. He's getting just as flustered about the thinly-veiled fussing from the other Miqo'te as he would be his companions. G'raha crosses his arms over his chest with a huff as he proceeds to look at the menu.

Then orders Tonkotsu for himself. ]

[adversus]

If you have any questions, feel free to bug me about that too. I like to think that I'm hip with the kids and know how to use this thing.

[HAH an abyss reference.

Once they're settled inside, Marie reaches for the menu to stare at it. She was familiar with this place, but wanted to see if there was anything new on the menu. About to ask Alphen if he needed any help with ordering, but it appears that he's made the waiter pale with his order. Forced to stifle a laugh, as she orders something just as spicy in turn. The two probably about to burn a hole into their stomachs with their spicy food, but she didn't mind.]

No gald. I can lend you some yen, though. I won some during the tanabata festival, so I don't mind sharing the wealth. As for stardust... Weelll... I'll show that to you later. Don't wanna bring it out in the open where everyone can see.

[Which indicates that it's quite valuable. Again, she'll explain the logistics of it after they get some food into their system.]

I've been here for about two months now...? I can adapt to my settings pretty quickly... Kind of have to, you know? Got no choice in the matter.

You look like a tough one, Alphen, so I doubt you'll have trouble adjusting.

[afflatusexarch]

At the same time, I wish to respect your ways of addressing others. Though it's simply my personal belief that there is no need to sound so respectful.

[ Since he is of the mindset that he hasn't really done anything worthy of that. It's quite embarrassing! ]

[afflatusexarch]

[ Teenagers can often be difficult. Defiant. It is merely a coming of age practice, at least to a degree. A young person's struggle between still being independent and also under pressure from authority figures. This is usually a time where one believes that they know best and must prove themselves.

G'raha can hardly fault them for being unruly even as they walk. It's just to be expected that they are going to mutter and grumble under their breath. That they will require a little more motivation to 'keep it moving' as it were.

So when they finally come across one of the merchants, G'raha introduces himself and, of course, means for Tifa to do the same before explaining the situation. ]

[afflatusexarch]

[ His ear twitches. Hey now, he knows that everyone is young in comparison but goodness. Which version of Emet-Selch is preferable? The moody "original" version or the sassy, dramatic Ascian?

G'raha himself has thrown an attacker to the ground Planted aetherial blade into the area next to their head. ]

Personally, I would rather not. He would likely break one of your limbs and I've not the means currently to mend it. It would be advisable to leave well enough alone.

[blackabyss]

That is understandable. I appreciate your concern, G'raha.

[He has remind himself to hold off from using the "-san", but he can make do.]

In any case, I do not doubt that there will be need for your skills soon. Perhaps we may even end up as faction-mates.

[worldbent]

I see... [Say it to his face wizard boy. Matoba receives his tea with a slam of a cup and picks it up unbothered, sipping to hide his sigh. This is going to be a long afternoon.] As for myself, I will have the grilled mackerel over rice.

[Even though they had been allowed in, it didn't stop the seedy glares across the room from the Shuten oni off the clock. The muttering had already begun. What an annoyance.]

You are already making so many new friends. Well done. In any case, you have not yet guessed the final member of your ilk.

Will I have to give you another hint?

[crybabyhero]

[His whole body twitches as her weight pressures his gut for a second, but then she's up and he's free. He manages to stagger his way to his feet despite creaking joints. He's not quick about it though, so when she grabs his wrist to tug him along, he doesn't shake her off. If she gets him started at a decent pace, that's all he needs. He can keep going himself after that.]

Thanks. [He breathes as they round a corner and the offending roof is blocked from sight by an overhang. There are more people on this street than the last. Relief floods him as they shove their way through a small crowd, and he knows it's okay to slow down again.] Uh- Got somewhere you can lay low for a bit?

[insincerest]

[You know what? Yes. Sylvain can and will multitask. Felix deserves him feeling both of those things at once.

But, hey, what's really important here is commemorating this day where Felix admitted he had a good idea. If not in so many words.]

Great. I could use a few more landmarks. I guess it's not surprising that this place would be this big, but it's really something.

[Lots of people in hell and all that.

Sylvain will dutifully(?) glance around as they turn back to the patrol, although he's a little hopeful they won't run into anyone else. If Felix has been prowling through, probably any of the more clever groups have already scattered, right? He can hope.]

[littleshield]

[ It's practical, it isn't admitting Sylvain had a good idea (yes it is.) ]

Yes, it is—something of a headache, that is. Give it a few months and any sort of charm will wear off. Even for you.

[ Felix still hasn't gotten used to the 'place is full of demons' thing because he is disgusted by some of the various monsters they happen on by, but that is just how he is.

As for the whole 'groups scattering'...well, it is getting to be relatively noticeable that they haven't managed to come across anyone sketchy. Or perhaps Sylvain might catch some people halting off to the side in Felix's blind spot, looking like they saw a ghost, and turn tail, running off. ]

Hmph. Looks like most of these streets are clear for now. What a surprise.

[insincerest]

Hey, who knows when we'll get a chance to see things like this again. Might as well enjoy it.

[Sylvain has to kind of admire the way Felix can make something sound like an insult just with emphasis, even when it's totally vague what the actual insult would be. Too bad for Felix that Sylvain's also more than able to let it roll right off of him.

He totally saw people being spooked off though. He's done that maneuver himself a fair few times when he's almost gotten caught by Felix haunting the training grounds.]

Sure seems that way. Looks like you can congratulate yourself on a job well done.

[Freedom! Food! No more brawls for one(1) day.]

[playfoul]

I've heard that before. Consider it one of my unique charms.

[ As for getting along with Felix...Yuri considers him a work in progress. ]

I'm more used to getting out of trouble than you think. I was wrapping up a little business for the clan. [ His eyes flicker over Sylvain appraisingly. ] Now who might you be putting in work for?

[littleshield]

We'll get plenty of chances to see it together. This city isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Though, I've no plans for any single one of us to stay here longer than we should.

[ Four of them are here from Fodlan. Even besides the two more familiar faces, there's Yuri. He supposes he can't know what the other is thinking, but he doubts he wants to linger here either.

Felix fits in well with the Shuten clan, he knows this, feels this. But, he doesn't ever want to let his guard down truly. To lose himself in becoming too attached. So, that's why...he can't truly relax. Whatever moments of relaxation he had before this were a fluke, that's all. Or this is what he tells himself.

Sylvain mission hardmode: Getting Felix to relax ]

A job well done? I was simply doing what must be done and this was always to be the expected result. Nothing more, nothing less.

[ Yet, he begins to steer them close to a restaurant...because his stomach is revolting hardcore and might be making a small rumble now. ]

[insincerest]

[Who among them can honestly say their relationship with Felix is not a work in progress.

Sylvain grins and glances over, eyeing Yuri for obvious weapons. Faerghan is Faerghan, after all.]

Some Shuten guys strong-armed me into this, but I figured a knight of Faerghus couldn't exactly turn it down. It's not like I signed up with them, though. What about you? You don't really look like the type yourself.

[quizpersona]

[ Gogol stares, and stares, and as much as he would like continue gazing in wonder at the view of each syllable being mouthed he looks upwards and away. His eye catches the storefront of each establishment they pass with feigned interest. How profound. The mild compromise, mind-game or not, is more believable as something more genuine than if he'd just parroted the phrase.

They'll have to part ways one day, such is Gogol's wish. Dostoevsky must know that he'll fight against these binds again in an unpredictable way someday. Still, what shall the future hold? Something as exciting as it is dreadful, he thinks, if this new start to a different arrangement is any indication.]

Ha-ha! Haven't I got such a considerate friend? You're so underrated! Just look at you agreeing to things that could end up being problematic for you later.

[potensum]

[ bradley thrives in their evil glares, like a little pomeranian that doesn't realize it's not a big wolf anymore. he waits for their drinks to come and takes a big gulp of his before looking at matoba again. ]

Sure, go for it.

[worldbent]

Hmmmm...

[Matoba sips at his tea and considers the final hint as he hears the scratch of a chair behind them. Great. Better make it quick.]

Alright. Well, we could have gone to his restaurant instead, but I'm not certain he serves fried chicken--

OI, SKUNK-HEAD! YOU'RE FRESH MEAT, HUH!?

[An oni with a flashy purple suit and sunglasses heavily taps Bradley on the shoulder.] Maybe you're stupid, so I'll tell you straight- that guy yer drinking with's Sutoku Alliance. The enemy. You understand!?

[Matoba sips at his tea, glancing back with mild interest.]

[starshower]

Very.

[Rough around the edges is... a very apt way of explaining Midgar.

Tifa takes the seat alongside Tenshi, and her eyes absentmindedly rove over the menu, not quite taking it in fully just yet as she thinks back to home.]

No youkai or spirits, but... [There's something of a fond smile that passes over her expression.] Friend of mine showed me the Sutoku district earlier and it almost felt like I was walking through another slice of Midgar. Just the way it felt and looked...

i'm so sorry

[potensum]

[ god. matoba was about to say something absolutely deranged that would make bradley sweat before they got interrupted by this gaudy gentleman oni and brad is absolutely vibing with his style - look at that purple suit and those sunglasses. amazing. gotta tell the tailor back home to make something like for him. but other than that, it's obvious this guy just wants trouble, thanks to whatever matoba puts in the water for everyone that meets him. ]

Tch.

[ it seems calling matoba his slave wasn't heard by all the patrons, or perhaps it only worked with the cook, so he takes the only other approach he could think of (literally, there was no other way).

he abruptly wraps an arm around matoba's shoulders, pulling him close aggressively, glaring back at the oni. ]

Who, this guy? He's my date. Really good with his mouth, too. We're just here to eat 'cause I wanted to come here, we'll leavin' in a minute. Buzz off.

i love him 1/2

[worldbent]

[Why would you put this curse upon Chloe. He doesn't deserve your awful chinpira taste, Bradley. And also Matoba doesn't put anything in the water, he's putting these vibes in the air, thank you very much.]

[And quite frankly, he's happy to simply sit there and vibe while the Shuten do their hazing. But Bradley seems to have other plans. He just barely manages not to make an indignant sound into his tea cup as he's grabbed by the wizard, pulled close enough that he can smell him. Eugh.]

[The oni erupts with laughter, a full belly-laugh that Matoba can feel from where he's being smothered by wizard. Internally, he's counting to five.] A Lieutenant, your date? Yeah, I'll bet a Sutoku's good with his mouth. They call them silver-tongued, but you know what I call it?--

Well you aren't wrong about one thing.

[Pushed up against Brad, Matoba turns towards the wizard with an unkind smile. He has two fingers raised of his free hand.]


Thy form does not change
Thou utters not a lowly name
Cleansed of shame, a hallowed light pierces through thee.


[Bradley gets about half a second of Matoba's coy grin at his shoulder before he and the oni both get blasted backwards by a wave of purification magic from Matoba's body.]

[worldbent]

[Cough, cough. Dust and tableware is settling from the blast. Matoba rises from the counter.]

[Hope Brad is ready for a tussle.]

Was that good enough?

[semilethal]

[yes they can and that is why donnie, bereft of his more mechanical methods of persuasion, extricates himself from leo and points to their little brother. carry him please, or they will never make it to the pizza place]