jigokufever | (OVERFLOW) AUGUST 2022 TEST DRIVE

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(OVERFLOW) 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!~~ 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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[Dead or not the whole idea that they're kidnapped or something and being forced to work isn't anything new to Zack... Same shit different pile. That's probably pretty sad.]

Well, at least it's good news I'm not the only one dealing with this. You handling it okay?

Hm... working in places like that can come with its own set of skills.

[Once that people in those positions may not even realise they have. As the two of them make it out onto the street and start to walk away from the bar - Heizou himself seeming to be in no hurry - he glances at his new companion and considers their comments.]

I'll bet you know how to listen. How to hear things that other people might miss. [Servants could hear so much, and things could be said around them that they were perhaps not supposed to hear, given the tendency of higher classes to view them as almost invisible.] But you have me curious, what made you want to travel?

Oh, sure. Off you pop, then.

[He's not going to keep her! Heizou gives a small bow and gestures with one hand for her to take her leave.]

My pleasure to be of assistance to you, miss.

Just like that, huh? You really are one of a kind.

[Sylvain laughs, for all the world like he completely means it. He probably does, sort of. Seething resentment is a B Support goal.]

I've got my hopes up. Tamamo can probably find a place for a guy like me to be useless and decorative. [Whether the contract is settled yet or not, Sylvain's got some clear favorites.] Well, we'll find out. Maybe I'll be seeing you around. Nice to see a face from home, and all that.

I've done it before. It's why I wouldn't have the stomach for it.

[...]

Though I suppose in hell, none of us are innocents, are we?

( people use their phones for calling? in this economy? )

Photos, internet, video games. Look for yourself.

( Enjoy the myriad of apps at your fingertips now, Draken. )

( It's fine. Well, at least, she thinks it's fine. The building probably isn't being used as a safehouse now that blood rain isn't pouring down on the city, but it has a nice sturdy lock on the door and that's all they should need.

Of course, there are other problems. Like the fact that Kate doesn't notice this guy's predicament until it's too late to stop him crashing into the sign post.

... Oops? )

Crap... ( That hollering? Getting louder. And just as Kate tries to help yank Takemichi up, their pursuers skid around the corner. )

[ And traveling from one distant location to another isn't anything new to G'raha. It would appear that they both have things that they are accustomed to. ]

As well as can be expected, I suppose. You seem to be handling this rather casually.

[ About then is when there comes a call from the counter. It makes him jump a bit, tail upright in alarm. There are orders that need to be served.

He laughs sheepishly and excuses himself from the conversation. G'raha suspects that he will be seeing this man again. The Miqo'te bids farewell and says to find him should there ever be a need.

Then he calls towards the counter and rushes off. ]

Oh since you insist... Why not all of the above? To do otherwise would mean denying my fondness for you—?!

[ Gogol won't even put on a convincing pretense of being scandalized, more of a lifting his hands to his mouth as he smiles with his eyes. It hasn't even been a day since the sudden reunion so of course he's still reeling. Simply being able to chat with Fyodor again has caused great elation and grief. Of course it would've been easier to pull that moment of broken restraint from him under those circumstances. What's important is he won't be caught getting stuck in his head again.

This development begs a very important question: does Fyodor realize it? The abject horror that is ~~playing gay chicken with Gogol~~ trying to unnerve Gogol in this way. He reaches out to frame his open palmed hands on either side of the man's face; he won't be touching him again so soon but he can frame a masterpiece. The way he'll quietly be questioning Fyodor's intentions will remain unmentioned. A small unsaid thing between them. Something seen by both. ]

I knew you always secretly loved the nickname thing, [ his lips really move alongside each sounding out of each syllable. ] Fedya.

[ The thing about energy is that it cannot necessarily be created nor destroyed. It is merely... Converted into a new form. So G'raha is not certain that this is correct - that their star would continuously drain its energies.

Because from where would it derive it from? ]

I wonder about that...

More important than life, or whatever she tells me sometimes.

[ his hands sink deeper in his pockets, huffing a laugh. ]

At least you got a headstart on knowing how to do hair. Her pigtails gotta be perfect.

[ oh, takemitchy. you're so bullyable. mitsuya may be nicer than some, but his grin is still wicked as he ruffles his hair a bit like one would a little brother. ask for his wisdom, and ye shall receive. ]

Takemitchy...there's like, discount grocery stores all over the place. Don't stick to the convenience stores.

[ he's giving you that judgmental look. ]

If you really wanna save, check all the stores near you and see when they have sales. When they restock their shelves, it usually goes half price, so you can stock up for cheap. Getting dry rice is also way cheaper than getting pre-cooked.

[ there's a moment before something seems to hit him. does...does he... ]

...Do you know how to cook at all?

The protracted silence speaks for itself. By the time Emet-Selch has a response, it's too late to erase it.

"I'm tired of being alone is all," he mutters. He tips back the bottle and finishes the last of his drink. If he's dead then it won't matter if he gets a little drunk, right?

That is not fair. I can't make a comment back!

[ Mostly because anything he could say would more than likely be an assumption? G'raha doesn't want to do that. He would like to get to know Rhea'li better as an individual aside from the Warrior of Light status, thank you. ]

[ Well he doesn't mean to put Tifa on the spot. That's not how G'raha would like to operate. He'll apologize for it. Later.

The merchant is, indeed, looking between the five of them. He is... Not pleased to see them. That much is clear. The man mutters something about "Should just turn them over to the Shuten. It's what they deserve."

Ah. So that is how it is. G'raha's tone shifts, just slightly. ]

You are well within your rights, of course. If I understand the situation correctly, these youths have caused you and yours no small amount of difficulty. Even so, I ask: how best do we resolve the situation? If you would have us turn them over to Shuten Clan officers, we most certainly will. Yet you hesitate to say such a thing directly.

[ Well... NOW who is being put on the spot? It's the merchant. ]

[ An impatient gesture at them. ]

Are you telling me you died after all that talk about standing against the despair of what tomorrow would bring? I saw the Warrior of Light bring you all back with the last of Hydaelyn's magick.

We'd find a way to ensure you wouldn't slack off, different clan or not.

[ Yeah that's him being enthusiastic. Anyone would have to still twist his arm to get him to admit to that aloud. But this is definitely more than good enough. ]

Your clan will put you to work soon enough, so you're bound to have a job by then.

[ Anyways...time to get serious. He did say he'd tell him. He'll just dive into it, piece by piece. ]

As in for what happened the last few months...the best of it was adjusting to what the clans had to offer. The worst of it? It started the three months following the chaos of the Night Parade. This enemy who infiltrated into the Enma's headquarters unleashed a veritable curse on the entire city—it was raining blood, monsters conjured from this ran rampant, and even everyone's senses were turned inside out. It only took a mission to go into the tower, Kaigo no Bou, to take care of that nonsense.

This enemy had appeared before attempting to assassinate one of the clean leaders, though ultimately failed then. Hmph, though after they were able to successfully infiltrate Enma's tower, it's a wonder they didn't try to properly kill him, but I imagine the point was not to. Anyway, it was a pain to deal with. So, you've missed us dealing with that while you haven't been here.

Anything else we've been up to hasn't been worth mentioning.

[ Though if Sylvain wants to know the mission details, he'll tell if he asks. ]

"Of course, Emet-Selch," Hythlodaeus answers, as cheerful as ever. Perhaps even a bit more so, if his friend truly is annoyed by his antics. Heheheheheh. "I am aware that you are aware. But have you actually seen any of the money they use here? I am just informing you of the particulars! I know you like to be on top of things. We can get you an 'electronic card' for your money."

As for the destitute comment; "Not yet, no. But now that you're here, I shouldn't have any troubles. I'm certain that I can rely on your goodwill even if something does go wrong!"

HEHEHEHEHEHEHEH.

"My apartment is right up there," he adds, motioning to the tall building down the block. "Rather small, I'm afraid, but it serves its purpose."

How carefree. Perhaps you'll actually enjoy yourself here compared to your friends. So long as you don't miss your highborn comforts.

[ Yuri turns on his heels to go. ]

Welcome to hell. Take care, Gautier.

[ The way he voices it makes it sound almost like a warning. ]

Of course.

[Draken laughs again.]

The one good thing of having long hair yourself!

Woah, internet too?

[No need for internet cafes? fuck yeah.]

Rhea'li pushes forward his drink, offering it to Emet-Selch. He can sympathise, but he wonders the wisdom of offering company when the nature of his very soul makes their interactions so very complicated.

And personally, he avoids these kinds of attachments.

He thinks on what to say, wonders how to say it.

"I... am not the same as them." He wants to be clear that he has no desire to be a replacement. "But should you want for company, then call on me."

Zodiark take him already. He sighs heavily, opting to not be baited by his friend's mischievous cheer, and turns his eyes towards the apartment they're approaching. Supposedly he, too, has lodgings somewhere...though he has yet to take a look himself. It doesn't look like much from the outside; he should probably temper expectations for his own later.

"Which people are you with?" he asks suddenly. Azem is with the Tamamo, but where would Hythlodaeus have been placed?

He sighs. Eyes the drink they push over to him. Takes it and has a tentative sip. For something without alcohol, it tastes surprisingly like it. Not quite the same though.

He takes a longer draught anyway.

"I know that," he mutters. Louder: "I know that."

He's not sure if he's trying to convince himself or Rhea'li.

Rhea'li only has silence to offer him before he raises a hand to the stall owner.

"Another cider for my friend, if you please."

Their circumstances does seem like a good reason to get drunk. Even if he can't bring himself to do so anymore, mayhap the ancient would kfeel a little better for it.

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(OVERFLOW) AUGUST 2022 TEST DRIVE

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