February 2022 Test Drive

[jigokumods]

MAIN NAVIGATION

1. ENTRY

It feels like a dream as you wake up in what appears to be a government office. It is remarkably mundane: white walls, small screens with the number that is being served and at what desk, chairs along the perimeter of the room, and pleasant music playing from unseen speakers. There's nothing out of the ordinary, right?

Then you take a look at the inhabitants in the office: Lost Souls and youkai alike make up the ranks of a never-ending line in front of a desk manned by an akaname in a suit. However, another youkai, a hyakume, is your first contact in this world. You're instructed to take a number and stand in the queue. Take a seat if you want– but you're reminded to be quick when your number is called or you'll be passed by.

Congratulations: you're in Hell.

If you're lucky, you're in line behind a fellow Lost Soul. If you're less lucky, you're stuck behind any number of youkai that may be disturbing to look at or ones that may actively try to harm you. The ones with long arms may even try to steal your ticket from further back in the line.

Make small talk, try not to freak out, and keep your ticket safe (or maybe try to steal a better one) as you make your way up in the line.

2. THE CITY

Once you've been processed through the line, you're given your assignment to one of the four possible clans with directions to their respective clan offices. The city itself looks remarkably similar to a modern Japanese city, complete with narrow alleyways connecting wider streets. Glaring neon signs advertising various businesses compete for your attention, even the most mundane businesses.

Once you tear your attention away from the myriad distractions, your task is to find your way to the office. The akaname didn't exactly give you clear directions, just a piece of paper with an address printed on it. You’re on your own to find your way there.

• Those assigned to the Shuten Clan are directed to the gambling district.
  
• The Tamamo Clan members are directed to the red light district.
  
• New members of the Sutoku Alliance are pointed to the entertainment district.
  
• Those assigned to The Department of the Enma are sent to the administrative district.

Ask your fellow Lost Souls for directions or stubbornly find your way to the office all on your own. No matter how you get there, once you've made your way to the office you're given your lodgings (for rookies, it’s always the cheapest inn or apartment block in the area) and told to go out and get a feel for the city.

3. STREET FIGHT - SHUTEN TERRITORY

Scuffles break out all the time in Jigokucho, especially in the district dominated by the Shuten Clan. Whether it's a rival clan posturing over someone being on the wrong turf, shakedowns of all sorts, or just someone with a chip on their shoulder picking a fight: it always draws a crowd of onlookers.

No matter what street you're going down or what you're on your way to do, there always seems to be a fight to block the way. Take a look, take bets, or maybe you're the one caught in the brawl. Maybe someone decided they didn't like the way you looked at them or maybe they're trying to catch you in a petty scam. You may also feel the need to step in when fights are looking particularly one-sided.

Get used to this happening.

4. STICKY PAWS - SUTOKU TERRITORY

One of the more adorable features in the city is a cat cafe. Located within Sutoku territory, it always draws a steady crowd. If you're lured in by the adorable cats in the window, you're welcomed into a pleasant, cat-friendly environment with cats of every shape, color, and size lounging on various surfaces while being doted on by patrons. Of course not everything is as it seems: these are no ordinary cats. They're bakeneko in disguise and this cafe is a clever way to spirit away a few more coins for the Sutoku Alliance's coffers.

You may notice your wallet is a few (thousand) bills lighter at some point during your visit or your wallet may be missing entirely. Maybe it was one of your fellow patrons helping themselves while you were playing with a cat or maybe it was one of the cats. Who's to say? You quickly realize this place is not on the up and up; you have to do something about it.

Chase down one of the cats, confront your fellow patrons, or maybe try to shake down the owner for information. The latter won't get you very far, but maybe it'll make you feel better about losing your cash to a cute scam.

5. HELP WANTED - TAMAMO TERRITORY

CW: potentially NSFW, optional aphro

If you find yourself in the red light district, you might find yourself pulled into something else entirely. A scout in front of one of the numerous clubs drags you in off the street, assuming you're from the Tamamo Clan. It doesn't matter if you are or not, the scout is not listening to your protests. They say something about staffing shortages as you're shoved into the employee area of the club. The club manager then pushes some clothes at you and tells you to get out onto the floor once you're dressed. It might be a host club, it might be a bikini or banana bar, or maybe something even more salacious – whatever it is, you're working there for the night.

There are also barkers aggressively recruiting clients for these clubs, promising a good time for anyone who wants it. Whether it be the company of a pretty host or hostess, the lurid appeal of a strip show, or perhaps even other pleasures of the flesh: there's plenty to tempt even the most resistant.

Work at a club for the night or partake in the pleasures. Drinks flow like water, some with a little something extra to help things along. Everything is transactional here. As you have the money, you're bound to find something that tickles your fancy.

Welcome to the test drive meme!

• Threads here can be considered game canon.
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• Reserves are open until March 5th.

Comments

soma | lost judgement

[trueorder]

entry;

[ It all fades to black.

He opens his eyes in what appears to be a government office. His shoulders give a little roll as he adjusts his posture. Inadvertedly, he rubs his neck as he fully takes in his surroundings.

Soma drops his hand down as he notes the youkai around him. A smile glosses his lips briefly before he goes to take his number. It is nice to see that things are orderly here. There is no preferential treatment; everyone has to wait together.

Or do they? Is there really order here?

Shall he test it? ]

Hey, what number did you get? [ He sighs. ] My number is getting close to being called and I'm not yet ready to go.

[ Holding his hand out, he asks with an easy smile: ] Can I see yours?

fight, fight, fight;

[ This feels familiar.

The chaos of the streets feels very much like Kamurocho. Yet somehow, he doesn't feel comforted by it. That's because there is still so much unknown about the balance of this world. Where does it tip?

It feels too much like the old Kamurocho, which held some things in balance and some things not.

All the same, he steps forward as soon as a brawl is done. He kneels down to the person that is injured and immediately starts to take what goods and valuables that the victor did not steal for themselves.

Feeling someone coming up to him, he tosses what coin he took to them. ]

What's the saying? Share the wealth? [ The image that he's building for himself is different than who he is, but he feels that is needed. If there is one person who plays his cards a little too close to his chest; it's Soma. ]

wildcard;

[ feel free to throw anything. if you wanna plot some, you can pm me! ]

fight!

[worldbent]

[Someone else had caught the aftermath of the fight as well, and as Matoba steps out into the street proper, he finds a coin flinging towards him--]

[Ah. It clips the edge of his right hand, but he misses it by an inch or two. It goes clinking onto the cobbles behind him instead, forgotten. He frowns momentarily, as if to think it's a shame, before he sets his attention on the man who had flicked it.]

Is sharing what doesn't belong to you still considered generosity, I wonder? [He says it with a smile that says nothing about what he thinks about that saying either way.] Did you happen to catch which way the winner went?

[trueorder]

Who could say?

[ He offers an even smile as he flips through what he has gathered from the injured person. Resting his heel on the back of the loser, to keep them on the ground and avoid having a bloodied swipe be taken at his person, Soma lifts his head up to look amongst the crowd of people.

He frowns, thoughtfully, before shaking his head. ]

'Fraid I didn't catch where they went. [ A beat. ] Why?

[worldbent]

The Enma, probably. [Matoba watches as Soma flips through the cash he's scrounged up, taking a rough account.] If I'm not mistaken, isn't that the sort of virtue that judgement is intended to take into account?

Well, I wouldn't know. I'm the executioner, not the judge. [The victim's consciousness seems to be going in and out, and although it seems to struggle against being held down under Soma's heel, it's far too battered to put up much resistance. Matoba's eye briefly takes in the bloodied, beaten ayakashi as if it was a detail to a room, and dismisses it to scrutinize the surroundings instead for any sign of the party responsible.]

Theoretically, to account for a crime. [There's a touch of amusement to his voice as he says it, and he's back to smiling. Does he think he's making a joke?] Haha, though I guess that means you're also in a rather incriminating position right now.

[trueorder]

Justice and order are two different things. [ It is what he says as he returns to loot what he can off the fallen man. Soma believes in his words, of course; in all cases, order is far more important than justice. ]

An executioner, hm? [ The tone shifts to something of interest. ] I suppose that despite your look that means that you are quite strong. [ A light barb as he gives up on taking what he can from the ayakashi. He has all that is of value, and that will be enough to help him with his future tasks. ]

You're no judge. [ Is what he says in reply about his incriminating position. ] And no lawyer. I'm afraid I'm not too worried until you get orders to kill me.

[worldbent]

Hahaha, did I insult you? My apologies. [He doesn't bother to hide his amusement of the fact, nor does he seem worried about it. The way he runs his mouth, you'd think he'd have been punched in the face a few times for it already, but he doesn't seem that sorry, either.] You're not my typical sort of target, but justice has little to do with my line of work anyway, so you can rest easy.

I'm an exorcist, [He steps closer towards a subtle trail of blood he's noticed, leading slightly away from the victim. It was sparse, but depending on whose blood it was, maybe it would lead him to the victor.]

The sort of ayakashi who are stupid and violent enough to leave their troubles laying around in the street are the sort that can't really be left to their own devices. [He stoops, drawing a finger through the blood, smearing it at his fingertip. It wasn't very potent, from what little he was now able to sense but then, with the spiritual noise of all the denizens of hell around him, little was.] If I'm intended to 'keep the peace', I might as well start there, hm?

[trueorder]

You didn't. I'm just correcting you. [ His head gives a slight shake, dismissing the idea that he was insulted. He does hum to himself, however, and wonders if he looked insulted. Did he have it in himself to be insulted by anything said to him, anymore? Perhaps, a small part of him is capable of feeling it and rose just then. ]

Then you'll find your work cut out for you. There are demons everywhere. [ Soma makes a gesture to everyone around them. Though, it doesn't seem like that is what the occupation would really call for. ]

You aren't wrong that they can't be left on their own. [ His mind is turning slowly as he thinks carefully on what steps are ahead of him, and the goal that he hopes to obtain. His prize at the end is order for the entire world; so, he offers a small laugh at the question. ]

The fool will find himself dead within the year. You can run yourself ragged after him, but it will not keep the peace.

entry

[engrams]

What for? Lookin’ to trade?

[Johnny holds up his ticket, clenched in chrome fingers. His sunglasses are resting atop his head, glinting dully under fluorescent lights, and his neck’s craned up to look at the ceiling as he replies. Can’t be bothered to spare the guy next to him a glance, not just yet.]

Makes me wonder what you consider “ready”. Not a lot a preparation needed, unless you like keepin’ your seat warm.

[trueorder]

That's right.

[ If the number shown to him is better than his own, he'll trade it. If it isn't, he'll suddenly have a change of heart and keep his ticket. Why attempt so scam someone? To test the waters -- to see what order and control the "bureaucratic underworld" actually has. ]

Emotionally, I am not yet prepared to accept that I have died. [ His shoulders lift and lower. ] I had a lot to live for, you know. [ Soma has a friendly tone to his words; there is a joke beneath everything that he is saying, like he's attempting to reach out to be friends. ]

fighto

[architexture]

[Look, far be it from Andrey to turn his nose up at pickpocketing a guy who's lost a fight. That's like, the done thing? You get stabbed and/or knocked out, you forfeit whatever is in your pockets.

So he makes sure to give the poor fellow an extra kick to keep them down before he squats alongside this generous benefactor, tucking the thrown spoils into an inner pocket of his coat. But while he was definitely just finishing up breaking a guy's nose across the impromptu fight circle, this guy...]

You're a slippery one, aren't you? [A bit of a vulture, but one doesn't say that first thing.] Planning ahead or falling behind? It wouldn't kill you to throw your own punches.

[trueorder]

[ He breathes out a little laugh. The sound comes out natural, friendly even. ]

I've been called that once or twice. [ Well, he's been called a snake more often than naught, but same thing, really. ] And always planning ahead. [ Soma carries on in a jovial fashion, like they aren't chatting about the body of a bleeding and partially conscious man. ]

I suppose it wouldn't, but alas, I didn't have any qualm with this individual. [ So he says as he continues to rob whatever is on value on him. ] Equally unfortunate, I don't have enough love to help them, either. So, it leads us to where we are now.

[ He looks over what he's gathered. ] Want a watch?

[architexture]

[this man knew the risks when he picked up a traffic cone and tried to hit people with it]

I don't keep time, [he says, and briefly holds his hands up to show both wrists bare. Who on earth knows what time it is? Tedious. He rests his arms loosely on his knees and simply observes this poor unconscious fool getting robbed.]

The rabble here doesn't seem interested in maintaining the right level of fear. The healthy one, that is. Fighting in the streets! And that one- [that he laid tf out, over there] -had a knife.

[Andrey now has a knife. Not the point. The point is: there's not even a plague here, what's with these thugs.]

What do you have enough love for, slippery man?

[trueorder]

Fair enough. [ He curls his fingers around the watch before tucking into a pocket. ]

No, I'm afraid that they don't. [ His smile becomes tight. ] I suppose something will have to be done about that... to ensure anything can get done. [ This is Hell, yes, but no reason it can't run a little smoother.

Soma lets out a single hum, looking at the man that had the knife. Absentmindedly, he asks: ] You didn't get cut, did you? [ And isn't that clever? The slippery man avoids the question by offering concern to the victor. ]

[architexture]

[Andrey raises an eyebrow, briefly; there's something off, for sure, about a man casually picking scraps off the bones of this street fight in the same moment that he insists Something Must Be Done. Andrey — well. Andrey doesn't believe in laws, necessarily; not ones that he has to follow, in any case, but he ignores those laws and indulges in his own nonsense knowingly. It makes a difference, he thinks.

He wonders if this man contradicts himself knowingly or not. It makes a difference.

But first, a quick survey of all the parts of him that are stinging — some of them singing — from the fight, to check for cuts.]

Not by a blade. [He's split a knuckle on somebody's teeth, it looks like, which he rubs at with his thumb in idle consideration.] And not in any way that matters. You didn't answer my question.

[Which. He's just pointing out, actually, just making sure everybody knows he noticed, as he continues:] This is an interesting city. Not to look at, nothing's up there, but closer to the ground. I wonder which way it's going to tip.

[trueorder]

Still, if it's something that needs bandaging, I'll do what I can. [ His tone light -- despite having been the one to worry about the injury that the man might have suffered in the first place. ]

I didn't. [ Soma supposes it was stupid to have tried to avoid answering it in the first place. ] I don't love a lot of things. [ A slight pause follows. ] I love even less now that I am supposedly dead.

But what I do have enough love for is people. As a whole, I mean. Not every person. Obviously. [ The fallen man that's being robbed as he carries on about how much he cares about humanity is evidence of that, after all! ]

I'd like for it to never tip one way or the other, myself. [ He lightly shakes his head. ] Or if it must, not remain that way for too long. If there is too much justice in the world, the average man suffers without knowing why. Do you know why that is?

FIGHT u_u

[apathie]

[one ear flicks as he looks down at the wallet he's caught in his hand, holding it in his left to keep the fingerprints off of the leather. throughout the fight with the youkai he's just downed, nehan has been careful not to leave any unique markings, prints, not even fur. anything that could be used to identify him.

he's not put-out that another man has begun to loot the idiot who challenged nehan and got thoroughly ruined. but he is suspicious.]

How altruistic. [but even as he says that, nehan doesn't believe so. there is always, always a catch, because that's what people do. that's nature.]

What are you looking for in return?

[trueorder]

I doubt he would agree. [ Soma jerks his head in the direction of the youkai that has been beaten so absolutely. He reaches to grab onto one of the horns of the creature; turning the head side-to-side, he gets a good look at him.

His eyebrows lift before he nods, and he releases the horn from his grip. ]

At the moment? A little extra spending cash. [ He looks over his shoulder and flashes a brief smile. The gesture is meant to breed goodwill, but of course, the man himself has very little for anyone. Not for any sort of hatred or dislike, but an emptiness that comes from being who and what he is. ]

I assume you need some as well, yes?

[apathie]

[nehan made use to just leave bruises on the oni. bruises all from his fists, not his shoes, just to be on the safe side. but he does kick at the oni's leg to get it out of his way as he steps towards the human.]

Perhaps so. [nehan tilts his head down at the oni-- he didn't think this person had some money on him... but clearly nehan was didn't care enough to loot. that's his mistake.]

But because I failed to loot him earlier, you get to keep what you've taken.

[trueorder]

Now who is being altruistic?

[ But he curls his hand back to tuck what he has scooped up back into the pockets of his suit. Soma pauses to sniffle -- he rolls his eyes before removing a handkerchief.

Pressing it against his nose, he cleans himself up before rising. ]

You know... when I died, I had hoped that I'd no longer have my dust allergy. But I suppose it wouldn't be Hell if you didn't keep what you suffered from, hm?

[apathie]

Wear a mask. [a quick answer from a doctor.] Stores have that sort of thing in stock, apparently.

Drugs that deal with the common cold also work for lessening symptoms. Barring that, hot drinks, particularly ginger tea.

[psionicmolotov]

[ Kimmuriel glances at him for a moment. He's more acclimatized to humans than he used to be, but they're still not very interesting to him. But ugh, one of them is talking to him.....

As a mercenary and as a drow, he's raised to be suspicious. From personal experience he is especially suspicious about people who ask innocuous questions with a smile.

(He wonders if Jarlaxle is here too, somewhere. But then again, his annoying friend leader can take care of himself, and certainly can take care of himself well enough not to die, so he doesn't entertain the thought overmuch.) ]

Will seeing it change anything about your situation? It's a number, nothing more.

[trueorder]

My situation will change slightly in seeing it.

[ Soma replies with a slight smile; his posture and tone are that of a man that is literally waiting in a room versus the circumstances that they find themselves in. ]

It is not just a number. It is your fate that is written there. [ With his free hand, he gestures to the ticket. ] In seeing it, it'll change quite a bit for me. It'll help me make a decision. [ He brings his hand back down to rest in his lap. ]

Can you help me with that?

[psionicmolotov]

[ Kimmuriel just seems annoyed. Both of them aren't taking this with any sense of seriousness at all, it seems. ]

Fate means little in a plane ruled by demons. [ This may or may not be the Abyss itself, but he doesn't trust any demon at their word without a circle to bind it and something to incite it into speaking the truth. ] So you may see it, if it comforts you to cling to such things.

[ You could have just said 'yes' from the start, Kimmuriel....

He pulls out the slip of paper from his pocket and shows it to Soma. The number is higher than his, though not by much. ]

[trueorder]

Hm, I see.

[ His chin gives a small tip down. ]

Your number is better than mine, and thus, I don't feel confident in trading. [ Soma lies in half-truths rather than outright lying. So long as there is some truth in what he says; he can hold onto any lie and make it real. ]

Thank you. That slight shift did help me. [ He thought about stealing the number, but decides against it with this one. ] You seem used to planes ruled by demons, and so I hope you'll chat more with me on it... since I'm new to the idea and subject.

[psionicmolotov]

[ He puts the ticket away. ] Your fate does not involve getting out of this line slightly faster, so it seems. [ He's being a bit sarcastic for basically no reason but that's just how he is as a person. ]

If what you suggest is a trade of information, then you should think of something to give me in return. [ This has now become transactional, something he's on much more solid ground with. Though he supposes he can volunteer some, since the man seems new to basically everything about demons. ]

The place where demons dwell is the Abyss. Though whether this is the Abyss, I have no way of knowing. It looks too orderly, even for demons who enjoy such things.