jigokufever | February 2022 Test Drive

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.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The more-than-a-little dishevelled man must certainly have seen better days, and could probably use some friendly company if his day had been anything like the way his looks may suggest. She straightens herself slightly before she starts explaining, as if she's been in the tea trade all her life:]

That would depend on your taste and how you're feeling, mister. Teas can be strong or mellow, they can also have various medicinal properties good for the health, such as helping you sleep better at night or calming your nerves. I'd be happy to help you choose if you have anything in mind and would like more detail, or would you prefer leaving it to chance?

[Host's pick? She'd go for something calming, judging by what she's seeing so far...]

[ INLAND EMPIRE - Is there a tea for healing a broken heart? ]

Do you have anything for a broken heart?

[--Ahaha...]

I'm afraid not, though that does sound like it would be a handy blend to have around. Something relaxing then, maybe...?

[ EMPATHY - Her laughter is a nervous and awkward release of tension. People don't normally say how they feel the way you do. ]

Relaxing works. I'll take whatever you think is best.

[It must take quite Something, to hit a point where someone becomes capable of ignoring all societal norms and simply blurt what's on their mind, whatever it may be. It couldn't be a pleasant experience, she thinks; the rich and spoiled are well known to lack filters, but the appearance and body language of this man speak of something else entirely. He wears his depression like a badge of honor, doesn't he...?

She regains her composure in an eyeblink, and proceeds to open the logbook by the reception counter.]

Understood. May I please have your name before we move on to the tearoom, mister?

[Her smile is easy and welcoming again, no trace of the earlier tension left. Something tells her he may not be the easiest to cheer up, now what sort of conversation could hopefully take him mind off things...?]

[ CONCEPTUALIZATION - So many choices...

1. Harrier Du Bois, Lieutenant of the RCM.
2. Harry. Just that.
3. Tequila... Sunset.
4. Detective Raphaël Ambrosius Costeau at your service. ]

Harry. Just that. [ The most boring of them all! There's a pained sigh in his head that goes off with the choice. Got to be normal. Be normal, Harry. ] And what's the name of my lovely server?

["Just that", huh? His heavy sigh tells her far more than his words can, and she doesn't skip a beat latching onto that hint. She's penning "Harry" down in the logbook, but returning to his side with a smile a touch more sly than it may be benign.]

It's not too late to change your mind if you wanted to say something cooler or more mysterious, now. There's no reason to ask for anyone's proof of identity at a teahouse, the peaceful and private space we offer as opposed to noisy and public bars are all the more reason you can introduce yourself however you like. So... Are you sure about that, mister~?

[What could possibly go wrong if he makes himself to be more than just 'normal', after all?]

[ SUGGESTION - Her encouragement is sincere, if not a little coy. What could go wrong?

CONCEPTUALIZATION CHECK: 58% Chance
-2 Already picked the boring choice
-1 Trying too hard to fit in
+1 A second chance

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Failure] - Alright. Forget *all* the other options from before. Go with this one. ]

In *that* case... call me -- Doctor Love.

[ Punctuated with a clicking of his teeth and a quick finger gun, aimed squarely for the heart. ]

February 2022 Test Drive

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