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!

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• Reserves are open until March 5th.

Comments

Junpei Yoshino | Jujutsu Kaisen

[moondregs]

1. ENTRY

[ This reminds him so much of the afterlife waiting room in Beetlejuice.

Internally Junpei scolds himself for still thinking of movie scenes at a time like this, eyeing the ticket in his hand with quiet disbelief. Tickets. Are there movies in hell? If there are, are they just bad ones? Or all horror?

He shakes his head and groans, again trying to focus on the bizarre circumstance he finds himself in. It doesn’t help he feels like he’s been waiting for his number to be called forever. Maybe he should have taken a seat after all? He looks behind himself to check if there are any available where he’ll have at least a few empty spaces between himself and anyone else.

Unfortunately for the socially avoidant boy, he ends up just looking the person behind him right in the eye. Oh no, quick! Say something! Make it not awkward! ]

... s-sorry, I’m new here.

STREET FIGHT - SHUTEN TERRITORY

I’m telling you, I wasn’t making a face at—- urk!

[ In a flash, he’s gasping for breath as a meaty hand is crushing his windpipe. Even as panic is rushing through him, there’s a thought of: “Of course. This is hell, after all. Why would I be free from this here?”

Just like the guys who would kick the crap out of him regularly in high school, he knows this thug is just using an excuse to justify his sadistic thrill. Junpei didn’t have to actually do anything, and no protest would help. As such, he’s helpless to do anything but fall into his usual routine. To let the bully whale on him until he’s satisfied or bored and hope whatever damage is done doesn’t prevent him from getting up after.

At least there’s some familiarity in this strange world, he thinks joylessly. ]

HELP WANTED

[ Things had happened in such a blur his head is still spinning as he’s pushed onto the floor of the bizarre establishment he’d been absconded into while miring in self pity on the street.

The sight of tables and a bar filled with rowdy patrons makes him freeze up as he swears he can feel a cold breeze blow through the room.

Or maybe he just feels like he might as well be naked in the incredibly degrading (and cliche) bunny waitress outfit they made him get into.

He’d been promised money, right? All of a sudden he can’t remember. He looks desperately towards the exit and tries to decide if he wants to risk being out on the street looking like this. Before he can work up the nerve to bolt the manager is barking behind him to get to table 8 and take their order while pressing a pad and paper into his hands.

With a deer in the headlights look Junpei approaches the table, flushed pink from embarrassment and trying to avoid twisting his ankle walking in the black high heels they’d insisted were necessary to wear. The lights seem way too bright and the music much too loud as he tries to remember the humiliating script he’s supposed to follow: ]

W-welcome to Heads and Tails — I’ll be your ... bunny tonight ...

( prompt: street fight. )

[sunborne]

Hey! Knock it off, asshole.

[ daylight is coming in hot, looming and large and grateful more than ever he's still towering over most of the citizens in the city. there's some perks to struggling through doorways, it seems.

he makes no effort to be gentle with the guy roughing up some poor dude for the crime of just being there, roughly yanking them away with only one servo, giving a good shake for emphasis to show he means business here. ] If you want to fight, pick it up with me and we'll see how tough you are.

[ while keeping the guy distracted with his own bluster, daylight looks over to see if the poor person is alright. his expression softens, clearly worried. ]

Hey- Are you okay? Do you need medical attention?

[moondregs]

[ Junpei is shocked to suddenly be able to breathe again, hands going to his thrust in confusion as he sputters and coughs. Someone stepping in and stopping him from getting a beating is unheard of, and that almost blows him away more than realizing his hero is a robot.

Almost.

It’s still a robot. Talking to him. Asking him questions. He gives Daylight an absolutely bewildered look as he struggles to respond. ]

I ... I’ll be okay ...

[ Why is a robot in hell? He can’t help but think it. It’d be rude to outright ask, especially as he’d just been rescued by said robot. ]

... thank you ... I’m very confused, but thank you.

[sunborne]

[ daylight cheerfully nods in acknowledgement at the words as he all but tosses the bully to the side, more than happy to ignore curses and the threats from them. it isn't long before the person simply skulks off after a few more potshots aimed at the two guys, their tail between their legs. hmph!

shaking the bad vibes from the guy off now, daylight begins to bounce back and forth on his heels, grinning. ] You're welcome! It's the least I can do, you know?

[ he holds his servo out for a handshake, if he's feeling up for it. ] I'm Daylight, by the way. Feel free to call me 'Day' if you want since I know that's easier!

I can escort you for the time being while you're in this district, if you want? That way no one tries to start anything again.

[moondregs]

[ He only accepts the handshake out of pure befuddlement. Only after it’s happened does he question why he went along with it, looking at his hand in disbelief. ]

... Junpei.

[ Taking a look down the street the boy considers the offer. There are sketchy types all over, and Daylight may be a ten foot talk talking robot, but he at least seems honestly friendly. Nodding slowly, he turns back to look up at the other. ]

If you really don’t mind ... ah, were you expecting some kind of payment for it or something?

[ That kind of thing happens, right? Protection money? ]

[sunborne]

[ protection money? oh. oh. ]

Oh!

No! Not at all! [ daylight looks surprised by the question and he's quick to raise his servos, waving them back and forth frantically as if to wave off the possibility he would ask for anything like that.

does he look that sketchy? (... kind of, yes, now that he thinks about the situation a bit more seriously but! let's not think on that too much.) ]

I just want to help out is all. Why not give someone a hand because I can? [ it's the best way to explain himself. while not the most elegant of answers, there's no denying the sincerity in day's voice or the way he perks up, his winglets behind him flicking up and down in earnestness. ]

[moondregs]

[ Now that the fear of being mauled is dissipating, Junpei is able to allow a little of his actual personality to shine through.

Unfortunately his actual personality is kind of cynical.

He lifts an eyebrow incredulously at Daylight. ]

... that sounds like something a cartoon character would say.

[ Realizing he’s being rude to someone who’s only been nice to him he sighs, rubbing his forehead. ]

Sorry. It’s just ... I’m not used to being helped.

i

[sweetsong]

[ it's been a shock, to say the least, to wake up here. he's about to look for a seat himself when junpei turns and locks eyes with robin. just for a fleeting second, some of that growing anxiety stops blossoming in his chest. is he going to get told off? yelled at?

no, he looks as scared as he feels. ]

It's fine! [ already robin feels loads better, and he turns back to look at some of the empty seats. surely it's better than standing around and waiting for the line. right? ]

Um... do you want to sit together? That way, we won't miss it when it's our turns.

[ and he holds out a hand. offers it slowly, with a gentle smile. ]

[moondregs]

[ Friendliness is not something Junpei is accustomed to from a stranger, and when it’s given to him in a way that’s not just a customer service worker being polite he’s not sure how to react. As a result he doesn’t take the hand right away, unsure.

All it takes is an unearthly wail from the youkai right in front of him in line for him to decide Robin is definitely the better choice and he takes it suddenly, nervous smile on his face. ]

Y-yeah, let’s do that.

[sweetsong]

[ they look about the same age, so it's natural for robin to feel a lot more comfortable with someone who is equally confused by their shared situation. between the two of them, neither should probably be in Hell... or a hell. right? that's how robin feels and so, that's how it is. ]

Great! [ his grip is gentle, as he weaves his fingers in between junpei's. ] I think there are a couple in that corner.

[ an oddly empty corner, but it's probably because the monitors are the farthest point from them. that's gotta be why.

he'll wait for junpei to sit before he does. ]

This is a strange dream, isn't it?

[moondregs]

[ It only clicks for Junpei that he’s holding hands with the stranger shortly before they reach the seats. Still, he tells himself if the other isn’t bothered by it he shouldn’t be either, and he hopes he’s not blushing.

Taking his hand back and sitting down he lets out a sigh he didn’t even know he was holding in as he absorbs Robin’s question.

A dream. Of course. That makes the most sense, doesn’t it? ]

... so ... you’re my own brain talking to me, then?

[ He looks around the room. If it’s his dream and he’s now lucid, he should be able to control it, right? Focusing on one of the scary creatures in line he tries to will it into changing shape. The first thing that comes to mind is ... well, Beetlejuice. But no matter how hard he concentrates, the monster doesn’t change into Michael Keaton. ]

Why isn’t it working ...

[sweetsong]

Hm...

[ well. robin's assumed that this is a dream; why would Hell look anything like this? some kind of awful version of a government-run office, though it's very clear that if this is a part of his own brain's machinations, he wouldn't have thought of any of these things. no weird handsy youkai, no long lines, and the worst part? there's absolutely no sign of anything sweet! no cake! no candy, no nothing.

none of his bandmates. no sign of music or the other bands. just junpei, himself, and a long line of miserable looking creatures.

there's certainly another way to prove this might not be a dream. it's risky though but hey. it might immediately wake him up, too. ]

What's not working?

[ robin leans forward so he can look at junpei's face. ]

Besides, you might be my brain. So that means I should ask you--- do you know what I am?

[moondregs]

When you’re lucid dreaming, you should be able to control your dream. Even just a little. I’ve done it before, when I wanted to fly and things like that.

[ The question breaks him from his attempt to manifest a movie character, and he gives Robin a puzzled look.

Is this a trick question? Is there some catch he’s missing?

Oh well, if it is a dream there’s no reason not to say exactly what he’s thinking. ]

A ridiculously attractive guy?

[ It’s not an attempt to flirt or anything, just an observation. It’s absurd how pretty Robin is, he really stands out. Not the type of person he sees in day to day life at all. ]

street fight

[thefifthchild]

[This level of impudent lashing out is something that Damian is used to. He looks over at this and lets out a distinct 'Tt' sound, before dropping down from the balcony he was sitting on and wandering over.]

I'm going to give you two options. You can get your hands off him and let him go, or I can cripple both of your legs.

[He doesn't seem particularly heavily armed except for the single Escrima Stick he has in his hand.]

[moondregs]

[ The tough doesn’t look especially impressed with Damian, but he at least lets go of Junpei. The teenager is left sprawled on the sidewalk, desperately trying to get air back in his lungs as attention is turned to a new target.

A swing is taken at Damian, the wall of a man looking like he may as well be swatting at a fly.

Junpei snaps out of his terrified daze to look up at the situation. It’s still a struggle to try and get up on his trembling legs, but he’s making an effort. ]

H-hey ... run! He’s really strong!

Street Fight

[enterthe]

[Ydris doesn't balk at violence, but they do hate the chaos of such a place. It was best they float on by most brawls, not wanting to get tangled up in such annoyances. They don't have their great wealth of power in this realm. The smarter side of them knows it's best to stay out of trouble.

But when it's a human being attacked? It irks them too much! Their instinctual, built in protective nature is immediately sparked and enraged. Seeing a young man getting menaced means they must step in.

So they slap the Oni swiftly across the face.

It's not especially hard for a strike, but it burns, leaving a blistering mark. Which is surprising enough to make the attacker drop Junpei to focus on Ydris instead.]

Back off or see what happens. Your choice. [something about the raw confidence in Ydris' crackling tone, the burning look in their unblinking eyes, and their... relatively lithe stature belies a power unseen. The Oni reconsider picking this fight with a "tch!" and shuffles off to pick an easier fight.]

[moondregs]

[ There’s a small ‘oof’ from Junpei as he hits the ground, the drop was sudden but it feels good to be able to breathe again. Once he recovers he raises his head to find the Oni is already retreating, and he turns to look at his savior in shock.

At first the surprise is because someone so slight was able to best the hulking creature that had attacked him, but now that he’s able to get a better look at Ydris he’s perplexed for different reasons. Isn’t this one of the youkai? Someone helping him is unheard of enough, but he hadn’t exactly gotten the warmest impression of the otherworldly inhabitants of this place so far.

Getting up he brushes some street debris off his clothing and addresses Ydris timidly. ]

Th-thank you ... that ... looked really painful ...

[enterthe]

You worry about yourself! [Ydris snapped as a response, immediately resentful that a human would dare to care one ounce about their attacker being harmed.

They reached out towards Junpei and brusquely smoothed the creases out of his shirt at the shoulders, some strange mix of aggressive and caring. Those hands are very warm, even through fabric, but Ydris has enough control to not set the poor man ablaze. That would be a shame, Ydris had more fussing to do.]

That lout had far worse coming to him if he decided to stick around.

[moondregs]

[ While the sharp reprimand makes him flinch, he doesn’t get long to settle on fear before he finds the strange being ... grooming him? ]

You really don’t have to ... I can take care of myself ...

[ His tone is mostly confused, but there’s the tiniest pinch of irritation mixed in if the other is really listening closely. ]

[enterthe]

Of course you can, the trouble is you didn't try. [That was why they had to step in! What an annoyance, did this human have no self preservation instinct? Not the strangest thing Ydris had ever heard of, but irritating to them all the same.

Yet, for some reason, Ydris' tone turned less harsh and more quiet]

Why didn't you put up more of a fight?

entry (also justice for these two)

[fuben]

( Nanami looks surprisingly in place in this waiting room, with his pristine suit and tie. About the only thing that sets him apart from the staff is the fact that he is stuck in this line, with a ticket in his hand bearing a number far larger than he would have expected for where he stands. Of course, the line does snake throughout the room, eventually turning a far corner where, presumably, it continues perhaps endlessly. He wonders, then, if there’s a chance any of them will ever make it out of this, and if the numbers are, rather than the innocuous organization technique they seem to be, either a test or a trick. It doesn’t help that he can’t make heads or tails of the non-humans—or the humans, he has to admit, which is a bittersweet realization.

With the size of the line, he isn’t surprised by a little jostling here and there, the impatience of the waiting getting to people. It’s only a little suspicious that there are any empty chairs at all, but then, he hasn’t yet chosen to sit either. When the young man in front of him catches his eye, he feels...a sense of recognition, though perhaps it’s just the camaraderie he reads on a face that looks just as tired as he knows his own must. )

I imagine we all are.

( His tone isn’t unkind, even if his expression is stoic. He doesn’t stay looking at the boy for long, eyes still glancing surreptitiously behind his bottle green glasses, hoping to catch a glimpse of some sort of hint as to where they are. )

Do you remember how you got here?

Sobs forever

[moondregs]

[ The question catches Junpei off guard, the realization dawning on him that he actually doesn’t remember how he got here. He starts to go back over his memories, brow furrowing in confusion.

The school. The fight with Itadori. The both of them holding hands on the ground. Then Mahito ...

He gasps, taking a few steps back and accidentally bumping into the dark creature with hanging eyeballs that was in line in front of him. There’s a few seconds of panic as he’s glared at (as best a creature with hanging eyeballs can glare) but in the end the youkai just grumbles quietly to itself and turns back around.

Junpei’s expression remains horrified as he looks back at Nanami, wrapping his arms around himself as he trembles and does his best to stay standing. ]

I ... I died ... I’m dead ... this isn’t just a dream ... I’m really in ...

[ Tears have started to well up in his eyes, the reality of his situation finally sinking in fully. Keeping his composure is impossible, and he’s looking around the place with new eyes. ]

They ... they’re going to judge us, aren’t they? That’s why we’re here? I ... I’m going to be punished ...

[fuben]

( He'd anticipated a few different reactions to his question, though none of them involved this level of panic. The boy does confirm a suspicion he'd had, though it hardly answers any questions about the afterlife they've both found themselves in. And certain things that he says have Nanami immediately questioning just how judgement has or will be laid down for the people—and others—who have found themselves in this line. )

I doubt very much it's a dream, but perhaps it's a little premature to start panicking, so try to keep your voice down.

( His voice is gentle but resolute, and he keeps his eyes fixed on the youkai Junpei had disturbed far longer than Junpei does. He knows well enough to always be on his guard, but considering the circumstances they are in, not to mention the ones that had led, at the very least, Nanami here, he's resigned to remain vigilant for the both of them for now. )

It's entirely possible we've already been judged, and that's why we're both here. This feels like a waiting room more than a courtroom.

( He pauses, trying to find at least something reassuring to offer, if only to stop the tears and the fear from going any further. A white lie seems best, since it reassures himself as well. )

And if that's the case, then there shouldn't be anything to worry about anyway. I very much doubt either of us have done enough wrong to warrant suffering, eternal or otherwise.

[moondregs]

[ The reassurance is phlegmatic enough to at least bring Junpei down a few levels of panic. He wipes the tears that already spilled out with his sleeve; Nanami is right, causing a scene in a room filled with unpredictable youkai isn’t a good idea.

However, in a low whisper he confesses: ]

I did something really bad.

[ Granted, he hadn’t actually been able to go through with killing Shota, but he’d certainly intended to. Was seconds away from doing it. Yuuji stopping him couldn’t possibly count in his favor if sins were tallied, could it? Not to mention just casually observing all the people Mahito had transfigured on display in the sewers and doing nothing to stop him.

Not that he has any idea how he could have stopped him.

But if this is the afterlife, they know all and see all don’t they? What’s the point in being vague now? Letting it out might be a relief. ]

I tried to kill someone.

[fuben]

( While he's never prided himself on his ability to judge another's age by looks alone, he can't imagine the boy beside him is any older than his former students. It's a realization that he'd been subconsciously trying to avoid, one that squeezes his chest a bit too tightly, even as those tears do subside. As such, Nanami is hardly braced for Junpei's confession. Children have a skewed perspective on what's damnable and what isn't, but there isn't much room for comfort or argument against an admission of attempted homicide.

Nanami stares down at him through those tinted lenses, brow furrowed with concern of many kinds: worry for the boy, worry for himself, and worry for those around them. He seems remorseful enough now, but the way his emotions had so quickly gone from shyness, to tearful panic, and back again was enough to arouse his suspicions. Yet unsteadiness did not correlate to unkindness. If anything, it only made Nanami want to help him more. )

I wouldn't advise trying that again, especially here. Retreat isn't cowardly if it saves lives. ( Did such a thing matter to either of them anymore? ) And violence isn't the thing that makes you a man. Or even respectable.

( He finally lifts his gaze to the room at large again as the line shuffles forward a meter or so. His ticket is still clutched tightly in hand, and tighter still as he sees something not quite human striding down the line in the opposite direction. )

Of course, it isn't really my place to lecture you, especially when we've just met. ( Another pause as he gently shifts Junpei beside him, away from that strange woman as she approaches. He only glances at the boy, not wanting to lose sight of her. )

My name is Nanami Kento. I died, too. Trying to kill something.