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jigokufever2022-02-22 06:06 pm
jigokumods) wrote in jigokufever2022-02-22 06:06 pm
Entry tags:
February 2022 Test Drive
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.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.
- 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.
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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1;
[ It is what Soma says in response to the polite greeting given to him. He crosses his legs; his eyes fix on the youkai that had stolen the tickets from the young man. Carefully, he scans the area but no one seems to be doing anything about it.
Yet the queue keeps going like nothing is wrong; there are a few upsets here and there, but progress through the line is still being completed. It is just a few people are being inconvenienced and taken advantage of -- but, most importantly, no one seems overtly upset about these events.
His back settles against the back of the chair, and he nods at nothing in particular. ]
But there isn't much to fight in this particular situation, is there? The processing of our deaths will be done regardless of how much disorder carries on in the waiting room. [ A beat. ] Hell, indeed, for some... it's what balance looks like in the world... on a somewhat microscopic level.
[ Hm. ] Sorry. I had a thought and had to see it through.
:') soma-san...
[Kamui smiles faintly at Soma. Frankly, he can't tell if 'docile' is a compliment or an insult, but just like the tickets, he won't fight it. He's a humble person: always has been.
In the meantime, he settles in, too, eyes idly following a young human woman as she finally reaches the akaname at the registration desk. Kamui folds his hands in his lap and listens quietly as Soma speaks, taking every word in-- how lucky, that he's chosen a seat beside somebody so philosophical?]
Please, don't apologize. That was very astute of you. [He turns to Soma again, head canted curiously to the side.] Now, are you thinking more about the inevitability of death, or of essential processes?
[Just as the newly-minted agent of the Enma leaves, the person behind her has his ticket swiped right out of his hands. He scurries off in pursuit of the thief, yelling all the way there. Kamui, however, doesn't turn to look at all.]
Would you still feel that way if I stole your ticket right now?
hewwo
[ His smile widens, like what the young man said is a clever joke. ]
I appreciate your understanding. [ He folds his hands in his lap, musing over the questions that followed. ] The essential processes of death. I've always been aware of the inevitability of death. [ Offering a side-glance, his tone bounces to a friendly tone. ] My occupation made it difficult to play dumb to such a concept.
[ He pauses to look toward the ruckus happening -- more tickets stolen, more running around. Soma feels his expression darken slightly but brighten yet again; marveling how nothing seems to really be descending to chaos. ]
I would. [ A small nod. ] Because even if you do so, even if one of us may kill the other in some fit because of a stolen ticket, the line will still keep moving steadily forward.
no subject
He hums, rubbing his temple with a pair of fingers.]
Did you work in funeral services? A coroner, maybe? [It's been a while since he's thought about the 25th Ward's coroner and his own fascination with death. Soma doesn't really seem the type to be quite as... passionate about its most gruesome details, though: just the banality of it all.] I was a detective at home, for the record. Petty deaths like that do sometimes happen.
[He turns away from Soma to scan the rest of the room: luckily, it doesn't seem like it's coming to that here.]
I've just had a thought myself. Do you think we're dead here?
no subject
[ It's a light joke as he doubts that the young man would trust him enough to put himself in such a vulnerable position. ]
But no, I didn't work in any of those places. Though, you'd be hard pressed to find someone who would agree with me. [ He pauses to give a smile. It's friendly and tone filled with quiet humor. ] I worked for the yakuza... and given delicate jobs every so often.
I suppose that'd either make us enemies, or associates. [ He laughs a little. ] I'd give you the dirt on why a person was killed since I was always just the messenger and rarely ever the sender. [ When he was with the yakuza, anyway. ]
It feels that way. That we're dead. I remember a man choking me before I woke up here... so it wouldn't surprise me if I died. [ The ease in which he says that is a little too carefree. ]
no subject
[There's a modest smile on his face, but Soma is exactly right. It's just a headache. No matter what the man's been saying, Kamui isn't especially hoping to get his ticket stolen a third time.]
A detective and a yakuza meet in hell... It sounds like the beginning of a bad joke.
[His smile doesn't completely fade, but his expression still sobers slightly. Kamui brushes a lock of hair out of his eyes, casts Soma a curious glance.]
It seems like you've become the docile one. Most people would be upset to have been killed and sent to the underworld.
no subject
[ A short laugh follows. Soma realizes there is no reason to hide who he is; he could be candid and honest.
His eyes fix on something in the distance of the room they are in, as he sorts out his remaining thoughts.
But working for Public Security, doing the dirty work in the shadows, it has been his purpose for so long. If he is not asked to bear his soul in this world, then why should he offer it freely? ]
Well, I did work in the shadows of my city. If I thought I was going to be rewarded in death for what I have done... I would be more than a little bit of a fool, wouldn't you agree?
[ But then again, he didn't expect to be rewarded in life, either. ]
I would think a detective would be much more upset. Aren't you supposed to be on the side of justice? [ Sore subject? A little. ]
no subject
That's an even worse joke.
[But he's thinking, now, hands returning to their place in his lap. He mulls Soma's words over for a moment, turning them over in his head. Cops like Mokutaro Shiroyabu pursued "justice", only to be turned into monsters, becoming twisted beyond recognition. (Shiroyabu's bullet in his brain is a hazy memory-- fading a little, with the memories of so many other timelines supplanting it-- but it remains nonetheless.)]
I wouldn't call it justice. What I serve is the truth. What is real, and what isn't... as immutable as life and death itself.
[A smile, small, though bold, tugs at the corner of his lip.] There's not too much to be upset about, at any rate. I intend to leave this place. Even... [he tilts his head towards the front desk.] if I've got to wait.
no subject
[ He offers him a slight smile in apology. ]
And what do you do with the truth? [ Copying the pose that the young man is in, he cranes his neck slightly so that he can carefully look at his face as he answers. His eyes carefully watching every twitch and change, waiting to see if he will catch a lie. ] You served it, but how did you serve it?
[ Soma is the one who starts laughing in a humorless fashion. ] Ah, who is the one telling bad jokes now, hm?
no subject
I seek it out... allow it to guide me. [What is his following every timeline and every fate, if not a search for some ultimate truth of the world at the end of all those many points? This diversion into hell included.] No matter where its path may lead. That's the only way to really solve a mystery.
[He dips his head into a polite nod.]
Kamui Uehara. I don't think we have a manzai career together, unfortunately, but I am enjoying your conversation.
no subject
He frowns for a second before he offers a warmer smile. It softens his expression considerably. But he is displeased with the answer that he is given. Soma wants to continue to follow the train of thought. Yes, but what do you do with the truth?
However, that would be showing too many of his cards. His chin drops as he wants to laugh; he doesn't quite know why he is still playing games. There is no prize. There was never any prize. But he sees no reason why he has to be friends. ]
I suppose that you're right. I wouldn't want you on my tail. It seems you would hunt me down to the bowels of Hell... and then have an awkward conversation in a meeting room. [ A beat passes before he laughs; it's a bright, merry one. ]
Kazuki Soma. Soma. [ His shoulders lift and lower. ] I wonder if we'd be able to have the same fun conversations if we were both alive and meeting. I would like to think so.
[ Another good-natured laugh; one that has been practiced and perfected. ]
I'm nothing if not an easy-going person.
no subject
[Something about the features, mostly: the length of his face, the look of determination in Soma's eyes. He can't feel Kosuke Kurumizawa's presence in this plane of reality at all, but it's almost as if, through Soma, he's looking at him through a clouded lens.
His eye hasn't reacted again, though. Perhaps he's letting that superficial resemblance get to him?]
I look forward to it. [At the front desk, a number's called-- Kamui, looking down at the paper in his hand, realizes that it's finally his own.]
If we don't meet again here, I'll see you in my next life, Soma-san.
no subject
[ He sits back against his chair, resting his hand against his chest. It is a mockery of looking insulted or even remotely troubled by the comment. His tone remains light, amused. ]
I certainly hope so, Uehara-san. [ Leaning forward in his chair, he bends slightly at the waist as he gives a parting bow to the man. Adjusting his posture, he crosses his legs and takes out a handkerchief to press against his nose.
A sniffle is heard. ]
Even in Hell, there's dust. [ He mumbles to himself, attempting to seem like he's not at all going to be analyzing the conversation they just had and just being the easy-going person he said he is. ]