jigokufever | February 2022 Test Drive

Entry tags:

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.

Welcome to the test drive meme!

Threads here can be considered game canon.
If you have any questions about the TDM content, please ask them here!
If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.
Reserves are open until March 5th.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Most sect leaders of the Qinghe Nie are formidable warriors that none would dare cross lightly without risking a few limbs in the process. Unfortunately for most, particularly himself at the moment, Nie Huaisang simply isn't cut from the same cloth as his ancestors or the disciples he leads.

Currently, he's caught up in what is clearly a rather one-sided brawl with a flashily dressed oni sporting a pompadour and metal crowbar. The young man, dressed in flowing, gray-green robes, is visibly struggling against his opponent's greater strength though curiously, the gap doesn't seem to be quite as large as his build would suggest.

The more moments pass, however, the more apparent it becomes that he's not much of a fighter. Not with the way he freezes when that crowbar comes swinging at him, though there seems to be a bit more to the lesser opponent in this fight, too. When he does recover enough to dodge, it's with an agility that seems just a tad bit superhuman.

And then it finally happens. Nie Huaisang isn't able to dodge a strike aimed at his midsection that sends him crashing into the storefront, knocking the breath out of him completely. For a bit, he just lays there, stunned, as he wheezes for air, pain shooting through his side.

She wasn't here to see the beginning of this but it's not looking good now. That guy looks like someone she doesn't want to mess with. Putting herself in the middle of this probably isn't in her best interest. Somehow his opponent seems to have survived but he's not looking so good. Before she can talk herself out of it she walks over, bending at the waist to get a better look. Whatever she's going to do it's got to be quick. Big bad oni is coming this way.

"Can you stand?"

It hurts, much more than he expected. His pain tolerance has never been great and typical melodramatic fashion, he's clutching his injured side, tears shamelessly rolling down his cheeks. This might not be the usual audience he performs for but he has certain defense mechanisms.

One of them being yowling at the top of his lungs like a distressed feline being tormented with not having his food dish filled fast enough. He turns his head to look at the woman with the most pathetic, pleading look on his face.

"I can't. I think my ribs are broken! He hit me really hard with that thing!"

Chances are that they're not actually broken but it's not like Nie Huaisang is a doctor. Anyone could miscalculate the extent of an injury based on pain alone, right?

"Are you trying to attract more of them? Be quiet and hold on."

He is so loud. She's no medic but she could at least get him to a safe place. She's already involved. This fight is clearly over. Casting a wary glance at the oni she crouches to scoop him up in her arms. She hopes he's not going to come for her but she doesn't look back as she makes a run for it. Her place isn't far so she's sure she can make it.

The big bad oni seems to be distracted by another one of his brethren, this one even bigger but who knows how long the diversion will last. At the woman's instruction, he falls quiet with a sniffle and whimper, all too willing to delegate the task of escaping to his rescuer.

Of course, it's risky to entrust a stranger like this but under his present circumstances, he doesn't see many other options. He doubts he'd be able to protect himself alone against such creatures in such a state. As for the woman, she seems strong enough, carrying him like this but then again, he's only average weight and not too heavy.

"I don't think they're following," he whispers. "I-Is there a place I can rest for a while, sister? If I wait someplace safe, maybe they'll forget about me."

Hiding's been a reliable strategy most of his life. Maybe it'll help here, too.

"I'll take you to my place."

She doesn't want to break anything worse so she's careful as she can be. It's not long before she makes it there. Once she's inside she's finally able to sigh in relief. They seem to be safe here. She lays him down on her futon and looks him over for bleeding but finds herself noticing how attractive he is.

"How did you manage to get caught up in that?"

He's grateful to have a reprieve and a sanctuary to rest in. Another set of eyes on his injuries, however inexperienced, is welcome. Between his anxiety and a great fear of pain, Nie Huaisang falls too easily into catastrophizing mindsets when he's been injured until they're a more important matter holding his attention.

He doesn't seem to be bleeding though there's a bit of broken skin from defense wounds in his feeble attempts to ward off the assault. For the most part, it's bruising and swelling though that might be hard to see given how much skin his robes cover.

"I was lost and wandered into their territory. And that one looked so ridiculous, I couldn't stop staring. He took offense and told me to leave or he'd beat me up in front of everyone. I guess he thought I was from a rival clan and I couldn't get out of his way fast enough..."

Edited 2022-03-06 02:12 (UTC)

"I guess that makes sense if you're new here."

More factions and alliances to worry about. She's not sure which he's from either but for now it doesn't matter. Things she picked up on in her training could be useful now. He's not going anywhere so it's no problem to leave him for a minute. She returns with some cloth and a bag of ice.

"Give me your hand."

He does as commanded. It's soft with elegant fingers, the hands of an artist and gentleman, not a warrior or someone accustomed to hard work. However, there are few faint scars here and there on the palm that look like they could come from old cuts. Right now, the side of the palm is bruised and swollen.

"Thank you for your help, sister," he murmurs.

He's a bit hesitant to look at her directly, shy and extra nervous after his violent encounter before. She looks to be a foreigner to him, with her fair coloring, but it's not unattractive. Something about her businesslike demeanor is comforting; it reminds him a little of his disciples back home.

She rewards his cooperation with gentleness in return, though her hands might not be so soft in comparison. Noticing nothing needing immediate bandaging she cleans it off and reaches for the other. She'll need to see what the damage is under his robes as well but she'll let him undress himself.

"You said your ribs hurt?"

He complies easily, giving her his other hand. This one is a bit less pristine; it's a bit bruised and swollen, the skin broken across the knuckles. It seems like Nie Huaisang had managed to land one good punch during the scuffle, at least. It doesn't look too bad though.

"They do. He hit me pretty hard..."

But it doesn't seem to be broken, given that he's able to talk without too much apparent discomfort. He does sound a little breathless and he's wincing through pain.

When she's done with his hand, he'll start stripping his robes off to his waist, revealing a torso that's trim enough, if a bit soft from a sedentary lifestyle. There's a long faint scar on his upper bicep that looks to be from some kind of blade.

"Who were those other people from earlier? If they're going to be causing trouble in that part of town I should know about it."

She washes his hand getting in between his fingers, noting how soft they feel. Next she needs to examine his torso. Hopefully she hadn't made anything worse in transporting him. Her fingers glide over the surface looking for irregularities and gauging his reaction. It's clear enough by looking at it where he was hit. She indicates for him to hold the ice there.

Aside from some bruising, swelling, and tenderness, the rib seems otherwise normal. Nie Huaisang winces a bit when she probes too close to the point of impact, suggesting a possible fracture or a bruised rib in the best case one. Either way, he's going to have to take it easy and not strain himself too much until it heals.

At her instruction, he takes the icepack and presses it to the injury.

"Jiang Cheng and Jin Guangyao. They're from where I come from though Jin Guangyao didn't have the ears or the tails back then. Something happened to him since I saw him last."

He doesn't hesitate with an honest answer. Nie Huaisang had hoped to avoid having to warn anyone about them here but she's right about needing to know. Between Jiang Cheng's temper and the dark rumors circulating about his behavior back home and Jin Guangyao's criminal history, his rescuer would be safer knowing.

"They're dangerous men so be careful of them."

"I'll take that into consideration next time I see them."

There are plenty of dangerous people around here so it doesn't come as a surprise. It will take some time before she is willing to trust anyone anyway. But also now that she's seen him topless maybe she should ask for his name.

"And you are?"

Edited 2022-03-12 20:26 (UTC)

Satisfied with the response, Nie Huaisang lets the matter go for the time being. All she needs to know at this point is enough to tread forward with caution. He never did get a clear answer as to the state of Jiang Cheng's cultivation from him and who knows what is going on with Jin Guangyao's condition.

"Nie Huaisang. Sect Leader of the Qinghe Nie Sect but I don't suppose my title holds much meaning here."

It's a good deal more honesty than he typically grants people on a first meeting but she didn't have to rescue him and he's grateful. The least, he can do is give her respect.

"How about you?"

His title certainly isn't familiar to her. It does come as a surprise that he's some sort of leader though. That wasn't the impression she got at all and the incredulous expression on her face says as much. Now she's interested to find out more. She makes herself comfortable on the floor next to him.

"Julieta Juris of the Arianrhod Outer Lunar Orbit Joint Fleet." Might as well offer her own in return even if that makes just as little sense to him.

That sure is a combination of words that Nie Huaisang doesn't understand. The incredulous expression doesn't surprise or offend him though. He's crafted and cultivated this image of his to mask himself around others so he could move freely without being perceived as a threat by others. However, in a place like this where Nie Huaisang is legitimately vulnerable, it might be wiser to prove his competence. The more valuable he proves himself to be to others, the more inclined they might be to shield him from those wishing him harm.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Julieta. As awkward of a meeting, this might be."

He trails off a moment, taking deep breaths. He vaguely remembers one of his elders telling a disciple to do that after taking a similar blow once.

"How far is your place? Can you get back there alright?"

She'd keep him here for the night but unfortunately the rules won't allow it. It's important to be in good standing with her faction for the sake of her contract. Surely he'd understand, having one of his own. This wasn't something she did expecting anything in return but it would be nice to have an ally she could count on in this place. She'll withhold her judgement until she's seen more of what he's capable of.

"I should be able to make it there now if I take it easy."

Nie Huaisang offers her a small smile. He does understand. After all, he's eager to climb the ranks of his faction as well. If he doesn't work hard, he'll never get his reward and his reward will be well worth the effort.

He pulls his robes back up properly, even if it winds up looking a little untidy, holding his icepack to his side once more after he's done.

"Take care of yourself, Lady Julieta. Thanks again for your help. I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't intervened. If there's anything I can do for you in the future, please let me know."

"I'll have to stock up on supplies. If it gets worse there's probably some kind of clinic you can go to."

There was only so much she could do on short notice. Surely there would be something. She's getting the impression that injury is a common occurrence. Next time she'll be prepared. But hopefully he keeps himself out of trouble. She nods in response. He seems like the sort of person she wouldn't mind seeing again.

"That would be wise. This seems like it could become quite a dangerous place to live in and we don't yet know the full scope of it. If rest doesn't work, I'll seek out a doctor."

She's right. There probably is someplace for people to go if fights like this are so common.

"Please take care of yourself, Lady Julieta," he murmurs before exiting the apartment.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

February 2022 Test Drive

Fight!

no subject

retconning a correction that he's depowered in this scene, I misread the faq, oops

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject