jigokumods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
jigokumods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
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.
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.
no subject
[Suddenly brought out of his moment of fun, Gojyo felt his head tilting curiously towards the sound of the voice that so abruptly told him off. He could not help but look over Julieta curiously. She had a cute face and long legs too, but she seemed to be carrying a sour expression that threw off her entire vibe.
The expression she was making was one he knew all too well.]
Eh? Can't a guy show that he's having fun when around so many cute cats? What's got a girl like you looking so sour?
[There had to be more than his playful commentary that was staining her pretty face with such a contentious glare.]
no subject
[ She huffs, rubbing her temples. Of course she's stressed in this situation. But he seems to have no problem at all. Maybe he's one of the locals. She supposes he's not really doing any harm. She'll just have to ignore it. A cat flops down beside her as if in concern. Her expression softens a she reaches out to stroke its head. ]
no subject
[Ah. So that was why the poor girl was acting so tense. Well, there was an easy way around that.]
Stress, hangover, or something else?
[He said, casually striding closer to her table, making himself more than comfortable as he took the seat opposite to her.]
no subject
I don't think I have allergies. You wouldn't happen to have something that would help would you?
no subject
Compared to him and the rest of the city, it was probably a western-looking human like Julieta that stood out like a sore thumb.
Which was precisely why Gojyo was interested in her.]
I may know a few good home remedies.
[He said with a sly smile.]
But really the reason for it makes a big difference. Where on your head do you feel it the most? Your temples? Behind the eyes? Back of your head?
no subject
[ She cradled her head in her hands exasperated. The explanation given to her earlier didn't exactly satisfy her. It just brought up more questions. Sticking out didn't help either. She didn't want extra attention drawn to her and would very much prefer to blend in as much as she possibly could. ]
no subject
[The whole ordeal was a bit overdramatic, admittedly. Some underworld or not, this place certainly didn't do an excellent job of explaining what was going on to the new residents.
Perhaps it was easier for Gojyo because he had dealt with many similar situations before. But for anyone new to the whole 'spirited away by youkai' thing, it must have felt like quite the ordeal.]
It's a tension headache, then. It means you need to destress. Here, I'm going to get you a tea. It's on me.
[He says, offering a smirk and a quick wink before flagging down one of those oh-so-cute cat waitresses.]
Herbal tea for the lady, yeah?
[He looked back at Julieta curiously.]
Do you like sweet or savory things?
no subject
[ That's really nice of him. She really wasn't expecting someone to help her out. Maybe her time here won't be so bad. It's exhausting to be on her guard all the time. If she can meet people she can trust that would be some relief. ]
no subject
[Thankfully, Gojyo had already been so graciously hard-working enough over the past day or two that he had more than enough money to pay for a pretty girls' meal. Instead leaning his elbows onto the table as to look over Julieta curiously.]
You're a part of the new crew that's all been made to show up in this city, right? Just like me? Ending up at a place like this is stressing you out that badly?
no subject
[ It's not as if she hadn't been through stressful situations before. She'd adjust. When he offered she thought she was just getting tea but now she's getting food too? She hadn't noticed how hungry she was. That was certainly affecting her mood on top of everything else. ]
You're really not bothered?
no subject
[He shrugged with that, once more tossing her one of his signature charming smiles as he landed a little closer towards her for the conversation.]
A good lunch in a lovely cafe with cute waitresses and an even cuter conversation partner? What's to be bothered about?
no subject
What about your home?
no subject
[The thought did leave a slight dropping sensation in his gut, though. It was something he had been trying to avoid thinking about for months. The memory of something he had remembered saying to someone else no more than a year ago.]
Guess you can say I'm a vagrant.
[He forces a chuckle with that. Pushing aside the thoughts of what home meant and deciding he was best off focusing on what was happening now.]
So that's why you're all messed up? Had something back home that you're going to miss, huh?
no subject
[ She supposed that would be her home as well. Being without, that was a situation she still recalled well. Whether that made adjusting to things here easier or not it was hard to tell. ]
no subject
Military girl, huh? Tough work.
[Yeah, he wasn't one to judge either. He could get it.]
Were you in a critical position or something? No offense, but from what I've seen with work like that, they usually don't seem to care too much when a person usually ends up missing.
no subject
[ She wasn't sure how things would go when she returned. Someone around here might know, or maybe not. For now she'd focus on what she needed to do for her faction. At least she was out of her frustration over it. ]
no subject
[Interesting. Interesting. It certainly made him curious as to what exactly she did in that military job of hers. Not that he was going to so abruptly ask that sort of question right off the bat.
Instead he decided to sit back in his seat, throwing his hands up behind his head to rest his neck a little while as he decided to focus on something else she said.]
Well, whatever they need us for it must be something big for them to just up and spirit us all away like they did. I doubt whatever they require of us is gonna be easy.
I suppose the best question would be, how far are you willing to go to get back to that cushy military job of yours?
[It was almost on cue of that unnecessarily dramatic question that the waitress had returned, placing down her tea and his beer before putting their food in front of them. An ornate display of various neatly cut sandwiches.]
no subject
[ Oh good the food was here. She'd focus on that for now. Instead of trying to figure out what looked like something she'd like to try first she just grabbed whatever was closest to her and stuffed the whole thing in her mouth. Though she seemingly had little time to actually taste any of what she was eating she seemed to be enjoying it. ]
no subject
[Damn. Did this girl not eat for a while now? She was scarfing that down like a greedy monkey he knew back home.
Ah, well. Gojyo wasn't one to judge that much, considering how his table manners usually were.]
All right then. You sound pretty determined, at least.
Did you find out what clan you're a part of yet? Or are you still exploring the city?
no subject
Of course. That's the first thing I did. I was assigned to the Department of the Enma. Why? Haven't you?
no subject
[Giving a quick shrug, he picked up a sandwich and took a bite before leaning in to continue.]
So, looking at how determined you are, I assume it's safe to say that your contract has something like "return home to my cushy military job" as the prize, yeah?
no subject
[ It was easy to say when it's what she really felt. She wasn't sure what he was expecting to hear. She watched him eating as if she expected him to respond with what it was he agreed to. That might just give her some idea of who he is. The reason behind his interest in her still eluded her as well. ]
no subject
[Gojyo wasn't the type of person who was afraid to push questions. Having a conversation like this was his way of getting to know Julieta while simultaneously warming her up a little. And hell, if he found a way to ease those worries of hers, he felt like he'd have done something productive with his day.]
A stern-looking lady like you wants something as noble as world peace, huh? How noble.
no subject
[ She turned her head sharply. What she had expected was mockery but it seemed more good-natured than that. She exhaled through her nose, loosening her tense shoulders and taking another bite. If only she could be as relaxed as he was. ]
It's been a long time since I've felt this lost.
no subject
[Interesting. Julieta certainly seemed to be easing into the conversation. Or at least she was thankfully starting to open up to Gojyo more about things.
Perhaps he could understand it. He just had to remember that not everyone was accustomed to moving from one chaotic situation to the next as he was.
Most people lived pretty ordinary structured lives. Even those in the military. Hell, wasn't everything about that lifestyle based around the structure?]
I mean, we're not that lost, are we?
[He smiled with that. His expression softened as he continued to watch Julieta eat.]
I know they call us 'lost souls' and shit, but think about it. We're already provided housing and solid jobs with pretty clear set goals. So all we have to do is focus on that.
In the meantime, I believe all of us are just trying to settle.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
RIP Gojyo lol