jigokufever | February 2022 Test Drive

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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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( she's gotten used to the sight of him already; after all, she's been helping as a waitress for a larger portion of the night, and though they haven't spoken, the wordless exchange of orders counts as an interaction, right? either way, nia finds herself gravitating back towards the bar when her break starts; she's not a big fan of drinking, since blades can't exactly get drunk, anyway, but...

the drinks he's been making look strangely appealing. colorful and decorated, nothing like the simple booze she remembers from back home.

her ears twitch in interest when he speaks to her, and she leans towards the menu, squinting. )

I don't like bitter booze. ( she announces, tilting the menu to the side, as if it'll help her decipher it. ) These options are so strange... "snake wine"? Gross. ( she has no idea this is, in fact, a drink and not just... wine squeezed out of a snake or something... ) "Hair of the dog"?!

( HISS )

[ it does count! there wasn't any time to exchange idle chatter during the busier hours, after all. get that bread and all that shit.

shylock's gaze flicks over to the girl's ears, wondering if she's personalized her costume or not. bunnies are out, playboy cats are definite in! or something. in any case, he chuckles lightly as nia points out the rather odd options on the menu. ]

Oh, those are the least strange drinks on here so far. Snake wine has an acquired taste, but I do see the appeal in it.

[ can't say the same about the other one, though. luckily he's only had to make it once, and he hopes it stays that way just for tonight. ]

Lucky for you, I do know a fair share of non-alcoholic drinks -- some of which aren't on the menu itself. Would you like me to surprise you?

( the ears flick under his gaze, but she doesn't seem particularly bothered by the looks she gets from time to time — they might've never seen a gormotti around here, after all. then again... there's certainly plenty of weirder things to be spotted in hell, like the youkai who don't even hide the fact that they are youkai. )

How do you make snake wine? Do you squeeze out a snake? ( her eyes widen, a little surprised, but well... this wouldn't be the first time she's heard about squeezing the snake's venom out of its' fangs. still... wine is made from grapes, right, not snakes...

very strange, indeed. )

I... I don't mind alcohol! I just don't like the bitter ones! ( she states, defensively. she's not a little kid, okay, she can handle... some booze! anyway... ) But if there's anything sweet you can make me...

[ honestly, shylock would've mistaken her as a youkai if it weren't for the fact that lost souls are being scouted here and there for menial work. but so long as she can pull off the risque outfit even with bunnyless ears, it should be aight. ]

Trade secret. The process is much simpler than one would think, but it takes an intricate hand just to make it consistently. It's one of our more popular drinks right now.

[ something something about how venom might get into the wine if one's not careful, and we wouldn't want that, would we? unless they have the intention of poisoning someone, in which case -- well. that's no longer shylock's business. ]

Understandable. Well, then - please sit tight and enjoy the show.

[ bartending is also considered as an art, and despite the lack of magic that would've made this task easier, shylock is able to mix and match various ingredients with magical flair nonetheless. he isn't even familiar with some of the ingredients he has on hand, but deducing which fruit tastes sweet or tart is easy when you're experienced, and in a few moments he applies some finishing garnishes on a cute pink cocktail before placing it in front of nia. ]

And there we go, one rosé cocktail. Do tell if the flavor is to your liking.

( she doesn't necessarily enjoy the bonus exposure — back home, when not in her blade form, she hides as a human, covered from head to toe to make sure nobody sees the crystals embedded in her skin. she has lost the ability to freely switch forms, however, and right now, she's just stuck like this — so she makes the best of it, and if it gets her some money to hopefully survive this strange place, well... who is she to say no?

if dromarch were here, he'd be scandalized at the thought. but since her dear, old man tiger isn't around to scold her... )

Sounds so gross... ( makes a BLEHHH face ) ... but I guess it's fitting for a bar in hell, of all places. ( she can't imagine some of the youkai she'd seen around here to feed on anything but strange things. they remind her a bit of the monsters from back home, and she guesses they'd gobble her up in an instant if they could.

cats are friends... not food...

but, well, she quickly forgets all about the possible intricacies of squeezing wine out of snakes and watches him, just as he'd said. bartending is not something she's ever seen performed in this manner — back home, there's bars, sure, but mostly, it's just burly men serving other burly men beer, nothing to particularly gawk at. shylock, in the other hand... he makes it seem so magical, somehow — it probably helps that he's handsome on top of it, too. so she watches, mesmerized, as he carefully separates and mixes the liquids, the fruit, the ice — it's all so pleasant she can understand why people would flock to see it.

by the time he serves her the drink, she's all wide eyes and flushed face, ears pointing up in attention. )

Wow! You're really good at this, aren't you?! ( reaches... her claws tap against the glass as she wraps her fingers around it, and she pulls it closer to lean forward and take a sip. WROW... ) Oh! It's really tasty! ( really nothing like the nasty booze they drink back home... any time that happened, she'd just leave and sit on the ship's deck, or something.

but this... on today's episode of nia understands alcoholism. ) So refreshing... and it tastes more like fruits than nasty booze! How'd you make this? Magic?!

[ it's suuuuper gross, but it's not as bad as the dog drink where they literally had to bring in an actual dog to mix the brew by swimming in it. it's an acquired taste, or so they say.

still, nia's adorable reactions towards his bartending brings a smile to his face, and sometimes that's all he needs to get through his shift. he usually works at a leisurely pace at his bar back home, so having to work on a hectic pace is something that he's yet to be accustomed to. ]

You're welcome. And I'm quite flattered that you say that, for I haven't had access to my magic of them since arriving here.

[ it should bother him, in fact. after all, what is a wizard without his magic? so hearing that he can somehow mix drinks as if he's never lost them in the first place has brought him some sort of relief as he watches nia's claws wrap around the glass like a lifeline.

huh, a literal catgirl. how does shylock bring in all the cats in his backyard so easily? ]

Edited 2022-02-24 08:25 (UTC)

You too? Ugh... guess that happens to everyone here, then.

( losing powers, she means. it's not a great feeling — almost as if something crucial and vital has been stolen away from her. from the very beginning of her existence, her abilities were all she was good for, anyway — so this one really stings.

it shows in the way her ears flop, displeased. )

What kind of magic do you do back home? ( she leans to the side, looking at him expectantly. his drinks bring all the cats to the yard... )

We wouldn't be in Hell in the first place if they wish to make it easy for all of us. [ a sigh. he could really use his pipe right now, though it is rather tempting to try the various narcotics in this hellscape for the time being... ] But I hear that our respective factions will reward us for our hard work. There's no telling how our higher-ups are generous in giving them away, however, so we'll have to keep at it.

[ he knows his powers aren't completely gone for he has yet to break a promise, let alone break one. it's all speculation for now, but it's something that he's holding on to.

now, as for nia's curious question: ]

I do all sorts. I'm a wizard of the West, if that piques your interest any. But just because I cannot do actual magic for the time being doesn't mean my talent for bartending has been hampered -- in fact, thanks to the supernatural ingredients of this bar, you would not have known that the drink I just gave you will make you tell nothing but the truth for an hour.

[ it's his turn to smile all catlike. he's mostly kidding of course, but. ]

Do you feel it?

Edited 2022-02-25 05:34 (UTC)

I guess I don't mind putting in some work if it means I can get my power back. The real question is, what kind of work are they going to have us do? Something tells me it's not going to be as simple as... this.

( waiting, or tending to the bar — it seems a little too easy if the rewards are that tempting. too many people would jump at the first opportunity to regain their proper strength. it makes her nervous — the thought of having to do something potentially much worse... she's not entirely unfamiliar with dirty work, having been a part of a criminal organization before, but that doesn't mean she's particularly fond of it, either.

in the end, she just wrinkles her nose, lost in thought. that is, until shylock speaks again, and — )

... huh?! ( letting go off the glass, she brings both of her hands up to her mouth, flustered. ) You... you put an enchantment on me?! ( she doesn't feel it, not really, but thanks to the placebo effect, she might start imagining it soon.

her ears fall flat against her head, eyes narrowing. ) I'm not answering any questions, so don't bother asking! You're pretty damn sly, aren't you?!

[ shylock's pretty sure it's not going to be easy getting their powers back, but eh. he's a westerner, and he loves troublesome things. he'll just take his time and work hard till then. ]

Fufu.

[ that's all she gets though: a giggle. how adorable, shylock thinks. he's no faust, but he's starting to see the appeal of catpeople now... not that he's not into it since the catboyfication of murr is a thing he did, but shhh. ]

Let's start with something simple and not at all incriminating. As fellow coworkers, it'd be fair if we exchange names, no?

( mean... her ears droop, and she shoots him a combative look, reluctantly lowering her hands from her mouth. )

If you wanted to exchange names, we could've done it normally, you know... ( huff.

but, well, all of this truth serum mess aside, she agrees; she has no idea what to call him, after all. ) I'm Nia.

[ she's talking to a western wizard, what did she expect. he lights up, in any case. ]

Good girl. My name is Shylock Bennett. Now, it is my turn to be curious, and please don't take this the wrong way -- but I was wondering if the ears on the top of your head are real or not. Not that the patrons here mind the wrong assignment.

[ cat ears and bunny ears are always chef's kiss-worthy, especially in bars like these. ]

( stop calling her a good girl or she'll start liking it )

Shylock... ( she hums, as if weighing his name on her tongue. never heard a name like this before, but... she guesses a different world means different naming customs, too.

at his next question, she scoffs, as if offended, ears twitching. )

Of course they're real! Nothing like these fake props people around here wear. ( hmph. ) Wanna touch them and see?

[ that's the intent, shhh. nia is such a fitting name for a girl with cat ears, by the way.

speaking of, shylock blinks for a moment as if surprised. ]

Would you really? Don't mind if I do.

[ and he reaches a hand out to gingerly touch one of the ears, smiling gently when they flicker in response. it does feel real, wow. not that shylock wouldn't be able to pull this off without magic himself, but. ]

Well, I stand corrected. They do feel genuine.

[ don't mind if he gives her a couple pats on the head for being real. good girl, good girl. ]

( ISN'T IT... nia... nya )

I don't normally let people do this, just so you know! ( so be grateful and feel special etc etc. she genuinely doesn't — but that's mostly because gormotti ears aren't that rare back in her world, so people don't really ask in the first place.

so, it's been a while since anyone touched them, or pet her head. a decade, at least. her old Driver used to, but — )

H... hey, I didn't say anything about petting... ! ( she huffs, but doesn't seem particularly upset by it, either. his touch is gentle; her ear flicks when he brushes his fingers over it, a pleasant warmth spreading in her chest as his hand rests atop her head.

she's always been tactile — though in front of strangers, it's pretty embarrassing... )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

February 2022 Test Drive

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