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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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[while her attentions had been focused on the other in the fight, who had pulled away and was now definitely nursing an eye socket fracture, her head lifts at the familiar voice. it couldn't be, but she knows that face, that figure. quickly, she finishes her work, and before he can run away, there is someone who's pressing what feels like gauze in his hand so he can wipe his face.]

Izo.

[not a question, because she doesn't doubt what's right in front of her. just amazement, that their paths drew together like this so abruptly. she'd already begun to miss him.]

[ He feels the gauze and raises it to wipe his face, but stops immediately when he hears her voice. All he can do is look in her general direction, mouth agape.

Say something, stupid. ]

Emily?!

[ Why is everyone here? They said they wouldn't abandon him and, well, that seems to be ringing true, even in this place.

He has the sense to wipe his face after a moment, pressing the gauze into the cut once he can see again. ]

...Why?

[ He shouldn't question it. ]

Your guess is as good as mine could be. But...

[if he's not going to wipe his face, she'll do it for him, so he can see clearly again, and then hold it up on the head wound.]

I'm glad for it, no matter the reason.

[if their souls got tossed and wayward blown in the collapse of that city, if they ended up in Hell for the destruction, because it was closer, then at least they ended up in the same place, right? she can't be upset about that, nor upset about solid ground beneath her feet. hell can't be truly hell unless he disappears from her gaze right now.]

[ His cheeks tinge pink as he tries to hide behind his scarf. It's silly to act like this around Emily, but it's not like he can help it. Being open with his feelings is still so hard. ]

...Guess it ain't so bad. [ Familiar is nice right now. ] 'Course I'd find ya takin' care of idiots that got themselves hurt.

You know me, I can never bear to simply walk by.

[and isn't it for the best this time? for if she had, they would have only been ships passing.

carefully, she lifts the gauze to look at the wound. not bad, just in an awkward spot. the excessive bleeding seems to have stopped for now.]

And regardless of injuries, I think I can tell you came off best in this one, if the mutterings from the other were any indication.

[ It's better that they met now, otherwise who knows how long it could've been before they ran into each other?

Izō grins, placated by the faint praise. ]

Yeah...He ain't gonna fuck with me again. This was just a lucky hit, 's all.

[ A solid one. It's fine. ]

...Ain't seen anyone else, have ya?

...Not yet, but I'm keeping my eyes and ears open. If I'm here, and you're here, then that opens some possibility, doesn't it?

[she can think of a few faces she'd be glad to see again, hell or no hell.]

Is there anyone you want me to look out for, to send them your way if you haven't found them first?

[...well. there's an obvious answer, she knows, but none of them had really spoken about that before the city fell apart.]

...Majima. I know yer gonna be lookin' for him, too, ain't ya?

[ He shouldn't be hopeful because the odds of him showing up are low. Izō sighs. ]

I saw Six back in that fuckin' line assignin' us all here. Lost 'im after we got outta there, but he's here.

[she nods to the first statement - of course she'd be looking. even if the odds are stacked against them, she'll always look and search, just because there's a chance out there. and to the second, her eyes widen in surprise, before there's something hopeful in her expression.]

That's wonderful news, really. If you see him again, and I haven't found him, I wouldn't mind saying hello and making sure he hasn't gotten himself into trouble.

[since, you know. that's just what happens to all of the misfit men she seems to bring into her life. they all cause problems.]

We'd all be dead without ya.

[ Izō definitely would have, given how poorly he used to take care of himself before she made him do it.

He frowns for a moment. ]

...D'ya still got Hibiki rattlin' 'round in there?

[in answer, Emily nods, briefly closing her eyes, before another voice leaves her throat. it's one Izo will know - older, smokier, and definitely at least very annoyed today instead of the usual distance they hold from others. rolling wind, instead of far off bells.]

Okada. As far as familiar faces go, yours could be far worse to see. But I've hardly left - a foolish question, that.

Oh shut up, it's not like he knows anything.

[ A certain asshole bird is still here, much to Izō's displeasure. He scowls and crosses his arms over his chest. ]

...Guess we ain't free'a them, either.

[there's something like an annoyed sound that definitely sounds more bird than person, before Emily coughs and it's her own voice again.]

Pardon them for now. They've been throwing a fit ever since I came to in that line - enough to give me a headache.

[even former sages weren't immune to their own temper, it seemed.]

I'd be more surprised if they were gone. That would be too kind for Hell.

Karasu ain't fuckin' pleased 'bout any'a this, either. Won't shut up or settle down...Pissin' me off. 'S why I was out there fightin'.

[ That and he needed money. Look, he's making excuses. Her second point is right and it makes Izō go quiet. ]

...Yeah. Wishful fuckin' thinkin' on my part...Dunno why ya ended up in Hell, either. Ain't fuckin' fair, any of it.

[at that, her eyes lower, and she glances away.]

...It needn't be fair.

[but, because she knows Izo, and inevitably, something would come up...]

Trust me when I say I have a thought, though not one I wholly wish to explore out here.

[since you know. fighting's probably already starting up again.]

[ Discretion is, surprisingly, something he understands well, at least in this context. Izō simply nods. ]

Ain't gotta say nothin' ya don't wanna. Never know who's fuckin' listenin' out here, anyway.

[ The walls have ears, both literally and figuratively. Youkai are weird. ]

...I should prolly let ya get back t' work, huh?

[ Her duties are more important than he is in his mind. ]

It's not work. I was merely helping a few people out because I could.

[because later, she'll call on their names, and she'll be owed a favor from them. if nothing else, promises are good currency when you have none. there's an element of altruism in how she really doesn't want to see people badly cared for, but the flip side of it is her planning for the future. call it practicality.]

I'm in no rush to part from you, if you'll have my company for longer.

[to go away so soon, when it had already been such chance that they met? no. not just yet - she doesn't mind showing that. she can plan for the future at more points than this.]

[ That's why they work so well together: Izō has no concept of practicality. He still doesn't think he has anything resembling a future, so why bother planning ahead? Money gets spent as soon as it's in his hand and favors are called in the moment he's minorly inconvenienced.

Izō perks up with a little grin and pats her arm. ]

Then I ain't goin' nowhere.

Thank you.

[the smile that breaks out on her features is sincere, true happiness for it.]

Would you terribly mind giving me an escort out of here? I'd not like to get caught in the line of fire today.

[ He stands up and offers his arm to Emily. ]

Not at all. Ain't no one gonna touch ya so long as I'm here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

February 2022 Test Drive

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