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

[ all work and no play isn't good for anyone, but ryouma isn't known for his common sense. he also needs something to focus on and keep him moving or else it's too easy to get bogged down in everything that feels wrong about all of this. foolishly, he thought he might feel better by now. not because he misses oryou any less but the ache of it, the part that hurts in a way he can't find the right words to describe, he thought that might start to heal.

that's what he prefers not to think about right now, which is why he's here. someone apparently liked what he'd been wearing, but had pinned some fancy looking medals to his chest and added some sashes and things and made him trade his hat out for a crown so he looks something like a prince in military regalia. it could be worse?

costuming aside, ryouma's good at this sort of thing and doesn't have a problem talking to people. it's actually a better cover than he could've come up with on his own. so far he hasn't found out anything particularly useful, but he's getting to learn more about the locals, so there's that.

he's not far away when things start to turn, the small commotion distracting him from whoever he's talking to. the customer sounds offended by his disinterest but he's already gone before they can protest further, shouldering his way through the little crowd that naturally has formed to gawk at what's happening. a few people clear out of the way on their own. ~~maybe that fake crown is good for something after all.~~ ]

Hey, there! [ he smiles and waves like none of this is a problem. ] There's plenty for everyone, right?

[ it's not just a question for gene, apparently, as he tilts his head at a waiter who snaps out of it a moment later to agree before seizing the opportunity to remind everyone about the specials going on right now. that takes care of much of the onlookers, as more fun and drinking is a lot more interesting than some weird kid. ryouma stays put though because he knows this probably isn't something that's going to sort itself. ]

That drink's all yours if you want it. Pretty sure the law about drinking around here is "do it at your own risk", so you've got nothing to worry about aside from how you're gonna feel in the morning. Why not take a break? Come and get a little fresh air, hm?

[ he hasn't had a ton of luck using his most winning smile on the locals, but maybe it'll work this time. ]

[Gene let out a threatening hiss when Ryouma stepped through the crowd, clutching his prize to his chest possessively. Another person was here to stop him. Why couldn't they just leave him alone with his drinks? He needed it more than them! Baring his fangs at the one yokai that held him by his shirt, he hissed again, preparing to fight for it.

But when the stranger calmed the group and distracted them, he curled up tighter around the bottle. Was he going to take it away? The yokai who had been threatening him had let go, appeased by the offer of more drinks. But still, Gene refused to let go, staring suspiciously at Ryouma.

Still, with Ryouma's words and his smile, Gene slowly relaxed, sheathing his fangs and slowly lessening his desperate hold on the bottle. At first, he continued to simply stare at him but after a moment, he sniffed and took a drink of his bottle desperately before asking in a small voice.]

...Are you going to take my drinks away? I-I know that I'm not supposed to be drinking anymore but...

[Having drunk a lot of booze already, he was feeling confused, wrongly assuming that Ryouma would know what he had promised to Dr. Dyer. The guilt of betraying the good doctor made his eyes glisten with tears but he continued to hold onto the drink.]

I-I know it's not good for me but...

[The tears soon fell down his cheeks as his composure broke.]

...She's gone. Akari...SHE'S GONE!

[Letting out a small wail, he quickly took a drink before it got too loud, small gasps of distress escaping whenever he needed to breath.]

[ ryouma has no idea what gene is talking about but he does have plenty of experience with rowdy people. and drunks. and people who might be somewhere in between? his patience is good for that. ]

Nope! Like I said, it's all yours. Where I come from, I learned a long time ago not to get between a man and his drink, so enjoy it on me, alright?

[ he chuckles a little good-naturedly, at least trying to show that he's not a threat. he just wants to help, really! he isn't exactly sure how old gene is but, by ryouma's standards where everyone drank plenty as a teenager, he looks old enough. people usually need a little coaxing though — or maybe he's just used to dealing with difficult people — because he doesn't quite expect it when the tears start and thinks he's maybe done the wrong thing. ]

Ah! I'm sorry! I—...

[ oh. well, that he understands. he's tried to avoid even thinking about it as much as possible, only for a total stranger to lay a similar problem right in front of him where he can't ignore it. ]

Did you lose someone too? Is Akari your friend?

[Gene sniffed miserably as he chugged the drink before nodding at Ryouma.]

Yes, she was. She didn't like me at first but we grew on each other. She was my yokai, resting inside me and giving me power. Giving me life. And now...

[He choked back a sob and took another drink before continuing.]

I can't feel her. She used to be a constant presence in my head and soul! I could hear her hisses in my head when she was upset, her scales rubbing against my essence when I needed comfort. I-I could take comfort that even if I lost everything else, she would never leave me. But now...

[Gene closed his eyes in pain and then opened them again to look at Ryouma.]

I-I'm sorry I hissed at you. A-And I'm sorry about your loss. I wish it got easier with time.

[ ryouma listens without interrupting, even after he has to look away because he's sure the expression on his face wouldn't do anyone any favours. he reaches up to find only the silly crown he'd gotten talked into wearing and sorely misses his hat right now. ]

Don't worry about it. I understand how you feel very well, actually. Oryou said the first time we met she was all ready to eat me as soon as she had the chance.

[ there's a fondness in his voice as he says it and it's clear this disturbs him not at all. ]

But then she's been with me ever since. She's a part of me now, so being alone here has been—...

[ ryouma isn't sure what to say. that's one of those feelings he can't exactly describe, but maybe he's already understood. he refuses to believe oryou isn't still with him, somehow, even if they're very far away from each other. there isn't much in the way of hope in a place like this, so what else can he do but believe when it's all over they'll find each other again? ]

... well, it's not the same.

[ understatement of the year. ]

[Gene nodded in understanding, miserably taking another chug from the bottle as he listened to Ryouma talk. He was frankly quite surprised and grateful that someone understood. Even in Hakagemachi, his view on their possessions was a rare one. Most people had bad or strained relationships with their yokai, so hearing Ryouma talk so fondly about Oryou was refreshing. It made him feel less alone.]

I didn't know Akari that long, less than two years. But it felt like she had been with me forever. She made everything easier to deal with. And now...She's gone.

[Sniffing, he looked back at his drink and then back at Ryouma. He thought for a moment before talking again.]

...Do you want a drink? I'm willing to share it with you if you want? It's nice to talk to someone who gets it.

[He looked for a cup or bottle that he could give to Ryouma drunkenly.

That's a good point. Not really going anywhere for a while anyway.

[ if there was ever a time, it would be right now. it's not like one drink is wildly irresponsible either, especially for a servant, and tonight in the midst of unexpected commiserating — ryouma waves a fox-eared waitress over and politely orders some sake. he meant what he'd said about not depriving gene of what he has. ryouma leans on the bar and tries not to focus on the strange not-quite-pain that always feels worse when he thinks about her. ]

I don't think time matters much at all. Oryou and I weren't together long at first...

[ trailing off — and thanking the waitress when his drink arrives — he realises how odd that potentially sounded. ]

It's a long story and most of it isn't very interesting — [ which is a lie, but he doesn't take credit even for the things he's accomplished. ] — but I'm lucky she was able to come with me after that too.

[ ryouma fills up his cup and takes a sip. ]

How'd you meet, if you don't mind my asking?

[ sometimes beginnings are a lot harder to talk about after a loss, so he gets it if it's not a topic gene wants to discuss. ]

[Gene listened to Ryouma talk eagerly, only taking sips when the pain was too much. Even with the little amount Ryouma gave him, he felt calmer listened into someone who truly understood. So when the man asked him about their past, he didn't refuse, even with how painful the thought was.]

...Well, technically we met in the void. She and some other spirits were watching us and soon possessed us against our will. Most people fought it but I was just happy to be free from that darkness.

[He paused at the mention of the void. The darkness suffocating him as he waited for someone to need him for something. Anything to temporarily escape his fate. The light that would lead him to paradise...Unable to reach it.

Shivering heavily at the thought of the abyss he used to reside in, he took a deep breath before continuing, hugging the bottle to him.]

She was so annoyed at my cheerfulness and maybe even because of some of my experience. She couldn't easily control me, unlike some people. ...This mask was her proof of her existence.

[He dug out a mask depicting a white snake baring its fangs with small black snakes on the side. He hesitated before offering the mask for Ryouma to hold. After all, it was just a mask now. It no longer held any power in it.]

Everyone possessed had one. This one is mine. Together we made quite a team as we dealt with other yokai and other supernatural enemies in a small, rundown town.

[He smiled nostalgically as he remembered all the things they went through. The zombies, the farm spirit, the kitsune boy...]

...I wouldn't be here without her.

... Mask?

[ ryouma sets his cup down and straightens up a little more when that word jumps out at him. ]

You were in Hakagemachi?

[ he says the word with all the uncertainty of having to recall something he'd only heard once before. izō had been yelling at a mask that time and the similarities are just too specific to be coincidental... ]

I ran into someone here that I've known for a long time, but he's not the same person as he used to be. That's where he was before, I think..? I admit I don't understand much. [ but knowing there are people here who understand izō's experience is a relief. ] She probably helped you get here too, that's true. Maybe she thought you'd have a better life here. Besides, I've heard rumours that it might be possible to find some of what's been lost, so maybe you only have to be apart for a little while?

[ ryouma tops off his cup of sake again and takes another sip. it's difficult advice to give because he still has no idea if this entire realm is intended to make everyone like them suffer or if it's just supposed to be challenging. it's hard to wish someone were with you if you don't know what you're wishing them into. ]

In any case, you have to take care of yourself. I'm sure your precious friend wouldn't want to see you suffering.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

February 2022 Test Drive

raise your glass

HELLO!

HELLO FRIEND

no subject

no subject

Sorry I'm late Min! Getting caught up in three games is a lot of work! ^^;

no worries!

I'm back! Sorry I'm late!

no worries! welcome back!