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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[ he looks surprised at the comment and then looks defensive for he sake, it seems? it's the only way to explain the sharp look he sends out to the room.

(conveniently, sending some who were getting a bit too close for comfort skittering away. some potential headaches away, at least. ) ]

I'll be here as long as you need, miss. Let me know if you need anything else? [ he smiles, trying to be peppy now, his winglets flicking just a bit to convey his good cheer. ] No way you'll get bothered now! I thought it'd be a pain to be the biggest person in the room when I got here but looks like it has its uses.

Goodness, but I couldn't impose too much. No, your question is the one I should be asking you - surely, there must be something I can do in return for such a favor, even if it's only conversation.

[something for something, or the bird in her head would never shut up about it. kindness repaid with kindness of its own.]

A conversation while we wait is totally enough for me! [ day is easy to please, easier to settle with. he just seems happy to be speaking with someone who is okay with talking to him and isn't looking at him like he's grown three helms or something.

he holds out a servo of his for her to take into a handshake, if she feels up for it, giving a bright and cheery grin. ]

Well- First thing, I'm Daylight! Daylight vis Lornlit. You can call me 'Day' if you want! I know that's easier, haha. [ his winglets flick up as he speaks, the movements cheery and bouncy. ] It's nice to meet you, miss!

The pleasure's all mine, Mr. Lornlit.

[she'll accept the handshake, politely returning it with her own. she can't quite wipe all the tiredness off her face, but it can be brought back to acceptable levels, rendered into a calm that's always served her well.]

I'm Emily Dyer - and I do hope your wait's been a sight shorter than my own.

It's an honor to meet you as well, Ms. Dyer!

[ at her comment, day has to genuinely pause and consider how long he's been there. between trying to keep himself from bouncing off of walls and keeping his number on him at all times, he never considered the eta. ] ... I'm honestly glad for the long wait, now that I think about it.

Gives me enough time to try and figure out how all of this administrative stuff will work out. [ he smiles and laughs sheepishly, having to confess something to ms. dyer: ] I had a friend who dealt with this sort of stuff so, er, I regret not getting the gist of these sort of things sooner.

Could be worse! Could be doing those 'tell us five things about yourself' stuff since that never fails to be awkward.

Oh, heavens no. Please don't give them too many ideas. Bureaucracy is difficult enough to bear on the best day - throwing odd social icebreakers into the mix sounds akin to a very bad sort of party.

[she can envision it. a terrible theme chosen by an overenthusiastic party host, the awkward silences, the excuses made after a half hour. those who might just take refreshments and run. it's enough to make her chuckle some, only to get glared at by a youkai who seemed half asleep. touchy.]

[ in response to the youkai glaring at them for just having a friendly conversation, daylight blusters a bit and makes himself a bit bigger than he really is, putting his winglets to use as they jerk up and down, the motions matching the (what he hopes) sharp glare.

yeah! that's right, youkai! look away and don't try to start something.

it doesn't last for long after the youkai backs off, though, since the mental image of him and ms. dyer being in a half-huddled circle of other awkward individuals makes him grin and go pffft! ] Oh man- Let's hope they don't have that in store if they ever plan to, like, have us meet new coworkers or something once we settle here. I had enough of that back on the ship I worked on.

... I am hoping they do have an icebreaker or 'How To for Dummies' about this place. [ he looks thoughtful, humming under his breath while he thinks about that. ] It's been a while since I've been around humans or humanoids and, um, I might need some pointers on how to not freak others out. [ it's big, big relief that ms. dyer doesn't seem to mind his, er, everything. he finds himself getting looks from youkai and that says something. ]

I think if you keep on just the way you are, if there's any problems, then they lie in the other and not yourself - there's bound to be enough strange sights to see. To panic over them all, particularly in the case of one that only extends a hand of acquaintance...

[she shrugs a little.]

Though I may be biased, given what my life has brought me so far.

Oh? Is that so?

[ day can't help but tilt his helm in a clear display of curiosity and interest, intrigued by her last comment. ] Would it be, um, too pushy to ask where you were before you came here, Ms. Dyer?

If you're cool with that, I mean! [ he's quick to raise his servos, waving them back and forth for emphasis. ] If not then I totally understand

I don't mind, but as they say, Mr. Lornlit, fair is fair. I'll tell you about where I lived if you tell me about yours - does that seem like a good trade?

[it'll also kill more time than just sitting listening to her discuss Hakagemachi. she's resolved months ago to not bring up the place before that unless circumstances called for it - why unsettle a stranger with woes?]

[ doesn't take him too longer to consider his answer:

day nods in agreement, happy with the conditions since he genuinely doesn't think he has anything to hide. ] Yeah! I don't mind at all, Ms. Dyer. I can start if you want? You can, like, interrupt me anytime if I chatter too much or something. My friends say I have a habit of rambling when I'm nervous or when I get too excited meeting new faces and stuff.

Then it's fortunate for you that I very much enjoy listening. Please, don't mistake your enthusiasm for a ramble.

[given that number on her ticket, she'd be here for a while anyway - what was the harm in learning another to fill that time? who knows, it might even calm down the fit-throwing bird in her skull.]

[ his winglets wriggle in joy and he begins to happily chatter away, clearly more comfortable and at ease now that he has assurance that his talkativeness isn't an issue. even his friends could get a little tired of him chattering away so this is nice!

day is more than happy to talk about his life back on the lornful light, though he does his best to make sure he doesn't reveal sensitive information. he primarily focuses on his friends - nightbreak, dialup and emergency aid - and the adventurers and mishaps they've had along the way. a lot of close calls and last-minute decisions had to be made at an alarming rate but with the twinkle in his optic and the joy in his vocoder, it's clear day is happy with what he's experienced so far. ]

... and the last thing I remember is heading to the Imortal-8 Centers with my friends... We finally got permission and payment to get Dialup admitted but we had some documents to sign or something. [ he sighs and his cheeriness fades a bit when he remembers the circumstances before his arrival here. ] I hope it worked out even if I'm not there. The only reason we got that interview in the first place is because, apparently, the clerk was a friend of a Tharen my dad saved in the past.

[through it all, Emily stays the picture of an interested listener. nodding at the right points, gasping at others, staying focused to the tale he tells. and really, it's a lot to take in - even the spirit in her head quiets to listen better. both of them concentrated, recording a story that truly seems so fantastic to Emily in its complexity, in things that she'd never even dream of being possible. when the closest you come is a passing cyborg of a man, such things sound grand and fanciful - yet not for a moment does she doubt. the worlds are stranger and stranger places. to doubt means that the man beside her does not exist, and he surely does, so truth it must be.

clearly, she's been listening to Hibiki too much, for that philosophical line of thought. the daitengu wisely says nothing in reply, only releases the talon grip on her heart for the first time today since the both of them remembered to breathe.]

For your and her sake, I hope that it did as well, and that time remains as inconstant as it can be. Maybe when this entire hell affair is settled, they'll see fit to place you exactly where you were, and you'll have new tales to tell while she mends.

[within reason, she thinks. if there's payment. she doesn't trust the structure of this place with the slightest bit of generosity, but resolute exchange? that can be worked with. but that's cynical talk she'll keep from the surface. Mr. Lornlit needs hope, right now.]

[ day beams, looking grateful that someone is so willing to listen to his long stories and occasional ramble when he gets too excited by a tidbit or fact he learned along the way of said story. not only that but- the words are really encouraging here. much as he tries to joke about this being another adventure that doesn't involve dancing at least, day is nervous of being the only mechanoid so far. not a lot of fun when you stick out like a sore thumb.

so he counts himself very lucky that he met someone as nice as ms. dyer so soon and he promises himself to try and pay her back in the future. it's only fair...! ] Yeah! I think Dialup will like all the new stories I could share with her. [ he quickly corrects himself: ] I mean- I know Dialup will like all the stories I will share with her. Out of the three best friends I have, she's always been open to hearing me talk the whole shift away or something. It's... nice.

Oh wow- [ and this is when he notices the number counter is getting closer to them now and he suddenly finds himself relieved, the restlessness he didn't notice up until this point now easing up. just a bit. ] I talked so much, huh? I hope it was entertaining to hear at least, Ms. Dyer! Bet you have some interesting things from your end too, huh?

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February 2022 Test Drive

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