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

[ One more time, one more time... He wishes to have one more chance to save everyone, but it seems like he is offering his wishes literally to a piece of paper.

His head lifts as he hears the commotion going on.

The wrong plane, hm?

Artemy won't deny that is a new complaint that he hasn't heard among the people gathered in the waiting room. His fingers curl around his own ticket. He, too, thought the afterlife would be different for him; this isn't anything that he knew or believed. Though, it does not look like they are willing to listen. Should I leave it be?

He is up on his feet before he knows it; his hand is outreached and set on the young man's shoulder. ]

That's enough, urmaan. [ Though, to use the word "spirit" doesn't quite work when the shoulder underneath his palm is solid and warm as any living person. ] This may be wrong, but argue more, and you may find yourself somewhere worse.

[ He bristles at the touch, though it's as much out of surprise as it is indignation. He doesn't recognise the word, either - none of the languages he's bothered to learn over the years - so they've most certainly sent him to the wrong place. ]

I would prefer somewhere worse if it was somewhere I knew. [ By his tone, he seems more irritable than concerned over his predicament. ] I do not care about the sentencing. Merely the place.

I don't know if I can agree with you there. To see what you knew turn so completely against you, I do not wish that against the worst of people.

[ His tone starts to fill itself with pity; dripping in like a leak in the roof. He can understand wanting to see the familiar, but even as a snide comment, he cannot agree with what is said. ]

You've joined us all in the same sentencing, and join me in being unconcerned with what has been decided. [ Artemy makes a gesture for the demon to follow him so that the Powers that Be do not grant the request. ] Can you let that be enough?

It is not a question of seeing things turn against me. [ As if that wasn't simply how it was to live in Menzoberranzan! That was the least of his worries. ] I simply know where I will likely be called, and it is not here.

[ But...as much as he hates to admit it, the man makes sense. It's a logical enough conclusion. And is he really arguing that he wants to be sent to Lolth's domain, because it's what he understands? Does he really hate change that much? ]

I suppose I must accept it. [ His tone is begrudging, but not entirely hostile. He shifts, glancing back at Artemy for a moment. ] And I think that if I do not, you are unlikely to leave me alone until I do.

[ Artemy remains silent. The Hell that he "believed" in also was not this place, but the troubled feelings that he has pale in comparison to that of a demon's.

A belief is one thing; if he were more spiritual, more of a believer, the sight of this Hell would be much more disturbing. But he only believed in the vaguest of sense. So, to be someone who knows, that is a completely different upset.

Which is what humanizing the demon so much to him, as funny as it is to say that even to himself. ]

You are a reasonable demon. [ A beat. ] I would've butt heads with you, and perhaps, we'd argue long enough for one of our numbers to be called. [ Which is to say, yes, he would remain until he accepted things. ]

Stubborn. [ The way he says it is somewhere between a factual statement and an insult. It is in fact a small statement of...something, that it doesn't tip straight into insult.

But moving right along to the next issue at hand: more arguing about terminology. ]

I am no more a demon than you are, rivvil. [ There are several words used to refer to a human in the drow tongue. Having become acclimatized to humans in his last century or so, he uses the less insulting one. ] You would know if I was.

As a bull, some would say.

[ And... Rivvil?

He has no claim in being upset when he, too, used his own language to speak to the ... man. They seem on good terms so will take the word not to be an insult. ]

I fear I would not. [ His tone is apologetic. ] Could it perhaps be in your legs? The legs? To prove if someone is a demon or not?

Apt enough.

[ He didn't ask questions about what Artemy called him at the start of this conversation so they will continue to be mutually unaware of each other's languages.

That gets a snort, though, like he finds the very notion of a simple tell like that ridiculous. ] Maybe for the violent ones, but they have no subtlety anyway. They would rather just tear you apart.

Demons are compelled by their impulses. They are creatures of chaos and violence. They do as they please, and they wish to use mortals in whatever way pleases them best...so they are not subtle in their conversations. We would not be having this kind of conversation if I was a demon.

[ At least, the kind of demons he's used to. ]

You also speak of men, if you didn't realize.

[ There is much more than what is being said, he knows. Demons are probably much more monstrous than humans could ever be. It feels silly to make the comparison yet the description reminds him of those he saw driven to the brink. Their speech also became less subtle and turned far more direct as desperation took their morals and senses.

And, he can't say that he was much better in those times. ]

But that is a philosophical question best suited for those much smarter than me. [ And he also is the one to ask what demons are like. So, anyway! ] Those are the demons that you know. Creatures of obsessive vice and selfish wants.

These seem not quite like you described. They talk more like clerks than demons. It's odd. [ A beat. ] Odder still that you thought that you could argue and reason with beings like the ones you described. Are you sure you know what demons are? [ Artemy can't help but joke. ]

[ He waves a hand dismissively. ]

Lesser versions of such infections could be said to lurk in any race. [ Humans, yes, but he knows from bitter experience that drow are just as bad (but only one of them has a bad reputation, though!). He has no doubt that others could do the same.

He draws himself up a little at the suggestion he doesn't know what he's talking about, even though he's been around people long enough to know it's an attempt at humor. ]

Applying pressure to a demon is a way of bargaining with it to get what you want. [ Not that he wants to summon them - once, even by proxy, was far more than enough - but he's picked up many things in his self-guided study. ] Their desires can be used against them, if you are careful.

[ His verbal and physical prickliness subsides a little. ]

But these are more orderly, true. I would think because they are only intended for a specific purpose, rather than being allowed to roam free to do as they wish.

True enough. [ He can only agree with such a statement. Though, his expression becomes bemused at the man saying that he was applying pressure. Artemy, for once, keeps his mouth shut that he feels it was more complaining than pressure, but what did he know what was going on under the surface? ]

In applying pressure, is that the same as threatening them? [ There are a few means that he can think of to corner a person. Duty, guilt, or violence; he can't say he knows many others -- and he doesn't think a demon would be moved by the first two. ]

So, it is more like tempting them, hm?

[ Hm. ]

That is why you were attempting to offer a means to let off some steam. [ It may also explain why the demons here do not seem to mind the quiet chaos going on -- the stealing and the line-cutting. It is minor things that don't completely disrupt the flow. ]

[ It really was just complaining, honestly.......but he's not going to admit that to a stranger, naturally. ]

It can be. But different things work for different demons. They come in all kinds. The Abyss is creative that way. [ He sounds a bit sour. ]

That is so. Servitude is not the natural state of any demon. It hurts their pride. [ Hence, why they curse and swear revenge against their summoners, if the bindings are tight enough. ] If pent up for long enough, they can settle for even a small taste of chaos.

Takes all kinds, doesn't it?

[ He sounds a bit bemused. His comment is more feeling the need to say something than wanting the man's comment to fall to the wayside. ]

If that is the case, who are they in servitude to? Other demons? They do that to each other? [ Artemy supposes that he shouldn't be so surprised, but he was. He thought that demons would work more like the Kin -- working as a whole rather than attempting to work against one another. ]

[ If Faerun's demons worked together instead of at cross-purposes then the world would be a much more dangerous place, in his not-so-humble opinion. ]

They dominate each other and view strength as the only true measure of superiority. Each demon wishes to topple their rivals and fears being toppled in turn. So they occupy each other. [ He sounds downright disdainful at this. ]

Demons are different in the plane you come from, or so I would assume. [ Or he doesn't know demons at all. But he feels safe to gamble on the assumption that this man may come from a different place than he entirely. ]

It seems like they really do mimic humans. Or do humans mimic demons? [ He can't help but sneer along with the man. While he doesn't expect or believe people are capable of getting along with each other, it doesn't mean that discord and cruel machinations must be the way of things. ]

There is -- [ Artemy pauses at the question. His mind settling on a person that he knew and feels a great loss for; demon though they may have been -- he stops his thoughts yet again and continues to answer the question. ] We mostly have superstitions.

I've heard of angels and demons once I left my home, but I never believed in the descriptions that were given to me. [ Hm. ] They are to live on separate planes, yes, but much like their descriptions, I never believed in it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

February 2022 Test Drive

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