jigokufever | 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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Reserves are open until March 5th.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ A fight! Oh boy, those are fun.

Much more fun to participate in, actually. ]

And why would I be interested in that?

Not even a little? Surely a skilled fighter like you would have some confidence in your opinion.

[ Is Yuri purposefully goading him on? Maybe. From what he's gleaned of the Fraldarius, Felix doesn't lack for confidence nor opinions. ]

[ He scowls. He is absolutely not going to rise to the bait. ]

I have more than enough confidence in my opinion which is that I've hardly any need to waste it on these two ruffians. [ ... ] Judging by the way the idiot on the right is standing, however, he'll be going down sooner than later.

[ This really doesn't count as wasting his time because the flaw is so obvious clearly. ]

[ There we go. For someone acting fed up with the whole thing, Felix's assessment isn't careless or off base, Yuri is amused to see. ]

Such a sour attitude. Don't they make you do this sort of thing in school?

[ You know, as part of combat training. ]

This is my normal attitude.

[ He says, in a tone that is definitely 100% sour. But then he scowls at the question, deciding to ask one of his own. ]

Do you have a problem with it?

[ Felix has been here hardly much time and here he is, trying to start a fight. ]

Not at all. You're a delight.

[ We just got here, Felix! It probably doesn't help that Yuri is stoking the fire, sarcasm noticeable in his voice.

A shout splits the air and he turns his head back to the brawl to see one of the combatants reeling from a blow, a smear of blood running down his nose. ]

This isn't the kind of place concerned with decorum, anyway. Keep your fangs bared, lion cub. You'll fit right in.

You think you're so clever, don't you?

[ He scowls at Yuri but the loud shout distracts him for a second as he casts his glance back over to the brawl as well. It looks like things are finally getting real heated. ]

Lion cub? And what kind of animal do you fancy yourself to be? Some kind of conceited, wretched lizard?

I guess rumors from the underground don't reach the surface.

[ That's an odd question to ask the Savage Mockingbird. But wow, a lizard? That's new and most unflattering. Yuri actually looks appalled to hear it. ]

Let's just say compared to you noble lordlings, I'm but a common sparrow.

[ One daring enough to chirp in the ears of a cat and fly away when swiped at. ]

[ That is Felix for you, the most friendliest...okay, no.

But this guy compares himself to a common sparrow, which does make him scoff. But first, he will question something else. ]

What do you mean, rumors about the underground?

How much do you know about the Abyss? Did your prince ever tell you?

I don't pay attention to stupid rumors and I don't make a habit out of being friendly with the boar.

Boar? That's a bit much. [ Someone's in the habit of handing out unflattering nicknames. Seems he's not the only lucky recipient, but still. Lizard... ]

Beneath the monastery you call school is an underground den known as the Abyss. It's where I live with my people. Let's start there.

Hmph. I don't believe so.

[ ... ]

And why do you all live underneath the monastery?

Most don't have another home, or were forced down there. It's where the Church puts undesirables.

[ ...What even. ]

The undesirables? And they classify that by how, exactly?

It's hardly well-defined. They cast down traitors the same way they do people they consider an inconvenience. Once the church decides they've had enough of you, it's out of sight, out of mind.

Oh really?

I would think they'd want to eliminate inconveniences but I suppose this is a way for them to keep their hands from getting dirty, hm?

[ He doesn't really know how to feel about this other than disgust. ]

[ Yuri nods. The church isn't shy with the axe, he knows that firsthand, but they also have a benevolent image to uphold. ]

The Goddess will grant us mercy but not the dignity of living in the light. So we live hidden away, under your noses. [ That's the short of it. ] Any other questions?

Your name.

[ Felix huffs, looking off to the side. ]

You seem to know mine, so I won't bother on my side. But you've yet to properly introduce yourself to me.

[ A beat, and Yuri wonders if the name he took on for Count Rowe ever reached the heart of Faerghus. He's certainly heard of Felix... though the Fraldarius is far from the dashing knight he'd have pictured. ]

Where are my manners? It's Yuri. Yuri Leclerc.

February 2022 Test Drive

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want to keep this tdm? I'll kick back my canon point

That's fine with me!

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