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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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ ryouma can't say he's been in too many establishments like this. which is probably how he ends up in this one now, having been coaxed away from one place to another with the promise of the same service. he knew this one looked different on the outside, but maybe things are all a little different around here?

the food's good and the room is quiet and the sake isn't half bad, so for all intents and purposes ryouma has no complaints about the experience because that's exactly everything he's expecting. when a stranger in a lovely kimono gets shoved in the room a short while later, this is the surprise. ]

Oh—... [ it's fine. inhaled a little of what he was drinking. ] Ah, of course. Is this your room? I must have gotten things mixed up, otherwise, I wouldn't just be sitting here drinking your sake...

[ it's strange to find himself in this type of situation, if only because he's the furthest thing from being any good at entertaining guests, which is what they told him to do. that's why, he figured just asking whoever is in the room to forget this ever happened would make it much easier — except now he isn't so sure. ]

No, I... They asked me to entertain the guest here, so I...

[ his ears pin themselves against downy hair as he tries to explain. maybe it's not so difficult to fill in the blanks, or so he hopes. ]

I'm no good at this.

Oh. Oh.

[ did he—... did he think..? and this is why you don't let little ladies with fox ears talk you into changing your mind. it's not even like he's interested, just has a particular weakness for helping out business-minded motherly types with his patronage. ryouma wishes tipping his hat over his face actually let him hide for real.

well, as things usually go — he's just going to roll with it. ]

You're here now, so you might as well sit and have a drink. Er—... not as a job, just as a friendly conversation. I'm guessing this isn't the job you were expecting anyway.

[ six can't help but think about what kind of establishment is this if even the patrons are just as confused. but he can't really voice it out loud. he wonders if it'll be okay to remain here after he's explained this man won't be getting his money's worth, but...

at least it seems like he isn't the only one embarrassed. ]

I suppose. [ he might as well roll with it, too. it might be more awkward to refuse again. ] I've... never had this kind before though.

[ this must be the sake he's been hearing about? who knows. either way, he meanders over and settles on the other side of the table since he wouldn't want to sit too close. he can only hope the other man won't take offense. ]

Even more reason to try it then.

[ ryouma smiles and sets out another cup. he's an experienced hand at pouring and just fine with six sitting wherever's comfortable. ]

This isn't as odd as you'd think, you know? Have you ever heard of geisha? They're artists all trained in traditional song and dance and all very charming, but I enjoy the conversation too.

[ in those times when you don't feel like drinking alone, you can always pay for company. ]

[ quietly, six reaches for the offered cup and thinks about the question asked. ]

No, I don't believe I've ever heard of them. It's possible they exist where I'm from but this isn't... exactly the sort of establishment I frequent.

[ he isn't really the type to frequent anything that requires socializing at all, but. ]

Are people really so eager to pay for someone's company?

February 2022 Test Drive

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