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

( if they end up in the same faction they should just live together, it'll be the start of a cat colony-- even if they aren't he likes her enough off the bat to go harass and slum at her place, true cat affection hours )

Then let's find a nice and easy way to climb up and get a good view of the city.

( nice and easy because he is but a bébé,

the alley they exit into is ... it sure is a back-alley. ritsu makes a face at the trash and a few unidentifiable fluids, stepping carefully around them. ugh, yeah, the roof is gonna be so... so much better. )

Watch your step, Nia.

( honestly she has no plans of living at her own place because cats will be cats so look... they should absolutely slum together somewhere. need someone to replace her tiger as her pillow... )

Mmkay! There should be a staircase somewhere, right? ( it's not as if she can climb up walls or something... or, well, not as she is right now.

maybe fully powered, she'd be agile and strong enough to, but that aside — )

Oh — ( ew. whatever is on the ground, she steps around it carefully, unwilling to get her heels dirty. not until she finds the place she's supposed to be doing laundry at... not... that she knows how to operate a modern washing machine... ) It's so dirty everywhere! Gross.

( big brain cain... grips your paws enthusiastically. )

This is Tamamo Clan territory--didja expect any different? ( bold words and big talk for someone not in their clan. but like... ) Mmm, I mean, they seem kind like the brothel-type of group, so they've gotta "do business" anywhere, if you get my drift.

( the shit i have to type. )

I dunno much about the territory stuff yet. ( she wrinkles her nose, disgusted with the smell.

slowly, she's learning all about the hierarchies and other, largely insignificant things, but — she's never been particularly interested in that sort of administrative stuff. it's not something she's ever had to pay attention to. )

... huh? Like out on the street?! ( her ears flatten against her head. ) Gross!!

( he loves her ears they're the best. her reaction in general makes him laugh, because yeah, gross. but kind of fun. no hassle, no having to pay for a room...

he will wisely not mention any of that and instead they can have (spins a wheel) a dumpster that looks like it might hold their weight, maybe, if you squint. ritsu stares at it, then points. )

Ladies first.

( no hassle, he says, but this seems like a hassle to her? having to find a spot outside of prying eyes, to begin with — in a place this crowded, that's enough of a challenge as is!!

... anyway, logistics of that aside, she looks at the dumpster and makes a face. )

Ew... I don't wanna climb on that... it smells really bad. ( but... she doesn't wanna seem like some weak lady who can't handle trash, either!! so with a displeased expression, holding her breath, she climbs up onto the dumpster.

don't look up at her while she does, ok!! )

... do you need help? ( getting up here, she means. )

( he's not looking at her he's looking to the side of her, judging the distance between the dumpster and the roof, it's very different... she has nice legs... they should be able to get up without that much hassle. )

...Hm? Ahh, no, I'll be okay for this part.

( ritsu'll be up after her with a bit of effort, bleh-ing at the smell like he's a little kid— looks at her... judging... if she's not too heavy he guesses he can help, so he holds out his arms. )

Up and at 'em. Pull me up after, alright?

( pull him up... it should be possible, she guesses. she'll need to find some leverage, given that she's at the level of an average human (or less, given her stature) right now, but...

they can cross that bridge when they get to it. )

Don't drop me. ( she huffs, and stands between his held out arms, waiting for him to pick her up so she can... grab onto the roof and crawl on. )

Wouldn't dream of it, princess.

( and he'll pick her up... grumbling a little, but he's piggy-backed mao before with no trouble so whatever. it's okay. he can handle it, even if she's heavy. up we go— )

Got it?

( if he grumbled any more, she'd hit him over the head and risk falling in the garbage, so listen... he's better off holding back.

but she figures it's just... a normal amount of strain... he does look like a noodle, so she doesn't expect much. instead, she grabs onto the edge of the roof and pulls herself up with a bit of gasping herself, finally settled on the roof. )

Yup! C'mon! ( and she reaches down, to try pulling him up, second hand grabbing onto the roof again, for leverage. )

( what a good girl!! he'll grab her hand and help himself up too, scrambling against the wall for a second before... up... good, managed. he looks a little harried, but it's okay.

...

the roof is empty, and it's not a bad viewpoint. ritsu slowly blinks as he looks around, stretching a bit. he also has not let go of her hand yet, )

Think we can travel by rooftop here?

( it's not the highest place around, but it's nice. quieter, and the harsh scent of the streets mixed with tons of perfume and sewage doesn't quite reach this high. she already prefers it to slumming downstairs — and she doesn't let go of his hand, either, enjoying the warmth.

she gets cold easily, ok. )

Hmm... probably. The houses don't seem too high. ( she glances around, peering at the next building over. only a little taller... they could probably climb up higher. )

I wonder how high up we can get... A bird eye's view of the city'd be nice.

( ...and useful. off they go then!! upwards and onwards. will they reach a too-high point first or get tired first, make a bet. )

...Wonder if it's easy to tell who controls what. Y'can't really tell from the ground unless you make some conversation. You notice that?

( a bird's eye view... yeah, that'd be nice. she's having trouble memorizing the city's layout, so a view from high-up would probably help, and considerably so. )

Like, the factions? ( she glances around, looking for another point to climb. there's a fire escape, so... she heads towards that.

they can probably climb high enough to at least get a good look around the area. ) Yeah, I'm still kinda processing all that stuff. Doubt it'll be that easy to tell 'em apart, but if it is... better for us. Don't wanna be caught red-handed in the enemy territory, huh?

It might be fine if you don't start trouble, but I bet there's people who'll get all up'n arms, too.

( just like the real world... though, that said. in agreement with her take— )

If new people're comin' every day or whatever, they probably aren't gonna know what faction we're part of off-hand. Best thing we can do is not make a name for ourselves if we wanna snoop around.

( up the fire escape they go... ritsu will lead, like a ✨real knight✨, just making sure it's not gonna break under them or anything. she's kind of small, so he guesses if it does, he'll just catch her or something...? maybe? it'll be fine. probably.

he'll just ignore the creaks. )

...Not that I'm really plannin' on doin' that anyway... S'kind of a hassle to get recognized.

( it's nice seeing how happy fans are, though. )

February 2022 Test Drive

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