February 2022 Test Drive

[jigokumods]

MAIN NAVIGATION

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.

Welcome to the test drive meme!

• Threads here can be considered game canon.
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• Reserves are open until March 5th.

Comments

ciel | tsukihime (2000)

[expiera]

I. Entry
[...Again. How many times has it been, now? She feels like she should keep track for her own personal reference, but with a soul like hers, isn't it poetically fitting that it just seems to get dragged around from one place to the next at random, left to the whims of who even knows anymore to do what's expected of her and/or whatever she can?

So of course, Ciel takes it in strides as she always does. At least she's kept her glasses and arrived in civilian clothes, wearing a gray coat and black dress that goes to her ankles.]

Just because we're here doesn't necessarily mean we're dead, I think.

[Talking to herself, or commenting to the person close by waiting in line with her? Either is possible. In the spirit of "people die live (even) if they are killed in Hell, something like that?]

II. Street (???) Fight – Shuten Territory
[Good booze and good parties may go hand in hand, but good food can’t be remiss, either. While partying and drinking out in the open street isn’t a common occurrence (or at least, not for long before the Enma faction catches wind and breaks it up – for the sake of order), delicious food that anyone can eat is not subject to such scrutiny. It is so that eating contests is a “sport” one may come across while passing by Shuten clan territory: not only does the food bill stimulate the local economy, it’s also a (relatively) tame and boisterous activity that may attract members of other factions into (relatively) friendly and (most importantly, generally) non-violent competition. Not all fights have to be about throwing hands, after all.

And today in particular, the stand set up near a local restaurant seems to be the stage to a curry eating competition. It sounds extra rowdy today, or may that just be a passerby’s imagination? Regardless, if they choose to investigate, one may find the currently reigning champion a… human woman with short blue hair, who looks to be of average height with a figure that’s decidedly more “slim” than “rounded.” Yet to her left is a stack of plates whose count doesn’t seem anywhere remotely human, and to her right, an oni, a kyubi, and a tengu are groaning and/or slumped over the table looking to be quite done with theirs. The oni’s managed to stack up a plate count that looks somewhat close to hers, but he certainly appears to be struggling with his next spoonful… While the woman doesn’t look particularly worse for wear, looking quite delighted as she polishes off the plate she’s currently working on.]

WHAT AN UPSET! THE SURPRISE NEWCOMER HAS DEFEATED THE REIGNING CHAMPION, AND SHE LOOKS READY FOR ANOTHER ROUND! CAN THE CURRY DEMONESS BE STOPPED? IS THIS ITTT???

[The announcer is milking this for everything it’s worth, though there does seem to be a twitch at the woman’s temple at the title of “Curry Demoness”. The end of the contest does seem imminent, and the spectating crowd appears quite eager to witness the outcome. Stick around to watch the end, ponder how someone who looks perfectly human could be out there doing something that is anything but, move on with your day pretending you haven’t come across something too ridiculous to process? All equally valid, or...?]

III. Sticky Paws – Sutoku District
[Ciel is NOT going inside, simply watching from outside the store while being mindful of standing somewhere out of the way of foot traffic with a frown on her face. She is judging, and not being subtle about it.]

Why is it always cat cafés, not dogs or some other animal? Dogs do take a lot more energy and space to care for properly, but surely it can be done, with extra effort?

IV. Help Wanted - Tamamo District
[Isn't this a little... Well. Ciel's honestly not sure how she'd describe it, but thinking on it logically, there are far worse establishments to get dragged into than a tea house - or at least, what appeared to be one. Besides, what she's made to wear DOES look quite nice, and she IS experienced with brewing and pouring traditional Japanese tea thanks to her time in Japan. To think that the time she passed pretending to run a tea ceremony club would pay off this way… She never would’ve imagined it. But the effort she spent genuinely practising the craft as a hobby was real, and she can make full use of it now. Besides, a Geisha’s work doesn’t necessarily have to be sexual, simply being able to pour a good drink, lend a patient ear, and carry on a conversation in a pleasant manner should be enough. Let's give it her best shot, then; she's not someone who did anything half-way, anyhow.

IVa: Thus she only offers her warmest and most welcoming smile to the visitors of this Tamamo-owned tea house, whether one's trip is for business, pleasure, or maybe just like how hers began, accidental?]

Good evening. What will it be tonight?

[IVb: Unless you're another newbie "coworker" trying to find your way through this whole mess, after having had the same misfortune of being accosted for 'help'? She'll offer an encouraging smile in that case, after having maybe passed by you once or twice already while both of you were busy scrambling around.]

Are you okay? This was rather sudden for me too, but it's not too bad once you get used to it!

((OOC: Technically a CRAU of two other games but details are negligible, no change to her canon abilities or personality as the choice is purely made for thematic reasons tied to the character's mindset. She'll treat anyone as a stranger unless she's called out first.))

IVa

[horrifictie]

[ ELECTROCHEMISTRY- This is a new low for you. You are dead, in Hell, with access to all your carnal desires and no limits. And instead of *any* of that, you're *here*, getting *tea*.
VOLITION - Just because we might be in Hell (and that's still up for debate) doesn't mean we have to act like it. This is a good choice.

After the night he's been having - between getting beaten into a trash can and having to pry his wallet out of the claws of mean cats - this seems like the most normal place he could hope for. He doesn't think he's a tea man, but why restrict himself to what he thinks he is? He can be anything! He can even be a tea man with enough time to internalize it. First he has to actually have some tea, but there's definitely way more options than he assumed hot water with leaves would have.

He tilts his head away from the menu when who he assumes is a waitress comes up to him. The way she's dressed reminds him of that dragon robe the smoker's Sunday friend owned, only far classier. His lips twitch up into a smile. ]

Actually, I don't really know miss. What would be a good cup of tea to start with for someone whose never had any?

[expiera]

[The more-than-a-little dishevelled man must certainly have seen better days, and could probably use some friendly company if his day had been anything like the way his looks may suggest. She straightens herself slightly before she starts explaining, as if she's been in the tea trade all her life:]

That would depend on your taste and how you're feeling, mister. Teas can be strong or mellow, they can also have various medicinal properties good for the health, such as helping you sleep better at night or calming your nerves. I'd be happy to help you choose if you have anything in mind and would like more detail, or would you prefer leaving it to chance?

[Host's pick? She'd go for something calming, judging by what she's seeing so far...]

[horrifictie]

[ INLAND EMPIRE - Is there a tea for healing a broken heart? ]

Do you have anything for a broken heart?

[expiera]

[--Ahaha...]

I'm afraid not, though that does sound like it would be a handy blend to have around. Something relaxing then, maybe...?

[horrifictie]

[ EMPATHY - Her laughter is a nervous and awkward release of tension. People don't normally say how they feel the way you do. ]

Relaxing works. I'll take whatever you think is best.

IVb... let's goo

[verrostet]

[ Ah... She really is in hell now. She thought she'd be safer walking with someone else, but it may have been that to someone desperate for employees, two girls made for a more appealing grab than one.

Tanya has managed to put on the outfit dumped on her, and she immediately questions the integrity of a club that has little girls' clothes on hand. She was then put out in the wild, so to speak, with little to no instruction. Ostensibly, the appeal of a little girl for a hostess was in her natural charm.

How well that actually went for Tanya is probably obvious by the expression on her face. Actually, even if she made bank, her expression would still be like this. She has no idea if her clients were happy and she has no interest in knowing. She pointedly doesn't make eye contact with Ciel, too busy reliving some wistful murder fantasy. ]

I refuse to get used to this. But doing a bad job is against my principles... Hell is really a devious place.

beautiful. hideous. sheds single tear

[expiera]

Aha, maybe that's why they call it "stuck between a rock and a hard place"? [This is probably (absolutely) not how you use the expression, but here we are. 'Misery loves company' sounds too much of a downer to be said out loud, though.]

Maybe you could play to your strengths? Stick to a clientele who looks like they may work for the Enma or Sutoku, and offer bureaucratic advice? It'd be more manageable than some other sorts of conversations you could be having instead.

[No elaborating required...]

[verrostet]

[ Her expression blackens even further, her voice becoming strained. ]

I tried that. I thought this might be a good opportunity to speak with well-connected people. But for some reason, they would just smile and pat me on the head...

[ She fairly spits it out. She really can't begin to understand the minds of people who come to these establishments. ]

Ciel. Let's double-team the next client.

1/2

[expiera]

[...Oof. Her expression does briefly darken, though she doesn't offer any words of sympathy. It wouldn't help Tanya any.]

Maybe it's the outfits. If we had the freedom to customize them...

[expiera]

--Okay, I think we should be able to get away with something like that. Did you have a specific type of client in mind?

[A joint operation, huh? She agreed a little too quickly, maybe, but she IS intrigued at the very least; what could two ladies of their calibre possibly whip up?]

[verrostet]

[ Excellent. This is more for Tanya's benefit than anything, but luckily Ciel is the helpful type. ]

I'd prefer someone calm and rational, but you can't always tell just by looking...

[ They are in hell, after all. And men in particular are wolves... though the female clients can be worrisome in a different way. ]

Let's find some clueless-looking newbie. They'll be easier to bully.

[ Whoops, her true thoughts are leaking out a bit too much. ]

ii

[ryototsukai]

[ Curry was not her usual choice for stuffing her face, but even in the absence of hot noodles, the glint of challenge in the shine of the night couldn't be ignored. Sure, she could just place a bet like some of the other spectators are doing, but she's been pretty content to ignore money up to this point, and instead announced herself with a bit more... flair.

Or more accurately, literally jumping out from the crowd and slamming a hand on the table. ]

I'll take on this demoness next! I've never met a dish I couldn't leave clean, bring it on!

[ Stop. Please. ]

[expiera]

[Munch, munch, gulp.

The bold new arrival is met with another uproar among the crowd, it also sounds like some spectators are finding it quite curious/interesting/insulting/amazing/etc. that it's another human woman standing up to the challenge over any other race. It may hurt the pride of some, but others are treating like a zoo show that it rightfully is, to be completely honest. More coins are exchanging appendages, which the organizers clearly don't mind, and as for the "Demoness"...

...She's just happy with her curry, evidently. She DOES have manners though, so she makes sure to swallow properly before she talks.]

Please just call me Ciel. [She's lowkey had enough of this 'Demoness' nonsense tbh, but stuffing her face with curry IS keeping her placated.] But um, before you join us, have you made sure to go over the rules, miss?

[They're not handing food out for free, after all, so just in case...]

[ryototsukai]

Eh, rules are whatever. [ Musashi dismissively waved her hand, something she was probably going to regret later, but the steam in her engine was still to hot to consider any other path. ]

You can call me Musashi, Demoness Ciel! And whether it's eating or fighting, I'm ready for any challenge you've got for me! You ready to do this?

[ She called over to the cook, though her eyes were locked on Ciel. ] Make that curry as hot as you can! Let's heat this up!

[expiera]

Just Ciel, please and thank you, Musashi-san. [Is this lady hankering to make it personal...] I was going to ask if you made sure you had money on you just in case, but maybe I was worrying for nothing after all. [If her new challenger is anywhere near as hot-blooded and pugilistic as she's looking and sounding, and it's barely been a hot minute since they met, then the Shuten clan will probably have no trouble finding Musashi labor to pay back with in case once she loses. Curry is the one thing Ciel wouldn't concede to anyone or anything, after all.]

Do as you like, just keep in mind that you have -this- much to catch up with on top of however many other plates I clear away while you do. [She briefly gestures towards the tower of plates, there must be at least... twenty? Thirty? More?? Stacked there. Goodness...

The restaurant however seems all too happy to oblige, and it doesn't take more than another minute for Musashi to be served while Ciel leisurely goes back to her own plate. The crowd has grown even larger, in the meanwhile.]

THE CHALLENGER, MUSASHI, CRASHES IN LIKE A METEOR AND BRINGS WITH HER MORE HELLFIRE! ARE Y'ALL READY TO TAKE IT UP A NOTCH FURTHER???

[Ciel's shoulders slump ever-so-slightly, but she motors right on along with her meal. This announcer, geez...]

[ryototsukai]

Itadakimaaaaaaasu!

[ Oh she could feel the heat radiating from that plate. It made her cheeks tingle. Win or lose, she was at least going to enjoy her meal! And as soon as she had her spoon ready, she dove in with an enthusiasm that matched how she'd laid the challenge in the first place. Scoop after scoop, she barely even seemed to be taking the time to breath, only to sip from the water she was provided when needed. ]

Man, Hell curry is even better than I imagined!

[ Was this... really just a chance to get more of the local cuisine? ]

IVb: Hewwo, let's be Tamamo sufferers

[nerine]

Surprisingly, I don't hate it.

[Monts is used to long hours on her feet and even being in heels shouldn't hinder her much. At some point, however, she has realized her abilities have been dampened for better or for worse. The lack of pain is still present, but her physical body is not catching up to speed.

When Ciel spots her, the young lady is sitting on a bench in the hall, with one of her high heels taken off. She's dressed to impress, but the back of her heels are screaming otherwise.

She looks up at the blue-haired girl and shrugs.]

Though I probably should tape up my heels. Or something like that. You look like you're doing well for yourself if you don't mind me saying.

heowo, i deeply enjoy the fact that we're all using this excuse to stuff our girls in fancy outfits

[expiera]

The work itself isn't difficult, yes, the tricky part is adjusting to the clientele. [She nods and saunters over closer, may as well sneak take a short break between clients when they can.

She glances are the other girl's feet, careful to scan for potentially forming bruises and spots that don't quite look like the right color despite the low lights surrounding them. Hm, doesn't this look a little worrisome...?]

Could you not get another pair of shoes that match your style and are more comfortable to work in? You may be able to put up with it in the short term, but it could lead to troublesome injuries in the long run. I was just lucky enough to get roped into doing something I've had prior experience with, keeping my kimono straight had honestly been the hardest part.

we're already rping the yakuza hostess minigame in 0 secs

[nerine]

[Monts makes room for Ciel so that she can have space to sit next to her if she chooses to do so.]

I work... Well, used to work at a cafe, so I've just put a spin on things and see this as a raunchier version of that job. You know, gotta stay optimistic and all.

[And truly, she doesn't hate it, not yet. It kind of reminds her of her party days in college. More organized and dressed up, but just as rowdy and colorful.]

You probably got the right idea about changing shoes though.

[Monts pauses. Considers. And then decides with her next statement, albeit cautiously.]

I... Can't quite tell how bad it is. [She turns her heel slightly. Already, there's some concerning scrapes and a white blister to boot on the other heel.]

It just got to a point where I kind of had to tell myself to sit down because I wasn't walking all that steadily. Kind of embarrassing when we're supposed to be graceful and poised here.

a new impressive (worrisome) record...

[expiera]

[If she doesn't mind as her scooting may indicate, then Monts is getting a bench buddy!]

I was going to ask... A Kimono does take quite a bit of effort to put on properly, so it also works as a good excuse if someone starts testing boundaries. How have you been doing, dressed like that? You dress does looks very nice, but it probably attracts a lot of attention, too...

[And not the good kind, her tone implies. ...Geez. The more Monts talk, the more concerning her situation sounds. Ciel's expression is darkening in worry in turn, tilting herself a bit to better face her fellow coworker.]

You can't feel pain? I'd ask if it's okay for me to take a closer look, if you don't mind, but it already seems quite bad from what I can see. You should take the rest of the shift off and rest, miss. Please don't push yourself any further, it wouldn't be worth it even if this place did offer us health insurance on a signed contract. [Which it obviously didn't, at least not with how quickly Ciel got grabbed.]

i

[peacewithouttyranny]

[The person close to her appears to be 10 foot tall mech, and appears to be taking this all in stride as well. He's waiting patiently, though he can't help but wonder if this is some weird stopgap before you can finally enter the Afterspark. The thought was interrupted when he hears the other's commenting.]

Perhaps... But, in my case, I am quite certain that I have died.

[It's spoken matter-of-factly, completely unbothered by the fact. Though there's a little hint that he's a bit content with it, as well.]

[expiera]

[Oooh, shiny and sturdy...! She can't help but wonder if the robot entity she has the luck (??) to be waiting in line next with is in actuality bigger than he appears in this bureaucratic little office, a room this size clearly can't fit everything that exists across the multiverses. He's probably been shrunk, hasn't he? Recalling the larger-than life mechs she's seen being worked on to combat a dimension-shifting Leviathan from where she's been last, a world where apparently even Godzilla made an appearance, it admittedly makes it a lot easier to take such a presence in strides and wonder about the details normal people would gloss over.

...Well, since he sounds rather neutral about it, she's definitely not going to make it gloomy either!]

Does it make you feel differently, knowing that others remember themselves being alive before we all somehow ended up here?

[peacewithouttyranny]

[Ciel's right to think that he's actual height is bigger than his current height she's seeing. Cybertronians are typically giants, and Soundwave is on the average height for his species, around 30ft. It didn't escape his notice that he had shrunken down, as... well, hard to notice that the humans and other organic creatures are much bigger than normal. A bit odd at first, he's far too used to them reaching barely above his foot.

Still, he figured this is probably a temporary change. Maybe just for the purpose of this office he had a forced mass displacement to fit in this quaint little office? In his brief glance of the Afterspark, he's pretty sure that each individual soul he saw there were at their respective height. Humans were human-sized, Cybertronian were Cybertronian-sized...]

Hmm. [He didn't pause to think that there may be people who only remember being alive, at least until the other made that commentary. He had assumed everyone here was dead, like him.] Must be terrible to find oneself in this pit when their last memory was being alive. ... I wonder if this place brings not just the dead, but also the living.

I'm assuming your last memory prior to your arrival here was you being alive?

[expiera]

[...Mhm, either way, he looks distinctively out of place even among the youkais, as curious as his very presence is for putting their entire setting into question. She's encountered her share of non-human races, but they were also by large organic on top of often retaining human and/or animal shape and size. That a machine can be here would distinctively make the case for them possessing a soul of their own, which should be the factor in determining someone's eligibility into a spiritual realm like Hell(?). ...Theoretically, anyway. Each world to their own laws, that's the only solid assumption she can draw. With how the line is going and how the waiting list seems to be getting processed, she doubts that the youkais manning the booths would be very receptive to questions, but maybe it wouldn't hurt to ask once it's her turn?]

It's a matter of perspective. People with unfinished business back home would understandably feel especially worse, but they can also see this as an opportunity if they try to keep an open mind. Dead or alive, we're conscious of who we are and can think and act for ourselves, that's an important detail too that shouldn't be taken for granted.

[She brings up a hand to cup her chin thoughtfully, glancing up at him with mild curiosity.]

Yes, I've heard mutters about 'lost soul' around us too. The only qualification for ending up here may be having an ego, possibly?