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

[nehan shrugs, and starts to go along with the human, even if he makes a quick face at the hand on his shoulder. then he pauses, ears twitching-- he hears running footsteps, people yelling over here, over here! someone looks like he's dead!

he steals a look at the man on the ground, and he still breathes, but the movement is so minute that nehan knows he can be mistaken as dead.

then he grabs soma by the wrist, and pulls him further into the alleyway.]

Stairs.

[ Whilst Nehan is looking down, Soma is looking to the doctor. The expression that he is giving him is quiet bemusement -- the same one might give on some sitcom when a hilarious tragedy has just occurred.

Is he paying a debt already? His shoe raises as he intends to slam the heel into the back of the unmoving youkai's head -- but his wrist is grabbed before he carries out the maneuver. ]

Mm. [ His leg is already up so he shifts so that he can run into the alleyway and take the aforementioned stairs. ] A pity, you almost witnessed something that would be deemed stupid heroics.

I've seen too many stupid heroics in my lifetime. [nehan's voice ends up being a soft growl, just so it doesn't carry. everything about him is subdued now, quiet, even his footsteps barely make a sound on the steel steps, even as they hurry. because he's only walking with the balls of his feet, and not the whole foot.]

And too many of the damned authorities, as well.

As have I, but I somehow wanted to try it out.

[ the sound of their steps mingle together; it seems they have the same idea of how to walk as they hurry up the steps. he huffs a laugh out his nose, but soon has to cover his face with his handkerchief. sniffling, he breathes in sharp and his breathing settles. ]

They certainly have an interesting idea of order here.

We'll learn the culture eventually. [even if nehan already has some sort of idea of it.

when they get up to the rooftop, nehan looks for a way to get to the next building, and heads towards the steel plating that acts as a rudimentary bridge that someone conveniently put there. then he turns to the human, raising an eyebrow.

an unspoken question-- will he take it or will nehan have to go at it alone?]

Or die.

[ Soma supplies with too light of tone. But that is how things are -- one either figures it out or they find themselves dead.

His eyes roll up as he muses over that consequence. Death really isn't the end of things, isn't it? So what would happen if they were to taste death again? An interesting thought -- that he hopes to see someone else suffer. ]

It's humbling to think that even certain demons can't fly. [ It is all that he says before he steps onto the steel plating. He breathes in slow; again, his hand presses his handkerchief against his mouth as he walks across the makeshift bridge. His steps are much more cautious, calculating, and somewhat slow but he makes it to the next side. ]

I don't see many with wings, so clearly, they're just as afraid of falling as mortals are.

[nehan, for his part, is more confident as he strides across the platform, still walking on the balls of his feet, making only soft taps in his wake.

when he's safely on the next rooftop, he turns his head this way and that, to look for an exit. a way down, or another rooftop with a bridge.]

There's something poetic to be said there.

[ his tone remains light, airy, however. ]

Might I ask -- how did you die? [ such a lovely conversation to have as he walks along the rooftop. he tests the door that would lead them down the building -- and clicks his tongue when it seems to be locked.

soma steps back to look around for another bridge and this one seems to be of two long boards. charming. ]

I was choked out in a freezer. [ there's a surprising lack of bitterness in his answer. ] I can't help but wonder if they left me there to freeze... or if they did something to my unconscious body. I can only be grateful that I wasn't aware to feel it. [ stupid, really. but he supposes that if yagami cares so much about justice that carrying out petty torture would be too much. ]

[nehan pauses, one ear flicking. that... is a good question.]

I don't know, to be exact.

[when he starts walking again and crosses the narrow bridge, nehan mulls it over, thinks about the last thing he remembers before waking up and needing to get into line. the last thing is six, in fact. turning away from him after making sure trancensia went down his throat, and either that was a mistake...

or the best decision of his life.

after stepping of the bridge, he stops and turns around.]

I gave someone a drug, and it's easy to assume that he mauled me while under the influence.

Quite a potent drug.

[ neither one of them seem to be mourning their deaths, so he feel it would be ruining the mood to offer apologies.

his steps are just as careful crossing this bridge as he was with the first. he only has to pause to press his handkerchief against his nose and sniffle loudly, before finally disembarking off the two boards. ]

Well, one can hope that your assailant soon met his end.

[the erune shakes his head, before trying the door to the stairwell this time. still locked, but the knob wiggles in his grasp, so nehan pushes against it, twisting the knob at the same time, forcing the weak lock to give way under him.]

The drug wasn't designed to kill-- if he died afterward, then either he did it to himself, or someone put him out of his misery.

[tossing the knob to the side, nehan starts to lack care in his work.]

But fate tends to favor him more, I doubt he's dead.

Now, now, let's not be so negative.

[ he claps his hands together; his smile is less than friendly at the idea that his doctor's murderer might have survived. indeed, that is a rather negative outcome.

soma just hopes that yagami did kill him -- or kuwana, who cares? yagami can play the shocked martyr. the man can live on as a hypocrite who chases after justice rather than order. he hopes the detective gets to live with his decisions and watch the world around him crumble without any pillars keeping it steady. ]

I wouldn't call surviving favoring him. [ he folds his arms behind his back as he walks through the now open door. ] Even if your murderer was a cold-blooded killer, killing someone mindlessly does tend to still get under the skin.

[ so even if the murderer isn't sad about nehan being killed; he'd be tormented that his self-control and will was taken from him. ]

So, no need to be so negative. Wish them life. Wish them continued existence where they can't undo their mistakes... then wish them a coward's way out. Because there is something so poetic about a person at their lowest... and realizing they have only themselves to blame.

[nehan tilts his head again as he thinks about that, descending the stairs in a calm fashion.]

Hm. If only. [but he wont deny that it's a good thought... if only he made more of an impact on six before dying. he had so much more planned, and now he cant enact them any longer.

it rankles.]

I would have preferred to be there myself, watching-- or putting the knife to his throat myself. But no... the problem comes from the people around him who have managed to keep him alive and sane. I had a plan to deal with them, and then him, but now that's scuttled.

[then he shrugs.]

We're dead. [that's the reality of it and it's time to accept it.]

Personal, then?

[ it sounds personal to soma, anyway. he never really felt a personal affront to yagami; the man was a thorn in his side but killing him wasn't really something he wanted to devote time or effort towards after their "truce."

but then, again, it might not be. ]

Or ... attempting to usurp some power that they had that you wanted?

[ he gives an answering shrug. ]

True enough. I am only happy that my backer remains in the shadows.

[ troublesome that the body remains and will be used to incriminate someone actually good. but well, he believes his superior will be able to do something about that before it gets too out of hand. or he won't, and everything will come crashing down.

well, isn't that why he has his contract price? ]

Hm. So, what is your price, if you don't mind my asking?

That, too, is personal.

[what nehan means is that he's answering two questions at once-- yes, his vendetta against six is entirely personal, and his contract price is also personal. just as personal, really.

so nehan will brush that question off with that quick, short response and ask his own.]

Is the person or people who left you to die also here?

Fair enough.

[ He gives a little tip of his head, accepting that answer. ]

I haven't seen him, but maybe?

[ Soma doesn't sound too concerned about it. He doesn't have the power to do what he would like, and killing someone from an opposite faction or even his own faction isn't within his power. So! ]

If he is, he is. If he isn't, he isn't.

[ A small shrug follows. ]

May he live a long life with the consequences of his actions bearing down on him.

[really... a shame that he didn't die with soma. it could have been a fitting end, and it would make the afterlife more bearable for people. tormenting one's tormentors is...

cathartic.]

If he is here, I can deal with him personally.

Can you?

[ he muses over the idea. ]

Whatever will you do?

For instance... Pretend you're not here. If he comes to me, convinced that you're here after he's spotted you, I will continue to deny it. He can convince himself that he's insane.

[and that's only one idea, and the easiest to implement.]

Or I could ruin his reputation. There are many ways to make sure that he doesn't interfere with your work for me.

[nehan pauses at the landing of the stairwell, ears trembling. he thinks he hears running footsteps, but that could just be the indoor gym that he spotted on an upper floor.]

I do so like that idea. Both of them, really.

[ He offers a slight smile, pleased that it is something so simple. But that really is the best way to do things -- simple rather than lavish. The flourishing should always come after, in his opinion. ]

Hm?

[ Soma pauses as he hears the same running footsteps. His eyes roll upwards, attempting to locate the sound. He frowns almost immediately when he realizes that its their pursuers. Could they be with the Enma? That'd be rather awkward... for a lot of reasons. His eyes shift focus to glance to Nehan, then back toward the sound of people approaching. ]

Well... this is unfortunate.

[nehan's brow wrinkles, a scowl coming on. there are so few things they can do to throw the authorities off their trail... going inside one of the stores in this building is not viable, the proprietors will just complain at the ruckus they make. so nehan is left with one idea.]

I have a plan. Trust me.

[he crowds against soma, placing his hand on the wall behind the human and leaning in. his other hand comes to cup soma's chin in an intimate gesture as he stands on his toes and leans in for a kiss.

very close quarters, and an inappropriate place to be pretending to be an amorous couple, but nehan hopes soma will play along.

especially when the sounds of running footsteps are coming closer.]

[ Soma turns his head slightly at hearing he has an idea.

He steps back as soon as he begins to be crowded; his back presses against the wall as he looks down at Nehan. Rather than shake off the hand on his chin, he leans slightly into it. Soma gives him a small, amused smile before wrapping his arms loosely around the man's back.

Opening his mouth, he decides that it would be best to have it be some deep, passionate kiss. It certainly is something fun to play along with -- and not a cover that he's had to use before.

Shame, really. He thinks he's quite a good kisser. ]

[reciprocity? and an attempt at making it look more authentic? color nehan surprised... but perhaps he shouldn't be, when soma seems just as practical as himself. just as willing to do anything to get the job done.

nehan settles into the kiss to make it as believable as possible-- and because this is a rare indulgence-- until the police come and exclaim at what the two men are doing in the stairwell. then he wrenches his mouth away from soma's, fangs bared and ears pulled back, growling at being interrupted. he clutches soma to himself more, in a possessive manner just to sell the image of a wolf youkai with a partner.

some of the people in suits are stunned at the somewhat-public display of intimacy, but then one of them shakes their head and tells them that this is not an appropriate place for such things.]

Edited 2022-03-07 12:36 (UTC)

[ soma gives a brief glance over nehan's shoulder; his lips curl into a teasing smile. it gives the impression of someone hoping to be caught being intimate with their lover.

his arms sliding up to hold him closer to him, in an obviously needy fashion. there's some pageantry to it, but that's the air that he has already given off. ]

Perhaps not, but there is something exciting about it, isn't there?

[ he agrees this may not be the place; well, isn't it fun? burying his face against nehan's neck, he opens his mouth to give a small nip of the skin before kissing where he bit.

there certainly is a lot more irritation and embarrassment, but it seems like they're going to leave rather than further waste their time telling them to go. ]

Mmph... You have a kink. [nehan is looking at the police as he says this, but he is definitely speaking to the human in his arms. one ear wiggles, fluttering against soma's head as the man keeps kissing his neck.

then, pretending to completely ignore the stunned authorities, nehan turns to soma and licks at his ear before tugging on it.

that makes the police shake themselves and clear out, because there's nothing to see here, nope.

not that nehan will stop, just to make sure they still have something to see if one should double back to check on them.]

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