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

[far more clearheaded than some, it takes only a simple nudge against her awareness to get Emily to look in the right direction. that hair, that frame, the scales - it couldn't be, but it could. and it leads her to step forward, to come closer and make sure, because surely, lightning doesn't strike twice in such rapid succession. it doesn't give to her in such ways - it all has to be earned, and not handed forth.

except, she's finding, it does. and it does in a way that makes her wonder what she's done to earn it, but she dare not say that aloud for fear of losing it. because she knows him as surely as she's known others, would be able to pick him out in any location.]

...Majima.

[no uncertainty - just his name, hoping he'll turn and look, and this will be reality as well. look, and if fortune holds, he'll remember her as much as she does him.]

[ If his mouth wasn't full of spicy ramen, he'd have noticed her sooner. The herbs and medicines and the tengu have a particular scent profile that the fork in his tongue picks up like any reptile would. But he drowns it half the time with cigarettes and liquor and food. So instead it's the sound of her footsteps, softly echoing, and her voice that makes him turn. He had been just on the edges of maybe getting soppy he hadn't seen her, but... ]

Em. Are ya hungry?

[her expression melts into a smile to hear the familiar nickname, the rush of sheer relief that washes over her to know that there's recognition. shaking her head - no, she's not hungry, but Majima's eating enough that the stall owner can let something pass, and she hurries to his side to take a seat there and not stand around thunderstruck over the ordeal.]

I was truly hoping to see you again. Even if this isn't the best place for reunions.

[Hell or not, she'll be selfish in her heart and gladdened to be in his presence.]

[ He reaches out and puts his hand on hers. ]

I... didn't wanna be here with ya.

Be where? Hell?

[you can say it. regardless, the weight of his hand is a comfort - it says he's physically here, and not just an illusion to be snatched off.]

If I can't go back... I wanna be where you are.

[ If he has to keep surviving without being able to go back to his burdens, he wants to be with the lady who helps him feel whole. ]

[she's quiet for a second, glancing down at their hands. she'll have to explain at some point, express why she never, never wants to return. but what comes out is:]

You'd find it frightfully antiquated. Hardly any of the same conveniences that you're used to.

[she'd had to learn fast, and make up her shortfall.]

I'd tell you more, but...it's a long conversation.

[not here. not when someone could appear out of the blue and witness her cracked open heart.]

[ He glances thoughtfully at his food, plenty of empty bowls and glasses. He doesn't offer because he wants to rush said long conversation, but because he's reasonably done here anyway, ]

I should walk ya back t'where yer stayin'.

[ Because he does know this kind of town and a lady walking home at night is sure to get heckled by the thugs and street gangs. ]

Are you satisfied for now? I'm in no hurry.

[she'll wait, if she has to - the important part is being near, and she's not going to turn down walking by his side.]

Yeah, yeah, he'll keep.

[ Chijoku helpfully burps. Majima shuffles around for his wallet, handing over some blood-spotted yen from all the way back in Sotenbori. He shuffles his tall heigh out from under the cart's overhang and worries loose a cigarette. ]

Where ya headed?

[she names the address, with the cross street she'd managed to gauge after tracking down a map of this place far earlier.]

...It's a bit of a walk, though. With any luck, the one monitoring the building won't be peering through the windows at new residents, prying at their business to bring up later.

[she wouldn't put it past them at all. such were the perils of renting.]

February 2022 Test Drive

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