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

[ Oh look, a familiar face in the midst of this literal hellhole.

And with his luck, it's the boar of all people. ]

And all you seem capable of doing right now is just gawking at it in wonder like a stupid animal.

[ That's a funny way of saying hello. ]

Seriously, how long have you been wasting time just staring?

- why ... Felix!

[ oh gosh. felix!!!! he looks surprised, then happy, then worried as he sees him. when did he get here? ]

Oh, nevermind that. I didn't know you were here as well! But how ...? Are you alright? Where did they tell you to go to? Did you come here by yourself, did you see anyone else -

[ too many things to overwhelm him all at once, but he's genuinely happy to see him, if a little concerned. ]

[ Meanwhile, Felix's expression turns annoyed. Just kidding, it already looked like that. ]

Just stop it with your insufferable babbling already.

[ Seeing Dimitri here just makes him feel angrier rather than comforted for a variety of reasons. He, of course, reacts accordingly. ]

I don't see how it's any of your business where they've assigned me. So far, you're the only one I know that I've seen here.

...Hmph, it figures that I'd be stuck in this wretched place with someone like you.

Edited 2022-03-03 02:07 (UTC)

Felix, you can't be serious. I know you don't approve of it - but we have to look out for each other. We're not at Faerghus at all, much less Fodlan ... it doesn't serve you to maintain your distance.

[ and he doesn't want to be far away from the only person he can trust in this world. a shame that that person also ... didn't want to be near him on a good day. ]

I already know we're in neither of those places.

[ Felix still does not know how to deal with all of this adequately, his gaze more on their surroundings then on the blond in front of him. ]

Ugh. Do you honestly believe I'm going to suddenly warm up to you and act like we're best friends just because we so happened to be sent to what is literally hell?

And what would you have me do? Ignore your existence entirely in a world that is wholly unfamiliar, and therefore dangerous, for the two of us?

I'm afraid I can't allow that, Felix.

[ and just to make his point, dimitri folds his arms over his chest, face set disapprovingly against him. ]

[ Felix is pretty mad that Dimitri is right about that.

Not as mad as he is about the other being here, though. ]

Like you'd be able to keep me from doing wherever I'd like. What will you try to do? Something foolish like permanently affix yourself to my side and never let us part?

[ Not like he's going to really ignore the wild boar 24/7 now that he knows he's here, but he's also just...going to leave that out. ]

If that's what it takes - I really would. You know that.

[ and make it ... even more inconvenient for the two of them. ]

I'd go as far as to suggest we should have living arrangements close to each other.

...Ugh.

[ ..... ]

Unfortunately for you, I've also decided that after second thought, someone has to be around to keep an eye on your boarish tendencies.

[ He can't really come out and say that he's agreeing in so many words, but he is clearly agreeing aloud that he will not be able to ignore him at least. ]

But just because I'm saying this doesn't mean you should get it in your head that I'm going to concede to our living arrangements being close by.

[ how awful. those words are enough to brighten his face and make him smile, dimitri completely beaming at him, pleased at the notion that felix will be close to him after all. it's a victory in many ways. ]

Of course not.

But it'll give me peace of mind to know that you're close by.

[ It's such a bright smile ... from a boar. Why did he bother to look over? He'll glance away, putting a hand on his own hip.

If Felix could be any other animal besides a cat he would be probably be a pufferfish. ]

Wipe that stupid smile off of your face.

[ He'll huff. ]

Well, too bad. I don't want to be anywhere near you more than necessary, so don't you dare get too comfortable.

We can look for housing together.

[ ah how cute. disgusting. he's sure felix will resent him for it, but it's only prudent ....

in any case dimitri offers his paper to him telling him where his faction is. ]

This is what they've given me. May I see yours?

Who'd want to look at housing alongside you?

[ Felix scoffs, as he does...actually look because yes he is curious and he can't hide that in any conceivable manner. ]

You're so persistent. It's disgusting.

[ He says that and he takes out the rolled up ball of paper from his paper and unrolls it before shoving it where Dimitri can see. ]

Satisfied now?

[ he nods and takes note of what address felix has. ]

I think mine is a lot easier to find than yours, considering how central that district is ... let me help you.

[ ... ]

Hmph, don't bother. I can figure it out on my own.

[ He has got this. Maybe. ]

How? You're no more of an expert in this world than I am.

Anyway, there is strength in numbers. I will go with you.

[ too bad. ]

...you'll just follow if I insist on you taking yourself elsewhere, won't you?

[ He scowls before beginning to make his way to where his address is. He is definitely power walking, probably bound to rudely bump shoulders with some members of the populace at his pace at some point. Despite him wanting to keep distance. ]

Then, keep up. I'm not going to be responsible if you get lost.

February 2022 Test Drive

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