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.
• If you have any questions about the TDM content, please ask them here!
• If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.
• Reserves are open until March 5th.

Comments

[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. ]

[expiera]

[The eager-to-help-and-get-dragged-into-things-willingly-or-not type also good at cleaning up whatever mess that ends up being left behind, yes. A handy sidekick, indeed...]

To bully? Really?

[She blinks at Tanya.]

Why do you think the calm and rational are easier to bully? The chatty and energetic ones can be fun to string along and tease, too.

[The other shoe drops. She didn't take issue with Tanya's wording, they are apparently in VERY good company...]

1/2

[verrostet]

The calm and rational are for civilized discussion. I'd rather not bully anyone if I can help it.

[ She is a peace-loving member of society, of course! ]

2/2

[verrostet]

But, well, sometimes we're forced into things we don't want to do. That's just a fact of life.

[ And a little bullying might do some of the patrons here some good. She would never dream of policing anyone's personal freedoms, but people should re-evaluate what they're getting out of their hobbies every once in a while.

Tanya smiles. It can feel nice to help people out in little ways. ]

Let's get to work. Pick out whomever you like, Ciel. I yield to your expertise.

1/2

[expiera]

And here I thought you were looking to make this a little more fun. Practical as always, I should've known...

[Does Ciel sound disappointed? Maybe, as much as anyone with passable social awareness would be able to tell it's entirely theatrical.

...Tanya's not the only one slipping, it would seem. Maybe there's something in the air? Or just the natural consequence of vibing in hell Sure, this IS a teahouse, but still...]

[expiera]

Goodness, I'll have to live up to your expectations if you put it that way! Well then, let's see... I think I saw one of the other hostesses lead in someone interesting a few minutes ago. Let me go see if she'd like a break, and we'll take care of her client instead?

[She mirrors back Tanya's smile FAR too brightly than it ought to be. It's motivating to have a common goal to work towards, right?]

[verrostet]

[ "Passable social awareness"?? Not Tanya then... If Ciel has a slightly sadistic streak, then it's slightly surprising, but not particularly alarming. A certain amount of sadism is within acceptable parameters for a young woman... probably. As long as it's being directed at anyone other than Tanya, she sees no problem with it. ]

Capitalizing on our dear patron's disorientation at the changing of the guard? How crafty. You already sound like a seasoned veteran.

[ There's no better time to strike than when the enemy's lines are out of order. She's glad that Ciel seems to understand that intrinsically. This will be an easy partnernship.

She motions for Ciel to lead the way with a Pleasant smile that she intends to carry with her onto the club floor. If you're going to do a job, then do it well; a disarming smile is an important tool for many a business occasion. ]

[expiera]

[Can't be a gaslighting gatekeeping girlboss if you don't at least have a BIT of S, right? ...That is,]

Adjustments and changes happen all the time especially in the service industry, I'm sure they'll understand~!

[Can this even be called 'modesty'?? Whatever it was, she's confidently taking the lead towards one of the tearooms in the back. A subtle knock draws a pretty but shy-looking kyuubi out, and after a brief exchange, the kyuubi leaves with a small bow. Tanya just may be small enough to stay ducked and out of sight behind Ciel for the entirety of it, though it was nothing exciting really, she did exactly what she said she was going to do.

The only signal Tanya gets is a benign smile flashed back at her, and without further ado, Ciel is sliding open the screen doors and stepping in.

She may hear a soft... whining (???) sound first. Is her ears playing tricks on her? Come take a look yourself, Tanya, before Ciel slides the screen door close. The client is waiting, and while they may seem to be dressed in fancy robes, their big round 🥺 eyes and ears laid flat against their head may tell a different story.]

"Awoo..."

[...

yeah the client just looks like a sad dog in fancy Japanese robes, that's happening,]

[verrostet]

[ ...... Hey......

Tanya's aggressively sunny smile nearly cracks when she sees the literal fancy dog sitting in the middle of the room, but as a consummate professional (even though she's only been working here for like two hours) she maintains her expression by force of will.

This is a good development, actually. Even if there's a chance this might be an odd prank, work is work, and she would rather spend time with a dewy-eyed dog than some needy human. Of course, this being hell, there's a chance that the dog is more than it seems, but for the moment it looks like things could be looking up.

She musters up all of the experience she was forced to accumulate over three days of modeling for propaganda media and greets the client with flowery cheer and a bow, her voice shooting up to a childish octave. ]

We're very pleased to meet you, honored guest! My name is Tanya and this is Ciel. Please allow us to take care of you for the rest of your stay.

[ She thought to bring along a complimentary drink on the way over — when intruding, it's always best to smooth things over with a gift — but now she wonders if it was appropriate after all... Oh well. It's not like alcohol is good for people either, but they drink it anyway. Also, this is hell. She comes in and pours a bit (a very tiny bit) of sake in what appears to be a glass dog bowl on the small table in the center of the room.

The dog's tail begins to wag tentatively, and he sniffs at the offering before looking plaintively between Tanya and Ciel. He wants something, but what could it be?? ]