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

[Hinata isn't far off, except Sheliak preferred to show off with his skills and magic not something as common as fashion. Pretending to be a commoner with thugs mistaking him as an easy opponent was humiliating

His brow furrowed slightly at Hinata's answer. Ueno clan? That wasn't on the small list he was given. Maybe he misheard? He dodged again as he mentally when through his list for any similarities. The names sounded foreign but none of them were close. He was about to ask if Hinata was sure when he was stopped by his reassurance. That's it.

He pivoted to the side to avoid one attacker and slammed his elbow into the throat of the next one, turning to Hinata with a subtle glare.]

You're welcome to try.

[Hinata already started the fight so why not let off a little steam? It had been a hell of a day after all.]

[ Even Hinata couldn't help but flinch when the slammed his elbow in the other man's throat. But he's also amused at all of this. It seems that he has a fighting partner who can actually fight after all. He looks off to the side where another opponent is already approaching, a knife in his hand and ready to stab him. Hinata easily blocked the swinging knife with the back of his arm before kicking the other man in the wrist to knock the knife away. ]

Glad to know you're not just looks, pretty boy.

[ But he sure as hell had that rude confidence that most aristocratic individuals had, that was for sure. ]

Just don't slow me down and we'll make it out of this fairly alright.

[Sheliak gave a haughty chuckle at Hinata's pretty boy comment while he gracefully tripped the next attacker. He would take Hinata's assumption as a compliment. He earned that rude confidence. He subtly flexed the arm he attacked with earlier. That last attack hurt a bit more without water to cushion the blow. It had been a while since he had fought without magic. Yet another annoying detail that made him feel empty. His thoughts distracted him from the fight for a moment and he barely dodged out of the way in time but not before his opponents knife grazed his arm. He inwardly cursed his carelessness as he disarmed his attacker. Some of his anger leaked into his sharp response.]

I could say the same to you.

[Despite the venom in his tone, there was the slightest hint of approval. He had to admit Hinata was a good fighter and it felt nice fighting alongside someone again, even if Hinata's jabs were irritating.]

February 2022 Test Drive

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sorry I'm so late