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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(1) entry into hell

[ What the hell?

After falling asleep, Hinata hardly expected to wake up in a place like this. He didn't remember being drugged. And he sure as hell would have realized it if he had gotten kidnapped somehow. So, how did he end up in a place like this? It kind of reminded him of the Deli Market in Nakawacho. That place always had a long waiting period with people having their ticket numbers being from either one to two hundred. Hinata got a good look at the inhabitants, not feeling particularly thrown off by them.

He's seen odder, that's for sure. But it is odd that there's a large concentration of them in one place. Bestiamancers were here and there, sure, but only few of them chose to fuse themselves with their animal companions. Hinata closed his eyes for a second and let out a small sigh, doing his best to gather himself so he can be prepared to wait. It shouldn't be that long, right?

Hinata looked down at his number.

444. ]

Tsk. What a pain.

[ Triple fours? How unlucky. He turns to the person behind him. ]

Trade with me.

(2) shuten territory

[ Shuten's territory feels a lot like home, even if it seems that he's very far away from it. He didn't understand how he ended up in HELL of all places but maybe it's deserved. He has done some serious misdeeds in his life. He's even killed, even if it was for the sake of survival. Though he doesn't remember dying, Hidetoshi had been right about one thing. All Yakuza end up going straight to Hell some point in their lives. Even when they didn't even die, apparently. It was seriously a pain in the ass. He instructed Otome to seek out Hidetoshi if things went south for him so hopefully the woman followed his instructions.

Hinata continued to walk the streets with his hands stuffed in his pockets as he silently longed for a cigarette. He usually carried them in his pocket but who knew where they were now? He'd have to buy more here. Eventually.

As he continued to walk, he paused at the sight of a commotion in the street. It seems a lot of fights happen in this place, something that he didn't mind. He stared ahead as five guys surrounded one person, cracking their knuckles as they prepared for a fight. Hinata huffed. That's hardly fair, isn't it? Rolling up his sleeves, Hinata pushed his way through the group of men and stopped at the other person's side. He raised his fists as he glared at the other men. ]

Five against one is hardly fair.

[ Hinata didn't even waste any time before he immediately threw the first punch. ]

(3) tamamo territory

A. [ Being dragged into ridiculous situations is something that Hinata is used to. But becoming a host at a host club is the last thing that he expected to happen to him. Mostly because he hardly looks like "host club" material. Most people looked at him and saw a scary-looking man with an urge to kill, not someone with a kissable face that they'd want to spend money on. Hinata is practically forced into a uniform with his hair being tied into a neat bun so he looks a little more approachable.

His job? Convincing people to come inside for the night and to be ready on standby in case someone requests him. With the promise of being paid handsomely, Hinata can hardly refuse. But they're pretty foolish wanting him of all people to recruit others inside. Because Hinata Tatsugami is not a people person.

Once on the street, Hinata shoves one of the papers they gave him to hand out in the face of the closest person who crosses him. ]

Oi. Come in and pay for some company. Don't be stingy with your money. You're cute so they'll probably give you a discount.

[ That's how it worked back in Nakawacho, anyway. Whether that's true or not, Hinata isn't sure. ]

B. [ Or maybe you're already inside. And since the place is busy, they stick you with one of their newest recruits. His name is apparently Hinata Tatsugami and he has a little charm. But only a little bit.

When you find yourself seated, the man will be sitting next to you with a leg crossed and an arm thrown over your shoulder. He doesn't directly look you in the eye. While it may look like disinterest, it's actually because he feels very awkward about the whole thing. This is not his kind of scene. ]

Welcome, I guess.

(4) wildcard

[ Hit me with anything! ]

Pay me.

[Hazel doesn't even look up from the phone in her hands (which is dead, by the way. she is staring down at a completely black screen in mild befuddlement and she is not taking questions about how this is more interesting than anything else happening here, thank you) before she answers, the response coming automatically when confronted with such a command. that the man making it is in front of her and presumably holding a lower number does nothing to coax her into retracting her terms; if anything she feels it's an even wiser move to hold fast to them because of that fact. who willingly gives up any sort of privilege if there isn't something wrong with it, after all?

she does pocket the bricked device after a moment at least, eyes flicking upwards to rest expectantly on Hinata's face. is she really serious about wanting compensation for something this stupid? it's hard to tell.]

[ Hinata stares at her blankly, hardly believing the words that came out of her mouth. Her immediate reaction to him was to ask him to pay her? Damn. Even when he wasn't back home he was getting scammed. He's offering something good too! ]

Hah? Are you stupid?

[ He waves the ticket in front of her. ]

I'm the one in front of you. If anything, you should be paying me, lady.

[listen, you got a face that says 'extort me' that isn't changing just because the universe did!!]

For what? The privilege of standing six fucking inches ahead of where I am now? You know how fucking fishy this all sounds, right?

[she bats vaguely at the ticket flapping near her face, unappreciative and unimpressed. being called stupid doesn't exactly win Hinata any favors, but she's been called so much worse over the course of her new life that the insult barely registers to Hazel at all. she's more interested in the fact he's still trying to sell this bargain.]

I'm gonna need a better incentive than a number up considering how desperate you are.

[ Hinata didn't understand how his totally legit and definitely not fishy offer sounded... fishy. You'd think someone would be grateful moving forward in the line even if it is just by a little bit. The sooner, the better and all that jazz. Hinata crosses his arms. He is definitely not pouting slightly. ]

I'm not desperate...

[ He just doesn't want to deal with bad luck. And he's just being nice. ...But mostly because he doesn't want to deal with bad luck. ]

I'm not suspicious or anything. [ That's totally something someone who isn't suspicious would say! ] I just wanna help someone out. Is that so bad? Moving forward in the line is a blessing, ain't it?

[was he sulking over not getting her ticket? that...dude. you have to at least try and sell her on this, otherwise you just look pathetic. which...she guesses is also a strategy in and of itself, but come on. you're being potentially damned for all eternity, have a little dignity!]

Moving forward in the line to hell?

[not that what she was dealing with before was mucj better, but those are petty details. shaking her head now.]

You gotta try and switch places with someone who's already crying. They eat that shit up way better, especially if somebody already fucked off with their last ticket.

To hell? Don't be dramatic. Whatever's at the end of the line ain't that bad.

[ Probably.

Truthfully, Hinata has manage to miss the memo that he is currently in Hell's waiting room. He's still under the impression that he's just in a new location entirely in his own district. Or maybe somewhere out the district? He didn't get to leave Nakawacho all that much.

Mostly due to his own preference. And his fear of ending up totally lost and out of his element.

Though this also was out of his own element. He's arguing with a woman in line about if she should skip him or not. How crazy can his life get? ]

I don't care about switching places. I could be dead last for all I care. I just don't want this number.

[ He points at the ticket, doing his best to advertise it. ]

Look. Triple numbers. Americans like the lottery too, don't they? It's luck.

[ At least he's assuming she's American. She's sure as shit speaking some fluent Japanese though... ]

[has...no one told him...........

Hazel considers it - she has to, given how much joy she gets from ruining things for people on the regular - but in the end decides that maybe this is one of those things you keep to yourself. she's giving the guy a hard time about trying to shill his lackluster queue spot, not gunning to watching him have a psychological breakdown.

hopefully the universe is as kind to her on the linguistics front, because guess who has nooo idea she's not speaking English to some people?]

Yeah, you know what makes us go apeshit over repeating numbers like that? A dollar sign in front of it. Wrap four hundred fucking forty-four bucks around that ticket and I'll trade you mine and the dude behind me's too.

[do they even take US currency here? fuck if she knows. it's better to rely on what you know until you can get a lay of the land.]

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luxter - 2022-03-01 05:21 (UTC) - Expand

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deadtective - 2022-03-01 16:17 (UTC) - Expand

[Ydris was recruited to wait tables and deliver drinks during the rush. They suggested that what would really bring more people in would be handing out free shots at the door. Nothing good, of course, just sweet enough to get them in the door. They were promptly handed a tray lined with the cheapest, more artificially colored shots imaginable.

Bringing them to Hinata at the door, Ydris takes note of how unsuccessful the man is at getting people in.]

You're doing a great job.

[Not sarcasm, they consider this to be just perfect. They offer the tray of shots. Ordering;]

Throw these in a few people's faces. The building is at capacity. We don't need more customers. [Ydris might not have been honest in their intentions when presenting this idea to management]

Haa?!

[ Hinata blinks owlishly at his co-worker's suggestion. Throwing the drinks in the customer's faces? He's familiar with host clubs and he's sure that if the building is at maximum capacity they'll just turn people away. Not scare them off indefinitely. Hinata crosses his arms... ]

I dunno... seems kinda suspicious. Ain't throwing drinks at girls trying to come inside kinda rude anyway?

[ ...Says the guy who was practically forcing fliers in their faces earlier not even a couple of seconds ago. ]

But then again. I guess this is Hell, apparently. Maybe they're into it?

[Oh good, an idiot.

Ydris listened to the man spin a "plausible" scenario out of their request and just. Nodded.]

That's precisely right, you're a clever one. [lying for fun and to make things easier is what Ydris' people are known for.]

[ Hinata slowly nods, already beginning to agree. If this guy says that it's correct then that must mean it's correct, right? He seems like the smart type, so he probably knows what he's doing. Hinata shrugs. ]

Eh. I'm not really clever. I just like getting the job done.

[ And so, Hinata picked up one of the drinks from his co-worker's tray and threw it on the first person that approached. ]

We're at maximum capacity. Sorry.

[ ...Ah. He felt a little bad about that. Especially seeing the way the female customer left in a huff. He slowly placed the empty glass back on the tray. He picks up a shot and downs it immediately. ]

...This place sucks.

[The female youkai is splashed with booze and storms off loudly, Ydris smirking at how well their plan worked to detour more entrants. If that was a human woman, they might have been at least a little remorseful,]

This establishment in particular or the hellscape in general?

Can't both be an answer?

[ This place is strange as hell, that's for sure. He could still hardly believe it. Hell. Hell. Yet one of the first few things he was doing here was working in a godforsaken host club and throwing drinks at unsuspecting women. What has his life come to? ]

You seem really casual about all this though. You from here or somethin'?

Both makes sense.

[a short, mildly amused answer. When Ydris is asked about just how casual they are, they ask in turn]

Is that how I seem? [Ydris is genuinely curious, since being mistaken for a yokai could have some perks. They don't usually blend in well, the opportunity sounds very novel]

[ hand to god, this time it isn't even badou's fault he's in this situation. fuck, he probably isn't even supposed to be in this territory in the first place, but it's not his fault all the streets look the same! there're also too many neon lights around here, it's disorienting alright??

it doesn't really matter how he wound up in this situation, just that he is, and miserably at that, hands thrown up in front of his face as two of the five men mean mug him and try to shake him down for — something, who knows, it's not like he's got anything valuable on him.

a reprieve shows up in the form of another man, who's apparently stupid enough to take his side or something like it, but badou's not about to let a chance to weasel his way out of this situation slide, so he puffs up a little, deciding it's high time to talk things out. ]

Y,yeah, five against one's hardly f—ohshit!

[ scratch that, turns out his savior's as crazy as the rest of the folks here. badou shrieks, scrambles back into the chest of the big lug that'd been holding him still in the first place, but that guy seems just as confused about all this as he is and instead shoves badou back into the fray. he screams, he flails, one of his elbows winds up catching one of their opponents in the jaw and boom! down he goes. now there's blood on his shirt, fuck. ]

[ This guy has a very interesting fighting style. Hinata kind of likes it! Flailing and screaming all pathetic like so the enemy begins to underestimate you. That is until your elbow meets their face, just like what this guy demonstrated. It seems that he's dealing with an experienced fighter ]

Save some for the rest of us.

[ He rubs away a crick in his neck as he readies his fist again, the guy that he immediately punched when he got there already coming back for blood. Though, as he prepares to punch the guy again, a strange occurrence causes Hinata to pause. Mid-punch he looks down at one of his hands and notices how different he feels. And then he realizes that he hadn't been able to use his Mancer ability at all.

Where did his powers go?

But it seems that he hardly had time to worry about that now. Hinata quickly dodge the punch that was coming his way by side-stepping the other man before pushing him towards Badou so he can deal with him for a quick second. Once these guys were dealt with, he'd have to worry. For now he had to make sure that they couldn't stand for a long while. Looking around, Hinata eyed a bike just a little ways away from them and ran to pick it up.

Would it have been useful for a quick escape? Probably. But it also makes for a really nice blunt weapon. Hinata swung the bike into the men with ease, nearly hitting Badou in the process. Whether he manages to dodge it or not, Hinata shoots him a quick glance over his shoulder. ]

Sorry 'bout that. Want it?

[ Hinata quickly tossed the bike towards Badou. Catch? ]

[ does badou have experience fighting? yes, unfortunately. does that make him an experienced fighter? welllll....

right about now's the time where he'd be emptying a clip on one of his pistols, but he is woefully pistol-less so all he's really got going for him now is his uncanny ability to accidentally flail his extremities into unsuspecting thugs' eye sockets. somehow another one of them goes down, clutching at his eye after badou jammed two of his fingers right into it, but just as the redhead thinks that maybe things are finally starting to turn around he catches his ally get himself a weapon and

wait

is that—?

another shriek, another squawk, another haphazard jump to the side to get out of the incoming bicycle's path. ]

YOU FUCKING PSYCHO SHIT WHO THROWS A BIKE AT SOMEONE THEY'RE HELPING?!

Eh? You were supposed to catch it. How is that my fault?

[ Because not everyone can catch a bike with ease, it seems. How odd. Still, it was hardly his fault. He asked if he wanted it, after all! Hinata shook his head. The people in this place were quite odd. Odd-looking and odd in personality.

Both aspects were true for this guy. And he was also very, very loud. At least it would make it easier to find him in a crowd if he ever got in trouble again.

He's such a helpful guy. ]

Oh well. I'll say it louder next time.

[ Why yes. He is already planning on throwing another bike at this guy. For the sake of his own safety, of course. ]

Ah. Heads up, that guy has a weapon.

[ He casually points to another guy coming behind him. ]

[ badou's disbelief and indignation is short-lived, soon replaced by exasperation and just plain speechlessness. which is a damn feat to get out of badou nails, mr. big mouth extraordinaire. for a few poignant seconds, all badou does is stand there, stupefied, staring slack-jawed at the other man like he's grown two extra heads out of his dick, but that all too calm warning has him snapping back into attention, whipping his head around just in time to find bozo number four come charging at him, swinging a pipe towards his head.

badou spins around, blitzing past hinata so he can shove the other guy in front of him to use him as a human shield. ]

—I FUCKIN' HATE THIS PLACE!!

[Instead of being grateful, Sheliak looked annoyed by Hinata's assistance.]

I didn't ask for your help.

[There was a hint of anger in his calm tone. Although Hinata had a point, Sheliak was trying to avoid a fight. Without knowing the rules here he couldn't risk causing trouble for the new clan he was meant to serve. Unfortunately Hinata ruined that by throwing the first punch. Indirectly or not Sheliak was now involved. He nimbly dodged one of his assailants blows, still refusing to fight back, before turning back to his unwanted savior.]

What clan do you serve?

[If they were from the same clan he may be able to remedy the situation.]

[ This guy is definitely strange. Well, his fighting style is strange. It seems that he's an expert at dodging attacks instead of dishing them out. But he seems like he has a lot of money on him. Like those fancy guys who would always walk around with designer suits on just so they could show off.

But it was rare that one of them could possibly hold one of their own. ]

Eh? ...Ueno Clan.

[ He's still slow on the uptake of this world. ]

Don't worry. I'm not gonna beat you up after this.

[ Probably.

Hinata caught the fist of one of the men and returned the punch in full. Right in the face. ]

[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.]

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February 2022 Test Drive

hinata tatsugami ( original )

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sorry I'm so late