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.

Welcome to the test drive meme!

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Reserves are open until March 5th.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Friendliness is not something Junpei is accustomed to from a stranger, and when it’s given to him in a way that’s not just a customer service worker being polite he’s not sure how to react. As a result he doesn’t take the hand right away, unsure.

All it takes is an unearthly wail from the youkai right in front of him in line for him to decide Robin is definitely the better choice and he takes it suddenly, nervous smile on his face. ]

Y-yeah, let’s do that.

[ they look about the same age, so it's natural for robin to feel a lot more comfortable with someone who is equally confused by their shared situation. between the two of them, neither should probably be in Hell... or a hell. right? that's how robin feels and so, that's how it is. ]

Great! [ his grip is gentle, as he weaves his fingers in between junpei's. ] I think there are a couple in that corner.

[ an oddly empty corner, but it's probably because the monitors are the farthest point from them. that's gotta be why.

he'll wait for junpei to sit before he does. ]

This is a strange dream, isn't it?

[ It only clicks for Junpei that he’s holding hands with the stranger shortly before they reach the seats. Still, he tells himself if the other isn’t bothered by it he shouldn’t be either, and he hopes he’s not blushing.

Taking his hand back and sitting down he lets out a sigh he didn’t even know he was holding in as he absorbs Robin’s question.

A dream. Of course. That makes the most sense, doesn’t it? ]

... so ... you’re my own brain talking to me, then?

[ He looks around the room. If it’s his dream and he’s now lucid, he should be able to control it, right? Focusing on one of the scary creatures in line he tries to will it into changing shape. The first thing that comes to mind is ... well, Beetlejuice. But no matter how hard he concentrates, the monster doesn’t change into Michael Keaton. ]

Why isn’t it working ...

Edited 2022-02-24 00:31 (UTC)

Hm...

[ well. robin's assumed that this is a dream; why would Hell look anything like this? some kind of awful version of a government-run office, though it's very clear that if this is a part of his own brain's machinations, he wouldn't have thought of any of these things. no weird handsy youkai, no long lines, and the worst part? there's absolutely no sign of anything sweet! no cake! no candy, no nothing.

none of his bandmates. no sign of music or the other bands. just junpei, himself, and a long line of miserable looking creatures.

there's certainly another way to prove this might not be a dream. it's risky though but hey. it might immediately wake him up, too. ]

What's not working?

[ robin leans forward so he can look at junpei's face. ]

Besides, you might be my brain. So that means I should ask you--- do you know what I am?

When you’re lucid dreaming, you should be able to control your dream. Even just a little. I’ve done it before, when I wanted to fly and things like that.

[ The question breaks him from his attempt to manifest a movie character, and he gives Robin a puzzled look.

Is this a trick question? Is there some catch he’s missing?

Oh well, if it is a dream there’s no reason not to say exactly what he’s thinking. ]

A ridiculously attractive guy?

[ It’s not an attempt to flirt or anything, just an observation. It’s absurd how pretty Robin is, he really stands out. Not the type of person he sees in day to day life at all. ]

Oh, I've never tried to do that in my dreams before. Mostly because I'm always doing what I already want to do in them.

[ like sing, dance, be with his brother, try a bunch of candies from different countries... the latter is probably harder to do if you've never had them before, but still! it's fun to pretend. though as of late, those dreams are harder to have... maybe it's because of the fact he's not quite human?

but his face turns bright pink--- almost the same color as his hair as junpei compliments him. it's normally his voice that gets people's attention, comparable to an angel's... ]

Y-you... really mean that? Even though I'm a vampire?

[ because if this is robin's dream, then junpei should know! right? ]

[ There’s surprise on Junpei’s face at the words initially.

Then he remembers he’s in a room filled with things he once thought were fictional. So is it so shocking a vampire would be here too? ]

Vampires in modern media are often really attractive. I mean look at the Twilight movies or Interview With The Vampire. So I don’t see why that’s such a shock.

[ A beat passes before he looks slightly uneasy. ]

Unless you brought me over here to drink my blood or something.

[ he spaces out for a moment as he thinks about the other vampires. are they really that attractive...? maybe it's the fact he sees them like family that puts a damper on things, and especially one is his actual twin, so. that probably helps too. ]

I don't think I've seen either of those...

[ because he's been so busy practicing? but maybe that'll change; the best part about watching movies are the snacks that come with them. expensive or not. perhaps there's a theatre or two past the doors...? ]

Oh? No, no! I would never. [ robin emphatically shakes his head a few times. ] It's a rule. We're not allowed to feed off humans.

[ but that means--- ]

... this isn't a dream, is it?

I don’t think it is.

[ It’s said very slowly, as if something is only now occurring to him. In his lap, his hands grip nervously into the fabric of his pants. Inside he’s absolutely screaming.

Yet, he finds himself turning to Robin to continue their conversation as if nothing is amiss. ]

... how do you stay alive, then?

[ The word ‘alive’ causes him to flinch ever so slightly, a hint as to what is suddenly very much bothering him. He probably won’t be able to hold on to this facade for very long, no matter how badly he wants to for Ribin’s sake. ]

[ well, robin hasn't died right in front of junpei so that's a good sign. he's not fracturing into pieces and exploding into a fine red powder. and of course he doesn't notice the sudden dawning realization on his face, so. ]

My band. But I'm still a pretty young vampire, so I don't really need that much. It's the older ones that do. I can still taste things though!

[ he looks down toward the ground and kicks the floor with his heels. as he brings his eyes back up, robin does his best to maintain a pleasant smile--- regardless of the topic. ]

You know, you're the first person I've told about it since... it happened. It feels nice.

[ The smile and the positive words help Junpei hold in his sudden spike of anxiety. He helped someone? Albeit in a very simple way, it still feels ... good. His expression softens. ]

Ah, well ... I’m glad. I actually think it’s pretty cool to be able to meet a real vampire.

[ While he personally prefers his movie vampires to be creepy rather than beautiful, when one is sitting right next to you things are a little different. Beautiful and friendly is just fine. ]

And this real vampire thinks it's pretty cool that he's met you!

[ after all, junpei seems like a smart boy. someone he'd make fast friends with, and it certainly feels like that could still happen. but here they are, in a waiting room before being allowed into whatever hellscape that awaits them both, and robin can't help but feel... afraid. nervous. out of sorts.

but junpei has done a lot for him already. ]

I'm Robin. Robin Laffite.

February 2022 Test Drive

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