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jigokufever2022-02-22 06:06 pm
jigokumods) wrote in jigokufever2022-02-22 06:06 pm
Entry tags:
February 2022 Test Drive
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.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.
- 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.
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.
Shinobu Jacobs | No More Heroes 3
[Having been inside a video game console's world, somehow waiting in line with fellow humans like her alongside more odd looking yokai didn't even faze her. Hell, if another, she was just a little relieved that the other beings lacked the telltale polygonal look the bugs from the Death Drive had.
With her little paper tucked away in her pocket, Shinobu patiently waits in line, intending to just quietly wait until her turn. However, as she sees an arm snake past her, she's put in high alert. Quickly, one of her robotic hands grabs onto the wrist of someone behind her as their hand carefully snaked their way into the pocket of whoever was in front of her.]
Hey. Is this yours?
[With a literal iron grip on the offender's wrist, Shinobu displays the elongated arm's fist with just a bit of the ticket's paper on display. However, probably just as soon as your character gets a good look at the ticket, the long armed creature draws their arm back, unceremoniously tossing Shinobu on the floor and drawing the stolen piece of paper back toward it.]
Don't let it escape!
[She'll get back up in a moment and try to help out, but you better get a move on to catch visual of the thief in question! Or, you know, you could be a dick and just steal her ticket instead if that's too much effort.]
2) Street Fight
[Even if thugs loudly declaring challenges on others on the street was another thing that was strangely not foreign to her in the least, Shinobu was still dead set on just getting through the area, not making eye contact with anyone. However, with the katana on her back and the bright yellow clothes she was wearing in general, it was something that caught a lot of eyes on those she passed by. Nevertheless, Shinobu just straight up ignores the taunts and insults thrown at her and attempts to go along in her way.
There's still part of her that hungers for a fight and to just show them all up. However, as she grew older, Shinobu also had enough sense to know that getting into a tussle with guys like these was hardly ever satisfying in the end. Even if Shinobu did her best to pretend they weren't even there, though, the thugs just got more pissed off and got more aggressive in their pursuit.
Before Shinobu can escape in some flashy fashion, though, she looks maybe a bit exasperated as someone steps in, whether they were here to help, here to take on one hell of a fight, or even just drunkenly stumbled in.]
I know how this looks, but I don't need help. Get out.
[The irritation is evident in her tone, as she really just wanted to avoid a stupid fight. However, whoever stepped in had since also gained the attention of the group of thugs. Letting out a long sigh, Shinobu takes a glance over at the other person before getting in position to fight - she didn't need her blade to kick someone's ass.]
Hope you know how to fight. Otherwise? Stand back and see how a real fighter works.
3) STICKY PAWS
[Being new to the area, Shinobu had originally just wanted to find a place to get a chai tea, but as the cat cafe was the first thing she could find, she decided to settle for that. Being indifferent to cats, Shinobu mostly sat at her table and slowly sipped at her drink.
At some point, one of the cats jumped up on the table and cozied itself to Shinobu. Not being completely heartless, Shinobu reaches out with one of her prosthetic hands and gives it a little pet the best she can as she finishes off her drink. However, as she reaches for her wallet, Shinobu realizes that her wallet was gone.
Being quick on the uptake, she takes a sharp glance at the ginger cat that was just at her table, barely catching a glimpse of her wallet before it started escaping. Seeing that it was headed directly in the path of someone incoming, Shinobu yells ahead to them.]
Stop that cat! [God, it sounded so ridiculous just saying it, but she wasn't going to let it just take off like that! Scowling, she mutters under her breath as she attempts to catch the cat.] This is why I was always a dog person...
[Yeah, because things like this totally happen all the time...]
4) WILDCARD
[Shinobu will absolutely refuse to go in any of the host clubs, but maybe she gets strong-armed into one? At the very least, she's actually pretty decent at conversation, even if she will still be stubborn about drinking any alcohol.
Or just run into her at a boba shop, some noodle stand, or sushi place. I'm always up for chill times too!]
3
And just what do we have here?
[The voice that bellowed out from the shadowy specter was equal parts loud as it was mirthful. At least someone was enjoying the situation.]
no subject
Perhaps to a person that hadn't gone through as many strange circumstances, they would have a hard time processing the sight of a ghost man catching a cat. However, Shinobu can only accept it with a sigh - of course it's some seemingly do-gooder apparition that came to her assistance this time.]
Not bad. [Being able to catch the cat that fast when it had eluded her own capture. With the little thief immobilized, Shinobu takes the chance to get closer to get a better look at the situation. And well... hopefully collect her wallet.] Can you hold this thing for a second while I get my wallet back?
no subject
What to do in this situation... Hrmmm....]
I suppose I can take the time out of my very busy day to hold this furball still. Although...you only need your wallet, right? Surely you don't care about the other belongings this little pest managed to snatch.
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Yep. Just my wallet. And[Though Shinobu herself was too honorable to claim any other lost loot the cat might have claimed, there was no way to know just who might be missing their shit, even if Shinobu was in a particularly noble mood.] It's really no concern of mine of what you do with the rest of the stuff.
no subject
And like that, you're already one of the more pleasant people I've met here! I'm sure we'll get along just fine.
[As promised, Snatcher lowers his arm, the one still firmly holding the pesky """cat""", making it easy for Shinobu to search for her belongings. Of course, he's still watching her. After all, this was only a verbal agreement and he's never really been a fan of those. He likes to get these things in writing; just in case the other party tries to get any funny ideas.]
no subject
[There's perhaps a little bit of a sarcastic tone to her response, but that was pretty much her default mood. At the very least, she was being more or less truthful in that much - he probably was going to be okay by her, just as long as he didn't cross her or anyone she was aligned with.
Even if she didn't really trust this guy, Shinobu reaches over to reclaim her wallet out of the stash of things the cat stole. For what it was worth, she did kind of owe this guy, so he might as well take whatever he wanted out of what was left - it's not like she was going to stake any claim on it anyway.]
That's all I need. Thanks... I guess.
picks 2 to make their senpai proud
But it's the sight of Shinobu falling into a fighting stance that stops him in his tracks. He doesn't think he's met her before, but... what about her squaring up like that is tugging at his mind? There's something interesting, maybe even familiar about her, and it isn't that searingly yellow outfit.
Unfortunately, when you stop in the middle of the street, people will run into you. Including one of the Shuten thugs trying to rough up Shinobu.]
Wait. [Watch where you're going, eyeball! You and your little girlfriend wanna fucking go?! Huh?!] I've never met her, and I'm not interested in a fight--
[Too late. He'll have to figure this woman out later. He can only spare Shinobu a nod before he's slamming his elbow back into the nose of a man poised to grab him from behind.
He glances up at her and calls:] Two to your left!
if only he could see them now (:
So thus, she merely gives a terse nod back and quickly pivots to duck under the punch of the Shuten member trying to rush her. While the first member is temporarily confused, Shinobu takes the opportunity to jump up on their back. She's about to flip them onto the ground, but sees that Kamui was in the path she projected in her mind.]
Watch out! [She doesn't give him much time to move out of the way before continuing on her attack. The second man near her can't help but laugh as he makes a comment. You just got your ass beat by that tiny woman?! Wait 'til I tell the boss about this!]
Make sure to tell 'em about how I beat your ass too, while you're at it.
[Older or not, Shinobu can't help but continue to shit-talk during her fights - some things never changed. At the very least, though, it doesn't draw away from her focus as she twists one of the offender's arms back to a painful angle before pushing him toward the next person rushing toward Kamui to at least throw their balance off a bit for him to get an easy opening for an attack.]
travis squeezing out a little tear from his eye
But he can't mull on that too much. Shinobu's already hurtling this way. He's about himself enough to dodge neatly; however, skidding out of the way puts him right in the way of an oni with a crowbar. Kamui ducks the attacker's swing just as all the banter gets going.
He just can't help himself. Talking shit is a prerequisite.] Aren't you forgetting someone? [He catches crowbar guy by the wrist and twists hard, disarming him and finally gaining a weapon of his own. Right on time: Shinobu's shoved another attacker his way. He winds up and swings, catching the poor sucker in the face. A tooth comes out. Ouch.]
Home run.
[It's a little corny, but it was fun to say, which is what matters.]
no subject
Yeah, that was perhaps even cheesier than the shit she usually muttered, but when you were confident in your own abilities and had the skill to show for it? You could say whatever the hell you want and the satisfaction would still be there in knowing that it'd be burnt into the mind of whoever you defeated. So really, Shinobu could only find it somewhat amusing that the oni would have to live with the extra humiliation.
In any case, the fifth oni was getting desperate, which clearly showed on his face as he quickly procured a switchblade from his pocket, waving it around in a flourish in front of Shinobu and Kamui.]
Wow. Look at this guy playing around with his toy. Almost cute, really. Emphasis on "almost".
[Staying in a fighting stance, Shinobu doesn't immediately attack, trying to get a feel for the oni's attack style - even if it did seem to be down to one guy, Shinobu wasn't about to get too cocky, though her shit-talking might suggest otherwise. She waits for him to attack first, but the oni manages to pull a fast one in quickly using his other hand to pull out another knife and toss it swiftly in Shinobu's direction.
It's one of the moments in which she was actually glad to have robot arms as she's able to catch the knife by the blade with two fingers, throwing it back immediately as the oni asked if she had just caught that with an utterly dumbfounded expression.
Knowing that the knife wasn't going to actually hit the oni, Shinobu looks back to Kamui with a nod - now was his chance to get a strike in, while he was distracted.]
no subject
It's so reckless to show off when you're on the ropes like this.
[The oni, for his part, doesn't seem especially moved by their remarks. Kamui follows the oni's movements closely, playing the waiting game along with Shinobu, but their enemy is too quick for him to do anything about the knife. So it's a good thing Shinobu seems to be faster than both of them. Kamui watches with rapt attention as she grabs the blade, impossibly, out of the air, and sends it flying back. With a dull thunk, the knife lands and sinks half its blade deep into the wall of the building behind the oni.
Fortunately, Kamui had already turned back to Shinobu, catching her nod-- he's rushing right at the oni, crowbar clenched tightly in his hand. The oni lunges for Kamui, but Kamui's smaller, faster, and cleverer; he feints to the left, confusing the youkai into facing the wrong direction, then swings his weapon low-- kneecapping the unlucky oni. He crumples to the ground in pain, letting down his guard: without hesitation, Kamui whacks him upside the head, knocking him out cold.
GREAT JOB, KIDS!!!]
Thank you for the help. [he says, turning to face Shinobu.] Maybe we should move further from here...
no subject
[Though Shinobu manages to keep most of her expression in a stoic manner, there's a small corner of her lips that betrays it. She did much prefer the fights where it could go either way, but she had to keep herself entertained somehow.
Thankfully, Kamui seemed to have caught on her signal to finish the oni off and uses the time to glance over her prosthetic arms, making sure they're still in working order before turning back to to him.]
Sorry to get you caught up in that, but... thanks for the assist. I wasn't expecting to run into you here.
[She didn't exactly know him well (and didn't quite catch on that he didn't know her just yet), nodding as she takes a look behind. They had these oni beat, but she really didn't want to risk the chance of more stumbling onto the scene.]
Yeah. We don't need to waste any more time with these guys.
no subject
[Yes, he's seen many, many timelines, and his good memory isn't quite photographic. But Kamui would have remembered Shinobu if he'd met her before today. Of that, he's 100% positive: that head of white hair is very distinctive.
This, however, is something they can take care of while they're moving. Confusion aside, they can't risk any of those guys' friends coming back with backup. He hustles along, following at Shinobu's side.]
Miss, what's your name, and where did we meet?
no subject
Nevertheless, she's wise enough to keep moving anyway, because she didn't want to waste her time with more dumbass oni along the way. At the very least, though, she manages to respond in a more neutral tone than her face might have suggested earlier.]
Shinobu Jacobs. You met my Master sometime around the time of that video game bullshit that was going on. It's a knowing each other through association kinda thing.
no subject
[Well. This is a new one: he's never been on the other end of the time travel nonsense.
He hesitates long enough that he's a couple of steps behind her-- wow, she's got a stunningly sharp annoyed face, remind him never to cross Shinobu again. Kamui increases his pace to get back to her side, eyebrow furrowing in thought.]
So, that's... over? How long ago, would you say? Because I just left him-- maybe hours ago-- before I woke up here. I'm supposed to be in the future, but I think some wires must've gotten crossed.
no subject
That was like two years ago now. Are you high or are you just fucking with me?
no subject
N-neither! Neither, I swear. [She's so tough... Good for Travis for having such a strong ally on his team, seriously.] The only friends of his I was able to meet before I left were his cat and that man from the video store, Bishop. I never even met Birkin face-to-face. Trav mostly came to meet me while we were tracking down the Death Balls.
[Of course, Travis had been isolated, far away from them all, in Texas for some time, so it figures his friends wouldn't have come by so readily...]
This is... very strange. [This is the future, but not the right one. What the hell happened?] Were Trav and Badman successful, at least? Did they get their wish?
no subject
Jeane goes everywhere with him, whether my master wants them to or not. So, not to surprising that you met the cat before me. But I guess you met Bishop before I did, so you've got that on me.
[She knew his brother well enough to leave flowers on his grave, but she'd be able to bond with him through Blade of the Immortal later anyway.]
And if it makes you feel any better? That Birkin guy was a total asshole. Not too sad that he's dead now, even if it was kind of really in a stupid kinda way.
[Folding her arms, she looks thoughtful for a moment as she thinks on the wish from before.]
Oh, in bringing Bad Girl back to life? [Look, that was the name she went by, back when they were both in the rankings. That was the name she still went by
BECAUSE CANON GAVE US NOTHING ON EVEN THAT MUCH.] Yeah, so first she came back as a dog and it was totally annoying. But somehow they fixed it and she's back as a human now.(3)
...well, actually he's used to that already. But not in a cat cafe! ]
Wah, kitty on the run? [ He's already on the alert even though he has no idea which cat he's being told to catch, but its probably the one making a mad dash past him with what appears to be a wallet in its mouth. Ooh, these are some bad kitties. ]
I got it! Its okay, I'm a professional!
[ Even though owning a cat doesn't exactly make you a professional of cat-handling. His brain doesn't work too well. But Haru's more than ready to chase this feline down. ]
no subject
[Shinobu flashes a vague hint of doubt in her expression over the stranger's claim of being a pro in catching cats, but she was at least a little thankful that he was helping in the first place.]
I guess we'll see. Keep chasing him and I'll try to come at an angle and scoop him up, if you're not able to get it?
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[ Haru yells out in response as he's already making a beeline to chase after the cat. The guy's small but super fast, as expected of a thieving cat, but Haru's close on his tail. And also might be knocking over chairs and tables in the area. ]
Sorry, sorry! Hurry, this guy's real fast! If someone comes in the door he'll get out before we know it!
no subject
[Shinobu raises her brows, but she's not about to further insult someone who was already down - she at least had that much class. Besides, it seemed like he was willing to help her, so Shinobu could save her judgment until afterwards.
Perhaps if this place wasn't in the process of trying to scam her, she'd feel a little more bad about the furniture that was getting toppled over. But as she made her own dash to the side, Shinobu really couldn't give less of a fuck. Though she's initially going for the flank on the cat, the helpful stranger did have a point - the flank wouldn't be much good if the cat had more escape options.
So, she makes a rush for the door, sliding the glass shut in the face of a rather pissed off looking older man.]
I'm sure there's more places to get scammed by cats, go find them.
[And that's all Shinobu offers to him before locking the door. Even in the midst of the chaos, though, the offending cat thinks fast and changes course to try to get to a window on the next wall over.]
It's going to the left, quick!