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

You did, but I still feel like helping.

[And the sooner this get wrapped up, the sooner they can talk about this situation. As he say that, another youkai wish to try their luck against Norimune. Unfortunately for them, they're easy enough for Norimune to read.]

If they want to show off, I trust you'll give them a good challenge.

[Like facing against a mighty opponent might inspire them? Or Hizen can just defeat them all. Norimune dodges one yokai and trips it over, causing them to fall to the ground.]

(The yokai trips and Hizen steps on him. It looks like after more or less fighting off the three of them, their enemy is beginning to reconsider what they thought about their targets. Hizen might be scrawny and messy but he's not easy and Norimune isn't just some weird guy either.

They pick themselves up and begin to pull back, yelling something about how they're gonna be in way more trouble later when they come back with help! Hhizen just growls as they run away...

And he doesn't speak to Norimune. He's not starting this conversation. No sir.)

[He sheathes his sword, smiling as he watches them leave. Once they're gone, he glances over at Hizen, who isn't showing any signs of speaking. Well, he expected this anyway.]

It's a pleasant surprise to see you here, Hizen. I daresay we should walk away from here and find a seat.

[Before those boors come back and try their luck again.]

Let's chat while we walk.

(Seriously. Of all the guys he could have run into. Of all the bureaucratic swords he could have found. It had to be this guy. It's not like their past ties really matter anymore but it doesn't help either.

He glances at Norimune.)

...

(And lets out a sigh,)

Then lead the way, old man.

[And lead the way, he will. Norimune will start walking in the direction he came from, as he did roughly remember the path he took until he saw Hizen.]

Did you see any of our comrades here?

[Sometimes, he can skip his usual, roundabout way and go straight to the point. Is it just them, or there's other Touken Danshi here as well?]

(Good. Hizen likes it that way. He'd rather give a report than have a conversation.)

Just you.

(Unfortunately.)

Haven't heard from anyone back home either.

(Not the citadel or the government. Hm.)

[There's a time and place for his jests—whether his comrades agree with it or not—and this situation isn't it.]

Ho...

[The citadel have enough swords to keep fighting the war. It's still an unfortunate situation.]

Nor do I see Konnosuke anywhere. [Or Kuronosuke, if the government can detect them.] For the time being, let's assume it's just us two.

...

(So they're cut off. Feels like one of those "worst case scenarios" for any touken danshi away from their headquarters. He wonders if anyone has noticed.

That said, despite being a former inspector, Hizen hates taking the lead. he'd rather just slip into the shadows and do what he's told. But he also dislikes the idea of deferring to Norimune. If he had to choose between the two, though? )

Then what's the plan?

[He's retired to leave behind the leadership role in his family. While he rather let others taking the lead, Norimune knows Hizen enough. He'll take charge for now.]

We'll play along and collect information for now. To see if we can return or if we're truly stuck here.

[Ideally, they'd get back. For all the city's flashiness and temptations, Norimune would rather go elsewhere for his retirement.]

And avoid getting into too much trouble.

[He likes Hizen enough, he doesn't want his fellow sword to break here.]

(The old man gets senior privileges. Just not the kind of privileges he might want.)

You don't gotta worry about me.

(As rough as Hizen is... he likes to stay low.)

Just don't go getting on people's nerves. Wouldn't wanna get on someone's bad side.

(Because he knows how Norimune can be!!!)

[It's so lonely at the top, Hizen. 😔]

Uhahaha! I'm touched by your concern,

[How else can he draw attention, and learn how far they can go?]

I'm still learning my way around this city. So many stores, so many different people to meet. But I think I'll set up my home away from home. It would be unfortunate if I tired myself out and my room isn't relaxing.

[A safe place (or as close to it as possible) to stay at. This old man need a soft, comfortable bed to ease his weary body uwu.]

No one's concerned!

(He knows Norimune can take care of himself! It's just that when one of them makes trouble, it makes trouble for the other if people find out they're associates.)

This place is a hellhole. You think you're gonna get set up with a whole house or something nice in the first week?

(No way. They're probably going to get stuck in a one bedroom apartment with like, 3 roommates or something.)

We aren't getting a citadel here.

Can't an old man dream?

[He doubt they'd get a proper house. That likely requires hard work or getting involved in dirty deals. Both sounds incredibly unappealing.]

A clean room to sleep and have tea is enough for me. [Yeah, no. He wants sweets and food, and someone else to dump chores on.] Do you have a room?

(The silence means he... doesn't have a room.)

[Well, then.]

You can stay with me until you do.

[Rooming together is the most logical and safest decision. But he knows Hizen can take care of himself, so he leave the option open for his comrade.]

(

Glances.)

... Just say you want someone to do chores, old man.

(That's clearly all Norimune wants! Hizen knows he isn't desirable!!!)

Uhahaha! Perhaps, but I wouldn't mind if you do them for me.

[Listen, Hizen!! His young kids aren't here to do them for him, and there's no Nikkou around to make him work!!]

(He knew it.)

Tch.

(Translation: Fine.)

[Good boy. At this point, they likely walked far enough from the scene of the brawl. Those youkai likely would find it difficulty to track them now.]

While you do, you can also have tea with me. My door is always open for tea and chatter, Hizen.

[Both casually, and to exchange information they may have gathered.]

February 2022 Test Drive

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