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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entry

[ izumo wouldn't consider herself particularly impatient, but after standing in line for what feels like hours, for something that's supposed to very well decide the rest of her fate in this stupid "hell"... well. a girl's got places to be, things to do, alright?

she huffs out an exasperated breath, deciding to act. ]

Hey. [ it doesn't matter who you are, what you look like. (a) if you happen to the the person in front of her, she's going to tap your shoulder till she has your attention. ] Trade tickets with me.

[ or maybe as she's in the middle of considering her options here, some movement in front of her happens to catch her attention. though she normally minds her own business, it's been so dull standing in this line that she winds up (b) speaking up before she can stop herself: ]

That guy's about to steal from you, by the way.

[ did she just save you some trouble here? or maybe she just blew up your spot. hell, she might even be full of shit. who knows, who cares. maybe now something interesting will finally happen. ]

the city

[ she is not lost, thankyouverymuch. if you (c) happen to see her round the same corner for the third time or cross back and forth over the same crosswalk again and again — no you didn't, mind your business, and WHY'S EVERYTHING LOOK SO SIMILAR ANYWAY, HUH??? ]

sutoku territory

[ if there's one thing izumo is absolutely, 1000%, without-a-doubt, weak-in-the-knees-to? it's cute shit. and what's cuter than a cat cafe filled to the brim with fluffy kitties all begging for her love and attention? maybe you're used to seeing her wandering around the city with a perpetual scowl on her face, or you happen to witness that miraculous moment her resting bitch face instantaneously melted into a look of utter adoration the second her eyes landed on a pair of toebeans pressed up against the glass—

either way, izumo will likely be (d) caught in the very compromising position of being curled up on one of the shag rugs, fawning and cooing over a large maincoon-looking cat purring up a storm on her lap. her left leg's gone numb and her hips are killing her, but it's fine, it's all good, she's fully prepared to die here thanks.

eventually, though, the rug will be pulled out from under her (not literally, though) when the cat deigns to leave her and she gets herself up on wobbly legs to (e) find her wallet missing, and a stern-looking cafe worker insisting she owes them money for all the time she'd spent oohing and ahhing. flustered, izumo does what she does best when confronted with an uncomfortable situation: she starts yelling. ]

What the hell?! I already told you — my wallet's gone missing! What do you want me to do about that?!

cyoa

( if none of these prompts catch your fancy, feel free to wildcard it up! )

Yes. It can certainly try.

[The man, robed in dark kimono and dark hair, looks like he might as well fit in with the more humanoid of the youkai in the place. When he turns his face to look at Izumo, half of it is concealed under a flimsy-looking paper sheath, covered in esoteric writing.]

[Looking at it for too long may produce a somewhat disquieting feeling.]

What number have you drawn, by the way? [Whatever aura his appearance may give off, his face immediately plasters into a smile, as if he's unaware of it. Even as the long-armed youkai draws nearer to reaching towards his kimono sleeve, he continues to act as though it may as well not exist.]

[ izumo's sharp eyes flick between the man's eerie smile and the slinking arm of the youkai several feet away, apparently void of any shame as it continues on with its business despite being so blatantly called out. it pulls a slightly deeper frown from the tamer's mouth, but it's a matter quickly set aside; it hadn't mattered much to her to begin with, and now there was even less value to it now that it wouldn't seem to bring her much entertainment. ]

Why do you care?

[ unlike the robed man, izumo doesn't bother with pleasant facades or civility. ]

Haha, well to be honest, I was going to offer it yours if it was the better deal.

[Matoba dangles his ticket in the air between them, hiding the number from view with his fingertips.]

Of course, if I'm the one with the better place in line, then I'm a more reasonable target. It might as well go for me. But we'll never know until we give our numbers, right?

[So much for civility. He's treating her as bait. It's then that he turns his head enough to address the dodomeki with his good eye, raising his voice for it to hear.] Wouldn't that satisfy your greed a little more?

Don't be stupid.

[ it's unclear who she's speaking to, since her eyes are still trained on the man smiling hypnotically before her, but she's raised her voice loud enough for the dodomeki hovering about to hear her.

eventually, she directs her gaze over to the latter, her expression flattening. ]

He's in front of me in line. Obviously his is better.

That's a reasonable assumption, [He agrees easily, seemingly enjoying the growing tension as they play hot potato with the ayakashi's attentions. He turns the ticket over in his hand to look at his own number. It's a mocking motion.]

However, consider this: there are many here who have chosen to sit after taking their numbers, rather than remain in the line, correct? That throws a wrench into the numbering system. How can one be sure that the order of the line corresponds to the order the numbers were taken in?

Maybe your number is ahead of mine, but I've cut you in the line.

[The poor dodomeki, at this point, seems more like it's getting bullied than being the bully, here. After being so thoroughly called out, it seems hesitant to make a move on either of them...]

[Well, so much for shaving off a couple of minutes from this absolutely boring line. Once Izumo alerts the person in front of her of his planned theft, Snatcher's long noodley arms are right back where they belong. The victim-to-be turns around not too long after, glaring dangers at the ghost. And wouldn't you know it, they were some kind of horrifying yokai! Though Snatcher is quite intimidating looking himself, as long as you ignore the resemblance to those inflatable noodlemen you see at car dealerships. He clasps his arms together in front of him and gives the yokai a big old grin.]

Oh come now, that's ridiculous. Me? Steal? That's a laugh! You won't find anyone more on the up and up than yours truly.

[ izumo watches the exchange with an impassive expression, but after noticing that the horrifying youkai in question seems more than content to let the ghost's sniveling pass, she pipes up again, apparently not content to let bygones be bygones. (as if she's the one who was nearly robbed here...) ]

How do we know you haven't stolen already? Someone should get your shadows.

[Snatcher is quite composed during the whole affair, a fact that remains true even as this girl seems all too willing to throw him under the bus. However, though he doesn't let it show, he is starting to get annoyed. Seriously, what is it with children ruining his plans?]

You know, kid, you're prattling on an awful lot for someone who's supposed to be an innocent bystander. How do we know you're not the real thief here? I mean it'd make sense! Get in everyone's good graces while drawing suspicion away from yourself.

[ izumo arches a brow, looking genuinely confused for a second. having made something of a life as being a resident mean girl, she can't even remember the last time anyone's ever accused her of trying to get into anyone's good graces. ]

Well it makes sense now why you got caught so easily.

[ she shifts her weight from one hip to the other. ]

You're stupid.

[His grin, the kind that wouldn't be out of place on a Jack o'lantern, only grows in size. Though to anyone exceptionally observant, it's clear that there's some tug on one side, with just the slightest hint of a squint on his eye. Seems like someone's getting a little testy.]

Deflecting the accusation AND attempting to diminish the credibility of the one accusing you? Gotta hand it to you, kiddo, you're a real pro. No wonder you wound up in hell!

Edited 2022-02-23 23:24 (UTC)

[ it isn't normally so easy to get under izumo's skin — not like this, in a volley of mean-spirited words, a pasttime she frankly excels at — but there's something a little too personal about that accusation.

there's definitely a reason she's in hell. but it's far worse than anything this literal shadow of a man can think to throw at her.

she wavers for only a second. then her expression is smoothing out, back to something apathetic. ]

No one's listening to you, freak. If you're going to be loud, at least be loud for a reason.

[Though she wavered for but a second, a second was all Snatcher needed to catch a glimpse. The slightest hint of a moment of weakness. His golden grin widens considerably as any hint of his own faltering vanishes without a trace.]

See the funny thing is, I think someone IS listening: you. And dare I say my words seem to be getting under your skin. Why is that, I wonder? Has the wannabe goodie-two shoes got something to hide?

(He is actively trying to ignore whoever is behind him. He can feel her tap, tap, tapping and each

tap

drives him

up

the

wall

until he finally turns around to glare at her. God damnit it's just a kid. Some little girl at that too. He growls,)

Like hell.

(It's not happening!!)

[ the man lasts a lot longer than she thought he would have, as he doesn't exactly give off the air of someone made of patience. still, she is completely unfazed by the glare he directs her way, only finally dropping her hand down to her side now that she's fully got his attention. ]

Why not? Not like you have anywhere to be. You're new here too.

(It's less being patient and more just being tired and finished with everything. He just doesnt have the energy to deal with everything annoys him... because too many things annoy him.)

And you do?

(Have some place to go?)

Wait like everyone else.

[ the sooner she gets out of here, the sooner she gets assigned to a faction, the sooner this stupid contract can get underway. the sooner her sister can finally be safe.

so, yeah. as far as she's concerned, she does have places to go. ]

I've been waiting. How do we know whoever's up first didn't die again and hold up the line?

(Well it's too bad Hizen can't read minds then.)

We've all been waiting.

(She isn't special! Ugh.)

Then go check. It's not like your spot in line matters. (It's all by number anyway! So she can just dip out and see for herself.) What number are you anyway?

If it really didn't matter then why are you in line?

[ her eyes narrow faintly, suspicion written all over her face. is he just trying to pull one over on her or something. yeah, it makes sense, but very little of this place does so she's erring on the side of caution here. ]

(Grumbling because... she has a point.)

Got tired of sitting around. Felt like I was rusting away or something...

( so. yeah. she's definitely lost. not that prompto is judging her or anything, because he also definitely got lost before giving up and sitting in this cafe. a coffee and pastry sounds better than wandering around aimlessly and/or walking into some scary dudes.

which he has also seen wander around looking lost so. at least it's not just her.

pastry done and about her fourth circuit around, prompto gets up and heads outside to wait for her eventual return. he's kind of wondering if it's maybe some kind of curse on her from a yokai or something. cursed to wander a block for eternity. poor thing. it makes him hesitate when she's finally back but in the end, he lifts a hand to catch her attention, )

Hey. Are you lost?

[ by now, the frustration is radiating off of izumo in waves, evident too in the way her jaw clenches, and the way she practically flinches when prompto decides to wave her down. her steps slow, and she glares at him like it's somehow his fault this is happening to her, but after a second she seems to get a hold of herself and merely turns her nose away, resuming her steps to brush past him. ]

None of your business.

( well, it wouldn't be the first time he's gotten a look like that. thankfully, though, this time it isn't his fault and he's just trying to be nice!! he knows how frustrating it can be to be lost and not know where to go or how to really ask for help.

not that he will be super helpful here or anything. but, he wants to help. that's the important part.

or something.

he knows enough to know not to follow after her because that's weird, but he does pitch his voice a little higher so she can hear him over the general din of the city. )

No, but I know you already went that way a couple times.

( bruh, that's creepy too. )

[ This young man is, perhaps, one of the few to enter a cat cafe and enjoy the atmosphere from a reasonable distance. Despite the lure of cats and their tantalizing toe beans, Chongyun elects to simply watch them knead blankets and nap from a distance while sipping quietly on a glass of ice water that's more ice than water. His face doesn't even reflect the gentle joy one soaks in while enjoying the company of cats; it remains cool, almost emotionless, despite being seated in the confines of mindblowing cuteness.

Yet he's still there. He may have to practice discipline and restraint, but it doesn't mean he can't enjoy the company of cats.... from the side.... and imagine stroking their fur and touching their beans. To actually do so might stir something in him: thus, avoided. Sort of.

He notices the girl who had been visiting at the same time—and, as it happens, ends up heading toward the front to pay for his visit when her voice spikes. The sound rings in his ears, a sharp pang across the temples, and says nothing as he reaches between Izumo and the stern cafe-worker with payment—enough for two visits.

Blue eyes with catlike pupils flick between the girl and the cafe worker. He would be content to say nothing at all but finally does speak: ]

This should be enough.

[Reaching to tap his shoulder is probably difficult, on account of him being 10 foot tall. But the one tap is enough to get Soundwave attention, turning to look down at a... kid.

With the faceplate on and monotonous voice, it's typically hard for emotions to bleed through in whatever Soundwave do or say. But anyone could tell he's linefacing something hard at her behind the mask upon hearing what she wanted.]

Why should I? [Not that he plans to give his number slip away for any reason, but still.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

February 2022 Test Drive

izumo kamiki | ao no exorcist | sutoku alliance

entry (b)

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Entry- B

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i'm popcorning this thread ngl

i'd apologize for her but... waves hands helplessly

no no, he deserves it; he's the worst

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sutoku territory (e).

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