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

[ robin tries to smile but immediately winces as his cheeks slightly rise. the true punishment is not being able to offer an expression that matches what's in his heart! it's also good to hear that nothing permanently has been done.

as for the ice, he'll have to probably go back... somewhere? maybe to his apartment. ]

My pride is perfectly fine! [ again, he touches the spot. this time he sighs. ] Just didn't see it coming, that's all.

[ a beat, then: ]

I like your wings.

[the comment catches her a little off guard, but she recovers quickly. really, she didn't give as much thought to the wings as she used to, but Emily still looks mildly flattered.]

Oh - thank you.

[but before she can go on, she hears the tell tale shouting of yet another incident primed to start.]

...It might be for the best if we make our way out of here, though.

[ he turns his head, aware of the rumbles of what sounds like another fight starting up--- this one stemming from what seems to be a disagreement? one person speaks up, then another, then a third, and then a fist is raised and robin can see someone get struck harder than he did.

and the scent of blood touches his nose and robin raises his hand to cover his face. ]

Ah--- yeah. Let's get out of here.

[ with his free hand, he takes emily by the wrist. ]

Come on.

[ they can go towards a street with plenty of food stands and restaurants, a place robin's already fallen in love with. no one would dare fight there. ]

[without protest, Emily follows along. any port in a storm, and all that.

though where they end up is a surprise - she's barely thought of food since her arrival, and now with this much variety, how is someone to choose? the indecision is written across her face, with the sights and smells of it all...

just. maybe she'll skip the meat to start with.]

[ that's okay, because he'll treat her to something good. even though their surroundings might be foreign, the smell and sight of food is universal. right?

one stand in particular offers the airiest and most colorful strands of spun sugar on paper cones, and robin is quick to grab two and place a few bills down.

where he got them? that's a mystery. ]

Here! I promise it's really good. [ a beat, then: ] It's sugar.

[it's beautiful, almost too much to eat, but it would be rude to reject it based on looks alone. with a quiet thanks when it's handed to her, she stifles any thoughts about healthy eating and balance - one treat wouldn't ruin a day - and takes a bite.

it's so fine, the texture is strange, but it melts into nothing but sweet, and Emily's eyes light up. her weakness, really.]

It's delicious!

[and quite the novelty.]

[ he's already been greedily attacking his; some of the color in the candy the same color as his hair. whether that makes it tastier to him... unsure. but he's happy watching emily enjoy hers, finishing his probably quicker than he should. ]

Are you telling me you've never had it before?

[ that kind of reaction... it's endearing. ]

I guess a doctor has to watch their diet more than others, huh...

[she nods at the question - both the limits of her diet and the absence of it in general. she'd not sought too many sweets out, trying to keep herself from the path of too much temptation, and usually, what she had was gifts from patients. but this...this is a special moment unto itself.]

Some of my friends say I'm too careful when it comes to this sort of thing...

[but it makes the moments of indulgence all the more enjoyable, in her eyes.]

A balance is all I advise, nothing stricter than that.

Oh... hm. You're a lot nicer than the doctors I've seen. Always about eating more greens, less bread. More fruit, less cookies.

[ basically, that balance. but robin laughs and shrugs lightly, showing off his teeth with a grin. ]

But I don't have to worry about that anymore. Perks of... um. Well, it's a perk.

[ which makes that smile fade quickly, as robin looks off to the side. ]

So. If I told you something, would you keep it a secret?

Of course. You can consider it under patient confidentiality.

[she's good at keeping secrets in general. but he's been kind enough to get her a sweet as well, so she'll make sure it sounds locked down.]

Okay!~

[ finally, someone he can confide in about his health. ]

... I haven't seen a doctor since I was a child.

[ that's his secret. kind of. there is a vampire doctor of sorts, but robin has yet to need one... ]

You haven't? I'm glad that you've avoided needing a doctor's care, but still, getting a regular checkup is important, Mr...

[now it occurs to her that she doesn't know the young man's name.]

Laffite. My name is Robin Laffite.

[ he's more than happy to give others his name, especially if it means they recognize it. ]

I think I'm a pretty special case... I don't think a traditional doctor will be able to care for me now.

If you need a specialist, Mr. Lafitte, then all the more reason to keep at least some form of contact information handy. Your health is nothing to toy with, after all.

[she says this, but she's still going to enjoy the spun sugar. it's already here, after all.]

Well...

[ he hesitates again, but sighs. where he's been hurt is barely a wound now, thanks to a slower (but still faster than normal) healing rate. he's thankful for that much, at the very least. ]

... I could always contact you with a phone. Right, doctor... um...

Emily Dyer. And yes, you can contact me - though you'll have to excuse me as I sort out this phone. It's a bit tricky to understand...

[the last phone she found was in the gutter from the 90s, so a smartphone is an alien object to her.]

Doctor Dyer!

[ hehe. alliteration. ]

Oh, you need help with it? I can do that... here, I can show you using my own.

[ easy for him to slide his out of his coat, give her the basic rundown on how to use all kinds of apps, etc. he is their unit's social media person, after all. ]

You can even have it set so you can separate your professional stuff with your personal stuff!

February 2022 Test Drive

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