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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[ he squeezes his eyes shut, prepared to receive some ample amount of pain and punishment for almost collapsing into someone else--- but finds that he's being propped up and kept from touching the ground. a sigh of relief follows as he opens his eyes and sees yuri, hears a calm and polite voice, and can only hope that the brute of a man who he somehow pissed off will be persuaded.

maybe it's because it could be a two-versus-one situation, where one is clearly more capable of fighting than the other that gives the man pause? or perhaps he doesn't want to lose track of whatever random brawl he's got money on, so...

robin feels a wet warmth splatter on his forehead as he's spat on, but it's better than feeling his skin break and bones beneath it shatter. that's all he'll get for now. hopefully.

but right now, he has no words. he's breathing heavily, the fear of being attacked still on his mind. ]

[ Yuri frowns in distaste when the man spits. He begins to step away, nudging the boy along as he continues to try and extricate them from the situation. At least they haven't drawn too much attention; upon reassessment, most of the mob appear to be occupied by whatever other fight is happening. ]

Sounds like the brawl you're looking for is back there. We'll leave you to it. Wouldn't want you to miss out on the excite-

[ The man doesn't let him finish his sentence before he growls and swings. Well, alright. Yuri gives Robin a shove forward so he won't be caught by the fist darting out. At the same time, he swivels out of the way of the punch himself. The drunk man's fist misses its target but manages to seize Yuri's cape (yes, he's still wearing his medieval getup, no, it's not a cosplay) and begins dragging him forward. ]

[ wow, not a cosplay? color robin surprised... but not as surprised as instead of being pulled away, he feels his balance shifted towards the youkai who's lunging forward with a fist. robin can feel the air being displaced by the punch, one that completely whiffs but still somehow happens to grasp at the cape of the man who is trying his hardest to save him.

his eyes widen. if robin were someone with a sword, or rather--- if he had his own--- he could easily slice open the oni from below. so much wide open space to sink a blade into! but alas he can only watch in fear as that particular garment is more of a liability at this moment.

or... is it...?

robin doesn't like the idea of doing this, but if it means the youkai will let go? then he has no choice, and he immediately reaches up and grabs onto the exposed forearm. opening his mouth, those particularly sharp eyeteeth of his... he uses them as they're intended. he chomps down. hard.

the oni lets go, but reflexively backhands the pink haired vampire and sends him sprawling. ]

[ Yuri's not too worried when his cape is seized, not even when the drunk makes an angry inhuman noise. He's fought his way out of worse scrapes, and he'll fight dirty if he must. What he doesn't anticipate is his companion throwing himself at the attacker first and receiving a blow in return. ]

But thanks to that, his movements are now unhindered, and Yuri strikes back by kicking the demon between the legs (that works on a demon...right?), then once more to trip him and send him tumbling to the ground. The pained howl in response draws the attention of the nearby crowd, and Yuri frowns as multiple eyes turn on them. ]

What a damn mess.

[ Gone is his pleasant facade, replaced by the crude attitude of one who's lived and survived on the streets. ]

Thanks for the assist. [ He helps Robin up by the elbow, motioning to him to run for it. ] Quickly. While the bastard's down.

[ being lifted up, robin has to take a moment to shake off the stars that he's seeing in his vision--- he's not used to fighting, not used to be struck, and certainly not used to having to collect himself so quickly so that they can get hastily get away! but if anything... he feels emboldened doing this all with someone who certainly has a flair for dramatics, heroism, and a tone that immediately changes right before his very eyes...?

robin wipes his lips off with the back of his other hand. at least he can still run, and no doubt yuri is more capable of doing this than he is... so to the sutoku district they'll go, where the lights are brighter and there's certainly less fighting.

just outside a street of various shops with colorful lights and well-lit window displays... ]

... what a scary place...

[ with clear (and normal) eyes, robin offers yuri a shaky smile. ]

Thank you so much... I owe you.

[ Yuri peers back around the alleyway they came, cautious of pursuers and other inhuman creatures lurking about. His posture only relaxes when all is still and he can be sure they're alone. ]

Welcome to Hell. Better get used to watching your back.

[ Yuri doesn't say it to scare him, but to advise him to be more alert. He fixes the clasp of his cape as he speaks. He'll be getting rid of his outfit at the next opportunity. He's well aware he sticks out like a sore thumb, which isn't ideal when he'd rather keep a low profile and observe the ongoings. There's too much of the city and its machinery unknown to him, such as the bright neon lights that illuminate Robin as he looks over to him. ]

How is your injury?

[ yuri almost sounds like he's been in a similar situation before, which means robin knows he'd do well to remember this--- that unlike the mostly safe and bright environment of harajaku, hell may start with the letter 'h' but is certainly 100% different than his home. ]

I'll... I'll try.

[ he knows yuri means well. it's why robin doesn't cringe or flee right away; there's a level of intimidation that he feels... yuri's one of those friendly types that can afford to be at any time. ]

Oh. It's fine, I think.

[ as he reaches up to touch the spot, his cheek is certainly red, but that's it. even as his hand passes over it, it's already starting to fade. ]

... never been hit so hard before in my life...

I know the feeling. Let me see your cheek.

[ Yuri steps closer. It's true, the injury doesn't look bad, not when compared to the broken noses and punched-out teeth he's seen after a scuffle. Even so, Yuri witnessed the boy struck with enough force to know his face might bruise.

He raises one hand next to Robin's cheek, calling forth a Faith spell that would expedite the recovery process... only to find that the magic that once rippled easily from his fingertips no longer responded to his call. ]

Seems my healing spells aren't working.

[ Yuri sighs with discontent and withdraws his hand. It almost makes too much sense that the Goddess' blessing could no longer reach this unholy place. ]

[ robin's eyebrows raise in surprise, but not doubt. no--- he doesn't think yuri's faking him out. the kind of person that would go out of his way to save an innocent and mostly docile boy but then lie about having some kind of magic at his disposal...? ]

It's okay. I know you tried! I can feel it.

[ even now, that redness isn't getting any worse.

he turns his head, shows that spot where there should be broken skin and bruising, should be swollen black and blue. though his vampirism is certainly less effective here, there's still a bit of that resistance... just a bit.

robin's never had to test this aspect of his transformation before, that's for sure. ]

You're a wizard? Mage? Magician? Uh... sorcerer?

If I was a sorcerer, I'd have done worse to the thug, don't you think?

[ Yuri says dryly, an amused smirk crossing his features at the guesses.

Robin's skin looks unblemished, and that was a strong bite back there, but the signs are subtle enough that he's not picked up there might be something otherworldly about the boy. That, and vampires aren't commonplace where he's from. ]

Yeah, no. Just someone who's used to scuffles and having to patch people up.

[ The skill comes in handy when doctors cost a pretty penny. When you live in the Abyss, you learn to lick your own wounds. ]

Mmm... well. I'm glad that you didn't try even if you were, because what if you found out that you couldn't do your worse right in front of them?

[ he would've hated to see yuri really hurt. between the two of them, just knowing that he can now take one (1) big strike? robin would've tried to bear the brunt of it. he may not be some hero, but... he has to be useful in some way? ]

You are, huh... then I guess I'm pretty lucky!

[ robin claps his hands together. ]

I don't think I caught your name. Everything was going so fast...

We'd have matching bruises. Cute, but I'd rather not give the thug the satisfaction.

[ Yuri says dryly, a chuckle passing his lips. This boy really is a soft one, worrying about him when they've barely just met. It's a trait a city like this will chew up and spit on, though Yuri wishes it weren't so. ]

Call me Yuri. And who do I have the pleasure of meeting?

Guess I wouldn't feel so out of place in that regard...

[ but he wouldn't wish that on yuri in the slightest. as difficult as this city may end up being, he doesn't plan on being a victim if he can help it! ]

My name is Robin Laffite. [ hands now in front of him, he gives the other man a bow. ] I'm from England, but I've moved to Japan somewhat recently.

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February 2022 Test Drive

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