February 2022 Test Drive

[jigokumods]

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.

• 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.

Welcome to the test drive meme!

• Threads here can be considered game canon.
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• Reserves are open until March 5th.

Comments

Majima Goro | Yakuza 0 (Slumscape CRAU) | Sutoku Alliance

[no_kyouken]

1. ENTRY

[ Well, is this more or less traumatizing than his last entry into a yokai hellscape? Unclear, but that shitty music is starting to get on his nerves.

Majima himself looks a little bit like a yokai by this point. He's fused deeply with an Uwabami -- a giant snake -- that fused with him once upon a time. His skin shows with a thin layer of translucent white scale, a thick tail that extends out the back of his shirt and pants, the tell-tale slit eyes and forked tongue. He crosses his arms and doesn't seem all that bothered by what's going on, only sometimes muttering to himself (to the snake),]

Shut up, Joku, we'll get somethin' to eat when we're done with this.

[ He fiddles out a cigarette just long enough to get barked at by an akaname not to smoke in here. Majima makes a face, tongue briefly exposed in a sullen little hiss. He puts it back and goes back to staring at the ceiling until he catches some commotion behind him.

Someone's stolen your ticket? Sigh. He listens with a tired expression before he hands over his own ticket and heads back into the line to punch a couple dodomeki. ]

2. THE CITY (SUTOKU)

[ Finally out on the street, he puts his cigarette to his mouth and lights it, looking up and around. Huh. Looks like home. That makes him feel... not that great, actually. Emotions twist and fire off uncomfortably in his chest. He looks at the address for a long moment before deciding it's pretty much pointless just wandering around and hoping he finds it.

He carefully assesses the yokai on the street before he approaches any of them. He has a general sense for which ones are mean and which ones are treacherous after Hakagemachi. He finally settles on another uwabami like himself and starts by asking what's good to eat around here. They chat it up easily for a little bit, Majima trades one of his cigarettes over, and then waves goodbye before heading out.

He glances his shoulder when asked, ]

Huh? Oh, Sutoku Alliance office. Yeah, ya can tag along with me.

5. HELP WANTED - TAMAMO TERRITORY

[ Oh for fuck's sake. Majima stares down a tearful hostess begging for help in her club for the night. Doesn't anybody know how to run one of these damn these? After rubbing the bridge of his nose for a moment, he points her impatiently inside, glancing at you who has been recruited for the evening, ]

Are ya comin' or what? Get everybody rounded up in the back.

[ He meets with all the hostesses and waitstaff in the back, a measely lot, with his arms crossed as he looks them over. ]

This is a sad crew, but we're gonna work our asses off an' make it work tonight, ya hear me?

[ He has a few immediate tasks that he can be helped with: Cuteing up any of the underdressed hosts and hostesses, determining the strengths of the hosts and hostesses, recruiting in more off the street, reviewing the menu to make sure anything understocked gets taken off the menu now, and reviewing the sections for the wait staff to make sure there's no confusion.

Majima apparently knows what he's doing, even if no one else does. He has one request for himself, ]

Find me somethin' t'wear that ain't a sight...

[ And with that he turns away to work on someone's makeup. ]

WILDCARD

[ At the tail end of the night, Majima can be found happily enconsed in a small food cart eating an absolutely ghastly amount of food. The snake gets hungry, what can he say. If you want to drink with someone who can surely drink you under the table with that yokai in his gut, he's the guy for you. Overall, he seems to be in a decent mood despite it all. At least he had something to do that was relatively normal for a night.

It will make him more heartsick later, when he's drunker. He'll turn morose close to closing time, reluctant to head back to his lodging. ]

wildcard

[heretic_blade]

[ After the night Izō's had, some food will do him good. He's already pretty drunk from his stint as the city's worst okayest host. Izō doesn't even look before he takes a seat next to Majima, more interested in food than whoever's sitting with him. ]

Ya can pack away a lot for a scrawny fella.

[ Has Izō quite realized the face seated next to him is one he grew very fond of back in Hakagemachi? No. If he were less drunk, he would've been a little more alert. His food takes precedence tonight. ]

[no_kyouken]

[ He mumbles something with a mouthful of food, so it's actually the snake that answers, ]

Oh my, look at this wretched bird.

[ Majima stops eating and turns his head, immediately spluttering noodles. ]

'zo...

[heretic_blade]

[ That voice -- both of them. His wings bristle and fluff up at the snake and Izō is about to snarl right back before he hears his name.

All sorts of familiar faces showing up tonight. Izō isn't sure if he likes it. ]

Majima...What th' fuck are ya doin' here?!

[ What is volume control when you're equal parts relieved and shocked? ]

[no_kyouken]

Same thing as you are, obviously.

[ He isn't sure what he thought would happen as Hakagenachi broke apart. They hadn't found a way to separate man and yokai, it's not like he could go back to Sotenbori like this. Maybe in a way the next yokai city made sense.

He reaches out and pinches Izo's ear to accentuate obviously. ]

Where ya been? They got ya workin'?

[heretic_blade]

[ He swats at Majima's hand before shooting him a glare. Don't touch his ears!! Activate the fussy man. ]

Mmph, not yet...But I been makin' money, if ya get me. [ Izō quickly flashes a wad of bills tucked into his kimono. ] Dumbasses keep underestimatin' me, so I show 'em what's what.

[ This all feels familiar yet somehow not as awful as it was in Hakagemachi. At least he doesn't have to worry about the meat being from someone he knew. ]

[no_kyouken]

[ Majima snorts a laugh. God, it's been a long time since he was sitting with someone at a food cart talking about their take for the day. It great but also makes him strangely nervous. He hadn't earned his way back. He hadn't earned his way home. Saejima is still sitting in jail. Makoto is still captured. Why is he in this fucking place instead of doing what he needs to be doing? ]

Guess you'll do fine in this town.

[heretic_blade]

[ The thought of why Majima is here, too, hadn't occurred to him. It should, by all means: they're in hell. Why is he here? Izō has a reason to be, certainly, but Majima had done considerably less than he himself did.

Hm.

Izō pauses to pull up his scarf for a moment and hide the flush on his cheeks. It's a bad effort. ]

...Better now that yer here. [ It's hard to be that honest about his feelings, even after everything they went through. A moment later and he relaxes a little. ] Ya shouldn't be here, but...I ain't gonna complain.

[ He pats Majima's shoulder. ]

If ya need anythin', I got ya.

[no_kyouken]

[ Well. Yeah. It would have fucking sucked to be here without Izo and Emily. Majima can't imagine any outcome except getting suctioned back into the meandering depression he'd shown up to Hakagemachi in. This town invites it, mindless wandering doing mindless work, never getting home no matter what he did. He's being offered the same gig as before: do what we say and we'll send you back. He never expected them to keep their word, Sagawa had already pulled the rug out of him plenty of times.

Majima exhales heavily, glancing up through the slats of the cart at the neon signs. He's at a loss for words for a long moment; muddied with guilt and exhaustion. ]

Nah, all yakuza gonna see each other in Hell. Ya accept that when ya sign up. Might'a died in that car bomb.

[ He skips the sentimental stuff because it's awkward for both of them, but he probably belonging her with him is approximately the same sentiment anyway. ]

wildcard...

[medicative]

[far more clearheaded than some, it takes only a simple nudge against her awareness to get Emily to look in the right direction. that hair, that frame, the scales - it couldn't be, but it could. and it leads her to step forward, to come closer and make sure, because surely, lightning doesn't strike twice in such rapid succession. it doesn't give to her in such ways - it all has to be earned, and not handed forth.

except, she's finding, it does. and it does in a way that makes her wonder what she's done to earn it, but she dare not say that aloud for fear of losing it. because she knows him as surely as she's known others, would be able to pick him out in any location.]

...Majima.

[no uncertainty - just his name, hoping he'll turn and look, and this will be reality as well. look, and if fortune holds, he'll remember her as much as she does him.]

[no_kyouken]

[ If his mouth wasn't full of spicy ramen, he'd have noticed her sooner. The herbs and medicines and the tengu have a particular scent profile that the fork in his tongue picks up like any reptile would. But he drowns it half the time with cigarettes and liquor and food. So instead it's the sound of her footsteps, softly echoing, and her voice that makes him turn. He had been just on the edges of maybe getting soppy he hadn't seen her, but... ]

Em. Are ya hungry?

[medicative]

[her expression melts into a smile to hear the familiar nickname, the rush of sheer relief that washes over her to know that there's recognition. shaking her head - no, she's not hungry, but Majima's eating enough that the stall owner can let something pass, and she hurries to his side to take a seat there and not stand around thunderstruck over the ordeal.]

I was truly hoping to see you again. Even if this isn't the best place for reunions.

[Hell or not, she'll be selfish in her heart and gladdened to be in his presence.]

[no_kyouken]

[ He reaches out and puts his hand on hers. ]

I... didn't wanna be here with ya.

[medicative]

Be where? Hell?

[you can say it. regardless, the weight of his hand is a comfort - it says he's physically here, and not just an illusion to be snatched off.]

[no_kyouken]

If I can't go back... I wanna be where you are.

[ If he has to keep surviving without being able to go back to his burdens, he wants to be with the lady who helps him feel whole. ]

[medicative]

[she's quiet for a second, glancing down at their hands. she'll have to explain at some point, express why she never, never wants to return. but what comes out is:]

You'd find it frightfully antiquated. Hardly any of the same conveniences that you're used to.

[she'd had to learn fast, and make up her shortfall.]

I'd tell you more, but...it's a long conversation.

[not here. not when someone could appear out of the blue and witness her cracked open heart.]

[no_kyouken]

[ He glances thoughtfully at his food, plenty of empty bowls and glasses. He doesn't offer because he wants to rush said long conversation, but because he's reasonably done here anyway, ]

I should walk ya back t'where yer stayin'.

[ Because he does know this kind of town and a lady walking home at night is sure to get heckled by the thugs and street gangs. ]

help wanted

[flamenc]

Who’re you calling sad?

[Hwoarang bites back, about as huffy as they come. Even in this get-up, looking a lot more cleaned up than his usual biker, street-punk vibe, this isn’t his scene. Clothes feel too loose in some places, too snug in some — they even whisked away his eyepatch, despite the fact that he demanded that he needed it for more than aesthetic, though he seems to be clear-eyed and irritated well enough without it.]

Tch. [Raking a hand though his hair, he ruffles it up in his anxious frustration.] Why can’t I work security? I’m better at beating up punks causing too much trouble than playing nice.

[Says the punk.]

[no_kyouken]

Cuz we need all hands on deck, ya can do both if somebody gets too handsy with ya. But at least try callin' for me first.

[ Majima has an imperfect Kansai drawl, but also speaks briskly and with authority. He knows how to run one of these businesses. ]

Siddown, show me how ya do with some small talk.

MAJIMA! FELLOW SNAKE! (Entry)

[thedeadtwinofnarcissus]

[Gene's denial had been growing steadily weaker as time went on as Akari continued being silent. Even with his gentle coaxing and begging, there had been no results. The mask on the side of his head felt uncomfortable now, no longer a part of himself like it should be.]

No no no no...Please no...

[Muttering to himself anxiously, he jolted when he heard the familiar voice of a friend and fellow yokai host. Taking his mask into his hands, he rushed the source of the noise and nearly cried when he saw Majima there looking as snake-like as him! Letting out a relieved choked laugh, he ran to Majima, clasping the cold mask to his chest.]

Majima! Thank god you're here! Akari she's...She's not here! I can't feel her!

[His blue snake eyes were wide with fear as he clutched his memento to him. Small hisses of distress slipped out of his mouth as he looked at Majima for help.]

[no_kyouken]

Eh?

[ His attention focuses as his name is called. Oh there's Gene, he wasn't even sure what had happened to the kid in Hakagemachi, still kicking it looks like. ]

Whaddya mean gone? Ya look just like her.

[ Ok, maybe not just like, but he's clearly still possessed to Majima's eye. But then... Chijoku is worryingly silent. ]

Sorry I'm late! I'm playing catch up after having a hiatus.

[thedeadtwinofnarcissus]

[Gene shook his head frantically as he stared desperately at Majima.]

I can't feel her! She's not answering me!

[Clutching tightly to his mask, his eyes darted around anxiously before landing again on Majima.]

I used to be able to feel her shift against my ribs even if she was being quiet. But I can't feel anything! I still have scales and fangs and everything but-

[As he talked, tears gathered in his eyes as he tried not to lose it.]

She's not here! Even when I put my mask on, nothing happens! A-And the mask! It no longer thrums with power!

[He offered his mask for Majima to touch it, his eyes staring desperately at his friend.]

np, no rush from me

[no_kyouken]

Ah...

[ He extends his hand curiously. He's never been that savvy with magic, but he does understand it's something that can be felt. That Chijoku should be able to feel even if he can't. His scaled fingertips touch the wood and... Well. Yeah, that feels completely inert. ]

I don't know, kid. I ain't never really understood this shit. Anythin' coulda happened in gettin' to this place, yanno?

[ He feels bad, he's always a little awkward when people get emotional at him. ]

Look, no matter what ya still got some of her in ya. That might have t'be enough.

[ Like consoling someone for a dead loved one, how awkward. ]

I'm back! Sorry for the wait! Do you want to continue?

[thedeadtwinofnarcissus]

[Gene eyes widened before lowering sadly as he took back his mask. So she really was gone. Even Majima and his yokai couldn't feel her. Clutching the mask to his chest tightly, he trembled with emotion as he tried not to break down. Akari was really gone. Was he alone again? He had Majima of course but...]

Y-You...you're right. I'm sorry...

[To who he was apologizing to he didn't know. Both?]

that's a good intro, we can catch up in game!

[no_kyouken]