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jigokufever2022-02-22 06:06 pm
jigokumods) wrote in jigokufever2022-02-22 06:06 pm
Entry tags:
February 2022 Test Drive
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.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.
- 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.
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!
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no subject
[Interesting. Interesting. It certainly made him curious as to what exactly she did in that military job of hers. Not that he was going to so abruptly ask that sort of question right off the bat.
Instead he decided to sit back in his seat, throwing his hands up behind his head to rest his neck a little while as he decided to focus on something else she said.]
Well, whatever they need us for it must be something big for them to just up and spirit us all away like they did. I doubt whatever they require of us is gonna be easy.
I suppose the best question would be, how far are you willing to go to get back to that cushy military job of yours?
[It was almost on cue of that unnecessarily dramatic question that the waitress had returned, placing down her tea and his beer before putting their food in front of them. An ornate display of various neatly cut sandwiches.]
no subject
[ Oh good the food was here. She'd focus on that for now. Instead of trying to figure out what looked like something she'd like to try first she just grabbed whatever was closest to her and stuffed the whole thing in her mouth. Though she seemingly had little time to actually taste any of what she was eating she seemed to be enjoying it. ]
no subject
[Damn. Did this girl not eat for a while now? She was scarfing that down like a greedy monkey he knew back home.
Ah, well. Gojyo wasn't one to judge that much, considering how his table manners usually were.]
All right then. You sound pretty determined, at least.
Did you find out what clan you're a part of yet? Or are you still exploring the city?
no subject
Of course. That's the first thing I did. I was assigned to the Department of the Enma. Why? Haven't you?
no subject
[Giving a quick shrug, he picked up a sandwich and took a bite before leaning in to continue.]
So, looking at how determined you are, I assume it's safe to say that your contract has something like "return home to my cushy military job" as the prize, yeah?
no subject
[ It was easy to say when it's what she really felt. She wasn't sure what he was expecting to hear. She watched him eating as if she expected him to respond with what it was he agreed to. That might just give her some idea of who he is. The reason behind his interest in her still eluded her as well. ]
no subject
[Gojyo wasn't the type of person who was afraid to push questions. Having a conversation like this was his way of getting to know Julieta while simultaneously warming her up a little. And hell, if he found a way to ease those worries of hers, he felt like he'd have done something productive with his day.]
A stern-looking lady like you wants something as noble as world peace, huh? How noble.
no subject
[ She turned her head sharply. What she had expected was mockery but it seemed more good-natured than that. She exhaled through her nose, loosening her tense shoulders and taking another bite. If only she could be as relaxed as he was. ]
It's been a long time since I've felt this lost.
no subject
[Interesting. Julieta certainly seemed to be easing into the conversation. Or at least she was thankfully starting to open up to Gojyo more about things.
Perhaps he could understand it. He just had to remember that not everyone was accustomed to moving from one chaotic situation to the next as he was.
Most people lived pretty ordinary structured lives. Even those in the military. Hell, wasn't everything about that lifestyle based around the structure?]
I mean, we're not that lost, are we?
[He smiled with that. His expression softened as he continued to watch Julieta eat.]
I know they call us 'lost souls' and shit, but think about it. We're already provided housing and solid jobs with pretty clear set goals. So all we have to do is focus on that.
In the meantime, I believe all of us are just trying to settle.
no subject
[ She did her best to find a job that would be as close as possible to what she was used to. It still wasn't really the same. All this was too much to figure out on her own. When there were people willing to help her it would be foolish to turn that down. But even if he insisted she wouldn't feel right accepting if she couldn't find some way to be useful to him. She could think about that some more later. ]
no subject
[Surprisingly, it was the first thing Julieta said that Gojyo had found relatable. Not because he lacked any clear direction as she had. But more because of how well provided for he was in a city such as this.
He appreciated this city. But that did not stop the fact that it had been quite a few years since he had last lived so comfortably.
Gojyo decided to get his mind off such thoughts, leaning his elbows onto the table to get closer to Julieta with a grin.]
Hey. Did you ever get to go out and have fun during those military days?
no subject
[ Once again food was the priority. She paused to think of something else to add but nothing came to mind. That really was just about it. She was just too busy and really didn't care about anything other than her main objective. It may have been a simple way of thinking but it was effective. The problem was that being taken away from that was really throwing her off. ]
no subject
[Oh boy.
This girl. Has she ever even lived outside of her military life?]
Have you at least shared good drinks when going out?
[At least say you've gotten at least a little wasted at some point in your life.]
no subject
[ Feeling a little judged there. She didn't see anything wrong with what she liked. Nor did she see where he was going with this. He might not have liked her answer but she wasn't about to tell him what he wanted to hear, whatever that was. If it was going to be a pain for her then she wasn't interested. ]
no subject
[Alchoholism? I never heard of her. She sounds cute, though.]
But that's just the warm-up.
Hold on. Here, what do you say I show you my way of 'fun' some time? Take you out for a few drinks before we make our way about town? Maybe then you can tell me if you enjoy it or not?
And of course, I'll pay for all of it.
[Look! He'll even toss a playful wink with that final statement!]
no subject
[ She was convinced he wanted something. Loosening up could prove to be a challenge. And what else came after the bars? She wasn't so thrilled at the idea of getting drunk in a potentially dangerous area but as long as it was only a few that should be alright. It was odd how concerned he was that she was having fun. ]
no subject
Here, are you free now? Or would you prefer it if I take you out at a time better for you?
[Score! Nothing compares to celebrating a fun time in a lively new world than a night out with a cute girl!
Hell, he's so excited to flaunt himself to the concept of treating her that he's already digging around to pull out his cash and pay for the meal that he had just provided for them.]
-- Eh?
[He continued to pat around his pockets.]
Hold on a second--
[He sat up. Turning in his seat to search his back pockets.]
-- Shit.
[The hell!? Where did his money go!? He swore he had it on him! Where else would it even go!?]
no subject
You'll pay me back next time.
no subject
What the hell!? Julieta paying for him in such a way was not how this night was supposed to go! He was supposed to be the gentleman here! Wine and dine the cute girl while proving that he can take good care of her and show her some worry-free fun!
So how the hell was she the one covering!?]
Ah, no, it's okay. I just--
[He also made such excellent profit at the gambling house in Shuten. How could all his money have just left his pocket like that?
Did--? Shit. Did someone take it?
Turning around, he eyed the other patrons of the cat cafe wearily. Trying to see if he could spot if anything were amiss.]
Something isn't right here.
[Who did it?]
no subject
[ Once the meal is paid for she leaves no room for argument and walks right out the door. Goodbye for now. ]
RIP Gojyo lol
Wait! I swear I didn't do it on purpose!
[At this point, the panic in his eyes was blatantly visible. His mouth dropped as he reached out to stop Julieta from leaving so abruptly.
But it was too late.
She was already making her way out the door when he reached out. The poor sap is frozen in place with her money on the table. Blinking in sheer surprise at how quickly he had been shut down.
Only to lower his head in disappointment with a sigh.
A-At least she said 'next time,' right? That possibly gave him an opportunity for a second chance--
Right?
Far in the background, a small tabby cat trots by, a large wad of money casually dangling from its mouth as it hopped onto the counter and into the stores' kitchen.]