APRIL 2022 EVENT

[jigokumods]

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1. HANAMI

The week of the Night Parade is marked by the traditional symbols of Spring in Japan. Somehow, several city blocks have been turned into cherry blossom groves as a show of goodwill by the Sutoku Alliance. These cherry trees don't feel normal. They are more like spectral manifestations. Rumor has it they grew so quickly because they're planted on top of a graveyard. That's just a rumor, though. Don't pay it any mind! Don't listen to any whispers you might hear if you walk through the rows of trees alone and certainly don't dig under them for proof of their provenance.

Accompanying the hanami are copious amounts of food and drink. Such as dango, specialized bento, sake, and festive drinks. They are all available to purchase from stalls near the spectral grove. The refreshments may have a little something special added to them:

• Ingredients that promote peace (calming any angry or upset feelings)
  
• Ingredients that promote romance (gives soft, warm feelings towards the first person you see).

These effects are mild and only last as long as you're in the boundary of the grove. Eat, drink, and be merry with your fellow lost souls.

2. KANAMARA MATSURI (NSFW IMAGERY)

In addition to the simple joys of flower viewing and the cherry blossoms blooming, new festivals pop everywhere. They are inspired by various regional festivals from all over Japan. Some of these are benign and feature your normal festival fair. Others are a little more unusual, such as the Kanamara matsuri-inspired treats. You can thank the Tamamo Clan for this. Don't mind the giant phallus being carried down the street or the wooden phalluses you can ride on or the interesting mascots walking down the sidewalk, or the suggestive vegetable carvings.

Surprisingly, none of these foods are spiked, at least not more than the experimental recipes had been during the parade preparations. The spirit of the thing is more just the amusement of genital-based foods rather than anything meant to entice a sexy sort of good time. That will come as the parade rounds out onto the bath district...

3. HADAKA MATSURI

cw: nonsexual nudity

If that cheeky festival isn't your kind of fun, maybe the hadaka matsuri is more your speed. The Department of the Enma are probably the most stressed out faction in the entire city, so the Enma has allowed them to put on a festival to blow off some steam! It's a bit different from the traditional celebration: it's not contained to just men and it's not contained to a shrine.

This event is a mobile mob of nearly naked people and youkai running after a cart with a masked person throwing out small sticks. They represent good luck for the people who manage to nab them. There are far fewer sticks than there are people present and everyone will do a lot to get one of the coveted prizes. Try not to get in their way!

Or you can get caught up in it all and try to snag one yourself to see what your fortune holds. (No, the Enma isn't participating. Too dirty, for his tastes.)

4. FESTIVE FUN

A. SUMO
Some other festivities you might come across are miniature sumo tournaments put on by the Shuten Clan. Raised dirt circles with chalk rings on the outer perimeter pop up seemingly everywhere. Two people are allowed in the ring at one time and there are strict rules to be followed. If you disobey the rules, you may find yourself suddenly ejected from the ring with magical or physical means, and at the mercy of a Shuten enforcer.

Play by the rules to beat your opponent and victors will find themselves rewarded with a strong bottle of booze. The winners of each bout are handed out a commendation by Toraguma himself, which comes in the form of a commemorative sake gourd. This is probably the kind of prize you'd expect from an Oni at a festival like this.


B. FOOD RUNNERS WANTED
If you're in the mood to pad your pockets, maybe you want to help the Tamamo Clan out by running food delivery. This opportunity is available to anyone regardless of affiliation. Runners will be fitted with a contraption to carry the food orders on their person and may proceed either on foot or on a small motorbike. Be careful and make sure not to drop anything! Any ruined or undelivered orders will come directly out of your pay.

It's harder than it looks not to drop the food with all the excitement going on and your delivery recipient may be similarly hard to locate.


C. HOT BATHS (NSFW + cw: optional aphro)
The Tamamo Clan has set up a sanctioned orgy in one of their larger brothels. Rooms are available for whatever your heart desires, including one with exposed windows if you like being watched or if you want to watch in kind. Baths and pools are available for all your indulgent fantasies. Everything you could need is at your disposal: toys, restraints, costumes, lubricants, condoms, aphrodisiacs in many forms. It's a proper bacchanal celebration!

All that matters is your consent and enthusiasm.

5. NIGHT PARADE

One of the primary highlights of the Night Parade are the fantastical floats depicting scenes of legendary events. Keen-eyed observers may note that the humans are portrayed as the bad guys in most of them. While a few of these are mounted on motorized vehicles, most of them are carried by people. That means you'll probably be called on to help carry one along the parade route. It's a fun job, if exhausting.

If you're not the type to wear yourself out carrying a float, ride on one instead! There's plenty of things to toss out into the crowd along the street; candies and trinkets. Dress up in a fitting costume and walk around the float. Have fun scaring bystanders or just have fun hamming it up and celebrate the peaceful night.

5. FIREWORKS

The parade's central stop is the festival square in the heart of the city, just under the shadow of the Kaigo no Bou Tower. There is a stage set up here where the four faction leaders and their personal entourages have assembled. All of them are giving pretty typical speeches. The Enma has declined to give one, having no patience for unnecessary oration. Tenkohime gives praise to the unifying factors of love in the city, while Toraguma rallies the crowd like a sports hero; encouraging them to get stronger and do better in the coming year.

The Daitengu is the last to speak and they also seem to have the largest entourage. The entourage is quite conspicuous: White Wolf Tengu, each standing well-taller than the Daitengu themselves. They are carrying massive broadswords strapped to their backs and hunting about the area for anything suspicious with keen eyes that seem to see right through the crowd and the heat of night.

The Daitengu's speech is also pretty typical, although much more humble than their fellows. Mostly, they just wants to hurry up and get to the fireworks. Just as they finish speaking, the sky lights up.
There are a few peaceful moments beneath this spectacle as the crowd enjoys the display of unity and phantasmal wonder that this unique and strange world has created.

But the explosions aren't just in the sky. One particularly loud boom seems to rattle the very earth beneath the crowd. That is the only warning anyone gets before...

6. A NIGHT PARADE TO REMEMBER

Every manhole cover on the street bursts open, injuring anyone that was standing nearby. Far worse is the deluge of steam that rushes out from the underground. Pillars of hot, blinding steam spill into the air, quickly filling the streets. The luminescence of the festival lamps and city lights are diffused and blurred into singular blobs of color, obscuring all vision and making it impossible to see what's going on. The panicked cries of the crowd also make it impossible to hear. Everything happens so suddenly, so violently, that ascertaining what's going on takes time.

Too much time.

In the chaos, gunshots are heard. They seem to come from several directions. Fighting is breaking out. It's difficult to tell from where and who is in the brawl. Previously unseen figures in full-body black coverings appear from nowhere, rushing the stage. They zoom past any Lost Souls nearby, ignoring their presence. They are focused on a singular goal. The barking of the White Wolf Tengu further indicates the goal of the attack.

Struggle in the steam, help others get to safety, get caught up in fighting the other factions, try to protect the Faction leaders, or try to keep up with the black-suited youkai rushing the stage; do as much as you can.

When the steam finally begins to clear, however, there will at least be one thing that is certain: the Daitengu has been killed.

Welcome to the April event!

• If you have any questions about event content, please ask them here!
• We also have OOC top levels for Shuten Sumo Results, Tamamo Partner Cards, and Hadaka Luck Draws!
• If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.

Comments

[sweetsong]

[ he breaks out of his panic-based stupor, immediately needing to check his surroundings. after all, robin's pretty sure he's been able to avoid most of the situation so far? even though his arm is in awful shape, it's not like he can stay hiding forever.

which is when he spots yuri and the child with him. ]

Over here!

[ robin waves frantically, beckoning them both over. ]

[playfoul]

[ A familiar voice calls out, and Yuri peers through the steam to see Robin beckoning to them. He bends down to say something to the young fox and together they make their way over and duck down behind the booth. The space is tight. It wasn't built for hiding, and it sure wasn't built to withstand bullets, but it'll conceal them temporarily as they figure out their next course of action. Yuri's eyes meet Robin's, relieved to see him but overall expression grim. ]

Robin - you alright, friend?

[sweetsong]

[ they both look perfectly fine, which does robin some good. the last thing he wants to see is someone he likes hurt--- especially with a child in tow. ]

Ah... no, but...

[ robin shakes his head. the pain is tolerable, but it's far more than what he's used to (which is none). ]

... I'll be fine. [ a strained smile, but as long as he can present a strong front for the young kit. ] I don't think we can stay here for much longer.

[ of course, as soon as he says that? the booth trembles, its weak materials not even able to hold up to the screaming and shouting that's barely muted. robin also shakes, swallowing heavily as he grabs his own elbow in a way to calm his nerves and squeeze some of the pain out. ]

[playfoul]

[ Not for the first time, Yuri wishes he had his healing magic available to him. As the booth rumbles, he places a comforting hand on each of their shoulders. ]

I agree, the place isn't safe. This young one was separated from his family. Let's get you back to Tamamo. [ He says to the kit before looking to Robin. For now, the farther they get from here the better. Sutoku will probably be in a panic, and Shuten is chaotic on a good day, so Tamamo it is. ] We can find a healer there, too. Do you know a good route?

[sweetsong]

[ how many times has yuri helped him? the thought passes through his mind; will this be the time that robin finally lends him a hand in some way? he can endure the pain for a while longer. it's not a big deal. ]

I do. [ though robin pauses, letting go of a held sigh. ] Problem is, the fastest way takes us right through where a lot of the fighting's been going on.

[ and then he hums in thought. ]

There's... do you remember that path we took a while ago? We could use that one. It's probably empty now, I doubt anyone would go that way to get back to the Tamamo places...

[playfoul]

Good thinking. Let's take it.

[ Yuri nods in agreement. Most wouldn't think of using that stretch, and as unpleasant as it had been to walk through it, it helps they're now familiar with the route.

A crackling sound splits the air behind them. Gunshots, or perhaps magic, strikes the stand they're using for cover. Luckily they're shielded, but a creaking noise follows and the structure starts to tilt and collapse under the damage. Never a dull moment tonight. ]

Time for us to scram. Go!

[sweetsong]

[ for a moment, robin feels his resolve become as shaky and flimsy as their current barrier. his heart trembles in his chest. can he keep both yuri and this kid safe? does he have the strength to do so? there's no doubt in his mind that he won't leave either of them behind, but also facing that moment between cowardice and blind heroism... ]

Okay!

[ he has to steel himself for now. that's all he can do. as soon as yuri calls out, he's up on his feet and already running toward that one particular alley, the one that had been occupied by more unsavory and unfriendly faces before. where he and yuri had to continue to put up posters, show off their clothes, and at least be somewhat convincing.

but he would rather deal with that than a bullet in his back, or in anyone else. ]

It's not much farther...!

[playfoul]

[ The little fox scurries after Robin and Yuri brings up the rear, checking behind them to make sure they're clear of danger. Luckily, the assassins seem more concerned with their own escape than with chasing down fleeing festival goers. The sounds of commotion grow faint the further they travel from the parade grounds.

Yuri can tell they're getting closer to the alley by the poor shape of the streets. The smell of stale cigarette smoke and other unpleasant odors fill the air. ]

Didn't think we'd be back so soon. Can't say I've missed it.

[ The kit, calmer now, pipes up with hopeful eyes. "Where are we going? Will mama be there?"]

[sweetsong]

I don't miss it either.

[ but robin quietly pats his side, at his jacket's pocket, where he feels something inside of it. something that he made the quick decision to purchase not too long ago after their first time in this alleyway, hastily moving, doing the job asked for by both of their factions. a suggestion from a friend who said it could be kind of trendy but also a way to defend himself... only if necessary.

and he's quick to address the question of the young kitsune, who robin crouches down to. ]

I'm sure your mama will be there! She probably works in one of the clubs, right? Or maybe one of the nice treat shops?

[ the kit's eyes sparkle before they nod enthusiastically. ]

Ah... good. I'm happy. [ despite their circumstances. ] We can take this route and... be closer, but at least we'll be away from danger. Right, Yuri?

[playfoul]

[ Robin what's that you got there!! ]

Yep. We'll move quickly and quietly and reach your mama's shop in no time. You're a fox, so you're good at sneaking, right?

[ Yuri leans down and says to the child in a conspiratorial whisper. "Yeah!" The fox exclaims, then clasps a paw over his mouth and tries again, whispering this time. "I mean, yeah."

Yuri chuckles and straightens up, looking over to Robin. He's no longer the startled and wide-eyed boy from their first meeting. As much as Yuri wants to keep him under his wing, it doesn't feel right to not let him fly. ]

Lead the way, brave bird.

[sweetsong]

Okay... stick by me.

[ he has yet to fashion a proper way to keep his weapon close and the hilt almost sticks out of his deep coat pocket, but it's a lot more comfortable in his hand in this situation compared to any other. it's not his preferred sword; something smaller and more akin to a pocket knife, but! ]

I don't want to hurt anyone, but if I have to... I will.

[ said to himself, mostly for himself. ]

Let's take you home.

[playfoul]

[ Sweet summer child... this city is changing you too fast.

The words surprise Yuri coming from Robin's mouth. He reaches for Robin's hand, giving it a squeeze. ]

...You shouldn't have to. I won't let it come to that.

[sweetsong]

[ yuri disarms him quickly. not physically, but in every other way. his look of surprise softens the dullest points in his brows, at the corners of his lips.

there aren't words that come right to mind at first. ]

Okay. I know you will.

[playfoul]

[ Yuri knows there's no sheltering Robin from danger in Hell, just like he knows the little fox will grow up and become embroiled in the turf wars someday. Still, he hopes there will never come a day where either of them need to stain their hands. He would gladly take on the burden if it meant they didn't have to. ]

You're doing enough. I'll watch our backs. We'll be alright.