jigokulogs | APRIL 2022 EVENT

APRIL 2022 EVENT

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Recognizing the words for what they are, Xingqiu can't help another smile, amused in the moment of finding that their roles are reversed. this time it is Chongyun offering comfort in light of failure. In his usual manner, honest, straightforward, as always and Xingqiu loves that about his friend. Did it make Chongyun gullible? Quite so, but that too is something he enjoys.

There is a refreshing sincerity about his dearest that leaves no need for pretense, he doesn't have to act, put on a show, and display distant politeness. With Chongyun he has always been himself. Truly anyone could easily grow fond of his cherished friend. ]

I suppose you are right, there is also the fact it is my first time attempting such a task. I shouldn't expect smooth sailings as a novice. There will be other times.

[ Is that to imply he would take on the same job again? Yes, certainly he would, but that is truly more for his own sake in seeking to identify errors and smooth them out in search of honing that craft. Always seeking to add skills to his repertoire.

Watching Chongyun, his focus on his long-time friend, murmuring upon the wind is not noted. His gaze still upon the boy whose hand he holds, he catches the way the soft glow tints light lock in the warmth of color cast by the blossoms. ]

Hear what? The wind?

[ He shouldn't laugh, he does, in typical teasing manner. He releases Chongyun's hand to get closer to the large tree they're now standing under. Each gust of wind brings down a rain of petals about them. Reaching out to press his hand against the back, he suddenly turns to face Chongyun leaning back against the trunk of the sakura. ]

Chongyun.

[ When Xingqiu teases him for noticing the murmur, there’s a titter in the wind like whatever voice he had heard is chuckling. Soft, just as soft as the phantom fall of blossoms, and for a stubborn moment he wants to insist upon it—]

I really…

[ … did hear something. But the sentence isn’t finished. Hand cooling without the lacing of the other boy’s fingers, Chongyun turns toward the scene of a pretty profile against the trunk of a cherry blossom tree. More petals fall, a rainstorm of silver and blush, and branches wave even when there’s no wind to guide them.

The young exorcist’s breath slows, as if anything too harsh might disturb the moment. How is it that something so pretty can exist in Hell? It’s rare for Chongyun to forget a possible lead on a spirit or something to investigate, but now, the thought drifts aside with the shower of flowering buds.

Chongyun, Xingqiu calls, and something in his gut twists. That never happened when his friend has called his name before—for a brief moment, he worries if he isn’t suddenly coming down with some sort of stomach flu.

Taking a step closer, ]

… Yes?

[ The two initial words don't complete thought given a voice, it's unnecessary, from expression alone he can take a guess as to what his friend wanted to say. He knows Chongyun wants to insist there was a whisper in the wind, Xingqiu doesn't dismiss it due to disbelief but he has other ideas in mind. They don't involve a third party. It's why he called to his friend, softly, baiting him closer.

A single step. It's not enough. It's all too delicate for him an action, hand lifted, gracefully beckoning Chongyun to further close the distance. Fingers curling, wordlessly saying come hither, all in half-lidded eyes. Because that's how this goes, gentle progress and tender prompting.

This is the picture he imagined, gauzed in a veil of warmth cast by the cascade of blossoms. It's practically perfect.

A shift in weight, adjusting his steps. It's then that a murmur no longer remains soft, amused, the entertained chortle hidden by soft gust halts. It's now a clear voice no longer content to remain a whisper. There is indignation in that tone, annoyance that initially Xingqiu doesn't register because he is all too busy hopping away from the spot he just stood. He heard it clear: Get off my face!!! ]

I am not on anyone's face!

[ If he hoped the voice would die down, it doesn't. No, because now you're stepping on my hand. ]

[ Chongyun perks up the moment that voice becomes clearer. Eyes gleaming, his hands curl into fists in excitement—quickly, the young exorcist squats, cat-like pupils darting to and fro all around the roots of the tree in curiosity. ]

See! I told you, I did hear something!

[ Romantic moment: sorry, you've been totally flung out the window in favor of investigating spirits.

So the rumors had been true after all? Chongyun isn't very surprised, having seen the spectral blossoms—their aura is as eerie as it is beautiful. Hell has thrown off his usual good sense about these things, and having dead that are even deader than the souls around the city is a bit strange, but who cares. Spirit. Spirit!! A spirit with a face and a hand; good job, Xingqiu, stomping all over with your feet like that.

Chongyun creeps forward, grabbing his friend's ankle to lift it. ]

Ah, let me see! A hand? Where? [ he brushes at the ground, pawing a little bit in the earth with the hand that isn't currently keeping Xingqiu's foot raised, ] Huh, I don't see anything ... it must be buried deeper. Xingqiu, we've gotten lucky! This must be a grave!

[ On with a very ornery spirit. How thrilling! Now, how does he discern if this spirit is evil and in need of purging? Where will it go, if he does purge it? ]

[ That was the death of a sublime scene...

Had it not been for his chivalric code leading him to keenly train in the martial arts, for natural poise further honed by stacks of books balanced on his head, then perhaps right about now he would be on his ass. But he manages to remain upright despite his dear friend deciding to forcefully lift his foot off the ground. Mounting excitement in Chongyun's voice is picked up, expected now that he too has heard the spirit speak, of course, his own mood has done a downturn. If anything ever came close to perfect it was that moment, surely a stroke of awareness should have hit his friend.

Or had he been getting too hopeful?

Sigh restrained, his posture slackens with exasperation and disappointment. He would mourn his loss another time, he wouldn't ruin this moment for his friend. Soon dour expression is wiped away, it isn't something he wants Chongyun to witness, thankfully the exorcist had been distracted in his attempt to dig out the corpse all the while still holding his foot up — that is actually impressive — unless this is more due to his own weight.

Well, no point in holding back now. Here he thought he would be avoiding committing an act of sacrilege. The gardening tool is still hooked at his belt, reaching behind he takes a hold of it before offering it to Chongyun with an encouraging smile. ]

I guess you were right all along, it truly is an auspicious day. If the grave was dug deep then this might help.

[ Remembering himself, Chongyun finally releases poor Xingqiu’s ankle so he isn’t standing on one foot anymore. Clearing his throat, the exorcist schools his excitement, standing up and brushing the dirt off of his white clothes. As much as he wants to investigate the hell out of this whole grove now, he still has to behave normally. Crawling around on the ground and pawing through the dirt is a no.

The trowel is a surprise, though. He blinks at it before looking back at his friend—… actually, the sudden little shovel has him thinking about that coat. It isn’t something that Xingqiu would normally wear at all.

Which is why he reaches out … and not to take the trowel. Plucking the edges of his friend’s coat, he peels it open.

The uniform hidden beneath has his jaw dropping. For just a moment—he’s quick to snap his mouth closed and snugly wrap the jacket back around his friend. That isn’t festival wear! That isn’t festive wear at all! ]

Xingqiu. Were you really just leading people to the arcades?

[ He can’t figure out the connection between a trowel and revealing clothing, though. That has him a bit stumped. ]

[ At last, he is able to stand once again on his very own two feet, although it wasn't challenging to remain so precariously balanced on a single foot while Chongyun kept the other aloft it also wasn't particularly comfortable. He did not care to relive the experience. What he does do is restrain himself, there would be no stern look delivered, he won't dampen the exorcist's excitement. Therefore, what he does instead is encouragingly motion for Chongyun to take the gardening tool, he doesn't understand the hesitation. There should be no moral dilemma when the boy before him had rushed to attempt to dig the earth with his very hands.

Finally, it appears his friend gets the hint, Xingqiu watches Chongyun reach forward but it's not the shovel that's taken. Unable to help himself he can only raise an eyebrow and look mildly surprised as his outfit is revealed. For what reason? He has no clue. Standing there as he is, in those clothes, he doesn't say a thing and lets Chongyun finish processing what he witnessed until he closes the outerwear.

There is a question, but he can't really imagine what else he would be doing. He did previously mention what his obligations were, with a long sigh he shoves the spade into his bag then digs around in there and then he proceeds to smack the top of Chongyun's head with a bunch of arcade vouchers offering various promotions, from free drinks, to some games, etc. ]

Last I checked that's exactly what I was doing.

—ack. [ head fwopped with a stack of vouchers, Chongyun looks right and properly chastised. ] Sorry...

[ Of course that's what Xingqiu had been doing. Maybe it's the Tamamo clan that's doing something to his head. After all, when you spend long enough around something, you start to see it everywhere. While that outfit might be a little much for directing guests to arcades, it's just a costume. Tamamo has way too many themed cafes and clubs, it's really starting imprint itself on his psyche.

But those vouchers remind him of something. ]

Oh. I almost forgot.

[ He had gotten to the festival a bit earlier, before lingering and watching Xingqiu from a distance like a creep. While starting to head into the hanami, he'd crossed paths with the moving mob of nearly naked people pawing at a moving shrine for fortunes. While Chongyun had gotten his butt out of that cesspool of heaty traps quickly, he did manage to snag a stick before bolting for his life.

Reaching into one of his pockets, he takes the stick out now. The characters that are etched into it are clear: 大吉. A great blessing. He holds it out to Xingqiu to take. ]

This is for you.

[ Still within his grasp, the vouchers are kept out, the threat looms that they may be used again. That is until Xingqiu catches a glimpse of his friend's expression. The apology that follows helps. With that, they're once again in his bag to be utilized at a different time. They're for work!

With his hands now free, he subconsciously draws the oversized sweater tightly around himself, unable to perceive why Chongyun made that inquiry or the reason for his reaction as a whole. There is some vague understanding, of course, he knows the purpose behind the uniform (that is besides unity in labor). In this case, it really was meant to draw in crowds to the arcade even if it meant he had to lead them by the hand. But apparently, he hadn't been charming enough? Here he thought his approach had been polite and likable. He will have to make some adjustments.

When the exorcist speaks again, Xingqiu decides to dissect that part of their interaction some other time.

He watches intently as his friend digs around his pocket, perhaps he has his own vouchers which he could use to retaliate for the prior blow? But it is nothing to the sort. He sees the stick offered, eyes fixed upon the fortune catching a glimpse of etched wood. Gingerly he reaches out, fingers ghost over the gift but they don't close around it. His gaze meets Chongyun's. ]

Don't you need it more than I? [ It cannot be helped, he has to tease him about his luck even if today was a little different. ]

Haha, maybe.

[ Chongyun's laugh is a soft, gentle thing as the corners of his mouth twitch in a smile. The eyes Xingqiu's meet are just as soft, a gleaming blue more like the clear run of a river on a warm day than the icy stretch of a frozen lake. He's quiet for a moment as he gazes back at his friend; another fall of petals drifts around him, a scatter of silvery-pink blossoms becoming a gentle rain over white and blue. Somewhere nearby, some festival-goer's gone and turned on their radio for some background music.

His bad luck is notorious, isn't it? That's something he can't deny. When he had pulled the best fortune possible, he'd been shocked ... briefly, because he hadn't had much time before sprinting away from the throng of mostly-nude people. ]

Even so, I want you to have it. [ he nudges the good fortune into Xingqiu's palm, insistent that the other boy take it. c'mon now, close your fingers around it. ] My luck's gotten better anyway, hasn't it? There are plenty of spirits here for me to see.

[ Not that any of his investigations have gone any better—but that finally has nothing to do with his condition. Seems like he's always going to have to work hard to sniff out the truth behind rumors. ]

[ Chongyun nudges the wooden bamboo stick against his palm, insistence noted, Xingqiu only offers him the same fond smile he always casts when gazing upon his dearest friend. His fingers don't close around the fortune, rather with his eyes affixed on the kind face he has always known, he turns his hand ever slightly until his digits make contact with Chongyun. A warm hand, as he expects, like when they previous had theirs clasped together. That's why rather than taking that bit of luck, he laces their fingers together.

He lowers his gaze, a laugh follows mild, sheepish in his own realization. He knows, he understands himself better than most. This was just something he had never given time to analyze, perhaps back in Liyue he would have remained content to play his usual childish games, with most of his attention landing on the exorcist.

Who knows what it is, either the backdrop of the scenic grove that's lost some of its eerieness or the music in the background. No, he won't focus too closely on the lyrics. ]

That may be so but a little extra luck hasn't hurt anyone. Although I suppose you will insist, so I have no choice but to keep this safe for you.

[ Finally, unlacing their fingers he plucks the fortune out of Chongyun's hand. His brow creases as he looks at it, where exactly had his friend obtained this thing from. ]

So then shall we continue our investigation?

[ Xingqiu's slender fingers thread with his, and again, that feeling resounds in his chest. Excitement, thunder, flame—none of the words are right and all of the words are right. Calm down, he reminds himself ... but looking at his friend, somehow, that feels harder than usual.

And when those fingers draw away from his, there's a strange sense of loss. Chongyun's lips thin as he looks down—his eyes don't really focus on anything in particular, but they keep flicking back to Xingqiu's hand and the fortune stick lucky enough to be caught in it. ]

Actually, why don't we go get a drink? They have some interesting flavors especially for the festival. [ he smiles again, deciding to forget about investigating the source of the groaning for now. wow.... is he growing up a little? ] I'd like to try a few of them.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

APRIL 2022 EVENT

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