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

Wasn't there a cartoon that was like that? It had a singing ape?

[ He cocks his head to the side as he hums a few bars of the song. But he shakes his head; it's too far from his memory to be able to recreate the song completely. And also, it would be a wonder if Matoba had the same movies in his world.

Actually, what would that mean? ]

Am I? Well, I do have a lover that is a youkai so I suppose I should say yes, but also no. If I'm enticed by them, it might make my beloved unhappy.

[ Soma chuckles. He's lying, of course. The bit about a lover and them being a youkai. It is actually a Lost Soul that he is associates with, and pretending to in a relationship so that they can share information with one another when it seems prudent without raising too many questions why they're meeting. ]

I hope that you'll still hold up your end of the bargain of killing me should he devour my life energy or some such?

A singing ape? Hmmm... [Matoba really, truly does think about it. Believe it or not, he did watch cartoons as a kid!] ...Nothing comes to mind. If you happen to think of it, I am curious.

[There's that look in Matoba's eye that Soma has well learned is disgust, despite his teasing smile. Not that he's surprised. He knew Soma had a much... looser opinion of ayakashi, and since he was only a normal human, it wasn't exactly odd that he might be more neutral on them. He'll be polite about it.]

My, Soma-san, so quickly you've found companionship. I suppose I should congratulate you? ...But that seems like a dangerous thing to keep, in your position. Especially if they are so quick to become jealous.

...Maybe theirs, too. [He's guessing it's a Lost Soul- Soma was not the type to take on something without use, doesn't see the ayakashi here associating with a human so easily. But now the question was who Soma's other informant was.]

[Something to consider, should the need ever arise....]

But of course. Just remember, don't agree to any contracts you're offered, Soma-san. Ah, marriage is included in that, by the way. [...He can't help it, the idea of Soma and marriage was just too funny not to grin.]

I'll have to think more on it, then.

[ Will he? Probably. It isn't like he has anything else to do.

Of course, he notes the look of disgust that he is given. He can't help but give him a warmer, pleased smile; it probably would have been best not to say anything, but it would be good if Lost Souls thought they were together, too. ]

Please do. [ He makes a small gesture with his hand like he expects a lot of praise, but he is back to his easy smile and soft laughter. ] It will be a dangerous arrangement, but I think it will be beneficial as well.

[ Let's see -- eyes on two factions. I need to make friends with someone of the Shuten. It need not even be friendship as much as someone that is willing to work with him. He wonders if he can find someone; his frown comes and goes. ]

Of course -- [ And he immediately starts laughing. No, he also can't keep a straight face when it comes to the idea of marriage. ] -- don't say those things so easily and with a straight face.

Actually, I wonder how you can do something like that at all.

Well, dangerous and beneficial usually go hand-in-hand....

[Matoba muses, attention caught by some of the other sweets the Tamamo-associated stand had been selling. It wasn't all just lewd bits and pieces of bodyparts and suggestive objects- there were the typical Tamamo themes of foxes and cats and tanuki (also anatomically correct), and he's now inspecting a series of cat-shaped cakepops.]

[His attention is diverted once more as Soma starts laughing, blinking once, head tilted thoughtfully.]

Do you? I suppose I have been told that I have a terrible sense of humor, [Matoba smiles cheerfully, and picks out a couple of the cat pops with different fur colors. Black, a calico, and a tabby brown...]

I don't see anything wrong with it, personally. Do you like cats, Soma-san? [He waves one of the pops in Soma's direction.]

Well, I have to say that your humor is on brand for what I find funny.

[ He offers a flash of another encouraging smile.

But the smile fades just a little at the question of if he liked cats. His eyebrows furrow for a second; his eyes drift from the pop to Matoba's face. While one could take the question at face value, he can't help but wonder if it's saying something else -- like attempting to figure out the ayakashi that he's said he's dating.

Well, he hasn't cleared it with Nehan that he should say anything so -- ]

I have a great fondness of them. [ So he lies openly and takes one of the pops, not minding what color he takes. ]

I can always count on you to laugh at my jokes, then.

[Matoba smiles back, at least until he notices the slight 'glitch' in Soma's. Whatever Matoba might have been expecting, it wasn't that, and even his own expression somewhat trips up a mite in response. Perhaps that was telling enough that neither of them were getting the response they expected.]

[He considers asking Soma if something had been the matter, but...]

Do you? Thank goodness. For a moment I thought perhaps you were more of a dog person, [Matoba chuckles to himself, sticking the calico pop directly into his mouth. He'd given the tabby to Soma; seems he had some favorites.] And if I found that out about you, I don't know that we could be friends anymore.

Oh, I do suppose some call Enma-types dogs... So, no offense meant.

It is a good relationship to have.

[ He slides the tabby pop in his mouth. His eyes close as he makes a helpless gesture at Matoba saying that he might not be able to remain friends if he were a dog person.

Soma chuckles; he wonders if the man figured out his lie or has actually encountered Nehan to know that he is lying. He hums around the pop in his mouth, deciding on his next series of actions. ]

I don't take any offense to it. [ Is what he decides on. ] Perhaps, I am but a cat-loving dog. Would we be able to remain friends if that was how it was?

Hmmm. Cat-loving dogs are the worst kind, [Matoba smiles, a little curl, cat-like. He didn't belong to the Tamamo clan, not at all, but he could appreciate some aspects of them.] Dogs will really look for love desperately, wherever they can find it, won't they? Even from things which despise them.

I hate fools like that. There's no pride in it at all.

[But, cheerfully, he munches on the catpop, deciding to swallow down Soma's odd reaction for later. No use in pressing on the bruise when he didn't know what the wound was. But he would remember... and investigate. Hmm, where to start with that...]

Soma-san, do you plan to attend the fireworks, later?

You certainly have met some interesting dogs. I hope they left you a good time to remember after.

[ He offers a warm smile; there is a soft jest in his words rather than offense at what is said. Soma thinks if he were not who he was, would he be upset? Maybe. But a tool for order need only carry forth; whatever feelings he had about who he is don't matter.

No, what is an issue is wondering if he's been caught in a lie. Troublesome, that. If he's caught in a little lie, that leads down a path of wondering what other lies he has said. Terrible.

He'll have to be more careful. ]

The fireworks? Maybe. Why? Are you hoping to extend our time together? Or worrying if you're cutting into my time with my ayakashi? [ He elbows Matoba lightly. Aren't they getting along great? ]

Haha, a good time? Well, one of them has threatened to devour me a few times, but I'm fortunate that his master is so soft-hearted.

[Now we're getting into more literal dogs, but. Matoba doesn't think Soma is one, anyway, so it was sort of moot; Soma reminded him of neither a cat or a dog.]

[That's an interesting reply, though. It implies that Soma doesn't already anticipate something to happen.... Matoba chews on his cake pop in consideration, and then smiles blandly.] I'd be happy to watch them with you, if that's what you'd like, Soma-san. But, I'm not certain I will be choosing to attend at all...

[Another nibble, another pause to think.] I've heard some.... interesting rumors, leading up to this festival. Haven't seen anything untoward going on, have you? --Aside from these sweets. [He gestures at the dickpops again.]

It's always fortunate when a fierce beast has a soft master.

[ He absolutely does not believe that, but he also doesn't quite like the idea of Matoba being devoured. So he supposes that in this case, it is fine that the young man met with a rather weak duo.

His eyes shift back to him when he says he has no intention of attending the fireworks, at all. He tilts his head a little as it seems like there is some information that Matoba has that he does not. Soma sometimes wonders why he even tries to maintain relationships with people if they aren't willing to relay information, but it's his own failings.

He has to try harder to ensure his network is working as it should. ]

I'm afraid I haven't heard much of anything, honestly. Which begs the question... what rumors have you been hearing?

No? They say that there's something rather suspicious going on with the sewers... Something that the Kappa do not want the rest of us in the clan to know about.

[Sure, this was something involving his own clan, but... He wasn't telling Soma anything that couldn't be found out publicly. That was how even he had found out most of these details. It was hardly any real hint in that case, right?] I thought that it might be some typical sort of ayakashi dealings, but....

Our leader was very ... enthusiastic about the fireworks. I suppose that isn't that strange, is it.

[But it had been the way they had worded their post, and their replies. Telling them to keep their ears to the gossip, and yet... It was a combination of things which had made Matoba wary.]

[And beyond that- if there was some plot afoot- if anyone meant to disturb the peace of the festival- the best time to do it was while everyone was gathered to blow shit up. That was the most obvious step of logic, right? Hide some sort of sneak attack in the booms of the explosives.]

[Why should he bother to tell Soma any of this at all? To save his hide, first and foremost, should something happen. He'd prefer to keep his contacts alive, if at all possible.] ....But I'm sure it could just be the normal dealings of the waterworks, and nothing more.

[Matoba says he might not attend the fireworks, sure, but... He thinks there would be something interesting to see if he did. A difficult decision...]

Hm.

[ He breathes in sharp through his nose; he is very irritated about hearing this far after the fact. There probably is nothing that he could do about it. ]

Unfortunately, such matters are in the Sutoku territory. [ He gives a little shrug. ] I may be a lot of things, Matoba, but I am not someone who infringes on someone else's space. [ At least, not without proper manpower to do it. But he feels the man will understands that; he isn't going to investigate something odd happening in an "enemy" territory without the muscle to assert his authority. ]

Mm, one hopes that it is.

[ A thin smile. ]

It seems like my lackadaisical plans to see the fireworks with my sweetheart may be put on hold. [ What could be in the sewer? What could they be planning? What will happen? Hm, too many variables and uncertainties. Unfortunate. He'll have to be on-guard, it seems.

But-- ]

You've ruined my festival, so I hope there is a chance I can ruin something of yours in the future. [ "You gave me some nice information; if there's a chance to return the favor, let me know." ]

Of course.

[Matoba's head tilts. Interesting... So the Department hadn't gotten wind of it. He doesn't for a second believe Soma's claim- as if he, or the Department for that matter, would leave anything suspicious well enough alone, if they had the ability to do something to intervene. But... That was its own bit of information, in a way.]

[Just how much could they get away with, right under the Enma's nose, if they were small and subtle enough about it?]

...I had my own look around to see whether there was anything I could make use of down there, but... Whatever it is they are doing, it is outside my realm of expertise.

[Non-magical, that is. It's an extra little juicy detail, offered as a show of "trust" ....and of power, because he seems to have the upper hand here. It was tactless and immodest to rub that sort of thing in with a valued colleague, so instead, Matoba gives the bit more, to ensure that their relationship will remain positive.]

I do apologize for the inconvenience, [He smiles, inclining his head in thanks. He does, indeed, pick up what Soma's putting down.] But I'm sure you can find something else fun to do tonight.

[It was fortunate that he had been able to cross paths with Soma today, he thinks. This has been fruitful... He will ponder that strange reaction of his later, but for the time being, his work is done.]

Why not try the rest of the Tamamo clan's offerings? [He bites the rest of the cat-cake off the stick, and tilts his mask back down over his face.] I'd hate for you to not be able to enjoy your time together.

That is unfortunate, but there is only so much information any of us have of the world.

[ But he gives a nod -- it doesn't seem like it is mystical or magical in nature. That leaves quite a bit of mystery to what it could be. He wonders if he should have pressed the issue, but as a grunt, there was no one really to press the issue with. He has to earn enough trust and done enough to be able to acquire the means he needs to move forward.

Starting at the bottom is really so irritating. ]

I'll do my best.

[ Ah, more sweets, then? ]

I suppose there is no harm in it. I must be honest with you... I am glad that I'm dead otherwise I'd have to worry about dieting and exercise. [ Ha-ha. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

APRIL 2022 EVENT

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