[open] Tamamo Meeting Minglelog

[baofeng]

Who ⬤ Tamamo Clan members
What ⬤ Faction meeting to discuss the latest events!
When ⬤ 15 minutes later than the other faction meetings, with starbucks Early April
Where ⬤ The Scarlet Lotus; restaurant in Tamamo territory
Content Warnings ⬤ Discussions of violence, will update as needed

[Tamamo Clan members will receive a message asking for a meeting at the Scarlet Lotus, a classy restaurant-and-bar in the heart of Tamamo territory. Injured members can phone in via videocall. Try not to be late, there’s much to discuss.]

[On arrival, members will be shown to a private dining room. You’ll have to pay for your own meal, but their hand-towels are complimentary!]

---

ooc:
♥ this is a mingle, so feel free to post your own toplevels and threadjack around!
♥ There’s a “Handwaved” section below so your character can still contribute to the discussion / vote on ideas if you can’t take on more threads right now (like me).
♥ OOC Information
♥ Tenkohime’s Orders: tl;dr - She wants the Tamamo rookies to claim the Underground sewer system, competing with the Shuten rookies who also have similar orders from Toraguma.

Comments

HANDWAVED

[baofeng]

For all your "no time to play out the sharing" needs!

Individual subjects below.

TURF WAR WITH THE SHUTEN CLAN

[baofeng]

Is your character in favor of PvP? What ideas might they suggest to deal with the Shuten Lost Souls?

[ryototsukai]

Musashi is keenly aware she's fighting at half strength with her arm out of commission. She's going to insist that with their members and make-up, meeting the Shuten at force vs force is a losing proposition for them. They should, instead, focus on their wits, and try to trick the Shuten into making mistakes and cutting off their own feet, so to speak.

[baofeng]

Yizhi agrees with Musashi's point above, and will argue for using some kind of trick to win rather than fighting Shuten head-on.

His suggestion: Put up a token resistance to fool the Shuten into thinking they've won the fight. Then once their fighters have retreated, have a secondary group start a big fire within the Underground entrances, block up every entrance but one, and smoke the Shuten out.

Other ideas he may throw out over the course of the meeting:
➤ Using alcohol to set fires? (if he knew what a molotov cocktail was he'd say that, but I don't think he does.)
➤ Instead of competing for the Underground, just rob the Arena while the Shuten are distracted?
➤ The best case may be for those with Shuten connections to negotiate with their friends for a 50-50 split of the Underground between Shuten and Tamamo. That being said, Yizhi believes that they'll have to bloody the Shuten first to convince them that sharing is less messy than all-out conflict.

yizhi calm down why are you so bloodthirsty

[apathie]

nehan is a man for subtlety and also poison so he'll say "poison their water/food supply". maybe not to actually murder them but to incapacitate. laxatives would be nice, with the additional bonus of humiliating them.

he'd also suggest weaponizing the civilians, make them fill shuten territory for one reason or another, so if the shutens decide to hurt them to get to the tamamos, public opinion would sour against them even more.

[everblooms]

aerith is going to suggest a wild and probably radical idea: they try to entangle shuten long enough for sutoku to get back together, and potentially reclaim the area. she believes that no one in sutoku is completely capable of answering for what's actually going on and submits the possibility that a completely unseen party is banking on them starting a turf war to weaken the as of yet unaffected factions. it's possible that tenkohime, toraguma and potentially enma are having their eyes led away while someone else moves pieces, she would insist. in other words: there's another enemy, they just don't know who yet.

in addition to this, she would state that she got past the kappa and saw the machine underground in the sewers, and thus already knows routes within it for future infiltration. she has pictures she is willing to share if people ask her to prove this. after investigating the crime scene with someone else, she believes that organized crime is likely being conducted under the nose of officials, and would suggest that they carefully consider their options beyond just aiding themselves.

(vote her off the faction btw...)

[starshepard]

So Azem (along with Majima) procured a map of the underground. Not sure where that map ended up but she could easily recreate it if they want to use it to set up ambushes or anything of that manner. She's also been down there so she kind of knows her way around.

She's also been itching for a fight even though she's not nearly as powerful here as she would be back home. But if the majority of the group wants to take a subterfuge/sabotage route she'll be down for that.

[cutcloud]

HI FELLOW TAMAMS

Chongyun is a decent SDPS/Support with a A rank in exploration, so let's do this 💪 He's pretty fast so can move through the sewers quick, and will offer to act as physical support for whatever sly tricks/flashing tits to distracts shutens the others plan to do!

I plan to give him a power-up before this happens so he'll probably be able to use some ice spells, which means he can also freeze water (probably low-grade since it'll be the first power up but still useful)! He'll also prefer going head to head with the shutens instead of trying to be sneaky, so he'll offer to act as a distraction to any shutens that seem particularly troublesome.

If anyone is clever enough to think of ways to apply ice to make the Shutens have a bad, very terrible day, he'll definitely oblige as well.

[fuckinghysterical]

As LB doesn't even have a gun rn and lacks the power suit that gave her most of her strength, she's not going to be much help in fighting.

However, as someone who was kind of the weakest in power in her own unit, she's more of a tactics person anyway and can offer some ideas (and would definitely agree with everyone voting for that route) or help come explore the tunnels to find strongholds or escape routes if they need them.

- She agrees with getting as many civilians on their side as possible (particularly ones that dwell around the sewer entrances), for possible medical or weapon supplies, but also to put more pressure onto Shuten.

- She'll suggest doing a couple of "dry runs" in the tunnels to gain crucial information about the Shuten's strategy (where their strongholds are, how they organize their patrol shifts, what power they have at their disposal, etc), but to make it a goal to not try to overpower them right away (and let them think that they're weaker than they actually are), but to eventually return to strike at a later and more opportune moment.

[taintedpeony]

Hmmm, Jin Guangyao would advise against an outright confrontation right away. No point in making such large enemies when one can steal the prize under them after all.

The Shuten are known for their fighting abilities and many of them are not at full capacity. He knows he isn't. He would suggest breaking up into teams, half running distraction and while the other half move in to claim territory, perhaps ambushing them might be prudent if they can gain the upper ground.

He does agree a 50-50 split negotiation can be possible he has a friend in Shuten.

All in all he's not trying to make outright enemies of the rival clan just yet and wants to see the best way to gain what they want without too much bloodshed.

THE DAITENGU'S ASSASSINATION

[baofeng]

Did your character find out anything they'd like to share? or we can just gossip tbh that's kind of in-character for us

[ryototsukai]

- Musashi will mention she got shot (though her arm in the sling will make it obvious). Unfortunately, she didn't keep the bullet, having let Emily hold on to it.

OTHER

[baofeng]

Anything I may have missed, or anything your character wants to share with the class that isn't related to the above topics. Maybe you're opening a cute bakery soon. Live your best life!

One stop handwaving directory for Nie Huaisang

[illicitly]

Huaisang would be quiet and preoccupied during the meeting at first, seemingly off in his own little world and more interested in enjoying the delicious food and fine wine while listening to everyone's ideas and discreetly observing everyone speaking up. Once he's verified that the other Tamamos, do in fact, have keen intellect and creativity of their own he'll start speaking up at various points during the meeting, sometimes interrupting conversation which might seem a little rude but it's actually not intended that way, he's just trying to connect with the speakers.

Since I tl;dr-ed the thoughts he'd share with the group in various comment threads, I'll link them all here so they're all in one spot!

Thoughts on tactical approach against the Shuten re: direct conflict
Thoughts on using trickery over force and Yizhi's suggestions
Response to Nehan's ideas about weaponizing civilians
Theorizing on a possible unseen enemy

I also have a top-level here for anyone who might be listening in on whatever conversations/plans he might come up with.

Once he's voiced all of the above and responded to any questions/comments others might have on it, Huaisang will decide he's done enough work for one day and will politely excuse himself so he can go home and nap, lol. He's old and tired and all these young people have good minds and more energy than he does so he'll peace out without any further input or elaboration on his ideas.

OOCly, I'm flexible and fine with whatever outcome that comes from his presence at the meeting so feel free to use or ignore whatever he says in further planning since it's a lot and I don't want to disrupt any plans already in progress! Just making his presence and commentary known at the meeting!

I swear I'll stop tl;dr-ing all over this post now orz

open

[ryototsukai]

[ Being in a nice place like this and only being able to drink water because she couldn't afford anything else was having a noticeable "bummer" effect on the usually lively Musashi. Between that and having her arm in a sling, she just kind of seemed to be slumping in her seat, letting most of the conversation happen around her as she watched condensation gather on her glass. ]

The boss lady needs me as a fighter and I can barely hold my sword...

[ She sighs, reaching to at least help herself to some of the water, gulping it down with a groan. ]

But I guess it could be worse...

Gao Yizhi | OTA

[baofeng]

[Introductions should be in order, but let's be real, we're all tired. All the characters, and especially all the players. At some point Yizhi thanked everyone for coming but the young very quickly moves on to what's on his mind - a thing which, he assumes, is also on everyone else's.]

So, what a week, huh?

Anyone have ideas on how we’re supposed to take the Underground from Shuten?

[taintedpeony]

We certainly are starting off with a bang, so to speak. I have a few. But more information should do us well. We shouldn't rush in without something concrete set in I think.

[He sipped at his wine thoughtfully, his tails swaying back and forth as he considered the options.]

[baofeng]

[He’s curious about those tails, and how this man looks like he’d be a Jigoku-cho native rather than a Lost Soul, but Jin Guangyao’s sense of decorum brings out Yizhi’s own in full force. He avoids staring, instead meeting his senior’s gaze and nodding politely.]

I see- thank you for your wisdom, qianbei. I’m just worried that if we do nothing but gather information at first, we’ll fall behind.

If the Shuten are able to establish themselves at all down there, it’ll be harder for us to get through, with tricks or with force. It’s harder to siege a walled city than fight on neutral ground. Especially if they cover the obvious avenues for sabotage… which they should, if they know they’re competing with us.

[He may have many mean thoughts about Toraguma and the number of braincells he has, but he doubts Shuten as a whole are like dogs that can be baited and led easily.]

ᴏᴘᴇɴ

[cutcloud]

i.

[ He had arrived at the meeting promptly, sporting several bandages on his face and arms from the fight. Nothing serious, but enough that when he sits down at the end of the table it's quite gingerly. Not wanting to intrude on others and their conversations, he's quiet for a while ... though he does eventually venture a question to the person nearest who doesn't look otherwise occupied. ]

Excuse me. [ he waves in a polite little hello, ] We're going to fight, then? Do you know where one can find a decent blade...?

[ Unfortunately, he still hasn't found his, and the weapons he had to resort to using during the night parade had been... less than ideal. His fingers are still bandaged from the splinters. ]

ii.

[ Alternatively, after the meals are served, Chongyun stares down at his plate for quite a while with a vague expression of dismay at the pops of red all over his plate. Normally he's fine with waiting for it to cool ... but this looks spicy. Had the menu said spicy? He didn't think so, but clearly this is ... hot. Just looking at it is making him sweat.

Resigned, he shakes his head despite the way his stomach growls. Turning to someone nearby, he gestures toward his untouched plate. ]

Would you like this?

i

[ryototsukai]

Well, I'm hoping there won't be too much direct fighting...

[ Because look around, Chongyun, they were not ready for that. Between the injuries and lack of fighters compared to Shuten, that was just not a great idea. ]

But if it'd help you feel safer, you can borrow one of my katana. I... obviously can't use it right now. [ She gestured at her slung-held arm. ]

[cutcloud]

It’s not really a matter of feeling safer. I just think … fighting is going to be unavoidable.

[ She might be right about avoiding it at all costs, gesturing out the group of Tamamos, but that’s all the more reason for him to prepare to take the offensive. The Shuten may fall for their tricks, but he can’t imagine that a group of heavy hitters won’t manage to hit them at all.

He looks at her sling sympathetically. Yeah… that’ll make fighting difficult. ]

I actually use greatswords. [ he touches his chin lightly, ] But a katana might be better than using a plank of wood again…

ii.

[breweries]

[ shylock is pretty okay with spice himself, so he's cool with whichever the restaurant provides for them... though the chopsticks are an entirely different matter. he'd seen the sage use them before back in his world, but he hadn't had the chance to use them himself--

ah, but he's interrupted before he can think more on it. he tilts his head at the untouched plate that was being offered to him, however. ]

Do you not like the meal? I could order something else for you, if you like.

ii

[paperpusher]

[Natori let up on his paranoia about accepting food from ayakashi, and then a) he was uncharacteristically chill when viewing the cherry blossoms and b) the Daitengu was assassinated. The latter doesn't actually follow from the former, but the two in combination are enough to put Natori right back into "trust no bitch" mode. He has his own food in front of him that he's strategically pushing around on his plate, but he's come prepared to actually eat in anticipation of a long night ahead. At Chongyun's question coupled with his audible stomach grumbling, Natori reaches into his out-of-place messenger bag and places an onigiri in front of Chongyun with a wink. That's some excellent exorcist senpai behavior, if he does say so himself.]

Nie Huaisang | OTA

[illicitly]

Nie Huaisang's sat quietly throughout the dinner, his expression pensive and gaze distant. Now and then, a troubled frown surfaces that doesn't really coincide with anything that's actually being said in conversation aside from his nose wrinkly slightly with distaste whenever the topic of fighting comes up. For the most part, he's simply listening and observing the other clan members while seeming to be lost in some kind of daydream when he isn't preoccupied with eating the free food, not really contributing to the conversation directly.

it's clear that there's something really bothering him, especially to those who know him well, and after awhile, he suddenly speaks up with a question that's been on his mind since the assassination. Like most of his questions during conferences like this, it might sound utterly insane but he also has his reasons for raising the subject.

"Do we have confirmation that the Daitengu is actually dead?"

The question comes out soft and deeply serious, even strangely pained. But given his own history and manner of maneuvering through politics, he can't help but be suspicious.

"The points about an unseen enemy and the clans being baited into conflict with one another are interesting, don't you think?"

[OOC: I'll match format!]

[ryototsukai]

Well, they said they cremated him, so if we're still hoping someone checked the body, that's probably out.

[ Musashi had her own doubts, but she also didn't have enough information to suggest otherwise. ]

The whole point of the Daitengu is that it can be anybody, but it doesn't make the death of someone behind that mask inconsequential, if it wasn't planned for. Even if it was a body double, that's still someone they have to bury, you know?

[ Death shouldn't be taken so lightly, she thought. Even if they were technically in Hell. ]

As for the other thing... [ She sips her drink, letting out a thoughtful hum. ]

That just means we need to be extra careful to make sure we don't suffer any losses during this conflict. We have to be prepared in case those assassin guys make a target of Tenko-hime.