Underground Turf War Catch-all! [OTA! Come toplevel!!!]

[baofeng]

Who ⬤ Open to all!
What ⬤ Catch-all log for the Underground Turf War
When ⬤ Throughout April: Dates within
Where ⬤ The Underground
Content Warnings ⬤ Please tag any cws in individual toplevels / threads!




This is a post to facilitate shenanigans regarding the Underground turf war! Feel free to park your toplevels below and tag around!

Summary of what’s going on:
The Underground is the network of subterranean utility / sewer tunnels under the city, previously held by the Kappa tribe. After the April 2022 Event, the Underground has been cleared out by the Department of the Enma and is now mostly unattended.

The Tamamo Clan and Shuten Clan have received orders from their leaders to take over the Underground. Unfortunately, there's two of them and only one Underground, so the two clans are fighting over it. (Tamamo Meeting Log) (Shuten Meeting Log)

The Sutoku Alliance is not willing to fight for the territory, but are intending to work out a deal with whoever wins the turf war to get the kappa back to work. The Department of the Enma is also more interested in investigating the Daitengu’s assassination than the turf war, but that means their Lost Souls can bring popcorn and watch the show. (more info here.)

Comments

lol I'm canonblind but I love him already!

[sleepinglyra]

[Shelaik tensed slightly as Jin's dramatic outrage continued to paint him into a difficult corner. He knew it could all be an act but it sure was convincing. Not to mention having someone else to collect the money was a smart choice. He relented a little and closed his eyes for a moment with a quiet sigh.]

I apologize for my hasty judgement.

[Mostly. He still wasn't completely convinced she was as innocent as she claimed to be.]

Would you mind telling me what this big guy looked like and where were you supposed to deliver the jars you collected?

I have to apologize for this bugs bunny bs. He's usually much more put together, I swear! haha.

[taintedpeony]

Ichika-chan may forgive you. You seem kind.

[He stated rather coyly. This persona was fitting better and better. Large strong men usually liked to feel like the heroes. He knew that and did his best to cater to that type when needed.]

She doesn't even know big scary man's name! If she tells you then he can find her and hurt her.

What if he takes her and rips off her tails? Or decide that fox was on the menu?! Ichika-chan is only bones. Won't taste good at all!

lol I look forward to getting to know him more

[sleepinglyra]

[A barely noticeable flash of guilt flashed across Shelaik's face. He would hardly call someone who was more concerned about how to get Ichika to cooperate than her safety kind. For a brief moment he considered letting her go and looking for a different clue but that was a foolish idea. He couldn't let a lead that just fell into his lap disappear and he shook his slight confliction aside with a sigh.]

No one is going to eat you.

[Right? The yokai were seen as monsters by some people but surely they wouldn't do anything that barbaric.]

Sheliak seems fun too! I wonder what till be like when they get to know one another.

[taintedpeony]

[He caught the flash and remembered it. It was a weakness he could try and exploit but he won't push too hard just yet. Instead, he gives him his biggest most doe-like eyes and brings tears to them.

His lips trembled a little bit as he sniffled.]

How do you know? Many youkai eat other youkai here! What do you think? A bigger one wouldn't just pick up Ichika-chan and make her into a meal?! Fox stew! Roast fox over rice! I do not want to be a meal!!!

[He began to cry harder.]

thanks! I'm glad you like him and I'm excited to see where it goes with these two

[sleepinglyra]

[Sheliak's eyes narrowed slightly. Act or not, Ichika's dramatic antics were starting to get annoying and a hint of Sheliak's frustration slipped past his careful defenses.]

I suppose I don't. In case you haven't noticed, some of us are not from here.

[How was he supposed to know if Ichika was telling the truth, exaggerating, or fabricating the whole thing so he would let her go? He quickly smoothed over his subtle outburst with a calmer voice.]

If working with this individual is as dangerous as you claim then I suggest you look for work elsewhere.

[taintedpeony]

[Good. If he was frustrated he wouldn't think clearly. Nie Huaisang was certainly smart to do something using tactics like this. It was ingenious!

Though that comment reeked of high-born privilege. In some ways, Sheliack reminded him of some of the gentries he knew back home. He had been on both sides of the spectrum, poor enough to skip meals to be so wealthy that it no longer mattered.]

Sir, You must have grown up in a very high background. Was sir privileged to be able to choose his work? And do what he likes?

Ichika-chan has no such privalage! She takes work that she can or she will starve and go cold and have to sell herself to clients, she doesn't want! Mean clients who will hurt.

This man tells her to go get jars and she gets them. Easy money. Ichika can have a nice warm night with food. She doesn't want to be food. She can tell. No youkai would ask such a silly question. Eat or be eaten!

[sleepinglyra]

[Jin Guangyao was right, however Sheliak's life of privilege was a bit of a landmine for him. Sheliak's gaze sharped into a glare for a second before he closed his eyes with a near inaudible sigh.]

My life had its own hardships.

[His quiet response sounded tired. Sheliak had this same argument many times with Altair, who was a commoner before he was invited into a life of privilege. Neither of them were able to agree on anything related to the noble court. He didn't have time for this. The longer he delayed here, the harder it would be to convince the frightened girl. Perhaps he should try speaking her language except he didn't have an endless supply of wealth here. Sheliak was quiet as he considered his options.]

You're right. I don't know how difficult your life has been but if the war between the clans escalates due to foolish propaganda such as this more yokai such as yourself will be drawn into the fight. If you want your safe, warm nights to continue you will help me put a stop to this.

[Sheliak tried to ignore the sick feeling in his gut at the dangerous ripples he was creating. He wasn't betraying his clan. He would still do what he could to ensure Shuten wins the turf war but as much as he disliked the Tamamo clan, they weren't the real threat.]

[taintedpeony]

[He sounded like some of the people he knew, Nie Mingjue, even his own brother Jin Zixuan. Those that grew up safe and warm and protected since birth. Unlike him who grew up in a brothel, hiding shrinking keeping his eyes lowered. A slight flare of indignation flared to him.

He fancied himself a white knight then. He could use that.

He pulled his shoulders in and gave a terrified tremble.]

D-Do you think sir can help Ichika-chan? Ichika-chan is so scared. Would sir protect?

[sleepinglyra]

[A shadow briefly crossed over Sheliak's face at Ichika's request. To protect. That tempting lie cost everyone so much and his chest tightened with guilt. His shoulders tensed slightly as he pushed those dark thoughts aside and he quickly schooled his expression into a resolute gaze.]

If you tell me what I need to know, I give you my word...

[Sheliak's jaw clenched slightly as he stopped himself from swearing on his family name. That name held no weight here.]

that I will protect you.

[taintedpeony]

[Jin Guangyao for his part was unaware of the inner struggle going on in Sheliak. Ugh. He really did remind him of Nie Mingjue. Which already was beginning to color his opinion there. He didn't really like the white knight type, he himself had helped many in his life but this sort of thing really felt like it had an edge of patronization.

Whatever the case this fell right into the plan he was forming in his head.

He let out a terrified nod and looked up at him with wide eyes.]

Okay. Ichika-chan will trust sir. Come follow Ichika-chan. She will show you where big scary man is.

[ With that she hopped forward, gesturing for him to come with. ]

[sleepinglyra]

[Sheliak relaxed a little when Ichika finally agreed to cooperate and his expression softened into a small smile to put her at ease. That was more of a hassle than he planned. It was too soon to let down his guard though and he gently grabbed Ichika's wrist to stop her.]

Just a moment. Why don't you tell me where we are going and everything you know about the scary man first? That way if something unexpected happens I'll be better prepared to keep you safe.

[Not to mention, it would be harder for her to mislead him this way.]

I'm so sorry about this. /hahaha sob

[taintedpeony]

[Nothing put him at ease, much less being touched by the enemy. Maybe he wasn't as stupid as he looked.]

Tch. He's a blue oni with one eye and three arms. He goes by the name Chinpoko Chisaii. Chinpoko-san is located on the west side of the city and he runs a mini Weiner stand. He cuts them into little shapes for any who wants. He is also terrifying.

Mess with him he may cut Sir into an octopus too! [This was stupid but he wasn't expecting Sheliak to know any Japanese.]

Please do not put your big scary hands-on Ichika-chan!

[A low growl emanated from his throat, baring his fangs. Please let him go or he was going to bite. The youkai inside of him was laughing at the shenanigans.]

[sleepinglyra]

He's an oni?

[Sheliak's smile frosted over into an icy glare. No he wasn't stupid and Jin Guangyao should have chosen his scapegoat more carefully. Oni did have a tendency towards violence but they were far too prideful to stoop to vulgar propaganda. Not to mention, they had no motive for besmirching their leader's reputation.

That growl got his attention. He was now convinced that was the only honest reaction he had seen so far and he intended to use it, just like Ichika, if that was even her real name, had used his own weakness against him. Time to return the favor and Sheliak tightened his grip on Jin Guangyao's wrist.]

Then I suggest you stop lying to me.

[Well my silver-tongued fox, what will you do now?]

[taintedpeony]

I said so from the beginning. I'm sorry you seem to be a fucking idiot.

[The jig was up he guessed. And his distaste for his white-knighting was palatable. Out from him came not the voice of a frightened young girl but of a soft-spoken man.

In his life, he had taken down bigger and far more powerful men than Sheliak, but that type of violence was not necessary. Not in this stage at least. He just needed to surprise him enough to escape.

With a quick motion, he moved forward going for a bite at the nearest fleshy bit, with his other hand he took a fistful of money and coins and threw it at Sheliak's face.]

sorry I'm so late

[sleepinglyra]

[Oh that insufferable distaste was familiar and Sheliak polite manners were torn away with a condescending glare.]

You clearly don't know how to speak-

His mind screeched to a stop when Jin Guangyao real voice finally registered over his rage, which was quickly replaced with a flustered look of bewilderment.]

What? You're a man!?

[His confusion left him completely defenseless and he didn't have time to react before Jin Guangyao bit the wrist that was holding onto him. Sheliak let go with a stifled cry of pain. Realizing his mistake he quickly tried to grab her again. Her? Him? Now wasn't the time for this. The sudden trick with the money jarred Sheliak out of his confused thoughts and he grasped nothing but air with a frustrated growl.]

Get back here!