May 2022 IC Mingle

[jigokumods]

MAIN NAVIGATION

1. WELCOMING COMMITTEE

The influx of fresh Lost Souls means the factions need to have a little welcoming party for them. The leaders realize things have been chaotic in the city. So some recreational activities are in order. All Lost Souls will receive a message from their respective faction leaders with orders to go have some fun.

The Shuten Clan are given an advance on their first paycheck and told to go to the Celestial Phoenix Casino. A big sign on the half boarded up door proudly proclaims UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT. What happened to the old management? It doesn't matter and stop asking questions! The important part is that all games and machines are half-price and there are special prizes available in exchange for your chips and tokens. Games range from the traditional Western style (poker, roulette, slots) to Japanese favorites (cee-lo, koi koi, cho-han).

As for prizes, they have a selection of designer goods, including some particularly nice bracelets, necklaces, and watches!

The Tamamo Clan are given a considerable number of drink vouchers for Crimson Moon Karaoke, where they can sing their hearts out and while absolutely smashed. Private rooms are cheap to rent and they even offer a special discount for groups of two or more. The karaoke machines have any songs you could possibly want, which is a little suspicious, but don't question it! Just get drunk and have fun. By all means, extend your time as you wish and drink up to get in the proper mood. This is an important bonding opportunity.

Oh yeah, as an important note: the rooms are soundproof. You can get as loud as you like, be it with singing or... something else. Don’t do anything Tenko-hime wouldn’t do!

Members of The Sutoku Alliance are given tickets to Fiance of the Funeral Procession at the Pluto Theatre and Cafe. The tickets include free food at the cafe, including beer. Sure, the star may not be a Sutoku member but that doesn't matter too much: getting butts into seats at Sutoku-owned theaters is what’s important. The Daitengu rented the theater out for the day, so there is plenty of time to mill around both before and after the show.

Make a day, or night, of it!

A funeral-based romantic comedy melodrama as the viewing fare is probably a tasteless joke on the Daitengu's part. But hey, y'all aren't still mad that they crashed their own funeral and then took off laughing, right?

Right?

The Department of the Enma members are told that they're going to be doing a team-building exercise. What exactly does that mean? That's right, it's community cleanup time! You get to clean up cans and trash in the street! You get the honor of using a department-issued bike with an attached cart to wheel around the city and pick up trash! How exciting! Teamwork is encouraged, of course. Teams that collect enough garbage will get one (1) voucher for mini-golf.

Please be aware of the local homeless population as you work, they won’t be happy to see you. They normally collect the cans in the mornings as a meager source of income that you’ll be dipping into. They're probably just not happy with Enma officials in general though. Sorry!

2. IT'S RAINING, IT'S POURING...

By the time you're done with your faction-sponsored fun, the sky has decided to open up. Hope you brought your umbrella! The rain is bad enough that walking home might not be an option right now. So take refuge in one of the many nearby nightlife spots.

Not in your faction's home territory? Doesn't matter! Make some friends outside your group or maybe get into a fight and cause some trouble. There's always the third option of ignoring everyone and drinking yourself silly instead! The rain has to let up eventually… right?

Hopefully you aren't caught near one of the cursed Haniwa figures that have been popping up around town. Their aura really dampens the mood and may even start to cause some dramatic and frightening hallucinations if you and your rain-stranded friends stay near them for too long. But remember! Do not break the figurine. Just try to move it somewhere else? And hopefully not get drenched in the process.

Welcome to the IC mingle!

• If you have any questions about the mingle content, please ask them here!
• If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.
• For Rewards, threads in the Mingle log count for One (1) point!

Comments

[rainswords]

[ It was for the best that their young exorcist friend was not here to serve as judge for this battle; likely he would only become a victim of their antics. This left them to continue this fight freely, with their own rules, their way.

His gaze fixed on an expression which he mirrors: confidence, they both easily exude it. From that alone, he assumes she has some ploy in search of victory just as he has one of his own. It's not mere pride that drives him to take bigger gulps or more of the alcoholic beverage. He intends to win here, he has from the instance she threw down the gauntlet. ]

A gentleman for the lady verse-monger who accompanies me in song through the sea town's dark alleys.

[ Noting initial hesitation before she finally gives to drink, he knows he just has to press on. It's not hard. He knows how much to take, how much to drink. He has a better idea and by the end, he will have won. That he assures himself of as he takes the bottle being handed.

Pressing lips to its mouth he takes a big gulp. Soon swallows before it is set on the table. Already his face is flushed, the effects of alcohol physical, mostly, but there is a fog rolling in and with it sluggishness that he can only think sleep would wear away. ]

Masterful lyrics at the shore. The crash of waves, a new rhythm formed and what will the tide bring me back?

[ He waits for her answer, whether her turn at the bottle or some composition. ]

[localweirdo]

[Hearing the slam of the bottle, she knew that the alcohol was affecting him. As much as she wanted to say something, she chuckled instead before crossing her arms. She didn't want to admit it but the alcohol was making her lightheaded.

Granted, she didn’t know if she was getting drunk from the hype or from the drink.

Regardless, she narrowed her eyes before grabbing the bottle once more. As she stared at him and then back at the bottle, she didn’t know if she should let her inhibition go and drink as much as he did.]

You praise me far too much, good sir. The waves are in your favor for I am at a loss of words to speak.

[Despite her words, she wasn’t throwing in the towel yet. Her pride as a poetess and her ability to test her limit was at stake. This time, as she took bigger gulps, she had to take a step back. Mumbling to herself, she was embarrassed knowing her alcohol tolerance was so low.

And yet, she couldn’t help but grin before she placed the bottle on the table once more.]

However, this verse-monger is curious to hear what other rhymes this young lord will say.

[Were her words cheesy and didn’t make any sense? Probably but she didn’t care. Her mind was too focused on winning and having fun right now.]

[rainswords]

[ He wants to go swimming, right into his sheets. The cool press of linen against his cheek, a blanket warming him through the night. His bed calls to him, except his bed is not his bed and it never was but though temporary as he saw the comfort of his lodging he had ceded part to Hu Tao. While he may play pranks along with her, exchange rhymes and poetry even go as far as to act more like himself, he would still show proper conduct.

Mostly.

This game is getting out of hand. Thoughts sinking more than swimming, he knows the haze and lightness of body are all effects of alcohol. He snorts out a laugh, it looks like they're both lightweights. It really shouldn't be that funny yet it is somehow. Maybe that's why he laughs softly once more. ]

There is an ocean of expression and too few words to weave a sail; Emotion a tempest...

[ Responsibility dictates he should cease drinking, and bring about an end to their game but like her, he is prideful enough that he plans to push boundaries. It's his turn again. Xingqiu reaches out to grip the bottle and he looks up at her. He thinks he is smiling mischievously but really all he manages is a goofy grin. Bringing the bottle to his lips he takes his turn. The time has come to see if his plans would reach fruition. It's a wonder that he manages to stay focused.

Xingqiu drinks, and drinks some more until all that's left is enough for her to take her turn. Yes, she has no choice but to finish the rest if she plans to outdrink Xingqiu otherwise she must admit defeat.

Lost in a sea of drink is the fact he had not truly completed his verse. Left undone, he only has a single hand at the helm and hardly good control. The bottle is set before her this time. He won't bother pushing it. It's meant to taunt her a bit. ]

Well?

[localweirdo]

[Hu Tao could feel herself stumbling to stand. Placing one of her hands on the table, her face started to flare up. She could feel her face was on fire as she took a step back. This wasn’t how she wanted to end up but it was something she should have expected. Not when either of them drank much alcohol back in Liyue.

Maybe she could be like Zhongli and go out drinking more often with Childe. But until that day comes? This was more important.

Wiping her mouth with her sleeve, she too was chuckling at the situation they were in. Oh how could she respond to that?]

Such is the way with how one feels. Like the spring, it always comes back to you like a big ring. Let it roar as you can feel it wash within you.

[Although, as he continued to drink his bottle, she raised an eyebrow. If they were both lightweights, it would only be a matter of time before he could give up. And yet, with the amount he drank, she was surprised to see him standing. With the look on his face, she had to wonder what he was planning. Narrowing her eyes, she gave a small frown.

Try as she might, she couldn’t read him. At least, not when she was under the influence.

Feeling her pride at stake, she gave an equally mischievous grin before deciding to drink the entire thing. If she was planning on winning, this seemed to be the only option. As she let the cool liquid wash down her throat, she gave a chuckle.]

But I like to think for both young poets, we let the winds of spring blow away whatever inhibitions we had.

[rainswords]

[ For as long as he can he will avoid standing as he already feels himself teetering in his seat. He hooks an ankle around his chair's leg in an effort to maintain balance but that doesn't stop the world from seesawing around him. His vision really does feel like it's swimming, even in the darkness of closed eyes, he feels himself swaying.

Quickly he blinks his eyes open and notes he is actually on the verge of falling out of his seat with his arms crossed. Whatever middling triumph he felt is wiped from his face as he works to catch himself which ends with him stumbling out of his chair and almost running straight into Hu Tao.

He tries to recover, attempting to appear casual as ever as he leans against the table with his elbow resting upon it. He isn't at all using the table as a crutch, nope. His gaze remains fixed on Hu Tao as she speaks. He drinks up words spoken, slow on the update he does come to comprehend she is still making an effort to defeat him on all fronts. He also knows that like him alcohol is slowing the mind and senses.

He almost laughs again, her expression much more comical than he would typically find it as suspicious is obvious on the funeral director's face. He doesn't take his gaze off her as his plans finally reach their conclusion. While he may lose this battle with the bottle, he wouldn't be the one left consuming most of the beer. He wouldn't be the one most affected.

No, that would be her and that's why he can raise his head feeling proud he managed to fool her as he watches her polish off the last remnants of alcohol. ]

Spring is a season past, the blooms on the maiden's cheeks the only sign. Summer's heat and warmth brought joy but now the harvest time has come. Long I've toiled upon the field it is time to collect its yield.

[ He reaches out to tap the now empty bottle in her hold before he does the same to her pretty little nose. ]

[localweirdo]

[Mumbling to herself, she placed her hand on the table to stop her field of vision from moving. As she did so, she had to remind herself that she couldn’t allow herself to take a seat. Despite the battle being over, she still needed to prove herself that she could handle the alcohol. Even with the red appearing on her face, she tried to look as focused as ever.

Although, she wasn’t expecting Xingqiu to fumble. For a moment, as she stared at his attempt to get back up, her expression was to simply give him a blank stare. That didn’t last long as she tried to process what happened.

Try as she might, she didn’t mean to burst out into laughter. It might have been rude but she didn’t care right now, not with how distorted everything seemed to be.

Leaning back a little, she wondered what the others would be thinking as they stared at their antics. But again, she didn’t seem to mind. All that mattered was how much fun she seemed to be having.

Before she could say anything else, the moment she felt the tap, she raised an eyebrow at him.]

Alas, never forget! The harvest does come and go but the seasons do return. Once they do, they shall bring forth yet another year of abundance of joy!

[All with a small frown on her face!]

[rainswords]

[ Caught up in the moment having fun with his friend, Xingqiu is in his own little world shared with Hu Tao. Forgotten are the notions that they are somewhere far from their homeland and yet he doesn't imagine they are anywhere close. Liyue binds him to responsibility and reputation but in a bottle and with good company inhibitions are lost.

There is no one around. It's just them.

It's why he laughs so freely when she does despite having an idea what incited that mirthful sound. Even if he's a gangly fledgling on two legs now barely able to keep steady without the help of a table. If he were to actually fall then he would still laugh, he would still find amusement in his own foolishness. It's easy when there is no room for embarrassment.

Perhaps once he sobers up that emotion would catch up.

For now, he is all smiles, he is goofy and fun. ]

Or rather spring will make its return, bring rebirth, and once more we shall engage drinks and words.

[ Once more he taps her nose. ]

Your nose is small. [ Very eloquent, very charming of a well-read man to say. ]

[localweirdo]

[If only the people of Liyue Harbor could see her now. They would probably be sighing in disbelief knowing that their funeral director was off in her own little world once more. Although, was that any different from what she was doing now? With her inhibitions gone, she was allowed to be as loud or rambunctious as she could be.

Without the fear of playing her role perfectly, there was no need to be so strict with how others perceive her here. Not when her friend was just as equally as rowdy as she was.

Or at least, with the way that he kept laughing away at all of their shenanigans.

Which was why she kept on giving him a look as he kept tapping her.]

You make it sound like it’s a bad thing. I like to think it’s part of what keeps my business running! Who wouldn’t want a cute and happy funeral director giving you pamphlets?

[Giving a confident smile, she placed both hands on her hips to prove her point. While she took a step back, that didn’t deter her from laughing at her own fumble.]

Although, I could say the same for yours.

[rainswords]

[ As for the young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, he would not even take the time to indulge in the idea. Xingqiu knows his place in Liyue Harbor, or rather he knows the role he must play and what is expected of him. Only here does he play along and give in to whim, his mischievous nature doesn't need to be reeled in. Hell, allows him to engage strangers through his own eccentricities rather than the polished manners expected of him.

He can be rowdy, loud, silly, and if anything strange. It doesn't matter when there is no one here to care. Well, that's not entirely true. Chongyun once asked him to take care, but even then it was no reprimand. Neither one of his friends finds his behavior lacking.

Of course, in regards to other people from their nation then he would have no choice but to adjust his behavior. Act according to his station.

It's why he can laugh so freely. A chime of a bell that rings just a little longer than usual. Open and content. The echoes leave a joyful expression his face. ]

People have a strange fear of the inevitable even if it comes wrapped up in a cute and adorable package.

[ Shrug. Shrug. Wait why did he shrug twice, once is enough although the comment about his own nose has his attempting to look at it as he goes a bit cross eyed. ]

Hey! Well. Who wouldn't want a cute and happy silk merchant to make deals with?

[localweirdo]

Then it’s a shame.

[She said before giving a dramatic sigh. If they were going to be theatrical, then Hu Tao might as well keep up with the dramatics!]

The people in Liyue simply need to understand that death will happen sooner or later. All I wanted to do was make them prepared but alas. Even with a cute face, they just don’t listen.

[Although, there was a pause as she gave Xingqiu a look. As alcohol induced as she was, there was just enough clarity in her thoughts that allowed her the realization they were talking about something that was considered taboo.

Despite them being in another world, it should not matter. And yet, with him being in the same world as she was, it did cause her to wonder if she should be speaking this out loud.

Regardless, she gave a chuckle before letting the thought slide before she started to return the gesture of poking his nose.]

A cute and happy merchant, eh? I like to think there would be a certain somebody who would agree.

[Who that somebody might be? That was up for Xingqiu to decide!]

[rainswords]

A real shame.

[ He is quick to agree, although not so much because the offers from the funeral parlor are presented by the very adorable yet eccentric Hu Tao, but really because he doesn't doubt her capability. He understands a deep sense of pride and continuing a long-standing family business. Despite being unconventional, in a city steeped in tradition, someone with the keen tact and intellect to produce completely original and mesmerizing verses surely could quickly understand the wishes of those who pass on.

Surely even she could read into his heart and his own desires for the afterlife. That's why there is some consideration being made, a decision which he'll soon reach. Although he does suppose musing over the idea of his friend managing his funerary rites might be a partially alcohol-influenced thought. ]

Yep. That's right. I'll be a cute and happy merchant... huh who?

Please, I am sure there are many people who would love to do dealings with someone as agreeable as I am.

[ No. He hasn't become dull-witted otherwise he would have walked right into that. Maybe there is someone, or maybe there is no one. He isn't saying anything unless she plans to reveal her thoughts fully. ]