jigokulogs | May 2022 IC Mingle

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.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The snow may be gone, but it held long enough for them to make it to another awning - this one covering the entrance to what looks like a 24-hour convenience store of some sort. Snow is definitely easier to navigate than rain, and even if he has a light dusting of powder on his crest and shoulders it's better than being soaked. Fumikage brushes the show from his clothes before turning to Chongyun.]

Is rain not common in Hell?

[Chongyun would probably know the local weather better than he would, at least.]

I can only speak for as long as I've been here ... this is the first heavy downpour I've been caught in.

[ Which could mean nothing at all. A dry spell might not be uncommon for this city. Even seasons—he hasn't been around long enough to see if the change like they do back on Teyvat. There's still much to learn about this place. ]

Water is the most yin of all the elements. It isn't out of place in the spirit realm—I guess I'm just surprised. Mostly that I missed the rain so much. [ not that he wants to get soaked! he turns to look inside the store; it's still open, and he nods to the other boy. ] Maybe they have umbrellas in here?

[Fumikage nods slowly as he takes in Chongyun's words. So based on the other's experience, it's unusual, but not out of the realm of possibility. It would make sense why so many were caught unaware.]

I see... Let us hope it is not a harbinger of things to come.

[Though now he wonders how long it's been since Chongyun has seen the rain... but he turns to look at the store, and nods.]

Yes, it would be worth checking.

[So he'll gladly head on inside with Chongyun! And as they enter, Fumikage will wait until they're more or less on their own before asking another question.]

So, rainy weather is more agreeable to you than sunny?

[ The store, at least, offers solid coverage from the rain. It continues to pound outside, falling heavily in the streets and pattering against the big front window of the store.

He nods to the other boy while reaching for a riceball in the refrigerated section. Since they're in here they may as well take advantage, and all of this running in the rain has made him a bit hungry. These to-go prepackaged riceballs have also become something of a novelty to him. ]

Yes. With rain comes cloudiness. I have a particular condition—direct sunlight is difficult for me, so I usually carry a parasol just in case. Actually, pretty much anything hot is pretty much a no go.

[Being inside is much more preferable to being soaked in the rain outside. And perhaps grabbing a snack or two could be useful here. He'll also pick up some pre-packaged onigiri; one for himself, one for Dark Shadow later.]

[While looking around for an umbrella, he listens carefully to Chongyun. And he perks up in interest.]

Is it due to the sunlight itself? Dark Shadow is much the same; he grows weaker and has his energy drain faster in direct light, but becomes stronger in the shadows.

Is that so...?

[ Very interesting, and familiar. Chongyun pauses, touching his fingers to his chin as he considers the best way to explain his condition. Normally it's a bit difficult for people to grasp, but it seems Fumikage might have an easier time if that's how Dark Shadow functions. ]

Then we're similar. I have a pure yang spirit, so sunlight is like adding more fire to fire. Anything hot, really. If I'm too exposed I ... well. It's a problem. The symptoms can be intense.

[ Which he will not describe given how embarrassing they can be. Cough. ]

I don't get weaker in darkness, though. I actually find it to be relieving.

A pure-yang spirit?

[Fumikage remembers Chongyun describing the concepts of yin and yang to him, and how he had mentioned Dark Shadow being yin. But though the concept itself is foreign to him, he finds himself able to follow along well enough, especially when he uses Dark Shadow as a counter-example. He nods in understanding.]

I see... I think I understand. Back in my own realm, when Dark Shadow is in pitch-black darkness, he becomes stronger, but unruly and difficult to control. And if my own mental state is compromised, then...

[He pauses, a frown on his features as he remembers the last time he had lost control of Dark Shadow.]

Well... let's just say the last time that happened, I needed the help of my friends to get him back under control.

So then, for you, exposing you to anything hot is like exposing Dark Shadow to intense darkness? That must be difficult to overcome.

Yes, that sounds right. It's difficult ... I have to be vigilant to not overheat. It's why I don't mind the rain too much. If this were intense sun, I'd be in trouble.

[ He's surprised to hear that Dark Shadow influences Fumikage so much too, but since they're connected, it does make sense after all. He nods, sympathetic. It sounds like they deal with some very similar troubles. Not exactly the same, but it's perhaps the closest he's ever heard from someone else. ]

My mental state can also be affected. Sometimes I don't even remember what's happened. [ he smiles, ] I want to become stronger and overcome my condition. It's a long path, but I'm determined to walk it.

[It's less Dark Shadow influences Fumikage and more the other way around; if Fumikage's emotions get too out of hand, Dark Shadow takes over. The results... well. He went through them once, he'd rather not go through it again.]

Then you and I are kindred spirits, it seems. The path you walk is surely a difficult one, but with perseverance, even the hardest paths can become traversable. I have every confidence in your success.

I may not know how to train in the arts of exorcism, but should you need a practice partner, perhaps I could offer my assistance.

[ Oh … even though they don’t know each other very well, the fact that Fumikage would say something so heartening—Chongyun is touched. What a good and wholesome young man…bird. ]

Thank you. [ don’t get emotional, Chongyun!! ] I would like that. It’s important to keep skills sharp here, and if I can improve myself too, then that’s all the better.

[ He can’t help but to share a little smile. ]

But first, we have to try to best this rain. Maybe we can think of it as more training.

[Fumikage nods, a small smile forming on his mouth.]

Then consider ours a pact forged. Feel free to contact me if you ever do wish to train together. Or for any other need, of course.

[But he nods, looking up at the rain.]

You are right. Prevailing through weather like this shall be our first test.

May 2022 IC Mingle

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