May 2022 Mini Event

[jigokumods]

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As the Haniwa continue to pop up in the city and the turf war rages on, life goes on in the city.

1. SHUTEN CLAN

Remember the Isonade? Yeah, those guys. The surly shark-dudes who were no doubt involved in some black market smuggling along the banks of the Sanzu. They were too tough to fight off in order to figure out what they were up to, last time.

Well, Toraguma has caught wind of them now. Despite the ongoing turf war, he’s not about to lose out on an opportunity here! He wants his Shuten Clan operatives to scour the river looking for these guys. They will be a lot harder to find without the rabbits’ help, though. If you find them, you are to “inform them” that the Shuten Clan will be taking over their operation. If they have problems with that, well… you know what to do.

Don’t forget that they’re quite strong and that they aren’t too keen on giving up the information on their supply line without a fight. You’ll need to use teamwork to get what you need out of them.

Should you manage your way to their warehouse, you’ll find a fresh shipment of their products: specialized herbs, mineral-rich clay, and rarefied ore. None of these products can be found in the city naturally. The Isonade won’t dare name their primary buyer but they will let slip that all of this is being smuggled into the city from the outer Wastelands.

The Shuten Clan will demand their cut out of this operation, but you may get the impression that this is only one small piece of a much larger shadow creeping over the city…

Art by Alejandro Gonzalez Agudelo

2. SUTOKU ALLIANCE

The death and subsequent “rebirth” of the Daitengu has caused a considerable amount of chaos. Many of the subsidiary tribes have struggled under the weight of uncertainty during this debacle. The Daitengu has decided that an apology tour is owed. It’s good for the sake of the Alliance, after all.

Oh, but they’re not going to be doing it themselves. You, the Sutoku Lost Souls, will be fully responsible for it. ૮ ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶ ა

Sutoku Souls are tasked with going to various businesses and tribe centers with an offering of gifts and deference to any and every group within the Alliance who will agree to meet with you. The gifts have been provided by the Daitengu, and are mainly snacks and coupons. Which will not be enough to please everyone. Some clans will demand more and some, in their rage, will try to take their anger out on you. You are an (lowly) ambassador right now, better to turn the other cheek.

This all boils down to be less of an apology tour and more of a bribe tour. What the Daitengu has provided won’t cover everything and you’re going to have to go out of pocket to truly placate the other clans. If you don’t have enough cash on hand, you may be asked to do various unpaid tasks and labors: washing dishes, scrubbing floors, cleaning windows, taking out the trash, serving kids’ birthday parties; any amount of the lowest work you can imagine.

It’s rough! But somebody’s gotta do it

3. DEPARTMENT OF THE ENMA

The chaos of the Night Parade has caused a resurgence of unaffiliated gangs popping up around Jigokucho. They can usually be found identifying themselves through the use of basic colors and mascots. They are made up almost entirely of violent youths with uncertain futures, who are lashing out at an uncaring world. The antics of the Daitengu, the accusations against the Enma, and the squabbling between Shuten and Tamamo is not inspiring their confidence nor loyalty.

In addition to this problem, the retrieval of the Haniwa is going poorly. Most residents are too uncomfortable to even touch the statues and their appearances don’t seem to be slowing down. There are too many for the Department to collect.

With an abundance of cursed objects in town, the petty gangs have decided this is an ample resource for them. They are using the Haniwa to harass the general public and against one another. They have weaponized the excess Haniwa and are using them as “curse bombs”, hurling them at both each other and the residents they want to intimidate. It’s getting nasty.

It’s the Department’s job to keep the Haniwa figures from falling into the wrong hands and to keep some semblance of order. The official orders from the Office of the Enma are directing all hands to converge against the youth gangs. Use any force necessary and retrieve those figurines.

4. TAMAMO CLAN

How inconvenient! In addition to the complications of the turf war, an extremely important time of the year has arrived for the Tamamo Clan.

It is time for the yearly visit of one of the clan’s greatest benefactors: the Tennin. These Celestial Immortals descend from the Heavenly Realms to spend time (and incredible amounts of money) in Hell’s Playground, Jigokucho. Hell simply offers the sort of delights you just can’t get in Heaven. Due to Tenkohime’s connections with them, the Celestials have had her host them for several years in a row now. She emphasizes how incredibly important it is to keep them happy.

The Celestials want entertainment and delights of every variety. It’s up to the Tamamo Clan’s Lost Souls to entertain them. Your entertainments can take many forms: keeping the Celestials company, putting on a performance, showing off your cooking and skills, tea ceremonies, and other exhibitions. Should you choose the carnal and kinky route for entertainments, know that you won’t be laying down with any Celestials themselves. Oh, no no no, they’re Heavenly, after all! This is still performance, so you may need a partner to help you out.

Keep in mind that the legends are true! The Celestials are deeply deeply fond of peaches. Both literal and metaphorical. 🍑

The Celestials love to chat and gossip, so keeping them entertained is also an excellent way to hear some interesting information. Tamamo artisans will likely learn that many Celestials openly trade with Tenkohime. In fact, the aphrodisiac goods that the Tamamos so famously deal in come, in large part, from the Celestials. Tamamo isn’t the only clan they do business with either. They also have connections within the Sutoku Alliance and are the land owners of several Alliance properties. They are considered one of the primary sources of capital in the real estate market.

Why would the Celestials want properties in a world they literally can’t live in? Doesn’t that just reek of capitalism.

5. TURF WAR (ALL FACTIONS)

The turf war between the Shuten and Tamamo clans is at a simmer right now. Which doesn’t mean that it’s over – not even close. Minor magical traps, similar to those found in the sewer, have been found in Shuten territory. Frustrated Shuten enforcers have been taking out their anger on anyone that so much as looks at them funny. Bars in both districts are regularly getting smashed up. Knife fights are breaking out in the streets. Cars known to belong to members of both clans turn up with slashed tires. There’s even rumors of hits being taken out on higher ranking members.

Watch your step if you’re out and about in either territory. Faction affiliation doesn’t matter when tensions are running high. What’s more, rumors are flying all over about which of the two warring clans is going to be the one to escalate the violence further.

Will tensions boil over at any moment? At what point does the Department of the Enma have to step in? Why haven’t they already?

It’s all getting too much to handle…

6. CURSED OBJECTS (ALL FACTIONS)

The presence of the Haniwa is having increasingly frightening effects. There are whispers about blood coming out of the walls and the floors in apartments, about black ooze pouring from faucets and coming up from storm drains. There are even whispers of terrible household hauntings.

These aren’t just rumors though. Bars are having to close early due to the presence of wailing ghosts inhabiting the toilet or blood pouring from the taps. People run screaming out of alleyways pursued by ghostly hands.

These curses and hauntings seem to be fairly localized; kept to one building or one block at a time. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason as to when these accursed sightings will take effect.

Be careful out there! Who knows what could happen with so much terrible energy running rampant.

Welcome to the mini event!

• If you have any questions about event content, please ask them here!
• FOR THE PURPOSES OF REWARDS, since all of these prompts tie into the main plot in some way, we will count all qualified threads in this post as 2 point threads!
• If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.

Comments

[rainswords]

[ Landing on his back on a cozy kitten bed, Xingqiu doesn't make any immediate moves. Waiting while he listens to the manager's fading steps, once he is certain there is adequate distance he cautiously sits up. Taking visual reference to where Hanz has gone off to Xingqiu can see all the casualties that came with the scene he caused; Mittens recovered from the floor, a short brunette across a couch, another catboy strewn over some cushions... What a sad sight.

Yet there is no mustering any sympathy for any of these boys; not now when his face feels hotter than a flame. He brings his palms against his cheeks in hopes to cool the heat but it does nothing to alleviate embarrassment. In this very instance, more than ever he doesn't want anyone's attention. He can only hope no one is looking at him but not all wishes can be granted.

Taking in a deep breath, he tries all he can to compose himself. Xingqiu attempts to lessen the degree to which discomfort affects him, grabbing a cushion he wraps his arms around it and closes his eyes. Now, what's that thing he hears Chongyun say sometimes. Deep breaths?

Hearing his friend so near his eyes flutter open. Won't he get in trouble for being near? ]

I'll live.

[ His voice sounds even, casual even which is a complete antithesis to his disheveled and flustered appearance. ]

You know I didn't notice before but it's actually cold here.

[cutcloud]

[ There are some things Chongyun never expected to see in his lifetime. Xingqiu getting spanked by a buff catman? Definitely on that list. So unexpected, actually, it probably didn't even make the list. It's on the list of things that should be on the list but seem so impossible that they aren't. Unthought of. Too chaotic to be real.

He's still stunned ... but first thing's first. Staying hidden and checking on his friend. So, Chongyun steals furtive glances toward where Hanz's hulking figure looms in the distance as he tries to manage the damage of the chaos done. ]

Here. Take it.

[ His shirt, his shirt!! Hide those boy nipples! As much as the customers would love for Xingqiu to stay shirtless in the naughty cat cage, Chongyun? Would not. Please. With one last poke, he thrusts the crumpled shirt fully into the cage for his friend to take. ]

I'm sorry ... I should have been watching out for him.

[ After all, he knows how Hanz likes to pick on the new cats. Xingqiu was just a temp sent from Sutoku, not a real employee, but apparently that hadn't mattered to the man. Cats have to be cats. ]

[rainswords]

[ Caution had been taken by his dear friend to reveal every single rule of the catboy cafe to him earlier. There was a warning of consequences. There is truly no excuse for him to have landed so swiftly in confinement. Yet Xingqiu is trapped within a cage meant for naughty kittens. Almost dazed he stretches his hand out to take the shirt but sluggish action means it is tossed past the bars in his direction. The garment lands close.

Much like Chongyun, for Xingqiu this was never within the reach of possibility. Had he been too confident, perhaps to the point of arrogance in believing he could safely make his exit? It had been thoughtless of him, after all, there would be repercussions even if he wasn't on the receiving end of any punishments.

This is the result of his actions therefore he would take responsibility. He waves Chongyun's apology off, there is no need when he caused his own downfall.

Of course, right about now he should probably redress himself. Aside from regaining modesty, a half-nude catbot does garner attention. Some patrons politely pretend not to take an interest, others openly gawk in their direction. Some are bolder and willing to snap up photographs while the manager is occupied with Mittens. And it is true, it is cold as Xingqiu mentioned so those rosy little nubs that Chongyun wants him to hide are pert. ]

He'll let me out of here eventually.

[ That's the assumption anyway, lazily he reaches for the shirt which he pulls over his head hardly taking note he put it on backward. Unsure of what else to do with himself, a survey of the cage shows very little for him to do unless he was an actual cat. He ends up drawing his knees close and wrapping an arm around them. ]

I'll be fine. Don't let him catch you near.

[cutcloud]

[ Chongyun shoots an angry glare at the people snapping pics. He can't outright tell them to cut it out given that the customers are allowed to take pictures, and he doesn't want to attract Hanz's attention again, so all he can do is stare until a few of them lower their phones. Some don't though. A naughty cat in the punishment cage is too good to pass up after all that hub bub.

At least he put his shirt back on. Even if it's backwards.

Turning his attention back to Xingqiu, Chongyun's fingers curl over the bars of the cage. He doesn't want to leave his friend alone after all of that. Failed escape attempt, a public spanking, and then naughty jail ... it's a lot. ]

Hey. At least you bit him.

[ A boon in the middle of the chaos, right? Maybe he'll get a scar from Xingqiu's teeth. Chongyun can only hope—after all, after today, Xingqiu gets to leave. He's still stuck with Hanz and his dictatorship while he's working here. ]

He was really surprised. No one's done that before.

[ Hanz, for his part, is still thoroughly distracted by dealing with all these unconscious boys. None of them have woken up yet even after the man slapped their cheeks and splashed water on their faces. Dead to the world, the sad lot of them. ]

[rainswords]

[ In all the chaos, in the rush of adrenaline, and the slow descent from that climactic moment Xingqiu had almost entirely forgotten what initially brought him here. Chongyun's words serve as a reminder of how deeply he sank teeth in, there was a taste of blood where he hadn't meant to cause much damage but Hanz's attempts to dislodge him only made the situation worse. His cuspids broke skin, surely there would be a mark an ever-present reminder of this day.

Not that Xingqiu can truly call this a victory. He is locked away in a cage that even he notes he cannot escape until Hanz sees it fit that he is allowed free. It is tempting to ask Chongyun if shedding tears would see him out quicker but despite everything, he is still a prideful creature.

Even if it is to his benefit he won't put on a performance of change. He will just sulk in his bad kitty cage. ]

No one has? It's hard to believe that he hasn't been bitten before.

[ Again he searches out the manager with his gaze but the man is quite occupied with all those unconscious catboys. Hm. So what does that mean for the cafe at the moment when most of the staff is out cold? Looking at Chongyun once more there is a perplexed expression crossing his features. ]

I think I'm going to have to apologize to you. I sense he isn't the sort willing to temporarily shut down due to staff shortage.

[cutcloud]

No, not once we're already open. Maybe if it happened before we opened the doors, but now ... there are already customers here.

[ Customers who love drama, which doesn't make Xingqiu's outburst a bad thing for business. In fact, a few have already ordered more desserts because of all the excitement. The real damage, ignoring Hanz's personal bloody finger, had indeed been the loss of four other catboys in the chaos. If they were a little bit stronger and not prone to passing out this would've just been a good day on Hell Yelp for the cafe. ]

It's alright. I can pick up the slack. They've passed out for less.

[ Like the time they had a customer that tried to kidnap one of them by luring them outside with anchovies. Since they aren't real cats that of course hadn't worked, but it didn't stop a bunch of boys from swooning from fear of the creep trying to coax them outdoors.

Or the time there'd been a roach. That had been true Hell. ]

Why don't you take a nap? It's a good a time as any.

[rainswords]

[ While aware there are clients now within the cafe that doesn't necessarily mean that they need to take in more while they remain understaffed. It would help if doors were shut while they continued to serve the remaining customers, but perhaps the manager has his hands full with the unconscious catboys throughout the establishment. Yet if there is any inkling of remorse, as his apology suggests it's only because he has now burdened his friend with extra work.

The suggestion that he take a nap is met with a shake of his head. The idea of slumbering away within the confines of the cage as he remains the center of focus is entirely uncomfortable. What Xingqiu does instead is offer Chongyun a smile, bright and positive and it's all part of a performance.

He would never tell Chongyun his true sentiment. He would stretch his arms, and lean to the side as if at ease. ] Look it's fine. Go ahead. I'll find the means to entertain myself.

[ While there may not be much to keep his mind occupied within his cell, he can turn to his own thoughts to keep himself amused for however long he is meant to remain here. He could always construct new ideas for tales or think back on stories he has already read, yet once he is left alone the excitement of not too long ago settles weariness over him. There does come a point that Xingqiu ends up asleep curled into himself much like a kitten taking a nap. Like before this drives attention and photo seekers to him.

Well, at least he has served some purpose. ]