jigokulogs | June 2022 Event

June 2022 Event

1. SWIMSUIT TROUBLES (1 POINT)

As the city goes through its daily motions, the heat bears down harder and harder while bringing out some increasingly overheated behavior from the local population. Summer is here and the natives are flocking to the shopping district: both as a respite from the scorching temperatures and to stock up on the needed supplies to beat the heat.

That means one noticeable problem: the bathing suits left on the racks aren’t the most fashionable at this point! Suits are scarce and what is left over are the skimpy, the oddly-patterned, a size too small, or all of the above. Then again, you are probably just feeling lucky you aren’t in the Shuten Clan, who have been provided their own precious supply of freshly laundered tiger stripe bikinis. And nothing else.

You may be able to borrow around within your own faction, where the pickings might not be so slim, but are still unlikely to match your personal style. Better hope you ran out to buy something nice when the Daitengu first announced the party.

2. BEACH GAMES (1 POINT)

The indoor beach facility that the Alliance has provided is extraordinary. It’s massive! It seems to extend to the size of an entire soccer field. With the combinations of Kappa tech and Tengu magic, the experience has been made as close to a natural one as anyone could ask for. The heat of the beach feels true to the real world, the sand is white and pure, and the waves rolling in and out are just like the mortal realm. Even the palm trees and beach scrub seem entirely authentic. The vibe is immaculate.

Each faction has their own area set up for meeting and mingling but everyone is welcome to let loose and interact among all the groups.

SHUTEN CLAN

The Shuten Clan has set up their beach fort with food and drinks. The drinks on offer are a particularly strong Oni beer and a few spirits (especially sake). These drinks have been mixed so that anyone who imbibes them will feel a heightened sense of competition and the need to prove themselves!

There are plenty of opportunities to show off:
Learning surfing with a few knowledgeable Oni.
Volleyball matches.
Shoulder chicken tournaments.
Beer pong.
Drinking contests that never seem to stop.
And friendly scuffles with some of the Shuten who are feeling more rowdy than usual.
In particular, the volleyball matches appear to be the Shuten Clan’s sport of choice. They’re taking these matches deathly serious. With all powers allowed in play, the game is truly deadly with how powerful, how fast, and how fierce those spikes and volleys are. Hold nothing back and leave it all in the ring!

Toraguma himself is here in his tiger striped best! He’s observing the games and taking note of which Shutens do well and which ones shame the clan with their defeat. He’ll give out rewards to those he thinks are exemplifying the pride of the clan. Don’t worry though, if you’re not up to snuff you won’t be punished; except with Toraguma’s obvious disappointment.

TAMAMO CLAN

The Tamamo Clan doesn't disappoint either. Their tiki bar is set up with a far greater variety in stock than the Shutens. Every drink seems to be made to that Lost Soul’s exact tastes. Watch out, this may compel you to pound them back more quickly than normal. The drinks will make you feel much closer to those around you — either in camaraderie, or something more intimate. The Tamamos have arranged a number of floats, inner tubes, and water wings lounging in the water. Enjoy your time together!

When you aren’t relaxing, the Tamamo Clan has also arranged huge buckets of water balloons and have filled their water guns. The instructions are clear: whether sniping from afar or going in on a full assault, go nuts. Especially against the Shutens. Lady Tenkohime herself has a high-caliber, sniper-grade water rifle with her at her lounge chair. She will occasionally pick some unlucky soul to fire off devastating rounds against. She is not soaking them in just water, of course. This is the Tamamo clan’s patented ‘perfume’, which inspires the most amorous feelings.

Finally, the Tamamo have also inspired a spicy wet t-shirt contest. It’s essentially a sexy beauty contest, but given the variety of bodies and hidden ‘talents’ tucked away under everyone’s clothes, it should prove interesting! Tenkohime has described the simple rules:
One must wear the provided white shirt and only that shirt.
The crowd will soak them down.
And the crowd will judge how well they pull it off.

SUTOKU CLAN

The Sutoku Clan has been given free reign on a fleet of jet skis and paddle boats; perfect for two. There are boogie boards and larger inner tubes ready to be attached to different jet skis. Just be careful, ok?

A large snack bar has been provided with cheerful yokai behind the counter ready and willing to serve up your heart’s desire. There are some strange candies towards the end of the bar, they taste a bit funny but once you eat one you’re compelled to have a few more. These sweets will give you the power to breathe underwater. What is the meaning of this power? Well, you’re in the Alliance, after all, you figure out what’s under the waves.

Sutoku games include things like kan jam and frisbees, but Sutoku Souls are also very much encouraged to participate in the Shuten Clan’s volleyball tournament. Much to Toraguma’s frustration, the Alliance has planted a Tengu referee who seems to really favor the Alliance players over his own. Use your powers liberally.

The Daitengu is in attendance with sunscreen marks on their mask, for some reason. They’re being a total busybody, as usual. They’re really taking the time to chat up Tenkohime and Toraguma, even if the two want to rip each other’s throats out. Could a resolution to the turf war be on the way? One can only hope!

ENMA DEPARTMENT

The Enma is instructing the members of the Department to volunteer (aka voluntold) for lifeguard duty. The shifts are short — it is ultimately a party — and participation will net you both free food and drink from any of the vendors, as well as license to let loose for the rest of the party! The fare provided by the Enma vendors is pretty staid, but it does fill you with the odd need to run down the beach shallows in slow motion. Not sure what that’s about.

There is one further task that is expected of the Enma Department: suikawari. It is a big deal and to be taken seriously! This is the Enma’s favorite beach activity and the only diversion that he cares about. Your guess is as good as anyone’s, but it’s probably because the game resembles a form of execution. Regardless! Every officer is expected to do at least one round of the game as a form of initiation to the Department itself. Captain Shiki hosts the game in the absence of the Enma. Someone should tell her to chill out with that whistle, though.

3. BONFIRE (1 POINT)

As the hosts of the event, the Sutoku Alliance has set up a massive bonfire as the sun begins to set and stars light up the magical sky. There’s a romantic feeling in the air. Things seem as chill as they ever could be, there are no Haniwa in sight! Things feel peaceful for the first time in a while.

A final happy hour is declared, with free libations for everyone to close out the night. It’s time to finish this party in style. For anyone particularly watchful, they may spy the extraordinary sight of Toraguma and Tenkohime together. Off in the shadows while the party rages on, they are sitting together and watching the waves roll in. What could they be discussing? It will remain a mystery, getting any closer to them would be a deadly mistake.

The evening closes without any major incidents. Nothing seems like it could spoil the mood. It almost feels too good to be true.

4. AND THEN... (2 POINTS)

As all the party goers change back into their clothes and exit the facility, there is a rumble of thunder over Jigokucho. The stars are quickly swallowed by a darkening sky and the ground shakes. A minor earthquake? That’s not unheard of but the sky above is looking threatening. Evil. Darkness washes out over the entire city, none of its many bright lights able to cut through. Something is wrong. Something is happening.

A warm rain begins to fall, spattering across you and your surroundings. It becomes quickly apparent that you are not doused with water, but with blood.

The silence is shattered suddenly when a scream cuts across the whole of Jigokucho. An accursed miasma pours out from every direction. Then you see them: the Haniwa. They are everywhere, gazing from every direction, pressing in. Something has gone terribly wrong.

Captain Shiki is the first to act. She makes a call to Kaigo no Bou, but what she hears is enough to freeze her in her tracks.

The containment center deep beneath the tower where the Haniwa were being stored has been compromised. All of the cursed energy that was stored there has leaked out into the city from below. The guards below are dead. No one is answering their radio. It is not just the containment center that has been compromised, but all of Kaigo no Bou.

Captain Shiki struggles to remain calm as she gives out orders. Her entire command structure has been decimated, but she has to keep these people safe. She urges everyone to seek shelter, immediately. Everyone needs to partner up and stick together.

None of the faction leaders present arguments and they enforce this ruling with their Souls. They direct everyone to make their way back to their home base. Shuten to the Arena, Tamamo to Mizukume, and Sutoku to Konoha. There, their faction leaders can protect them.

As for the Enma officers: they are on rescue duty. You will be heading out into the city to rescue as many people as possible from the nightmarish effects of the cursed energy on the city. Captain Shiki will act as their point of command at the indoor beach.

Good luck, everyone.

5. IN THE CURSED NIGHT (2 POINTS)

A rain of blood is sprinkling all around you. It pings off sign posts and garbage bins, it splatters wetly onto the concrete and your face. The scent is pungent and thick; spoiling. It is soaking in to your hair, your clothes, your skin. It is driving you mad: your pulse spinning, breathing short.

There are noises in the impenetrable darkness. Fox feet on the pavement, crow wings shifting on a perch, a stranger's cruel laughter. The dark energy that has swallowed you is bemused by your smallness, is lurking at the edges and waiting for the moment to strike. Hold tight to your fellows, lest in the darkness another hand be placed in yours. Do you know who you walk with? What you walk with?

The Haniwa are watching you from every surface; crowded together as one with their empty eye sockets and open mouths. Their dark eyes turn to follow where you go as you stumble through your nightmares and your delusions. They breathe in your suffering on the air.

Beware the onibi, they will lead you astray.
Beware the grasping hands in the trees.
Beware the whispers in the distance.
Beware the slope to the river.
Beware. Beware.

Welcome to the June event!

Art by astrono77153462
Special shoutout to vandalisto for coming up with the meat of this event; the beach party. They approached us with this as a player plot, and it was good enough that we made it into the full event for the month. Excellent work, Vandal!
If you have any questions about event content, please ask them here!
If your character participated in the volleyball games, see here! If they participated in the wet t-shirt contest, see here!
If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That's right. Glad to see you're in one piece.

[ of course robin must be scared. truth be told, jack can't help but feel bad to see them like this, a far cry from the chipper personality that they had known.

instinctively, jack reaches to grab their hand, firm but not harshly. just to reassure robin that they are there, as empty and futile as it may be. ]

We must go back to the Mizukume. If you don't mind having me as a partner, then we can go there together.

[ the scent of it is... unnatural. something about it that doesn't sit right with him. as soon as jack touches his hand, he flinches--- a natural reaction to being touched that he can't immediately squelch. ]

... okay. S-sure...

[ right. makes sense. they would certainly be safer at their home base, where lady tenkohime can take care of them personally.

as he turns to look at jack, he has to blink a few times. for a moment, he swears in his place is another jack. his jack. ]

Ah... n-no. Yeah, we should probably hurry...

...

[ concern. jack swivels their head to look back at robin, focused on the way that the other blinks at them. that is... probably not a good sign. all the more reason to hurry up and get out of this place.

jack grips robin's hand, before wordlessly setting off at a brisk pace. there's something lodged in their throat, and they aren't sure whether to name it despair or regret. perhaps, it doesn't matter. ]

Stay focused. That's the only way that you'll be able to wake up from this world of nightmares.

I'll try...

[ when he blinks a few more times, the jack that he knows here comes back into focus. the one that he trusts to guide him out of this horrible situation; the blood rain makes his nose itch and his body ache. though he's not hungry for blood, he does feel oddly out of sorts. after seeing his brother seemingly materialize in jack's place... ]

... I miss him. My brother. He would never admit it, but he missed me too.

[ robin closes his eyes. mostly to hide the building of tears in them. ]

He has a wonderful voice! I can hear it if I just...

[ but all of a sudden, it sounds a lot closer. as he re-opens his eyes, a sudden fear grabs at his throat. ]

... Jack?

[ it's him. standing in front of them. he lets go of jack's hand to run at the image, a hallucination that ends up having robin stumble into nothing, grabbing at air. ]

N-no...

[ jack was going to stay silent. their plan was to guide robin through the streets and back to the base, and to quietly shoulder the fear and curses that are now flooding through the city. the talk about missing the people dear to him strikes a chord within jack's heart, for reasons that they cannot disclose. because of that, it's better if they just stay silent.

that is, until the moment that robin lets go of their hand.

what jack shouts, doesn't truly reach their ears. however, it rings loud and clear, even through the increasing sounds of the blood rain. ]

FLAT!

[ without thinking, jack runs to grab robin by the wrist, his expression one of clear horror for a flash of a second, until they force themselves to swallow their feelings and put on something like a brave face.

they're shaking slightly, and the grip on robin's shoulder is almost as if they were clinging onto a lifeline. ]

Don't. Don't do that. Don't let go of me.

[ --because I can't protect you if you let go, is what goes unsaid. ]

[ it's their scream that breaks him out of his brief but impactful trance. that jack's voice shatters his disillusionments, wards away the despair that encroached on his heart. that he could slowly but surely turn, to look at that hand, and then the person who gripped it tightly. a way to anchor them both, somehow, to the now and not the past.

that word. is it a name? surely jack isn't telling robin about something flat, or to get flat, but. it echoes in his ears, makes him want to repeat it, but only choked sobs leave him. ]

I won't... I'm sorry.

[ he wraps himself around jack. just for a moment. a way for him to release all that emotional distress, that pressure that had been building up for so long. for an eternity plus a few months. ]

I thought he was here. My brother, my twin. I thought... but then I realized what that might mean. That he's in hell, too. He doesn't deserve it...

[ and neither does robin, but. ]

... you didn't see him, did you?

No. I saw…

[ i saw flat, is what they almost say, but the word is lodged in their throat like a painful thorn. as they look forward, a young man who looks too much like them smiles back, lonely and distant like a mirage in the middle of the desert.

jack swallows, and gives robin a gentle pat on the shoulder. ]

I only saw you being an idiot. [ breathing out a huff, jack does their very best to sound as annoyed as possible. ] Don’t you think your brother would have tried to find you immediately?

[ he hangs on that hesitation, only to be suddenly relieved that jack only saw him. it would be pretty rough if they were both falling into some kind of hallucination. after all, he did just say to not let go. and he won't. though, those words after certainly remind him of his brother--- his haughty, sometimes childish behavior belying the fact they are the same age. technically. ]

Um... [ and now robin titters nervously. ] ... probably?

[ because there's no way his jack would look in a bar full of provocative looking youkai with the young pink haired teen behind, serving drinks. no way he would look for robin trying to make friends... innocently, as best as possible.

but he does follow this jack's eyes. where they look. ]

... you're okay, right?

[ has he been too selfish, only thinking about his problems? that sudden slap of guilt across his brow makes him flinch internally. ]

Probably...?

[ jack raises an eyebrow towards robin despite the situation. perhaps it's for the best that this happens, since it manages to distract them in a manner that keeps them preoccupied on anything other than the reflection of themselves that isn't them.

and yet, they still can't help but sneak a look at that spot again, before shaking their head as they start walking again. ]

I'm fine. [ a pause. ] I won't be someone that's unreliable, so...don't worry. I'm fine.

[ maybe he said too much? no one knows their relationship but them, so on cursory thought it might sound like his brother doesn't love him. it's quite the opposite though. ]

Yeah, probably. He might try to figure out things on his own first, but he also looks... very young...

[ like. eight. yep. ]

... you won't? [ robin tilts his head. ] No, you aren't. I don't think I could even joke about you being unreliable. I can tell these things, you know!

[ is it robin's turn to support jack? he squeezes their hand, finds the strength to smile. ]

But how is he...

[ a twin that's younger? what kind of strange relationship is that? unless they're not truly siblings by blood but something different... well, not like they can question anything, considering that they lack any family in the first place. they lack anyone at all-- ]

Eh?

[ jack looks down at their hands, focused on how robin squeezes it. after a moment of buffering, they gently squeeze it back, a wry smile on their face. ]

I'm not some hero, you know. I'm as despicable as anyone can get. Come, let's keep moving.

[ his wandering mind doesn't catch the interrupted question, having been focused on finding a clear path out of this rain. even if it takes them a while, robin knows that if they don't get out of it sooner rather than later? they'll both be feeling it. ]

You're not the first person that's called themselves bad or evil or despicable... and I've yet to see you or anyone do something to deserve it.

[ robin puffs out his cheeks. he can stand his ground if he has to! metaphorically, because he's not going to stay in this rain. ]

... it smells weird. The blood, I mean. It gives me a headache.

That trusting nature, again. [ jack sighs, their tone laced with exasperation and a tinge of annoyance. ] You know next to nothing about me, you know? I would not be saying this if it weren't true.

[ they keep on walking, though it's when robin mentions something about the blood giving them a headache that they have to turn towards him again. just in case, they drag them under the cover of some shop's entrance. ]

Wait, does this blood smell different to you than regular blood?

Right. Which means, I only know the you of now and not the you of then.

[ a sweet and serene smile forms. no judgement from the super affectionate one.

at least the entrance provides enough shelter, though doesn't protect them from the weather itself. not to mention they're completely stained by it. it'll certainly take friendly showers (not these) or a bath to get rid of it all. ]

It does. [ robin pauses. ] Um... normal blood, human blood? It's fragrant but I can ignore it for the most part. This blood is revolting.

[ he won't even try to lick any of it off his lips. enough has gotten in his mouth already. ]

That doesn’t…

[ make sense. and while they were about to finish the sentence, it’s robin’s other comment that makes them pause, glancing between the rain and the male next to him.

could it be…? ]

Are you a vampire?

[ this is, in fact, a serious question. ]

Um.

[ robin blinks. his lips, pressed firm, eyes wide and unblinking for a moment or two. and then he lets out a sigh and nods a few times.

he's not going to let go, though. he promised he wouldn't. ]

Yes. You're not a hunter, are you?

[ and this is also a serious question. ]

...

[ there's a wry smile on jack's face as they're asked that. it almost makes them want to laugh, actually, but they don't. ]

I'm a hunter, but not of vampires. In fact, some people said that I was a vampire, too, but who truly knows. [ unfortunately, they don't know themselves. jack pauses and looks at the rain again, and shakes their head. they can talk about this later. first of all-- ]

We've spent too much time here. Can you at least make it without getting sick from the smell?

[ a relief that he's not a vampire hunter. he'll take just a hunter, though it does beg the question--- of what? he wants to ask, he wants to know more about this jack. the jack that... didn't want him to let go.

whether or not they want robin's affections, they will come. ]

I think... I could tell if you were one.

[ but that's just an assumption. either way: ]

Yeah. I can. I will.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

June 2022 Event

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