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

[ The open sky splits and lets the downpour coat the sidewalks, the streets, buildings and lights in gore. It's a nightmare in itself for Aerith, who only stares up as the throngs of people make waves around her, pushing and shoving and screaming to make way. Reinforced Staff in hand, her face is covered in blood and her clothes are sticking to her and... she's decided to make her way to Emily, of course.

This means separating from Cloud. It's a mutual understanding that they have to do their own things to pop off and solve this, but... Beneath the surface of calm she wears that open sky giving way to nightmares and terror is enough to keep her anxious. The streets of Sutoku are emptying, but it only takes one person to bump into her, and knock her to her knees to make it all come undone. The blood splashes all around her, drenching her further, making her dirtier, as a mix of dirt and blood splatters onto Aerith's face and arms. The sky breaks. The rain comes down heavier than before, somehow, as if someone is dropping buckets from the rooftops. She breaks.

In the alley way is where she can be seen, at the very end of it, where she's sat herself up against the wall to recollect her mind as best she can. Raising her staff up, she tries—

She tries—

...She tries and over and over, Pray does not hold. ]

No...

[ It sprinkles light dust down from the heavens, but it doesn't stick, and the spell flickers out like a dying firefly. With it, her hopes die, and she wonders if this is it. As the light dies, something comes to life. Ghostly images of children, all of them playing hide and seek, spread across the street, peeking around corners and joyfully playing with one another.

Where's Aerith? one asks. None of them respond. It feels like a knife in her chest, loneliness crushing her more and more with the recollection of being forgotten, or left behind. The last one stuck in the game. ]

The open sky... [ Her voice is wavering, taut with exertion. She's tired, and the longer she stays there... the longer the alley way seems to get. ] It's your fault...

[ Once again, it's all been taken from her— and all she can do is try. Maybe it's better to give up, she reasons, staying still, trying to reason with her panicked breathing. Maybe it's better to give in. ]

[ The shimmer of glowing dust falling from the sky, piercing through the canvas of scarlet and misery, is more than enough to capture his curiousity, and Megumi starts to make his way toward it to investigate, turning into that alleyway. There, he spots Aerith, the kindly woman he had met at the beach just days before. He doesn't know what she's trying to do - the technique she was trying to use that did not seem to work out - but she appears to be in some form of distress.

Once close enough, Megumi starts to see the manifestations as well, little apparitions of laughing children peeking from the shadows and scuttering about just in his peripheral vision. It's likely born of one of her memories, given that he doesn't quite recall any similar memories of his own. Megumi's two wolves stay close, eyeing the children warily, sensing immediately the cursed energy emanating off them.

He can't really make out what he's looking at. One of the children ask about her whereabouts, and the others don't seem bothered to respond or find out -- there's a general sense of emptiness he can feel, watching this scene.

The white dog saunters over and settles beside her, licking her hand. This is Megumi's greeting, in a way. ]

Aerith-san ... Is this from your memory? [ pretend they exchanged names u_u ]

[ It's the dog who finds her first. She feels the warmth of it's soft kisses on her hand, fingers suddenly coated in dog slobber. It feels real enough, she supposes, and so Aerith looks over to it with hesitancy. Her gut feels like it's twisting as often as a bird flaps it's wings, and as she reaches over to bury that same hand into the snowy expanse of doggy fur before her. She hears the giggling, still, the tiny steps of children playing. At least she's not... entirely alone, Aerith thinks.

Megumi's voice reaches her next. Aerith raises her head, snapping it up so quickly that the ribbon in her hair bounces. He's a sight for sore eyes, somehow, but she realizes that...

He keeps asking questions that should be easy to answer, but are difficult to fathom in execution. ]

Are you... [ With a short pause, she continues after drawing in a breath. Her brows are furrowed in thought and concern. Finally, she finishes her sentence. ]

Real?

[ The presence of Divine Dog seems to be a grounding experience, and he can see that it's bringing her comfort. Through that instinctual link he has with the canine, he instructs it to stay with Aerith. Divine Dog is good for that. They helped him a lot through his childhood as well.

He's not entirely surprised that she would be questioning if he's here, given how distorted reality must look to her under the influence. Megumi stops to think, pondering how he can prove it. Eventually, and with some hesitance (shy, almost), he shows her his hand that she can take if she wants to, to feel that he's actually here. ]

I am. You can confirm it if you want to.

[ So she does.

Aerith's hand reaches for his, hesitantly. Fingertips touch the skin on Megumi's knuckles, and he's flesh and bone, warm to the touch. Her brows furrow. Finally, she holds his hand, with a tender grasp, as if afraid to squeeze too tight. ]

...Sorry about that. [ All around the two of them, the laughter chimes, like bells in a church. The ring and ring, mocking the two of them, as Aerith looks up at him with a distant gaze. ] I—

[ The whole world goes dark.

Aerith doesn't finish her apology. Instead, the light is sucked out of the world, and everything seems to go with it. It's like snuffing out a candle. Cold, and dark. Everything goes, so that it's only Megumi and Divine Dog, and Aerith herself is nowhere to be seen.

Still, in the darkness, far away... is a soft gasp, and a cry, as if someone's sobbing.

And the children play still, counting to ten and seeking each other out in a game of Hide and Seek. ]

[ Though he's quite awkward about physical touch in general, for that brief moment it seemed to have helped her, and he was thankful for that. There isn't very much that Megumi can do otherwise, with no way of dispelling the effects of the Haniwa. Of course, things never are quite that easy, especially when it came to Hell. Within seconds, the light of the world goes out, like someone had flipped off a switch. In an instant he's surrounded by pitch darkness, not unlike the inside of his own shadow. An immediate panic sets in, and both Megumi and the dog go on high alert, scanning the area for potential threats and any sign of Aerith. ]

Miss Aerith! Where did she go?! Find her -- [ The dog starts to sniff, trying to pick up on where her scent. He hears that faint sobbing after that, and his gut instinct tells him to go toward it. ]

Hey! Is that you?!

[ Darkness sprawls for seemingly ever. Ghostly phantoms of children come into view, the gaggle of them playing hide and seek eagerly. One will be hunched in a corner, eyes shut tight or their hands over them. They count, and then announce they're ready. Another will follow suit and it will go on and on and on until each of the spirits have found each other.

And from the distance comes her voice, again. It's closer. Much closer, but the party has already ended. She has no idea. ]

Okay, I'm ready!

[ If he keeps going to the voice, he'll hear it coming closer and closer. Panic starts to rise in Aerith's voice. She's starting to figure it out. ]

Hello? Where did everyone go? I said... I'm readyyyyyyyy!

[ There is no response, but he will find her.

Sort of. Hunched over and crying without abandon is a little girl with a familiar face and hair style. There is nothing here for her. Just darkness, and loneliness. ]

[ Megumi doesn't say anything as he watches the scene, those children engaged in that one game most people know from childhood. He didn't play with the other children very often, too distracted by the creatures he could see creeping in the shadows, but even he finds this scene a familiar one. He's trying to understand what he's seeing, the significance it might hold. He knows this is supposed to be a nightmare.

When he does find Aerith - or a version of her from years past - he does feel like he's starting to comprehend just what about this could be so unpleasant, so scary. It wasn't the presence of the ghostly apparitions that was scary, but rather ... the absence. The absence of other people.

Loneliness.

A memory flashes through his mind - an empty home, simple food on the table he had to learn to put together on his own, and a longing for a certain person to return home that was never fulfilled. Being alone really is more terrifying than any monster or curse. The pang of empathy that he feels is immediate.

If only he were equipped to alleviate that feeling, to be a comforting presence. He's not good at that. All he really can do is crouch lower, his wolf following suit and sitting alongside the girl. ]

... I'm here. [ Though it's really not hide and seek if he goes and announces where he is. ]

[ There's a moment of stunned silence from the little girl, her unbraided brown ponytail bopping as she sucks in all her tears with a childish huff. She doesn't move, not quite scared or overwhelmed, but simply in shock that someone took a moment out to sit with her. The moment passes, ebbing away and disappearing into nothing as she buries her face into the dog's coat, leaving little trails of a child's tears (and snot. Sorry, Divine Dog.) ]

You're supposed to say... I found you.

[ So the game continues, this time, and she disappears.

Further down, and the city is coming into view. The alleyway's outline breathes into view, and an older voice calls out: ]

I'm ready!

[ To the far right, past a chain link fence, beyond the road across, near a fire escape, or maybe on it. ]

[ The dog doesn't mind the contact, sitting with the child and lowering its head gently, allowing the messy nuzzle. ]

Oh ... Sorry. [ It was a game, but it hadn't quite occurred to him that he was playing. Even with that knowledge, she might have received a similar bewildered look, very much unused to being around children.

And then the scene changes, and she's gone once again. ] Wait --

[ It feels like he's in a dream, the nonsensical progression of the events, but he knows this isn't his dream. All Megumi can really do is play along, hoping that when the game ends, he'll find the real Aerith. ]

Keep looking for her. [ The dog doesn't need to be told that, following the scent of the young woman down the allow. Megumi hops the fence easily, arriving at the fire escape where he's certain he heard that voice. ]

[ Megumi and the dog are excellent trackers. As they move along, following the traces of Aerith's existence, they'll find the world breathing back into existence. The chain fence is an obstacle easily jumped by a boy with the proper handle of his physicality; by the time they reach the fire escape, Jigokucho is back. Bloodied, soaked, and beaten down, but it's here, and on the fire escape is Aerith. She, too, is soaked, but alive, and when she spots him, she leans over the railing of the escape to extend a hand. ]

...You came for me?

[ That's all she has it in her to say, in truth. ]

[ It's strangely relieving to see the dreary setting of Jigoku, pouring and miserable and smelling of copper. It meant that, at least, he was no longer stuck in that hallucination, and had a greater sense of what was real and what wasn't. It also meant that his friend was no longer trapped in that hallucination that was clearly upsetting for her. He's still trying to make sense of what he had seen. Was she left alone as a child? Disallowed from playing with the other children? ]

I wouldn't leave you alone right now. [ Not when he's unsure when the cursed energy would swarm together to form another hallucination. It's also not something he would do in general, when it's clear someone is having a difficult time. ]

So, the children just now ... [ He trails off, leaving that topic open for sharing if she wishes to, clearly curious about what he had seen but smart enough not to push it if it's a memory she doesn't want to talk about. ]

[ The barrage of rain overhead is thunderous in the most blisteringly angry way. It wants to snuff them out, lay them to dust, and even rid the world of that. She feels the fury inside of her, as if it touches her spirit. His voice cuts through the noise— it would be monotonous and simple to another person's ears, but Aerith hears the kindness in it. The care and consideration, carefully measured out. For whose comfort, she wonders? Or is measuring it out like this simply something he's held onto? ]

... [ A noise of confirmation leaves her, unbidden. With a nod, she neither confirms nor denies anything, in truth. It was her memory, that is all she says for certain. For a moment, that's all that there is. She searches deep, unlocks something inside of her, and finds the words. ]

I wasn't like the other kids. They didn't grow up with me. [ Maybe that's all she has to say, in truth. Should you even burden someone with the knowledge of yourself, she wonders? It's silly, but she can't take her own advice on this topic. He doesn't need to know the depth of her loneliness. Instead, she offers him this: The implication of her adoption, of the idea that she came later than the rest of them. ]

That's... pretty much it.

[ She always had a hard time holding onto people. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

June 2022 Event

for megumi.

this took too long

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