June 2022 Event

[jigokumods]

MAIN NAVIGATION

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.

Comments

[pervy_kappa]

... Had a friend back home who used to cook pretty damn well. Would always look for new home-style recipes and ways to store and preserve stuff.

[Damn. That really was amazing to watch.

Popping the last skewer into his mouth casually, he stood up and walked over to Bishops side. Peaking at the food as Bishop progressed through it all with ease.]

Guess I never had the time or patience to really care too much about it myself though. Usually just made a habit of throwing whatever I had leftover in the fridge together in a pot and calling it a night.

[His trademark. Everything-in-the-fridge Ramen. You should try it sometime Bishop. ♥]

[getting_better]

....There's a dish like that.

[ He says after a considerable pause before chopping. ]

There's several dishes like that. Me and the boys used to make shit like that in barracks all the time and it turned out okay. And that's before I even learned how to cook.

[pervy_kappa]

Eh? Barracks?

[ That-- Actually managed to catch Gojyo off guard. His grin dropping as he looked towards Bishop curiously.]

You used to be military before ending up here?

[getting_better]

[ He stopped for a moment and gave him a quizzical look. ]

Wouldn't that be obv- oh, you probably didn't see.

[ He turns to show his left arm, raising the sleeve to show a tatoo on his arm. ]

Got this while I was in the service. My unit weren't allowed to carry dog tags so, they gave us these instead.

[pervy_kappa]

Huh, would you lookit' that.

[Looking down at the tattoo Gojyo wasn't really sure what to make of it without Bishops explanation. He never knew much about that sort of life, after all. Never even tried to.

He didn't have much faith in his county, after all. And considering his background he knew he wouldn't get enlisted even if he did try.]

How long did you serve for?

[getting_better]

[ He's quick to roll down the sleeve and straighten it out before going back prepping a sauce for the soon-to-be-cooked shellfish. ]

About ten and a half years, give or take. Joined the academy at fifteen, saw action when I was sixteen, left when I was...I believe I was twenty four at the time....yeah, ten-ish years ago. Twenty four.

[ Chop chop chop goes the knife...says the person who doesn't look a day over twenty. ]

[pervy_kappa]

... Twenty-four?

Ten-ish years ago?

[Hold on, he's... Going to take a second to process that.]

Wait! Are you saying you're thirty-four!?

[First Guanguyao and now you!? What the hell! Why do you all look so much less aged and tired than him!?]

[getting_better]

No, of course not.

[ He pats his hands as he finishes the sauce, now going back to the crabs which have turned a bright red which he lays down shellside down and starts twisting off the legs. ]

I'm thrity-three, turning thrity-four.

[ He puts the claws and torso seperate from the legs which he then puts on a small paper plate as a snack for Gojyo - mostly cause he looks like he needs it. ]

Here, you can suck the meat out of these and snack while you ask about my age.

[ Crack, crack, crack goes the crab. ]

[pervy_kappa]

[... You are so lucky that he is weak to free food, Bishop. Almost immediately sated and settling down as he does as he's told, Gojyo begins picking at the crab legs.]

You must have one damn good skin care regiment.

[Not that he didn't suspect there was more to it. Ever since he first met Bishop and ran into some of Shutens inside grunts, he suspected such. But he wasn't going to push the guy if he didn't want to be forced either.

After all, that could mean that his free food source would go away.]

[getting_better]

It's them Asian genes -

[ He's kidding. He's not certain he has any Asian in his genes. Or does he? His hair is naturally raven black. ]

- and a lot of butter.

[ A beat. ]

And staying away from odd women.

[ He says with wry smile, a clear jab at him and his habits. ]

[pervy_kappa]

Oy. I am literally Chinese you fucking ass.

[Don't use that BS excuse on him. Not that it's enough to get him to drop the crab either.

The 'strange women' comment was enough to get him to turn his head, his eyebrow twitching slightly as he forced a grin.]

I dunno. Maybe fraternizing with more odd women may just get you to stop being so damn tense all the time.

[Gods only know you need to learn to relax a little Bishop.]

[getting_better]

[ He finishes breaking open and disecting the first crab, extracting all of it's tender meat and even taking out a black light to remove any shell fragments or such were mixed in before getting another crab to do the same. ]

Do I look remotely tense to you? I create wonder dishes out of ordinary ingredients that even the most talented of chefs would envy. In fact, if animals could speak to me from the great beyond, they'd thank me for turning their bodies into such great things. What I make is art, and that art sustains me.

[ Crack goes the crab and the smell wafts through the air. ]

And it's exciting and different everytime. Sex tends to get old after a while.

[ He dares say that. ]

[pervy_kappa]

Ah? Does it now?

[That says more about you than you can ever imagine, Bishop.

Gojyo's wry shit-eating smirk grew all the wider as, for the first time since he started eating, he put down the plate. Only to lean back from his spot and look up at his generous chef.]

I don't know. I think the two are pretty similar; food and sex. Both are pretty basic carnal needs for most living things. And when it comes to more advanced forms of life, we tend to take the things we like and do what we can to turn them into art.

The thing with art, though, is that things can't get boring or old.

People will always find new and exciting ways to grow and change and make stuff enjoyable~

It just sounds to me like all the sex you had has been hella boring and super bad. ♥

1/3

[getting_better]

[ He continued to prepare the crabs for something he had planned, unperturbed by Gojyo's clear attempt to try and rile him up. ]

Uhuh. You don't say.

[ Honestly he had already stopped caring as his current dish was going well.

And then he said that last line as Bishop picked up the heavy back chef knife, and the world suddenly ceased to be something he can comprehend as the light in his eyes faded to dull empty shadows. As if he had died right then and there, a small smile frozen on his face. ]

2/3

[getting_better]

[ He heard no one, saw nothing, felt numbness, and thought of nothing. Images, sounds, numbers, voices, seVeNZErOfOuR, music, a scent - wisteria, TEnSiXsEVENtwoEIgHT, black

white

lips

hers

skin

hers

Pale -precious to m- Horse

hair, melody, li-サム-ght, light, opened the fourth seal, ligHt, LiGHt, 光莉

殺す me, サム

Light, lIGht, Bright, BriGHT, snow, SnoW,SNoWsNowsNOwsNOwsNOwsNOwsNOwthe 0u0a0a0i is your rightSNoWsNowsNOwsNOwsNOwsNOwsNOwSNoWCome and seesNowsNOwsNOwsNOwsNOwWOLFsNOwSNoWsNowsNOwsNOwsNOwsNOwsNOwSNoWsNowsNOwsNOwsNOwsNOwsNOwSNoWsNowsNOwsNOwsNOwsNOwsNOwSNoWsNowsNOwsNOwsNOwsNOwsNOwSNoWsNowsNOwsNOwsNOwsNOwsNOwNONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONOand his name that sat on him was DbeiasthopNONONONONONONOcNoOwNaOrNdONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONOfNaOiNlOuNrOeNONONONONONO-

愛してる

3/3

[getting_better]

[ ....

Bishop paused, his hand trembling as the edge of the knife tapped quickly against the board. Clack, clack, clack and then he stopped. Blinked once. ]

Yeah. Probably.

[pervy_kappa]

[You know.

Shit like that would probably get past most people in the blink of an eye and leave them none the wiser. A momentary lapse. A vacant pause where the mind goes blank, only to remember what it was you were talking about.

But there were little things. Things that made it something more.

Sometimes Gojyo hated how perceptive he was to those around him. He never wished to be. Perhaps it was simply because he knew the signs all too well himself.

The drop in expression, the twitching of Bishop's hand, the pause in his otherwise consistent cooking. Only for him to snap back and give that almost unnaturally normal response. Gojyo knew people who reacted like that before.

Guess he said something pretty fucking bad.]

Well, I guess not everyone can be an amazing sex god like me.

[Something light hearted. Sticking with the conversation to keep it natural but easy to change.]

But, damn it, I'll actually give you props. You literally are one of the best chefs I've ever come across. Just as good as a guy I know back home.

[A guy who reacts in very similar ways. All you’re missing is the creepy fucking smile Bishop.]

[getting_better]

[ He paused again, lifting the knife but his gace was contorted in confusion. ]

What the fuck does sex have to do with bad cooking experience?

[ ? ? ? ]

You're not the kind that gets a boner from food, are you?

[ He says with no condescension. The furrow of his brow and his frown do suggest he actually confused and concerned. ]

I mean, I understand if you've never had a decent meal in your life, but I was in the army man - I was never given anything so bad I'd get a stiffy over a decent burger.

[pervy_kappa]

... Gods damn it, man, you barely listened to anything I said, huh?

[You know what, sure. Gojyo will let Bishop think that. Better than reiterating his conversation and setting him off again.

Sighing out, he stood up, taking his plate of nothing but crab shell over towards the trash bin.]

It was supposed to compare our two 'art forms,' you dingus.

[Just for that, Gojyo walks over to Bishop to peek over his shoulder.]

Not that I'm ever one to not try anything once. I heard of this place in Tamamo where you can get high-grade sushi and eat it right off the waitress. ♥

[getting_better]

[ The confusion becomes more evident. ]

I'm not paying attion? You were the one who just asked where I learned to cook so well and if food in the service was thay bad. Then you suddenly brought up sex.

[ He takes a look at the crab and thinks if there's something in it. ]

Are...are you having a stroke? Withdrawal, maybe? I know its been a couple of hours since a woman passed by but....

[ This is the most legit concern Bishop has remotely shown towards him. ]

[pervy_kappa]

[.... Holy shit.

Did he forget the entire last few seconds of that conversation?]

You were the one who brought up sex. As a means to insult how much I like sex.

[He's just going to keep it to that.

He's... He's actually a little worried now.]

That cooking is more enjoyable and less boring... Apparently.

[A pause.]

Hey.

[getting_better]

[ He stared at him as if he were actually delusional, but the he starts to laugh. ]

Yeah, sure. Okay then.

[ He continues to chop up crab all the while chuckling to himself. ]

[pervy_kappa]

[.................... Bishop is not okay!!]

So, erm, you've been over that grill for a bit.

You need a break?

Or, you know, a drink or something?

[Gojyo's pretty sure you're the one who's having a stroke.]

[getting_better]

Me? No. I feel kinda energized actually.

[ Discarding unnecessary information would do that ]

Actually what I need is the blacklight-

[ He goes to reach for the supplies box nearby but then spots the black light already on the table. ]

Oh! Here it is! Thanks, past-Bishop!

[ And he goes using it on the crab meat and taking out the bits of shell and cartilage caught inside. ]

[pervy_kappa]

Aaaand it ain't weird to you that you forgot you just put that there literally two seconds ago, huh?

[Really, were memory lapses like this normal for him? Just how often did he go through things like this?

Well, whatever. As much as Bishop was willing to blow off the matter, Gojyo knew a need to rest when he saw one. Walking up beside Bishop, he casually watched the guy start picking into the crab.]

I'm serious. it ain't good to work all day without a break. And as the one in charge of this I say it's near time anyway.

[With that he pulled out a cigarette from his apron, popping it into his mouth.]

Finish this up and then we'll close down the stall for a half an hour. Maybe have you eat some of your own damn delicious cooking for a second.