jigokulogs | 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

I'm glad you brought them out. They loved it.

[ he exhaled a soft breath, gently squishing his cheek against the other's head; not bothered that megumi's hair hadn't completely dried off yet. it somehow smelled like a summer breeze, which warmed up yuuji's features a bit. perhaps it wasn't the best idea to manhandle this boy into the water earlier, considering how they were a few minutes away from a full sunset, and the weather is deemed to cool down— he hoped it wouldn't be too bad. yuuji himself had nothing on but his trunks. however, he likes to believe he can survive in the cold a lot better than the guy next to him.

for now, they are safe, still relishing in the sunlight, but— he might need to consider looking for some dry clothes or a blanket later. ]

You had a good time, too.

[ he knew megumi is borderline preparing himself for a little catnap, or at least exhausted enough to welcome the idea of it— so he kept his tone hushed as he spoke. the sorcerer is equally exhausted, but like an eager child, he refused to humor it. what a waste would it be to snooze and miss out on this rare bliss, only to wake up while being told the party is over and to return to their homes. god, no. he'd hate it.

he begins to, slowly, trace his fingers along megumi's waist- ]

I'll be sad if we don't get to see the beach again.

[ He did have a good time, he thinks. He is having a good time. It's such a strange awareness to have, in the face of all the stressful, despairing experiences they would have back when they were alive. There can be good experiences, from time to time.

Megumi can feel the weather cooling down as the sky above them takes a red-orange hue and they enter the evening. The water evaporating off his body takes heat along with it, and he's always run cold to begin with, so he's starting to feel more of that chill run through his skin. In his relaxed state he feels like he can be just a bit more selfish, and for that reason he tugs the other boy's hand closer around him, past his waist and over his stomach, his hand still over the boy's fingers as he steals the heat from the arm encircling him.

The beach has been a pleasant memory so far (which came wholly unexpected), but Megumi suspects it's not quite the ambience that has made it pleasant. For that reason, he doesn't think he will miss it very much. ]

Well ... [ So what is it about this experience that makes it a pleasant one? Opening his tired eyes, he glances down at their hands, and briefly at the boy beside him. It's obvious. He's not stupid. But it's still such a foreign thing, the knowledge that this closeness could ease his often anxious mind, conjure up those feelings of affection that put him in a contented state.

Does this have to be the last time?

Is he really allowed pursue another experience like this?

There's a pensive pause, like he's still deciding. Then, with some hesitance, he finally responds. ]

We can ... find another place? [ A quiet, private place that was just theirs. It's an indication, more than anything, that he would like to do this again. ]

[ there's a smile on his face, watching as he allowed megumi to tug on his arm with an endearing glow— he gets a sense of what that boy is seeking. an idea comes to mind, and that's when his other arm returned the gestures, both secured around the other before he flopped back against the cushioned lounger accommodating them; pulling that boy with him.

it was at that moment that he noticed the fabric covering the sunbed was actually a tucked-in blanket, and with a bit of shifting around, he managed to drape it over their bodies; making sure his friend had his fair share. what follows came easy, to yuuji at least, as he got himself comfortably into their new little haven, far away from any prying eyes. ]

I don't think there is another beach around here ... unless you meant another spot altogether? Then, we can do that!

[ he coaxes the other boy to return resting his head on his shoulder, that same arm holding their bodies together as yuuji relaxed against his back. he takes in a breath, sighing softly— lashes drooping low over his eyes as he realized something-

that's when the thought slips out of his mouth instead of dwelling in the privacy of his own conscious. ]

... This feels nice. Doesn't it, Fushiguro?

[ too forward. too casual, but genuine in the way it came off as an innocent reflection. whether it was the view, the place itself, being covered by a warm blanket, or the company? perhaps it was all those elements together, but mostly-

he regards the other boy from the corner of his eye; inwardly wondering if this is normal between friends or not? ]

[ It's surprising to Megumi himself how easily he's going along with the change in position, having those arms wrapped around his body and holding him as Yuuji tucks them into a comfortable spot. He can't remember a single time he's let anyone be this close to him without Megumi feeling that impending need to break away, to keep that distance between himself and others.

Though his muscles feel relaxed, like his body is sinking into an enveloping, comforting warmth, he can feel his heart pounding in his chest, usually pale skin keeping that powdered blush. There's nothing he can say to rationalize why they're doing this, no logical reason for the act, and yet when he lies against Yuuji's shoulder, their faces mere inches apart, the affection gripping his heart causes his typically ascetic thoughts to stall, a selfish need to stay in this contentment persisting. It makes him happy. He doesn't know why.

In hesitance, he allows their limbs to fall into the comfortable gaps, hand shifting across the other boy's chest to find his side, wrapping around him and pulling him closer. There's an awareness that the skin his hands are traveling over is bare, and somehow that's a scandalous thing, making his heart race, stirring up a strange feeling of anticipation. That's a first.

When Yuuji speaks, Megumi looks up to meet his eyes briefly. With the proximity of their faces, it's an immediately overwhelming thing to just look at him. ]

It's -- [ Talking is hard enough whenever he's embarrassed. Of course he can't manage in this situation. ] I don't ... hate it?

[ In a rare instance where their thoughts are synced, Megumi is pondering that as well as he averts his gaze, wondering if this was a normal act Yuuji would share with his other friends. ]

June 2022 Event

not sorry u_u

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