jigokulogs | July 2022 IC Mingle

1. ITADAKIMASU!

After the harrowing incidents involving the curse last month, unity is the theme for welcoming the new influx of Lost Souls. The factions are still busy with cleanup efforts and making sure their personnel are in fighting shape. What’s more, most of the usual spots that would play host to the factions’ parties are either closed until they’re repaired, or in no state to be hosting parties that big.

Thus, an agreement has been reached. All of the factions will hold their mingles together and host a food truck/yatai festival in the blocks surrounding Theater Square, in the Sutoku Alliance’s territory. This gets money into the hands of the local vendors, and allows the community to spend time together in relative peace. It’s still Jigokucho, there are punks prowling to start fights and steal wallets, like they always are, but it’s a breath of fresh air after everything that’s been happening lately. Just keep your wits about you and enjoy the food. Takoyaki is one of the most popular items and competition between the carts motivates chefs to make them flair and style!

Kushiten, yakitori, dango, croquettes, senbei, onigiri, yakisoba, taiyaki, you name it, it’s probably represented here in some form. There are even any number of your favorite treats from home, even if your home isn’t Earth. It might take a little poking around to find them, but isn’t that part of the delight of exploring a city’s food?

The falling Stardust has made its way into the food as well. You may notice that some vendors are grinding up the glowing stellar fragments and putting them into the food itself as a spice. Are… you supposed to eat that?! Oh well! When it’s time to party, you can’t go wrong with a little Stardust.

2. MUSIC GOT ME FEELIN SO FREE

In the center of Theater Square, surrounded on all sides by the many colorful food stalls, they’ve set up a stage for local artists to perform on. There are a great variety of acts who come and go to play a few songs. The music reaches all throughout the square and may be little more than background noise, until just the right tune catches your ear.

Jenny⁣ – This all-girls story of hidden love should be hitting all the ladies in the crowd a certain kind of way. Have you been admiring a friend or coworker and just never taken the plunge? Now’s the time for that kiss, the music is playing.
KONNANじゃないっ⁣⁣ – This sweet idol bop about striding bravely towards your best future fills you with inspiration and hope for the future. You may feel compelled to bring your hopes and dreams into every conversation. The future is bright!
Running Up That Hill⁣⁣ – As the singer performs some kind of interpretive dance, she sings about her frustrations with never truly being able to see from another person’s perspective. What would you do to show your true self? Maybe it’s time to iron out that ongoing misunderstanding you’ve been circling.
Love Warriors⁣⁣ – A simple act with a guitarist and singer, she sings a mellow piece about the true value of love. What a beautiful message. Your heart might begin to overflow with feelings of care and affection. Will you finally spill those all-important three words? I-love-you.
One More Time⁣⁣ – The last act of the evening is lively, colored lights flashing out across the square. They begin to play an impossibly catchy beat that no one can resist dancing too. Dance like no one is watching and enjoy the sweet catharsis of a good dance session. You’ll feel better for it tomorrow.

(Players are more than welcome to use their own song and effect. 💖)

3. BIRD BOMBS

At some point during the festivities, the Daitengu takes the stage. They’re in exceptionally high spirits. They give a shout-out to Toraguma and Tenkohime for helping to make this happen. As usual, The Enma is not present. However, the Daitengu forgoes any snide remarks, although they do seem a bit let down. Hope springs eternal, one supposes.

Next they would like to announce that they have even more reasons to celebrate: a truce has been declared between the Shuten and Tamamo clans. The war for the Underground is over (for now) and new construction has started on a new casino and adult entertainment complex in the once-contested territory. They hope that this will lead to an ongoing era of financial cooperation between the three factions.

They thank Sakamoto Ryouma for making all of this happen and give him a shoutout in the crowd. Word has spread all over the Alliance about their deeds, and what they managed to pull off; a blessing and a curse. It becomes obvious that not every tribe within the Sutoku Alliance was okay with putting the Alliance itself up as collateral to make this happen. The Kasasagi Tengu Tribe, in particular, has decided to let their protest be known by storming the party in a flood of aggressive magpies. They vulture the food, they pick at jewelry, they’re an absolute menace.

Good luck shooing them away. The vibes are counting on you to deal with these feathered buzzkills.

Welcome to the IC mingle!

If you have any questions about the mingle content, please ask them here!
If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.
For Rewards, given both the Stardust and Turf War prompts are involved in all three, threads in the Mingle log count for TWO (2) points!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

... We should observe this a little more, if you're willing. I think it would be fairly simple to watch someone ingesting it and see if that answers any questions.

[ Because she is not about to suggest either one of them try it. That seems like a very bad idea. ]

[ He nods. ] It couldn't hurt to find out what's up with this.

[ Skylark moves so they're out of the way of people passing by and watches some customers buy some takoyaki peppered with the glowing dust from a stall. Almost immediately after eating some, they look absolutely ecstatic. ]

Hm?

...

That either tastes amazing, or they're feeling more than the enjoyment of well-cooked food.

[ That doesn't look like the kind of happiness that comes from eating good food; not even Yusuke looked that giddy, just... tearfully rapturous. ]

I think even amazing food gets a different reaction, you know?

[ Which is to say, he agrees with Haru's assessment. ]

So that dust is a mood stimulant...

[ This is basically drugs, isn't it. ]

... Drugs?

[ She's. Just going to say it, fingers delicately grasping her chin and gaze a tad perturbed. ]

Is it really a good idea to be adding it to food?

Basically the same thing.

[ He thinks he saw some of the stalls have to grind it, so its base form was like any other ingredient or material. Someone probably found out what effect it had and it just rolled down the slope from there. ]

And nah, it's not a great idea. Since the effects are so immediate and noticeable, it's probably reasonably strong. Any kind of stimulant like that should be used with caution.

I hope people aren't going too overboard with it. I don't think this is something we can... oversee, exactly [ she refuses to say "police" fuck the police ] but...

It doesn't feel right not doing anything about it, either.

[ There's this long moment where Skylark is internally debating whether he should even make this suggestion. Haru seems like a nice enough person that it might not fly well, but it's the first thing that came to mind. ]

Well... If what they're grinding to make this dust went "missing", it'd be a shame.

[ Look. He's not sure how, but he is saying that theft is an option. ]

... You want to steal the ingredient?

[ Perhaps understandably, Haru looks a little shocked?? ]

... Is that too weird?

[ He knows this literal Hell city is different, but he figured theft was as viable a solution as any here? ]

... No.

I think in some cases, you do have to go against the law.

[ She would know. ]

Then perhaps one of us should act as a distraction, and the other should take it?

[ Huh. ]

Do you have experience with taking stuff?

[ Because he has plenty of experience playing distraction for someone else, but not so much actual theft. ]

I... well, yes... technically. But not like this.

[ She's no pickpocket or robber or anyone who tends to do this when there are this many people around. ]

[ Oh. Well, that makes his answer clear, then. ]

Hmm...then, you can distract them. I'll handle it.

[ He...certainly hopes he's picked up a thing or two from Crane, over the years. ]

... Are you sure? If you're not, I can most certainly try.

[ But if he's gonna commit, she will play the best distraction she can think of. Still, it's best to check. ]

I'm sure! It'll be fine, I've helped my friend out with this sort of thing a lot.

[ Which he knows isn't the same as actually stealing, but (he hopes) being a regular accomplice means he's familiar with it. ]

...

I feel as though I can't quite say anything about that without knowing the situation, but if you insist, I'll trust you. How long do you think I need to hold their attention?

Well...thanks, anyway. [ For trusting him. ] Five minutes, tops. If it goes well then I'll take even less time.

All right... then let's find a popular vendor and try our luck.

[ Might as well strike a place that's handing it out like candy, right? ]

July 2022 IC Mingle

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