jigokulogs | July 2022 Mini Event

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July 2022 Mini Event

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Tanabata is on the horizon, and the city seems to be recovering well from last month. But there's work to be done, and it's time to get to it...

1. SHUTEN CLAN - THE HOUSE ALWAYS WINS

With construction wrapping up, the new Shuten Clan casino will be opening soon. The casino has a number of new staff positions opening. It is a golden opportunity for anyone looking for a cash rich position. The money promised upon assignment to the underground casino is bound to be life-changing. Given the potentials in clientele, Toraguma is expecting the very best. Shutens are to report to the above ground Celestial Phoenix casino for their training.

They will be taught all the traditional casino fare, both Japanese and abroad. This includes being taught how to cheat at these games as well. For example:
Blackjack dealers will learn card count, and how to catch others doing the same.
Roulette attendants will learn both how and when to discreetly adjust the wheel.
Craps and Cee-lo dealers will learn how to feel for loaded dice and how to switch in the house's dice without notice.
Cee-lo dealers are also taught a specific way to line the dice tray to cause more lost throws.
Cho-Han dealers will learn how to distract players as they adjust the dice.
That's not all the Shutens will be learning. The clan needs skilled bouncers as well: people who can handle rowdy customers or haughty celestials. The more tenured Shutens will take up the roles of rude customers and challenge the trainees in how to handle them.

While not everyone will receive employment in the casino, they are all expected to participate in training. Shuten officers are expected to guide and oversee their juniors.

2. TAMAMO CLAN - CHARM SCHOOL

The Tamamo Clan also has preparations to make in anticipation of the underground's opening. The clan is opening their own brothel and cabaret, as well as providing food and drink services to the new Shuten casino.

All Tamamo Clan members must report for training at Mizukume. The lesson of the day is to use one's charisma to secure a huge payout. For example:
Hosts and hostesses will learn the art of schmoozing away clients' money.
Performers will learn more provocative means of soliciting large tips.
Oiran are taught the erotic arts; the perfect balance to both please a client, and how to leave them begging (and paying) for more. There's no technique Tenkohime finds too shameful. Money is power, and power is freedom.
Food service workers are provided master classes in mixology, plating, and how to serve high-profile clients without breaking a sweat.
Each role comes with its own set of pressures, but also the promise of great reward. Everyone is going to get rich, if everyone plays their part well.

Tenured Tamamo are asked to roleplay as clients for the benefit of those Lost Souls new to the work. While not everyone will be selected to work in the Underground, everyone is expected to train for it.

3. SUTOKU ALLIANCE - BLACK MARKETS AND BACK ALLEYS

After months of meetings, it's finally time for some real action. Sutoku Lieutenant Ryouma Sakamoto has made some pretty big commitments on the Alliance's behalf. His temerity comes from his earnest belief in the other Sutoku Lost Souls! No pressure, though!

To succeed, the Alliance must determine who is behind the current black market operation. Ryouma is relying on the Alliance's extensive information network and the hard work of the Lost Souls to make it happen.

This is the work that Ryouma mentioned when he welcomed the new arrivals recently.

This assignment is all about what you know. The Sutoku need to learn more about the competition, through any means necessary. The Alliance wants to know everything about what goods are moving around the city and who is moving it. Time to follow the money. You might even discover an unfulfilled niche in the market through your investigations.

The current influx of Stardust in the city is a great opportunity to investigate the existing dealers and supply lines. The Alliance is gathering Stardust just like everyone else, but it is becoming increasingly scarce as the factions vie for it. The value of this commodity is shooting up every day. Take some cash or other compelling bartering tools with you to grease the palms of a few shady dealers. Try to convince them to be more honest about their supply lines, beyond just the sparkly stuff. Stick the landing, and you might just be closing in on the heart of those shipping loopholes.

This is no easy undertaking. Creativity and tenacity will determine just how far you can go. Be careful not to be too obvious, the threat of unwanted attention will cause your sources to clam up.

4. DEPARTMENT OF THE ENMA - CRACK DOWNS

The Stardust's street presence has shifted naturally over the past few weeks: from an easy resource to simply scoop up in garbage bags overnight to a hot commodity. The street value of the material has increased considerably, and that means that the unaffiliated street gangs are greedy to get in on the action.

Enma officers are called upon to round up any black market dealers of Stardust and confiscate as much of their supply as they can find. This might just bring them into some direct conflict with the Sutoku Alliance members hoping to connect with market insiders. That's just how things boil out sometimes, though.

It is more important to the Department to get Stardust out of the hands of the black marketeers… and into their own lockers.

Officers are given permission to use any amount of force against individual actors, and members of the Law and Records Department are expected to draft up warrants (no matter how doctored) to obtain access to buildings they otherwise would never be allowed into; even Mizukume and the Arena. The Department's orders are clear: if it's not an approved market, shut it down.

This is in the name of maintaining Order, so get out there. Move at least in pairs, or you're likely to meet some serious resistance, and keep an eye out for the newbies.

5. ALL FACTIONS - LUNAR RABBIT RETURNS

It isn't just the factions, dealers, and petty gangs who are interested in the Stardust now that it's a premium item.

A familiar face has resurfaced: the mysterious gyokuto medicine woman and her army of white rabbits. While her little kin have managed to gather a healthy amount of Stardust for her "research", she still needs more. She is willing to pay a huge premium to those who retrieve more materials for her.

She understands that this will require you to either pilfer from one of the factions, or potentially someone even more dangerous. She will be providing samples of one of her drugs, which can grant temporary invisibility in moonlight. Use it for whatever hijinks you want, but she really would prefer if you brought her the goods in the end.

If invisibility doesn't cut if for you, she can provide another sample that provides 10 times your normal strength. While you can KO anyone who gets in your way, it wears off within 5 to 10 seconds. She is very clear that you should not take more than 3 doses of this, or you will very possibly die. Probably. Maybe? It will be unpleasant. So use it only when you need to.

The reward for getting her some Stardust, depending on the amount, can easily pay all a character's expenses for a month, if not longer. The temptation is great, but do you trust this strange rabbit woman?

Welcome to the mini event!

If you have any questions about event content, please ask them here!
Looking for a partner for your prompt? Post here!
FOR THE PURPOSES OF REWARDS, since all of these prompts tie into the main plot in some way, we will count all qualified threads in this post as 2 point threads!
If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

genuinely no worries!! I may take a little bit to get back to you, but thank you for starting!! everything looks good :3

[Nero should not be in charge of naming anything. Ever.]

Something like that. [He doesn't want to talk to Shylock about his ex, and he definitely doesn't want to talk to some random widower about his own past. But he knows he's a terrible liar.

It's something that's true enough.]

[This may be how Izuku gets into larping. Fumikage nods in approval.]

A yakuza demon prince... a fitting character for the realms of Hell. It's fitting.

Alright. If you were to embody a yakuza demon prince, what characteristics do you think you would possess?

( She took one fucking selfie. One. She hates EMBER. Though it did lead to some good conversations, so, swings and roundabouts. But a brief moment's recognition flickers in her expression as she properly talks to her mark.

The guy with the essays. Right.

And his questioning of her dilemma gets a tip of the head, because surely it's obvious that cards can also be inserted? That's how it always worked back home, anyway. Though now she's wishing she actually checked a vending machine before making the excuse. Oh well. Nothing to be done for it. )

Yeah. This way.

( At least he cut himself off. Kate has no problem leading him down an alleyway — not where she came from, either, but maybe that can be explained with a long search for a helpful face? — towards a couple of rather towering vending machines. )

Didn't know gettin' a drink were this complicated.

( Lies come all too easily to some people, really. )

( They both look ridiculous, but in that way at least they're in equal company. Whoever decided that today's training was cosplay needs to be strung up and whipped, or whatever Tamamos decide are punishments.

But Dosei's attempt at getting out of being the starter guinea pig isn't going to go that easily, sorry. )

That means I'm th' senior. So — ( what is it Musashi always calls her? ) — my cute kohai should go first.

( That is one hell of a phrase to say deadpan. )

You asked if we have any evidence connecting you to any of these incidents - the answer to that precise question would be no, indeed. You can wash your hands of this right now if you so choose.

[ A punctuated pause. ]

However, if you widen the scope of your inquiry then yes, we have dossiers on each of those incidents including photographs and witness testimony.

I have to express my amusement that you are attempting to threaten an attorney with legal actions. The law is meticulous indeed - it is my life's mission to tame that beast. If you wish to send your subordinates to trial, be my guest. You are sending them right into my territory.

[... Yakuza demon prince.......

Why does Katsuki's feral grin come to mind??]

Erm... A good expression? A serious one, that no one wants to mess with.

You know... [ He was free to lean as he liked. She even wrapped an arm over his shoulder, gently petting at him. It certainly as an eased comfort between two people who barely knew each other, of course, but they were also both the sort where that kind of thing didn't matter as much. That was obvious to her at least. ]

... I think you're one of the first people to not fuss at me for my partying. I've always taken as an affirmation of life sort of thing, anyways... And, well, money is meant to be spent, right?

[ Musashi had a feeling she knew where Jack was going with what they were saying. She gave a nod, understanding why the boss might want to keep it secret, too. ]

You can excuse yourself to change in private, if you have to...

[ He definitely looked out of place, but Musashi knew to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. This was an important meeting, after all, one that the boss lady trusted her to handle well... Which, like, okay, she got that Tenkohime trusted her, but was she really the kind of person they wanted speaking to an ADA???

Either way, she gave a bow, keeping her smile bright. ]

Yes, I assume you are Van Zieks-san? My name is Miyamoto Musashi, I work in security for several of the businesses here. I'm told they've been getting served search warrants and it's sort of scaring away clients...

Edited 2022-08-01 01:55 (UTC)

[This is the fucking life; even if they're not super close (and really, who could Aster say that about in the first place), it's still contact and warmth that he won't refuse. In fact, he soaks it up like a sponge, snuggles in a little closer to wrap both arms around Musashi's waist if she lets him.

#bestiethings]

Really? You're a big girl, though ♡ And life's something that can be either too short, or too easy to get bored by...You might as well search for the things that make you happy, and line some wallets for some very lucky yokai while you're at it~

Without people like you, people like me would be quite lost. Don't you think?

Eh?

[ A face he hasn't seen, so a newbie. Doesn't really cut the figure that's been expected from the Shuten clan but - recent encounters have reminded him not to judge a book. ]

Yeah sure. Step into the office, new blood.

[ He's been at it for a while, so he's less courteous though still patient with who he's teaching. ]

Alright, before I teach you something, you gotta show me what you got.

[ He raises his arms like a boxer but hands open in a defensive stance. ]

Break my guard.

[ He has questions and perhaps he doesn't really want to know. ]

Technically you're not wrong but...

[ They want people to come back after all, even despite the rough housing. ]

Ok, as long as you under-!!

[ And then he gets an idea, a deliciously evil idea. ]

Hey, what's you're name again?

[ Mona glances over at Levi's etiquette before she also says kanpai and sips at the sake. She's relying on them entirely for this part of their mission, and fully intends on taking her time with this drink. She's trying to use her peripheral vision for this as much as possible, and she sets the cup down on the counter. Mona clears her throat and leans forward a bit to allow the bartender speak.

"Oh, yeah. 'Course I do. Some of 'em sneak around these parts and try to pocket Stardust and all that. It's real cute."

Mona lets out a little snicker. Of course she's among those who're scavenging for the thing, but she doesn't say that. She simply pretends that she's wiser than that. ]

They've got to be pretty bold to think they can get away with that for long.

[ Again, trying not to include herself in this group of people for appearances. ]

I'm assuming that means you've had a few of them try that in here, too? Or, perhaps, even fellow rookie businessmen trying to con you out of some Stardust?

Oh, of course, I'll help! [ Not even going to ask what it is- he's just pleasantly relieved Kimm is willing to put up with him and his very unassuming hidden bundle that is totally not stardust. ] I mean, if I'm able...

[ Insecurity leave this place- ] Anyway, I'm glad our food has been easy to adapt to! [ He hurms, falling in to step next to Kimm; maybe it's because Kimm is one of the few people shorter than him, but Tama is careful to not walk too fast. He gets nettled by that with people taller than him, so he wants to be considerate. ] Eating meat when I come from is still an expensive prospect for those willing to do it, the sort of thing you'd save for special occasions. I prefer mushrooms and tofu to game meat even when it's available, though. I always assumed it would be hard for others to deal with our food, given how the West in my world loves like...whole roast chickens, and those weird crown-looking sheep racks with the bones tied together... [ Tama makes a face. ] That one always seemed unnecessarily ghoulish. But, their cultures are particularly dominant in my world, so our habit of avoiding meat where possible sometimes felt... [ Tama gestures with his free hand, not wanting to say it. ]

She was actually going to swindle the old codger, he lets out a sigh of relief. Somehow, he felt that would have killed their plan ASAP if they did.

"Just one will do. One good one and a silver tongue." He shrugged. "Thankfully, alcoholics know how to talk to alcoholics, and I know my alcohol."

Once once the district with the bar he goes - "Hey, hang on a sec." - and he walks faster and towards a small unremarkable and old looking booze store, emphasis on old being the only hole-in-the-wall store with wooden frames and a traditional sign that just reads "Osake". Sliding the door open and stepping in to the dimly lit store, and and old yuki-onna pops out from behind a shelf and goes -

"Oh, Bi-chan. Good day. Here for the usual?" "Not this time, Fumiko-san. I'm here for some sake. As a gift. Ah, she's a friend - her name's Tenshi." "Good day, dearie."

Bishop signals with his eyes for Tenshi to be polite, revealing his regular source of alcohol.

Take people away from their cares... That resonated with her. In fact, it sounded more and more similar to what she had done in her tiny reality, didn't it?

"Back home, I was President of a Literature Club. I really endeavored for the club to be a place where my members could relax. Where they could free of their usual worries if only for just a time. We were only a few in the club and we didn't have much in common besides literature... But we were happy." Of course, not mentioned here is what happened to the club after she'd had her epiphany. But Monika preferred remembering the times when the club had been this welcoming and peaceful place she'd so loved. "That doesn't sound too dissimilar."

Monika observed as the girl started brewing the tea. That part she'd need practice with- Monika was more of a coffee person, Yuri had always been the tea person in their club.

"You know, you said you're not a hostess and all, but I think you're doing a remarkable job. I am a lot more relaxed and confident than I was before this started." She smiled brightly. "I don't think I could have hoped for a better teacher, ahaha!"

[Cain knew he probably did sound stupidly optimisitic, and he couldn't blame Barok for it. He wanted to believe that people could be fair and kind to each other even if he'd experienced first hand how they weren't. Being a central wizard, it just made him want to work harder to earn everyone's trust.

However, Cain had to hold back a laugh when the man said that about it being a mockery of justice.]

You kinda have a point. And that's funny you say that. When I talked with the Enma, he kinda....well I assume he basically was saying the same thing. "The shape of the world is determined by the strength of those who form it..."

[But now he was serious again, thinking over those words. It was not something he liked to dwell on, despite it being necessary.]

I'm not exactly strong enough to do anything on my own, no matter how hard it pains me to admit it. So I did come here looking to see if you shared a similar mind, so we can possibly make our vision work.

Heh, maybe... Not very Buddha-like of me, I guess, but enlightenment comes in many forms, right?

[ Goodness he was snugly. She could really get spoiled by this. He was just the sort of person who could get her wrapped around his finger, but he seemed more interested in just being friendly, something she appreciated. Folks with that kind of power using it at least a little responsibly was kind of rare.

She let out a soft, almost keening little hum as she further let him press against her, feeling like she was in a spot of heaven right there... ]

I guess really do just fall in love too easily...

[ That tracks with all Barok imagines the Enma to be. Truthfully, he is a little grateful for it. That self-awareness of not standing for justice but order makes their boss a lot easier to predict and work with than self-delusion would be. ]

Then I hope you approve of what you found.

[ Cain's naïve idealism isn't relatable to Barok but recent events in his own world have taught him that sometimes it is the people least like him who have the capacity to enact change. ]

I do not intend to ever compromise on doing things in a fully comprehensive, evidence-based manner. I am not a trusting man - I do not put faith in others based on their word alone and I do not expect anyone to do it for me. But in time, my doubts should lay doubts about my sincerity to rest.

Edited 2022-08-01 22:35 (UTC)

Oh, that won't be necessary. Here, I'll show you--

[ and in the time that it might take for her to blink-- ]

[ Van Zieks does have the courtesy to give a bow in return, though he is gritting his teeth at hearing the '-san' attached to his name. It sounds too foreign. Almost half a year of living in Japan and yet some prejudices run deep... Ah well, it's diplomacy time now. ]

It is a pleasure to meet you. Your reports are correct, we have sent a number of warrants into the territory. Not all of them were from my office, but I have been making an attempt at handling the majority.

If you have questions about the legitimacy of individual warrants, my office can easily back up the claims.

[ the blonde boy known to no one but them as flat escardos disappears, instantly transforming into a young woman in the attire of someone that clearly would work at a modern hospital. ]

See? [ matching the transformation, the voice is now no longer that of a young man, but feminine and friendly, of an adult woman. ] Hehe, I'd have to do something about the clothes and get something more "job appropriate", but that's not really a problem. That said...

[ ... ]

Hello, love. It's my pleasure to serve you today. [ they cock their head to the side, giving musashi a coquettish smile. ] Is there anything that I can get you started with, dear?

[ Yeah, well. That's the life. High risk, high reward. ]

Better than some've th'jobs the clan has goin'.

[ There's much more violence waiting out there. ]

Sometimes ya get permission to make an' example outta somebody.

[ He shrugs. The drama might not even unfold in the casino, but in the back room dealings of the clan, only for word to come down from on high that someone has made a dire mistake.

But he also spreads his hands in a conciliatory motion as well, ]

We're just practicin'. Ya don't wanna work down here, don't. But it might save yer hide later.

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July 2022 Mini Event

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