July 2022 Mini Event

[jigokumods]

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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.

Comments

mortelix | epic seven | tamamo

[mortelix]

❅ TAMAMO CLAN: CHARM SCHOOL
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A ROLEPLAYING DRAGON BEFORE?

[ the concept of utilizing his charm over his strength is one that he is wholly unfamiliar with. in his life, whether it was in the conquest or personal desire, he had always used his abilities and power to get what he wanted. he had never been a particularly kind ruler, and while some would argue he had some sort of charisma, mort would be the first to state that those were misconceptions. those who bowed to him did so in fear or awe.

while it could be argued he may have practiced some semblance of charm with the girl he raised, this… was still starkly different to that.

mort wasn’t particularly skilled in feigning interest in someone and it probably shows in the way he can't help but stare as if he's assessing someone's worth (as if this was something he was able to discern by sight alone), rather than treating them like an actual customer.

did he mention this is his first time with customer service? ]

a. [ in an attempt to partner up with someone, he decides to take the role of a pupil. back home, this normally ended up in a rather bloody affair, considering he's tried to off more than a handful of his "teachers, but this time he is trying.

practicing restraint and keeping the end goal in mind, he tries his hand at charming the first person he's paired with. with this, he reaches a hand out, just enough to go through the motions of removing dust, or tucking a stray hair behind their ear. then, barely above a whisper— ]

What would claim are your strengths? [ because there is nothing more attractive than finding your rival in the club. ]

b. [ this time, he somehow thinks he can be the authority on charm after like 30 mins of this farce. to be honest, mort never lacked confidence in whatever he does. it's why, he seems to have no hesitation approaching someone who may be looking for someone to pair up, just to dictate a simple. ] Show me what you've got. Though, there will be a price to pay for disappointing me. [ ... and he may not be joking??? ]

❅ WILDCARD!!
I PROMISE THERE ARE OPTIONS!

[ if the prompts don't fit what you're looking for, please feel free to pm me or even hit up my partner comment. if anyone wants to explore the bunny prompts i am also down for drugs and a crazy time, so!! ]

shylock.

[mortelix]

[ perhaps, meeting someone you've only explicitly spoke to online was akin to meeting someone you've only heard of in rumors and whispers. obviously, technology as a whole was mostly foreign to him (even considered as ancient relics), and so it's an interesting prospect when he finally is able to place an actual person to the photos and texts he's received. all in all, it's a peculiar, but not entirely unwelcome feeling.

mort seems to ponder on this for a second, before easily falling to the flow of typical conversation. except, nothing about this was likely typical. ] I admit, I have not had a mentor in centuries. [ but, perhaps, it wouldn't be a bad thing to learn more from the individual before him.

at the very least, he expects to learn a bit more about them. ] Should I be excited? [ while he seems confident for the most part, it is actual fact that he's not only had zero experience, but he really wasn't involved in much outside of the thrill of battle. aka, what is mixology... the fuq. ]

[breweries]

[ if mort has no intention of utilizing technology outside of obligatory texts and calls via smartphone, he'd be happy to know that shylock's bar outright bans the use of it in the premises. figured that there are more people like them who have no need for them for the most part.

but while this is the dragon's first time to be acquainted at a place and person like this, shylock, as usual, takes it in stride. he takes his place behind the counter as if he's always belonged there, flashing the other man with his perfected customer-service smile. ]

There's always a first time for everything for mortals and even immortals alike. Isn't that exciting? [ shylock is no immortal, but he has lived for quite a long time. ] Feel free to call me whatever you like. You can even call me "mine".

[ GROSS. ]

[mortelix]

[ that statement was certainly not a lie by any means. since arriving, mort can readily say that he's experienced a wide variety of "firsts." firsts he's shared with an equal amount of unique characters. perhaps, this man included. hence, he can't deny the hint of something akin to a smirk that forms across his lips.

is it truly gross if mort is down... ]

I wouldn't say that so easily. There's a chance I may think you're serious. [ this is coming from mort... who often asks people to be his. there is likely some semblance of irony embedded in the words they exchange, but of course, mort doesn't focus on it.

instead, he looks at items behind the counter. maybe even picking up a random tool. it's a strainer, for the record, and he gives a slight tilt of his head. while he could make his own conjectures what each item is for, he half-wonders why... there were so many steps involved. was drinking straight alcohol not a thing here? ]

[breweries]

What if I am?

[ so dangerous, whether he's in jest or otherwise. shylock is unironically a man of culture, you know? he does have eyes and he knows how to use them. mort is easy on the eyes for a specimen that shylock has yet to see for himself before, and this western wizard is very intrigued indeed.

but they're not here for that (maybe). shylock watches the other man look through the various tools he has in store, laughing quietly at his quizzical expressions. honestly, he doesn't have much use for most tools in his arsenal, given that he uses magic to mix drinks, but since not everyone is a wizard... ]

Are there truly no bars where you're from? Or is this your first time being in one?

[ jokes on you mort there is no such thing as straight alcohol when shylock's in control ]

nothing has happened but why do i feel dirty

[mortelix]

[ it's easy to hear those words and somehow find some vague hint of a challenge in them. perhaps, that's just the way mort's brain was fine-tuned, but he finds himself drawn into shylock's line of inquiry. his brows raise slightly, as something of pure, unadulterated amusement crosses his features.

everything about shylock seems to raise more and more questions for mort, and being a dragon, a being known for their infinite curiosity, it'd be a lie to state that mort didn't want to completely dissect him (metaphorically, of course)!

but, focusing to the task at hand— ] There are, but it's certainly no place for a dragon. I'm sure they'd shut their doors in fear if I were to walk through. [ ... and maybe in annoyance to that, he'd have no choice but to kill them. but, he digresses. ]

So as you said, it truly will be a night of firsts.

shylock has that effect on people... u_u

[breweries]

[ is it truly a challenge? shylock would've just smiled regardless. what a northern way of thinking, but that's all right -- he has quite a penchant for the guys up there. and if someone were to metaphorically take him apart just to see what makes him tick, all they will see is a burning heart laying dormant in wait. ]

You're hardly frightening at all. I'd say that your naivete in these mundane matters can be considered cute in some circles, in fact.

[ he's not lying. something something about gap moe. ]

Now, then. First, let's start you with something simple such as a margerita. Could you get me one of the tequila bottles in that cabinet behind you? [ there's a lot of liquor bottles... ]

b, clearly this will only go well.

[shittylittle]

'kaaaaay! Get comfortable and let's see how we play together ☆

[Aster figures that, if he really wants to hone his art, he needs all the help he can get; therefore, any and all takers to the educational effort are welcomed with open arms.

Instantly, he's completely fixated on Mort, mouth curved up in an admiring smile and fingers trailing idly through his bangs.] Wait...

You're familiar~ Do I know you from somewhere? It'll come to me in a second, hold on~

[Oh, he remembers. But with that kind of introduction in the flesh, Aster can't fight the instinct to take down someone that haughty in whatever harmless, tiny way he can manage.]

the wellest ofc!!

[mortelix]

[ familiar... to believe that someday someone would use that word to describe him, and to believe that day is today. regardless, the words are enough to cause him to pause as he studies the individual before him. just by looking briefly, it is clear to mort that it would be difficult to forget someone who possessed such unique physical qualities.

but....

how long was he to wait??

putting aside the fact that anyone would tell him to "hold on," he can't deny there's some small touch of distaste to the fact that he's being made to wait to hear him out? still, he's been in a fairly good mood lately and decides to let it go. for now. ] Have you figured out my identity? Or are you making me wait on purpose?

no disasters impending because of haughty bitches colliding, do not stress, no sir.

[shittylittle]

Mm...A moment longer, sorry, sorry ♡

[He squints. Sticks his tongue out just a touch, so that it presses against the back of one little snagglefang.] ...Did you work at one of the clothing shops a few da--

Okay, I can't bully you! I'm sorry~ You're Mister Dragon, right? I was just teasing, forgive me ♡ No wonder you're so patient, though...The decades have paid off for you, haven't they~? I'd be super mad if someone pulled that on me, but I just wanted to see what sort of man you are face-to-face!

I mean...You've heard it all, right? That you're handsome, and powerful, and intimidating~ I want you to remember me, in return. [Time to flash Mort a winning smile, all tooth, and continue curling a finger in the bangs shielding his eye.] Maybe I'm flattering myself, to think I'm worth your memory...?

the alliance of the ancient and immortals...

[mortelix]

[ there's a brief shift in his expression, his mouth parting slightly, but falling short of any complete motion. mort decides to stop himself midway. which, ultimately, ends up being the correct choice, if just for the fact that he saved himself the breath required to explain who he was.

he releases a nearly inaudible huff, before continuing: ] You're lucky I was fond of our conversation. [ which, all things considered, was highly educational. ] Besides, I like to think of myself as a generous and patient being. [ he's really not, though, but...

wow. those were some compliments. most didn't even dare to compliment him in fear he would take it the wrong way. in reality, he took most things in stride as long as they didn't pertain to his goals and as long as they didn't manage to bruise his ego any (granted, he's confident enough where this feat was difficult).

to reply to aster's statement, however. ] I remember those who interest me. [ so yes, he does remember. it was difficult to forget someone who shared some of his sensibilities after all. ] If I am Mister Dragon, does that make you... Little Vampire?

truly a power couple for the ages. literal ages. forever.

[shittylittle]

I'm sorry! Really ♡ I couldn't help myself. And if you decided to punish me, I'd simply have to take responsibility for my actions~

[At least while he's giggling away, there's an apologetic lean on his face. It's not a mean thing, but...Definitely not ashamed of his mean little actions, either.] I appreciate your kindness, you know? Both for putting up with my teasing, and for sitting here to help me ☆ Lucky me indeed! Especially if you remember me! Mister Dragon, you honour me ♡

Hey, don't you think we should toast to this fortuitous meeting? I can't believe you're twice as cool in person as I'd imagined...I'm getting chills down my spine, just sitting across from you~ I might need a drink to relax, to be honest...

that's honestly kind of scary for everyone else...

[mortelix]

[ honestly, mort had never been surrounded by the cheerful sorts. though, he supposed the girl he raised was once quite optimistic and bright. funny how revenge changes people. but, that said, mort doesn't exactly gather the same level of purity and innocence from the individual before him.

maybe that's why his cheeriness doesn't seem to really register to him. still, if his goal was to flatter him into a false sense of comfort, he supposed the vampire was quite skilled. mildly impressed, he does give respect where it is due and gives a curt nod. ] You seem like you would fit right in.

[ between the vampire and the other staff, he virtually could tell no real difference. no, it may even be fair to state that aster exceeded them. regardless, he nods at that. ] Very well. They say an exchange of drinks is one method to grow closer to someone. I'd like to test that limits of that. [ which is just a saying he's heard from an ancient relic before. in reality, the only method he ever felt close to someone as to ruin their life and have their world revolve around him.... but, obviously, such a plot wasn't in his cards here. not yet at least. ]

a

[ryototsukai]

[ Honestly, the man was sexy enough he could get away with almost anything and still have clients paying out of the nose just to be around him. He had that going for him. But in terms of charisma... it just felt.

Off. All of it. But Musashi had been prepared for this! Mostly because of the vibe he'd given off since she first met him. ]

So... not a bad question. But there's something in the way you word it, it sounds... challenging. Not like you're getting them to talk about themselves, but more like you're daring them to show you something. That can intimidate people, and shut down the session.

[mortelix]

Ah. [ ... he's about to ask if that was at all negative?? but, from context alone it's clear that is not the point of this activity. hence, he decides to take a mental step back to evaluate her advice. which, is actually completely sound.

it was interesting to be someone's student again, and he supposed if he was to learn under anyone, musashi would be an excellent choice. but, he supposed it's precisely this line of thinking that's creating these issues. temporarily placing them aside. ] That is an accurate assessment as that's exactly what I wanted. [ at least, he's honest?? ] But, I do see your point. [ he seems to commit this to memory, before— ]

Then, if I mask ask, how do I appear less "intimidating"?

[ryototsukai]

Well you are tall, dark, and handsome. That alone can intimidate.

[ "An accurate assessment", good lord was she gonna have her hands full with this one, she thinks. Still, at least he was more open to coaching. That was better than she could ever say about Anna... As much as she wished she got along better with that one. ]

So I want you to focus on creating a warm place for your client to just exist in. Soft glances, easy smiles, relaxed posture. Don't challenge them, they're here to let loose. Instead, encourage them to loosen up and feel more at ease.

[mortelix]

[ her appraisal of him is one that he finds foreign and almost alien. it isn't that mort lacks confidence— quite the contrary, really, but it's that others hardly made commentary on him. fear had the ability to silence others, after all. so there is some brief hint of surprise, before he seems to offer a slightly more genial smile. ] I see you really are skilled at this.

[ it was a feat to truly flatter him. then again, it likely held its effect simply because it was her. ] I will do my best to loosen you up then. [ his wording probably leaves a lot to be desired, but wit that said, he does seem to follow her advise. his shoulders relaxing slightly. ]

How is this?

[ryototsukai]

[ That smile... she couldn't help but flush a bit at the sight of it. It was the first time since she'd met the guy she felt like she was seeing something less routing, less practiced from him. Maybe it was less "regal" and more just... someone who genuinely hadn't had much of a social life before? She couldn't tell for sure, but she also wasn't there to judge.

It was just... nice. That smile. ]

Much better! [ She clapped her hands together, nodding vigorously. ]

And now you should try an opening line. Maybe get them to order a drink?

[mortelix]

[ mort considers that perhaps if he truly had a mentor in his life, he would have heard that phrase more often. being praised like this was definitely different, and yet he doesn't consider it so bad.

he can tell it is a statement that is well-intentioned, and beyond that, she seems genuine in her desire to assist him. also another foreign feeling, but he decides not to place too much stock into it. especially, when she...

asks for a opening line. opening line... he seems to mull over this before: ] My name is Mortelix, but you... You can call me Mort. [ his poor greeting aside— he reaches over musashi here and gently opens the drink menu in front of her. ]

What type of drinks do you tend to favor? Perhaps, I could help you decide.

a;

[sicklysweet]

[Charm school is the last thing Owen wants to take part of, but here he is anyways. If it wasn't for Nero getting saddled into Tamamo and Shylock already making something of a reputation for himself here he would have tried harder to avoid it...

But he has enough of a competitive drive to be at least more "charming" than Nero. He won't let a gloomy Eastern chef win.

Still, he thinks he might at least not be as bad at this guy at being charming. He blinks once, twice, before his smile goes crooked.]

My strengths?

[Asking someone to just divulge their strengths is an interesting tactic. To say the least. Owen's not keen to give away secrets - not that he has many to keep in the first place, much less here - but he remembers the answer he gave Akira when the Sage asked.

It'll probably be off-putting and will to get the man to pull his hand away, if the chill of Owen's skin isn't enough already.]

I'm very good at dying.

[mortelix]

[ wow, everyone is a critic...

whether he is acutely aware of everyone's judgement or not is a mystery. either way, he seems perfectly fine with the concept, and pushes past it without any pause or concern. what does get his attention, however, is the expression on the other's face when he responds.

mort can already feel excitement building in the pit of his stomach. maybe as if expecting something from his confidence, or in the way he remains unwavering and resolute in the face of his inquiry. his interest is piqued and only grows stronger at the cold touch of his skin; it reminded him of the sensation he felt when one grabs frozen steel in the middle of a snowstorm. it's almost familiar in that sense.

then, his words...

mort's eyes widen just slightly. ] Dying...? [ and then he releases a small and deep hint of laughter. ] Yet you stand here before me now. [ which, all things considered, maybe he could relate. but, being good at something usually carried an air of experience and practiced precision. ]

[sicklysweet]

[When you're doing something worth criticizing...]

I'm good at dying - but not very good at staying dead.

[Which is exactly what it sounds like - at least before he ended up here, Owen was a man who could die time and time and time again but he would always, always come back.

It certainly came in handy more often than not, even if it could sometimes get to be quite annoying.]

Is that so hard to believe, sir...?

[didn't even offer his name before he started touching owen's face smh]

[mortelix]

My, what a useful skill. You could have all the fun you want and still manage to relive it the very next day. [ he says as if everyone's definition of fun was potentially fighting to the death. regardless, if this stranger shares this line of thought or not seems to be of no consequence. which... may have just ben a running pattern in this exchange. #meandunapologetic

mort does have a lot of questions involving this stranger's bodily disposition and the implied immortality, but does eventually decides to pocket this for now as exploring it within his own time sounded equally rewarding. ]

The Great Mortelix. [ a pause. ] I do prefer Mort, however. [ a name he is more than willing to spare with those who tickle his naturally inquisitive nature.

does this mean he has a free pass for face touching now??? ] What should I call you?

[sicklysweet]

[Unfortunately, that's... not entirely off from what Owen finds fun. Sure, he hates losing, but fighting with the intent to kill? That was a near daily occurrence back home. It was equal parts fun, thrilling, and annoying.]

It has it's benefits, even if I wouldn't say all deaths are all that fun.

[There's some peace to all deaths in the end, sure, but things like starvation or hypothermia? He'd rather not repeat those very often.]

You can call me Owen, if you want. I don't really care.

[He honestly doesn't care about what Mortelix prefers, either, so whether or not he'll actually call him Mort and not something far more obnoxious is up in the air.]

[mortelix]

[ that was a fair point. mort supposed while dying in the heat of battle against a worthy opponent was one thing. but, some other deaths were likely to be far less ... enticing. perhaps, even mundane. he hears of humans who die of afflictions that seemed almost impossible to him, after all.

regardless— ] I would have to say that those constantly making you experience it have interesting tastes as well.

[ he can only assume... that's why there are so many deaths??

that, or owen goes looking for it. which... okay fair. maybe. you can't discount a man's desire to get ripped apart just cuz. but, wow... why does no one just call him mort... ]

Do you normally care this little? Not that I disagree. I used to consider everything quite worthless.

[ maybe there was a part of him still stuck in this phase, too. ]