July 2022 Mini Event

[jigokumods]

MAIN NAVIGATION


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

kate galloway 👟 original (tamamo) 👟 ota

[bratherine]

— bunny in training (tamamo charm school).

( It seems like the Tamamo trainers have a sense of humour. Or, much like the superior who shoved her in a maid's uniform when the Celestials were here, they're just assholes.

Because Kate can't think of any other reason she's been dressed as a fucking bunny to attend charm school.

Actually, the outfit itself isn't too bad — a cropped shirt and black hotpants held up by suspenders, and thigh high socks is not completely out of the realm of things she'd wear. But why the cuffs which are attached to nothing? Why the bunny ears?

Which is why whichever unfortunate soul partnered with her is currently on the receiving end of a glare as she crosses one leg over the other and props her elbow on her knee, her chin in her hand. )

So...

( You might want to start here. )

— on the lookout.

( Tenkohime wants Stardust. And while Kate has a good supply of Stardust hiding in her flat, more can never hurt. So that means finding people who look like good marks, who have Stardust.

And, after a few hours people watching, she thinks she might have.

Hello, you. Kate's... Okay, all smiles is stretching it, but she wanders up with a friendly enough look on her face, dressed casually and with her Tamamo pin safely stashed at home. A little extra insurance to keep from tracing any actions back to her faction if problems should arise. )

Hey, uh. Can you help me? This vending machine ate my card.

( A lie, of course. But hopefully tempting enough bait for any helpful Lost Soul who seems to be walking around with Stardust. )

— wildcard.

( you know what this is )

on the lookout.

[rainswords]

[ If one faction leader seeks Stardust, then chances are they all do, which does explain plenty of things going on about the city. It's busy, busy, but that's not surprising with how quick people were to take part in that past territorial dispute. This shouldn't be as harrowing a task?

Before he can continue on his way to drop off a package at home, he is stopped by a girl. Wait her face — right. But he won't comment on it. After all, that application did provide the picture and it would be completely unfair for him to point out that he has some vague familiarity with her, he waits for her to speak. ]

Huh?

I thought cards were meant to be tapped or swiped?

[ Was that not how they worked? Then how did the vending machine eat her card? ]

And generally, I would say — Oh, forgive me. You are looking for assistance correct? Very well, let's have a look.

[bratherine]

( 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. )

[rainswords]

[ For Xingqiu it's not as obvious, his first interaction with such devices occurred through his stay here in hell, so go figure. Along with his experience being limited. Really, it's far more cost-effective to take the extra steps to visit an actual shop and make his purchases.

That was the advice he was going to offer before he cut himself off.

He understand that his words aren't needed here but rather his actual assistance, although he isn't certain how he can really help. Despite this he is willing to make an attempt to assist this girl that remains virtually a stranger, he doesn't even know her name. He follows after her, noting they're heading in a different direction than the one she came from. ]

Technology isn't impervious to defects after all.

Anyway, I am not certain how we can retrieve your card but I can certainly make that purchase for you.

[bratherine]

( He remains silent about the change in direction, and something loosens in Kate's chest. A momentary relief. He hasn't called her out, so maybe he's just trusting enough that she'll be able to pull this off without a hitch. )

Aye? ( As flat as it gets, though that's so often the case for Kate. She slips her hands into her jean pockets and quickly skims the vending machine as she does. What does this thing sell...

... Hm. ) C6?

( It's a fizzy, sweet drink, but this guy doesn't know her well enough to know that she'd never drink it. Though perhaps that lilt in her tone is worth querying, if he can do so before she continues. )

Y'were on EMBER, aye?

[rainswords]

[ There is nothing to be said about that. Yet. That is why he is willing to follow and render his aid. Xingqiu is just that type of boy, willing to help where he can even if it is something as simple as getting someone a beverage.

Once they're at the vending machine he doesn't question the fact that he watches her quickly peruse the selection. ]

C6? [ He echoes the code mimicking her tone but soon he steps forward so that he can make the payment for a beverage she doesn't particularly favor. They are strangers after all. ]

That is correct, but I do believe most people have taken to using that application. I do recall your image there.

[bratherine]

( Hm. Okay, this is going well. That's a relief. While she's used to lying with a straight face, there's a difference between giving out a fake name and age and working a scam like this with so many moving parts. The chance of him calling her out isn't zero, even now that she's gotten this far. The chance of her power failing is more than that; she hasn't had it that long, hasn't used it for this purpose before.

It'll be fine. She just has to concentrate.

And, for the time being, try to carry on the conversation, which is harder than you'd think when you're also trying to keep in mind every possible outcome you can think of. )

...Aye. ( The drink pops out, clattering into the receptacle. ) Y'were... th' one who got arsey at me for swearing.

( He'll grab the drink, and then she can make her move. if it doesn't work, maybe she can just punch him? )

[rainswords]

[ Rather than opting to immediately retrieve the drink he does peruse the choices available at the vending machine, now finally laying his sights on the choice that comes by selecting C6 he does glance at her almost puzzled. Her expression, fashion everything about her contrasts the sweet fizzy bright beverage. Well, he won't ask about it. ]

Excuse me? I got what?

Never mind, unless you wish to explain...

[ Given that her card was taken by the vending machine perhaps it was best they make haste? His motion is fluid and quick enough when he retrieves the drink before it is held out for her to take. ]

I suppose even here you won't introduce yourself. I am not an application gathering your data.

tooootally feel free to have this attempt backfire horribly on her

[bratherine]

Arsey. ( Man, Jigokucho is a crash course in "terms she uses which are not the norm". ) Annoyed.

( That's sufficient explanation, but it's also a distraction from her initial premise in luring him out there that Kate quickly realises she needs to make her move now or she'll squander her chance.

So, with one quick intake of breath, she leans in, reaching for the drink and carefully making sure she's just in reach of his cheek in an attempt to brush an enchanted kiss against it.

Who knows if it'll work; she's never tried to dampen anyone's senses before, and failure is very much on the table. But if it does, she can take her shot and try to snatch his stardust. If not, maybe he'll buy that it's just a show of gratitude for his good deed? )

...S'pose I can tell you as thanks. ( If it works, he's not going to hear more than a few muffled noises anyway, right? ) Kate.

wait for it. the backfiring part will come soon. she is free to steal from him tho ;D

[rainswords]

[ There is an ever-lengthening list of terms which he is becoming acquainted with; not solely driven by interest, there is also a sense of need. His verbal expressions have been shaped by his upbringing, just as much as the formal manner by which he presents himself (especially to strangers). Aren't they that?

Once she provides him with information, there is a sign of contentment on his face. Gratitude would have been expressed but he notes the distance between them shortening. He doesn't immediately pick up on her plan, he doesn't move away in time to avoid the kiss but body language alone spells out discomfort. Rather than any effects of spell-bound lips, Xingqiu is astounded by her boldness with a single move her actions he finds to be far too intimate for the two of them even if he was meant to take that as only an expression of gratitude. It's embarrassing.

An exchange of names is not enough to make two people close. It's the start of a journey. And at the beginning, a girl kissed his cheek. ]

Listen... Kate.

I...

I am going to buy myself a drink.

[ Let him do that while he recovers from that sudden out-of-nowhere kiss. So the vending machine will take up his attention for the moment. ]

:>

[bratherine]

( ... Well. That didn't work as she intended it to, hand freezing halfway to the pouch of stardust she spied earlier as he speaks. Dammit. She's going to have to—

... Try again? He seems dazed instead of lacking senses, and turning his back means she could just quickly pluck that pouch away from him while he tries to pick a drink. And that's just what she's going to do, dropping the bottle she "requested" in her hurry to take advantage of the moment.

Shit. )

:3

[rainswords]

[ Embarrassed — dazed — it's all about the same, isn't it? Either way, his attention really does seem to be on the selection, and right about the moment when he is going to pick a drink (some kind of fruit juice contained within a smiling bottle called natchan!) he hears the bottle clatter behind him. That causes him to immediately turn to face her.

Pretty amber eyes fix on her, specifically on her outstretched hand, then they lower. His eyebrows knit together a moment as he regards the drink on the floor before he is looking at her once more. ]

Are you having trouble opening that bottle?

[ No, that's likely not the case. With a tilt of his head, Xingqiu then holds out the package he has been carrying all along. ] Are you interested in this? Here. I didn't imagine you would care.

[ Yes, he willingly relinquishes that pouch. A pouch that maybe if she observed more closely she would note is shaped by its contents. Rectangular, kind of hefty, certainly the shape doesn't change. Inside she would be able to find many pages of disappointment in various books but certainly no stardust. ]

[bratherine]

( Does Jigokucho, perhaps, feel like opening the ground beneath her feet and swallowing her whole? Because that would be less painful than how badly she's fucked this up.

Ugh. She does look at the books, for a moment, but they are — indeed — just books. And not even ones that seem to have a chance of holding opposing faction secrets (clearly, or he wouldn't be giving them up so easily). After a very dignified groan, Kate hands the pouch right back to Xingqiu, books and all, with a withering look.

Don't. Say. Anything. )

🐰 bnnuyy IM LATE

[aphonik]

[ if kate thought she was miserable, dosei is seething.

he doesn't like school. he doesn't like people. and he certainly does not like being told what to wear, especially when there's no bribery involved. so sitting here, masked cheeks sunk into his palms and maid dress skirt brushing his knees, he looks like an atom bomb on the verge of going off.

at least he's not the only one suffering here.

the sheer unimpressed energy radiating off the two is them is enough to make some people give them a wide berth, which means there's nothing to distract him from meeting her glare head on with his own. ]

hell no
you first youve been here longer

[bratherine]

( 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. )

[aphonik]

[ ironically, it's not even the dress itself that bothers him. if he'd have been bribed properly, he might have even put it on willingly. but here we are, stuck in a hell of their own making.

his face falls as flat as kate's tone at the weird nickname, before a light shiver rolls up his spine. oh, jesus, what the fuck was that. ]

i dont know what the fuck that means
but dont call me that ever again

[ cute, can you imagine. he's a man, thank you. ]

shouldnt you put out a good example for your juniors or some shit

[bratherine]

( Oh, you see, that's just admitting to a weakness. And doing such a thing just means she's filing that away as a way to annoy him in future.

(Yes, she would say the same in his shoes, but that's besides the point.) )

I'm doin' that by giving you first go. Kindness or whatever.

[aphonik]

[ well, he also has teeth and he is not afraid to use them. if we gotta go playground slapfight style, we will.

he opts to lean back in his chair, crossing both his legs and his arms, quirking an eyebrow at that before giving a snort. he is not buying that, by the way. ]

you couldnt be bullshitting any harder if you tried

why dont you show me what you learned first, senior suckup

[bratherine]

( Why wouldn't you buy that she wants to do something out of the goodness of her heart? It's not like she's looking as annoyed and miserable as Dosei is while they sit here, a Tamamo instructor prowling through the tables, sharp eyes boring into each pair.

Her head turns to them, squirrelled away in a corner, and Kate sighs. She isn't getting out of this, is she? There's a long, considered moment where Kate regards Dosei, head tilted as though he's a maths puzzle she's having to figure out.

What did Shin tell her, again? ...Oh, right. )

The trick's to figure out what someone else needs you to be. ( Honestly, Dosei seems like the kind of person who would probably prefer her to be her usual, abrasive self. So... ) 'Course, you would need summat like that explaining to you, right?

[aphonik]

[ he definitely would never buy that, considering from what they know of each other all ready. 'the goodness of your heart' is not something that usually applies to people who like to commit vandalism for fun, and especially not in this moment.

but dosei can, unfortunately, feel that gaze they're both getting saddled with, and he diverts his own with a near hissing noise made in the back of his throat. it sounds...a little off. off like the way kate is currently staring at him, in a way that makes his eye twitch in obvious displeasure.

the explanation gets a blank stare for a few moments, before the last bit snaps him out of it. he clearly doesn't appreciate the fact she's suggesting he's less-than-bright, tapping out a message far faster than usual. ]

i aint that stupid
i just never cared about what people wanted of me anyway
so i dont pay attention

[ something flashes in his eyes for a brief moment before it disappears. well, can't really compare putting on an act for people who want specific kinds of company to whatever the hell that was back home...so he lets out a sharp breath and finally looks back at her. alright, enlighten him. ]

[bratherine]

( She didn't say she was good at this. That's honestly the only tip she knows. Kate finds it easier to evaluate everyone as "could be dangerous" rather than in terms of what they want.

Tamamo life is an uphill battle sometimes. Okay, most of the time. The freedom seeking stuff is all well and good but that's about the only thing Kate really understands. She's not charming, and playing up to people this way just feels ridiculous. Which is clearly exemplified by the fact that Dosei's reaction to her attempt doesn't exactly scream yes, I am charmed by this attempt at banter.

The only reason she isn't groaning aloud is because she refuses to make her displeasure known to him and the tutor whose eyes are boring into the back of her neck. Instead, she reaches for the jug of water and hesitates before pouring him a glass. )

... Can you drink?

( Does she need to get him a straw or something? )

[aphonik]

[ it's a learning experience, honestly. a terrible, definitely-not-working learning experience, but a learning experience nonetheless. they're learning that holy fuck, putting them together was a mistake.

in kate's defense, he's never been charmed...ever...his brain has to catch up to that. it's too full of rage and petty aggression. he is notably avoiding looking at the instructor boring holes into them both, absentmindedly fixing the collar of his dress as he resists the urge to hiss. can they hurry up and go stare at someone else, he's sure they're not the only pair struggling....

his gaze flickers down as she goes for a drink, quirking an eye at the question. his shoulders heave in what is probably a silent snicker ( it absolutely is ), before he digs in his little maid pockets and pulls one out himself....emergency straw.

....when you have problems like he does, you come prepared, ok. don't say anything. ]

ya
dont need to but ill do it anyway

[bratherine]

( Saying they're trying their best may be an overstatement, but they're trying. Something is definitely happening here! Whether that something counts as fulfilling the brief of this lesson or not, Kate doesn't know. But she does know she is pouring a second drink and shooting a look at Dosei which can only mean I know you're laughing, dickhead. )

Don't 'need' to?

( Isn't that a basic function of, y'know, existing? )

[aphonik]

[ something is certainly better than nothing, despite what the instructor might think as they gradually move on, still eyeballing the two over their shoulder. if he doesn't acknowledge them, they won't know, clearly.

he gladly returns that look with a smirk that tugs at the strings woven through his lips, taking a sip of his own drink as kate pours her own. you bet the fuck he is, and you can't do anything to stop him.

ah, right. maybe he forgot to address some things here. ]

you know im not human
right

[bratherine]

( She knew about the lip thing, but that doesn't necessarily mean not human by default, after all. She has no idea what rules apply to other worlds' ideas of humans.

But, since he apparently isn't among them... )

What are you?

( With the instructor passing by and moving on to surveying another table, Kate takes the chance to pull off her fuckin' bunny ear headband and look less like an idiot, crossing one leg over the other and leaning her elbows on her thigh, curious. )