jigokulogs | August 2022 Event

August 2022 Event

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Toraguma and Tenkohime were not exaggerating when they said that Sai no Kawara was bound to attract extraordinarily deep pockets. The Celestials are already familiar to the Lost Souls, but among the crowds of customers are humans and yokai of wealth that can only be calculated in the billions, and even trillions. Powerful executives have come out to play, the sort of power brokers that almost exist beyond faction politics, the tier who makes the most money out of the city's dealings.

The event has an air of class that is far beyond what the average Lost Soul will have ever imagined…

1. GAMBLING PROBLEM (1 POINT)

The main event comes in the form of the games. This is where the Shuten Clan shines, as they offer up a plethora of gambling opportunities for the rich and powerful to partake in. There might be a Lost Soul or two at the tables, if they're feeling particularly lucky. Buy-in to a game isn't cheap, but if you're low on cash, you can substitute a handful of stellar Stardust to the pot.

Western games like Poker, Blackjack, and Roulette share space with Eastern standards like Cee-lo and Cho-han. Shuten Clan dealers have been training hard for this moment. They have learned to cheat on behalf of the House to scrape as much from these high rollers as they can. Those Shuten attendants who win big for the House will be duly compensated for their fine efforts.

If you're very clever, or very lucky, you might just be able to secure quite a payout for yourself as a player too. Just don't get caught pulling any funny business. The Shuten Clan bouncers have also been training quite thoroughly for this event. If you're not one of the fabulously wealthy tycoons, the bouncers have little incentive to play nice with you.

Should fighting break out, there is an arena onsite. Bets are flying there, too. Are you willing to wager your own pretty face?

2. PLEASURE PALACE (1 POINT)

Tenkohime wasn't exaggerating when she called her turf in the newly renovated underground a palace. The attendants at the Palace of Sai greet their wealthy clientele warmly, and they have a host of wondrous and rare delights to offer. As a rare treat, the Lost Souls are encouraged to indulge in this decadence. If the prices make you choke, remember that a little bit of Stardust will go a long way this season.

Food and drinks are of the highest quality. Delicacies from across Japan and the world abroad have been prepared, including many dishes not even of the Earth as you might know it. Particular favorites from the drinks menu are:
Side Cars that have been made with cognac from a 300,000 yen bottle.
Platinum Passions that have been made with L’esprit de Courvoisier; 800,000 yen per bottle.
Eightfold Blessing is a captivating and aromatic mix considered to be Tenkohime's very own specialty. It grants the vigor to fulfill any desire; 1,000,000 yen a glass.
The pricey and fabulous drinks are just an encouragement. The Tamamo's best trained consorts are ready to offer their private services, usually in pairs. They have some Tanabata wishes of their own, and want to make them come true through their talents and skills. Not every encounter is sexual, some consorts simply wish to spend time with their clients and make them feel like the most important person in the world today. With the big price tags on their hours, the customer might very well be.

In addition to expensive meals, sex, and company, the Tamamo Clan also offers theater and performances. They have contracted with the highest caliber performers in the city, even those on loan from other factions. Dancers, musicians, and entertainers of all varieties are waiting in the wings to put on a show.

3. GOSSIP (1 POINT)

One of the performances gracing the stage in the Palace of Sai may seem familiar! The band Moonday played at the food truck festival last month. As it turns out, the lead singer -- a wolf girl named Ringo-chan -- is the daughter of one of the wealthiest executives within the Alliance's network of finance kings; Kaberou. She's run away from her restrictive life to rough it with her band. Big money is riding on convincing her to come home. There's another rumor floating around that the pirates attacking the supply lines have been putting pressure on Kaberou. Is he securing buyers for these pirated goods?

Rumors are flying: the kind of rumors that can bring riches or ruin. The Daitengu has commanded their people to keep their ears open. Do they happen upon a juicy lead? Do they find a way to reconnect Kaberou with his estranged daughter? Do they discover more about the pirates? Do tell, do tell!

Even the staff of the Enma Department will find lips much looser than usual around them. When you're this rich, you think you're above the standards of the law. There's plenty of conversation that might be of interest to the Department. In particular, one name does keep coming up...

It comes up when discussing Kaberou's dealings with these pirates, and how much of a wrench his daughter's negligence to the life has been for his business. It's spoken of in hushed tones, even by the Celestials. It is an ominous name: "Iron Bear"

4. TANABATA (2 POINTS)

The grand opening of the underground is the centerpiece of an otherwise familiar Tanabata celebration. Using the accumulated Stardust, the Tamamo Clan's onmyouji have collaborated with Kappa engineers and the Shuten Clan's resident blacksmith to create a truly wonderful spectacle for the festival.

Despite Sai no Kawara existing underground, the overhead sky is full of brilliant stars on display. It is a one-to-one recreation of the cosmic tapestry of the Milky Way streaking through the sky like the astral river from the Tanabata legend.

The stars Vega and Altair, also known as Orihime and Hikoboshi, are highlighted in the tapestry. They take form and dance together above everyone, they encourage the feelings of love to fill the air. Romantic love, platonic love, familial love: it doesn't matter. This is the product of peace, hard work, and cooperation. This is the dream of the Daitengu and their lieutenants. Dance to the music. Drink your fill. This is a celebration of love, and there's so much love here, for everyone.

Attendees are encouraged to write their wishes on the colorful talismans distributed. Bamboo trees decorate the central square, waiting to be draped with wishes. Even if you are not familiar with Tanabata, it will be easy to pick up on the ritual. The magic in the air tonight is incredibly strong, these wishes might even come true.

5. "WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE" (2 POINTS)

Late into the evening, the Daitengu takes to the stage. They welcome everyone and hope that they have had a good night. Toraguma and Tenkohime flank them, and each says a few words to the crowd. Then, Sutoku lieutenant Sakamoto is called up to the stage for the moment of truth.

Toraguma, regretfully, announces that Sakamoto has made good on his promises. The holes in their supply lines have been uncovered found, the black market is becoming less of a bleed on their finances, and the road to finding out who -- or what -- is causing the disruption is becoming clearer. The great oni will always honor a promise kept, and reaches out his hand to shake Sakamoto's in a gesture of gratitude.

The timing, as usual, is a little dramatic.

A group of shadowy figures wearing rough-spun gear storm the stage. Several of them snatch Ringo-chan from where she is waiting to perform and drag her away. Another lunges at Sakamoto with a make-shift sword of crude metal. Just before the blade can cut Sakamoto, the would-be assassin is stopped by Toraguma. With their wrist snatched and broken, the assassin screams out:

"We come on behalf of the Iron Bear, and we know who you are!"

In his rage and fury, Toraguma breaks the assassin's neck, slamming him down to the stage. He dies within moments, while the rest of the attackers flee. They've kidnapped Ringo-chan.

Sai no Kawara is quickly flooded with armed and armored officers of the Enma Department. They instruct everyone to remain calm. No one panic. The Enma himself has arrived, and he is going to start questioning everyone about what just happened. Who is the Iron Bear? What in hell do they want? It's time for some answers.

Well… As far as parties in Jigoku-cho go… this one could have been worse, yeah?

Welcome to the August event!

Art in the final prompt by Yang Tuo
If you have any questions about event content, please ask them here!
Each prompt is labeled for it's value in terms of qualifying threads for Rewards.
If your character is in the Shuten Clan and cheating on behalf of the house, find out how well they pulled it off by posting here! Those that do well will get a special bonus from Toraguma.
If your character is trying any of the games of chance, find out how they paid out here!
If your character put on a performance at the Palace of Sai's stage, find out how the crowd reacted here! Regardless of clan affiliation, those that do well will be rewarded by Tenkohime!
For results on the gossip floating around the festival, post here!
For Department members, if your character is going to interrogate NPC festival goers, let us know here and we can post some more specific results!
TANABATA WISHES! POST THEM HERE!
If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Right. You take point. I'm right with you.

[As soon as the two of them were out of sight of the celestials, she rested her hand on the hilt of her sword while she moved at a healthy clip. No point risking letting that out of the bag tonight. But if they came across any real fights she wasn't going to pull out a stupid wooden sword, not tonight.]

Besides, those jerks, anything you've seen yet?

Ah, you're right, they-- Enma was trying to interrogate everyone. I don't think that's going to make him any calmer, especially if he's already suspecting [ rightfully so ] that he'll have pursuers after him.

[ Granted, one pursuer is a very small young lady, but she's got her ways. She automatically adjusts course to the direction Majima indicated, even though she has no idea how he even knows where to go. Maybe that's just the power of a high-ranked Shuten personage. Maybe he's like Futaba and can pick up specific signals. Or maybe he's just that cool. It's hard to say at the moment.

But she's looking around quietly as they go, trying to peek into any large group of shadows, or to see if someone's hanging around on the fringes of a nervously chattering circle, trying to fit in. Shifty eyes, dodginess... there has to be something. ]

A smile that may appear grateful for that understanding is likely more an effort to hold back laughter. Like he really cares about things like friendship. But it seems that saying it has made some sort of impact. A useful thing to note as he begins to wander off to get started.

"Does that mean they have the kinds you like?" Though he is asking Shouto, it seems he's just going to count on him following, rather than turn back towards him. "I've wanted to try more, since I got here, so I'll go with you."

Haru was most certainly not an Enma, but had been watching all of this go down with an air of weary caution. Of course they were merely doing their jobs, she couldn't fault them for that, but it was frustrating for everyone involved. Most everyone had the same story, at this point.

But she waited until the Enma had deemed this an avenue not worth pursuing any longer and moved on, before she raised her voice.

"Tenshi-san? Are you all right?"

Tenshi blinked when a familiar voice rang out, catching her by surprise. She'd been frustrating one of the cops with her utter lack of useful knowledge in the situation. They'd eventually stormed off, and now the blue haired girl looked frustrated, hand twitching near her blade in the way that people had when they were itching for a fight that might never come.

"Oh, hi Haru. Fine... fine... missed another good fight. One of these days I'll be in the right place at the right time," she muttered, walking up to her. "You alright?"

Not that I know of! And I've read a lot of our family records.

[In fact, he's pretty sure they didn't do that, but that's more because he's seen what happens when an entire exorcist family makes a deal with a spirit for power or protection. (Usually the family dies out anyway.) He taps his chin to make an exaggerated show of thinking it over before he declares]

I guess we must be very special to do it without a devil's help.

[It seems Kazuma has made a very useful friend. He can consider the implications of that later; right now he's just as determined as Jon to keep moving. He piles into the passenger's seat as soon as the occupant exits, sparing only a moment long enough to bow quickly to them in both thanks and apology.

He does not buckle his seatbelt, because he does not know what that is.]

They turned down that street. [In case Jon needs the reminder. If they're lucky and fast, they might still be able to catch sight of the kidnappers before they make too make too many turns and lose them.]

[ --you know, the more she thinks about it, she does want something a little more filling. she'll dig into her sandwich after she takes a bite of this steamed pork bun.

she does look up at the unfamiliar term though, pausing in the middle of writing some stuff down. ]

Lumina?

[ as in the Traveler? what....... ]

Edited 2022-08-20 03:46 (UTC)

[ she eyes him for a moment, her gaze steely. he... does look like he is ready for anything, but something tells her that there is more to this boy than just smiles and optimism. ]

...All right.

[ a smile plays at her lips as she turns to the nearby wall mirror, fixing up her hair a little. ]

There's bound to be a dance studio or sorts in the Tamamo District. I could scout for them myself, but I figure that you belong to the clan itself, you'd have a much easier time looking into and accessing them.

Lumina. [ repeated, then he remembers to swallow. ] It's like an energy, something that Aurorians like me can manipulate.

[ the rice ball gets set aside a moment and he dusts his hands free of it. while he did think it would funny to surprise her with this in the midst of their bridge-water-duel in the middle of the ocean, he'll concede that this may be worth a demonstration. ]

[ so he touches a fingertip to the side of her cold brew. its contents freeze, the container crusting over with ice. ]

See??

Haha! Don't worry about it. Most of it's really just luck, bluffing, and knowing when to cut your losses.

[His eyes watch the dealer closely. So far they haven't attempted to pull anything. But desperation leads to desperate measures. He glances down at his own hand. It's not bad, he decides. Not the best, but certainly not the worst.]

When you put it like that... I suppose I shouldn't!

[There was another laugh as he waited for the rest of the group to finish being dealt their hands. What he actually thought was hidden behind that ever present smile of his.]

[ eh? she blinks once, twice in utter surprise. ]

You... You have a Cryo Vision?

[ hold on, let her just unbuckle her vision from her hip, settling it on the tabletop between them. it glows faintly, looking cold to the touch.

huh, who knew. then again, he does sort of seem like the type to use ice, doesn't he... ]

[It does occur to her that her physical affections might be making her anxiety worse, and she pulls her hand back, finally. Her arms crossing over her body now, and just comfortably resting against the adjacent railing.]

It does make sense, but...

[In her line of work, especially with the people she works with, it is a bit different than what she knows. And she's curious, so:]

Is there... Any reason why you don't want to be special, dear? Sorry, it's just so different than what I'm used to. Usually my teachers and my students strive to be special... Like their life depends on it.

[Miyako was on of those performers. Soo Won was disguised as a woman in a beautiful red kimono, his face hidden behind a broken porcelain mask with a spider web design and an entangled butterfly over the right eyehole which was still intact. His sea green eye peeked out from the broken left side and his fair hair was hidden under a long black wig. Miyako played a traditional shamisen melody. Norimune might recognize the turquoise side cover from the shamisen in Soo Won's apartment.

When she was finished performing, Miyako quickly fled. She hesitated for a moment. She was tempted to stay and hear the praise she deserved, but she had to maintain their illusion and her sure stride followed the route had Soo Won chose for her escape route, allowing her to seemingly vanish around a corner.

Not long afterward, Soo Won quietly stepped out of one of the nearby rooms, quickly hiding what looked like a mask within the folds of his light blue yukata.]

It's just an affinity for that attribute. It's not that uncommon, back on Astra... [ it can be somewhat rare, actually, but his position does necessitate being surrounded by skilled lumina users. ] Hahh, but I was still pretty surprised to hear that you'd use ice, too.

[ ah, he does recall that she said it hadn't been something yet in her possession...! he peers at it for a moment, gaze flicking from the vision and again to eula. he picks it up, gingerly, to give it a lookover. ]

So this is it, huh?

[He remains silent for a few moments more. His throat is still sore and it sounded more that Musashi needed someone to listen to her. Billy's form presses in closer to hers in turn. The close contact being more than welcome with his head canting to press against her shoulder. Just that bit of extra, physical comfort to tac on.]

Wouldn't say you've been a drag. More like you've been honest.

[He coughed and cleared his throat.]

But yeah, it ain't the best feelin' in the world. Kinda like a piece of yourself is missing, right? It don't feel good at all, but... ya know, it's also fine and good to feel like that.

[A person can't be expected to be energized all the time. Or to not express feelings that aren't all rainbows and sunshine 24/7, after all.]

Shoto can't really tell the difference, both of them would seem very convincing, even if he would've laughed. That would've registered as fine to him, too. His features, for the most part, remain soft and close to what could've been a smile in return if someone cared to look any closer. If not, they're the usual deadpan. "Mmh." He nods his head. "There are a few. If you have a favourite, we can go looking."

Shoto considers for a moment as he gestures toward where they have to go to enter the area doing wishes. "Do you mean more food, or more things?"

Okay, okay—...

[ woah. what's all this now? this time the pain spikes along with the intensity of shin's words and there can be no doubt that there's a connection. ryouma doesn't understand it, but he takes it all the same. ]

Why don't we start from the beginnin'..? Like who I'm talkin' to, first of all. S' only fair, since everybody knows who I am now.

[ he's finally sat up properly and put his cigarette out. ]

Truth is, everybody I care about the most ends up gettin' hurt whether I want it t' happen or not. Everybody's lives are better off without me around.

[ ~~now who's projecting?~~ ]

I respect what other people're feelin', but I ain't never been anything but honest with 'em. If it would hurt too much, I'm not forcin' 'em to stick around. I wouldn't judge 'em if they decided t' cut me loose.

You said to me you're some big hot shot. That you've died, once. Assassinated. That your body was made of magic, yadda yadda. Is that why you don't care?

(he isn't going to out himself - not directly. it would be too easy, and right now, he doesn't feel like making anything easy for ryouma. this isn't fair. and shin now is the one reaching for yet another cigarette, soothe his nerves and clear a bit of his head. the drag he takes does nothing for it.)

Bullshit. Do you think that's it?! You're somewhat responsible for them, you know. It's not going to hurt any less that you leave, or that they leave. You already made it into their lives! Do you really think if they leave you, they won't be worrying all the same?! They'll be worrying more!

(breathe. BREATHE.)

So care. It doesn't matter. No one wants to see your head rolling across the floor. If you can't care for you, care for them.

(and a last pause, before he frowns.)

... And stop eating your words. My Japanese isn't that great.

Edited 2022-08-20 06:13 (UTC)

[ it feels cool to the touch as well. she nods. ]

Mm. Essentially they are representations of the bearer's ambition, given as a form of acknowledgement by the gods themselves. You could have told me sooner that we share the same elemental resonance.

[ (roommates guy voice) oh my god they are anime ice people

and just to prove that it's more or less the same, eula reaches over to tap her fingertip onto the side of his cold brew, causing its contents to freeze over with ice as well. ta-dah...! ]

Edited 2022-08-20 06:49 (UTC)

[He shakes his head at that.]

No, I am in Shuten. What faction are you apart of?

[Sephiroth tries really hard not to show how much he hates all of this, but it's difficult. So he'll just attempt to shift the conversation slightly.]

No. I want to fulfill whatever is needed and then leave this place. Relaxing is not something needed.

[He probably wouldn't even sleep if he didn't have to. Or eat. Or do any normal people things. He hates this whole being just as normal as everyone else thing.]

Mmm, we have a special attraction using the stardust over in the next hall.

[He responds with a nod, smiling. It’s the clan’s official stance on the matter. He’s not going to rat out what his individual factionmates have been doing on the side.]

Have you seen it? You should take a look, if you haven’t- would anyone like another cup?

[Yizhi pours another round for those who ask for it. Ever the attentive host. Perhaps the expensive sake will loosen some lips as the talk goes on.]

What happens out in the Wastes? I’ve never been- people say it’s too dangerous for anyone to survive out there.

[Something’s living out there, definitely, but feigning ignorance might bait someone into oversharing when they correct him.]

...You're just looking for excuses to dance with me ♡

[Hey, it might've been bait, but he would've gladly accepted a solo demonstration, or even a description; the insistence upon trying to hold hands is purely to satisfy that soft warmth being foisted upon Aster's person for tonight.

...In saying that, his face lights up with genuine surprise and happiness, all the same.] This is a little easier to figure out, somehow. That first song...Is it something you listen to while you do your thing downstairs? It feels like something that's intense enough to keep you going and let you move along just a little, without losing focus.

[Speaking of 'moving along'; even as he straightens up, Aster's already starting to sway in time, shoulders minutely rolling to the beat as he looks at Lio for approval. Look, he just. It's only balls and the like, for him. This is new, okay!!]

Neither would I.

[ Which is pretty rich, coming from someone who's not so good at budgeting... Even then, though, Mona wouldn't go so far as to risk her entire life savings on a gamble like this.

The man looks smug as he drops more money on the table. It's as if he's got a whole fountain of it back at home, with how reckless he's being with it. ]

Oh, he's definitely got a big ego if he's betting that much! Either this really isn't a huge loss for him, or he'll fall to his own hubris. I can't say I'm too familiar with how this game works, [ It's Blackjack. ] but even so...

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August 2022 Event

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Pleasure Palace, before Norimune's performance (sorry I'm late. lmk if I need to change anything)

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