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

Oh, Shuten.

[ NOT A WHOLE LOT OF DANCING THERE. ]

But that's a very good idea. Being graceful in combat would make fights a lot more unpredictable and I might be able to avoid injury better... I think I could only use it to my advantage.

No?

[ Haru isn't sure what to make of this baffled and suspicious stare, offering him a faintly confused gaze of her own. Maybe he's like Ryuji, whose compliments also came with then gracelessly sticking his foot in his mouth, but Yuuji hadn't done that? She definitely would have noticed if he had. ]

I thought that was very nice of you to say. Am I supposed to be angry?

"Eh? Are you referring to what happened on the stage?"

That had looked far too chaotic to get caught up in, but this was definitely a competent woman who probably took on more than just bird familiars, given the opportunity. Hadn't she heard directly from her that she enjoyed that sort of thing?

"I'm a little glad you didn't get involved... but yes, I'm fine. I'm just waiting my turn to be questioned."

Unfortunately.

Why did she ... oh right. Most of these people didn't actually enjoy fighting did they? She was so used to being around oni and alleviating her boredom at times that she forgot. "I would have been fine, no worries," she said, waving her hand in an easy fashion right before she realized that, wait, a celestial might have been watching. And then she sighed. "Actually you're probably right. It probably was better I wasn't in this one." She wasn't supposed to let them know she had her sword back after all. That might have been a diplomatic incident, since it was of celestial make.

"Good, glad you're not hurt at all. And don't worry about the Enma. They're just bugging people. I don't think most of us know anything really. It was all kind of a mess."

[Natori angles his body ever so slightly towards the rest of the crowd so he can't be accused of trying to track where Hizen's wish ends up. (Hizen seems like the type who might accuse him of this anyway, so maybe it's a moot point and he might as well do it to satisfy his curiosity. But he's trying to be a less spiteful person, so.)]

Haha, you really are way more talkative when you're fighting, huh.

[That's just an observation to himself, not a real response to what Hizen was actually saying.]

But I guess it all worked out in the end.

Did they come back in one piece? Because if they did, give them a raise.

[ Even he wouldn't prod that tiger bear oni about the matter. Not now, maybe not ever if he could help it. ]

If its about that girl, I can offer a few places and scenarios that seem likely. They're mostly ideas and one working theory that I came here to mull over. Hence the drinking since...

[ He smiled and chuckled grimly. ]

What I decide on tonight is gonna get me killed before the end of the month, or just prove something that will make me want to kill myself, or both if my karma is that bad.

Hmmm. I wonder about that. [He and Kim have had this conversation before; Matoba seems tickled by it, but he'll spare Kim the rehash of his views on ayakashi and the shades of humans they try to be. The poor guy's heard that lecture enough times by now.] The Celestials seem to find these rituals quaint and amusing, as they do a great many things. So I suppose there's no harm in it from that end.

[Matoba, who does not care about social niceties, reaches up to pinch a slip of paper that was dangling from a branch just overhead, where one of the lucky earlybirds had managed to get a good easy to reach spot. There was some idle wish for good luck with money and success at work. He lets the branch go again.] I would say an equal mix of both. Wishes are a reflection of the heart making them; how deeply one desires, or how foolishly.

The power that is given to them is reflected in that. Wishes and prayers are the same spell.

Whether the gods see fit to answer them... [Matoba's shoulders give a little shrug.] I can't claim to understand their whims.

[ he stares back at her, unflinchingly, even as she momentarily averts her gaze. does she remember talking about it? should he say what he thinks? mm. in this instance, it's less to get a rise out of her, more to affirm with her that perhaps he already does know that secret. ]

[ he sets the vision down. spoken somewhat lowly, ]

So it's not vengeance against that Lawrence clan...?

[Wow, this girl has clearly taken to yakuza life. Natori knows what his strengths are as an actor, and it's not going to top what she's putting down. Instead, he steps back from where the terrified cheater is stammering down at Totoko and casually brushes his hand over the gambler's improbable 21 that started this whole mess. The 10, 9, and 2 drift off the table and float around the man's shoulders, as if they're little cardstock enforcers backing Totoko up. As the gambler pauses to stare at them uncomprehendingly, the 9 divebombs into his face with a thwack.]

Wh-what the--

[The 10 takes a swipe at him next, while the 9 circles back to prepare for another round. It doesn't actually hurt, but, y'know. It's the principle of the thing. Natori settles back down on his chair and takes another sip of his drink.]

You should really start doing what she says.

[The 2 takes its thwack, and then the 9 comes back for another round of batting at his face.]

I-- I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! You're right! Ow, quit it--

[They're gonna keep going until Totoko seems satisfied.]

Oh? A special attraction with the more carnal offerings, perhaps?

Haha. I wonder if I ought to go partake. [Judging by the way he'd been spending his time here with his host friend earlier in the evening, the laced-up Matoba hardly seemed the sort. He gestures around to his cohorts.] I'm so curious, aren't you?

[A chattering agreement rounds the table. Why not sell these Celestials and their wallets on the Tamamo's offerings, a little? It was no skin off of Sutoku's back to get money flowing into the city, regardless of who it went to. As Yizhi pours for the table, one of the Celestials hums and haws over answering the question. Matoba, who is very curious as well, sips at his refilled cup with an eye on the man.]

Hrm! Too dangerous for any mortal soul, certainly.
[Another Celestial pipes in with their voice lowered,] But isn't that pirate said to be hiding out there?

[The mumbles of consternation go around the table. Matoba rubs his chin.] I see. I do wonder how any spirit could survive it? Assistance from someone, or something?

[The Celestials seem uneasy at the idea.]

[ the things he should be doing? aside from following orders and whatever his leader assigns him to do— yuuji couldn't think of much. with a tilt to his head, that's way too dramatic to reflect anything more than confusion, followed by a weary sigh- ]

Okay, hold up. First you say ... I shouldn't drink because I'm too young, and now you're saying I shouldn't restrain myself? Like, go wild because that is what is expected?

[ he folds his arms against the counter, resting his chin down and half-pouting. ]

Itadori Yuuji. Department of Enma. Please use simple words ... I'm not the brightest.

[ well, it's better than the way he introduced himself back home. ]

[ his face registers as shock. not a good kind of surprise--- it's all pretty neutral--- but one that stokes the fires of fear... and even some anger. how does he know junpei? robin can't make those connections just quite yet; do they know each other? is he dangerous? was this man one of those who bullied him, who made junpei react so strongly during the cursed rain?

no. focus. focus on being the consummate host. this is for lady tenkohime.

because that answer is equally surprising and twists robin's insides. ]

Oh! I'm not being fake. I can't lie, Itadori-san.

[ he'll start making a third drink now. this one is a lot more simple than the last ones: pink lemonade, sprite, and grenadine. basically a non-alcoholic shirley temple, something that robin loves to have. it's so simple, fizzy, and sweet. he loves sweet. robin pours it into two relatively normal sized glasses, handing one to yuuji as he sips it himself. ]

And yeah, I am! I love Junpei. He's such a sweet friend... I would do anything to keep him safe.

[ behind the bar, robin looks at his sword. then he takes another drink and nods. ]

I have to ask you a question, so please don't be upset with me.

[ robin takes a breath. he keeps his smile in check, even though part of him wants to cry. actually--- it's all of him that feels it. so when he does, his voice trembles. ]

Did you... did you destroy Harajaku?

[ if it wasn't for the offering, yuuji would've honestly assumed their night was ruined for reasons he didn't quite understand, but it can't be that bad if hizen isn't really — pushing him away. yuuji isn't the type to be perceptive, often would rather pursue someone into expressing themselves in a way that would make sense to him. it is a selfish approach to navigate a conversation, overwhelming one into spitting it out, but otherwise ... yuuji wouldn't be able to be there for them. it's a weird mentality.

so there's a soft sigh of relief when hizen, finally, used the words 'i'm not mad'. sometimes you have to be straightforward with this guy. he nods his head with a subtle 'thank you' — taking one of the skewers. ]

Don't feel that way. Now that I think about it ... a lot was going on that day. It wasn't the best time.

[ even if hizen is avoiding yuuji's gaze, the sorcerer didn't waver. with a lighthearted chuckle, he attempts to lighten the mood. ]

But I didn't give up and look at us now! We're basically on a date!

Edited 2022-08-20 16:54 (UTC)

Travis glances sideways too, more a flick of the eyes than any effort to turn his head.

"No kidding, these fuckers love a good fight," he says. There's no heat there. He's not close to anyone, not exactly, but he knows the Shuten type well enough to pick out what matters. A shared thirst for blood is enough. But has it been nice, living this way? He's not sure. The work is alright, not any better or worse than flipping burgers or mowing laws, and he misses the rush.

The quiet could start to itch.

"Better be armed for that. Wrestling alone's fine for this–" A gesture at the area, the brawling bodies. "–but if I'm working, I wanna work."

[ well, maybe it's time for izuku to stop being so polite and drop the formalities! it wasn't an indirect jab at this young hero— but yuuji couldn't see himself switching back to todoroki around others either. it's too much work.

without looking up at the other, yuuji starts by hunting down the first fish— keeping a casual smile. way too casual for this conversation. ]

He meant sex. We were talking about being sexually intimate with your friends, and he said it's normal, so long as they ... communicate? I don't know. Just make sure they're into it.

[ as for kacchan- ]

Yeah, I get it. It's part of the deal. You like them and want to be nasty with them. But, I guess my question was ... how do you know it's not just your hormones and teenage curiosity?

Edited 2022-08-20 17:15 (UTC)

[ What her friends would want...

Would they even want her to be happy if they knew the truth? The horrors she had done? Sayori had condemned her as evil as soon as she had gained awareness, after all. Rightfully so, Monika thought. She had every right to hate her. Aerith was totally right. She had lost so much of herself...

It was too painful to think about. So she said nothing. Instead replying to the "bodyguard" comment. She had found a way to avoid continuing to speak of her problems, and she was going to cling on it. ]

Your bodyguard, huh?

[ That was cute. Was he her bodyguard in this world or had they met back home...? Well, it didn't matter. She wasn't about to poke her nose where it didn't belong, curious as she was. ]

You can't tell me to keep looking for love and not do it yourself, you know.

[ Restoring a planet to life... That did certainly sound like magic. A miracle. Of course, she could think of countless scientific way to explain it. Terraforming technology heretofore thought to be impossible. Time manipulation that replicated the planet from the past. Plenty of things were possible.

But... ]

That sounds amazing... [She paused.] Maybe that was really magic.

[ Believing it was magic wasn't logical nor probably. But that made life sounds more fantastical, did it not? Something like love, too, could be reduced to science. But that was a soulless way to look at the thing.

Magic did make the world better. She lowered her tone before asking her next question. ]

Was your world dead...?

Honestly? He's a natural at this. Harry's ability to just disarm people with his... Harry-ness... is remarkable and works exceptionally well. The guy just runs gangbusters for the house, and Toraguma recognizes this.

He mostly appreciates it because Harry isn't having to lie to do any of this, he's just being himself, and it turns out Harry is excellent at this sort of job. He gets a BIG bonus for his efforts.

Food or things? Even if he hadn't been considering the latter in that exact moment, it wouldn't be wrong. Rather than overthink it, the answer comes fairly quickly:

"Can't it be both?" Because setting aside things like learning more about this one human, or dealing with how slowly his limited cursed energy recovers on its own here, new experiences as a whole really are his favourite. "I've never been able to write my wish before, either. There's a lot I haven't done yet, so I'm grateful to this place for giving me the chance."

You'll probably make it soon enough. Being a leader requires needing to make the right judgments so you don't do anything stupid.

[ He puts it bluntly and succintly, but he seems to think Aerith would be at least decent. He doesn't think he quite knows the leadership of Tamamo very well, but he is sure he'd think the same even if he did. ]

I'm in Tamamo.

[There's just enough people in Tamamo he doesn't know them.]

Edited 2022-08-20 18:42 (UTC)

[ The slip back into normalcy is immediate, and easy. It fits the pair of them just fine, and while Cloud chuckles, Aerith continues to lead surprisingly well for someone who always managed to be the least coordinated of their party. For the moment, people have lost their interest in them, no longer curious about their conversation and who they're speaking of but at length deciding it was not something worth their time. That suits Aerith just fine: What would they do if Eula did hear about mock jealousy over her? ]

Hm? Oh, me... I don't know. It must be on your mind if you're asking, though. So, what'll be?

I'll find you.

[ It's a promise. ]

Wanna fill me on? On what you were playing. It was really lovely.

[ She feels worse about worrying him than anything, and with her arms against her chest when her pulls her into a hug, she can only let herself be wrapped up in this child's warmth. He reminds her of a bit of Tifa, shockingly, pulling her into a hug and comforting her eagerly, saving her mind from running a million miles an hour. It's been a long time since she's been reminded of that beyond Kim's presence, in truth, so she selfishly lets it happen and waits out the memory of another woman's hand on her shoulder, asking her how she is. Shin smells like fruit-scented cigarettes, cherry fills her senses eagerly and warmly, and she huffs out a good-natured sigh.

At length, Aerith pulls away, smile already set in place. A finger presses to her closed lips: It's our secret, it communicates wordlessly. People bustle around them, each person their own star and every crowd of people a space cluster. Somehow, they go unnoticed. ]

Ugh. He's that cutthroat, huh...

[ She'd figured that most types around the underworld did treasure their family, but that might have just been an idealized thought she'd taken from a film or two. Instead of being faced with a rotten truth like that one. ]

That's the kind of thing that leads to them reuniting after she's gotten married and had a kid, you know.

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August 2022 Event

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sorry for the delay, I'm currently laptop-less!

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