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

What did he die for then, Aerith? Was he the sacrificial hero?

[Though that is what Zack always wanted to be, wasn't it? The hero who'd stop at nothing to protect others. It's too bad he, like so many before, joined a lie built around greed and propaganda. Sephiroth too was in the middle of all of that. But he can't say he ever really wanted to be the hero of the story. It was kind of thrust upon him. And maybe he's never really walked away from it.

Deep down, the hero, though dark and twisted by betrayal and lies. Maybe somehow it's still there.]

Would that mean he was meant to die so close to Midgar and freedom?

No. I've never seen these traditions before.

[Or any sort of festival like this. Nothing with wishes or anything like that. Not that he can remember anyway, but it's hard to believe something like this would exist around Shinra.

Maybe Wutai or some place far away from Midgar people held special events like this.]

Midgar was not a city full of hope and dreams, but rather science and greed. There is no room for festivals among that.

Perhaps. That could be your destiny. After all, you are the only one who can meet me in battle.

[The only one who's ever been able to match him in battle. To beat him. That both infuriates Sephiroth and fascinates him to a point of obsession. This lone nobody would be the one to become his greatest foe.

Which is why he's going to make sure their dynamic never changes.]

A dance that will continue for the rest of eternity. I will make sure of that.

If that's the case, why bother to change things in the first place? If the next human is just going to come along and tear it all down, what point is there to all of the fighting to get where you want things to be?

[It seems like a waste of time, as far as Owen's concerned. It's also very human. All the humans he's ever met have wanted things done their way, and build up their cities and countries just to have them torn down and remade, with only a few constants remaining.

What's the point of it all?]

[ it's a reasonable question because it's perfectly easy to see how someone might think it all seems pointless with how he put it. the answer comes easily, however, because ryouma has never stopped being fascinated by humanity even though he quit being a direct part of it. ]

Ya been around a long time, right? That gives ya perspective. A human has one life, one shot t' get it right or somethin' like it. Me, I jus' aimed t' get to the end of it one way or another and know I did all I could. It's enough to die with no regrets.

[ it seems like ryouma's relaxed at some point, possibly when the questions stopped being so strange. now his guard drops a bit and his posture relaxes as he continues. ]

A human knows they ain't got forever. Just right now, right here. And if it's bad, like it was for us back then, ya can't help but ask yourself if that's all there is. Were we born just t' suffer like animals? That can't be right. Look all through human history it's a cycle that repeats itself. It's sad that it happens 'cause ya hope people would learn their lesson after awhile. But if ya think about it, in the great big scheme of the universe, humans haven't really been at it very long anyway. They're bound t' make all sorts of mistakes. It's trial and error. Every generation's a little different.

Hehe, that figures. I sure do try an' keep up with 'im but he drinks me under the table every time. Jus' don't tell 'im I said so...

[ not that he cares one way or another, but that's the childish sort of relationship they have when you take away all the complicated feelings. ]

But yeah, we sure do! Known 'im since we were kids! I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for him.

[ which is a statement that could be taken two ways, considering they're in hell, but ryouma says it with such genuine fondness that there's no mistake that he means it in the best possible way. ryouma is incapable of discussing izō without radiating his feelings, but he somehow still manages to believe he's subtle. ]

[ their lips part, and it looks like eula has come to her senses... somewhat. she still couldn't believe she just did that. the urge to run crosses her mind, but she ignores it in favor of listening to aerith giggle at her, sounding like pleasant windchimes on a brisk summer day. ]

Don't... tease me like that, Aerith.

[ it's pretty apparently that she's nervous, hello? eula swallows, looks at aerith again, and grips both the other girl's arms. ]

I'm fine. I don't need...

[ her voice trails off and -- fine, who is she kidding here. ]

Okay, one more.

[ and she leans down again for one more.

they're going to be here for a while. ]

[ the latter she hadn't considered yet. anything can happen in this hellish realm filled with magic and technology that's not unlike her world at all. and if there's someone like the Traveler who can weave through worlds, certainly there's someone out there who can go in and out of town without having to traverse the wastelands.

damn. ]

We'll just have to see.

[ straps on her helmet before handing one to bakugou. ]

Hang on.

[ with a couple of revs to the engine, they depart from the curb. eula's... still not used to driving despite having a license for a while now, so she's going to be a little faster than the average driver. hang tight. ]

Hm? I'm turning twenty-four this year. But that doesn't matter right now.

[ sorry, niichan... until she can see you drink yourself to a stupor like venti she's gonna keep assuming........... ]

And that does seem fair. Truth be told, I am in the dark when it comes to modern dances, so I might need sometime to do my own research and training before we can practice on equal ground.

Yes, a lot has happened over the course of... four months, I presume. I could give you a briefer if you're interested, but I'd rather not sully the festival mood with such topics.

[ but man, has it really been four months? jeez. ]

And I will. I have some scores to settle back home in Mondstadt, after all.

[ uh oh ]

[ it is obvious, which makes eula narrow her eyes at her in apprehension. ]

They'd escaped to the Wastelands. Are you certain you can go out there and come back to live the tale?

[ she can tell the kid that much. because she gets it, and to be honest, eula's a tad jealous. if only she was like that when she was at that age, instead of being caged away by her own family. ]

Really? Zhongli...You're a worry, huh? I won't even be able to ask you to come visit me at work with a clear conscience...

[He's starting to come with a pretty price tag on the clock, though that usually comes with the silent expectation of the occasional extracurricular activity. Buuuut this is purely pleasure for him, anyway. No big deal to offer a freebie for his own benefit!

Anyway! They're at the stage now, and although the seats aren't packed, it still requires a little careful picking through to find a pair that's empty--
and really, that's too much fucking work for Aster, who wants to sit and enjoy the show now. He's said what he wants, Zhongli hasn't said no to it, so. He nudges the taller man down into a single empty seat and promptly takes pride of place on his lap, as though he's always belonged there.]

...Hope you don't mind ♡ Seating's rough, huh? [No shame or guilt at all, just Aster snuggling in and kicking his legs contentedly.]

[ SHE DOESN'T WANT TO ASSUME but if cloud doesn't object to it, then... yes, they're friends now, in spite of the incredibly harrowing circumstances that led them here.

she smiles at his laugh and shakes her head. ]

No, I'm afraid that I will have to up the ante a little. You're not a bad dancer up there, Cloud, so I'm certain that you can handle certain steps.

[ a beat. ]

Have you worn heels before?

[ this is very important. ]

I see.

[ what a sad existence, to be honest.

eula pauses, then turns to sephiroth and thrusts the blank piece of paper and pen towards him. ]

Here. It seems you need these more than I do.

You think so? Cats are far smarter than him, if you ask me.

[It was for the better, given what Matoba was implying... and yet after everything that had lead them to Hell's doorstep, Kawase hadn't even been able to predict him. Suddenly filled with foolish idealism and inattentive compassion. It leaves him smiling, though as all things it just makes him look more nefarious.

The remaining players place down their bets as Kawase drew them into the pot, though one of the youkai has decided to up the ante, this time.]

Natsume-kun? ...Ah, Minakami mentioned you had brought his cat some toys, didn't he? [Extremely weird if you asked him, but go off.] He spends all his time leaving cat hair everywhere, pouncing around the room until Minakami gets back, and he's taken to nearly suffocating Tamamori a few times from laying on his head.

[He was quite a clean little guy, so Kawase didn't really mind.]

How unsurprising. But I guess it's good that everyone knows what they're getting into.

[Even the impression of being annoyed is still enough for Eiichi to derive some amusement, as he takes another drag on his cigarette.] Don't you do anything for fun? Or are you one of those guys that spends all their time going to the movies by yourself, or do nothing but lay around in bed all day...?

[????? He pats Rengoku on the head, but like, the way you'd pat a dog.]

I'm not sure if this counts as a punishment but if that's what you want!

[Fukuda was clearly born to be a dog boy, he's getting so much mileage out of this tail he can wag now.]

Hmm... I see.
[Fukuda, who had been counting cards at another table: Oh no!
Fukuda, who is terrible at problem solving: Wait I have an idea.]

Well, I don't really want to fight. How about a wager? If I beat you at a hand, you have to leave, counting cards or otherwise. If you win, you can stay. Lieutentant Kitsuragi won't be allowed to interfere one way or another.

[Glancing at Kim. Hoping he remembers Fukuda saying he knows how to count cards.]

I'm right here, aren't I?

[ With a tilt of her head, she smiles a little wider, like a kid with a secret they can't wait to share. ]

Cash it in whenever you're ready, Cloud.

[ The greed and propaganda that killed Zack will kill them both, some day, Aerith thinks. Sephiroth has no reason to lie to her, and for that reason, she words tirelessly. She will die, felled by a nearly unstoppable threat, and Zack, too, was much the same. She watches Sephiroth in the same way a mongoose watches a snake, now, ready to strike when it suits her own narrative for once.

It isn't lost on her that if he could, Sephiroth would still make her into a sacrificial lamb. ]

Everyone dies, eventually. Even you, Sephiroth.

[ She hasn't forgotten that they can and will kick his ass. ]

His death didn't mean anything. He had to return to the planet, but he left all of us changed afterward.

[ ... ]

Even you.

[ That's why Zack still comes to mind, isn't it? Even if it's just a little bit... something must have grown between them. Brothers in arms, at the very least, men who shared a battlefield, who lived and knew they could have died together. Something like that is unbreakable, even in his present state. ]

[ ...??? Why does he feel like "world" is supposed to be a proper noun here? ]

I suppose just calling it the "world" would be pretty straightforward.

...I kind of get that, but a horse that sweats blood sounds kind of...

[ Alarming? Perhaps that's the point??? He isn't sure how to feel that technically that doesn't sound completely farfetched to actually exist where he's from. ]

Heh. Good to know that applies to all kinds of laws, then.

[ He is not going to work vent on the nice young man he is having a lovely night with, he is not going to work vent, he is not going to...

But on the plus side, the crooked small grin he's giving is not to be described as a smile but it shows the corners of his mouth can at least curl upwards. ]

[ Zhongli takes a moment to think this through. In order to think you're winning...his poker face is really on point so that's something at least? But perhaps taking a more relaxed approach and leaning back in his chair with the smallest of smirks should do??

He might look over at Hu Tao with a curious glance and expression that's practically asking 'Is this something one would do?' ]

Then perhaps once the festivities have ended. I would like to know as much as possible about the history of this place.

[ Scores to settle, huh? ]

One of those scores would not be with a drunken bard by any chance, would it?

It's much the same for my kind as well. I had learned before my arrival in this place that the age of adepti and archons was at its end. It was time to retire from my position and give my people the chance to grow and prove themselves capable without my intervention.

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August 2022 Event

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