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.

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[She manages to suppress the mocking laughter at that mental image, but only just.

But she can't help teasing a little.]

Maybe if you attached it to something sharp and threw it?

Haha, I had my fill. [Which is as close as he'll get to just outright saying "yes, it is annoying to have to schmooze with hotshots like this." It's his job, and it's something he can do without showing too much strain, but that doesn't mean he actually enjoys it all that much.] I was entertaining instead of playing myself, so maybe that's why.

[Kimmuriel, of all people, seems like he can respect the sort of urge that would drive someone to play solitaire at a crowded party populated by wealthy people who want to fawn over him (even if that last part is more of a hot girl problem than a general human condition). So Natori starts quietly dealing out another game, which he does more by tapping the back of each card and sending it on its way than by placing them down on the table.] Are card games popular, where you come from? These sort of trump cards, I mean.

EYYYYYY HOLLA @ SHUTEN CLAN TBH!! but only a little bc ya know she's still enma and all. she'll probably take this and discuss it with nishitani to see if she can get anywhere with that information before taking it to a higher authority. if the mods are amenable, they'll also likely go kick down the door on this apartment together and see what they can find. she'll be a bit "ask forgiveness, not permission" about the whole thing, and will face consequences from her superiors if there needs to be any.

[ Down a few trees, there's another person intently staring at the bamboo and holding his tanzaku- Tama might be obvious even while dressed up, but the frog standing by his side and straining to reach up to the lowest bamboo branch only is probably more surprising. Tama looks down at the frog's struggle, brow wrinkling, and after a second of rainbow-colored, cartoon-like dust clouds, Frog Man is just as tall as Tama, and seemingly startled by the fact. It's hardly the most elegant solution, but the frog is quick to tie up his wish quickly, before he almost snaps back down to the "correct" size like a rubber band pulled too taught.

It's a surreal scene, and certainly a few of the random yokai around slowed their stroll to gawk uncomfortably at the weird lost soul bullshit, but with Frog Man seemingly, truly gone, the straggler finally pick up their pace and resume their romantic strolling. Tama's left to go back to staring at his wish-paper, but it's only a moment later that he notices who else is nearby, and sort of stops mid-motion to tie up his own wish. Not that Frog Man seems aware of Tama's bewilderment; after making sure all of his body is properly where it belongs, the frog eagerly waves over at Natori, smiling wide. ] Mr. Natori-san~

They will find the apartment empty. Like completely empty. Like it was probably just a ghost address. Which means whoever these guys are, no one knows where they're currently located.

[ whew. that's a relief. the last thing he wanted to deal with was a rowdy young man like yuuji... not that he's wrong or anything! the drinks are crazy expensive and honestly, only insane youkai or lost souls could entertain such an extravagant purchase!

robin, who is wearing something bright and floral to begin with... he does stick out. doesn't hurt as he leads yuuji towards one of the private areas, and he holds the door open until the other boy is inside. ]

Okay!~ Um... thanks for following me. My name is Robin.

[ a bow as he walks over to the small bar set up in this particular room. ]

Sit! Tell me about yourself. Where are you from?

[ he starts to pull out several glasses. some ice. flasks of various shapes and sizes with different colored liquids in them. ]

[diplomacy is an interesting reaction to such a scene. Not an effective one, as Leshy is unmoved by the question, but an interesting one.]

I only take orders from Mother Fox... and even then, only so far.

[Leshy is not one to be bossed around. Things are best when he's the one who makes the rules. She told him not to main anybody near the festivities, rules he could abide by. His massive hands pull in the chain, the yokai caught on the end getting dragged away from Tama with a slow, if steady drag. It reaches out towards him in terror, unable to fight the massive beastman pulling them away. Finding words, the yokai begins to beg to for help, likewise sounding deeply intoxicated.

Leshy speaks to his quarry with sternness,]

Hush now. Don't make me pull harder. That leg might sheer clean off.

[A fair warning to the yokai, the metal jaws of that homemade trap were snapped in deep, possibly down to the bone.]

Heh, ya think everybody in the Alliance crashes their own funeral? I'm sure it would've been a real borin' affair. Nothin' like the Daitengu's.

[ it's true that he only barely remembers owen from before, but he seems to recall that being an unusual conversation as well. that's probably why he's not entirely surprised by what owen has to say. that doesn't mean much at all; could anything prepare him for that statement? ]

[ Sorry, Haru, your hopes are dashed. Minato's faraway enough that, quiet approach or no, at being spoken to he pokes himself with the needle for threading the cranes together. Ow! ]

Okumura-san! I didn't see you. [ Trying to,,,casually sit on his stabbed hand until the stinging stops. casually. ]

Uh... be my guest. [ He nudges the stack of coloured paper next to him, the movement causing one of the long snakes of paper streamers to slither to the ground. ] I got here early when they were still setting up, I think a bunch of the decorations got ripped up in transport, so...

[ Ah ...

It's easy enough to read him, so much so that Lumine too quickly pulls her arm away and clasps her hands together after the handshake and maintains a close but respectful distance despite the generous offer of a meal and the attempt to get to know people. It's clear that he's not used to it, the discomfort noticeable in the slight shift in his tone. Which is why she hopes to make it a little more comfortable for him by avoiding further contact.

She shakes her head, trailing after him as they're led towards wherever people are supposed to be seated. This reminds her far too much of Liuli Pavilion. ]

Not at all.

[ Somewhere inconspicuous would be nice, where they're not the center of attention of the consorts or staff. ]

But I hear that there will be live performances happening tonight. Shall we find a spot where we can watch them at the same time?

no one as in, the enma, or no one as in these dudes lied to the shuten?

also nishitani likely invited the dude out for drinks while andy did the kick in. hes sniffin out for a rat

His name is Meowy, and he's perfect. I don't have him right now, though.

[ Not for long, that's one Tanabata wish that she'll soon be granted! ]

I do want some meat, but what about you? What do you want?

Think the sturdy boar, yes. Thick of hide and tough of bone. I could boil the whole head for stew...

[he whirls with a strange, jittery quality to his movement. The knife in his hand is momentarily pointed at Nero, but then it turns, shows the fellow Tamamo his massive hand upon the grip of the knife he picked out. He'll take this one, but he needs another.]

A handle like this one, but with a broad cleaver blade. That will do best for what I need. A chopping tool for butcher's work.

I'd like to meet him when you get him back.

[ Cats are just very good. ]

I'm... Still deciding on it.

After much reluctance, Sheliak decides on a small wish that shouldn't have catastrophic consequences.

He wishes for a piece of home, specifically a special chess set he and his friends shared. Sheliak describes the chess set in great detail, especially how all seven of them chose a specific piece which they carved their initials on the bottom of. The description gets a bit lengthy here as Sheliak describes the reasoning behind everyone's choice. If he's going to risk making a wish, he's not leaving anything to chance.

Soundwave has two wishes: "For all Cybertronians to continue the peacetime and prosper on Earth with the humans ~~because their homeworld was destroyed unfortunately~~ and be treated equally and without discrimination there."

"And for luck to be on his side for once in his life."

Is it automatically cheating if he plays poker when he doesn't even have a face, compounded with his already lack of body language? ~~That's a lie, he has a face underneath the faceplate. noone knows it shhh~~

Anyway, Soundy gonna try his hands on gambling. Whether he's allowed to play on the poker table or not, he'll just try out the other games. He'll go for four rounds at max before calling it quits to earn at least some cash. He doesn't cheat but prefers to observe first and is sharp to spot a cheater, so will most likely steer clear from tables with shady looking dealers.

[Matoba grunts, reluctantly giving him that one.] Your head is still attached to your body, but perhaps only by the graces of that one's. [Matoba gestures vaguely to the corpse, still on the ground and surrounded by Enma inspectors. A youkai's corpse was nothing to him; he hardly gives it second thought.] Perhaps this will be a learning moment for you.

[He says it cheerfully. It's a joke. He knows none of them are going to learn shit.]

[Taking a delicate sip of his own drink, Matoba glances towards Ryouma's admittance, and mulls his thoughts over with his mouthful of alcohol before swallowing.] The Tale of Shuten-douji, you mean? I know several versions of the tale, but even the oldest ones are a few centuries removed from the supposed events, so who can say how much of the recorded versions are true or not. My clan isn't from Kansai, so if more accurate accounts exist [ones handed down by bloodlines with power, his tone implies], I've never seen them.

[Still... Matoba turns in his seat and leans against the arm, voice lowered. No need to rile up any oni nearby.] Shuten-douji was slain by Minamoto-no-Raikou and his men, along with his second-in-commend Ibaraki-douji. His four generals, depending on the version, are either slain in the fighting, or escape and scatter from Mount Ōe. Those generals were, of course...

[His eye draws across the rest of the cocktail lounge they were in, scattered oni about, and the traces of Toraguma and his rage still in the air, making Matoba's senses buzz in the back of his brain. Irritating bloodthirsty brutes.]

...This might not be the best place to discuss this. Is the Department done with you? Perhaps a little trip down the Alliance waterways is in order.

I wasn't being serious about it... but if you offer to cook I wouldn't turn it down either.

[ so much for a joke-- they really should try getting better at the delivery, huh? they sigh, considering what nero says after with a shrug. ]

That has its risks as well. I'm not even sure what even would constitute as a "big wish" either.

These guys lied to the clan, yep. What's more, if Andy checks records at the Department, she'll find these guys... don't exist!

Made up identities. Sworn in shortly after the curse dissipated. The Captain, if confronted with this data, will seem just as surprised by it as Nishitani, but will pull rank to keep Nishitani from saying anything bout it to Toraguma until they have more info about who these guys were and what they were doing.

if this captain FEELS GENUINE, nishitani will believe him and will play along, but keep an eye out on everything this dude does. he's checking out other recruits that this guy has brought in. sorry for the pressure on new rookies but nishitani and andy both will be hounding them.

if the captain doesn't feel genuine and feels like part of the cover up, nishitani will break rank before the guys get too much of a headstart, IF THATS OKAY MODS!

Edited 2022-08-09 03:50 (UTC)

( He thought that voice sounded familiar. A glance over at the bar and the poor bartender tells him that he's right. Shealtiel takes this as a chance to move over quietly and slowly, taking his time so that he can eavesdrop on most of the conversation.

There's just always been something about observing people from the sidelines that makes him feel like he might be able to understand things a bit easier. In the end, all he can understand from this is that Yuuji really wanted one of those drinks, and that the bartender isn't able to lower the prices. )

Hey. ( In a suit himself, Shealtiel feels like he's a little dull next to Yuuji. But he places his hand on the bar anyway, rising on his toes enough to appear a little taller for the bartender. )

I can cover it. Which one did you want to try?

( He just casually shows up like this, yes... )

The Stars didn't. really need all of that detail, bud. There's only so much space on those talismans, you know!

Still, he does get a package in the next few days, unknown sender. It's's the chess set in question, just as he remembers it, down to every detail.

Well a wish for luck, huh...

Oh. It sounded like you two were close, but I guess that was just weird flirting.

[ Totoko waves her hand back and forth! ]

Anyway, we aren't doing anything like that. Jill and I swore off the stardust, so that kinda thing isn't happening. Sorry that you couldn't find a date, though?

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August 2022 Event

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i. tanabata

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despite them wrestling I am here for pleasure palace

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