jigokulogs | 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Succeeded..."

Minakami's not sure what frightens him more, the clear implication of that gesture (and why does his mind try to fill in the gaps, like it was just a scene from some thriller novel or gory detective serial) or the incongruous tranquility on his face. It's as if Kawase had seen his own death, and perhaps he had.

"He did." Even though most of him recoils at learning more about the 'old man' (and now his unknown accomplice), and whatever pitiful future he had come from. Didn't like us very much is such a-- uniquely Kawase way of putting it that, despite him, a pained smile spreads on his lips.

"... It's strange. It feels as if in almost every time and place, you and I are dead, except for this one. Like being the only trees standing after a typhoon." He studies the loose cuffs of his sleeves, the stiff new fabric. "Do you think that's fate?"

The last two trees after a typhoon... It was a romantic sort of image, wasn't it? Weathered and battered, and branches broken, but still standing... mm. He didn't think his own life was that noble to fit the picture; even if Minakami had been the one to say it, it felt presumptive to put the both of them side-by-side.

"That's quite a poetic way to put it." He could only imagine what was going through Minakami's mind to make him say it, with that oh-too-familiar smile on his face, always so quiet and sad. He looks up at the false stars, while Minakami looks down. "If you ask me, it's more like inevitability. Or just one particular idiot trying to rewrite that fate."

He takes a few steps, scuffing his shoe against the ground. Maybe it's the stardust in the air making Kawase feel like he has any business speaking to it-- but he looks off, his smile disappearing. "...Well, maybe it's only inevitable for one of us. But I can't think of anyone who wanted you of all people dead. Even the old man never sent that demon after you."

A corner of his mouth crooks up, as he casts an eye on the crowd for "one particular idiot" to show up. Even in this panoply of yokai and celestials milling around, he'd be able to pick out his friends no matter what.

"It's the time of year to say such things," he says lightly. "If Orihime could rewrite fate, I wonder if she would do things differently, if she knew how it would turn out? Would she find a way to be with her cowherd more than one night a year? Or would she say she was happy like this, that asking for more was too much?"

There was a chance here to say why other unlucky fates, other lives, are on his mind; it's not only because of time travel. But maybe he's still a coward, after all, to only say these things in roundabout metaphor.

"... No. He just took care of me himself. I was already keeping secrets; he gave me more excuses to hide from you two." Actually talking about it is hard, still, as hard as anything. "...perhaps if I hadn't been so "cooperative", we'd have met the same fate."

"Hm...?" He looks over at Minakami curiously, when the topic of Orihime's tragic story came up. He remembered thinking it was fantastical as a child... but it's not like he had his head in the clouds as much as Minakami and Tamamori, always thinking about stories and whatnot. He hadn't really thought about it since the last time he'd actually celebrated Tanabata back in Aizu.

But the question of her judgment and desires... to be honest, he didn't know. Was there really anything wrong with asking to see her beloved more? But with her father's stern correction, what could really been done to change their fate...?

"...Maybe." It didn't surprise him Minakami kept his own secrets-- gods only knew all of them did-- but something about that old man... it sounded like he'd tried to drive Minakami even further away, and it left him with a hole under his chest. Though, he'd done plenty of the same to both of them over the years... but Minakami's outcome had been much more horrific than Kawase could ever cause.

"I would have to ask the two who have already rewritten fate before, wouldn't I?" He crosses his arms, his expression flat, and quiet, but lacking any real hint of negativity. Or, positivity, admittedly. "But if I had to answer... if you were the cowherd, anyone would do whatever it took to see her again, beyond their one night. I suppose it depends on if you're willing to stand up to the wrath of the heavens."

He watches Kawase turn the question over in his head, his expression so different from the sharp amusement he'd worn all night. If this is Kawase's guard down, Minakami doesn't know if he's seen it before, not for years.

(When they were all kids, he'd been too little to think about the legend beyond the romantic tragedy; only when Minakami was in his teens he'd considered the perspective of Orihime's father. Was he someone who had given his daughter a role with too-high expectations, without regard of what she wanted? Or was he bound by the same laws he enforced, only able to bend the rules so far? Maybe it's just childish, trying to apply his strange life to these old stories. His father's actions as a yokai's host were his own, separate from Minakami's choices.)

The metaphor feels like it's starting to crack here, too, even as he keeps going. "A part of me would have always said, the fate I'd changed -- the result was that 'one night'. I didn't feel like I could ask for more than that." He adjusts the fold of his sleeves again, for once meeting Kawase's eyes. "...it's moot, maybe, after what Tamamori already did. But if I knew how... the answer is, yes. I would try."

That 'one night,' so many years ago... he wasn't sure if it was really comparable to that hope and happiness that came every year for Tanabata. Although, maybe that was just for him. In a way, he was sort of jealous of Tamamori; he'd never remembered that night until recently, but to Kawase, it must have been a joyous one. Being found by Minakami in the rain, begged to stay home out of desperate fear for his life, and waking up to that cold, grey morning with his friend at his side. For him, the night had always been almost.. mundane, and yet it'd so drastically changed all of their lives at once. Of course, it's not like he could imagine what a better outcome would've been, either.

"I wouldn't call it a very romantic 'one night.'" He adds sarcastically, meeting Minakami's gaze, but... still, in a way it sort of left him flustered. No color reached his face, but he could surely count on one hand the number of times Minakami had been willing to look at him directly since they'd left Aizu.

"But you're still just as much of a sap, aren't you..." It's not a bad thing. It makes him a little happy, even. Maybe it's just more of the stardust putting him in a good mood, but even if his smile was still sharp, it was... simpler, when he met Minakami's own gaze. "Though wouldn't it be a bit foolish to try again? Not that either of you seem to accept anything less than success... You're both so stubborn, I could believe you would pull it off as many times as you pleased."

August 2022 Event

this Always Happens

maybe it wouldn't if they didn't suck

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