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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[ Musashi got a read of the situation, even as it was changing, and realized her presence had just significantly amped up the energy of the crowd. She'd been coming in just to get Aerith out, at first, but now... Well.

The temperature of the room had changed. And she realized, now, what she'd have to do in order to make sure Aerith got out of there safely. And honestly...

That was fine by her. If she were pressed, she preferred to fight her way out of bad situations over talking, anyways.

She motioned for a boken to be tossed her way, catching it out of the air. ]

Then let's show them what happens to cheaters...

[ She held the boken level with her eye, pointed at the gaggle of Shuten thugs on the other side. ]

You stand across from the Sword Saint of Tamamo. I'd make your peace with the gods, if I were you.

[ ... And maybe she could play to the crowd, a little. ]

[ It works. The crowd goes wild, shouts and cries for blood going shooting up by decibels. The audience doesn't just want a fight; they want blood. Musashi's boast, the sort of one-liner you'd only hear in those old samurai movies, sways a few daring gamblers. Yen is exchanging hands, faster and faster now. From the other side, one of the hooligans, a man in a well tailored suit fixing himself up with some wooden knuckles, comments idly about something. It's hard to hear it over the roar of the crow, but...

"What, no pole for the brunette? Guess that's a no go on a pole dance, huh... What a shame."

When Musashi's let into the ring, Aerith is staring out into the crowd. She looks concerned, perhaps a little afraid, but...

Turning to the other woman, she approaches quickly, and grabs hold of one of her hands. ] You'll do this for me. [ It isn't a question, or a request. It's a statement, delivered with a burning green gaze. ]

I'll pay you back. [ A beat. Aerith is tossed a bokken, too, out of formality more than anything. It's done with such little gusto that one might get the impression the person just flat out didn't care. ] One date should do it.

[ Aerith glances back, out of the corner of her eye, to judge Musashi's reaction. What do you say? ]

Firstly, I'd do this for free, but if you're promising a date, I'm gonna hold you to that, okay?

[ Musashi winked back at Aerith, in turn. While there was clearly nervous energy running through her, given she had Aerith to look after, there was also a certainty in her posture, in the glint of her eyes and the twist of her lip, that she didn't fear these goons. She hadn't earned that title, "Sword Saint" purely by chance, after all. And maybe, she realized, she ought to be showing it off more often...

Not that they'd have much time to think about it. She gave Aerith's hand one last squeeze before the bell for the match rang.

All bets off, now it was showtime! ]

[ Later, if pressured about it, Aerith would honestly say that she just knew things would be fine.

It isn't difficult to explain, she would suppose, but that hand squeeze Musashi gives her heavy lifts some of the anxiety right away. Immediately, she knows that they've got this in the bag, and there's nothing to worry about. With a sidelong smile, she follows the example set by the (by the referee's count: four) guys across the ring from them by approaching the center of the lifted arena. All around them, the crowd chants and cheers; a riotous sort of energy pulses.

The way the match unfolds is quick: the first swing is aimed at Aerith. He's a big, burly guy, three times the florist's size, which means she has plenty of room to duck. Time is of the essence— someone larger than her doesn't have the amount of room she does, so Aerith dips out of attack range quickly.

Meanwhile, Musashi will find herself face to face with two of the Shuten lackeys. It says something about her presence in the ring that they both go after her at the same time, Aerith thinks. The best she can do is keep dodging for the time being, but... ]

Gotta be fast! [ One guy is hanging back, knuckles still outfitted with a wooden grip. Boss fight, she supposes, or maybe he's the ring leader of this mini-gang. The "blade" of the sword isn't going to do her much good right now, but Aerith supposes bowling is always a strategy. Thinking back to the few street brawls she's seen, she thinks fast:

And leads the big guy closer to Musashi. He takes the bait, and Aerith takes the opportunity to seemingly get lost beneath him. With a glance back to Musashi, she tries to convey exactly what she's about to do:

She swipes at the guy's legs. He topples forward, and being bigger than the sword-wielders, it doesn't look pretty. ]

[ Musashi didn't even flinch at the two guys charging her, though she sort of wished she had a second boken to her name at the moment, if only because that always made it slightly easier. Not that she was lost without it, effortlessly wielding what she had with but a single hand.

Her eyes seemed to flash, taking in the whole of every motion around her, even Aerith's movements, all of it forming a tapestry of possibilities that she needed to narrow down to absolution.

The movement came fast. Incredibly fast, she immediately cracks the two smaller guys in their arms, batting them out of the way before her next swing caught one in the temple, stunning them into stumbling into the other. She didn't stop moving of course, continuing to lunge out of the way until the ogre-like man barrelled into the other two, sending the whole bunch to the floor.

The entire crowd erupted. Not all of it was cheering. ]

That won't keep all of them down, but I think that at least takes care of the smallest guy...

[ Shrek goes down hard. It's hard to miss, then, the ripple of wariness that passes through the remaining three goons as they share a calculating look. With the big fellow down, both of them have knocked them down, off the pedestal they were so sure they stood on, far above them. Aerith watches the big guy hit the ring floor, and he lands so hard that the stadium platform itself shakes. He stirs for only a moment before that's all she wrote, and moments later, he's pulled off the ring by what can only be calle a group of "collectors" in Aerith's mind.

That leaves the three. Still an unfair match by Aerith's careful measurement, but Musashi more than makes up for her lack of combat skills. Actually... ]

Keep it up! We've got this.

[ The duo of youkai still in the ring, who had been aiming to corner Musashi, are injured. Bleeding, battered, but still up for the brawl; they're standing but barely. Where Musashi had bashed one in the temple, he bleeds, and the other spits a tooth out, wheezing with each breath. A broken bokken in his grip, and fury in his gaze, he's not giving up until he's down for the count.

But now that there is two, it's much easier for them to handle, Aerith supposes. It's strange; Six has been gone for months. Despite this fact, Aerith drags up the memory of him teaching her to throw a punch. A real punch, not one of those flimsy things she's done before. There will be no kicking in this dress, but she can think of something else.

The man with a complete bokken lunges at her, but the one with a temple injury decides that Musashi is a far more fitting target for him. In the background, Aerith sees it; the man with those gruesome looking knuckles is already mad, and talking to someone with a Shuten pin on the lapel of his jacket. She can almost make out what they're saying: "Too much money to lose" and "Don't let this go to shit"...? It happens in slow motion; and when she blinks her gaze is back on the guy in front of her, going in to stab her with the splintered edge of the bokken.

She hits his wrist and ducks, rolling out of the way inelegantly. ]

Musashi, catch!

[ While the guy falls on his bokken, Aerith throws her own to the other woman. It's worth nothing in her hands. ]

[ There we go! Musashi caught the spare sword just in time to parry the thrust of the man lunging at her, her eyes flashing again as she gave a single "cut" across his shoulder and neck that would likely put him down for the rest of the match, in addition to the head injury.

Once again, the two girls, by hook or by crook, made these thugs look like jokes. The crowd was roaring but... more if it was cheers, at this point. ]

Not too late to run away, you know.

[ Spoke, boldly, to the man with the knuckle dusters who was no doubt feeling the pressure to finish this. His backup had basically been useless... Musashi had to wonder if this guy was actually any good.

Part of her really hoped he was, for her own sake, but another part of her was more focused on making certain Aerith got out safely, especially now that she was unarmed... ]

[ The big guy at the back takes her taunt not as a recommendation made in good faith, but as an insult. His brow twitches, expression darkening. The referee has stood up, embroiled with conversation over the caging. His gaze keeps darting back and forth, from the guy in a suit yelling at him to the match. It's doubtful that there's any getting back from this, now. Whether the hunk of agitation gassing himself up for a fight wins or not is of little consequence: enough money is starting to change hands, and bets are starting to look more and more even.

The crowd may be turning... but... ]

You know what you look like to me? [ The man snorts and rolls his shoulders. He's big— no, fit. A tank. Could probably take a few hits from a normal guy like a sponge. Aerith's gaze flits around for something, and it's only while she's concerned with finding a way to stop being so unarmed... ]

With your nice yukata, your rank and your little friend? A waste. You come here, you throw your weight around for some girl who can't keep her mouth shut, and for what? Some bougie office with a view? You got the strength, the cut, and you know damn well how far trust gets you. They spoil you over there, in Tamamo, but you're not...

[ Behind Musashi, the guy who had fallen on his bokken stirs. Anger is flaring in his hazy mind, and his gut is aching with the beginnings of a bruise. Fell by his own sword... annoying, but it's still got those splinters. While the lughead does his little villain speech that she's sure Musashi's already rolling her eyes at, Aerith looks around for something... and it's only by the grace of now needing a makeshift weapon that she realizes the one fool is stirring, furious gaze set on Musashi. Immediately, Aerith's sneaking off— the crowd certainly doesn't tattle on her, far more interested in whatever the big guy's got to say. ]

All that different from us, are you? Loyal to the end. I ain't quitting. They didn't. I'll use that pretty face of you's to wipe her blood off my shoes.

[ While he finishes his speech, Aerith drags the steel chair the ref has abandoned over. He spots this. Ignores it. Allows it to happen. The man at Musashi's back is raising his bokken, splinters forward (for some reason— would that even hurt in her robe?) and ready to pounce. Aerith totters on the spot, adjusting her footing. The chair, somehow, has more weight to it than she's used to lugging around. Is this intentional?

He looks up. Aerith looks down. The chair is held over her head. She smiles, giggles— and swings it down with all her might. The clang echoes through out the coliseum, and the crowd matches them. He goes down for the count, finally. ]

You look tired. Sleep it off!

[ The stunned silence gives to an angry cry— the big fucker with knuckles is seeing red now, and powering over to take several hard swings at either of them. He's got the strength to back him up, in fact, and the speed. Still, is he really any match for the Musashi? Can blocks even really stop the masterful "cut"? The crowd is enraptured. ]

[ Musashi had sensed the presence behind her, but by the time she felt a need to do something, Aerith had already well taken care of it, saving Musashi's skin (or at least her nice outfit). The sheer sound of the chair shot caught her, though, startling her just slightly as the guy Aerith brained twitched a little on the floor. Just taking in the sight was distracting enough that she nearly forgot about the other guy.

Only nearly. His first swing got nothing but air, Musashi managing to duck low and spin herself on heel to get out of his way. The second blow wasn't possible to dodge, catching a raised boken instead with a heavy CRACK. Thankfully it didn't shatter, but she knew she could probably only get another block OR "cut" out of it before it snapped. ]

High and low, Aerith!

[ She called back to the girl with the chair, still trying to dodge blows. Her Heavenly Eye was helping her keep ahead of his fists, but when a man was that enraged, it was a lot harder to trace the path of his momentum, knowing he was operating fully on instinct instead of anything resembling a "plan".

Hopefully Aerith knew what she meant by "high and low". ]

[ Aerith has no idea what she means by "high and low." Cue the tinny audience laughter. Instead, she thinks about what it could mean. If Cloud were here, he'd probably know...

"High" seems like it could be covered by Musashi with her bokken. Aerith has no familiarity with such things; the concept it might have a breaking point now doesn't hold in her mind. In her hand still in the chair, a suitable enough weapon for the moment. She nods, looking at the other woman with a gaze that is a mixture of determination and concern— this could go belly up, but she couldn't let Musashi handle it alone.

Aerith raises the chair once more, and throws it with all her might at the fellow's legs. That's... low, right? Right? ]

[ Well! It had to do, even if it wasn't exactly what Musashi had in mind. If nothing else, it still suited the spirit of what she'd asked for.

The chair cracked against the back of his knees, causing him to shout as well as buckle at one leg. This gave Musashi the shot she needed to finally get in a counter blow, swinging a "cut" across his neck and shoulder that hopefully was enough to put him down.

She wasn't going to stick around to find out if it did, hopping back towards Aerith immediately to get between her and him, just in case he got back up. ]

[ When Musashi makes her way closer, Aerith meets her in the middle with a light jog. Hands on her shoulders, she comes to stand side by side. Her expression is an unusual twist— anger and concentration paint her face as she watches the goon on the ground twitch. He's struggling to get up, but still, shockingly, awake. He can take a hit. Her response is quick, one hand slips down to hold Musashi back. If he stirs enough, her intention to push her back.

The wooden knuckles hit the floor of the ring. He pushes himself, hoisting his body up, up, and when his torso is off the ground following a great struggle, he grumbles. ] You... foxes are always making fools out of us... When's our break?

[ He passes back out, hitting the floor with a heavy thud. The crowd is stunned into silence for a moment before positively erupting with shouting. The whole stadium is fill with cheers, the thunderous clapping of hands, chanting of their names, and though a few suits look more than a little disgruntled, they respect the hustle well enough, shaking their heads as they, too, clap.

Overhead, confetti falls, covering the two of them as Aerith turns back to Musashi to cry out. ]

We did it!

[ Hands up for a double high five, too, she's beaming brighter and warmer than the sun. ]

Hell yeah! [ The bell rang, officially ending the match as Musashi tossed her bokken aside to give that double high give with probably a little too much enthusiasm, but she could hardly contain that rush of adrenaline that came both from the high of victory AND the high of surviving an exceedingly dangerous situation by the skin of her teeth.

She's had more deadly duels, sure, but she definitely would have gotten hospitalized if any of that had gone wrong. But both her and Aerith were relatively unscathed, and in her gratitude, that double high five transitioned into a tight hug, spinning the girl around. ]

[ Their high five turns into a hug. It catches Aerith off guard, and she lets out a little, "oh!" as she's lifted off the ground. It's been a long time since someone did this for her, in truth, and by the time her feet find the ground again, she's holding onto Musashi fondly— Aerith feels warm, and comforted for the moment. ]

You were great, [ she says, into the woman's shoulder. ] Thank you.

Don't give me too much credit, now. [ Musashi laughed, brightly, giving Aerith's shoulder a pat as she continued to soak in that shared moment of exuberance. ]

Without you, I couldn't have pulled that off near as cleanly. We make a solid team!

[ Fair enough. Aerith can't argue that; the proof is in the pudding. For a moment, she holds Musashi's gaze, smiling as confetti paper falls all around them. It's a good moment, she thinks, and hopes to remember it all her life. In the background, the crowd has started changing their names, begging for them to look back.

Finally, she gets the crowd what it wants, and turns around, hands over her head as she laughs jubilantly.

The door to the ring opens up, wiring swinging and shaking as it's unlocked. They're free to go whenever, and there's already another match lined up— after the cleaning crew, of course. ]

I owe you so many drinks. Let's get out of here and get to celebrating!

[ The adulation of the audience was nice, but it was never something Musashi felt that attached to. As much as others wanted her to take a chance to soak it all in, she had other plans; plans that included tapping into that infamous party girl energy. And this time, she definitely had enough money to make sure she didn't go into debt!

More importantly, she just... was really glad Aerith was still safe. True, the girl proved she could handle herself on some level, and Musashi had always felt she could. The Heavenly Eye helped her see that potential, before. But that didn't stop her worries during the match itself.

So Aerith would have to pardon Musashi if she didn't exactly feel like letting go of her, just yet... ]

[ It isn't often that someone actually wants to drag her along for the ride. Usually, it's the other way around, so Musashi will have to excuse Aerith. She looks away for a moment, surprise barely masked, before realizing that it'd be silly to pass this up. ]

Alright! Let's go!

[ She doesn't mind in the least: Her hand holds onto Musashi's tightly while they climb out of the ring, the crowd still cheering. ] This definitely calls for some... shots?

[ She thinks it's shots.

Elmyra wasn't much for alcohol. ]

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August 2022 Event

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