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

[ maybe if musashi changed her methods of trying to make eula do things, she'd be more open to doing them with her...

but oh well. musashi's stammering actually grounds her a little, and eula can only huff out a sigh despite her cheeks that are as pink as the sakura on her yukata. ]

I couldn't hear you, Musashi. Perhaps you should try verbalizing that better?

[ ...just let her have this. being a little miffed sure beats being a blushing mess like the woman before right now. ]

Sorry! Sorry, heh...

[ Another nervous laugh, a rub of the back of her head. She really must be coming off as a tongue-tied dork. Definitely not the sort of cool and sexy vibe she wanted to project for a party night, but she couldn't help herself! Musashi was never nothing if not her most sincere and honest self... ]

You were amazing. Beautiful, gorgeous, a whole ton of other words all kind of meaning the same thing, just... wow, yanno?

[ no... that still doesn't make eula blush any less. in fact it had gotten worse! musashi will also pay for this. ]

...I know. Thank you. I really do appreciate your words, even if they came out wrong at first.

[ stop rubbing it in ]

[ Musashi's cheeks were quite red as well. Mostly she was still just wrapped up in what she'd seen, the new perspective it cast Eula in. She'd always been beautiful, but that was probably the first time Musashi felt like she'd seen a more honest look at the other woman's heart...

She didn't want to take it for granted. ]

H-here, let me buy your next drink. And... I'll definitely leave you alone if you still need your space, too.

[ she blinks for a moment, transfixed. ]

It's... not as though I mind your company at all, Musashi.

[ no really. musashi does try her best in bringing her out of her shell and it has worked... sort of. it's a slow progress, but progress nonetheless.

so she manages a small smile, almost shy. ]

I'll have to stay sober for tonight, unfortunately. But a non-alcoholic cocktail will do just fine.

Something fruity and bubbly, then?

[ Because if it was going to be virgin, it should at least be sweet and tasty.

What's more, effectively given permission, Musashi let herself step in closer, almost shoulder to shoulder but not quite... ]

I'm short on things to wish for, given I got to see that...

[ she nods. sounds good! anything to wet the tongue after all that, but something flavorful is very worthwhile.

and while eula doesn't move away from musashi when she sidles up to her, she just had to give to other woman a Look. ]

You don't have to lay it on too thick. Surely the other performers tonight are also worthy of praise.

I'm... [ a beat, a laugh, a brush of her hair. ]

I'm not trying to lay it on thick. I'm being honest! I don't think I'm one of those people who could throw out lines like that insincerely. I'd be too embarrassed.

[ Because when one got down to it, the only role Musashi could play was... herself. The only "lines" she could speak were her own. So even if it sounded effusive, there was no doubting how earnest she was... ]

[ well, if she says so... eula can't help but sigh anyway as they make their way to the nearby bar. ]

That's fair. Sorry, I'm not too used to such attention before. Not at this scale, at least.

[ but musashi already knows that by now, huh. ]

How are you finding the festivities, anyway?

Considering all the work it took to get all of this together, I can't tell you how glad I am that I just get to enjoy it tonight.

[ Not that Musashi wasn't a party girl most of the time, but still, it was nice to see the fruit of one's labor actually get to harvest, all the same. ]

Tanabata is always such a great time, anyways. Wishes, romance in the air, an energy of possibility. It's exciting!

Romance in the air, huh...

[ windblume is kind of like that, but the vibes of this festival are kinda different. eula perches herself on a bar stool and looks over the menu. ]

Well, I'm just as relieved to see the three faction leaders working together to make this happen in the first place. I imagine that it wasn't easy to ask for cooperation from them, though.

[ Musashi immediately grimaced, sighing heavily. ]

You don't know the half of it. I was pretty sure Toraguma was gonna snap Sakamoto in half during that first meeting. You have no idea how close this game to the Shuten and Tamamo clans teaming up to just flat out destroy the Alliance.

[ SIGHS, more faction drama. eula is really not built for politics... ]

And the Department's going to clean up your messes, as per usual. I'd say that it's a good thing Mr. Sakamoto was able to redeem himself somehow, but if the other factions don't mess up often, you'd run us out of a job.

[ she's just saying. also she has more to say about the incompetency of the department as a whole, but uh. she'd rather talk about that to the coworkers she trusts rather than a higher-ranked member of another faction. ]

Trust me, I know all about how the Department does things, by this point. While I was dealing with all of this, I was up to my ears in dealing with search warrants signed by one Barok Van Zieks.

[ Musashi took a nice looong sip of her drink. What a conversation that was... ]

Pretty sure I aged a few years from all that paperwork.

[ a shudder. eula may not have the opportunity to interact with the judicial division that often, but still.

her drink arrives in the form of a virgin margarita, which she quickly takes a sip of. ahh. ]

Funny how the more stars we earn, the more paperwork we have to tackle. [ sighs. it just ain't right! ] My job back home takes me out of the city most of the time, so having to sit down and sign papers is not something I'm used to. Especially with modern technology.

August 2022 Event

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THIS ESCAPED MY INBOX IM SOOO SORRY

lmao no worries

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