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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He laughs at that, but it's humorless and bitter.]

They're not going to listen to me. I've only just joined.

[He's basically a grunt. Not to mention, he needs to work with the Shuten Clan; trying to make waves right off the bat won't get him anywhere useful. Fulfilling his end of the contract is more important than his own morals.

But there's nothing saying he can't complain about it to the like-minded.]

Unfortunately, there's not much to do about it except stay out of trouble. Or just out of places like this, if you can't do that.

[ The tint of frustration coloring her voice leans a little desperate. There are so many people out there, and with a disaster just past them, this whole ordeal feels a little insidious. The Celestials are one thing— to take from them would be like taking a cup of water from a running river, but to think of all the Lost Souls who live on meager allowances, in cramped, dingy apartments... it makes her stomach churn. ]

You don't know that for sure! They might listen to you.

[ You have to try... c'mon, Kazuma... When Aerith leans in, her expression is pleading, genuinely so. If nothing else, it seems, she really believes in the man. ]

[Kazuma clenches his jaw and falls silent, apparently taking Aerith's words seriously. The thing is, he really can't do much in his role here. Most likely, Toraguma doesn't even know his name. But he also doesn't know how to simply roll over and give up, and he is also apparently very weak to someone Believing In Him.

He can't possibly disappoint her!!!!]

I can't do much as I am now. But if I manage to ascend in the ranks--no, when I do. I'll make sure things are done differently, I promise you.

[A solemn vow to reform the corrupt gambling business from a guy who just joined up and is the king of making promises he can't keep. What could go wrong!]

[ Ah, he's a moron. He has her heart instantly. Aerith's brows raise higher and higher as he speaks; somehow, she does not doubt it. Perhaps it's the conviction with which he speaks, or the simple fact that he is a part of Shuten clan who has vowed to keep her words in mind. She had been right, then: Shuten isn't just a gang, it's a group of close knit people who keep a fiery passion. They're bigger than life itself.

She shakes her head, and smiles. ]

So silly. [ Can he doubt in her fond smile, though? ] Okay, I'll remember that. [ Now is as good a time as any, she supposes, and raises her pin slightly. It notes she's got two stars on her: Sub-Lieutenant, then, second only to Musashi, the pink haired Lieutenant. ]

I'm Aerith. I'll keep your name out of my mouth for the evening, though.

[He falters a bit at her reaction, because he thought that was very cool and principled actually and not silly :( But only for a second or two: she has moved on to much more pertinent topics. It's good to finally know her name.

And that looks like a Tamamo pin, and one with some rank. Not someone to be underestimated, then.]

Kazuma Asogi. [He finds it comes more easily to say now than it has; perhaps it will eventually feel like his name again after all. He offers a slight bow, only barely more than an incline of his head, enough to be polite but not overly deferential.]

I appreciate your discretion. [Such as it is... considering he caught her mouthing off right at one of the gambling tables...]

[ It must be a small blessing he doesn't recognize her. It's for the best: This way, he has no idea what he's walking into with her. A small noise, something between acknowledgement and a chuckle, leaves Aerith as she lets the pin snap back onto her dress. ]

Pleasure to meet you, Kazuma. [ First name, no honorifics— she truly doesn't give a damn. If it's any consolation, she fully trusts him to throw her comments back at her some day; part of the fun of meeting someone new is when they get comfortable enough to banter with you, she thinks. ]

So... Can I ask you a question? [ Don't mind her, she's just going right into it. ] Why would you warn... me?

[ She's easy bait, in all due honesty, and she knows it. ]

[Kazuma clenches his jaw, chewing over his answer. He doesn't really have a good one and he knows it, or at least not one that makes sense for a typical Shuten, as far as he understands that type. But at the same time, it's not like he has any interest in being that type.]

Telling the truth like that could have put you in danger here. I was trying to avoid that.

[...Though he suddenly remembers her using a staff to electrify ghosts when they first met and it occurs to him she can probably handle herself, but oh well. Better for there not to be a scene.]

[ To his credit, it's not that she can't protect herself, or take care of herself. But— ]

You were worried about me?

[ This is what she took out of that. ]

[Kazuma's brow furrows.]

Of course. Is that really so strange?

[What kind of person would he be to stand by and watch something like that happen?]

No. Don't be like that.

[ There's a playfulness lighting up her face, and Aerith has the audacity to lean in, to invade his space. He's silly. Something about this is tickling her fancy; maybe it's just the idea of someone trying to protect her, but... ]

You don't need to worry. I'm not like some princess who needs to be coddled.

[Kazuma's eyes narrow at her, but after a moment, a smirk creeps up his face. Oh, we're being cute, are we?]

I wouldn't dream of it. I was simply trying to avoid a scene. The reputation of the establishment is at stake.

[You know. Some of us are trying to keep it classy here. Baiting a fight is against the rules.]

[ Pay it no mind if she leans in a bit more. Thank goodness for the heels; they may not be tall, but they're enough to give her enough height to invade his personal space even further. ] Is that so?

[ A tilt of her head; she keeps going. ]

But you'll be dreaming anyway. Do I have that right?

[He doesn't quite back away from her--even in this situation it feels like conceding something--but he does lean away a little bit to give him a little more breathing room. Aerith clearly doesn't mean any harm, but his reserves of patience aren't limitless either, and he's only willing to play along so much.]

If you intend to cause more trouble, I'm afraid I will have to ask you to leave. This is still my job.

So serious! [ There's even a touch of disappointment in her voice. Aerith stands down and pouts for a few moments before tilting her head back towards him. ]

If it's your job, then what? You do anything else?

[ It's sincere curiosity, this time. She's earnestly asking Kazuma about himself. ]

[Kazuma heaves a sigh.]

Just this. I'm a bouncer, sort of.

[He's in the unfortunate position of not liking being in Shuten while also wanting to advance as quickly as possible, so jobs within Shuten are his best option. Which sucks for him.]

Sometimes I'm even a dealer. [You know. The cheating kind.]

[ "Sort of" is a bit unusual, in her mind, but... ]

The cheating kind? That's no fun. Can't win on your own luck?

[He smiles a little bitterly.]

I tried and was reprimanded.

[Hence the warning.]

That sucks.

[ Really. She pinches her lips together, and huffs a little. ]

It's good, though, that you know where you stand on the issue. Did I say thank you, yet?

[Kazuma smiles, despite himself; Aerith has turned out to be rather charming. It's good to know there are some like minds here, even if they seem to belong to other factions. Just his luck.]

Think nothing of it. If I let you go now, do you think you can behave?

[He won't be surprised if the answer is "no," but he doesn't think he'll care too much, either.]

[ The answer isn't no, of course. But... ]

What's my incentive?

[Kazuma raises his eyebrows at her. He wants to say "not getting thrown out," but perhaps diplomacy is more in order here.]

What kind of incentive are you looking for?

How about a good one?

[ The cheekiness cannot be contained, it seemed. ]

[The eyebrows go up further. He's really not even trying to pretend he isn't playing dumb.]

Shouldn't you be the one to tell me what that is? I hardly know you, after all.

[ Hmm... ]

But I hardly know what you've got to offer! [ Well... ]

You ever put a table together?

[This took another turn Kazuma wasn't expecting. How does this keep happening???]

You mean like... carpentry?

August 2022 Event

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