jigokulogs | August 2022 Event

August 2022 Event

MAIN NAVIGATION

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

[ With the chaos in the room, Enma officers moving to question anyone and drill them for information about the kidnappers, Megumi keeps a levelled head, standing amongst the crowd like he's waiting for something. ]

Return.

[ In seconds, the dogs he had sent to patrol the establishment before melt into tar, reforming beside him and getting to work immediately. They start to sniff the ground, eager to pick up some sort of scent that could lead them to the Iron Bear and Ringo. While his two dogs keep trying, they give a little whine soon after - indication that they can't quite lock on to a scent just yet. ]

There's nothing with a strong enough scent, huh?

[ It's disappointing to learn, but Megumi moves on quickly. He calls out to anyone who might be around to hear him. ]

Does anyone have something that Ringo-san might've touched? Like an autograph ...

[ The dome that the Tanabata courtyard has been settled into is eeriely quiet as people wait their turn to be questioned by Enma officials and officers. It isn't much fun, in truth, but Aerith is entertaining herself in little ways. Talking to people she knows, making the rounds, checking on anyone. She's in the middle of speaking to some youkai about their evening, taking their mind off the stress of watching someone die, when a familiar voice catches her attention. Raising her head, she looks around, then back to the youkai. Ending their conversation as politely as she can, she wanders the Underground for no more than a moment before finding the source of the familiar voice. ]

Heya. [ She's tired. She has been tired since before everything went down. Megumi is the only person she shows this to, for the moment, and it comes in the little ways. The way her smile doesn't quite curl all the same as before, the corners of her eyes don't crease. Her voice may be soft, but she projects it a little more than usual. ]

I might. [ Without a word, she kneels to the ground, touching it with her palms flat. In this state, she isn't always in the mood to do this, but if it'll help him, she'll do what she can. Aerith creates a single flower; something with beautiful petals that unfold as the stem raises from the ground. Megumi might recognize it; a flower had been on Ringo's person when she had been kidnapped. ]

I gave her one of these. [ Aerith looks up at him, knees still to the floor. Her hands raise, she holds them to her chest, as if in prayer. ] She was wearing it still when they took her.

[ At a glance he can already sense that Aerith if exhausted from the day's events, her smile not quite holding its usual playful energy. He's not too surprised at this given that so much has happened in just the span of a few hours, but there's little time to focus on that. The more time they dilly-dally here, the further those kidnappers are going to get with Ringo. ]

I saw that. It might work. [ His two dogs steps in to get a whiff of the flower's unique scent. They then press their noses against the ground, sniffing for some sort of trail. Megumi watches in anticipation, waiting to see if the endeavor will work.

Finally, their ears perk up, and their tails start to wag. They both stand angled in a certain direction, as if they have found the way. ]

Chase after it. [ The dogs take off now in the direction of the scent they've picked up on. Before Megumi follows suit, he turns to Aerith. ] What are you going to do?

[ When the dogs take off, Aerith's gaze lights up. A way? Could it be? She turns to Megumi, green eyes vibrant again. His question comes&mash; she replies with a smile. ]

I'm chasing after it, too.

[ Running in a dress like this is hard. She hadn't actually expected to be doing something like this when she had it put on her, but upon entering the venue, things had changed. Hours later, she feels woefully underprepared, and like a sitting duck. ] So hard to move in this... ugh.

[ She wore it for Cloud, admittedly. ]

[ A month ago, he would have tried to stop her from following them. While he doesn't know yet where this trail will lead, there will no doubt be danger at the other end of it, given that they are chasing what seems to be some sort of criminal group. Megumi had the fortune of witnessing her cage match, however, and after seeing his friend totter around and giggle before bashing someone's head in with a steel chair, he's definitely learned not to underestimate her.

Things aren't as straightforward as going from point A to B. At times, the dogs have to stop to recapture the scent, or they wind up somewhere with obstacles they have to cross somehow. He doesn't know where the scent is taking them, but Megumi gets the sense - just from looking at the surroundings - that they are gradually edging closer and closer to the border of the city.

They aren't dressed for the occasion, though, and it's slowing them down. It's probably worse for Aerith, who is in a fitted dress. Megumi can still run in his yukata. ]

No one's dressed for the occasion. [ There is a part of him that wants to go up to Matoba and tell him 'You should have let me wear the sweatpants????' ]

The dogs need to find the scent again. [ And as they do that .... Somehow the talk about her outfit is reminding him -- ]

You told Strife-san you're out here with me, right? [ He noticed the matching outfits and is just under the assumption they had come together. ]

[ In the future, they'll all probably second guess dressing appropriately for a high profile event like this. For now, however, she keeps up in her heels and gaudy, bulky dress, shuffling along and pardoning herself when someone nearly walks into and or onto her— the train does her no favors. ]

Hm?

[ To be fair, he's right. Aerith quirks an eyebrow at him, smirking before she actually responds. The dogs are giving her a hell of a work out, but at least she knows it's not unlikely Megumi isn't struggling a bit, too. ]

He's doing some networking. [ Probably. She's sure Matoba has stomped over to him by now. ] Gotta split up the gang from time to time, y'know? [ She's dodging. ]

So you're both the type to worry each other ...

[ Slightly mumbled, as he focuses on following the dogs. That's the inference he's making, with all the information he has so far. Then again, he can't exactly fault her, given that he hasn't told Yuuji where he's gone either.

... Why did Yuuji come to mind? It's time to focus on something else.

His white dog, dubbed 'Aurora' by Cain, gives a bark and picks up speed, taking off in the direction in front of them. Megumi has enough of a connection with his dogs to know that it's caught on to a strong scent. They're nearing their destination - wherever they're hoping Ringo might be.

As they run after the dogs, the cityscape seems to gradually pull back, the apartments and shops looking less packed together, more spaced out. He can tell they're nearing the edge of the city. Finally, they dash past the last stretch of buildings, and beyond that ... ]

This is --

[ A desert wasteland.

Outside of the shade of Jigokucho's buildings, Megumi's really starting to feel the scorch of the heat now, bearing down on him and making the skin he does have exposed sting. ]

[ Aurora runs and keeping up with a dog is hard work for her in heels and a form-fitting dress but even as Aerith trails slightly behind, it's work done on sheer determination. Her brain is picking at what Megumi has said, watching his back with interest as he, too, dashes forward, moving at a speed she's envious of. The sort to worry each other? Oh, no. There's something Cloud isn't telling her, she deduces. ]

Woah—

[ By the time the come to the edge of city, modern architecture fading away into an opening, giving way to the Wastelands, she's running out of breath and her feet are getting heavy. It's undoubtable that she'll have blisters blossoming on her skin by the evening, if they aren't already there. In her time trying to map out all of the city, figuring out where people congest the most, however, she's come to know this sight more than she'd admit to most people: the first time she had seen it, it'd given her a great sense of discontent and curiosity.

She stumbles.

She slips, and lands out into the sandy ground of the Wasteland, knees hitting the floor and arm slamming into the too-bright sun of the Wastelands. ]

...Ouch. [ Aerith moves, pulling herself up: A burning sensation grows along her arm, bone-deep and scarring. With a gasp that rattles her body, she yanks her arm back, and holds her tight to her body; already, an angry looking red splotch growing like petals unfolding onto her skin. She's grimacing, hard, a clear look of pain on her face. Great. ]

[ Megumi himself has held curiousity about what laid beyond the city, but he hasn't had an opportunity to explore it until now. For that reason, even with how inhospitable the desert looked, he feels like he wants to keep moving.

Until his friend has a slip, and he sees the effects of the burning desert sun immediately blossoming over her arm, that red mark indicative of a burn. ]

Aerith-san! [ Immediately, his anxiety spikes, with Megumi wondering just how scorching this sun truly was - if it would only leave them with a first degree burn, or if there's any chance for someone to burst into flame. Between them both, Megumi's just a bit better protected with his yukata's long sleeves (not by very much, but just a bit). Aerith, on the other hand, could not be worse dressed for the activity.

Even if he knows he might burn as well, he steps forward and offers a hand, ignoring the way his skin heats up at the exposure. ]

Get back under the shade! We'll decide what to do. [ Whether to keep going, or fall back. ]

[ Though Aerith takes his hand, she lifts the long train of her dress' skirt over his hands, covering them. The other, still held to her chest, feels like it's not too far gone; there's still sensation, but it is burned. Thankfully, she's sure that's nothing for her magic, and she'll be able to avoid Emily's scolding. ]

Megumi—!

[ She'll follow him where he decides to go, but with a shake of her head, she knows better. Call it a fox's instinct; they're ill-equipped at best. ] ...This isn't a two person job.

[ Her gaze lifts, meeting his, and her brows are knitted together in consideration. She carefully chooses her words. ] More people have to cover us.

[ Something has to give, eventually. The flowers in her hair are wilting, though, and it's their cries of goodbyes that hurt her most, in truth. Anxiety is growing in her expression, not fear— she is willing to go forward, but not at the expense of someone else. ]

There's a way. I know there is.

[ They both know. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

August 2022 Event

wildcard - we kno who u r

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject