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

[ The stars overhead blink like they're fading in and out of existence, born and dying over and over for the entertainment of the damned beneath them. Aerith raises her head to watch the Enma officers walk up to them, her grip on Cloud's arm still tight. By now, it's probably no secret that they're well acquainted— arguably too well acquainted, in fact&mash; but she's never given much of a damn about putting on a show for anyone. It's not like either of them hadn't commanded some level of respect now, and though Aerith is terribly used to this being a negative thing, it's quite the opposite in Hell. Cloud handles them with the same kind of quick, speechless familiarity that SOLDIERs and Shinra employees all seem to be skilled in. ]

...

[ They're left alone, and her surprise is still on her face as they walk away. Filed away for late in the night, perhaps, or maybe they know better than to ask if two people who actually protected the city wouldn't be doing it now. (Aerith wonders if they are doing that, or failing at it.) No time to dwell.

He speaks, giving her room to consider how to reply. ]

Know someone with a big sword?

[ The smile that lights up her face doesn't quite reach her eyes. Under the gas flame blue light of the cosmic spiral of constellations installed overhead, it's melancholic, nostalgic, and a little distant. Her hand slips, fingertips ghosting along the fabric of his suit sleeves until her hands find his. ]

Gotta take step by step, day by day. Forward, not back.

[ They stand there, under the stars, but surrounded by people— she feels like they're standing in the congested milky way itself, surrounded by stars shaped as people. With their hands touching, she holds onto him; the future, whatever it brings, will come with them by each other's side. ]

I might know a guy.

[ He notices as the smile doesn't quite reach her eyes. Her hand slides down his arm to find his, and as he feels her reaching out, he takes her hand in his own. It's automatic, instinctual. She's barely touched at his hand before he takes it up in hers. Unable to stop himself, as he looks at her. He's sure there are more worries. Sure that Aerith's not telling him everything she's concerned about right now.

He doesn't have the answers. How could he? Aerith has always been one step ahead. A part of him has known that since the moment he work up in the church. Cloud can only face the problems directly in front of him. So what should he say? He wouldn't demand she completely open up - it's not like he could exactly say anything about that, after all.

Immediately, he knows the answer. It's like he didn't have to think about it - the uncertainty being replaced with a small ball of confidence in what he was about to say next. ]

Hey. Remember what you told me when we first met?

[ There's that ghost of a smile that seems to tug at his otherwise flat expression. ] Relax.

No one's going to attack you. I promise.

[ He's close, really. Aerith wonders why that's the thought at the forefront of his mind, but she assumes it must be because of their history. After all, he had fallen through the roof and gotten tossed into a fight almost immediately. She's quiet for a moment before tilting her head, as if confused. In some way, though, he's not wrong.

What's on her mind, eating at her? Worry about Shinra, and the imitators. Similarly, she feels like she's in a position like before, too— sitting on information that she can only slightly use to get her friends somewhere that will allow them to help. Right now, she wants to help. She wants to do something, but...

Instead, Aerith grins, and takes a step back, separating the two of them so that he can get a full look at her. Arms out, she gestures for him to take a gander. ] Do I look worried to you? [ Holding that pose for him for a moment, it's only when she manages to look into his blue-green eyes that Aerith's arms fall. She holds her hands behind her back and looks out into the crow. ]

I've been questioned plenty of times before. It's not so bad. 'Least Enma has no reason to barge in uninvited, right?

[ He'll snort out something between an affirmation and a bark of laughter, as he looks Aerith over. She didn't look as worried as she did a moment ago — and to Cloud, that was mission accomplished. Maybe she was burying it deeper not to trouble him, but well. Hopefully, the reassurance was enough, as he closes the distance between them again, following Aerith's gaze out to the crowd. ]

Not if they know what's good for them.

[ He doesn't say it loud enough for the other Enma officers to hear. Cloud has friends in the Enma, but well. Once bitten, twice shy - Enma might not be Shinra, but they filled the same societal role, here in Jigoku. It meant he was a lot less willing to trust those he didn't know directly, like Bakugou, or Eula, or Cain. ]

[ In truth, Cloud was going to get interrogated later, likely same as Aerith - a Tamamo sub-lieutenant and Sutoku officer would be on the short list eventually. But that didn't mean either of them had to like it. ]

We won't be able to avoid them forever, but I doubt they'll rake us over the coals, given everything we've done. The Enma more than anyone has proof of that.

Edited 2022-08-13 00:39 (UTC)

[ The thread of being interrogated looms over their heads like a raincloud, casting gloom over the pair of them. Aerith supposes, however, he's right; they cant just do anything they like in this situation. More importantly, however, she knows that isn't Enma's M.O. Aerith's spent enough time in Hell to get the gist of every faction's general ideal: Sutoku collects information like birds collect shiny things. Tamamo is a reprieve for those denied the freedom they've sought and they hold onto the magical market with a tight fist. Shuten is loyalty foremost, she thinks, people bigger than the world with hearts dedicated to those they hold dear. Enma does what's right, and protects justice.

The problem is Aerith knows something. ]

Avoiding them? Guess so. Speaking of... I completely missed you for Tanabata. I had to dance with a friend.

[ Cloud has caught onto some of what Aerith knows, but he's focused on where he can do things, first and foremost - being so visible during the cursed rains meant he couldn't exactly maneuver in the ways a Sutoku was meant to. But it did mean he could move in other ways. And, well. He had his own network, slowly. Not that he ever expected one. But it did mean he didn't have the best view of Shuten. Or the Enma. Tamamo? Well...

Everyone had their specialities.

He catches the way she changes subjects. He won't press her on it. His face doesn't change, visibly, but there's a bit of sardonic amusement that carries it. ]

And after you wanted me to perform earlier... [ What's that supposed to mean...? He breaks the joke after a second. ] Don't worry about it, it's fine.

Anyone I know?

Edited 2022-08-13 05:12 (UTC)

[ He does him, but Aerith isn't aware of that fact. The truth of the situation is that they probably don't share all their contacts in the interest of protecting each other, or taking care of others. Nothing malicious, never malicious, but simply put: Why would Cloud know Jonathan Sims from Enma? Aerith shrugs, noncommittally, then she moves. She slips away, between the crowd and away from Cloud; not before sharing a quip, of course. ]

Since you won't wait for me, I'll lead the way.

[ The destination is the dancefloor, where most people are stepping off the platform. The hard flooring gives great traction for moves in heels or dress shoes, but more importantly, no one aside from them will occupy it. A few festival-goers raise their heads to stare at her in her elegant red dress with the long, flowy split, flowers in her hair, green eyes playful— and Aerith holds a hand out for him to take, waiting patiently. ]

H-hey!

[ Cloud's face is one of surprise and disappointment for a brief moment - he hadn't expected Aerith to just avoid the question entirely.

Even still, an invitation is an invitation - even if it's couched in Aerith's typical charm. He crosses through the crowd - he can hear the whispers, but what they're saying doesn't reach his ears. Cloud Strife never was one who let the gossip get to him, so stepping out onto the dancefloor, he's regained that stoic, if bemused look on his face. ]

You're never going to let that go, are you? [ It's a joke they share, as his hand reaches out to take hers. He gets a chance to take in her dress in its entirety, feeling perhaps, not for the first time, that he's underdressed in his own outfit, despite matching Aerith's. Still, he brings himself close to Aerith, that softly bemused expression still playing and tugging at his lips. ]

You leave a girl behind one time, and she never lets you forget it.

Edited 2022-08-16 01:18 (UTC)

[ She doubts he has experience dancing, but it just so happens that she's had a few this evening. When Cloud approaches, she takes one of his hands in her own, and directs one arm around her waist like it's something she's greatly familiar with. There's no music playing for many reasons, all of them greatly easy to understand, which makes them stick out even more. Strange as they must seem, Aerith pays it no mind. The crowd has made room for them and a number of humans and youkai alike have turned to see the display. Someone whispers to another, who whispers to another, and soon enough, they have an audience. ]

Nope. [ Her reply comes, breezy and sweet, delivered with a smile. ] Eula. The answer to your question. A woman in Enma. Another friend, too. His name's Jon.

[ She's sure neither of them are people he's heard of. ]

[ Cloud has some experience, thankfully - enough that he doesn't look foolish, at least. He lets Aerith's hand guide him to her waist. He finds the silent tempo that both of their hearts seem to drift to, swaying to a music no one can hear. It helps him cushion his surprise. He doesn't know Jon by face, but— ]

Eula? I've ran into her a few times. Didn't realize you two knew each other.

[ There's a reaction he can't hide when she says her name - it's surprise, but not unwelcome surprise. And he tries to make his face regain its neutral composure, but there's certainly something like a twitch at the corner of his lip.

Hmm. ]

[ The tell-tale sign of a smile quirks at his lips, and Aerith notes it with interest. Her brows raise, and much less subtly, she responds with the same sort of tone as a bird chirping. ]

Yeah, I met her a few months ago. Before the rain. She's a friend.

[ Or something. Aerith blinks and looks away, smiling still. ] You guys know each other?

You know how it is. She helped me out... I helped her... round and round it goes.

[ He can't play it off, and Aerith's obvious interest has him more than a little bashful, as they dance together on the floor. ] When I first ran into her, the haniwa had... haunted an alley. She's seen my hometown.

[ Aerith knows what he means by that. That Cloud feels willing to divulge that says more about the trust he's placed in Eula so far than someone who isn't Aerith might suspect. ]

She's... a friend of mine, too.

[ She does know. At this, her brow lifts with curiosity, and they keep stepping in time with a silent tune. ]

She's not a girlfriend?

[ He really should have known she'd be nosy like this. His protests, however, don't stop him from keeping time with Aerith's beat. ]

It's not like that...! We helped each other out, we shared a few drinks. It's nothing serious.

[ Which is to say, there may be something there, but Cloud, as Aerith well knows by now, is not a guy who knows how to express his feelings. ]

...Why, did she ask you out? [ His eyebrow raises up, threatening to get lost in his bangs. Eula didn't seem the type. Which means- ] Or am I suddenly a rival, now?

[ It's just a hint of pettiness. Aerith wouldn't have it any other way. ]

Shared a few drinks, huh...?

[ That tone seems to imply something. Without her? ]

Why, you wanna be? I think you'd need a bit more training before you got to my level, Cloud.

Didn't know you were the drinking type. [ Clearly, something to remember later. ]

And I like to think I've done alright. Why, are you gonna say I haven't?

[ Bold, Cloud. ]

[ She lets that thread go, pleased enough with his reaction for the time being. Getting a rise out of Cloud is a reward on it's own. ]

So... not serious, but it's not nothing.

[ She's bold, too. ]

[ It takes him a few steps of them dancing before he responds. Maybe a little bit bashful, maybe a little bit ashamed of himself as Aerith calls him out. ]

Maybe. I don't know yet.

[ That much was the truth. He didn't feel right admitting it was something - he felt he'd been pretty good at not letting Eula catch on how deeply he was enjoying her company. Admitting it to Aerith, though, felt more than a little - well, he didn't exactly know what it was, but it stung like he had tried to conceal something more serious from her. He put on a tough face, and there's a sheepish look away. ]

Sorry. I didn't mean to...

[ To... what? He's not even sure what he's apologizing for, now. But he feels like he should. ]

[ They've never spoken about Zack for the obvious reason. Whatever rests in Cloud's mind is under lock and key, hidden away for some other time. She thinks that perhaps this could be a good time to ask about him again, to press Cloud forward, but, she always remembers the way he reacted the first time. Still, it would paint the background of her life quite well— disappointed so deeply once, she has no desire to be held down like that again.

Maybe she just rushed ahead without ever really working on it. It's hard to say. She shrugs. ]

If you're so sorry, then you'll have to make it up to me.

[ There's other things to be upset about in her life. This is miniscule. ]

Take me on a date with you two next time. Deal?

Wh-

[ If Cloud is expecting Aerith to react like that, it catches him entirely off guard - he even misses a step, very briefly, as they dance. He makes it up quick, but the surprise on his face is plain to her - a little bit of pink in his cheeks more than giving away his embarrassment. ]

Uh- yeah. Sure. Deal.

[ There's barely a moment's hesitation in it as he nods, finally finding solid ground again in that moment, mentally speaking. ]

...Thought you'd be more upset.

[ There is, of course, the million-gil mystery, huh. ]

[ Dancing again, 'round and 'round they go as they step to the mute beat. No one can hear it but them. ]

Why? Are we serious?

[ She poses it, dresses it up as nothing more than leading him into banter, but the curiosity is eating at her. Her hand in his, she leads him a little more, taking the steps as she remembers them from her dance with the woman of the hour. ]

[ He lets Aerith lead. There's a maelstrom of emotions in his head and his chest as she asks that question - is it one he's even prepared to answer? There'a a part of him that says yes, there's a part of him that says no, there's a lot more of either of them that makes him want to hold back from saying anything - don't open the box and it can't slam shut on your hand, right? ]

Dunno.

[ It's not that he's avoiding the question. ]

Guess we didn't exactly talk about it.

[ Her gaze settles on him as if she's looking through him. Sympathy is written into her features then, as if she's done wrong by him. In some ways, perhaps she has. So focused on barreling ahead and move on has she been that Aerith hadn't considered even that much. ]

Something wrong?

[ She opens the door, all the same. Maybe an apology is in order? ]

[ He looks back to see the sympathy on her face. She thinks she's hurt him. In... some ways, maybe she has. But the scars both of them are rubbing up against — his and hers — are deeper than either of them know how to process or contemplate. There's only so much they can do about a past neither of them knows how to open up about.

He remembers how shaken she was, briefly, in the train graveyard. Tifa had pulled her up then, but it was hard not to see something had cause Aerith's usually unshakable joy to rattle loose, before she had bolted it back on. It comes to him in a flash that the reason he felt guilty was because he didn't want Aerith to think she was alone again. (Again? Why again?)

And it's i nthat moment he realizes he was hurting her trying to play everything off. By being Mr. Cool about it all. The words are out of his mouth before he knows what to with them, the sudden shock and guilt all over his face. ]

Listen, I'm-!

[ I'm sorry! ]

Edited 2022-08-19 03:18 (UTC)

[ While Cloud's ruminating over the details in his mind, plucking out small things in the grander story to paint the picture for him, Aerith's gaze is lowering. Had she bulldozed right into him? Maybe. She waits, and waits, before finally— ]

I'm sorry.

[ ... apologizing at the same time as Cloud. Surprise lights up her face, then and she snaps her head back up to look at him with an open mouth and wide gaze. Had they just...? Well, that's one way to know you're on the same page.

She giggles. Laughs and tries to hide her face, shaking her head and hanging it low before she raises it again, with a nod. ]

Well, anyway. [ All of it. They continue dancing, though by now, the song would have long ended. ] There's a lot going on. Try not to overthink it! More importantly, you're still making it up to me.

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