August 2022 Event

[jigokumods]

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.

Comments

[lucky_e]

She does just that, picking a stool in front of Tenshi, hands resting up on the bar as she waits for her drink. Something refreshing with just enough strength to start things off on a high note does sound wonderful. Besides, mojitos aren't all that hard to mix together, and were an equally easy drink to order.

"Yes, life really is just like that, isn't it." She hums, smiling and listening to Tenshi talk happily. It was kind of calming, in its own way. "I'd argue that you wouldn't necessarily be chosing one, new, friend over another. More that you're simply expanding your friendships."

There was a tilt of her head following it. "I'm also sure you have a nice voice."

[swordofhisou]

The hardest part about a mojito was not overmuddling the mint. Thankfully, she was just lazy enough that this worked in her favor and it wasn't overworked when she set the drink down in front of the other. She laughed softly and smirked over at her, shaking her head. "I'm used to dealing with jealous types. Besides, when you want good tips, you know better than to alienate anyone." she winked as she said it.

"It's not that bad, but I'm way too energetic on stage for this kind of thing. And besides, I keep getting told the music I sing at Karaoke isn't appropriate." She had a bad knack for singing the kinds of songs Aerosmith or the Chili Peppers sang, which meant they were heavy on innuendo.

[lucky_e]

Of course, the jealous sort were usually the ones that would cause the most problems. In more than one sense of the word too. She keeps her mind from wandering too much to the ones she knew back home and the kind of problems they might be causing at the moment. There was no sense in worrying over any of it. So, for now, she went ahead and relaxed a bit more. "Perhaps not, but it isn't a bad idea to say no every so often."

She said with some amusement and a light blush over the wink. "Isn't energetic part of the performance, though?"

She thought it was. Given just how... well, how energetic, some of the people on stage could get. "Oh, but your choices might not be considered appropriate, even here?"

[swordofhisou]

"Mmmm. Perhaps every so often. All depends on what they're demanding of me. Even little old me's got my limits," she said, snickering some while she looked over at the stage and shrugged. "It's part of it to be energetic by nature, but it doesn't hurt if you've got a decent ear for tones and harmony. I don't have that."

She snickered. "Well, I hear that the songs are kind of dirty. But I can't help it if so much music that I find at karaoke's dirty, can I?"

[lucky_e]

She takes a sip of her drink, letting the minty coolness wash itself down her throat along with the familiar feeling of alcohol. Her eyes follow along towards the stage, another sip. "I suppose so, honestly it's not something I'm all that knowledgeable of. You certainly sound like you know a thing or two about it, though."

She shifts her gaze from the stage and gives Tenshi a small smile. "Still, you're right. I suppose you can't help it. You seem rather nonchalant about it."

[swordofhisou]

"Oh, I frequent a few of the karaoke bars in the area when I'm on my off time." She snickered as she said it. "It's kind of a pastime of mine. It's not too expensive and it's fun and you don't have to actually be good at singing to do it. This whole thing?" She gestured a little towards what was going on at the cabaret and the various acts that were going on.

"This is a little above me, but it's lots of fun to watch. If you want to watch me perform, stop by the arena sometime after my shift. that's when I'll shine like the heavens."

[lucky_e]

"I can understand that." It was all very flashy, she wasn't certain if she could do it herself. Not without a bit of added help. It did still catch the imagination.

"The arena though?" She tilted her head at the woman. "You're a fighter then."

[swordofhisou]

"Heh. I never told you? I'm one of the best fighters in all Gensokyo. I made them come looking for me one of those days to pick a fight!" Try as she might to sound proud of it, the reality was that she nearly wrecked the whole valley in one of her hack-brained schemes and Reimu had to kick her sorry ass hard for trying to set off an earthquake. She was, perhaps, inflating her idea of how strong she was.

That said, she could definitely fight. Lots of folks in Gensokyo could. "I've got a match I'm lining up that'll be so much fun. She's not ready for this rematch, heh." Little show off. "But it's not like I have lots of time to beat people up in the arena. That's more of a Shuten thing, and Tenkohime only gives me so much time I can use for that."

[lucky_e]

"One of the best fighters? That's quite the boast to make." Goodness this girl is the prideful sort! That confidence is still kind of cute, in its own way! The mention of the arena does draw her attention in more, however.

Right, there's a fighting ring here run by the Shuten gang. What was that about a rematch? A rival, perhaps. Hm... well, she'll just have to go and watch if she gets the time. "You're being kept on a tight leash, are you?"

[swordofhisou]

"I've got the record to back it up!" Yeah, kind of. sort of. Well, at least she did have several wins under her belt even if that was definitely overkill for her to pretend like she was one of the best out there. The question made her blink owlishly and shrug with a little bit of a smirk.

"mebbe a little. I might have gotten in a teensy bit of trouble here and there, and they're making sure it stays just a little bit."

[lucky_e]

"Then I can't wait to see what you can do in the arena."

She said with a soft, encouraging smile. There wasn't any doubt in her voice either. Just belief in Tenshi's words that she's one of the best of the best.

"It's kind of hard to keep out of trouble here. I'm sure they'll ease up soon enough and you can get full range of freedom back" Enty hummed back, far too hard for somewhere that's relatively peaceful. Or at least as peaceful as a city controlled by gangster youkai can get. "At the very least, there's very little trouble to be found here."

[swordofhisou]

"Yeah, I kind of earned it, hehe." 'Punching down' was definitely frowned upon by her superiors. They liked to do things more subtly and softly in the Tamamo after all. Ah well. She hadn't gotten into TOO much trouble. "But it'll be fine, and I'll be looking for you in the stands one of these days. I can show off just for you."

Which was a good way to get your head clocked, but hey. She was a show off.