jigokulogs | 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

[!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh fuck YES. Lalli knows what the fuck is UP. (Which is to say that Aster's eyes widen and his grip tightens just a little once they get close enough for him to get a really good look at what the fuck taiyaki actually is.)]

Way better. Oh! So much better! [He stops. Turns to shoot his poor sweets companion a stunned look. Then pulls out his coinpurse with his free hand.]

We're getting a dozen. Three each. Do they come in different flavours, or just the beans? I feel like we have sweets similar to this back home, with sweet beans! Is that what this is? Or is it a fruit paste? They look so crunchy! Aaaaah~

That's a lot.

[It's a lot to Lalli, who normally eats just one and that's it. But Lalli is also stick thin so the real answer as to 'how many to eat' is probably somewhere between one and a dozen.]

It's sweet beans. But it might be good with strawberries inside.

[Strawberries are an Acceptable fruit to Lalli, so having it as a filling to taiyaki would be okay. He is kind of partial to the sweet beans though, the texture doesn't gross him out like a lot of mashed things do.]

[shrieks not me accidentally annihilating 'half' and just saying they'll get a dozen taiyakis, then proceeding to say half of that is three...i am losing my mind

ANYWAY

C'mon now, who doesn't just gorge on sweets? Who needs to worry about their physical health? That's pussy shit, as far as Aster knows, and the surprise on his face at Lalli stating a vague limit on sweets probably says as much.

Then it gets swept away at the thought of strawberries in a pastry crust...Shaped like a little fish...] Sweet beans! Oh, maybe I could reverse engineer--

[The vendor gives him a sharp look, already picking up on what Aster's getting at, and he giggles as he takes the load of taiyaki and promptly pivots away. Not a smart idea to go harping about your idea to steal taiyaki customers in front of the taiyaki people.] ...Aaaanyway, as I was saying. I could probably reverse engineer whatever they use for the outside, and strawberries...Bananas, maybe...All sorts of fruits, as long as they held together somewhat! Or had a thickener. And creams...

Here! Your reward ♡ [Three pastry fishes, and they're the nicest-looking ones at that! Surprisingly generous of him, but he figures that Lalli deserves something nice for having to listen to his bullshit.] Thank you for accompanying me, even though we're strangers and all. I'd buy you sweets any time~

[It's fine they will just throw back taiyaki until they fall into a food coma.

Lalli has no idea what Aster is planning. All he hears is Aster talking about different fillings, and he assumes that maybe the guy likes to cook. Maybe he wants to learn a new recipe to make at home? That must be it. Lalli has no business sense whatsoever, so he's assuming something far more positive here.

But he will take his taiyaki, thanks. And he's going to take a bite out of one of them before responding.]

We're not strangers now. And I'll eat food you buy if it's not disgusting.

[Lalli is still a chronically picky eater, but some foods are Acceptable and he will eat them.]

[Two guys, holding hands, chowing the fuck down on taiyaki like demons because idk it's Tanabata and that's just what you do.

Maybe it's the promise of impending subtle sweetness, or the novelty of someone who doesn't instantly move to shut him down, but Aster's already feeling rather fond of Lalli, truth be told. Man, he's way too used to getting yelled at for blowing his own money...]

True ♡ We're friendly acquaintances. Dessert buddies, perhaps! But now I have to know what you find disgusting, so I can avoid it. You don't like super sweet stuff, I take it? Things that are fresh and simple...So maybe no candy apples tonight, for you. Huhu~

[The list Lalli could give of 'disgusting foods' is a long one, but he's not going to spend all that time listing everything off. Instead, he starts with a few related ones:]

Anything over-ripe is bad. Crunchy is better than soft. Sweet is okay, but not too sweet.

[Taiyaki is acceptable because, even if it's softer than he normally likes, it's the perfect amount of 'sweet but not too sweet'.]

I see, I see~ To be honest...I like the sound of that, too. Overripe and mushy might as well be baby food, right? If you're going to break something down, at least let it have some texture! Maybe you would like candy apples, then...They use those sour apples to make them, so the sweetness of the candy is all balanced out! And it's super crunchy all through ♡

[It definitely lacks the 'overripe and soft' bits, so hopefully the sweetness of the toffee is worth overlooking a little.

...Also, Aster just wants one now. But only once he's done wolfing down his taiyaki, of course.] I like sweets that aren't too sugary or fatty...Cream's nice, but it can't be the sort of cream that leaves a weird, fatty film on the inside of your mouth. And bonus points for going well with tea~ Which I think these would...The subtle sweetness of the beans would go so well with a pot of strong tea, don't you think?

[Lalli seems dubious at the thought of eating 'sour' and 'sweet' at the same time, but he doesn't comment on it. Sometimes you do have to taste two things at once, even if it's usually annoying. (Lalli is one of the few that thinks it's annoying probably.)]

Maybe. I don't drink tea usually.

We'll have to chan--

Wait, is it because you don't like it, or just because you don't have a chance to drink it very often? The distinction's very important~ Though...The former might still have a chance of rehabilitation with the right blend, but that's not for me to decide for you, is it? Huhu ♡

[clearly someone's very fond of the social trappings and routines that come with serving tea.]

Tea is expensive. Only rich people drink it. Everyone else drinks coffee.

[So yeah, probably the latter. Though there are some kinds of tea he would dislike regardless.]

August 2022 Event

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject