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.

Comments

[inspiteful]

[ Honestly, perhaps not a bad idea? But considering this is "hell", Skylark isn't sure if this place would just grant wishes. Perhaps the most harmless of them and inconsequential of them, but...

...Actually, the alternative is that whatever it is in hell grants wishes in the worst way possible, but that seems a little unnecessary when there are already perfectly mundane ways for there to be suffering here. If he really thinks about it, they happen every day. ]

I don't know, I doubt anything that's really significant would be granted just like that. Even if magic is real, it doesn't seem like hell's style to grant anything big without a price tag attached.

And is it really cheating if some small wish gets granted? [ Assuming the wish would even be granted. ]

[kaientai]

... S'pose not, when ya put it that way.

[ it was never a good argument since he's just deflecting from his real hang ups anyway. if he can't do that, they'll just have to talk about something else instead. ]

Ya get somethin' outta convincin' people t' tie their wishes up? Wouldn't expect anybody t' care so much, is all.

[inspiteful]

[ If Skylark had noticed that Ryouma was trying to deflect, then he's sure not saying anything about it. (Also, now that he's hearing him talk more, he...sounds a lot like Hizen? Huh.)

He pauses, debating if his answer to that question would be a little too impolite. Then again, Ryouma just basically said that he was being a bit of a busybody, so perhaps it was only fair. ]

It just seems a little lonely to be standing off to the side and watching when people are having fun, that's all.

[kaientai]

Ah..

[ wow, stop wording things in ways he can't just brush off!! ]

I guess I've been busy doin' this or that for so long I'm not so good at relaxin' in these situations.

[ it's obvious, and ryouma is a terrible liar. ]

So, after startin' with these — [ he means the wishes he has to tie up. ] — what'll ya recommend?

[ for fun. since he's conceded that he sucks at this. ]

[inspiteful]

[ He's just giving his honest observation, buddy! ]

Is this what people call being a workaholic...

[ But at Ryouma's question, he has to think to give a serious answer. ]

What sort of things do you like?

[kaientai]

Hehe, maybe! I like solvin' problems.

[ it's the best part of his job. other parts he hates, but this makes up for a lot. ]

Well, I like learnin' about new things, mostly. And I like ships! Oh, and guns!

[ he has one of those. and speaking of weapons, also carries two swords these days. one of those should look super familiar considering it's identical to hizen tadahiro (the sword, not the guy). ]

[inspiteful]

[ He can't help but squint a little once he sees the sword and it occurs to him, wait, hasn't he seen this before? It...looks a lot like Hizen's sword??? If it had just been the accent, he would've put it down to coincidence, but... ]

Oh, like...ships in general? Building ships?

[ Never expected that today was the day he'd meet someone else who also likes ships, besides the ones he already did know. Skylark's refraining from commenting about the gun just yet, if only because he's pretty sure he's the only person here who keeps expecting them to shoot fire and not bullets instead. ]

[kaientai]

Oh, sure! Wouldn't know the first thing 'bout buildin' ships, but I bet it's interesting! Never was real good at anything too technical, book learnin' has a sorta aversion to me.

[ he's always been a terrible student so the self-depreciation is constant in this area. ]

Me, I just learned how t' sail.

[ likes, he will probably realise is an understatement, judging by ryouma's expression. this is ryouma's passionate niche interest, after all, for which he debatably toppled a government because he wasn't allowed to have them under the old system. ]

[inspiteful]

[ Is building ships the sort of thing where book learning matters? Skylark wouldn't know for sure. He just knows that pretty much all the shipwrights at the port back home did their apprenticeships, and either they made it or they didn't. Ryouma's apparent joy talking about his passionate niche interest seems infectious though since Lark's smiling a little himself. ]

Heh, I know someone back home who'd definitely like you either way.

[kaientai]

Yeah? Where's back home?

[ he has no idea if he's talking to someone from another country or another world, after all. ]

Guess we ain't been properly introduced, huh? Although, assumin' ya been around here for a minute, ya might've already heard'a me.

[ he's realised, to his dismay, that he's way more well-known around here than he'd prefer. this makes introducing himself like no one's ever seen him before somewhat awkward at times. ]

[inspiteful]

Wu-Jian. Probably not a place you've heard of?

[ As Skylark soon learnt after arriving in Hell, apparently. ]

And...haha, yeah, I'm not sure who hasn't heard of you if they've been here for more than a few weeks.

[ Technically he has Ryouma to thank for having to battle against magpies, if he really thinks about it. And by that logic, he supposed he had Ryouma to also thank for him ending up living with Hizen. ]

I'm Gracious SKylark, but just Skylark's fine.

[kaientai]

Ah. Can't say that I have, sorry! That doesn't mean much, though, even if we ended up comin' from the same world. It's a big place! [ and now it's the multiverse they have to contend with... ] Plus, that's a totally new thing t' hear about today I didn't know about yesterday.

[ it's how he keeps things exciting! ]

That's a pretty interestin' name if ya don't mind my sayin' so. No judgements! Mine means 'Dragon Horse', after all.

[inspiteful]

Feels like I'm the only one who knows what Creation is here, sometimes, haha...

[ It makes sense for the world to be big and to not know so many things regardless, though. He really does like learning new things, huh... ]

"Dragon Horse"? [ He tilts his head, wondering...well, he can't really judge but he has to wonder how names like this happen. ] Names like mine are pretty normal back home.

[kaientai]

'Creation'? That mean somethin' specific where you're from?

[ more reasons to be very interested in that world, wherever it is. things sound different in ways he can't exactly wrap his head around.

ryouma finishes tying up the wishes and looks at his handiwork with a content little sigh. so that's that! ]

Hehe, mine's kinda weird for where I'm from. My father had high hopes when he picked that out.

[inspiteful]

That's what we call the world.

[ "All of Creation", and whatnot. He watches Ryouma tie up the wishes, admittedly kind of curious to see what they are. ]

I can understand "dragon", but horse...?

[kaientai]

Oh! I see! Hehe, it's just the World where I'm from. Or, I mean... Earth is Earth, that's the planet, but the World is what it is!

[ yeah, sure, that makes sense. don't make him have to explain the nebulous entity that he works for. ]

There's an old story where I come from that talks about a horse that sweats blood and is so powerful it can run for a thousand leagues. Tryin' to capture a little of that energy, I guess?

[inspiteful]

[ ...??? Why does he feel like "world" is supposed to be a proper noun here? ]

I suppose just calling it the "world" would be pretty straightforward.

...I kind of get that, but a horse that sweats blood sounds kind of...

[ Alarming? Perhaps that's the point??? He isn't sure how to feel that technically that doesn't sound completely farfetched to actually exist where he's from. ]