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

[He's still unsure about being in a crowd, let alone for something like dancing. Never been good at it and especially not when he's being watched. Jon follows her motion, looking up at the small constellation and smiles a little. It's nothing to step closer. Just... To have conversation. But he'll awkwardly shuffle a little to the beat.]

He'd be jealous, if he really was watching. That's how he was. Is. He gets jealous easily.

[Jon thinks it's cute, when it wasn't directed toward "Jon why won't you just kill Oliver?" arguments.]

[ While Jon awkwardly shuffles, Aerith lets the rhythm take her. Shoulders moving, arms up and a smile painted on her face, she listens to the fondness that still manages to trickle out of his voice. Maybe she's imagining it, but— ]

Ohh... You like when he's jealous, don't you?

[ She circles him, shoulders still rolling. Even if she's slightly offbeat, Aerith is having fun with it, and tries to tease the fun out of Jon, too. ]

What?

[He does stare at her for that. Genuine surprise is on his face as he forgets he should be moving for a few moments. It's hard to tell in the lighting if his face is darker or if he's just standing in shadows.]

I-i don't- It's not really something we ever got to talk about.

[It was nice, though. Feeling wanted after so long. Feeling broken for one reason or another most of his life, unlovable for most of his adult life, and here comes Martin who loves him, wholly and without question, even getting jealous when there isn't anything of the such to be jealous of. Maybe he did like it. Maybe it was nice to feel wanted enough for someone to be jealous over him.]

It's not like it matters, he isn't here.

[ In truth, it confuses her why he mentions they never "talked" about it. Aerith has never spoken about that to any of her paramours; all of it happened organically. Even now, Cloud and Aerith haven't slapped a label onto anything they're doing. Maybe it's just for fun, or maybe it's for the simple need of wanting to be close to someone. In some respects, really, she gets Jon's thought pattern, but this one simply confused her. She tilts her head. ]

I guess not...

[ The way she says it, like a balloon deflating, it's clear she wanted to continue the topic. So... ] But, really? It's kind of... cute of you! I like seeing you like this.

[Oh, his face is turning a very obvious darker shade now. Only Martin's ever thought he's cute (Tim did, at one time. Not so much by the end.) even through the frustration. He still isn't sure he believes Martin in that regard, but here Aerith is saying the same thing. Then again, Aerith doesn't know who and what he is.]

That's- Very ... [Not kind. He's focusing on not tripping over his own feet, self conscious in a way he is only when he's afraid people are watching him. Which is to say: always.] I appreciate you thinking so. Martin says the same thing.

[ When she pauses, coming to a complete stop mid-dance move, it comes with a pout. Though nothing about Jon's body language implies as such, she gets the feeling... ]

You like it when he calls you cute. [ A beat. ] But not me?

[ It's more apologetic than anything— has she accidentally struck a nerve again? ]

[When she stops, Jon hesitates. Watching her carefully before realizing he's stuck his heel into his mouth. Not as badly as usual, but at least a little bit.]

Sorry, it- It's. A bit complicated.

[ She holds in this position, tilts her head and then continues. No reason to get him worked up over what might be nothing. ]

I got time for complicated.

[ Boy, does she. ] Bet it's not as complicated as you think!

[Well she's continuing... maybe he hadn't eaten his foot quite so thoroughly. But his awkward little shuffles don't quite have the same harbinger heart in them like before.]

Oh, I'm fairly certain it's more complicated than I would like.

Yeah, so what? You're worth it.

[ She even shrugs. Lay it on her, Jon. ]

...I'm really not.

[He means that seriously. He isn't really dancing so much anymore as just acknowledging the beat.]

I don't think I ever thanked you for helping me when I first arrived here.

And since I'm so generous, I decided to ignore that.

[ He worries too much. Really. ]

[....................................]

Thank you. For everything.

[He's British, HE'S GOING TO BE POLITE and make it everyone's problem.]

For everything?

[ Laughing just a little, she shakes her head. ]

That go for all the future times I give you reason to thank me, too?

I can't necessarily thank you for the future as I don't know it. But everything so far... yes.

[ The British will be the death of her. For now, though, she just stops long enough to smile at him, smiling in a knowing manner, as if she's in on some secret. ]

You're welcome, Jon.

[ Now, they've got some boogeyin' to do, in her book. ]

August 2022 Event

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject