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.

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[ It always works in her favor, just being honest like this. Aerith giggles, leans back, and then flashes Eula and almost sympathetic smile. She looks heaven-ward only moments later; or the digital and magical approximation of the heavens, at least. She's not sick of Eula yet, so she immediately concocts a plan. The metaphorical light bulb goes off over her head, and she immediately grabs hold of Eula's arm to start dragging her along. Where to? ]

Great! You don't mind if I lead, do you?

[ The dancefloor, of course. ]

I saw you earlier. Your performance... it was really beautiful. [ She's a sucker for displays of artistic talent, but in truth: There is something honest in a dancer's movement that sticks out to Aerith. She was won over immediately. ]

Dance with me?

[ it hasn't struck eula yet, but it's always the ones who strive to pull her out of her shell and into a completely new thing that sucks her in every time. aerith is especially good at that, and as the other girl guides them through a neverending sea of people, human and youkai alike -- eula can't help but smile and admire her from here.

it's even more apparent now that they've made it on the dancefloor, aerith eagerly asking her to dance, and eula trying so hard now to proverbially trip over her words here. ]

Of course. It'd be an honor.

[ she places a hand over a chest much like a knight, and takes aerith's hand. not gonna lie, it is a bit funny that a smaller girl will be leading her, but eula will let her have this. she'll guide aerith along the way if she has to. ]

[ Maybe Eula can see it the flash of delight that crosses Aerith's face; the spark of magic that ignites immediately in her heart and sways only when the music silences itself. It builds into something soft and playful, wondrously romantic. That knightly bow does something for her, a girl who has both dreamed of staying where she is and being swept off her feet. (Not that she needs a hero, but knowing someone would play to her whims like this? Pure decadence in her mind.)

Her expression disintegrates when she looks down to the floor, biting her lip. The distance between them is closed and Aerith puts one arm around Eula's waist like she's seen people do in movies and ads, then slides the palm of her other hand along Eula's pale but strong arm, all while the crowd in the center clears a space for them. Her hand meets Eula's, her fingers lace with her's, and she leads.

Unsurprising to anyone, Aerith isn't much of a dancer, but she takes measured steps. It's harder in Eula's arms, truthfully; she gets lost in her eyes for a moment. By the time she's aware, embarrassingly, she's giggling and the crowd is giving them more room, clearing space for the pair to continue what looks like an amateurish rendition of a waltz.

That's what the night is about, though: It isn't the skill they bolster, but the display of magnetism, the show of love. ]

[ aerith may not have the skill, but her enthusiasm greatly makes up for what she lacks. it earns her a laugh, soft like windchimes tinkling above doors around this time of year, and eula keeps indulging her. the crowd finds this pair rather cute which was why they were giving them so much space, giving her the impression that for a moment, it's just the two of them alone in this festival.

their eyes meet, and eula is doing what she can not to look away on reflex as she guides aerith on the dancefloor. ]

You're a natural. [ her smile is encouraging as they continue swaying. ] Though, it's been a while since I danced with somebody like this...

[ hold on gurl, let her lead for just this once instance; eula stops for a moment, holding aerith's hand up and motions for her to twirl in place. ]

[ "It's been a while," Eula says naturally, and Aerith's brows raise as she realizes that she really is like a knight. It's curious to her; she'd thought of knights as little more than men in armor suits who died for someone else's cause, but... here Eula is, treating her like the most important girl at the ball.

She spins under Eula's guidance. The world blurs together, a dizzying sight, but when she comes back around, it's the other woman's face and presence that anchors her still. Her grip tightens; she's got a type, it seems. ]

Oh? Anyone I should be jealous of?

Didn't peg you as the jealous type.

[ she can't help but say, but she'll brush that off with a short laugh regardless. ]

You don't have to worry about anyone else. [ for now-- ] The Dance of Sacrifice -- the one I performed earlier -- is usually performed alone. And growing up, I didn't have anyone I could call a dance partner outside of the mentors who tutored me.

[ amber is nice enough to dance with her when they feel like it, at least. small blessings. ]

Hmm. Over you, maybe.

[ But she's not. Not really; not after being disappointed so deeply. She doesn't let herself get lost in the whirlwind of it all anymore. Eula is, however, very tempting. ]

Alone? [ She parrots that back at Eula, holds her hand tight, and knits her brows together. ]

Do you spend... a lot of time alone?

Please don't. I don't see how anyone could ever...

[ she shakes her head. she doesn't get why people want to get jealous over her, okay? maybe at some point some petty mondstadters would be envious of her beauty or talent on the battlefield, but they only bring in more negativity in her life than anything.

her eyes dim a little as she smiles that sheepish smile at aerith, squeezing her hand in return. ]

Not always. I have my best friend with me back home. But most of the time...

[ no one wants to hang out with a social pariah, after all. ]

[ Eula does not pant an image of her home life. She instead gives a shallow impression of it, something that Aerith inspects with great interest, feeling out the details as if mapping out a room in the dark. She presents herself with grace, reminding her a fair deal of those people in suits she sees around in some ways, but there is some kind of understanding, she thinks, for those who aren't quite as fortunate. To that end, Aerith wonders if this is the basis of her: The loneliness of being alone most of the time.

And she hums with interest, hands coming to rest on Eula's forearms— strong, but easy to touch. Welcoming, somehow. ]

It must have been lonely. Why wouldn't anyone spend time with you?

[ It's such an innocent question, in truth, but she's listening. ]

[ jeez, aerith sure knows how to cut deep with such a simple question. aerith averts her gaze from her, her own smile melancholic as she navigates them across the dancefloor. ]

Sometimes I wonder about the same thing.

[ a wry smile. the reason is pretty obvious, but this isn't the time to tell aerith that. it's too depressing for this festival where they should be having all sorts of fun. ]

But that doesn't matter now. I have you here. [ somehow that slipped out too easily. ] Isn't that enough?

[ Does she mean that? Aerith doesn't doubt it, in truth. When she lived in that small room at Shinra, less of a home and more like a containment box more than anything, all she had was her mother. There was one friend, and him alone, but she never felt like there was something like a "home" out there. She hadn't missed it, though. How can you miss something you never had? What Eula says, though, it reminds of the feeling she got when she realized she didn't have to leave Elmyra's home. When that was her place to come back to, when she was welcome. Not forced, but wanted.

Her expression melts, soft and surprised before slipping into a smile. Does she meant that? ]

If it is for you. [ Only Eula can decide that, after all. Still, she wants to know... what is it that separated her? Aerith will prod, but not now. Later, when they aren't surrounded like this. The music is winding down, the crowd around them still gossiping cheerfully. ]

I won't go anywhere.

[ Draping her arms over Eula's shoulders, she smiles softly and sincere, but somehow brighter than any other smile she's given of the evening. ] Besides... I'm not sick of you yet.

[ She may never be. ]

[ it's strange. all of this has been strange, and it's not just because of the stars making everyone more open about their feelings. eula wasn't fully sober when a couple of people had helped her out of the bar when she'd drunk herself senseless last month, so when people are now vying for her attention after that performance at the palace of sai -- well. it's been a lot to take in. she wasn't exactly wanted since she'd taken in her first breath in this world, after all.

"I'm not sick of you yet," she says. but for how long until she does? eula doesn't want to know, but aerith's smile is enough to let her believe that yes, someone like her is all right to be around. ]

...Thank you.

[ don't know how she'd gotten here, but aerith's face is so close to hers, possibly to hide her reddening cheeks that can't be easily seen in the moonlight. ]

I'll remember this, Aerith.

[ Eula may be experiencing the world from the eyes of someone with all the freedom that a name no one has heard of can have, but Aerith is considering her words, cheerfully. Their faces are inches apart; she can see every fleck of color in Eula's eyes, the swirl of warmth a beautiful contrast to her cool appearance, and she nearly leans in—

only to break away, gathering up the frilly skirt of her red dress and dashing off. She turns back, and stares at Eula. There's a playful smile on her face, beckoning her to come with. The crowd parts for her, shocked by the sudden change, and feeling rather like Cinderella for a moment, she goes again. Her destination isn't far; a nearly empty part of the courtyard, where bamboo trees stand tall, and tanzaku flutter in their pretty little dances. ]

C'mon! [ Aerith cries out, like a spoiled child determined to get what she wants. ]

[ --eh? just now, what was eula even intending to do with aerith just now? she'd barely recovered from staring too deeply into the other woman's eyes before aerith pulled away and dashed off, motioning the knight to come follow her. follow her where? ]

Aerith, wait--!

[ and chase her she does. this part of the courtyard is quiet somehow, her steps slowing down to a walk as she admires the peaceful scenery around them. aerith stands out most of all, and eula promptly catches up to her as she catches her breath. ]

Why did you... run off like that? [ even though deep in her heart, she knows. and she appreciates the privacy, thank you. ]

[ It's rude to ask questions you already know the answer to. Aerith leans against the railing, near a bench and beneath the sway of branches. There's an awning with folds like the skin of dumplings overhead that could provide cover, but she leans to the side of it, away from the shaows, so that starlight can fall over her skin and onto the red dress she's adorned in. Her silver accessories sparkle as she adjusts her hair, tucking a stray strand behind her ear as she waits.

When Eula had finally closed the distance between them, Aerith's heart rate had skyrocketed. She stilled, smiling even wider before placing a hand upon Eula's arm, leaning in again. Her voice drops to a whisper; it's funner, that way. ]

Kiss me.

[ They both knew, all along. Eula just hadn't seen it quite as clearly as she could have, blinded by a world that left her to her own devices, or robbed her of ever having them to begin with. Aerith offers them to her, gives her permission, and smiles all at once. ]

[ for a moment, eula's brain shortcircuited upon hearing those two words. did aerith mean that, or was she joking?

...no, she wouldn't joke about matters like this. the real reason why they're here is starting to dawn on eula -- or rather, she too has known it all along, but she's knee-deep in denial as usual. she too had the same reaction when she'd been kissed the first time, after all. being liked for who she is after spending a lifetime of being hated for her lineage does take some time getting used to, and unlearning all that will take more than a while.

but tonight, with aerith seeming to be more radiant than the artificial stars in the sky above them, she'll take that leap of faith with an arabesque. the festivities seem to drown out as eula tucks a strand of hair behind her own ear with a shy smile, before closing her eyes, leaning down, and pressing a soft kiss onto aerith's lips. it just feels right to do this somewhat, and despite her own heart wanting to leap out of her chest, she wishes to stay still with the other girl like this for a little longer, savoring this until they have to pull apart. ]

[ As a joke, it'd be in incredibly poor taste, but Eula's quite right when she realizes that Aerith herself wouldn't joke about it. It's a demand as much as it is a tease, as if to goad her into it, and though it seems like Eula is weighing the world against her wants and Aerith's own cheeky behavior, she still comes home.

Their lips touch with a sweet lightness that Aerith doesn't think she's been kissed with before, not quite with the idea of being worried about breaking her or something similar. Rather, Eula her wears hesitantly as easily as someone might wear a tie, and Aerith thinks to herself how she loves to tug upon it. She'll undo it someday, she thinks, she hopes, she wishes. It isn't enough to simply have it, she wants to keep it.

So a moment passes under the stars where Orihime and Hikoboshi can watch them embrace and spark the beginning of something fresh and new, where Aerith makes a wish she doesn't write down. Eula is soft on her lips, the sensation warm like laying in the summer sun beneath the hole in the plate.

When they part, Aerith stays close, looks into Eula's eyes, and she thinks to herself that she'll have to come up with more ways to get this out of her. With a giggle, she speaks. ]

Not bad. Were you nervous?

[ Tilting her head, she puts her hands behind her back. ]

Don't be. I'll let you practice much as you like.

[ their lips part, and it looks like eula has come to her senses... somewhat. she still couldn't believe she just did that. the urge to run crosses her mind, but she ignores it in favor of listening to aerith giggle at her, sounding like pleasant windchimes on a brisk summer day. ]

Don't... tease me like that, Aerith.

[ it's pretty apparently that she's nervous, hello? eula swallows, looks at aerith again, and grips both the other girl's arms. ]

I'm fine. I don't need...

[ her voice trails off and -- fine, who is she kidding here. ]

Okay, one more.

[ and she leans down again for one more.

they're going to be here for a while. ]

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August 2022 Event

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