jigokulogs | 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No. Don't be like that.

[ There's a playfulness lighting up her face, and Aerith has the audacity to lean in, to invade his space. He's silly. Something about this is tickling her fancy; maybe it's just the idea of someone trying to protect her, but... ]

You don't need to worry. I'm not like some princess who needs to be coddled.

[Kazuma's eyes narrow at her, but after a moment, a smirk creeps up his face. Oh, we're being cute, are we?]

I wouldn't dream of it. I was simply trying to avoid a scene. The reputation of the establishment is at stake.

[You know. Some of us are trying to keep it classy here. Baiting a fight is against the rules.]

[ Pay it no mind if she leans in a bit more. Thank goodness for the heels; they may not be tall, but they're enough to give her enough height to invade his personal space even further. ] Is that so?

[ A tilt of her head; she keeps going. ]

But you'll be dreaming anyway. Do I have that right?

[He doesn't quite back away from her--even in this situation it feels like conceding something--but he does lean away a little bit to give him a little more breathing room. Aerith clearly doesn't mean any harm, but his reserves of patience aren't limitless either, and he's only willing to play along so much.]

If you intend to cause more trouble, I'm afraid I will have to ask you to leave. This is still my job.

So serious! [ There's even a touch of disappointment in her voice. Aerith stands down and pouts for a few moments before tilting her head back towards him. ]

If it's your job, then what? You do anything else?

[ It's sincere curiosity, this time. She's earnestly asking Kazuma about himself. ]

[Kazuma heaves a sigh.]

Just this. I'm a bouncer, sort of.

[He's in the unfortunate position of not liking being in Shuten while also wanting to advance as quickly as possible, so jobs within Shuten are his best option. Which sucks for him.]

Sometimes I'm even a dealer. [You know. The cheating kind.]

[ "Sort of" is a bit unusual, in her mind, but... ]

The cheating kind? That's no fun. Can't win on your own luck?

[He smiles a little bitterly.]

I tried and was reprimanded.

[Hence the warning.]

That sucks.

[ Really. She pinches her lips together, and huffs a little. ]

It's good, though, that you know where you stand on the issue. Did I say thank you, yet?

[Kazuma smiles, despite himself; Aerith has turned out to be rather charming. It's good to know there are some like minds here, even if they seem to belong to other factions. Just his luck.]

Think nothing of it. If I let you go now, do you think you can behave?

[He won't be surprised if the answer is "no," but he doesn't think he'll care too much, either.]

[ The answer isn't no, of course. But... ]

What's my incentive?

[Kazuma raises his eyebrows at her. He wants to say "not getting thrown out," but perhaps diplomacy is more in order here.]

What kind of incentive are you looking for?

How about a good one?

[ The cheekiness cannot be contained, it seemed. ]

[The eyebrows go up further. He's really not even trying to pretend he isn't playing dumb.]

Shouldn't you be the one to tell me what that is? I hardly know you, after all.

[ Hmm... ]

But I hardly know what you've got to offer! [ Well... ]

You ever put a table together?

[This took another turn Kazuma wasn't expecting. How does this keep happening???]

You mean like... carpentry?

Sure do! I need the base of a display case put together.

[ Tilting her head, she stares up at him as if she totally didn't just reroute this conversation. Honestly, half the fun is just being unpredictable. ]

If you prefer, I could take a date instead. Like... an "IOU"?

Let me get this straight. You want some kind of favor from me in exchange for not causing a fuss.

[He cocks his head at her in turn, smiling.]

You know I could just throw you out.

C'mon! Pretty please? Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

[He pauses for a moment, considering. It's mostly for show.

Then,]

...How big is the display case?

Bigger than me.

[ Which isn't the best measure, you see, but she's mainly making an i n s i n u a t i o n... the naughty sort. ]

What do you say?

That's quite the size.

[It's partly playing into the banter and partly Kazuma groaning at this project he's apparently made himself a part of. He doesn't actually enjoy building things.]

What is it you plan on displaying?

Flowers, [ comes Aerith's gentle, matter-of-fact reply. Quickly, too, so he'll know it to be the truth. ]

Arrangements of them, pots for them, maybe tools for gardening... that's my thing, you know.

Your "thing," is it?

[Somehow, this is the least surprising thing Aerith has said about herself all night.]

A hobby of yours? [And yes, he is calling it a hobby to see if it'll rile her up.]

It used to be, I guess!

[ Instead of getting riled up, she sees this as an opportunity to share. ]

Now, I've turned it into a career. You got a favorite flower?

(no subject)

karumic - 2022-09-21 02:53 (UTC) - Expand