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

[disagree]

[ if eula notices cloud staring for too long, she doesn't make a note of it. she is still rather bashful at all the accolades she's been getting though, so she can't help but look away as well. in the end they're truly alike, aren't they?

...okay, where were they? right, training. ]

Yes. A lot of dancing lessons from my childhood along with my usual knightly training. I incorporated a lot of steps from that dance in my bladework, hence why it would look familiar to you.

[ it helps her stand out from the other knights -- or any other swordfighter here in hell, really. even tenkohime bemoaned that she didn't snatch up her contract when she had the chance. ]

I guess you could say that... greatswords are decent dancing partners. You should try it sometime, if you're able to. [ she jests, but. ] Though I suppose that anyone can dance with any weapon if they wish. Like guns. Can you imagine?

[identitycrisiscore]

[ He thinks of the main person he knows who uses guns - massive, heavy with muscle, gun for an arm. And Eula gets to see Cloud trying hard and failing to contain a grin at the image. ]

Not really. Guns as dance partners seems a little hard to pull off.

[ He thinks a bit about what Eula means, though, about greatswords being dance partners. ]

...It's the weight, right? Like a dance partner, when a sword that big pulls you along, you have to match your steps to it. You can't force it to move a way it doesn't want to.

[ At least, that's what Cloud would assume - his own Buster Sword is heavy, very much the epitome of a sharpened slab of metal. ]

You know, with all the people here who have their own styles, it'd be a shame not to learn a trick or two from others.

[ A beat. ] Though, given what you've told me about everything that happened, I'm guessing your style isn't something you'd want to let anyone learn.

[disagree]

[ she sees that grin, cloud. is it really such a funny thought? though now she's imagining fatui mooks dancing around with their rifles and it's surely a funny thought. ]

Yes, exactly that. [ she nods readily. of course cloud would get it. ] Although my claymore is lighter than most swords that size, but that's the idea behind it. It takes great skill to come up with steps on the spot, but I'd say it's worth it.

[ cloud had only see him dance without her claymore, but maybe one day there will be another encore. it's actually rather refreshing to talk about this with someone likeminded who isn't, you know, diluc. not that she'd have any reason to talk to the ragnvindrs clan anyway. ]

I'm open to lessons, actually. But in order to learn my Favonius Bladework, one must master the art of the dance first. And since you already know the basics...

[ her smile is quite cheeky here. come on cloud, it'd be fun! ]

[identitycrisiscore]

[ Eula's willingness to teach catches Cloud off guard. He looks at her for a moment, processing what she said. ]

You're really willing to teach it? [ It's not necessarily that he doubts Eula's words, but Cloud has always pushed forward learning things on his own. Having someone to teach him more than the basics and not just learning things in the midst of combat... ]

[ He glances back at her, his head still turned as if he had still been trying to avoid making eye contact with Eula. ] ...I don't know that I can offer anything in turn, at least right now, so—

[ If she was going to teach him, it'd be a pretty serious favor, is of course what he's trying to imply. Or... perhaps that one of them would find some way for him to pay the balance off to Eula, later. The mind is free to wander at the insinuation. ]

If you're sure about this, then— sure. I'm game.

[disagree]

[ oh, so he wants to pay her back for this... well, that's fair. usually eula would offer out of the goodness of her own heart, as a way to form bonds with other people now that cloud knows her depraved lineage. ]

You don't have to. Or at least, not right now. I'll think of something to even the playing ground between us.

[ no need to make this more complicated. it's just two friends dancing and training together. nothing special about it :)

except... it is special to her. she doesn't know anyone else who wields greatswords like her, and she's already more than aware of cloud's prowess even if it was with a pipe. he'd be even stronger with this, she thinks. ]

I am serious about this. So... Thank you. [ there's that small smile again, accompanied with a slight flush to her cheeks. nothing special, right. ] Let me know when you're free, then?

[identitycrisiscore]

[ Cloud finally has the mettle to meet Eula's face — the smile and flush of her cheeks causing the faint ghost of a smile to play on his face in turn. ]

Looking forward to it. [ ...Does he mean the training, or what Eula will decide as 'payment'? A bit open-ended, that. ]

The doctors have said I should be clear to resume my normal training regimen next month — the worst of what happened a couple months back has worked its way through my system, but I'm still not at hundred percent. But now I've got something more to look forward to.

I never learned a proper 'fighting style'. A lot of what I know is practical combat. So I guess what I'm saying is... I'll be in your care, 'Teach.

[ Okay, he may be laying it on a little thick because there's something fun about teasing Eula. ]

[disagree]

[ "teach"? let her just clear her throat a bit -- AHEM. ]

N-No need to call me that. We're of equal footing, as fellow claymore wielders and... [ ... ] Friends, I suppose.

[ now it's her turn to look away from cloud. at this rate, they're going to carry this conversation while barely making eye contact. great job guys, hit the showers after this. ]

It may not be a proper fighting style, but it is better than no style at all. Who knows? With my assistance, you could create a fighting style that you can truly call yours. [ now she looks at him with a determined smile. ] Let's start easy and work your way up as you recuperate. All right?

[identitycrisiscore]

Friends, huh? [ He almost sounds like he's trying to play it off. Disaffected and cool. But the truth is there's just a hint there of wistfulness. He'd like that, Eula. ]

Well, I'll make sure to make plenty of time for it. Just go easy on me if it takes me a few tries to get the steps right, okay?

[ There's a beat there but... he does laugh, it's not much more than a short chuckle, but it is there. ]

[disagree]

[ SHE DOESN'T WANT TO ASSUME but if cloud doesn't object to it, then... yes, they're friends now, in spite of the incredibly harrowing circumstances that led them here.

she smiles at his laugh and shakes her head. ]

No, I'm afraid that I will have to up the ante a little. You're not a bad dancer up there, Cloud, so I'm certain that you can handle certain steps.

[ a beat. ]

Have you worn heels before?

[ this is very important. ]

[identitycrisiscore]

Heels!?

[ Eula, that might be, no joke, the first time you've heard distress from Cloud. How did she know. What does she know. he takes a moment to compose himself, looking away, and then back, with a side-along glance. ]

I... yeah. I know how to wear and walk in them. Done it before. [ Beat. ] Why? Is that- required?

[ He is not going to elaborate on Wall Market. At least, not right away. ]

[disagree]

[ she blinks twice. ]

You... You do?

[ THAT'S QUITE UNEXPECTED? but wow, he's that lax with his own masculinity, huh. good for him. ]

I mean. It's not required, of course. Perhaps if you wish to tackle more advanced techniques, that's when I'll ask you to wear them, but... [ she's trying really hard not to crack a smile here ] For now we'll start with the basics. So no need to show it off.

[ help ]

[identitycrisiscore]

I- Well-

[ Oh now he has decidedly gone red in the cheeks. Eula has well and truly cornered the man. ]

Right. We can... cross that bridge when we get to it. [ Does that mean he's actually willing to wear heels for training?? Well. He didn't rule it out, anyway. ]

...It's a little weird, right? [ He's trying to laugh it off. Just a little. ]

[disagree]

Hm? Not at all.

[ she tilts her head at him. why would she think it's weird... ]

In fact, it's quite rare to encounter a guy like that. It makes my job far easier the more we train together.

[ cloud is very secure in his masculinity. what's not to appreciate? eula's smile is a tad playful as she presses on. ]

But as I said, it is not required. I understand balking at the idea at first -- I'm just used to walking and running in them through the wilderness, is all. [ a shrug. ] So don't you dare back down on my account.

[identitycrisiscore]

I-

[ ...Honestly, he wasn't expecting that response. He would have, at best, expected a raised eyebrow and the silent damnation of no further comment. The fact Eula gives him an earnest endorsement— well. ]

...Thanks. Maybe I'll tell you about how that happened another night.

[ He is going to need to be just a touch sauced to go into the details of Wall Market, he thinks. ]

Until then, well... if the training needs heels. I won't disappoint. You can count on it, Eula.