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

[ He turns to the side to scoot between the two stalls, his approach heralded by the smell of smoke. He shouldn't have surprised anyone, but the thief abruptly knocks over a stack of crates and merchandise as he bolts for it. ]

Oi, idiot! Ya can't hide!

[ Oh, he really went for it. Haru's had enough time to get into position and as she dashes forward, a bit of pale blue flame flickers around her eyes, forming a black mask. She grips it and tears it off in one swift movement, and within a second or two, the thief will find his path blocked by.

Well, an eerily floating ballgown bristling with guns underneath the voluminous skirt. And Haru herself. ]

I would rethink any decision other than standing down. At this range, I can't guarantee shallow injuries.

[ It doesn't take Majima much effort to join them, he's much taller than both of them. 'Catman' turns out to be a scruffy mountain boy, and he makes a nervous little shriek. He does kinda look like a feral cat of a person, so maybe it's not he worst nickname. ]

She ain't jokin', an' I can't stop her.

[ Majima spreads his hands loosely. If he is all that curious about her power, now sure isn't the time to pay attention to it. ]

Drop th'loot an' she ain't gonna hurt ya.

Drop dead, you Shuten thugs!

[ He has a high, reedy voice that lacks in carry. He mostly just looks freaked out, clutching his prize. ]

[ He's a weird feral kind of cute. Poor scruffy angry thing.

But still, he's being belligerent and Haru steps forward. Her entire attire has changed, to something more resembling a musketeer, though she's got what looks like ammunition at her waist. The ballgown continues to float ominously behind her. ]

It's not right to steal what isn't yours. [ says the Phantom Thief. ] And it's equally not right to abandon your friends. That's deplorable.

You can still set this right. This doesn't have to go poorly. However, if you still insist on being stubborn, I'll be forced to view you as an enemy.

Majima-san, if he doesn't decide to cooperate within the next five seconds, would you mind backing up a bit, please?

[ The shakey yokai glances between them. If it's not her, his buddies are going to catch up with him. Shouldn't he at least get something out of it? But the snake has his eyebrows raised, incredulous of his ability to survive her. The yamabiko doesn't have a lot in his repertoire for advanced combat.

So he throws the bag of chips directly up into the air, spilling them everywhere. He gives out a terrible, echoing scream and then bolts for the nearest path up into the ceiling of the underground with feral speed.

Majima stares up after him, just agape at this display of overt cowardice. ]

Fuckin' hell.

[ Why'd he even waste their time with the chase? Idiot. ]

Edited (a little bigger than just a sewer....) 2022-08-28 02:34 (UTC)

[ Haru yelps a little as chips rain down, though she also holds out her hands to catch the bag and its remnants (even if the majority definitely went flying). The mysterious ballgown vanishes, again with that flicker of blue fire. ]

Um, Majima-san, should we...

[ she shifts the bag to the crook of one arm. And. Gestures?? In the direction their new friend just fled?? ]

Ya wanna go dig him outta some pipe somewhere?

[ He does not. He hisses and clucks his tongue, bending down to pick the stupid chips up. They're what mattered anyway... ]

If I knew the layout better...

[ Absolutely. But she knows a dismissal when she hears it, so she crouches down to assist with chip gathering, clothing reverting back to normal. It's fine. ]

Nah... next time any of his buddies spots him, he's gettin' skinned. We ain't gotta do nothin'.

[ Sigh. He should have thought about it before he did it then. There's always that guy, watching and waiting to snatch the get and run. Some of them never learn and get their asses beat over and over again. That's... life on the streets. ]

So what's with th'outfit?

[ Might as well ask while they're alone out here. ]

Oh, I...

[ hm. She dumps a handful of chips into the bag, mulling over how best to explain it. ]

It's... an ability I awoke to, back home. It's a manifestation of my inner rebellion.

[ That makes no sense! But also Majima has been in the yokai realm too long to balk at much. Just because it doesn't make sense to him doesn't mean it's not true. ]

Sure does th'job, huh.

[ Intimidating. He had to get his inner rebellion tattooed onto him, and she just awakes to it? He buys it, whatever. ]

It's not at full power, but it's given me more options than I had when I first arrived.

[ With a little smile. ]

The rest is just improving myself in all of the other ways.

[ He pauses, mouth pulling in a strange way. In an idealized world, she'd be all right for the yakuza. But the world doesn't actually work the way he'd like it to, especially not in Hell. That kind of earnest has a way of getting rubbed out. He just goes back to picking up chips and stuffing them back in their bag. ]

That's just growin' up though, huh?

[ The words themselves are a little dismissive, but the tone is encouraging. ]

Mm... yes, I'd agree with that. There have been times where I've had to grow up faster than I would have ideally wanted... at least here, I've had a little more freedom.

[ Here. In hell. In a yakuza-like faction.

It's fine. ]

[ That is such a statement, Haru. ]

Take advantage of it.

[ He sure is. ]

I will do my utmost to do that, sir!

[ yeah!!! ]

August 2022 Event

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