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

[aceslow]

[ Kim adjusts his glasses with his free hand as he leans forward, watching as Marie demonstrates her powers with no small degree of fascination. He did not believe in the supranatural before coming here - and still does not believe it exists in his homeworld to this extent - but it's difficult for him to divine whether he thinks it's spectacular or frightening. Somewhere in-between, he supposes. Surrounded by people at home with all sorts of powers as he is, he has come to learn that he himself is woefully outmatched in most things, save for the things he's specifically not allowed to do.

Still, it is pretty incredible. ]

That's quite something. It was a surprise to me, to see how common notions of magic are for most people. Right down to magical bullets. [ All he has is iron and lead. ] So your powers, your weapon -- all of this is what you had inherited from those who came before you?

[adversus]

[The bullet soon dissipates within her hand, as she squeezes it shut. Well aware that it must be jarring to see such a power, when there is no magic in his world. Still, it was a nice trick to have in case of emergency, and she would certainly come to Kim's aid, if he needed it at any time while they were here.]

You must know plenty of people that know magic, and some of my powers are still muted here but... You know, feel free to call on me at any point if you need any help. I'll happily protect you, if you want me to.

[Her words are said with a friendly smile, and a genuine one at that.]

Oh! You could say that! My bloodline is particularly strong, so I've been blessed with more power than the average magical user back home... As for the weapon, my uncle, Astralin, gave me the scythe right as the war started.

[She pauses, and that smile is quick to change into a somewhat bittersweet one.]

I'm hoping that this weapon doesn't have to see anymore bloodshed, but I'm not too sure, with how things are going here, now.

[She turns her gaze back to Kim.]

What about you? Got any special weapons on you?

[aceslow]

Thank you. I am capable of protecting myself perfectly well, however, even if I don't happen to have any magical abilities of my own.

[ He knows that by the standards of this place, he's not at all a powerful person. He hardly is by the standards of his home either, but he's at least self-sufficient. The idea that he needs protecting from anyone when he's never had it in the past - or when he has, it has had disastrous consequences - grates, though he recognizes the offer in the goodwill that it's presented. To have power by virtue of your inherent abilities, your bloodline, a training that you were born into... that is of itself far more foreign than any amount of magic.

Though war is as well. He is lucky in that way. ]

With any luck, you won't have to use it too often, [ he says, handing it back to her. ] I doubt the likelihood of all-out war. But scuffles from time to time are generally unavoidable. As for me -- all I have is my firearm, which is nothing special. Standard issue in the RCM. But I've managed this long with it, and it hasn't steered me wrong yet.

[ He could elaborate a little more, he thinks. He looks up at her, meeting her eye. ] The RCM is my city's police force, of which I'm a Lieutenant. That's why it's so aggravating to be shut out of this case. By all rights, I should be out there investigating with the rest of them.

[adversus]

You know, I'm not all too surprised. You held yourself well when we were dealing with those crane machines.

[The offer was still there, however, but she would not push it any further. She knew that Kim was more than capable of helping himself, even though she couldn't help but worry sometimes. It was just in her nature. But hell, maybe there would come a day where Kim might actually be the one saving her, instead of vice versa.]

I'll admit, I swung it around once or twice already... To drive a few points home. But that's the extent of it.

[She reaches for her scythe once it's offered to her, and places it back around her latch to secure it against her back again. Attention fully focused on him, once it's secured.

As he speaks, she makes several notes, and questions. Albeit, her question about the RCM is already answered, and she nods her head in understanding. It would make sense why he might have felt bitter, and almost icy about being, well. Iced out of this investigation. That was his job back home.]

Can't imagine how you must feel to be iced out of this. Though, I gotta admit, not too surprised that you're such a high rank in your police force. You seem pretty capable, from what I've seen so far.

[Again, there's a pause.]

Think you'll start a private investigation?

[aceslow]

It's awful, [ Kim complains. He usually tries not to complain too much, but Marie has an odd way of putting him at ease, which means he's more apt to share his true feelings. Or, at least, the feelings he still considers to be by and large socially acceptable. ] All I can see is everything I wouldn't be doing. But we have no power here -- and nobody who wasn't forced into it is able to join their ranks, so it's not as though I'd be able to work my way up again.

[ Even if he could, would he? That's a complicated question with a complicated answer. Probably not, he knows. He does not love this place, not the way he loves Revachol, and it would be wrong to try to police a population he knows so little about, that he fundamentally doesn't understand. But he misses the power, as shameful as it is to admit it. The authority. The feeling that he can do something. He shakes it off again, offering Marie a wry look of thanks; she's entirely too kind to him, he thinks. ]

But thank you for the compliment. At my age, it would be a poor showing not to have made Lieutenant, but I certainly worked hard enough for it. [ Tooth and nail. Bled to the bone. ] And I don't intend to let it go to waste. I will investigate what's going on here. And hopefully help get that poor girl back alive.

[adversus]

[It's unsurprising, but Marie is listening and taking in what he says. Old folk needed to stick together, so the least she could do was provide him with a shoulder and an ear. Not only that, but it would appear that Kim was comfortable with her, and she took that in stride. More than happy to listen to his troubles, after everything.]

It's...

[She's been in a similar situation. Her own children were kidnapped before as well, so seeing this situation all over again... Honestly, it was kind of traumatizing.]

When my kids got kidnapped, I gotta say, the situation was pretty similar. A lot of people doing what they shouldn't have been doing. It's a shitty situation all around, and it sucks that the people who know what they're doing are being iced out. That's for sure.

[To say this wasn't bringing back bad memories would be an understatement, but. There's something about Kim's words that remind her of someone. Someone that helped her get her own children back, and she can't help but smile. Even though it was traumatizing to witness again, she doesn't doubt that Kim would try his hardest to get Ringo-chan back.]

You remind me of a war buddy of mine... The one that promised to get my kids back, and did. It's refreshing to see someone good at their job, and actually wanting to do something about it.

[aceslow]

[ Kim's eyes widen slightly - nearly invisible, save for the fact that everything is magnified by his glasses - as he realizes that his irritation at his own powerlessness must pale in comparison to the fact that Marie is watching her own worst nightmare reoccur. It had never occurred to him that Marie had children at all (though he's not sure why not; he supposes his own biases about the importance of work over family had taken hold), never mind the fact that people bearing witness to this whole mess may have a more personal outlook about the whole affair. ]

Oh. I'm -- terribly sorry. [ He has delivered bad news to many a parent before. Many a child too. It never got easier. Her faith in him is missplaced, he thinks. For every happy ending he managed to eke out, there were two tragedies. It's the sort of thing that haunts him at night, and he's not even the person it's happening to. He doesn't know what to say to that, only that sitting in that faith feels -- odd. Wrong. Uncomfortable in a way that creeps underneath his skin. ] Nobody should have to go through that. I'm only glad that you got them back.

[ He shifts on his feet. ]

...you flatter me. I only wish that every case I worked on had a happy ending.

[adversus]

[Despite this being an absolute nightmare, she knows far too well that she's one of the luckier ones. She knows how this can absolutely turn out for parents, and it makes her cringe thinking about it. If only because she's been on Kim's end of things as well; having to report back to parents that their kids are still missing or even worse. Dead. She can understand Kim all too well in this regard, and she can only smile at him. Simply shaking her head, because she does consider herself lucky.]

No, don't be. I'm one of the lucky parents that got their kids back, so it's not too bad, I suppose.

[Again, she reaches out for Kim's shoulder, and squeezes it. Her hand patting that same area, before pulling away.]

I get where you're coming from, though. Kids back home... Go missing, or get caught up in crimes that, you know. End up in their death. Having to tell the parents is a fucking nightmare.

[Another pause, and she tries to smile through all that trauma that she's been through. For both their sake, with how much pressure has been on their shoulders back home.]

Lemme know if you need any help at any point.