jigokulogs | September 2022 Mingle!

September 2022 Mingle!

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The influx of fresh Lost Souls means the factions need to have a little welcoming party for them. So some recreational activities are in order. All Lost Souls will receive a message from their respective faction leaders with orders to go have some fun.

Shuten - WEENIES ON PARADE

Shuten Clan newbies will be summoned to the Arena, which has been set up with a very different kind of fight than usual. The members of the Shuten Clan do nothing by half-measures. Partying, drinking, and eating are all encouraged to excess. This time they're inviting new recruits to test their mettle in various eating contests. You'll need nerves of steel and a stomach of iron to succeed. Hot dogs, marshmallows, pizza, lobster rolls, breakfast cereals, rice, and more are all on offer.

See how much you can eat and try not to get sick! Competitive eating is a messy, disgusting affair, regardless of the emergency buckets stationed strategically throughout the building.

If you're feeling especially ballsy, you can take on the biggest onis and other youkai by teaming up with your fellow Shutens. They're all confident enough to take that bet.

Glory, prize money, and antacids to the winners. Shame to the losers – they'll be run through town in weenie costumes.

Better eat up 🙂

Tamamo - ALL NIGHT LONG

The newest Tamamo recruits are summoned to a local gymnasium. Strangely, rather than sports equipment laid out on the court, there are a number of light futons, blankets, and pillows. Everyone will be sorted into one of two yukata patterns – one purple and one blue – and sent to their respective sides of the court to lie down in bed and pull up the covers.

It is then that the referee will explain the rules of competitive pillow fighting. When the whistle blows, jump up and grab one of the authorized pillows at the center of the court. It's a game much like dodgeball, but the goal is to hit the opposing team's king with a pillow from your half of the court. Team members use blankets and sometimes their bodies to protect their king.

There will be a few rounds, and you can rotate who is king at your discretion. Protect them with your life! Or whatever. Star players will receive a bonus and a coupon to one of the best Tamamo spas.

When the competitive stuff is done, the sleepover proper will begin. There will be liquor, sodas, and light snacks for everyone while movies are projected onto a screen late into the morning. The movies range from classic dramas and romances to outrageous yokai comedies.

Sutoku - GROSSERY GANG

The Alliance has found themselves in the possession of an entire truckload's worth of reject children's toys. Ever the opportunist, the Daitengu has assigned the project of inventorying and trashing the particularly offensive ones to the new guys.

Of course, you're expected to play with a few of them as well. Maybe one of them is decently fun, and they could sell the rest, you know? Many of these toys are gross out bathroom humor in nature, and spit water randomly at anyone who loses their round. The Daitengu has thoughtfully provided a selection of alcohol to make this game a little more adult friendly. Toys that lack the appropriate spitting mechanism can still be played over shots, really, go nuts.

While you 'work', there will be plenty of motivating music piped into the warehouse. The sound quality is not great, but they tried?

Everyone who sorts through a decent amount of toys will get a little extra pay, although who is really paying that much attention to who's doing what here?

Credit where it's due: We turned kids toys into drinking games

Enma - BREAKING THE ICE

Welcome to the Department of the Enma. New Lost Soul recruits will be summoned to a large conference room in Kaigo no Bou, which has been outfitted with a variety of buffet table offerings and tables which seat between 5 - 6 people comfortably. You are invited to fill your plates at your discretion, the craft services people are used to feeding bottomless yokai stomachs and the food will not run out.

Clipboards with a variety of icebreaker questions have been provided at each table. The pens have assuredly been firmly affixed to the clipboard. Please return them together.

Every 30 minutes Captain Shiki will blow her whistle to signal that you are to migrate to another table with fresh companions. You are, indeed, being forced to get to know your coworkers, lucky you. This isn't tedious at all.

Pick a few of the questions below to answer, and get chatting. Or Captain Shiki may come over to stare at you with intense disapproval. You can't get away with just zoning out to that sweet smooth jazz playing overhead!

1. If you had a time machine that would work only once, what point in the future or in history would you visit? 2. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? 3. If your house was burning down, what three objects would you try and save? 4. If you could talk to any one person now dead or alive, who would it be and why? 5. If you HAD to give up one of your senses (hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling, tasting) which would it be and why? 6. If you were an animal, what would you be and why? 7. Do you have a pet? If not, what sort of pet would you like? 8. Name a gift you will never forget? 9. Name one thing you really like about yourself. 10. What's your favorite thing to do in the summer? 11. Who's your favorite cartoon character, and why? 12. Does your name have a special meaning and/or were you named after someone special? 13. What is the hardest thing you have ever done? 14. If you are at a friend's or relative's house for dinner and you find a dead insect in your salad, what would you do? 15. What was the best thing that happened to you this past week? 16. If you had this week over again, what would you do differently? 17. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about 'God'? 18. What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten? 19. If you could change one problem in the world today, what would you like to change? 20. What book, movie or video have you seen/read recently you would recommend? Why?

All Factions - THE GIFT OF SONG

Did you all enjoy having some of your wishes granted? Well, so did a flock of those annoying magpie! They asked for the gift of music. These feathered nuisances, however, have fallen in love with an old school metal band. That is all they will be singing for the foreseeable future! Different members of the flock have taken up different instrumentals and vocals for the track, spread out across electrical wires and rooftops, singing their favorite rockin' tune to the skies!

Lost Souls have been asked to please catch them and get them to knock it off, they are truly annoying everyone, across all factions.

Should you catch these musical magpies, and not one of the other clans, they will tell you their sorry tale! They love this band, but the group broke up years ago. All the magpie want is for their favorite old dudes to be reunited to jam with them, one more time!

The old dudes are out there in the city, but who knows why they broke up and if they can even be convinced out of retirement. Good luck, if you succeed your boss will give you a favorable bonus, which would be a great boon to a newbie just getting settled.

In the meantime:

Shabadabadia
Shabadabadia
Babababa
Babababa
Babababa

Welcome to the IC mingle!

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Rhea'li is similar with regards to money. In the time before, his money was largely spent on food (though half the time he hunted his own), friends and supplies. Truthfully, he leaves much of it to Tataru to manage, for largely lived off the land.

Ah.

"You have met G'raha Tia, then?" He wonders how much the other miqo'te has told Azem, if much at all. Matters of the past and future would be a close subject of his...

He could use a stiff drink. But drink has long lost his allure after getting his drugged, so he settles for popping open his can of soda.

The complicated situation is made even more complicated with the knowledge there is another Etheirys. But that's not knowledge he will simply volunteer.

"Aye, Etheirys is my home. One of the future from your perspective. Your present, mine ages past." Rhea'li takes a drink from his soda, wishing once again that it was drink. "Did he say much?"

Having come from a time when money wasn't really a necessity and food wasn't required every day, its been a bit of an adjustment for Azem. Not only that but the lack of aether left them out of sorts for some time.

"Aye, he seems just as surprised by my introduction."

Azem has yet to take to drinking carbonated drinks as they feel strange, so they go for the liquor that Rhae'li had brought along with. They take a sip to wash away the fishy taste of the shrimp snacks before shaking their head.

"We did not have time to speak in depth when we met. He was busy with a little competition." They let out a soft snort of amusement, recalling the competition put on by their clan.

"I must admit I'm quite curious about the world my mentor created. I wish I could see it with my own eyes, but I suppose hearing tales of it will have to suffice." It still hurts knowing what is to come, but that pain doesn't overshadow their curiosity. Their desire to know all there is to know of their star, both of their present and of the future.

Competition? Ah. Yes, that seems like something G'raha would have fun with.

At mention of their old mentor, Rhea'li's expression softens. He hopes Venat feels at peace at her journey's end. Perhaps Azem had heard some of the tale from Venat before the Final Days?

The implied question is very much like what Venat asked of him, tales of the world that remains after her own is shattered by her own hand. A trait that Azems share, mayhaps?

Rhea'li takes another drink of his soda as he mulls over what he wants to say. Azem wishes for tales, but he supposes he ought to speak of some basics, first.

"In my time, man is of many shapes and sizes. There are those like myself, with features of a beast, and others of diminutive stature yet no lesser in strength than those of a more imposing assistance. There are yet those who have no legs at all, and those whose origins come from another star. Yet all call Etheirys home."

His tail twitches behind him.

"The star is not as peaceful as you know it, for man's heart can be blackened with greed, with envy, with hate. To live is to suffer, for we must toil for our survival. And yet, when we unite with one sum goal, we find a strength beyond the bounds of ourselves. When disparate peoples of wildly different cultures and beliefs, with history of bloodshed... when they can share a warm meal and have the shadows of their heart chased away by the light of joy and contentment, that is the most beautiful of all."

Unfortunately, Azem was completely in the dark on everything going on on Venat's end. At least, until Emet-Selch filled them in. Azem knew Venat was up to something, she had contacted them after all. But she would not say more until they were face to face, which Azem never managed to get around to as they ended up here instead.

Knowing now what happened they wish they could speak with their mentor though.

Azem listens closely while sipping their drink. Their attention is reminiscent of a child being told an enthralling tale.

"If I had no experience with this place I would find it difficult to imagine a world with such a variation in peoples. Or a place in which such emotions often rule over one's choices." Though they still find it difficult to imagine Etheirys in such a state. Their beautiful and peaceful home turned into something so unrecognizable.

"Have you traveled much of the Star?"

Rhea'li nods, threading his fingers between each other. Following Azem's previous desire to hear tales of the star, he speaks far more than he would if it were anyone else.

"I journeyed across ice and snow, through forested mountains emitting pungent fumes, to floating islands above the clouds, all to seek the aid of a dragon. I have travelled through a volcano in search of hidden riches, only to find a temple home to creatures of all kinds who spoke in the tongue of man. I have sailed the seas through clear skies and wind and rain, and still there is much more I have yet to behold."

His smile is wistfull, filled with longing. "I could travel the rest of my lifespan and not see it all."

It is, at least, easy enough to imagine the landscapes he's seen. They don't sound so dissimilar to the ones they'd traversed in the past.

"That all sounds amazing."

They know that expression, it's one they share when thinking of home and all there was still left to see and do.

"The curse of the traveler." They chuckle. "Tell me of your favorite place."

Favourite place? Rhea'li brings his hand up to his chin in thought. Many places spring to mind, from Limsa Lominsa and the salty seas surrounding La Noscea that he called his home for so many years. The Scions' headquarters in Mor Dhona, where there is always bound to be food and good company.

Yet despite all his deep fondness for all them all, he finds his heart always returning to one place.

There is a long pause before he speaks again, soda can held loosely in one hand.

"Imagine if you will, a land buffeted by icy winds, ground blanketed by snow and skies ever covered in dark clouds. A great city built from stone, with spires reaching for the heavens. This was my place of refuge in one of my lowest moments, a time where I cursed my ill fortuned exile from lands I knew."

He was a different person then, still early in his journey.

"I disliked it deeply, for I prefer warmer climes and people less haughty. But the city has a storied history and its hardy people have endured all kinds of hardship both from within the society and without." He pauses to take another draught of his soda. "Yet somehow, that place became a new home. No matter where I travel, there will always be a warm hearth waiting for me should I wish to return."

Edited 2022-09-23 16:46 (UTC)

Azem waits patiently for his response. They know how difficult it might be to answer a question like that. If they were to answer they're not sure they could come up with a response. There are just too many places on Etheirys that they love.

"Okay." Azem closes their eyes and tries to imagine the land in which Rhea'li speaks of. They'd visited snowy landscapes in the past so it's not too difficult of a task. Though they do wish they still had access to their full of their abilities so they could experience the memory rather than simply listen to one's words. They do try to reach out to get a little view of this place he speaks of and maybe it works or their imagination is just good enough to draw up such imagery.

"It sounds like an interesting place. I could see how it would have its appeal."

"Aye. The city is a land in flux, for change swept through when their thousand year war came to an end. 'Tis a pleasure to visit and see the changes."

Dragons beginning to find their way into Ishgard, once again loving in peace with man. There is still much more work to be done, but 'tis marvellous to see the changes.

Rhea'li crunches on some more of the shrimp snacks, tail twitching behind him. "I heard you have travelled much of the star, also. Have you a favourite place?"

"That's a long time, right?" It doesn't seem like much time to Azem, but for those that live such short lives, it has to have been a long time. Then again, they aren't entirely sure of just how short their lives might be in comparison.

They sip their drink with a soft hum, trying to think of a favorite place. In the end, "I'm not sure I can come up with a single location. I found many lovely vistas in my travels. Wonderful villages and towns full of interesting people. Oh! And this one village near a volcano, they had such delicious grapes."

They go quiet with a soft smile before continuing. "Though I think my favorite place was any that I could share with my friends."

Rhea'li listens, not surprised that Azem could not decide on a singular place. If he lived for so long and saw so many places, he would he decide? He hums in agreement, "Aye, 'tis a pleasure best shared, is it not?"

But all he can provide his friends are tales and the odd trinket, if they are not with him on such travels.

"As for time... a thousand years is many generations. The longest most races can expect to live is a century, though most die of other causes before." Rhea'li takes another drink of his soda. "Myself, I only expect to live for some twenty years more if I am lucky."

Adventuring is a dangerous business, and the rigours of time slows all mortal men.

"Those from other stars are as immortal as yourself, life unslowed by time."

"Indeed, though there was this hill with a large tree atop it overlooking a flower-filled meadow. It was probably my favorite place to hold a picnic."

For Azem, it is honestly less about the places they have visited and more about the people there or the people they have shared those locations with. Which likely makes sense when it's taken into account they were there for the people more so than the land.

"I see." Their lips turn down in a small frown. Despite what Emet-Selch had told them about the Sundering, it's different to hear about the world after from someone who has only known it. "I do hope you live a full life. However short it is."

The words are as much for him as they are for themself. After all, their own life was cut short or will be according to Emet-Selch.

"I suppose that makes sense. Venat Sundered our star, not others."

Rhea'li falls silent at the overt mention of Venat.

"My life must seem short to one with a lifespan like yours," he muses, thinking of the little dragonets who are far older than himself yet are still children by their measure. "But I am content."

Has your journey been good? Has it been worthwhile?

He did not have the chance to answer her before they were interrupted. And circumstances meant it was the last quiet moment they had to talk freely. A promise fulfilled, thousands of years later.

"If I may ask, what compelled you to leave the Convocation?"

"It does," Azem admits. "But I think if you live a life that feels full that's all that matters in the end, right?"

They smile at him, though the smile is quickly replaced by a wide-eyed blink of surprise.

"You...you know about that?" They let out a soft breath and shake their head. "Ah, well, I left because I couldn't stand behind the Convocation's plan. I had hoped to find another way, the answer so that perhaps we wouldn't need to resort to such drastic measures. Alas..."

They trail off, frowning as they lift their drink to gulp down a bit.

Rhea'li's gaze grows distant, looking at the others gathered but not really seeing them. Azem's answer is exactly what he guessed happened and is what he imagines he would have done when faced with the same situation.

The weight of Azem's crystal in his pocket seems heavier, somehow.

"Sorry it didn't work out," he says quietly, fingers tracing the rim of his can of soda.

But now that Etheirys is already sundered, he can't sacrifice the world he knows for bringing back what was once lost either, if the rejoinings would even work as the Ascians desired.

"Have you encountered Emet-Selch here yet?" Rhea'li stares at his soda can like it holds all the secrets of the universe. "I talked to him and he misses you greatly."

Azem makes a soft sound in response. They are still in the process of formulating a new plan, though meeting those from the future Etheirys is making them question what it is they could possibly do. Preventing everything that is to come will prevent their future from existing.

"I have. He is the only reason I know what is to come." They smile hearing that he'd missed them. "I did get that impression, which is...comforting given how things were left between us."

Their attention turns once more to Rhea'li. "So how is it you know so much?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

September 2022 Mingle!

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Azem fought a volcano so we could have crystal shaped grapes

Azem fought for the best grapes

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