jigokulogs | March 2022 Mini Event

March 2022 Mini Event

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The Night Parade is fast-approaching and each faction will be busy with their own preparations.

1. SHUTEN CLAN

The Celestial Phoenix Casino, a fairly popular casino in the Shuten territory, is overdue on its protection money. This money is sorely needed for parade preparations. Unfortunately, the casino has decided it doesn't need to pay up because they've hired some new unaffiliated muscle. Neither the manager nor their new muscle are the type to listen to reason, so be prepared to exert some intimidation and force to convince these new bodyguards to take their business elsewhere.

The brute squad working for the Celestial Phoenix seems to be made up of several different youkai. Some of them are more human looking than others, but you'll notice no Oni. Even independent Oni wouldn't dare turn against the Shuten Clan. Even lacking in Oni, these thugs are armed to the teeth, swinging several deadly weapons and even a few firearms. This could get rough, so be prepared for the worst. Take the gangsters protecting the Celestial Phoenix out or convince them it’s not worth it.

Once inside, you'll discover that the owner, in a panic, has locked himself inside the casino's value with the protection money owed. This might take some doing to get open...

2. SUTOKU ALLIANCE

The Kappa want to be left alone and the Daitengu has asked Sutoku Alliance members to assure their wishes are respected. Members are tasked with convincing people to stay away from the Kappa's riverside facilities by whatever means necessary. Of course, you may want to take a look for yourself to see what they’re being so secretive about. That’s not recommended, if you don’t want to get into trouble.

It’s not just strangers who are nosy, though. Retinues from both the Shuten and Tamamo clans are making an appearance and asking why the inspections are taking so long. Why are the Kappa dragging their feet? The Alliance prefers to avoid direct violence, so it's up to you to talk to these clan captains in a way that convinces them to leave the Kappa alone.

If you're curious enough to dive deeper into the Kappa's business, however, even your Alliance membership isn't going to keep you safe. The Kappa themselves seem to disappear from sight the further into the sewers you go, as if invisible. Preventing yourself from being spotted by a security camera or a patrolling Kappa is almost impossible. Cover your faces, stick to the shadows, and you might just notice that... they’re building something down there.

Something for the Parade? Who knows? But it’s definitely not decorations or a float...

3. DEPARTMENT OF THE ENMA

The parade route for the Night Parade needs to be "cleaned up". The Department is tasked with getting the low level street gangs and squatters to clear out. The homeless population will resist and may not be so easily persuaded to give up their spots. Your best bet is to offer them food, booze, or shelter for the night. The street gangs will assuredly fight back. Use your strength or your wits to get the job done.

The gangs will not typically be that tough, most don’t want to step up to the Department's goon squad too heavily lest they wind up in a cell for the rest of their lives. Still, some might be hopped up on encouraging substances and try to escalate. Don’t worry, though. You have the authority of the Enma on your side! Don’t think they will get away with waving a weapon in your face.

The homeless, though, lack strength or weapons. They are more fueled by desperation to keep their spots. Winter hasn't been kind to them, after all, and they don’t have much respect for the Enma's authority. Their belligerent behavior is loud, and often violent despite their absence of means to properly defend themselves. At worst, they’ll probably try to use biological warfare. Don’t ask what's in those bottles...

4. TAMAMO CLAN

Parade costumes need to be designed, crafted, modeled, and then likely mended knowing the rough and tumble yokai. The textile shops and tailors of the area need Tamamo Clan members to help them out. Costumes vary from extremely ornate to extremely sexy. These costumes need to merge form and function, for the Tamamo clan parade marchers that means they need to be able to sell their specific wares while wearing them. (wink wonk)

None of the costumes are floor ready and the shop bosses urge you that these cannot be seen by the public until they are ready. This won’t stop some peeping toms and tammies from trying to scope out the goods. Most of the voyeurs are spying for perverted reasons, but some are from shops outside of Tamamo’s influence trying to copy the designs for themselves. Either way, Tamamo Clan members aren't expected to be just pretty faces. So rough’em up.

5. TASTE TEST (ALL FACTIONS)

For those less interested in their faction's work, the restaurants in the Tamamo territory also need help finalizing their menu offerings for the Night Parade. Taste testers and creative cooks wanted! These aren’t just any dishes though and may have some interesting effects. One may be so spicy that everything burns, your face turns red, and you need to cool yourself off. Or maybe your dish is so good that you need to take a nap – it doesn't matter where you are, you'll just fall asleep right on the spot. Another possibility is a dish that gives you unstoppable energy – literally. It will make you want to get up and go and never stop moving. If you stop moving, it may cause a bigger problem.

Welcome to the mini event!

If you have any questions about event content, please ask them here!
If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(There's a nice bruise forming on his face and he's still trying to get his nose to stop bleeding from the fighting earlier but otherwise, Hizen is sort of hanging back and letting everyone else sort out how to get the door to open up. Look, he came here for a fight and everything else is on everyone else until someone has to ask him for ideas or something--)

I'm not a thief.

(A killer, yes. A thief? No.)

[Spotting Hizen in the gaggle of Shuten clan members who'd shown up to the casino was almost a relief. Kamui doesn't strike an especially intimidating figure on first glance, either-- in a plain dress shirt and slacks, he could be any salaryman on the street. But seeing someone a little more his size tagging along with all these hulking oni? It'd been a weight off his shoulders. Just that much less pressure tacked onto proving himself here. Needless to say, they'd both done more than their fair share, in the end. There's still blood on Kamui's raw knuckles.

Kamui smooths his wrinkled collar down, glances back and forth between Hizen and the vault. He furrows a brow and continues:] Neither am I.

[Just as that same oni's about to start complaining--] But I'm good at solving puzzles. It's just a higher risk game of Hit and Blow, right? If you keep watch, I can try it.

[Kamui's completely serious in his expression, but their oni's gaping down at him like he's gone totally insane.]

(Cool, so Kamui looks like a dweeb too. Nice.

But Hizen has never been a particularly smart person. He's good at one thing and it's being a sword. He takes orders, he fights, and he kills. Mentioning puzzles just makes him immediately want to zone out but it sounds like Kamui has a plan so he dials back in. )

A game...?

(Yeah, Hizen might look proficient enough with technology but the truth is, he misses his fox assistant every day? He doesn't know any games. He doesn't do fun, Kamui!

He looks between the oni and Kamui. He's never liked big guys. He doesn't like how it always feels like they're looking down on him. His bleeding nose begins to slow, he sniffs, and he stands up straight, )

You better be good at winning, then.

(Hizen might be down to help Kamui but in this weakened condition he arrived in, he's no match for a bunch of oni if they decide to get impatient, especially after already wearing himself out in this last brawl. Luckily, he's still riding a bit of a high from the fighting so he'll step next to Kamui. Fine, he'll watch his back for as long as he can.)

[He might be serious, but he can at least manage a confident little smile at that in Hizen's direction.]

Trust me. I'm very good.

[Cracking codes and solving puzzles is practically part of his job description ~~being from a visual novel~~, after all. He inches closer to the door, ignoring their clanmate entirely in favor of Hizen. The oni simply shakes his head at them and leaves, running back into the fray: if Hizen's got it covered, he definitely doesn't want to bother with these two scrawny guys doing whatever the hell it is they're doing.]

Let's see... [He flips open a little panel on the outside of the vault. Inside is a keyboard and small screen with numbers and a row of lights.] I was right, then. [Kamui turns back to Hizen; he might as well explain himself, while it's quiet around here.] See these lights here? They'll tell me if I've guessed a number that's in the passcode, even if it's not in the correct order, so I just have to use my head and make an educated guess-- eventually, I'll come up with the right code. But it might reset, if I don't get it right in enough guesses.

[Yes he is literally going to be guessing his way through this Hizen you asked for this.]

Just let me know if anyone's coming, okay?

Heh. (Just a quiet and amused half laugh in response to his confidence. Fighting always puts Hizen in an easier mood; make it a little easier to laugh.) Fine.

(For now. He'll stand guard, keep watch. The oni heads off and Hizen watches,)

... It'll take him a while to find some fireworks.

(If he was serious about that, of course. If so, they have a finite amount of time.

Arms crossed, one hand hovering right over his sword, he chances a glance down at the key panel. He listens to the explanation and... immediately blanks. Riddles and puzzles... aren't his style. He'd rather just cut right to the chase; cut and stab, hack and slash.)

Right... (He sounds. Unsure.) Just hurry up.

(He is absolutely rushing genius.)

Please, don't rush me. I need to remember every guess I make or I'll duplicate-- [There's an unhappy-sounding series of beeps from the panel below; there goes the first incorrect guess. Kamui frowns, swearing quietly under his breath, as the sound of footsteps on expensive marble floors echoes from the other side of the vault door.]

Sorry. I just... need to focus.

[It's more than a little disconcerting. Although he can hold his own and fight hand-to-hand, it's as if he's been purposely dropped outside of his element in this situation. With his own weapon a world away, and his attempts to bargain with the freelance bodyguards quickly overruled by his more aggressive Shuten colleagues, what is he to do? At least a code makes sense, and at least someone here is willing to chance listening to him.

This time, the panel takes a little longer to sound its negative chime again. Gradually, Kamui's getting the hang of how this thing works.

Unfortunately, Hizen's guessed right: their time is finite. As Kamui crouches over the control panel, the heavy footsteps of that same oni round the corner at a breakneck pace-- just as a peal of gunfire sounds from behind him. He presses his back against the wall, gesturing frantically at Kamui and Hizen: hurry the fuck up, they're on their way!

Kamui looks up from his work, brow furrowed deeply.] Can you buy me one more minute?

[Whether he replies in the affirmative or not, two of the mercenary bodyguards are already overtaking the oni: one with a short knife, one with a cheap blade.]

(When you have the audacity to play puzzle games while there's still a fight going on...

He looks over at the sounds of the beeping. He might not be the most tech savvy person here but he knows that doesn't sound any good. Each wrong guess has Hizen becoming less certain too. In the time between Kamui's first attempt and his next try, he's already considering the pros and cons of giving Kamui his chance and letting the oni find their fireworks. Before he can get too far in his thoughts, he's standing alert and ready at the sound of approaching footsteps.)

Right, right. (His mood shifts; from impatient and tired to alert and ready to go.) Take your time.

(And people say Hizen doesn't have a sense of humor.

... Or is he not being funny. Hm.

Hizen is already charging forward. No fear, no hesitation, he's ready to jump right into the fight and with his sword drawn, he's already slashing at the guards aiming for their faces, their necks, their sides, their chests-- critical points, each attack aimed to, at the very least, cause maximum injury if not kill outright. All the while, he's yelling at their oni ally to get the fuck up and help which is easier said than done.

If he had his full strength, this would be easy but right now, his attacks just aren't hitting as strong as they should. At least hell can't take away his skill but it's still two against one. The one with the knife is easy enough to overwhelm given their difference in reach but the one with the larger blade, though shoddy quality, is harder to take down at the same time. Hizen takes a wide swipe at his arm which makes his next attack fall short.)

Any minute now!

(ANY MINUTE, KAMUI.)

[wow hizen you don't get it, high-stakes puzzles are OBVIOUSLY the most fun ones!!!

But it's easier said than done, indeed. With the Shuten oni, well and roughed up, still struggling back to his feet, and Kamui making the very most of that one more minute, Hizen is almost entirely on his own. Fortunately, his skill does hold up. The first mercenary's knife clatters to the floor, his hand bleeding heavily from one of Hizen's well-aimed cuts-- and the second man stumbles backward, putting distance between himself and his attacker.

Meanwhile, Kamui feels... a little bad. He can hear all the commotion behind him, though his mind's fixed solely on getting this door open. But, to be fair, Hizen did agree to the plan, and he's got another guy with him-- should be fine, right?

AND ANYWAY, he's almost there! Soon enough, he's got everything worked out:]

I think I've got it! [calls Kamui, hunched over the security panel. He punches in a few more numbers, and sure enough: the vault lock chimes his success.] We can open it n--

[He looks up just in time to see the remaining mercenary charging Hizen. It's a last-ditch effort, and he's wide open: for the sake of one last forceful swipe of his weapon. Even if he'd been armed, he could never make it over in time.]

Watch out...!

(It's fine. He's used to being the only one that ever does the work.

Crazy touken danshi doing research and experiments instead of fighting. Annoying old swords that prefer to wander off for long periods of time and show up at the last minute to take credit for saving the day. Emotional swords that spend all of their time figuring out their feelings instead of working on the mission at hand. Why did Hizen think anything would be different in Hell?

With one guard disarmed, things are more equal now. He hears Kamui exclaim something. He really can't pay attention to what exactly he's saying being so caught up in the fighting.

The last mercenary charges at Hizen. It's wild, careless, and desperate all for the sake of going down fighting. It would be admirable if it wasn't so foolish. Hizen plants his feet into the ground and raises his sword to meet the attack. When the guard attacks, he deflects skillfully, the enemy's blade flying in the air and clattering down onto the ground. If that isn't enough though, Hizen pulls his sword back, leveling the blade horizontally with the ground, and strikes again-- a straight, piercing blow right at his opponent's chest.

Hizen isn't a merciful fighter. When he fights, it's life or death and he has no problems with cutting down anyone that comes at him first. When he removes his sword, he makes sure to twist and watches as the guard falls. Whether or not he lives depends on how soon he can get help which doesn't seem promising right now.

Lowering his sword, he looks over at Kamui. Flatly, right to the point,)

Are you ready?

(He wasn't listening earlier.)

[The mercenary utters a choked sound and crumples to the ground in a heap; even if his teammate had wanted to do something, the deep red pooling around his body is telling. It's too late now. With his fellow man dead, the surviving guard scrambles backwards, ultimately deciding on... turning tail and fleeing. His life's not worth what money he might get out of this, particularly not if two Shuten men are in the vault with the guy who's signing his check.

Kamui, across the room, has been silent since Hizen's final thrusting blow. He hasn't taken his eyes off the scene, nor does it seem to bother him: he seems to be... observing Hizen, actually, watching his movements with a distant thoughtfulness.
He is, of course, unmoved by the man's end. Hizen had done his job. That's all that matters, isn't it?]

Ah, great work. Thank you. [Kamui nods. To Hizen, not to their flunky of an oni who's definitely getting a pay cut if anybody finds out about this.] Yes, the door is open. We'll be able to get Toraguma's dues now.

[S-s-stay out! barks the owner from inside. Kamui turns back to the door, a brow raised.

Not like that guy's using his sword now. Kamui walks back towards where Hizen stands to pick up the dead man's weapon, then tilts his head towards the unlocked vault.]

Shall we?

(Good. Don't say anything. Though, in Hizen's experience, it isn't just the oni in this clan who are unbothered by violence; even the other new recruits seem to accept it if not embrace it.

He glances at their oni comrade and says nothing. He won't say anything either as long as no one causes him trouble. He's perfectly happy to let things be and fade into obscurity.

He wipes the blood off his sword with his sleeve and....

... sighs.

No amount of washing will save this. He'll have to get a new sweatshirt now, won't he?

He'll worry about it later, he supposes. What a pain.)

Let's get this over with.

(He's not really having fun here!!!)

[Kamui utters a short hum of acknowledgment. Once Hizen's ready, he pulls the outer handle with his free hand, and the casino vault's door swings wide open.

The vault's interior, in contrast to the glitz and glamor of the casino, is drab: metallic and gray, organized with steel drawers full of cash, gold, and jewels in a series of long rows. It looks far more like a library than a casino's cash stash. Kamui takes a quick glance around and closes the vault door after Hizen-- it falls shut with a heavy, creaking thump.

I'm warning you! echoes the manager's voice; it wavers with anxiety. He doesn't want to fight, and if he tries, he won't stand a snowball's chance in hell against two armed Shuten men.

Raising his voice, firm and authoritative:] Almost all your men are dead. We're only here for Toraguma's money. Call the survivors off, and you might keep your head.

[He lowers his tone again, turning to Hizen.] He might still be armed. Be careful...

(So this is the final boss?

He turns his blade and even that tiny action is enough to make the manager jump.

He might be armed but that's fine because--)

I am armed.

(No chances here.

He is ready to fight if this weakling wants to put one up. Blood on his clothes, blade smeared with blood, covered in bruises and scrapes; Hizen is the image of not friendly. And really? He's impatient. He's been thrown around and beat up enough today. He's ready to call it a day and grab something to drink.

He takes one step forward and the manager cowers back against the wall...)

[For a final boss, this guy really is pretty pathetic.]

How anticlimactic. You aren't even giving us a dramatic last stand?

[As if in reply, the manager at last withdraws his hidden gun. He's still shaking like a leaf, however, and the thing's no more impressive than anything else they've seen today: it quivers unsteadily in his hand as he shrinks back against the wall.]

Ah. There it is.

[Apparently, Hizen looks like more of a threat to the manager than Kamui. Kamui's blade is cleaner, having only just picked up, and he's not quite as roughed up than Hizen, even if his clothes are only slightly less ruined with blood. He aims that wavering gun and pulls the trigger; the shot misses Hizen entirely, ricocheting on the metal wall behind them and bouncing off into nowhere.

Well, that was rude.

Kamui sighs heavily and steps forward, too, fingers wrapped tightly around the hilt of his own sword. The youkai manager is now frantically looking between the two of them, as if weighing whether he should take another shot or just give up.] Are you done yet?

[Honestly, he could use a drink too. But they don't get paid unless Toraguma gets paid.]

(For all of his confidence and all of his indifference, the shot actually makes Hizen flinch. He'd seen it focused on him and really, the ricocheting is just as bad as the shot itself. A sword is at a disadvantage in a gun and when faced directly like that, it's hard to not think about it.

But when all falls silent and the manager points his gun at them again, he's not going to wait for him to make another move,)

He won't need his money anymore if he's dead.

(A one-track mind. He's not here to negotiate. He's terrible at talking. There's only one thing he's good at and it's killing. He also can't pay up if he's dead? But whatever, Hizen assumes they can just take his money or something. He isn't fussed about the details.

He takes two steps forward this time like he's about to start charging. This just gets the gun aimed at him again and while Hizen stops, he smiles. It's not just confident but straight up cocky. Reckless.)

Pick a target. Pick him and I'll kill you once.

(He sure did offer to sacrifice Kamui but really, it's hard to tell if he's serious or not right now,)

Try me again and I'll kill you before I die. (Something about this is exciting to him. It's the chance to spill blood one time before everything is over once and for all. What Hizen has right now is bloodlust.) And then I'll find you and kill you again in the next hell.

(EITHER WAY HIZEN'S RESOLVED TO KILL A MAN IF HE PULLS THAT TRIGGER AGAIN.)

[WOW THANKS FOR THROWING HIM UNDER THE BUS HIZEN.

Hizen's intimidation works-- there's something in that cocky grin, the hungry look in his eyes, that confirms the youkai's worst fears. Toraguma won't take this insubordination lying down, but he'd take that over getting flayed alive twice by this maniac. The manager, still shrinking backwards as if there's anywhere left for him to go, drops his gun, holding up both hands in surrender: O-o-okay! Okay! Just take what you came for and go!

It isn't only the casino manager who's been struck by the dark tone to Hizen's voice, however. Although his silver eye's remained utterly silent the whole week or so he's spent in Hell, it seems to tug at his senses now, a dull and unfocused ache in the back of his left socket. He doesn't need his abilities to feel the way it emanates from the man beside him-- that's bloodlust, all right, and he hasn't seen anyone crave a kill like that since... Travis.

Interesting.

Kamui blinks, gathering himself. At last, he bends down to pick up the casino manager's gun for himself and pockets it. ~~Just pick ONE weapon Kamui, this isn't Hotline Miami...~~]

Now, we're done.

(The manager gives up. He tosses his gun aside and surrenders to two of the least physically intimidating Shuten twinks. He doesn't let his guard down until Kamui takes the gun and the manager's hands are up high in the air because... this is how you show you mean no trouble, right?! Right?!

Almost immediately, the aura seems to die down. It lingers still but the intensity has passed. He goes over towards the two of them, each step heavy and measured. The steps echo in the chamber and make it sound more intimidating than it really should. Sword still in one hand, he reaches with his other to grab the youkai by the collar,)

... Killing him would be easier.

(Then they wouuldn't have to do the extra work of dragging thim out. )

Let's toss him to the oni and get this over with.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

March 2022 Mini Event

get cracking

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gently bs-ing this

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