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.

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Big no! [He manages to croak out in between coughs. Poor Dante is about to cough up a lung here.] Let's just say I'm sure that took a few years off my life.

[While it shouldn't come as any surprise that demons have a longer life expectancy than humans, Dante really feels he may have shortened it a bit with that evil piece of takoyaki. He lets out a sigh of relief once the burning starts to subside a bit but now he feels parched. Dante was about to reach for the jug of water until Aerith offers him a wonderful bowl of ice cream instead.]

Oh sweet! [He digs in without any hesitation, clearly grateful for this bounty of something sweet and savory.] This isn't half-bad, kinda reminds me of an icy.

[If there's one thing Dante loves, it's ice cream. He's like a big kid.]

It's not bad but it's not strawberry.

[ In her mind, it's probably a good thing she intercepted and gave him the ice cream instead. He looks like he could put away that whole jug in a gulp if he put his mind to it. ] Oh? ...Hmm, I guess you don't have years to spare, do you?

[ She's teasing.

Morbid fascination compels to watch him down the sweet treat; Aerith herself hadn't been able to swallow it. Maybe it's a lot more welcome as a heat relief, she rationalizes, but then... Well, maybe that's just him. ]

Well, lucky for you, strawberries... [ It's not a complaint to her ears, but a request. Obviously, strawberry must be his favorite flavor of, well, anything. Dipping down, she produces a parfait glass. Then, a pint of ice cream. The label is pink, the pop letter printed in red, and the contents strawberry red, with little dots of black. Candy seeds, apparently. ]

...just happen to be in season, soooo, don't say I never did anything for you. [ Seconds later, a scoop of ice cream is pushed towards him, a dollop of whipped cream placed on top. ]

Oh, fair warning: the whipped cream? Whiskey flavored!

Oh, haha! I’m not that old!

[Not yet, anyway. Dante is getting up in his years which is an absurd thought to consider since it’s him. While he has wisened up over the years, Dante is still the same. As for his preference for all things sugary, that’s definitely a *him* thing.

He has the culinary palate of a child despite being so close to forty-something.]

Haven’t you heard? Forty is the new twenty!

[ No, it’s not but whatever. Dante just says this to comfort himself. He’s kind of scared of growing older, especially since he never thought he would live to reach this age. Dante kind of figured he would’ve died in his youth since he’s so reckless but thankfully that didn’t happen. With all thoughts of his morality brushed aside, Dante nearly does a double take once he sees the next treat Aerith has lined up.]

Whoa, whoa! Strawberry whisky ice cream with candy?!

[Is this heaven? Is this what heaven would be like? Dante cannot help but grin ear to ear once Aerith adds the finishing touches. He friggin loves whipped cream! He likes to spray that stuff on everything except for pizza. Tomato sauce and whipped cream doesn’t mix well.]

Is it my birthday cause I’m sure getting spoiled!

[He digs in with the gusto of a man half his age. No corner of this treat will be left untouched and fingers will be lost if someone tries to take it from him. He’s rapid right now, a sugar addict in prime form.]

Edited 2022-03-25 17:55 (UTC)

You're forty?

[ Time stands still. From the back, a worker turns his head to look at Aerith and Dante, mumbling something about the lost souls and their lack of volume control. (This may be more of a quip pertaining to Aerith than Dante, though.) Her voice echoes down the street. A tumbleweed rolls by. Someone drops a pin. ]

...You look thirty! [ And everything resumes. ]

Well, I'll make sure that this ends up on the menu for the parade. Got any suggestions for a name?

[ If she's apologetic for parroting his age back at him, Aerith doesn't show it. Instead, she leans over the counter to watch him go at it. It's fascinating. He's sixteen on the inside. How does he process this at his age. ]

[A bashful smile appears upon Dante’s lips once Aerith announces his age for the whole festival to know. He lets out an awkward cough, a poor attempt to hide his discomfort. It’s one of the few times that this battle-hardened badass actually looks a bit timid.]

I guess I have my folks to thank for that. [He chuckles with a toothy grin.] What can I say? I owe my thanks to my mom and dad.

[Especially since daddy dearest was a powerful demon and his mother was an Umbran witch, the latter he doesn’t know too much about. Even so, he still can’t help but smile as he chomps away at this sugary concoction of ice cream and booze. It’s a miracle that he can process this shit at age forty. Any normal person would be in a food coma by now or worse.]

What about you?

[Dante questions as he peers back at her with a hint of curiosity in his gaze.]

I’m not one to guess a woman’s age but you look a bit young. You’re probably around Nero's age.

[ That is a completely fair question. However, she is not actually used to people asking her about these things, and it catches Aerith off guard. Her mouth opens to respond, but— it takes a moment. ]

I'm about... Twenty-two!

[ She knows the answers— but just as Dante's had a unique lineage, Aerith is the same. There is a slight hesitancy in her voice, like the surface of water breaking. As she considers his question, her mother's voice drifts into her skull, reminding her of the date in a soft voice. She remembers that well, even if birthdays have only been loud celebrations under her adoptive mother's roof. ]

Should I know Nero? [ Someone Dante knows must be interesting, at least. A beat. ] I should meet Nero.

Edited 2022-03-26 20:12 (UTC)

Are you sure you're twenty-two?

[He teases before chowing down on another scoop of ice cream. Honestly, it's a miracle that he doesn't get brain freeze. Then again, he is a demon comprised mostly of fire and some sort of weird molten lava stuff. You would think that would give him immunity to spicy foods but alas.]

It almost sounded like you forgot.

[At the mention of Nero, he can't help but grin. If there's one person in this world that he's ultimately proud of, it's that kid. Nero has come a long way from the young punk he met in Fortuna. Dante pretty much adopted the kid since day one.]

Nero is my nephew. [He explains with a cheeky grin.] And he would be blushing for days if he met a pretty girl like you.

Pretty sure. [ At least she sounds confident of that much! ] It's a little hard to remember how many birthdays I've had, is all.

[ It's not like he'd believe her if she told him the truth, anyway. How many people are going to believe you if you say you spent the first few years of your life in a lab? The compliment doesn't quite roll off her back, either. Aerith near immediately seems to catch on to the idea of teasing Nero, and leans over the table, conspiratorial. ]

Oooh. So does cute run in your family, then?

Cute?

[He can't help but chuckle. Is she really calling him "cute"? If so, she's definitely the first person to call him "cute" outside of Granny Nell. Dante likes to think of himself as devilishly handsome and suave, but cute works.]

I guess you could say that but I'm the cutest one!

[Dante states proudly with a playful little wink.]

Nero is sorta cute sometimes, more so than his dad. His father is a real dickhead.

[Judging from the bitterness in his tone, Dante has a bone to pick with his brother.]

Edited 2022-03-27 03:27 (UTC)

[ Aw, he's even cuter when he's disappointed. ]

His dad, huh? [ So... hold on, she's dealing with a classic case of sibling rivalry, then. ] You've got a brother, then! Maybe he's a little difficult, but, it's really nice to have family. You have to take care of him. Keep him on the right path.

[ A thoughtful hum leaves her again, before Aerith decides to leave the back of the counter to join Dante at the bar. She settles in, swinging her legs over the chair and places her hands in her lap. ]

Why do you say that about him, actually? [ He sounds close to Nero; is Dante's brother not around much or...? ]

["Keep him on the right path, huh?" Dante lets out a thoughtful hum as he nibbles on another generous scoop of ice cream. Just how is he supposed to keep Vergil on the straight and narrow? It's not like his brother ever listened to him before, so...how?]

I have my work cut out for me. [He admits with a somewhat forlorn expression.] Trust me, my brother is a nightmare to deal with even on a good day.

[He lets out another disgruntle sigh before munching on the last bit of that ice cream.]

It's just that...well, I don't know! He wasn't exactly the best brother when he was around and he's barely tolerable now. He's so...so...

[Pretentious. That's the word Dante wants to use but instead--]

Different. The two of us are like night and day.

[ He speaks with sorrow, she notes, in a way she imagines someone who has climbed a mountain again and again just to be disappointed might. Sympathy paints her expressions heavily. She's never had siblings, and perhaps this is the worst kind of image to get of them, but it matters little to her. ]

You know, it's always just been me and my mom. [ Moms. Plural. It's not a lie, at least. ] I kinda wondered what it would be like, if I had a sibling. But I've never really needed one or anything. She and I were pretty close. Actually, she called me a chatterbox. [ She's never been left wanting for love, really. Family has been something she was blessed with from the beginning.

Still, she very lightly places a hand on Dante's shoulder. Light as a feather. ]

You're really worried about him, huh? It's okay. He'll figure it out. When someone loves us, we don't just need to hear it... we can feel it, too.

[ A beat. ]

Besides, if he's built as hard as you, he can take some roughhousing.

[The sorrow he feels is paramount, especially since Dante blames himself for Vergil's fall from grace. After all, he was the one who slew his brother in cold blood. Something like that is unforgivable regardless of the context. It's a sin he carried with him for over twenty years.]

Well, having a sibling isn't what it's cracked up to be. [He mentions while tapping the spoon against the empty bowl.] But it was nice, sorta. Not everything was all doom and gloom.

Things were nice when we were kids.

[It goes without saying that Dante is totally "the annoying little brother" trope reimagined. He didn't mean to pester Vergil so much but he craved his brother's attention. Dante was a little bit of a menace back then. The kind of menace that would often get in trouble for ruining his brother's things.]

Geez, you can read me like an open book, huh? [He gives her hand a gentle pat. Despite how rough and tumble he can be, Dante can be surprisingly gentle.] See I knew you were trouble since I first laid eyes on you.

[He's joking of course but is he wrong? Aerith has a real knack for all this touchy-feely stuff.]

My bro better figure things out fast or else I'm knocking him upside his head again. That's not a threat but a promise.

[Dante peeks over at Aerith and gives her a lopsided smile.]

So you're the only child, huh? Must've been kind of lonely but at least you had your mom around.

[ He waxes nostalgia about his childhood, and while he does, she spots the little parts of his face that look aged. Well-worn smile lines like the rings in a tree's trunk, but that gaze holds enough knowledge for two lifetimes. From the way he words it, he might as well have lived two lives.

Being called trouble elicits a little laugh from her. ]

You know, you're not the first person to tell me that. [ Although she'd prefer adventurous, maybe... ] I think it's just more... I like to talk! You get to know people that way, don't you? And it's nice having friends and people to rely on.

[ A promise, he says. Aerith smiles to herself, then. Good, Dante hasn't given up on his brother. ]

Oh, me? Well... I guess. [ There's other reasons she doesn't say, puckering her lips together as if to hold the words in. She wasn't able to be around other kids as much, and when she was... Getting forgotten during hide and seek was only part of it. ]

Everyone gets lonely, though. I bet you do, too. You're not just some tough demon hunter, Dante, you've got a warm gooey center! [ He's just not very good at letting people in on it. Intentionally so, perhaps? ] Hmm, maybe that's why you like strawberry ice cream so much? Because you're so sweet on the inside...

So, your mom was right about you being a chatterbox but that's a good thing in my book.

[This is one of the few pleasant conversations he had in a long time. Dante rarely ever talks about himself but some reason, he doesn't mind talking to her. Maybe Aerith's infectious charm is rubbing off on him. Maybe it's because she reminds him of Patty, the former client he may or may not have accidentally adopted over the years.]

Gooey in the center? [He can't help but arch his brow a little.] Are you sure you're describing me and not your favorite candy?

[All jokes aside, Dante knows what she meant by that. Aerith isn't too far off from the truth and that scares a little. Dante is a lot nicer than he seems. Under all that sass and sarcasm lies a man who truly does care about others. He just has a tough time showing it.]

Or maybe I just have a sweet tooth! That could also be the reason.

[Yeah, she's a menace! Dante tries his best to shrug off the comment but he's feeling all mushy and warm now. Ugh. Gross. Time to turn the tables.]

You're braver than you look, you know that? Not just anyone would wander up to someone they barely know and start reading them like a tarot card.

[He gives her a long hard look, almost like he's trying to unearth a mystery or something.]

I wonder what else you can do. Most of the folks pulled here have some sort of talent whether it be the "gift of gab" or something else.

[ You can have a sweet tooth and a gooey center, she thinks. Aerith barely hides it with the knowing smile she wears, head tilted toward Dante in a way that's nearly threatening to rest on his shoulder.

But he rocks the boat, and turns the tables effortlessly. At his question, her smile falls and her lips pucker in thought before she leans back. ]

Ohhh, I have my ways. [ Maybe it is just the gift of gab? Or maybe it's just that she's heard from everyone, everywhere about everything for as long as she can remember. If anything, Dante makes her feel all the more comfortable like this, asserting that she's still herself. She's still Aerith, the last of the Cetra, and all those experiences are her's, real and true. ]

I've got a mean green thumb, if you have to know. [ This is definitely not a lie. The extent of that green thumb and how connected to the world is merely omitted. ] It's really not that hard, Dante. You just have to listen to people a bit. You're more perceptive than people think, I bet! After all, you're a hunter. Part of the job, I would think.

[For someone as unassuming and mundane as Aerith, she certainly has a pixie-like charm about her. That's something Dante picks up on quickly as he watches her from the corner of his eyes. He gives her a little smile, one that borderlines on impish since he suspects Aerith isn't telling the full truth here. However, this is nothing but an assumption on his part since he barely knows anything about Aerith other than her name.]

Oh, right. You did mention you liked flowers before. [He mutters while thinking of the poor plants he abandoned within his office. Those poor babies are probably already dead if Nero is taking care of them. He did tell the kid to watch over the shop while he did his Tour de France in Hell.]

Crap, I might have to ask your expertise to save a few roses and ferns.

[The roses are probably dead by now but there's a chance the ferns still live. Even so, he's bound to pick up a few plants and stuff to spruce up his place. Dante likes having something green around. It reminds him of his mother's garden back in the day.]

Listening to people is all apart of the job. While I moonlight as a devil hunter, I'm more like a private eye during the weekday slog. So, you got me there.

[ This must be what it feels like to be a mouse followed by a jungle cat, she muses. Dante sizes her up, picking at her with little more than a look. She meets his smirk for no more than a second before her gaze flits away to try and regain some composure. Call her crazy, but this must be what Dante feels about his own brother. ]

I'd say they're my expertise. [ But he does look like a rose fan. She's hardly surprised by that— it's the mention of ferns that surprises her. The more she thinks about it, though, she shouldn't be. Ferns' spores are sometimes mistaken for seeds; seeds that would later serve as the basis for mythical plants. ] Roses aren't that hard to save. Ferns, though, they're more committed... To their fate, whatever it might be. Living or dying, they do it once they've set on it. Thankfully, it's not too hard to care for them. Long as someone keeps them misted and warm, they're okay.

[ A private eye with roses and ferns in his office? She hasn't seen any around here. Maybe they're Shuten, but she has a hunch that this is more about home than Hell. ] So, roses. Are they your favorite flower? Mr. Private Eye.

[ She loves the drama of it. Lowkey, but still. ]

[While Dante isn't aware of it, he does have his brother's scrutinizing gaze just as much as Vergil has his telltale little smirks. The brothers favor each other quite a bit despite the two of them being more like fraternal twins now rather than identical. It's something that most people don't get the liberty to see since the Sons of Sparda are constantly feuding but hopefully one day that will all change.]

Huh, really? [He can't help but sound a bit surprised to hear that tidbit about ferns. He always thought ferns were tougher than your average rose but it's apparently the opposite. This somewhat surprises Dante but then again, he's the toughest rose of them all.]

I'll keep that in mind once I'm back at the office.

[He sure hopes Nero didn't kill his babies. His nephew has a good head on his shoulders but he's awfully destructive at times. Dante just hopes the Devil May Cry is still in one piece with Nero running the show.]

Yeah, I suppose you could say that. [He states with a lopsided grin now that he's feeling a bit playful.] There's nothing quite as elegant as a rose, you know. Depending on the color, a rose can symbolize a myriad of things but I prefer red roses since red is my favorite color.

[It's also was his mother's favorite color too.]

Pretty much. Strong and lovely, that's what roses tend to be. [ Trailing off, she listens to him intently, hands firmly in her lap. Her thumbs twiddle nervously, as much as she tries to prevent it: Aerith realizes that if she wants to talk about something, she'll have to bring it up out of the blue. ]

Red symbolizes a lot in general, doesn't it? Like... you know. A stop sign.

[ Know any places that have been working more or less as stop signs? Her tone implies the question. ]

[Strong and lovely makes sense but that bit about the "stop sign" doesn't. He can't help but cock his eyebrow in confusion as he regards Aerith. Just what is she talking about? It's almost like she's trying to tell him something.]

Right, well...red is a rather eye-catching color after all. [Dante mentions as he surveys the area. While there's not many stop signs around, there is a couple of detours scattered about. It's because of the upcoming parade. The Kappa tribe routed out the path of the parade themselves, strictly forbidding anyone from deviating off course. It's a little unsettling since there's no explanation for it.]

While red is a rather beautiful color, it could also serve as a warning.

[He whispers low enough for Aerith's ears only. They're on the same page here, he hopes.]

Right. [ Oh, they are definitely on the same page, she realizes. ]

So, about the parade route. [ Gesturing lightly, she moves as if to illustrate her point. Hopefully no one is listening in on them, but if they are, Aerith doesn't seem to care. What are they going to do: Tell on her? ]

Even though there was a pretty warning sign and they kept trying to keep us back... I did get past those Kappa. Did you ever manage it? [ She makes it sound easy. ]

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March 2022 Mini Event

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