jigokulogs | March 2022 Mini Event

March 2022 Mini Event

MAIN NAVIGATION

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

Pastries aren't filling by themselves, but... [nehan looks over his shoulder, at the aforementioned stall in the corner, handing out little samples. then he snorts.]

It will be another night of paying for my meal, then.

[which is annoying! there's not a lot of money to go around, and he's trying to save!]

[ He gets it, he's of the same mind. What's more, the pastry had been truly delicious. It's a real shame what they're doing to good food. ]

If you were planning to scrimp, there are cheap dining places that are less of a gamble. I believe they call them "fast food" stores.

I know. [nehan delivers that in the most droll tone, before raising an eyebrow. of course he knows that-- he cocks his thumb over his shoulder, pointing at the building behind them. on the upper floors, there are already stores and cafes visible.]

There are also corner stores called konbini, and they sell boxed meals that are even cheaper than those, and perfectly serviceable unless you have such a refined palate that you absolutely must eat the best, or perish.

Is that what they're called? Seeing as I'm out of a meal, that might just be my next stop.

[ Yuri's eyes follow gesture to the nearby building. The comment about refined tastes gets an amused scoff from him; he's definitely known a noble or two like that. ]

Imagine having that luxury. No, even the cheapest meals here taste better than the slop I've had.

[and yet he speaks and acts like a highborn... perhaps the cooks in his kitchens were just that bad.]

Perhaps you should check if you're out of money, as well. I may not have been the first person to come across you, after all. [and nehan isn't the only pickpocket in town. in fact, there are many of them.]

Cheap their meals may be, they still take money.

[ Not a highborn! Just someone way behind the times.

It hadn't occurred to Yuri that he could have been asleep that long. He reaches a hand into his pockets and... fuck. His wallet really is missing, and his face contorts with dismay as he glances down the alley. ]

You've got to be kidding me.

[ On the ground, the half-eaten treat that got him into trouble in the first place has also been suspiciously consumed. ]

They've gone and made off with my food, too. ...why? [ What kind of thief wants half-eaten food when they've got their hands on a wallet? ] Don't tell me it was one of those cats.

Bakeneko. [the correction is automatic, then nehan shrugs. he's not overly concerned about the human's plight. he cant even drum up the will to pretend to be sympathetic.] But they're not the only thieves around. Anyone can be a thief if they put their mind to it.

Fate really has dealt you a bad hand, hasn't it?

Don't I know it. But I've turned things around with less.

[ He's never had a great hand, but he's figured out how to play with the cards he's been dealt and come out on top, so a setback like this won't have him throwing in the towel. Not that he's happy to start over from nothing. ]

And it seems luck hasn't abandoned me just yet. If the culprit who took off with my wallet is the same one who took off with my food, I'll find them dozing off not far from here. Did you see anyone suspicious on your way here?

[nehan's lips thin, showing how stupid of a question he thinks that is.]

Everyone looks suspicious in this place. [but to be less pedantic:] I did not see anyone who was leaving your position, and acting strange or shifty at the same time. Or sleepy, at that.

So the food was likely slow-acting, and they're now long gone. Or hidden well enough that they wont be discovered so easily.

Hah! You're right about that.

[ He's smiling, but there's no mirth in it. The chances really are low, especially with no tips to go off of. If he comes up empty, he'll have to get crafty until he gets his next paycheck. ]

Still, I've nothing to lose at this point so I might as well look.

[that's a look that nehan can read easily-- a man in trouble, but is likely thinking of ways to work with the hand fate dealt him. and now, the erune thinks.]

Hmm. What do you say to a favor done now, for a favor later?

What sort of favors are we talking?

[ Yuri doesn't like the feeling of being indebted to anyone, and there are those who would use it as leverage. So while he's not opposed to making a deal, he wants to be sure of the terms. ]

[nehan was expecting that question, and he nods. it's nothing surprising, and he can imagine that the man would not like anything terrible to do, given his personality.]

Just buying me something in turn, when you have money again. A plant, perhaps, or a household item I think I will need.

You don't need to try and figure out what I would need, I can simply call you when I want it.

You want to lend me money and be paid back.

[ That's about as straightforward as exchanges get. Still, he'll turn it over to be sure there's no catch. ]

Why as a gift and not coin?

Because I like plants. [it's not even a lie-- but live plants are also the least offensive things that nehan could ask for. really, it's the only choice, because otherwise he'd be asking someone to take the fall for him in a crime spree, or steal something for him, or even provide him an alibi if he were to murder someone. even asking for information on someone's clan is suspicious enough.]

But I am also particular about the plants I own. Some of them may be more expensive than a meal at a cafe.

Right. Well. I'm not gonna say yes to anything that gets me into trouble, but if it's just a plant to spruce up our drab and dingy homes, that's fine.

[ There are plants of the illegal variety, he's sure. Similar thoughts have run through Yuri's mind. This is the type of place he'd expect someone to ask for a nefarious favor. Perhaps he wouldn't even be opposed to it, given the right offer, but not for the price of a meal. ]

Deal?

[funny how he thinks he's in charge, when nehan is the one with the money. still, the erune nods, ears swaying with the motion.]

Agreed. But the choice of plant is mine-- as I said, I'm particular. [then he straightens, and shakes his coat out.]

Come-- if we hurry, we can find a table before the salarymen finish their work and fill the restaurants and cafes.

[ Here's hoping those aren't cat ears...

Yuri would still like to search for his wallet, however slim the chances, but he has a feeling green thumbs here won't be patient. He reluctantly abandons the thought and follows along. ]

So, who do I have the pleasure of dining with?

Nehan. [a quick, simple response. then he hears noise further down the street, his ear fluttering as he listens, and decides it's nothing to be concerned about. just some people starting their happy hour early in a hostess club. how they managed to get out of work early... well, they're either high up or very lucky.

then he turns on his heel to head towards the building he pointed out, with all the cafes on upper floors.]

And you?

Yuri.

[ Okay, yep, those are definitely animal ears. They're turning out to be a frequent sight around the city, which means he should really see what he can do about his allergies.

When Nehan turns to go, Yuri follows, catching up and falling in step beside him. ]

You know, a friendlier man would simply treat me to a meal. Is it always business with you?

Altruism is only worth indulging in when you yourself have enough resources to splurge.

And me? I don't have that luxury. [it's not part of his personality either-- he will always expect repayment and deals. so yes, it's always business.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

March 2022 Mini Event

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject