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!

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If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.

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[Lan Wangji raises his eyebrows at him, faintly reproving -- Wei Wuxian's boldness hasn't changed, he sees -- but he answers steadily enough, slightly dry. there'll be nothing that makes anyone suspicious in that. "slightly dry" and "steady" describe such a wide variety of the things that come out of Lan Wangji's mouth.]

Mm.

[he'll turn to walk back onto the bridge, moving slowly but smoothly. he's easily (and deliberately) matching Wei Wuxian's pace.]

An escape from the tunnels. Through the water.

An escape? You don't mean to say they're keeping prisoners down there?

[his acting's very good, as he keeps pace. his surprise seems genuine. why wouldn't he put effort into it instead of just hamming it up, though? he doesn't know Lan Wangji knows that was him.]

You have to tell me everything you saw! I've been so curious!

[it will certainly tell them something, whenever one of them realizes first that Lan Wangji knew all along while Wei Wuxian was oblivious to that fact. it seems so self-evident to both of them that their current versions of reality would be the obvious truth.

Lan Wangji does have one extra tally in the "Wei Wuxian knows I know and is going along with it" column that may not be immediately obvious to Wei Wuxian, though. it's clear (at least in his mind) that Wei Wuxian is acting friendly towards him right now as just that, an act -- part of their joint effort to sell that Wei Wuxian was uninvolved with the previous escapee. if Wei Wuxian was trying to act natural, Lan Wangji would expect for consistency's sake that Wei Wuxian would judge this sudden relative affability as more suspicious to Lan Wangji than refusing to talk to him at all.

the idea that Wei Wuxian, given insufficient time to process how to handle a situation, might not default to hostility towards Lan Wangji at a basal level is something that perhaps neither of them have fully internalized yet.]

...

Know little. Saw little more. His face was hidden.

Left my sight after entering the alleyways.

[it's all, strictly, accurate.]

[It's All Strictly Accurate, the Lan Wangji story. Wei Wuxian sighs in what may come off as regret but is definitely relief, shaking his head]

A slippery one, ah? And the Kappa are still being so closemouthed regardless...how deeply unfortunate.

[he is not thinking very hard about why he isn't behaving as Lan Wangji might have expected him to behave, or he wouldn't be behaving this way at all. Lan Wangji hides the full extent of knowledge through sparse words and technicality when he must; Wei Wuxian, on the other hand, is good at a form of lying that fully includes lying to himself, when he has to.]

[Lan Wangji will hum agreement, as blind to the unselfconsciousness of Wei Wuxian's easy familiarity as Wei Wuxian himself...]

Suggested stationing Alliance guards closer. As the current arrangement was unsuccessful.

The offer was refused.

[for a man who made personally sure that the current, looser Alliance guard perimeter didn't succeed where the Kappas' own defenses failed... Lan Zhan has an unexpectedly thick face, doesn't he. Wei Wuxian can likely imagine the dead level, judgmental tone he used to criticize the Kappa guards, as if it were their sloppiness and not his assistance that allowed Wei Wuxian to get away. it's still not technically untrue, since Wei Wuxian got past them -- he probably even meant it.]

Edited 2022-03-27 22:45 (UTC)

[he isn't going to give the game away by laughing, but he does bite the inside of his lip to keep from doing so, hard. oh wow, the nerve! Lan Wangji must just be dying to know what's down there himself, huh? but he's too cautious or too rulesbound to find it worth it to just go.

(that thought stings, for reasons he refuses to examine. there's a lot of reasons for thinking about Lan Wangji to sting, anyway; he doesn't need to add another)]

Well, they've refused everything else so far that gets anyone but a Kappa nearer there, soooo that's not a surprise, ah.

[Wei Wuxian's expectations of Lan Wangji's talents are truly high, especially as they seem to extend up to and including "good at stealth missions unassisted." without his cultivation, he's not as agile a swimmer as Wei Wuxian. and while he can be quiet and self-disciplined at need, it's impossible to deny that -- for some reason -- the Lans, a sect inspired by monks and walking around dressed in bright-white robes, are infrequently gifted with an instinct for sneaking.

Lan Wangji knows his limits. there's only one person in Jigoku-cho who he'd trust to pitch a trip into the sewers in a way that would convince him they'd be overcome... and that person didn't invite him to go.

...

he's far past that idea stinging. he's just glad he was able to do something for Wei Wuxian here; anything at all. he's glad that the pause before Wei Wuxian responded might mean that even just one more time-- even silently instead of out loud-- he's heard him laugh.

Lan Wangji knows about laughing without making a sound.]

It is not.

...

Could wish for greater trust.

[to be fair to Wei Wuxian, he would not have expected Lan Wangji to go by water -- he's as experienced as one gets there, if out of practice, and he barely made it out ahead of the Kappa -- but it is true he might be overestimating Lan Wangji's sneaking abilities, inasmuch as he is estimating anything at all. Lan Wangji might be overestimating Wei Wuxian's ability to think through every thought that passes through his overbusy mind.]

Ah, well. I suppose it's like if someone marched into the Cloud Recesses and decided you should throw open the inner disciples' training practices to them, because they were a guest on track to being an outer one? Sutoku makes...some sense, like that.

[though it doesn't entirely sound like he approves, from his tone. he just seems a bit more resigned to that than anything?]

Aside from guests, all disciples receive the same instruction from Uncle.

[Lan Wangji's tone is more openly judgmental, though not scathingly so. he disapproves, he's just not mad about it.

it's true that the Sukotu Alliance feels... at least close enough to the common practices of the cultivation sects of their home world to be possible to relate to.

it's relatively quiet here, after the bustle of the city. they can hear the dark water passing under the bridge. Lan Wangji's placed his palms on the railing and is leaning against it a little to look down, an unusual gesture for someone who usually keeps his hands at his sides.]

Edited 2022-03-28 06:17 (UTC)

Is that right?

[it's absent, more an acknlowedgement than a real question. he doesn't have much more to say about the comparison, if he picked a faulty one; he's not exactly in a great headspace to start talking about how the Jiang sect structure might differ.

he paces up and down instead of coming to rest beside him, unable to keep still and not particularly wanting to.]

Mm.

[Lan Wangji doesn't follow up on that thought, at least out loud; at least not yet. he's eyeing Wei Wuxian sidelong as he paces his restless patrol over the bridge, double checking one more time for signs of injury.

is this the right time to tell him? it might be. the conversation moves there almost naturally. However, your son will be raised as a Lan. Wei Wuxian can't know for sure that A-Yuan would be found, or protected. Lan Wangji should tell him.

he's sure Wei Wuxian will hate the idea, though. he'll react to the news with fury and scorn; he won't want Lan Wangji to be A-Yuan's guardian, won't want him to carry the Lan name. the best Lan Wangji can do for him, can be for him, won't be enough.

he needs to tell him, but -- should it be now? should he cut off this fake friendliness prematurely? his own ache to see it last as long as it can aside, maybe he should wait for them to get away from the river, so Wei Wuxian's subterfuge can stay as strong as possible...?

there's only a few minutes left on his watch.]

...

[he seems fine; a little stiff, perhaps, from recently-overworked muscles on top of everything else, but he's concealing it gamely enough. only people who's watched him the way Lan Wangji's watched him closely for years might tell the difference.

this does not inform Lan Wangji what the right choice to make here is, unfortunately.]

[as someone who's watched him all those years, the evidence of his worn-down condition does distract Lan Wangji, at least a little. his hands flex minutely on the railing.

abruptly:]

You should also maintain your body.

Have you eaten?

[it's... not quite the tone he wants, a bit too sharp with worry, but...

they're both tense and restless and trying to tamp it down. and they have things to talk about. perhaps, this time, they might actually be able to have a meal together; to put the events of the last couple of months straight and exchange information about the Sukotu Alliance before Wei Wuxian returns to avoiding him. surely that's why Wei Wuxian is here?]

[really? truly? even here, even now, his behavior is being judged? what business is that of Lan Wangji's? what business is that of anyone's at all?

(he took care of you that one night, rises under the flare of ugly defensiveness. he got you out of a tight spot just today.)

yes, well, first of all, he didn't ask for it, and second of all, if Lan Wangji is helping him out of guilt for being called the hypocrite that he is, that sounds like a him problem. either way, Wei Wuxian doesn't need it.]

I'm fine.

[under the weight of those conflicting thoughts, it comes out very flat.]

[even if he knew what was going on in Wei Wuxian's head, Lan Wangji wouldn't necessarily disagree with most of it. guilt? that's not why he's helping Wei Wuxian. but hypocrisy? oh, yes. Lan Wangji is keenly aware that by trying to protect him and A-Yuan at this end of the disaster -- when he knows that Wei Wuxian doesn't want it, when he knows how catastrophically he failed to help already -- he's truly making a mockery of the very concept.

but he can't do otherwise. he just has to accept that he's a hypocrite who failed, and keep living anyway. and there's no life he could live where he doesn't at least try to keep Wei Wuxian safe and well in this strange city. he'll use any honorable means he can to do it, whether that's a hand out of the water, or information shared, or paying for spicy chicken again.]

Have a meal with me.

Edited 2022-03-28 15:01 (UTC)

[defensiveness wins out entirely, a viciously sharp reflex shredding that gasp of good-faith reading into nothing. Lan Wangji can see his hackles go up: the indrawn breath, the way his shoulders pull tense. he's seen it at least once in every interaction they've had where Wei Wuxian wasn't high out of his mind.]

I've already eaten tonight.

[he absolutely has not.]

[Lan Wangji's shoulders go tense too, hands still spread on the railing. but he doesn't give up.]

Then, bear me company.

[stubborn, stubborn, stubborn. has Wei Wuxian ever met someone as stubborn as Lan Wangji?

just agree, he wills Wei Wuxian. it might look strange if Wei Wuxian stalks off in the middle of an apparently-friendly exchange; there's no reason the Kappa would be able to see for the invitation to offend him. Lan Wangji isn't even entirely sure why it's had that effect himself, unless Wei Wuxian hates him so much that the thought of eating with him made his acting abruptly harder.]

[Wei Wuxian neither takes his head off nor relents; instead, he smiles in a way that's almost poison-sweet, his tone lightening to something casual]

Ah, Lan Zhan, but I definitely couldn't trouble you in such a way. You just said there was an escapee recently, ah? I'll do my duty and join the watch of the next person after you get off shift. It's so important to have tight security now more than ever, after all.

[if he looks up as he smiles, he'll meet Lan Wangji's eyes, unreadably dark. his face is quiet. he's watching Wei Wuxian's steadily, some of the tension fallen away despite Wei Wuxian's deliberately provocative tone and statement.

Lan Zhan. it's the first time Wei Wuxian has called him that since he first inserted himself between Lan Wangji and his opponent, back in front of that club.]

...

[he absolutely does not make the connection, or even realize which address he used, so his eyebrows just kind of go up]

Hm! Seems like your shift end now, in fact!

[this dumbass. he's lucky Lan Wangji loves him]

[Lan Wangji's steady tone comes out oddly gentle, when he speaks. his eyes don't leave Wei Wuxian's.]

Wei Ying's company is not trouble.

[it's true that his shift is ending; they can hear the sound of Lan Wangji's relief talking on his cell phone as he approaches the side of the bridge, on his way up. for Lan Wangji, the sound is muted. everything feels very hushed and close between the two of them in this moment.]

[why is he so stubborn? what the hell does he want? Lan Wangji can see the spasm of frustration under the smile.

still, Lan Wangji can't force him to come, if he truly doesn't want to, so he simply shakes his head and turns away.]

Good night, Hanguang-jun. Here, over here!

[leans out and waves at the relief, feigning cheerfulness.]

Edited 2022-03-29 06:41 (UTC)

[Lan Wangji doesn't try again. he welcomes the relief with a nod while Wei Wuxian greets him, and when the conversation naturally pauses for the handoff, interjects coolly:]

Wei Ying will assist for the first hour of your shift.

[as if it was something planned, and he was in on it.

he'll sweep away down the bridge after very few pleasantries further, not appearing to care if Wei Wuxian wants to confirm that explicitly or not.

after about twenty minutes, a pizza delivery guy arrives from a Sukotu-controlled parlor chain down the street and hands off an extra large meat lovers pizza, two side orders of jalapeno poppers, and a 2-liter soda -- sent with compliments from the Alliance, the food runner claims with a wink. Lan Wangji's relief exclaims in surprised gratitude and presses Wei Wuxian to share the treat.]

[what the fuck. what the fuck???

the relief convinces him to eat eventually -- strangers have a lot more leeway with him than people he's familiar with in Hell, ironically -- but the food feels like lead in his throat and stomach. he doesn't eat that much, and presses the box of leftovers on the other person to take home with them.

...

the next morning -- or later that night, depending on whether he follows his curfew or not -- Lan Wangji finds a note slid under his door, with an odd diagram of whatever machinery/construction Wei Wuxian was able to glimpse in the tunnels. I think there'll be trouble at the Night Parade, is written below. Keeping people behind shelter might be a good idea.]

[he'll review the note until it's memorized, burn it, and wait for the Night Parade.]

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March 2022 Mini Event

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