jigokulogs | March 2022 IC Mingle

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March 2022 IC Mingle

1. WELCOMING COMMITTEE

cw: optional aphro in Tamamo Clan prompt

The influx of Lost Souls means the factions need to have a little welcoming party of sorts. The leaders of each faction each send a message to their new recruits, telling them to meet at their respective headquarters.

The Shuten Clan directs their new recruits to the Arena. There’s plenty of food and booze to go along with the exhibition matches from the toughest fighters they’ve got. Enjoy the view or get involved in an arena fight, if you’re feeling spicy. If bloodsport isn’t your cup of tea, there’s a number of gambling games to partake in, too – don’t worry, your money isn’t at stake here, unless you want it to be.

The Tamamo Clan recruits are sent to the brothel Mizukume. Hosts of all sorts are there to fill your every need. If you’re not one to be doted on, there’s also exotic dancers in every state of undress for you to look at. You may be tasked with being a host or a dancer yourself. If you’re not in the mood for that, there’s plenty of food from Tamamo-controlled restaurants to eat and seemingly endless drinks. The drinks may or may not have a little something extra in them, so check the labels carefully.

The Sutoku Alliance meets at the nightclub Konoha. It’s truly a celebration with an enormous amount of fast food from every joint in their district and an equal amount of cheap drinks. Sing your heart out with live band karaoke – don’t worry about them not knowing your song, they seem to have a depth of knowledge beyond this world. Once that settles down, there’s plenty of dancing to do or you can be a wallflower, whatever suits your mood.

The Department of the Enma meets at a meeting room on the top floor of Kaigo no Bou. The room is uncomfortably opulent and wouldn’t be out of place in a Heian imperial court. Fine silk tapestries cover the walls, richly lacquered wood is inlaid with gold, and it all feels like it was decorated by someone with more money than taste. There’s fine food and even finer drink available. Various multi-armed youkai play in a jazz band, playing their instruments in a much more complicated manner than strictly necessary. Stretch your legs and dance. Take a peek out the window for a bird’s eye view of the city. If the interior is too stuffy for you, escape to the roof for some fresh air – just be careful not to fall off.

2. PARTY TIME

CW: optional aphro

After everyone’s had their fill of food, drink, and entertainment: the party isn’t over. They’re told to make their way to Konoha with the instruction to show their faction’s pride. That’s a careful way to tell them to raise hell. Upon arrival, all recruits are provided with an advance on their pay by The Enma. Food is provided by the Shuten Clan, a variety of all sorts of meaty foods. Drinks are provided by the Tamamo Clan, but be wary because some may have that special Tamamo kick to them (read: aphro). It’s technically a neutral meeting place, but there’s almost certain to be a fight sooner or later. Entertain yourself, meet the other factions, and raise some Hell.

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[ he toasts him. at his question, dimitri frowns and thinks over how he'll respond. ]

I do not have any experience with the judiciary.

[ how does he explain that he is essentially. the judiciary. maybe he'll just skip over that part. ]

However, I am part of the nobility in my world, where we share influence over the populace with the power of the church. The laws of the Kingdom are determined by the royal family and how strictly the people adhere to our religion.

Quite different from how it is here. I suppose you've worked in such an environment?

Edited 2022-03-06 21:24 (UTC)

[ This doesn't sound nearly as off to van Zieks as it could because he's Very British. Queen Victoria has final say about all, that's just the way of life, and religion... well, it's recently been losing influence as science and scientific societies capture the minds of the population, but its power does not fade that easily. ]

A fellow noble, how intriguing. Barok van Zieks, at your service. I work as a prosecutor in my home country. The highest authority in our British Empire is certainly still the Queen, but we have a highly developed justice system that works tirelessly to make the streets safer without troubling her majesty's judgment personally.

I can't say I am familiar with this place's rules, however.

Barok van Zieks, a pleasure. I am Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd. [ a pause. ] Dimitri is fine, however.

I suppose all of us will figure out soon enough what the rules are.

[ dimitri looks thoughtful as he thinks it over. the british empire is nothing he's familiar with, but the work he says he does is very similar to how things work for him as a prince: a justice system exists in place without him having to deal with it at all.

the yakuza here seem to operate in a similar way. a criminal underclass operating as the government ... it's like asking the abyss to rule the kingdom. incredibly despicable and inappropriate, and here he was.

their department seems to be the one to mete out justice. what will that look like? they're about to participate in it soon. ]

Will you be alright? This isn't normally a prosecutor's arena.

Edited 2022-03-07 04:52 (UTC)

[ Van Zieks nods at the introduction, fully intending to absolutely never call him just 'Dimitri' even as he acknowledges the offer... Lord Blaiddyd it is. ]

The concern is appreciated, but I do not foresee any problems for myself. Over the course of my career, I have been forced to fend off numerous attempts on my life.

[ He briefly places his hand onto the hilt of his sword, just to indicate the form many of those encounters have taken. ]

I do hope to return to my real profession at some point in the future, but if policing duty is what I must content myself with for now then so be it.

[ One can go only so long praising the work of the bobbies and Scotland Yard without being obligated to respect their duties even when passed along to themself. ]

What about yourself? Has your noble upbringing involved ample self defense training?

Helping to find justice does come with its own dangers. I am glad you are more than capable of defending yourself.

I come from the Kingdom of Faerghus, which prides itself on chivalry and knighthood. In that spirit my education has been quite thorough and involved combat training as well. I've had my maiden battle. It is something that is celebrated and expected of my role.

[ notwithstanding the fact that he is also a prince. ]

That being said, I am still young and I have much to learn. I wish to be worthy of my rank.

[ ... it is not surprising but a little disappointing that he has absolutely no clue where Faerghus might be. Chances are that it is not of his world. It's frustrating that his education cannot even provide him the most vague common knowledge about people's homes here. ]

That is a formidable stance to have. Too many feel entitled to their position and influence and neglect to live a life befitting of their status. Common to popular opinion, rot in society does not spread only from below.

I agree. It is most unfortunate - after all, we are the ones who hold the power above the people we serve.

The nobility must be worthy of the admiration and loyalty that it commands. I am for the people; their fate is in my hands. Therefore, I must be worthy of my power.

It is difficult to translate that here. [ dimitri frowns; a slight hint of frustration creeps in his tone. ] I cannot agree with what we stand for. However, I strive to be good regardless - even amongst mercenaries, there are uses for goodness and mercy.

[ Though van Zieks would not have put it in quite so lofty terms, he understands the conflict that Dimitri is facing very well. Being the enforcers of the literal demon king is not exactly enticing for one who has committed himself to truth and justice all the way through.

And still... ]

The Derpartment does appear to be largely an instrument of wielding power under the guise of order and structure... I am not fond of its principles either, but I do know that order and peace can often be adjacent even if not identical.

I will thrive to uphold my commitment to the truth and only the truth, as I would in any other place. Personal integrity is more telling about a man than any factional loyalty.

I'd be glad to assist you any way I can. Feel free to reach out whenever you need to.

[ dimitri takes another bite of an hors d', watching the revelry unfold before them. he's no stranger to feasts, certainly, but the set up of the room has a different vibe than he's used to. he feels out of place, but then again, he's sure he's not the only one. ]

As an aside, did you arrive with friends here?

[ ... !!

The way van Zieks suddenly looks like he has bitten into a very sour apple is maybe answer enough to the question, but he catches himself a moment after. ]

Not... friends, exactly. [ He only has one, really. ] But there is someone else from the London judiciary here. He and I have worked closely together before.

Is it common to arrive with others from the same location in time and space?

[ oh dear. he seems to have hit on something, and dimitri feels sorry for it. ]

I apologize if the term conjures up awkward or painful memories. It was not my intention.

I only meant to inquire as to whether you'd come alone, or with someone you know - it seems that some people have, and there is no pattern as to why or why it might not happen. It is common, but I'm not sure why, and I don't think anyone can understand it.

But it is nice that you are with a colleague. It is a difficult time; that you are with someone familiar will hopefully make your absence from your world a bit more bearable.

[ It's not the term, it's the person, but... Van Zieks does not feel like explaining all that to a person he just met, so he merely nods off the apology curtly.

Stronghart being here makes absolutely nothing more bearable. ]

It is a comfort to know that at least one individual in this tower is familiar with the same legal code as I am, yes.

[ Best thing he can say about it. ]

I take it, you have likewise come here with a contemporary?

[ dimitri nods. ] I did. It was very surprising for me. I hope to be able to take care of him as he is the type who is too reckless to be left alone. My other acquaintance is at least, a little bit more responsible.

[ felix is gonna have a grand ol' time if he ever finds out that he's not being described as the latter in dimitri's words, but he'll just have to deal with not-knowing. ]

But if you'll pardon me for being frank ... you don't look like the type to enjoy the comforts of someone as the acquaintance you've mentioned. [ dimitri frowns. ] Of course, I may just be entirely wrong with how I've perceived you.

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March 2022 IC Mingle

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