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.

Welcome to the IC mingle!

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[ Felix is in a particularly bad mood. He still dislikes the position he is in even if he does not necessarily disagree he would not fit it in a place that seems well-suited to violence. It is a violence that smacks of proving oneself, and one he soon will find himself joining in. Though, that being said he does hold interest in observing the battles fought between the others here, even if so far he has found them lacking.

It may have something to do with the fact the creatures here disgust him. But, when he spots someone else joining the fray who appears different than the rest (white hair, for one), it catches his attention. An older man, who seems to know how to scrap.

While the cheers start for the other guy (how boring), Felix has his own opinions as he shoves his way closer to the ring, and purposefully raises his voice. ]

Are you thinking of giving up already, then? It's too bad, I might have been enjoying viewing one of these wretched battles for once.

[Violence is violence. It’s both horrifying and sinfully entertaining. Granted, Dante would be enjoying this match more if his opponent wasn’t hellbent on rearranging his face but then again, he likes the danger. He doesn’t know much about youkai but the second his opponent’s skin starts to transform from tan to blood red, Dante knew he was in trouble.]

I didn’t know you could get such a cool tan, buddy.

[Two devils about to go blow to blow, huh? Dante can’t help but smirk a little.]

You know, that means I’m going to hold back anymore—

[Just when he was about to get action, a particularly loud spectator captures his attention. He peers into the crowd and locks eyes briefly with the guy. It seems he has a fan. That’s great! More than half the arena is shouting for his blood, all except for this fancy-looking guy here.

Dante much appreciates it.]

Momma didn’t raise a quitter! [He states triumphantly with a playful wink.] Just keep big cheering, bigshot!

[The Oni charges right towards Dante again like a raging bull but unlike last time, he’s ready for him. The devil hunter quickly pivots towards the left narrowly avoiding the Oni as it tries to shoulder slam him into the fence. Just the force of the slam is enough to rattle the arena cage from top to bottom. It’s a little scary for members of the crowd, especially since that oversized bastard nearly took down the entire fence.]

C’mon, buddy! You can do better than that.

[Dante shrugs off his signature red coat while taunting the monster. With a gleeful smirk upon his lips, he holds out his jacket like a matador’s muleta. It’s fairly hilarious, especially since the Oni is snarling in rage as Dante taunts him with such a sickeningly sweet tone.]

Toro! Toro!

[ Felix isn't surprised that he's surrounded by people in the arena that don't know have good taste in choosing fighters. It could be that the Oni that Dante is currently facing down just so happens to be a long-time favorite, but of course people who remain as such can be liable to get overly cocky so that they're no longer good. Felix does end up smirking in return at the man's response to his cheer.

He has a lot of spirit alright. ]

You know what? I think I just might.

[ Anyway, Felix is on the edge of his seat as he watches the battle rage through the fence, though his eyes do widen when the Oni practically rattles the whole damn thing.

And then when he spots Dante's form of taunting, he's practically the only one laughing, getting caught up in the moment while the Oni's fans are grimacing, though there are a few other amused looks in the crowd as well. ]

Hmph, I'd say with that giant ox standing around simply getting furious and not doing anything much else shows how worthless he is! I already know the one in red is going to take away the victory.

[ Yeah, that's his brand of cheering while the others in the crowd continue to get riled up. Partly because they have a stake in it, partly because there are favorites, and also potentially partly in response to Felix's own bold comment against the popular opinion. Not that it phases him any. ]

[Spirit isn’t just about the only thing Dante has. He also has decades of experience when it comes down to fighting and the best way to win is to make your opponent irrationally pissed off. Despite popular belief, getting angry doesn’t help you win a fight. Rage can be a useful tool but only if you can control it. Just giving in to anger will give you a boost in motivation but it always leaves you open. This is why Dante doesn’t ease up on the taunts as this overgrown demon comes charging towards him again.

Like a skilled matador, Dante narrowly misses getting skewered by his opponent’s enormous black horns. An Oni is basically an oversized ogre with human-like features. They’re one of the few youkai that retain such traits, especially since most youkai tend to be more animalistic in appearance. Amusingly, the Red Oni is acting more like an angry bull than an actual person.

When the beast attempts to charge at him again, Dante narrowly dodges but manages to kick his leg out last second to trip the monster off its feet. The Oni goes spiraling into the crowd, his enormous bulk slamming against the fence with enough force to shake the entire arena.]

Whoops, sorry bout that! [Dante chuckles as he dusts off his coat.] I guess that wasn’t in the script, huh?

[He glances over towards the crowd after that little quip, his mischievous blue gaze focused on his newly acquired fan.]

I owe you a few drinks later!

[He means it too. It’s nice to have someone cheering for a change. While the crowd at large is still booing him, Dante can’t help but grin at his new friend in the stands.]

You’re the only guy who knows how to spot a winner shithole!

[ Just like that, Felix is on the edge of his seat. Given the extent of the crowd, it doesn't even make a dent through the noise as he takes a breath at the narrow miss. But it's a miss all the same and warriors calculate those all the time, so all is does is make him even more excited for the result of the bout.

He chuckles to himself when the Oni gets literally tripped up, and that's really all it takes. His eyes do widen briefly when that huge mass of a creature ends up flying into the fence, rattling the foundations as a result. ]

...A few drinks, huh?

[ Felix can probably ask him a few questions about his technique too, as one combatant to another. Anyway, he will raise his voice accordingly. ]

What can I say? Unlike most people here, I just so happen to not be blind! I think that makes a huge difference.

[ He'll ignore the dirty looks in his direction. ]

You know what? Just for that, I’m treating you to a full bottle of sake once I win the gold!

[Dante states with a cheeky grin as he bows before his new adoring fans with such unnecessary flourish.

It seems he’s slowly winning over the crowd. His silly antics won a few chuckles here and there but the laughter was few and far in-between. Most of the spectators are just horrified that this mere human just swept the floor with their champion. It’s almost insulting, really. Little do many of them realize is that Dante is anything other than human despite his previous demonstration of strength.

Nevertheless, the devil hunter’s antics won the attention of a pair of great blue Oni who are now stepping into the ring.]

Ah, shit! Who brought in the calvary?

[He questions once the large Oni jump into the ring. It seems that the big goofy red guy is their brother and they’re pissed.]

Alright, alright…

[Dante takes a moment to roll his shoulders before doing a big stretch much like a lazy feline. Once he works out the kinks, the devil hunter gets into a mock kungfu stance that is definitely a call back to a certain Chinese movie star from the late 70’s. This is about to turn from your average brawl into a legit kungfu flick.

Just keep your eyes on him, folks.]

I’m not holding back anymore.

[In just the blink of an eye, Dante closes the gap between himself and his new opponents. They barely had a second to react before Dante’s boot ends up flossing their teeth. It’s a gruesome sight, especially since Dante managed to knock their teeth out. Blood splatters against the fence as Dante keeps up with this brutal barrage of deft-defying kicks and punches. He’s moving as fast as lightning just like the song.]

I'll remember you said that.

[ Felix has never had sake, but you know what, he's in hell, so it's ripe for the time to try new things.

And oh boy, when the two new contenders step right into the ring...well, he already knows for certain this is about to get real wild. Which is fine, because at least this time he feels a little more prepared for nonsense, though he will also take a some steps back just in case. Out of a sense of practicality with two big opponents and one strong man fighting in the ring...

...And holy shit. That sure is a ... sight.

Well, the two are very visibly large monsters, and stepped into a ring—they knew what they were getting into. They don't like human either, so that helps. He is also fortunate to have seen battle and the results of such grisly outcomes already, even if he is more or less thankful to have made sure he was not so close to the fence. ]

Looks like they didn't stand a chance. I'll be surprised if they don't call it soon enough.

[ Any good fighter in a battle—that isn't life or death—would know when to yield. ]

[It’s a good thing that Felix took a few steps away from the arena’s edge, especially since Dante is really letting loose. He kicks the first blue Oni in the head, purposely breaking one of the monster’s horns before aiming at the second one. Once he manages to knock that poor bastard out, Dante switches targets and quickly aims a fury of punches right into the other Oni’s torso.

The telltale sound of bones cracking can be heard over all the cheers but eventually, the Oni manages to halt Dante’s assault by grabbing the devil slayer by his arms. The oversize brute knees Dante right in the abdomen to catch him off guard before swinging him through the fence and into the crowd. As the gate falls, Dante manages to do a deft-defying flip in midair to stable himself before eventually falling into the seat beside Felix.]

Hey there! [He gives the man a playful wink despite looking a bit worn now.] Enjoying the show?

I hope so, cause I’m getting tired.

[Thankfully, the acting referees finally decide to call an end to this match once the second Oni falls to his knees. It’s then that Dante finally takes a breath of relief. Despite all of his bravado and sass, he’s exhausted.]

It seems like I won~

[Red Coat wins, three to one!]

Edited 2022-03-12 04:13 (UTC)

[ It's probably no surprise that Felix is still sucked into the on-goings of the fight, so much so that his eyes can only widen once more as Dante is actually sent straight through the whole damn fence. He then blinks when the other lands gracefully beside him, and it does actually startle him, but he recovers relatively quickly. ]

I wouldn't be here if I wasn't.

[ He still definitely has it within himself to quip towards one who is definitely an extraordinarily skilled warrior, but he's smirking for certain.

Once Dante makes that comment of his following the fall of that Oni and that declaration of his victory, however... ]

It looks like you did. After all of that, it's a well-deserving victory thanks to skill and sheer strength.

What's your name, anyway? I'm Felix Hugo Fraldarius.

Nice to meet you, Felix.

[He takes a moment to wipe off the blood and sweat off his hands before offering his left for a handshake. While he's ambidextrous by nature, Dante tends to favor his left than his right. The same for his twin brother.]

I'm Dante.

[This is ironically the most casual meeting he's had yet. Dante has been getting into trouble left and right since he arrived here. The world-famous demon hunter has a big mouth and an even bigger ego that gets him into trouble. So this is a wonderful reprieve from it all.]

Lemme guess, you're a fighter as well.

[Or at least someone who enjoys seeing two men bash each other's brains out. Whatever the case, Felix is like 5'8 something to Dante's 6'4 but the minor height difference isn't that prominent. Felix looks like he could be a fighter too. He doesn't look like a total lightweight but for some reason, Dante doubts this guy is your average brawler.]

Same to you.

[ Yeah, Felix is not going to want to shake a bloody hand, but otherwise has no qualms doing so when it's wiped clean. So, he will reach out to grip a hold of the left hand before giving it a firm one, and then letting go.

In the meanwhile, he will look over the man in front of him once more. He can't be biased thinking that immediately that he strikes an noteworthy presence, and not just by appearance. He is casual, but also refreshingly straight-forward. ]

I am. You won't see me fighting with my bare hands, though.

[ He hasn't taken enough brawler classes for that. Even if he can probably still throw a well-aimed punch or kick if he had to...he's also not got the build for that, even if indeed he isn't exactly a lightweight. Like, let's say, an archer may be. ]

I prefer use a blade, as I've been trained to be a swordsman. Though, that doesn't mean I won't be looking for any potential pointers, if you get what I mean.

[It's said you can learn a lot about someone just from a simple handshake. Felix might look a little young but he has a strong grip, one that silently speaks of his strong convictions. That's pretty rad since Dante is quite similar. They share a lot of commonalities despite the slight age difference. That’s a good thing, of course.]

Yeah, I thought you were a swordie the second I laid eyes on you.

[He’s been running into the sword & board types as of late. So Dante wouldn’t be surprised if Felix is also a fellow swordsman. While he prefers guns over swords, Dante is a known master of swordplay but he doesn’t let it get to his head. Not too much, at least.]

Oh, I get what you mean and I enjoy a good spar.

[Yes, finally a sparring partner! He was getting tired of all these stupid brawls. Fighting with just your fists is fun and all but Dante gets bored easily.]

What kind of sword do you use? A piercer or a slasher?

[Most European blades are meant for piercing while more Eastern swords are made for slashing. That is unless you’re talking about a greatsword. Traditional greatswords weren't meant for hacking or slashing, they were made for deflecting, advancing, and making room between yourself and your opponent. They were kind of used like short spears but Dante has the strength of four men giving him the ability to wield his new fancy black blade with deadly precision.]

Oh yeah? Well, maybe I shouldn't be all that surprised that an experienced fighter such as yourself can tell at a single glance.

[ Felix somehow sounds so proud of that, but also how can he not? It means someone can read that he's particularly skilled in a certain way, which is a compliment all on its own without being too heavy handed. This place may be quite the shithole, but at the very least it seems he can find people worth his time. ]

Glad to hear that you're just as enthused as I am for a good fight.

Anyway, I can use a variety of blades. Longswords, short swords, dao...you name it. [ Daggers too, but those are more or less for last resorts if he so happens to be carrying one. ] Not quite all about overly impractically heavy blades, but a sword is a sword, so as long as I know how to use it, I'll be to swing it.

[ He probably wouldn't be seen running around with a zweihandler, but if he has the opportunity to add it to his collection, he will. ]

I'm capable of doing both just as well. What about you?

Let's just say I know the type well.

[There's just something about those who partake in combat that sticks out to him. It's a combination between Felix's cocksure attitude and his obvious fitness that catches his eye. Not that he's actively looking, of course.]

So you're like a jack-of-all-trades, huh?

[He can't help but sound a bit impressed because it is. It's not every day he meets someone similar to himself.]

That's pretty cool! I want to see how you'll handle against me in the ring.

[Dante gestures towards the now empty ring that the alleged "officials" are trying to clean up now. Yokai, in general, don't really care much for cleanliness but they have certain customs they like to abide by. One custom is to clean up the red splotches on the floor and collect whatever loose teeth they can find.]

A little bit of option A and option B. The sword I'm wielding fits the heavyweight division.

[He's not about to explain how he created this self-named blade but does want an excuse to show it off.]

Yeah, you can say that.

[ His eyes flicker back over to the bloodied, empty ring, before back at the older man. Honestly, that is a goal of his, though he'd also like to fight against him a number of times before getting into the ring among all those onlookers.

Whatever the case, though, he thinks he can face Dante head on. He has enough confidence in that, even if he acknowledges the man is evidently a rather tough opponent. ]

It'll be worth the time. I'm not actually all about dealing with idiots with no taste, but...I don't care wherever we start the sparring match.

[ Probably a little reckless, but they're in Hell, it doesn't matter. And who is going to stop him for that matter? ]

Show me. Well, a little later. You said you were going to get me something earlier?

Drinks are on me, right?

[It was all under the heat of the moment but Dante did promise to buy buddy-boy here a few drinks for being a good cheerleader. He didn’t have much in the means of cash but after this win tonight, Dante is going to be just fine. Hopefully, he won’t accidentally spend it all at the local bars. It’s been a while since he’s gone barhopping and he’s kind of excited.]

Well, let’s get going before the Oni triplets decide to get some payback.

[With that said, Dante hops out of the chair ready to blow this popsicle stand while the getting is good. He starts to stretch a little once he feels the dull ache from earlier flair up. His regenerative abilities still work but it’s a little slower than usual.]

What’s your poison of choice, Felix?

[He asks while cracking his back. Poor Dante is getting a little old.]

Whisky is my favorite but I wouldn’t be opposed to trying something new.

Yeah, I'm not interested in dealing with more fools.

Even if they would be asking for another beat down if they dared to try getting in the way.

[ Felix himself gets moving, without much urgency in his steps, but he does mean it. He has little interest in suffering people he views as hardly worth his time. It is a funny thing to say that about creatures who are quite large in size, but...Felix is a rather confident individual, even in a place that is foreign to him. ]

Nothing too sweet, so ideally red wine to start with. I suppose there is always beer, as well, but other than that, I've nothing else in mind.

[ He's not going to call himself a big drinker by any means, but he does have his preferences...shaped by his time as a noble, and the usual fancy drinks at such parties. ]

[Is it possible for one person to remind him of two individuals at the same time? If so, Felix is doing a damn good job doing it. This guy sounds almost exactly like Vergil minus his brother’s penchant for bloodlust and insanity. In the same breath, this guy acts a lot like Nero too. His brashness and youthful guile definitely reminds Dante of his grumpy little nephew. It’s oddly refreshing.]

So you’re a red wine kind of guy, huh? Fancy.

[He teases as he playfully punches Felix in the arm. It’s just a light tap but Dante is known to be a bit heavy handed.]

What made a fancy shmancy guy like you so interested in swordplay? You don’t strike me as the type to get into random brawls.

[Unlike himself, of course. Dante loves a good fight but what he loves more is getting the chance to show off in front of a live audience. That rarely happens since he typically works alone whenever Nero and the girls aren’t tagging along.]

[ Felix blinks as he's playfully punched in the arm, making him off in his stride a bit in surprise, and he scoffs, returning that with an elbowing of his own.

It's pretty interesting, though, to hear someone call him fancy. Well, it's not exactly wrong. He's a noble, even if he's one of the few of those who are rough around the edges...at the end he's still a noble. Which means such things would shine through, even with his demeanor. ]

You're right in that I'm not the type.

[ Though Felix may find himself doing so the longer he stays here. He'd just end up calling it 'duels' instead, which of course he'll insist are entirely different. ]

I've always been interested in swordplay, from the day I could swing a sword. [ Which is...pretty young, actually. ] You can say I took to wielding one like a fish takes to water, and I feel there is nothing like swinging your blade or encountering someone well worth the challenge to draw it.

And you? What got you into fighting?

Life. [He answers tersely with a bit of a smirk.] It’s survival of the fittest where I’m from.

You either do or die, it’s that simple.

[Violence is an everyday occurrence for a man like Dante. He lives and breathes conflict, almost to the point that it’s become second nature for him. While he enjoys the peace well enough, nothing gets his blood pumping quite like beating the brakes off someone. He likes the feeling of cartilage breaking under his fist and enjoys the sound of gunfire. Maybe it’s the devil within him that craves such carnage but Dante can’t deny that he feels the most alive whenever he’s fighting. It’s the only time he can simply be himself without worrying what others might think.]

My father was the one who got me into swords but I prefer firearms.

[He admits once they finally reach the bar. There’s a couple of their guys piss-drunk at the counter shouting about the match earlier. Dante gives them a wide berth as he grabs a table towards the far end of the bar by the windows. He’s not in the mood to deal with some drunk asshole shouting in his ear. Nope, he just wants to chill.]

My old man was a legendary swordsman, one of the best.

[He mutters before signaling to the scaly bartender to fetch them a round of beer, wine, and whatever the hell else he can think of.]

I’m still just second-rate in comparison to him.

Edited 2022-03-26 17:22 (UTC)

Hm, that'll do it.

[ It is undeniable that people will have to pick up their weapon in order to survive. Even then, it doesn't necessarily mean that survival will be easier just because you've learned how to fight. It's at that time that matters eventually become dire and it is important to remain in tip-top shape; essentially a must-have in the midst of a war, for example.

Felix also ensures he doesn't get too close to any of the drunkards. Though he makes note of their positions. Inebriated people tend to get rowdy easily and cross boundaries more thoughtlessly than those who are sober. ]

I didn't expect I'd be hearing you call yourself second-rate.

[ He doesn't say as harshly as he would, usually. He is thinking back to Glenn, where a part of the reason he has been trying to improve is to best him as well...his brother.

At the very least, it doesn't take very long for drinks to come their way. ]

...At what point are you going to consider yourself worthy of being a legendary swordsman?

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March 2022 IC Mingle

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