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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I'll have you know I'm tall for my age.

[ huffs. ]

And ... there is nothing wrong with what I choose to wear. They also function for work. [ a pause because he's picking out winter clothes, but he's never seen a coat that's half a polyester blend and purported wool. ] I'll save up for a tailor later on.

... are they serious with that blend? [ dimitri frowns at the tag. he knows he can't be picky because he's no longer a prince, but it doesn't even feel good when he touches it with his hand and it feels too cheap ...! ugh. dimitri sighs and puts it away. he'll find something else nicer. ah. he really hates giving up the privilege of being a crown prince more and more. ]

What. [nehan leans in to peek at the tag, noting the blend, then sees the price. he sees nothing wrong with it.]

It's fine for the price-- but not for the location or weather. It's hot here due to the crush of bodies.

[clearly, he doesn't see the problem.]

Ah ... yes, of course.

[ he won't mention the differences in quality fabrics. it'll be embarrassing otherwise.

dimitri sets the clothes into his little basket. ] I think I've enough for myself. [ a pause, and then he adds, ] I'll need the equivalent of a blacksmith here.

Or to at least, learn about the more modern weaponry they have. I don't know if they have formal training grounds.

I doubt you'll find a blacksmith in this place-- rather, what you want... [then he shakes his head. this is not the right place to talk about that.] I'll tell you later.

[then he points at the basket.]

You're really not going to get that, are you?

No, I think that this city isn't structured to accommodate the bellows of a blacksmith.

[ dimitri looks amused. ]

And yes, I am. I happen to think they look good. [ he feels defensive now!! ]

[nehan looks up, staring blankly right into dimitri's eyes.

he holds the gaze for long enough that he hopes the human will feel uncomfortable.

and then he raises his hand and points at a backroom, which is not actually a backroom because the employees' area is elsewhere, a spot clearly marked as a changing room.]

Go put those on, then, and see if what you think is right.

[ he was indeed flustered, but unfortunately dimitri's notable character is being stubborn as shit. and so, despite the judging look, he doesn't relent.

he nods. he puts on the clothes, and he comes out looking like someone's dad: he has the slacks, the belt, the tucked-in shirt buttoned all the way up to his throat, leather gloves. a vest, black leather shoes. ]

Well! I think I need to pay the tailor a visit, but otherwise, I think I look quite normal.

[ to his credit he looks. proper? which is what he's aiming for. but he is rather boring, and his colour scheme is also black-blue-grey. ]

Definitely not. [a swift response, because it... really is quite terrible.]

You really would benefit from actually going outside to look at what people are wearing, but you shouldn't be going outside like that.

Take those off, and we'll go to a store with proper clothes for this place.

I have seen what they are wearing. I do not agree with what the youth has chosen for themselves.

[ nevermind that he is A Youth.

he does what he's said, however. but he keeps the shirt - because he likes it and does intend to wear it. it's comfortable! and fits him nicely. that's all one can ask for. ]

We can go after I make this purchase.

Very well. [nehan crosses his arms, looking up at dimitri expectantly.

and just waiting with his ears twitching, positioning himself by the door and looking intimidating to other people, who already assume him to be a mobster.]

[ the purchase goes well. for being nice and charming, he gets an extra coupon, which fascinates dimitri. he gets back to nehan after. ]

I'm ready to go if you are.

[nehan beckons, then leads the way out of the store. out into the crowded streets, unbothered by the crush of bodies and the potential heat, even with his thick, large coat.

he does peer at a don quixote, but decides not to enter, when it's seemingly more packed than the streets around them. no, instead, he goes down into the underground shopping area, where there are less bodies and more people hurrying to get from here to there. and more clothing stores, indeed.

nehan stops outside of one with quite modern styles and crosses his arms.]

Go on in first.

[ nehan seems to know where he is going, so he just follows. he did not even realize that there's an underground shopping area, and dimitri almost loses him in the crowds as he stares in amazement. there is a contraption that leads them down, and dimitri nearly falls off the escalator.

nehan stops outside a store and dimitri looks at him and nods. ]

Well ... alright.

[ he's accosted immediately by a salesperson asking what he's looking for, and dimitri demurs and gestures to the side saying he's just here for a friend. the modern styles they have look nice, certainly, and nehan doesn't seem to be pushing him to sequins ... unlike some people ... so he's grateful for that.

he turns to nehan - ]

Have you shopped here before?

I've come here once, but I haven't shopped because none of their clothing fits my preferences, and they don't allow major alterations. [it really is just a casual store.]

But perhaps their outerwear wear and trousers will be interesting enough for me.

[but because dimitri doesn't seem to be taking the initiative himself, nehan will have to do it, leading the way inside and telling the attendant that they will be looking around first.]

... outerwear. That is something necessary.

[ dimitri pauses, and adds rather thoughtfully - ] I want to maintain my training, and I need to wear something that'll lend easily to that.

[ dimitri goes over to look at some track pants. ] Do you know how to fight, Nehan?

I was trained in some martial arts as a child... But I've always preferred staying indoors to study. [which is the truth. not entirely the truth, when he's had more training than many people would think when they look at him, and he's been trained in more than just martial arts, but he hasn't lied yet. after all, the best lies are the truths where people can fill the blanks for themselves.

he peers at the pants all on their hangers, ears wiggling-- perhaps that's why he was asked such a question, and nehan decides to take initiative rather than wait for dimitri to respond. after all, he has enough context.]

Those pants are for basic training, maintaining your current condition. Perhaps they could stand up to more rigorous training, but they'd become uncomfortable after sweating too much, I think. Polyester or cotton... Hmm.

Well, I can try both, and see which one I prefer more. I suppose if it doesn't suit what I need it for, it'll just have to be relegated to every day loungewear.

[ categorizing clothes is such a chore, but dimitri is here to blend in, and so he appreciates the help he provides.

that being said, he zeroes in on something more interesting: ]

If you are trained, then you must keep up with that regimen. Do consider sparring with me sometime - I'd hate for myself to get rusty.

[nehan rolls his eyes, but turns to sleeker pants that would provide a closer fit, and even shorts. and points imperiously at them.]

Consider those. More range of motion, and no danger of you overheating.

And no, I will not return to training every day. Perhaps I will take you up on sparring... but I'm years removed from my childhood of just training.

[besides, he refuses to wear training clothes until he finds a way to hide his scars.]

I'll go easy on you, if that's what you're afraid of.

[ dimitri looks thoughtful as he says it. ] With my abilities having been ... tampered with, by this world, I think it'll be a lot safer to spar with me at any given time now. It didn't use to be this easy before.

[ a world where he didn't have to worry about breaking things, what a curious way to live. sometimes it still amazes him.

anyway he does choose the one that nehan points to, though frowns at the colour, and replaces it with a dark blue. ]

Pain isn't the problem. I just don't have the drive for it most of the time. [he doesn't care to train or fight, most of the time, even if he can do so. how strong is nehan now? who knows? probably still not that strong, he never has been.

then he sighs.]

Very well, since you're so insistent, I will sacrifice myself and save everyone from your need to spar with people. Just give me some time to find clothes that I wont miss.

[and a way to cover up all of the scars without needing to resort to his heavy coat all the time.]

[ dimitri is the biggest jock around, so of course he's beaming at him even though he sounds resigned at the idea of sparring. he's rather amused at his words. ]

It is not a bad idea to remain fit, especially for the times when the job calls for something a bit more physical.

I am grateful for your sacrifice. I won't let it go to waste.

I'll look for an undertaker and see if I can file life insurance. [who would he even will his meager things to? his bodyguard? his pretend-lover? the child who follows him like a kicked puppy? who knows.]

But really, don't hurt me too much. I still have much to live for.

How cruel of you! I promise I'll let you live at the end of the day.

[ do the yakuza even accept life insurance? is that even a thing here? much to ponder about. ]

Besides, we can't have a second round if you die after the first time we spar. Routine training is key to building strength.

And I can say good-bye to the rest of my routine. [grumble, grumble...]

People are not going to like being treated by a doctor with bruises, you realize?

There are plenty of healers who are fully capable of dealing their fair share of medicine alongside pain. I'm sure your patients can handle the change.

Besides, it allows you to be more adept in handling difficult patients. It's helpful to you as well!

[ Listen To Him ]

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apathie - 2022-03-28 04:48 (UTC) - Expand

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