March 2022 IC Mingle

[jigokumods]

MAIN NAVIGATION

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

Comments

[trueorder]

Just as I am glad it sounds things are better for you.

[ His chin dips a little as he gives her yet another smile. He presses the napkin to his face not one second later to sniffle. Breathing in deep, he lets out a long sigh -- which causes the napkin to do a little "wind dance." Soma lifts his eyebrows as the napkin flutters back down, and pulls it away from his face. ]

Nothing wrong with a misplaced bet. It means that you had faith in that Sutoku member even though he didn't show promise. [ With his other hand, he makes a gestures to the individual. He gives a practice flinch when said man's face ends up taking a devastating punch. ] Though, it may be more that I chose the better fighter and you had no choice.

Still, you didn't argue with your lot and held on. I think there's worth in that, LB. [ A shaky breath as he presses the napkin back to his face. The pause lasts for a few seconds before he drops it down. ] We're good. [ No dribbling or sneeze attack; it just felt like one was coming. ]

But yes, I think there is worth in taking what is an unfortunate lot and believing in it despite everything.

[fuckinghysterical]

[LB appreciates Soma trying to justify her own bad bet, even if she really wondered if he was piling on the flattery a little thick there. LB was normally decently prone to it otherwise, but tactics was something she took some pride in. Still, she manages a sheepish smile, waving off his comments in a good-mattered fashion.]

Ah, perhaps I wanted to believe in the underdog story? Haha? Whether or not you picked the stronger fighter is still a mistake on my part. Or perhaps I wanted to believe he started shit for a good reason?

[She raises a brow as the Shuten girl delivers the final punch, sending the Sutoku man to the ground, but otherwise doesn't look all that bothered. At least these two chose to fight each other, after all.]

But it seems that he was just an idiot after all.

[It was disappointing, really. Not because she lost a bet, but as someone who had a widely cynical view of the world, she really wanted to believe in some kind of miracle to occur. But alas, it seemed she wasn't going to find it here.

She realizes that perhaps she's getting too deep into thought, though, and covers it with a forced smile.]

It's kind of you to say so though. [About as soon as she says that much, though, she looks on with more concern than she did for the entirety of the fight as Soma seems to struggle with the napkin for a bit. Once he's calmed, though, LB also relaxes.]

You're sure? You don't to go outside or something? [Remembering the terms of their bet, though, she adds:] I'm not trying to duck out of our agreement, for the record.

[trueorder]

[ Soma takes the time to look like he's really thinking about what she's saying. He thinks that even if someone has a good reason, if they don't have enough force backing them; it is like their reasons never mattered in the first place. ]

Unfortunately, that does seem to be the case.

[ It is then that he sounds pleased with LB's assumption. Right; the weak that are crushed will always be wrong. It's unfortunate, but that is the truth of the world. If order and good is to be done, those that wish to carry those ideals forward need to be the most vicious. ]

I like you so I like supporting you even in your losses.

[ A pause as he lifts his napkin up again to sniffle loudly. He has to keep the napkin against his nose, waving his hand slightly; he blows it a few more times. Soma lets out another sniffle before glancing over to a table to look for more napkins. ]

You might be right about heading outside. [ His nose is being pinched through the napkin. ] The streets can get me with all the smoke and -- [ He makes a gesture with his hand. ] -- but it is better than being inside.

[ A laugh follows. ] I didn't think that you were. I'll collect my bets and we'll consider this a bet to be fulfilled at a later date, hm?

[fuckinghysterical]

[Her brow creases in a half-amused manner at his second remark - LB wasn't certain of how genuine he was in saying so, but she didn't mind anyway. She's quite certain that she enjoyed his company regardless.]

Oh, well - heheh - thank you for that much, then.

[With the fight done with, the Shuuten girl taunts the Sutoku man on the ground before victoriously strutting over to a large, rowdy crowd she assumed to be other Shuuten members. Perhaps she should feel more sorry for the loser, but she still has to smile a little for how happily the Shuuten members celebrated the victory. With them obnoxiously heading for the bar, though, LB figures that the time to step outside might actually be incredibly well-timed.]

I didn't even think of the smoke, but yes... it'd be good to go for a few minutes at least. I think.

[Her smile broadens at his laugh and can't help but give a little chuckle herself as she turns to head for the door outside.]

You might be putting a little too much on randomly running into me again, you know. But I suppose if we do, it has to be fate, right?

[It was a cheeky little comment, because LB didn't believe in fate and hated the very idea of it, if only because a large part of her life had been shit so far.]

But of course, I won't forget the bet if you don't.

[trueorder]

You're welcome.

[ Another slight pause as he does a little trot to a table so that he could grab some more napkins. He presses a fresh batch to his nose, as he does his walk back. ]

It will. But first -- my winnings. [ He cranes his neck toward the group that is headed to the bar. ] I best hurry before they "accidentally" drink away all the coin that was bet.

[ Soma already accepts that he is not going to make good on a lot of the money that he hopes to collect, but he should be able to come back moderately a little richer than before. The flow of the party does not feel disrupted or ruined; it's a new energy that courses through everyone.

Nothing yet out of balance. Good, good, good. ]

Well, then, instead of hoping to randomly meet up with you, again-- [ He turns back towards her. ] --shall we make it a date to meet each other once more?

That way we won't have to worry about either one of us forgetting.

[fuckinghysterical]

Oh, you put actual money on that fight too? Eheheh? [As someone who was just getting her first access to her money in a very long time, she was too afraid to spend it on betting for the time being.] Congratulations on the win, then! But yes, hurry and collect your winnings before they conveniently "forget".

[It gives her a bit of pause for thought - should she bet on fights that seem obvious from the outside in the future? But knowing her luck, that's probably be when she'd actually run into a miracle win. Maybe not.

LB didn't mind leaving things up to chance, but looks a little pleasantly surprised at Soma's offer. She feels her face flush a little at his choice of wording, though, and has to reason with herself that he likely meant "date" in a platonic sense. At least she was pretty sure.

No matter the intention, though, she was at least certain that she wanted to hang out with him again sometime.]

Yes, of course. heehee! [Her palm briefly rubs at her neck for a moment, but otherwise still seems delighted in her response.] I'd like to meet up again, whenever it's convenient for you.

[And, you know, as long as it didn't clash with any of her Tamamo duties. But, he did kind of win the bet, so she was more amendable to make the time for it, if necessary.]

[trueorder]

It seemed like the right thing to do.

[ He tilts his head to the side, letting out his own nervous chuckle. Of course, the money that he used was money he pickpocketed off people. So, what else was he going to use it for? ]

I'll do just that, then.

[ But he does wait for her answer. He is mildly pleased that she seems so happy to have a future meeting with him; Soma offers a smile in turn. It isn't really like he's thinking of how he could use her. Well, that's a lie, but it's more that he wants to know what is going on in her clan.

He feels he has to keep an eye on all things, and the best way to do that is to make friends with as many other factions as possible. It'll help him get a feel for things, and decide if he needs to do anything drastic as he gains power. You know, little things like that!! ]

Of course! I'm the one who suggested it. [ A laugh. ] Ah, the username that I chose on that device is "rk." Simple, no? [ Ah, he steps forward so that he can properly exchange information so that he can contact her later to meet. ]

I'd love to hear more about your clan and how you're settling in, LB. I'll hopefully have some interesting stories to share myself.

[fuckinghysterical]

[LB feels some silliness from his affirmation on his own offer, but LB isn't used to people actually wanting to join her on social outings, even if his intentions might have a more underlying purpose. (At the very least, she was used to being used, so it's not like she'd be all that offended over it.)

As he steps forward, though, she does the same, taking out her device to note it. The initials he gives, though, immediately stick out. He had already given her a name - Soma - so why "RK"? Did he give her an alias? She... couldn't be upset over that, since she did the same. Or perhaps did the initials stand for something else? Hmm. Either way, the time didn't seem right to ask about it just yet.]

Ah, that is quite simple, heheh. Easy to remember, though I should apologize that mine might not be as easy. It's "blekksprut". Um... [Realizing that the word was probably hard for a large portion of even people originally from Earth to spell by sound alone, she sends him a simple ":)" message, just so he'd have an easy reference for it.] ...there! Now you have it.

[She does find it a little odd that he specifically mentions wanting to know her clan - she wasn't a particularly loyal-minded individual, but she was a professional that very much wanted what was promised in her contract - if nothing else, she was very good at keeping secrets.

But maybe he was just being friendly? And he was promising to share stories of his own, so perhaps she was just reading too much into it? LB was aware she could be paranoid as fuck sometimes. Right, it was probably nothing.]

Yes, it should be fun to swap some stories, hmm? Heehee, until then, I'll look forward to it.

[Come to think of it, she wasn't even certain which clan Soma was even from. But she supposed she'd learn soon enough.]

[trueorder]

Thank you.

[ He holds the device up before tucking it back into his suit. It is time for him to go and attempt to collect his winnings, or at least, join in the celebratory drinking. Soma supposes either or serves his purpose. ]

Until then.

[ It is then that he thinks he should send a ":)" back to her, but feels that is laying it on a little too thick. He repeats it over and over to himself; the flow of the world is something he needs to attune himself to understand. Small waves now, and bigger waves later.

He lifts his hand up to give a brief wave. Pressing a new napkin to his face, he starts off on a quick little jog after the Shuten and the celebratory party. His voice picking up as he jokingly attempts to remind them that they still have to pay him his winnings and don't be sore losers. ]