synflux | WELCOME TO THE AUCTION [ OPEN LOG FOR ALL ]

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WELCOME TO THE AUCTION [ OPEN LOG FOR ALL ]

WELCOME TO THE REDD ROOM

Neo Tokyo is a glittering and shining city that still prospers despite continuous kaiju attacks and natural disasters that plague it. However, there's more to Neo Tokyo than what meets the eye. Below its sparkling surface, there is another world that also flourishes out of sight for most. The people who live in this version of the city meet in the shadows and deal under the table, using cunning and power to secure their means. Instead of papers and feeds, this world receives news in the form of whispers and connections.

Rumors have been flying for months. They talk about long lost masterpieces, valuable information, and a certain recently discovered sword. The shadows whisper and share their opinions, making it known if they believe there's any credibility to the stories and if there's really anything to gain. While plenty is still unknown, what is known is that these rumors are beginning to converge and soon a name, a place, and a date will be chosen.

Those with enough money to live well in Neo-Tokyo rarely earn it honestly, and those with strong personalities all know who is the best broker of deals: Madame Redd. A divorcee who’s always found wearing a red-fox stole, she’s a wealthy arts dealer known for her keen eye, and propensity to occasionally sell fraudulent paintings to the unobservant client. She’s a sharp, witty woman who always seems to have a scheme up her sleeve, and hosting an event like this truly is where she’s at her most comfortable.

In a world where everything is done with technology, Redd opts for something more traditional. Securing an invitation means obtaining a simple, nondescript red card. With no name, address, or information on it, it's clear that having an invitation doesn't mean you'll be able to find the venue. However, by scanning the card with the right settings, a microchip embedded in the card will provide them with the information they need before wiping itself clean. Arrive to the venue, show your card, and pay your entrance fee.

To enter the gala, you need to pay a fee that proves you're serious. After all, this isn't a child's game. This is where the adults come to have fun and spend their hard won earnings. You will be prompted to scan your eye so they can read your implant and extract precious personal information. After uploading and submitting your identity as collateral, you'll finally be let in.

You are formally invited to the auction.

The gala

The Entertainment
Upon entering the venue, the invited will find themselves in a large, dimly lit room. The lights are low, obscuring corners and leaving plenty of areas out of sight. There's a veil of smoke in the air that occasionally flickers as lines of holographic light activate, displaying hologram menus and programs for the guests to peruse. There's plenty of plush and comfortable seating, chairs, and even private alcoves and rooms for any attendee to make their way into. Madame Redd runs a high-class establishment, that's catered toward any taste one can imagine.

At the front and center is a stage where a virtual singer with teal hair sings original songs and takes requests, providing vintage and modern tunes. As she sings, she dedicates her music to her fans and it's almost like her likeness shifts. She's the perfect idol, able to become the exact person you admire and love down to their appearance and voice. Even their mannerisms are the same and their songs draw you in, like a siren, making you want to devote yourself to your idol.

The Libations
The Bar is one of the few places that is brightly lit. Spotlights shine on the liquor shelves, showing off a wide array of spirits ranging from common and popular favorites to rare bottles that probably cost more than what the average salary is in the city. Be careful, but feel free to peruse the menu.

— Menu —

SONIC BOOM. Makes your hearing better, like you could hear secrets shared across the room. A fat-washed bourbon old-fashioned

THIRD RAIL. An electric lemonade that fills the drinker with the feeling that they need to yammer on incessantly. Like lightning on the tongue

LET'S DO THE MIND WARP AGAIN. A spicy tequila drink, it makes you more perceptive of the emotions of others to the point that you can get a sense of them empathically.

FATHER WINTER. Makes the area around you drop several degrees, to the point that glasses are frosted. A boozy mint hot chocolate.

VAMPIRE'S KISS. Makes consumers want to drink blood, and tastes of red fruit juices (and alcohol) (real fangs not included, but the drink comes with a pair of plastic fangs)

MOTHER EARTH. A red sangria that makes you feel like you're basking in a too-warm summer's sun.. It also makes you feel more impulsive and violent. Oops!

BURN DOWN FOR WHAT. Like having a redbull and a Celsius at once. Hyper enough that you might feel like you're moving faster than everyone else — and you might be! Several liquors topped off with LILITH-brand energy drink, served on fire with a high-proof float.

RIFT CORRUPTION. they SAY drinking could affect you in any number of random ways – truly dangerous! Really, it’s a virgin mocktail.

BEE POSITIVE. Will be able to communicate telepathically with other people who'd drank the same drink, a honey and gin concoction.

PLANTS DOWN. The aphro one, made with smuggled pollen. It’s a sweet and fruity drink that makes you think about lying down and having fun on the beach.

GILTTER. A drink with iridescent shades of purple, blue, and green. The bartender may challenge you to a round of dice to pay for drinks for everyone at the bar before serving.

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The menu contains some surprises

High Stakes Games
At some of the tables, you can put down your bets and play a round of cards or throw some dice. The stakes vary at each table, with some betting cash fortunes and others are more creative. At certain tables, people play for the thrill. They make dares that losers have to carry out and invite everyone to take a bit of risk. Some of these tables have clear shots lined up in simple glasses. After each loss, losers have to take shots, and while this might seem like a mere drinking game, it's more complicated. The shots have a sharp, tingly taste and a strong burn when it goes down. Not long after consumption, the loser will temporarily lose a sense.

However, it is not limited to the traditional five senses. You might also lose more metaphorical senses. You're playing a drink roulette and there's no telling what you might lose.

Traditional senses: Touch, taste, sight, hearing, smell
Perceptual senses: Balance, pain, space (spatial awareness), time
Abstract senses: Humor, justice, duty, honor, belonging, purpose, urgency, direction, judgment (common sense)

Effects can stack, so playing too long could be disastrous. Fortunately, the effects are also temporary and will usually wear off after a short amount of time. Every person is different so it depends on each person. Still, a lot can happen in a short period of time, and this is a dangerous environment to be vulnerable in, so it's best to drink responsibly.

The Back of the House
In contrast to the shiny, chromed-out and minimalist curves and neon lights up in the club and VIP section, the back of house or the alleyway and loading docks behind Madame Red’s club is darker, betraying the seedier underbelly of her establishment. Outsiders who feel uncomfortable in their skin on the best of days, and even worse when asked to polish up for an event can still make it in.

However, if Outsiders go that route, they will be informed that they’ll also need to keep their eyes and ears peeled in case of danger. Madame Redd has been helping with the rumors of this legendary missing Muramasa for months, and people are very interested in it. She’s not certain that there might be an attempt to steal it, but she is concerned, so Outsiders will need to listen in on conversations as they serve or act as security. However, if you’re acting as security, you’ll be required to wear a fox mask, to remain anonymous to everyone.

And in fact, while some members of the party are busy playing the game on the floor, the Outsiders helping out with the back of house will start to hear rumors from some of the rougher-looking staff members. From the rumors, they’ll discover that some of the staff corridors are being used by certain entities to get closer to the treasure being auctioned off tonight. After all, some elements want to keep the mystique, and what’s more exciting than a recently recovered ancient sword, than if it goes disappearing. So several of Neo-Tokyo’s crime syndicates are vying to steal it. Outsiders can choose to pit them against one another, redirect them using their positions as staff, coordinate with their fellow outsiders in the party proper, or even just straight up fight them! Anything goes, but Madame Redd’s directive was clear: This should not impact the Auction itself. No bringing the fight to the main floor!

THE AUCTION

The Auction
And what a main floor! The organizers clearly have gone all out for this special art auction – there’s holographic displays of everything from paintings to jewelry to the swords themselves, each identifiable with an ocular implant stating the object name, providence, and current bid. Much of the bidding is happening anonymously, but there are signs amongst the crowds on the floor of who might be attempting to outbid who. Outsiders are, of course, welcome to bet their Kryptos on just about anything under the sun, though the rarer and finer the object the more likely they are to be outbid. But there are some small art pieces that are feasible for Outsiders to win, should they choose to try.

Finely crafted silver bracelet with a heart charm from maker “Theophania”
A corner of Van Gogh’s “Scream” - something’s off about that
A certificate of ownership for a digital png of… you’re not sure, a monkey? Or is it a grape with a bored expression? Someone tells you that you can use it as an ‘icon’. (People have not used digital icons in at least 100 years)
“Girl with A Pearl Earring” – closer inspection reveals that the pearl is a red and white orb from a popular children’s cartoon from the beginning of the millennium, but did you look that closely at it before you won?
Colorful folder with a wild cat design, comes with a set of matching stickers
A hand crafted statue of a woman in a compromising pose and very little clothing. She looks heavily stylized and more like an animated piece
A glass rose
A nice lacquered box with a real pearl inlay of a nice ocean-related design
A pair of thick plastic shoes in something called ‘sport mode’
A painting with rectangles of color
Three smaller tantos (one listing for each)

Time for a Bidding War!

When someone wins an object (ten minutes go by without any bids), the staff will bring the individual into the back room where the real items are – proudly displayed and very securely guarded. No one is taking any chances. Well, there is one object that seems to be gaining a lot of attention, including significant press in the lead-up to the auction itself.

The one item not tucked away is the one that several Outsiders have been checking in on: Muramasa, Aventurine, and Silco, namely. It’s in the center of the main auction area, with appropriate mood lighting giving the blade a dangerous glow. A pressure-sensitive railing surrounds it, and if any Outsider so much as touches it, they and anyone around them will be ushered into a small room to be grilled by security. Yes, even if you accidentally did it. Getting out of questioning proves to be a time-intensive process, especially if you’ve indulged in any of the unsavory options of the evening.

Good luck!

The Heist Begins! (And where did Asaboo go??)
The highlight of the night is the betting war over the star of the show – the genuine “reclaimed” Muramasa sword, perfect and pristine. Madame Redd stands next to it as she tells the story of how it was found and brought to her by a secret faction within LILITH, as evidenced by Asaboo guarding it as well. She adjusts her fox-fur stole and expresses that it’s a great honor for her to present it tonight to auction to the highest bidder, someone who truly appreciates art, and history. The bidding commences, with several clearly Yakuza types offering increasingly large sums for the item.

That is, until a woman stands and offers an exorbitant amount, with a striped stole around her neck, her tone is laid back and belligerent. Madame Redd hisses out a soft oath to any outsiders who are nearby, but the woman laughs when one of the bidders folds, and she offers him a loan to keep going, if he’d like. A few escalations later, however, and the sword is indeed taken by the notoriously wealthy loan shark and arts dealer (and Madame Redd’s ex) Tammy Nook.

As the auction concludes, it’s time to indulge in the rest of the night's festivities – except the power flickers – and as the lights lift again, the sword is missing – along with Asaboo, who wouldn’t let go of it. Everyone will have to track down the thieves, since they can’t have gotten far, right? As Outsiders start spreading out to find the thieves, they’ll encounter new security that hadn’t been there before: humanoid machines that shift and jerk...until they project holograms of other Outsiders over their bodies. They’ll have to determine friend from foe, as those uploaded identities are now a danger, and they’ll have to fight their way through these false outsiders to try and keep chasing after the thieves! Someone had better save the sword (and Asaboo!) so it's time to fight your way through!

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[ Yuji, meanwhile, is staring at all the drinks with a little frown. ]

Hey, Johei... Am I allowed these?

Ah, well, they're alcoholic, so...

[No, but yes? They're invited, it's a private event, and the bar doesn't seem to be checking ID.

He shrugs a little, holding up his drink as proof.]

I don't think they're going to stop you. But it's ultimately up to you.

[No peer pressure here. If Yuji doesn't want booze, that's fine. After a moment, he holds his glass out.]

Do you want to try this one first? It's good. Like lemonade. Wouldn't even know it was alcoholic otherwise.

Higuruma-san isn't here to put me on trial...

[ Leaning forward, he peers at Raidou's drink. He is a little bit curious, and who is going to stop him?

Nanamin drinks a lot, and he bets Geto does too, and Gojo-sensei isn't talking to him, so... Megumi? Maybe.

He hums softly. ]

I guess a try won't hurt.

[ A little sip... And he tilts his head. ]

It's not bad.

I like it. I'm only getting one. To be honest, they're kind of expensive. But it's a party. I figured one couldn't hurt.

[That all comes out faster than he usually talks. No less stilted, though.]

Have you taken a look at any of the auctions yet? Or the main item? They're very nice. The blades, I mean. There are some other strange things up for bud too. Stationary? Shoes?

Edited 2025-09-20 21:43 (UTC)

I can buy you another, if you want one.

[ Yuji leans in, absently hooking his chin on Raidou's shoulder. ]

I haven't bid on anything, but the swords are neat! I could ask grandpa to make me one, though.

Ah. I don't know. I shouldn't have too many, right? At a party like this?

[Getting tipsy at a formal event? Where there are people he don't know? Sounds scary. He's aware he's a bit of a lightweight.]

Let me finish this one. Then I'll see. There are some others that sounds good. Like hot cocoa? I like the sweet ones.

[Surprise.]

That's what I thought, too. If I wanted one, I could ask him directly. It'd be nice to have, yeah? An honor to own a genuine Muramasa blade. Something I could use so I could keep my Kuzunoha blade away. I worry about it coming to harm.

[It's too precious to take on some missions, and he ends up using his LILITH swords. Which have now been spruced up by Muramasa, too.]

I think a party is the kind of time you're allowed to do that kind of thing.

[ When else are they going to have drinks like this?

Yuji is far less concerned about making a fool of himself, and he's not even sure if he'd be a lightweight or not.

More than happy to spend a little more time embarrassing Raidou but cuddling him in public, he hums. ]

He was pretty mad about how I was handling my other ones, so if he does make one, I'll have to make sure that I take good care of it. He's really serious about swords.

Is it? Everything here seems... tense.

[What with all the hushed tones and quiet dealings going on. There's a buzz about the place that has Raidou's detective senses on alert.

At least he's gotten more comfortable with public displays of affection. If anything, in a social setting like this where he's quick to feel awkward, it's a comfort to have Yuji right there.

He takes another sip of his drink, and nods.]

Yes. You definitely should. I would say the LILITH blades aren't much to worry about. But when you're a swordsmith, you worry about the quality and care of all swords no matter what. I could always show you how to care for them, too. That way, if you do buy a sword from him, you can also impress him how well you treat it.

[Raidou furrows his brows slightly. Even he knows that's a lot of words at once for him. Strange.]

Does it?

[ Yuji is empathetic, but he's not really that used to formal occasions, so he blinks as he peers around, looking at all the people here taking part in the auction. There is a little bit of tension, but it's not enough to make him worry about having to take part in a fight right now.

Soft, and happy, he squeezes his arms a little tighter around Raidou, possessive. ]

You know a lot about swords, huh? That makes a lot of sense.

Maybe it's just me. Or the atmosphere. I wouldn't be surprised if there was more to this event than what we're seeing.

[Considering who else is behind it that isn't Muramasa, he definitely wouldn't be surprised. But he'll keep that to himself. They're here to have a good time, and Raidou knows that if something goes down, they can handle it. For now, he's comfortable like this at the bar, leaning lightly back against Yuji.]

A little bit. Enough. There was a forge and a blacksmith in the Kuzunoha village, too. So of course I was taught young on how to care for blades. Pretty important on our line of work.

Well, isn't Silco-san involved? That probably makes it a little more complicated.

[ He's seen the other man around here and there, so he's assuming... It seems like something Silco would do.

Ah well. ]

Grandpa has been teaching me a little bit, but I'm not an expert. He'd be happy if you helped me.

I think so. It definitely has... his flare.

[That's the nicest thing he can think to say in regards to Silco. Let him have more of this drink and that might change.]

Of course. I'd be glad to teach you or anyone else. I'm sure Muramasa-san has enough on his plate.

[As if Raidou doesn't?

He eventually shifts in Yuji's arms so he's facing him, setting his half-finished drink on the bar.]

We can worry about that later. We're at a big, fancy party. What shall we do? There's music, there are auctions to browse, there are even table games.

[It all felt strangely grown up, didn't it? Even if Raidou wouldn't have considered himself a kid for a long time now, he's certainly never been to anything like this before. As if they snuck in or shouldn't be here, but they were invited.]

He's pretty busy with Yuta, and the other guys that come around and stuff. I dunno if he's teaching Choso too, but he hangs around there a lot as well.

[ Ah, this is cute, and he lets himself cuddle a little closer to Raidou, more than happy to bubble with affection. ]

Do you want to dance with me?

That's true. The forge has become a pretty popular place, hasn't it? I try to stop by with lunch sometime. I know what it's like to be busy and forget to eat. They--

[Wait, hang on. Why is he still talking? He shakes his head a little, momentarily reaching for his drink to finish it off.]

Yes. Always. Did you want to grab a drink before we hit the dance floor?

I hope grandpa doesn't mind, but I think he's the type who would say it if he did.

[ Humming softly, he peers at the options before ordering the one that seems lightest and fruitiest. ]

You'll carry me if I get drunk, right?

[Raidou grins broadly, shaking his head.]

Of course, but-- something tells me you probably will hold your liquor very well.

[Unlike him. Yuji has his poison resistance and strength on his side.]

You think?

[ Grabbing his glass with a quiet thanks, he curls around Raidou again. ]

I've never done it before, so...

Well, if you don't like it, that's fine. I really only like certain kinds. [The sweet ones.] But I think you'll be safe with just one drink.

[He finishes his off, ready for the dance floor once Yuji is.]

What did you order?

Whatever was fruitiest. It sounded nice.

[ What could possibly go wrong? He drinks his - fast. ]

Ready!

[Raidou's so surprised at how fast Yuji knocks that back.]

Oh, I-- Sure, alright. Was it good?

[He's grinning at Yuji's enthusiasm as he takes his hand to lead him to the dance floor. He's not a great dancer and knows it, but it doesn't matter. So long as Yuji's there, it's fine. He'll still pick a far corner of the dance floor, though.

Being the sort of gathering this is, there aren't a ton of people out dancing, but they're not alone. The holographic idol keeps the beat fast when more people join the audience.]

Thanks for coming along tonight. I got my wish for doing something where we get to dress a little fancier, hmm? [He reaches out to straighten Yuji's lapels.]

Yeah! It tingles.

[ Not a bad thing, as far as he's concerned.

Sliding off onto the dance floor with Raidou, he wraps his arms around him and draws him close. He's more brawn than grace and he knows it, so he knows he won't necessarily do a good job, but at least they get to spend the time together. That's enough for him, and it warms him.

Leaning in, he hums softly. ]

Maybe you can make some more wishes and they'll come true, too.

[ Glancing down at his clothes, he laughs softly. ]

Do I look stupid?

Oh? I'm going to have to start thinking of more, then.

[Raidou gives him a quiet mock gasp in shock, as he tosses his arms loosely over Yuji's shoulders.]

Never. You look handsome as ever. Why else would I have wanted us to have an excuse to dress like this?

I'll help make them come true. You know I will.

[ Grinning, he shakes his head. ]

You might have wanted an excuse to laugh at me.

Well, then my wish tonight is to spend all with the most handsome and well-dressed man at the party.... And maybe win one of those tantos.

[Little does he know that even if he does win, he'll have to give it back. A tragedy. It's okay, Muramasa will always make him whatever he wants later.]

Nope. Just an excuse to look at you more while you're in a suit. My nefarious plot has come to pass.

The most handsome and well dressed… Who’s that guy?

[ If he wasn’t grinning, it might be something that anyone could imagine Yuji saying seriously. Instead, he just leans closer, eyes widening and cheeks warm. ]

Do you want to do more than look?

WELCOME TO THE REDD ROOM

The gala

THE AUCTION

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