A Cosy Vacation In An Underworld

[KonokoHasano]

"You guys definitely have a nice place." Usagi said, looking around for a moment.

[Jello Shot Mischa]

The oni guards look a little hesitant, but after another firm look from Yuugi, they draw up in formation! "Very well... please enjoy your stay!" they say in unison! The one oni who'd been speaking with Raleigh offers him a slight smile of amusement, however. "Just be careful around that kasha," she says. "She doesn't mean any harm, but occasionally she gets overeager and will scoop up someone sleeping in the street into her wheelbarrow!"

As Usagi and the others get a better look around, they'll realize that the Ancient City looks rather like a traditional Japanese city, with wood and paper walls and the like. Because of the lack of exterior light, everything is lit with colored lanterns, offering a constant and festive atmosphere! Even the back streets, relatively dimly lit, will be illuminated by young oni running about with lanterns on sticks, acting as guides for the older oni, often in exchange for some spare change. It also means that there's no real day or night, and businesses keep whatever hours they choose. You can hear the noise of boisterous drinking and partying only a couple of streets away!

[Blaze]

Jean looks around at the underground city, her eyes wide as saucers.

"This place is amazing! There's no day/night cycle so businesses are open whenever they please! Are the children officially sanctioned to be guides or does the government just let them go about their business?"

[KonokoHasano]

"... yes, this is definitely a nice place." Usagi repeated. "The Japanese motif is amazing. Maybe it's because it tickles my fancy so much."

[Raleigh]

So no lazing about in public lest I wind up on a corpse cart. Gotcha. *Hops up onto Yuugi's head.* Onward my noble drunken oni compatriot. By the way, if one was looking to get totally toasted which bar should they visit?

[Jello Shot Mischa]

Yuugi glances at Jean. "Oh, the kids just volunteer when they feel like it, or they have some extra energy to burn off. It's a nice way to make a little extra coin!" She grins. "It's not like anyone'd do anything to harm them, or else any oni who saw it would probably give 'em a beatin!"

Utsuko glances at Jean and Usagi. "Was there anything you two wanted to do first?" she asks.

"Let's go drinkin'!" Yuugi shouts!

[Blaze]

"Ah, I see. A good way to teach children responsibility and an appreciation for money." Jean says with a nod.

"And I do not mind having a drink before sightseeing." she adds after Yuugi's suggestion.

[KonokoHasano]

"I'm still kinda too young to drink." Usagi said, laughing a little and scratching the back of her head.

[Jello Shot Mischa]

"I'm still kinda too young to drink." Usagi said, laughing a little and scratching the back of her head.

Yuugi gives Usagi a fangy grin, wrapping an arm around the girl to pull her close. "Oh, c'mon! You can drink somethin', can't you?" she asks. "What about tea? They have tea there!" she urges.

"Ah, I see. A good way to teach children responsibility and an appreciation for money." Jean says with a nod.

"And I do not mind having a drink before sightseeing." she adds after Yuugi's suggestion.

Utsuko nods to Jean. "I think there's a place nearby..." she says, peering about before leading the way down one of the side streets.

Soon enough, a small bar becomes visible, staffed by a matronly-looking oni. She smiles as the group approaches. "Oi... hey there!" She pauses at the sight of Yuugi. "Oh, is that Hoshiguma-sama?"

Yuugi waves! "Hey there! What have ya got to drink?"

[KonokoHasano]

Yuugi gives Usagi a fangy grin, wrapping an arm around the girl to pull her close. "Oh, c'mon! You can drink somethin', can't you?" she asks. "What about tea? They have tea there!" she urges.

Acks as she's pulled close, ears twitching. "Well, yeah, I like tea, so that's good." Laughs a little.

[Raleigh]

Tea is always good.

[AmbushCat]

*Zapana can be seen nearby, working through a glass of beer.*

I'll take your word for it, Raleigh. Just because I haven't forgotten my roots doesn't mean that I enjoy the stuff.

[Blaze]

Jean smiles and walks over to the bar, sitting a a stool.

"Do you have any wine?"

[Raleigh]

But my dear Zaps its a useful method to recharge. *Raleigh says in Rei's voice before the cat hops down and assumes the form of Rei.* Otherwise I would have to resort to my succubus nature to regain energy.

[Jello Shot Mischa]

The oni matron grins at her guests! Behind the bar, on a chalkboard is scrawled a list of drinks -- the majority of them being alcoholic, although a few types of tea are squeezed into one corner. Yuugi and Utsuko both sit down, joining Jean and Zapanna at the counter.

"Oh, we've got a few types of wine," the oni bartender says to Jean. "That wine made from grapes is a bit tricky to get, although harvest time is coming up, so we might see a few more bottles come down from the surface, thanks to the harvest goddesses. Rice wine is pretty popular, though -- nearly everyone drinks sake down here!"

"Oi! Sake!" Yuugi calls out.

"Hai, hai," the oni bartender says with a smile, setting a bottle of sake to warm up.

In the distance, a faint commotion can be heard, sounding like shouting, or perhaps celebration.

"Hmm? What's that?" Utsuko asks.

"Oh... that's Club Ibuki," the oni bartender explains. "They're always quite lively."

"Hmm... so Suika has 'er own place?" Yuugi murmurs, watching the sake intently. The oni don't believe that watched sake never heats up.