jigokucho | EMBER 3.0 - A Social App for Lost Souls! [September Substory]

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UPDATE EMBER 3.1 (OVERFLOW)

The EMBER Application icon flashes alive on the homescreen of all the Lost Soul devices across Jigoku-cho. Not a surprise if your character has been using it already, but perhaps unsettling to newbies or those who deleted it previously. It pops open on its own, welcoming the user and telling them that all Lost Souls has updated to the newest version!

Oh well, why think too hard about it? A lengthy and extremely technically worded Terms of Service appears, even if it's been gone through before, it has some updates. Again, why scroll up to read all that? There's a large ACCEPT button front and center! (There doesn't seem to be a Decline button. Closing out of the App is the only way to not agree... Might want to just delete the App to be safe.)

Accepting moves users forward to App Permissions! A Helpful Window says "Accept All and your profile will be quickly updated or auto-generated for you! Great for speeding set up along! (Recommended)". If that doesn't sway, then each Permission question can be prompted individually. The subsequent windows ask for a variety of totally standard and absolutely above board access prompts. Location Data, Photo/Video Access, etc etc etc- Yes or No! REMINDER: The app will function better if all access is granted!

It doesn't seem to matter what is pressed- all, some, or nothing- the App moves forward for users regardless.
Have fun connecting with your fellow Lost Souls!
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WELCOME to EMBER
A Social Network for Lost Souls!
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EXAMPLE PROFILE

YDRIS (Immortal)
SUTOKU ALLIANCE
☆☆☆☆☆ Creator

✓ ✕
FUCK | FIGHT

STAR RANK
EMBER profiles all have ☆'s denoting... something. The only clarity is that they come with a Title besides them. These are not, as it might first seem, faction star rankings. They're just ranks on some unknown scale. The example profile has the highest rank to be found, 5 stars and the title of Creator.

Everybody else gets between 1 and 4 stars with what seems like an algorithmically generated title. These could be anything from ☆ Stink Man up to more illustrious ☆☆☆☆ Faction Hero. If characters are not happy with their Rank and Titles, they can pay using their profile generated Dragon Coins to reroll. They might get a worse result, so watch out, spending on gatcha can get out of hand...

(OOC Note: Rank and Title cannot be edited or changed ICly by a character, but are fully an OOC choice of rank and title! Make up whatever funny, edgy, cool, silly thing you like and saddle your character with it as their profile title.)

Higher star ranks seem to be weighted in favor of getting Green Checkmarks via the algorithm. Hmm.

SWIPE ¹

Swipe Left or Right, accepting the green or red... proposals? Is that what they are? The App immediately starts a Live Chat between the two parties, complete with recommendations for either highly rated Love Hotels or nearby Fighting Gyms with arenas to use. These come with a variety of discount coupons for use, seems both of these places like to charge by the hour...

ALGORITHM
Stalling on the profile for more than a few seconds results in a loading graphic of a little dancing fire. **Calculating!** it says;

Ding! The In App Algorithm has decided for you! How convenient. The person whose profile was being looked at automatically gets sent a FUCK ✓ or FIGHT ✕, complete with that same live chat initiation mentioned above.

Rarely, there's a third option, essentially an algorithm fail state called CHILL, which still initiates the live chat. That means the system didn't find either of the other two options appropriate. Bummer. It generates completely random suggestions on where to meet, usually a cafe or eatery that is doing an EMBER promotion.

¹ [ DISCLAIMER: At the insistence of one Kim Kitsuragi, there is a link to an additional Terms and Conditions document for which the tl;dr is to "All Ember users engaging in matters of passion and/or violence are encouraged to practice such activities in a manner which remains safe, sane, and consensual.
Any injuries resulting from following through on an EMBER suggestion are not the responsibility of the application. ]

NEW FEATURES - SEPTEMBER
New EMBER, new features! The previous update centered largely around the addition of"EMBER Premium", an area of the app meant for use by Heavenly Celestials (and their wallets).

Lost Soul profiles can receive and cash out a digital currency called Dragon Coins. While Lost Souls cannot interact with the Celestials via the app, the Celestials have some functionality, namely they can donate Dragon Coins to their favorite Lost Souls. Dragon Coins can be turned into actual hell currency through the app- nothing much more than pocket money, but it's a little extra pay! Why not side hustle from your phone?

The big change this update is that Only Celestials seems to have been urolled into the upgraded "EMBER, Go!" a fully functional Augmented Reality Collection Game! Dragon Coins appear as an in-app currency and can be used and collected a variety of new ways, all gamified and presented with cute pixel graphics. Seems that the investment money Ydris hustled up at the Tanabata event went into this and the production value is on point.

EMBER Go!

-GATCHA BANNERS: The Celestials are very visual and they love little more than photos and pretty outfits. Seems they're willing to really whale for their favorites, whoever they may be among the Lost Souls. Those who upload photos of themselves in the current outfit "theme" get a large bonus for contributing to the current GATCHA BANNER running on the Celestials side of things.

September's Theme is "END OF SUMMER" and encourages either fun Beach Wear looks or cozy Autumn outfits. If your character puts in a lot of effort, they might even be the featured SSR for the banner, guaranteeing them a higher bonus pay out! (OOC Note: Character gatcha rate/success is completely at Player discretion!)

-QUESTS: Walking around Jigokucho, the App will buzz and alert of Quests! There are certain activities that when interacted with and posted to EMBER, result in Dragon Coin pay outs. Try out that new boba joint, you get 20% off and a Dragon Coin kick back- just remember to take a photo of your pretty drink.

These are very likely to be active at Character Owned or Managed Locations, so be sure to stop in a support your fellow Lost Souls!

-COLLECT 'EM ALL: The most game part of this phone game, all Lost Soul profiles have a cutesy sprite versions of themselves! They're even animated, how precious... Don't you want to collect the whole roster? These are scattered about the map, spawning characters largely in the areas their faction holds territory. Hopefully nobody walks into danger looking for that shiny variety of their significant other...

You can grab all your friends and enemies, rename them as you please, and play with them as little Tamagotchi-like critters. Level up your favs and play minigames, it's a fun distraction on your device, nothing too deep.

Sure, forgetting to feed them is grim, but why not enjoy loading up an enemy to languish in digital space uncared for. It's cathartic! Maybe be careful, other Lost Souls can absolutely look at your collection and see how you treat them in digital space!

-PRIVATE PROFILE: Don't want any of this? Profiles can be set to Private! This doesn't actually block off from other Lost Souls, but it's an easy way to opt-out of EMBER, Go! and the Celestials. The cost is "all Dragon Coins" currently on account. If you're not playing, they why bother with those?

(Due to some obtuse design choices, it might be difficult to find this option... Your character would be forgiven for not even realizing it's there!)

PROFILE HTML
(Use squared Image for best profile template fit!)

FUCK ✓ / FIGHT ✕ / CHILL O HTML
✓ ✕ O

-EMBER is a separate app on a character's phone which functions using the main network.
-This is fully canon to the game! Threads on this post or using the prompts above for Log Posts of your own both count as a SUBSTORY thread. Per mods, these can be used for (1) Point rewards, per qualifying thread!
-Post a profile below, engage with other Lost Souls or Ember Go! prompts, and/or tag around to other characters using the SWIPE, ALGORITHM, or just start a chat!
-Ydris' programing is actually on point by this update! They've grown.
-FOR CHARACTERS NEW TO THE GAME please post a link to your TL in the New Users header below! This is so new people aren't so easily lost in the shuffle. Keep in mind this post is active from September to end of October. If there is an Overflow, it will be linked here! The next full EMBER update goes up in November.
-Feel free to repost the Profile HTML provided for IC inboxes if you like, but please do not take these out of this post and make individual EMBER profiles on the Network, as that would clutter up the main network very fast.
-Check out Ydris' OPT-IN if you want them to have access to your character's information through this app. This is NOT required to play around with this. The ToS basically just applies normal network rules to this post, messages are public unless explicitly marked [private] in the header. (Ydris will not have access to Private Messages unless the player Opts-In!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

O

Hello, Mahito. Good to see you again. That looks good on you. There are a few stores in Tamamo with outfits like that if you'd like. I can give you their addresses.

[Focusing on the clothes, huh? Well, the change was subtle on purpose, a taunt directed more at Itadori than anyone. Still,]

Do I need them? If you like this one, it's enough. I don't get the appeal of buying things, so you should show me stores that you like, instead.

I don't mind what anyone wears. I like learning more about the people I know, so maybe we can do two things at once. You and I could go shopping and I can introduce you to some of the people around here. Maybe you'll see something you'd like. They're very friendly.

Everyone likes meeting new people. Are any of them your friends?

Not everyone, but most people. I guess they'd be my friends. I see them on my patrol routes every time. I don't think anyone here is my enemy.

You have patrol routes and you haven't made any enemies? They're pretty boring, then, aren't they? Or do you let people get away with anything they want because you're in the wrong faction to stop them?

If we take your route together, you'll have more authority.

[And a few of the areas being actively monitored might be revealed. Not a bad deal for either of them.]

I should rephrase. No one I consider my enemy. There are some people who need direction and help, for the most part.

No one is in the wrong faction to help their area have less concern about crime of any kind, but I'd take you with me if you wanted. Then I can show you what I mean about helping the people who can be helped.

So it's perspective. The same way it works with friends, they can't be your enemies if you reject their feelings.

[Just like how if they set the overly disgusting concept of "helping" anyone aside, it'll probably still be fun to go off and explore.]

I'd like to learn about that. Let's try it.

They're entitled to their feelings, but I wouldn't count many people as my enemy. They are opponents, if nothing else so far. They're all people who deserve to be given a chance to prove who they can be, not what they think they have to be.

I can teach you. I will teach you if you're willing to learn.

No one has to be anything. But what they can be and what they want to be might differ.

I can tell that, for anyone. Maybe we'll both learn something new.

[...That sounds sad.]

Is that how you feel, Mahito? Is there something you want to be and feel like you can't?

[That's a ridiculous question. With his cursed technique restored, he can be whatever he feels like. Wasn't the photo proof?

... But, after a moment that might almost give the impression he's lost interest,]

Human

[An odd thing to wish they could be...]

I won't pry. I had a person in my life, very close and dear to me who wore stitches, had light hair and an upbringing that some people would've very decidedly told him made him not human. Is that how you feel?

[... Now who's this he's learning about..?]

Can your upbringing change how you were born?

Humans are quick to judge others, hating and fearing anyone they find different or disagree with. I don't mean it like that. I've never been one of them. Humans created my kind, yet they won't let us live the same lives. That's what I've wanted to change.

It's easier, here.

[Ah... this feels extremely familiar. Aside that he's not sure if Mahito is human now, or if perhaps he just doesn't think he is because of his environment. No one just chooses to sew themselves or staple themselves for funsies.]

Yes. You can learn right from wrong no matter your circumstances.

[Mmh. Yep. Not human its looks like. That doesn't bother him and he reads on and the more he reads the deeper Shoto's frown.]

I'd like you to be honest with me, it seems like you are already and I hope we can continue that way. You're not human, but made by humans, then what are you?

Edited (What do you mean wrong HTML? Liar.) 2022-09-12 17:23 (UTC)

[And with that, the message is locked? Well, if no one else can read it, there's more room to stretch the truth. Not the worst way this could go.]

It's nothing to do with right or wrong. Everyone's capable of learning.

I won't lie to you, but I wonder if you'll believe me. You're sensitive to those around you, so you should already know humans tend to create more emotions than they can hold in. When those thoughts and feelings continue to build up, they take on a life of their own. Sorcerers call us cursed spirits. The rest might say youkai, or ghosts.

Thinking like a human, behaving like one, or looking like one, none of that will make them accept someone who's different. Maybe "cursed" makes sense.

Continued here.

EMBER 3.0 - A Social App for Lost Souls! [September Substory]

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