#ALSO AKABAKA IS FOLLOWING ME NOW.

[saspitite]

SUCKER FOR LOVE DATE TO DIE FOR IS REAL???? NOT A DRILL????????? HOLY SHIT?????????????

[orihara-infobroker]

Seclusion Day Four

"What are you wearing?" Izaya giggled at the sight of Shiki in a dress shirt and pyjama bottoms. 

"Work-at-home casual," Shiki replied as he stepped into the office. "Did you finish setting up the software?" 

"Yeah but I still think you need to upgrade."

"We'll see how it goes," Shiki replied with a shrug as he shooed Izaya out of his desk chair. Izaya hovered behind him as he settled into his seat. "Izaya."

"Yes, Haruya?"

"Find something else to do."

"But you might need tech support."

"Then I'll call you."

Izaya pouted but reluctantly left Shiki's office, snatching a random book off his bookshelf on the way out.

It took a bit of patience, mostly waiting for Aozaki to finally figure out how to turn his audio on. As soon as he did, Akabayashi was making fun of him, of course, and it was no different than every other meeting. As Izaya predicted, the call quality was shit. The only one who seemed to have no problems was Kazamoto. Mikiya complained about it every time someone cut out. Shiki passed along Izaya's recommendations. He actually seemed to consider it. 

Mikiya and Aozaki were wearing dress shirts like Shiki but Akabayashi hadn't even bothered and was instead sporting a brightly coloured Hawaiian shirt. Kazamoto refused to turn his video on, inserting a picture of a gecko sipping a margarita instead. 

The Awakusu businesses were fairly diverse so they weren't worried about losing money in the long run but some of their businesses couldn't operate. 

"I would recommend having Aozaki round up some of his men and put them on charity work," Shiki suggested. "There are many people who are unable to leave their homes because they are at high risk. Have them do grocery runs for those people."

"That's a good idea." Aozaki agreed. "It'll keep them from getting bored and doing something stupid like going to the bar." Aozaki's thugs weren't the most socially-minded guys. 

"Since the galleries are closed for the foreseeable future, I'd also suggest taking this opportunity to improve our online presence. We can potentially continue to make sales by featuring the art online." 

Anything that implied profit made Mikiya smile and he nodded agreement. "Wouldn't that still require staff to ship the packages?" 

"Just a single worker would be enough. Meets the social distancing requirement."

"Ah, that's good. Kazamoto has the real estate well in hand which just leaves the soaplands. I was thinking about house visits-" 

"No." All four executives immediately disagreed with Mikiya's suggestion. 

"Audio and video services." Akabayashi immediately followed up. "Let the girls work from home. They can do live streams or phone sex."

"We don't have the infrastructure for that…" Mikiya disagreed. 

"My informant is currently unemployed. I can put him to work on that problem."

"In the meantime," Akabayashi continued. "We need to make sure the girls are still getting paid."

"But they aren't working." Mikiya pointed out with a frown.

"And if they're afraid that they won't get paid, they will be more likely to try to work without our oversight." Kazamoto pointed out practically, backing Akabayashi's stance. "Better to continue to pay them until they can go back to work than to lose potential money and employees."

Mikiya did not look pleased but was also unable to provide a reasonable counter. "Fine," Akabayashi smirked at Mikiya's reluctant agreement. "Can you get your pet informant to upgrade this computer shit for us too while he's at it?" 

Shiki nodded. "I'll let him know."

With their work divided, they ended the call and Shiki made his way out to the living room where Izaya was lounging. He looked up from the book expectantly. 

"Well?" 

"I have work for you," Shiki replied with a slight smile. 

Izaya sat up. "Do I get to re-equip the Awakusu with actually relevant technology?" 

"Yes. I've promoted you to tech support."

Izaya looked pleased then suspicious. "What do you mean by tech support?" 

"Aside from helping the executives upgrade their computers, you're also going to help Akabayashi figure out how to let our girls do their work from a distance.”

Izaya grew thoughtful. “That’s a complicated problem. I assume you mean phone sex and videos?”

“Yes, Akabayashi suggested it as a way to get the girls working. Mikiya didn’t want to pay them while they’re in isolation, cheap ass. So the sooner we can get them doing something, the better for everyone. I’d rather he didn’t get it in his head to try to fire them all or something equally stupid.”

“I thought they issued a labour law amendment to make sure people couldn’t be fired right now.”

Shiki gave Izaya an amused look. “Because the yakuza are so very concerned about labour law violations.”

“Ah, yes, of course,” Izaya smirked. “You do know that Al Capone was taken down for tax fraud, don’t you? I don’t think you want to start drawing the eye of any government body.”

“I’ll be sure to pass that piece of advice on to Mikiya. Do you think it’s something we can manage?” 

“Well, it will really depend on the girls and what they can do from home. If they don’t have a suitable… workspace, it won’t work. Tell Akabaka to ask them if they can manage it. I can look into what they’d need and put the figures together for Mikiya to cry over. You know it won’t be cheap, right? Unless you want to go for the amateur porn type of quality.”

“Give me a range of options and we can talk it through with Akabayashi. Once we’ve determined the best option, we’ll just give him one number.”

Izaya chuckled and sat up, reaching for his laptop. “I love how you manage your boss,” he purred. “So authoritative.”

Shiki eyed Izaya with a smirk. “Some people need a firm hand,” he replied pointedly.

Izaya’s grin widened. “Daddy I need the company credit card…”

“What you need is supervision,” Shiki replied with a snort as he settled on the couch beside Izaya.

“Micromanager.” Izaya pointed out with a smirk as he promptly cuddled up to Shiki. “For the executive’s laptops, I did some preliminary research the other day and priced out some options.”

“Of course you did.” Shiki smiled as he put an arm around Izaya’s shoulder. “Show me.”

[craftmanatee]

DreadXCollection 2 Games Review

Me and my friend played through DreadXCollection 2, we each played a game resulting in 6 for him, and 6 for me. Although, there is a 13th game which is the hub that goes between the games. Despite playing separate games like this, we both experienced it together and I feel confident in making a short review for each game in the collection and a conclusive one for the collection that is DreadX.

Il be reviewing each game in the Order I think You should Play if you are going to.

Game X: The House (Ingeniously done!)

Scare Type: Spooky

I would advise you to figure out and play trough the house, you will be forced to play through one game from the collection before the house opens up to be fully explored. When that is the case, give it your pace by doing the house little by little or all at once so that there are no barriers to the games.

The House itself is such a nostalgic trip for me when I think about it, it reminds me a bit on Mario 64 or Banjoo Kazooie where there is a hub and you have to figure out how to get to the next level. But the next level is a game in this case. Some of the puzzles can actually trip you up, but I fully believe you to try and figure them out on your own. There are always other puzzles to do if you are stuck on one. For us, they were not in any way difficult.

When you do unlock a game, make sure to read the terrible comic. Me and my friend did not... GET it, and it felt awful due to the terrible voice-over.

Solipsis by Daniel Mullins (alright!)

Scare Type: Surreal

This is the first recommended game to play. A fairly short one that puts you in the right mood for the rest of the House and the game. Solipsis is artistically very very very good. It gives a sense of dread, and plays with a certain mechanic wonderfully to the character. Its a bit of a Walking simulator, but it is worth experiencing, especially as a first before doing the house! My friend was the player of this one.

Then do the house, The next game on the list then is!

Arcadletra by Vidas Games (Not that good)

Scare Type: Jump Scares

This is a very short linear experience, the quality is not bad or anything. But artistically it does very little to satisfy a tense horror session. It felt very run of the mill, and just got me (Who was the player) to just walk forward into what the game wanted me to walk forward into. No real game, just a jumpy experience.

To The End Of Days by Scythe Dev Team (Meh)

Scare Type: Action packed!

Here is a fun one, and one I think is good to rub the last game off with. To The End Of Days is an 80s style action movie where you blast through enemies with your shotgun. Some enemies make a return from their previous DreadX collection game, those are probably the only spook worthy enemies in the game. It is pretty forgettable but a nice change of pace. My friend was the player of this one.

The Toy Shop by Mahelyk (Oof... pretty bad)

Scare Type: Copy-pasted enemies coming from the Darkness???

I get that these games are having fun with their ideas and are being unique, there are some unique ideas in this game but it just falls flat and you want it to be over. This game becomes several different games in different areas, you arent really sure what kind of horror this game is trying to bring. Although, I did like some of the aesthetics here and there, again it has its ideas but it was not enjoyable. Knock this one out. My friend was the player of this one.

Another Late Night by Secret Cow Level (What?)

Scare Type: Suspense

Playing this, I was mostly waiting for the big reveal or the grand horror, but I was mostly confused. Did we miss out on certain scares? Were there scares at all? I will give it that there is suspense. The horror here is of an entity speaking to you through the computer. That is... about it. Im sorry! I dont have much to say about this one!

Undiscovered by Torple Dook (Just fine)

Scare Type: Hopelessness

It is a pretty campy and simple Silent Hill esque game with a horror Indiana Jones adventure. Its not all that fun to PLAY, but kind of funny poking fun at the campy quality. As you go deeper, the game does get more interesting. Nothing to write much about, but is a nice treat.

From here on out, the upcoming games will be both better and scarier! If you are following this list, know that it all now becomes absolutely worth it!

The Diving Bell by Bathysfear Labs (Pretty cool)

Scare Type: Lonesome/Paranoia

The Diving Bell was a bit too forgiving with its difficulty, but it did have interesting ideas and design. It did get spooky and was also often moody. It was a bit glitchy, enough for us to find an easter egg by accident. Most of the spookiness might be randomised. Regardless, this was a nice spooky experience I personally wish I could see in a more fleshed out game. My friend was the player of this one.

Touched by an Outer God by Wither Studios (Fun!)

Scare Type: Gross

A rouge-like esque arena shooter akin to Doom. Its fun to upgrade yourself and blast through enemies, this game however, desperately needs music to accompany the campiness of the game. You will want to upgrade for killing efficiency before anything else, you will get overpowered, dont worry. However, the constant attention for a bit of skill-full clicking did make things a bit tiresome.

Squirrel Stapler by David Szymanski (Godlike!)

Scare Type: Huge Build-Up, suspense.

I would rate this as the second best game on the collection. It does take a bit of frustration and time, but that is all just a build up. And when the time comes, learn to strafe and let them charge past you. Youl know what I mean. In any case, this was to me the most memorable as it had a lot of anticipation and build up as well as a cursed nature to it. It struck me exactly the way I wanted it to.

THE THING IN THE LAKE by Panstasz (Great!)

Scare Type: Panic

A neat little game with a cool aesthetic. I personally find it disappointing, but I also recognise it for being solid and designed well. Tip: If you hear a rumble, maybe you should wait. I wish there was more to this game as it was enjoyable learning the layout and getting the secret ending.

SUCKER FOR LOVE by Akabaka (Awesome!)

Scare Type: Twists and turns!

A cute point and click “Date”-ing simulator (Not really a dating simulator at all) that turns dark. Its funny, ngl it does get tense, and is well made! Most dating simulators or point and click games dont reach this quality. My friend was the player of this one.

Charlotte’s Exile by John Szymanski (The best!)

Scare Type: Anxiety

Save the best for last, as this one will make an impression! This is such a well rounded puzzle game. Great art, great puzzles, great everything! Its 100% the best in this list, and is probably the most gratifying to end on. My friend was the player of this one.

Conclusion to the Entire Collection

Despite some games being pretty bad, it did make the variety pack feel like a good variety of small games. Top 3 for me goes to Sucker for love, Squirrel Stapler and then Charlotte’s Exile. The house that bring them together is also great, each tape comes with an uneventful comic which ties to the house in some way. The ending to the entire collection was fine, could have had a bit more fanfare or an objective but it was fine.

As a game/collection, this is legitimately a breath of fresh air. It feels nostalgic to experience a variety pack of games, and bundled together in an interesting way. I have my friend to thank for making it possible as it was he who hosted the evenings.

[orihara-infobroker]

Seclusion Day Seven

This was the fourth of Mikiya’s daily conference calls and the executives had all given up on formality - some more than others. Izaya had curled up on Shiki’s lap as they sat on the couch, laptop resting on the coffee table. Aozaki appeared to be sitting in his hot tub and Izaya was theorizing on whether or not the laptop would end up in the hot tub with him at some point. Akabayashi looked like he just woke up and finger-combed his hair into place. A half-drunk glass of what Shiki suspected was whiskey sat just in view of the camera. No one knew what Kazamoto looked like since he continued to keep his camera off but Shiki felt it safe to assume the lizard was probably just as casual as the rest of them. And the leader of this conference call? Well, he was currently helping Akane with... something?

“Hey, Akabaka, it’s a bit unprofessional to be drinking at work, don’t you think?” Izaya teased, leaning forward a bit to stare pointedly at the glass. Akabayashi pushed it out of the frame, giving Izaya a one-eyed glare.

“I don’t think sitting on your boss’s lap is particularly professional, Izaya. Neither is taking a bloody bath.” He grumbled, gaze shifting to Aozaki. The larger man shrugged.

“Just imagine we’re having a friendly chat at the onsen,” Aozaki responded with a grin. “Oh wait… you don’t have a hot tub cause you live in a fucking shit apartment.”

Akabayashi just rolled his eye and took a sip of his drink. “Not like these friendly little chats actually serve a purpose.”

“On that, I can agree with you,” Shiki replied. “So why don’t we run the agenda before Mikiya gets back then we can just give him the details and get back to work?”

Izaya leaned back, glancing at his phone. “Well I got Akabayashi’s list and it seems most of the girls are fine to work from home if we can get them the equipment they need. I sourced for various levels, depending on whether they just want to do phone calls or full video. Just a matter of order and delivery. Most of the girls are young so they should be able to set things up without too much trouble on their own.”

“I’ll review the numbers and give Mikiya the options I think are the best match for each girl,” Aka replied with a nod.

“I’d like to discuss the suspension of lease payments,” Kazamoto spoke up. “I know Mikiya won’t like it but I think we need to consider some leniency in the matter. Not for any of our corporate tower holdings, mind you. Just for the smaller businesses, especially the buildings that have restaurants or small retail. We have the overhead to cover it and I think it’s a better choice than evicting those businesses right now.”

Shiki exchanged a glance with Izaya then nodded. “I’ll see what I can do. Evicting them at this point wouldn’t help us anyway. There are no businesses to take their places. Aozaki, how are your men handling their new jobs?”

“They’re just happy to be doing something and the people they’re helping have been really grateful. One of the older ladies has been hand sewing masks since there’s a shortage and she’s making sure all our boys get one since we’ve been taking them over to the medical centers for her. I sent a few guys down to the food bank to help them with making up and delivering boxes. Seems demand is up with so many layoffs.”

Shiki nodded thoughtfully. “Kaz, send me a list of restaurants we have leases with. I have an idea.” 

Izaya glanced at Shiki with curiosity. “Are you-” He began but then Mikiya reappeared, giving everyone a good look at his flannel pyjama pants as he sat back down. 

“Sorry about that. Akane’s gotta do her schoolwork from home now, over the computer or some shit so I gotta cut this short.”

“Mikiya! Language!” Mikiya’s wife could be heard in the background, drawing amused grins from Akabayashi and Izaya.

“It’s no problem, sir,” Shiki replied. “We’ve already discussed the current projects and everything is progressing as planned. We will forward you the reports to review.”

“Ah… very good. I’ll look them over and we can discuss them tomorrow.” 

As the executives logged off, Izaya gave Shiki a considering look. “You’re thinking of trading that free rent for service.”

Shiki gave the very perceptive raven an approving smile. “They need a way to keep employing their people. If we subsidize their rent during this mess, they can continue to pay their staff. If their staff are also cooking meals for those in need, they can write it off as charity and those people will remember. They’ll come back when times are better. Benefits everyone in the long run.”

“But do you think they’ll agree? And more importantly, do you think Mikiya will agree?”

“Yes. I have no doubt the restaurants will agree because it keeps them in business when they might otherwise have to shut down. Mikiya… I’m confident I can sell it to him but if he does prove difficult, I know I can sell it to Dougen.”

Izaya chuckled. “If they gave out yakuza awards, you’d get Cleverest Executive.” He teased then grew serious. “I wouldn’t normally say this…” His gaze shifted back to the laptop. “I’m a bit worried about Akabaka.” 

Shiki studied the raven quietly for a moment before answering. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell him. But yeah, I’m worried too. Invite him over, tell him you need help with something for work, whatever works to get him out of his house. I have a suspicion he’s been drinking himself stupid.”

“Because that’s what you’d be doing if I wasn’t here to keep you entertained?”

Shiki snorted. “Unlikely. Akabayashi’s an extrovert and he really doesn’t have anyone outside the clan as I understand it. This is probably hitting him a lot harder than the rest of us.”

“Make cookies.”

“What?”

“Remember that time I brought your cookies to the office?”

Shiki chuckled. “You’re suggesting we lure him over with the offer of cookies?”

“Well, maybe dinner and cookies? I doubt he’s had a decent meal since this whole thing started.”

“Fine, if you think that’ll work.”

Some hours later Akabayashi arrived bearing files Izaya had requested as an excuse, still looking like he’d just rolled out of bed. Izaya gazed at him critically.

“Have you even showered in the last week?” He asked as he let the redhead into the apartment. Akabayashi narrowed his eyes then pushed the files into Izaya’s hands.

“Of course I have.” He retorted and his words slurred a bit. Izaya arched a brow as he took the files.

“You know drinking alcohol won’t kill the virus, right?”

“I didn’t come here to listen to you criticize me, Orihara,” Akabayashi sneered.

“Sit down, Mizuki,” Shiki ordered. “Dinner is almost ready.” Akabayashi arched a brow at Shiki then discarded shoes and coat in the entry and made his way to the seldom-used kitchen table. Shiki had pulled it away from the wall since the breakfast bar only had two seats. Izaya followed behind, dropping the files on the coffee table beside his laptop before joining Shiki in the kitchen. “Have you been talking to the girls? How are they doing?”

Akabayashi gave Shiki a suspicious look. “They’ve been supporting each other. Most of them have roommates or family to stay with so they aren’t in a bad way.”

“That’s good. What about you?”

“What about me?” Akabayashi replied with irritation as Izaya placed a bowl of salad on the table. The raven sat down across from him, grinning.

“We’re going to watch the Marvel movies in order. Shiki’s never seen any of them.” Izaya informed Akabayashi, shaking his head in disappointment. “You should watch with us.”

Shiki brought over a hot casserole dish of lasagna. “He says this as if everyone watches comic book movies.” 

Akabayashi looked between the two then sighed. “I see what you’re doing.”

“Feeding you dinner and inviting you to watch movies with us?” Izaya replied with an innocent smile. Akabayashi rolled his eyes and reached for the serving spoon, helping himself to a generous portion of lasagna.

“You promised me cookies, Izaya.” He pointed out with a smirk.

“After dinner.” Shiki went to the fridge for beers. 

Akabayashi grinned. “He’s really never seen any of them?” Izaya nodded as he filled his own plate. “There’s what, twenty of them? That’s gonna take a while to get through.”

“Well, if we watch a couple of them every few days, we should be able to get through all of them by the time this quarantine passes.”

“Every few days, hm?” Akabayashi took a bite of the lasagna as Shiki joined them. “You know, I don’t think I’ve seen all of them either.”

Izaya grinned. “You? The hippest of the executives? Unbelievable! You absolutely have to join us now. Your reputation depends on it.”

“Not like I have anything else to do, anyway.”

“And with you around, Shiki can stop using the excuse that there’s no one to eat his baking,” Izaya added, turning his grin on Shiki.

Shiki cracked a smile. “I do have a few dessert recipes I’ve been wanting to try out.”