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sinfucks2024-08-21 10:56 pm
synfluxmods) wrote in sinfucks2024-08-21 10:56 pm
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▶ 006. TEST DRIVE & SIMULATION #6
TEST DRIVE & SIMULATION #6
▶ 001. ARRIVAL / CAFETERIA.
It happens in the blink of an eye -- a dash of time. You're taken from where you were. What you were doing... it isn't important anymore, and slowly, you give up to desire your normal life. When you awake, figures are looking down on you from a surgical table.
"Yeah, this one will do; let's take them to the rest." That's all you see before losing consciousness again, only to wake up in a pod with many others.
"Your questions will be answered soon enough as I'm sure you will have many," a female, robotic voice says.
Just then, your pod opens in a dim corridor with many others. Your new life is about to begin... whether you like it or not.
The pods drain their stasis fluid which wakens each Outsider. Outsiders emerge from their pod in only their undergarments which have been supplied to them, and head to a locker room in the medical bay to find a towel to dry off with and a set of gray loungewear to wear as LILITH makes the final decision in assigning the Outsiders to their rightful teams. If a character has any accessibility needs, they will be found here. It's about then they will feel a sharp pain at the back of their eyes, almost like there’s a foreign body lodged on the inside of their head. This pain will subside quickly as their body adapts to the changes, but there will always be a sensation of something being not quite right; that their bodies have been changed forever. They would be correct in thinking that. In the pod, all Outsiders have been surgically fitted with ocular and brain implants that will enable them to communicate with LILITH and the rest of the crew, as well as providing them the information they require. Almost like a computer screen has been loaded into their brains, they will see a loading screen as the implant completes its download. A questionnaire will then pop up, waiting for their answer. A voice, robotic and feminine, will also read along in their brain for them.
█ █ █ LOADING COMPLETE … BEGIN ORIENTATION …
The system will give Outsiders one chance to provide a truthful answer and choose their username and civilian identity. Should they refuse to cooperate, the implant will download the answer directly from their brain (and give them a username or civilian name against their will). This questionnaire will then be posted on the network for all to view and reply to. Almost like an ice-breaker, if you will. LILITH wants all their newest recruits to learn about each other!
Outsiders will receive a quick brief about their situation: they will be told that the year is 2278, and they have been taken to Neo Tokyo, one of the last bastions of mankind in a world terrorized by various Kaiju and monsters. Only a third of the population remains, and LILITH has gathered talented people from other dimensions here as a last ditch effort to save humanity. Outsiders are free to continue asking LILITH questions through their implant, but there’s no guarantee they will provide them with a straight answer …
Outsiders will also notice an implant in their dominant wrist. This implant has a barcode in it that will enable them to purchase goods from the local stores in Neo Tokyo. They will receive a starting balance of 15,000,000 KRYPTOS (about USD 100), which is barely enough for a few good meals, groceries, and supplies. They can view their current balance through a hologram window projected by their ocular implant.
While there would normally be a meal available for them in the cafeteria, this doesn’t seem to be the case this time. Robots working within the cafeteria will instead be handing out food ration bars to each Outsider. They are dense with calories and nutrition, but taste a bit like sawdust.
That familiar, robotic voice is heard again:
"Yeah, this one will do; let's take them to the rest." That's all you see before losing consciousness again, only to wake up in a pod with many others.
"Your questions will be answered soon enough as I'm sure you will have many," a female, robotic voice says.
Just then, your pod opens in a dim corridor with many others. Your new life is about to begin... whether you like it or not.
The pods drain their stasis fluid which wakens each Outsider. Outsiders emerge from their pod in only their undergarments which have been supplied to them, and head to a locker room in the medical bay to find a towel to dry off with and a set of gray loungewear to wear as LILITH makes the final decision in assigning the Outsiders to their rightful teams. If a character has any accessibility needs, they will be found here. It's about then they will feel a sharp pain at the back of their eyes, almost like there’s a foreign body lodged on the inside of their head. This pain will subside quickly as their body adapts to the changes, but there will always be a sensation of something being not quite right; that their bodies have been changed forever. They would be correct in thinking that. In the pod, all Outsiders have been surgically fitted with ocular and brain implants that will enable them to communicate with LILITH and the rest of the crew, as well as providing them the information they require. Almost like a computer screen has been loaded into their brains, they will see a loading screen as the implant completes its download. A questionnaire will then pop up, waiting for their answer. A voice, robotic and feminine, will also read along in their brain for them.
█ █ █ LOADING COMPLETE … BEGIN ORIENTATION …
Name:
Username:
Civilian Identity:
Age:
Species:
Origin:
A trolley is headed down the tracks at high speed towards a fork. On its current path, five people are tied to the tracks. You stand in front of a lever to switch the tracks to the other path, where only one person is tied to the tracks. Assume the trolley cannot be safely stopped before it hits the people, and they cannot be freed before the trolley gets there. What do you do?
The system will give Outsiders one chance to provide a truthful answer and choose their username and civilian identity. Should they refuse to cooperate, the implant will download the answer directly from their brain (and give them a username or civilian name against their will). This questionnaire will then be posted on the network for all to view and reply to. Almost like an ice-breaker, if you will. LILITH wants all their newest recruits to learn about each other!
Outsiders will receive a quick brief about their situation: they will be told that the year is 2278, and they have been taken to Neo Tokyo, one of the last bastions of mankind in a world terrorized by various Kaiju and monsters. Only a third of the population remains, and LILITH has gathered talented people from other dimensions here as a last ditch effort to save humanity. Outsiders are free to continue asking LILITH questions through their implant, but there’s no guarantee they will provide them with a straight answer …
Outsiders will also notice an implant in their dominant wrist. This implant has a barcode in it that will enable them to purchase goods from the local stores in Neo Tokyo. They will receive a starting balance of 15,000,000 KRYPTOS (about USD 100), which is barely enough for a few good meals, groceries, and supplies. They can view their current balance through a hologram window projected by their ocular implant.
While there would normally be a meal available for them in the cafeteria, this doesn’t seem to be the case this time. Robots working within the cafeteria will instead be handing out food ration bars to each Outsider. They are dense with calories and nutrition, but taste a bit like sawdust.
That familiar, robotic voice is heard again:
"Greetings, my name is SYNTHIA and I will be taking care of you today while the rest of the crew is occupied. Worry not, my children. You are in safe hands."
▶ 002. SIMULATION.
While Outsiders are given a fair amount of time to recuperate, not only from physical injuries but from the aftermath of their mission in Korea, it doesn’t take long before their training kicks back up again. This time, the stress is on formation, teamwork, and split decision making. While the Japan branch of LILITH believes all the Outsiders at their branch are performing as expected of them, the other international operatives underneath LILITH may not feel the same due to the results of their prior mission. While the higher ups back in Tokyo believe they made the best decision based on the information they had, it’s not to state the other branches of LILITH echo the same sentiment. As a result, there is a strict training regime that all Outsiders must commit to, new and old alike.
The simulation will naturally cover the terrain of Seoul, Busan, and other intermediary cities of South Korea; everything else will seem par for the course with the simulation. Outsiders will be asked to group up with those close to them and practice timing their attacks and specifically aiming for the kaiju’s weak points. Those who have trouble finding someone to work with can assume to be assigned to one another randomly. Veteran Outsiders will be asked to assist anyone new whom they may not recognize.
Despite their best attempts, the simulation feels harder than the actual kaiju, and its settings seem to factor in its incredibly unpredictable nature. As a result, “MISSION FAILED” will be seen more frequently than not. Outsiders will be forced to redo the simulations over and over, even until the early hours of the morning.
As a result, Outsiders will also be provided with energy drinks and coffee in a variety of flavors that are laced with their newest energy boosters. This will keep Outsiders particularly enthusiastic for the simulation runs, and give them the drive to keep them on track! The unfortunate side effect, however, is it that it does come with a fairly significant crash. Try not to develop a caffeine addiction during this time.
Other than the simulations, Outsiders will also be required to clock in for regular medical checkups, and most will result in asking them to increase their general fitness and physical capabilities. They will be required to utilize the gym, swimming pool, and other physical fitness facilities until their doctors sign off on them. While this may seem like a new form of hazing, the higher ups actually believe it could foster better relationships.
The simulation will naturally cover the terrain of Seoul, Busan, and other intermediary cities of South Korea; everything else will seem par for the course with the simulation. Outsiders will be asked to group up with those close to them and practice timing their attacks and specifically aiming for the kaiju’s weak points. Those who have trouble finding someone to work with can assume to be assigned to one another randomly. Veteran Outsiders will be asked to assist anyone new whom they may not recognize.
█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: IMUGI ♀
HEIGHT: 1600 feet across, 55 feet high
WEIGHT: 2850kg
CLASS: Extremely Dangerous
LOCATION: Various Locations, South Korea - Map will be auto populated for terrain.
ABILITIES: Control over weather conditions, including summoning of heavy storms, lightning strikes and hurricanes. Can fly up to 1000 feet. By flying amongst the clouds, Imugi releases chemicals into the atmosphere that bring about acid rain. Armored scales, sharp teeth and claws. Camouflage; can disappear into seemingly thin air.
WEAKNESSES: Piercing it in the gaps between its impenetrable scales. There is also a particularly weak spot under its chin that will deal significant damage if pierced.
EXTRA NOTES: This is the female counterpart of the Imugi slain in Seoul. After giving birth, it demonstrated typical reptile behavior and abandoned its eggs. Since its initial appearance in Busan, it has grown. This kaiju seems more agile, is openly aggressive, and has demonstrated intelligence in being able to hold grudges.
█ █ █ ATTACHED PHOTO:
Despite their best attempts, the simulation feels harder than the actual kaiju, and its settings seem to factor in its incredibly unpredictable nature. As a result, “MISSION FAILED” will be seen more frequently than not. Outsiders will be forced to redo the simulations over and over, even until the early hours of the morning.
As a result, Outsiders will also be provided with energy drinks and coffee in a variety of flavors that are laced with their newest energy boosters. This will keep Outsiders particularly enthusiastic for the simulation runs, and give them the drive to keep them on track! The unfortunate side effect, however, is it that it does come with a fairly significant crash. Try not to develop a caffeine addiction during this time.
Other than the simulations, Outsiders will also be required to clock in for regular medical checkups, and most will result in asking them to increase their general fitness and physical capabilities. They will be required to utilize the gym, swimming pool, and other physical fitness facilities until their doctors sign off on them. While this may seem like a new form of hazing, the higher ups actually believe it could foster better relationships.
▶ 003. BLACK MARKET.
It’s clear that the number one priority on people’s minds lately is the kaiju that’s on the loose. However, these hushed whispers on the streets aren’t simply rehashing the recent news, but instead are talking about certain trades happening on the black market. Considering the lack of personnel at base due to the damage control and fallout from the incident in Seoul, Outsiders will be tasked with talking to the citizens and scoping out any and all information on these secret trades. Yes, that's right, the black market is teeming with energy yet again.
Akin to the mission in March, it looks like those associated with Tokyo’s darker undertakings have a new business venture and it’s in Imugi body part trading. It looks like the newest hit in folk medicine is currently illegal research in using the Imugi’s scales, bones, and every part they can get their hands on: they have created dragon scale teas, dragon horn supplements, dragon blood steroids, and many other meats, delicacies, and food items. Some have even taken to grinding down the bones and claws. No one actually knows if this increases one's vitality and cures illnesses, or if it’s an unknown risk to the people.
Each of these leads will need to be looked into, and so Outsiders will be tasked as a group, and encouraged to work together in exploring these undertakings. Apparently, there are three major places that need to be explored: an abandoned factory in Shinjuku, a restaurant that is supposedly acting as a front for trades, and even a club similar to the Sapphire Room for higher VIPS who apparently are offering entire limbs of the kaiju up for sale.
It may be hard to move just by operating on civilian identities, and so LILITH is also offering a disguise by style upgrade, and encouraging recruits to make up an adequate “cover” as they explore. As the disguise on their style upgrade coincides with whatever they decide to make their fake identity, Outsiders are also required to turn in the appropriate paperwork, including what the occupation for the cover is, along with any other details to go along with their bit.
These actions are considered unacceptable by LILITH, and as a result are asking Outsiders to partake covertly in order to capture and bring back any suspicious individuals working for any of these black market distribution circles. These same individuals also seem to intersect with other levels of crime in the city, and so certain missions may coincide with these efforts. Outsiders are encouraged to contribute as they are able to.
Akin to the mission in March, it looks like those associated with Tokyo’s darker undertakings have a new business venture and it’s in Imugi body part trading. It looks like the newest hit in folk medicine is currently illegal research in using the Imugi’s scales, bones, and every part they can get their hands on: they have created dragon scale teas, dragon horn supplements, dragon blood steroids, and many other meats, delicacies, and food items. Some have even taken to grinding down the bones and claws. No one actually knows if this increases one's vitality and cures illnesses, or if it’s an unknown risk to the people.
Each of these leads will need to be looked into, and so Outsiders will be tasked as a group, and encouraged to work together in exploring these undertakings. Apparently, there are three major places that need to be explored: an abandoned factory in Shinjuku, a restaurant that is supposedly acting as a front for trades, and even a club similar to the Sapphire Room for higher VIPS who apparently are offering entire limbs of the kaiju up for sale.
It may be hard to move just by operating on civilian identities, and so LILITH is also offering a disguise by style upgrade, and encouraging recruits to make up an adequate “cover” as they explore. As the disguise on their style upgrade coincides with whatever they decide to make their fake identity, Outsiders are also required to turn in the appropriate paperwork, including what the occupation for the cover is, along with any other details to go along with their bit.
█ █ █ MISSION OBJECTIVE:
✖ Create false identity to go undercover.
✖ Sneak into or receive an invitation to one of the following locations: an abandoned factory in Shinjuku, a restaurant chain that is supposedly acting as a front for trades, and Club Spades.
✖ Capture and round-up any suspicious individuals who may have information. Bring them back alive.
✖ Turn in any kaiju parts, items, and stock in.
These actions are considered unacceptable by LILITH, and as a result are asking Outsiders to partake covertly in order to capture and bring back any suspicious individuals working for any of these black market distribution circles. These same individuals also seem to intersect with other levels of crime in the city, and so certain missions may coincide with these efforts. Outsiders are encouraged to contribute as they are able to.
▶ 004. INTERROGATION.
In the midst of the ongoing investigations into the black market, there are rumors that the entire black market scheme was hatched up by a LILITH operative. Due to the timing of the Outsiders touching down in Tokyo and how swiftly the parts collected became distributed, a majority of the suspicions seem to fall on the Outsiders themselves. As a result, everyone on the base will be subject to routine checks on base, and may notice some LILITH drones may be keeping surveillance of them when they leave the premises.
LILITH is also offering rewards to agents under them who are able to discover their peers in possession of any sort of contraband. This includes kaiju parts which may have been given to them for safe-holding during investigation, research specimens that were given to them, or even any items crafted from kaiju, including food items. If any Outsiders are found with these kaiju parts and/or items, they will be taken in for questioning.
During questioning, they will either recruit a fellow Outsider to assist in these cross-examinations, or have them done by another agent under LILITH. Everyone who is brought in to be questioned is forced to ingest a truth serum. Upon consuming the serum orally or aromatically, they will be forced to tell the truth. They will also find themselves particularly loose-lipped, or uncharacteristically forthcoming. Unfortunately, while this serum may clear them of the smuggling accusations, these effects will continue to linger even after the interrogation has ended.
Additionally, while the Outsider or agent may not have been planning anything nefarious by holding onto these kaiju parts, they will be lightly punished. This may include being locked with another Outsider for 24-48 hours to watch AI-generated videos on the importance of going through the proper venues of tagging kaiju parts and not stealing.
LILITH is also offering rewards to agents under them who are able to discover their peers in possession of any sort of contraband. This includes kaiju parts which may have been given to them for safe-holding during investigation, research specimens that were given to them, or even any items crafted from kaiju, including food items. If any Outsiders are found with these kaiju parts and/or items, they will be taken in for questioning.
During questioning, they will either recruit a fellow Outsider to assist in these cross-examinations, or have them done by another agent under LILITH. Everyone who is brought in to be questioned is forced to ingest a truth serum. Upon consuming the serum orally or aromatically, they will be forced to tell the truth. They will also find themselves particularly loose-lipped, or uncharacteristically forthcoming. Unfortunately, while this serum may clear them of the smuggling accusations, these effects will continue to linger even after the interrogation has ended.
Additionally, while the Outsider or agent may not have been planning anything nefarious by holding onto these kaiju parts, they will be lightly punished. This may include being locked with another Outsider for 24-48 hours to watch AI-generated videos on the importance of going through the proper venues of tagging kaiju parts and not stealing.
▶ 005. CONSEQUENCES FOR YOUR ACTIONS.
A few days after newcomers have arrived and the atmosphere on the LILITH base seems to be less tense, a message on everyone's ocular implants will flash: MEETING IN THE SIMULATION ARENA. ATTENDANCE IS A MUST. THIS IS NON-NEGOTIABLE.
Characters will be grouped by their team name and in numerical order with the assistance of AI robots once they have reached the arena. If they are questioned, they only seem to answer one thing: COMMANDER SHIRO LIKES THINGS A CERTAIN WAY. Once everyone is organized, it's just a matter of waiting. After a moment, one of the arena walls, which is conveniently also a screen, will project a new looking face onto it.
The face is of a man who appears to be in his late twenties, but he's quite older than that. How he's achieved this, nobody seems to know. His hair, stark white, appears rather ragged for someone who otherwise has a neat and tidy appearance. Most of his face is obscured by a pair of goggles, and he does, on the whole look... human. However, while it's difficult to see what exactly is behind him, it certainly looks like a silhouette belonging to a set of tentacles coming from his back. His fingers are laced together with his chin on top of them as he heaves a sigh. The screen flickers with a bit of static.
The screen cuts out, and another debrief sheet appears.
Characters will be grouped by their team name and in numerical order with the assistance of AI robots once they have reached the arena. If they are questioned, they only seem to answer one thing: COMMANDER SHIRO LIKES THINGS A CERTAIN WAY. Once everyone is organized, it's just a matter of waiting. After a moment, one of the arena walls, which is conveniently also a screen, will project a new looking face onto it.
The face is of a man who appears to be in his late twenties, but he's quite older than that. How he's achieved this, nobody seems to know. His hair, stark white, appears rather ragged for someone who otherwise has a neat and tidy appearance. Most of his face is obscured by a pair of goggles, and he does, on the whole look... human. However, while it's difficult to see what exactly is behind him, it certainly looks like a silhouette belonging to a set of tentacles coming from his back. His fingers are laced together with his chin on top of them as he heaves a sigh. The screen flickers with a bit of static.
"Angels of LILITH, I'm severely disappointed in your failure. Teams Brimstone & Revelation, I expected more of you. If you had not let the Imugi escape, we would not have fallen into the hell that we are in now. We would not have had to make a decision to start with. Read the following instructions carefully. Make up for your mistakes. Don't ever let this happen again. Or else."
The screen cuts out, and another debrief sheet appears.
█ █ █ MISSION OBJECTIVE: COMMUNITY & TEAM BUILDING.
✖ Team Brimstone & Revelation: Treat a colleague from Team Everlight & Team Redemption to a meal to celebrate their overall success. Everlight & Redemption will pick their meal of choice.
✖ (ALL TEAMS) Teach kaiju emergency protocol with given curriculum at the following school: Nishi Elementary School in the Shinjuku district.
✖ (ALL TEAMS) Clean up trash in the following districts: Shinjuku, Chiyoda, and Bunkyo.
✖ Shame fellow colleagues for their MISSED ATTACKS in whatever methods possible. Their codenames are: RUBBER DUCKY, AMBROSIA, CLOWN PRINCE, GODDESS OF DEATH, LILITH69, NADEL, RASGULLA, STARDUST.
▶ 006. AFTERWORD.
Welcome to our sixth TDM! All TDM threads are game canon and characters who don't app will be glitched out of this world. As the TDM will act as the event, existing characters are heavily encouraged to participate. Please use this format for top levels: CHARACTER | CANON | CURRENT / NEW CHARACTER.
There are currently 14 available player slots. New players are welcome to use this TDM to get samples for when APPLICATIONS open.
None of the prompts suit your fancy? Feel free to check out our main base and locations page and make up your own prompts! (Las Vegas is still being rebuilt and Seoul has closed off its borders to the Japan branch of LILITH.)
Use the code provided in the ARRIVAL prompt if you'd like to participate in the ice breaker, and place it in your top level along with your other prompts. Anything such as civilian name or username can be marked as UNDECIDED if you're unsure of what you'd like your character to have for now. Though it says 'Orientation', existing characters can still participate in the ice-breaker.
The monthly mingle will reveal information about payment for last month's mission and the winners for KO and top hit.
Please note that all tags in this log will count for 2 reward points each and will count towards September AC.
There are currently 14 available player slots. New players are welcome to use this TDM to get samples for when APPLICATIONS open.
None of the prompts suit your fancy? Feel free to check out our main base and locations page and make up your own prompts! (Las Vegas is still being rebuilt and Seoul has closed off its borders to the Japan branch of LILITH.)
Use the code provided in the ARRIVAL prompt if you'd like to participate in the ice breaker, and place it in your top level along with your other prompts. Anything such as civilian name or username can be marked as UNDECIDED if you're unsure of what you'd like your character to have for now. Though it says 'Orientation', existing characters can still participate in the ice-breaker.
The monthly mingle will reveal information about payment for last month's mission and the winners for KO and top hit.
Please note that all tags in this log will count for 2 reward points each and will count towards September AC.
TDM #6 BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. ARRIVAL PROMPT: Newcomers arrive with ocular and brain implants, and are given a breakdown of the premise with an icebreaker orientation to complete. Their first cafeteria meal is food ration bars. Newcomers are placed in gray loungewear while they are being sorted into teams.
2. SIMULATION: All Outsiders are subject to a new paired training regimen that focuses on formation, teamwork, and decision making. The training is a simulation of the most recent mission in South Korea and the target is a simulated version of the Imugi. Failed results will be more frequent and Outsiders will be required to redo the simulation until they achieve a mission success. Outsiders will also have required medical checkups with the goal of increasing overall fitness and physical capabilities.
3. BLACK MARKET: Outsiders are tasked to investigate rumors of Imugi body part trading happening in certain areas of Tokyo. They are encouraged to work together and create aliases outside of their civilian identities in order to infiltrate these facilities. Once infiltrated, Outsiders are to capture any suspicious individuals working for these black market circles, as well as to retrieve any kaiju parts or items.
4. INTERROGATION: Everyone on base will be subjected to routine checks with LILITH drones surveilling them upon leaving base. LILITH will be offering rewards to agents who turn in their peers for possessing any sort of contraband; these Outsiders will be brought in for interrogation either by a LILITH agent, or by another Outsider. Those subject to interrogation will be forced to ingest a truth serum; effects of the serum will linger after the interrogation has ended. Anyone who admits to being in possession of contraband will be punished by being locked with another Outsider for 24-48 hours.
5. CONSEQUENCES FOR YOUR ACTIONS: Outsiders are summoned to the simulation arena for a meeting with Commander Shiro, who expresses his disappointment with their performance in the latest mission. He provides a chance for Outsiders to redeem themselves via various tasks to avoid this from happening again.
d
investigating the BLACK MARKET? you're practically asking to get kidnapped. or killed. or worse. yet she couldn't let it go - watching LILITH and other civilians steal kaiju parts. reading the report on people using those parts illegally. she couldn't NOT stick her nose somewhere it doesn't NEED to be.
she just didn't expect to see vash here, too.
in a wedding dress, no less. crying, WAILING to someone about being left at the altar. now following this super shady guy who knows WHERE. without thinking, she blurts, ]
H, Hold it! Right there! [ hiyori puts on her best, commanding tone. she went for channeling a war goddess. her eyes are still pink, and she's the same height, but she's wearing a long and I mean RIDUCLOUSLY long blonde wig that nearly sweeps the floor and this uniform. she looks mafia? bodyguard? military? dommy mommy???????
warning: she is bad at this. ]
no subject
Hiy -. ( Nope. ) He...len. Helen. What are you doing here? I t-told you that I wasn't going to come back! ( He makes a noise, a brain-stalling shudder of sound, like he's clearly not good at thinking on the spot. ) Y-you can tell Nick that he doesn't get to have me anymore!
( Fuck?? Nick??? Wolfwood can never find out about this, why did he choose that name out of all possible names? What is he doing?
He swings back to the criminal just as dramatically, skirts swishing. ) This is Helen, my no-good ex-fiance's bodyguard. He's really high up. Yeah, a loooot of shady dealings. So much money! So many illicit parts. I really wish I could show it to him. Real bad. Like how could he?
( Over his shoulder. ) Ignore that, Helen! Your boss is terrible to you too!
no subject
their story, as she understands it:
- nick left him at the altar
- she is nick's bodyguard
- nick is terrible probably. also shady, rich, and up to no good
- she has come to fetch vash, er, eriks?? no, that's his civilian name. right, um. um!!
GOT IT. ]
Boss Nick will not take no for an answer, Vic. [ YEAH. YEAH, YOU'RE VIC NOW. VIC AND NICK. guess who is also not good at thinking on the spot? hiyori clenches her hands at her sides to stop the shaking, tightening her jaw. she is so out of her element wandering around back alleys and trying to blend in with the unethical as she tries listening in but hiyori's priority.
is making sure he gets out of this. especially after telling her about his MULTIPLE ADBUCTIONS.
beautiful dress, btw. but is this really your undercover look, vash!? their criminal looks lost as fuck. definitely annoyed. okay. okay! what does she do? when he's turned his back to her again, hiyori makes her move. by scooping vash up into her arms, bridal style. there's only a slight strain in her voice. what would bishamon say? she doesn't know her well enough.
what would yato say? ah. probably THAT. a deep breath goes in through her nose. ]
YA FREAKIN' IDJIT. [ what is SHE doing. ] If ya love him, don't give up so easily!! You agreed to marry him for a reason! Maybe he's terrible but he sent me over to find ya, didn't he?! Now, come on!! We've got a wedding to go to! Yours!
[ come on come on come on ]
HIYORI OH MY GOD.
Whu-? H-helen? ( Help? Also, his mark is inching away, just teeny tiny steps and Vash can't wriggle out of her arms and they're attracting so much attention. So, plan b. He just ... cries. ) No, I can't. I'll never be good enough for him! I don't have any money! Or ... or ... houses. Or cars. No, motorbikes! And Nick really loves motorbikes. And m-maybe he was right to have nerves. Because of the lack of motorbikes!
( Blubbering. Just, straight up weeping. )
N-now if only I could, YOU KNOW, make some money. Then it would be fine, right? Then it would be so good and Nick would be so happy and we'd get married, and have babies.
( Getting a little carried away. Which is why he sort of flails in Hiyori's arms. ) Hey! Mister shady dealer guy, you really wanna buy my illict goods, right? ( And then swivelling, he just takes Hiyori's face between two palms. Sorry, Yato, please don't kill him, Yato. ) Helen. Help me seduce your boss. We just have to go with this guy. Real quick. Be a real good guy, Helen.
GETTIN SILLY WIDDIT
he is blubbering and weeping and she kind of just wants to put him down and hug him, tell him it'll be okay let's go get ice cream or donuts............
no, undercover. they're undercover!!! the way he says MAKE SOME MONEY makes her arms tense and mentioning having babies makes medical intern doctor hiyori go a bit pink. even though he flails, even though he's getting CARRIED AWAY (figuratively literally), she doesn't budge.
no. nonono, this is bad. THIS IS BAD, VASH!! he doesn't want to buy your illicit goods, he wants to STEAL THEM. she can tell. she can-
oomph, those are her cheeks getting smooshed. ] Wh-hu-huh?? [ S E D U C E.
HEY THEY BOTH KNOW THEY'RE BAD AT SEX STUFF FIRST OF ALL. they admitted as much. second of all, how does GOING with THIS GUY mean they're going to learn to seduce nick?! who is fake. she can't go along with this. if they get into TROUBLE, if they get abducted, she isn't so sure she can get them out of it. she was kidnapped once herself, too, but she was kind of a DUMB TEENAGER at the time who thought she could ESCAPE ON HER OWN by kicking down the door. ]
I'm... the bad guy. [ BILLIE EILISH PLAYS IN BG ] B-Boss Nick isn't my type, he's yours, and [ hisses ] you can't just call people shady dealer guys?!
[ no, hiyori, NO. ]
THIS IS A DISASTER I'M GENUINELY DYING
The shady dealer guy coughs, clearing his throat, edging away from the pair of them slowly. )
Helen. ( Pleading, eye twitching. ) Helen, Helen. Nick doesn't even like the scale, right? He thinks it's dumb, right? But he gave it to me because I said it was shiny. And now - now I have a way to - fuck - to MAKE HIM LOVE ME, properly? And all it's gonna take is ... five minutes! A little business transaction! I'm so good at business transactions.
( He has never successfully fulfilled one without someone getting shot.
BUT. A first time for everything. )
You don't even have to come. Just - just put me down and I'll be right back? ( Big blue eyes, before they frantically swivel back to the goon. ) Hang on, hang on! We're just ... having a moment?
CAN IT GET WORSE
will this quell the guilt? will this really make ANYTHING better? hiyori isn't so sure, BUT! but something needs to be done about the black market, it's true. JUST NOT LIKE THIS. they're going to get abducted oh my god.
he edges and hiyori doesn't notice right away. too busy parsing what vash is saying in this weird CODE SPEAK they have now. hiyori gets too into it, unfortunately. what is acting? this is all her. ]
He shouldn't love you for any other reason than you're you and wants to be with you!! [ i'm sorry. she's... she's kinda airhead sometimes. also, hiyori, follow your own advice?
GIVES HIM A DUBIOUS LOOK AT HE'LL BE RIGHT BACK. no. her grip tightens on him. she trusts you vash but she does not trust this SHADY DEALER.
"look, guy? lady? bride. I don't wannas get involved in nothin' that'll come'n bite me in the ass." he seems to look over her shoulder towards the door and, noticing it, hiyori looks toward the front as well.
five more guys have entered the premises and look in their direction. oh. oh. her heart jumps to a concerning bpm. ]
A-ah-aha, well, thank you. For your time! I should really be taking Va, VIC back to the wedding now. Boss Nick is waiting for his lovely bride. Sowe'llgetoutofyourhairbye. [ instead of heading to the front door, she's hauling ass (speed walking) towards whatever other door she can see. kitchen door? VIP room? emergency exit? anything. ]
AHAHAH FUCK
Hiyori, hey. Put me down. We're gonna be fine.
( Perhaps slightly disturbing is how Vash reaches into his skirts as he's talking. There are so many of them, and the layers are practically impossible to navigate, and he's so focused he absolutely misses the look on her face. But it's not because he's SECRETLY A PERVERT OR ANYTHING, because eventually he's yanking free the antique looking firearm he carries on him. Yes, it's been strapped to his thigh the whole time. )
Don't worry, I'm just checking.
( Because there were a lot of guys. And Vash is absolutely a lover of peace, he's not going to shoot if he doesn't have to. For now he's opening the barrel and counting under his breath one, two, three, four, five, six. )
Okay! ( Brightly. ) We're fine. I don't think they were looking for us. Probably a coincidence. We just need to give them a second. Maybe they'll move on.
SDKLGJSK
she doesn't notice him reaching into his skirts until the gun is out. gun. that's a gun. ]
Wh--?? [ JUST CHECKING WHAT.
he said he's not dangerous and hiyori fully believes that, but a gun is STILL concerning on SO many levels. if she didn't feel out of her element before, she DOES NOW. her eyes are huge, her breath short, eyes flicking between his bright tone and his fiREARM.
maybe she's the crazy one for NOT bringing one, however. ]
They were looking right at us. [ hiyori points out. although that might have a lot to do with a military-looking lady with ridiculously long blonde hair carrying a guy in a wedding dress. who knows?
don't mind her shaking hands. they're fine, they're fine, they're fine. ]
Your dress is pretty... [ is all she can think to say because everything else seems a bit to crazy. ] But wh-why are you in it? You're... are you really getting married to someone named Nick??
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Man, I wish. Though I don't really know if he'd go for the whole wedding thing. He does have a religious schtick, so may ... be. ( Brain catching up as his thumb is on the safety of the gun. Maybe it's a good thing she can't see his face, because it's wildly panicked and stricken. ) I mean -. ( Oh no, now he sounds like he's being strangled. ) No? Not exactly. I panicked, and Nick was the first name I could think of. And my Nick - he's not my Nick, fuck - he's not a bad guy. He'd probably be a good husband? So don't think he wouldn't be, that was all made up, and he's not even here, this is the style upgrade, and -.
( Vash, breathe. )
I'm bad at subterfuge? But I thought it was working.
( Closing the gap to the door, Vash presses an ear to it, careful. )
We haven't done anything wrong, they might just be here for a drink. I'm gonna need you to trust me, though okay? I'll get us out of this just fine, but if I tell you to run you should. Because I'm used to this. Hopefully I won't even need this, we're just being cautious.
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oh!! oooooh...! ]
V-Vash, it's okay! I know it was an act. [ SUPPOSED TO BE, anyway. half of hers was real. this is too: ] But if you might have feelings for someone that might be named Nick, I'm cheering you on.
[ and she's leaving it at that!!
they're both bad at subterfuge. what a combo between them. taking his cue, she also leans against the door to listen. she has her brow furrowed and her lips pursed, wondering how they'll get out of here. ]
... Okay. I said I trusted you before and that hasn't changed. [ hiyori says, seriously. ] I don't like the idea of leaving you behind, though. Even if you have a... gun. And I know you have really good aim. [ there's a long pause where she searches vash's face. ]
Do you mind if I alter your dress a little?
[ she's staring down at his skirts....... ]
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Oh, can you? I didn't know if that was allowed. It's actually super heavy, and while I've definitely survived in worse situations I'd much rather have to not, you know? So sure.
( He can hear noise outside, but currently it's not anything he's too worried about, and so when he talks his voice is even and easy, friendly. )
You know, I was thinking maybe I wouldn't get into situations like this again. But it's kind of fun to be back in one. I bet we can get out of this just fine.
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