𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚏𝚕𝚞𝚡 𝙼𝚘𝚍𝚜 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
synfluxmods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sinfucks2024-08-21 10:56 pm
synfluxmods) wrote in sinfucks2024-08-21 10:56 pm
Entry tags:
▶ 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.
no subject
[ Yuji laughs a little, against Geto's chest. ]
I don't really care what I wear, honestly. As long as I can fight in it, anything is fine.
no subject
( A hum, bittersweet. )
Style was wasted on him.
no subject
[ Yuji pats Geto's arm gently. ]
At least you can wear whatever you want here when this works, right?
no subject
( An inhale, whistled through his teeth. )
I didn't mean to ask you that.
no subject
[ Yuji leans back, blinking up at Geto for a moment, his eyes widening briefly before he looks away, suddenly nervous. ]
Why shouldn't I be kind to you?
no subject
( His teeth grit. The countdown blinks 89%. Geto feels ridiculous, and a little rubbed raw, fighting both his strange resistance to kindness and the truth serum all at once. )
Because I'm not very good, Itadori-kun. ( A losing battle, the slippery slope of complicated feeling. ) Because I have done terrible things without regret, and no matter how many people try to tell you that you still try to give me the benefit of the doubt when you shouldn't. You probably don't even know half of the things I've done, you really would hate me if you did.
( To hell with it, he can deal with the pop-up. It isn't fair, and Geto does not want to be part of another betrayal. He pulls away, as carefully as he can, pressing a hand over his eye. )
It's fine, I'm fine, I don't want to be another thing you blame yourself about later.
no subject
Helping you with a pop-up isn't something I'm gonna blame myself for.
[ He shifts from one foot to the other, jaw tight. ]
I'd do it for anyone, Geto-san.
no subject
( Careful, but a little earnest. He wishes he could make him see just how much he'd lose of himself to the wrong person. He wishes he could teach him some self-preservation. )
Not everyone deserves your kindness, Itadori-kun. Some people might abuse it.
no subject
[ Yuji's experienced it. He tries to help people, and he's betrayed; he does his best to be kind and gentle and ends up suffering for it. But that's the kind of person he's always been. ]
I made a promise to my grandpa, so that's not gonna change.
no subject
( What can he say? What can he do? Nothing. He's so tired suddenly, it feels like wading fully clothed through sludge. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Slowly, fairly clumsily. )
Itadori, I do care what happens to you. It wasn't nefarious. There wasn't an ulterior motive. I'm not going to pretend that I haven't done the kind of things you would find monstrous. I have. And if you ask me about them I will tell you the truth. But I'm trying to be different, now. There's no point in it here, there's nothing I can do about any of it. Change is just ... more difficult than I'd like it to be, and I make mistakes. I can be a very difficult person to know. So I do understand if you'd rather not, but I'd be there, if you needed someone.
( It's been weighing on him since Itadori's breakdown. He'd felt unmoored by it. Keeping an ear out but unable to do much else. Either way it has to be said, he thinks. )
no subject
Isn't admitting that you want to be a better person enough? Even if it's hard? My brother had killed people before he realised what we were, and since then he's been working hard to be better. Maybe it can be the same for you, Geto-san.
[ Yuji sighs, rubbing the back of his head. ]
I don't know if I want to know all the things you've done or the horrible stuff, but... I want to see you get better and happier too, Geto-san. If that means I have to be kind to you, then that's fine with me.
no subject
( Choso might not have been aware of any other choice, but Geto's was active. He already been good, he chose not to be. Still, the rest makes his expression twist up, confused and conflicted. )
Ah, it doesn't have to be anything to do with you. That's the thing I've been trying to impart, Itadori. You're not responsible for anything, you're certainly not to be for my behaviour, good or otherwise. You don't need to take this on. ( He also ins't sure there will ever be a happier for him, but he doesn't need to tell Itadori that. ) I won't be another burden. Not for anyone.
no subject
[ Yuji shakes his head, looking awkward all over again. ]
You're making it sound like this is some kind of mission or something. I'm being nice because it's the right thing to do, and it's the kind of thing that my grandpa would tell me to do as well. I'm not going out of my way to try and save you or anything?
[ A shrug. ]
We're here for the same reason - to help fight the kaiju. I don't see the reason in fighting each other when that's something to worry about.
no subject
( He sighs, shoulders going loose. ) The same could be said for most people on this base, Itadori-kun, but you wouldn't catch me helping out with an insignificant problem like this. And you only have finite resources, you should guard them better. Especially around someone who doesn't deserve it, do you understand?
( Maybe if he'd protected his own needs a little better in the beginning he wouldn't be like this now. Not that he thinks Itadori will trip down his same path, the boy is far too good for that. But Geto still worries. )
no subject
[ He looks away, a bit of a petulant teenager. ]
It was just a hug.
no subject
( Loose-lipped, tired. What does it matter? )
It's a fatal flaw. One of them, maybe.
no subject
[ Stepping back, he crosses his arms over his chest. ]
You can hate it as much as you like, and you can get angry, but I'm not going to stop being myself just because you don't think I should.
no subject
( Wildly baffled, and maybe absolutely exhausted. He has been so good at keeping his emotions and his motives hidden, but there's something spinning out of control here and now. He should have left. He thinks about it. But the fact that Itadori thinks he's angry hurts about just as much as him believing Geto is monstrous. )
I'm worried about what happens to you! It's a terrible road, Itadori-kun, and I know intimately how bad it can get and I am trying here now, because there was no one who looked out for -.
( A breath then, shuddering. ) It isn't anger, it's resonance. Just because I don't want to be a thing that exhausts you further doesn't mean I'm angry. And if I am, it's not at you. This is what I wanted to fix, when I was alive. The burden.
no subject
[ Frowning, Yuji watches him, head tilted for a moment. It’s hard to find the words that he wants to say, the things that he’s feeling, but he wants to give it an honest try. He’s doing his best to be better, and maybe that’ll just have to be enough for now. ]
I don’t know what happened to you or all the things you’ve done, but… Right now, all of that stuff doesn’t matter in our world. The higher ups, the fighting, all of it. We’re fighting one curse and if we don’t win, everything will be over. Here, in this place? We’re fighting loads of monsters and I can’t change anything, but I can choose where to spend my time. Things have been hard, but…
[ He breathes out. ]
I’m happy here. And maybe you can be too, for as long as we’re here. If we can find some happiness around each other, that’s fine, but if you want to stay away from me I won’t stop you either. I’m used to that, too.
no subject
He's not sure. Things are strained. His relationship with Satoru is one frayed string away from snapping, he has no family, and no friends, and nothing to shield himself from the very real possibility that everything he has ever done has all been for naught. But then he thinks about the time spent talking to Itadori, or Rover, or Lucy. He thinks about changing, and how badly he's been trying.
It's so hard, it's exhausting. But he's supposed to be strong. )
I don't want to stay away. I really am trying to find a new path, Itadori-kun.
no subject
[ Yuji is still watching him, expression set and sure, determined. ]
Everyone says that I'm good, and I'm doing my best to be, just like I promised. If this is the kind of thing that you want to do, can't we do that together? We can work on it, and try to find something that will help you. I'm not saying I'm going to be amazing at it, or that I'm really a good person to try and work with for this...
[ He sighs. ]
I've killed people too. These hands have done bad things. But if you're being honest about wanting to work harder and be better, then I want to help you do that.
[ For himself, for Geto, and for Gojo. ]
no subject
( A pause, and Geto shakes his head a little. There's clearly a hint of something at Itadori's sincerity, he's not sure what to do with it, how to move beyond it. )
All right.
( Because what else is he going to do? He doesn't want to be mired in this for the rest of time. And while some people might believe he's intentionally awful, he really has been doing his best to swallow it back since he came here. There's no point to it, he won't win with it. )
All right, Itadori-kun. I'll try.
no subject
[ Yuji just laughs softly. ]
You're not the first to say it, Geto-san, but that's okay. I'm happy to hear it! Does this mean I can finish hugging you now?
no subject
( Maybe he should murder people, if they just keep being mean to Itadori. )
I was going to say kind. Too kind.
( But he's coming closer again, pulling Itadori back into a hug, careful but firm. ) If you ever need anything all you need to do is call me, do you understand? Anything.
no subject
[ Don't murder anyone, Geto!!
Leaning in, though, his arms wrap around Geto's body as he hums softly. ]
I'll do my best. I'm trying to be better at that kind of thing.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)