▶ 007. TEST DRIVE & SIMULATION #7

[synfluxmods]

TDM & SIMULATION #7

CONTENT WARNINGS: ptsd, ptsd (of children), bloodletting, medical needles, survival-horror elements, vampirism, partial nudity

▶ 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 the desire of your normal life. When you awaken, 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 wakes 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:
Blood Type:

Do you believe in ghosts?

<raw code><table width="80%"><br><div align="center"><img src="IMAGE_URL" style="width: 200px; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid #7F7F7F; box-shadow: #8D8D8D 1px 1px 1px;"> <!-- CARD --> <div style="width:230px;padding:20px 0 0;border:1px solid #f2f2f2;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:center;align-items:right;gap:5px;background:#fff;"> <!-- CHAR INFO: start --> <div style="width:150px;font-family:courier;font-weight:bold;font-size: clamp(14px, 1vw, 10px);letter-spacing:1px;line-height:1;color:#000;"></lj-raw><font color="#00686E">NAME</font> <lj-raw></div> <!-- CHAR INFO: end --> <!-- COLLAPSIBLE START --> <div style="width:230px;background:#eee;"><details><summary style="cursor:pointer;text-align:center;font-family:arial, sans serif;font-weight:bold;text-align:left;display:flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center;background:#ccc;color:#000;">+</summary> <!-- COLLAPSIBLE: content --> <div style="width:190px;margin:0 auto;padding:7px 0;font-family:arial, sans serif;font-size:11px;text-align:left;color:#000;"> </lj-raw><b>Username:</b> !!ANSWER HERE!! <br> <b>Civilian Identity:</b> !!ANSWER HERE OR SAY UNDECIDED!! <br> <b>Age:</b> !!AGE HERE!! <br> <b>Species:</b> !!SPECIES HERE!! <br> <b>Origin:</b> !!ORIGIN HERE!! <br></br> <b>Blood Type:</b> !!BLOOD TYPE HERE!! <br></br> <b>Do you believe in ghosts?</b></br> </br>!! ANSWER HERE !!<lj-raw> </div></details></div> <!-- COLLAPSIBLE: content end --> <!-- COLLAPSIBLE END --> </div></div> <!-- CARD name: END --> <!-- CREDIT --> <div style="width:100%;margin-top:-15px;font-size:10px;color:#ddd; text-align:center;"><a title="code credit!" href="http://10billionghosts.dreamwidth.org" style="text-decoration:none;color:#ddd;">credit</a></div></center></table></raw code>

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 that 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 a small array of food: blood sausages, blood soup, pumpkin curry, candy corn, and iron pills to each Outsider. The blood for the sausages and soup are supposedly from donations and whatever was left from the medical bay. There will be enough iron pills for people to distribute amongst their teammates if needed, as well as other supplements.

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.

Outsiders are provided sufficient downtime after the last optional mission. Additionally, LILITH will still be offering the same services as the aftermath of the previous battle, including the usual medical assistance and therapy. Those who have lost body parts will be provided a synthetic replacement when they are ready. This replacement will function just like the body part that is lost and can look way cooler (up to you) or blend in with a character's natural body (also up to you.) Refer to our rewards page for more information. Characters will receive a replacement prosthetic (e.g. the basic prosthetic arm/leg/eye) but will need to put in a reward request to further enhance their prosthetic (e.g. to buy a machine gun for their prosthetic arm).

Just because LILITH provides therapy, doesn't mean a character has to go, but the option is there. Outsiders may also be encouraged to visit these facilities, depending on their general mood, which occasionally seems tracked through their oculars. Team members will also be incentivized to reach out to one another to check in and provide some much needed emotional and/or physical support.

While not required, LILITH will still resume its usual simulation training, and those who desire to participate will be asked to arrive at the simulation in varying intervals in their LILITH-issued plugsuits. The design of this simulation will be a bit different and will take on the form of a horror and/or survival game: participating Outsiders will be expected to complete puzzles and make it through various levels of difficulty in order to complete the simulation.

Each Outsider will open their eyes to what appears to be an abandoned town. The town almost appears to be colorless in many ways and is covered in a light fog. The simulation will provide various objectives that range from protecting a single civilian or child found in the midst of this town, to defeating several monsters. The monsters will be reminiscent of any monster the Outsiders have already seen before, the only exception being the “final boss.” During the final boss fight, Outsiders are encouraged to give it their all and push their abilities in order for LILITH to be able to better gauge everyone’s abilities and growth.

Besides, it wouldn’t be considered an actual simulation without a proper battle.

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET:
NAME: TRIANGLE HEAD
HEIGHT: 3 METERS
WEIGHT: 300 KG
CLASS: UNKNOWN, CANNOT BE CLASSED.
THREAT LEVEL: MODERATE-SEVERE
LOCATION: Unnamed City, USA
ABILITIES: Able to appear from people’s shadows, able to instill a sense of fear in others. Wields a sword, which it also utilizes as a long ranged weapon.
WEAKNESS: Susceptible to the emotions of the other party. The more acceptance they have in their hearts, the less powerful it becomes.
EXTRA NOTES: Once it is able to instill fear on its target, it is able to cast illusions. These illusions can differ from person to person, but seems to make them confront their biggest fears.

█ █ █ MISSION OBJECTIVE:
✖ Identify any living civilians and take them to safety bunker while fighting off monsters.
✖ Take out all monsters and/or kaiju that are in the area.
✖ Protect safe zones.
✖ Defeat TRIANGLE HEAD.
EXTRA NOTES: Assisting other Outsiders and working together also increases the overall score.

█ █ █ ATTACHED PHOTO:


At the end of the simulation, they will be rewarded with a little pin that says: “I’ve survived ☺” with either a cat, ghost, or witch on it. Outsiders may challenge this as many times as they would like. Unfortunately, as this “horror simulation” hinged deeply on the subconscious, some will find that after the simulation is complete, they may have residual fear left in their bodies that trigger at random times. Whether this be when they’re going to the bathroom at 2 AM, or they’re in the middle of the cafeteria grabbing a late snack. They may also have the feeling that they hear monsters lingering around base, and be struck with the sudden fear that they’re being followed.

While LILITH will rework everyone’s oculars in order to deal with this problem, in the meantime, they suggest watching heartwarming videos and shows. LILITH will have a library of suggestions, including old Christmas movies, cartoons, and even old episodes of reality TV to act as an appropriate distraction. Maybe arrange a comforting sleepover party?

▶ 003. THIS IS HALLOWEEN.

Outsiders who choose to venture out into Neo Tokyo will find the city bustling with life, just as it always is. Halloween has always been a holiday well loved and celebrated in Neo Tokyo, and not even the very real threat of kaiju can dampen the spirits of the people. If anything, being able to find some humor in the sordid state of the world seems to be keeping the spirits of the people up. The fact that some people are walking the streets dressed up as very real kaiju that have attacked the city before seems to prove this point.

Though Halloween is over, the celebrations are dragging on for longer than usual this year. Lucky you, right? After a month of loss and devastation in Transylvania, you still get to enjoy Halloween! Shops, restaurants and bars are milking this holiday for what it’s worth while they still can. They come fully decked out in spooky decorations - skeletons, cobwebs, jack-o-lanterns, and the occasional witch cauldron! Outsiders may simply enjoy the sight of costumed locals wandering the streets, but if they feel inclined to dress up as well, they can buy a costume from a store or use their style upgrade to make a costume (or simply assume that the style upgrade chip had glitched them into a particular costume). Some events running in the city include:

- Bars and clubs are serving Halloween themed drinks and food. Some examples of this would be alcohol served in a jack-o-lantern or smoky cauldron, blood-themed cocktails, cookies with frosted spiders on them, candied apples, pumpkin-flavored food and many more. Feel free to make up your own.
- The Harlem bar in Tokyo is hosting a Halloween rave with drinks, music, and a costume party! The customers with the most impressive, scariest, or sexiest costume get to be crowned king or queen of the bar for the night and will be treated to bottomless drinks and a 50,000 KRYPTO gift card.

- The Tachikawa region of Neo Tokyo is hosting their annual yokai festival! People are filling the streets wearing masks or dressing up as yokai, and coming to the festival in a costume is mandatory or you will be turned away. Don’t worry, a face-painting stall has been set up to help characters become the yokai of their dreams! Live music is playing, people are dancing, and there are numerous stalls selling traditional snacks and yokai-themed foods.

- Pop-up haunted houses and zombie houses are still running in the area! Test your courage by wandering through a spooky, dark room filled with ghastly ghouls, zombies and werewolves (who happen to be … robots or people in costume). Or perhaps you fancy a zombie run event in the dead of the night? Being chased by zombie actors and robot zombies sounds like an excellent way to get some cardio in. (These zombies and ghouls are paid actors and will not harm the customers in any way, so any violence against them is prohibited and will get you kicked out.)

- The Bandai store is excited to reveal its latest holographic virtual pet: Kasper! Kasper exists as a keychain of a cartoon ghost. When turned on, it projects the hologram of a cutesy-looking ghost into the air. This small ghost can float around in the air and phase through walls and people. It is programmed to behave like a pet, coming to its owner when called, enjoying being petted, and getting into some mischief on occasion. Very much like a Tamagotchi, Kasper needs frequent attention or he will fade away and the user will need to start the game over. Outsiders may purchase this toy if they wish. It is for leisure purposes only and cannot be used for carrying things or espionage.

With the popularity of Halloween, law enforcement is on high alert for unruly characters and will be breaking up gatherings of too many people or arresting anyone appearing to be heavily intoxicated in public. There’s a certain gang of trouble-makers who seem to be finding joy in scaring people for real, and they do this by dressing up in clown costumes and chasing people down the street with real weapons. There have even been reports of these hooligans assaulting people for real. Any Outsider who can wrangle these trouble-makers and present them to law enforcement will receive a decent reward from the city.

For the period of Halloween, LILITH has given clearance for inhuman Outsiders to roam the streets without their cloaking disguises. They might get many compliments for their impressive ‘costumes’.

▶ 004. BLOOD DRIVE.

Not only is the mission to Transylvania highly classified, but the existence of vampires amongst the Outsiders is also classified information. For the sake of Neo Tokyo’s stability, LILITH will be ordering all Outsiders to keep this information under wraps. Thankfully, a fanged vampire would not look too out of place amongst the many costumed crowds in Neo Tokyo. In fact, play into the vampire theme, and you might even get your picture taken! You don't need to answer them when your image doesn't show up on film, it's all part of the magic with nowadays technology.

As Dr. Spim works tirelessly on a cure, freshly turned vampires will need to find ways to cope with the changes. A special monitor will be added to their implant that will alert them when they are dangerously low on blood and need to feed. If they continue to ignore these warnings, LILITH security robots will prevent them from leaving the base, forcing them to feed on a blood bag or find a friend to feed on. With some Outsiders going feral from their thirst for blood, LILITH simply cannot allow the people of Neo Tokyo to be put at risk. Vampires who are sensitive to the sun (it's up to you if you would like them to be a daywalker or not) will be given medicated sunscreen that will offer some protection from the sun. It is still recommended that they wear protective clothing and stay in the shade, however.

With the grave hit that LILITH has taken following the last mission, LILITH’s blood bank is running lower than ever before. Not only did the wounded require blood transfusions, but a good number of Outsiders have been turned into vampires and require a regular food source. A creative solution has been proposed: it’s time for a blood drive! LILITH has set up a medical booth in the streets of Shibuya where volunteers and Outsiders may visit and donate blood. For some added irony, the blood drive is vampire-themed, but LILITH would prefer that Outsiders not tell the donors about the fact that some of their blood will go on to feed actual vampires.

Donors rest on one of the comfortable chairs provided, and a trained medical staff or robot will prick them, drawing out enough blood to fill a bag. Those who do not know their blood type can be tested today and get a cute sticker with their blood type on it! Outsiders may become donors themselves or volunteer to prick others; specialized training will be provided for volunteers. There is a refreshment and relaxation area providing beverages and a light meal (such as little cakes, small sandwiches and onigiri) to all donors.

▶ 005. THE ORPHANS.

Following the mission in Transylvania, several cultist children have been brought back to base. LILITH has prepared a holding area with beds for them to stay in temporarily as a long-term solution is prepared.

These children are understandably very affected by what had happened to them and the town they once considered home. In their perspective, LILITH Outsiders had come out of nowhere and the adults in their town had treated them with hospitality. It was typical for the people of the town to occasionally disappear, and the adults would call it being ‘chosen’ by the Lord of the Forest. What was not typical was what had happened in late October: how chaos had emerged between the people of the town and those from outside, which led to parts of the village being burned down, food being taken, and children being whisked away to this mysterious land.

Someone should probably fill them in on the real story.

Being ripped away from your entire world in such a drastic and violent way would not be easy for anyone to cope with. Most of the children appear miserable and withdrawn, some refusing to eat, some crying in their corners and some refusing to speak. While most of the children are shaken with terror, a few of them cope with their raw emotions by lashing out, hitting the other children, kicking the walls and throwing things at other people. The road to recovery for them appears to be a long one, and currently, it’s not clear if they even can go on to live a normal life after everything they have been through.

Since the Outsiders now have some time on their hands, they are heavily encouraged to make an organized effort to help these children. The holding area looks as clinical as any other hospital room and could use …warmer decor. The area is also bereft of toys or anything a child would typically enjoy, so there’s little for these troubled children to do but sit in their corners feeling miserable for themselves. LILITH does provide robot nannies capable of changing diapers and teaching mathematics, but they are cold and emotionless, lacking any real affection. Presently, LILITH does not have the funds to do anything more than meet these childrens’ basic needs, so they are counting on the Outsiders to provide their support in any way they know how. Keep them company? Teach them something new? Give them treats? Take them trick-o-treating? Every Outsider has a different skill to offer.

Outsiders who gain the trust of certain children will be granted clearance to take them around the base and into the city of Neo Tokyo. These children have grown up isolated from modern technology and people outside their town–the sights and sounds will be overwhelming for them, especially with so many people in costumes, so field trips need to be planned carefully.

While still in the early stages, the Outsider known as PUNISHER (Nicholas D. Wolfwood) has proposed that an orphanage be raised to provide shelter for disadvantaged children in Neo Tokyo. LILITH has plans to make a generous donation to this project, and is calling on Outsiders to raise funds however they see fit. Some examples on how to raise funds include: speaking to investors for toy companies, spreading awareness to their social media followings, putting up musical performances or selling merchandise. (If you wish to have your character gain fans or a following online to aid in the fundraising, you do not need mod permission and can just assume it happens.)

▶ 006. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our 7th 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 8 available player slots. New players are welcome to use this TDM to get samples for when APPLICATIONS open.

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 November AC.

TDM #7 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. Newcomers are placed in gray loungewear while they are being sorted into teams. Blood based food will be served for all vampire turned Outsiders with Halloween themed food for non-vampires. Characters who lost a body part or two in Transylvania may get a free prosthetic when they are ready. On-base therapy and counseling sessions are offered.

2. SIMULATION: An optional simulation prompt featuring TRIANGLE HEAD is offered in a survival-horror themed simulation. Some after affects from this simulation may cause characters to feel fear and panic and are encouraged to watch comforting videos, possibly together, to counteract the side effects.

3. THIS IS HALLOWEEN: Halloween celebration spills into November with Halloween themed bars, costume parties, youkai festival, and the reveal of Kasper, a hologram virtual pet. Troublemaking gangs dressed as clowns wreck havoc when they see a chance and Outsiders are free to intervene for a reward.

4. BLOOD DRIVE: A blood drive to aid in feeding vampiric Outsiders is offered in Shibuya. Outsiders may be donors or phlebotomists for this task.

5. THE ORPHANS: Cultists orphans are held on base while LILITH works on establishing an orphanage for both cultist children and orphans on the street. Outsiders are encouraged to take care of them and even take them trick-or-treating until their new home is ready.

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Comments

Dante | Limbus Company | New

[followyourstar]

DANTE

+

Username: durante
Civilian Identity: Undecided
Age: Unknown
Species: Human
Origin: The City

Blood Type: Unknown

Do you believe in ghosts?

Apparently they're a real paranatural phenomenon, so yes?

credit

A. Blood Drive of Blessing

[This is... uncomfortably familiar. And too soon.

They can't bring themselves to draw closer to the booth, but neither can Dante step away from it, the picture of a parade of broken things, of a broken dream in red rain, and a shining golden star striding ever onward playing over and over again in their mind.

It isn't until they realize someone's drawn close that they startle back into the real world, uncrossing their arms and stepping to the side.]

< Oh, uh, sorry about that. I'm not in your way, am I? >

B. Halloween Festivities!

[This is... slightly more easy to deal with than the blood drive. Maybe because the costumes on display are more varied?

Dante still sure what they're doing or even how to go about celebrating (or even what they're celebrating), but their head seems to have garnered them quite a bit of popularity in the area, even if they have to resist the urge to point out that it's not a mask.

One person was so impressed, they even gifted them a pair of caramel apples! A pair that Dante holds out to the nearest person they see once they're out of sight of the stall.]

< I don't suppose you'd want either of these...? Or know anyone who does? >

C. Just This Playing on Repeat (Simulation)

[For someone so nervous and unsure in social situations, here Dante seems completely calm. And why shouldn't they be? From the eerie atmosphere to the enemy they're supposed to go up against, this simulation is quite possibly the most normal thing they've seen since they've arrived.

Well. Aside from the mission actually involving helping other people, maybe.]

< It might be a bit of a gamble, but I wonder if fighting this thing in the dark might work better than a well-lit area. There'd be less shadows for it to come out of in that case, right? >

D. Wildcard!

[If you have something else you'd like to play out, feel free to go ahead! Or if you'd like to bounce ideas off one another, you can contact me at shadetoshade. o/]

B

[immortalpoet]

[A pair of red eyes is absolutely meeting the apples with the same weary stare that Dante is accustomed to, complete with a mild grimace.]

Well, well, well. Look what LILITH brought in. Dante. You're here?

[Hi, Manager. Your helpful guide is here. Maybe not so helpful.]

[followyourstar]

< ...Ah. >

[This is... suddenly a lot more awkward. At least he doesn't look mad or even disappointed. Just the same as always. With those eyes they aren't sure they can look at the same way anymore.]

< Yeah. I sure am. > [Now that they know for a fact he can understand them thanks to the power of text-to-speech, they're not sure how to proceed] < But hey, it's not like I'm not used to this sort of situation already. >

[They lower one of the apples but keep the other held out. He's obviously not going to eat both of them, but of the two of them he's the only one with a mouth.

...They're not going to be stuck holding both of these for the rest of the night, are they?]

[immortalpoet]

...

[A long, long pause. Vergilius's mouth twitches.]

A pity. And here I enjoyed watching the minute details of the movement of your little hands there, Dante.

[He has a lot of questions...but first. The apples. He eyes them.]

Unfortunately....you have come an an inopportune time. I can't eat them.

[followyourstar]

[The other hand lowers little by little, their head cocking to the side as they process Vergilius's words.]

< What do you mean? It's fine if you don't like them. I just don't want to waste them by throwing them away. >

[...So they say. But in truth, even from what little they've managed to pick up since they've gotten here, they think they might have an idea what he means.]

[immortalpoet]

...





[Yeah, he's opening up his mouth. Check out the fangies.]

They would be tasteless.

C

[kidobutai]

Oh? That is an interesting conclusion.

[Akagi is at complete and total ease herself. It's something that comes from who and what she is. Her nine tails lazily waved behind her, while her blood-red, crimson eyes, faintly glowed in the low light. The fox carrier is fine in these conditions and holds no fear over the creature pursuing them, but others might not hold the same reservations.

With that in mind, she kept her balls of fox fire floating idly around herself to mingle with the ambient light around them.]

Hmm, we could give it a try. But I would be far more worried that it's using those dark spaces to move.

[Unless it specifically needs shadows to move. Her mind was operating on it being unable to manifest in light. Nevertheless, Akagi was all for experimental ideas.]

[followyourstar]

[Red eyes... They feel like they're seeing a lot of people with red eyes recently. Although this person's a bit different, what with the tails and all.

Not that they have much room to talk when it comes to being different.]

< Yeah, that's going to be a problem. I'm hoping that because they said shadows they meant those specifically. If not... >

[Their hand drifts to where their chin would be as they think.]

< We could try it somewhere there's an easy escape to somewhere brighter? Just to cover all our bases. >

[kidobutai]

[Fox tails, fox ears, fox eyes, and a fox attitude. For the most part, Akagi has been holding her reservations and judgment about most people here.

To an extent.]

If not then I can deal with the fallout, rest assured.

[An air of sultry confidence hung about the woman as she spoke those words. She doesn't feel that there's much to be worried about here. If anything, it should be the creature chasing them that should be afraid.

Monsters come in all forms and packages.]

I can create a safe path for us if things truly take a turn for the worst.

[As an example, she holds up an index finger and creates another ball of floating, glowing fire.]

[followyourstar]

[That's something you don't see every day. For a moment they wonder if the fox getup is some sort of E.G.O. (some variant of Drifting Fox, maybe?), but it doesn't feel like that's the case.

Just her then.]

< Good to hear. I'm better with strategy than I am with fighting, so I'll be counting on you. >

[Which is to say that they're more of a noncombatant, but they're willing to help!]

< Are you used to fighting this kind of thing? I know LILITH brought us all here to fight, but this seems... a lot smaller than the sorts of things they described. More like what I'm used to seeing, actually. >

[kidobutai]

[Semi-close, but still off the mark for what she is. Not that Akagi is going to readily disclose her nature to those she's just met. No, not yet. It's much more fun to keep people guessing - keep them on their toes. To keep her cards close to her chest and away from prying eyes.

Some habits do die hard.]

Things like the creature we face now? [Akagi taps a finger to her cheek, ears twitching playfully.] Not quite. I'm usually more concerned about larger prey than what we face here.

[There are still some parallels that could be drawn from, she supposed. Certainly, a good number of her enemies she's faced before could be thought of as similar.]

I won't disappoint you or let anything happen to you. Provided you stay close to me.

[Her tone is very self-assured as she speaks. Thus far, even with her abilities hampered, there hasn't been much here to cause her a lot of problems or worry.]

A!

[axethrows]

Dante?

[A certain Sinner has been minding her own business nearby and was passing by the blood drive location until she stopped herself. It's not hard to miss Dante, but when they are standing very still and lost in thought, it would be a good idea to check in on them. As soon as they click back into reality, she sighs a little in relief before shaking her head on their question.]

Me? Nah, I was only passing by. Did something happened?

[followyourstar]

< Oh, Rodya! Sorry, I guess I was paying even less attention than I thought. >

[That question, though, isn't the easiest to answer. Not in a way that isn't vague. So vague is what it'll have to be.]

< I was just... thinking to myself, I guess. Looking at that booth there, it's kind of a familiar sight, isn't it? Sort of. >

[axethrows]

Hey, as long as you're okay, it's fine!

[Even if the bus team's state of "okay" is sometimes questionable to most people. It would be bad if there was another Giant Head Fire moment in the making, but looks like it's fine so far. Their statement did catch her attention that she looks upon the sights once again to see if anything clicks.]

Is it familiar? I guess..? I mean, there was last mission- [Wait-] Oh! Did ya remember something from your previous head?

[She could have worded that better...]

[followyourstar]

< Nope. That's still just as blank as ever. >

[But that's strange... Nothing at all? Or maybe everything that happened in La Manchaland got to Rodya more than they thought.]

< It's kind of funny though. Seems like wherever we go there's Bloodfiends lately. Even here in a completely different world. Who would have guessed? >

[axethrows]

Yeah! Some stuff stays the same in different worlds, even if they go under another name. Kinda neat, huh?

[Sadly, it's the former because last time she checked in with home is that they were leaving T Corp and heading to a WARP train ride. While she knows that there is weird time things going on, she will try to take a few things with stride.]

Sorry if this sounds weird, but did we meet Bloodfiends back home? The mission I was talking about... It was about the one that happened here.

[Oh Boy It's A Lot Dante...]

A!

[zauneyete]

[ Dante had been at just the right place, positioned just right... that someone had snuck right behind them, hand already into a cooler (very perfectly placed!) when they stepped aside, and apologized.

Great. Were these free to be procured by outsiders with the need back at base? Yes. Did he want to be seen, asking for a damn blood bag? No, absolutely not. Sometimes, one needed an emergency supply outside of the rationed blood. Or maybe people were just always operating on an assumption of resource scarcity. It's hard to tell.

His hand stilled, and he tipped his head, nodding right back to the place where they'd been standing. ]

No, do you mind? [ He said in a low hiss. ] You were fine where you were.

[ You know, conveniently blocking anyone from seeing the slight, slim man pilfering a few bags. ]

[followyourstar]

[Okay. They may not know much about what's going on here just yet, but even they know enough to know this is shady.]

< ...I don't know. Here seems like a pretty good spot too. One of the lights was in my eyes in the old one. >

[Says the person without any real eyes to speak of.]

[zauneyete]

[ The guy just exudes shady, really. From the reek of cigar smoke, to the wide collared, filigree lined coat, to the eye — only one eye narrows, can they see? — but his fingers slide out of the cooler. Somehow, he makes it look less like a guilty child caught with their hands in the cookie jar, and more like a snake, slithering out from under a rock they aren't supposed to be in. ]

Could always turn around, you know. I've heard if people shift around too much, they start to look guilty.

[ Says... the guilty party?? ]

[followyourstar]

< Aren't you the one telling me to move? >

[And his hand was clearly in the cooler!]

< What are you even doing? >

[zauneyete]

What does it look like?

[ Stealing blood?? ]

I was... lightening the load. For the delivery staff.

[ He smiled, and spread his hands. It's the picture of magnanimity, but the kind that's inauthentic. Like someone who's used to getting away with a few choice words. ]

After all, it's going to the same place, whether I get it here or elsewhere.

B

[idealitas]

I can take it Dante, if it's burdensome for you to possess something you cannot enjoy as a confection.

[ They can't eat it, having no mouth on a clock and all. But it seems like a great costume that people don't realize, how unfortunate....
But, the most unassuming of thesinners has on a mummy costume for the festivities because that seems to be the most fitting, since he has that look of a man who doesn't know rest. We'll assume others felt the same when offering the costume to him for the sake of Halloween spirit. ]

Thank you for offering.

[ To be considered, even for something like a simple treat with noone else to be given, makes Yi Sang very happy. Also that he found Dante in this unfamiliar place to ease both their concerns, if any are had. ]

omg that art!!

[followyourstar]

[Yi Sang! A familiar face... and a reliable one at that. Dante may still be a little on edge, all things considered, but there's something to be said for the familiar.]

< You can take them both if you want. >

[Although...]

< By the way... I don't think I recognize that costume. >

[There's too few wrappings for it to be the King in Binds... And aren't those supposed to be red anyway?]

[idealitas]

I am content with one for now. If you meet one with a youthful hankering for sugar like Charon or Don Quixote, you won't have them disappointed.

[ The wrappings also aren't pink, so not Roseate Desire either.

...Don't think we want Yi Sang with that EGO. The yandere with ribbons is bad news. ]

it seems to be based off
a mythological or folktale creature, when I made an inquiry. An embalmed corpse awoken by the disturbance of its sacred resting place. An Abnormality possibility in concept but there arent enough ambiguities to really label it as such.

I would assume you did not need to worry of seasonal raiments that fit the dress code?

[followyourstar]

[But boy would he be able to bust a move in those shoes.

They lower the spare apple once more.]

< No, my head's apparently more than enough for most people. I'm not sure what I'd pick to go with it anyway. >

[Although they could use the cloaking device and pick whatever they wanted... But they're still getting used to the idea of that thing, too.]