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sinfucks2025-01-01 12:00 pm
synfluxmods) wrote in sinfucks2025-01-01 12:00 pm
Entry tags:
▶ 008. TEST DRIVE #8
TEST DRIVE #8
▶ 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 …
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 2279 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 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.
The cafeteria will be hosting its own version of a feast to ring in the new years. The robots on base will be offering a savory mochi soup with both lab-made and fresh vegetables procured from Transylvania. There will also be a self-serve bar of soba noodles with a simple broth. These are all accompanied by vegetables which have been prepared in various ways to last throughout the month, and act as side dishes to every meal. As the vegetables are a work in progress, some will look or taste peculiarly, or have a bitterness that remains on the tongue.
Additionally, an impressive bronze cauldron now sits proudly in the corner of the cafeteria, marked by a small sign reading "LILITH's Community Perpetual Stew."
True to its name, the stew is now a constant presence, and after every mission, the cauldron’s contents are conspicuously replenished, ensuring it's always filled to the brim for all to enjoy. What the stew evolves into over time is anyone's guess, but for now, it boasts a hearty medley of Transylvania's freshest meats and vegetables, seasoned to perfection.
Visitors and team members alike are encouraged to contribute their own ingredients, with one rule in place: the robot staff, ever vigilant, are programmed to detect any malicious tampering. Should anyone attempt to add something harmful, they will be politely but firmly asked to leave the premises.
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 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:
What are your new year’s resolutions?
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 2279 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 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.
The cafeteria will be hosting its own version of a feast to ring in the new years. The robots on base will be offering a savory mochi soup with both lab-made and fresh vegetables procured from Transylvania. There will also be a self-serve bar of soba noodles with a simple broth. These are all accompanied by vegetables which have been prepared in various ways to last throughout the month, and act as side dishes to every meal. As the vegetables are a work in progress, some will look or taste peculiarly, or have a bitterness that remains on the tongue.
Additionally, an impressive bronze cauldron now sits proudly in the corner of the cafeteria, marked by a small sign reading "LILITH's Community Perpetual Stew."
True to its name, the stew is now a constant presence, and after every mission, the cauldron’s contents are conspicuously replenished, ensuring it's always filled to the brim for all to enjoy. What the stew evolves into over time is anyone's guess, but for now, it boasts a hearty medley of Transylvania's freshest meats and vegetables, seasoned to perfection.
Visitors and team members alike are encouraged to contribute their own ingredients, with one rule in place: the robot staff, ever vigilant, are programmed to detect any malicious tampering. Should anyone attempt to add something harmful, they will be politely but firmly asked to leave the premises.
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. HAPPY NEW YEAR.
While normally the shrines tucked away within the bustle of the city are quiet and exude a certain tranquility about them, they will be brought to life with celebration for the New Years. Similarly to years before, they will have street vendors offering all the traditional classics, but some will also have a spin to them. For the year of the sheep/ram, there will be fluffy cotton candy to represent the fuwa fuwa of sheep, onigiri in the shape of a ram, and hearty lamb curry.
The temples themselves will have several offerings, but the biggest event is always the bell chiming in for the new years, as well as the celebration for the first sunrise of the year. In light of this, many vendors will be passing out sake, as well as energy drinks. Regardless of the timing, the area for one to purchase their fortunes will be made available. For those who get an awful one, thankfully, there is no shortage of people who are queued up in order to hang up their bad fortunes in order to cast them aside for the coming year.
Outside of this, there will also be corners in which people can write their new years greetings out to their loved ones. Both digitally, or in the form of a physical postcard. People are encouraged to decorate and send their own, and they may or may not be pressured to do so if they so happen to catch the eye of enthusiastic locals. Those who find themselves trapped into this, will find themselves compelled to be honest as soon as their pen hits paper, or for those who opt on a digital card, their true thoughts will be conveyed instantaneously.
The shrines and vendors outside of them aren’t the only ones getting into the spirit of things. The shopping districts are also banking on the continuation of the holidays. As with every year, they will have special sales, and every store will put out their “lucky bags.” The lucky bags will often be sold at discounted prices, but there is no telling what the actual items in them will be. Perhaps, you can test your luck and make a profit while you’re at it?
The temples themselves will have several offerings, but the biggest event is always the bell chiming in for the new years, as well as the celebration for the first sunrise of the year. In light of this, many vendors will be passing out sake, as well as energy drinks. Regardless of the timing, the area for one to purchase their fortunes will be made available. For those who get an awful one, thankfully, there is no shortage of people who are queued up in order to hang up their bad fortunes in order to cast them aside for the coming year.
Outside of this, there will also be corners in which people can write their new years greetings out to their loved ones. Both digitally, or in the form of a physical postcard. People are encouraged to decorate and send their own, and they may or may not be pressured to do so if they so happen to catch the eye of enthusiastic locals. Those who find themselves trapped into this, will find themselves compelled to be honest as soon as their pen hits paper, or for those who opt on a digital card, their true thoughts will be conveyed instantaneously.
The shrines and vendors outside of them aren’t the only ones getting into the spirit of things. The shopping districts are also banking on the continuation of the holidays. As with every year, they will have special sales, and every store will put out their “lucky bags.” The lucky bags will often be sold at discounted prices, but there is no telling what the actual items in them will be. Perhaps, you can test your luck and make a profit while you’re at it?
▶ 003. NEW YEAR MERCENARIES.
Amid all of the public celebrations, local businesses and organizations throw New Year parties for their employees and members. Many of these parties take place at luxury high rise hotels or award winning restaurants in the city. These celebrations are easy to plan, safe within the city limits.
However, there are some groups that won't settle for just safe and easy. No, they have to show off their wealth and influence by going on luxury trips outside the city to the traditional inn on the outskirts of the city. The journey outside the city is risky– there is a high chance their entourage may be attacked by kaiju on the way to the inn and when they arrive, their activity will surely draw attention from even more kaiju. Still, that doesn't stop them from setting out and reveling in celebrations.
These figures will hire mercenaries to escort them into the mountains and keep them safe through the duration of their stay. Most of them are wealthy CEOs and politicians who may or may not have certain shadowy connections so they can afford to pay for protection. They promise high commissions and even offer to pay for a shared room and meals.
Sure, they have to share a room and they might not get the same high quality meals and drinks as the main party but it's not so bad, right? They're free to use the hot springs after everyone else is finished, too. All they have to do in return is spend some time out in the freezing cold and keep kaiju away so everyone else can have a good time.
Just remind yourself: You're doing it for the money!
However, there are some groups that won't settle for just safe and easy. No, they have to show off their wealth and influence by going on luxury trips outside the city to the traditional inn on the outskirts of the city. The journey outside the city is risky– there is a high chance their entourage may be attacked by kaiju on the way to the inn and when they arrive, their activity will surely draw attention from even more kaiju. Still, that doesn't stop them from setting out and reveling in celebrations.
These figures will hire mercenaries to escort them into the mountains and keep them safe through the duration of their stay. Most of them are wealthy CEOs and politicians who may or may not have certain shadowy connections so they can afford to pay for protection. They promise high commissions and even offer to pay for a shared room and meals.
Sure, they have to share a room and they might not get the same high quality meals and drinks as the main party but it's not so bad, right? They're free to use the hot springs after everyone else is finished, too. All they have to do in return is spend some time out in the freezing cold and keep kaiju away so everyone else can have a good time.
Just remind yourself: You're doing it for the money!
▶ 004. A DEADLY SOAK.
A few days into the new year, people living outside the Neo Tokyo metropolitan area have been having a hard time due to the recent appearance of medium-sized kaiju. No one knows where they had come from, but there’s reason to believe that a small rift has emerged somewhere and it’s mutating the local wildlife. One popular, family-run business that is going through some hard times is the Yuryo onsen, in Hakone, an outer suburb of Neo Tokyo. Seasoned Outsiders might be very familiar with this onsen resort already, as it’s one of the last surviving ones outside Metropolitan Tokyo and hosts a huge colony of feral cats.
Drawn in by the comfort of a warm bath in the cold winter, a troop of mutated macaques have made said onsen resort their home, and they have made it impossible for any customers to visit. These monkeys vary in size depending on rift exposure, with some of them as large as a lion, and others as large as an elephant. Business for the local onsen has been impossible with the macaques occupying the hot springs, stealing food and harassing guests. Though appearing docile as they sit and bathe in the springs, these macaques have become fiercely territorial following the rift’s influence. When they identify a threat, they will let out a piercing scream that’s enough to make ears bleed. Their claws and teeth are sharp, and primates are known to be brutal when tearing apart their enemies. It’s a situation that needs to be contained immediately if people are going to continue living in the outer suburbs.
The macaques aren’t the only wildlife that have been affected by rift. Pockets of Yama-Kujira have been seen roaming the forests and abandoned small towns. While a large portion of the outer suburbs are uninhabited, there continue to be some stragglers toughing it out in the abandoned houses. They all have their own reasons for choosing not to live in the armored city but they will need to be protected all the same. The Yama-Kujira are blind but vicious, making up for their lack of eyesight by charging into anything and everything. Refer to our bestiary or previous TDM for more information about this boar kaiju.
With the increased reports of mutating local wildlife, LILITH has requested that Outsiders also round up the colony of feral cats that normally roam the onsen. If a pride of mutated felines were to emerge in the outer suburbs, the results would simply be disastrous … These cats, fearful of the kaiju, will be skittish and very, very difficult to catch.
█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: Nihonzaru
HEIGHT: 2-10 meters
WEIGHT: 20-200kg
CLASS: Moderate threat
LOCATION: Tokyo, Japan
ABILITIES: A piercing scream that can cause ringing in the ears, temporary deafness and bleeding from the ear canal with frequent exposure. Razor sharp claws and teeth. Considerable strength and muscle. Highly intelligent, capable of using basic tactical strategies, using tools (please do not leave your weapon unattended), capitalizing on weaknesses (please do not leave your children unattended) and reading the movements of their enemies. Family orientated and attacks in groups.
WEAKNESS: With how intelligent they are, they might not find a battle worth fighting if they are at a clear disadvantage or there are benefits to being passive. This means they can be bribed to a degree. It also means they will run away if outnumbered. Their skin is not particularly dense and they are weak to being stabbed in their vital organs.
EXTRA NOTES: Juveniles are playful, mischievous and can build bonds with humans, mistaking the humans as their family. Some of the adults can also build bonds with enough bribery.
█ █ █ MISSION OBJECTIVE:
✖ Incapacitate and capture the Nihonzaru and Yama-Kujira and bring them back to base. Large cages will be provided for this purpose.
✖ Kill the kaiju if necessary, especially if they are threatening the people in the area.
✖ Capture the feral cats and bring them back to base.
✖ Following the return to base, these cats will require care. As LILITH does not have the resources for this, the ban on pets on base will be lifted and Outsiders will be encouraged to care for the cats.
█ █ █ ATTACHED PHOTO:
Drawn in by the comfort of a warm bath in the cold winter, a troop of mutated macaques have made said onsen resort their home, and they have made it impossible for any customers to visit. These monkeys vary in size depending on rift exposure, with some of them as large as a lion, and others as large as an elephant. Business for the local onsen has been impossible with the macaques occupying the hot springs, stealing food and harassing guests. Though appearing docile as they sit and bathe in the springs, these macaques have become fiercely territorial following the rift’s influence. When they identify a threat, they will let out a piercing scream that’s enough to make ears bleed. Their claws and teeth are sharp, and primates are known to be brutal when tearing apart their enemies. It’s a situation that needs to be contained immediately if people are going to continue living in the outer suburbs.
The macaques aren’t the only wildlife that have been affected by rift. Pockets of Yama-Kujira have been seen roaming the forests and abandoned small towns. While a large portion of the outer suburbs are uninhabited, there continue to be some stragglers toughing it out in the abandoned houses. They all have their own reasons for choosing not to live in the armored city but they will need to be protected all the same. The Yama-Kujira are blind but vicious, making up for their lack of eyesight by charging into anything and everything. Refer to our bestiary or previous TDM for more information about this boar kaiju.
With the increased reports of mutating local wildlife, LILITH has requested that Outsiders also round up the colony of feral cats that normally roam the onsen. If a pride of mutated felines were to emerge in the outer suburbs, the results would simply be disastrous … These cats, fearful of the kaiju, will be skittish and very, very difficult to catch.
█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: Nihonzaru
HEIGHT: 2-10 meters
WEIGHT: 20-200kg
CLASS: Moderate threat
LOCATION: Tokyo, Japan
ABILITIES: A piercing scream that can cause ringing in the ears, temporary deafness and bleeding from the ear canal with frequent exposure. Razor sharp claws and teeth. Considerable strength and muscle. Highly intelligent, capable of using basic tactical strategies, using tools (please do not leave your weapon unattended), capitalizing on weaknesses (please do not leave your children unattended) and reading the movements of their enemies. Family orientated and attacks in groups.
WEAKNESS: With how intelligent they are, they might not find a battle worth fighting if they are at a clear disadvantage or there are benefits to being passive. This means they can be bribed to a degree. It also means they will run away if outnumbered. Their skin is not particularly dense and they are weak to being stabbed in their vital organs.
EXTRA NOTES: Juveniles are playful, mischievous and can build bonds with humans, mistaking the humans as their family. Some of the adults can also build bonds with enough bribery.
█ █ █ MISSION OBJECTIVE:
✖ Incapacitate and capture the Nihonzaru and Yama-Kujira and bring them back to base. Large cages will be provided for this purpose.
✖ Kill the kaiju if necessary, especially if they are threatening the people in the area.
✖ Capture the feral cats and bring them back to base.
✖ Following the return to base, these cats will require care. As LILITH does not have the resources for this, the ban on pets on base will be lifted and Outsiders will be encouraged to care for the cats.
█ █ █ ATTACHED PHOTO:
▶ 005. AFTERWORD.
Welcome to our 8th 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 9 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.
Please note that all tags in this log will count for 2 reward points each and will count towards January AC.
There are currently 9 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.
Please note that all tags in this log will count for 2 reward points each and will count towards January AC.
TDM #8 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.
2. HAPPY NEW YEAR: Outsiders are welcome to visit local temples for New Year's activities, which include drawing fortune slips and writing down their wishes for the new year. Many sheep-themed goods and foods are also on sale to welcome the Year of the Sheep.
3. NEW YEAR MERCENARIES: High-profile businessman and politicians are hiring bodyguards and protective mercenaries to keep them safe as they enjoy new year's travel and celebrations. In return for being out in the cold and fighting smaller kaiju during the holidays, they offer high monetary compensation.
4. A DEADLY SOAK: Monkey and boar kaiju are attacking the outer suburbs of Tokyo, including a popular onsen spot. Capture/kill the kaiju and protect the people living there. Round up the feral cats to prevent them from rift exposure.
.
no subject
You think you're better off
( in that year, his defensiveness has unfortunately only become more acute.
he's fine. he's fine, and he's told everyone time and time again that he's fine. why can't anyone just accept that? even strangers are getting on his case. why? why? )
Focus on Taro
I'll be there soon
no subject
He's fine thx
Maybe I am better off than you, so what? I'm saying it sounds tough
no subject
the moment the ambulance doors open, he surges into activity.
about fifteen minutes later, kaladin gets back to xXdarkwarriorXx with an update: )
Forget it
That took longer than I thought
Are you two still in the same spot
no subject
It feels like an eternity when he's sat with someone as inebriated as Taro, attempting conversation with only the barest of interest but it doesn't seem to bother his conversational partner any. If anything, it makes him stronger. ]
I had forgotten it since you ghosted me for forever but now you're back, great
We haven't moved, still Yuura Shrine. You need him by the road or smth?
no subject
( he forces himself to focus up, elbows on his knees in the back of the ambulance. again.
all night.
that's not noctis' fault. it's people like taro's. )
Shouldn't be long now
I was there a couple of hours ago and it's close
If you get him by the road extraction will be easier
We can check him out and then deal with anyone else who needs help on-site
Do you think it was alcohol
Or does it seem more like he's high
no subject
[ It's petty and he regrets it once it's sent, but there's an adjustment period to be undertaken where the speed with which texts can be fired off here is concerned. Ugh...
Already he's convincing Taro to stand, offering him a shoulder with a warning not to go for his hair again, when a question comes that he isn't prepared for. ]
He's not sober [ Factual. ]
High vs drunk prob looks different where I'm from, what's the difference here
no subject
( were noctis to get hurt and be placed in his care, he'd take just as much time with him. almighty forbid that from happening, but thinking it comforts him. it brings him closer to his ideals.
even the teammates he disagrees with will need equal service. kaladin is confident he can provide that, and feels better because of it. )
The differences can be subtle
Pupil size
Speech patterns
Coordination
Mood and energy levels
Unfortunately it depends on the drug
Psychedelics can make people see things and become physical
Amphetamines can drastically increase activity and confidence
It's fine if you don't know but I need to ask these things
If you'd like to sit in with Taro to see him to the hospital you're welcome to
no subject
His pupils look pretty big, but it's hard to tell bc he's moving his eyes a ton and talking fast. He can walk okay but I have to steer him so he doesn't get distracted and wander off the wrong way
[ And based on what little he knows about drunks, well... ]
Gonna guess high. I can go with him in case he needs help getting back home or w/e. Plus I can help hold him down if he gets rough again
1/2
We're about to pull up
( a couple of blocks away, kaladin hesitates. his partners, wu and masa, do not, flooring it with sirens blaring. )
Good instincts though
Sounds high to me
I think I misinterpreted the situation
You didn't say he got rough before
I'll need to take a look at your head when you get in
( with that said, kaladin pushes open the ambulance doors the moment wu eases her foot off the gas. a boot drops onto the metal step leading into the back, and a familiar head of unruly hair—kept out of his face with a loose tie—emerges, followed closely by the rest of him.
a stretcher shouldn't be necessary if taro's walking, so it's left behind. searching the length of the sidewalk for him, he spots a couple of men swaying a few metres down. )
2/2
( "alright, boys, meet back in five." wu gives kaladin a heavy, trusting pat on the shoulder, stepping off the concrete to trudge into the grass.
"cool. you good, wero?" )
Yeah, I've got this, Masa. You guys go check the tents.
( waves them on, awkwardly looking back at noctis. )
Uh, hey. ( ... ) Is this Taro?
no subject
Calvin? [ His disbelief is on full display for the moment that it's allowed to be, right before the arm around his shoulders tightens into a chokehold to drag him in against Taro's chest.
"You... you didn't say the feds were coming! The doctors and the cops, they all work together!" ]
Taro! Geeze– Knock it off already... [ Slender fingers that don't appear to possess half the strength they do suddenly curl around Taro's wrist, disengaging that hold with a quick duck and a squeeze that prevents him from being able to run anywhere as Noctis steps in behind him to pin his arm. ]
This is Calvin, I told you about him. [ A brazen but quick lie. ] He knows Jackie. And... this is just to make sure you're okay.
[ "J... Jackie? Jackie said it was okay?" ]
Yeah... come on, it's way too cold out here for you without a jacket, let's go. [ His grip loosens only enough to make Taro's steps forward easier, even if the man is still clearly wary upon approaching the ambulance.
And when Noctis's next words come it's through the implant, eyes flashing as he composes another quick message to Kaladin. ]
Hey sorry he was losing steam earlier and I figured he was cool, pretty sure he'll calm down when he gets seated
no subject
thankfully, all it takes is the firm manipulation of taro's wrist and a few choice words from the other LILITH draftee to restrain him. well-handled, and something he wouldn't have known to do without personal knowledge of the patient. LILITH's selections are becoming more competent if this is any indication; a more thorough apology is owed to noctis about violent tendencies he doesn't spot here... when taro is safe on a stretcher. )
I don't work for the feds, Taro. I work for you, ( kaladin begins, listening to noctis' message as he leads them to the back of the ambulance. with a significant glance and a subtle shake of his head, he confesses the obvious: he can listen, but he must speak to reply. )
Let me get you up into the back where it's warm, and I'll get you a blanket. Samuel's coming, too—he'll keep us company on the way to the hospital. ( taro, whose eyes dart everywhere when he gets a peek at the bus' equipment, leans back against noctis to escape kaladin's slow reach forward.
time to push noctis' tactic a little further, climbing inside with a crouch to try again. )
We need your help here, Taro. ( eventually, it'll be enough. even the distraction of making taro the main character of the situation enables kaladin to get a hand under his armpit to bring him forward. with noctis pinning taro's arms, they can work together to get him up the metal step and into his domain. ) The police were called to search the premises. They're still a few minutes out, but we have to leave before they come down on us, understand?
( the stretcher doesn't have straps, but it's about to. he snakes touch along the opening of one of the hanging bags the ambulance is stocked with, seeking thick cloth ties. )
That's it. That's it, Taro... we'll be out of here in no time. Samuel, want to ease him down there? All the way down.
no subject
Kaladin can't read, huh... which means he can't write, either, so was he using some kind of speech-to-text option that whole time?
... was he audibly being that stubborn and defensive where his coworkers had the opportunity to overhear him? The thought is distracting enough to keep him calm even when Taro accidentally introduces an elbow to his face in the process of getting him down onto the stretcher, a blow he shrugs off with a dramatic click of his tongue and a glance of irritation. ]
Come on, Taro... We talked about this already. I'm not gonna' leave you here on your own but if you keep hitting me you're gonna' make it hard for me to stick around.
[ "Wait, don't go... I promise I'll be good, okay, Samuel? I didn't mean it! You need to stay or Jackie will never show up! Please... please, both of you, I don't wanna' get caught by the cops–"
This he directs at Kaladin, a clear adoption of his story that has Noctis offering him a quick validating nod when he's sure Taro isn't looking. Fine, temperamental or not, it's obvious he knows what he's doing. It certainly took Noctis longer to get him to buy anything he had to say. ]
Here, calm down. You wanna' rest here, right? It's warm, you're not hitting anybody, and there's no... cops. [ Any desire to say "guards" is carefully controlled. ]
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noctis seems alright. he nods at him and isn't dazed, so a quick check after restraints are in place will wick any lingering worries.
up taro gets onto the stretcher with three helping hands on his arms and back. ) They aren't going to find you in here, Taro. Listen to us now, and put your arms down, okay? Samuel's going to get you one of the blankets from the other side of the stretcher. ( the fourth hand, held at kaladin's side, joins in after a delay.
there's no rush to the way one of taro's arms is bound to the bar or in how another tie is passed over his chest to noctis. kaladin is calm and confident, placing a firm hand down on his patient's forehead to remove any chance of him sitting up. there's an unavoidable thrashing, but it's a fair match-up for neither kaladin nor noctis. ankles are methodically seen to after wrists, then the whole thing is over as if it'd never begun. despite the shouting.
sedative assessment tool gives a score of positive three... administer ketamine, but keep the dosage low to avoid drug interactions. )
Under the seat. It folds up. ( noctis is left to the task as kaladin takes his seat by taro's shoulder, unpacking a syringe and bottle procured from a large zippered kit. ) You've been restrained because you're in an agitated state, Taro. We don't want you to hurt yourself, or anyone at the hospital. We're here to help—
( "no, no! you told me we were cool! jackie! i knew you were with the feds! i knew you were cops! but you got nothing on me! jackie!"
with a peek up at where noctis endures the brunt of samuel's mania, kaladin introduces the sedative to a tense deltoid. it's a quick pinch, in and out, not wanting to risk ensuring the application is perfect when the needle tip could alarm taro. it seems, though, by his lack of reaction, that it's a common and welcome feeling for him. once the powerful drug hits the bloodstream, carried off to whittle away at that overactivity, the agents of LILITH can watch their ward melt out onto the stretcher and lose the will to move.
and in the following quiet, kaladin rests.
there isn't much more to be done, really. get a few stickers on him, take his blood pressure, and ensure he's warm... kaladin's partners have reassured him that even in emergencies when every moment is life or death, they must take care of themselves. even then.
they know better than him. )
You okay?
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Kaladin maintains his cool even when he's shouted at and physically threatened, prioritizing the safety of his patient over himself. One strap, then another. Slow. Methodical. Nothing that might escalate the battle even further or necessitate violence from either of them. ]
Oh. Uh–
[ He realizes late that the blanket hadn't just been a diversionary tactic, seeing to it while Kaladin readies the sedative. The back of the ambulance is smaller than it feels when it manages to contain so many supplies and gadgets he doesn't recognize, suddenly finding he welcomes the task when there's a quiet discomfort growing in the pit of his stomach. ]
... he's gonna' be alright? [ The question's only asked once he's got that blanket over him and those brow-furrowing shouts have begun to slur into tired mumbles. Before, Taro felt like an inconvenience to his night. Now, seeing him lying here, genuine fear and confusion leaving his eyes as they roll back into his head, he feels a stab of guilt over the characterization.
Whether he faces repercussions later at the hospital or not, he's definitely better off than he would've been at the shrine, in the cold. That's some comfort. ]
–I'm fine. Just realizing I should've called you earlier, but I guess that's why people leave this stuff to professionals. [ He finds the seat the blanket had been stashed under, slumping into it with blue eyes still fixed on "their" patient. ]
... he really seemed freaked out. You've been dealing with this stuff all night?
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( noctis should be celebrated for making the decision, and kaladin won't let him leave with the impression that he failed to help. taro is lying comfortably beneath a blanket, oblivious to them in his artificial sleep state, safe and calm and recovering. without them, that could never have happened.
it makes him feel... good. better. )
I'm not really supposed to say that anymore, so keep your mouth shut. I'm not getting another write-up in my file. ( something about liability or whatever. not that he storming cares. holding onto hope is half the battle in situations like these, and even though he's a surgeon, even though his father would be disappointed in him for being soft where he should've grown calluses, he can't help the white lie.
in truth, he doesn't know. )
Anyway, I'm a few hours in. Got a few more to go. You should—
( masa arrives at the back windows to interrupt them, a man currently comprised of a hat and two rolling eyes.
kaladin listens to masa circle the ambulance, quieter now. he can't speak as freely now that the second of his partners has arrived earlier than expected—and separately from the first. he must've been bored standing around while wu argued with police officers about kaladin's accusatory call; now he's here grunting his way into the passenger's seat.
"wero, man, you pick up too many strays." )
Status?
( "party's still going. everyone's drunk off their asses. wu's still talkin' with the cops. you three good?" watching noctis between seats, the brotherly paramedic grins. "hey, kid. ridin' with us to the hospital? put on a jacket and a pair of gloves, will you? we're short-staffed here." )
Leave him be. ( an order from kaladin masa takes seriously but not to heart. they know by now how their partner gets around his patients. )
We'll head out when Wu gets back, Samuel. Won't be long now. In the meantime, you should let me take a look at your head.