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𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚏𝚕𝚞𝚡 𝙼𝚘𝚍𝚜 ([personal profile] synfluxmods) wrote in [community profile] sinfucks2025-02-27 09:29 pm
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TEST DRIVE #9

TEST DRIVE #9


CONTENT WARNINGS: nudity, medical procedures, possession, puppets, bug kaiju, monster mutations

▶ 001. ARRIVAL / CAFETERIA. (KYOTO BASE)

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, you regain consciousness in a pool of stasis liquid along many others. You realize you are underground. Your new life is about to begin... whether you like it or not.

When the pool mostly drains of its liquid, each Outsider will find themselves in what appears to be a large pool of some sort; they are underground. The base in Kyoto isn’t fully equipped with individual pods, and so the newly arrived will find themselves in a tangle of limbs, or depending on when they wake, utterly alone in this vast space. While normally they arrive in their undergarments, there is a chance that they could arrive totally nude due to lack of resources in Kyoto. Those who are not nude, however, may find themselves in whatever undergarments LILITH could provide for them at the time. Maybe it's something basic and simple like whitey tighties, or something saucy like a lingerie set, maybe matching Hello Kitty bra and panties. When they fully regain their bearings, they will be ushered into the medical bay space right across from the stasis pool, in which several grey LILITH-issued yukata will be prepared for them.

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 stasis pool, 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:
Syndata File: 🎉 NOW PUBLIC ACCESSIBLE 🎉

Have you ever had a dream that that you um you had you'd you would you could you'd do you wi you wants you you could do so you you'd do you could you you want you want him to do you so much you could do anything?




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! Also, current Outsiders will see that their Syndata Files are now accessible for all to see. (If you would like your Syndata file to be private for some reason, just assume it is inaccessible for some reason.)

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 mess hall at this base is on the surface level; not underground, and while larger, it does have a lot of empty space that still needs to be fitted in. The kitchen can be seen and one or two robots are busy stirring pots and preparing the dishes. The current offerings are a spicy turtle soup and deep fried vegetables roots that have been cultivated at this base in Kyoto. Not all the veggies used are a hit, some more pungent than others. There also seems to be several mystery meat dishes for those who wish to explore a new culinary world. Some are made as lab meats, and some most definitely come from smaller kaiju, but nobody needs to know that. Additionally, as only so much robotic staff could be brought over at a time, and since most are being used to rebuild parts of this base and the one in Tokyo— Outsiders will also be encouraged to make their own food. The recipes will all be made available on their oculars, but considering these meats come from various sources, they’re not all guaranteed to be tasty.

Someone else is here to check in with the newcomers; none other than Dr. Spim, the lead medical doctor here. A genius in an adorable, cat-sized body.

"So sorry about the weird question, but because of the previous damage done to the NEO TOKYO BASE, SYNTHIA has been acting kind of funny lately. Apologies for that. We are working quickly to fix her so she can return to purrfect operation."


▶ 002. KYOTO: THE BASE.

The Kyoto base was originally built as part of a large temple and its smaller structures, blending into a traditional yet modern building. As a result, it has all of the fixtures one may find in a temple, including several tori, as well as other areas of quiet meditation. If it weren’t so overgrown, a lot of the sights could have been considered idyllic at one point.

While Outsiders were encouraged to go to the bunkers after the mess of Tokyo, they are now offered a space within the base in Kyoto, as well. Though, the catch is that they have to help rebuild it. While the robots have been quick to rebuild the most important parts of the building, including the area for the giant stasis pool, a barebones research facility, the mess hall, and some rooms, it’s clear it’s still a work in progress. As mentioned, it has some area underground, such as the stasis pool and medical room.

The rooms available are designed as a traditional washitsu, where there are tatami floors, and futons to sleep on. As not all the rooms have been prepared yet, Outsiders will also be required to room up during their stays in Kyoto, unless they prefer to travel between the Tokyo bunkers. Each room can hold a maximum of three (3) people, four (4) if they push their floor futons very, very close.

The main temple ground is currently being retrofitted into a training ground. While there is no simulation room, they do have hologram options in which characters are able to choose to fight with several different kaiju, as well as general soldiers, and they’re even able to link memories from their oculars to fight against– whether this be an enemy from their respective home worlds, or otherwise. The only issue is that their powers haven’t been scaled yet, so enemies which seem weak, can be strong, and vice versa. LILITH also wants to be sure Outsiders get as much practice as needed, even without the simulation rooms, and so all manner of futuristic weapons will be offered to play around with.

While many have been made familiar with certain spaces at the base, including the mess hall, or the medical bay, there will also be a general map of the rest of the base, and Outsiders are free to explore those freely. Just like with the bunkers, there are communal baths, and even a library. Most of the reading offered here are of older texts, but there will be some books that were on base that may have been moved sometime between last year. They may have even mistakenly put up books salvaged from the base that may be personal items, whether that is a diary, notebook, or even doujinshi that Outsiders could have been keeping. Surely some of these doujinshi don't look like you, right?

Getting settled is priority number one, however one glaring issue will be made apparent during the initial week of them moving onto the base in Kyoto. The monks who were residing nearby, or even utilizing the abandoned temple spaces on the outskirts of the base, all seem to have issues with the Outsiders being there. As such, LILITH hopes to offer them assistance in exchange for giving up those areas. Monks will be asking Outsiders for help with numerous tasks, and are allowed to call upon any Outsider they see— whether they need them to clean some of the halls of their own living spaces, or even to help cultivate plants nearby. Some may even ask them to put on a performance appropriate for their cultural celebrations. It’s never too late to learn something new! On the bright side, in two weeks time, they will (probably) be out of everyone’s hair, right?




▶ 003. KYOTO: REBUILD .

Kyoto itself had been largely abandoned before the Outsiders first stepped in last year. Since then, some pockets of civilization that existed nearby have made the move to Kyoto in hopes of a better life. Additionally, those who have been scarred by the battle in Tokyo have decided to also make this move. Some originally from Kyoto, are grateful for the help of the Outsiders as they can finally return to their old family homes.

Outsiders are expected to use this time off from battle to not only assist the civilians in their efforts in rebuilding their lives, but to also help create an impact in Kyoto!

This is where the Outsiders are able to assist in pitching their idea of necessary infrastructure to Kyoto. As of right now, there are only so many resources, and whichever ideas are most well-justified will likely end up becoming a part of Kyoto. As of right now, the civilians themselves seem to want hospitals, shops/entertainment businesses, and even parks! Outsiders will be expected to help not only plan these ideas out, but to go around and rally support for these projects, which can be them creating annoying ads via oculars, participating in city hall debates, and/or even clogging up the network on why their idea would be best.

Despite bringing in a fair amount of food supplies to start, not only growing some of the food they had successes in raising via the lab, growth time is still a huge factor, especially as the LILITH-grade greenhouse is still in the works. In the meantime, Outsiders will be expected to hunt and gather their own food. Kyoto is still largely overrun by some populations of smaller boar kaiju, and even off the coasts of Osaka, there are several fishing spots available. As for whether they’re safe for consumption, everyone will get a ping on their oculars which includes a whole archive of signs of what is safe or unsafe to consume. Some will also find some fish will still be supersized and may take more than one Outsider to reel in.

Who doesn’t like a bit of risk to go with their fishing?

( After the TDM, characters will have the opportunity to rebuild Kyoto in a meaningful way, just like playing a game of the sims! In the next event, players will be encouraged to share their ideas for infrastructure and LILITH will provide assistance with building it. Interested characters may even have the opportunity to take up roles in running and governing the city following that. As a mod team, we are looking forward seeing the fruits of a player-run city. So rally your ideas and let's make Kyoto a great new place to live! )




▶ 004. PUPPETMASTERS.

While the new beginning is exciting, things never stay calm for long. Outsiders will receive a briefing that there is trouble afoot in Awaji Island, an island close to Osaka. Awaji Island, now mostly deserted, was once known for its traditional puppet theater. These puppet shows, of course, have not been running for decades, but they are still remembered fondly by the people who used to live there. Following a mass exodus by the citizens living there a long time ago, these puppets now lay abandoned in the theater, untouched for decades.

Recently, LILITH has received reports of puppets coming to life and walking the streets, causing panic within the small population still residing in Awaji Island. First, they were simply feeling their feet, roaming the island with no real aim in mind and giving the residents a scare. Eventually, they have started to attack people. It was reported that a young woman was ambushed by animated puppets, and all that was left of her remains were bones and tufts of hair.

Outsiders will be mobilized immediately to Awaji Island with the goal of dealing with the situation. They have the option of boarding a LILITH-issued ferry to the island, or donning an Ocean Gem, gem-like implant that temporarily gives them the gills and tail of a marine creature. These gems will be provided temporarily to all Outsiders requesting them and will need to be returned following the mission. Please note that the transformation can be quite uncomfortable.

Upon arrival on the island, they will be tasked with hunting down the animated puppets, investigating the situation, and eliminating the threat. The capture of one specimen will reveal its true nature. Within the hollow body of a marionette, there appears to be an infestation of ant-like creatures, and much like hundreds to thousands of tiny puppetmasters, they are animating the puppets and using them for protection. These insects have learned to move within their marionettes in a way that’s similar to humans, and within the marionettes, they will attack as humans do, brandishing readily available weapons such as knives and farming tools. When the shell of the puppet is cracked open, they spill out, swarming the nearest human they can find and attempting to eat them or infest their body.



█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: Marionant
HEIGHT: 2cm
WEIGHT: 2g
CLASS: No threat when alone, moderate threat when in a swarm
LOCATION: Awaji Island, Japan
ABILITIES: When in a swarm, they act in a hive mind and are highly coordinated. This allows them to take down much bigger prey. Razor sharp mouth pincers with a mild, stinging venom that can become lethal if a prey gets bitten too many times. More durable than your average ant, able to withstand 100kg of force without being crushed. Shows ability to think and plan their movements when working as a hive mind. When they infest a body, they seek to control it while eating up its insides, turning that body into a puppet slave.
WEAKNESS: Fire or drowning in water.
EXTRA NOTES: It is very difficult to stop them once they have started infesting a body. Avoid this at all cost. Seek medical attention immediately if you or a teammate has been infested.

█ █ █ MISSION OBJECTIVE:
✖ Rescue civilians from the ant kaiju.
✖ Avoid infestation or lethal bites.
✖ Use fire or water as it is their weakness.
✖ Seek out their nests and destroy it without letting them scatter.

█ █ █ ATTACHED PHOTO: Linking Photo (cw: bug illustration)

▶ 005. THE RIFT .

Following the events of the month before, Mt. Fuji has now been cordoned off and put under restricted access. This means that no civilian may go anywhere close to the area. Outsiders are given patrol duties in groups of 2-3 around the area and instructed to eliminate any stray kaiju that try to rear their head out of the rift. These kaiju can include common kaiju such as the boar kaiju, the coconut crab or the yamadenki. These shifts are designed to not last very long, as prolonged exposure to the rift can result in rift poisoning effects (headache, nausea, impulsive behavior, hallucinations). It is not recommended to stick any part of your body through the rift, given that we are working with what we don’t understand (please contact a mod if your character decides to do this).

While nothing seems out of the ordinary at first, reports pour in within a few days of trespassers spotted within the restricted area. With a large, visible portion of Mt. Fuji now destroyed, it’s only natural that civilians will become curious. Against their better judgement, a group of civilians have sneaked into the restricted area during a change of patrols. There is little video record of how this had happened, but being near to the rift without LILITH’s protective suits has made for a devastating consequence for the foolish and daring group. Mutations! Outsiders will come across several mutated humans, their bodies mangled with grotesque growths. Some of them might have developed tentacles, some others multiple eyes or hardened shells. They flicker between lucidity and ferociousness, at times crying and begging to be saved, at other times trying to kill and eat people.

The orders are to subdue these people and bring them back to LILITH for further investigation and treatment. While lethal force is highly discouraged, LILITH will not extend punishment toward Outsiders who see fit to exterminate the threats as a last resort.



▶ 006. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our 9th 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 15 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. Current Outsiders will have their Syndata files accessible for all to see. New characters will not have a syndata profile but players can write a short blurb about the character for this.

Please note that all tags in this log will count for 2 points each and will count towards March AC.


TDM #8 BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. ARRIVAL PROMPT (KYOTO): Newcomers arrive with ocular and brain implants, and are given a breakdown of the premise with an icebreaker orientation to complete. They arrive in the Kyoto base in a communal stasis pool which is underground.
2. THE KYOTO BASE: Most of the base in Kyoto has been rebuilt. It sits in a large temple which has been modified to accommodate for LILITH's needs. There is a giant stasis pool, a research facility, a mess hall, dorm rooms, medical facilities, a library, a training ground and a communal bath. Each room houses 3-4 people. Outsiders may fight in the training grounds, where they can train against holographic monsters or enemies from their home world. Outsiders will need to appease disgruntled monks by completing chores around the base.
3. REBUILD KYOTO: Civilians have started to move back to Kyoto in search of a better life. Outsiders are tasked to support them in rebuilding Kyoto. Gather ideas and rally support for these ideas. This is a lead in to a future event where players can present their ideas for mod consideration. Outsiders are also expected to hunt and gather their own food in the mean time. There are many boar kaiju available for hunting in Osaka and fishing spots available.
4. PUPPETMASTERS: Outsiders take a ferry or Ocean gem to Awaji Island where there is trouble afoot. Puppets are coming to life and attacking people! Inside these puppets there appear to be a swarm of ant kaiju that are highly dangerous. Eliminate the threat at all costs.
5. THE RIFT: Following the last event, there is a huge open rift at Mt. Fuji. Outsiders must take patrol shifts of 2-3 and kill any kaiju that jump out of the rift. Civilians are banned from visiting Mt. Fuji, but a group of civilians trespass illegally and become heavily mutated from rift exposure. Subdue these mutated humans and if necessary, kill them.
.


gorb: (xix.)

o1

[personal profile] gorb 2025-03-01 10:36 am (UTC)(link)
( This is simultaneously deeply amusing and also the worst thing that's ever happened. As much as Geto managed to play-pretend at being a monk, he didn't have to associate with them - his temple was his own, his people knew better. It's not like he offered up genuine spiritual advice beyond a few platitudes, but his goal was to amass power, and if it helped a few monkeys rid themselves of their cursed burden along the way then that was fine.

They'd have all died eventually.

All of this to say Geto doesn't really care about these monks. If he ever helps it's for his own benefit, and this is not a fight, so he's not getting involved. Maybe he might at one point, the younger Geto who cared how people perceived him, who behaved because it was expected. Not this one, who oozes up to Silco's side with cheerful abandon, dressed like a lazy thug in all black - still no robes, even if this place would inspire it - smile in place.
)

Ai, don't you know that cleanliness helps purify the mind, Silco-san? Although perhaps we'd need more than sweeping for that. ( The monk turns to Geto, hopeful expression shifting into place. His smile turns into a colder sneer, the air shifting a little with malevolence. ) No. Go find some other pushover, we're busy.

( Making enemies, day one. The monk scurries off either way, Geto's mood shifting back to jovial. )

I can't have some other holy man being your favourite now, can I? ( A grin, all teeth, pulling his own cigarettes from his pocket. They're flavoured. He's feeling extravagant ) Lend me your lighter?
zauneyete: (pic#17681089)

[personal profile] zauneyete 2025-03-01 07:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[ When Geto approached, Silco wasn't really sure if he was going to help back him up, or tell him to do it anyway — he would disappoint him too, if he pushed for it — but thankfully Geto is just as derisive as he is about these monks begging people to clean up after them. Silco, unfortunately, has backup in the form of Geto, and his lip curled into a bit of a smile. ]

If it purifies the mind, then they should purify their own.

[ He pulled out his lighter — the one from Geto — and handed it over. ]

Don't worry, I don't have a propensity towards holy men, so you're my favorite despite the title.

[ A beat, and he watches the retreating back of the monk. ] Is that common?
gorb: (xii.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-03-02 01:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Which part? Getting people to do the labour, or running away?

( He takes the lighter, a twitch of a smile blooming. He's glad it's getting use. Geto busies himself for a moment, pulling a cigarette out of the packet by his teeth, lighting up quickly after. He tosses the lighter back, shrugs a shoulder. )

They're meant to be a peaceful bunch. Dedicating their lives to enlightenment. Mine was a little unprecedented in that the focus lay elsewhere. Relieving people of their cursed burden, though I suppose we did do a fair amount of the festivals. It was fun for the girls. And I was raised devout. ( Something he sometimes finds himself swinging closer to, then swaying away from. It's Complicated for a parent killer. ) They can't force you, really. It's guidance, mostly.
zauneyete: (pic#17504551)

[personal profile] zauneyete 2025-03-03 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
Guidance.

[ He scoffs. ]

Perhaps next time I will "guide" back at them. Tell them to do something for me.

[ A slight twitch of a smile on his lips, before it vanishes again. ]

Do people normally buy it? That they need their help? I've never seen people more unable to take care of themselves.
Edited 2025-03-03 00:26 (UTC)
gorb: (xlvi.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-03-05 04:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Some people get enjoyment from helping. Or there are some that see it as a justifiable penance. When you're physically sick you take medicine, yes? Places like this are for the parts that you can't see. Of course there were people who thought it too transactional. I knew a man who would commit heinous crimes and then come to me to absolve him of it. The only thing I relieved him off was his money.

( A lurid little grin. )

Actually, his life too, in the end. I wonder if he's very, very angry.
zauneyete: (pic#17680393)

[personal profile] zauneyete 2025-03-06 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
Hm.

[ He drags his fingers down his face, considering. ]

I never understood that. Guilt that eats away so much that one needs to seek cleansing, but they continue to do act in such a way that it perpetuates the guilt. One should own it, if they are cruel, or heinous. Accept the monster, and be done with this pagentry.

[ He didn't understand it. The guilty conscience. Silco didn't feel it. Oh, maybe he once would have, had his worst of mistakes not come part and parcel with such trauma. ]
gorb: (xv.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-03-07 04:37 pm (UTC)(link)
People are often very desperate to place the blame for their actions elsewhere, Silco-san. Most are not like us. They shy away when they see the dark within them. Excuses are often quick to be drawn up, and when those don't work they outsource their redemption to those they deem holy.

( He shrugs one shoulder, unaffected. )

To become intimately familiar with sin takes a very specific sort of strength, and you'll know how weakness is prevalent.
zauneyete: (pic#17504653)

[personal profile] zauneyete 2025-03-10 10:48 pm (UTC)(link)
I do.

[ Silco, who definitely also blames others for his actions, nods as if he is wisely aware of that. His eyes slid to the still retreating back of the monk. ]

Weakness, even among those with powers, is far too prevalent for my tastes. It is as if they have been handed everything so easily, they have never had to work for it, and thus... They take it as their due.

Granted without struggle. [ A scoff. ]

They cannot handle the guilt, or the darkness, or the disappointment. [ A puff at his cigar. ] Good thing we are here to continue on as our fullest selves.

[ A beat. ]

And what we are not full of right now, is a proper drink. Which is better than thinking about these monks.
gorb: (cxi.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-03-11 11:25 am (UTC)(link)
( Cheerful laughter. )

I'm down if you are, Silco-san. There've been too many ghosts turning up as of late, my mood could use some improvement. ( Sukuna only exists on Geto's register because of what he's done, but Okkotsu? That's smarting. ) Do you want to go somewhere?

( He probably has some soju here, if Silco doesn't want to. He's willing to share. )
zauneyete: (pic#17504653)

[personal profile] zauneyete 2025-03-12 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
That bad, hm? It seems like very couple of months, we find ourselves looking to see whether we're disappointed, or worse.

[ Jinx is here, that's all Silco needs, honestly. He keeps hoping that nobody else will arrive, and ruin it. Imagine if the enforcer arrived, or the sister.

Silco's luck is never that good that this would hold.
]

Let's get out of here. I have a good bottle tucked away.

[ Because he packed only liquor for the fight. ]
gorb: (lxxi.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-03-12 10:44 am (UTC)(link)
Nothing I can't handle, but enough of reminder of the boxes I no longer fit in.

( It's easy to fall into step with Silco, Geto's pace easy and unhurried, gaze keen when it explores the hallways. His tone remains conversational, light. ) It's strange to be thrown back into things when you've moved on, I think. People appear and they expect you to behave a certain way, only you've changed. It irritates more than I thought.

( Has he become different? Who knows. He didn't attack Okkotsu straight away, he thinks that's telling enough. He has a human friend, he is kind to Yuji. He feels different. )
zauneyete: (pic#17629477)

Very... every... 🤦‍♀️

[personal profile] zauneyete 2025-03-14 07:36 am (UTC)(link)
Hm.

[ He says, but he understands, in his own way. He'd returned, after his revenge, to his own box that didn't fit anymore. He'd broken down the walls of that box on his own, forced it to fit in a new way. In the same way that he'd once been a weak man, and had to die, to become strong. The box needed to be reshaped, reborn, to fit him again. ]

In my experience, one must remind those that expect one thing, that you are something else now. That you are better than you once were. Larger, better. Something new.

They will assume what you were, but it is an opportunity.

To show them what you are, but only when they least expect it.
gorb: (xv.)

i think the fact that i never notice says something about me, but what i'd prefer not to know ahaha

[personal profile] gorb 2025-03-14 11:55 am (UTC)(link)
I don't think you'd enjoy the different, actually Silco-san.

( The man that Geto was would be far more palatable to Silco than the new one, the more placid, calmer creature he's being shaped into. He does rail at it, every so often, pressing up against the boundaries with an irritation that would upset those he knew, but for the most part he behaves. This particular friend would probably sneer at it, but there's very little here that moves Geto to true violence and so -. )

But it is what it is. Either it holds or it doesn't. Only time will tell. It's just a little funny, I think. The way time moves here. The way LILITH can bring us a mirror to our old selves and throw a light on it. It makes me almost want to act out just because.

( But.

But.
)

Do you think you've changed much?
zauneyete: (pic#17504555)

LMAO YKW FAIR

[personal profile] zauneyete 2025-03-16 10:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah.

[ Maybe he wouldn't. Maybe if he saw the Geto that had been, he would have thought him better. Stronger. Meaner.

Certainly a year ago, a world away, he would have. Silco was different then too. More desperate. Clawing at the very structure of worlds and lashing out at them all like a maddened, violent thing. Like a creature that was gasping his dying breaths and trying so hard to lash out at anything that would have stopped him.

Here he is... different.

Not more trusting, not softer, but...

But there are still things that he has... accepted. Jinx is here, and she is different too, though he cannot see the shape of her. He is still calculating, and mean, and violent. But even so...

There are mirrors here. He can see parts of himself reflected in them. He finds them... not unwelcome.
]

Everything in my life has been change. I was a very different, when I was a boy. Weak, even. All dreams, and unwilling to do what was necessary to achieve them. Even now, I am different than I was before, where I was before.

I think we would not have gotten along. [ A twitch of his lips. ] I was drowning in desperation. I wanted nothing more than to achieve our goals, I would have even burned allies to achieve it.
gorb: (liii.)

blithely unaware at all times.

[personal profile] gorb 2025-03-17 12:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Then it's fortunate that we've meet as these versions of ourselves, don't you think?

( He's a little proud of how easy it is to talk to Silco - a thing that would possibly not sit well with the man himself, but it means something to Geto. He is a self-serving human, with emotional energy that would rival the worst of the curse user's arsenal, and yet his company is fine, he seeks it out. He's made a ways forward. Of course, possibly it's because Silco matches his unkindness. He fights with the bleeding hearts still. )

I think we understand each other. That helps. I turned on my friends so very quickly the minute I thought I might succeed. So I know what that takes from a man. There's a cost, isn't there. You've paid it. But ah - I, at least, was unsuccessful. ( A shrug of his shoulder. ) LILITH chose right in when they pulled me from. Any earlier and I would have arrived with blood in my teeth and a fanatical desire to eliminate. But I was dying, or dead, and the man who killed me was telling me how boring it all was, when I didn't do what I set out to.

( There's a feeling there, behind how blasé Geto sounds. )

And then there was a boy from my world who was exactly like me, and that too does something to the bloodlust. I didn't change anything, I didn't fix it. I died, and then it continued turning. I wonder now what might have happened if I'd stuck around to keep protecting them. ( A laugh. ) Either way, I'm sure they call this a path of redemption. I'm not heading down it too fast, don't worry. I still largely don't care about the people here. A select few, maybe.
zauneyete: (pic#17505594)

unbothered and thriving

[personal profile] zauneyete 2025-03-18 05:30 am (UTC)(link)
Death comes for us all, eventually. I'm surprised I've dodged it for this long.

[ Hell, he should have died all those years ago. Sometimes, he feels as if he is only a vengeful ghost, doubly so when he went to a world away, where he'd tried to break down the very structure of worlds. Here, he feels like less of one, somehow. Like knowing that things would persist, that he didn't have to choose between Jinx, and Zaun — oh, the irony that he knows nothing of — that she was alive...

It settled that ghost down, only just. Enough that Geto is someone he can walk next to, and perhaps they are both on some sort of path. This one may be crossing for now, but who knows how long it'll be on the same one?
]

Redemption, hm? I don't believe in that, you know. [ He drug his fingers down his lips. ] What is there to redeem yourself from? Doing what you thought was right? That you thought was necessary?

[ They had different goals, of course. Silco thinks he is a righteous monster, becoming what he must for the right reason. Not something that he must come back from. ]
gorb: (xxvi.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-03-19 10:35 am (UTC)(link)
Well, I did kill for the sake of it more often than I didn't. Most of the time I relished in it.

( The village, Sonoda Shigeru, countless others after that. Geto killed sometimes simply because he was powerful, there was no other way around it. Yes, he had an ultimate goal in mind, but there was a viciousness in him that was badly reigned. Ten years of it is a lot to walk away from. And he knows Yuji would probably balk at that if he knew the true face of his violence, that is always a problem with LILITH. They might decide to air it for all to see any time now. )

There was an enjoyment in it, sometimes. I thought it was well deserved.

( A sharp little grin. )

But eh, things here are different. I don't know if redemption is quite the word. Who knows what I might do if LILITH offered me a way to change things? I can't quite say that I've turned a new leaf. I'm just trying some other ways.
zauneyete: (pic#17504601)

[personal profile] zauneyete 2025-03-20 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
[ Silco cannot say that he has not done the same. Enjoyed killing. Enjoyed domination over his enemies. Taking out rival gangs, uppity chembarons, every little offense, every little violence.

He enjoys being on the top. The one with all of the money. With all of the strings. He likes the comfort. He likes that he is the one on top.

So there is no judgment, Geto. He understands.
]

Isn't it often?

[ he asks, his hands behind his back, a tip of his head. ]

Hm. Trying other ways. And have you found them useful? These new ways?
gorb: (cxxxv.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-03-20 11:23 am (UTC)(link)
No.

( He needs therapy. )

But that's what excessive alcohol consumption and good company is for, isn't it? I'll figure something out, a better use of my time probably. If LILITH ever stops forcing us to do petty housekeeping. Who has time for personal growth otherwise?
zauneyete: (Default)

[personal profile] zauneyete 2025-03-22 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
[ So true, bestie, so does he. ]

Well, if you ever want something a little more interesting to sink your teeth into, you know here to find me. I'm far more likely to give you something better to do than LILITH.

[ Please! Housekeeping? Gross. Let's just murder some criminals or something. ]

You might even do more "good" that you can point to. Like I am. [ A smile, it's sharp, and a little mean. ] Look at us, being reformed, and everything.

[ He is not reformed. ]
gorb: (xv.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-03-22 01:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah yes, you're rehabilitating the general populace, aren't you?

( He's aware the scheme is largely insincere. But it is an option if he wants to work off a little steam. Especially if Satoru is being annoying enough that he won't want to be near him. Maybe he should come to Silco. That could be fun. )

I suppose I am very good at dealing with the unruly, some day I might take you up on that. You can tell me more about it over that drink, mm? I'm sure your work is very well sanctioned. And absolutely for the greater good, no?
zauneyete: (pic#17680400)

[personal profile] zauneyete 2025-03-23 02:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ Look, he gets it. He won't admit he gets it, but he gets it. ]

Oh precisely. The greater good won't know what hit them, when this is all done. They'll just be glad to have cleaner streets that aren't working themselves into tizzies over it, don't you think?

[ That smile on his face is a little more authentic, and sharp.

They really are like this, these two.
]

Over the drink then.