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sinfucks2025-02-27 09:29 pm
synfluxmods) wrote in sinfucks2025-02-27 09:29 pm
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TEST DRIVE #9
TEST DRIVE #9
▶ 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 …
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.
"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?
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! )
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)
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.
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.
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.
.
1, let it be known sol asked for this
it's likely hiyori enlisted his help to search for her precious journal. pages and pages of memories gone missing. again. ones she lost before and never ever wanted to lose again. upon stumbling on the first doujin titled "kinky kitsune's capers"? she can't believe her eyes.
but this "Tōya" used to also make nsfw doujin about a certain golden-haired warrior goddess to make a few yen. because kazuma bought it. back then, she was annoyed and didn't understand why. what yato did in his free time to get off his rocks was of no damn concern to her? now it is. and that annoyance is nothing like the white hot fire that boils in her gut right now. she says nothing as she tucks it under her arm. finding the next: "Death Goddess and her Luscious Lover" and flips through a few pages to see a goddess that looks very much, TOO MUCH like ereshkigal and her lover, who looks like yato. she takes a deep breath, seething. that is also tucked beneath her arm. she finds more by this "Tōya" who is using the same penname he did before. the fucking moron.
at his voice, she slams all of his doujin down on a table. loudly. maybe it's old, the wood creaks. anything good? no. no, it's not good at all. it's quite bad, actually.
they have their tracker rings and hiyori's emotions are so wild and on edge you would have to force yourself to ignore them. she's never looked at yato quite like this, either. ]
Yato, what the hell is this?
[ he must see what she has. his voice has gotten all high and anxious. ]
Or should I call you Tōya-san?
oh noooooo
Only once they hit the library did Yato realize his... er, artistic works had indeed ended up on display in public. He'd been so busy trying to hunt down Hiyori's precious journal that he'd overlooked his own handiwork, until just by blind unluck did he pluck a random doujin from the shelf and discover it's his.
That's when the panic set in.
And suddenly his search took on a more desperate air as he plucked book after book from the shelf, seeing if there was any further incriminating evidence. Unfortunately for him, he did... a lot of drawings these past six or seven months. Doodling when he was stressed or feeling lonely for Hiyori. Even more unfortunately, he is indeed an idiot, signing not only his normal pen name, but using himself as part of the stories. ...with their friends, no less.
He's not sure what slams into him first, the wave of emotion or the crashing SLAM of the books on the table. Both make him wince and ache, guilt rushing up his throat as he hurries to hide the couple of books he himself found behind his back. Why, he doesn't know. Clearly it's too late for that. Too late to apologize, too, probably.]
I-- I--
[Flinching at her use of -san, he shakes his head, shoulders sagging in defeat. His fingers fidget with the books in them, still grasped behind his back as he bites his lip and stares first at the pile on the table, then at the floor. His face has gone deathly pale and yet red at the same time, making him look almost doll-like.]
Hiyori, listen, I... I just-- That is... it, um... I-It's a misunderstanding...?
[He offers helplessly, sounding almost as pathetic as he looks.]
wedding's off
her thread is pulled so taught.
how many times... how many times is he going to break her heart? this isn't the sort of thing you do when you're in love with someone. is he in love with her? or is he marrying her because she was his first follower and he feels obligated to thank her and this is the way he's come up with? the idea makes her sick. it makes her want to pull her ring off and hand it back to him and call the entire thing off. she won't be married out of gratitude or obligation.
and he can't even look at her as he hides his hands behind his back. probably with more books he's drawn of porn of their FRIENDS. she's been grossed out by you before, yato. for sweaty hands or trying to lure in customers by talking about her underwear or any number of things but this
this is some fucked up shit. ]
I am not misunderstanding anything.
[ she says. calm. maybe that's scarier than hiyori flying off the handle or coming at him with a jungle savate. ]
You drew smut of yourself with other people, people you know, while saying you were in love with me. While sleeping with me. And you kept them hidden away where I couldn't find them and proposed to me.
You're unbelievable.
eVEN BIGGER OH NO
That realization hits home far too late, as rage and disgust overwhelm him through the tracker ring on his finger. He know those feelings aren't his own: they're Hiyori's. They make his heart hammer in his chest and heat prick at the corners of his eyes as he blinks back the feeling of wanting to cry. Not for himself, but for her. For the fact that once again, his actions have hurt her. Even unintentionally, that's no excuse.
There's no excusing what he's done. He knows that now. It probably won't help to tell her that these were done prior to Christmas, because the fact remains that he did them and they're depicting things that infuriate and hurt her. The only good thing is he's not privy to her misapprehensions of his reasons for marrying. Because that's a far cry from the truth.
He loves her with every fiber of his being. Just... not every brain cell he's been gifted with. There's a lot of stupid ones in his head, working against him, making him do stupid shit like draw naughty things of their friends. And he's too much of a dummy to think better of it.
Head hanging low, he flinches hard at the eerie calmness of her voice, hazarding a quick glance to be sure that - yep - she's looking at him with utter contempt. A loathing that he's never seen before. If he was a plant, he'd wilt on the spot. As is, he's doing the godly equivalent of such, shoulders drooping as he gives up trying to hide the books behind his back.]
...no. You're not. It is what it is. What you say it is.
[Grasping the books in front of them, he adds his couple to the pile, still barely able to look at her. He tries. Damn does he try. But her gaze is so scathing that he finds himself quaking in her wake.]
I'm sorry, Hiyori. I-- I was stupid and a jerk and a pervert. B..But I meant what I said...! That I love you, and only you. ...though it probably doesn't feel like that, huh...?
[Pulling a chair out from the table, he sinks down onto it before reaching out to try taking her hand.]
I... Is there anything I can do to apologize...?
BIGGEST OH NO
because how would yato take that? how would yato feel about hiyori drawing herself being intimate with any of those people? ereshkigal or kaga or vash or WHOEVER.
while she does feel rage and disgust and betrayal, she doesn't feel loathing or contempt. she's PISSED, no doubt about it, but she could never look at him or feel loathing towards him. so, there's that.
no matter how fucking stupid he is.
it still hurts that he can't look at her. that he can't face her and fight his own guilt to show her respect, but she's not looking at a mirror. she doesn't see the flared nostrils or how she looks at yato like he'll burst into flames on the spot.
no. it doesn't feel like it. it sucks that he says it and it feels like THIS sucks. again. after just getting over the thing with kaga as best as she could, this happens.
before he touches her hand, she pulls it away and steps back. you're not going to get her to forgive you with your puppy dog eyes and your sweet talk and your devoted touch and your nice smell this time. ]
Don't ask me. [ she croaks, some of the anger giving away to the hurt and she is so stranded and alone without yato. how she wants to go home, back to her own time. to have her normal life back just for a couple of weeks so she doesn't crash out. tears prick at her eyes, but the ache is largely noticeable in her uneven voice. ]
I'm not going to give you the cheat-code answer to how I can forgive you for... being fickle? I don't even know what this is. But it makes me so, so angry at you and I feel awful and inadequate, and I know I'm not inadequate! I'm not perfect, I'm not, but I've done my best.
Is this what you want to do? Draw this stuff about yourself and your friends? Did you not - why did you even - UGH.
[ abruptly, she's turning and walking away. ]
UH OH SPAGEHETTIOS
Because honestly... yeah, he would be just as hurt as her. This is one of those cases where, once again, he fails to think things through and consider her feelings. Only doing as he pleases, as per usual. He could try to blame it on a thousand years of experience, but the fact remains that it's no excuse.
At least she doesn't despise him...? Even if she would be well within her rights to do so. Small favors and all that. Still, her hurt and pain echoes throughout his heart, leaving him aching in a way that causes him to absently clutch at his chest, fingers twisting into the fabric there.
Though it's her avoiding him that hurts most, that finally gets him to look up at her eye to watery eyes. They both might be crying now; he knows he is. He feels sick, like he wants to throw up but can't, his stomach twisting in on itself as her voice reaches him, cutting through him like a knife.
Fickle...? Is he fickle? He doesn't know, either. All he knows is that he's in the wrong and she's right - he's a cad. A shitheel. A jerk, and an asshole, all rolled into one. Letting his hand fall back to his side, he nods in acknowledgement. That's... fair.]
Hiyori... I-- I don't think it's that I'm fickle... But I don't know what this is, either. Or why I did it. Besides the fact I'm a glorified idiot. You have every right to feel that way - and I never should've done something to make you. That's on me. It's my fault, not yours.
I--
[Except that suddenly she's had enough. He can't blame her, but he still has more to say. So grabbing the pile of books, he rushes after her and tries to snag her by the hand again.]
Hiyori, wait! Please--!
UH OHS INTENSIFY
the world is falling apart enough as it is, she can't have the one thing, one person, one god she has faith in just
let her down like this. he let her down. even if she doesn't despise him, he let her down. it's feedback loop between the two of them, just like it was when she was on a hospital bed after brasov.
until she heelturned and left, that is. he shouldn't see her tears this time. they stream down her face as she marches off. cads aren't who hiyori falls in love with. sometimes yato is a jerk, but it was always for a REASON. most of the time. there was always some underlying good intention. not like this. she doesn't understand.
if he's not fickle, then what is he? stupid, for sure. does he not know what it is or does he not want to tell her the truth? because he's afraid she'll give him the ring back and tell him she's done being in a relationship. they can be friends.
they were only ever supposed to be friends.
he catches her hand, and after the shock of his touch, she quickly jerks it out of his grip again and whirls around with those tear tracks and more streaming. ]
What?
[ briefly, her eyes flash to those books and she makes a face. after all this, he's going to keep them? ]
OOPS ALL N-O SPAGHETTI
He knows full well he's let her down with yet another misbehavior, another proof of his selfishness. It's not quite infidelity, but it's close enough that he's somewhat surprised she didn't haul off and slap him. He almost wishes she had. That she'd let herself rage and cry and get it all out - not bottle it up.
He knows that if left to her own devices, she'll probably choose a quiet corner to cry in. And maybe he should let her do so. But right now, he wants to try imparting the fact that he does care what she thinks and feels. Desperately so. More than his own feelings, it's hers that matter to him. How can he prove as much, though...?
By not being a creepy pervert for one, probably. He's gotten better, but clearly he still has a long ways to go. Another lesson learned, but at Hiyori's expense. He owes her so much, and he doesn't know how to apologize in a way that's meaningful. But at least he can get one thing right.
His heart does a little leap when he manages to catch her hand, although it plummets again as she refuses his touch. But she doesn't storm off, instead granting him time to speak his piece. So, taking a deep breath, he holds the books in both hands and looks her in the eye.]
I have a favor to ask of you.
[No longer the sad puppy dog, his expression is one of serious determination as he faces her, eyes still bright and slightly watery himself. But he seems more in control now, not grovelling or weepy like he almost was a minute or three ago.]
I want you to come burn these with me. Please...?
[Ah, no, there's the crack in his voice, along with him blinking a bit rapidly to keep from tearing up. Hastily, he scrubs at his eyes with the back of his hand and resumes looking into her eyes.]
+ REGRET MEATBALLS
it's weird that he cares so much about her happiness but then, somehow and someway, still ends up doing things that hurt her so much. that make her question the fidelity of yato's feelings. that make her question HERSELF. that make her question everything.
hearing that he has a favor to ask has hiyori's jaw flexing and her taking a deep, sharp breath. he has the gumption to ask a favor of her NOW? only favor she'll grant him is taking each of those books and slaping him across the face with -
she's about to turn around and keep walking off when he asks his favor and leaves her to stare at him, unsure. still bitter and hurt. does he want to burn them because she saw them? is he going to make more? ]
Burning them won't have me forgive you. You still did it.
[ yeah, not making this easy. those eyes he's looking into are steely despite how red-rimmed they are. ]
You said you don't know why you did it, but why didn't you get rid of them before now?
IN A REMORSE SAUCE
He's nothing if not a contradiction in human form. Pissing people off then crying when they snap at him. Only this time he's less crying (at the moment) and more aching from knowing he's hurt her, deeply.
It's audacious, he knows, to ask anything of her right now. He has no right to, but... he can't help feeling that perhaps it might help her feel better. The thought of making more doesn't even cross his mind. Never again. He probably should say as much, but... he's an idiot, your honor.
Under her weighty glare, he wilts again, determination faltering. His gaze drops to the books between them and he's overcome with the urge to tear them to shreds. To eat them, if he has to. Anything to make the pain they've caused Hiyori go away.]
I..I understand. You don't have to forgive me. [Not right away, anyway. At some point, he hopes.] As for why I didn't get rid of them... I honestly forgot they were there. I drew them and just... forgot all about them. They don't mean anything, Hiyori...
[Swallowing hard, he looks back to her, expression tinged with regret and sadness.]
I did them because I was lonely. Not because I have any feelings for anyone they feature. I know that doesn't excuse them or me, but...
[His hands tremble slightly as he adjusts his grip on them, nails scrunching up the covers. After a moment, he shakes his head, letting it drop again.]
I'm sorry, Hiyori. Truly I am. I never should've drawn such things. Not when I have you. ...not that I probably do at this point. [He mumbles to himself, bangs falling over his eyes.]
ANGST CHEESE SPRINKLED ON TOP
she misses the days when her anger at yato was short-lived and easily forgiven after she slammed her foot into him and sent him flying. she misses the days when his cat!bishamon nc17 doujin just made her frustrated and humiliated and not so betrayed and disappointed.
even a bishamon doujin wouldn't hurt as badly because at least that's just yato trying to make a quick buck using a beautiful woman's likeness in those outrageous ways of his. this feels wrong and personal and she doesn't know how they'll recover with this new, cursed knowledge in her brain. he even brought ereshkigal into it. after losing ishmael, her only other bridesmaid, she can't turn to anyone.
she wants her family. she wants to go home.
surprised he hasn't torn them to shreds or ate them, though. that's a yato move since she's seen him do one of the two. ]
You were lonely. So you drew yourself... with other people we know and talk to and are friends with... when you had a girlfriend. [ she repeats, very flat.
then, she takes a deep breath so she doesn't lose her absolute shit on him. ]
Just so you know, when you're lonely, you have friends to talk to and hang out with. Not to draw porn of them with yourself. You don't do that unless you have some sort of feelings for someone, so forgive me if I'm struggling to believe you never had any for anyone in those books where you're screwing with...!
[ stopping herself ahead of time, she reaches up to roughly wipe at her wet cheeks and starts hiccuping through her words, lips trembling. how is she supposed to believe any of this? stop. stop crying. you're an adult, hiyori. not a child. ]
Have you said everything you needed to, or is there something else?
[ she needs to go beat the shit out of something or just get away. so she can go to her private corner. ]
AND ANGER CROUTONS
And that's what he's terrified of.
Losing her, of ruining everything like he always does. Why is he like this...? It's not just idiocy, he knows that now. He has some ingrained need to sabotage his relationships. He thinks he knows why, but here it shouldn't matter. It shouldn't be necessary.
His father isn't here to take everything he loves away from him.
Which only makes him more ashamed of his behavior, enough so that the tears start to flow even before Hiyori's do. He doesn't sniff or say anything, though, merely letting them run down his cheeks in hot, burning trails. Her words sting worse than when Yukine commited wrongs, worse than when an ayakashi bit him. It burns at his heart, his very soul.]
...I know. I-- There's no reason good enough for what I've done. Nothing will excuse the hurt I've caused you. All I can say is that it won't ever happen again. That--
[Oh. Oh no... Now she's crying. If she can feel anything through her rage and pain, maybe she'll manage to notice the undercurrent of his heartache through the rings. Or maybe it'll just get muddled up with her own hurt. That wouldn't be surprising. They're a mess right now - mostly him, though.]
Hiyori..... I--
[There's a small sniffle as his nose finally starts running. Hesitating a moment a bit helplessly, he sets the books down and steps over them to get closer to her, trying to get his arms around her. Probably a bad move, but then, he is an idiot.]
TEARS FOR SALT
maybe if he takes a moment to explain his revelation about sabotage. not an excuse but, unfortunately, a better reason. better than just being the biggest idiot LILITH has ever summoned. he nearly ruined things with yukine, too, and he didn't realize how badly he fucked up until he lost him.
maybe he does need to lose hiyori.
maybe she does notice the heartache, but she is as much of a mess as him. more but she's doing her damdest to keep it under control.
maybe he shouldn't try to hug her when she wants to beat the shit out of something and is so pissed and hurt that her body aches with it. because her hands snap up to quickly grab his wrists, keeping his arms from coming around her and holding them out.
okay, they're both a mess. both their noses running, both crying. she's busy thinking about how carefully he set those books down and stepped over them. like he still cares about them.
maybe if he dropped and stepped on those doujin to get to her, like they really didn't matter to him, he would've been successful. ]
You what...?
AND SNOT FOR PEPPER
But no, she's too kind for that. Too good for him.
Maybe he doesn't deserve her love or forgiveness. Maybe he never was good enough to be someone special to her. What is he anyway here but a nothing of a god who can't hold down a steady job? No different from before, except here he has no purpose. No meaning to his life.
None except her.
She holds all his reasons for existing inside her heart, keeping his own nestled protectively inside. Nothing can hurt him when she's around. If only the same could be said of the reverse. If only he wasn't stabbing her gentle, kind soul like a misbehaving shinki. He should be better than this. For her, if not himself.
But honestly, he set the doujinshi down so as not to scare her. Stepped over them because he was afraid of slipping and crashing into her. Although perhaps that would've been preferable to the impression it gave her... With his hands held so that he can't touch her, he finally slouches in defeat.]
I'll go if you want me to. I don't want to, but if that's what you need, if that's what you want, then I won't complain. I have no right to. And just... promise me you'll remember one thing.
[Only once she releases him does he dare try one more time, to brush the backs of his fingers lightly over her cheek and wipe away the tears there.]
That I love you.
LOVE SPRINKLE FOR GARNISH
gods really can't love mortals.
or she would've thought that. her teeth clench so hard there's the rush of blood in her ears. what the hell...? she was so, so, so angry not so long ago. she didn't want to see his face. she didn't want to be near him. she wanted to find something to be violent on. or shoot some arrows into. archery doesn't have the same satisfying reverberation that using your fists and legs does.
this is like some worse, fucked-up version of that time at capyper land. how badly she wanted to avoid the parade but how pushy yato was about watching it together. how naive and childish she had been then. truly, a brat. that hiyori didn't know she'd be where she is now, ten years later, with yato as her boyfriend drawing smut of himself with their friends.
completely still, she lets him wipe the tears away. he never gives up. dammit, it's why she loves him. stupid idiot. moron. fool. absolute dillhole. why would you ever DO that? while you're dating another person? dating her?
after all the proposals and the obsession with wearing her uniform and all the other weird crap. only to turn around and do this doujin bullcrap. ]
If you love me, then I'll remember that you do.
[ while his hand is still near his face, she grabs it and squeezes but lowers it back down between them. ]
You don't have to go. I'll leave. I need to go blow off some steam somewhere. Maybe I'll go hunting for boar and shoot some arrows.
[ though she's not crying as hard, she does not look happy. probably won't be happy for a while. ]
Don't stay up all night. I'm going to find somewhere else to sleep.
[ yeah, yato, you capital "F" fucked up. ]
And don't do anything stupid like drink yourself into a stupor or go out looking for a dangerous fight or decide now, while I'm pissed at you, is a good time to get nanobots as some penance. If you want me to forgive you, don't be selfish.
[ especially since it was his selfishness that got him here in the first place ]
... Just wait for me to come back to you. Can you do that?
DELICIOUS
No, it's just... him. He's the problem. He always has been in their relationship, whether it was god and customer or friends or lovers. He's always been the problem from day one. It was his fault she ended up a half-ayakashi, his fault she got kidnapped, his fault she... died. He's just bad news for her, he realizes that now. A calamity. And yet... And yet--
He loves her more than life itself, even if he's shit at showing as much. Maybe... maybe if he wasn't here she would be sent home, back where she belongs. With no memory of him and the pain he's caused her. Perhaps that would be for the best...
Letting out a shaky breath, he allows his hand to be moved without fighting her on it. He would do anything for her right now, honestly. Which is why he hurriedly shakes his head when she mentions leaving and finding somewhere else to sleep.]
No, Hiyori-- I'll go. I fucked up, it should be me leaving. I don't want to trouble you anymore than I already have.
[Though he pointedly avoids her gaze when she gives him a laundry list of things not to do, looking more and more helpless by the second. All are things he'd considered doing, possibly in that order. Maybe she's right, that doing any of those things would be selfish. But... he can't help feeling like he has to punish himself somehow.
Turning around, he picks up the books and holds them out to her.]
I-- Yeah. I'll... let you be, until you're ready. No matter how long that takes. You can take your frustration and anger out on these, if you want. Otherwise I'll just pitch them.
CHEFS KISS??? no kiss for a week
I'm leaving. I've already decided.
[ like she can stand to look at any of their friends right now after what she saw. it's not their fault, but she needs to be somewhere else. away from all of this. when all you've got to keep is strong, move along.
for a few days.
like she can stand to touch those books.
doing any of those things, doing ALL of those things would be very selfish. the most kind thing he can do for her is stick around kyoto base and help out the monks and be productive. do good. be a god of happiness for others like he used to do with yukine. there are boars to slay. there are jobs yato would be great at for him to do. so much handiwork. he wants to build a house one day, right? here's some practice.
no drinking, no dangerous fights, no nanobots. doctor's orders.
his punishment is already going to be going hiyori-less for a few days. or is that not punishment? she sighs at him trying to hand over the books. ]
Thanks, but no thanks. Punching a book isn't that satisfying.
[ ... yeah, she sees that way he's avoiding her gaze. ]
Yato. You don't get to choose how to punish yourself for this. I'm telling you to stay here, work for the monks, and wait for me. You can't drink or fight your troubles away, you have to really reflect on and learn from them. I don't want to keep doing this. I can't. Bickering and play-fighting is fun, but this... I don't want either of us to feel like it ever again.
If you'd rather... drink and fight or do whatever other crazy idea you have, maybe...
[ maybe he should take the ring back. that beautiful decoration of stones and shining metal sitting on her left ring finger gets fiddled with. ]
no kissus for the week... that's punishment enough
I... A-Alright.
[He murmurs the words so quietly that they're barely audible, spoken to his chest as he regards the source of this fight with sorrow. All this over a bunch of paper and ink. Who knew art could be so powerful, so disastrous? Not him, that's for sure.
Lesson learned, but at what cost?
If it costs him Hiyori, he might just opt to cut off his hands instead of merely throw the damnable books away. At this point he doesn't know if he can live without her, or if he'd even want to. Already it feels like the light in his life is being extinguished, that night has come but there's no stars or moon out. Just pitch blackness.
He's already being punished though her words alone, to say nothing of her actions. Just as it should be, really, he has to remind himself. Maybe this will be a lesson he actually learns from, instead of repeating endlessly like he has been.
He's almost as miserable as she is and he looks the part. Already he'd rather just crawl into bed and stay there, but she's not granting him that reprieve either. No, she wants him to be a force of good, to do something with his rotten existence. Even if he'd probably fuck that up too, somehow.
Sighing, he tucks the books under an arm and finally raises his eyes to meet hers.]
.....okay. I don't want to do this ever again, either. I never wanted this, not for a second. I never, ever want to hurt you like I have. So... if you want me to just... help out around here, then that's what I'll do. But I'll be thinking of you every waking moment. Of how badly I fucked up. And how sorry I am.
...I'll... I'll do what I can, for you, too. So if you need to take some time off to just do nothing, then, don't worry. I'll do twice the amount of work to make up for it. Just--
[There he chokes up a bit, needing a moment to steady his breath as her hastily turns away so she won't see him tearing up again.]
--don't give up on us yet, please...?
no CUDDLING no NOTHING
it's not the paper and ink. it's that yato acted on whatever... feelings he had in the moment instead of thinking better of it. thinking of his relationship with hiyori and if he wanted to risk it (for the biscuit). having feelings, having thoughts are one thing. yato has proven he's (very) human enough that she shouldn't be surprised he has the wayward idea or two. example: bishamon. although she doesn't have those thoughts besides her very platonic "cute" thoughts about someone or other, but that's her.
yato is wired differently. that much has been obvious from the very, very beginning. not even because he's a god. maybe a lot because of that though.
the greatest change comes when you're at your lowest. hiyori feels pretty fucking low right now and, judging from what she's getting from the ring, yato isn't at his best either. this could be what it takes for yato to finally get a clue. do better, as kaga so aptly states over and over. choose better, should be what's said. a thousand years of doing whatever he wants without repercussion is a long habit to break but damn it. it has to start somewhere.
or he really will lose her.
his existence isn't rotten and mistakes are made all the time. but it's a choice, too. starting here, she wants to help him make better choices. just like she did as a teenager. just as yukine tried to guide him towards. maybe he's fallen off a little, without a guide. with hiyori spoiling the shit out of him.
he can't fuck up doing good if he wants to do good. there's no way he could.
hiyori's gaze flicks to the books under his arm, briefly and wonders if he's going to go hide them again but turns her thoughts away from that. if he does, there will be a time where this happens again and there won't be another chance.
silently, she listens. some of the edges around her eyes softening and a thickness building in her throat all over again after she worked so hard to swallow it down. to put her foot down. ]
That's... [ not it. that ain't it. she just wants him to think of what he could have done it all differently. better!! that's how, in the future, he can make the right choice. so with a deep breath, she steps in close and takes his face into her palms to turn him back towards her. the first voluntary touch she's given him this whole time. ]
I'm not giving up. I'm going to be thinking of how you're going to, no - how we're going to make better decisions going forward. We're going to do our best for each other and for ourselves. We're going to be productive and positive forces for those around us, but especially in this relationship. We're going to make it work. That's what I'll promise.
Don't brood, Yato. Put on a brave face. I don't want you to feel bad. I want you to be someone who can be proud of yourself. About where you are in your long life and where you will be.
[ a long life she can only be a blip in.
sealed with her leaning forward and pressing a kiss to his cheeks before pulling back. ]
HE IS GONNA SHRIVEL UP
She's right, of course. He shouldn't have acted on his impulses to just draw whatever came to mind at some random point in time. Certainly not books depicting himself and their friends, even if it was half out of habit. That's no excuse.
He knows that now, although it's partially too late. He just hopes it's not completely too late so he doesn't lose her. That would probably be more devastating than he could handle. At that point he probably would find a kaiju to fight to the death - his own, most likely. Because he realizes now that he needs and wants her more than anything else in this life.
More than going home, more than peace in this world, he wants Hiyori.
Which is why going for however long without her will be an apt punishment, the perfect torture to make him really take this lesson to heart. He only hopes she'll come back to him with less anguish in her own heart and brighter spirits so they can start anew.
He glances at her focus going to the books under his arm and against feels his stomach lurch, guilt-ridden. He wants to let his head fall and avert his gaze out of shame, but thinks better of it; he doesn't want her to get the wrong idea. He's already given her so many in the last half an hour. Better he keep his attention on her, as it should be.
Although he can't help holding them tighter, wanting to rip the books to shreds right then and there. Instead, he takes a shaky breath that turns into a hiccup as she approaches and deigns to touch him, instantly causing his tears to fall and follow the curve of her hands. Letting his eyes drift closed briefly, he then opens them to regard her with so much anguish that it's probably a miracle he doesn't let it all out right that instant.]
H..Hiyori... [His voice breaks in spite of himself, and all he manages at first is her name. But he then listens quietly, obediently to her words, feeling a slight lightening of his heart hearing the word "we". That it's not just her and him, but them. That they're still an item, that she isn't returning her ring or cutting him off completely.]
...'kay. That's-- that's more than I could ever ask of you, after what I've done. So... thank you. Honestly and truly, from the bottom of my heart. I may not deserve another chance, but that you're giving me one is...
[He hiccups as the tears flow all the more freely, overwhelmed by so much love being shown to him. More than anyone's ever given him in his entire life combined, and here she is giving it readily, despite his callous actions.]
I'll do my best for you - for us. Even if I feel terrible, I won't let my time be wasteful. Because I want to be someone you can be proud of, too. Someone deserving of your faith and devotion. Of your love.
[She may be a mere blip in a long godly life, but it'll be one of the most important times in his existence, of that he's sure. Like he's never forgotten Sakura or her lessons, he'll never forget Hiyori or her love. He'll always long for it, wishing it could last forever.
With her lips brushing his skin, he finally manages a smile for the first time since this incident happened, however weak and watery it is.]
SHE WILL WATER HIM A LOT WHEN SHE COME BACK
but, in this case, yes.
the correct answer (in hiyori's case) for all that went on when yato had his thoughts is this:
have them, have those thoughts, and then consciously decide nothing is worth jeopardizing what he has with hiyori. not even scribbling those thoughts onto paper. they were to disappear soon after coming to mind.
the goal for her time away is to have thoughts, too. nothing like his, but thoughts. a lot of them. maybe she will take dante up on a consultation for an unbiased outsider's (no pun intended) perspective. although she'd hate to dump THIS on somebody. part of her is scared about their answer, too.
yato's anguish and sadness doesn't make her feel better. it hurts her heart more. what did he expect? that she'd be OKAY with his fantasies? hiyori iki who was jealous at that weird kiss-but-not between yato and bishamon while they were drunk off their asses? yeah, right. hiyori iki who actually told kaga she'd fight her if she ever tried to take advantage of yato again? hiyori iki who confronted akagi to get to the bottom of whatever the hell happened in that hotel room?
that hiyori iki?
the name of that girl he's calling out, voice cracking on? a sounds that makes her inhale sharply but quietly. ]
... Maybe. [ she mumbles it, unhappy, gaze dropping to his chest for a moment. thinking of tenjin the most and how often he told her to go back to her own life. to stop putting herself in danger with the far shore. live and forget, die and forget. her stare raises up again, right onto his blue eyes and her fingers grip his face more. ] But I'm going to fight for us.
[ because that hiyori iki is a fighter and THAT could be why she's here in the first place.
at yato echoing her "for us", she also senses and doesn't fight a slight twitch of her mouth. a beginning of a smile. there, she lets her hands drop after her kiss and steps back, tucking some hair behind her ear. ]
I need to go pack up a few things. I meant what I said, but I still need some space for a while.
[ lifts her hand, showing off not just the wedding ring that's remaining exactly where he put it but the tracker one. ]
It won't come off. You'll know I'm okay. And we'll be okay, too. I'll also make that promise.
[ with that, she curls her fingers to make a fist and drops it to her side. one last look at yato before she turns and heads off to
who knows where. away. for a little under a week. ]
HE WILL TAKE ANY AND ALL OF IT
Although she's right, of course. He never should've had such ideas, let alone put pen to paper. Why he had them is something for him to mull over while Hiyori is away, one of the things he needs to take time to process and come to terms with, and finally to do something about. Not necessarily in that order. First thing's first: he'll burn them, utterly.
He never thought she would be okay with such works; it's why he'd stashed them away, to be forgotten about and never looked at again once they were drawn. It's only the attack on the base that brought them out into the open, made them publicly displayed. He never would've shared them with anyone, least of all Hiyori herself. Because part of him knew that she would be hurt by them. He... simply forgot they existed.
Again, no excuse. But a reason, however terrible, for the fact they still existed long enough for her to stumble across them.
With her hands continuing to hold his face, he leans into her touch, eyes half closed as he commits the feel of her hands to memory. It'll sustain him for however long she needs, be it a couple days or a couple weeks. He hopes for the former, of course, but he wouldn't blame her for taking the latter.]
...thank you. For not giving up on us.
[It's murmured quietly, a bare whisper under his breath which he can barely seem to catch. Briefly, he lets a hand come up to cover one of hers, holding it against his cheek while he nuzzles against her skin. Not long. He wouldn't ask that of her after everything. But he wants her to know that her affection is treasured.]
'kay. I won't offer to help. I'll stay out of your way. But... I'll be here whenever you're ready to come back.
[It takes everything in his body to not grasp her raised hand, instead merely nodding in acknowledgement, a couple more tears streaming down his face.]
I'll be counting on it to know you're alright. I'll be alright as well, just so long as you are. That's all I need. To know you're uninjured.
[Not unhurt. Not okay. Because he knows she's neither of those right now. Because of him. Instead, all he can ask is that she stay out of trouble, too, like him.
Nodding before she turns away, he hesitates a long while after she's gone, giving her plenty of time to pack some stuff and leave. But once he returns to their room and finds her gone, he uses the in-ground hearth to burn the books before crawling into bed early and just. Sleeping. An uncomfortable, restless sleep, plagued by nightmares.]
HE WILL TAKE THE TIMESKIP WOOP
staying out of trouble.
beating things up on the training ground.
thinking.
so much thinking and a lot of mundane chores for the monks when she needs to unthink. some finagling with the ocular to get music going while doing tasks. the majority of her thinking is done at night when it's quiet and there's nothing to do. she never did find her precious journal, but she has her memories of being here to reflect on. those are the most vivid. of speed dating and stumbling upon yato there - how it all started. learning that he had a very close relationship she doesn't remember with another her in songerein.
that must've been devastating to lose. it would've been for her.
regardless of that, he also tried with her when she gave him the chance. there's been more good than bad since. as she thinks about it, staring at the opposite wall and picturing his face, there's been so much good. they've been through a lot together. yato really is a sweetheart, no matter how much of a disaster he can be. and he's looked out for her. not just because he's her god of fortune.
he's clingy and stupid, but he's thoughtful and fun. he was there at her bedside after brasov and he was there after she woke up, taking care of her. sometimes clumsily, but always with all his heart. that's why
that's why it all hurts so much. he's been so good to her, it was hard to imagine he would ever...
trust has certainly been shaken somewhat, and depending on what yato says and what he's learned? it could go either way. better or worse than before. there will be change. no doubt about that. her gaze travels to her ring and how it sparkles like a star in such little light. that night comes to mind. something specific said.
I'd like you to promise me something, too - don't ever lose faith in me.
it's the first she's ever struggled with such a promise even a LITTLE bit. promises can be broken, she's broken one before. but, if she can at all help it, she doesn't want to also break this one.
after she's done all the thinking she can - about their humdrum days where hiyori goes to work and yato comes to bring her dinner, to yato's over-the-top displays like ice sculptures and how everyone seems to know her before they know them because of him, to gala kisses - she's ready to come back.
about five days later. less than two weeks, more than a couple of days. although she doesn't go out in search of yato, she does wander back to the room they were sharing. taking a deep breath first and then knocking a couple of times, just in case, she's sliding the door open. ]
Hey, I'm coming in...
[ she doesn't know what to expect as she looks in. ]
WOOP WOOP TIMESKIP JUMP
Instead, he putters about the room, tidying up, making sure Hiyori's side is perfection. Spotless, orderly. Then he sets out to help the monks with whatever tasks they need done, being the good god he wants to be. That she knows he can be. He helps with whatever jobs they need done, goes on patrols fighting kaiju and rescuing people, and works at his newfound shrine.
He spends a bit of time fishing, some knitting clothes for those who might need it after the destruction of the base, and rifling through the rubble to help locate pets and belongings. All the while in between these tasks he finds time to work on a pet project.
Yet his mind is ever on Hiyori, on them. He mulls over how she must have felt, the betrayal and heartbreak she likely would've been subjected to because of his behavior. His stupid ass hobbies. He almost throws all the art supplies he has away, but he knows that giving it up entirely won't change a damn thing, and if anything he can use them for good. Making lost pet posters and advertising for jobs needing done.
Being the best version of himself he can be. Not just because she asked it of him, but because he wants to be someone deserving of her. To prove that he can still stand strong while she takes the time and space she needs to clear her head.
But upon her return, she's greeted not by the usual burst of Yatoism, of clingy arms and weepy tears. No, the first thing that'll meet her is a riot of color: hanging from every beam above them in the traditional room is strands and strands of paper cranes in a rainbow of colors, hundreds of them, all neatly folded and strung together to form curtains of the things.
And there at the low table on the floor is Yato, hunched over and dozing on the slips of paper, surrounded by even more paper cranes waiting to join the flock. He starts a bit at the sound of a voice, but doesn't quite wake up. Instead murmuring one thing into his arms:]
Mmm... Hiyori...
[Even when asleep, his thoughts remain on her. At least this time it looks like he's dreaming rather than having a horrible nightmare like he did those first few days.]
NOW CAUGHT UP TO IRL TIME
right now, she's standing a bit stunned at the sight that greets her. not any yatoisms. not in the traditional sense of his usual. hundreds of colorful paper cranes wouldn't have even been at the bottom of her list if she had made to guess what awaited her when she came back and what they represent.
hope. peace. healing.
good fortune. bird of happiness.
she covers her mouth quickly, throat closing up on a sob and her eyes tearing up instantly before darting to yato's sleeping form, surrounded by many more of the origami that symbolize them. for us, they said. as quietly as she can, she sets her things down by the door and pads over to join him at the table as the tears trail down her face and her lips quiver around a quiet, soft smile.
aah, she did long for this. this piece of her, a big piece, she left behind. one that she lost before. this is what's been missing for those five days. just like it did for ten years, she was missing someone. this someone dozing at the low table who spent gods know how long folding and folding and possibly getting papercuts so she could come back to a spectacle.
but sweeter. more personal. for them.
things may get really rough sometimes, they may cry and fight and make mistakes and bad choices, but there's still nobody else she'd rather come back to. fall asleep next to. spend the rest of her days with, as mundane or as crazy as they could be.
moving slowly, she lifts and rests her hand along his forearm. squeezing it before seeking out his hand. ]
I forgive you, Yato...
[ don't do it again, you dumb idiot. ]
IN REAL LOVE TIME
LKDJGLKDSLGKJDS THEIR LOVE IS REAL!!!!!!!!
A REAL LOVE SONG 🎵
GONAN WRITe thEM A LOVE SONG
AN OLD-FASHIONED LOVE SONG~
SOMEE MAAAY SAAAAAY
OH NOOOO LYRICOS
ONLYYY FOOOOOLS RUSHHHH INNNNNNNNNN
WHERE ANGEL FEAR TO TREADDDDD
NO FEAR!!!!!!!!
ONLY FEAR HIYORI
NO FEAR!! (YATO CHEATING) ONE FEAR!!!!
NO FEAR!! (HIYORI LEAVING) ONE FEAR!!
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