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sinfucks2024-01-01 11:01 am
synfluxmods) wrote in sinfucks2024-01-01 11:01 am
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βΆ 002. TEST DRIVE & SIMULATION #2
TEST DRIVE & SIMULATION #2
βΆ 001. ARRIVAL / CAFETERIA.
It happens in the blink of an eye -- a dash of time. You're taken from where you were. What you were doing.. it isn't important anymore, and slowly, you give up to desire your normal life. When you awake, figures are looking down on you from a surgical table.
"Yeah, this one will do; let's take them to the rest," That's all you see before losing consciousness again, only to wake up in a pod with many others.
"Your questions will be answered soon enough as I'm sure you will have many," a female, robotic voice says.
Just then, your pod opens in a dim corridor with many others. Your new life is about to begin... whether you like it or not.
The pods drain their stasis fluid which wakens each Outsider. When Outsiders emerge from their pod in only their undergarments which have been supplied to them and head to a locker room in the medical bay, to find a towel to dry off with, a set of gray loungewear to wear as LILITH makes the final decision in organizing the Outsider to their rightful teams. If a character has any accessibility needs, they will be found here. It's about then they will feel a sharp pain at the back of their eyes, almost like thereβs a foreign body lodged on the inside of their head. This pain will subside quickly as their body adapts to the changes, but there will always be a sensation of something being not quite right. That their bodies have been changed forever. They would be correct in thinking that. In the pod, all Outsiders have been surgically fitted with ocular and brain implants that will enable them to communicate with LILITH and the rest of the crew, and feed 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.
β β β LOADING COMPLETE β¦ BEGIN ORIENTATION β¦
The system will give Outsiders one chance to provide a truthful answer and choose their username and civilian identity. Should they refuse to cooperate, the implant will download the answer directly from their brain (and give them a username or civilian name against their will). This questionnaire will then be posted on the network for all to view and reply to. Almost like an ice-breaker, if you will. LILITH wants all their newest recruits to learn about each other!
Outsiders will receive a quick brief about their situation: They will be told that the year is 2278, and they have been taken to Neo Tokyo, one of the last bastions of mankind in a world terrorized by various Kaiju and monsters. Only a third of the population remains, and LILITH has gathered talented people from other dimensions here as a last ditch effort to save humanity. Outsiders are free to continue asking LILITH questions through their implant, but thereβs no guarantee they will provide them with a straight answer β¦
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 10,000 KRYPTOS (about USD 66), 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.
Once they leave the medical bay, theyβll be able to grab a quick meal in the cafeteria and mingle with the other Outsiders just waking up. Todayβs menu is fugu (pufferfish), miso soup, and rice, all packed neatly in a food ration tray. Unlike last month, this meal looks like it is carefully prepared for the new year!
That familiar, robotic voice is heard again:
"Yeah, this one will do; let's take them to the rest," That's all you see before losing consciousness again, only to wake up in a pod with many others.
"Your questions will be answered soon enough as I'm sure you will have many," a female, robotic voice says.
Just then, your pod opens in a dim corridor with many others. Your new life is about to begin... whether you like it or not.
The pods drain their stasis fluid which wakens each Outsider. When Outsiders emerge from their pod in only their undergarments which have been supplied to them and head to a locker room in the medical bay, to find a towel to dry off with, a set of gray loungewear to wear as LILITH makes the final decision in organizing the Outsider to their rightful teams. If a character has any accessibility needs, they will be found here. It's about then they will feel a sharp pain at the back of their eyes, almost like thereβs a foreign body lodged on the inside of their head. This pain will subside quickly as their body adapts to the changes, but there will always be a sensation of something being not quite right. That their bodies have been changed forever. They would be correct in thinking that. In the pod, all Outsiders have been surgically fitted with ocular and brain implants that will enable them to communicate with LILITH and the rest of the crew, and feed 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.
β β β LOADING COMPLETE β¦ BEGIN ORIENTATION β¦
Name:
Username:
Civilian Identity:
Age:
Species:
Origin:
What is your goal for the New Year? (2278)
The system will give Outsiders one chance to provide a truthful answer and choose their username and civilian identity. Should they refuse to cooperate, the implant will download the answer directly from their brain (and give them a username or civilian name against their will). This questionnaire will then be posted on the network for all to view and reply to. Almost like an ice-breaker, if you will. LILITH wants all their newest recruits to learn about each other!
Outsiders will receive a quick brief about their situation: They will be told that the year is 2278, and they have been taken to Neo Tokyo, one of the last bastions of mankind in a world terrorized by various Kaiju and monsters. Only a third of the population remains, and LILITH has gathered talented people from other dimensions here as a last ditch effort to save humanity. Outsiders are free to continue asking LILITH questions through their implant, but thereβs no guarantee they will provide them with a straight answer β¦
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 10,000 KRYPTOS (about USD 66), 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.
Once they leave the medical bay, theyβll be able to grab a quick meal in the cafeteria and mingle with the other Outsiders just waking up. Todayβs menu is fugu (pufferfish), miso soup, and rice, all packed neatly in a food ration tray. Unlike last month, this meal looks like it is carefully prepared for the new year!
That familiar, robotic voice is heard again:
"Greetings, my name is SYNTHIA and I will be taking care of you today while the rest of the crew is out drinking. Worry not, my children. You are in safe hands. Please enjoy your complimentary meal which LILITH has carefully prepared. You may then head to your quarters are explore our BASE using the map provided. We hope this New Year will bring you fortune and good health as you, well.. fight for your lives here. :)"
βΆ 002. HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Preparations begin at the end of the year with everyone cleaning and getting their last minute shopping in before one of the biggest holidays of the year. The quiet shrines of the city have begun to come to life as they set up their New Year displays and vendors begin to set up their tables and tents outside their grounds. Characters may find themselves roped into helping with the vendor setup.
By New Year's Eve, the shrines are alive with warm, welcoming lights but none can enter the gates until midnight. That shouldn't be a problem because, outside the shrine grounds, there are plenty of vendors selling classic and trendy street foods. Other vendors sell masks, light up toys, dolls, and other goods.
As midnight draws near, everyone begins to line up to enter the shrine grounds. Some shrines may even be offering warm tea or sake to people waiting in line. There's a final countdown and a drum bangs. The line begins to move and everyone moves up to pray for the new year. After praying, characters can buy charms or pull for fortunes. Good luck!
By New Year's Eve, the shrines are alive with warm, welcoming lights but none can enter the gates until midnight. That shouldn't be a problem because, outside the shrine grounds, there are plenty of vendors selling classic and trendy street foods. Other vendors sell masks, light up toys, dolls, and other goods.
As midnight draws near, everyone begins to line up to enter the shrine grounds. Some shrines may even be offering warm tea or sake to people waiting in line. There's a final countdown and a drum bangs. The line begins to move and everyone moves up to pray for the new year. After praying, characters can buy charms or pull for fortunes. Good luck!
βΆ 003. BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE.
While the help around the base gets dispersed out for the New Years preparations, things at the base arenβt as peaceful as they should be. During the baseβs last quarter review, a few routine checks were overlooked, and as a result the pipes are frozen and the centralized heating is on the fritz.
With no real access to warm water at the base, Outsiders are given vouchers for the hot spring and local bath houses. They are encouraged to maintain a good sense of hygiene and will be prompted on their ocular implants to remember to take a bath. The city has a number of options, but Outsiders will be warned to choose carefully. Apparently, the new trend in the city are rejuvenating waters that have different effects once they touch skin. Rather than actual physical changes, these effects seem to tamper with the mind, making those who soak in these waters more susceptible to suggestion. Whatever that means! Hopefully no one asks for some extra KRYPTOS when youβre feeling unusually generous.
Unfortunately, even back at the base, it's basically a tundra. Everyone will be encouraged to keep warm the old school way— blankets, extra layers, and maybe even a bit of body heat sharing will be encouraged. Whatβs a better way to foster teamwork?
With no real access to warm water at the base, Outsiders are given vouchers for the hot spring and local bath houses. They are encouraged to maintain a good sense of hygiene and will be prompted on their ocular implants to remember to take a bath. The city has a number of options, but Outsiders will be warned to choose carefully. Apparently, the new trend in the city are rejuvenating waters that have different effects once they touch skin. Rather than actual physical changes, these effects seem to tamper with the mind, making those who soak in these waters more susceptible to suggestion. Whatever that means! Hopefully no one asks for some extra KRYPTOS when youβre feeling unusually generous.
Unfortunately, even back at the base, it's basically a tundra. Everyone will be encouraged to keep warm the old school way— blankets, extra layers, and maybe even a bit of body heat sharing will be encouraged. Whatβs a better way to foster teamwork?
"Holy shit, I am still.. so fucking drunk.. damn. Okay, uh, let's do this.. I'm going to try not to puke, but not making any promises. Never again am I going to try to out drink Captain Yamakawa. She's small, don't be fooled, that bitch can drink like a fish. Dunno why, but there's something hot about that. If you don't know who I am by now, my name is .. is ... S.. Seok .. ughh.. hrk-- "
[ CONNECTION LOST. ]
βΆ 004. SIMULATION #2.
At different times during the week, Outsiders will be summoned into the simulation room and instructed to don their LILITH-issued plugsuits. They will then be paired or grouped up to conduct a battle simulation. After being ushered into the training grounds, the room will turn pitch dark, and a briefing sheet will be projected from their eye implant.
They will be able to access the briefing sheet at any time during the simulation by simply asking to see it. After each Outsider has read the mission brief, the simulation will begin, and they will find themselves right in the picturesque little town of Furano, Hokkaido, Japan. In the winter months, it looks like a snow-covered wonderland, with wooden cottages and oak trees on a backdrop of a snowy mountain. There is a ski resort too. It looks like a wonderful place to spend what remains of winter.
If you ignore the Yuki-Daruma that are trudging through the small town and turning it upside down. Seriously, what's with the simulation today? Is this really a Kaiju? Last you saw of Seok Dang, he was a belligerent mess, so he's a bit more ... liberal with the storyline today. Don't mind him.
The Yuki-Daruma do not eat people but they will be destroying homes, crushing civilians and burying them under a mountain of snow. Given that Seok Dang is intoxicated right now, Outsiders may find way more glitches than usual too (Why do these civilians keep running toward the monster rather than away from it? Why is that one civilian sipping tea while on fire? Who knows.)
Non-compliance with the simulation today ... won't result in very much happening, given that Seok Dang isn't monitoring. However, you will remain trapped in the simulation until he decides to let you out. In fact, everyone will remain trapped in the simulation for at least a few hours after all the monsters are killed because your resident simulation engineer seems to have passed out in the control booth? (Characters who die will just need to suffer with their wounds. Sorry.)
If you shout at the sky loud enough, maybe he will wake up.
They will be able to access the briefing sheet at any time during the simulation by simply asking to see it. After each Outsider has read the mission brief, the simulation will begin, and they will find themselves right in the picturesque little town of Furano, Hokkaido, Japan. In the winter months, it looks like a snow-covered wonderland, with wooden cottages and oak trees on a backdrop of a snowy mountain. There is a ski resort too. It looks like a wonderful place to spend what remains of winter.
If you ignore the Yuki-Daruma that are trudging through the small town and turning it upside down. Seriously, what's with the simulation today? Is this really a Kaiju? Last you saw of Seok Dang, he was a belligerent mess, so he's a bit more ... liberal with the storyline today. Don't mind him.
The Yuki-Daruma do not eat people but they will be destroying homes, crushing civilians and burying them under a mountain of snow. Given that Seok Dang is intoxicated right now, Outsiders may find way more glitches than usual too (Why do these civilians keep running toward the monster rather than away from it? Why is that one civilian sipping tea while on fire? Who knows.)
Non-compliance with the simulation today ... won't result in very much happening, given that Seok Dang isn't monitoring. However, you will remain trapped in the simulation until he decides to let you out. In fact, everyone will remain trapped in the simulation for at least a few hours after all the monsters are killed because your resident simulation engineer seems to have passed out in the control booth? (Characters who die will just need to suffer with their wounds. Sorry.)
If you shout at the sky loud enough, maybe he will wake up.
β β β MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET:
NAME: YUKI-DARUMA
HEIGHT: 4m to infinite (Due to melding together)
WEIGHT: 100kg
CLASS: UNABLE TO BE CLASSED - UNKNOWN
THREAT LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
LOCATION: HOKKAIDO, JAPAN (SIMULATION)
ABILITIES: Despite appearing as a snowman, the βsnowβ they are made of and throw are far more dense due to their ability to affect the gravity of what it touches. This is also why its weight may be far beyond what it listed. They are also capable of melding into one another and growing far more formidable.
WEAKNESS: Heat, light, and liquid.
EXTRA NOTES: Due to how large the species is capable of becoming, it is suggested to work in pairs or teams to defeat those that have already merged.
β β β MISSION OBJECTIVE:
β Completely destroy the YUKI-DARUMA before they become any larger and destroy the city
β Rescue of civilian lives from YUKI-DARUMA
β Search and rescue of civilians buried in snow
β Organize safe and orderly evacuation of civilians to the designated emergency shelters
β Protection of safe zone from YUKI-DARUMA
β Teamwork to destroy the larger YUKI-DARUMA
EXTRA NOTES: Each YUKI-DARUMA killed equates 1 KILL POINT, and each civilian rescued equates 1 RESCUE POINT. Killing civilians, whether on purpose or by accident, results in rescue points being subtracted. Working with those in the same respective team gives 1 EXTRA POINT. Every teamβs score will be tallied up after the simulation ends.
β β β ATTACHED PHOTO:
βΆ 005. BRACE YOURSELVES, SOMETHING IS COMING.
Besides those few times the Outsiders have been dropped into the simulation and left to struggle, it's been a relatively easy month for everyone so far. The local population seems to think so too, remarking that it's been a while since they've last had a wide scale attack, that it must be some sort of holiday blessing. Of course, things are never quiet for too long.
On the evening of the 5th of January, an earthquake seems to rock the bustling city of Neo Tokyo. It's not large enough to cause significant structural damage, but it's certainly large enough to destroy some of the older buildings, cause havoc in traffic and send the civilians into a frenzy. The local population seem to be stricken with terror, staying home whenever they can. When asked what has them so afraid, they will tell you that 'it's coming ...'.
They are right to be afraid. Shortly after, a storm hits the city, sending a downpour of rain that does not seem to relent. Those who linger by Tokyo Bay will notice some disturbance in the waters. The waves seem to be picking up when they're usually calm, and they splash against the shoreline, growing bigger each time. It eventually gets to a point the waves are standing several meters high. It's a tsunami, and it's heading directly for the city, flooding everything in its path.
As their first call to action since arriving, Outsiders will receive a mission brief in their implant that will pop up in their vision no matter where they may be.
A few days after the disaster, the sun is shining on glistening snow and ice. Outsiders have been given a few nights hostel stay since their arrival with one another categorized by team in the bay area until the mission is finished. Everlight & Brimstone will be staying in Moonlight Inn and Redemption & Revelation will be staying in 11 Hours. Both hostels are similar with two bunk beds in each room. A handful of buildings near the bay area have been demolished by the tsunami and flooding. Outsiders will be encouraged to help clean up, being provided with safety masks and gloves to prevent inhaling anything.. too toxic. It's a mystery what is in the ocean water nowadays. LILITH will set Outsiders out to help with any after math clean up-- those with any sorts of healing abilities will be ushered into the streets and hospitals to assist. Civilians who are curious of these kinds of abilities will know Outsiders are recruits of LILITH, a place with higher technology than most. As for the threat that seemed imminent, it seems to have vanished... for now. A new message will appear on the Outsider's implant with a game plan:
On the evening of the 5th of January, an earthquake seems to rock the bustling city of Neo Tokyo. It's not large enough to cause significant structural damage, but it's certainly large enough to destroy some of the older buildings, cause havoc in traffic and send the civilians into a frenzy. The local population seem to be stricken with terror, staying home whenever they can. When asked what has them so afraid, they will tell you that 'it's coming ...'.
They are right to be afraid. Shortly after, a storm hits the city, sending a downpour of rain that does not seem to relent. Those who linger by Tokyo Bay will notice some disturbance in the waters. The waves seem to be picking up when they're usually calm, and they splash against the shoreline, growing bigger each time. It eventually gets to a point the waves are standing several meters high. It's a tsunami, and it's heading directly for the city, flooding everything in its path.
As their first call to action since arriving, Outsiders will receive a mission brief in their implant that will pop up in their vision no matter where they may be.
β β β NEW MISSION BRIEFOutsiders will be sent to Tokyo Bay via a helicopter and ordered to hold back or weaken the tsunami (if possible), rescue civilians, minimise structural damage, organise safe evacuation and act as first responders. Good luck everyone! Neo Tokyo is counting on you!
LILITH has detected unnatural weather and wave formations. We will continue to investigate this seismic activity, but there is historical reason to believe that a Kaiju attack is imminent. As LILITH endeavors to obtain a status briefing on this threat, all Outsiders are to respond immediately to minimise civilian casualties and structural damage.
A few days after the disaster, the sun is shining on glistening snow and ice. Outsiders have been given a few nights hostel stay since their arrival with one another categorized by team in the bay area until the mission is finished. Everlight & Brimstone will be staying in Moonlight Inn and Redemption & Revelation will be staying in 11 Hours. Both hostels are similar with two bunk beds in each room. A handful of buildings near the bay area have been demolished by the tsunami and flooding. Outsiders will be encouraged to help clean up, being provided with safety masks and gloves to prevent inhaling anything.. too toxic. It's a mystery what is in the ocean water nowadays. LILITH will set Outsiders out to help with any after math clean up-- those with any sorts of healing abilities will be ushered into the streets and hospitals to assist. Civilians who are curious of these kinds of abilities will know Outsiders are recruits of LILITH, a place with higher technology than most. As for the threat that seemed imminent, it seems to have vanished... for now. A new message will appear on the Outsider's implant with a game plan:
β β β MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
RETREAT BACK TO BASE. WE WILL DEPART AT 15:00."Captain Yamakawa speaking. You all did your.. best. I guess that's all I can really ask for. We will be sending out own investigation team out to locate the threat as it seems to have retreated. Some of these monsters.. they can teleport or be very good at hiding. We ask you return to base and await further instructions. Pray we don't lose sight of it."
βΆ 006. AFTERWORD.
Welcome to our second TDM! All TDM threads are game canon; characters who don't app will be glitched out of this world. As TDM will act as the event, existing characters are heavily encouraged to participate. We encourage this format for top levels: CHARACTER | CANON | CURRENT / NEW CHARACTER. '
As a note, while we currently have no available player slots, new players are still welcome to use this TDM to get samples, as well as submit applications to the queue for future review when applications open. Please see the applications page for more details.
Characters who are test driving and have not been assigned to a team may stay in whichever hostel they like. Donβt suit your fancy? Feel free to check out our main base and locations page and make up your own prompts!
Use the code provided if you'd like to participate in the ice breaker and place it in your top level along with your other prompts. Anything such as civilian name or username can be marked as UNDECIDED if you're unsure of what you'd like your character to have for now. Though it says 'Orientation', existing characters can still participate in the ice-breaker.
Please note that all tags in this log will count for 2 reward points each. Have fun!
As a note, while we currently have no available player slots, new players are still welcome to use this TDM to get samples, as well as submit applications to the queue for future review when applications open. Please see the applications page for more details.
Characters who are test driving and have not been assigned to a team may stay in whichever hostel they like. Donβt suit your fancy? Feel free to check out our main base and locations page and make up your own prompts!
Use the code provided if you'd like to participate in the ice breaker and place it in your top level along with your other prompts. Anything such as civilian name or username can be marked as UNDECIDED if you're unsure of what you'd like your character to have for now. Though it says 'Orientation', existing characters can still participate in the ice-breaker.
Please note that all tags in this log will count for 2 reward points each. Have fun!
no subject
Shit, if his powers were dampened, he could take that entire fucking thing out with a Howitzer Impact. The same could probably be said for Joker and whatever else he has in his arsenal of summons.]
"From the rest"? As in they weren't supposed to be there or planted as a surprise obstacle?
[The former suggests and outside influence from LILITH and the sim master. The latter says it's still part of the training. Just a real big dick move. Dynamight's already tired of seeing these fucking things. They've gone through three waves already!
Fuck the dampening on his power. It won't stop the dynamic of it! Dynamight shoves off the ground with two blasts taking him into the air, trusting Joker to either stall or cripple the monster in the meantime. He pulls hard to the side, adding an explosion to send himself twisting in the air. More explosions add to the torque, building into a fiery aerial tornado of smoke and flame and sucking in the surrounding oxygen from the frozen air. An icy crack herald's Joker's success and Dynamight spirals straight into the kneeling Yuki-Daruma's face.] Howitzer- IMPACT!!
[KA-BWOOM!! Light, heat, smoke, the explosion crashes through the ice and snow. Normally the Ultimate Move has enough power to take down a large building. Practically a tactical missile blast. But in his current state, despite the flash and augmentation of rotation and oxygen, it's only enough to demolish a large vehicle.
But damn if he doesn't give that his all and rips his way through the head and neck and into the creature's "rib cage" area.]
no subject
[There's a pause before he elaborates, concentration on the congealed yuki-daruma.]
You know how you can encounter invisible walls in video games and get stuck in them? It felt more like that.
[Not so different from the NPCs exhibiting their glitchy behavior, though the fact it affects the sim itself and their enemies is a little more troublesome than a civilian trying to bumrush a snowman.
He drops from the trees, footsteps light and fast in the snow, only to shield his eyes from the nova-bright flare. Even at a distance, he can feel the blast of heat that pours off the attack. Nice.
The skeletal remains are glossy with water and still melting when he saunters up to Bakugo, hands in his pockets.]
We should know if there are anymore coming in a couple minutes.
[The previous waves had been regular as clockwork, once the individual yuki-daruma had been taken out.]
no subject
But Dynamight shares the Joker's wariness about the situation. Even if it's a simulation, the technology is enough to make it seem extremely real. To the point where a glitch in the sim could endanger them as well. Especially if applying to enemies.
Standing up from the ribs of the monster, he kicks a few icy spines out the chest and stomps a crack at the bottom so the water can run out. Simultaneously Dynamight takes a knee in the monster's frozen body to cup some of the draining water in his hand and lift it to his mouth for a drink. His Quirk is fueled by his sweat. Even in this cold, dry weather, three rounds of battling is intense. (And if it happens to look badass, well that's just bonus for him.)
He looks down at Joker from his vantage point, then up to the area around them. If it's anything like the past ones, they can expect a new waves soon.]
Those damn extras better be handling the evacuations...
no subject
He casts a look back towards the village. It's much quieter than it had been; hopefully because the civilians have been directed somewhere safer, out of the line of fire, and not because they're dead. At least there doesn't seem to be anyone lingering behind, glitching or not.]
It looks clear.
[Inasmuch as he can tell from a cursory scan with Third Eye. He exhales and watches his breath linger in the air. Even if that wasn't the last of the yuki-daruma, it would be nice to see something different.]
But if nothing else comes down, we can always check.
no subject
The quiet in the village is unsettling. No voices or yells, no loud directions. Just a lot of snow and ice piled up around the outskirts. So far the property damage has been minimal as well. Minus the little park outside the village. That's fucked. Once Joker gives his opinion it's clear, and Dynamight likewise feels the same, he jumps off the frozen body before the melting ice can freeze up again in the cold air. Doesn't want his boots stuck in this crap...]
Let's get back to the village. Keep that thing of yours around to scout behind us. [Dynamight heads through the snow, aiming for the village.] You're lucky you got to keep your summons.
[Joker makes the third person Bakugo knows whose powers revolve around summoning... The other two weren't so lucky on the transition over to Neo Tokyo.]
no subject
[Ren has ironically not shown off in front of any jilted summoners, so he has no idea how lucky he is... But he does take a moment to swap out Attis, calling "Black Frost!" with a hand to his mask and invoking his own demonic snowman. While it's a small Persona, not even taller than he is, and its defenses have nowhere near the same effectiveness as they would in the metaverse, Black Frost will keep him from taking as much damage if he gets hit by a yuki-daruma without warning.
Their footsteps almost sound loud in the aftermath of battle, occasionally uneven around the sharper dips in the snow. Ren freely lets himself skid down a particularly steep part, surefooted even when there's little footing to be had, and leaps clear of the last few feet of the incline to level ground.
He's alert when they enter the village, both for enemies and survivors, though his posture is relaxed.]
Nothing ominous so far.
no subject
[While Manjoume summoned his monsters via cards, either the cards themselves or the Duel Disk used to bring them out was left behind, and Raidou simply no longer has his ability to summon his demons, however the fuck he does that. Yet Ren and apparently Megumi are able to summon, though Bakugo suspects neither are able to summon to the full extent they could in their homeworld. Another case of de-powered versus outright nullified.
All of which he explains in curt-but-effective detail to Ren .... until-] What the fuck is that thing?
[Bakugo's face twists in a wry look of weirded out upon seeing the black snowman thing on legs. Ren has some fucking strange summons. But since it's apparently just a deterrent, they can proceed at an even safer clip. Whatever. Snow crunches underfoot as they move, though Bakugo would prefer to just blast himself towards the village. He only doesn't so as to not alert or wake any remaining yuki-daruma. Doesn't mean he won't take similar slides or jumps with Ren to clear troublesome patches.
There's... disturbingly no one in sight in the village. No people, no survivors, no evacuaters, no monsters. Just a quiet winter village. Almost like the system forgot to populate the people they were supposed to rescue. There's no sign of them clearing out either. Furniture is set up, doors and windows shut, snow fresh on the ground without footsteps.]
Did this place reset?
no subject
I wonder why it isn't consistent.
[That some of them can and some of them can't, that is. Could be the nature of the technology or it could be something else, maybe related to how they all go about it. Though he does have the presence of mind to explain his switch in Persona.]
Black Frost can absorb ice damage.
[He pats the demon on the head, like someone might a younger sibling... You know, just to add to the weird vibes.
Ren is looking at a curl of smoke from a nearby chimney, faintly puzzled, when Bakugo comments and he takes another quick look around, this time without Third Eye.]
...I think you're right. [He quickly peers through a window, misty with condensation, and points.] We evacuated a family from here before the waves started. Remember they had put out the fire?
[Someone had deemed it important to program the parents to think twice about the flames, even before rushing out.]
no subject
Ask LILITH. [Rhetorical grumpiness. It would seem counterproductive to slight people's abilities like that, though it's more likely whatever contraption was used to bring them here fucked over people in the transport. Similar to his own Quirk being limited and Ren not having access to all his persona. ]
Haa?! Why'd you wait so long to bring it out, Mask?
[Ignoring the scouting persona from before... Bakugo's brow twitches at Ren treating he demon like a kid, but whatever. Summoners have weird relationships with their summons. Bird Brain and Dark Shadow could be pretty weird too.
Anyways, back to scanning the village. It looks very similar to how it was at the start of the simulation. Just without the people or the monsters. He clenches his fists a few times to keep them warm, fingertips kneading at his palms.]
And now the fire's back. [But without the family. He scowls through the window, then heads to the house over and bangs on the door. Once. Twice. A third time. No one. Peering through the window gives a similar result. Set up house, but no people.] If that asshole's fucking around at the control panel...
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Different skill sets. Black Frost mostly has ice attacks, which aren't too helpful in a situation like this. [He gestures around them at all this snow.] Attis has all of my fire skills.
[And Arsène unfortunately has an ice weakness... More reasons to avoid getting hit by a yuki-daruma potshot.
Where Bakugo bangs on the door and then opts to circle to the window, Ren takes it a step further with the thoroughly shady action of kicking it in, wood splintering as it gives too easily beneath his heel. Persona-user perks: physical ability buffs.
He leans into the house before walking in proper, checking that the interior really matches what they saw through the window.]
He was pretty drunk when he dropped us in... I hope he didn't fall asleep on the control panel.
[Why is that so easy to imagine.]
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You can't bring more than one out at a time?
[Time to start learning about his ally's abilities. It makes sense that he would go with the fire-based persona while on the offense and then have the ice-resistant one around for defense while exploring. Damn, summoners are going to be very useful in this kind of warfare. It strengthens his resolve to try and figure out a way to get all of them on the same level ground.
Bakugo jolts up when the other guy abruptly kicks the door in.] What the fuck, you idiot?! Do you want to let those icy shits know we're here?! [Oh he is all for smashing something in when it's needed, but at the moment, they're in a strange lull where quiet is probably THE BETTER choice!!
Nothing to be done for that now though and Bakugo follows Ren inside with a growl. It'd serve the guy right to get a frying pan to the face via a skulking inhabitant... but no such boon.]
If he is, I'm gonna fucking kill him when we get out.
[Though that raises the chance of being stuck here for... ever until he wakes up. Bakugo sets a timer on the status screen.
5 minutes.]
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[He's so casual about this... Ren, please.
He only glances back at Bakugo when he follows him indoors, simmering, but also. Isn't the warmth of the fire nice? The simulation is just as committed to the accuracy of this house as it is outside. Ren leans down for a moment to inspect the fire pit, ostensibly to see if there are any signs of it being recently lit, but the simulated heat is not a deterrent.]
If there are more, it'll be better to draw them out quickly. [How can he say this so decisively. But Ren is tired of waiting around.] We can take them.
[Also spoken with total, unperturbed confidence, before he notices Bakugo's eyes glowing from using the implant.]
What's up?
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Not if they're going to come at us en masse. [An easy counter to that argument, which Bakugo would've usually agreed with. He'd rather not deal a horde of ice monsters deluging the village in an avalanche.] No shit.
[Of course they can take these damn monsters! But calling them all is a shit decision right now, trapped in the unknown as they are. At the question, Bakugo tilts his head to turn off the stat screen.]
Setting a timer. Five minutes, then I'm breaking this fucking simulation open.
[So he says...]
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(Maybe later.)
He gives Bakugo a faintly bemused look.]
How are you going to do that? It's not like powers are going to work.
[They've already been throwing all kinds of high-octane shit at the monsters. If anything, the simulation seems specifically designed not to break from the inside.]
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Just at this moment, neither people nor threat have been set to appear. Just the world. (What the hell, Ren, don't drink from people's random mugs sitting around!) Bakugo kicks cabinet in the corner, just to make sure no one's hiding in there.
Nope. Scowling, he stalks off towards the door, hands on his hips impatiently at the developing issue.]
Nuke the fucking sky if I have to.
[But he has a bad feeling it's as Ren says. They've been making plenty of noise in here already. If that doesn't wake up the bastard running the show...
There's another option to force a reset of the simulation, but Bakugo would rather NOT die, thanks.]
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(He personally hasn't even entertained the thought of dying, if only because they already carry injuries back into the real world. It's easy to lapse into treating the simulations like the metaverse, where everything might be in their heads but it feels so real that the distinction only matters half the time.)]
Do you think screaming would work?
[It's dry.]
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He checks his timer and heads for the center of the village. Does he really think he can wake the simulation controller up with his strongest blast? ... HE'S GONNA DAMN WELL TRY!!]
Knock yourself out.
[Giving the guy full leeway to belt his lungs out.]
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Seok Dang-san, WAKE THE HELL UP.
[Nothing. Not that Ren expected much. He sounded so wasted...]
YOUR SIMULATION SUCKS! MY LITTLE SISTER COULD OUTHACK YOUR ASS IN TEN MINUTES. LEARN TO CODE, IDIOT.
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It's fitting at least? But if he thinks shouting insults is going to work...]
You have a sister?
[That's what he took away from that...]
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We're not actually related. But her dad let me board at his cafe when I had to move. And [he shrugs] if I had a sister, I'd guess that's what it would be like.
[And he's outright said Futaba is family or his sister to people who've scared her. So.]
Any siblings for you?
[For some reason, he can only imagine Bakugo was an only child...]
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Fuck. At least they're not injured? But what a boring ass place to be stuck at!]
How long were you there?
[Because seeing someone as your sister after just a year or two is really weird. Then again, this is coming from-- as Ren guessed it --an only child, so the idea's not settled in his head much. He's heard of people adopting others as "siblings" like it's some kind of macho or badass thing to do. Sure, the intent and symbolism is there.
Doesn't mean it's not kind of stupid...]
No. [Because Bakugou was A HANDFUL all on his own.]
Back up. [Time to shoot.]
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For a year.
[Technically, not even. But the fact of the matter is Ren hasn't seen or even really spoken to his actual parents since they shipped him off to Tokyo. So his sense of family might be a little distorted.
But yeah, Bakugo being an only child is so not a surprise (this hot take provided to you by another only child).
In any case, Ren does back up, expression curious behind the mask. How sick is this explosion going to be? A part of him considers if he should cover his ears, but it feels a little late for that at this point of the game.]
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That's nowhere near long enough!
[He'd end up having a shitload of siblings at the end of a damn school year if that's all it took! These two have a great divide in their experience with family and what it means to be so... Though it's not exactly in Bakugo's place to tell Ren how to do "family" in his own head. Then again, he's a rude asshole so RIP tact!
And yeah, he figures Ren's an only child from the sheer idea he thinks a girl he spent a year with is a sister.
Yeah, covering the ears would be a good idea. Bakugo's already lifting his arm and aiming his hand towards the sky. Crackles and sparks pop around his hand and gauntlet-clad forearm as he braces his other hand against the underside of his arm. It takes a lot longer to charge this sized blast considering the cold weather and his Quirk's de-powered state. But hell if he hasn't been working on it since arriving.]
WAKE UP AND DIE!!
[BOOM!! Light bursts and concussive force crashes outward as Bakugo fires the explosion up towards the sky, covering a range wide enough to fit half a fighting arena under it. It fans outward and punches upward, designed to take out a wide-spread attack coming towards him. But in this case, less that, more to make noise, light, and strike high. That's going to kill his arm for a minute, sending painful shockwaves through his limb, but since he's had a rest for a bit, it's not too bad.]
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Long enough for what?
[It's bemused, because he genuinely isn't following what Bakugo is talking about. It definitely isn't long enough to stay in Tokyo, but that's besides the point when he's over 250 years in the future instead.
He also doesn't cover his ears; the buildings, snow, and trees soak up some of the sound, but the blast is still deafening and blinding. Ren has enough sense to turn away and close his eyes, but there's a long, long silence as the explosion fades, long enough that they have to accept the truth:
They are really fucking stuck in here.]
Well. That sucks.
[All that, and for what? It was cool, though. Maybe Seok Dang really did wake up and die......]
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Luckily the explosion makes for a great way to drop that turning-awkward topic and blast it out of the conversation. As the smoke and sound dies down from the eruption overhead, Bakugo pays attention to the skies, as well as the status screen he calls up in his view. Several seconds, half a minute, a full minute... abso-fucking-lutely nothing changes.]
WHAT THE HELL?! YOU REALLY BETTER BE DEAD UP THERE, YOU SHITTY OLD DRUNK!!
[This raging goes on for another two or so minutes before he ends with a vicious snarl and spiking another explosion from his other arm into the ground. Bakugo clenches his fist and rips it through the smoke cloud in a final vent of frustration.
They're trapped here. Sure there was always that chance, it was made clear the first time they came in this month, but actually having it happen?! HE HAD SHIT HE WANTED TO DO TODAY!!]