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sinfucks2025-06-26 11:42 am
synfluxmods) wrote in sinfucks2025-06-26 11:42 am
Entry tags:
TEST DRIVE #11
TEST DRIVE MEME #11
โถ 001. ARRIVAL / CAFETERIA. (NEO TOKYO BASE) .
It happens in the blink of an eye, a dash of time โ you're taken from where you were. What you were doing... it isn't important anymore, and slowly, you give up the desire of your normal life. When you awaken, figures are looking down on you from a surgical table.
"Yeah, this one will do. Let's take them to the rest." That's all you see before losing consciousness again, only to wake up in a pod with many others.
"Your questions will be answered soon enough, as I'm sure you will have many," a female, robotic voice says.
Just then, your pod opens in a dim corridor with many others. Your new life is about to begin... whether you like it or not.
This is Neo Tokyo. The pods drain their stasis fluid which wakes each Outsider. Outsiders emerge from their pod in only their undergarments which have been supplied to them, and head to a locker room in the medical bay to find a towel to dry off with and a set of gray loungewear to wear as LILITH makes the final decision in assigning the Outsiders to their rightful teams. If a character has any accessibility needs, they will be found here
It's about then they will feel a sharp pain at the back of their eyes, almost like thereโs 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 pods, 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.
โ โ โ LOADING COMPLETE โฆ BEGIN ORIENTATION โฆ
Outsiders will receive a quick debrief 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 thereโs no guarantee that they will provide them with a straight answer โฆ
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.
In the cafeteria area, food is being served. The kitchen can be seen and a few robots are busy stirring pots and preparing the dishes. The current offerings are cold soba with questionable sauces, leftover sand crocodile skewers, artificial rice and sweet shaved ice. As most robotic staff have been directed to finish rebuilding parts of the base, 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, theyโre not all guaranteed to be tasty.
With SYNTHIA alongside them now that they are back to Neo Tokyo, she is happy to chime in.
"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.
This is Neo Tokyo. The pods drain their stasis fluid which wakes each Outsider. Outsiders emerge from their pod in only their undergarments which have been supplied to them, and head to a locker room in the medical bay to find a towel to dry off with and a set of gray loungewear to wear as LILITH makes the final decision in assigning the Outsiders to their rightful teams. If a character has any accessibility needs, they will be found here
It's about then they will feel a sharp pain at the back of their eyes, almost like thereโs 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 pods, 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.
โ โ โ LOADING COMPLETE โฆ BEGIN ORIENTATION โฆ
Name:
Username:
Civilian Identity:
Age:
Species:
Origin:
Syndata File:
Are you a leader or a follower?
Outsiders will receive a quick debrief 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 thereโs no guarantee that they will provide them with a straight answer โฆ
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.
In the cafeteria area, food is being served. The kitchen can be seen and a few robots are busy stirring pots and preparing the dishes. The current offerings are cold soba with questionable sauces, leftover sand crocodile skewers, artificial rice and sweet shaved ice. As most robotic staff have been directed to finish rebuilding parts of the base, 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, theyโre not all guaranteed to be tasty.
With SYNTHIA alongside them now that they are back to Neo Tokyo, she is happy to chime in.
"Greetings, my name is SYNTHIA and I will be taking care of you today while the rest of the crew is busy handling a recent issue. Worry not, my children. You are in safe hands."
โถ 002. RETURN TO NORMALCY?
As a result of a successful mission, the agents of LILITH begin to recover from their month-long ordeal. Commander Shiro has passed away due to the Sumerian flu while the rest of the team has successfully recovered. Captain Yamakawa has just been promoted to Commander in a brief ceremony, and anyone who would like to pay respects will find that Shiro has been cremated, and a memorial for him will be found for him at the Greenhouse. There is a lot to process and it will require time, but time is not something they can afford in this world. Research and missions must resume before the next threat approaches. Commander Yamakwa instantly heads to a RESTRICTED AREA of the base. She is going to be working hard during this time.
As far as the Neo Tokyo base, the most important areas have been constructed and reinforced but Outsiders will see there are some areas (mostly the additional ones) that are under construction.
However, the civilians outside of LILITH who were unaffected by the fever have concerns. Theyโve noticed how quiet LILITH has been and somehow, rumors have been leaked on the internet about a crisis among their ranks. This has led to many civilians becoming anxious while others have decided to take advantage of the opportunity to take over the streets and bully the locals.
LILITH's first task is two-fold: reassure the citizens that all is well and help restore normalcy to the streets of Neo Tokyo.
Outsiders and LILITH agents will be tasked with community service and public appearances to show that all is well. This involves volunteering at the orphanage, helping with food banks, assisting at clinics, and providing whatever aid they can. Additionally, some will be scheduled to do news interviews or appear on talk shows to help convince the public that things are fine. Totally fine.
For those less PR-friendly, they will be assigned missions to take down local gangs, shut down various smuggling rings, and generally reduce crime in the city by any and all means. Some of these thugs have gotten too comfortable while LILITH has been down and they need to be dealt with swiftly.
As far as the Neo Tokyo base, the most important areas have been constructed and reinforced but Outsiders will see there are some areas (mostly the additional ones) that are under construction.
However, the civilians outside of LILITH who were unaffected by the fever have concerns. Theyโve noticed how quiet LILITH has been and somehow, rumors have been leaked on the internet about a crisis among their ranks. This has led to many civilians becoming anxious while others have decided to take advantage of the opportunity to take over the streets and bully the locals.
LILITH's first task is two-fold: reassure the citizens that all is well and help restore normalcy to the streets of Neo Tokyo.
Outsiders and LILITH agents will be tasked with community service and public appearances to show that all is well. This involves volunteering at the orphanage, helping with food banks, assisting at clinics, and providing whatever aid they can. Additionally, some will be scheduled to do news interviews or appear on talk shows to help convince the public that things are fine. Totally fine.
For those less PR-friendly, they will be assigned missions to take down local gangs, shut down various smuggling rings, and generally reduce crime in the city by any and all means. Some of these thugs have gotten too comfortable while LILITH has been down and they need to be dealt with swiftly.
โถ 003. THE GREATEST CATCH.
It seems while the Outsiders were away, they missed much of the rainy season. Instead of stormy days, the Outsiders will have to endure high temperatures and humidity. The city is carefully regulating the energy grid to prevent blackouts. Instead, they strongly urge citizens to seek other ways to cool themselves like hanging out department stores and libraries or trying out water activities.
Luckily, environmental groups and the local government have worked together over the months to clean up Odaiba Neo Marine Park. Thanks to special water filters and state of the art technology, they have created a small oasis within the city. The water in the immediate area is perfectly clean and safe for residents to enjoy! The locals gather to visit the park and enjoy the sand and calm waters. A popular pastime is to watch LILITH and the local defense forces fight kaiju on the horizon.
What?
That's right! While the waters might be clean, there's still the ever-present risk of kaiju attacking the shores. LILITH will task Outsiders to work with the local coast guard to fight off small pesky kaiju that take on the form of mutated sea life. Kaiju tuna, kaiju crabs, kaiju jellyfish, and more occasionally can be found in small numbers as well as other types of sea-kaiju. Get fishing!
Luckily, environmental groups and the local government have worked together over the months to clean up Odaiba Neo Marine Park. Thanks to special water filters and state of the art technology, they have created a small oasis within the city. The water in the immediate area is perfectly clean and safe for residents to enjoy! The locals gather to visit the park and enjoy the sand and calm waters. A popular pastime is to watch LILITH and the local defense forces fight kaiju on the horizon.
What?
That's right! While the waters might be clean, there's still the ever-present risk of kaiju attacking the shores. LILITH will task Outsiders to work with the local coast guard to fight off small pesky kaiju that take on the form of mutated sea life. Kaiju tuna, kaiju crabs, kaiju jellyfish, and more occasionally can be found in small numbers as well as other types of sea-kaiju. Get fishing!
โถ 004. HAKUNA MUTATA.
The kaiju that normally are on the outer edges of the city have grown bolder with the city's defenses being down. More local kaiju like the yama kujira have begun to venture further into the city in search of food. In this case, they seem to be seeking out beetles that have been mutated and begun to turn into kaiju because of the rifts. They bring havoc into areas that are unused to these sorts of intrusions. There are also strange reports of aโฆ meerkat-like kaiju that travels with some of the packs?
Citizens may encounter yama kujira (and the meerkaiju) right in the middle of the populated Neo Tokyo areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya, and more. Unused to being in city centers, they attack their reflections and react erratically to the flashing lights of the city. They charge at cars, buildings, and tear up roads with their tusks and hooves. The elusive meerkaiju attacks with scratches and bites (where did it come from?).
Alerts go out to civilians to avoid boar kaiju and seek shelter while local defense forces try to take care of them. However, they lack the special equipment and skills LILITH has. LILITH will order the Outsiders to take down these kaiju and push them back to the edges of the city where they can't harm the general population. Bear in mind these areas are very much populated so they'll have to pay extra attention to avoid property damage, especially when LILITH is trying to restore their image with the public.
For those less inclined with combat, they can assist by setting up security barriers on the edges of the city. These barriers use electricity and special sonic frequencies to deter most kaiju from entering. There are also surveillance systems that will alert when kaiju of a certain class or size cross the barrier. While these barriers are usually in place, they require regular maintenance due to how often they are destroyed by kaiju. After a month of neglect, some of the systems have to be completely reinstalled from scratch.
Citizens may encounter yama kujira (and the meerkaiju) right in the middle of the populated Neo Tokyo areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya, and more. Unused to being in city centers, they attack their reflections and react erratically to the flashing lights of the city. They charge at cars, buildings, and tear up roads with their tusks and hooves. The elusive meerkaiju attacks with scratches and bites (where did it come from?).
Alerts go out to civilians to avoid boar kaiju and seek shelter while local defense forces try to take care of them. However, they lack the special equipment and skills LILITH has. LILITH will order the Outsiders to take down these kaiju and push them back to the edges of the city where they can't harm the general population. Bear in mind these areas are very much populated so they'll have to pay extra attention to avoid property damage, especially when LILITH is trying to restore their image with the public.
For those less inclined with combat, they can assist by setting up security barriers on the edges of the city. These barriers use electricity and special sonic frequencies to deter most kaiju from entering. There are also surveillance systems that will alert when kaiju of a certain class or size cross the barrier. While these barriers are usually in place, they require regular maintenance due to how often they are destroyed by kaiju. After a month of neglect, some of the systems have to be completely reinstalled from scratch.
โ โ โ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: TIMONSUTA
HEIGHT: 60cm
WEIGHT: ???
CLASS: Intermediate
LOCATION: Recently seen in Neo Tokyo
ABILITIES: It has sharp claws which allows it to dig through the ground quickly at high speeds. It attacks by burrowing underground and surprising prey. Often seen with packs of yama kujira but it escapes quickly by retreating underground. Possesses sharp teeth that can easily break bone. Due to its habit of digging holes, use caution to avoid falling into them or it might attack.
WEAKNESSES: If it can be isolated and escape can be prevented, it is actually quite weak.
EXTRA NOTES: Authorities suspect TIMONSUTA might be a rift-affected meerkat from a local cafe.
โ โ โ ATTACHED PHOTO:
โถ 005. I CHOOSE YOU, BEETLECHU!
After taking care of the yama kujira (and meerkaiju), the Outsiders might find themselves with some time to relax as long as they avoid beach duties. They can visit some of the artificial parks in the city where local children gather to play the hot new game: Battle Beatles also known as Beetlemons.
Beetle hunting is a popular pastime but thanks to the increased rift energy these days, many bugs have begun to show signs of kaiju mutation. These beetles grow to larger sizes and some of them even have special abilities like greater strength, enhanced speed, light electric attacks, and more. They also develop unique patterns and colors. Now that the yama kujira are gone, it's easier to get bigger and better beetlemons.
Outsiders can join in on the fun. They can stick to the artificial parks like the children or take advantage of their own abilities to venture outside the city limits to find even better battle beetles. These beetles can be trained to fight other beetles or if that's too childish,ย they can be sold at black marketsย that will use the beetles for various purposes like traditional medicines or selling them to collectors.
Some of the beetles also appear to have rather docile temperaments and can be easily tamed by people and trained for battle. In general, they do not pose much threat to people but can still cause some harm due to their size and special mutations. However, other beetles that have been subjected to prolonged rift exposure may be more violent and dangerous.
Beetle hunting is a popular pastime but thanks to the increased rift energy these days, many bugs have begun to show signs of kaiju mutation. These beetles grow to larger sizes and some of them even have special abilities like greater strength, enhanced speed, light electric attacks, and more. They also develop unique patterns and colors. Now that the yama kujira are gone, it's easier to get bigger and better beetlemons.
Outsiders can join in on the fun. They can stick to the artificial parks like the children or take advantage of their own abilities to venture outside the city limits to find even better battle beetles. These beetles can be trained to fight other beetles or if that's too childish,ย they can be sold at black marketsย that will use the beetles for various purposes like traditional medicines or selling them to collectors.
Some of the beetles also appear to have rather docile temperaments and can be easily tamed by people and trained for battle. In general, they do not pose much threat to people but can still cause some harm due to their size and special mutations. However, other beetles that have been subjected to prolonged rift exposure may be more violent and dangerous.
โถ 006. AFTERWORD.
Welcome to our 11th 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 APPLICATIONS when they 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 July AC.
There are currently ~15 available player slots. New players are welcome to use this TDM to get samples for APPLICATIONS when they 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 July AC.
EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. ARRIVAL / CAFETERIA: Newcomers arrive with ocular and brain implants, and are given a breakdown of the premise with an icebreaker orientation to complete. They will arrive in Neo Tokyo.
2. RETURN TO NORMALCY?: With Commander Shiro dead, Yamakawa is now in charge. Outsiders will be tasked with doing various community service activities in Neo Tokyo to alleviate rumors that LILITH is having a hard time.
3. THE GREATEST CATCH: A new beach opens up in Neo Tokyo. Outsiders can enjoy beach activities while also teaming up with the coast guard to protect the shores from lesser kaiju.
4. HAKUNA MUTATA: The yama kujira have begun to venture into the city while LILITH was out of commission. Fend them off and help restore the defensive systems on the city's edge to keep them out. A strange meerkat kaiju is spotted with the herds.
5. I CHOOSE YOU, BEETLECHU!: Local children begin to collect mutated kaiju beetles so they can fight. The same beetles can also be sold on the black market for various prices. Outsiders can engage in beetle collecting for fun or profit.
no subject
[ Because, really. That leaves two, and he's fairly certain Nanami doesn't find time for long-term affairs. He suspects the man could be found indulging, but he has little patience and is rather serious. He thinks Geto would drive him mad.
Not that he's spoken one word to the other. But he's seen the damage the man has wrought. They're not like that, he says. Silco doesn't push. He isn't either. Despite... ]
Hm.
[ Well, it's not like he's wrong. They certainly look a pair, with their eyes. His jaw tightens, because Silco isn't used to questions, and it shows, in the way he pulls out his cigar and inhales deep.
What a question. ] Don't add nonsense. It's complicated. [ He almost says they're not together, but... that's not true anymore, now is it? But it is still complicated. A year ago, in an alley lumbering like a colossus, snapping a thug's arm before Silco stepped on it. Beheading a baker. Talking about destroying the world while seeking refuge from a party. Then there had been the vampirism. ]
There's no event.
[ It sounds like a roadblock, but it's also... well. Truth. ]
no subject
( A demisexual king, something he's been figuring out these days. Even when he used to be more kind often everyone else was held at arm's length. It takes someone clever enough to scale his walls, it takes the strongest. )
Something that happened, mm? Well, I still think that's good, Silco-san. Just because we're deplorable villains doesn't mean we shouldn't be able to find something worthwhile in the end. ( Does he actually believe that? Maybe, maybe not. Some days less so than others, but he's also Mr. Emotional Support these days. ) Are you satisfied? That's all that matters.
no subject
[ He can't see Geto being the type to pursue wildly, either. Any more than Silco can. They're both terrible men, they both have causes, and those causes have ensured that there's little room for anything or anyone else in them.
Or maybe only when someone can scale those walls. They both have them, after all. ]
Now you do sound like an old gossip. [ Again, it's just another diversion from the truth. Even as he stumbles into it. ]
I wouldn't bother, if I wasn't. Can you see me wasting the effort if it wasn't worth my time?
no subject
I know I'm very pretty, but he's already enough of a handful, I don't think I have the energy for several. ( He isn't the type, Silco's right. Even throughout all the years of his defection, he never took up any of the chances offered to him. He didn't want to. Being here gives him a second go at things, so why shouldn't he enjoy himself while he can? It's nice, it's friendly in a way he misses. It's also very good sex. ) There's nothing wrong in being interested in a friend's life, you know? And I can always give him the shovel talk if you'd like.
( Jk.
Unless. )
Though I'm sure your daughter is more than capable of that.
no subject
I think my wrath would suffice, don't you think? [ A beat. ] Last time someone close to me betrayed me, I planned their downfall and murder over the course of years.
[ ๐He's๐normal๐ ]
Besides, you don't know anything, remember? No repeating. Tezcatlipoca got a punch to the face for even insinuating anything.
[ And he doesn't even know... Well.
Silco's starting to wonder if it's that obvious. ]
no subject
All right, all right. I know nothing and no one. You'll do the same for me, mm? I haven't told anybody, it's not really something to tell. ( He'll even top him up again, friendly. ) Still, I can drop him off a dragon if you need. She'll probably have forgiven you for aiming a gun at her by now. She could never hold a grudge like I could.
( Possibly because he'd been a teenager when he exorcised her, and therefore more prone to shenanigans. )
no subject
[ A twitch in his face, annoyed, before he tipped the glass toward him in thanks. ]
Well, do let me know if I can soothe her anger any further. [ Silco normally isn't in the business, but Rainbow Dragon is particularly intimidating. ]
I'd hate to be on her bad side in general. Besides, I don't think dropping him off a dragon would do anything.
[ look... Geto... Silco has learned something here: its that his โ well, he doesn't know what to call him โ but regardless, it's that he has engines for legs and he could probably survive just about anything. Geto isn't the only one who looks for the strongest. ]
no subject
( A wry little grin, Silco apparently the exception. )
But all right, she probably doesn't want to be involved in love affairs. Did you still want that joy ride, by the way?
no subject
I can only imagine how that went. [ Really, he thinks he knows him well enough that he can guess. He does not, however, point out that he can guess how that went. His expression said it all, regardless. ] I know how he feels about such things.
Though I suppose I'm not surprised that you talked to him because of that. Predictable. [ Said with a little hum. ] You understand, though, the nature of such things.
You saw how they all were about it without a name attached.
[ He doesn't want ANYONE to know but it's getting out anyway!! Annoying!! ]
Me. Joyriding. Let's wait until it's a necessity. I feel like I'll need something to focus on, instead of just the sky.
[ truly he belongs underground ]
no subject
( What's funny is that Geto had tried. )
And I might have done, upon a time. I think I'm starting to see things less drastically these days. Who's to say we can't do something with the time we have here? Though don't worry, I'm not about to turn into some Everlightian hero. I just don't particularly hold meaning in seeing my fate as null and void. ( Vergilius had, though Geto wonders if that's changed a little now. ) I still have teeth. If I can use them to change the outcome, so be it.
no subject
[ He knew better than most how stubborn he could be. Then again, so was Silco. ]
I think it's natural, when we know what's coming when we return. [ He knows what awaits Geto; and what awaits him. He knows that Vergilius isn't staring that future down. They're both on borrowed time. He never thought it would be like this before โ but he has more to lose now. ]
I don't think you're wrong, you know. Though I don't think we need forgiveness to make the most of our time here, either. [ He certainly doesn't. ]
We simply need the ability, and willingness to take what we want, hm?
[ Though isn't it more a surprise that he even found room to want something like that? It came easier to Geto. Maybe because he didn't lack for his own strength. ]
no subject
( He will never regret the village, he will never regret what he did to protect those girls, and his own people. Maybe, in the dead of night, he sometimes thinks of his mother and wonders, but that is something that he cannot look at too closely, and so will remain unconsidered. Geto did what needed to be done. He does not want forgiveness for that. )
We're men of action, at the end of it all. If this world were to change, if suddenly I had to contend with curses again, or the other jujutsu sorcerers were threatened once more by something they could not handle, I'd do the same that I had done previous. But I don't, and they aren't, and so there's space to try life again. There's nothing to say I couldn't, no?
( And if that life is bullying children and fucking his bestie, then so be it. )
Besides, who'd stop us?
no subject
[ Honestly? Geto makes it all sound so...easy. Silco, meanwhile, understands how affection, and friendship, and companionship can all go away so easily. Vergilius knows he is a monster; the man is a monster too โ Silco could hardly have anything but โ however they are also men.
He's seen what men can do. He's seen how easily affection and companionship can suddenly mean nothing.
He's foolish. He's taken a chance that he can't believe he's taken. Yet he keeps doing it. He can't weather that kind of betrayal again. ]
And here I keep looking for what I know best. [ routine. Lately, he feels like he desperately needs it. ]
I don't know about you, but the combined might of the Outsiders very clearly could stop me, if they find that I am a danger to them.
[ That's why he had a bodyguard though, surely! It isn't like Vergilius doesn't know what he's doing. ]
no subject
( A hum. )
And you're not really alone, Silco-san. You have people here who care, for all that might sit awkwardly with you. If not your partner, or your friends, then certainly your daughter. And she seems capable.
no subject
He clamped his mouth shut, his jaw tight. ]
She's more capable than anyone knows.
[ He says it bluntly, firmly. Jinx was the priority, the most important thing. ] However... I will not task her with watching over me.
[ He can't. But more than that: the thought that he isn't alone does sit awkwardly with him. It's said like it's nothing. Like it's normal. Like it's actually fact. Like none of them will betray him, toss him aside.
He drained the glass, set it down. ]
I do not make it a habit to hold companions. We both know how fleeting they can be, after all. [ A beat, and then honestly: ] I didn't expect anyone to bother, last month.
no subject
( Considering her fairly feisty nature, he means. ) I've offered to teach her some martial arts, by the way. She told me to find a gun. ( A laugh, bright. ) But I figure maybe we can both learn something, no? And I'll impress upon the idea of meditation too. Just to see if that might stick.
( He was always destined to be something of a teacher. Funny that it took dying. )
No, I imagine you didn't. Unfortunately for you, you've made friends whether you like them or not. An unerring part of this place.
no subject
[ Jinx was perfectly capable. She could take care of herself.
She was also his daughter, and he needed to make sure โ if something happened โ ]
I think you'll find that she's a quite bit more dangerous than you're assuming. Though I think something new would be good for her.
And for you. She builds them, you know. Weapons.
[ And any number of things.
Though Silco... his eyes tip to the side, before he slides the empty glass toward Geto.
He needs a refill with that. ]
Unfortunately for me, indeed. For them as well.
[ He wonders if it will end up like last time, in the end. ]
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( Silco has a particular disadvantage, yes. But that's not entirely a dead-end. At least not in Geto's eyes. )
If I change my stance I'll see. ( About weapons. ) She should work with Muramasa-san. Then they could make blades that explode. That would probably be funny.
And you're not half that bad. ( A foxy little grin, Geto's wry amusement shining through as he drinks more liquor. ) You have the high honour of being the most tolerable human I know, isn't that something? And a man, too. Something must be working for you.
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[ Stabbing.
He takes the glass back, though his eye twitches at the thought of Jinx and Muramasa working on an unholy homunculus of battle, and unleashing that onto the world.
Please no. ]
The most tolerable, hm... it must be my pettty nature and unwavering dedication to being unpopular. I'm certain you wouldn't like the humans everyone else did, now would you?
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Probably not. But even as a kinder youth I got bored with people very easily. ( It's why he stuck so close to Gojo and to Shoko. They were different, like him. They were bright and bold and strong. He'd been polite to others, because that is how he was raised, but there was never a connection anywhere else. He'd been almost lonely before the school. ) You know what it's like to fight for something. Desperately, tooth-and-nail, despite that unpopularity. There are worse ways to pick companions, no?
( Silco's got this one whether he likes it or not, anyway, )
Have you really had a hard time with the gossip? I would have thought you were sharp enough most people would have avoided your edges.
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[ He respects it a great deal. It is one thing, to have something you wanted to protect. It's another to focus wholly on it. ]
You would think. [ A sigh, and a roll of his eyes. ] No, no. There has not been much.
I simply dislike it when my secrets are leaked without my input. [ Control freak. ]
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( A shrug, more liquor. )
You're friends with him, aren't you? Surely you know something, and it would serve him right.
( Also, it would be funny. )
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I do.
These things require an artful sort of care, however. Perhaps I will, with time.
[ Or perhaps he'll watch Eresh do it instead and just enjoy the fallout.
Or actually, help him through the fallout. ]
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( Sometimes Geto does too, but often he swings to the needlessly dramatic. )
Oh well, at least give me the heads-up when you do. I'd like to watch the fallout.
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[ A wave of his hand. ] At the very least, I am sure that Tezcatlipoca understands not to do so again. He won't be learning anything else out about my affairs, either.
[ he WILL guess, though. Silco you aren't exactly... hiding this well.
To be fair, who else is there? ]
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