▶ 003. TEST DRIVE & SIMULATION #3

[synfluxmods]

TEST DRIVE & SIMULATION #3

CONTENT WARNINGS: forced scenarios, partial nudity, full nudity, alcohol & drug use, violence & action scenarios, simulation mindfucking, bees/hornets, parasites.

▶ 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 there’s a foreign body lodged on the inside of their head. This pain will subside quickly as their body adapts to the changes, but there will always be a sensation of something being not quite right. That their bodies have been changed forever. They would be correct in thinking that. In the pod, all Outsiders have been surgically fitted with ocular and brain implants that will enable them to communicate with LILITH and the rest of the crew, 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.

█ █ █ LOADING COMPLETE … BEGIN ORIENTATION …

Name:
Username:
Civilian Identity:
Age:
Species:
Origin:

If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be and why?

<raw code><table width="80%"><br><div align="center"><img src="IMAGE_URL" style="width: 200px; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid #7F7F7F; box-shadow: #8D8D8D 1px 1px 1px;"> <!-- CARD --> <div style="width:230px;padding:20px 0 0;border:1px solid #f2f2f2;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:center;align-items:right;gap:5px;background:#fff;"> <!-- CHAR INFO: start --> <div style="width:150px;font-family:courier;font-weight:bold;font-size: clamp(14px, 1vw, 10px);letter-spacing:1px;line-height:1;color:#000;"></lj-raw><font color="#00686E">NAME</font> <lj-raw></div> <!-- CHAR INFO: end --> <!-- COLLAPSIBLE START --> <div style="width:230px;background:#eee;"><details><summary style="cursor:pointer;text-align:center;font-family:arial, sans serif;font-weight:bold;text-align:left;display:flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center;background:#ccc;color:#000;">+</summary> <!-- COLLAPSIBLE: content --> <div style="width:190px;margin:0 auto;padding:7px 0;font-family:arial, sans serif;font-size:11px;text-align:left;color:#000;"> </lj-raw><b>Username:</b> !!ANSWER HERE!! <br> <b>Civilian Identity:</b> !!ANSWER HERE OR SAY UNDECIDED!! <br> <b>Age:</b> !!AGE HERE!! <br> <b>Species:</b> !!SPECIES HERE!! <br> <b>Origin:</b> !!ORIGIN HERE!! <br></br> <b>If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be and why?</b></br> </br>!! ANSWER HERE !!<lj-raw> </div></details></div> <!-- COLLAPSIBLE: content end --> <!-- COLLAPSIBLE END --> </div></div> <!-- CARD name: END --> <!-- CREDIT --> <div style="width:100%;margin-top:-15px;font-size:10px;color:#ddd; text-align:center;"><a title="code credit!" href="http://10billionghosts.dreamwidth.org" style="text-decoration:none;color:#ddd;">credit</a></div></center></table></raw code>

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 there’s no guarantee 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 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, they’ll be able to grab a quick meal in the cafeteria and mingle with the other Outsiders just waking up. Today’s menu is oniku sashimi, miso soup, and ginger salad, all packed neatly in a food ration tray. Oniku is whale tail meat. Huh. There's been a whale theme going around here lately. Must be a coincidence... right?

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 busy handling a recent issue. Worry not, my children. You are in safe hands. Please enjoy your complimentary meal which LILITH has carefully procured for you all. You may then head to your quarters are explore our BASE using the map provided. This meal is a delicacy in some parts, so feel free to express your undying gratitude."

▶ 002. SUBJECT NOT FOUND.

Early in the morning on March 2nd, the power suddenly goes out. Outsiders may wake up to find that wake-up alarms never went off, the coffee machines don't work, and breakfast isn't ready in the cafeteria because of the sudden outage. Early risers may find themselves trapped in their team wings when automatic doors refuse to budge and those who are particularly unlucky may find themselves stuck in an elevator.

Within the hour, the power boots back up again and life on base returns mostly to normal. The only inconvenience seems to be a haphazardly thrown-together breakfast consisting of whatever could be made without power quickly. As the day goes on, observant characters may notice something amiss. They can catch some LILITH workers whispering to each other and there seem to be more agents in fancy suits roaming around.

If they find themselves in the right place, Outsiders may find that one of the many research labs on base is locked down and they won't be allowed to enter. If they ask one of the guards keeping watch, they will simply be told to move along. Asking some of the researchers or other workers in the area will reveal "something" happened during the power outage in the morning.

By evening, everyone's ocular implants will flash a quick notice:

|| MISSING PERSON

Name: Dr. Tanaka Junichiro
Role: LILITH Researcher.
Specialty: Genetic Research (Native Species and Kaiju)
Details: Latest available security footage depicts Dr. Tanaka stationed in their lab at LILITH Research Base. At 0735hrs on the morning of 2 March, a power disturbance struck all LILITH networks, resulting in all security monitoring systems within the area going offline briefly. After this disturbance was resolved, Dr. Tanaka was reported missing from their designated station under mysterious circumstances. Other resources missing from the base include: Research files and various live and deceased specimens.

Any clues on Dr. Tanaka's whereabouts are to be surrendered to LILITH immediately. Dr. Tanaka's primary research involved DNA splicing and induced evolution. Any information or clues regarding them or their work is highly valued. It is our top objective to ensure the safe return of our valuable staff members. ||

▶ 003. CLAWS FOR CONCERN.

Shortly after the disappearance of Dr. Tanaka, Outsiders who wander the back alleys and keep an ear open will hear whispers of exotic animals and chimera being traded for meat, entertainment and pet ownership. Most of this talk will be heard near the biggest black market in Shinjuku, "Starlight X". It's a novelty within Neo Tokyo and word gets out quick, even if the residents are hush-hush about where they got their sources from. Photos of these hybrids show up on social media to the astonishment and skepticism of the citizens. To find Starlight X, Outsiders will have to travel underground, taking the term underground market quite literally. There is an entrance way in a nearby alley without too much security; with the lack of policemen, now, people might as well sell their illegal substances on the surface.

Once there, Outsiders will be able to discover a plethora of suspicious things for purchase: such as recreational drugs, performance-enhancing nanobots, assorted weapons (some legal and some not), unlabeled meats, the … services of suspicious people, and a whole lot of junk. While visiting Starlight X, some of these creature hybrids even get loose and need to be captured before they draw too much attention. LILITH advises Outsiders to turn in any such specimens, live or dead, or put in a report immediately upon seeing them. Withholding such information or keeping a specimen for yourself may result in unwanted consequences if LILITH comes to find out.

These hybrids are generally small and mostly harmless, no doubt being traded for companionship and novelty. Cats that look like small lions or tigers, canaries with peacock feathers, frogs with wings, and so on (players may use their imagination).

Any further questions regarding Starlight X can be asked below.

▶ 004. THE SAPPHIRE ROOM.

It becomes such a problem that LILITH can no longer ignore it. It's clear that someone - or a group of someones - have gotten their hands on LILITH's priceless specimens and data, and are testing the waters on what they can get away with. Allowing the public to get their hands on the smaller hybrids is one thing. According to word around the street, there's going to be an auction on the night of the 5th, and that's where the larger, more dangerous hybrids will be sold. Some even say you'll be able to find man-made monsters.

Closer to that date, LILITH decides to strike back to avoid further humiliation. With the help of their skilled informants, they've managed to secure the location, but ordering the Outsiders to storm the place like a military strike team just isn't an option. Said location is in a popular, bustling part of town, where the locals wine and dine. That would only cause panic and distrust amongst the people. The approach that's needed today ... is something more clandestine.

|| MISSION: Infiltration of The Sapphire Room
LOCATION: The Sapphire Room, in Roppongi. A popular and exclusive nightclub serving a lavish experience to those who can afford it.
DETAILS: Sources reveal that The Sapphire Room, while a fully functioning club, has also been playing host to suspicious activities and trading in their exclusive underground rooms. An illegal auction is currently being held at the end of this week, which happens to be their Couples' Night. To gain access into this auction, Outsiders are to pair up and maintain appropriate cover. Information about your disguises have been downloaded into your chips.

OBJECTIVE:
✖ Infiltrate the secret auction occurring in The Sapphire Room as a pair.
✖ Disrupt the auction using any means possible.
✖ Capture hybrid specimens and surrender them to LILITH.
✖ Capture the perpetrators for questioning.
✖ Obtain any research data available and surrender it to LILITH. ||

Outsiders will be briefed on the disguise and cover identity provided to them by LILITH, and temporarily granted a Style Upgrade to their chip to enable them to dress the part. (Players may make up their own cover identity for this mission. )

Hybrids within the auction include larger, more dangerous chimeras such as lion snapping-turtles, alligator-hippos, and snapping bears (among others). Smaller chimeras such as winged rabbits and seven-headed-snakes can also be found.

At the center of it all … the main event: An actual Kaiju hybrid. At the center of the stage is a miniature version of the Shachimon whales that had sewn chaos across the sea just a month before. She’s much smaller than her full sized counterparts, only about as large as a dog. It’s likely she’s been bred down with native marine life to make her more tameable and less able to completely topple a boat with her strength.

This is what the auction-goers had come to see and hopefully purchase today. What they want a half-Kaiju for remains to be seen, but LILITH is not about to let just anyone get their hands on their specimens.

Outsiders undertaking this mission may wrangle and capture the hybrid creatures (most of which will be aggressive) and fight off or capture the auction staff. Most of the staff will be armed with guns and cybernetic enhancements (e.g. bionic arms with lasers attached). They can be questioned but not all of them are happy to answer. Unfortunately, the ringleaders will slip away in the chaos before anyone can capture them. A message from Captain Yamakawa projects into the implant late into the night (and if you were sleeping by this hour of 2 a.m, you're about to be woken up.)

"This is unacceptable. Angels of LILITH, please be on the lookout for the organizers of this crime. This kind of theft is unforgivable. We are investigating their identities, but any further information regarding those that got away is appreciated."

▶ 005. SIMULATION.

While Outsider are given some time to rest and recover from their battle in February, it doesn't take long for their training to kick back up again. Outsiders will be summoned to the simulation room and instructed to put on their LILITH-issued plugsuits. They will be paired or put into groups for another battle simulation. After being ushed into the training grounds, the room will turn pitch black 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 in Singapore. The city is lively and all seems well and ordinary with civilians going about their daily lives. The weather is warm and sunny and it's a beautiful day.

Suddenly, screams break out from a nearby Hawker centre. A small group of civilians go on a rampage and begin chasing after the crowds. They move quickly but awkwardly as if they aren't in total control of their bodies. They try to attack other people in any way possible and cannot listen to reason. Rendering the disturbed civilians dead or unconscious will result in a large hornet emerging from a melted hole somewhere on the victim's body. The hornets must be destroyed before they possess another host. It isn't just the humans that can be taken over: Some of the suzume-bachi will infect the local animal life as well.

If you look around, there are still many people running around and curious onlookers trying to catch a peek inside. With so many hosts milling around, the suzume-bachi could be anywhere among us.

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET:
NAME: SUZUME-BACHI
HEIGHT: 7.6-12 in.
WEIGHT: 2 kg
CLASS: UNKNOWN, CANNOT BE CLASSED.
THREAT LEVEL: MODERATE-SEVERE
LOCATION: Tropical climates with high humidity
ABILITIES: Parasitic and will enter a “host body” and try to gain control. Capable of entering other wildlife.
WEAKNESS: Ice (they cannot operate in cold climate), physical attacks.
EXTRA NOTES: Once they gain control over a lifeform, only rendering the host body unconscious will allow them to expose themselves. It is advised to kill them prior to have the entering ones body. The process of them latching on to take control is extremely invasive as they melt through skin to gain access to a body. Possessed bodies will behave aggressively and will try to lure others into areas of nesting for the SUZUME-BACHI. Highly protective of their hive and their “QUEEN”— please approach hives with caution and do not approach alone.

█ █ █ MISSION OBJECTIVE:
✖ Identify humans and creatures being controlled by the SUZUME-BACHI.
✖ Rescue civilians and clear all wildlife of being possessed by the SUZUME-BACHI.
✖ Help move civilians to underground safety bunker.
✖ Protect safe zones from SUZUME-BACHI.
EXTRA NOTES: Every SUZUME-BACHI killed equals 1 KILL point, freeing those who are under its control is 1 ASSIST point, and getting civilians to the shelter will give 1 RESCUE point.

█ █ █ ATTACHED PHOTO:

▶ 006. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our third 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. '

There are currently 23 available player slots. New players are welcome to use this TDM to get samples for when APPLICATIONS open.

None of the prompts suit your fancy? Feel free to check out our main base and locations page and make up your own prompts!

Use the code provided in the ARRIVAL prompt if you'd like to participate in the ice breaker and place it in your top level along with your other prompts. Anything such as civilian name or username can be marked as UNDECIDED if you're unsure of what you'd like your character to have for now. Though it says 'Orientation', existing characters can still participate in the ice-breaker.

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

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Comments

[eyescar]

Really? I bet you'd have looked really cute in it. [ But it seems like the kind of thing Raidou would do, giving it away to someone who would need it more.

Nodding, he moves with Raidou over to the right spot, his heart thudding in his chest. Taking the camera is easy: Yuji might not be in the true selfie era of the modern world, but he knows enough thanks to the emergence of smartphones. He tucks himself close up to Raidou's body so they'll both fit into the frame, lifting it up and angling it just enough that he feels like they're both going to be in it. ]

Smile!

[ He beams, then takes the photo, practically smooshing his face into Raidou's. ]

[the_fourteenth]

It was... a little on the ridiculous side, really. [It was very cute, Yuji. Be sad you missed it.

Raidou looks up at the camera and does his best for the photos. He does a pretty good job, unable to help but smiling with Yuji so happy and pressed up against him like that. His own arm goes around Yuji's back, hand on his waist.

He'll grab the first photo as Yuji takes the second, and waits eagerly for it develop to see how it turned out. A little washed out and a little off center, just as every Polaroid photo is. In other words,]

Perfect.

[eyescar]

[ Yuji, meanwhile, takes his own photo and cradles it in his hands, thumb pressing into the white border. It's clear that he's so genuinely happy, and for something so simple to make him this happy... It's clear just how difficult he has been finding things, and how content he is to spend time with someone that he genuinely likes.

Eventually, he shifts his bag off his shoulders, reaching inside for his notebook and slipping the photo between it carefully. ]

You're right. They're just perfect, Johei.

[the_fourteenth]

[Ah, so that's what the other notebook was for. A good idea. Raidou hands his photo over for safe keeping.]

Let's find some places to take more. And then we can stop for lunch, if we don't find anything to stop at. Alright?

[This time, it's Raidou who's offering a hand towards him.]

[eyescar]

[ Taking it, Yuji smiles again before he tucks it away safely, sliding his notebook back into his bag before he immediately reaches to take Raidou's hand. ]

We can have a whole collection! It's pretty out here, so that's a good idea.

[ They start to move forward again, heading towards more of the open world ahead of them, and Yuji can feel himself settling back into the quiet, calm joy. Sighing softly, he squeezes Raidou's hand. After a little while he stops, pausing, turning his head with a frown. ]

Did you hear that?

[the_fourteenth]

[It only takes a split second for Yuju to stop and say something those words, that Summoner Mode is activated. Raidou also stops, hand going to his hip for a sword that's not there. Damnit.

He hadn't heard anything. Is he slacking already? Not good. He needs to keep focus, he can't be distracted.]

No.

[He stays completely still, listening.]

[eyescar]

Johei, I don't think it's that serious...

[ Yuji's instincts aren't going into overdrive, at least, but he does shift a little closer. He's not about to let anything come between them and hurt Raidou, and if there are any kaiju left over from the last mission...

Slowly, he pushes himself forward, investigating, before he hears a quiet noise. Was that... ]

... A cat?

[the_fourteenth]

[This is totally him feeling subconsciously guilty for not Being On every waking moment. A summoner has to stay vigilant. They don't know what might be out there!

A cat, however, is not what he was expecting. So it is. It's waking up from a nap in a sunny spot on a tree stump, stretching and yawning as it looks at them.]

... Ah.

[Raidou takes a few tentative footsteps towards it. It doesn't budge, yet.]

How odd, all the way out here?

[eyescar]

It's pretty cute...

[ Are they feral? Yuji has read books about colonies of feral cats who live out in the wild, and with how much destruction there seems to be in this place it would make sense for there to be little pockets, but they're still precious. He takes a step forward, alongside Raidou, and the cat just tilts it's head to look at them.

It doesn't seem to be at all bothered by their presence. ]

Do you want to pet it? I'll take a photo.

[the_fourteenth]

Oh? Yes, of course.

[When Raidou takes a few more steps forward, the cat jumps down from the stump, but it doesn't take off. It's a little more used to human presence than some other of the feral cats around thanks to the nearby onsen, but it's still a little wary of newcomers.

Raidou crouches down, and offers a hand to it wordlessly to see if it will approach. It takes a few moments, but the cat cautiously steps forward to give him a sniff. Once it does, he gives it a little scritch on the head with a smile. It's at least amenable to that much.]

[eyescar]

[ Yuji waits until Raidou is in position, his smile widening as he reaches out to pet at the cat. It says a lot about a person, he thinks, the way they treat animals and how animals react to them - but Yuji had always known he was a good guy.

Bending down a little, he lifts the camera to take a good picture, Raidou in the middle with the cat pushing its head up towards him. He doesn't even realise he's speaking out loud. ]

Cute...

[the_fourteenth]

He really is.

[He's talking about the cat, right.

The noise from the camera catches the cat's attention, and it takes a few steps back. Raidou stands up now, not wanting to scare it off by reaching any further towards it. It jogs a few steps away between a few trees, beyond which it's easy to see a nearby path through the bare trees.

Raidou nods toward it.]

Yuji, look.

[eyescar]

Haha, yeah, the cat's adorable.

[ Good save, Itadori!

Lifting himself up, he steps forward, peering between the trees at the scampering cat, his eyes widening a little. ]

Shall we investigate? It might be cool...

[the_fourteenth]

Perhaps there's something out here after all.

[Not just reaching out this time, Raidou is the one to take Yuji's hand.]

Let's go.

[The cat keeps a few paces ahead, trotting along the path. It figures it knows where they want to go, why else would humans be out this way? Besides, maybe they'll feed him once they get there.

It's not long before the path becomes connected to an old road, signs of life outside the city Raidou had no idea was here. Some abandoned homes and businesses line it, long since boarded up as their owners made their way into the city proper. But there is one beacon of life at the end, in the direction the cat trot off to. Raidou looks quite surprised seeing the signs outside it.]

... Is that an onsen?

[eyescar]

Are they keeping it a secret or something?

[ Their hands connect immediately, and Yuji squeezes Raidou's hand absently as he follows after him. When they break through into the road, out into the full view of the onsen, Yuji's eyes widen, and he fills with excitement. It's obvious how utterly into this he is, and he tugs Raidou forward just a little.

He's excited, and he jiggles on his feet. He wants to go in immediately. He had used the onsen before, when he and Bakugo had argued, but now... ]

This is so cool! Shall we go in?

[the_fourteenth]

[Raidou breaks out into an actual grin, at not just the idea of a real hot spring out here, but Yuji's excitement.]

Yeah, of course. We came all this way, right?

[Plus they can stop for lunch here. How perfect.

The proprietors are glad to see them, and they're welcomed in for a small fee. It's a pretty meager place, but that doesn't matter. To Raidou, this is one of those few precious spots in this time that resemble anything that he's familiar with.]

Ah, I know they have food here, but do you think they'd be okay with us setting up the one we brought...?

[eyescar]

Yeah!

[ Yuji is definitely excited: it feels like the kind of thing you don't get to do that often in the city, especially with how things are for him back now, and yeah, maybe he got to do it before, but this place is different. It's homier. The excitement bubbles inside of him, and he squeezes Raidou's hand as they may and make their way inside. ]

I don't think they mind. We've paid to use it, right?

[ Beaming, he looks around and takes everything in. ]

Do you want to eat and then go in, or the other way?

[the_fourteenth]

We should wait til after, right? [Sitting on that water with a full stomach seems unpleasant, huh.

It's a few minutes after they've arrive and getting settled that it dawns on Raidou that they're actually doing this. They're... going to be getting into a bath. Together. Something that wouldn't seem like a big deal most other times sure seemed like one now.

Though, if he knows Yuji, he's probably fine. It'll be Raidou who is the one who gets quiet and red-faced as they head off to get changed.]

[eyescar]

Yeah! Then we can relax with our food.

[ Not that he thinks his bento is all that exciting, but... He's excited to share it with Raidou all the same. Heading into the changing rooms, he places his bag down and starts to change, tugging his shirt off without any hesitation.

He doesn't even register that he's changing in front of Raidou, wrapping his towel around his waist and turning back with a broad smile. ]

Let's do it!

[the_fourteenth]

[He's ready to go to, and-- Well consider his train of thought momentarily derailed at the sight of Yuji undressed. He knows how red his face must be and he hates it. Especially with no hat now to cover it up.

Not that Raidou is a slouch by any means, but he's definitely more of the wiry sort, old scars of battles past and recent cross him in several places.

He gives Yuji a strangely enthusiastic nod - a nervous one - and decides to walk out ahead of Yuji to the pools.]

...Right!

[eyescar]

[ It's Raidou's blush that gives away just how embarrassing this could be considered, and Yuji is struck with the realisation that this isn't changing in the locker room for some kind of field event - this is him stripping down in front of a guy he's been on some dates with, and now he's suddenly a little embarrassed and sheepish about it.

He can't help but let his gaze flick up and down Raidou's body before he deliberately turns away and makes sure he's not staring. He knew that the other boy was handsome, but... Well.

Wow.

Waiting until he's ahead enough that he might be able to sink in first, Yuji chases after him and slides into the water himself, breathing out happily. ]

This is amazing.

[the_fourteenth]

[Raidou does the same, sighing in relief to be in the water. When was the last time he made it to a real onsen? Well before he'd even been working in the Capital. Well, unless you count the baths Bakugo warmed up for him... Nice but not the same.]

It is. Wish we had found place right after the kaiju battle.

[Everyone could have used a trip here after that. He was pretty bruised and exhausted himself after that, saving his healing factor for everybody but himself, of course.

He takes another deep breath, and settles in a little more, head leaned back and eyes closed for a moment.]

We'll have to come back here again next time.

[eyescar]

[ It always feels good to slip inside and soak, and Yuji makes a pleased noise as he settles into the water. He lets himself sink deep, up to his chin for a moment, enjoying the warm, soothing heat of the water before he pokes his head back up to look over at Raidou. ]

We'll have to tell some of the others about this place. I bet they'd love it, especially after a mission, yeah.

[ Yuji watches the other boy for a moment, his expression softening into something fond, smile gentle - tender. ]

You look happy.

[the_fourteenth]

Outsiders could single-handedly keep this place in business.

[He opens his eyes, and sees Yuji looking at him like that, and it feels like it makes his heart skip a beat. His expression warms as well.]

Mm. Yeah. You do too. It's been a great day, hasn't it.

[eyescar]

And it’s not even over yet.

[ It feels like a moment where he wants to confess something - because he does like Raidou a lot. He’s reminded, however, of his conversation with Fushiguro and bites his tongue, for now. He’s so limited in his own time, isn’t he?

How long can he stay here? ]

I’m… Really happy.