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sinfucks2024-06-30 09:10 am
synfluxmods) wrote in sinfucks2024-06-30 09:10 am
Entry tags:
TDM #5
TEST DRIVE & SIMULATION #5
▶ 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 …
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.
While there would normally be a meal available for them in the cafeteria, this doesn’t seem to be the case this time. Robots working within the cafeteria will instead be handing out food ration bars to each Outsider. They are dense with calories and nutrition, but taste a bit like sawdust.
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 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:
What is your darkest fear?
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.
While there would normally be a meal available for them in the cafeteria, this doesn’t seem to be the case this time. Robots working within the cafeteria will instead be handing out food ration bars to each Outsider. They are dense with calories and nutrition, but taste a bit like sawdust.
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."
▶ 002. THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME.
Existing Outsiders will receive a call to report to the data portal within Las Vegas. They’ve done their parts helping to take down the worm kaiju and assisting with the clean up of the city. LILITH’s army of cleaner drones can take the rest from here. It’s been a physically and emotionally draining mission for everyone, and it’s time to head home. The beaming back to Neo Tokyo will go rather smoothly for the most part (and yes, holding someone’s hand through it still helps), but upon arrival, Outsiders might be struck with a splitting headache, nausea and vertigo. They might need an hour or so to recuperate, which they can do in their rooms or the sick bay.
New and fresh Outsiders will be given the task to take care of their seniors as they recuperate. Make sure they have water and food (even if it’s terrible ration bars). Give them a massage, or cheer them up because they’ve had such a difficult mission! It’s a great way to build bonds and get to know your teammates. Ask them what happened in Vegas! They’ll be more than happy to tell you.
New and fresh Outsiders will be given the task to take care of their seniors as they recuperate. Make sure they have water and food (even if it’s terrible ration bars). Give them a massage, or cheer them up because they’ve had such a difficult mission! It’s a great way to build bonds and get to know your teammates. Ask them what happened in Vegas! They’ll be more than happy to tell you.
▶ 003. TOO HOT TO HANDLE.
One thing Outsiders will notice immediately upon stepping foot in the Neo Tokyo base is that it is hot. Did someone forget to turn on the air conditioning? The rest of Neo Tokyo doesn’t seem to be any better. With summer approaching, the city has been hit with a heatwave, and it doesn’t help that the heat is interfering with the city’s power generators. This means that not only is it hot, but notices are popping up within everyone’s implants to be mindful of how much electricity they are using. Blackouts appear to be happening all over the base and the city. Electricity is being rationed, and when residents exceed it, it’s cut off.
This is having a devastating impact on the people of Neo Tokyo. The fact that it’s hot and there isn’t much air conditioning is one thing. Hospitals are also struggling from an influx of patients being admitted due to heat stroke, dehydration and severe sunburns. Fires are breaking out more often in the heat and this is only making things worse.
On top of it all, restaurants and stores have been greatly impacted by the electricity rations. Refrigerators and freezers are not working, so food storage is a problem and fresh ingredients are going bad. Restaurants are desperate to sell off what remains of their stock before it spoils. LILITH has been giving out food ration bars and non-perishable meals (such as canned food) and it’s been keeping the people from starving, but their subpar taste doesn’t seem to help the morale one bit.
While LILITH knows that older Outsiders have just had a difficult mission, there’s no choice but to activate them once again. A mission brief will pop up in everyone’s implants:
While things aren’t looking too great, the Neo Tokyo Meteorological Agency is promising that temperatures will go down when the rainy season comes along. There hasn’t been much rain recently, however …
This is having a devastating impact on the people of Neo Tokyo. The fact that it’s hot and there isn’t much air conditioning is one thing. Hospitals are also struggling from an influx of patients being admitted due to heat stroke, dehydration and severe sunburns. Fires are breaking out more often in the heat and this is only making things worse.
On top of it all, restaurants and stores have been greatly impacted by the electricity rations. Refrigerators and freezers are not working, so food storage is a problem and fresh ingredients are going bad. Restaurants are desperate to sell off what remains of their stock before it spoils. LILITH has been giving out food ration bars and non-perishable meals (such as canned food) and it’s been keeping the people from starving, but their subpar taste doesn’t seem to help the morale one bit.
While LILITH knows that older Outsiders have just had a difficult mission, there’s no choice but to activate them once again. A mission brief will pop up in everyone’s implants:
█ █ █ MISSION OBJECTIVE:
✖Contain heat-wave related fires and conduct rescue operations
✖Assist hospitals to care for the influx of patients while they may not have the power to use their medical equipment
✖Distribute water and food rations to citizens in need
✖Assist restaurants and supermarkets to salvage their food supplies as far as possible
While things aren’t looking too great, the Neo Tokyo Meteorological Agency is promising that temperatures will go down when the rainy season comes along. There hasn’t been much rain recently, however …
▶ 004. WELCOME TO OKINAWA.
After a few days of continued efforts to support the people of Neo Tokyo, things seem to have calmed down. LILITH has fired up some backup generators that are able to power the hospital and essential services, most of the fires have been contained, and the hospital has been able to get its patient load under control. LILITH has stepped in to further support the city, with their drones working hard to hand out supplies and provide medical aid. Restaurants continue to struggle, but nobody is starving, and LILITH is working hard to get the power back in operation.
On July 5th, there is a message from Captain Yamakawa:
Departure is set at 1100hrs, and Outsiders will be provided a water bottle and some sunscreen. Once they step through the data portal, they will be met with soft sand, the hot sun, and clear, beautiful waves - Welcome to Okinawa! Specifically, Outsiders will find themselves in Emerald Beach. While the water is pristine, the first thing Outsiders might notice is that there are unnaturally large coconut crabs all over the shoreline; with the majority of them the size of a large dog, and the largest of them about the size of a car.
Nearby to the beach, there are many abandoned fruit farms (such as watermelon, dragon fruits, mango and pineapples) that may have fresh produce for Outsiders to harvest. With how the rift changes the environment, some of these fruits have grown humongous in size. On top of that, the water appears to be cleaner than that found in Tokyo Bay. There are fish still swimming in it, and while some of these fish appear to have mutated, they do not appear inedible.
This is probably what Captain Yamakawa means by ‘supplies’.
On July 5th, there is a message from Captain Yamakawa:
“My Angels of LILITH. You may be at ease now. Our dedicated staff will take over from here. It’s been a difficult month for us all. To show appreciation for your efforts, we have organized a company trip to allow you the appropriate rest and relaxation. We do ask that you gather some supplies since food is short in Neo Tokyo, but that should be an easy task for our talented workforce. Please report to the data portals for departure at once."
Departure is set at 1100hrs, and Outsiders will be provided a water bottle and some sunscreen. Once they step through the data portal, they will be met with soft sand, the hot sun, and clear, beautiful waves - Welcome to Okinawa! Specifically, Outsiders will find themselves in Emerald Beach. While the water is pristine, the first thing Outsiders might notice is that there are unnaturally large coconut crabs all over the shoreline; with the majority of them the size of a large dog, and the largest of them about the size of a car.
Nearby to the beach, there are many abandoned fruit farms (such as watermelon, dragon fruits, mango and pineapples) that may have fresh produce for Outsiders to harvest. With how the rift changes the environment, some of these fruits have grown humongous in size. On top of that, the water appears to be cleaner than that found in Tokyo Bay. There are fish still swimming in it, and while some of these fish appear to have mutated, they do not appear inedible.
This is probably what Captain Yamakawa means by ‘supplies’.
█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: Coconut Crab
SIZE: 24 inches (size of a large dog) to about 5 meters (size of a car)
CLASS: Mild threat
LOCATION: Shoreline, ocean, forests
ABILITIES: Razor-sharp pincers with formidable gripping force - once it grips on to something, it is difficult to break free. Very hard shell that would take effort to crack.
WEAKNESS: Poor eyesight and hearing. Helpless if you tie them up. Becomes stunned with a knock to the head.
EXTRA NOTES: Apparently very delicious.
█ █ █ MISSION OBJECTIVE:
✖ Hunt and capture coconut crabs. Alive is preferable for the best quality meat.
✖ Harvest fresh fruit
█ █ █ ATTACHED PHOTO:
▶ 005. THIS IS A VACATION WE PROMISE.
“Are they seriously making you guys work on your vacation?! This is why we can’t leave everything up to that stiff-ass commander. This should be our beach episode! Don’t worry, your daddy Seok Dang’s got you. Take a crab, take whatever you want, have a damn barbeque! Lie on the beach until your tan comes in. Get nude! Let’s get this party started!”
(LILITH would highly discourage anyone from actually taking off their clothes.) Following Seok Dang’s message, outsiders will notice a pop-up appearing in their eyes, prompting them to accept an outfit upgrade. If accepted, they will find themselves in beach-appropriate attire (player’s choice) using LILITH’s Style Upgrade technology.
Despite Seok Dang’s bid for a party, Outsiders will have to make their own fun in this abandoned beach. They are free to do as they like, whether it’s having a swim, lying in the sand, playing a game of volleyball with an old ball that happens to be lying around, or cracking open a watermelon to share. He does try to encourage things along by sending a few gifts. Through the data portal, several drones will emerge and drop off portable grills, boomboxes, and alcohol from his private stash. For some reason he’s also unleashed a robot that is insistent on challenging Outsiders to a watermelon slicing competition. It looks like he’s serious about this beach episode …
Outsiders may travel between Okinawa and Neo Tokyo throughout the few days using the data portals. There are no resorts in operation in Okinawa, but should they choose to stay near the beach, they may set up a camp or sleep in an abandoned house or hotel.
▶ 006. AFTERWORD.
Welcome to our fifth 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 13 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! (Note that Las Vegas is currently being rebuilt and will be made available to visit sometime next month.)
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.
For oldbies: for a job well done after the last kaiju mission, 250,000,000 KRYPTOS (~1700 USD) will be deposited into everyone's account. And to our kaiju MVPs: we haven't forgotten you! Those characters will get their due recognition next event. :)
Please note that all tags in this log will count for 2 reward points each and will count towards July AC.
There are currently 13 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! (Note that Las Vegas is currently being rebuilt and will be made available to visit sometime next month.)
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.
For oldbies: for a job well done after the last kaiju mission, 250,000,000 KRYPTOS (~1700 USD) will be deposited into everyone's account. And to our kaiju MVPs: we haven't forgotten you! Those characters will get their due recognition next event. :)
Please note that all tags in this log will count for 2 reward points each and will count towards July AC.
TDM #5 BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. ARRIVAL PROMPT: Newcomers arrive with ocular and brain implants and told a breakdown of the premise with an icebreaker orientation to fill out. Their first cafeteria meal is food ration bars. Newcomers are placed in gray loungewear while they are being sorted into teams.
2. THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Senior Outsiders return from Las Vegas via the data portal and will experience side effects such as dizziness, nausea and headaches. Newer Outsiders are tasked with taking care of their senpai.
3. TOO HOT TO HANDLE: There is a heatwave and that's messed up the power grid, leading to a city-wide electricity ration. Hospitals are struggling, fires are breaking out and black outs are happening all over the city. Restaurants are struggling to store their food so there there is a shortage of fresh food. Outsiders are tasked with assisting the hospitals, containing any fires, distributing rations to citizens and assisting restaurants to salvage their supplies.
4. WELCOME TO OKINAWA: With the chaos in the city now under control, LILITH has sent all Outsiders on a vacation to a beach in Okinawa. The caveat is that they will need to gather food supplies. These supplies come in the form of a coconut crab kaiju, fresh fruit and fish.
5. THIS IS A VACATION WE PROMISE: Seok Dang is eager to get this beach party starter. He's updated the implants, allowing all Outsiders to swap into beach-appropriate attire using LILITH's Style Upgrade technology. He's airdropped portable grills, music players and alcohol for Outsiders to enjoy. There is also a robot challenging people to watermelon slicing competitions. Outsiders can do whatever they want to relax at the beach.
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give it a little time and perhaps that dream will come trueSome of the light leaves Yzak's eyes when Dearka says lavendpurr. At least he's not the only one saying stupid shit here. But he IS the only one who actually cares about how ridiculous it sounds. ]
The cr— clawssants [ Please kill him. ] are just fine. And we've got the usual variety of those; chocolate, buttered, plain.
The brownies are good, too.
[ ANOTHER SUFFERING SIGH as he corrects himself. ] Mrownies.
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That... Mhmm! Ahem! That all sounds good, but it's also not exactly a balanced meal you're offering, huh?
[Keep it together Dearka, you can do this... Probably...]
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You want cold cuts on the clawssants, you can ask for that. You want muffins instead, we've got catcha, banyanya, mewberry, lemeown.
It's a cat cafe, not a five-star restaurant! The point is getting the cats adopted more than an expansive range of choices.
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SNrrrghkkhhHAHAH--
[The sudden outburst startles the one cat away, which is enough to break Dearka briefly out of his fit of laughter, long enough to twist in his seat to watch it leaving and call after it:]
Awww, ha ha! Nooo, little guy--! [Damn. It's under the next table over. A lost cause. Maybe it'll come back later, if he's lucky. He looks back to Yzak again, and does his best to look contrite despite the fact that he's still snickering.] S-sorry, you just-- Look so mad--!
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Yzak's expression too shifts as he lists those menu options and sees the way Dearka so desperately tries to hold in his laughter, tighter and barely holding it together himself (in the complete opposite way) until the other man breaks. Yzak immediately reddens, puffing up as those airplane ears pull back as far as they can go. ]
Big mystery why!!
[ The cats at Yzak's feet look back and forth between the two of them, confused, especially since one of their siblings when scampering away. ]
You're scaring the cats, idiot!
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H-hey, your shouting isn't going to make them any LESS scared!
[Imagine if the uniform also came with a holo-tail. Dearka figures Yzak would be slapping the shit out of the table behind him right about now, with all the lashing about it'd probably be doing.]
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methem. ]Order already! Or else I'll have you kicked out for loitering and scaring the cats!
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Alright, alright! I'll take a clawssant with cold cuts and a mrownie!
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[ And then, Yzak adds, at first sounding professional again, much like the tone he always takes as he's mister serious business, ]
I'll get your order together and be back shortly. I have one another person to serve first, so thanks for your patience.
[ He leans in again, voice growing sinister as he whispers. ]
Because it'd be a shame if I rushed and these cats tripped me up while I was bringing that guest's scalding hot tea over and it spilled all over your lap.
[ This is a threat. ]
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If it's a threat then why is it kind of turning him on? :(Dearka, of course, leans back slightly as Yzak leans in. Not because he's actually that threatened, but because he figures that's the reaction Yzak wants.
(OK maybe he's a LITTLE BIT threatened. Slightly.)]
H-hey, I get it! First come first served and all...
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[ OFF HE GOES ... in the process there's a couple of grumbles and "come on!!"s at the cats that continue to crowd around him. If Dearka's watching him (why wouldn't he be, with those cute ears and cute server outfit), he'll peep him crouching down and pulling out some treats from his apron pocket to give the cute little guys. He even pets a couple of them, because they're ... soft ... and cute ... and maybe he's a little weak to that.
It doesn't take him long to serve the other guest. And when he does so he doesn't drift toward Dearka's table. He escapes a terrible fate ... this time.
When he does bring Dearka's order, he's holding a second tray in his other hand. He places Dearka's down first, the other tray down next to it, and, then Yzak sits in the chair opposite of him. ]
I'm on my break, now.
[ And he has chosen Dearka to bestow his presence upon. ]
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Momentarily overcome with fondness, he thinks about how this is The Thing that people don't get about Yzak. They never pick up that there's a real softness under all the sharp edges and prickly attitude. That softness isn't what drew Dearka to Yzak's side in the first place, but it IS on of the many reasons he's stuck around as long as he has.
It's also why he's not at all bothered by the sort of brusque, huffy attitude he's served with when Yzak returns. He just grins back at him, picks up a clawssant, and gestures with it.]
Welcome back.
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He absolutely does grouse at the kitties on the way back since they still circle around his steps, but they're polite enough not to bother the two of them too much once they're sat and enjoying their food, opting to sit and watch in hopes of more pets and treats for being good little guys.
While Yzak's tea (chamomile, thank u) cools down, he takes a bite of the milk bread he grabbed for himself. ]
One perk is that the things on the menu are all actually pretty good. The teas, too. So I don't need to worry about options when I'm on break.
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Funny you should mention that, because I was sitting here thinking... Why don't you ask to work in the kitchens instead of as a waiter? You've got the skills enough to pull it off.
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As it so happens, anybody who can prep the items here are expected to in the mornings.
[ One of the cats jumps onto the chair between the both of them to take the place of the former feline who got scared away. Don't worry, that cat is now lounging in a cat tree nearby, content and happy. The newcomer swishes its tail curiously as it peers between the two of them, and after the briefest of hesitations, Yzak holds out his hand, wrist bent and knuckles out for the cat to rub its face against a couple of times. ]
Since I'm only very part-time at the moment, I haven't gotten to do much outside of brewing the teas and making a few small things we were running low on. And I'm not quite sure yet I even want to keep doing this, much less doing more hours since I'm ... otherwise very busy.
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You definitely aren't obligated to. Actually, I'm thinking about a bit of a career change myself...
[Not that Dearka has bothered reporting in for the one that LILITH assigned to him for cover; he's not as
analdedicated about this as Yzak is.]...But that would also make showing up here less appealing for me, which would be kind of a shame.
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First, he notes: ]
Is it a change when you never started something in the first place?
[ He can't really be judgy about it, though. They've lucked out in Vegas money-wise and have managed up until now when it comes to more personal, frivolous expenses. ]
What are you thinking of?
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Dearka takes another small sip of his lemonade, thinking for a moment.]
Well... Recently, something occurred to me: LILITH has plenty of it's own engineers and scientists and mechanics, yeah? But they don't really have anyone who specializes in mobile suits specifically. Not like what we had back with ZAFT... Or even what the Archangel had on their crew. And I'm thinking... If I'm going to do a bunch of extra work, it might as well be something that has the potential to benefit our odds of survival. Right?
[As he builds up his his case for the switch he has in mind, he's being particularly cautious about expressing too much enthusiasm. He hasn't committed to this yet, and he's genuinely curious to hear what Yzak thinks about it before he makes any decisions. Not that he's expecting rejection or anything...]
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And the subject at hand clearly keeps Yzak locked in, curious gaze not even breaking when that cat, polite as it is, loafs on the chair next to him and dares to close the distance a little more after rubbing against the Lieutenant Colonel's hand, now resting it's chin on his knee.
He looks impressed. ]
That's a really good idea.
[ He takes a long drink from his cup, mulling over the specifics of it. ]
I don't mind the guys back at the base looking over the Duel, but it's as you said. They're clearly not as familiar with our mobile suit technology, so half the time I have to stay there with them to make sure they don't screw something up by mistake. I don't mind doing that, but I am admittedly still apprehensive to leave things entirely to them.
[ He tips the cup just slightly in Dearka's direction. ] I wouldn't have to worry about any of that, if it was you.
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No, you would not. [No lack of confidence here.] It's not like it would take me very long to learn, either; especially if I can get my hands on some specs and learning materials from home.
So with that in mind, I'm thinking I might be due for a little career change. Find some work that's a bit more "hands on" than simply staring at some monitors all day. It'll help me get a better idea of what kind of tech is available here, and it might even help me make connections that'll get me access to more parts and materials.
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You should do it. I've been reading up on what aerospace engineering books I've come across here, with all of this extra downtime. [ Something self explanatory; it makes sense for Yzak to look into his hometown's specialty if he aims to continue climbing the ladder back home. ] If you get your foot in the door, that means I'd also have access to take closer looks at how different machinery works. It's much better to see and touch than just read about it, after all.
[ It's a win-win on all fronts, he thinks.
And, regarding Dearka's mention of coming here being less appealing, Yzak was considering noting that it's a quick, easy, and rather good lunch break option. And schedules allowing, he'd even use his perks to go drop off something to his partner. But suddenly with this talk of their mobile suits and Yzak's mention of his own reading he's doing on the side...
One of his little holo-ears twitch thoughtfully a couple of times. He's already very much on the fence about this 'job', but suddenly it feels that much more ... unimportant in comparison. Unimportant and silly, given how much he's been laughed at since he started this. He hasn't hated it - in fact, he's rather enjoyed it (and he's weak to the cats, his brethren), but it's always difficult for Yzak to feel comfortable doing something he doesn't see as incredibly useful. Even when he is constantly keeping himself busy with a million other very important things.
Putting his cup back down, he idly runs a finger back and forth along part of the rim. ]
The potential to benefit our odds of survival...
I should be looking into something similarly useful. Instead of bothering with this for any longer.
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But all that's moot anyway, because Dearka's bound to support whatever career changes Yzak sets his mind to. He shrugs.]
Hey, it's up to you. I think it's good for you to be out here with boots on the ground... See what the citizens have to say about things. But I can also appreciate the desire to apply your talents elsewhere.
[He grins deviously, tipping his drink towards Yzak in a little 'cheers!' gesture.]
I would miss seeing you in the cute widdle ears though.
[Teasing to disguise the fact that he does actually think Yzak looks adorable in them, genuinely: a classic move.]
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[ Because he is a serious man who does not deserve this ridicule and laughter!
He lets out a puffy breath of a sigh after that. ]
Considering my proficiency in picking up new talents on top of the impressive list of ones I already have, [ Ok mister brag. At least one thing about Yzak is that his bragging is something he can actually back up with proof. Does that make the brag any less snooty? No, ] there are plenty of more worthwhile elsewheres I can apply them.
[ There's a soft jingle as the door to the cafe opens, and a couple - older, for sure older than both of their own parents are at least - step in with a familiar ease that makes it clear they've been here before.
Clearer yet is the way they and Yzak greet each other. "Henry's in the back today, I'll let him out for you." "Oh, no, finish your break first, we'll sit down and figure out what we want in the meantime."
They naturally take note of Dearka, and then comes the age old question of "who's this handsome young man?"
Yzak stays quiet (miracle), and shoots a glance back to his (handsome, sure,) partner, letting him field that one. ]
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...Even though he thinks it's actually kind of embarrassing to be called "handsome" by an old person when he's a fucking adult. He still takes the compliment politely enough, by which I mean he smirks pleasantly and gives the elderly couple a little wave.]
Derrick. I'm an old school buddy of Andreas' here.
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The couple seems delighted when they hear his name, because Oh, YOU'RE Derrick! Andreas has talked about a lot you! We're so glad to finally meet you! etc. From their reaction, it's clear that they've been told good things about Dearka. What a great partner Yzak is. You're welcome.
With introductions out of the way, the couple heads over to a table to sit down, briefly stopping to reach down a pet a couple of the cats. Yzak picks his cup up to take another drink - deeper this time, intending to finish it off, as he glances over his shoulder, holo-ears perking forward to watch them and take note of which table they seat themselves at. And then he takes it upon himself to elaborate to Dearka. ]
Their son's name is Henry. [ Much like the cat alluded to being in the back. ] But he lives overseas and they don't see him much. So they were thrilled when they found out this one cat had the same name. They don't have the room to take him, so they come here all the time now, instead. [ Particularly when Yzak is working, too, so perhaps Henry isn't the only cat they've grown attached to.
Yzak checks the time, lets out an exhale (not because he's lazy, of course, and doesn't wish to return to work (but after their conversation he's feeling a little apprehensive about the whole thing and repeating this for much longer... he may be a clown man but he doesn't like feeling like one)) and stands up. ]
My break's nearly over. Let me know when you're done and I'll bring your check. Which you are getting, because we have a business to run, here!
[ But that check will have a deduction thanks to an applied employee discount, would you look at that. ]
Puts a lil cap on this