The decision has been made. LILITH Japan orders the Outsiders to mobilize to pursue the Imugi.
Given that they are in a foreign country, they are largely dependent on LILITH Korea’s resources. In response to the decision, the Korean branch provides some assistance: the Outsiders are given just enough vehicles to help transport them, essential supplies, and only a few operatives to help guide them. This is the most the Korean branch is able to give, as they must focus on relocating people and restoring peace following the attack.
LILITH announces that the Imugi is currently resting near Gangneung on the east coast and they must move quickly. The effects of Rift poisoning will grow stronger as they approach the source; a sign that they are close to a kaiju. Upon reaching the mountains just outside the city, LILITH informs them that they are right on top of its location.
However, there is no Imugi to be found. After searching the area, Outsiders will discover the source of the trace and the poisoning: eggs. They will find about twelve eggs. When they report their findings, Seokdang will curse. In their rush, they had followed the wrong trace. They didn’t track down an injured and resting Imugi—they tracked down the Imugi’s nest. So where is the Imugi?
Not long after, Outsiders will receive an update on their implants: the Imugi reappeared in Seoul. After seeing the corpse of its mate, it went berserk and attacked the city again. While many of the citizens were evacuated to nearby Incheon and remaining shelters, just as many perished, with the death toll at 168,000 and rising. LILITH’s Korean base is destroyed.
The Imugi was last seen flying north, but the Korean government prohibits the Outsiders from pursuing it again through their territory. By choosing to pursue the kaiju, the Outsiders have abandoned humanity and thus will receive no further support. They are ordered to leave the country immediately.
LILITH Japan will order them to collect as many eggs as possible and continue to the abandoned city of Gangneung, where they will arrange pick up and return to base in Tokyo.
▶ AFTERWORD.
Thanks everyone for participating in our first major Event Decision! We hope you had fun discussing what to do both ICly and OOCly.
After failing to capture the second Imugi and also failing to save a large portion of Seoul's population, characters will be shipped back to Japan. The events of the TDM will springboard from there. Feel free to use this post to thread out any aftermath threads if you would like.
All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards August AC.
(Absolutely not. He pulls the paper back and swats at his hand. This is his now. He earned the right to be a menace. So he'll lean back with his paper and turn in his seat so if Ratio wants that paper back, he's going to have to get up and lean across the table and all of his books for real,)
Logically? No. (Not at all. He answers simply and honestly,) Well, one could be made now but that isn't really fair.
(So he won't even bother. He isn't here to lord the "right" decision over anyone.)
You were bold before and now you've become quite the recluse. Didn't you say whatever happened would be well deserved?
(Folding the paper once more and humming,)
They're "fools" who should "learn to fend for themselves or suffer gravely for their incompetency?"
(Pulling out the citations... yeah. And he looks over at Ratio, )
[ Alright, fine. Ratio's got a good idea what's on that particular piece of paper, so he makes a small note to remind himself to rewrite it if Tsurumaru ruins it. ]
Yes, that is precisely what I said. Note that I did not say that it would be 'well-deserved', as you've put it. Nor did I say I'd be pleased by this result, or by any manner of human suffering.
[ Ratio understands now; he's here to call Ratio out on some supposed hypocrisy. Of being upset after the fact, because things didn't go the way he expected. ]
Had our chase succeeded, but Seoul be thrown into an anarchy of their own making, I would not have been happy. I do not like to see people hurt, especially by their own idiocy. But this? This was because LILITH, and subsequently us, failed to deliver on our duty to eliminate the kaiju. I placed too much faith in LILITH's competency, and the people suffered as a result.
You are also mistaken about another thing. Feeling bad now... I never felt positively about either choice. People would die, no matter which choice we made, but the question was 'how many'. All I wanted was to minimize casualties, and picked the choice I believed would accomplish that, even if it meant I would have to turn away from the suffering in front of me.
I don't regret my choice. Regret is for those who did not try their best in a given moment. Regretting the outcome would be to toss salt into the wounds of those who suffered as a direct result of our choice. I fully intend to live with the consequences of this decision. This isn't the first time my poor judgement has resulted in a catastrophic loss of life.
That doesn't mean I can't be upset by the outcome, and upset at my own flaws.
[ Though he's doing his best to put up a stern front, the slight quiver of his voice and trembling hands betray his internal turmoil. ]
(As far as Tsurumaru is concerned, it was in the arguments themselves. If the city fell, it was on them. They should have been smarter. Better. Stronger. They should have learned their lessons sooner.)
If we'd succeeded and the city fell into anarchy, would you be acting this way now? Pulling away and silently hiding behind your books?
[ There's no use thinking about 'what-if' scenarios, but Ratio obliges and tries to envision how he'd feel. It's not particularly difficult to see how things would play out. Even before the consequences of their choice had been realized, he had been quite upset with the choice he made already, because he was aware of what was to follow. Had Seoul still suffered similar casualties by their own hand, he would be upset, he's certain. Even if they hadn't, and the casualties been much smaller, he would have taken no pleasure watching the city fall apart.
Upon their return to base, there's no doubt he would have buried himself into research, no matter the outcome. Even if they'd had the perfect result—the kaiju subdued and Seoul learning to hold itself together. Even if he'd chosen to stay and help, and watched them suffer casualties from the escaped kaiju doubling back, perhaps after they leave, or another city ended up being attacked as a result of letting it escape. Even if the kaiju never appeared again, and no further casualties were realized. Because understanding the world through research and developing ways to improve it is the way he knows how to help best. Perhaps he would have approached it with different emotions, depending on the outcome, but he is an academic at heart. ]
...yes. I believe I would. No matter the outcome, I would have returned to my research as quickly as possible. This planet does not have the luxury of time, which necessitates that I focus on providing assistance as best I can. Regardless of how I feel, I cannot stop and allow myself to fall into despair or self-pity. That I have chosen to temporarily vacate the base is to place myself in an environment conductive to that. You've seen the sorry state of our colleagues. Hardly the sort of backdrop I'd prefer to conduct research.
[ It's a half-truth. Even if he'd felt no emotional turmoil, having to deal with a base full of moping individuals would have eventually driven him up the wall and led to more conflict instigated by himself.
But he knows the real reason he left was so he could throw himself into research. To convert his emotions into motivation. Because if he was going to be upset, and fail to maintain his stoicism, he should at least continue to be productive, so time isn't wasted. ]
Edited (you ever hate noticing typos or wrong words-) 2024-08-24 18:40 (UTC)
(He's quiet as he listens, takes in Ratio's answer, and watches him carefully. He may not be an academic like Ratio but he studies him with all the detail of a teacher waiting to catch a mistake. No, in his case, it's more like a general waiting to catch an opening.
If his voice were to shake, If he were to look away, If he showed any sign of doubt or weak conviction, Tsurumaru would surely catch it and make his next move.
But that small crack he had caught just a second ago is nowhere to be found.
Leaning in a little closer once more, propping his elbow on the table, he frowns. Shoulders relaxed, more at ease, perhaps even a little disappointed that there's no reason left to antagonize and fight...)
There are those in this world who are fated to carry a heavy burden. Not everyone can bear it.
(Which explains the foul air at the base.)
You should come back to the base, Doctor. You could set a better example for others.
(Translation......... Normalcy is good for morale when it's in the pits.)
[ He is keenly aware of the burden he carries as someone touted to be as intelligent as the members of the Genius Society. A burden that grows every time he publishes a paper, puts another achievement under his belt, and people expect more and more of him.
The failures, too, pile under his feet as he continues to step forward, higher and higher, all by his lonesome. A staircase meant for one person, destination unknown, for it does not lead to Nous and Their Geniuses, nor can it be allowed to collapse and send him falling to the ground to be with the people.
He closes his eyes and exhales deeply, exhausting creeping up on him. Fool. He's already known what he must do, so why does he still feel this way? ]
I will return in due time. However, I...
[ Should he really confess this Tsurumaru? No. He should keep it to himself as he usually does. Yes. Tsurumaru is here to force him to reflect upon himself. Perhaps his words would allow him to better settle these turbulent emotions. No. Yes. ]
...I must admit that I cannot maintain my calm. As much as I desire to continue forth unaffected, I was not... prepared to confront the reality of our failure. Seeing the destruction wrought upon the city, I was beset with guilt for my role in the decision. As with the last time my judgement resulted in a heavy loss of life, I require time to process my emotions, reflect on my actions and determine the best way to proceed.
[ Which he hasn't been doing, actually. He's instead thrown himself into his work in an attempt to quash his emotions, and trying his best to pretend that overworking himself is productive.
(There's that lingering "but" still and he waits. What he doesn't expect is how long he has to wait. After a moment, he sits up straighter and eyes go a little sharper as he watches the other man carefully. Something has changed. It's like he can catch that ever so slight change in confidence, that crack in his pride. As flippant as Tsurumaru can be, he's surprisingly observant of his surroundings and for all of his whimsy, he knows when to adapt and adjust his behavior.
And then it comes.
There it is.
That sensitive and uncomfortable burden. He isn't surprised that Ratio feels it. He's surprised that he's admitted it. He would have thought the doctor too proud to reveal himself. It reminds him of when he snuck away and spoke to...
Hm.
Tone softer, gentler, a little more understanding, )
... I once met a man who wanted to protect the world.
(Only once. They only met once.)
He was tasked with a heavy burden to carry. He was a great general and he had another army at his mercy. He could decide if they lived or died. He didn't disagree with their cause. You see, they both wanted a better world but their objectives were different.
In the end, he chose to commit the greatest mistake. He chose to make an example of them. He expected grievances. He expected wrath. However, he embraced the regret that came from making such a mistake. He committed the greatest mistake to ensure others would learn from it and never make the same mistake.
As a result, this very country experienced nearly two more centuries of relative peace.
(Tsurumaru is, after all, a spirit from this world so all of this is just a condensed history lesson.)
I really admired him. He could make a single mistake but see beyond it for the bigger picture. He could see the greater lesson and teach everyone to not make the same mistake. He could help create a better world.
Even when I chose to lose my entire army to him... I'm proud I lost it all to such a foolish sage.
(37,000 men, women, and children. Massacred. One of the most sympathetic battles in this country's history.)
[ Of course killing people is a mistake, Ratio wants to retort, but that isn't the point of the story Tsurumaru is sharing. It's not about the lives lost as much as it's about making mistakes and learning from them. Seeing past the weight of the mistake to the value it brings the future.
There is something to be learned from their failure in Seoul. Something must be learned to avoid the same thing from occurring once more in the future. Not because the lives would have been lost in vain otherwise—nothing changes the fact that lives have been lost; potential snuffed out, and people suffering in its wake. But there are those like him who must proceed regardless, and thus it is important to extract a lesson that can be passed on.
Because it's his job to continue when others cannot. To be keep pushing forth, and show the hopeless that there is something waiting for them if they just keep fighting. That they have to pick themselves back up, because no one can help them if they do not help themselves.
There is still a tightly wound ball of emotions tumbling in his chest. This is something that will not resolve itself through discussion and logic. But he sees a little clearer, and the understanding of what he must do has settled much better in his mind. ]
Your story has given me some clarity of mind.
[ He'd been dwelling on himself and his burdens a little too much, not focusing on the future he needed to do his best for. His thoughts had been stuck on how to deal with his emotions, and nothing else. This is what he'd been missing: his vision for the future.
He summons a new sheet of paper into his hand, pen in the other, and immediately gets to writing. This time, he's scribbling a concrete plan for self-reflection and giving himself the proper time needed to sort through everything. ]
I still require time for myself, but I know how long it will take for me to recover my spirit, and what I must do to clear my heart.
[ He pauses for a moment to look at Tsurumaru, eyes clear and focused once more. ]
(In more ways than one. But he smiles to himself, looking satisfied with the result he can now see unfolding in front of him. Maybe that's why he returns Ratio's paper to him, folded into a paper airplane in front of him. If Ratio had continued to frustrate him, he would have surely thrown it into the distance for him to retrieve or lose forever.
If it's like then he doesn't mind giving the man a little more time. Maybe this is also why he decides to relent and get up from his seat to leave him alone to his work,)
Don't take too long, doctor. You wouldn't want to waste your life away.
[ With a small huff, he takes back the folded paper and unfolds it, smoothing it out and shuffling through his papers to place the sheet where it belongs.
Once that's done, he returns to the sheet he was working on. ]
Nothing I do is a waste. Every moment is a step forward, whether through progress, or a lesson learned from failure.
[ He looks up at Tsurumaru for a moment. ]
Three days.
[ That's how long he'll take to recover. Of course, he doesn't account for himself falling ill on the third day, thus trapping him in his room and extending the period of time he isn't seen around base, but that is a conversation for the future. ]
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synflux2024-08-22 04:03 am
no subject
Logically? No. (Not at all. He answers simply and honestly,) Well, one could be made now but that isn't really fair.
(So he won't even bother. He isn't here to lord the "right" decision over anyone.)
You were bold before and now you've become quite the recluse. Didn't you say whatever happened would be well deserved?
(Folding the paper once more and humming,)
They're "fools" who should "learn to fend for themselves or suffer gravely for their incompetency?"
(Pulling out the citations... yeah. And he looks over at Ratio, )
Feeling bad now?
no subject
Yes, that is precisely what I said. Note that I did not say that it would be 'well-deserved', as you've put it. Nor did I say I'd be pleased by this result, or by any manner of human suffering.
[ Ratio understands now; he's here to call Ratio out on some supposed hypocrisy. Of being upset after the fact, because things didn't go the way he expected. ]
Had our chase succeeded, but Seoul be thrown into an anarchy of their own making, I would not have been happy. I do not like to see people hurt, especially by their own idiocy. But this? This was because LILITH, and subsequently us, failed to deliver on our duty to eliminate the kaiju. I placed too much faith in LILITH's competency, and the people suffered as a result.
You are also mistaken about another thing. Feeling bad now... I never felt positively about either choice. People would die, no matter which choice we made, but the question was 'how many'. All I wanted was to minimize casualties, and picked the choice I believed would accomplish that, even if it meant I would have to turn away from the suffering in front of me.
I don't regret my choice. Regret is for those who did not try their best in a given moment. Regretting the outcome would be to toss salt into the wounds of those who suffered as a direct result of our choice. I fully intend to live with the consequences of this decision. This isn't the first time my poor judgement has resulted in a catastrophic loss of life.
That doesn't mean I can't be upset by the outcome, and upset at my own flaws.
[ Though he's doing his best to put up a stern front, the slight quiver of his voice and trembling hands betray his internal turmoil. ]
no subject
(As far as Tsurumaru is concerned, it was in the arguments themselves. If the city fell, it was on them. They should have been smarter. Better. Stronger. They should have learned their lessons sooner.)
If we'd succeeded and the city fell into anarchy, would you be acting this way now? Pulling away and silently hiding behind your books?
no subject
Upon their return to base, there's no doubt he would have buried himself into research, no matter the outcome. Even if they'd had the perfect result—the kaiju subdued and Seoul learning to hold itself together. Even if he'd chosen to stay and help, and watched them suffer casualties from the escaped kaiju doubling back, perhaps after they leave, or another city ended up being attacked as a result of letting it escape. Even if the kaiju never appeared again, and no further casualties were realized. Because understanding the world through research and developing ways to improve it is the way he knows how to help best. Perhaps he would have approached it with different emotions, depending on the outcome, but he is an academic at heart. ]
...yes. I believe I would. No matter the outcome, I would have returned to my research as quickly as possible. This planet does not have the luxury of time, which necessitates that I focus on providing assistance as best I can. Regardless of how I feel, I cannot stop and allow myself to fall into despair or self-pity. That I have chosen to temporarily vacate the base is to place myself in an environment conductive to that. You've seen the sorry state of our colleagues. Hardly the sort of backdrop I'd prefer to conduct research.
[ It's a half-truth. Even if he'd felt no emotional turmoil, having to deal with a base full of moping individuals would have eventually driven him up the wall and led to more conflict instigated by himself.
But he knows the real reason he left was so he could throw himself into research. To convert his emotions into motivation. Because if he was going to be upset, and fail to maintain his stoicism, he should at least continue to be productive, so time isn't wasted. ]
no subject
(He's quiet as he listens, takes in Ratio's answer, and watches him carefully. He may not be an academic like Ratio but he studies him with all the detail of a teacher waiting to catch a mistake. No, in his case, it's more like a general waiting to catch an opening.
If his voice were to shake,
If he were to look away,
If he showed any sign of doubt or weak conviction,
Tsurumaru would surely catch it and make his next move.
But that small crack he had caught just a second ago is nowhere to be found.
Leaning in a little closer once more, propping his elbow on the table, he frowns. Shoulders relaxed, more at ease, perhaps even a little disappointed that there's no reason left to antagonize and fight...)
There are those in this world who are fated to carry a heavy burden. Not everyone can bear it.
(Which explains the foul air at the base.)
You should come back to the base, Doctor. You could set a better example for others.
(Translation......... Normalcy is good for morale when it's in the pits.)
no subject
The failures, too, pile under his feet as he continues to step forward, higher and higher, all by his lonesome. A staircase meant for one person, destination unknown, for it does not lead to Nous and Their Geniuses, nor can it be allowed to collapse and send him falling to the ground to be with the people.
He closes his eyes and exhales deeply, exhausting creeping up on him. Fool. He's already known what he must do, so why does he still feel this way? ]
I will return in due time. However, I...
[ Should he really confess this Tsurumaru? No. He should keep it to himself as he usually does. Yes. Tsurumaru is here to force him to reflect upon himself. Perhaps his words would allow him to better settle these turbulent emotions. No. Yes. ]
...I must admit that I cannot maintain my calm. As much as I desire to continue forth unaffected, I was not... prepared to confront the reality of our failure. Seeing the destruction wrought upon the city, I was beset with guilt for my role in the decision. As with the last time my judgement resulted in a heavy loss of life, I require time to process my emotions, reflect on my actions and determine the best way to proceed.
[ Which he hasn't been doing, actually. He's instead thrown himself into his work in an attempt to quash his emotions, and trying his best to pretend that overworking himself is productive.
Ah. ]
...ha. I am truly a fool.
no subject
(There's that lingering "but" still and he waits. What he doesn't expect is how long he has to wait. After a moment, he sits up straighter and eyes go a little sharper as he watches the other man carefully. Something has changed. It's like he can catch that ever so slight change in confidence, that crack in his pride. As flippant as Tsurumaru can be, he's surprisingly observant of his surroundings and for all of his whimsy, he knows when to adapt and adjust his behavior.
And then it comes.
There it is.
That sensitive and uncomfortable burden. He isn't surprised that Ratio feels it. He's surprised that he's admitted it. He would have thought the doctor too proud to reveal himself. It reminds him of when he snuck away and spoke to...
Hm.
Tone softer, gentler, a little more understanding, )
... I once met a man who wanted to protect the world.
(Only once. They only met once.)
He was tasked with a heavy burden to carry. He was a great general and he had another army at his mercy. He could decide if they lived or died. He didn't disagree with their cause. You see, they both wanted a better world but their objectives were different.
In the end, he chose to commit the greatest mistake. He chose to make an example of them. He expected grievances. He expected wrath. However, he embraced the regret that came from making such a mistake. He committed the greatest mistake to ensure others would learn from it and never make the same mistake.
As a result, this very country experienced nearly two more centuries of relative peace.
(Tsurumaru is, after all, a spirit from this world so all of this is just a condensed history lesson.)
I really admired him. He could make a single mistake but see beyond it for the bigger picture. He could see the greater lesson and teach everyone to not make the same mistake. He could help create a better world.
Even when I chose to lose my entire army to him... I'm proud I lost it all to such a foolish sage.
(37,000 men, women, and children. Massacred. One of the most sympathetic battles in this country's history.)
Foolish doctor, you're in good company here.
no subject
There is something to be learned from their failure in Seoul. Something must be learned to avoid the same thing from occurring once more in the future. Not because the lives would have been lost in vain otherwise—nothing changes the fact that lives have been lost; potential snuffed out, and people suffering in its wake. But there are those like him who must proceed regardless, and thus it is important to extract a lesson that can be passed on.
Because it's his job to continue when others cannot. To be keep pushing forth, and show the hopeless that there is something waiting for them if they just keep fighting. That they have to pick themselves back up, because no one can help them if they do not help themselves.
There is still a tightly wound ball of emotions tumbling in his chest. This is something that will not resolve itself through discussion and logic. But he sees a little clearer, and the understanding of what he must do has settled much better in his mind. ]
Your story has given me some clarity of mind.
[ He'd been dwelling on himself and his burdens a little too much, not focusing on the future he needed to do his best for. His thoughts had been stuck on how to deal with his emotions, and nothing else. This is what he'd been missing: his vision for the future.
He summons a new sheet of paper into his hand, pen in the other, and immediately gets to writing. This time, he's scribbling a concrete plan for self-reflection and giving himself the proper time needed to sort through everything. ]
I still require time for myself, but I know how long it will take for me to recover my spirit, and what I must do to clear my heart.
[ He pauses for a moment to look at Tsurumaru, eyes clear and focused once more. ]
Thank you. ...for relating your experience to me.
no subject
(In more ways than one. But he smiles to himself, looking satisfied with the result he can now see unfolding in front of him. Maybe that's why he returns Ratio's paper to him, folded into a paper airplane in front of him. If Ratio had continued to frustrate him, he would have surely thrown it into the distance for him to retrieve or lose forever.
If it's like then he doesn't mind giving the man a little more time. Maybe this is also why he decides to relent and get up from his seat to leave him alone to his work,)
Don't take too long, doctor. You wouldn't want to waste your life away.
no subject
Once that's done, he returns to the sheet he was working on. ]
Nothing I do is a waste. Every moment is a step forward, whether through progress, or a lesson learned from failure.
[ He looks up at Tsurumaru for a moment. ]
Three days.
[ That's how long he'll take to recover. Of course, he doesn't account for himself falling ill on the third day, thus trapping him in his room and extending the period of time he isn't seen around base, but that is a conversation for the future. ]