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 Koreaโs 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 didnโt track down an injured and resting Imugi—they tracked down the Imugiโs 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. LILITHโs 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.
โถ 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.
What an objective way to look at it. [ Elysium's smile is fainter than it usually is, mirroring Yesod's own. ] If only convincing yourself of it and accepting it were just as easy, or as simple as a one and done. But the heart's a fickle thing.
[ Perhaps not to their extent, but he gets it. Generalised, the burden of knowing something you shouldn't have done and having to come to terms with it. ]
… I'm sure you don't need to hear it from me, though! [ A dramatic exhale. ] Nor is it what I came out here to find you for.
[ Give him a second, and then—surprise. A pair of LILITH's cat ears now sit on Yesod's head. ]
Happy much belated birthday. I don't know if it works as intended for you as it does for the rest of us, but hey. They suit you.
[ Like in that one far-off distant dream. And, as promised… it starts playing Arknights Linkin Park. What a mood setter. ]
But here and now, Yesod's expression turns pensive. The heart... His eyes narrow, only to widen slightly as Elysium changes the subject, with something that takes him by surprise indeed. The ears and the accompanying remark โ the resurfacing memory of that dream and his own reactions โ derail his train of thought so completely that all he manages is to reach up to touch the (no doubt ridiculous) accessory atop his head before the song's first notes play.
This is... Yesod stays silent to listen closely, from beginning to end, as if he expects the lyrics to contain hidden messages to decode. Finally, he stirs again, glancing up at Elysium. ]
ALIVE. By Alive Until Sunset. They're a band that exists back where I'm from, yeah.
[ As the lyrical song ends, instrumentals follow. Elysium lets out a quiet laugh as his eyes narrow, seemingly in response to guessing what Yesod might be pondering. His amusement seems to suggest not to overthink it as Elysium has teased about time and time again before, but he doesn't say it aloud this time, as if he's leaving it as an option for Yesod to pursue. ]
This one's Aflame Avenue. [ Evidently, he knows their tracks by heart. ] I'm both surprised and unsurprised by how I managed to get some of their songs here, but obtaining the rest of their discography is proving pretty challenging so that's about it for pieces of theirs I can play for you. What kind of music do you enjoy, Yesod?
[ Alive... As a reminder, around Rhodes Island and beyond? Despite Elysium's amusement, Yesod listens to the instrumental track as solemnly as he listened to the the first song. It's not that he can assess the music based on each melody's composition or the poetry of the lyrics, and perhaps its sound clashes with the greenhouse, suddenly filling the space, but even amidst the tensions and the updated reports, it feels less frivolous than expected to spend some time on something unrelated.
(Is it unrelated? Elysium set out prepared.)
And it is much better than the pull of an Abnormality. ]
...Our reasons may differ, but I am enjoying this music. I would listen to more, if it were available. How were you able to access these?
[ The call-out elicits an amused smile; he wouldn't have offered the names and titles if he hadn't anticipated it, at least a little. As the second song fades, Yesod will receive a notification that the cat ears' ownership has now been transferred to him directly. ]
What, you don't think I enjoy them purely for their beats? [ A laugh. ] Oh, man. If we were back on Terra, we could've gone to their concerts together.
[ Wistful, maybe. ]
… But you're right. The members of AUS all come from my country, so they're a little special in that regard. And rather than access, it's more like I had to request them much like we would for anything else. … Even if I know their entire discography by heart, singing acapella would have me embarrassed.
[ … Still. He pauses with a thoughtful expression lingering on his face, as if he has something along those lines to add. ]
Happy birthday to you. โช [ … ] Never mind. [ yeah. embarrassing. ]
[ Whether or not wearing the cat ears is required for it, Yesod wants to listen to the songs again. It goes beyond the music itself, beyond enjoying it "purely for their beats" โ even as someone who had no existing personal connection to the band.
Elysium likely knows that, he thinks. ]
...Thank you.
[ Yesod begins with that when Elysium's own brief musical demonstration ends, removing the cat ears from his head to hold them carefully in his hands. ]
Others are unable to request any of their songs on your behalf, then, without the memories associated with them and your home.
[ Let alone arrange concerts. A casual comment is easy, expressing something impossible, but it sounded convincing enough to be an earnest wish. ]
[ Cat boy Yesod… over as soon as it begun. Elysium laments its loss with a slight quirk of his mouth, but otherwise remains unbothered. As practical as it is music-playing functionality aside, he doesn't actually expect Yesod to use them, so he's more than content simply with seeing his reaction. ]
If you give me something back, that defeats the purpose of me giving you a birthday gift, you know.
[ And then Yesod secretly uses them... No one will ever know. For now, still holding the cat ears as though he expects his fingers to crush them, he frowns at Elysium. ]
Today, perhaps, or if I were to do so out of a sense of obligation. However, if the tenth of July can be considered my birthday, you presumably have one that you recall.
[ And terminology such as "hatching day" doesn't seem to apply... ]
[ Does he have a birthday he can recall… This is where Elysium takes his leave and Yesod gets bamboozled, to give him even more reason to frown.
jk. ]
Oh, so you found out about the date. Does this mean you'd had the chance to celebrate it properly?
[ With his coworkers, Elysium assumes; where Malkuth's involved, it must have been lively. He pauses briefly, a wider smile tugging his lips as he envisions it—Malkuth, Yesod, and Gebura—an eclectic trio for celebrations, for sure. As he weighs what to say next, he precedes his actual response with a loose shrug.
On one hand, he doubts Yesod's about to mention it to others freely. On the other, there's a nonzero chance it could somehow get back to Gebura, exposing his awkward attempt to avoid spending the day alone. whew. Hence: ]
May is enough, even if Yesod had hoped that offering the exact date of his birthday might have prompted the same in return. Then again, for all that Elysium had reacted as if he was genuinely offended to have been denied an opportunity to arrange another party, placing such importance on celebrating it doesn't seem to extend to his own birthday. The way he speaks of it strikes Yesod as dismissive of it, even, or reluctant to allow someone else to draw attention to it.
It's puzzling, in Yesod's view, because he imagines that Elysium would encourage others to treat their birthdays as an occasion to mark, if their days are numbered. ]
May will come again.
[ Ominous. Yesod realizes that the statement's delivery makes it sound vaguely like a threat, and he tries to clear the frown from his face. ]
It was quite an eventful month this year.
[ Elysium arrived then, after all, and quickly proceeded to make himself memorable, whether he did it intentionally or not, from his so-called consultation services to Wriothesley's bombastic bachelor's bash. Seok Dang's punishment methods were implemented for any incomplete paperwork in May as well, and the Las Vegas mission alone was beyond eventful. ]
To answer your question, however, Malkuth organized a surprise gathering in my room. Gebura was able to tell us the date.
[ Was it a "proper" celebration, if Netzach was gone, and Malkuth's vision had included all of her colleagues wearing party hats? As far as Yesod is concerned, it means something that Malkuth wanted to celebrate with them. That Gebura humored it โ to the point of agreeing to a physical photograph of her and Malkuth assisting with the trick candles, despite her adamant refusal to touch the party hat intended for her use.
It was remarkably different, compared to the past. ]
Wasn't it? In a way, it didn't really feel like my birthday. It wasn't May back when I'd left, but suddenly, there it was. Eight days away. Celebrating something that felt like it should've been months away instead was the last thing on my mind.
[ So he says… despite seeking out a certain someone that'd day.
Yet, his lips curl mischievously, playing up the act. He doesn't really want an entire affair for the day itself but not mentioning it would bring up a different set of complications, wouldn't it? Act the way others expect him to, be where others think he'd be… There's a stone in his gut that feels like it's growing larger by day. Nothing to do but figure out how to pack that one away eventually, and store it along with everything else he opts not to actively think about.
Or, he just stops thinking about it entirely. Keep it as the small, nagging feeling it currently is. ]
… But, yeah! Ways away, like I said. Yours was more recent, so let's talk about that. Considering Malkuth pulled it off for you, it must've been a fun time. [ they don't talk about netzach until they do and can… thanks for showing up again, buddy. ] Tell me more about it on the way!
[ freeing you here so we can just concentrate on the other thread… ]
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synflux2024-08-22 04:03 am
no subject
What an objective way to look at it. [ Elysium's smile is fainter than it usually is, mirroring Yesod's own. ] If only convincing yourself of it and accepting it were just as easy, or as simple as a one and done. But the heart's a fickle thing.
[ Perhaps not to their extent, but he gets it. Generalised, the burden of knowing something you shouldn't have done and having to come to terms with it. ]
… I'm sure you don't need to hear it from me, though! [ A dramatic exhale. ] Nor is it what I came out here to find you for.
[ Give him a second, and then—surprise. A pair of LILITH's cat ears now sit on Yesod's head. ]
Happy much belated birthday. I don't know if it works as intended for you as it does for the rest of us, but hey. They suit you.
[ Like in that one far-off distant dream. And, as promised… it starts playing Arknights Linkin Park. What a mood setter. ]
no subject
But here and now, Yesod's expression turns pensive. The heart... His eyes narrow, only to widen slightly as Elysium changes the subject, with something that takes him by surprise indeed. The ears and the accompanying remark โ the resurfacing memory of that dream and his own reactions โ derail his train of thought so completely that all he manages is to reach up to touch the (no doubt ridiculous) accessory atop his head before the song's first notes play.
This is... Yesod stays silent to listen closely, from beginning to end, as if he expects the lyrics to contain hidden messages to decode. Finally, he stirs again, glancing up at Elysium. ]
This is the band that you mentioned?
[ Or a similar style of music? ]
no subject
[ As the lyrical song ends, instrumentals follow. Elysium lets out a quiet laugh as his eyes narrow, seemingly in response to guessing what Yesod might be pondering. His amusement seems to suggest not to overthink it as Elysium has teased about time and time again before, but he doesn't say it aloud this time, as if he's leaving it as an option for Yesod to pursue. ]
This one's Aflame Avenue. [ Evidently, he knows their tracks by heart. ] I'm both surprised and unsurprised by how I managed to get some of their songs here, but obtaining the rest of their discography is proving pretty challenging so that's about it for pieces of theirs I can play for you. What kind of music do you enjoy, Yesod?
no subject
(Is it unrelated? Elysium set out prepared.)
And it is much better than the pull of an Abnormality. ]
...Our reasons may differ, but I am enjoying this music. I would listen to more, if it were available. How were you able to access these?
no subject
What, you don't think I enjoy them purely for their beats? [ A laugh. ] Oh, man. If we were back on Terra, we could've gone to their concerts together.
[ Wistful, maybe. ]
… But you're right. The members of AUS all come from my country, so they're a little special in that regard. And rather than access, it's more like I had to request them much like we would for anything else. … Even if I know their entire discography by heart, singing acapella would have me embarrassed.
[ … Still. He pauses with a thoughtful expression lingering on his face, as if he has something along those lines to add. ]
Happy birthday to you. โช [ … ] Never mind. [ yeah. embarrassing. ]
no subject
Elysium likely knows that, he thinks. ]
...Thank you.
[ Yesod begins with that when Elysium's own brief musical demonstration ends, removing the cat ears from his head to hold them carefully in his hands. ]
Others are unable to request any of their songs on your behalf, then, without the memories associated with them and your home.
[ Let alone arrange concerts. A casual comment is easy, expressing something impossible, but it sounded convincing enough to be an earnest wish. ]
no subject
If you give me something back, that defeats the purpose of me giving you a birthday gift, you know.
no subject
Today, perhaps, or if I were to do so out of a sense of obligation. However, if the tenth of July can be considered my birthday, you presumably have one that you recall.
[ And terminology such as "hatching day" doesn't seem to apply... ]
no subject
jk. ]
Oh, so you found out about the date. Does this mean you'd had the chance to celebrate it properly?
[ With his coworkers, Elysium assumes; where Malkuth's involved, it must have been lively. He pauses briefly, a wider smile tugging his lips as he envisions it—Malkuth, Yesod, and Gebura—an eclectic trio for celebrations, for sure. As he weighs what to say next, he precedes his actual response with a loose shrug.
On one hand, he doubts Yesod's about to mention it to others freely. On the other, there's a nonzero chance it could somehow get back to Gebura, exposing his awkward attempt to avoid spending the day alone. whew. Hence: ]
But mine was back in May. A reaaaal ways away.
no subject
May is enough, even if Yesod had hoped that offering the exact date of his birthday might have prompted the same in return. Then again, for all that Elysium had reacted as if he was genuinely offended to have been denied an opportunity to arrange another party, placing such importance on celebrating it doesn't seem to extend to his own birthday. The way he speaks of it strikes Yesod as dismissive of it, even, or reluctant to allow someone else to draw attention to it.
It's puzzling, in Yesod's view, because he imagines that Elysium would encourage others to treat their birthdays as an occasion to mark, if their days are numbered. ]
May will come again.
[ Ominous. Yesod realizes that the statement's delivery makes it sound vaguely like a threat, and he tries to clear the frown from his face. ]
It was quite an eventful month this year.
[ Elysium arrived then, after all, and quickly proceeded to make himself memorable, whether he did it intentionally or not, from his so-called consultation services to Wriothesley's bombastic bachelor's bash. Seok Dang's punishment methods were implemented for any incomplete paperwork in May as well, and the Las Vegas mission alone was beyond eventful. ]
To answer your question, however, Malkuth organized a surprise gathering in my room. Gebura was able to tell us the date.
[ Was it a "proper" celebration, if Netzach was gone, and Malkuth's vision had included all of her colleagues wearing party hats? As far as Yesod is concerned, it means something that Malkuth wanted to celebrate with them. That Gebura humored it โ to the point of agreeing to a physical photograph of her and Malkuth assisting with the trick candles, despite her adamant refusal to touch the party hat intended for her use.
It was remarkably different, compared to the past. ]
no subject
[ So he says… despite seeking out a certain someone that'd day.
Yet, his lips curl mischievously, playing up the act. He doesn't really want an entire affair for the day itself but not mentioning it would bring up a different set of complications, wouldn't it? Act the way others expect him to, be where others think he'd be… There's a stone in his gut that feels like it's growing larger by day. Nothing to do but figure out how to pack that one away eventually, and store it along with everything else he opts not to actively think about.
Or, he just stops thinking about it entirely. Keep it as the small, nagging feeling it currently is. ]
… But, yeah! Ways away, like I said. Yours was more recent, so let's talk about that. Considering Malkuth pulled it off for you, it must've been a fun time. [ they don't talk about netzach until they do and can… thanks for showing up again, buddy. ] Tell me more about it on the way!
[ freeing you here so we can just concentrate on the other thread… ]