TRAVEL LOG #3

[synfluxmods]

TRAVEL LOG #3

CONTENT WARNINGS: cult-like symbols and implications, abduction.

▶ 001. TARGU MURES AIRPORT.

In the early morning of the 1st, Outsiders will receive a message in their oculars.

"Oh, seriously? You’re putting this on my plate now when I have so much to do? Tch … Outsiders currently caring for Imugi eggs, bring them to the medical bay. I’ll take over for now. Captain Yamakawa needs everyone to report to the hangar right away. There’s been a distress call from a distant land and we’re noticing some strange readings. We need you to go investigate this.

…Put some catnip on my plate, Alex. It’ll be a long night."

True enough, a SPECIAL ALERT will blare through the implants shortly after, asking those who would be willing to help with a distress call to head to the hangar. The reward will be an additional bonus pay, as this seems to be different from detecting a kaiju. There, they will see a familiar sight: the LILITH SKY CRUISER, a spacecraft capable of carrying 80 passengers. There is little time for seat assignments, so seating will be on a first come, first serve basis (hopefully you don’t get the middle seat!) and the flight will last about 10 hours. Just like any aircraft, Outsiders may stand up and walk around once the seatbelt signs turn off. There is inflight entertainment consisting of AI movies or virtual reality games (see TRAVEL LOG #2). Characters with inhuman features are required to wear their cloaking devices.

The plane will touch down at Targu Mures Airport, Transylvania, Romania, which appears to be abandoned and desolate. There isn’t a living soul to be found.

"Most of the country was destroyed decades ago, so there shouldn’t be anyone still living here. Yet, these readings ….. And we can’t ignore that call for help. We’ll need to investigate further. My Angels, go the rest of the way on foot..."

There isn’t a data portal in Romania, and there’s just no way to transport the number of cars needed for over 60 people via plane. Let’s hope you managed to get proper rest on the way here, because the hike will take about 5-6 hours through the dense forest, with the Captain feeding directions through the ocular based on where the kaiju readings are most pronounced.

All teams will be traveling together along a treacherous terrain which will include both harmful flora & fauna. Outsiders can expect to come across brown bears, wolves, European lynx, golden jackal & wild boars. Although the forest is dense, these animals are scarce to come by, but they can appear, especially when the hike takes place at dusk and into the night.

In this time of the year, hay fever is a common occurrence in these forests. Those sensitive to pollen may be sneezing and feeling fatigue through this hike. There will be steep hills, slippery ground and eerie sounds of the night to serenade the Outsiders. It doesn't help that the further they travel, the thicker a dark fog gathers around them, making the surroundings difficult to make out. Everyone will be provided with flashlights, but those with abilities to see in the dark or cast their own light will be encouraged to lead small groups. Everyone is going in the same general direction, but giving each other some space might be helpful. There will be no time to rest, no matter how tired Outsiders may be.

Just when it feels like they might need to trek through the forest forever—is that smoke coming from a fire up ahead?

▶ 002. BRAȘOV, TRANSYLVANIA.

Wander further through the bushes, and behold, it does appear to be smoke—but not from any natural fire. It’s coming from a chimney! The Outsiders will stumble upon the historic region of Brașov, known for its Gothic architecture and medieval towns. Romania has been classified as a desolate region for a very long time, and as far as LILITH is concerned, this city should be completely destroyed and abandoned. Yet, there is smoke coming from the chimneys, fresh laundry hanging on lines and the faint chatter of children playing. There are very clearly people living here, and this has LILITH completely dumbfounded.

"So it’s true … The resilience of humanity cannot be understated. I’ll need to report this to the Commander right away. My Angels, embark on the town. We need to find the source of this distress call and investigate these kaiju readings. I know we’ve had setbacks recently, but I’ve always had my faith in you."

One thing Outsiders will notice when they step into the town is how it appears to be lost in time. The date is still 2278 as far as anyone knows, but there’s no sign of any modern technology—no computers, telephones, or any sign of electricity or plumbing. Each and every house looks like it could have been plucked right out of the 1700s, and there even appear to be horse-drawn carriages parked along the pavements.

The townspeople themselves also look plucked out of time, with the women donning petticoats and aprons, and the men sporting waistcoats and riding boots. They welcome the Outsiders with warmth, delight, and over-the-top hospitality; more than happy to show the visitors around Brasov on their carriages. With how rarely they meet anyone from outside the village, the children are full of curiosity, following the Outsiders around and poking at their technology while bombarding them with questions, such as where did you come from? Do you know how to play any games? What do you like to eat?

Outsiders will be presented with food, clean clothing, and a room to stay at the village inns (2-3 people per room). They are free to roam and explore the village, where they will find taverns, fresh food markets, shops, inns, and a church dedicated to the village god.

One notable aspect of the town is the fact that they appear to have fresh, non-lab grown food. The vegetables taste fresher and are vibrant in color. The meat tastes much richer than it would back in Neo Tokyo. This is owed to the fact that the people of Brasov actually tend to their own farmlands, a lost practice in these times. Venture a little out of the city and you’ll find it: acres of farmland, growing wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, grapes and sunflowers. They even have livestock!

The people of Brasov are more than happy to answer questions about their town and way of living. Outsiders who go around gathering information from the villagers will learn the following:

• Why is the land so fertile? This is all owed to their benevolent village god, the Lord of the Forest. No one goes hungry because their god takes care of them. Observant Outsiders will see a common symbol plastered around town: a canine skull.
• There was a distress call. Is everyone okay? The townspeople would respond in confusion and assure the Outsiders that nothing is out of the ordinary. They have been living peacefully for centuries and it’s because their god protects them. They don’t seem to know anything about what’s going on outside their town and the word ‘kaiju’ is lost on them.
• Who is the Lord of the Forest? The townspeople will sing his praises, telling the Outsiders about how he has been providing for and protecting their town for many years.
• Where is the Lord of the Forest? He lives in the forest and mountains that surround the village. Sure enough, if the Outsiders look around, they will see they are completely surrounded by foggy forest and mountains as far as the eye can see.
• Can they go into the forest? The villagers will look worried. While the Lord of the Forest keeps them safe, the forest is still filled with dangerous creatures. Also, the thick fog and trees makes it easy to get lost. Only the most skilled hunters venture out to catch prey like deer and bears. Characters who venture into the woods will get turned around and lost but will eventually find their way back to the village, to which others will reply it is the lord's guidance that brought them back to safety.

Outsiders can do as they please. The villagers are very friendly and will try to accommodate them however possible. There seems to be very little crime in the town and the people look happy. LILITH has been quiet for some time now. Maybe this is a great opportunity to have a well-deserved break? How can you not when the people are so kind and the food looks and tastes so delicious? In fact, the longer that Outsiders stay here, the more some of them may begin to feel like they belong here.

▶ 003. BONFIRE FEAST.

On the night of the 7th, the villagers will knock on doors inviting everyone to a bonfire party! It’s just about time to harvest their crops so food is abundant. They can’t think of any better way to use it than to prepare a feast. The bonfire will be held in the council square. Tables and benches have been set up and an impressive spread of fresh food is laid out for everyone to enjoy. Outsiders can enjoy bread, cheese, fresh pork, stew, roasted chicken, seasonal vegetables and free flowing alcohol. There are live musicians on the scene as well, playing merry tunes on their instruments. Some of the villagers have even started dancing around the bonfire and they’re pulling people in to join them! At the center of the table, a canine skull is placed, and the villagers give thanks to their god before partaking in the food.

Nothing seems out of the ordinary … Full and content, everyone will feel tired and want to retire for the night. Characters that do not need to sleep will also feel tired.

Night passes, and daybreak comes. Outsiders might notice that their numbers have dwindled; certain people have gone missing and are nowhere to be found. There won’t be a trace of the captured Outsiders aside from their belongings that they may have left behind.

The villagers do not seem bothered and everything seems normal in the village. Asking the villagers about these disappearances will result in no answers—they claim to have no clue as to the missing Outsiders' whereabouts. It also won’t be possible to contact them, or even LILITH for that matter. It is almost like communications have been cut off completely and their implants receive weak reception.

Observant characters may notice that a heavy fog has descended upon the village overnight and though it gets better during the day, it never lets up.

Captured Outsiders are as followed:

Aventurine
Choso
Dan Heng
Denji
Ereshkigal
Hiyori Iki
Kabru
Kaga
Lucy/Kaede
Maki Zenin
Makima
Malkuth
Loop
Nanami Kento
Rover
Sampo Koski
Taryon Darrington
Wriothesley
Yzak Jule
Zagreus

▶ 004. THE CHOSEN (KIDNAPPEES ONLY).

A separate log for KIDNAPPEES ONLY can be found HERE.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our third travel log!

There are no assigned seats this time, so characters may sit wherever they choose. Inhuman-looking characters will need to wear their cloaking devices so as to not alarm the people of the town. A separate log has been prepared for kidnappees only. An additional prompt will go up for non-captured characters before the kaiju fight. The scheduling will depend on actions in the captive log. We will announce it on plurk.

All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards October AC.

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. TARGU MURES AIRPORT: There has been a distress signal. Characters caring for eggs must leave their eggs with Dr. Spim and report to the hangar to board their flight. The Outsiders will touch down in Targu Mures Airport, and will need to hike the rest of the way through the forest.

2. BRAȘOV, TRANSYLVANIA: Romania was thought to be a desolate country but one village seems to be thriving. The town of Brasov has historic, medieval architecture and the people seem plucked out of the 1700s. They are friendly, welcoming and curious, having never seen technology like what the Outsiders have. Outsiders are provided free lodgings, fresh clothing, food and water. The villagers raise their own livestock and grow their own food, which is unheard of in these times. They don't know anything about a distress call. All around the village, the symbol of a canine skull can be found. This is the Lord of the Forest, the god of this village whom the villagers worship.

3. BONFIRE FEAST: The villagers invite the Outsiders to a bonfire party where fresh food is abundant. After a night of merrymaking, they find that certain Outsiders have disappeared from their numbers and nobody seems to know what happened to them.

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Comments

[blastedass]

[Fuck, he hates seeing that expression crawling across Yuji's face. Flashes of past trauma, the empty streets he walked at night, curses hunting him in the darkness, with no one there to help him except Choso. Is that how Izuku felt? Struggling to go at the world all by himself, All Might assisting from the wings until he decided he couldn't endanger his mentor anymore and left even All Might behind... Now to lose someone that had been with him through all of that, someone twined to him by blood itself. Failure, unknown, loss, all of it returning in this damn place, which already suffocated the Outsiders with suspicion and strange feelings. (Those that took the red flags seriously at least.)

Katsuki drops his hand and catches Yuji's free hand. It's something that always means a lot to them. His eyes narrow on the ring Yuji holds above his chest.]

He's not gone. [He refuses to believe that.] He's here somewhere, with the rest of them. Our oculars are fucking up again, so none of us can reach any of them.

[Though they can reach each other...]

You can still send a message to him. His information's not gone.

[Unlike those who went back home, which removes them from the network completely...]

[eyescar]

[ It's not fair to focus on his own grief right now, Yuji knows that, there's a reason why Katsuki came to find him - it's not just Choso, right? If it's Choso, and also Nanamin, then there's got to be something going on... Even though Kugisaki and Megumi had left together. Maybe it's just a coincidence...? Yuji's brain can't wrap around it, can't understand what to expect from this place any more, and it makes his heart ache. It makes him hurt, and he has to take a deep breath as Katsuki's hand takes his.

Katsuki grounds him, anchors him, and he nods. ]

Who did you try?

[ There must be someone. Yuji is working on getting the messaging open, desperately sending pings over to Choso even as his hand shakes in his friend's grip. ]

If they did something to them...

[ He'd lose it. ]

[blastedass]

[Of course it's fair, dammit! They're humans! They can grieve, rage, and more! It's up to them to decide whether to focus on something beyond their emotions. Katsuki came to find Yuji even though his blood's roiling beneath his skin, not pushing his anger to the side but rather stalking each step with it. He remembers waking up and finding Midoriya's name gone from the network. So many times he finds himself glancing towards Todoroki's, wondering if he'll disappear too and leave him all alone again...

Tch, he's not alone. He has other friends here. Friends he can rely on and support. If they go home, it means they're back where they belong, no longer captives in this hellhole. It's the way he forces himself to view that gut punch positively.

Yuji can feel his grief and rage, but either of them drowning it right now won't help anyone. Channel, focus, use it.]

Denji's gone too. [Admitting that hurts and a few sparks snap and pop around Katsuki's free hand. Yeah, he's VERY close to nuking this shitfest.] Dan Heng and Wriothesley.

[Kaede and Maki are the other two, but Yuji can probably see some network chatter by now. He tightens his hand around Yuji's, eyes narrowing as he keeps him in his vision, yet somehow still gazes past him towards the village behind. Ominous. Katsuki's a hero, but he's not above revenge...]

I'll fucking kill them.

[eyescar]

Wrio-san and Denji-kun, too... Dan Heng...

[ What is going on?

Yuji feels his throat getting tighter and tighter, and he's immediately going to his ocular to try and message Raidou. If Denji and Nanami and Choso had been taken... What's the rhyme or reason to it? Why were those people taken? Yuji doesn't know what to do with himself, doesn't know how to handle it, and the panic in his heart is making his chest feel like it's going to explode from the inside out.

Breathing out, he swallows, turning back to look at Katsuki with a nervous expression. ]

Oh, there's so many...

[ What is he meant to do? He has no idea where to even start, and without his connection to Choso... How is he meant to begin? He turns, grabbing at Katsuki's hand a little tighter, forcing himself to try and relax, to breathe in and breathe out slowly and carefully. ]

What... What do we do?

[blastedass]

[The list of names is getting bigger as Ratio adds to the collective. More than ten already. Katsuki's chest clenches then burns with each name flicking up on his sight. There doesn't seem to be a pattern, especially when he notices Makima's name. Why the hell would they take both her and Denji? He knows next to nothing about Makima, apart from his boyfriend's warnings, but it shatters any potential "pattern" that might be made. Did they randomly show up and grab whoever they could?!

He keeps his hand in Yuji's, squeezing every now and then to try and keep his best friend grounded as they both look over the despondent sight in their texts. No messages going through, people close to them missing, more reports coming in. The Outsiders are likely going to gather, so Katsuki tugs Yuji closer to him, silently encouraging him to start walking. They need to get out of the main village and regroup with the rest of their teammates.]

We need to get with the rest. Right now, everyone else is a fucking enemy. [It's not an idea he thinks Yuji will like, but it's what he's shelling into in order to protect what he cares about most: them. Katsuki's not letting Yuji's hand go either. Even laces their fingers together.] Copy a message to Choso and set it to send to him ever two minutes.

[A constant "sonar" checking in on him.]

[eyescar]

[ The fear is taking over Yuji in a way that isn't entirely foreign to him. He had felt it in Shibuya, when he had seen Mahito with Nanamin, and then with Kugisaki, and remembering what had happened to both of those people is agonising. He doesn't know how to muster himself, to find strength again, but he knows he has to, to dig deep in whatever well he's got to push himself and push himself to overcome his doubts and his worries and find the ability to keep going.

They need him to do that. They need him to find them, to save them, to help them.

Anything, anything, no matter what the cost. ]

I'll try. I'll - I'll do that now.

[ His hands are shaking, and he breathes out. He doesn't think any of their fellow Outsiders are behind this, but the villagers? The people he was playing with, helping, carrying things for...? Are they the ones that did this?

He's not smart enough to figure out all the pieces, to put them all together, but he's desperate. He wants nothing more than to try. ]

I'm... I'm scared.

[blastedass]

[Katsuki's never had to deal with people straight up vanishing on him. His classmates were separated during the USJ incident and scattered during the Provisional License exam, but he always had someone with him. Yet the cold sweat on his neck in the dark forest as the villains attacked them is a feeling he'll never forget. His anger over being targeted, the unknown threat level, even with his bravado and rage, Katsuki was still just a boy. Yet he dug in and summoned his strength, determined to make it out and succeed. Even if it didn't turn out that way, Dabi's too-hot hand wrapped around the back of his neck as he dragged him into the portal like a fucking frozen statue...

Shit, he's not going to let this turn out like that! Their companions are counting on them to keep a level head and make a plan to find them, save them, and get some fucking revenge while they're doing it!

Katsuki continues the gentle-to-firm-to-gentle grip on Yuji's hand, walking close enough to hi their shoulders occasionally bump. He doesn't trust any of the villagers now. All the ones he asked regarding Denji's vanishing had absolutely nothing to say and carried on like this wasn't a serious event. Which instantly pissed him off.]

It's okay to be scared. [Rather than chide Yuji for feeling fear, he lets him have his feelings.] We're gonna find them. We'll bring them back.

[eyescar]

[ Yuji closes his eyes, and he does what he can to breathe.

This happening in the wake of his loss of Megumi and Kugisaki is too much for his heart to handle, not with all the horrible things that have happened over the last few weeks. It feels like the world keeps tipping the scales, over and over, trying to shove him into his own hurt and his own grief. Megumi and Kugisaki, gone. Nanami back, only to suffer and be taken. Choso out of his reach. Gojo-sensei alive here, and back home...

How long until he's the only one left?

How long until he's the only one who can keep fighting?

He knows he has to keep trying, he has to keep pushing himself, doing whatever he can, but right now, lost in the mire of his own sadness, all he can do is shake into pieces. ]

Katsuki... [ Leaning in, Yuji puts his forehead on his shoulder. ] I... I'm glad you're okay.

[blastedass]

[Katsuki's only had to deal with this once, yet the pain tugs at his chest even now. How the hell must Yuji be feeling after going through it three times, two so recently and simultaneously? Now to have two more people he knows pulled away from him, not knowing where they are, if they'll return... Pain, hurt, guilt, sadness... over and over in this boy's life. Katsuki narrows his eyes as he moves forward, unable to take away Yuji's pain, but resolving to stand beside him any way he can. He has to focus on what they know, that neither Nanani nor Choso's names are gone from the network. They're still here. They're only missing.

It's fucking stupid to force Yuji to keep fighting more and more. Yet what else can they do? Katsuki knows what it's like to be the only one left in this place... It sucks. Each time another piece falls off of Yuji, Katsuki reaches for it to grasp and hold close until he can put it back in. He can't let him... he can't let his best friend, one of the people who hold him together, fall apart in front of his eyes.]

Yuji... [He turns his head, rests his mouth against Yuji's scalp, nose buried in the pink spikes.] I'll do whatever I can to stay here with you.

[Even if he has to take on every creature in this world.]

[eyescar]

[ Holding on to Katsuki, Yuji feels a little more able to breathe. It's not easy, it's not as simple as just working through it and coming out the other side feeling better - there are horrible things ahead of them, and he has no idea how bad it might get. If they end up fighting a kaiju, or if the people they love have been hurt or been sent away...? That's going to be the harder part, the thing that's going to feel so, so painfully hard to deal with.

He has to check on the others. He has to check on Gojo-sensei, and Geto-san, and - and everyone. He has to make sure they're all okay, but he can barely find the strength to move, the fear overtaking him for a moment. ]

Me too.

[ But there's something else to it, too.

If he has to go off alone, if he hears a whisper of what's going on with Choso and Nanamin and Maki and the others...? He's going to go. He's going to do whatever it takes. It doesn't matter what the risk is, even if he ends up being reckless with it; no one could blame him, surely. ]

[blastedass]

[Whatever strength he can give the sorcerer, he's going to. Of course it's not easy! Telling your body to stop feeling something is ridiculous! Ominous sensations crawls across his mind, hearkening back to when he was forced to combat Denji in the desert, or the looming presence of the dragon in Seoul. What's the price they have to pay for their victory this time? Why did they have to get separated again?! Even his efforts to get everyone to agree to refuse splitting up seem to be mocked now as the list in his head climbs to almost twenty Outsiders missing. Almost a third of their entire force.

Are they being used by the kaiju? Are they going to have to fight their friends and loved ones again? Katsuki's been sending more messages to other people he knows, not only to people he's closer to. Fear and panic sending him well past his comfort and "tolerant" zone. He's had to trust in his classmates before, but this feels different.

Fuck... he can't let fear choke his actions. Heroes aren't immune to fear. Some even smile to cover up the fear they feel, so as to give strength and hope to those who rely on them.]

Yuji. [Katsuki looks down at the other boy. He pushes the scowl off his face, replaced with something calmer, determined, and quiet. As angry and scared as he is, there are other people he also wants to protect.] It's going to be all right. I'm here. We're here.

[No shit if they hear about what's going on, Katsuki's going to blind rage rip right into there. But until they do, he has to prioritize those here first, so they can better move to those missing.]

[eyescar]

[ I'm here. We're here.

Is that enough?

Yuji doesn't know what would make things enough right now. Normally, he'd be able to find his determination, to find some way to push all the pieces of himself together, but he just doesn't feel strong enough right now. He doesn't feel like he can dip into that well, he doesn't know if he'll be able to push through the grief and uncertainty.

They'd done it before. The memories, the nightmare of fighting the monsters time and time again, but it feels different this time. Not being able to feel Choso, to feel that blood connection between the two of them, borne of their shared technique? That means something to him - that means something more dangerous, more deadly.

Something awful is happening, he's almost sure of it. He's convinced of it. He just can't put it into words.

Nodding his head, Yuji breathes in, then breathes out, gripping at his friend before he leans back and swallows. ]

Okay. Let's... Let's figure this out.

[blastedass]

[It will be enough. It has to be enough. Every time they come up against something, they've managed to survive and pull out a win. Even if the past two have been costly. The looming haunt of making "the wrong" choice again weighs on Katsuki's shoulders. If they rush in, will it endanger their teammates? At least-- in some respects --he's less concerned about leaving this shitty village behind in order to find the other Outsiders, compared to leaving Seoul open to a kaiju attack.

He tries to shove aside his misgivings. Right now, even before the other Outsiders, Yuji needs his support. He can't waver on indecision or doubts. Not when his best friend is counting on him to stay strong. For him. Yuji's struggling to keep his own strength and determination right now. If Yuji can't reach into his own well, then Katsuki's going to bring up more from his.

Shoving Yuji through his feelings isn't his intention right now. There's no barking order for him to 'grieve later' or 'get over it' despite the promise of finding their friends. He doesn't know what all Yuji's enduring right now, with Choso and Nanami being gone. What he can do, however, is offer to be whatever support the sorcerer needs.

No matter what awful thing is happening. He pulls Yuji's arm over his neck and down, squeezing his hand and bringing the other boy close to him in a supporting half-embrace.]

They're counting on us. We'll find them, and beat the ever living shit out of whoever's responsible for this.

[eyescar]

[ Here's the thing: Yuji doesn't want to beat the shit out of them.

He'll fight them, but he has no desire to hurt them beyond what is necessary. It's always been that way when he's fought other people, his human desire to protect humanity, to find the good, to help people live and thrive without regrets, without hurt, without suffering. Even learning that he can think of people and keep their memories, that he can tuck the warm feeling inside himself and know that his grief isn't eternal, doesn't help him right now.

Losing people, time and time again, is enough to shatter him enough that it's harder to come back together when it's all said and done. ]

I just want them to be safe. I'd do anything for it.

[ Yuji would sacrifice himself in a moment if it meant Choso and Nanami were okay. He'd do anything.

He thinks, quietly, that Katsuki might be well aware of that fact, and the danger it poses to him. ]

[blastedass]

[Katsuki and Yuji have different opinions on this. At least vocally. Even back home, Katsuki's not been a torturous abuser of his enemies. Opting to end the fight as fast and decisively as possible rather than dragging it out to showcase his power or vent his anger. But he isn't as nice as Midoriya or Todoroki. If those guys want to help villains try to redeem themselves and find the inner "good" inside their hearts, that's their problem. Katsuki lets people live with the results of their own bad choices. That includes crossing a hero and getting the shit kicked out of them.

But he's very much aware of what repeated breaking can do. As he growled against All Might's onslaught, he breaks himself over and over again to get stronger, coming back better each time. Yet the cracks and scars, do they ever really heal completely? He'll find out, when he returns home, that some breaks are never able to return to their former glory... And enduring that pain over and over can't be good on someone's soul. Yuji's repeated losses... can he keep doing that forever?]

I know. That's why I'm going to stay with you and make sure all three of you get to reunite when this shit's over. [His childhood friend back home is just as insane as you are, Yuji. Katsuki knows what people are like when they don't ever consider themselves in their own equations. Izuku. All Might. Yuji. The same reckless kind of people with sacrificial hearts.

He vowed to protect Yuji, even from himself, and see them both remain alive.]

[eyescar]

You and Denji, too.

[ Yuji knows what kind of trouble he might get into, what kind of damage he could do to himself if he isn't careful with himself, because that's the kind of person that he is.

Pain can't stop him, getting beaten to the ground can't stop him, getting his bones broken and his body parts torn into pieces can't stop him. The thing that has been able to stop him in the past has been his own broken heart, finding strength in someone else pulling him back together and urging him to grow stronger, to overcome that hurt, that grief, that suffering and pain. Pushing himself, to get back on his feet and try again...

He's managed to survive it before. There's only so many times a heart can break, though.

Breathing out, he leans into his friend and tries to find his strength, tries to find a way to make sure that he keeps all the pieces of himself together until they're able to find the people they love.

He has to. He can break later.

He can't fall apart now. ]

[blastedass]

Yeah.

[Katsuki isn't immune to trouble either. If he gets his hands on the people responsible for kidnapping his boyfriend, every damn nerve in his body wants to rip them apart. Shove a grenade right down their throats and watch the resulting fireworks.

There are times when being a hero is a pain in the ass. They don't have the freedom to do what villains do. They don't have the leisure of giving into their baser instincts and ripping apart trouble with their own hands. How many times have they stood over the grieving and injured and thought "if only I'd" to themselves. Maybe killing these people wouldn't help, maybe beating them up to a pulp wouldn't help, but fuck it'd feel good! ... Yet heroes can't do that.

Katsuki's left often to wonder a similar venue. How long can a hero, or anyone, be told "no" before finally patience and tolerance give way to "fuck it" and they do it anyways? How long can a heart be broken before it says "i'm done" and quits? Of course it'd be nice if they could live in a world where none of those sad things happened... but they don't.

As Yuji leans into him, Katsuki has to content himself with that reality. What matters is keeping the people important to them close and safe. Right now, they have to focus on their teammates and themselves. He can't let himself, or Yuji, break.]

Seems like everyone else is accounted for. Raidou's here. Yato's here. Gojo's here. Todoroki's here.

[Ratio says the list stops at twenty.]

[eyescar]

[ The problem is that Yuji keeps digging himself into little holes at the moment.

His panic and his fear thrums through him, burning like a flood and making him panic, making him feel sick with it. He knows that if he isn't careful he's going to end up lashing out at the people that he cares about the most, especially if they're trying to nudge him one way or the other, trying to make sure that he doesn't do something reckless.

Unfortunately, 'reckless' might as well be his middle name, especially when it comes to the people he cares most about.

The creeping threat of October 31st is also pressing down on the back of his mind, a year from one of the worst, if not the worst, day of his life, and emotionally... Yuji's not sure how to process that. Yuji's not sure how to handle it, not with Nanami being stripped from him all over again, not knowing what's going on or how to help him. Add Choso to that...

He doesn't know what to do.

Breathing out, he shakes, gripping at Katsuki. ]

Yeah. Geto-san, too, and Toji-san... I checked on the people from my world, and everyone else seems okay.

[blastedass]

[Each time he digs in, Katsuki gives him a few moments to settle in the hole before he reaches down to grab and haul him out, or clap his hand and pull him out if Yuji's up for working with him. They have to keep moving forward, no matter how many times their feet get caught in the divots below the. Katsuki isn't afraid of anything the sorcerer might lash out at him with; Yuji's been on the receiving end of his anger multiple times before, it's probably deserved in reverse at some point.

But he isn't going to let him charge out into nothing on determination alone. There's no direction, no path, no hint, only a sorcerer getting lost in the woods or doing something he might regret later.

Katsuki combs his fingers through Yuji's hair, trying to encourage him to calm down as he feels his heart racing in his ribs. Panic and fear gripping at him. How many times has Yuji felt these emotions? Driving through him until he's finally stripped of everything and goes numb with a killing cog instinct...

Even if they don't have an idea of what's going on, Katsuki's trying to give them something to do, for Yuji to focus on. Sending messages, checking the growing list of people who are still here, regrouping with the other Outsiders, collective actions that move them forward rather than wallowing in the unknown "what now?" pit.]

If twenty of us are missing [not gone - only missing.] that leaves more than fifty of us to find them.

[Still a very large number.]

The Outsiders with tracking abilities can start scouring the forest.

[eyescar]

Fifty... That's a good number.

[ Yuji is used to being alone.

Even during the Culling Game, he'd done a lot of fighting by himself, had worked himself half to death to try and find a way to save Gojo-sensei and make sure Megumi was alright. When he had ended up losing Sukuna, he had been bereft, alone until the others had scooped him up, and even then, even at that moment...

He still thought it was better for him to get Sukuna back and die to save the others.

It's harder, here, gaining and losing people, feeling the suffering of it, the ache and burn inside of him. IN some ways, he's stronger here than he might have been at home with so many other people that he could trust, so many other people he could rely on, and he closes his eyes as he tries to soak up some more of Katsuki's quiet, immovable strength.

Whatever it takes, he's going to get his people back. He doesn't care what it costs him, how much of his own life, strength or blood it takes. To Yuji, they're more important than anything else in the world, even than his own life.

Shuddering out a breath, he holds his friend a little tighter. ]

I'm not good at that kind of thing. I don't know what to do.

[blastedass]

Aa. The majority of us are still present.

[Reminding Yuji he's not alone, he's not powerless, he's not useless, there are plenty of things he can do, is something Katsuki's drilling into. The other boy's been alone for a solid chunk of time back home, but Katsuki's always had people around him, something that annoys him, but isn't ignored. He wants Yuji to have that same presence around him, so he can not only know, but see the others surrounding him, ready to help him, appreciating the help he can give them.

It's not easy. Katsuki's churning through the recurring waves of loss and question in his own chest. Denji's missing, Choso's missing, others he knows are missing, and he doesn't know where they are. Even now, he can't rip out there and tear into the townsfolk to demand answers, despite sorely wanting. What he can do is offer strength.

And he's not about to let Yuji take himself out to return them. They'll all get back together, they'll all return like they have at the end of each damn battle. Licking their wounds but victorious. Another kaiju down. (And this one Katsuki's not entirely sure he'll be in any mood to help the village avoid destruction, IF they're involved with the kidnappings.)

Katsuki squeezes Yuji's hand again and leans into him for another bodily touch of support.]

You and I are going flying. I can clear the fog, but I need you to blitz the area while I do so.

[Katsuki can match Yuji's speed (mostly) with his Quirk, but he's beholden to his Quirk's trajectory and movements, while Yuji's speed covers all of his movements, making him more able to scout and area while Katsuki keeps the fog back.]

[eyescar]

[ The majority, but enough people close to Yuji's heart have been taken that he can't quite muster the strength to be okay.

If Katsuki and Raidou had been on that list, if more people that Yuji cared about had been stolen, he might be worse, but he's not sure what worse might be. The depth of his sadness is something that feels innate in him, as if he was born with it, born with this deep well of grief and hurt inside him, just waiting to be let loose on the world. There are already so, so many people to save, and he doesn't know what to do.

Even Katsuki's gentle, careful arms aren't quite enough to help soothe him, aren't quite enough to shake the horrors unfurling inside of him.

He knows who he is. As soon as they have a hint of where the people are, as soon as he has a whiff of where Nanami and Choso are, he's going to be going.

His own life matters little in comparison to theirs.

That's how it's always been in his mind, his own mentality; no matter how far he comes, that anchor will always hold him back.

The squeeze of his hand makes him breathe out, a sharp, whimpering sound. ]

I'll do what I can. I'll try, Katsuki.

[blastedass]

[Losing only one would have triggered similar feelings. To know there are so many that Yuji's personally friends with and also come from his own world... The imbalance is hardly fair. Katsuki's can only watch his best friend try to wrangle himself out of the sorrow curling at his chest and heart. None of them had a chance to stop this, yet they're all left with the gut-wrenching realization people the care for are gone, stolen away, kidnapped.

If Yuji or Raidou had been among those taken, Katsuki would be just as distraught, if not even worse, having none of his core trio to serve as his lightning rod of explosive emotions. Luckily he has both of them, people he cares about and can focus on to avoid the rising panic and rage in his chest about losing Denji. But he can't let Yuji drown in these feelings. They have to stay focused or else they're going to splinter off and fling out in a rush of feelings.

That won't help anyone. Knowing his embrace isn't some damn panacea to cure his friend's aching soul, Katsuki has to focus on something else for them. Giving Yuji his time for grief might be better, but would it? Steeped in the despair already, he doesn't know if it's better or worse to try and shake him out of it. But leaving him here, spiraling in his own feelings of helplessness... No, Katsuki can't do that to Yuji. If he can somehow find a shred of hope or direction for him, with him, that's what he can do right now. A modicum of comfort in knowing their next steps.]

Good. [He leans in, rests his mouth against his best friend's temple, strong arms holding him close as a hand strokes through his hair. Hoping to calm a little, if not also encourage too.] Together, we'll find them, we'll get them back, and beat the shit out of anyone who stands in our way.