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.

code

Comments

Godzilla | Legendary Monsterverse | Everlight

[30storieshigh]

001 The Adventures of Goji Boone

[Once again a flight in a cramped metal tube sends the outsiders to a landlocked nation with barely any information on what they're actually about to face. This time could at least be a little less awful, wandering through an entirely uninhabited forest would mean Goji could at least enjoy the walk in his true form, perhaps indulge in a little hunting!

Except thanks to Things and Stuff from the previous month he's still kind of trapped in his human form. No atomic breath, no freak strength even in his human form (though he's still pretty strong), no enhanced sense of smell. It's the worst. The only good news is being trapped as a human doesn't seem to have given him allergies, the bad news is it hasn't given him a sense of human self preservation.

Godzilla is fighting a bear. Correction, Godzilla is wrestling a bear. How he ended up running into an angry bear is anyone's guess, how he's still alive... well, he's good at physical activities. The big guy is locked in a grapple with the animal, one hand on its throat to hold its snapping jaw back, the other under one of its arms, his shoulder braced up against the other arm, all to keep its claws and strength from crushing Goji like a bug. ]

You... are begining... to vex me! [ With a grunt of effort he pushes the bear back and then slips in behind it. The animal loses balance, falls to all fours, and Godzilla proceeds to leap onto its back and wrap both arms around its neck. The bear starts bucking and shifting to throw him off, he holds on.

Goji is trying to put a bear in a sleeper hold. Somebody help him? ]

002 Little Town, Quiet village. Too Quiet

[ The village strikes Godzilla as wrong from the second the Outsiders make contact with it. There are more questions than answers to be had here. How has this place remained untouched for so long in a world with hostile kaiju around every corner? Where did the signal they were sent to investigate come from? Why are these humans behaving as if of a culture far more primitive than the one the kaiju initially invaded? None of it adds up.

It's the Lord of the Forest buisness that really bothers Godzilla though. Assuming this is a real being, and the villagers are convincing enough in their insistence on this, that protects the humans in its land... where is it? Godzilla's experience with "gods" outside of the outsiders is of the titans from his home, beings that live alongside those that worshipped them and actively protected them from harm. That a supposedly benevolent being would keep itself hidden and not immediately great a platoon sized group of strangers wandering into its territory is entirely off.

One of the first places Godzilla can be found is the Church: The best place to start to learn about this supposed god. He splits his time between talking to the locals, which proves entirely unhelpful as all they do is espouse the virtues of their lord while Godzilla looks on unimpressed, and poking around. When the church is mostly empty he's looking under benches, behind pulpits, and closely examining the floor. He's convinced that there must be some method the Lord of the Forest uses to either communicate with its followers here or make its way into the building personally while remaining unseen.

Throughout the nights leading up to the bonfire feast Godzilla is usually outside the inns: He's walking the streets, eyeing every shadow, listening to every sound, and cursing his inability to make use of his titan senses. Something is wrong, he can't quite put his claw on it but it's wrong. He doesn't trust this place or the people, he intends to keep watch every night if he has to.

Of course being stuck essentially human means he can't stay awake forever. You're just as likely to find him leaning against a wall asleep with a single eye open as you are to find him pacing back and forth. ]

003 Night Watch

[ Despite a few slip-ups in recent weeks (sorry elan, ratio, aventurine...) Godzilla is usually a pretty easy going guy! Outside of a fight he's laid back, curious, good humored. You really have to work to get him out of that mindset. Or hit one of his anger triggers. Fucking with his allies and fully half of the people he calls Friend? That's a quick way to do it.

Once it's become obvious that a good handful of the Outsiders and two of his Friends have gone missing Godzilla throws himself fully into the search. The villagers have graduated from Suspicious to Probable Enemies, though the big guy still holds some restraint when dealing with them. For all he knows they are unaware of the machinations at large or pressed into compliance by force, he doesn't blame the humans for anything yet. Questioning them however turns out to be a fruitless thing, and contacting LILITH command is just as useless a thing to attempt. That leaves one thing to his mind.

The forest. The "Lord of the Forest" is clearly involved in this somehow and the only thing around for miles is this vexingly fogged forest that one can easily get turned around to. Godzilla spends actual days trying to break through it with little regard for his own food, rest, or safety from the wildlife. By the third day of this he looks... rough. There are bags under the bags under his eyes, his face, arms, and hands are covered in open and barely healed cuts and other injuries, and he's a little on the pale side on account of not eating, but he keeps going at it.

He's built his own fire by the edge of the forest. Any villagers who've tried to dissuade him have been Discouraged from doing so, he's still not about to attack them but he has absolutely no patience left for the local humans. Fellow Outsiders can find him out there throughout the night, pacing up and down the tree line, glaring daggers into the forest, muttering darkly in dead and half dead languages under his breath. Anyone who can understand them, well, it's just curses. Just an endless string of curses. Occasionally his voice raises and he shouts out into the forest but it's still mostly just cursing and challenges for a straight fight. He'd rather roar but he can't exactly... do that right now.

Anyone who approaches him will have him instantly turning to face them, eyes sharp despite the bags under them, face set in a permanently displeased scowl. ]

Disturbing me best mean something has been found. Otherwise I would be left to my watch. Alone.

[ Somehow even stuck as a full human the big guy manages to growl at you! Isn't that fun? ]

Yeah I'll just drown in tags, bear fight looks fun

[lunarchivist]

[..............

Dan Heng has been around long enough to figure out that this person is Mr. Godzilla. He understands that part.

What he doesn't understand is why he's. Fighting. A bear.

Dan Heng himself is poised to intervene, but he's not sure how. He's not sure he wants to kill the bear, and he might hit Mr. Godzilla in this. Squishier form. A ball of energy forms over his hand.] Mr. Godzilla, if I distract it, you should run!

bear fight beat fight!

[30storieshigh]

[ The why is not important! A wild predator of great strength stalking the packs, clearly, it must be discouraged! It is not as if Godzilla is the one who initiated a fight with the bear simply due to frustration out of being stuck in a human body for this entire trip! That would be mad. That is also exactly what's happened.

Dan Heng's voice breaking through the noise of a roaring, bucking bear, and a growling human Godzilla gets the big guy's attention at least. He doesn't look up though, one does not take their eyes off an opponent. ]

I... am... Godzilla! I do not- [ The bear rears up onto its back legs and staggers back, smashing Godzilla into a tree. He lets out a pained growl and answers by... sticking a finger roughly in the bear's ear, causing it to bellow in discomfort and fall back to all fours, which lets Godzilla once more put his arms around its neck in a chokehold. ] Run! I shall finish the challenge!

[ Look. Last month was rough on him, he needs this. ]

002 - outside

[kubricks]

It's more comfortable indoors.

[She's noticed him outside but waited a couple of days before saying something. To see if he'd continue keeping watch or eventually head inside. But since the latter hasn't happened, she figured she'd approach.]

That aside, I don't think almost passing out propped up against a wall is helping things much.

[At least she doesn't think so.]

[30storieshigh]

[ Technically Godzilla sees her coming, but since she's a trusted ally his half asleep mind doesn't pay much mind to sighting her with his one open eye. The big guy is actually snoring when Makima approaches, only grunting to wakefulness when she speaks up. ]

I have not passed by anything, I am simply resting an eye.

[ That's not what passed out means but hey idiom and figures of speech are still a problem for him.

He yawns and pushes himself off the wall that's been his support post, stretching out his back and causing something to pop quite satisfyingly. ]

Let the others stay indoors, too many have left their caution in this place. I shall remain out here, it is easier to see the local denizens this way.

[kubricks]

[No argument about whether or not he's resting his eyes or sleeping here. She supposes she could, but the thought to do so passes.]

And have you noticed anything while keeping watch?

[Seems more important than poking fun at him for sleeping on the job (sort of) if you ask her. This place is weird, Makima won't argue otherwise. She doesn't feel particularly wary of it, but there's little out there that does that. So her view on it is basically the town and its people are...weird.]

[30storieshigh]

[ The big guy scratches the spot behind his ear he usually does. The whole watch thing slightly makes him feel better but it hasn't exactly panned out overly much. ]

The humans here do not deviate from their schedule. No walks in the evening, no clandestine meetings of secret courtship, it is as if the village is full of the dead.

[ A shrug. ]

Otherwise I have noticed little else. A feeling of being watched, though that is to be expected. The being that posses as deity here as likely been watching since the moment we entered its territory.

[kubricks]

I don't know if I'd compare them to the dead for not having much of a nightlife...

[In some respects, she thinks they're actually less livelier than the dead she's run into before.]

That said, it is very strange. There's a number of films I'm reminded of, but I doubt any of them have a particular relevance here.

[Life isn't a movie, no matter how much she feels like she's wandered onto the Universal Monsters backlot during her stay here.]

Regarding that feeling of being watched though...that's new. I wouldn't say anything we've seen before here has shown that level of cunning.

[30storieshigh]

Films? I confess a general unfamiliarity. Though all fiction stems from some kernel of truth, best not discount them fully.

[ Legends do at least and that's the kind of fiction he's most familiar with. ]

Indeed. It has been my understanding that until the Imugi the packs have not faced any beings of true intelligence, just hungry beasts. The strangeness of this place speaks of intent, the Imugi's directed cruelty illustrates kaiju can be as intelligent as any human.

[ A pause as he glances out towards the forest in the distance, chewing the inside of his cheek while he considers it. ]

Kaiju or some other being. This is some intelligence's territory. Too much structure, too much prosperity for it to merely be superstitions. Humans with only superstition to guard them would have fallen prey to this world generations ago.

003 Night Watch (ngl he'd probably laugh at the bear fight. srsly, goji?)

[blastedass]

[Of all the people he knows who would react the worst to their teammates' kidnapping, Godzilla is one Bakugo tries to keep an eye on. Who knows what PTSD is going to rear its head in the mind of a kaiju who had already become the last of his own kind? Losing such a large chunk of his new "pack" is gonna do shit for his mood. And knowing he's currently stuck in that human guise, de-powered at the moment outside of battle, Bakugo's concerned he'll do something stupid, even if he's smart.

Never trusting the villagers from the start seems to be a choice proven correct right now, though with the villagers saying they don't know anything, the Outsiders can't start rapping heads. It's the lack of concern and nonchalance the villagers have towards their missing companions, especially after being so helpful and hospitable before, that really pisses Bakugo (and others) off. To the point even cooler heads had to prevail before the hot-headed Outsiders made things worse.

Luckily the young hero's been distracted by helping some friends, despite the fact he's roaring inside because his damn boyfriend's among the vanished. Fuck that, the captured. He knows Denji's here, he knows he's not gone, his name's on their oculars, he can still send messages that don't get answered. But dammit, he's HERE!! And Bakugo wants to blow up every fucking house in the village until he either finds where the Outsiders are or someone finally pisses themselves with the answers he wants! Wants to... Sometimes it's fucking insane to be a hero.

He's given Godzilla time to do his search, having taken a number of trips through and above the forest himself with other Outsiders to no luck. By the third day, frustration, anger, and anxiety are starting to settle in hard. As he approaches the king of kaiju, Bakugo can't help but feel the guy's been shrunk. Run ragged. He's tired. Even from here, the blonde hears his stomach growl from hunger. There's no pause or backing down in his step when Godzilla rounds on him; Bakugo finishes approaching the kaiju's camp out and crouches down by the fire, stabbing two metal skewers into the ground beside him.]

Urusei. [You don't scare him.] I brought you food. [If there had been something found, it would be all over what limited network the remaining fifty or so of their number still have. Bakugo pulls a bag off his shoulder and looks up at the man across from him.] You need to eat. At this rate, when we find something, you're only gonna feel like you can run on pure anger.

[The rest of him will drop from exhaustion and malnutrition. Bakugo pulls out a fair number of things from the bag: potatoes, fish, apples, onions, and corn.]

(the bear started it!!!! )

[30storieshigh]

[ Bakugo is a trusted Friend, one of only four people to have earned that title from Godzilla so far. Even so the big guy's still holding a sour expression, it's not quite the full on "remove yourself before I do" glare but he's clearly not happy about having his solitude broken. Or his ability to weather his watch questioned. ]

Bah. It would not be the first time. Feasting can come after we have found the missing.

[ Of course his stomach picks that exact time to let out another protesting growl. That gives him pause before he snorts, a gesture that even in human disguise usually is accompanied by smoke. No smoke today though.

Arguing with Bakugo is like arguing with Godzilla himself, Goji doesn't really have the energy for it. So he relents and moves to the fire, standing opposite of Bakugo as he glances back towards the forest. ]

I ill-like partaking in pleasing activities while half of my Friends and a good measure of my packs are in danger, Friend Bakugo. Let us make this quick, yes?

(eat it)

[blastedass]

[It's not weathering his watch that Bakugo's getting on his scaly ass for; it's what comes after the watch, when they find the course and move forward. Then whatever shortcomings Godzilla's over-vigilant watch developed will show up. When they need him most. That's the ability Bakugo questions, and the reason he's here, ready to shove this down the guy's throat if he's gonna be a big bitch about it.]

Uh-huh.

[That's all he has to say; Godzilla's stomach did the argument for him. As Godzilla moves to the fire, Bakugo pulls one of the skewers from the ground, stabs it through a potato, and then sticks it over the fire to roast. He picks up the other skewer and holds it grip-end towards the other male.

Nope, he's not here to argue, nor is he here to be removed. Bakugo gestures with the skewer, suggesting Godzilla move so he's not with his back to the forest. They can keep watch while eating.]

I'll leave once you're full. Scarf it down however fast you want. [He also came to talk the big guy into getting some sleep, but that's a questionable endeavor right now.] We've tried getting through the forest. Even the ones who can fly end up back in this shithole.

[Himself included.]

(That's the plan!!! )

[30storieshigh]

[ There's a part of Godzilla that wishes to be on the obstinate side and keep his back to the forest. Let the enemy see the back of him, let them know he is unafraid and unimpressed by them. Allow them to dare a strike on his back so he may rip their throats out with his teeth, human or not he can still destroy them!

But common sense wins out. Goji joins Bakugo on the other side of the fire and accepts the skewer before he sits, settling into a seiza position. He is so old and somehow finds this comfortable. ]

Unwelcome news, though perhaps not an electrocuting in nature. [ Shocking. A beat to skewer some fish, almost predictably, and set it over the fire to cook. ] The enemy has a method to baffle us. It seems unlike what I have heard the worm of the desert performed, none seem controlled or unlike themselves, a small protonic situation. [ Positive situation. ]

[blastedass]

[Bakugo has every intention of watching the forest, wanting to be the first to spot their enemy and blitz forward for enraged revenge. He's not going to even give them a glimpse of his back, only a close-up view of his fist and the explosion raging within. But you know, whatever Godzilla wants. If he's obstinate in this, Bakugo won't fight him on that one.

That position. Aren't tatami floors or zabuton pillows a better choice than straight up ground? Bakugo always found that position annoying, even though he can do it without his knees popping off or his feet falling asleep. Nope! Sitting on his ass with his knees bent and feet planted in a spread like a delinquent. That's for him.]

I have a tracker placed on the airport if the map starts working. [He's not surprised Godzilla went for the fish. Bakugo watches him put it on, curious to how he does it. Through the mouth and out the tail, through the side, at an angle?] It's not like the worm in Vegas. I want to know how these bastards took everyone without us knowing it. They took my roommate!

[30storieshigh]

[ Godzilla speared the fish in what he finds the best way to evenly cook it, through the mouth and tail. It allows him to turn the scaled swimmer in such way that a side is always being cooked by the flames. His cooking skills are pretty basic but he's learning!

Bakugo's foresight in marking the place where their flying machine rests almost makes Godzilla wish to kick himself as humans often say they do. That would have been smart to do, yet the reliance on technology for it isn't a flawless plan. ]

Ah, a clever precaution. Perhaps I shall request of LILITH sources of radiation that can be left in locations of import. Then we could locate them without need for the technology of tracking.

[ Never mind that anything radioactive might be potently detrimental to the others! As long as a nuclear source isn't large enough to cause an explosion or fully poison the environment Godzilla doesn't really see anything wrong with it. ]

Your mate of the room, Friend Ereshkigal, my kin, and many others. Most I know to be warriors of skill, or at the least highly alert. Something is decaying within Mark's Den, as they say. [ Something's rotten in Denmark. He sighs.]

Magic, perhaps? I had been led to the understanding that such a thing was not natural to this world, but then the kaiju are unnatural Invaders themselves are they not?

night watch

[eyescar]

[ Yuji doesn't mean to stumble across Godzilla; he really has no intention to get in anyone else's way, not when he's feeling the way that he is. There's something painful inside of him, a stress and grief that has made him more reckless, less inclined to be as polite and formal as he normally is with his elders, less friendly with his - well, friends.

He's losing his grip on himself, because his fear and his upset is breaking him from the inside out, making him miserable. He can't focus, he can't do anything except keep walking around, searching, trying to find some kind of clue despite the fact this isn't his forte.

Stealth, tracking, finding people - that's not what he does. Yuji is physical brawn, punch and push, durability...

A branch snaps under his foot as he approaches, and he tenses as soon as he hears the growl, blinking rapidly and trying to hide his tears. ]

Sorry, I - I was just... Looking. For the others.

[ His voice breaks on the end. ]

[30storieshigh]

[ Recognition strikes moments after anger. Yuji is one of the youngsters Godzilla is quite fond of and considers one of his many mentees. If he had known that's who was sneaking upon his watch post he wouldn't have answered with nearly as much hostility.

Maybe a little hostility. The big guy's nerves and patience are as frayed as everyone else's, he's one bad comment away from burning a building or two down just to make a point to the locals. The sorry state Yuji is in however manages to eek some sympathy back out of Goji. ]

Ah. Young Yuji. It is alright... hmm, no.

[ He shrugs and shakes his head. ]

No, alright is not a proper word, nothing is "alright" as of current. However you hold no fault in approaching, come, rest by the fire. You appear to need it.

[ Says the guy who hasn't rested at all. Do as he says not as he does etc. etc. ]

[eyescar]

[ Some of that strange confusion and panic fades away, and Yuji breathes out softly, the tension slipping from his shoulders. Slowly, as if afraid of the shift of the moment again, he takes his place, settling down beside the other man, absent and unsure. He doesn't want to upset someone that he actually likes, not when he's already done that.

Letting his eyes flick over him, Yuji pauses before he breathes out and nods his head. ]

No. Nothing is okay right now.

[ He wants to put on a brave face, but it's hard to. He keeps breaking, shifting a little, crackling on him before he forces himself to calm down, gripping at his trousers with a tight grip. ]

I'll head off and search some more in a minute.

[30storieshigh]

Fifteen human minutes. A more reasonable amount of time, yes?

[ Like the shining example of mentoring that he is you know aside from the rage issues Godzilla walks over to Yuji and places his hand on the youngster's shoulder to give him a reaffirming squeeze. ]

I share in your concern for the others, however you must see to your own well being. Without a soundness in your being you will be of little assistance to them, yes? We must be ready for battle, there is little chance this was not the result of our enemy moving against us.

[eyescar]

Is there a difference between human minutes and other minutes?

[ He doesn't flinch under the weight of the hand on his shoulder, but it does give him pause, as if it's too much for him to handle right now. ]

I'm fine, really. I - I can handle this. I've been through worse before and been alright, so I just... I need to focus on getting them back.

001

[boarbie]

[ this goes on for a while until dimitri realizes he's just getting rolled around by the bear on the forest floor. dimitri sighs. ]

... I think you've had your fun.

[ he steps in, grabs the bear by the neck and moves godzilla out of the way. pushing the bear makes it dizzy, and when it runs towards him again, dimitri knocks it on the skull hard enough that an audible crack might've been heard. he winces. ]

Ah. Too bad. I was hoping to just knock it out.

[ in any case the bear staggers and slumps later on, moaning softly and shaking, before it remains still. ]

[30storieshigh]

[ Dimitri's timely intervention and impressive display of physical prowess might earn appreciation or even a modicum of awe from most people. Godzilla is... Godzilla.

With a growl the big guy stomps right up to Dimitri, poking him hard in the chest with a finger and glaring at him. ]

I ill-needed such interference. The hunter was hardly an equal match in this form I would have rendered my opponent defeated easily in time.

[boarbie]

... really? I stood and watched you in your labours, and while you did not cry for help, I can't say you were winning.

The way you were holding onto the bear, one might think the two of you were dancing in the forest floor.

[ sir, please be reasonable. dimitri just raises an eyebrow at him in response, and, glancing at the bear, he says - ] At the very least, that's one creature that we don't have to deal with.

If you like hunting so much, take the pelt from it if you wish.

[30storieshigh]

Bah. Your kind have little eye for such things. Without your weaponry, your machines, what do you know of battle? The contest was in my favor, any titan would have realized this.

[ It's maybe not at all fair to compare the titans to humans and he knows it but Godzilla's in a near constant state of A Mood lately. It's not his fault, honestly. (It's mostly his fault.

The big guy crosses his arms and looks between the bear and Dimitri, an eyebrow raised. ]

I hold little need for the fur of others. My inner flame provides all heat I require, my scales all protection. [ A pause as he looks down at his very fleshy hands followed by a contemptuous snort. ] When access to my scales is provided, at the least. I tire of LILITH's demands of limitation...

[boarbie]

Scales ... ah. You're another one of those creatures.

[ he wonders what kind. maybe the big kind, actually, now that he thinks about it, because he certainly moves and acts like he was A Big Creature, who's unfortunately making do with a human form following LILITH's orders. he doesn't know whether he finds that pitiful or otherwise, although dimitri does think being forced to make do with a body that's completely different in scale and strength than yours is probably troublesome. ]

One could argue you're reliant on these tools we have, regardless. Your current form certainly lacks the strength you usually have.

If you're not going to take the pelt for sport, then we must keep going. Next time, finish your business quickly. We don't need to attract any more creatures than necessary, or for you to incur wounds from scrapping out here in the forest before the actual mission.