KAIJU FIGHT #5

[synfluxmods]

KAIJU FIGHT #5

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

▶ 001. LORD OF THE FOREST.

Throughout the days leading up until October 15th, the captives will be forced down to the dungeons for their “punishments” to be doled out. All of the punishments seem to be completed methodically, almost as if the followers of the Lord of the Forest had centuries of experience. While no explanation is given, it becomes clear that the sacrificial ritual has begun. While the Outsiders may not be privy to what this entails, there is one rule that will be have made clear to them: once the ritual begins, it can no longer be stopped. However, there is still a sliver of hope. On the morning of the 15th, a small message will have been pushed out by LILITH. While they haven't completely reestablished their connection to the network, they are able to get something out.

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME:
HEIGHT: Ư̴͚͈̓͊̅͐́̇͛̂͌̏͠Ņ̷̧͕̣̦͉̟̣̽̽̌̓̈́͒̈́́̔̊̚͜͝K̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃
WEIGHT: Ư̴͚͈̓͊̅͐́̇͛̂͌̏͠Ņ̷̧͕̣̦͉̟̣̽̽̌̓̈́͒̈́́̔̊̚͜͝K̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃
CLASS: Ư̴͚͈̓͊̅͐́̇͛̂͌̏͠Ņ̷̧͕̣̦͉̟̣̽̽̌̓̈́͒̈́́̔̊̚͜͝K̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃
LOCATION: BRAȘOV, TRANSYLVANIA.
ABILITIES: Ư̴͚͈̓͊̅͐́̇͛̂͌̏͠Ņ̷̧͕̣̦͉̟̣̽̽̌̓̈́͒̈́́̔̊̚͜͝K̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃
WEAKNESSES: SUNLIGHT, HOLǸ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃Y REǸ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃S, GK̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̆̃
EXTRA NOTES:

It is an incredibly sparse message. It seems to be working with any information the ocular implants were able to detect in that second, and the information gets fed back in the form of a distorted debrief sheet. However, it does act as a sign that LILITH is still actively working on gaining access to their communication lines once more, and are tirelessly working to send help. With this sudden jolt of a message, they will feel an extremely heavy disturbance composed entirely of rift energy—it appears that whatever kaiju is dwelling here is able to effectively work with the rift in order to negate abilities. But perhaps the clues all strung together have already painted a similar picture as to what is to come, and to what to continue to expect.

Now that the sacrifices have all but been made, it is time for the Lord of the Forest to be summoned.

All captives who have been forcefully dragged, or psychologically drawn to the dungeons, will find themselves face-to-face with the Lord of the Forest, also known by their title of PRICOLICI. The creature is a bit difficult to make out due to its ability to shape-shift: at times mimicking a human wearing some sort mask in the form of a wolf’s skull, and at others, taking on a form of a monstrous wolf-like creature that awaits all Outsiders— those presently within the dungeon, and those that exist outside of it, ready to be lured in.

Or that should be the case, but The Lord of the Forest appears to be a kaiju unlike all others. While it is summoned for a brief period in which the Outsiders bear witness to its true form, it seems to disperse back into the rift soon afterwards, much like savoring each of its sacrifices in a temporary state of hibernation.

(Note: Details of the specific events that happened leading up until this point can be accessed on the kidnapped log. Please be advised that there are heavy trigger warnings for these topics.)

▶ 002. FIND THE CAPTIVES.

Due to their brief communication and joint efforts following the network post, it becomes clear that all signs point to Bran Castle as the place where the captives are being held. This becomes ever more apparent as the fog gradually begins to lift, and the outline of the castle can finally be seen from the distance of the forest’s perimeter.

If there were still any doubts surrounding Bran Castle as a place of interest, many of the villagers will instantly form large groups in order to stop Outsiders from heading towards the castle. They will spare no effort to achieve this. What initially starts off as peaceful dissuasion and psychological tactics, such as using the children to cling to the Outsiders leg and crocodile tears… quickly escalates to outright fighting with pitchforks and other makeshift weapons from the farm. Additionally, Outsiders who have purchased the poison dagger from LILITH will find that the “safety” on it is released, and they can be utilized on the locals with no need for additional clearance. It looks like the network wasn't the only thing affected by the spotty connection.

In this skirmish, the Outsiders trying to make their way to the castle will find that a handful of these villagers aren’t your run-of-the-mill farmers. They’re stronger, faster, and the Outsiders will discover that they have incredibly sharp teeth. They are vampires! Or, an entity that seems close enough to the ones of legends. They will not only be attempting to fight Outsiders off, but will also resort to biting them. If an Outsider is bitten, their bodies will feel almost feverish, as if an incredibly slow-acting poison has entered their bloodstream. But, being bitten by a villager does not guarantee one to be turned. While it is possible, it is a much lower chance.

Once Outsiders do make it to the castle, they will find that there will be several more attendants from the castle waiting for them at the gates, all prepared to fight tooth and nail to prevent their entry. It’s clear the objective becomes to break past them and find the dungeons below the castle!

▶ 003. THE DUNGEON OF CASTLE BRAN.

Following the pathways of the castle to the dungeons below will not be easy. All the attendants present seem to have been waiting for them behind every nook and cranny of the castle. Outsiders will be met with their fervent attempts to stop them. It is a matter of life or death for the attendants and like the villagers, they seem to have no issue with throwing their own necks out in order to preserve the sanctity of their ritual.

Outsiders will also find various areas in which wolfsbane will be in bloom. Unlike typical wolfsbane these seem particular potent and will make the air taste bitter, and cause tingles, nausea, and hypotension if exposed to for too long. It appears even the attendants avoid them to a degree.

For those who make it to the dungeons, they will find that it is a lot bigger than it appears on the surface. A lot of its structure seems to lead deep underground, suggesting that it may even extend further out from the perimeter of the castle itself. There is a certain smell to the place that cannot be masked, years of sacrifices evident in every inch of its walls. There are over hundreds of cells, some still holding skeletal remains, alongside other ancient looking items: an old book, a worn out doll, a bloodied servant’s apron—they all appear to be pieces from a past that was long forgotten.

The Outsiders will not get to explore easily, however. As soon as they make their way past the threshold where the cells are all lined out, they will feel a chill up their spine. It's almost as if eyes are watching them in the dark, and they are. If they look up, they will realize there are hundreds of bats with glistening teeth that are all lining the ceiling, all lying in wait. They are minions of the Lord of the Forest, and their supersonic screams can stun and cause momentary deafness.

To make matters worse, it is not just their sharp teeth that hurt on impact, but they have a keen thirst for blood similar to the villagers. Being bitten by one will cause the Outsider to potentially begin to lose control of themselves and will have an insatiable thirst for blood, even at the expense of their fellow teammates. Additionally, those who are bitten will find themselves moderately more susceptible to psychic brain washing, and may cause them to momentarily join the enemies side.

▶ 004. THE FINAL RESCUE.

While the battle has already started within the village and the castle, suddenly the familiar ping of their oculars will alert them to the following message from Yamakawa—

"Angels of LILITH, we have connection. Rescue your team mates no matter the cost!"

With the connection reestablished, the main objective of the mission becomes one thing: RESCUE. For Outsiders who may have still been left at the village, or engaged within their own horrors, they are all advised to head to the dungeons as soon as possible. The coordinates for the deepest cells are sent alongside directions, with a constant warning to avoid direct contact with the kaiju there. The kaiju has long been absorbing rift energy and LILITH strongly advises against any attempts to engage with it until more information is known.

After half an hour, LILITH gives formal clearance to kill anyone interfering with the mission. Villagers, cult members, anyone. This includes Outsiders who may have temporarily been brainwashed, with the caveat of bringing back their bodies as they may be able to save them.

As they get further into the dungeons, they will find themselves susceptible to the side effects of rift poisoning. It is far more potent with each step, and will take laser focus to make one's way all the way to the last holding cells. There they will find the several of the castle’s most devout followers desperately calling out for The Lord of the Forest, as if summoning its presence.

…


…

…

… and The Lord of the Forest answers the cries of its followers. The initial part of this battle is difficult as the kaiju's abilities paired with the abnormalities of the rift result in weakening the powers of all living organisms around him, including the powers of the Outsiders. However, due to the phases of the moon, its abilities to nerf powers seem to have diminished slightly - they are able to use their abilities at a lower output, or at times they will find their abilities can cut in and out. After five to ten minutes of the Outsiders actually engaging the creature, they will find LILITH has effectively sealed the rift below the dungeons. It is far from perfectly done, but will allow the Outsiders the window of opportunity to use their all in their battle with the Lord of the Forest before backup arrives.

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: PRICOLICI
HEIGHT: VARIES
WEIGHT: VARIES
CLASS: EXTREMELY DANGEROUS
LOCATION: BRAȘOV, TRANSYLVANIA
ABILITIES: SHAPESHIFTING, IMMORTALITY, NIGHT VISION, SUPER STRENGTH
WEAKNESSES: SUNLIGHT, HOLY RELICS, GARLIC, WOLFSBANE
EXTRA NOTES: This kaiju has a malicious intent to all humans besides those who praise it. It's said it will bless all of its followers abundantly on this Earth and grant them immortal life.

The battle against the PRICOLICI will not be made easy, especially as its weaknesses are not as straightforward to tap in as most elements. However, LILITH will provide utmost support for the Outsiders who want to try their hand at defeating it. While it was once believed to be immortal, perhaps due to the disconnection of the rift and the moon, it does seem weaker the longer the Outsiders engage with it. There are also pockets in which wolfsbane bloom in secret in the dungeon, and the PRICOLICI will evade these specific areas, as well as any places containing holy relics.

▶ 005. AFTERMATH.

The remaining villagers do their utmost in attempting to ground the LILITH medical cruiser, using cannons and other primitive weapons against it. Fortunately, they do not succeed. With the LILITH medical crew all present, they begin their work promptly. Outsiders can not only use the medical cruiser as a temporary base and resting point, but those with severe injuries are ushered in for emergency surgeries and other necessary procedures. Those who can heal are encouraged to take care of the ones with less major injuries in order to lighten the load on LILITH’s medical robots... and Dr. Spim, of course.

When the final battle finally winds down, several more mission objectives crop up. While no formal decision is pushed on the Outsiders this time, they are given several choices.

Although LILITH has permitted Outsiders to take their own stance in whether they want to kill those involved in the ritual, including the villagers, they do state the final request to spare the children, which they plan to bring back to Neo Tokyo. Those who do not wish to engage in the taking of lives will be encouraged to continue assisting and escorting any injured Outsiders. Finally, all Outsiders are tasked to take with them any goods that LILITH could benefit from, including any sources of food.

Once this has all been completed, they will all be encouraged to leave Transylvania behind.

Back at base, they are presently working on the cure for those who were bitten and turned. While the brainwashing element has been resolved through persuasion tech, it wasn't possible for them to fully reverse the other side effects. LILITH staff are requesting those affected to remain indoors until they figure out what they need in order to completely rid them of this ailment.

(Note: The above mission objectives in this section are all optional! Please remember that you only need to engage in the plots and ideas you are comfortable with. If you would prefer your character to leave early to take the others back to recover at base, that is completely fine. We want this to be flexible and for people to play with what inspires them. You are also free to come up with other ways your character can help during this time, as long as it does not break any game rules.)

▶ 006. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to fifth kaiju log!

Thanks to the Outsiders' efforts, they were able to engage with the kaiju in this fight. Due to them piecing the clues of the skulls helping to destroy the fog, they were able to gain access to Bran Castle. As they have also kept their suspicions of the villagers, some even including to sacrifice them, they were able to unearth them being associated with the cult, and able to uncover their involvement. Outsiders were also able to add wolfsbane as a weakness to the kaiju due to the messages exchanged between the kidnapped and non-kidnapped - and so this detail was also added into the log. We appreciate everyone’s engagement in this and hope you have fun with this outcome!

Feel free to NPC your characters' fights with the minions. The main fight with the largest one will be determined via a HP-based system (See below). Feel free to ask any other questions below! Additionally, we did clarify some questions in regards to vampires/general weaknesses here, as well!

For the vampire prompts, feel free to work with the setting in how you want your character to experience being turned, and potentially turning others. It was made vague to allow flexibility, so if you'd like to have your character just feed off of people without turning them, that works. If they want to turn all their friends, that is also 100% okay. Those who have been turned are welcome to play with that as they see fit. As mentioned, LILITH will be actively working on the cure, and this will be something revisited in the TDM, or on our quest board, so be on the lookout for that!

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

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. LORD OF THE FOREST: On the days leading up to the 15th, kidnapped characters are brought to the dungeons to receive their punishments. The punishments are administered in a way that suggests that the followers have many years of experience, and that they are all part of a sacrificial ritual to summon the Lord of the Forest; once the ritual begins, it can't be stopped. On the morning of the 15th, LILITH is able to send out a distorted monster debrief sheet that the captives will be able to briefly see before experiencing a heavy disturbance of rift energy. Captives in the dungeons will also be able to see the Lord of the Forest, but it will disperse back into the rift after being summoned.

2. FIND THE CAPTIVES: The Outsiders figure out that the captives are held in Bran Castle; the fog gradually lifts and the outline of the castle will be visible. The villagers will do everything they can to prevent the Outsiders from reaching the castle, from using the children to persuade them to stay to more violent means. Outsiders who have a poison dagger from LILITH are able to use it on the villagers without prior clearance due to the spotty connection. Vampires are among the villagers attacking the Outsiders; if they are bitten, their bodies will feel feverish. Once Outsiders reach the castle gates, they will have to break through the castle attendants to reach the dungeons.

3. THE DUNGEON OF CASTLE BRAN: Outsiders must fight through more attendants inside the castle as they make their way down to the dungeons. The layout of the dungeons is much bigger than it may seem on the surface—with over hundreds of cells, some of which still contain the remains and personal effects of previous villagers who have been sacrificed. Bats, minions of the Lord of the Forest, will attack the Outsiders and those who are bitten may begin to lose control of themselves with a thirst for blood. Bitten Outsiders may attack their teammates as a result, and may also be more susceptible to psychic brainwashing.

4. THE FINAL RESCUE: LILITH confirms the main mission objective of rescuing all the captives and gives formal clearance to kill anyone interfering with the mission, which includes any Outsiders who may have been temporarily brainwashed. The bodies of any fallen Outsiders must be brought back as LILITH may be able to restore them. Going deeper into the dungeons will cause side effects of rift poisoning to manifest. The Lord of the Forest appears to engage the Outsiders; its ability to weaken abilities is diminished slightly due to the phases of the moon. Five to ten minutes into the battle, LILITH seals off the rift below the dungeons, allowing Outsiders an opportunity to go all in on attacking the Lord of the Forest.

5. AFTERMATH: LILITH's medical crew arrives to begin treating injured Outsiders. Those who are able to heal or have medical experience are encouraged to treat Outsiders with minor injuries to lighten the load on LILITH's medical staff. Once the battle winds down, Outsiders are given several options on what to do next: kill the followers and the villagers, but sparing the children (who will be brought to Neo Tokyo); continue assisting and escorting any injured Outsiders to safety; taking any goods from the village that will benefit LILITH, including food sources. Once completed, Outsiders will leave Transylvania to embark on the journey back to Neo Tokyo.

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Comments

i'm just gonna forge ahead, we can deal with stuff in another thread if we need to 👍

[the_fourteenth]

Me too. [He could stand here like this for ages, feeling a bone-deep exhaustion that was more mental and emotional than physical.]

I'm so glad you're okay. Some are... [He lets out a breath.] Bad. I was looking to heal people, but LILITH... they're trying their best. [The prospects were not looking good for some of the Outsiders. He's can't tell how bad, unsure if LILITH is trying to sugarcoat it for now, or just not wanting to give news until they know for sure.]

Nanami and Choso. They're going to be okay though. You did well.

[As far as whether he's okay, well.]

I was not injured badly.

[Some minor things that some healing nanobots can handle, eventually. Others come first.]

works for me 👍

[eyescar]

Yeah. They're...

[ Yuji swallows. It's a little much, thinking about the wounds that Nanami and Choso suffered. The loss of limbs, the damage to their faces, their skin, the depth of suffering that Choso went through with his blood... It's a little too much for Yuji, so he shoves the thought aside.

There'll be more they can do in the future. He'll do whatever it takes to make sure they're healed, that they're better, because he loves them more than his own life.

Nuzzling into Raidou a little more, Yuji closes his eyes, squeezing his boyfriend gently. ]

You don't need me to heal you, then?

[ Yuji's been ignoring his own wounds. The RCT would take care of it. ]

[the_fourteenth]

No. Save your energy. [In case there are more injured who come in.

Every mission seems worst than the last, but every time the two of them make it out, Raidou is eternally grateful. That he gets to stand here and hold Yuji like this - he never takes it for granted. How easily it could just be taken from him.

Raidou clutches him, thinking of the state the other Outsiders were in. Worried for them, stomach turning at the idea of how easily it could have been Yuji among them. But he wasn't. He was here. He was okay.

Even after what he did to him.

He trembles, ever so lightly.]

Every mission gets worse. Each time I wonder how we'll recover. And somehow, we do. But this time... this time is...

[Another deep breath. Steady now. The others need you steady. Yuji needs you steady.]

[eyescar]

It doesn't get easier.

[ Yuji's voice is hoarse, sad, as he speaks, turning his attention back to Raidou's face despite the gnawing feeling inside of him, the twist of something in his gut demanding more. ]

After Shibuya... I thought the Culling Game stuff would be alright. I thought facing Sukuna would be okay too. But it... It keeps happening. No matter what I do, what we do, people get hurt.

[ The tears burn at his eyes, for a moment, and he shivers. ]

Todo-san said something to me, about honouring people's memories. That it's a way to give us strength to move on. I have to believe that, or we'll never be able to make it in the end. The sacrifices of the people I love would lose that meaning.

[ Lifting his hand, he cups Raidou's cheek. ]

It's okay. I'm here, and if you need to cry, I'll take care of you, too, Johei.

[the_fourteenth]

[He leans his head into that hand, nodding gently at the idea.]

The summoner is supposed to keep everyone safe. The blade that cuts through evil. The shield for others. But I... I'm not a summoner. I haven't been for a long time. I am-- simply an Outsider. Like us all.

[And the lives of Outsiders were much different.]

Your friend is right. We have to. We have to keep going or it would be a waste. Unjust to those who still need help.

[Even when everything felt like it was collapsing around them. Keep going, until nothing was left. That's all he can do.

Raidou's heart aches at those last words, a feeling he can't pin down, sincere and deep.
The faintest of sad smiles comes to his face.]

If I knew how. If I ever figure it out. I will come to you.

[eyescar]

You are a summoner, just like I'm a jujutsu sorcerer. We might forget about it for a while, or it might be hard to remember it, but... We're more than that, too, aren't we?

[ Breathing out, he grips Raidou a little harder. ]

You don't have to be a summoner all the time. You can be Johei, too, and that's okay. You're allowed to be both, aren't you? Because I'm allowed to be Yuji the sorcerer and Yuji, me, too. That's what everyone is saying.

[ It can't be one rule for him and one rule for others, can it? ]

We can do it. Together.

1/2

[the_fourteenth]

[Many people do say things like this to Raidou, but it has a hard time getting through. It's so ingrained in Raidou, it's what forms his entire identity. He doesn't know how to cope with anything else. His sense of identity has been slowly shaking apart from the day he arrived in Neo Tokyo.

But coming from Yuji, it means more. Yuji understands better than anyone here. Hearing together makes that ache in his heart deepen, something so strong it almost felt real. As if Yuji himself had grabbed hold of it with a hand.

His head dips down, but he nods lightly.]

I'll try. I want to. And... together. Always.

[the_fourteenth]

[It would be easy to fall apart, as close as it feels like Raidou could after all of this. He knows he can't. Keep going until there's nothing left. Keep fighting for the people here, the other Outsiders, and the boy in front of him.

Raidou raises his head, beyond exhausted, filthy from battle, but focused only on holding on to Yuji. That is, until he notices something. The hand that was on the back of Yuji's neck moves to his face, and Raidou's expression finds its focus. Concern, confusion, subtle but immediate.]

Y-- Yuji. Are those--? [Those are fangs. Those are fangs.] You were bitten.

[eyescar]

What?

[ Yuji frowns, leaning back and lifting his hand to touch his face, up to his teeth, where - oh. They do feel a little sharp, and that's weird, head tilting briefly.

He had been bitten, but he'd thought...

Oh. There's no Sukuna any more, and even with his technique... ]

I think I was?

[the_fourteenth]

[Raidou's eyes widen as the reality of this sinks in. It's not that he's afraid of Yuji in this moment, but afraid for him. There's a lot trying to process in his very tired mind right now, and after a moment, his head looks to the horizon to check on if the sun is rising yet.

He'd run across some Outsiders that had been bitten in the dungeon, but he never thought it would happen to Yuji.]

You-- Are you-- okay? How do you feel. We, ah, we need to get you-- inside. Some of the Outsiders, they too-- [Yuji isn't alone in this. LILITH needed to be made aware that there are others.]

[eyescar]

[ Yuji doesn't seem that frightened, at least, even if he thinks he should be. Becoming a vampire is the least of his worries right now, and he doesn't even feel that different, so he's doing his best not to worry.

Instead, he rubs the back of his head, looking nervous and sheepish all at once. ]

I guess that's why my stomach has been feeling weird when I've eaten.

[ Waving his hand, he lets himself be moved and tugged. ]

Right, let's go inside?

[the_fourteenth]

[This is what happens when you have a boyfriend who knows too much about the supernatural. Raidou's mind immediately turning to all the vampire legends out there, comparing them to the signs those here have shown. Very traditional kinds - weak to holy auras and symbols, piercing the heart with a stake or decapitation the only way to kill them in battle. Though presumably sunlight would be a weakness, perhaps garlic and holy water--

He'll start leading Yuji towards the medical cruiser by the hand, clutching it tightly.]

I don't-- I thought when we killed the kaiju, it would go away. Break. But it hasn't. [What a terrifying thought. Was this perhaps not the kaiju, but some strange rift effect instead? Those tended to be permanent...]

If you're-- you wouldn't be able to keep much else down. Of course.

[eyescar]

[ Raidou is definitely more on edge about this than Yuji is, but maybe that's part of being a vessel for a curse for the last few months; being a vampire doesn't seem as bad in comparison. He's trying to match his boyfriend, though, and does his best not to get too lax about it, sighing softly. ]

Maybe they weren't linked.

[ Squeezing Raidou's hand, he laughs nervously. ]

Am I going to have to eat blood?

[the_fourteenth]

[Vampires are strong, yes, but they have a lot of famous vulnerabilities too, which is what worried Raidou. Yuji was already strong, which is good. Which makes him wonder how it'll affect Yuji's abilities. How many other Outsiders were also turned? How would it affect them? The mind raced.

When Yuji asks that, he stops to look at him. Externally, he looks just a little concerned, thinking hard on all of this, and his voice is soft as ever. The words just spill out more disjointedly, without time for him to think before speaking.]

You, ah-- Well. If you really are-- Then yes. Are you, um, feeling hungry?

[eyescar]

[ It wouldn't be the worst thing he's eaten - ]

It's probably not the worst thing I've eaten.

[ He's not a smart boy.

Shaking his head, he steps over, nuzzling into Raidou's cheek before kissing the skin gently. ]

I've felt weird all day, so maybe that's vampire hungry?

[the_fourteenth]

That doesn't-- [There's a hint of a nervous smile at that answer, cut off by the kiss on his cheek.]

Probably. If this is what this is.

[Raidou takes his other hand as well, for emphasis, looking him in the eyes. Despite how bad this might all turn out to be, he manages to look sure and unflinching about this one thing.]

If you-- Don't let yourself go hungry. You might do something you'd regret if you did. If you're hungry, you come to me.

[The vampires had a hard time getting past his resilience with their fangs, but Yuji is much stronger than them. If Raidou had to cut himself first to make sure, he will. He can take it.]

[eyescar]

What? No way!

[ Yuji's eyes widen, and he stares at Raidou, almost as if he might tug himself free and run in the other direction. There's a flare of panic there, and he looks around nervously. ]

I'm not going to eat you, Johei! That would be crazy!

[ Even if he gets hungry, he can probably handle it. There's no need to do anything like that! ]

[the_fourteenth]

[Raidou grips those hands insistently, no getting away from him now.]

You wouldn't-- It's just some blood. If you go too long without eating, you might... not think clearly. So before it gets to that point, if you need to--

[He nods with conviction.]

I'm strong now, too. I can handle it.

[eyescar]

That's not the point.

[ Yuji frowns, trying to take a step back, but failing. ]

It's not even that bad [ right now ] so it won't be a problem.

[the_fourteenth]

... Okay. [Seeing him try to pull away stings, and he lets go of one of Yuji's hands, leading him gently towards the med cruiser.]

We'll-- get you checked out first. Make sure we're not making a mountain out of a molehill first, yeah?

[Maybe LILITH can help. Maybe it's not what it seems at all. And with all this technology at their disposal, even if they can't cure it, maybe they can curb the symptoms with... something.]

[eyescar]

That's fine.

[ The idea of causing harm to other people, even through something as simple as a bite for blood, makes Yuji feel distinctly uncomfortable - especially with people he cares about, like Raidou. He forces himself to breathe out gently, lets himself be drawn towards the medical staff with a bowed head. ]

... Sorry.

[the_fourteenth]

[Raidou squeezes that hand ever so gently.]

It's okay. Don't be. You didn't-- We'll get this sorted out.

[He looks to him, trying to hold as much hope in his eyes as he can manage.]

Whatever it is, however we need to deal with it... I'm with you. The whole way.

[eyescar]

It'll be okay. I'm sure Spim-sensei can handle whatever it is that's going on.

[ It's not that big a deal! Just vampirism! He's died twice! ]