TRAVEL LOG #4

[synfluxmods]

TRAVEL LOG #4

CONTENT WARNINGS: natural disasters such as flooding and tornadoes, toxic gas/rift poisoning.

▶ 001. RECENT REPORTS.

The week leading into the new month is characterized by the distinct shift in weather patterns across Japan. Within Neo Tokyo, heavy rainfall with low level flooding is disrupting the business and commute of the local people. Even more temperate regions around Okinawa, and the small outer islands, will find themselves with an influx of tropical storms. Northern regions such as Hokkaido will find that some of the snow will have melted down, and the sun is running hot for the season. These strange occurrences seem to have the research team running on overtime, seeing if this has any link or correlation to any kaiju and the rifts.

To make matters worse, the Imugi hatchlings have begun to exhibit strange behaviors they never have before. While the hatchlings did seem to gain stability over the past month, now they are showing signs of extreme distress. They seem more on edge, enough to the point where entry to visit them has been appropriately blocked off until they find the source of their stress. The researchers have found in recent days that this seems to directly correlate to the weather, and what they see as rift energy in various parts of Japan. Over the week they narrow down these rifts to two specific locations which have a high chance of being the source -- Kagoshima and Yamanashi.

LILITH believes this is deeply connected to patterns that they've seen in records from South Korea, before their connections were severed due to the battle that took place last year. As a result, LILITH's Japan branch is doing their best to see if they're able to work with the tensions of the past in order to receive further research and information from the new government that rose from the destruction of Seoul, and is presently in Busan. While efforts to rebuild a branch there are progressing, they are reluctant to offer anything outside of the bare minimum or what is readily known to the public.

In light of these events, Outsiders are told to prepare for their leave soon. Unlike the sudden blare of their alarm, they offer the Outsiders time to begin preparing for the next mission. They will be given an additional stipend that amounts to 200 USD to be spent on supplies, or other personal resources necessary. Outsiders are encouraged to group up however they would like and go on a shopping spree to places such as FamilyMart, 7-Eleven and Don Quijote. Remember, only buy what you absolutely need!! (Or don't. It's not like LILITH is gonna be monitoring that.)

▶ 002. DATA COLLECTION.

After much back and forth, the branch in Busan does provide limited reports on their tracking of the Imugi's movements, both prior and after the catastrophe in Seoul. Per their reports, they are able to come to several conclusions in regards to the Imugi.

The Imugi that had escaped has further evolved, and even from the point in which it appeared in South Korea, has evolved to be even stronger than before. This Imugi is able to adapt to any weather condition, and even retains some control over the environment. The Imugi possesses intellect which seems to surpass many of the kaiju they have encountered in the past. The Imugi is able to use the rifts as a means of travel. Unlike some kaiju which appear from the rifts almost arbitrarily, the Imugi seems to have full control over its ability to travel within them, which makes it effective at evading most tracking methods. In addition, after further studies, it was found that the Imugi is able to inflict severe Rift poisoning due to its connection with the rifts. They state that while Seoul was physically devastated, most of the casualties were from the rift poisoning which took place after.

With the reports they receive, they also find that the two locations in Japan exhibited similar flows of rift energy, and are most likely to be in connection with the kaiju. As there are two locations in which have to be physically monitored, the Outsiders will once more need to be split up into teams. Everlight and Revelation will be sent to Yamanashi, while Brimstone and Redemption will be sent to Kagoshima. With this confirmation, it's highly likely that the female Imugi has returned.

Within those groups, LILITH will ask for those with experience with the Imugi to handle briefing others in their team who are not as familiar. As the Imugi does possess a variety of skills, Outsiders will also be asked to stick with those from an opposing team as a safety precautio as they believe each team member should be able to supplement for another. In addition, these teams are asked to stick together even prior to leaving the base in order to increase their ability to work as a team for the duration of the mission. While the travel time to each place is relatively short, videos on teamwork and strategy will be played and cannot be muted or turned off. Here is a recap of the Imugi from last year's debrief sheet with some extra information:

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: IMUGI ♀
HEIGHT: 1000 feet across, 30 feet high
WEIGHT: 2000kg
CLASS: Extremely Dangerous
LOCATION: ???, Japan
ABILITIES: Control over weather conditions, including summoning of heavy storms, lightning strikes and hurricanes. Can fly up to 1000 feet. By flying amongst the clouds, Imugi releases chemicals into the atmosphere that bring about acid rain. Armored scales, sharp teeth and claws.
WEAKNESSES: Piercing it in the gaps between its impenetrable scales. There is also a particularly weak spot under on it's neck that will deal significant damage if pierced.
EXTRA NOTES: From its initial appearance and behavior, specialists believe that this female Imugi confirmed to be the mother of the hatchlings. This appears to be the female counterpart to the kaiju in Seoul that was killed by the Outsiders after causing havoc on South Korea. Despite them both being the same type of kaiju, likely derived from the same rift, this kaiju seems slightly more agile and openly aggressive.

Once each group arrives, they are expected to explore each region and gather whatever data they can.

▶ 003. KAGOSHIMA.

Reports continue to come in from the various outposts and remaining settlements around Kagoshima. There are constant tremors in the area and some of them manifest as full blown earthquakes that can be felt across other parts of the country and trigger tsunamis along the coast. While the region is no longer as populated as it once was, there are pockets of unfortunate civilians taking refuge in abandoned houses who will need to be rescued and evacuated (some may put up resistance). As these are typical signs of an imminent kaiju attack, the area is on high alert.

Ominously, the Kagoshima Bay area seems is exhibiting strange occurrences of dead and mutated fish washing up on the shore and any other animals in the area meet the same fate. These animals have extra limbs or organs, mysterious burns on their flesh, and have grown in size. Some animals have survived but they have mutated into unstable kaiju hybrids. They aren't very strong and don't live for very long but before they die, they become extremely violent.

LILITH researchers who try to investigate eventually become extremely ill and it has hindered their progress. They experience typical symptoms of Rift poisoning (headache, nausea, impulsive behavior, hallucinations) but also burning of the eyes, skin, and lungs. Before onset, they report spelling something foul in the air.

While getting close to the bay is difficult, it's easy to see that something is wrong. Aside from the loss of life, the water in the bay appears more polluted and smells rotten. The famous Sakurajima Island at the center of the bay has always been active but now it lets out unusual multi-coloured smoke. The clouds carry volcanic ash that completely covers large areas making it difficult to move and hard to breathe. The volcano constantly erupts and wind carries shards of cooled magma slivers. The shards cut skin, sting eyes, and can cause serious internal damage if breathed in.

The waves are too dangerous and flight conditions are poor so it is difficult to approach. However, the constant lava flows over the years have created a bridge on the other side of the bay called Ohsumi. Despite the high risks and plentiful unknown factors, Outsiders are tasked with investigating the area around Kagoshima Bay and reaching Sakurajima by this bridge.

Be careful of the toxic gases in the air, Rift poisoning, earthquakes, kaiju hybrids, and volcanic shards. Outsiders are strongly urged to keep their suits on. Outsiders will be flown near to the area via aircraft, and proceed the rest of the way using camper vehicles to reach Ohsumi and find out what kaiju threat is approaching. (Camper vehicles sit 4-5 people each and Seok Dang has kindly programmed his questionable pre-recorded driving lessons into each vehicle.)

▶ 004. YAMANASHI.

Closer to home, the residents of Neo Tokyo can sense that something is happening outside the city. The sky is clearer in the winter months, allowing everyone to see Mt. Fuji in the distance. From the city, everyone can see that dark clouds have gathered around Mt. Fuji. There is widespread panic that Fuji may be preparing to erupt but despite the perceived activity, there have been no tremors. Meteorologists report that this is purely an atmospheric phenomenon.

Clouds spread every day and begin to affect Neo Tokyo. Weather patterns become unpredictable and extreme. Heavy rains flood lower parts of the city one moment and then turn to a mix of snow and ice the next. The temperature drops dramatically and suddenly spikes to warmer weather at other times. Strong winds cause serious damage to buildings and there are reports of tornados touching down in the outskirts. These worsening conditions not only put a significant strain on the local businesses, but there are reports of these strong winds blowing away children and the frail elderly, and flash floods drowning those unable to escape in time. This entire time, Mt. Fuji flashes as lightning repeatedly strikes it. Given the mountain's significance to the people, they worry that this might be some sort of sign that something terrible is coming. In a panic, people begin to stock up on emergency supplies. They buy out stores, hoard goods, and stick closer to the entrances for underground shelters. Some even resort to crime, looting the evacuated apartments or stealing supplies from other people.

While Outsiders may be asked by other authorities to help keep peace in the city, LILITH's priority is investigating Mt. Fuji. They will be sent to Yamanashi prefecture by camper vehicles. (They sit 4-5 people each and Seok Dang has kindly programmed his questionable pre-recorded driving lessons into each vehicle.) It takes about 6 hours to arrive in Yamanashi due to the destruction and weather. It won't be a smooth ride, either. The weather continues to storm, with heavy winds knocking over trees to block their paths, the rain triggering landslides, and lightning strikes that keep conveniently striking wherever they are. On top of that, the rift-affected animals found a month prior have further mutated. The local fauna have grown in size and viciousness, and they make the trip there treacherous. Outsiders may encounter mutated boars slamming into their camper vehicles, or oversized, snarling monkeys trying to captured people and swoop them away. Find a safe and secluded area to park and help out any citizens who may need help.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our fourth travel log!

There are no assigned seats this time, so characters may travel with whoever they choose or assume that LILITH has assigned you. All camper vans come with a driving instruction program installed. You can find more information about these vehicles here. It is highly encouraged to stay within your assigned team mission, but in the chaos LILITH is not going to enforce a relocation if somebody ends up where they aren't supposed to be. Communications remain open across all teams but might be a bit spotty in the weather conditions.

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

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. RECENT REPORTS: The weather across Japan has become unpredictable. The Imugi hatchlings have become very distressed and LILITH is temporarily restricting access to them. LILITH is reaching out to their sister base in South Korea to find out whatever information they can.

2. DATA COLLECTION: LILITH South Korea provides some information regarding the Imugi. We find out that is has become stronger than before. It has evolved and is now able to control not only the weather, but rift travel. It can also inflict severe rift poisoning. Outsider and split into two teams to explore two key locations: Kagoshima and Yamanashi.

3. KAGOSHIMA: Brimstone and Redemption are being sent here via campervan. There are reports of earthquakes, dead/mutated animals along with signs of severe rift poisoning in researchers. The volcano in Sakurajima island is emitted toxic, multi-coloured smoke. Outsiders must cross the bridge to get closer but beware rift poisoning, earthquakes and kaiju hybrids.

4. YAMANASHI: Everlight and Revelation are being sent here. Neo Tokyo is experiencing worsening weather conditions such as floods, unusual snowfall and tornadoes, which is causing a panic amongst the people. Outsiders have to take a campervan to travel toward Mt. Fuji but they may be faced with extreme weather conditions (such as lightning) and kaiju hybrid attacks.

code

Comments

geto suguru ( jujutsu kaisen / brimstone )

[gorb]

ooc: i'm at qingya or discord sadgaydna or via pm for plotting purposes! trying a new thing so i don't take up the whole screen with my prompts aha. also feel free to wildcard if none of these work!

oo1. recent reports.

( At the entrance to base there is one ( ex ) cult leader lurking, peering out into the heavy sheet of rain with a moody expression on his usually elegant face. No, he's not brooding - or he is, but for the normal reason of LILITH sending one of the only tolerable people he knows back home, and not, you know, genocide. That, and the rain has him a tiny bit more irritable than usual. And now they're being sent on a mission, are in need of supplies. He doesn't even own a raincoat.

So, a hum, crossing his arms over his chest, fingers inside the sleeves of his sweater. Without looking away from the door one corner of his mouth lifts, vaguely conspiratorial. )

I'll pay you. ( Sorry unsuspecting victim, but he's assuming you're going somewhere in all of that. ) If you pick up some things for me.

( Cigarettes are a needed supply, right? Rover's not here to nag him any more, so it's spite. )

oo2. data collection

( The fucking videos.

Strategy is fine, but the one harping on about teamwork has a muscle twitching under his eye by the fifth ... sixth ... showing. ) A part of me thinks they're after the opposite. Driving us to distraction so we run out of goodwill before we even get to where we're going.

oo3. kagoshima

a. ( Some people might be forgiven for seeing the streak of angry white careening across the beach and mistake it for another of Kagoshima's mutated kaiju, but in reality it's simply rainbow dragon having a wonderful time following its master's orders. Geto is somewhere nearby, an equally fast blur of black and red as he takes his frustrations out on their actual target. One particularly gruesome fish hurtles from the water, dragging it's body on what appears to be two vicious stumps, the pulsing mass around its eyes a sight to behold. )

Is it me or are they getting more and more disgusting?

( Says cheerfully, but that might be because he's getting to stretch his legs a little. The calm of the holidays have been fine, really, but Geto's a man more prone to movement and it shows when he brings the end of his three sectioned staff down between the creatures eyes. The splatter is unpleasant, at least he does pull a face at that. )

Ah, on your left.

b. ( Rainbow dragon is currently missing, and Geto - now sweat-slicked and a little frazzled - does not seem in the very same high spirits. The lack of curse isn't particularly worrisome, it takes far more to exorise her, he knows that. But maybe the way he winces as though something sharp has slid between his temples is out of character enough. He usually has a tighter rein on himself.

Still, the staff moves steady as he works through eliminating the kaiju. The headache isn't particularly worrisome, nor is the way something has sliced his cheek so that blood wells up, sinking down the bone. He's been in worse scrapes. It is only when he hears a noise that he thinks something might be affecting him, boots sliding across the ash slick bridge to take him to the edge, the water churning too harshly for him to see. )

Nanako?

c. ( Vans, again.

The last time Geto was in one of these he was stuck with a maniac and what felt like several thousand plushies. Gojo had been determined then to rile him up, they'd almost never made it, had very likely been close to crashing the whole thing and dying in bloody not-glory. He'll be forgiven for being a little suspicious about entering it - especially with the state of his head -, ducking inside with narrow-eyed focus. He's absolutely avoiding the driving seat this time, throwing himself into a seat in the back and plastering a smarmily pleasant smile on his face. Whatever's happened has him decidedly prickly now. )

Oh, I've already had my turn. It wouldn't be fair of me to take away the chance of learning from another.

( Slouching, Mr. Manspreader settles more firmly in his seat, gaze drifting away from whichever poor victim he's nominated as designated driver. )

001

[tokakujuho]

[ Everything seems a little dull and desaturated; even the food tastes bland (though that's probably because he's been living off cafeteria food). But, Nanami reasons, it is winter, after all, so it's to be expected and nothing to be bothered by.

Not much seems to bother the sorcerer much lately. He still needs to replace his eye, but everything else is - what's the word again? - copacetic.

Armed with an umbrella that seems entirely useless in that weather, he catches Geto's words in passing, and almost continues walking when his brain gives a small ping that this is someone familiar. ]

While I appreciate the sentiment, Geto-san, you, and I say this with love, you really can't afford me.

[gorb]

( Like a bloodhound catching the trail of something in the undergrowth, Geto immediately and visibly perks up. It's unfortunate for Nanami, probably, but his feet promptly carry the curse user the last of the distance, slipping into the other man's wake like he belongs there, keen gaze shifting from head to toe and back up. )

Tch, shouldn't friendship come with benefits? You wouldn't even do your old senpai a favour? Times really are hard.

( But if Nanami's heading out then this is prime time to check in, so he's heaving the most dramatic of sighs as he shifts to get the door. ) Where are we going?

[tokakujuho]

Are we that type of friends? Tch, I take back what I said. You're just as selfish and greedy as I remember.

[ Why so haughty and scornful? Despite his tone and cold demeanour, the little kohai doesn't object to being accosted and assessed. It seems to have become a strange habit of Geto's to take inventory of Nanami whenever their paths cross, leaving Nanami to wonder sometimes what Geto is up to. Surely, the old senpai doesn't believe Nanami needs mother-henning?? ]

I need fresh bandages for my eye and some other... supplies. What 'things' are you after?

[gorb]

( He widens his eyes, faux offended. )

You're mistaking me for the other miscreant!

( Wouldn't it be really funny if he thought he'd hidden his covetous nature fairly well back then only to be proven otherwise? Oh well. He's playing now, looping his arm through Nanami's own, staying very carefully on his good ( eye ) side. )

I'll come with you. You might be led astray otherwise. And cigarettes. The one who was bullying me into behaving better has gone and left me so now no one can nag. I'm taking advantage.

3c

[zerodissolver]

[Congrats on your next pick of driver, Geto-san? Choosing a fourteen-year-old girl seems questionable at best, a hideous disaster at worst, yet she seems determined to try and live up to the expectations of others. So it is that Sophie sits in the driver's seat, barely able to see over the steering device but listening raptly to Seok Dang's dubious driving lesson.

She nods at his words, and once everyone else is seated, presses a few buttons to get the oversized vehicle rolling. The machine springs to life amid a series of beeps and flashing lights, rumbling loudly around their ears before slowly she inches it forward to test the controls.]

Understood. Initiating starting procedures. Please make sure your seat belts are buckled and all luggage is secure.

[That's what the video said, anyways. Either way, once she's certain she's got the controls figured out, she... floors it, sending the camper from zero to sixty in a few seconds flat and causing her pigtails to flutter from the bumping of the road. Enjoy the ride??]

[gorb]

( Hang on.

Hang the fuck on.

The van jerks forward in a burst of speed and Geto, who had mostly kept his eyes half closed upon arrival, almost tumbles very neatly out of his seat. The curse he mutters is creative, and a little enraged as his gaze swivels to the driver and actually takes stock -. Is that a child? )

H-ha? ( He hasn't even taught MimiNana to drive yet! He thought he had more time. ( He doesn't even know really, bar the one time here. ) So, stumbling to his feet while they careen. ) Not like that, not like that. Ease off the gas, shit.

[zerodissolver]

[Welp, that's what you get for not buckling up! She did warn everyone... But all the same, there's no malice or ire in her heart as she speeds along, causing the camper to bump and shake and probably nearly throw Geto off his feet. It's a rough road they're on, but she's taking it like a pro. Perhaps too much so.]

But it doesn't run off gas, does it?

[All the same, she slows the vehicle to a more leisurely pace of about forty, so nobody's bouncing out of their seats anymore. And hey, even here away from other drivers, she's still signally responsibly. Don't worry, man, she's got this! ...mostly.]

[gorb]

( This day just keeps going, doesn't it? Geto's at least a little relieved to see the way she slows down, but he is also white-knuckling the headrest of a different seat, grumbling under his breath. )

I should have just flown.

( Even at the risk of more rift poisoning! His head is already pounding and this -. Ah, but she looks young. He has a known weakness. ) Is this your first mission? I don't think I've seen you before.

3b

[raynos]

[Jamie's just here to provide support. He's quick, he has his shield ring, but he can't fight off even a small kaiju like anyone in Brimstone can, so he steers clear of the worst of the fighting and only jumps in to protect an exposed flank or offer his healing touch to someone who looks like they need it.

It's mostly luck that he catches Geto out of the corner of his eye, movements slowing as the man draws far too close for safety to the edge of the bridge, staring into the roiling water beside it. Jamie picks his way across the ashy surface to reach him, calls out tentatively -

and something bursts from the seething water, something with far too many eyes, too many teeth, too many fleshy protuberances. Jamie reaches to drag Geto back, activates his shield ring between them and the water, and strangles on a shriek of terror; the rift-mutated beast slams against the shield, gills and mouth gaping. Claws on its malformed fins scrabble against the lava bridge and the impermeable surface of the shield, trying to find purchase to haul itself out of the water. Panicking, Jamie shoves back against it, struggling to push it into the sea it crawled out of.]

Get back, get back get back get BACK -

[Is he babbling at the fish, or Geto?]

[gorb]

( It's enough to momentarily snap him out of his reverie, the panicked shrieking coming from somewhere near his ear, the hands on him, the literal kaiju halted from biting off his face. Geto curses under his breath, gaze swivelling to Jamie - what - and then the shield. A hand lifts, a rift of black appearing. From the depths comes one of his smaller curses, gnashing teeth that hurtle towards the kaiju and seize it around the neck, lifting it up and away from Jamie with an inhuman shriek of it's own. They both go hurtling into the water with a splash, Geto staggering to the edge to see once more. )

Stop yelling, stop -. ( He thinks he might be sick. But it can't have been Nanako. He'd feel her. He'd know her by energy alone. Still, doubt creeps in along with the illness, and Geto twists to Jamie, a little wild about the face. ) Did you hear something? Just then. A girl's voice.

( Except another kaiju appears behind the boy, lumbering from over the bridge and Geto snaps out his staff into a more firmer state and lets it zing past the boy, crushing the kaiju between the eyes. )

Fuck.

( He's had it with these fish on this bridge! )

[raynos]

[A little numbly, Jamie watches the shadow - thing - sink its teeth into the fish-creature's flesh and drag it back into the water. He shuts up when asked, looking around nervously and straining to hear anything unusual, but all he can detect is the wind, the lapping water, and his own heartbeat thudding in his ears. He looks back to Geto, shaking his head.]

I don't hear anything. Is that...are you feeling all r -

[The staff whips past his head to strike the monster behind him, and Jamie lets out a hoarse squeak of terror, ducking away. He looks between Geto and the twitching body of the felled kaiju, struggling to stay calm; one of his teammates going loopy from rift poisoning is too much to handle on top of everything else that's going on right now.]

W-we should - I think we should fall back, get over where the others are, just for a minute - you're hurt, gimme a sec and I can heal you, okay?

[gorb]

( Is he feeling all right? Not really. His head feels like it might be splitting in two, his stomach churning with the leftover remnants of adrenaline. And he was so sure he heard Nanako, a single high note of terror calling her sister's name. It's still ringing in his ears now and he can't shake it off. But below there's just dark water, blackening further with the kaiju's blood as his curse tears it apart. )

I'm fine. It's just a scratch.

( He's had worse, it will heal on its own. But he eyes Jamie suddenly, wary. ) Should you be out here?

( He seems very Afraid. )

3a

[kubricks]

Thank you.

[Sword swinging out to interrupt the thing on her left. Makima's not sure what it is or was, it seems to be partially an octopus, but the shark mouth that her blade intercepts raises questions. Questions that she's not really terribly interested in knowing the answer to, but still, questions.]

And they are particularly unpleasant. A little reminiscent of some creatures my employees dealt with, but much easier for us to dispatch.

[Then again the Fish Devil wasn't exactly strong either, but probably put up more of a fight than these.]

[gorb]

Ah, you can't blame them. Evolution took a long time, they're speed-running.

( Well. There's very little speed about the one that tries to slither it's way closer. Rainbow dragon plucks that one up with a noisy crunch of cartilage, swinging itself higher into the air with its cargo. Possibly to drop the weight on another creature somewhere, but who knows? Geto pays it no mind, surveying the damage, the end of his staff slick and wet with viscous fluid. )

Do you feel more and more like janitorial staff too, Makima-san? Because we continue to be the one's doing all of the grunt work of cleaning up. And whatever they're paying us certainly isn't enough.

[kubricks]

It does seem that way.

[Another swing, another dead...something. She's not taking the time to discern what it was other than some sort of aquatic abomination.]

This is the kind of low level field work I'd assign to new recruits and their trainers. Aside from the ash issues, that does make the job a little more difficult.

[Not by much, or at least not to the point she's worrying about. But this is very much something that she feels could've been handled before they got here. Or in a different way.]

3b bc evil besties can be normal about the water togetha

[zauneyete]

[ Silco's hand whips out, to reach around his arm and hold him there. ]

Now, far be it from me to discourage you.

[ He says, keeping his voice low, but his fingers are there instinctively. Silco's mask is up, because the air is getting even so bad a Zaunite can't be caught breathing it, but even still, he leaned in, even so, his voice still low, still quiet. He doesn't think he needs to do more than that. ]

Do you see something out there?

i keep 👏 forgetting about 👏 plug suits 👏 oops ( also oh no silco ;; )

[gorb]

( His instinct is a snarl, overwhelmed by the fight and the sudden pressing surety that something is wrong. His arm tenses under Silco's own like he might just throw him off, but then the energy dissipates like a candle snuffed out. It's just a headache, it's just a --. )

No. I thought I heard something.

( Gaze sliding back, his whole body tense. The water is rough below them and still teeming with god knows what. Geto knows that. He can see that. Sense it. So why does he feel like there's something else? )

You didn't? Not a girl's voice? You would have heard it too, wouldn't you? ( For the first time since they met there's a note of genuine anxiety, cool demeanour sloughing off. ) Fuck.

don't worry i do too (HEHE)

[zauneyete]

I didn't hear anything.

[ He looks out at it, and then back to Geto. He lets go of his arm as soon as he's not trying to return to the water. Even though it's something he knows well. He looks out over it like he could figure out what it is that lured him, what's making him act so oddly, or hear something that isn't there. ]

Whose was it?

[ He can guess. ]

Have you been out here for long?

001

[gimu]

[ the last few months may have passed in a grey blur, but the sight of geto is enough to sharpen it all up again with a vague annoyance as familiar as breathing. how can choso just ignore that? this pitiful guy without even a proper coat? no wonder the guy looked so wan and pitiable, lingering in the door like a child waiting for a lost dog.

so choso keeps trundling in approach, decked out in a bright yellow raincoat and, despite the see-sawing heat, a dark scarf with absurd paw pom-poms on its ends wrapped around his absurd face.

an empty, reusable bag hangs from one wrist, speaking of Intent. ]

How much and how many? I'm going out anyway.

[gorb]

( The coat is -.

Well. The coat is certainly a choice. Geto blinks at him calmly for a second, desperately trying to keep his face straight and his expression absolutely free of mirth or ridicule. Imagine if Itadori thought he'd been laughing at his brother! All of his hard work, scuppered. Which is why he doesn't respond straight away, and when he does his voice is ever so slightly strangled. )

Ah. Are you sure you're old enough?

( No, sorry. It's just he looks like a child's drawing of an imaginary friend and what is Geto supposed to do with that? He holds a hand briefly over his mouth to try and get himself together. Be normal, be serious! )

Where are you headed?

[gimu]

[ give him a gas mask and an umbrella and see where it goes, papi.

but look, choso is a patient soul, and for the moment it takes geto to smarten up, he waits politely with only a faint beetling of his brow. if he recognizes the struggle geto is going through, he doesn’t show it. ]

I am one-hundred and fifty-one years old this past winter. I’m confident that I qualify at this point, even if the restaurants boasting senior citizen discounts feel otherwise.

[ he’ll get that 10% off one day, just you fuckin wait. ]

Don Quixote has everything I need and more in a one-stop shop, so I will be going there today.

03 B

[donutsanddonots]

[A hand shoots out to grasp Geto's wrist before he can slide off the bridge into the oblivion of the most likely toxic sea. Richele is gritting his teeth- Why didn't everybody heed the warning to wear the plugsuits-?!]

He sees the way Geto's eyes look unfocused, the furrow of his brow- not good. He's once again reminded of the seaborn from back home and the way they could infect other beings-]

[But this is not there.]

[He pulls Geto back, away, from the edge. It feels redundant to ask when the man already almost fell into the water, but he does anyways.]

Are you alright?

oh no richele gets to meet my worst son

[gorb]

( In Geto's defence the plugsuit is only missing because he's being piloted by an idiot. )

What? ( Snapped, and full of misguided irritation, but at least he's distracted enough by the noise to let his usual temperament out. Richele even manages to pull him a few steps back, before Geto shrugs his way free from the other man's grip. ) I'm fine.

( Do his eyes hurt? He rubs a grimy palm into the socket, peering at Richele with the other eye. )

Did you hear something? Just then? A voice. A girl's voice.

I"M FREAKING CRYING I TOTALLY FORGOT YOU WERE ALSO VASH

[donutsanddonots]

[Oh No. Who was the lucky driver-]

[Richele lets the attitude roll right off of him, instead squinting at the little cut on his face, frowning. He lets him shake free. As long as he wasn't in danger of falling into the dubious water, he was okay with him walking on his own power.]

[He makes a face when Geto rubs his hand on his face- He's going to get mutated beast-guts in his eye- And also, that was an unconvincing display of being "alright".

He's about to say as much when Geto asks his question.]

... No. I didn't. [... But he couldn't rule out the possibility of somebody being around.] Where did you hear it from? Any direction?