KAIJU FIGHT #6

[synfluxmods]

KAIJU FIGHT #6

CONTENT WARNINGS: natural disaster, destruction of city, blood, gore, medical needles, toxic gas

▶ 001. SOMETHING IN THE SEA (KAGOSHIMA.)

It takes time to traverse the difficult terrain and fend off the corrupt wildlife but eventually, Redemption and Brimstone will arrive at the Ohsumi, where they will be sent coordinates to travel towards Sakurajima. There, they will find a very thin strip of land that forms a sandy and rocky path towards the island. They will be advised to wait until low tide when the path is easiest to cross.

Fortunately, as they wait, they will be largely undisturbed. The poison here is significantly more concentrated and any wildlife that lingers too long suffocates. For safety, Outsiders must continue wearing their protective suits to avoid the same fate.

Finally, the tide begins to recede and gives way to a rough and rocky path towards Sakurajima. The ground is hard and difficult to traverse; some parts are slippery with water. As they cross, a great tremor starts and the waters around them become turbulent. There isn't much to hold onto, but they're at high risk of falling into the sea especially when the land begins to rise.

When the tremors stop, there's a loud, hissing roar. The Outsiders will find themselves on the back of a giant turtle that is disguising itself as a small island. It appears this kaiju is the cause for the rift energy on this side of Japan.

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: Gigakame
HEIGHT: ???
WEIGHT: ???
CLASS: Extremely Dangerous
LOCATION: Kagoshima, Japan
ABILITIES: Breathes toxic gas, inner core is hot with magma, spits fire.
WEAKNESSES: Electricity, destroying and separating the turtle from its shell, filling the core with water.
EXTRA NOTES: This is a kaiju that has never been documented by LILITH before -- not much information can be provided. However, just like normal turtles, it uses its shell as a shield for defense and can be weakened if the shell is destroyed and torn from its body.

█ █ █ ATTACHED PHOTO:

The Outsiders will have to cut off all energy supplies to stop feeding the newly named Yamadenki and then defeat them.

Outsiders will be instructed to use water as their advantage as the creature uses fire and magma abilities. Electric attacks will weaken it, but the key is to tear off its shell from its body. Outsiders will be instructed to try this tactic, and after everyone's effort, the Gigakame will be defeated.

▶ 002. KAGOSHIMA AFTERMATH.

The Gigakame washes up on shore dead. The bizarre weather begins to normalize, but the poisonous miasma still lingers. Outsiders disembark to Kagoshima's base to depart and assist their other team mates.

Thanks to the clear weather, it's much easier to return to Kagoshima's research base. There, the researchers reveal they have a few emergency teleporters which are only allowed to be used during an emergency. Presumably, there are just enough to evacuate the researchers, but unfortunately, there are more Outsiders. The staff admit they probably won't have enough power to warp everyone safely; they guarantee that the first handful to go through will arrive in Tokyo with minimal issue, but the more they push their machines, the worse the side effects they'll suffer.

Redemption and Brimstone must decide who to send forward first to assist. Either way, everyone on both teams will be successfully teleported to Neo Tokyo, though those who have drawn the shorter straw (literally or figuratively) will suffer more sickness than those who teleported sooner rather than later.

▶ 003. SOMETHING IN THE SKY (TOKYO.)

While a huge sigh of relief sweeps the country when the kaiju in Kagoshima is defeated, there’s no actual time to relax. Outsiders will be ushered to go through the makeshift portals and/or are encouraged to find other means of arriving at the outskirts of Tokyo immediately. The Imugi has been spotted, and time cannot be wasted-- this is due to the influx of rift energy that is surrounding the city of Tokyo. While LILITH did complete the basic evacuation measures for the citizens of Neo Tokyo, there’s still an ominous air around the city and it’s not just from the rift poisoning, either. With small rifts cropping up here and there within the city, appearing and disappearing, the LILITH base is the most likely target for the Imugi.

While the hatchlings were moved to different facilities for safekeeping and monitoring, the Imugi seems largely uninterested in chasing them at present. The Imugi is resolved in its movements, and no amount of mimicking the hatchlings' vital readings can sway the Imugi off its intended path. As expected, within three hours of the initial fluctuations in rift energy, the Imugi appears at the emptied base. Similar to its behavior in Seoul, it sweeps over the base erratically, almost as if enraged. Its state is a direct mirror of how it appeared when avenging its mate, and it seems this is just the start.

Utilizing the insurmountable amount of rift energy it has built up around Tokyo, it eventually releases a deafening sound that causes the hatchlings to react, drawn to their mother. They make their way through the rifts, traveling through them at her beckoning, only to end up at the basement of the base. Just like that, the Imugi sinks its large claws through the roof of the structure and destroys not just the base, but also its young.

The energy produced by this creates a devastating explosion that destroys parts of the base and some of the surrounding area. While there were limited casualties due to the evacuation efforts, the area is now heavy with rift poisoning and the Imugi has every intention of destroying the city. It becomes clear that it did not desire to chase its young, but to use them to exact revenge.

▶ 004. TOKYO AFTERMATH.

The storms increase in intensity as the Imugi circles around the sky of Neo Tokyo. Fortunately, its ire still appears to be largely focused on the area around the base, and so the torrential downpour and lightning only seems to reach around this immediate area. LILITH tries to keep this space contained, attempting to work on stabilizing some of the rifts in order to cut off the Imugi’s potential escape routes. In the meantime, they will offer Outsiders as many resources as necessary to remain in the fight. They will send in supplies occasionally, including their specialized energy drinks and medical equipment. The new injections they drop off are able to heal light wounds and minor injuries, which can be administered quickly on the field. They anticipate this to be a long battle and advise Outsiders to pace themselves and work together.

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: IMUGI ♀
HEIGHT: 1000 feet across, 30 feet high
WEIGHT: 2000kg
CLASS: Extremely Dangerous
LOCATION: Neo Tokyo, 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.

By the latter half of the battle, all Outsiders should be accounted for in the final fight.

As expected, the battle lasts for over half a day and with the rift energy dwindling, the Imugi appears to be weakened. In fact, the Imugi has shrunk down to its original size prior to Seoul. Feeling its life is at risk, it uses the last of its energy to flee to the foot of Mt. Fuji. Fortunately, it doesn’t make it to the summit, and the Outsiders will be able to make quick work in pursuing it. For those that require it, ground vehicles and planes will be provided accordingly. Let's make sure it doesn't get away!

Upon arrival, they will see the final battlefront isn’t nearly that dramatic. The Imugi is significantly weakened, barely staving off attacks. Instead, it seems to focus on consolidating energy into its core while thrashing about. Eventually, a killing blow will be delivered but even then, it doesn't die easily. Similar to its young that were sacrificed, it appears to be using its own body to summon a final rift. Unfortunately, it cannot be stopped. Outsiders will be advised to temporarily retreat, after seeing the destruction that its young can do. The Imugi's body glows, increasing in intensity as it continues to gather energy. This is the warning to retreat. Within a matter of minutes, it self destructs, and a new rift is seen in its place. All Outsiders and LILITH are safe. The researchers immediately alert the area to be closed off for inspection.

Upon preliminary examination of this rift, they find that not only did it level a good portion of Mt. Fuji, but the power from it is unparalleled. Unlike the rifts they’ve encountered in prior battles, including their most recent venture in Transylvania, they discover this rift cannot be closed. What could this mean?

▶ 005. RE-GROUP.

With parts of the base destroyed and Neo Tokyo undergoing cleanup from the aftermath of the battle, Outsiders will be advised to take a break in the underground bunkers between Mt. Fuji and the city outskirts. As part of Mr. Fuji was also destroyed, some of the bunkers aren’t accessible, but Outsiders will find it is an entire maze of a city beneath the surface. If one traverses far enough, they will find it even connects to the amusement park that they saved last year. Exploration aside, Outsiders will be provided medical assistance and anything else required, and LILITH staff that are on hand will remain devoted to getting things back on track.

In the meantime, Outsiders can utilize whatever supplies are available and use the rooms at the Kyoto base freely. Each room contains anywhere from 2-4 beds, and everyone will be encouraged not to be alone in case of another emergency, especially as the rift remains open at the base of Mt. Fuji. These rooms are set up like traditional houses rather than a flashy base, with sliding doors and tatami mats. Floor futons will be used instead of Western style beds. There is one communal and traditional bath house for all sexes to use, a makeshift medical area, and an underground market that have several restaurants... but the food options and quality of amenities are questionable. They are mostly run by gritty characters or A.I robots.

As the portal between Kyoto and Neo Tokyo is still active, for those who are still able to, they will be advised to assist in retrieving any Imugi parts that remain from the scuffle. While its main body is being contained and promptly dealt with by LILITH, there are parts and scales scattered around Neo Tokyo and the old base. All parts are to be bagged, marked, and returned to LILITH. It's hard to say just how much of LILITH's base was destroyed and Eiji Shiro along with Captain Yamakawa are evaluating the state of the base before sharing a detailed report of the destruction. Stay tuned until February 25th for a follow up post.

▶ 006. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our sixth kaiju battle, and it's a double whammy!

There are two kaiju to attack this time. Please read the instructions at each header about how to play. Remember, you only have to fill out your attack information once and we will RNG a HIT or MISS result two times per character.

It is highly likely that if your character did not pack certain belongings with them that they could be amongst the rubble of the base. The state of the base will be explained in a follow up post on February 25th, but fret not, you may assume whatever items are still in tact and operational and can be retrieved shortly. If you'd like for items to be perished and destroyed, be our guest!

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

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. SOMETHING IN THE SEA (KAGOSHIMA): Teams Redemption and Brimstone arrive at the Ohsumi to receive coordinates to Sakurajima, where they must wait until low tide to cross. The poison in the area is significantly concentrated; Outsiders are advised to wear their suits to avoid suffocating like the rest of the wildlife. Once they are able to cross, they discover that the land they are on is not an island, but a giant turtle kaiju responsible for the influx of rift energy on this side of Japan. Outsiders will be instructed to use water against the kaiju and try to separate the shell from the body.

2. KAGOSHIMA AFTERMATH: After defeating the Gigakame, Outsiders will be instructed to join their other teammates in Tokyo via emergency teleporters located at the Kagoshima research base. There is a limited amount of power to warp everyone safely, and Outsiders must decide who to send through the teleporter first. Eventually both teams will safely arrive in Neo Tokyo, but those who have gone through the teleporter later may suffer more side effects.

3. SOMETHING IN THE SKY (TOKYO): The Imugi has been spotted in Tokyo with a large influx of rift energy and has its sights set on destroying the LILITH base. Although the hatchlings were moved to different facilities, they are inevitably drawn to their mother and travel through rifts to the empty Tokyo base; however, instead of a reunion, the hatchlings sacrifice themselves and the ensuing explosion destroys parts of the base and the surrounding area.

4. TOKYO AFTERMATH: The rematch with the Imugi and the Outsiders begin, with LILITH working on stabilizing rifts to cut off the Imugi's escape and sending in supplies in the form of energy drinks and new medical equipment. The battle lasts for over half a day, with the Imugi attempting to escape to Mt. Fuji, weakened to the point where it can't reach the summit. Outsiders are advised to retreat as the Imugi self-destructs and creates a new rift, one that can't be closed.

5. RE-GROUP: With parts of the base destroyed, Outsiders will temporarily stay in the underground bunkers between Mt. Fuji and the city outskirts. While Outsiders are provided medical assistance and anything else required, LILITH staff that are on hand will remain devoted to getting things back on track. Outsiders are welcome to help themselves to the limited amenities and room with others; however, sharing is encouraged and the food options are questionable. As the portal between Kyoto and Neo Tokyo is still active, some Outsiders may be asked to assist in retrieving Imugi parts. At this time, Eiji Shiro and Captain Yamakawa will assess the damage on the base before sharing a detailed report at a later time.

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Comments

Laios Touden | Delicious in Dungeon | Everlight

[vorous]

RE-GROUP (A.), un: KENSUKE:

Two things.
1. I know it's really alarming to bare witness with what just happened with the Imugi and it's offspring, but it isn't 100% uncharacteristic, either. Animals and monsters perform infanticide frequently for a variety of reasons. It really does seem like it was just after revenge. The Imugi must mate for life so it makes me wonder just how human-like they feel. This is all really interesting to me.

_{[ bro.. don't be insensitive about all of this and find it interesting... he sucks at having a normal conversation apparently. ]}

2. I am cooking. If anyone is hungry, I am assisting at the street food vendor across from the medical set up. I'm making grilled octopus balls and yakisoba, though I'm pretty sure some of these ingredients are artificial. It still doesn't taste bad, but it's the least I could do right now..

RE-GROUP (B.)

_{[ Sure enough, there's a little run down vendor cart that Laios seems to have taken the reigns over and it provides some seating for a handful of people. As soon as someone takes a seat, Laios forces a smile on his face, but his eyes seem a little sad as he hands over a order of takoyaki to his guest. Laios is doing what Laios does best, especially since Senshi isn't around to keep everyone in check with their meals. ]}

Eat up! It's really important to remember to eat in times like this.

RE-GROUP (C, closed to Aodh.)

_{[ Laios isn't keen on the idea that this bath is so very communal, so he picks an odd time in the middle of the night to investigate it, expecting nobody to be there. With a small, ratty towel that barely wraps around his whole body, he shuffles inside to the rinsing area-- truly, honestly, expecting to be all alone, but it's really hard to ignore Aodh's alarming presence when he sees him also in the rinsing off area. He makes a startled yelp in alarm, even. ]}

O-Oh! Hey, what are you doing here so late at night?

[belli]

[ unlike majority of others who may have already gone to bed (or already have cleansed themselves) for the night, aodh doesn't really sleep.

sure, he takes the occasional nap, but it isn't a necessity and, given his current lack of a private space, he has even less reason to get some shuteye. so, why not enjoy the bathhouse when few people will be around to disrupt his peace and quiet?

he isn't surprised when laios shows up though, his scent easy to pick up even from miles away.

so whereas his human servant jumps at the sight of him, aodh simply directs a bland gaze his way. it isn't like he was attempting to hide his presence here. rather hard to when one is 7'2" with broad shoulders and a muscular build — he naturally takes up a lot of space. ]

I'm washing up. [ it seems self-explanatory, given how absolutely wet and naked he is right now. ] Should you not be resting, servant?

[vorous]

<sub>[ don’t look to see if he has two dicks, don’t look to see if he has two dicks, JUST DON’T…

Laios could just run away, that would be the smartest option, but he also doesn’t want Aodh to think that he doesn’t want to be around him, or something like that. That’s not the case at all. Slowly, Laios shuffles closer into the area— where you sit on small stools to rinse off before soaking in the bath itself. ]</sub>

I, um, uh.. I don’t know, I guess.. I’m shy about.. all of that. Like, you know, being naked in front of other people, so..

_{[ this whole time he’s just looking at the ground— the walls, the bath, his feet.. ANYTHING BUT AODH. Anyway, he finally sits down on a stool, but it’s the stool in the completely other side of the rinsing area.. away from his company. He doesn’t finish what he was originally talking about and hastily jumps on another subject: ]}

You, umm, understand the etiquette in a place like this, right? And.. how it works.

_{[ a traditional bath house is one of the first places that Laios discovered when the busy lights of Neo Tokyo were overstimulating, so he learned how to use the hoses, and how you rinse off first to be clean before soaking. ]}

[belli]

[ his servant is doing an outstanding job at looking everywhere but at him.

aodh would have thought that he'd jump at the opportunity to check out his anatomy. but then again, his current form is more humanoid than not. perhaps, he would have been more comfortable if he had walked in on him in his true form. still, it's rather amusing watching laios' obvious attempt at giving him a wide berth.

he isn't being very servant-like right now, is he? ]

I understand the etiquette of this place. [ but whether he chooses to follow it or not is an entirely separate matter. ] Would you have me follow it when we are the only two here?

[vorous]

<sub>[ invite him a little closer and see what he does…

Laios finally does look up and over at Aodh, his face still pleasantly flushed as he slowly reaches over to the hose to rinse himself off, too shy to remove the towel from his waist. ]</sub>

W-Well, I mean, I guess it wouldn’t matter. Who is going to know? I think we all are just trying to make the best of the — _{[ clumsily just dropping the hose as soon as he picks it up ]} — if the situation, so.. so why would it matter? You can do what you want. I just didn’t know if you cared to know the customs if you didn’t already.

_{[ The hose gets picked up and Laios puts his attention on the faucet levers, drawing a blank as to what he’s supposed to do to turn it on. ]}

A

[saudadist]

I was thinking the same thing
an animal would still save its young if it felt it could do so without being put in danger itself
like how a sloth won't chase a baby that falls out of the tree
it can always make more
but it wouldn't murder its offspring for the sake of killing a predator

Imugi doesn't behave like anything out of nature

[ She's trying not to focus on the hatchlings' death, but it helps to view it clinically like this. Not a lot, but a little. ]

[vorous]

Well, it really does depend on the animal and the reason. Sometimes parents sacrifice their young cause they can already tell they are too weak. Sometimes they eat them for nourishment. I suppose in this case it sacrificed her offspring for revenge.

But why would it have enough intelligence to mourn the loss of its mate enough for revenge, but then do something so barbaric?

Maybe she was sick.

[saudadist]

maybe
not that it matters now

she's dead
her mate is dead
her children are dead

she died having gained nothing

[vorous]

But it can’t really be helped, right? The mate she had was very dangerous and attacked us first. We can’t just sit back and let people get hurt.

I wish there was some way to bring peace between the humans and the kaiju.

b.

[uncourteous]

[ callisto isn't sure what's more shocking— the events that have transpired during the battle, the people's reactions, or ... this. it's definitely an odd sort of spectacle in the midst of all they've been through. but, can he really complain when he's somehow made it alive through another mission?

he settles onto a seat, and doesn't speak immediately, he simply looks down at the food. it was one of the first meals that was offered to him in this place. first from ishmael, and now from this man... who actually looks oddly familiar. ] Ah—

So you did find another technique to make friends. How wonderful. [ clapping. ]

[vorous]

_{[ Meanwhile, Laios isn’t sure how this person is at all— maybe if he were inhuman, there would be some things that he could remember about Callisto. Anyway, Laios doesn’t pick up on the sarcasm and thinks Callisto is actually clapping. ]}

Hey, thanks. I hope you like the food, though. It really makes it feel like I am helping a lot if I just cook.

_{[ it also helped ease his troubled mind about everything. ]}

If you want more, just let me know.

[uncourteous]

[ laios, you're killing him.

it's the first time his slow, methodical claps were thought of as sincere. it's something callisto keeps in mind for the next time. in the present, he's a bit too tired to point out this fact, aside from a: ] Such kindness.

[ if sarcasm doesn't work once, it should work the second time, right? (no)

either way, he does end up popping a piece into his mouth. it's as hot as the first time he had it, and it takes him a second to recover from the heat, before: ] Are you not tired yourself from the battle?

[ also... what are in these? ]

[vorous]

_{[ it’s just octopus… promise… and Laios isn’t much of an octopus fan, but he knows other people like them. He remembers Marcille talking about all the ways to eat cephalopods and Laios draws the line at them. He hates them. ]}

Now that you mention it.. I am pretty tired. But I know everyone else is probably hungry, so they should be fed, right?

I was injured too, but me and Kabru can use healing magic, so that helps.

You sure don’t look mad at the fact that I made something for you. Or maybe you do.. I just can’t tell with your face.

_{[ LMAO???? WHY DOES CALLISTO GET HIS SICK BURNS.. when he’s not even trying to be offensive 😭 ]}

B

[30storieshigh]

[ It really shouldn't be that surprising that Laios of all people would set himself to the task of seeing that others are provided with warm, quality food. Though Godzilla is a little surprised that the random stall he's sat at has been taken over by his Friend.

All seven foot of the new and improved human Goji blinks a few times before shaking his head, chuckling tiredly. ]

Indeed. My gratitude, Friend Laios.

[ He tries to smile, it doesn't quite work out though, he's far too troubled to manage it. At the very least his shoulders seem to relax after he takes a bite of the offered takoyaki and spends a moment to enjoy the flavors, before swallowing to speak back up. ]

You are as well as one is able to be after the battle, yes?

[vorous]

<sub>[ Fortunately for Godzilla, Laios doesn’t really pick up on any somberness to his expression, but he does figure the turn of events might have… really messed with the big guy in a way. To Laios, infanticide is a natural part of nature that he’s observed, whether it from the monsters finding their offspring weak, or consuming them for nutrients— sometimes the male kills the offspring to put the female in heat again. These are all monster behaviors, but Laios can’t imagine Godzilla doing anything like that.

Still. He’s curious about what he thinks about all of this. ]</sub>

Oh.. I was a little banged up, but Kabru and I can heal with magic. I should probably rest more to regain my strength, but I figured some people might be hungry, so I want to help.

_{[ a pause, and then: ]}

You okay?

[30storieshigh]

Ah. We are indeed of luck to have one as considerate for the welfare of others in the packs, yet do not neglect your own rest. Take it whilst you can, yes? Exhausting one's self will do little good.

[ Godzilla sighs out a puff of smoke as he picks up another takoyaki, slowly rotating it between his thumb and forefinger as he thinks about how best to answer the question of his own well being. The truth of the matter is Godzilla is very much not okay, the loss of his hatchlings-- damn it, the hatchlings-- sits heavy on him. The big guy's considered several times that if he had refused to join the battle and insisted on staying with the young Imugi he could have prevented them from entering the rifts and saved their lives.

Of course if he'd done that then who would've watched over Kaede-hime and his other Friends? Twenty of two's capture. ]

I shall continue to exist, as they say. [ He'll live. ] My injuries were of ease to heal, rest was all that was needed.

[ Well, rest and being curled up next to someone else with a healing implant for the better part of a day or two. ]

Though a confession, I am of restless disposition. I do not delude myself with notions that I or others of our number have ought to offer in regards to the rent the Imugi has left behind, yet its continued presence feels as dire threat. To not be nearby should something come of it has the feeling of wrongness.

A.

[zauneyete]

Is anyone actually surprised by the creature's behavior?

The way I see it, the kaiju are monsters. They are never going to be the same as any Outsider, or have the same... proclivities.

[vorous]

If they are “just monsters” then why is it specifically seeking revenge on us? She must have been sentient to know, or been sent here as following orders from another Imugi, maybe of higher rank.

It’s possible they have a hierarchy system like lions or wolves.

[zauneyete]

Is there something that says that monsters cannot have these things?

Most things are possible, especially with the unknown, and these Kaiju for the most part are still unknowns.

Although, I have known monsters to seek revenge before. They are not animals, they are something different.

[ something something obsessed with becoming the monster something something ]

A.2

[gimu]

[ it isn’t long after Laios’ advert that choso shows up, drifting through the bustle like a wrecker at sea. finding his way around isn’t hard, but it’s the smells that lead him true this time. ]

Hello, Laios. How much do you have right now?

[ he’s a mess, choso is, filthy with battle and blood and the churned earth, but his eyes shine lively from his mask of horror, and his stomach lets out a Noise that speaks novels for him. ]

[vorous]

_{[ oh hello… ]}

About six servings right now.

_{[ is that your blood because you’re injured or your blood cause you’ve been fighting. ]}

Are you alright, Choso?

[gimu]

I'll take five.

[ It's Schroedinger's blood is what it is, and it's none of it Choso's fuck to give in the face of Laios' cooking. ]

I'll be even better after I have eaten.

wildcard

[peoplewatch]

[ Given the fact that there aren't enough bunkers for everyone to have their own room, it made sense for Kabru to seek out Laios to room with. They were ... lovers? It's still an odd thing to think about, but it was the truth.
It doesn't surprise him when he comes back to their shared room to find all the clothes he left on the ground folded up and kept away. They were opposites in so many ways, including how they maintained their living spaces.

He's come home early this evening and waits in their room for Laios to return ... ]

[vorous]

<sub>[ Kabru will be waiting for awhile, because Laios wants to visit the bath house when the least amount of people will be there. He’s courteous enough to send Kabru a message telling him that he’s bathing, but it’s a little late for him to be doing that, isn’t it? It’s nearing midnight by the time he comes back into their little room. The door slides shut behind him and he carefully shuffles inside, unsure if he’s asleep or not.

His voice is small when he speaks, though: ]</sub>

Kabru? Are you awake?

_{[ Kabru being so intuitive might sense that something feels off about him. ]}

[peoplewatch]

[ It's odd that he's taking a bath this late, but Kabru doesn't ponder it too much. As long as Laios was safe, he was free to do whatever his strange mind tells him to do. Given how late it is, Kabru eventually starts getting ready for bed himself, sipping a glass of wine as he goes through gossip sites on the ocular network.

He closes the pages once he hears Laios shuffle in. Something isn't right, though. ]

Laios? Come here ... What's wrong? [ He's acting smaller than he normally does. Kabru slips out of the sheets, sitting on the bed and beckoning Laios closer. ] Did something happen outside?

[ did someone BULLY HIS BABY ]