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synflux2025-07-30 01:11 am
synfluxmods) wrote in synflux2025-07-30 01:11 am
TRAVEL LOG #6
TRAVEL LOG #6
▶ 001. ¡Vamos!
As much as one might want to take things easy and continue to recover from an eventful summer, LILITH's objective continues. Early in August, an alarm blares and everyone will get a call through their implants to come for debriefing. Yamakawa will explain they have received a request from Mexico City for support. Unusual rift activity has been confirmed in the region and they are asking for support to prepare for imminent conflict. Who knows what could await here?
Fortunately, the request is from their LILITH branch and all facilities are operational. It will be easy to use a data portal for easy access. As with all data portals, the Outsiders will be warned of potential side effects that may come from traveling great distances. Side effects include nausea, headaches, dizziness, and occasional glitching with their cybertech. All effects should wear off within 24 to 48 hours. If symptoms last longer, they are urged to seek meditech assistance in Mexico City to receive stabilizers. Like before, Outsiders will be told that making physical contact with one another by any means during transportation can reduce the risk of feeling any side effects, whether it be an embrace or holding hands... or attempting to strangle someone if you're a hater (looking at you, Silco.)
Due to warping, they will be limited to taking only what they can carry. Those who wish to take larger items will have to wait a few days for them to be gradually transported by air or industrial warp portals. Yamakawa and the rest of the staff in Tokyo will tell everyone not to worry because Mexico City has excellent infrastructure to facilitate their transportation needs.
Everyone will be given 24 hours to pack and prepare for departure. Before they leave, Dr. Spim and Alex will inform them of a promising research opportunity under the guidance of a colleague, Dr. Flores. Dr. Spim will share a verification code with them to show to Dr. Flores if they are interested in assisting.
After 24 hours, everyone will be ordered to warp to Mexico City. In an instant, the Outsiders will find themselves at the LILITH base in Mexico City.
Fortunately, the request is from their LILITH branch and all facilities are operational. It will be easy to use a data portal for easy access. As with all data portals, the Outsiders will be warned of potential side effects that may come from traveling great distances. Side effects include nausea, headaches, dizziness, and occasional glitching with their cybertech. All effects should wear off within 24 to 48 hours. If symptoms last longer, they are urged to seek meditech assistance in Mexico City to receive stabilizers. Like before, Outsiders will be told that making physical contact with one another by any means during transportation can reduce the risk of feeling any side effects, whether it be an embrace or holding hands... or attempting to strangle someone if you're a hater (looking at you, Silco.)
Due to warping, they will be limited to taking only what they can carry. Those who wish to take larger items will have to wait a few days for them to be gradually transported by air or industrial warp portals. Yamakawa and the rest of the staff in Tokyo will tell everyone not to worry because Mexico City has excellent infrastructure to facilitate their transportation needs.
Everyone will be given 24 hours to pack and prepare for departure. Before they leave, Dr. Spim and Alex will inform them of a promising research opportunity under the guidance of a colleague, Dr. Flores. Dr. Spim will share a verification code with them to show to Dr. Flores if they are interested in assisting.
After 24 hours, everyone will be ordered to warp to Mexico City. In an instant, the Outsiders will find themselves at the LILITH base in Mexico City.
▶ 002. SKYSCRAPERS AND TREES.
An officer by the name of Morales will greet them and introduce herself as their point of contact. She'll give everyone a debrief file to download through their implants to instantly get them up to speed. Along with the unusual rift activity, the population has started to show symptoms that have given them cause for concern. Many people are falling ill, becoming lethargic, and demonstrating explosively angry, violent, and otherwise acting out. The longer it goes on, the more people are affected, and it’s starting to cause more trouble in the city itself as infrastructure fails.
When they leave the base, they will find themselves in the warm, humid, and very green metropolis of Mexico City. Over the years, the forests and jungles of the region have swallowed up many towns and cities, leaving the city completely surrounded by forest. The locals have embraced their environment over many years while modernizing, resulting in the city having a mix of cyber technology and nature. Mexico City and the rainforest around it almost seems to be one living, thriving being. The plants naturally shade the hot sidewalks, and people have created a large number of filtered reservoirs that the rainforest thrives from. The large canopies are half as high as the remaining skyscrapers, but most buildings are built underneath the treeline, leaving most thriving underneath the shady canopy.
Outsiders may see some "new" animals such as real hummingbirds, butterflies, macaws, and iguanas with unique traits like neon designs and unusual sizes. They say there are even more animals and variants in the jungle. Beware of certain birds and insects that make locals sick when they come in contact with their dropped pollen. In the same vein, some of the flowers and plant life seem to also show rift mutations, but for the most part, most locals seem unbothered by these, and if Outsiders ask, they’ll be informed that they’ve been like that for a long time, and were never of any concern.
Outsiders can also meet with Dr. Flores, a LILITH researcher who is studying the effects of Rift poisoning and how to counter them. He theorizes that some plants may have evolved to purify the air or treat Rift sickness. In fact, his team has been treating some of these new rift poisoning cases with a trial drug that has had promising results. However, supplies are very limited and he needs help collecting more plants from the forest. In addition, he needs help catching some of the animal carriers so he can understand the nature of the poison they are carrying. He will ask for help capturing butterflies, bees, beetles, and hummingbirds.
When they leave the base, they will find themselves in the warm, humid, and very green metropolis of Mexico City. Over the years, the forests and jungles of the region have swallowed up many towns and cities, leaving the city completely surrounded by forest. The locals have embraced their environment over many years while modernizing, resulting in the city having a mix of cyber technology and nature. Mexico City and the rainforest around it almost seems to be one living, thriving being. The plants naturally shade the hot sidewalks, and people have created a large number of filtered reservoirs that the rainforest thrives from. The large canopies are half as high as the remaining skyscrapers, but most buildings are built underneath the treeline, leaving most thriving underneath the shady canopy.
Outsiders may see some "new" animals such as real hummingbirds, butterflies, macaws, and iguanas with unique traits like neon designs and unusual sizes. They say there are even more animals and variants in the jungle. Beware of certain birds and insects that make locals sick when they come in contact with their dropped pollen. In the same vein, some of the flowers and plant life seem to also show rift mutations, but for the most part, most locals seem unbothered by these, and if Outsiders ask, they’ll be informed that they’ve been like that for a long time, and were never of any concern.
Outsiders can also meet with Dr. Flores, a LILITH researcher who is studying the effects of Rift poisoning and how to counter them. He theorizes that some plants may have evolved to purify the air or treat Rift sickness. In fact, his team has been treating some of these new rift poisoning cases with a trial drug that has had promising results. However, supplies are very limited and he needs help collecting more plants from the forest. In addition, he needs help catching some of the animal carriers so he can understand the nature of the poison they are carrying. He will ask for help capturing butterflies, bees, beetles, and hummingbirds.
▶ 003. THE FUTURE WILL BE GREEN.
The Outsiders will be given orders to visit areas that have unusual Rift readings. By now, anyone with large items from Tokyo should have them but for those who do not have vehicles, LILITH Mexico will supply them with jeeps to navigate the dense jungles. LILITH Japan will assist local agents who are exploring the south of the city. Outsiders will also be given an additional file to download that will give them a run-down of the area, including the plants, animals, known paths, and key landmarks.
The journey through the jungle is not easy. While there are access roads, they have suddenly become overgrown with plantlife, and it is increasingly hostile. They will have to get out and clear the path in some places. As they head deeper into the jungle, the plant life becomes more wild and shows signs of mutation. They will find vines that grow quickly in front of their eyes, blocking their paths as quickly as they had cleared them, and they are becoming increasingly dangerous with spined, poisonous vines, wild roving carnivores like jaguars, and large predatory birds that will divebomb outsiders as they progress deeper into the forests. Luckily, if they make it deep enough, the locals will help them find the easiest and safest routes to travel.
Some of these roads might lead them to former cities and towns. These towns have been completely overgrown by plantlife and are largely abandoned save for some stubborn families that refused to leave their homelands and some researchers. They are largely friendly and will help the Outsiders and agents who decide to rest on their journeys.
They may be able to scavenge for supplies like old emergency rations, blankets, and pieces of technology that were left behind decades ago. But be careful! Since these areas have been taken over by nature, they may run into common regional kaiju like mutated wild dogs, monkeys, and even jaguars.
The journey through the jungle is not easy. While there are access roads, they have suddenly become overgrown with plantlife, and it is increasingly hostile. They will have to get out and clear the path in some places. As they head deeper into the jungle, the plant life becomes more wild and shows signs of mutation. They will find vines that grow quickly in front of their eyes, blocking their paths as quickly as they had cleared them, and they are becoming increasingly dangerous with spined, poisonous vines, wild roving carnivores like jaguars, and large predatory birds that will divebomb outsiders as they progress deeper into the forests. Luckily, if they make it deep enough, the locals will help them find the easiest and safest routes to travel.
Some of these roads might lead them to former cities and towns. These towns have been completely overgrown by plantlife and are largely abandoned save for some stubborn families that refused to leave their homelands and some researchers. They are largely friendly and will help the Outsiders and agents who decide to rest on their journeys.
They may be able to scavenge for supplies like old emergency rations, blankets, and pieces of technology that were left behind decades ago. But be careful! Since these areas have been taken over by nature, they may run into common regional kaiju like mutated wild dogs, monkeys, and even jaguars.
▶ 004. NATURE FINDS A WAY.
The kaiju and mutated plants aren't the only thing they need to watch out for in the forest. While traveling, some outsiders might find a regular jaguar attacking a mutated macaw kaiju and winning. It seems that while some animals have mutated into kaiju to survive, other animals have simply evolved to compete with them. As outsiders progress into the forest, at first the local fauna will attack if anyone gets close to them, but the deeper outsiders go, the more the creatures give them a wider berth, and won’t attack. If you see a local, non-corrupted creature deep in the woods, chances are it will watch or flee, rather than attack.
Outsiders will be warned to be careful of poisonous frogs both regular and mutated. These frogs are often a sign that pitcher plants are nearby. These plants have evolved to be large enough to swallow a large animal or person if one gets too close. For the most part, these pitcher plants are stationary but some may use their leaves or nearby wild vines to trip unsuspecting prey into their flower.
These aren’t the only plants that outsiders can encounter as they venture deeper into the forest. The deeper they go, the more frequently rift-corrupted pollinators are found swarming some of the large, rift-corrupted flowers, and as soon as their legs or beaks are laden, they fly off, only to be replaced by more. They aren’t great carriers, so pollen drifts on the wind. Outsiders should keep their rift-protection up, because the pollen causes rift-corruption along with other side effects such as: violent tendencies, explosive anger, and insatiable appetites (of any kind). The pollinators will escape deeper into the forest. If an outsider follows, please let the mod team know!
Outsiders will be warned to be careful of poisonous frogs both regular and mutated. These frogs are often a sign that pitcher plants are nearby. These plants have evolved to be large enough to swallow a large animal or person if one gets too close. For the most part, these pitcher plants are stationary but some may use their leaves or nearby wild vines to trip unsuspecting prey into their flower.
These aren’t the only plants that outsiders can encounter as they venture deeper into the forest. The deeper they go, the more frequently rift-corrupted pollinators are found swarming some of the large, rift-corrupted flowers, and as soon as their legs or beaks are laden, they fly off, only to be replaced by more. They aren’t great carriers, so pollen drifts on the wind. Outsiders should keep their rift-protection up, because the pollen causes rift-corruption along with other side effects such as: violent tendencies, explosive anger, and insatiable appetites (of any kind). The pollinators will escape deeper into the forest. If an outsider follows, please let the mod team know!
▶ 005. THERE WERE ONCE CITIES.
As Outsiders travel further into the jungle where civilization has a harder and harder time taking root, they instead find remnants of those that came before. There are buildings in the lush jungles, but they’re truly ancient. Sometimes, the stonework stands out and is easy to find, but at other times, the buildings are completely overgrown with vines and flowers that will take extra effort to explore. Regardless of which kind they find, the carved, geometric artwork makes it clear that these are ruins from Aztec and Mayan cultures.
Exploring the ruins will reveal very little in the way of ancient treasures (or rolling boulder traps), since anything that could be taken was already looted long ago. They’ll make suitable shelter for the forest, at least, since curiously, the more dangerous elements don’t seem to enter. In fact, they very specifically stay away.
Each set of ruins also includes one building that stands above all others. Ascending the tall pyramids will lead to a central, round room at the apex that are all united in its details, even if they’re clearly done at different times. The ceiling is dotted as a starscape, and at the center is a painted, black circle. Underneath this lays what’s clearly an altar. The altar has a depression in its center and a channel that leads down its side, as if it’s expecting liquid.
Exploring the ruins will reveal very little in the way of ancient treasures (or rolling boulder traps), since anything that could be taken was already looted long ago. They’ll make suitable shelter for the forest, at least, since curiously, the more dangerous elements don’t seem to enter. In fact, they very specifically stay away.
Each set of ruins also includes one building that stands above all others. Ascending the tall pyramids will lead to a central, round room at the apex that are all united in its details, even if they’re clearly done at different times. The ceiling is dotted as a starscape, and at the center is a painted, black circle. Underneath this lays what’s clearly an altar. The altar has a depression in its center and a channel that leads down its side, as if it’s expecting liquid.
OFFERING: THE BLOOD OF OUTSIDERS AND HUMANS:
No matter the amount, characters immediately feel lightheaded, as if they’d given a large portion of blood (even if they’re not giving their own). Within 24 hours, an unusually patterned bruise will appear somewhere on their body. Characters who make this sacrifice will swap abilities with each other, but will notice that their newfound abilities are notably weaker than if the original owner still had them.
OFFERING: THE BLOOD OF ANIMALS:
Characters become more connected to the animals of the forest. They will take on one feature of a local animal, such as lightly poisonous skin, improved night vision, or ears/tail. They’ll also find they can talk to their related animal.
OFFERING: ... OTHER BODILY FLUIDS...?:
The altar is disappointed in you. There is no other effect.
OFFERING: WATER/PLANT SAP:
Characters become more connected to the forest. Skin takes on a greenish tint, and they’re able to minorly control plants. They’ll feel like they can commune with the forest, and will be able to telepathically talk with any others who make this offering.
OFFERING: ANYTHING ELSE (ANY OTHER MATERIALS):
There is no effect.
▶ 006. AFTERWORD.
Welcome to our sixth travel log!
Below, you will see the link to the MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET post that has information about the kaiju below along with OFFERING EFFECTS. Fill out the form for RNG Attacks and whether you would like to receive an OFFERING EFFECT. This should give characters some ideas for the status of their character in the next log, which will have more action and monsters in it.
All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards August AC.
All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards August AC.
EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. VAMOS!: Outsiders travel to Mexico after receiving a request for support as there has been unusual rift activity in the area. A portal is avaliable to take Outsiders to the location, but are advisted to travel light.
2. SKYSCRAPERS AND TREES: LILITH officer Morales greets outsiders and explains the situation: civillians have begun to grow sick and strange animals have begun to appear. A LILITH researcher is theorising that plants have evolved to purify the air. He requests help catching creatures for research.
3. THE FUTURE WILL BE GREEN: Outsiders are tasked with visiting areas with odd Rift readings. They will be required to journey through the jungle, finding overgrown towns and cities, scavenge supplies, while being wary of native creatures.
4. NATURE FINDS A WAY: Regular animals are fighting against kaiju and winning; local fauna attacks anyone who gets close, and poisonous frogs attack. The deeper Outsiders go, the more dangerous it becomes.
5. THERE WERE ONCE CITIES: Deep in the jungle, an ancient ruin can be found. Outsiders are able to make "offerings" at an altar for various effects, depending on the offering.
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Wiggling to shrug out of his suit, he then reaches up to grasp at Raidou's, to follow his command to strip him down just as quickly - it's a miracle, with his strength, that he doesn't tear it to pieces, but he's trying to be restrained... He's trying to be good.
It's difficult to know when to stop, and he doesn't want to. He doesn't want to pause. ]
Don't tempt me.
[ And he's going for Raidou's neck again, to kiss there, to let his arm wrap around him even as he smiles, even as his fingers sneak against his clothes, to touch his bare skin and trace his spine. ]
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He's not showing any sign of stopping, either. He cranes his head to the side to give Yuji more access to his neck, eyes closed, quiet noises stifled from him as he bites his lip.]
Gods, I wish you would.
[His eyes open. That just sort of slipped out. Even in this state, he recognizes that it's probably the most forward thing he's ever said in his life. If his face could get any redder...]
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The noises that Raidou is making are enough to give him a surge of confidence, and when he speaks... Yuji can't help a little, embarrassed noise of his own, eyes widening briefly before he kisses him softly. ]
You know I can't resist you... So don't say things like that unless you mean it.
[ He's just a teenager, Raidou, he only has so much self-control. ]
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An assertive hand takes Yuji's chin, so Raidou can look him right in the eyes. Raidou's face might be red, his breath quick, but his own eyes and voice are steady and serious.]
When have I been in the habit of saying things I don't mean.
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A part of him thinks he should stop this before it goes too far, thinks that maybe he out to throw Raidou into the water again, but he wants this, too, more than he can say. Leaning up, he nudges their noses together, smiling. ]
Never.
[ His arms rise, wrapping up and around Raidou's neck, drawing him close again. ]
In that case... You can do what you want with me.
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Raidou is incredibly important to him.
Falling back into the grass, he welcomes Raidou above him, lifting a hand to grip the back of his neck. It's only when they pause for breath that he blinks, gazing at the other boy with a soft, warm expression. ]
Johei... Are you sure you want to do this, like this?
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He breathes heavily, looking at Yuji, his expression turning just a little unsure.]
Yes. No-- Yes. I--
[That skin-crawling feeling is still with him, not unable to run it even doing all this. His head hands got a moment, swallowing as he catches his breath.]
I feel like I'm burning up. Like if I just-- if we just--
[It doesn't make sense, but the feeling is still pervasive.]
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[ Yuji reaches up to pull him down again, to kiss him gently, sweet and soft, with all the tenderness that's burning through him and making him want to take care of him, cherish him. His fingers stroke along the line of his cheekbones, cupping his face with all the warmth that he can muster, unable to hide it for even the briefest of moments.
His adoration is obvious. ]
You know I like to do these things with you, but if it's because of the pollen... I feel like you'll feel bad, later.
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N-No, I-- I would never regret doing anything I do with you.
[He knows deep down that Yuji is right, but it's hard to quell those other feelings urging him on. It's another deep admission from him, too, and he squeezes his eyes closed, embarrassed.
He doesn't want to stop, but he should. The pollen's influence makes him punch the ground next to them, but it's not as strong it could be.]
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[ That's not as bad as going further and making Raidou worry or stress out later - because Yuji knows him, and knows what kind of reaction his boyfriend will have at his loss of control. It makes him smile, leaning in and nuzzling their noses together, breathing out softly.
The kissing is fun, and easy, and not too risky... Right? ]
There's nothing to regret there. I like kissing you, as much as all the other stuff.
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[Raidou rests his forehead against Yuji's, eyes still closed.]
That if I just take more, and more, I-- I don't know.
[There might not be anything to sate the pollen's compulsion. Just to wait til it's ruin its course.]
If I keep kissing you, I might not ever stop.
[He can't hold out much longer, with their lips so temptingly close together.]
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[ Yuji leans up, kissing him again, drawing it out. Maybe it’s not going to be enough, but… That’s fine. He can deal with that. He wanted to protect Raidou, but maybe he doesn’t actually need the protection after all.
One hand sneaks to press against his chest before he sighs against the other boy’s mouth. ]
In that case… Take what you need from me. It’s okay. I’m yours.
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But he knows Yuji is right. Even with the gentle encouragement now, this is just the pollen. Out here, like this - people will be looking for them, eventually.
Without warning, he sits up. Still looking down, breathing heavily, he reconsiders for a second before suddenly standing up, and turning right for the river again. This time, he jumps in, not even bothering to fix his suit. In his goes, under the surface, where he's decided to stay again until this feeling passes.]
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Slowly pushing himself to a sitting position, he sighs, adjusting his plug suit and getting comfortable. It’s easy enough, then, to lean back against the tree again and wait for Raidou to come back out.
Logically, he knows it’s for the best, but that doesn’t stop him pouting. Despite the circumstances… He was having fun. ]
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Eventually he sticks his head up enough to talk.]
... I, ah. I'm going to stay here for a few minutes. There aren't such a thing as kaiju leeches, are there?
[He's sure hoping not. And now somehow he's going to have to get a plugsuit back on that's wet on the inside. Delightful.]
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[ At least he seems a little more like himself now… Yuji would offer to leave and give him a little more space, but he doesn’t like the idea of him being left alone. It’s awkward, though, and he sighs, staring at the sky. ]
If anything comes, then I’ll protect you.
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[Ah. He's upset. Now Raidou only feels worse. Continuing didn't seem right, but maybe stopping after Yuji gave permission not one, but twice, was worse than stopping?
He's confused, and embarrassed. With enough pollen still in his system encouraging him to get back up there, that he resist for now.
Eventually, after a few quiet moments, and in typical Raidou fashion:]
... I'm sorry.
[About getting caught in the plant. About starting this. About stopping it. There was a lot that felt good about it, despite the outside influence.]
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[ Pollen, or whatever.
It’s for the best that they were together when this happened, really, because if Raidou had been with someone else and felt like that and something had happened… That would’ve been heartbreaking on a different level. He’s glad they could deal with it together.
Is he sad they stopped? Sure, but it was the right choice.
His smile is soft and fond as he gazes at his boyfriend. ]
It’s the pollen, so wash it all off and don’t worry.
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Raidou sits down quietly next to Yuji, still looking worried anyway. But, he takes him by the chin again, gently this time, and turns his face to kiss him, slow and tender. Pushing aside the bit in the back of his mind telling him he wants and needs more.]
... I meant that I said.
[He might have been under the influence of the pollen, or looked embarrassed when he said them, but it didn't make them any less true. Looking much more like himself again, shy and red in the cheeks, he manages to pull his gaze and voice together like he did earlier.]
When we get back to the city, if everything's okay... [If this mission doesn't go to hell like so many others.] Let's get a room together. S-So you can do what you said you would.
[You're turn to be the devourer, Yuji.]
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Raidou isn't the kind of person to be bold in a moment like this, he knows that; he comes from a time when declarations of this kind weren't the norm, unlike the modern world where confessing was a much easier deal. Yuji lacks his own level of experience, but he knows what he wants, finds it easier to say what's on his mind from practice, so...
He knows this is a big deal.
Smile widening, he leans in and kisses Raidou's cheek gently, reaching to take his hand. ]
I'll... [ He blushes, just a little. ] I won't stop, when we're back.
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Good. I'm going to hold you to it.
[For now, he sits here soaking wet, his suit filled with water now, and they have to get back to finding the other Outsiders out in this jungle. Raidou picks up one of the sleeves to his suit, and a thin stream of water runs out.]
... I really hope we don't run into any other plants. Especially if anyone else is around.
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[ Yuji smiles fondly, his expression warm as he leans in, nudging his nose against Raidou's and kissing him again, soft and gentle, not able to resist it. It's hard, when they were so close to more only moments before...
Breathing out softly, he tries to get to his feet, laughing. ]
Do you want to head back and swap your suit out?
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Ah, will we have time? At least I don't have to worry about bug bites anymore...
[Mosquitos can't get through that nanotech. What a blessing. Raidou slips it back on, making a face as he wiggles his arms back in and redoes the clasps and zippers. His helmet is mostly dry by this point, at least.]
If, um, if anyone asks, I slipped and fell in the river...?
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[ Yuji nods, shifting to lean up and kiss his cheek again, unable to resist. It's hard to keep away from Raidou when they were just so...
He shakes his head, stepping back and breathing out. ]
C'mon. Let's get you fixed up.
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