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synflux2025-08-11 10:49 am
synfluxmods) wrote in synflux2025-08-11 10:49 am
KAIJU FIGHT #10
KAIJU FIGHT #10
▶ 001. FIND THE HIVE.
Reports of mysterious drumming deep in the forest seem promising. With the assistance of local scouts, they also find a clear path of destruction marked by dead plants and fallen insect kaiju. After collecting enough data, LILITH Mexico calls back the Outsiders and their scouts to regroup and recover for what they believe to be the final battle.
Based on their understanding of the region, the clues they've found, and Rift readings, they suspect a human-threat level kaiju is at the location of a known ancient temple. The reason they called the Outsiders back, however, is because it seems like not just one but two of these kaiju might be there. They want the Outsiders to recoup their strength before they head out.
Additionally, they believe one of the kaiju is one they have records of. A long time ago, during the first kaiju attacks, a plant-like kaiju they called "Nephenthipula" appeared and destroyed many cities which resulted in them becoming swallowed up by the expanding jungle. Over time, it simply went dormant and the forest became what it is today. They don't know why it suddenly returned but they suspect it might have something to do with the forest.
Before the teams are sent out, Dr. Flores approaches. Thanks to the hard work and research the Outsiders have been able to do, a basic antidote has been created that should be effective in helping to deal with most of the symptoms that they’ve been experiencing. There’s a very limited amount, however, and he recommends that the Outsiders are cautious: once it’s gone, there won’t be any more until the kaiju is dealt with.
The other downside? It’s not completely refined, so some Outsiders might continue to face side effects. He has more good news to offset this, though: Based on toxicology reports and additional reports about abandoned hives and dead colonies, he suspects the second kaiju might be a wasp of some sort.
Both the wasp kaiju and the Nephenthipula are located deep within the jungle, further even than most outsiders have dared to travel. Interestingly, based on the coordinates they have received so far... they both seem to be in the same vicinity. Before being sent out they will be warned to prepare for a potential double battle.
Based on their understanding of the region, the clues they've found, and Rift readings, they suspect a human-threat level kaiju is at the location of a known ancient temple. The reason they called the Outsiders back, however, is because it seems like not just one but two of these kaiju might be there. They want the Outsiders to recoup their strength before they head out.
Additionally, they believe one of the kaiju is one they have records of. A long time ago, during the first kaiju attacks, a plant-like kaiju they called "Nephenthipula" appeared and destroyed many cities which resulted in them becoming swallowed up by the expanding jungle. Over time, it simply went dormant and the forest became what it is today. They don't know why it suddenly returned but they suspect it might have something to do with the forest.
Before the teams are sent out, Dr. Flores approaches. Thanks to the hard work and research the Outsiders have been able to do, a basic antidote has been created that should be effective in helping to deal with most of the symptoms that they’ve been experiencing. There’s a very limited amount, however, and he recommends that the Outsiders are cautious: once it’s gone, there won’t be any more until the kaiju is dealt with.
The other downside? It’s not completely refined, so some Outsiders might continue to face side effects. He has more good news to offset this, though: Based on toxicology reports and additional reports about abandoned hives and dead colonies, he suspects the second kaiju might be a wasp of some sort.
Both the wasp kaiju and the Nephenthipula are located deep within the jungle, further even than most outsiders have dared to travel. Interestingly, based on the coordinates they have received so far... they both seem to be in the same vicinity. Before being sent out they will be warned to prepare for a potential double battle.
▶ 002. OPERATION: NEPHENTHIPULA
The trip to the designated coordinate is fraught with danger. The forest seems to close in on itself, like it is protecting whatever it is that the Outsiders are trying to reach. The vines almost seem to take on a life of their own, the deeper into the jungle they travel. Forest creatures will attack outsiders, divebombing and trying to stop them when they take breaks from the trek deeper into the jungle. The deadly plants will become more aggressive, and the deeper Outsiders go… the quieter it gets.
The animals stop attacking. The vines almost seem half-hearted as they move deeper. They are thinner and weaker. Many are cut or rotted. They’ve been chewed through and though they still try to stop the outsiders, it is more like stopping the inevitable. As Outsiders breach the treeline, they’ll come into a clearing, where not only the Nephenthipula resides, rising from the forest like a raging colossus, but it is focused on a ruin. On trying to destroy it, its vines try to slap down stone towers, and strangle out parts of the ruin, but on the Outsiders' arrival, its focus is now fully shifted to focus on the new arrivals. Now is your chance, but Outsiders will find that they have to split up, and while some stay and fight the Nephenthipula; intel says that the Vescidae is inside the ruins but there is no clear way in.
Outsiders will quickly realize the Nephenthipula is not alone. In response to the plant kaiju, the entire forest seems to come to its aid. Vines will spread across the battlefield, attempting to tangle and strangle the Outsiders. Different vines manifest thorns, carnivorous flowers, and razor leaves to deter them even more.
Local kaiju also join in. Mutated jaguars, monkeys, snakes, and iguanas appear to further hinder their advances. From above, mutated butterflies, hummingbirds, and beetles rain pollen dosed with Rift energy. On top of the usual Rift sickness, this one seems to have an additional effect as well. The longer Outsiders are exposed to it, the more reluctant they are to attack the plant life and animal kaiju. They will feel a bond with the forest and become aggressive towards Outsiders causing harm.
The forest is their ally. They have to protect the forest at all costs. If that means turning against their friends then so be it. As long as Outsiders ally with the forest, they will find that they can call on it to assist them in limited capacity. They can use vines to block attacks and command some of the mutated kaiju to attack. Fortunately, Dr. Flores' antidote uses resources from the forest itself to counter some of these effects.
The animals stop attacking. The vines almost seem half-hearted as they move deeper. They are thinner and weaker. Many are cut or rotted. They’ve been chewed through and though they still try to stop the outsiders, it is more like stopping the inevitable. As Outsiders breach the treeline, they’ll come into a clearing, where not only the Nephenthipula resides, rising from the forest like a raging colossus, but it is focused on a ruin. On trying to destroy it, its vines try to slap down stone towers, and strangle out parts of the ruin, but on the Outsiders' arrival, its focus is now fully shifted to focus on the new arrivals. Now is your chance, but Outsiders will find that they have to split up, and while some stay and fight the Nephenthipula; intel says that the Vescidae is inside the ruins but there is no clear way in.
Outsiders will quickly realize the Nephenthipula is not alone. In response to the plant kaiju, the entire forest seems to come to its aid. Vines will spread across the battlefield, attempting to tangle and strangle the Outsiders. Different vines manifest thorns, carnivorous flowers, and razor leaves to deter them even more.
Local kaiju also join in. Mutated jaguars, monkeys, snakes, and iguanas appear to further hinder their advances. From above, mutated butterflies, hummingbirds, and beetles rain pollen dosed with Rift energy. On top of the usual Rift sickness, this one seems to have an additional effect as well. The longer Outsiders are exposed to it, the more reluctant they are to attack the plant life and animal kaiju. They will feel a bond with the forest and become aggressive towards Outsiders causing harm.
The forest is their ally. They have to protect the forest at all costs. If that means turning against their friends then so be it. As long as Outsiders ally with the forest, they will find that they can call on it to assist them in limited capacity. They can use vines to block attacks and command some of the mutated kaiju to attack. Fortunately, Dr. Flores' antidote uses resources from the forest itself to counter some of these effects.
▶ 003. INTO THE HIVE.
Observant Outsiders may notice an entrance into the temple. They will have to find a way up the steps, over living and dead vines. Occasionally the vines cover the entrance so Outsiders will have to destroy them again and again to enter.
With this being the only entrance and the vines controlling how many can enter at a time, it is essentially a bottleneck. Those who enter first will have to be ready to respond quickly because sentry wasps the size of housecats will charge at them. They are small, fast, and aggressive but weak. Their stings are incredibly painful to victims but fatal to the wasps which die shortly after. However, after being stung, the Outsider may notice they are attacked more frequently, as if they have been specifically marked.
Eventually, the sentry drones die or retreat, granting them peace. The inside of the temple is covered in a paper-mache like material. Instead of the regular comb shaped pattern one might expect, the combs are shaped like stars. From deep inside the temple, they will hear a steady drumming sound. Following the drumming sound will lead them to even more sentry drones as well as larger soldier drones that are far more aggressive.
They will have to navigate the catacombs of the temple to find and kill the queen. Surprisingly, characters that have been stung will instinctively know which direction they need to go in and will feel drawn to its location. They will also be able to telepathically communicate with others who have been stung or significantly affected by the hive's rift energy.
They will encounter more sentry drones as well as larger solder drones that are far more aggressive. They will also find comb filled with a thick, sweet, milky colored substance and larvae in the center. Characters affected by the hivemind will know this is a precious, nutrient rich resource. Maybe it might be worth collecting?
With this being the only entrance and the vines controlling how many can enter at a time, it is essentially a bottleneck. Those who enter first will have to be ready to respond quickly because sentry wasps the size of housecats will charge at them. They are small, fast, and aggressive but weak. Their stings are incredibly painful to victims but fatal to the wasps which die shortly after. However, after being stung, the Outsider may notice they are attacked more frequently, as if they have been specifically marked.
Eventually, the sentry drones die or retreat, granting them peace. The inside of the temple is covered in a paper-mache like material. Instead of the regular comb shaped pattern one might expect, the combs are shaped like stars. From deep inside the temple, they will hear a steady drumming sound. Following the drumming sound will lead them to even more sentry drones as well as larger soldier drones that are far more aggressive.
They will have to navigate the catacombs of the temple to find and kill the queen. Surprisingly, characters that have been stung will instinctively know which direction they need to go in and will feel drawn to its location. They will also be able to telepathically communicate with others who have been stung or significantly affected by the hive's rift energy.
They will encounter more sentry drones as well as larger solder drones that are far more aggressive. They will also find comb filled with a thick, sweet, milky colored substance and larvae in the center. Characters affected by the hivemind will know this is a precious, nutrient rich resource. Maybe it might be worth collecting?
▶ 004. OPERATION: VESCIDAE
The drumming sound becomes practically deafening and the Outsiders will find themselves in a great, open hall. The walls are carved with designs all the way up to the ceiling which is filled with stars. In the center of the hall they will see the Queen Vescidae. Her wings beat in a steady, drumming sound that echoes off the walls as she takes to the air and attacks.
As she attacks, drones will fly down from the ceiling to her aid. The venom from their stings is very potent and fast acting. At first, it clears the mind of their victims but some Outsiders react to this differently. Some Outsiders become incredibly calm and relaxed, as if all of their concerns– including the battle– are unimportant to them. Others will find that their new clarity makes it easier for them to focus, making them react to attacks faster and giving them an energy boost. For those who are particularly unlucky, however, the venom seems to wipe their minds completely, making them incredibly susceptible to the hypnotic beating of the Queen Vescidae's wings.
Certain Outsiders may suddenly find themselves turning on their friends as they become loyal to the hive. Their priority will become protecting the queen. By essentially becoming new drones, they become a part of the hive's hierarchy and can order lesser drones to assist them. Outsiders that still have Dr. Flores' antidote can protect themselves and potentially save some of their friends.
In a closed space, the battle is especially chaotic and it only gets worse when parts of the temple-hive begin to crumble and collapse. Vines pierce through the walls and outside attacks make the entire hive tremble. Letting in light and fresh air from outside which provides some relief. Shinn is able to land a critical attack on the Vescidae which stuns it. It staggers in the air disoriented and this allows the Outsiders to attack more easily. Shoto sets it on fire and it frantically begins to fly into the walls of the hive, causing more of it to collapse. Eventually, a reckless attack from Geto brings it down once and for all, putting an end to it.
The Vescidae smolders as parts of the hive and temple collapse around it. As parts of the ceiling collapse, they can see the traditional star designs up close. At the center of each star is a drawing of a striped insect.
As she attacks, drones will fly down from the ceiling to her aid. The venom from their stings is very potent and fast acting. At first, it clears the mind of their victims but some Outsiders react to this differently. Some Outsiders become incredibly calm and relaxed, as if all of their concerns– including the battle– are unimportant to them. Others will find that their new clarity makes it easier for them to focus, making them react to attacks faster and giving them an energy boost. For those who are particularly unlucky, however, the venom seems to wipe their minds completely, making them incredibly susceptible to the hypnotic beating of the Queen Vescidae's wings.
Certain Outsiders may suddenly find themselves turning on their friends as they become loyal to the hive. Their priority will become protecting the queen. By essentially becoming new drones, they become a part of the hive's hierarchy and can order lesser drones to assist them. Outsiders that still have Dr. Flores' antidote can protect themselves and potentially save some of their friends.
In a closed space, the battle is especially chaotic and it only gets worse when parts of the temple-hive begin to crumble and collapse. Vines pierce through the walls and outside attacks make the entire hive tremble. Letting in light and fresh air from outside which provides some relief. Shinn is able to land a critical attack on the Vescidae which stuns it. It staggers in the air disoriented and this allows the Outsiders to attack more easily. Shoto sets it on fire and it frantically begins to fly into the walls of the hive, causing more of it to collapse. Eventually, a reckless attack from Geto brings it down once and for all, putting an end to it.
The Vescidae smolders as parts of the hive and temple collapse around it. As parts of the ceiling collapse, they can see the traditional star designs up close. At the center of each star is a drawing of a striped insect.
▶ 005. AFTERMATH.
Outside the hive, the battlefield and temple are swallowed up by vines and plantlife. In all of the chaos, it is impossible to tell where the Nephenthipula stops and where the Nephenthipula begins. They finally get a break when Ereshkigal's spears do massive damage, severing many of the Nephenthipula's vines. This makes it easier for Outsiders to attack closer or allows them to focus on holding back the forest and lesser kaiju. Weakened by everyone's efforts, the Nephenthipula eventually grows tired which allows Raphael to find an opening. The kaiju falls to the ground and begins to wither. As it turns to dust, a voice whispers, "How could you all do this to us and this planet?"
With its most powerful fighter defeated, the forest has taken a major blow. It still tries to defend itself but all of its attacks are much weaker. It does not stop until the hive temple begins to crumble and the beating sound from within comes to a stop. Suddenly, everything goes silent as the vines still and the lesser kaiju stop to observe.
Finally, the forest breathes. The vines recede and the lesser kaiju return to the jungle, leaving the Outsiders alone.
With the kaiju dealt with, it’s like a heavy weight has been lifted from the city, and the air itself feels less oppressive. Many of the issues that Outsiders had been dealing with seem to settle, the way of nature restored. It’s not all perfect, and there are still some lingering effects of pollen and other issues, but things seem to be better, to say the least. The Rift energy that had plagued the landscape settles and, over time, begins to recede.
One of the more lingering effects is the sickness affecting the civilians. Dr. Flores, using the research materials that Outsiders had returned to base, has begun to create a cure for the strain. There’s a catch: there’s no one to test it on except the Outsiders, so he reluctantly asks for their aid in seeing how effective it is. At first, it doesn’t seem to work too successfully, so Dr. Flores requests the venom of the Vescidae and the royal honey-like substance in order to supplement the cure, and tasks Outsiders with bringing samples of the venom back to base. Once this is added, it works far better.
There are various side effects as the cure is tested. The happier of Outsiders might find themselves prone to bursts of anger and irritation, while the more bitter team members could find themselves experiencing bouts of ecstasy and euphoria. As night falls, some might find themselves irrationally afraid of the dark and struggling with a chronic case of insomnia, which nothing seems to relieve. Thanks to the kaiju venom, there are still lingering effects from previous ventures into the jungle… The same violence and extreme emotions from before (yes, those too).
In addition, in the city there is another kind of testing, the kaiju left more than just venom behind, after all. Some vendors, perfumers, and even bars and smoke shops are making use of the remaining pollen, and Outsiders might find themselves asked to try a free sample, or get sprayed with a random perfume without their asking. Surely it’s fine! You might find yourself subjected to some of the pollen effects, like the increased hunger (of any kind) so you might want to go satiate those munchies, pronto!
Once the cure has been tested appropriately, Dr. Flores begins to make the rounds on the locals, dealing with the most sick first. The cure is also handed out to the Outsiders, so they can do their part. Dr. Flores congratulates the Outsiders on their success, and seems genuinely pleased - and proud? - of the work they’ve put in. What’s that about blood sacrifices…? He doesn’t want to hear about any of that. Just hand over any remaining insects, please, and get ready for a return to home.
With its most powerful fighter defeated, the forest has taken a major blow. It still tries to defend itself but all of its attacks are much weaker. It does not stop until the hive temple begins to crumble and the beating sound from within comes to a stop. Suddenly, everything goes silent as the vines still and the lesser kaiju stop to observe.
Finally, the forest breathes. The vines recede and the lesser kaiju return to the jungle, leaving the Outsiders alone.
With the kaiju dealt with, it’s like a heavy weight has been lifted from the city, and the air itself feels less oppressive. Many of the issues that Outsiders had been dealing with seem to settle, the way of nature restored. It’s not all perfect, and there are still some lingering effects of pollen and other issues, but things seem to be better, to say the least. The Rift energy that had plagued the landscape settles and, over time, begins to recede.
One of the more lingering effects is the sickness affecting the civilians. Dr. Flores, using the research materials that Outsiders had returned to base, has begun to create a cure for the strain. There’s a catch: there’s no one to test it on except the Outsiders, so he reluctantly asks for their aid in seeing how effective it is. At first, it doesn’t seem to work too successfully, so Dr. Flores requests the venom of the Vescidae and the royal honey-like substance in order to supplement the cure, and tasks Outsiders with bringing samples of the venom back to base. Once this is added, it works far better.
There are various side effects as the cure is tested. The happier of Outsiders might find themselves prone to bursts of anger and irritation, while the more bitter team members could find themselves experiencing bouts of ecstasy and euphoria. As night falls, some might find themselves irrationally afraid of the dark and struggling with a chronic case of insomnia, which nothing seems to relieve. Thanks to the kaiju venom, there are still lingering effects from previous ventures into the jungle… The same violence and extreme emotions from before (yes, those too).
In addition, in the city there is another kind of testing, the kaiju left more than just venom behind, after all. Some vendors, perfumers, and even bars and smoke shops are making use of the remaining pollen, and Outsiders might find themselves asked to try a free sample, or get sprayed with a random perfume without their asking. Surely it’s fine! You might find yourself subjected to some of the pollen effects, like the increased hunger (of any kind) so you might want to go satiate those munchies, pronto!
Once the cure has been tested appropriately, Dr. Flores begins to make the rounds on the locals, dealing with the most sick first. The cure is also handed out to the Outsiders, so they can do their part. Dr. Flores congratulates the Outsiders on their success, and seems genuinely pleased - and proud? - of the work they’ve put in. What’s that about blood sacrifices…? He doesn’t want to hear about any of that. Just hand over any remaining insects, please, and get ready for a return to home.
▶ 005. AFTERWORD.
This is Kaiju Fight #10! All comments in this event count for 2 points towards August AC. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask them below.
EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. FIND THE HIVE: Outsiders receive coordinates and useful information for their upcoming battle. Dr. Flores provides a basic antidote to protect them.
2. OPERATION: NEPHENTHIAPULA: The Nephenthipula is found outside a temple. The forest and native kaiju assist the Nephenthipula. Some Outsiders might feel a bond with the forest and turn on them. Dr. Flores's antidote can protect and cure some of them.
3. INTO THE HIVE: The temple has been converted into a hive. They fight drones while searching for the queen. They also find a royal honey-like in some of the combs.
4. OPERATION: VESCIDAE: The Queen Vescidae can induct Outsiders into the hivemind. Dr. Flores's antidote can protect and cure some of them.
5. AFTERMATH: The Nephenthipula is defeated and whispers an ominous question to the Outsiders as the forest retreats. Dr. Flores asks the Outsiders to collect venom and royal jelly from the battlefield to create a better cure. Outsiders can opt in to test the new antidote.
no subject
[ megumi says it with a wistful relish. megumi understood very quickly and early on that people did not talk back to gojo satoru. he learned why just as quickly, and has not stopped being reminded of the reason. the strongest. it weighs down gojo satoru like the curse it is, but it drags people into its vortex, too. ]
Have you ever beaten him in a fight?
no subject
What do you think?
( Which is very quickly followed by a shrug. They were the strongest, and while Geto has some strange, prickly feelings about that sometimes, it doesn't rear its head here. ) A lot of the time someone always intervened. Yaga-sensei, mostly. He'd bitch about "property damage" and we'd have detention and that would be the end of it.
( And then, more seriously. )
We haven't ever really fought on purpose. Once, here. But it was over quickly.
( Megumi does not need to know that it was over the monks robes, and it ended with Gojo tearing them from him ( sadly, unsexily ). It's a sensitive subject. He does wonder sometimes why Gojo stayed his hand for so long, but. ) Only a fool picks a fight with Gojo Satoru, Megumi-san. I'm trying not to be, these days.
no subject
[ testing it so directly, anyway. that was when the school fights started, when megumi refined his rage and made himself judge, jury, and executioner of the bullies in his school population. no one dared to call him out save for his sister; who would try? far as anyone knows, he's from an ultra-rich traditionalist family, bringing perfect grades and never causing trouble otherwise. his teachers liked him. ]
He never takes me seriously, anyway, so it was silly in hindsight. [ it dawns on him, far too late for it to change anything, that maybe he just wanted attention. megumi frowns at the thought. ] Are you guys the reason I'm not allowed to summon my shikigami on school grounds?
[ the gyokuken are exempt, given the relationship between his cursed energy and theirs; megumi entered the school with the dogs summoned too, which must've helped. the other shikigami, however, still feel foreign, creatures of their own that they are. ]
no subject
Ah, yes? Probably. They put up wards.
( Because Gojo Satoru was a rude young master when they met and Geto Suguru had a chip on his shoulder. And then that had eased with friendship, only they still kept fighting. He does kind of miss it though. It had been fun. )
I think he takes you seriously. ( Circling back. ) He cares about you all. He's just --. ( A helpless shrug, that strange understanding, the old impulse to defend. ) - it's just how he is. He's always been like that.
( Though maybe, just maybe, Geto made it worse. )
no subject
[ is gojo satoru the strongest? or is the strongest gojo satoru? which one comes first? megumi can never take part in the conversation when he was raised by that same hand, ate off its generosity and gave back a wilful ungratefulness.
it's not that he doesn't care for him. or that he wants gojo-sensei to stop caring. it's just— ]
He told me he killed my father with a letter. After he died. [ some things he wished they'd just said to one another. wished he wasn't so scared of what that would've meant. they all die in the end, don't they? ] Was it easier for you? To talk to him?
no subject
( Easy, weighty. )
Maybe once. ( Before Toji, before the bullet, before he had to stare down the possibility that they might not make it out alive. ) Possibly he thought he was saving you from something. He doesn't see the good in the truth if it will cause more harm in the end, I don't think. Or he said something like that to me recently. He's not cruel, he just trips into it sometimes. How do you feel about it? Knowing it was Satoru?
no subject
[ like not telling the girls. yuji told him about it, about how sensei told him not to say anything about it.
maybe megumi's caused more harm by telling yuji he should say something anyway, but— but. if it was him in geto's shoes, he'd want to know. even if he doesn't love his biological father, even if he had no good memories of the man, even if he hadn't even remembered his name, he wanted to know.
megumi was never going to ask, because that would've felt like an accusation. but he still would've appreciated it. it's his father. he doesn't resent gojo-sensei for not saying anything until the threat of death became all too real for everyone, but it would've been nice.
to be trusted with something like that.
it's not geto suguru's responsibility, though. megumi heaves a heavy sigh and rubs the back of his neck. ]
It doesn't matter now. Fushiguro-san is a stranger to me, and he was already gone for three years by the time Gojo-sensei found me. My sister would remember him more.
Rainbow Dragon is really cool, by the way. [ an inelegant change of topic, but hopefully more welcome. megumi shimmies aside a bit, hoping the man would sit down. he's tall. ] Can she extend her length? Was that as big as she gets?
no subject
Mm.
( Noncommittal. Fuck that guy. Actually, doubly fuck him, now they're on to the topic of his dragon. )
She was bigger. I'm not complaining. She was exorcised a long time ago, and she'd been the only one I really missed. Childish fondness. Have you noticed a size difference for any of yours?
no subject
Kon is— well, that's not really his name, it's what he's called, but I thought I'd just name him that too. The Ten Shadows technique manifests when you receive your Divine Dogs, right? I've had them exactly as long as I've known how to use to cursed energy, and they were just normal dog-sized.
Kon wasn't just the one dog before. He was Shiro and Kuro, two halves of a whole. Yin and Yang in the most literal sense. When Shiro was destroyed his spirit merged with Kuro's and they became Kon. Bigger, more powerful too.
[ megumi gets more animated the longer he talks about his shikigami. it's exactly like a pet owner gushing about their little furry baby; megumi enjoys the company of animals over people nine times out of ten.
hits him harder when he loses his shikigami, too. it's why he stutters when he says more powerful. ]
I'm not trying to make everything about me, Geto-san. I'm really not. Have you ever been afraid of your own curses?
no subject
I'm not as attached to mine, but I think if they were like yours I might be? Rainbow dragon is a rare exception, mostly because she's cool. I always wanted to collect the cool ones.
( As to whether he's ever been scared of them -. )
I don't know. Some are fierce. I have a kuchisake-onna. ( Sly, boyish. ) Tanamo-no-Mae too. A special grade. Sadly LILITH didn't see fit to bring her with me, but I don't think using Maximum: Uzumaki would work well for me when I have so little curses here.
no subject
[ their urban legends come real as anything. their urban legends, their myths — there's always an underlying horror to their stories. some intentional violence, begetting itself with every retelling. to have one alone is a big deal, some gold-limned calling card among the sorcerers who use mediums to channel their energy. to have more than one?
megumi's vibrating out of his skin. ]
Maybe you could claim new ones here. Figure out some way to do it. I'm sure we can if we tried hard enough.
no subject
She took a chunk out of my hair when I was fight her. I was devastated.
( Shades of the old dramatic bitch that Suguru Geto once was start to peek through, flipping those long locks over one shoulder now. It ebbs like usual, but at least there's still something. )
I can't consume the kaiju though. I tried when I first appeared. Not even the smaller ones. ( It had left him uneasy, sometimes it still does. ) Probably for the best. The rift poisoning.
no subject
[ it might be different from fighting sukuna, to fight a legendary curse, but he can imagine the thrill of such a battle. the adrenaline, the fear bleeding into reckless abandon, that "do or die" moment that decides a win or a fatal loss.
geto-san must've felt so alive in his moment of victory. maybe one day—— ]
Can't we neutralise the poison? Or— What if we create our own curses? [ oh, that's dangerous thinking, isn't it? ] Or bring your curses here from home.
If I got here and I only had Kon... I know it's not the same with you and your curses, but I wouldn't have felt like myself. I know how bad that could get.
no subject
Possibly. I could attempt some kind of bargain with LILITH, but I'm not entirely sure I'd trust them to play fair. The ones I have are useful enough, and it's not like I'm without skill were anything to happen. ( He has a complicated relationship with his technique. Proud of it one moment, hating it the next. Maybe that's where the origin of his issues truly came from. The spiral of it. ) It's important to adapt.
( Does he sometimes feel an antsy discomfort inside of his skin at the idea he might be weak now? Maybe. It's fine. He'll hone himself sharper in other places. )
no subject
maybe he could ask...? geto would understand, wouldn't he? megumi won't know for certain until he actually asks. ]
I don't— [ he starts, then gets stuck with the words on his tongue. ] I lost control of my shikigami not too long ago. They don't feel like they're mine, and I've been working on reclaiming them. One by one.
Yuji won't understand what it's like. Or Gojo-sensei. When your own technique could possibly fight you because of what it is.
Sometimes I feel like I'm begging my shikigami to believe in me again. You get what I mean, right? Just— just settle down.
tw: emetophobia
It took me a very long time to get used to consuming curses. Longer than most people would probably guess. They would make me unwell, sometimes. The stronger, the more violent. I'd be ill. I didn't like it, but I needed to be strong, so I kept going. It's a strange burden. It's not one easily put down. Techniques like ours are not common, so it's something we have to be good at, instinctively. People will get hurt if we aren't.
( He twists that unlit cigarette round and round. )
Have you considered it might be because you don't trust yourself?
tw: cannibalism, allegories to CSA
[ he knows how it sounds. to be forced to swallow flesh, to swallow cursed blood, to swim in unfiltered misery and made to choke on it. he knows how it goddamned sounds like, and he wants to deny that it isn't, it's not like that, it's not that at all.
but at the heart of it, it is, isn't it? a grotesque violation of body, mind, and soul. megumi wakes up some nights thinking he's in that oil-spill dark pool again, far removed from his own body but all too close within sukuna's grasping reach.
it's why he begs yuji to let him sleep over. so he can see proof that they've survived, that it's yuji who's breathing in front of him, that they're both safe and alive and beyond sukuna's control. ]
I know I don't trust myself anymore. Not like I used to, and I didn't trust myself much back then, either.
[ out of anxiousness, megumi flexes his hands. stretches the digits until his palms and knuckles alternate white, flushed pink, white again. ]
Curses taste like— they're vile. And having to swallow them over and over, that must've been horrible. Did you ever tell anyone what it's like?
no subject
The cigarette dents as Megumi continues, Geto's placid face turning sharp. A muscle twitches in his jaw. It is one thing to swallow down the filth because there is no choice, it is another to have it forced upon you. It is one thing to have to fight always, and another to go up against something like that. A similar mark in the ledger of things Geto knows Sukuna has touched. A vicious thrill of anger.
He stands. He moves. Comes to sit down beside Megumi without touching him. He does not want to talk about himself. This is more important. )
It wasn't your fault.
( Voice careful, but firm. )
I know that it's hard to believe that. I know I can't make you. But you're safe here, and there is space to move again. Sukuna cannot touch you. He cannot touch Yuji. Neither of you have failed. It is all right to feel lost, or wronged, or like something has changed. What happened to you both was awful. But it won't always feel that way. And even if it does, there are people here now who will help you. I'm sorry that you had to deal with that.