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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
ā¶ 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 theyāve been experiencing. Thereās a very limited amount, however, and he recommends that the Outsiders are cautious: once itās gone, there wonāt be any more until the kaiju is dealt with.
The other downside? Itās 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 theyāve been experiencing. Thereās a very limited amount, however, and he recommends that the Outsiders are cautious: once itās gone, there wonāt be any more until the kaiju is dealt with.
The other downside? Itās 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.
ā¶ 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 goā¦ 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. Theyāve been chewed through and though they still try to stop the outsiders, it is more like stopping the inevitable. As Outsiders breach the treeline, theyāll 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. Theyāve been chewed through and though they still try to stop the outsiders, it is more like stopping the inevitable. As Outsiders breach the treeline, theyāll 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.
ā¶ 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?
ā¶ 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 concernsā including the battleā 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 concernsā including the battleā 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.
ā¶ 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, itās 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. Itās 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. Thereās a catch: thereās 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 doesnāt 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 jungleā¦ 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 itās 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 theyāve put in. Whatās that about blood sacrificesā¦? He doesnāt 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, itās 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. Itās 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. Thereās a catch: thereās 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 doesnāt 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 jungleā¦ 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 itās 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 theyāve put in. Whatās that about blood sacrificesā¦? He doesnāt want to hear about any of that. Just hand over any remaining insects, please, and get ready for a return to home.
ā¶ 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
She tilts her head at Vash, confused, when he pulls her to a stop.]
What? I'm fine now. [She's a healer, duh. She holds up her other arm, where Shinn's first blade hit her, showing Vash the tear. Finally letting go of his hand, she tugs up the sleeve to reveal unmarked tanned skin underneath.] See? Good as new, except for being a little low on mana.
[The level of cavalier that Jessica treats her own injuries is probably bordering on concerning. Teenagers already tend to think they're invincible, and when they can heal up their own stab wounds with a prayer, they get even more reckless with their own safety. She's less disturbed by Shinn's attack than she was by the civilian who grabbed her when she first got here, because she's pretty sure she'd be allowed to hit Shinn back if she'd needed to.]
That happens sometimes at home, too. A monster makes you confused and you accidentally attack your allies instead. It sucks, but you can't beat yourself up about it. It's not like its your fault.
no subject
I can fix that for you. If you want. The tear, I mean. I'm pretty good at it, I've had a lot of practice. If you just drop it to me sometime when we get out of here I can sew it back up for you?
( It's one of the only ways he can help, but maybe she already knows how. )
no subject
[It seems like Vash likes being helpful, so why not let him do what he can?]
Most people on my world know how to mend their own clothes, but I've never been very good at it, and my dad always had someone on staff who could do a way better job anyways.
[Aaand now she's thinking of home again. Oh so casually, she asks]
...do you ever think about how weird it is- the people you miss here don't even know you're gone, so they don't even know to miss you back?
[Totally a theoretical question. It's 'weird', 'weird' is the word, not 'heartbreaking'.]
no subject
( A hundred and fifty years of getting into scrapes, of course he's had to fix his clothes up before. His body too, but the less people know about his gruesome field medic skills the better. There are a lot of crooked scars. He always blames the blood loss. )
Honestly? I try not to think about it. ( A laugh, a little sad. ) It doesn't stop us missing them though, no matter how hard we can pretend. Have you left behind a lot?
no subject
[And in exchange, next time he gets hurt, she'll patch him back up.]
Yeah. I had friends at my temple, and the friends I was adventuring with, and of course there's my dad... and I guess there's my stupid ex-boyfriend, too. [Like, Jessica never wants to see him again, but the fact that he's not wasting away missing her is infuriating.]
...there's a lot of people that are important to me. And I'm sure you've got a bunch of people you want to see again too. LILITH won't keep us here forever, right?
no subject
( It sounds like she has a life to return to. Vash does too, but sometimes he's not all that sure he wants to. He left in ... particular circumstances. Maybe he'd like to avoid them forever. Still, Jessica gets a cheery little smile. )
What do you think of the place though?
no subject
I guess that makes sense. Some Outsiders have fallen in love with each other. They wouldn't want to just leave that.
[What a terrible choice to have to make, though. She doesn't envy them.]
...the battle was really hard, but I'm don't mind that. I want to keep helping everyone here. But I want to go home when it's over.
[She looks at Vash.] What about you?
no subject
I like it here.
( Bright, sunny, untroubled. He's a bald faced liar. ) I wouldn't mind sticking around a little bit after everything's done. I help out at the orphanage and it feels a little mean to just abandon ship, you know? So I might stay.
( His brother is dead, and he's about to unleash catastrophe. Can't do that if he never leaves, right? )
no subject
I'm glad you're happy here. This world is lucky to have you!
[Maybe when she gets to know Vash better, she'll realize what a liar he is, but for now, she's taking him at his word.]
I bet the kids love you. Are you 'Big Brother Vash'?
no subject
( A little laugh, flushed pink at her comment. )
I like helping, I like kids, and the ones at the orphanage deserve to have something good in their life, you know? Actually, it was my friend who started to take care of everyone there, but then he left and I kind of took his place. I like to think he'd be happy with how things are going. And hey, if you ever wanna come visit the kids there then you should let me know. I'd introduce you.
( A lot of other Outsiders do after all. Jessica would fit right in. )
On Thursdays we play dress up. I've been perfecting my princess vibe.
no subject
I'd love to meet them!
[She giggles, trying to imagine Princess Vash.]
Ooh, could I be a knight? Or a dragon?
no subject
( Probably the kids will just decide for her, it's how Vash got shoved into the role of princess. He doesn't mind it, they get to play at rescuing him and he gets to gently remind them that princesses can get themselves out of trouble just fine. It's a nice time. )
I'm pretty sure you can be whatever you want to. One of the kids claims he's a medieval mecha. He makes a lot of robot sounds and then adds a 'verily' in there every so often. I don't know where he got that from.
( Vash, he got that from Vash. )
But I'd like it if you came. It's reminds me why we're doing this, you know? That there are people here who need us.
no subject
[She can do a pretty good pirate, mimicking her dad.]
Oh! I bet by the time we get back, LILITH will have the style upgrade thingy ready for me! So I could be whatever I wanted.
[Or it could glitch and she could get stuck as a bunny girl and she'd be mortified forever. Either/or.]
no subject
Oh? Has anyone told you sometimes those go wrong? ( Shifty about the eyes, one hand rubbing the back of his neck. ) Because they do. I was stuck in a wedding dress for forty-eight hours. It was so big. It was so lacy. I kept getting stuck in doorways.
( It was the same day Wolfwood had shown up, and there was Vash in a bodice and volumes of skirt. He'd cried. It had been a wild ride. )
no subject
Some of the Outsiders said they go wrong sometimes, and others said theirs work fine.
[So she's not sure what to believe.
She snorts. The mental image is way too funny!]
Oh ho ho, I bet you made a beautiful bride!
[Too busy giggling at Vash's misfortune to consider the danger to herself.]
no subject
( He can laugh about it now, but it had been kind of awful. Fabric he wasn't used to and all the scars from his upper body on show to people he was trying to make a good impression on. ) I don't know how anyone could wear that many layers of skirt either. Don't people dance at a wedding? If I had one, I'd want to throw some shapes.
( Encumbered by the weight and cranky about it. )
Maybe it won't happen to you, but you should be prepared just in case.
no subject
She tries to tamp down on her laughter long enough to at least attempt to sympathize.]
I'm sorry it wasn't your style of dress!
[But Vash's story lowers her guard about the dangers of the technology.]
I'm not worried. I'm sure I'd look great in a big wedding dress. I'm going to make a beautiful bride one day!
no subject
Ooh, I'll bet. You could really pull it off. ( He likes the confidence, Jessica firmly inching higher up in his estimations ( and considering Vash's like of people she was already well up there ). He enjoys spending time with her. ) Maybe that's what you'll get then. If you do you gotta come show me.
( A hum, more himself the more they talk. )
Is that something you want in life? Marriage, the whole shebang?
no subject
Yes, of course... I mean, eventually. [She gives Vash a fierce stare.] Not that a girl NEEDS a partner to be fulfilled! [Her expression softens again once she's made it clear that she's a strong, independent woman who doesn't need a man.] But, yeah, I'd like that. Someone to fight alongside me, and argue with me, and protect me... but not assume that I always need protection.
[She's a contradictory mix of wanting to be fiercely independent and also wanting someone to be her knight in shining armor, and she hates how uncertain that makes her sound when she tries to describe it.]
no subject
( Agreeable and ... a little wistful. )
Well, I think you're real swell, Jessica. And anyone who can do that for you is lucky to have you. If you ever need a wingman you should hit me up. I know a whole bunch of chat-up lines and two - ( Very excited. ) - sets of my friends have gotten or are getting married here, so maybe this place is lucky!
( She's maybe a little young, but he comes from lawless fake cowboy planet so. )
no subject
[Please, at some point she needs to hear whatever
disasterpick-up lines Vash thinks he knows.]What about you? Do you have someone special? If not, we could be each others' wing-people!
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( He has not. He has no game.
Her second question has a somewhat shadow appear over his eyes, and even though he still smiles it goes a little sorrowful round the edges. )
There was someone. They left though. Before I could say anything. ( And then, more lively. ) Anyway, it's not really for me. I'm happy enough with the way things are. Who needs romance when you can live vicariously through all of your friends?
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[Except be a weird spectator, maybe. Huh, it sounds like he needs way more help than she does.
Maybe, after she fixes the state of the shrines and organizes a beach clean-up, her next project will be 'Find Vash a Date'. He obviously needs help. What's listening in bars supposed to do for him? If you want to find love, you have to take some initiative!]
I'm sorry your person left. What was it that drew you to them?
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He had kind eyes.
( There are a million things he could opt for. In the end it has to be the first one he noticed. )
He tried to hide them behind an attitude, but they don't lie, you know? ( A small smile, a little sad around the edges. ) It's probably for the best. It wouldn't have worked out.
( The pesky issue of Wolfwood being a shepherd. He's being used. )
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Why do sweet guys always try to wear a mask like that?
[Well, she for one is done with guys who put on a jerk front. Fool her one, shame on her, fool her twice and SHE'S NEVER GIVING YOU THE TIME OF DAY AGAIN, KYLE.
She puts on a face smile of her own.] It sounds like it's time to move on. I bet there are plenty of kind-eyed fish in the sea! You shouldn't waste your time waiting around on someone who isn't going to be there for you... even if you did... really, really like them.
[Projecting? Nope, no way. She's talking about her pal Vash and definitely not about herself.]
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dang he's geto's cr i almost said yes
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