TRAVEL LOG #7

[synfluxmods]

TRAVEL LOG #7

CONTENT WARNINGS: memory manipulation, nausea, headaches, references to hunting

▶ 001. IT’S (NOT) LONDON, BABY.

As the last dregs of summer fade into the beginning of true Fall in Neo Tokyo, Outsiders wake up to the sound of sirens blaring, the call coming through their implants - there's no time for relaxation, not when the world still needs to be saved. As soon as everyone has gathered for the debriefing, Yamakawa explains their next destination: a request for aid has been sent by a civilian militia group in Windsor, England, and it's a desperate plea for support for an ongoing kaiju crisis.

While LILITH doesn't have a branch in the area, they're able to work with their contact to ensure that a data portal is set up for the easy transportation of Outsiders from the main base. Travelling feels a little bit easier compared to before, but the common side effects still remain - a little nausea, some headaches, dizziness and some minor glitching. It seems as if caffeine is a solution, and upon arrival, Outsiders are offered a cup of tea to get them settled.

Weirdly, unlike previous teleportation, physical touch seems to make the symptoms worse, rather than better. Anyone attempting the usual form of intimacy will find that being close to people, especially those they’re most comfortable with, will feel strangely awkward, leaving them with an uneasy sensation and the urge to take a step back.

As this is another warp rather than air travel, Outsiders will be asked to bring only what they deem necessary on this journey. Yamakawa reminds the Outsiders that, once they arrive, further supplies will be sent; both those that the outsiders request, and additional medical supplies for the militia in England to support them in their ongoing quest.

Everyone will be given the standard 24 hours to pack and prepare for departure. Once the time is up, Outsiders are transported to the arrival point... In Windsor Castle.

▶ 002. AN OUTSIDER WALKS INTO A CASTLE.

Upon arriving in the bailey of the castle, a beautiful woman who introduces herself as Gwen approaches. She welcomes the Outsiders to her base of operations, promising to provide beds and food for everyone. She’s quick to give an overview of why they’ve been summoned to the castle and what the problem is: they’re a militia group who are fighting against a large kaiju that is threatening the remains of the civilian population of the United Kingdom. They need help from the Outsiders to put the kaiju (and the rebels that are supporting it) down so that peace can continue. With how few people they have capable of fighting, they turned to LILITH in desperation.

As the Outsiders are directed to one of the wings of the castle to settle in, some might notice something… Off. While all the Outsiders who had agreed to go to the mission are present and accounted for, some members of their group are acting a little odd. When spoken to, they behave the same in terms of personality, but some of the things they’re saying are strange, or don’t sound right…

Some Outsiders have come to believe that they have always lived in Neo Tokyo, and don’t remember any other life. They’re convinced that this is the truth, and any attempt to dissuade them is met with resistance, both of the Outsiders feeling nauseated, with the risk of migraines developing. It doesn’t seem as if anything works to break this strange sickness, no matter what is attempted.

That might be a problem to deal with later.

Once bunks have been agreed on (and they will need to share rooms), Outsiders are given free rein to explore Windsor Castle. Gwen - and her generals, a group of women who can often be found around her, peering over maps, reports and other paperwork, giving advice and arguing about the best course of action - tell Outsiders that it would be best to stay within the castle walls, due to the threats of smaller kaiju outside the base. They do ask that, if they have spare time, that they help the people around the castle as much as they can, as there’s a lot of upkeep to do, and they’re running low on people thanks to their failed missions.

The castle is large, and beautifully decorated with medieval tapestries that have clung to their existence despite the impact of time. There are various locations of interest that the Outsiders are welcome to nose their way around: a library, filled with hundreds of books; the stable, where various horses of different kinds can be found (and ridden!); the outskirts around the bailey, with various small dogs; the feasting hall, where meals are served (mostly farm grown foods, and very limited meats) and, finally, the garrison (which, at the moment, only the non-afflicted Outsiders are permitted into, for ‘the safety of the others), with medieval weaponry on the walls.

▶ 003. IT HAS A GREAT KNIGHT-LIFE.

As the Outsiders settle in, the influence of the strange memory manipulation becomes stronger. Outsiders who are convinced they’ve been in this world their entire lives may grow more determined about it, and find strength in talking about their strange new memories. Anyone attempting to convince them otherwise will likely find themselves ostracised and left to the generous mercy of the civilians around the castle. Either way, both sets of Outsiders are generally welcomed around the castle.

The accommodation is good, but there are a few minor issues. Some of the dishes the Outsiders are served taste a little off (perhaps the lack of spice?) and locals urge their guests to stay away from some areas of the castle. If they do decide to go there despite the warnings, there doesn’t seem to be anything amiss. Maybe it’s a British thing?

There are a huge amount of things that need doing around the castle, and the native population are more than happy to encourage the Outsiders to take part and help them with what little resources they have remaining. If Outsiders volunteer to help, they’re informed about the many odd jobs that need doing around the castle and how they can support the locals:

OPERATION: CAN WE FIX IT?

Outsiders are tasked with helping to repair and, in some cases, reinforce the wall surrounding the castle and the bailey.

It’s clearly been damaged from kaiju attacks, and some areas are more damaged than others.

There are limited amounts of brick, so there may be a need to go out on a reconnaissance mission to gather more supplies.

Outsiders will be rewarded with carved items from the civilians - dogs, horses, dragons, and lions.

OPERATION: WE’RE GOING ON A KAIJU HUNT.

Outsiders are asked to go out in small groups to deal with the small, minor kaiju that have been threatening the castle.

The threat is a mixture of various wild kaiju, including vicious wild deer, boar, foxes and badgers. Some are more dangerous than others, and most attack on sight.

Outsiders will be rewarded with small gifts from the civilians - gloves with sheep wool interiors, large cotton blankets and, if they bring back their kills, fresh kaiju meat meals.

OPERATION: CLAYSON’S FARM.

Outsiders are asked to help the castle farmers for the upcoming months, both the livestock and the crops themselves.

The calves will need to be weaned (which might include chasing them around a field), wool from ewes clipped and harvesting the winter wheat, potato and sugar beet before planting the new crop.

Outsiders will be rewarded with small gifts from the farmers - bouquets of dried flowers, their first choice of the harvested crops, bottles of homemade cider, and even naming some of the livestock after the most helpful.

OPERATION: THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT (AU’D CHARACTERS ONLY).

Outsiders are asked to tend to a graveyard deep in the back area of the castle, surrounded by forests.

They will need to clean the graves, tidy up anything that has been left behind, check the records are accurate and pay their respects.

Outsiders will be rewarded with a broach in a strange horse shape from Gwen herself, who says it will permit them into some of the closed off areas of the castle. This includes the ‘spa’ (where the water is always cold); the ballroom (where the curtains are too heavy to move, so it’s always dark) and a special dining hall (which none of the cooking staff seem to know exists).

OPERATION: A PROPER GANDER (NON-AU’D CHARACTERS ONLY).

Outsiders are asked to deal with the rebel propaganda that’s popped up around the castle.

They will need to clean the graffiti, remove posters, try and track down where they’re getting in and ensure none remains.

Outsiders will be rewarded with Turkish Delight candies (hand-delivered by Gwen, as it’s her own personal recipe), nightly offers of hot chocolate and their choice of art supplies so they can add their own murals to the castle (once approved by the generals, of course).

There are dozens of other odd jobs that need done, too, and Outsiders can find themselves tasked with almost any minor task that they can imagine - from novice carpentry, to cleaning, to taking care of the corgi population to even exercising the horses. There are no limits to how helpful the Outsiders can be to their temporary home.

Throughout this time, Gwen and her generals are preparing for the upcoming mission and sharing briefs with the Outsiders as they gear up: there’s been a trace of the beast somewhere near Egham, ironically called the “Enchanted Forest”. If the Outsiders attempt to probe Gwen or question her for specifics, she’ll shrug them off, for now; there simply isn’t enough time to answer everyone personally, and she’s incredibly busy.

▶ 004. HASTY PREPARATION.

Not long into the Outsiders’ stay at the castle, a scouting report comes back with alarming news: the kaiju is on the move and seems to have more humans under its control, preparing to launch a counterattack on the castle and the people within. The generals, Gwen leading the charge, are quick to gather their weapons and supplies and start to consider a way of fighting back before the worst happens: the castle is laid siege.

Everyone in the castle is suddenly part of a whirlwind of motion, all trying to plan the counterattack and how to deal with the kaiju before it’s too late. Gwen is more than willing to listen to what the Outsiders have to say as spokespeople for LILITH, and due to their experience in dealing with kaiju in the past; she’s keen to know what they’ve tried, what worked, and what didn’t work.

The next few days have the castle in preparation mode. Weapons are checked, books on tactics and histories are revised to see for any weaknesses that might have been missed, and Outsiders are encouraged to do whatever they can to help, just as they have been before.

It’s as hard to get Gwen and her generals alone as it was before, but there’s a general feeling of finality around the keep; this could be it. She does make an announcement a day before the march:

"My men and I have discovered what may be causing the strange... Affliction your friends are suffering from, dear soldiers of LILITH. The kaiju seems to have the power to influence emotion, and memory along with it. A previous attack left a relic in the beast, which has healing properties: it is this that will cure your friends. We must defeat the monster and bring this relic home, with all swiftness."

Killing this kaiju might be the only way to free the Outsiders from its influence.

This might be the final push to get rid of the kaiju forever.

▶ AFTERWORD.

This Travel Log #7!

Due to the nature of the final prompt, the Kaiju RNG will be posted in a few days to allow for time for Outsiders to gather clues and plan a counterattack against the kaiju.

The clues Outsiders receive (both AU and non-AU options) will be vital for charting a course for tackling this kaiju, so please add your suggestions (and ICly +1 other people's) before the 10th at the latest. We strongly encourage players to coordinate their clues together ICly to come up with solutions!

The planned attack will be based on character suggestions using this comment.

All comments in this event count for 2 points towards October AC. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask them below.

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. IT’S (NOT) LONDON, BABY: Outsiders are awoken to the siren alerting them to a mission and are transported to England to help a militia group with a kaiju problem.

2. AN OUTSIDER WALKS INTO A CASTLE: Outsiders meet the leader of the group, Gwen, who urges them to get settled in. Some Outsiders begin to have strange issues with their memories, and side effects when challenged.

3. IT HAS A GREAT KNIGHT-LIFE: While they settle in, Outsiders are tasked with helping the organization out with various tasks with various rewards for their hard work.

4. HASTY PREPARATION: Gwen and her men prepare for a final counterattack against the kaiju with LILITH's support, and ask the Outsiders to suggest ways to track down and kill the threat to their people. They must retrieve a relic embedded in the kaiju to free their friends.

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Comments

yuji itadori / jjk / everlight

[eyescar]

▶ 001. IT’S (NOT) LONDON, BABY.

[ Yuji has always been one of the people who had travelled back and forward to make sure other people were dealing with the transport well in earlier trips, so he had been more than happy to attempt the same again. The downside is that this time all his attempts have led to the worst sideeffects hitting him, leaving him curled up in a corner.

There's a hand over his mouth, and he's groaning quietly, eyes closed and head between his legs.

Is it the nausea from travel or the sensation of having to be too far from the people he cares about? He's not really all that sure, but as soon as someone approaches him, he lifts his free hand and shakes his head. ]

Don't touch me... It'll make it worse.

[ Is this divine punishment from being an extrovert...? Eventually, he stretches his legs out and breathes out shakily. ]

Are you doing okay, at least?

▶ 002. AN OUTSIDER WALKS INTO A CASTLE.

[ Arriving at the castle has Yuji back in motion, and it's obvious that he's excited.

The urge to run around and explore is overwhelming, and he's practically vibrating out of his skin as he follows their new guides and sets himself up in a room, expecting Choso or Megumi to end up bunking with him - if Raidou is going to give them space. It's only after he's dropped off his things that he starts to explore, and he can be found running around the castle, poking his head into as many unlooked rooms as possible.

Poking his head into the library, he peers at a few books and darts between the shelves before he gets a little distracted with the promise of more and leaves. Later, Yuji can be found hanging out at the bailey, and there's a solid hour or so where he's just playing with the dogs, throwing sticks and balls for them and picking them up to pet them - and, yeah, he gets slobbered on a lot. Darting back into the castle, he spends a bit of time in the stable, too, petting the horses, feeding them carrots and excitedly introducing them to anyone who joins him. ]

Isn't this place incredible? Look at how big their heads are!

[ Someone is definitely a fan.

Later, during the evening, however, he ends up a touch more pensive. If someone approaches him, he hesitates, looking them up and down before he leans close, as if sharing some kind of quiet secret. This is the kind of thing that hurts him the most, so he's doing what he can to be careful and cautious. ]

Do you... Remember me?

▶ 003. IT HAS A GREAT KNIGHT-LIFE.

[ With the strange memory changes happening to his friends, Yuji is looking for a distraction, so he defaults to what he is most familiar with: using his strength to help people while leaving the research to other people. If there's something he's needed for, he'll do it, of course, but he's savvy enough to realise that he's not the kind of person who is going to make any big discoveries. Brawn is his forte, and there are tasks he can do!

Yuji spends a lot of his time reinforcing the wall around the castle, using huge sections of stone that he carries with ease, doing his best to cut them down into the right size with his cursed techniques. He'll accompany anyone out on a mission to gather more supplies, and happily lends himself to other people who are trying to help. His excitement is still there, despite the weirdness going on with his friends, and he carries his little lion prize with him as he goes to his next task.

Other than that, he's here there and everywhere, doing everything he can to try to help: feeding the dogs, riding the horses, carrying bales of hay, running around like a messenger and generally trying to be helpful without causing too much havoc.

It gets to the point where he's asked to relax and calm down, so he spends a little time in the garrison, settling on the floor and staring at all the shields and weaponry aligned to the walls. He's more of a hand to hand guy than someone who uses swords, but thanks to the people in his life he does have appreciation for a good weapon (thanks, grandpa), so he's happy to gaze at them and try to figure them out, even if the guards are kind of weird. ]

Everything here is so cool...

▶ 004. HASTY PREPARATION.

[ Things are getting worse, and Yuji is aware of it. He's more cautious around his friends that have their different memories, not sure what to say - in case he says something wrong, or he causes them more problems by not remembering the strange new world they think is real. He's not avoiding people, necessarily, but he is careful, trying to tiptoe around the possibility of hurting the people he loves the most and the awkward confusion of not knowing any of it.

Gwen's announcement comes, and the request for a plan, and he does what he can to gather weapons and help out the generals and soldiers, but there's an edge of something about him. He's not sad, exactly, but he's concerned, and when approached he puts on a little smile. ]

Hey. Are you okay?

[ And then, as the final hours come close, he looks a little more nervous, voice dropping to a whisper. ]

I don't really know what to suggest. I've fought all the kaiju here, but... Isn't a frontal assault the best thing to do?

[ Beat the baddies up until you win - isn't that how it works...? ]

▶ WILDCARD.

( Feel free to do something random, one of the prompts I didn't include, anything that strikes your fancy or PM me for something personal! I'm happy to go with the flow. )

( 002 )

[powderkegs]

[ powder gives him a flat look before pulling on his cheek. ]

What kind of question is that? Did you hit your head or something?

[eyescar]

Not this time.

[ But, ow, hey, stop doing that! His arm flails around him a little. ]

Some people are acting super weird!

[powderkegs]

[ she squints at him. ]

Define "super weird".

[eyescar]

They remember things that aren't real, or think I'm the same person but different.

[ A sigh. ]

It's confusing.

[powderkegs]

It has been kinda weird.

But just ignore 'em.

004

[sensehispresence]

[ Kadaj isn't fond of how things are going. How different things are. If anything? It makes him worry. There were so many people to check on. Even those that probably wanted nothing to do with him. Something that he'd handle when that time came.

Gwen's announcement doesn't surprise him. That didn't mean he had a plan in mind. His thought process was just to go in and fight. To kick kaiju ass and use Bahamut or his sword against the damn beast. Or even the shadow creepers.

Those cat-like eyes look over at that question. ]

I'll be fine.

[ Will he? There was no telling, not really. As the hour goes on he shakes his head. ]

Neither do I. I'd like to think that a frontal assault is best. Has someone suggested something else that you know of?

[eyescar]

Nothing yet, not really.

[ Things are so weird, and so strange, and if this wasn't something they were used to he would be even more worried. The kaiju have so many weird powers and abilities that they're learning to deal with, but that doesn't mean they're totally equipped. It means that they're going to end up failing if they're not careful, and he can't really handle that right now.

Leaning back, he frowns at Kadaj. ]

It's not like we've never seen weird stuff like this before, and sometimes fighting the kaiju worked out, but... We don't even know what it is, right?

[ He pauses to think. ]

Gwen-san called it some kind of... beast?

[sensehispresence]

[ Nothing yet. He wondered what was going through the mind of others. They all knew that they needed to take care of this kaiju. Needed to be able to help the people within the town. It was a new town, yes, but they could still help them. However, they needed to know more about this kaiju too. If they didn't have that? How could they help.

This? It seemed more complicated than what it really was. ]

No, we don't know what it is.

[ He's quiet for a moment. ]

I believe so. But what kind of beast?

[eyescar]

Usually we have some idea, or something about what kind of monster, or weaknesses, but...

[ Yuji is on edge.

After Korea, after last October, the notion of running head first into danger and trouble and risking the lives of people he cares about feels wrong - immoral, almost. The last thing he wants is to have to sit at a friend's bedside and worry about their survival.

There's only so much he can take.

Shaking his head, he rubs his face. ]

I don't know if we can stop them, though.

002 (honse 🐴)

[gavehead]

Yes. Their heads are about 10% of their over all weight.

_{[ Dirk has gotten the emotion out of him of seeing and experiencing a full size horse for the first time, and he has no idea who has joined alongside him in the stable but he certainly doesn't mind. Sorry, Yuji, he fucking loves horses and will tell you all about them. ]}

See those tiny whiskers? They're extremely sensitive. It helps them know their environment and properly navigate around any blind spots.

[eyescar]

Wait, for real?

[ Yuji kind of expected that he was just saying something lame, since that's how Sukuna reacted last time, but the idea that he might be on the right track somehow is the best news he's heard today. He's excited! ]

That's so cool... Is it okay to pet them there?

[gavehead]

I would not intentionally pet their whiskers. It might feel unpleasant. Here, stick with something like this..

_{[ Dirk shows him with a horse who seems eager for pets and is anticipating a carrot. He carefully pets its long snout, avoiding the ends where the whiskers are. ]}

It might overstimulate and spook them. How would you like it if someone started petting your nose hairs?

[eyescar]

I've got it!

[ Yuji nods, leaning in and stroking the long face of one of the horses, painfully gentle. It seems fine with his attention, but a little... Bored? Maybe he's not girly enough. That's what someone said before, isn't it? ]

They're so cute...

▶ 003.

[blastedass]

[Distraction's good. There's nothing they can do to knock some fucking sense into their changed companions. This is the third, fourth? time the Outsiders have had to deal with a goddamn brainwash messing with their minds. He's counting Ereshkigal (including himself) in that number. Short of beating their heads in, they're stuck letting the duped dumbasses deal. Better focus his resources to something he can do.

Katsuki drops a hand on his hip as he watches Yuji's technique at work. Scissors running around a chunk of stone in all sorts of dotted lines before the entire thing breaks apart into cut pieces. He's gotten better since the last time he saw Yuji use the technique. Less rough edges, more consistent shapes. He gathers the newly-diced material in a satchel and blasts his way up the wall to the parapet above, delivers them, then returns with the now-empty sack for another load.]

C'mon. They're gonna need more. [He drops the satchels on the ground, and tilts his head towards the quarry.] Your edges were smoother this time.

[eyescar]

[ It is good to keep Yuji's mind off all the weird things going on - the fact that Nanami is absent, Gojo hasn't been talking to him, Geto thinks that Yuji is his son... All of it is a little bit too much for him, and the strange twist in his stomach is something he has to ignore. There's no time to worry about those things for now, so, as he's used to, he shoves it to one side.

It's likely not the healthiest thing to do, and his therapist would scold him, but there are other things to focus on now.

Leaning in to gather some more of the materials, he breathes out, smiling at Katsuki. ]

You think so?

[ Leaning down, he starts to lay out the next cuts. ]

I've been practicing a lot, so I don't have to think about it any more.

[blastedass]

[What the hell is going on in your life, Yuji? Then again, Katsuki can't say his own is going just fine. Some of the people he's used to talking to aren't as talkative and interaction with them has grown scarcer. He wants to blame this stupid place for that, but nagging doubts bother his mind. Shoving them away until they're splatters on his skull's inside settles his irritating nerves.

No one said Katsuki had the healthiest coping mechanism either. Stuffing emotional matters down until he has time to deal with them on his own in person rather than talking about them now. Whatever, he can escape things with Yuji. Better choices.]

Duh. Wouldn't have said it. [He leans over near Yuji's shoulder and watches him work the cuts across solid rock. It's kind of funny, seeing little comic scissors working the stone like a movie screen. It could definitely be a Quirk in his world.]

Good. Endeavor had the same training method.

[eyescar]

[ A better question might be what isn't going on in his life at any points in time.

Things are going alright, and he can admit that - they're better than they have been, and that's progress, but he still has a lot of work to do. He's going to keep making mistakes, he's going to keep screwing up, keep causing pain, but at least he can minimise the damage these days: he can make things better. He has to be able to make things better, or what's the point of all this...?

Leaning over, he starts to separate some of the rocks with his hands, humming absently. ]

I was going to say you were just being nice, but that's not like you. I know you better than that.

[ Leaning back to look at his friend, he smiles. ]

A hero, right? It's the best way I know how to do it without cheating.

oo2

[zauneyete]

What?

[ Yuji probably thought Silco would say something biting, or mean. He looks over his shoulder at him, as if he can't believe what he's asking him. ]

Why wouldn't I?

[ come on Yuji??? Silco looks more relaxed, and even his clothing looks a lot less formal than what he's normally found wearing on base. His scar is exposed, and he mostly stares at Yuji for a long moment before he shakes his head, with a slight... patronizing smile on his face. And it's not a mean smile. ]

Someone said something about memories. Are you worried about them?

[eyescar]

[ Despite the obvious differences, Yuji doesn't really see anything odd about Silco right away; he's more accustomed to him being on the nicer side, at least for whatever measure of nice Silco is capable of, so seeing him approach and question him feels very normal. It doesn't stand out even a little bit.

Instead, Yuji crosses his arms, frowning just a little. ]

A little. Things have been just a little bit weird since we got here, and I'm worried about them getting hurt because of it.

[ Sighing, he glances up. ]

How are you feeling?

[zauneyete]

Hm.

[ He sits down, and pulls out a cigar. Normal Silco. He snips it and then lights it with his mechanical hand. They had to travel light, after all. ]

It's possible. We can't prevent everything, although I like to think if we can get through some of our past ordeals, we'll also be able to get through this, don't you think? We'll just have to make sure to get them all back to rights.

[eyescar]

[ Yeah, this is definitely normal Silco. Nothing weird here. ]

I suppose... I just wish things felt more normal. I don't like it when it's all confusing like this, and people are getting tense. It's no good.

002; the bailey

[gimu]

[ let’s be honest; the dogs were never going to like Choso on account of him being him, but that hasn’t stopped him from giving more of his time to them (and the horses) than to the rest of the castle. libraries were for the learned, the ones better suited to the task of poring over dusty tomes writ in a completely awful language; reconstruction could wait. the dogs, however, were available at all times.

so when Yuji comes on out to play, Choso is already there. which is to say, he’s already on the run, sprinting up and down the flattened grasses with a gaggle of stumpy canines hot on his heels.

as he’s making another pass, Choso’s look of Deep Concentration breaks to allow a beaming smile, directed at Yuji like a drive-by love bomb. ]

Yuji! Please-help-I-am-so-thirsty.

[ and off he goes again, followed by a thunder of numerous tiny feets. ]

[eyescar]

Ah, Choso -

[ Yuji's eyes widen as his brother runs by, and he hesitates for a moment before he chases after him.

Choso obviously remembers him, but if his memories are tainted by whatever is going on here, Yuji isn't sure he's going to be able to cope that well with it. It's all a little too much, and he has to give himself a second before he darts alongside the curse and the dogs, shaking his head. ]

You should slow down for a bit! Then we can get a drink together.

[gimu]

[ as expected, Yuji keeps pace magnificently. a flush of pride joins the flush of exertion slowly creeping up Choso's cheeks. ]

I fear I cannot slow. These little ones, their teeth- [ huff ] -mean business, and I don't want them to- [ puff ] -to risk blood poisoning if they get a hold- [ hwuff ] -of my ankles.

[ truly, he'd have no choice to self-destruct if such a crime happened. ]

Can you- [ pwuff ] -distract them for a moment?