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

[copy]

[ Yuta brightens further at the smile, the words, and the easy touch that his presence is welcomed with. There's maybe a little bit of embarrassed sheepishness at the overt claim of favoritism, as there usually is, but it's something that Yuta can't help but feel pleased about, too. (He works hard to make himself worthy of the continued honour.) Where he might have wavered on the risk of potentially imposing with anyone else, his agreement to the suggestion comes quick and easy with Geto. ]

Sure, a walk sounds good.

[ Moving while talking might help with the nerves when it comes to discussing his personal matter, he thinks. At the very least it will keep Yuta from fidgeting on the spot too much. So it's with casual ease that he falls into step, moving along without hesitation. ]

I'm doing all right. Things are a little weird here, but the castle's been nice.

[ Putting aside the strange memory issues other people seem to be having and all things considered, their mission could've been somewhere worse. ]

What about you, Sensei?

[gorb]

I'd much prefer to be back home, but I don't mind helping out. Though keep an eye on the lady of the house, won't you? I think she's hiding something from us.

( Some things remain the same. While this Geto has not quite moved in defiance of the higher-ups that use them, he still remains reasonably vocal when someone does not reach his exacting standards. )

Between that and the memory issues the others are having, it pays to be on your guard, mm? You and Rika are fine though, yes? No side-effects.

[copy]

Gwen-san? I will, but I don't think she's a bad person though. Tasuke-kun doesn't seem to have a bad feeling about her.

[ And Tasuke is a great judge of character with that uncanny sense for people of his, Yuta trusts it implicitly. So when his best friend says she's not bad despite any of Yuta's own wary suspicions about what they are and (more importantly) are not being told, Yuta believes him. Especially when he'd seemed so staunch on the matter even though Gwen had asked Tasuke to leave her alone. ]

Mm, Rika-chan's been needing to adjust a little, but we're doing fine.

[ The journey might have been rough on her when she seems a bit more confused than usual, but nothing about her behaviour has really set alarm bells ringing thus far. Not in the way that some of the others have. Speaking of, that's a good way to segue into his first concern. ]

It's good to see you doing okay too, Sensei. [ A little more tentatively: ] What about Itadori-kun...? Has he been behaving oddly at all?

[gorb]

Odd? ( Listen, he would be a terrible father had he not noticed. But Yuji's slip-ups seem slight enough. He's been keeping an eye out, biding his time. If his son is afflicted there's no point alarming him until they have a cure. ) He's been a little confused. You've noticed too?

( Of course he has. The boy's are close. Yuta's always been around to keep an eye on Yuji and vice-versa. )

I haven't managed to track down Megumi yet, so I don't know if it's just Yuji-chan. I don't think it's lasting. These things never are. We'll find the kaiju and everything will get back to normal in time. We just have to wait it out. ( Carefully. ) Is that what you wanted to talk about? That he seems to be forgetting things? He called me Geto-san the other day, I thought maybe he was just angry with me for grounding him last mission.

[copy]

[ It seems highly unlikely that Geto wouldn't have noticed if something was off with his son, but it still comes as a relief to hear his teacher say those words and echo the question back to him. Yuta's nodding immediately in response, glad not to have to dance around his concerns and find a more delicate way to put his suspicions out there. It had only been one exchange he had with Yuji, yet it's enough to stick in his mind like a burr.

He's nodding along some more at Geto's reasoning. Most rift effects have always been temporary, he knows, but it's nice to hear the reassurance all the same. His thoughtful agreeing is only broken briefly when he hears that Yuji called him Geto-san, the shocked surprise darting across his face. ]

Even so, 'Geto-san' would be going a little too far...

[ No matter how angry Yuji might have been at getting grounded. That doesn't sound right. It has to be whatever's plaguing some of them. ]

But yes, it's one of the things I wanted to talk to you about. He was acting strangely when I spoke to him on the network before. He was saying something about curses? It didn't really make much sense, but he seemed upset at me...

[ Which in turn is kind of upsetting Yuta when he has no idea how he's supposed to fix that and Yuji hadn't wanted to continue talking to him. ]

[gorb]

Curses?

( A singular eyebrow lifts, incredulous. )

He hasn't mentioned anything like that to me. Apart from the momentary blip, he's been fairly normal. He mentioned wanting a cat. ( It had felt every day, really. A few strange missteps, but beyond that nothing serious. His steady pace remains the way it is, but he looks at Yuta askance anyway. ) I wonder why you specifically. He's never been upset with you before.

( A pause. )

Although, maybe that's it. The two of you are close. He must remember that even beyond what the effects are doing to him.

[copy]

[ Yuta nods his affirmation, brows pinching together in a frown as he can't stop the worry and upset from bleeding through. His steps don't falter, keeping perfect stride alongside Geto as they continue their walk along the grounds, glancing up briefly to meet his gaze. There's some comfort to be found in what his teacher says and yet the situation nags at him. ]

I hope so... He didn't want to talk to me anymore after I asked what the "curse" thing he mentioned was about.

[ Which stings when they are supposed to be close friends. Yuji's outgrown his crush and they can talk about anything now. Or rather, they're supposed to be able to anyway. Forcing the issue might make things worse though and so it leaves Yuta at a loss of how to handle the situation. The only safe option seems to be turning to the one person who is in the best position to help and keep an eye on his friend as his parent. ]

But if he was still mostly normal with you, then hopefully that means it hasn't gotten too bad yet. [ A small relief. ] We'll have to defeat the kaiju before it gets any worse.

[gorb]

( Should Geto ask?

Maybe. He tends not to intervene in the teenagers' lives where it's unnecessary. But this is Yuji, the boy he has raised from a very young age. His son in all the ways that matter. That he's been afflicted sets several alarm bells ringing. It doesn't matter that it seems harmless right now. They're family. He wants things to be right again. )

I'll keep an eye on him, Yuta-kun. You know I won't let any harm come to him. But we have to be careful. We don't know if pushing him will do worse damage. So I'd suggest we play it safe for now. Keep him in our sights but act as normally as possible. If we need to we can speak to the others. Raidou, and Megumi. Choso.

( Though Choso will eventually find Geto instead, it will not go well. )

He still knows us. I don't think it's hopeless yet.

[copy]

I know.

[ The answer comes as easy as breathing. Of course he trusts that Geto will do everything he can to keep his son safe; that's why he's confiding to him about his suspicions in the first place. There's something that gives him pause though and that is the mention of Choso. It's who Yuji had brought up right as he was getting upset, too. It's the afflicted person who'd insisted he knew Yuta.

And yet, to Yuta, all that comes to mind is a vaguely familiar face in the med bay before their encounter here. Yuta doesn't know why he seems important to Geto and Yuji and although he isn't involved in every aspect of their lives, it doesn't seem— right. Still... probably just a family friend, he tells himself in an attempt to pretend there isn't a nagging pit in his stomach now replacing the nervous butterflies he was feeling in regards to bringing up his personal matter.

Geto seems perfectly fine. It's (probably) fine. Unless it's himself that's the problem, but... well, there's nothing Yuta can do but hold his tongue and just observe. So that's what he does. ]

You're right, Sensei. I'll do my best to keep an eye on him even if he doesn't want to talk to me.

gHOST KISSER???

[gorb]

( He lifts a hand, presses it briefly between Yuta's shoulder blades, a somewhat comforting gesture. ) You know he's never been able to ignore you for all that long, Yuta-kun. Even if something is affecting his memories, he's still Yuji. That much will not have changed. We still know him. And so we just have to persevere.

( He does not like it when the boys are on the outs though, and he considers Yuta a part of the family. So Geto will find a way to make this better. He has to. )

Is it just Yuji you've noticed behaving strangely? No one else?

lmfao d-don't worry about it... (geto was right)

[copy]

[ The effect of the touch is almost instantaneous, the anxious rigid line of Yuta's shoulders easing a little at the brief press of a hand between them. Despite all his worries, both it and the words are comforting. Enough so that he can muster a smile to go with his nod when he looks back at Geto. His teacher's presence always has that soothing influence no matter what, it seems. ]

Mm, we'll have him and the others back to normal in no time.

[ Rift effects can be treated. It's going to be fine. It must. As for who else was behaving strangely... ]

There are others like Choso-san and some people speaking oddly on the network.

[ And much more personally: ]

Tasuke-kun was behaving a little strangely when we first got here, but I think that might have been because of the surgeries he went through before we arrived. The side effects have been bothering him a lot.

[ Which is exactly what's led into the second problem he wants to talk about, but is not entirely sure how to. ]

he always is but no one believes him bc of the crimes

[gorb]

I tried to pay him to take a nap, I don't think it worked much. If it gets worse we might have to take drastic action.

( Which could mean anything. This version of Geto might still think chloroform is a good option. ... Or maybe it just means feeding someone and sicking the rest of the kids on him. Who knows? )

He's resilient though, Yuta. You and I both know that. It's not easy to knock him down. I'm sure he'll have it in his stride sooner or later. You think it's just because of the surgery? Or are you worried he's affected too?

if only it weren't for the crimes, he'd be so powerful 😔

[copy]

You did?

[ A flicker of surprise before Yuta can't help but laugh a little when he's able to perfectly picture how that interaction must have gone, the amusement further chasing away some of the tension. ]

Don't worry, I'll be sure to get him to take a nap.

[ All Yuta has to do is... drag Tasuke to bed. It means he'll be forced to nap himself or at least lie there in bed with him, but that's a small price to pay to make sure Tasuke gets enough rest. His friend must have looked some type of way for Geto to try and pay him to take a nap, Yuta will have to check up on him. ]

I was a bit worried he might be affected at first, but he's actually been behaving more and more like himself since then so I don't think that's it. He's mostly just unusually warm, has headaches a lot, and he's— [ how to put this... ] clingier?

[ Which is what's been cause for the resurfacing of an old Problem™ for Yuta. ]

So I do think it's the surgeries. Doing two at the same time really was too much.

new calling, matchmaking ... or fortune-telling.

[gorb]

You three seem fairly inseparable as it is. You're telling me he's worse?

( What must it be like having someone hound your every step? Geto would not know ... )

You don't have a shadow now, so at least there's that. But I think all you can really do is keep an eye. Hopefully this mission wraps up cleanly, hopefully we get to leave before too soon. I'll keep an eye out too. I'll even up the rate of my bribery.

( From a handful of kryptos. )

You did look troubled when you were walking over. Is that what's causing your new frown, hm?

he should do both and make bank

[copy]

[ A soft, sheepish little laugh, edging on embarrassed. He can't really refute that when he send Rika to go stick with Tasuke while he's having this talk — two out of three are always together and the other is never far from orbit. Save for the (frankly awful) period that Tasuke briefly disappeared from their lives, that has always been the case. But... ]

Ah, I meant more... physically...

[ In the way some procedures will leave people craving affection and how touch can help soothe those side effects similarly to those of portal sickness. (Normally anyway.) ]

But thank you, Geto-sensei. I appreciate you keeping an eye out for him too. Rather than money, you'll probably have more success offering him food.

[ Helpful tried and true tip he's happy to dispense when it means his best friend might get fed more and Geto is someone he absolutely trusts to keep Tasuke's best interests and well-being in mind. As for the question... with the way they've arrived at the subject, Yuta can't really pull a "asking for a friend" type of excuse to hide behind now. It leaves him visibly hesitant for a beat or two before he ultimately nods, words coming out with some reluctance. ]

It is. In a way...

[ He doesn't think Geto would judge him harshly, but how to even begin explaining his old childhood crush on Tasuke resurfacing with a vengeance thanks to all the added physical contact while having a fiancee that he's also madly in love with? It's so greedy, he knows. ]

when he's back in neo tokyo. we'll call it 'tough love'

[gorb]

Another boy to eat me out of house and home?

( Without any heat. There's one thing about Geto that remains constant and that's the nurturing side of him. He is a man prone to caretaking. Yuta will have been invited to many dinners. Tasuke too. And the rest of Yuji's brood. He really should get a bigger apartment if he keeps planning to host all these teenagers. He wonders if they'd let him in the kitchen of the castle. Probably not, but it's something he'll think about. )

In a way? ( Gently, and without pushing. Yuta should know that he can tell Geto anything. But he also knows strongarming the quiet ones doesn't always work. So he favours teasing. ) You'll get wrinkles if you keep it up.

it's perfect tbh

[copy]

Afraid so if you want him to listen.

[ It's a good-natured response though he does look somewhat apologetic about it. All of them are plenty familiar with Geto's (beloved) cooking so he knows that there's no way Tasuke could resist whatever Geto might ask of him for long when there's the promise of that by the end of it. But his teacher really does so much for so many of them, they're due for another joint effort to organize something to appreciate his presence in their lives. He'll have to keep it in mind for when everything's returned to normal and they get back home. For now...

The teasing joke gets a wan smile out of him, the attempt to lighten the mood appreciated even if it's not particularly effective. There's even more hesitance now as Yuta starts. ]

It's just... [ Give him a moment as he grapples with how to say what he wants to say and to gather the courage to admit something aloud that he's never done before, looking away and worrying at his bottom lip with his teeth briefly as he does. ] I've had... feelings for Tasuke before and I thought I'd gotten over them, but I guess this all made them— come back? Or maybe they were never gone.

[ More and more it feels like it's the latter and that makes the guilt all the worse. ]

I don't know what to do, Sensei. I love Rika-chan too and I don't want to hurt her or do anything that might ruin the friendship between the three of us.

[ He can't bear to lose either of them (not again) and it's obvious to him now that he can't just pretend the feelings aren't there and hope they go away when that clearly hasn't worked. It leaves him at such a loss, his heart in a bind. ]

[gorb]

( It both is and isn't what he's expecting. A part of him wants to laugh, though he shoves that down quickly. It isn't Yuta's fault, Geto has just been far too aware of the teenage romantic drama these last few years. He's watched so many crushes ebb and flow, Yuji somehow the worst offender. It makes sense though. These kids are so full of heart. They flock to each other. )

I see.

( He does not. It's not like he's been lucky in love. Though maybe there's a reason for that. )

They're serious then? Your feelings for Tasuke-san. They must be if you're even comprehending the fall out. ( Yuta's affection for Rika is something that's been at the core of him since the get-go. He still remembers the boy's little shadow at any of their earlier lessons. He'd always assumed they were a matching set. ) Do you think either of them know?

[copy]

[ Thanks for not laughing, Geto-sensei. He already feels mortified enough admitting this all out loud for someone else to hear, laughter would have made him want the ground to swallow him whole. The calm understanding Yuta receives instead helps ease the wave of flighty nerves that passes through the moment the words have left his mouth. It makes the gentle questions that follow easier to answer in turn, too. ]

Mm, they are.

[ Back when he was first becoming cognizant of his feelings, it was easier to think of them as a passing fancy, of just noticing and appreciating things about his best friend and realizing that he can see a guy in that light too—normal teenage stuff to go through—but with how those feelings have returned and increased in intensity, there's no way around them anymore. They're serious. ]

I'm... not sure. They know me better than anyone, so they might? Rika-chan always seems to know things about me before even I do and Tasuke, he... [ Looking back, there have been Incidents in the past that possibly suggest: ] He might feel the same. Maybe.

[ It could just be selfish wishful thinking on his part though. ]

[gorb]

( A thoughtful sound. )

She's a shrewd girl. Have either of their behaviours changed the last few months, do you think? If you believe Rika might already know and she hasn't been difficult then maybe there's something in that. ( He's aware somehow that he's not exactly the kind of person to ask this of. He jokes with Silco about finding a man all the time, but he finds most of the people he meets somewhat lacking. There is a significant and difficult set of expectations to meet when it comes to matters of the heart, and so far there has been no one. He doesn't mind it, but he doesn't have practical experience to fall back on.

He almost wants to tell Yuta to grab onto both sets of hands while he can. Life is too difficult to deny himself something. But that's not exactly typical. )

Have they been acting different around each other?

[copy]

[ Yuta knows that turning to Geto may be the odd choice here when his teacher has always been single, but he's the one adult in his life that he trusts the most. Any advice and insight he gives has always been something Yuta takes to heart and it has not led him astray thus far. Maybe it should be Yuji he should be turning to, but with him affected and not wanting to talk to him, that seems out of the question. Besides, asking him how he got over his crush on Yuta doesn't feel like a very considerate thing to do. Seeing how long it's been there, Yuta doesn't think he can get over his crush on Tasuke anyhow.

He takes a moment to really consider the question and reflect on the past few months, trying to pinpoint anything that might have been out of the norm for them and— ]

Hmm no, I don't think so. They've still been treating each other the same.

[ They've come a long way from how they were often butting heads when they were children just getting to know the boy who saved Yuta from some bullies and she'd felt threatened by someone else taking up Yuta's attention. He's not blind to the fact she can sometimes be... difficult to deal with in all her wilful ways in general, but Tasuke's been an exception for years now. That hasn't changed. She hasn't seemed upset or different. If anything, beyond the occasional confusion, she's been calmer since they got to Windsor which he's contributed to her being mindful of Tasuke's state.

Which is a good sign? Or maybe a sign that she doesn't atually know? It's hard to say, but: ]

She's been letting Tasuke share the bed with us, too.

[ Which sounds like an absolutely wild thing to just drop, but it isn't that weird when sharing a bed whenever space/circumstances required it has always been an easy thing growing up together. The circumstances now just being Tasuke's surgery leaving him with such a need for physical comfort. Although Yuta figured that would pass as time went on and Tasuke recovered, the clinginess just seems to be getting worse and they've yet to stop cramming three people into one bed.

(Neither of them know that it's because Tasuke's body is that of a Servant running out of mana, leeching off of his cursed energy through the closeness.) ]

NOT HERE.

[misclassed]

[ good fucking luck with this one, geto ]

[gorb]

So she doesn't perceive him as a threat.

( Either because she does not think Yuta will leave her for Tasuke or it truly doesn't matter to her. He hums a little, nonchalant, letting his thoughts turn over the matter. )

I'll admit you're an inseparable unit in many ways, Yuta-kun, I'm not entirely surprised. You've always inspired that loyalty in people, though with the two of them it's certainly reached a fervour. ( Rika sometimes came across a little too sharp when it came to Yuta's defence, but he doesn't fault anyone that. The boy is kind, he's soft-hearted, someone should protect that. ) Do you know what you want?

( It might be easier to steer it as long as he's no longer afraid to rock the boat. )

[copy]

[ He shakes his head at the statement because no, she doesn't. Hasn't in many years. Rika allows Tasuke in her space like she does no one else besides Yuta and Tasuke lets her push him around in a way no one else would get away with in turn. They're friends and they love each other, of that Yuta is certain. She might not have said it out loud, had hid her hurt behind airs of petulant petty anger, but she had missed Tasuke just as much as he did in the period that he had been gone from their lives.

Which is what makes this all the more difficult. He doesn't want to do anything to jeopardize what they have and can't bear the thought of going back to having to miss one of them. It's unthinkable. So 'inseparable unit' indeed. Although he can't help but flush a little, heat blooming his cheeks and lingering in the tips of his ears, when Geto says he isn't entirely surprised and goes on to talk about the loyalty he's inspired, protesting faintly. ]

Ah, that's— I'm just really lucky to have them in my life.

[ He doesn't really know what he's done to earn them, but he's dedicated himself to being the best he can be for them; to be able to help heal their hurts and fight by their sides. It's the least he could do for all the times they've protected him while growing up.

The question that follows catches him off guard a bit even though it's probably one that was to be expected. Does he know what he wants? Yes, of course. The answer, it feels like, is both the most simplest and most complicated thing in the world all at once. ]

I... I want to be with both of them. That's so greedy and selfish of me, isn't it? It feels unfair to them...

[ They deserve to have that one special person that can be all theirs without needing to share with anyone. Yet the heart wants what it wants and Yuta's is an esurient little monster. ]

[gorb]

Some people might say it is.

( There's no real way around that. They have to be aware that to a great many people whatever shape they take will always be strange. Geto does not let this hard truth lie for very long though. Instead he merely shrugs his shoulder, nonchalant. ) But then when has that ever mattered, Yuta-kun? People will always find some reason to be cruel, you might as well make it something that feels good for you than let them pick one at random. Besides, haven't I taught you well enough? Those fists could make a good point if you needed to.

( Maybe he shouldn't be advocating for violence, but Geto has always been fair-minded enough that if someone brings it to their door then of course it can be dolled back out. )

You're doing a lot of assuming for them anyway. Maybe they wouldn't take it as the way you're thinking. Maybe what's fair is giving them the chance to decide too. They love you, that much is obvious. I don't think you'll lose them to this. And I don't believe that keeping it secret is the answer either. Then it just festers. So it depends on if you're brave enough. And I think I've spent enough time around you to know that you are. One of the bravest souls I know, in fact. So don't let fear take something you want. It isn't worth it.