𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚏𝚕𝚞𝚡 𝙽𝚎𝚝𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔

( ooc: assume that this has been passed around among the AU'd characters or something. )

I'm sure we all heard Gwen's news. It seems that the kaiju has mental effects that the ability to influence memories and emotions. I believe that is the reason for the strange behavior that some of our coworkers have been exhibiting since our arrival.

Since that appears to be the case, what should our plan be? I would like to open this forum to hear suggestions. Personally, I don't believe casting them out will be beneficial to us in either the short or long run.

so you've all noticed that about half of us are totally fucked in the head right

best I can tell they think they've always lived here? in this world I mean. kinda hard to ask too much more than that without looking like you're the one that's insane but man

apparently they've also got backstories for all of us??? so how the fuck am I supposed to know that shit???

anyways. wanted to toss this out there for discussing and strategizing how to deal with this fuckin mess. I figure once we kill this kaiju they'll all go back to normal but

I dunno. be gentle with them. I know that's ironic coming from me but whatever

lemme know if there's anyone I missed to add to this filter.

(( ooc ; this is a discussion post about the people with au'd memories for those who do not have those memories! ending up on this filter is an icly handwaved process, so feel free to jump in if this applies to your character. threadjacking is very much open and welcome!

there's also a sister post for the au'd characters here, so if you're looking for that, go for it! ))

I feel like being such a small group we're missing out on the potential of an anonymous message board, so I'm making it happen!!

What secrets or intrigue are people dying to get off their chest? Who's secretly dating? Who do you wish were secretly dating? Do you have a dark secret that's eating away at you? (°ロ°) ! You can vent here, consequence free!!! I want to know what everyone's getting up to behind closed doors.

It's fully anonymized, so you can be as honest as you want. Or not! I'm not opposed to starting baseless rumors. Have fun ♡ ～('▽^人)

[Feel free to follow my lead and have Google Docs' style anon ids if you like, just so characters who who's saying what.]

[Jessica has attempted to filter this message so that it doesn't go out to Ereshkigal, Tezcatlipoca, and Yato, but that doesn't mean she succeeded, either because someone else showed them, or because she failed at technology.]

Hello Outsiders! Got a deity or spirit or kami from home you'd like to honor? Or know of any gods here that could use a shrine? (I've already got Yato, Tezcatlipoca, and Ereshkigal covered.) Then the Shrine of Outsider Gods is here for you (or will be really soon)! I'm setting up a space for worship, and I'd be glad to help create an altar for anyone who wants one.

Just because we're far from home, it doesn't mean we should forget the things that are important to us. Everyone is welcome.

-Jessica

[[Jessica's shrine itself will be opening later this week (hopefully), so she's trying to make sure anyone who wants to be represented, is.]

Did you know there's a museum not far from this base? You can see quite a few treasures on display. I went back for the first time in a long time. Imagine my surprise when I realized one of those treasures was missing...

It doesn't matter if it's a grave, a shrine, or the emperor's treasure chest... thieves will really steal from any place, huh? I wonder what else is lost in this world...

Ah, well, where ever I am, I'm sure I'll be surprised.

( Suddenly he's talking about himself? For those who know him, it makes perfect sense. )

Anyway, what treasures are in your world? If you can tell me a good story, I might give you a surprise.

[ It begins with… a blink. Some guy with gravity-defying blond hair looks around, as if surveying the area for passer-by before he engages in what must surely be an embarrassing affair, like the filming of a TokTik. ]

This isn’t necessary, but—

Do you… need things done?

[ He sort of starts off strong before trailing off in classic Embarrassed Delinquent-esque reluctance. His eyes, locked ahead. His expression, stony. ]

For a fee, certain troublesome tasks can be done for you to satisfying completion. This includes but is not limited to: monster slaying, bodyguard duty, and… errands.

The fee will fluctuate depending on what a hassle I find it to be.

[ Another blink. Another look around. Something surely comes next, right? Damn. Is Cloud his own PR department? ]

… I look forward to working with you.

[ And just like that, the feed ends. ]

MERC WORK
contact Cloud Strife for more info

[Billy is currently handcuffed to a chair following the recent downtime event. He doesn't look to unperturbed by his current predicament either. Maybe a little annoyed, but that would be about it.]

So... I wouldn't ask how I got here, cause that don't matter none.

[It... it doesn't? As he spoke, he slipped his tie off and started to feel around the invisible handcuffs.]

But I gotta hand it to these folks, invisible cuffs? That's a first one for me! Haha...!

[Smiling, he found what he was looking for and began to methodically wrap his tie around the cuffs, going from the inside then out. Like he was wrapping a bandage.]

But it still ain't no bother.

[Once it was finished, the hand that had been busy wrapping the tie around the cuff moved to grasp the chain connecting the two cuffs together, keeping him tied to the chair before pulling it tight. Pressing his hand down onto the armrest of the chair while keeping the cuff from moving as his hand slowly began to pull itself free.]

Ain't... no... bother...

[A few more pulls and...! His hand was freed from the handcuff, leaving him smiling his usual, infectious smile.]

...at all! And that's how you get out of a pair of handcuffs without breaking your hand! Haha!

Heya kids! Don't forget to wish Vash a big ol' And I don't know. Mob him with presents or something. Buy some donuts. Go nuts.

[Here's another newbie! Jessica turns on the recording, has that awkward moment of waiting for it to start.]

now? ok! Hello everyone! I'm Jessica. I'm new here and I've got a few questions.

[She holds up one finger.] Is killing kaiju the only way to make money around here?
[A second finger.] What sort of style clothes do you wear to a wedding in this town?
[A third finger.] Does anyone have experience setting up a shrine?

Thanks in advance! If I can help any of you out with healing or monster clean-up, count on me!

[She flashes the camera a smile, then has another moment of blinking and fumbling to disconnect the recording.]

[In a picture perfect seiza, Yugamu waves politely to start the video.]

Hello, everyone! I've spoken to a few of you already, but I wanted to try and make a more professional first impression!

[Putting his hand down primly on his lap, and smiling brightly in a way that could not possibly prepare you for what he's about to say;]

My name is Yugamu Omokage, and while I'm a professional assassin, currently, my goal is to become a doctor! If anyone has any tips on how to best further my education, I'd love to hear it! That said, if any of you are personally offended by Dr Spim's conscientious bedside manner like Mr. Silco, I'm happy to provide an alternative, I have lots of hands on surgical experience!

[This absolutely needless shot at Silco is offered completely blithely like it's funny to him, rather than a genuine mean spirited critique of the man.]

The other thing I'd like to ask after is information about the kaiju. I know there's some on public record, but I'm curious to get more personal accounts, particularly if anyone else has tried taking them apart or tested any toxins on them!

In any case, I look forward to working with all of you! My previous monster killing experience was with people my age so I hope to learn a lot here.

All right, ladies and gentleman and gentlepeople! It's time for the main event! That's right, it's what you've all been waiting for!

BEETLE BATTLE TIME

At 3 o'clock, at the park, we're gonna bring our toughest, meanest, more ferocious beasties to battle it out! Who will be the best of them all and take home the prize!

[ jinx pulls back to reveal the prize which is a fancy look trophy, gleaming and bright. normally, she'd put her trademark style on it, but if she wants a wider appeal, she has to go . . . sighs, corporate. ]

And of course, I will be supervising and commentating! Join us for fun! The glam! The honour!

Jinx out!

out of curiosity: would you pay to cuddle or nap with a furry animal, if you had the option? if you didn't have to do any cleanup and you're assured they won't have rabies or anything like that.

i've met enough people who seem to want physical comfort of this type, so i thought i might ask.

[ this is a sincere enquiry, please respect his post! ]

If anyone has received a green beetle they would like to sell, please let me know. I'm not sure I can offer as much as you could elsewhere, but these creatures would be a big benefit to all of us. I would like to set them up in the greenhouse and gardens in Okinawa to help facilitate plant growth, and harvest the groves. They would be a huge help in growing food for us all.

Think of it this way: the more food we can grow, the less ration bars we need to eat.

Do contact me if you're interested. Thanks for your time.

[There's a pause before the post is edited, and more is added.]

I hope everyone has been recovering well. If you were someone who became corrupted in the Underworld and suspect that not all of it has been purged from your system, please come see me. I can help. My room is Everlight 012.

[OOC: feel free to use this post for beetle trading and selling in general, too.]

[ This message is sent to anyone Ereshkigal hasn't talked to since the event ended, even if she's never had any CR with them. Each message is personalized and individual but I - the player - cannot write individual messages for every character in the game. So please assume there are variations to the message your character got, thank you. ]

Greetings,

I have done terrible and inexcusable things over the course of those past few months. Though I was corrupted through the power of the rift, I take full responsibility for those things I did. The rift did not create anything: it only exploited what was already there within my heart. It is entirely my fault for having allowed emotions and feelings that could later be exploited to fester within my heart.

I have been allowed to stay and continue helping in the efforts to help this world, and I intend to do my utmost to prove myself an ally of humanity. I do not expect anyone to forgive me and I understand if you are afraid of me or would rather never see me again: I shall do my utmost to be invisible to you. However, I shall not relent from helping LILITH as my love for humanity is unwavering and has never changed.

Most importantly, please do not hold any grudge towards others who have been corrupted. If you find yourself having negative thoughts towards them, such thoughts are misplaced. They are kind souls who sought to help me, and suffered as a result of it. They are amongst the most beautiful souls I have ever encountered and they in no way deserve to be treated poorly. Note this statement only partially apply to Silco. Though you should bear no grudge towards him for what transpired last month, I do not consider him to be a kind and beautiful soul.

Furthermore, I would like to put an end to some strange rumors that reached my ears. It is said I took people in relationship to assist me when I was corrupted. Well, just about every of the people I consider close to my heart are in relationships. It would have been more surprising had one of the seven guardians been someone not in a relationship. The pattern some of you may have observed is as such, not a pattern at all.

Lastly, I would like to issue a warning about those rifts. Please avoid them at all costs. Though I dare not presume your heart bears the seeds that could lead to an apocalyptic outcome, it is evident the potential for evil exists within us all. Rifts should be avoided entirely until we understand them better.


I am sorry for everything.

-- Ereshkigal

How is everyone's lockdown going so far?

Barring other, recent, events.

^•ﻌ•^ฅ

A question out of idle curiosity while we're all under quarantine.

Would anyone happen to know if the current illness is capable of being transmitted from Outsiders to this world's denizens? While we seem to be immune, I still wonder about our ability to still transmit it to others.

[It's a very quick image of Cagalli standing in front of a random wall at the Kyoto base, looking solemn yet still put together. No crash outs here. She's letting someone else do that.]

As of now, Yzak's name can be added to the list of confirmed rift related disappearances. This matches up with Raidou's list, but please keep an eye on each other anyway. Taking dumb chances now is the last thing we need.

Where are we on finding an exact location in Iraq?

As an important aside, his mobile suit is also missing. Being tied to our machines like this is new, it's not something we dealt with back home.

[ the feed starts with denji facing the screen. sweat and blood mix on his dirt-smeared skin, streaks that trail from a hidden injury behind the messy curls on his forehead. for anyone who fought by his side, they will know why he's a gory mess. his expression is hard to place— his brows furrowed, jaw clenched tight, but behind it all, there is something quieter, something ... brittle; tracks of dried tears curve through the grime on his cheeks, barely noticeable beneath the mess, but it's there. at least he's somewhat sober and not too out of control? well, on screen. an hour ago, it was a different story-

-hence why a familiar face is sitting next to him, the one who had to deal with that mess and knock some sense into him. his tone is a bit rough, a bit shaky. ]

... Katsuki's gone. [ god. just saying those words ... ] I tried to grab him before he got pulled in, held on for as long as I could ... but I couldn't save him.

And ... [ he glanced over raidou. ] ... Yuji's gone, too.

[ raidou is similarly streaked with blood in places, thanks to trying to calm his hysterical friend. quite the feat when he was on the brink of a freak out himself. instead, he sits near denji, eyes away, glassy and distant. when denji mentions yuji's name, his eyes finally refocus. his voice is a quiet croak.]

... I'm sorry. My theory was incorrect.

[ that's it. raidou will not be responding to any texts the next few days, try as one might. if you want to talk to him, you'll have to come find him.]

[When the feed cuts on, it may not be clear who it is the camera is focused on, because instead of there just being regular old happy Yato, there's a raging god with dark wisps emanating from his entire being along with red sclera glaring angrily as he seethes. When he talks, his voice drips with venom, low and dangerous.]

Raidou's theory is being proven right - Hiyori got sucked into a rift as well. I'm going in after her, damn the consequences.

[Somebody may need to sit on him...]

For those who do not know, several Outsiders have vanished into rifts. The first was Ereshkigal, during the kaiju battle in Egypt. As far as I know, no contact has been established.

Since then, three other Outsiders have also vanished: Ratio, Godzilla, Tsurumaru. I have been investigating but coming up mostly short.

There were no witnesses for Ratio's disappearance, but Nyuu and Hayakawa have confirmed that a rift opened and took both Godzilla and Tsurumaru. Only they were taken, despite not being alone at the time.

I may have a clue as to who is next.

I do not wish to cause panic or alarm, and I am not sure what can be done to prevent anyone else from being taken. I will bring these findings to LILITH as well.

During the mission in Egypt, we were inserted into the dreams and memories of other Outsiders. I saw one of Ereshkigal's. In this memory, she was speaking with several other Outsiders. Seven to be exact. Among them were Ratio, Godzilla, and Tsurumaru.

The other four were Yzak, Hiyori, Kabru, and Silco.

Kabru is already gone, though his name is gone from the network, a glitch. Those taken by the rifts are still listed, but unable to be contacted.

I would encourage those others in then memory to not be alone until this is solved.

If you have any other information you would like to document in this post, please do. We need to share what we can in order to get to the bottom of this. I pray you all stay safe.

[OOC: Raidou's theory on this player plot might be shot very quickly, but he doesn't know that. Go wild with the speculation in the meanwhile!]