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[ OKAY SO. at some point verg will receive a file titled REPORT01.EXE that contains a document that's been formatted pretty much like an abnormality report back on the bus. but since im too much of a lazyass to actually write the whole thing verbatim, i'll just jot down the important details in bulletpoints even tho it'd look like a properly made document. vergilius is going to want the important details anyway:
- they were trained to fight kaiju via simulations since december of last year, until they'd gotten the chance to face off against an actual kaiju last month called the shachimon. there are plenty of casualties, and the kaiju seem to prelude their arrival via waves, almost like in district 21.
- there are also some deets about downtime, like how sometimes SYNTHIA would force you to compliment other people once a day a while back to raise morale. also the celebration of valentine's day was mention, but ishmael was like ????? bc what tf is this holiday, man......
- also, the most important part: the mention of the Librarians featuring Malkuth, and former L Corp employees named Yesod and Netzach. apparently they still think L Corp and the Library were still up and running, and ishmael surmises that they're taken from different time periods by lilith for some reason
- and lastly, ishmael had approached LILITH staff for clarifications recently (aka i reread the faq) and apparently, their selves can still function back home and LILITH had basically just plucked their current consciousness in their (ooc) canonpoints. kind of like how mirror worlds and IDs work?? maybe??? look she's not the same kind of smart as faust and yi sang ok, cut her some slack. ]
- they were trained to fight kaiju via simulations since december of last year, until they'd gotten the chance to face off against an actual kaiju last month called the shachimon. there are plenty of casualties, and the kaiju seem to prelude their arrival via waves, almost like in district 21.
- there are also some deets about downtime, like how sometimes SYNTHIA would force you to compliment other people once a day a while back to raise morale. also the celebration of valentine's day was mention, but ishmael was like ????? bc what tf is this holiday, man......
- also, the most important part: the mention of the Librarians featuring Malkuth, and former L Corp employees named Yesod and Netzach. apparently they still think L Corp and the Library were still up and running, and ishmael surmises that they're taken from different time periods by lilith for some reason
- and lastly, ishmael had approached LILITH staff for clarifications recently (aka i reread the faq) and apparently, their selves can still function back home and LILITH had basically just plucked their current consciousness in their (ooc) canonpoints. kind of like how mirror worlds and IDs work?? maybe??? look she's not the same kind of smart as faust and yi sang ok, cut her some slack. ]
[Well, everything seems Expected except...that last part. What the fuck.]
a satisfactory report, ishmael.
some follow-uip questions
- was this shachimon defeated, or merely subdued
- is there general unrest among people despite these. attempts at morale
- malkuth. i see.
have you met her?
- how does that work. is there evidence of this. are they saying our bodies are running on auto pilot
a satisfactory report, ishmael.
some follow-uip questions
- was this shachimon defeated, or merely subdued
- is there general unrest among people despite these. attempts at morale
- malkuth. i see.
have you met her?
- how does that work. is there evidence of this. are they saying our bodies are running on auto pilot
[ "don't check on me every week," he said. "you're not my babysitter, malkuth."
she isn't. because then she'd be being paid to be. and... while malkuth still has to steel herself in the memory of that vibrant red gaze, sharp as any blade, she really isn't one to leave people alone. not when she knows what can happen when you do, not when she knows it infects those of the City most of all.
so yes, she's going to check on him somewhat frequently. it's easy. just knock on the door like you're a girl scout, because where else is he going to be. she knows exactly two people in brimstone and they're both these fuckers. if he doesn't open up she is going to shout. ]
she isn't. because then she'd be being paid to be. and... while malkuth still has to steel herself in the memory of that vibrant red gaze, sharp as any blade, she really isn't one to leave people alone. not when she knows what can happen when you do, not when she knows it infects those of the City most of all.
so yes, she's going to check on him somewhat frequently. it's easy. just knock on the door like you're a girl scout, because where else is he going to be. she knows exactly two people in brimstone and they're both these fuckers. if he doesn't open up she is going to shout. ]
[he is literally not going to open the door I'M SORRY MALKUTH YOU GOTTA SHOUT OR BE AGGRESSIVE ABOUT IT]
[ guess what time it is, vergilius.
it's his malkuth mandated outing time!!!
she didn't have to bother him with this specific kind of interaction before because of the picnic she knows they had but can't remember when they split off at, but new week means new place to go. feel the dread of her knocks. but she knows he won't answer just for that, so-- ]
Let's get dinner, Vergilius! If you're not allergic, I've got a great seafood place in mind!
[ be funny if he was already out but she knows his ass aint likely to be. ]
it's his malkuth mandated outing time!!!
she didn't have to bother him with this specific kind of interaction before because of the picnic she knows they had but can't remember when they split off at, but new week means new place to go. feel the dread of her knocks. but she knows he won't answer just for that, so-- ]
Let's get dinner, Vergilius! If you're not allergic, I've got a great seafood place in mind!
[ be funny if he was already out but she knows his ass aint likely to be. ]
Ugh.
[He half expected this, already. Back for the drink? That's what he thinks, even though he left her still in a drunken stupor. That headache he had later did NOT help. Perhaps getting drunk would've made her leave well enough alone in some miracle circumstance, but looks like it did nothing whatsoever.]/
Dinner, huh.
[He is poking his head out like so.]
[He half expected this, already. Back for the drink? That's what he thinks, even though he left her still in a drunken stupor. That headache he had later did NOT help. Perhaps getting drunk would've made her leave well enough alone in some miracle circumstance, but looks like it did nothing whatsoever.]/
Dinner, huh.
[He is poking his head out like so.]
Edited 2024-03-25 16:37 (UTC)
[ Also attached; a picture of him and the snake. ]
Mr. Vergilius!
Here you go! It was such a good photo of you and Charles, I thought you should see it!
[ Charles. ]
Mr. Vergilius!
Here you go! It was such a good photo of you and Charles, I thought you should see it!
[ Charles. ]
for what
[AUTOMATICALLY BELIEVES THERE'S AN ULTERIOR MOTIVE]
[AUTOMATICALLY BELIEVES THERE'S AN ULTERIOR MOTIVE]
[ time to play "are we going out or staying in". as ever, a surprise visit. as ever, waiting at the door.
unlike ever, she's just sending him a text to let him know she's here: ]
Open up!!!
[ since
she doesn't think he'll make her make a scene at this point, that should be good enough. and, unlike ever, malkuth's actually got a nice li'l dress on, playing with the hem of the sweater-coat. open up!!!! sad sack!!! let her in!!! ]
unlike ever, she's just sending him a text to let him know she's here: ]
Open up!!!
[ since
she doesn't think he'll make her make a scene at this point, that should be good enough. and, unlike ever, malkuth's actually got a nice li'l dress on, playing with the hem of the sweater-coat. open up!!!! sad sack!!! let her in!!! ]
[It IS a surprise visit, but with Malkuth, when it is never?]
[There's no fussing or huffing this time. It takes a little bit, but he's opening the door, glancing down at her.]
[There's a slight raise of his eyebrows, definitely appreciative.]
Mm. You look nice. What's the occasion...?
[There's no fussing or huffing this time. It takes a little bit, but he's opening the door, glancing down at her.]
[There's a slight raise of his eyebrows, definitely appreciative.]
Mm. You look nice. What's the occasion...?
Hey, Mr. Vergilius?
Wanna go get smoothies?
[ No explanation. ]
Wanna go get smoothies?
[ No explanation. ]
[ ... she's probably still the last person he wants to talk to right now, but with the attacks suspended (one dead, one missing) malkuth thinks this
might be better than something face to face, anyway, even if she'd like to see that grumpy expression of his at her bedside. she breathes in, and exhales. okay. normal. just a little check up. ]
Just checking in! Any cool new scars in the making, Vergilius?
might be better than something face to face, anyway, even if she'd like to see that grumpy expression of his at her bedside. she breathes in, and exhales. okay. normal. just a little check up. ]
Just checking in! Any cool new scars in the making, Vergilius?
[...He doesn't answer for a few hours, a little surprised (but paradoxically not surprised at all) by her reaching out.]
[It's just a check-in, huh.]
if there are some i haven't noticed
is something the matter?
[It's just a check-in, huh.]
if there are some i haven't noticed
is something the matter?
[ one of vergilius's bodyguard contracts come in with the client being an "elijah weiss", requiring services on september 10th in the evening. formal wear is required, as well as a mask; there is no need to match. expected duties is simply to remain within the area until the client is ready to depart.
...
all this because she can't ask him herself, and now she's paying out of pocket for it. it's fine. she'll be able to steel herself, and she'll know what to say. this is just an excuse. ]
...
all this because she can't ask him herself, and now she's paying out of pocket for it. it's fine. she'll be able to steel herself, and she'll know what to say. this is just an excuse. ]
[.........]
[Yeah, that name is a dead giveaway. He thinks about texting her, a little vaguely exasperated by the format of the request, but....decides against it.]
[If he sees her at this evening event, he'll talk. Maybe.]
[(He, of course, will take the contract, no questions asked. He's got a soft spot that way.)]
[Yeah, that name is a dead giveaway. He thinks about texting her, a little vaguely exasperated by the format of the request, but....decides against it.]
[If he sees her at this evening event, he'll talk. Maybe.]
[(He, of course, will take the contract, no questions asked. He's got a soft spot that way.)]
[Oh. This is unexpected.]
[Is there any indication to who sent this...thank you anonymous sender who is son-vibed........he Will wear the leather gloves for sure.]
[Is there any indication to who sent this...thank you anonymous sender who is son-vibed........he Will wear the leather gloves for sure.]
[ That's right this is happening. will a maid outfit be involved? we'll see if he opens his mouth (inevitable) but rest assured that he did request a style upgrade for reasons and if it happened to coincide with the date Planned Activity then that's just a coincidence.
Mostly.
So at the previously determined time, and at Vergilius's selection of a place, he'll be waiting. Cigar in hand, back in his usual threads, which definitely at least makes him look slightly larger, and he stands out a little bit more than he did before. (Somehow??) But the addition of the cloud of cigar smoke over his head probably would have made him easy to find, even if his clothes weren't clearly out of style for the area now. (To be fair, they're probably out of style for where he's from, too.)
Right as he takes a puff on a cigar, someone with a comically large package passes by, whacking him on the shoulder, sending him forward a bit, and his cigar falls to the ground, into a puddle of what he presumes is rainwater, but could honestly also be a vile puddle of chemicals. Who knew?
He opened his mouth to say something nasty to the passerby who has clearly not even noticed that they hit him with their comically large box. The question is: does he get stopped before or after he speaks up? ]
Mostly.
So at the previously determined time, and at Vergilius's selection of a place, he'll be waiting. Cigar in hand, back in his usual threads, which definitely at least makes him look slightly larger, and he stands out a little bit more than he did before. (Somehow??) But the addition of the cloud of cigar smoke over his head probably would have made him easy to find, even if his clothes weren't clearly out of style for the area now. (To be fair, they're probably out of style for where he's from, too.)
Right as he takes a puff on a cigar, someone with a comically large package passes by, whacking him on the shoulder, sending him forward a bit, and his cigar falls to the ground, into a puddle of what he presumes is rainwater, but could honestly also be a vile puddle of chemicals. Who knew?
He opened his mouth to say something nasty to the passerby who has clearly not even noticed that they hit him with their comically large box. The question is: does he get stopped before or after he speaks up? ]
Silco.
[For an imposing man, it must always be a shock that Vergilius moves as quietly as he does sometimes, appearing like a wayward ghost in someone's vision. He saw the affair, too late to stop it, but (based on ooc coin flip) here to interrupt whatever nasty tirade Silco had to give.]
[He bends to fish out the cigar from its puddle, a sad little thing.]
...Surprised they didn't see you. You're not hurt, I suppose. [And then musing to himself.] No, you're made of hardy things.
[The place they're at is a little hole in the wall restaurant of sorts. It seems he is intent on actual wining and dining....possibly.]
[For an imposing man, it must always be a shock that Vergilius moves as quietly as he does sometimes, appearing like a wayward ghost in someone's vision. He saw the affair, too late to stop it, but (based on ooc coin flip) here to interrupt whatever nasty tirade Silco had to give.]
[He bends to fish out the cigar from its puddle, a sad little thing.]
...Surprised they didn't see you. You're not hurt, I suppose. [And then musing to himself.] No, you're made of hardy things.
[The place they're at is a little hole in the wall restaurant of sorts. It seems he is intent on actual wining and dining....possibly.]
where
( ugh. fuck their poor reception. )
you seen malkuth?
( ugh. fuck their poor reception. )
you seen malkuth?
Yes.
[As simple as anything, but he follows up with:]
Are you?
[As simple as anything, but he follows up with:]
Are you?
[ he'd been worried too, after all. so he gets a message same as her others. ]
I'm alive! Tired, but alive!
Don't go too crazy. And... if you actually want to visit me this time, [ unlike their half-hearted last, ] just say so. I'm well enough to take visitors, unlike some of the others.
[ she
thinks he might be okay this time, and she does want to see him as she has her others, but it's his choice still. whether now or on the return trip home or at base, malkuth will always wait for him. ]
I'm alive! Tired, but alive!
Don't go too crazy. And... if you actually want to visit me this time, [ unlike their half-hearted last, ] just say so. I'm well enough to take visitors, unlike some of the others.
[ she
thinks he might be okay this time, and she does want to see him as she has her others, but it's his choice still. whether now or on the return trip home or at base, malkuth will always wait for him. ]
[Ah.]
[The very reason he felt like he was going out of his mind for a little there. Malkuth, safe and sound. But with everything that happened, well...]
[His heart moves to jump to see her. His brain tell him to hold on for a minute. There' something he has to let her know.]
i want to come
but i'm one of the unlucky ones turned into a vampire
i can control myself but
its up to you.
[The very reason he felt like he was going out of his mind for a little there. Malkuth, safe and sound. But with everything that happened, well...]
[His heart moves to jump to see her. His brain tell him to hold on for a minute. There' something he has to let her know.]
i want to come
but i'm one of the unlucky ones turned into a vampire
i can control myself but
its up to you.
[He is. It's strange, but then again, he's not the type who ate much in the first place. Vergilius moves to open the door, unsure who is on the other end of it, and...]
[Huh. He is squinting.]
What do you want.
[Huh. He is squinting.]
What do you want.
[ Hello. You have been sent a QR code to download a style upgrade!
Player preference on whether or not it glitches when Vergilius opens it. ]
Player preference on whether or not it glitches when Vergilius opens it. ]
[Huh, what is this.]
[Okay, so he's in a cute catgirl dress complete with ears now.]
[What the fuck.]
what is this
[Okay, so he's in a cute catgirl dress complete with ears now.]
[What the fuck.]
what is this
[ Following the Christmas party, Vergilius will find a package by the entrance of his room. Inside, he’ll find an assortment of different gifts, ranging from a self-help book for stress during air travel, to bags upon bags of… Werther’s… Then, more practically, a pair of sunglasses for no reason in particular.
Happy Holidays to you, Señor!
I hear it isn’t so rare to keep these in your pockets to give out when the situation calls. A little thing to make you more popular with those around you!
- Elysium. ]
Happy Holidays to you, Señor!
I hear it isn’t so rare to keep these in your pockets to give out when the situation calls. A little thing to make you more popular with those around you!
- Elysium. ]
[ on christmas day, vergilius will find a small wrapped box at his doorstep! it's a fancy earring BECAUSE LY BEAT ME TO HIS OG GIFT AHHHHHHHH anyway.
Happy Holidays.
Least it's nothing like how we celebrate it in the City this time.
- Ishmael. ]
Happy Holidays.
Least it's nothing like how we celebrate it in the City this time.
- Ishmael. ]
Edited 2024-12-23 23:49 (UTC)
[Outside Vergilius's door on Christmas day is a neatly wrapped present containing a fancy-looking, leather-bound journal
Vergilius,
I was thinking back to our conversation earlier, and while I don't know if you got anything for yourself or you're just using the oculars or you decided not to go with my idea at all, I thought I'd get you a journal to try writing in just in case. Sometimes it's easier to give this kind of thing a try if you're not the one spending any money on it, right? But you don't need to feel obligated to use it either.
- Dante]
Vergilius,
I was thinking back to our conversation earlier, and while I don't know if you got anything for yourself or you're just using the oculars or you decided not to go with my idea at all, I thought I'd get you a journal to try writing in just in case. Sometimes it's easier to give this kind of thing a try if you're not the one spending any money on it, right? But you don't need to feel obligated to use it either.
- Dante]
[Another present shows up at some point during Christmas day.
Like someone else, the box contains a pair of black leather gloves and a handmade bracelet. The beads are black, grey, silver, and red along with a little sword charm.
"I hope they are a good fit otherwise let me know! Have a good holiday, okay?" - Rodya]
Like someone else, the box contains a pair of black leather gloves and a handmade bracelet. The beads are black, grey, silver, and red along with a little sword charm.
"I hope they are a good fit otherwise let me know! Have a good holiday, okay?" - Rodya]
( honestly, it would feel weird if he didn’t get anything for his "coworkers" at the agency.
the custom of gift-giving is deeply ingrained in izou, after all, and so he keeps an eye open in all his vintage thrifting.
that's why there's a little sectioned off area of the messy desk of their office with a couple hastily swaddled gifts. one of them is wrapped in the synthetic paper of an old magazine. "vergilius" is crossed out on the inside and then re-scribbled to correct the name in japanese, which is easily translated through their oculars. upon unwrapping, the receiver in question will discover a carved, silver lighter that's wearing its age well, having been washed and wiped down with a cloth.
he can't remember if vergilius smokes, and honestly doesn't care, not as long as it reminds izou of him. the way it winds and looks watery under the light.
worn, but knowing. )
the custom of gift-giving is deeply ingrained in izou, after all, and so he keeps an eye open in all his vintage thrifting.
that's why there's a little sectioned off area of the messy desk of their office with a couple hastily swaddled gifts. one of them is wrapped in the synthetic paper of an old magazine. "vergilius" is crossed out on the inside and then re-scribbled to correct the name in japanese, which is easily translated through their oculars. upon unwrapping, the receiver in question will discover a carved, silver lighter that's wearing its age well, having been washed and wiped down with a cloth.
he can't remember if vergilius smokes, and honestly doesn't care, not as long as it reminds izou of him. the way it winds and looks watery under the light.
worn, but knowing. )
[ A wrapped package can be found at Vergilius's door after the Christmas Party. Unwrapping it reveals a box of chocolate.
There is a message with the gift, written on a Christmas postcard. There's just her name and seasons greetings on it though. She's probably not sure what to tell him... ]
Vergilius,
Merry Christmas!
-- Ereshkigal, Goddess of Death and Queen of Kûr
There is a message with the gift, written on a Christmas postcard. There's just her name and seasons greetings on it though. She's probably not sure what to tell him... ]
Vergilius,
Merry Christmas!
-- Ereshkigal, Goddess of Death and Queen of Kûr
[Ohhhh this fucker.]
[He is actually going to shoot out a text after he gets this.]
a job? or you simply were generous out of the holiday spirit?
[He is actually going to shoot out a text after he gets this.]
a job? or you simply were generous out of the holiday spirit?
[ one of the
more complicated and hard presents to truly settle on, but! malkuth has done it. an invitation to an imagined dataverse that represents the way malkuth sees the world. everything is vibrant and warmly toned, even vergilius himself... think the visual lightness of bee and puppycat. soft colored lines, almost dreamy. a kind world for just-- well, it would've been just the two of them, but there's a small note on essentially the "qr code" he can scan with his implant that he's free to invite anyone or no one at all there. the world itself is also free to edit for him, though it starts basely with a small library and a garden outside.
in addition to this, a pair of black woolen gloves and a long, black and grey striped scarf knit with care and lightly perfumed with cinnamon. tucked inside the scarf is a simple letter, rounded letters dark with thought and indecision:
Mister Goose,
I'm glad I fell in love with you. A part of me always will be, too. I know that. But I hope you find more people that make you smile the way you do at me -- really, I mean it. That's the kind of happiness you deserve.
Always and forever yours,
Miss Duck
she
really hopes these gifts warm him, rather than wrack him with pain. ]
more complicated and hard presents to truly settle on, but! malkuth has done it. an invitation to an imagined dataverse that represents the way malkuth sees the world. everything is vibrant and warmly toned, even vergilius himself... think the visual lightness of bee and puppycat. soft colored lines, almost dreamy. a kind world for just-- well, it would've been just the two of them, but there's a small note on essentially the "qr code" he can scan with his implant that he's free to invite anyone or no one at all there. the world itself is also free to edit for him, though it starts basely with a small library and a garden outside.
in addition to this, a pair of black woolen gloves and a long, black and grey striped scarf knit with care and lightly perfumed with cinnamon. tucked inside the scarf is a simple letter, rounded letters dark with thought and indecision:
Mister Goose,
I'm glad I fell in love with you. A part of me always will be, too. I know that. But I hope you find more people that make you smile the way you do at me -- really, I mean it. That's the kind of happiness you deserve.
Always and forever yours,
Miss Duck
she
really hopes these gifts warm him, rather than wrack him with pain. ]
[ On Christmas morning, there will be an elegantly wrapped package waiting, along with a festive card. ]
Mr. Vergilius,
As the Christmas season graces us with its quiet beauty, I take this opportunity to extend to you my warmest wishes for a holiday filled with peace, joy, and the company of those you hold dear. May the New Year bring you health, happiness, and all manner of good fortune.
With kindest regards,
Sebastian Michaelis
[ Inside the package is an assortment of fine and extremely delicious baked goods--all made by Sebastian himself, naturally. ]
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tree-branch-gift-tag-2461102-227-2000-505444e1c67e4392b9ef5eb7b2b7c1ed.jpg){kind=link}
Mr. Vergilius,
As the Christmas season graces us with its quiet beauty, I take this opportunity to extend to you my warmest wishes for a holiday filled with peace, joy, and the company of those you hold dear. May the New Year bring you health, happiness, and all manner of good fortune.
With kindest regards,
Sebastian Michaelis
[ Inside the package is an assortment of fine and extremely delicious baked goods--all made by Sebastian himself, naturally. ]
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