[video]

[purrtagonist]

[the video starts of as nothing but static and white noise, a few seconds of black and white chaos that seems like nothing. but then a voice, distant at first, cuts through]

-- ing on? Helloooooo. . .

[a few moments later an image flickers into view along with the audio, although it's grainy and of poor quality. but everyone can see Akira front and center! he seems to be somewhere dark, judging by the poor lighting, and he's seated on the ground with a metal wall (???) behind him]

Oh, perfect. Stay that way for about five minutes? Cool, thanks.

[is he talking to his watch? anyway]

Remember that underground Connor-san was talking about a few days ago? Fooooound it.

[he gives a two-fingered salute as to emphasize his point]

If anyone wants to come tunnel camping with me, I'd appreciate it. It'll be fun. Probably? Probably. Bring food and water though; I haven't eaten or drank anything all day. Maybe also bring tools and explosives and other things that can break through thick metal walls?

[he angles the camera to show the wall against which is sits. it looks pretty sturdy, and it's clear what he's asking in so many words: please break me out of here]

That'd be pretty cool, too.

[somehow, he manages to sound so extremely blase about, um. being trapped in underground tunnels?? he pauses for a moment, as though thinking, before he perks up to speak again]

Oh, right. This place is huge. Probably about as big as the city itself. I wasn't able to wander too far in, but once we manage to break down the entrance, I think we should gather up a bunch of teams to come explore it. If we dive far enough, maybe we'll find something interesting.

[there's a pause as the video feed glitches out for a second or two, Akira's face replaced by more static, more white noise. but eventually he returns, brows furrowed as he flicks at his watch like he's trying to make the damn thing work]

Let me know if you need directions. You'll know you've found the place if you see two people-- [Ryuji and Ann, probably] -- standing outside a giant metal wall yelling at me for getting stuck.

[and that's when the feed cuts out entirely]

((a network post for this here! I don't plan on posting a tunnel exploration log, BUT once Akira's free you can totally handwave and/or thread out your characters exploring the tunnels and finding what's inside that post c: have fun everyone!))

Comments

voice

[oculusriffs]

[god dammit, Akira!!]

Yeah, okay — I'm gonna need directions on where to bring the exploding coffee beans.

You sure you're all right?

[purrtagonist]

[he's fine!!!]

[it actually takes a minute for his reply to come through, due to whatever watch-jamming forces are at play here, but. . .]

Make sure to bring the coffee maker, too.

[he focuses on the most important part of this]

[aka he's probably fine]

[oculusriffs]

[he'd be bellyaching, or even lecturing, a lot more if bailing friends out of jams weren't entirely his thing — and also, if he didn't put his friends before himself on literally everything.]

[but he'll take the joke as an answer to his question, and an invitation to continue, as he starts grabbing an random assortment of junk to drag underground with him.]

All right. Since I'm takin' orders, you want exploding fries with that or what?

video

[flyingsolos]

Akira?!

[ Well, it's been a while since Rion's sounded this alarmed. Probably not since El Minha, and while it's great that he's speaking very nonchalantly, she's definitely worried. ]

Are you okay?? I mean, did you get hurt? Nothing's broken? What the heck did you do?!

[purrtagonist]

[how can she be worried when he's so calm!! it's fine, Rion. it's fine!1]

I went on an adventure. . .?

[aha]

[flyingsolos]

Are you hurt.

[ answer that, you punk. ]

Voice

[teratias]

What were we talking about earlier on the topic of not doing stupid crap?

[purrtagonist]

Thanks for worrying about me, Waver.

[notably not. addressing that]

[teratias]

Answer the question.

video

[bowtiedbones]

You— What— I'm going to sharpie an eye on your face! On your face!!

[Eliza don't yell in the library, gosh]

[purrtagonist]

[ELIZA???]

Ah. . .

Sure.

[a beat]

Get me out of here, first.

[bowtiedbones]

Someone else will have to do that, I can't break down metal walls.

I'll bring some food for your lizard.

[that's just as good right]

voice;

[bleps]

You found it?

[That excitement upon a lead finally forming, finally shaping itself into something promising—

But pushed aside for the sake of:]

Wait, are you all right?

[purrtagonist]

[he doesn't recognize Connor by voice, since they only communicated over text so far. but context clues are enough!]

Yep and yep. It's cozy down here.

Kind of?

[bleps]

[It doesn’t seem to matter either way, because his reaction would’ve been the same regardless.]

I take it you mean “cozy” as being trapped. I would not normally qualify that as doing “all right”.

[Video]

[spaceforged]

[He raises one white eyebrow. Well, at least they're making headway.] Other than being underground in a tunnel and trapped...you are alright, aren't you?

I'll come to take a look at these tunnels, too. Once you're busted out.

[He frowns at the watch for a moment and adds.]

And talk to me about your watch. What's causing that static?

[purrtagonist]

I'm peachy. Damn it, peaches sound pretty good right now. . .

[. . . ANYWAY]

I think there's something down here interfering with Astoria's magic. It's not just the watch. I'm stuck here because I can't activate the power she gave me.

I could get in, but I can't get out.

[Video]

[tranquilforest]

[Akira why...]

I suppose I'll have to find out who is planning to join you as soon as I can then.

[So she can shove supplies at them, Akira, why would you do this...]

[purrtagonist]

[oh no. he hopes she isn't judging him]

There are a few people who said they're on their way.

[shhhheepish, as he rubs the back of his neck]

Really, it'll be fine once that wall's broken down. Trust me.

vidya

[bestaround]

Wha—if you can't get out, then how the hell did you get inside in the first place?

[purrtagonist]

Magic.

[not an untrue response!]

video

[sendinthecavalry]

[Hell yes, this is some progress!]

Alright, gimme like...ten minutes. And some coordinates, those would be good too. We got some exploring to do.

[purrtagonist]

[oh, perfect. Akira's mouth twitches into a tiny little grin, before he lists out the alleyway location. handwave handwave!]

Bring food, water and a flashlight. You'll need it; trust me.

( video ) slams into this late.

[unpatriarchal]

You're an adventurous lot.

[ curiously. ]

What do you believe you'll find down there, if you are successful?

[purrtagonist]

You say that like it's a bad thing.

[Akira replies as he adjusts his glasses]

I'm not sure, but someone named Connor mentioned there used to be a civilization of androids living underground. If we find anything. . . it'll be that.