[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

[sendinthecavalry]

Hey You're the one that said the gray stuff. I'll have you know that some of us appreciate the delicacies and intricacies of spices.

[Really, the food here does suck, that they can agree on.]

[purrtagonist]

[it is the WORST THING ABOUT STRUXTA, truly]

That's because we have taste buds.

[sendinthecavalry]

Or sensors. Same difference. Point is, yeah, the gray stuff sucks. But it's what you asked for so gray stuff it is.

[Truly, this is what Suffering is.]

[purrtagonist]

Are you implying that something other than the gray stuff is even available?

[sendinthecavalry]

I mean, we can hope, can't we? You'd think that there would be something. Maybe we just have to shake down one of the locals and get them to spill.

[purrtagonist]

I haven't found anything.

[:(]

[sendinthecavalry]

Like I said, we just need to mug one of our hosts. I'm sure we can come up with a creative way to convince them to spill the beans on the exact local of some tasty grub.

[What a great idea, Cayde.]

[purrtagonist]

[a soft snort]

Who who, exactly, is our "host?" As far as I can tell, this place doesn't really have any political leaders.

[sendinthecavalry]

I dunno, any of 'em I guess. At least one of them must know something. Maybe one of the ones that serves the gray stuff? C'mon, they have to be holding out.

[purrtagonist]

Hm.

I think if that's the case, we'd have better luck raiding the kitchen ourselves.

[heist mission target: kitchen food that isn't gray stuff]

[sendinthecavalry]

That could work too. Let's pencil it in, 'raid kitchens' right after we figure out what's in the catacombs.

[He is dead serious about this okay.]

[purrtagonist]

[HONESTLY, AKIRA IS, TOO]

Consider it added to my personal calendar. In ink, so I don't forget.

[sendinthecavalry]

[PRIORITIES, OKAY]

With how deadly serious this is, better add it in permanent marker. Either way, lemme swing on down to the catacombs and then we'll see if we can bust out something better than this gray glop.

[purrtagonist]

What's the phrase? You're a gentleman and a scholar.

[is Akira's bland response, but there's amusement hanging onto the edges of his tone]

Make sure you check out the real estate while you're down here, too. Who knows? Maybe you'll want to move.

oh my god i just noticed the html fail i am so sorry

[sendinthecavalry]

Hush now, don't let anyone hear you say that. I have a reputation to keep, after all. [Right back at you, Akira. Its always good to find someone who can give as good as they get.]

Ehh, dark and damp holes in the ground aren't necessarily my place but you know what? I've got an open mind. I'll be down in ten.

it happens to all of us!!

[purrtagonist]

Your secret is safe with me.

[holds up a hand and places it over his heart. see, sincerity!!]