synflux | TRAVEL LOG #1

TRAVEL LOG #1

TRAVEL LOG #1

CONTENT WARNINGS: potential mentions of drugs, suspected mind-control, alcohol, and gambling, gore.

▶ 001. A RUDE AWAKENING.

On the morning of the 15th, the Outsiders will hear an alarm sound in the early hours. No matter what you’re doing, the alarm will not stop sounding, and it’s because they’re playing directly into your oculars. If one is sleeping, they may even be roused by the spark of colors on their oculars dictating an emergency. After a few minutes of this, the following message will appear:

PLEASE REPORT TO THE DATAPORTAL AT THE TOKYO BRANCH AND BE PREPARED FOR DEPARTURE.

"Captain Yamakawa speaking. You’ve done a great job in testing the data portals. Now that we are able to travel, we were sent a call for help in another city due to lack of personnel and resources abroad. You will be looking for evidence of a new kaiju around the rendezvous point. It may be a difficult journey, so prepare yourself. SYNTHIA will still be online to help you make it to the city. Report to the POD CHAMBER where we have installed an international dataportal and prepare for transportation."

Following the success of the dataportal testing, the engineering department was able to fine tune its abilities and widen the reach of the portals. The portals can connect even abroad now!

Despite their best efforts, however, they cannot guarantee that the same symptoms won’t appear, and ask all Outsiders who are utilizing them to practice caution. Additionally, through all their testing, they found that people who hold hands or make contact with others as they pass through will be hit with less issues.

▶ 002. WELCOME TO LAS VEGAS.

When one passes through the data portal, they will see the refuge city of Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Similar to Neo Tokyo, it is also rich in life and known as the city that never sleeps. Incidentally, it is also famously noted as a place of endless vice. The city is built up around a strip of land of roughly 4.2 miles. A vast majority of the city was built up over the wreckage of the old, and some fixtures were simply made new with whatever was left preexisting. The Mojave Desert has expanded towards surrounding cities, though it will take a vehicle to get there in a timely manner.

The city has no shortage of hotels and with each hotel, a casino. While Outsiders here are on a mission, there’s no stating they couldn’t participate in the fun of Vegas while LILITH crew begin their investigation. While some hotels will be clearly abandoned or less traversed, there is no end to all card tables and slot machines, all asking for your KRYPTOS.

The hotel the Outsiders are slotted to stay over the course of the next few days is one where they built directly over the hotels of the old. While it offers a decent place to sleep, it’s not without a refurbished pirate themed bed, or the columns of what appears to have been from Caesars Palace. Is that a giant clown face staring at you in the room? Don’t worry about it. The hotel offers that this is the best place to depart into the desert from. For this mission, Outsiders may bunk up with whoever they would like, and each hotel provides two queen sized beds.

Excited to venture out into the city? Even under the threat of kaiju, the city doesn’t sleep. Outsiders may venture through the Las Vegas Strip and treat themselves to a fun night of drinking, gambling, shopping, partying and circle-style performances. The Grand Canal Shoppes, a Venetian-inspired high end mall, boasts a man-made canal with gondola rides for a fee, along with many retail outlets and restaurants. There are also numerous spas and carnival-style rides to enjoy. Las Vegas was once known as the ‘Marriage Capital of the World’, and in a world besieged by kaiju, the people don’t seem to think they have anything to lose. Outsiders may spot a few bride and grooms-to-be partying in the street.

(LILITH does not have a stance on whether or not Outsiders are permitted to get hitched as long as it does not affect their performance. )

▶ 003. TROUBLE BREWING.

It’s normal for fights to break out with so much alcohol being passed around, but something … isn’t quite right with some of the locals here. Outsiders who keep an eye open might notice people acting erratically, and not just from being intoxicated. There are people ready to pick a fight from just being looked at, people falling into despondent sadness and lethargy, people wandering mindlessly and people becoming distressed from seeing things that aren’t there. Ask the locals and they will tell you these cases seem to be popping up more often the past week.

The most concerning of all are the stories of people disappearing completely. One little girl will tell you she cried as she saw her mother mindlessly walk into the desert, as if called by a voice no one else can hear. There are many other accounts of this happening. In fact, all the people acting erratically seem to disappear within a few days …

Outsiders may interact with civilians who are acting erratic and aggressive, but asking questions they may receive answers that do not make sense, are perverse and inappropriate or may trigger aggression. Any Outsider to gets into a fight and is severely injured may report to a local hospital here and will find they are pretty packed with other civilians acting strange, hurting each other and themselves. Certainly, this was the main cause for concern that got LILITH's attention anyway.

▶ 004. FOUR FOR THE ROAD.

Within a day or two, the Outsiders will once again be called to action by a blaring notice in their implant.

YOUR VEHICLES ARE PREPARED. ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE CITY IMMEDIATELY.

When they gather at the location provided to them, they will find a fleet of armored campervans waiting for them. Each campervan comes equipped with beds, a kitchenette, and bathroom facilities, and will fit about 4 people. Within the campervans, they will find desert-appropriate attire designed to protect them from the scorching sun. These campervans also come with some basic artillery such as a mounted machine gun. There are also supplies in the form of water bottles and MRE ration packs.

Those who have driven large vehicles in the past are encouraged to take the driver’s seat. If the group does not have any driving experience, they will be given a crash course on driving recorded by the man himself, Seok Dang. (He probably shouldn’t be doing this with the stunts he’s pulled, but the Commander does not have any time to be teaching anyone driving, and Seok Dang volunteered so eagerly…)

"Listen. If you’ve ever handled a ▄▄ before, the joystick is exactly like that. You gotta tug it, but not too hard. Gently, yeah, like that, that’s the path to ecstasy … "

If it eases anyone’s worries, the campervans are armored and highly shock resistant, so they should withstand a crash or two.

(Those who finish his course and successfully drive 100km while supervised will receive an international driving license.)

▶ 005. THE HUNT IS ON.

With everyone settled into their campervan, the large scale road trip begins. LILITH has a general idea of where the biggest energy signal is located for the rift and they will feed the coordinates to the Outsiders. The journey will take about a few days into (and around as LILITH is searching for both people & the source of the rift energy) the Mojave Desert, and Outsiders will be permitted occasional rest stops to give drivers a break and to investigate the terrain. The terrain itself is a harsh desert, with cacti and small local fauna abundant. (Those not wanting to eat ration packs can take this time to hunt the local fauna such as birds, lizards and desert foxes.) While there is nothing else around, observant Outsiders may notice signs of human life - footprints in the sand, a shoe or torn piece of clothing being left behind, and even the odd human carcass being torn apart by vultures.

The logical conclusion would be that those missing humans have been here, and the only thing left to do is find them … but Outsiders and civilians aren't all that lurk here, and time will tell what lies beneath the desert surface ...

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our very first travel log! Each campervan will accommodate anywhere between 3-5 people, with 4 being the ideal and 5 being a squeeze. Players are encouraged to connect with each other to fill up a van but the mods will not be enforcing it. If you need help finding roommates, there is a FIND A ROOMMATE header below that you can make use of.

If you'd like to test your gambling luck, we also have an IC SLOTS HEADER for you to comment to for you to see how well your character does at the slot machines. This is entirely for fun, and of course you are always welcome to have your characters winning or losing at the slot machines as much as you want in your prompts so long as they aren't winning jackpots.

Following this log, all characters who have purchased style upgrades will receive an update to their chip enabling them access to desert attire and popular styles within Las Vegas.

All tags on this log are worth 2 points.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

At least it's not actual bread...?

[ right?? it doesn't seem to be. ishmael even takes a look under the blankets to find white sheets that probably represent sunny side-up eggs or rice. or both?

well, beggars can't be choosers, ishmael collapses on one of the toast beds, resting her head on a butter-shaped pillow. ]

And there are worse rooms in this hotel. Trust me, you do not want to see most of them.

[ like the pizza room... ]

[ She's settling right in... But she's probably right, too, that they could have fared much worse than these bread-like beds. ]

I just... Don't understand why everything in this place is so... much.

[ It's easy enough, from the incredibly resigned way that Fern slowly takes a seat on the edge of her own bed, to tell that she means "this place" in general, as a whole, rather than this hotel or even Las Vegas specifically. Even the most luxurious places she's been to at home feels much simpler compared to all of this. (Or maybe it's not - it's just different.) ]

I don't know how I'm supposed to get accustomed to any of this...

You're new here, right?

[ she sits back up on the bed, crossing her legs together. ]

Well, I've been here for almost six months now. You'll honestly get the hang of it if you put in the effort. [ ish lived in a world similar to this one, so it was easy for her, but... ]

What kind of world did you come from, anyway?

[ If she puts in the effort... If nothing else, Fern can be a hard worker, but in the moment, this feels like too much. ]

The world I come from couldn't be more different. It's a relatively peaceful place. We don't have "technology"... Even the air feels different here.

[ So... She'll have to put in a lot of effort, then. ]

The only thing this place and my world have in common is that there are monsters.

[ a peaceful place... she must be one of the lucky ones, then. most of the people ishmael's met and talked to so far came from worlds that are far from mundane. ]

If your world has monsters, then you have to fight them off, right? It's the same principle here, only we have to fight as a group.

[ and also to save the world and all that. ishmael couldn't care less about that part, though. ]

[ Truly, she'd met someone who told her that here was better than their home, which put things into perspective for Fern.

With her hands balling into fists on her lap, Fern's lips press into a thin line as she nods. ]

I know that when the time comes to fight, that I'll be able to help. My training will not fail me there. It's just...

[ All the other stuff in between she's having trouble with. The day-to-day. Interacting with so many different kinds of people. The surroundings. ]

...Everything else. I'll have to work hard, like you said. [ A beat. ] Was your world more like this one, Miss Ishmael?

[ it must be really hair for most fish out of the water, huh. ishmael can only offer a shrug. ]

Yes, though there are differences here and there. This world is... much too kinder compared to where I'm from.

[ and frankly, the kaiju they fought here so far are nothing too dangerous compared to the abnormalities and distortions ishmael and the others had to face on a regular basis. the City is just built different that way.

but enough about that, she turns her attention completely on fern, leaning slightly forward in interest. ]

But enough about me. What can you do once a monster pops up?

I see...

[ She does not see. Miss Ishmael's world is kinder than this one, too...? The world where they were forcibly altered and simply have to accept that...?? Perhaps Fern really is an outlier, in so many ways. ]

...I can cast magic. I have both attack and defense magic. I can also use flight magic... I work best when there are front liners to keep the enemies distracted.

[ Though for all that she's talked about feeling out of place, she does speak as if she's rather used to fighting monsters at least. ]

[ actually no, it's worse. much, much worse. but cyberpunk worlds are more or less the same, so ishmael would understand why other people who came from less technologically-advanced worlds would have a harder time adapting.

that said, there is one thing people like fern have over mere people like her. ]

See? You'll be fine. I don't know magic myself, so you're already a step above me.

[ my english failed me bc i definitely meant that her world was worse but WE ROLL with my sins in the metatext.

Fern is quick to shake her head. ]

I don't see it that way, Miss Ishmael. Magic is only one way to defeat monsters. Even where I'm from, there are other ways to defeat them, and one way is not necessarily better or a "step above" the other. It's... better, to work together instead.

[ ... ]

What has it been like, fighting the monsters here?

[ IT'S OK WE'VE BEEN THERE i gotchu

and so does ishy here. she does raise a brow at that suggestion, but is otherwise willing to hear fern out. handling abnormalities sometimes require peaceful negotiation in mirror dungeons, after all. though at that question, she lets out a thoughtful hum, closing her eyes as she flashes back to the kaiju they had encountered for the past six-ish months. ]

It's... harrowing. But it depends on how long you've been fighting them. In my case, it's certainly not my first time having to fend them off. All in all, it's a group effort since these kaiju would bring along plenty of its offspring as an army of sorts.

[ a pause as she thinks more on this - ]

Oh, and you get paid handsomely once you take it down. That's enough incentive for those who are often down on their luck.

[ Ah... It is a bit concerning to hear about the kaiju bringing along offspring. Often, when she and Mistress Frieren fight monsters, they tend to act alone or in small groups. But a whole... family? ]

So they're large-scale battles requiring the cooperation of all of us Outsiders.

[ That's very good to know, she thinks. She'd already been put to the test dealing with the Yama-Kujira in Kyoto when she first arrived, but she'll take care not to get overly confident.

The talk of money, though... She's not really a materialistic girl, but there is an unmistakable relief at hearing about their pay. ]

I... see. It would be nice to feel a bit more stable financially and start saving, here... [ she's so responsible... ] Which reminds me - what do you think of the job they assigned you, Miss Ishmael?

[ better be financially secure while young!! and fern does look her own age (hopefully), so hopefully she won't have any problem with money when she grows up. at least that's what ishmael thinks as a former salarywoman.

and speaking of former jobs, ishmael scratches sheepishly at her chin. ahaha, about that... ]

They assigned me as a sailor initially. Which wasn't a problem, since that used to be my job where I'm from. But since the ocean at Neo Tokyo is a little... desolate, I had to go fund another job.

[ she pushes herself backwards until her back hits the headboard with a sigh. ]

I'm still jobhunting to this day. Can't seem to decide what I really wanna do, so don't be like me if you already have something in mind.

[ She does tip her head to one side curiously at that answer, because - yes, she hadn't even realized that there was any, uh, marine activity going on in the city, though she's not explored it thoroughly. It's easy to imagine, at least, that it must be as desolate as Miss Ishmael says.

Fern gives her a knowing look in return. She... can understand that feeling of not really knowing what to do. ]

I... can't say that I do, really. They gave me the role of someone who assists in a home for elderly people... perhaps they thought it would suit me because of my relationship with my teacher.

[ She can't help but laugh, fondly but ruefully, too. ]

It certainly is a bit different from taking care of Mistress Frieren, however. There are all these machines that I don't understand... And even the elderly here have more of an understanding of technology than I do. I'm the one who feels old-fashioned, at the end of the day...

[ shaking her head... ]

Have you explored a few options, then, Miss Ishmael?

[ hmmm. she's beginning to have an idea of the world fern came from, if the elderly knew more than her. ishmael would've felt even more lost if she were isekai'd into another world with less tech than what the City offers, so she gets fern's plight to an extent. ]

If anything, some of the elderly might be thrilled at getting to touch somebody how so-and-so works. Makes them feel useful. The technology here makes life easier, so now you can focus your magic into blasting down monsters.

[ or something. but as for fern's other question, she heaves out a bigger sigh for this one. ]

Mostly food service. I was often the waitress in some of them. Right now I'm one of the maids of this maid cafe where I have to put on an act on top of serving food to my masters.

[ not to mention posing for pictures and provide all sorts of fanservice... brr. ]

It's really not a big deal at the end of the day. It keeps me busy, so I can't complain.

[ She has a point - her magic seems to require more of her mana here, so perhaps she really ought to learn about technology to make her life easier where she might have used magic instead... Any agreement, however, is swiftly swept aside by what Ishmael says next because. What. ]

Maid cafe...? Such places exist, here? And people who actually go there?

[ she doesn't like that one bit!! ]

Aren't there other restaurants you can work at?

You'd be surprised at how much people like maids in this world. I don't get it either.

[ the less fern knows about otaku fetishes the better. ]

I once worked at this place that served soup dumplings and beef noodles. It was all right. If you haven't had any of those yet, we could go get some. Let me check their room service for a sec...

[ there's a holographic tv, which ishmael fiddles with after a few tries. from here, they can flick through various menus available - including a large bread basket special............ ]

Soup dumplings and beef noodles... those do sound quite good...

[ Politely, and because she's still not used to tech, Fern sits back and lets Ishmael handle perusing through the room service menu—

But the moment that bread basket shows up, Fern suddenly rises to her feet and points at the screen with more enthusiasm than she's shown thus far. ]

There—! The bread basket. Is that something we're able to get, Miss Ishmael..!?

Huh? You mean --

[ she flips back to the bread basket that's offering a small sampling of an entire smorgasbord of breads available -- from banana bread to bagels to croissants to four different loaves of bread to brioches to anything else my teeny mind can't remember right now, they have it all. ]

Yeah, I should be able to afford this.

[ she stares at fern. she's... rather excited for bread, isn't she... ]

You... want me to get it?

[ Banana bread and croissants!? Oh, be still her breading heart. She's nodding so fast! ]

Yes, please! I will pay for my share of it properly, Miss Ishmael!

N-No, that's fine. You're new here, so you might not have the cash for it...

[ although, since when did she herself become this nice to newcomers anyway? fern sure is lucky she caught ish in the middle of slowburn chara dev. ]

Besides, I became curious too. But I guess you can contribute by making us some tea...?

[ the hotel room offers tea and instant coffee so fern should be able to do that much..... ]

Then I'll pay my share when I'm able to, I promise.

[ She's responsible with her money!! She'll even pay it back with interest if Ishmael wants. ]

I'll get the tea started! A black tea should go well with bread...

[ Luckily, electric kettles are one of the few technological marvels of this age that Fern has figured out, thanks to fiddling around with one back at the cafeteria on base. She crosses the room to where the mini-fridge and everything is, and gets to work. ]

[ GIRL IT'S FINE don't worry about it... this one's on her.......

for now though, they play the waiting game. fortunately it doesn't take long for the doorbell to ring, and ishmael retrieves the bread basket full of goodies and plops it right onto the table with a thud.

oh wow, there's even some steam coming off of it too. it also comes with butter, sugar, and small selection of jams and jellies. ]

You know... [ she takes a bit of a step back. ] There's something about eating bread on top of a bread bed. Can't put a word on it.

Edited 2024-06-05 08:19 (UTC)

[ They play the waiting game for the promised breadbasket and for the water to start heating up for tea, too. By the time their food arrives, Fern has two mugs of earl grey tea steeping for them, and she’s waiting dutifully in an armchair (which, yes, also looks like bread) while swinging her feet a little…

Needless to say, she’s quite delighted when it finally comes time to eat bread!! Miss Ishmael truly is so kind and welcoming, Fern’s so glad she arrived in the middle of the slowburn chara dev. ]

Ah… Being able to have warm bread really is wonderful.

[ She’s going to pluck a nice flaky croissant, and some mixed berry jam as her first course before sitting in the bread chair again. Which, to what Ish says: ]

You’re right, though. Eating bread in a bread-themed room is a bit… ridiculous, isn’t it?

[ But, look… Fern is actually smiling a little bit… ]

[ oh yay, earl grey tea. ishmael wasn't the type to have tea at all until wriothesley introduced them to her, so she's thrilled to have some that isn't with that guy for once :/ (jk)

she is going to help herself to a brioche and some butter while she's at it. mmm. ]

It is. But you know, we might be luckier than most people who had gotten weirder rooms. We're just going to crave bread for a while.

[ and you know what, she can't complain. fern's bashful smile has also helped her mood. there may be other things she should be worried about like the neurotic woman that she is, but for now... bread time 😊🍞🥐🥖 ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TRAVEL LOG #1

▶ 001. A RUDE AWAKENING.

▶ 002. WELCOME TO LAS VEGAS.

▶ 003. TROUBLE BREWING.

▶ 004. FOUR FOR THE ROAD.

▶ 005. THE HUNT IS ON.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

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