PRE-FIGHT EVENT #1

[synfluxmods]

PRE-FIGHT EVENT #1

CONTENT WARNINGS: natural disaster, PTSD, mind-control, psychological trauma, violence, delirium from heat, temporary blindness, hallucinations, dead bodies.

▶ 001. STORM CHASERS.

After weeks of searching for clues on the kaiju and missing people, the desert landscape begins to blend together. Didn’t you pass that cactus earlier today? That rock formation looks exactly like the one you passed the other day. It’s natural to loop back around when conducting a search but doesn’t it feel like everyone has been going in circles more frequently?

The heat isn’t helping either. Temperatures start to rise and continue to rise to all time highs. The sun is unrelenting and the only reliable shelter they have are their campers. Prolonged exposure outside will result in heat exhaustion, dehydration, and delirium.

Warnings will be sent to the Outsiders via their implants to keep them up to date with the weather as well as providing health tips such as reminders to stay hydrated or seek shelter during the hottest parts of the day. They will also receive warnings for sand storms and tornadoes called dust devils. The storms start of short and relatively weak but gradually begin to last longer and become more powerful. Pretty soon, Outsiders will not be able to see ahead from the dense sand and wind.

Outsiders will be told to chase after the storms and if they progress far enough, they will begin to find traces of people. They will find random belongings, articles of clothing, and occasionally, human remains in varying states of decomposition. Eventually, however, they will start to find survivors suffering from extreme fatigue and dehydration. They speak incoherently to themselves and as soon as they regain their strength, they try to run into storms while calling out to things that people can’t see.

Outsiders can wait for emergency caravans to arrive from Vegas to take survivors back to the city or they can take back the survivors themselves and use the opportunity to restock on supplies.

▶ 002. THE STORM CALLS.

The sandstorms increase and grow stronger until eventually, they last entire days. The sands shift, the grounds shake, and something thunderous can be heard in the dust. It becomes harder to see out in the desert and it’s almost like the storms are trying to hide something. At the edge of a storm, sharp eyed Outsiders may catch sight of a great shadowy serpent in the heart of the storm. Messages to their implants will urge them to get closer and investigate but be careful.

The storm grows stronger as they approach and the camper vans may slow down or get stuck in the shifting sands forcing some of them to proceed on foot to make visuals. Eventually, they will get close enough to finally establish clear visuals on their target: A giant sand worm. It’s size is not immediately clear due to the poor visibility and it being partially underground. However, the worm also sees them and when it does, it glows. The light catches on and reflects against the sand particles and that’s when it hits some of the Outsiders: A sudden splitting headache followed by an inability to look away.

Some outsiders may suddenly find themselves entranced by the worm; hypnotized. They will begin to see mirages and hear voices calling out to them in the storm. Captivated Outsiders will find themselves wanting to run into the storm to chase after the phantoms, some of them images and figures of people from their past and present back home. If anyone attempts to stop them, they will become irrational, violent, and turn on their friends and allies. Some Outsiders may begin to view their allies as enemies and attack, turning on one another in a gruesome frenzy. Some of the hypnotic beams will effect those still in their campers, turning on their friends and other Outsiders.

Outsiders will have to restrain each other to keep them from running into the desert or harming each other. In the chaos, the worm disappears into the storm. The psychic effects of the monster will weaken after the worm disappears and the storm dies down but it may leave some characters feeling overwhelmed and confused in the aftermath. Some will remain in an erratic state for several days, occasionally acting normal. In the insanity of all of this, Outsiders may have picked up another Outsider into their camper van for their protection or camper parties remain shuffled. It's up to the ones unaffected by the psychic attacks to watch over the others while retreating from the desert.

▶ 003. CITY OF DREAMS.

Following the disaster of the first sighting, LILITH will order characters to return to Vegas so they can assess what happened. En route to Vegas, some Outsiders may notice some side effects from the prolonged exposure to the sandstorm. They may experience shortness of breath and coughing as a result of breathing in so much dust. Furthermore, they may experience a splitting headache or pain behind their eyes. Their implants may lag, glitch, or go completely offline which will render them temporarily blind in one or both eyes. It seems that the fine sand and dust combined with whatever psychic damage the worm did may have messed with their implants and crossed some sensors which is all the more reason to return to Vegas for treatment.

Outsiders may become lethargic and experience vivid daydreams while they are awake or regular dreams while sleeping. In these dreams, they may relive memories. Some of these memories may be pleasant but others may be traumatic or things characters would rather keep secret. Unfortunately, being in close proximity to someone suffering from these effects will force a link through a glitch in their implants and drag other characters into the dream.

These links will function similarly to how simulation training works. The dreams they visit appear to be very realistic and characters can experience pain and be hurt within the memory. They will be able to interact with the memories. While in these memories, they can try to wake up the memory holder to bring them back to reality. Who knows, maybe helping each other understand what is real and a dream may even make them more resilient to the worm’s attacks the next time they go into the desert...

▶ 004. REST & RECOVERY

As characters recover from the psychic effects and implant glitches, LILITH will try to assess everyone’s biometrics to understand what happened. Characters who need therapy or counseling after reliving some horrible memories of theirs will be provided sessions via their implants. They now understand that the worm has some sort of psychic mind control power that it can use on victims. It is currently too dangerous to go back into the desert until they can come up with a proper defense against it.

Outsiders will be ordered to stay in Vegas and focus on recovery, given two queen side bed hotel rooms again OR if they would prefer to stay in the camper vans, that is also fine, with their same room mates or new ones. They are confident that they can fix the implants with the right upgrade but they aren’t sure what to do to stop people from following the call of the desert and making them act erratically. What is important is that LILITH sticks together.

In the meantime, those who have recovered, and even those who are experiencing these issues are ordered to remain close to one another; a buddy system of sorts. Each Outsider will be given designated groups to keep tight watch over one another while in Vegas. They will be responsible for physically checking on those in their groups and making sure one another’s whereabouts are properly tracked in order to avoid losing anyone to the desert.

LILITH encourages Outsiders to hang tight and wait for instructions before adventuring back out into the desert.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

In light of the results of the scheduling poll, here is our first event with a preview of the kaiju. All side effects from either the sandstorms or the worm kaiju can last for as short or as long as players would like.

For the daydreams/memory share, players can decide how they would like characters to experience the memories, whether it plays out in front of them like a movie or if they're reliving it by acting out the scene all over again or a mix of both. We encourage you guys to have fun with it and use whatever format feels most comfortable.

As always, feel free to leave questions under the QUESTIONS thread. All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards June AC.

EVENT BREAKDOWN (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. STORM CHASERS: Outsiders, still in the now expanded Mojave Desert, face problems with heat and sandstorms, resulting in dehydration and delirium. Still, LILITH encourages them to press onward in their camper vans and desert approved attire. Many dead bodies are found, but those that survive, Outsiders can keep an eye on survivors until emergency care can come pick them up.

2. STORM CALLS: A glimpse of the creature causing the problems is seen beneath the sands surface: a giant sandworm. It attacks LILITH recruits with psychological damage, causing Outsiders to hallucinate memories of their past, act erratic and violent and turn on LILITH crew. Outsiders are tasked to wrangle in one another and retreat back to Las Vegas to recover.

3. CITY OF DREAMS: Seeking refuge back in Las Vegas, character's implants go haywire from the psychic attacks, causing a memory share between characters that are close enough to one another.

4. REST & RECOVERY: Outsiders are placed in hotels again, or if they prefer to stay in the camper vans. They are tasked to keep an eye out on one another and sit tight for further instructions while LILITH assesses their data and next move to wrangle in the sandworm. Outsiders are to wait until given instructions.

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Comments

[blastedass]

[Katsuki rests his arm over Yuji's after the other boy gets comfortable snuggled up beside him. He turns his head to face Yuji, resting with him as he leans in and shares his warmth. Yuji's one of the few people with a blanket permission to invade Katsuki's space and not get blown up for it. Though he's usually not big on getting touchy feely, there's an intimate comfort in it he can't deny, especially in situations like these, when touch is a reassurance as well as solace.

A small respite from the desert's attacks. No more sand, no more heat, no more strange voices or splitting headaches, the ghosts of people they care about swirling in the dunes as a trap. Yuji's a calming pool amid all of it. Tranquil and pleasant. Some people might wonder why Katsuki's found himself so close to someone as outgoing and active like Yuji, someone who would obviously annoy the hell out of him for being so clingy and frustrating... Those people are idiots and he doesn't need to answer them as he settles beside his friend. Yuji's strength and kindness are reliefs he can rest in. Someone he trusts to take care of him and vice versa. That kind of connection is rare in his life, and he'll defend it jealously.

Yuji can look at the ceiling; Katsuki's content to look at Yuji. Taking in the uniqueness that makes Yuji Yuji.]

I know. I don't wanna see it all. [It could be something really awkward instead of sorrowful. Like Yuji, there are moments Katsuki doesn't want the sorcerer to see. Younger times, when he was a vicious, abusive bully towards others. Facets of his past he accepts, but is not proud of anymore. Or the times he was kidnapped... Best left unsaid.] Aa.

[Still, between the two of them...]

But you can talk to me about anything you want.

[eyescar]

[ Yuji probably ought to think more about this, what his ease and comfort with Katsuki says when compared to the others, but that’s not the kind of person he is. To Yuji, this is something natural and simple, a comfort blanket in the midst of strange hopeless feelings and discomfort. Katsuki is solid and real, alive and breathing beside him, and for a boy who has lost so much it feels like the simplest thing in the world to cling to him.

He doesn’t ever want Katsuki to become a name on that list.

It takes him a little while to turn his head and get comfortable, closing his eyes and settling close, but it feels right. Safety together, with the knowledge he can text the other through the implant on his head when it’s not the dead of night any more. If he needed it, Choso would come and be at his side, Johei or Megumi too, but he doesn’t want to bother them, not with this. Right now, the only person his heart needs is right here with him.

Shaking his head, he wiggles his fingers absently. ]

I don’t want to talk about that anymore. None of the other memories either.

[ It’s not like he’s swimming in happy ones either way. It’ll just lead them down the road of more heartache and sadness to give into it. ]

I won you a prize, at the arcade. I forgot to bring it.

[blastedass]

[It's because that's not the kind of person Yuji is that makes it easier for Katsuki to accept this for what it is. Tactile, comfort, friendship, probably more than, but a blessing and gift all in one. There's no reason to look further than that for the time being. The natural, simple aspect of it is beautiful and he's content to rest with his friend whenever needed. Theirs is a unique relationship that's all their own, built on shared experiences and similar world events. It brings him comfort to be around Yuji and he's not about to let it go. Someone he's promised to never die on, to be there for, now, tomorrow, far into the future.

He'll never be on that list of names wetted by Yuji's tears.

Katsuki can't bring himself to close his eyes yet. After seeing Yuji die, seeing too many others fall in the war back home, the visceral fear of losing someone so important to him remains. A sliver in his heart scared that if he closes his eyes, Yuji won't be there when he opens them. So he makes himself blink, shattering that fright when the other boy is there upon sight again. As if it's that easy... but it helps.

He traces his fingertips over Yuji's claws, not fisting their hands together at the moment.]

Gonna tell me what it is?

[Shutting the door on that pain and sadness is good for both of them and Katsuki switches the topics easily. At least it's good to know Yuji won it at the arcade rather than the casino. ... wait, they don't give prizes at casinos.]

[eyescar]

And spoil the surprise?

[ It's easy to lie next to Katsuki and close his eyes, to feel safe. It's so rare that he's able to reach out and feel this close to someone, feel this safe with someone else beside him, but... The fact that he can have this with someone he believes isn't going to disappear on him makes him feel as if he can anchor himself, somehow. It gives him strength, hope for the future, hopes to be able to let himself find strength in that even if he can't drag himself out from the pit otherwise.

Cuddling into his friend, he sighs. ]

Gojo-sensei and I played for ages and won a bunch of things. He won me a tiger.

[ And Yuji had won Katsuki another one, a matching lion, because it matches his hair better. ]

Have you been doing anything in Las Vegas?

[blastedass]

Tch. Fine.

[Grumble. Not that he really means it. Despite everything that happened, he isn't left a bitter, snarling mess brooding in his room alone until he's finally over the issue. Yuji's here. Resting beside him, a light in the darkness that he can walk towards without feeling like it's going to blaze open all his secrets and vulnerabilities, but also one he feels safe in showing some of those insecurities and weaknesses. A comforting warmth he can rely on for strength and support, without feeling diminished or insulted for it. A friend he trusts and views as an equal without his infamous pride getting in the way and hurting his feelings.

As Yuji curls up beside him, Katsuki rests his arm around his shoulders, tucking in a little bit to him as well.]

Doesn't he cheat at those things? [Someone as strong and skilled as Gojo doesn't seem like an arcade game would match him. Is it cheating to be too good at a competition? Hm... well this is the boy that claimed "FREESTYLE!" in a swimming contest after using his explosions to completely skip the pool.] Yeah. I did the casino once, went bowling and shopping with Raidou, beat the shit out of some idiot thugs, hit a few restaurants.

[Learned the difference between dry heat and humid heat and dislikes the former...]

[eyescar]

I think his Six Eyes makes it easier for him, but it must take some kind of skill to keep winning, doesn't it?

[ Yuji lets himself close his eyes, not quite nuzzling into Katsuki but allowing himself to sink into the solid warmth of his body. It's safe here, and he can let those shields down, let himself breathe, let himself thrive despite the horrors they've been witnessing. It's alright to be sad, it's okay to feel a little broken, especially if he can push himself back together again.

Katsuki will be there either way.

Humming softly, he nods. ]

I want to go and check out the food again later. Hanging out in the camper vans was nice, but I want to experience as much as I can before we have to go back.

[ Not that he dislikes Tokyo or anything, but this is a fun experience. ]

Do you think they'll take us to more countries now too?

[blastedass]

If you're smart enough or fast enough to pick up patterns, it's not hard to win at arcade games.

[Reaction speed can completely trump any range of difficulty a game tries to throw at you. Like All Might playing Whack a Mole; no one's gonna beat him. Katsuki keeps Yuji close, taking solace in his presence and warmth as they settle in together like this. He's always wanted to be a perfect hero everyone will look at and admire, never willing to let people see beneath that image. The demanding expectations he puts on himself reflect that. But some rare moments with equally rare people let him be... not perfect. And he feels comfortable enough to do that around them.

Yuji's one of those people. Someone Katsuki feels okay seeing him hurt and imperfect. When he can rest around him without those weighty goals on his shoulders.]

Wanna go out to lunch tomorrow? [Might as well make plans now.] Tch, those vans were cramped with six people in them. [Four seemed the appropriate number after that experience.]

Probably. One of the training simulations was in France. [But while Katsuki thinks they can help Neo Tokyo, Kyoto, other places in Japan, spreading the Outsiders throughout the world? ... There are too few of them to do that.]

[eyescar]

Well...

[ No wonder Yuji wasn't all that great at them. He's glad that Gojo-sensei was there to do his best and win them all cute plushies.

Yuji is tired, exhausted from the pressure of his own memories echoing through him, and he's trying to figure out how to let his barriers down, his shields down, to let himself relax and find some means of relaxing. It's hard, being forced to relive them all in the space of a handful of hours, and his heart is hurting, his head is filled with an aching pain he doesn't want to keep experiencing through, but at least he's here. He and Katsuki can take care of one another.

They'll have one another, no matter what.

Humming softly, he nods. ]

I was still sharing with aniki, so that was fine... But I'd like to do lunch. That would be fun.

[ Nodding, he fights a yawn. ]

I... Kinda miss home.

[blastedass]

You're fast enough to trash the reaction ones.

[That's just timing and movement, things Yuji has in spades even without going into intelligence. If not... that's something Katsuki's going to want to train with him on. He'll figure out some kind of structure lesson to make it work.

There are many memories he relives more commonly than others, but not this visceral immersion, and certainly not with others staring at them with him. It bares pieces of his heart and soul he doesn't want other people seeing, though some of them he trusts enough to swallow the frustration and accept it. Right now, it's best to push the events aside and focus on simply being here with Yuji, doing something not memory-related with him. Being in contact with him has always made Katsuki feel better.

That little hum and comment about Choso earns a small "hn" from the blonde as he messes with a tiny knot in Yuji's hair.]

There's a hotpot place I wanna try. [He notices the yawn and stifles the contagious return. Dork.] No shit. This place already wore out its welcome.

[Though for Katsuki, "home" will always mean his own world. He refuses to apply the term to anywhere in this one.]

[eyescar]

I'll try those next time! It does feel unfair now that you've said it, though.

[ So it's fine when Gojo-sensei does it, but not when he does...

Yuji knows what he's good at, he knows what skills he has, but he just wants to have fun. With everything that's going on, the idea of burying himself in his awkward pain and grief is a difficult thing to measure against, as if there's some kind of balance or scale. How much sadness can he feel inside of him before it tips over, and he falls into that pit of grief again?

Trying to process it all is too hard.

Nodding, he tilts his head into Katsuki's touch, sighing softly. ]

I'll take you to hotpot, as an apology... Or just because I want to spend more time with you.

[ He smiles a little, nudging him gently. ]

Las Vegas isn't as cool as we thought.

[blastedass]

Don't give Gojo a fucking pass and then say it's unfair for you, dammit!

[Yep, totally calling him out on that!

Katsuki can't answer those internal questions for Yuji, though he's of the mindset wallowing in your pain and grief for longer than it's due won't help anyone, himself included. He's beaten himself up several times for shitty mistakes, major blunders, and cried into his pillow with no one being the wiser for it. Yet even as things ate at him from the inside, he bitched at himself for letting it get that far. Lingering on it too long would drive anyone insane..

Katsuki's tried both ways, processing all of it in one hard swallow, and taking it one piece at a time. He can't suggest either option over the other. Right now, however, he just wants to hold onto Yuji and help the other boy feel better.

As Yuji leans into his touch, he relaxes against him, exhaling into the soft fluff of pink spikes.]

You don't have anything to apologize for. [Dammit, don't think like that, Gari Head!] Hmph, not gonna say no to time with you. [Unless he's really super grumpy or busy. But odds are, Yuji'd be able to punch through even that. Kind of like that little nudge right now.] It'd be cooler if it weren't fucked up by hypnotic worms and crazy people.

[And didn't feel like the world's biggest oven with buildings inside.]