TRAVEL LOG #3

[synfluxmods]

TRAVEL LOG #3

CONTENT WARNINGS: cult-like symbols and implications, abduction.

▶ 001. TARGU MURES AIRPORT.

In the early morning of the 1st, Outsiders will receive a message in their oculars.

"Oh, seriously? You’re putting this on my plate now when I have so much to do? Tch … Outsiders currently caring for Imugi eggs, bring them to the medical bay. I’ll take over for now. Captain Yamakawa needs everyone to report to the hangar right away. There’s been a distress call from a distant land and we’re noticing some strange readings. We need you to go investigate this.

…Put some catnip on my plate, Alex. It’ll be a long night."

True enough, a SPECIAL ALERT will blare through the implants shortly after, asking those who would be willing to help with a distress call to head to the hangar. The reward will be an additional bonus pay, as this seems to be different from detecting a kaiju. There, they will see a familiar sight: the LILITH SKY CRUISER, a spacecraft capable of carrying 80 passengers. There is little time for seat assignments, so seating will be on a first come, first serve basis (hopefully you don’t get the middle seat!) and the flight will last about 10 hours. Just like any aircraft, Outsiders may stand up and walk around once the seatbelt signs turn off. There is inflight entertainment consisting of AI movies or virtual reality games (see TRAVEL LOG #2). Characters with inhuman features are required to wear their cloaking devices.

The plane will touch down at Targu Mures Airport, Transylvania, Romania, which appears to be abandoned and desolate. There isn’t a living soul to be found.

"Most of the country was destroyed decades ago, so there shouldn’t be anyone still living here. Yet, these readings ….. And we can’t ignore that call for help. We’ll need to investigate further. My Angels, go the rest of the way on foot..."

There isn’t a data portal in Romania, and there’s just no way to transport the number of cars needed for over 60 people via plane. Let’s hope you managed to get proper rest on the way here, because the hike will take about 5-6 hours through the dense forest, with the Captain feeding directions through the ocular based on where the kaiju readings are most pronounced.

All teams will be traveling together along a treacherous terrain which will include both harmful flora & fauna. Outsiders can expect to come across brown bears, wolves, European lynx, golden jackal & wild boars. Although the forest is dense, these animals are scarce to come by, but they can appear, especially when the hike takes place at dusk and into the night.

In this time of the year, hay fever is a common occurrence in these forests. Those sensitive to pollen may be sneezing and feeling fatigue through this hike. There will be steep hills, slippery ground and eerie sounds of the night to serenade the Outsiders. It doesn't help that the further they travel, the thicker a dark fog gathers around them, making the surroundings difficult to make out. Everyone will be provided with flashlights, but those with abilities to see in the dark or cast their own light will be encouraged to lead small groups. Everyone is going in the same general direction, but giving each other some space might be helpful. There will be no time to rest, no matter how tired Outsiders may be.

Just when it feels like they might need to trek through the forest forever—is that smoke coming from a fire up ahead?

▶ 002. BRAȘOV, TRANSYLVANIA.

Wander further through the bushes, and behold, it does appear to be smoke—but not from any natural fire. It’s coming from a chimney! The Outsiders will stumble upon the historic region of Brașov, known for its Gothic architecture and medieval towns. Romania has been classified as a desolate region for a very long time, and as far as LILITH is concerned, this city should be completely destroyed and abandoned. Yet, there is smoke coming from the chimneys, fresh laundry hanging on lines and the faint chatter of children playing. There are very clearly people living here, and this has LILITH completely dumbfounded.

"So it’s true … The resilience of humanity cannot be understated. I’ll need to report this to the Commander right away. My Angels, embark on the town. We need to find the source of this distress call and investigate these kaiju readings. I know we’ve had setbacks recently, but I’ve always had my faith in you."

One thing Outsiders will notice when they step into the town is how it appears to be lost in time. The date is still 2278 as far as anyone knows, but there’s no sign of any modern technology—no computers, telephones, or any sign of electricity or plumbing. Each and every house looks like it could have been plucked right out of the 1700s, and there even appear to be horse-drawn carriages parked along the pavements.

The townspeople themselves also look plucked out of time, with the women donning petticoats and aprons, and the men sporting waistcoats and riding boots. They welcome the Outsiders with warmth, delight, and over-the-top hospitality; more than happy to show the visitors around Brasov on their carriages. With how rarely they meet anyone from outside the village, the children are full of curiosity, following the Outsiders around and poking at their technology while bombarding them with questions, such as where did you come from? Do you know how to play any games? What do you like to eat?

Outsiders will be presented with food, clean clothing, and a room to stay at the village inns (2-3 people per room). They are free to roam and explore the village, where they will find taverns, fresh food markets, shops, inns, and a church dedicated to the village god.

One notable aspect of the town is the fact that they appear to have fresh, non-lab grown food. The vegetables taste fresher and are vibrant in color. The meat tastes much richer than it would back in Neo Tokyo. This is owed to the fact that the people of Brasov actually tend to their own farmlands, a lost practice in these times. Venture a little out of the city and you’ll find it: acres of farmland, growing wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, grapes and sunflowers. They even have livestock!

The people of Brasov are more than happy to answer questions about their town and way of living. Outsiders who go around gathering information from the villagers will learn the following:

• Why is the land so fertile? This is all owed to their benevolent village god, the Lord of the Forest. No one goes hungry because their god takes care of them. Observant Outsiders will see a common symbol plastered around town: a canine skull.
• There was a distress call. Is everyone okay? The townspeople would respond in confusion and assure the Outsiders that nothing is out of the ordinary. They have been living peacefully for centuries and it’s because their god protects them. They don’t seem to know anything about what’s going on outside their town and the word ‘kaiju’ is lost on them.
• Who is the Lord of the Forest? The townspeople will sing his praises, telling the Outsiders about how he has been providing for and protecting their town for many years.
• Where is the Lord of the Forest? He lives in the forest and mountains that surround the village. Sure enough, if the Outsiders look around, they will see they are completely surrounded by foggy forest and mountains as far as the eye can see.
• Can they go into the forest? The villagers will look worried. While the Lord of the Forest keeps them safe, the forest is still filled with dangerous creatures. Also, the thick fog and trees makes it easy to get lost. Only the most skilled hunters venture out to catch prey like deer and bears. Characters who venture into the woods will get turned around and lost but will eventually find their way back to the village, to which others will reply it is the lord's guidance that brought them back to safety.

Outsiders can do as they please. The villagers are very friendly and will try to accommodate them however possible. There seems to be very little crime in the town and the people look happy. LILITH has been quiet for some time now. Maybe this is a great opportunity to have a well-deserved break? How can you not when the people are so kind and the food looks and tastes so delicious? In fact, the longer that Outsiders stay here, the more some of them may begin to feel like they belong here.

▶ 003. BONFIRE FEAST.

On the night of the 7th, the villagers will knock on doors inviting everyone to a bonfire party! It’s just about time to harvest their crops so food is abundant. They can’t think of any better way to use it than to prepare a feast. The bonfire will be held in the council square. Tables and benches have been set up and an impressive spread of fresh food is laid out for everyone to enjoy. Outsiders can enjoy bread, cheese, fresh pork, stew, roasted chicken, seasonal vegetables and free flowing alcohol. There are live musicians on the scene as well, playing merry tunes on their instruments. Some of the villagers have even started dancing around the bonfire and they’re pulling people in to join them! At the center of the table, a canine skull is placed, and the villagers give thanks to their god before partaking in the food.

Nothing seems out of the ordinary … Full and content, everyone will feel tired and want to retire for the night. Characters that do not need to sleep will also feel tired.

Night passes, and daybreak comes. Outsiders might notice that their numbers have dwindled; certain people have gone missing and are nowhere to be found. There won’t be a trace of the captured Outsiders aside from their belongings that they may have left behind.

The villagers do not seem bothered and everything seems normal in the village. Asking the villagers about these disappearances will result in no answers—they claim to have no clue as to the missing Outsiders' whereabouts. It also won’t be possible to contact them, or even LILITH for that matter. It is almost like communications have been cut off completely and their implants receive weak reception.

Observant characters may notice that a heavy fog has descended upon the village overnight and though it gets better during the day, it never lets up.

Captured Outsiders are as followed:

Aventurine
Choso
Dan Heng
Denji
Ereshkigal
Hiyori Iki
Kabru
Kaga
Lucy/Kaede
Maki Zenin
Makima
Malkuth
Loop
Nanami Kento
Rover
Sampo Koski
Taryon Darrington
Wriothesley
Yzak Jule
Zagreus

▶ 004. THE CHOSEN (KIDNAPPEES ONLY).

A separate log for KIDNAPPEES ONLY can be found HERE.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our third travel log!

There are no assigned seats this time, so characters may sit wherever they choose. Inhuman-looking characters will need to wear their cloaking devices so as to not alarm the people of the town. A separate log has been prepared for kidnappees only. An additional prompt will go up for non-captured characters before the kaiju fight. The scheduling will depend on actions in the captive log. We will announce it on plurk.

All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards October AC.

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. TARGU MURES AIRPORT: There has been a distress signal. Characters caring for eggs must leave their eggs with Dr. Spim and report to the hangar to board their flight. The Outsiders will touch down in Targu Mures Airport, and will need to hike the rest of the way through the forest.

2. BRAȘOV, TRANSYLVANIA: Romania was thought to be a desolate country but one village seems to be thriving. The town of Brasov has historic, medieval architecture and the people seem plucked out of the 1700s. They are friendly, welcoming and curious, having never seen technology like what the Outsiders have. Outsiders are provided free lodgings, fresh clothing, food and water. The villagers raise their own livestock and grow their own food, which is unheard of in these times. They don't know anything about a distress call. All around the village, the symbol of a canine skull can be found. This is the Lord of the Forest, the god of this village whom the villagers worship.

3. BONFIRE FEAST: The villagers invite the Outsiders to a bonfire party where fresh food is abundant. After a night of merrymaking, they find that certain Outsiders have disappeared from their numbers and nobody seems to know what happened to them.

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Comments

[ignoreher]

[ it's eerily nice. dulls ones senses. she's not entirely convinced there's nothing here, but...

... at the same time, maybe LILITH just got the wrong coordinates. like last time. a bad lead. ]

As long as it keeps your hands off my bird, I'll do what I can. You're looking at a woman who's well-liked for her charm and go-getter nature even among strangers from different worlds! A little town like this is easy pickings.

[ she. at least can flaunt that much, after all this time. learned and accepted, even if her cheeks still warm in embarrassment. not entirely used to it but she's trying to be outwardly confident. ]

I'll sweet talk the shepherd boys and see if there's not a lamb they can send us on our way with. How about it?

[transmit]

You think I'm gauche enough to look at your birds like that? Please.

[ A huff of exasperated air blows his bangs out of his eyes. If he wasn't thinking about it before, he's obviously thinking about it now… Openly, he shudders. Not from the thought of massacring her ducks itself, but at the edge she'd shown when she'd bore her fangs in defense of her coworkers.

Kind of hot, not gonna lie. Not that it's a thought he's willing to entertain at any capacity, so off it goes. ]

Lamb, huh. Alright. What's your cost? I assume you'll want something upfront?

[ignoreher]

[ please she just got through telling izou she isn't his type ]

You're learning! Good boy.

[ hmm. she turns her head to look at him as she thinks, clucking at her feet. what would she like upfront...

... malkuth'll pour the rest of the feed in a semi-circle for the chickens to go at, stepping closer to elysium with a sly smile. picture of country girl innocence with her hands behind her back. ]

Let's see... I think what I want most from you, Ely, [ every step brings her closer, until she's more eye to eye than he'd probably like, ] might just be...

[ a pause, and then a small laugh. ]

A raincheck. I can't think of anything on the spot, so lemme get back to you on that. Okay?

[transmit]

You sure? You're doing a pretty good job of suggesting what it might be.

[ she is closer than he'd like her to be, but he isn't about to back down from her challenge, either. if proximity is what she wants to threaten him with… he's looping an arm around her waist, pulling her flush against his knees. leaning his head forward ever so slightly, it dips next to her ear—all alongside his voice, lowering a quiet octave. ]

Ambiguity's the worst. [ a small laugh of his own, breath close enough to tickle. he would know… ] Nah, forget it. I'll figure it out myself.

[ izou possibly seeing this from a distance like 'what the hell am i looking at' don't worry about it, king ]

[ignoreher]

[ izou is NOT believing her ass when she says they're just friends!!!!

it's too bad the closeness is nice in its own way, even if there's nothing serious about it. it doesn't stop the shiver down her spine or the grin she bites back, resisting the urge to thread her fingers through his hair and resting her hands on his legs instead. ]

Trust me, I'm not aching for someone's touch -- much less yours. [ girl ] I really will see what I can do as long as you promise to do me a favor in the future.

[transmit]

[ forget izou, absolutely no one's believing them at this rate

which is to say, once he's elicited the reaction he'd intended to, his hand drops as if bored. a show of being bored. just gonna plop his actual ass onto the fencing now, using the same hand to rest against its railing as he leans back briefly as if throwing back a laugh. they're still awfully close, and they still look awfully intimate—the smug expression he's taken on most definitely doesn't help, buuuuuuut…

who's looking? ]

That's the thing. [ a promise? in this economy? pfffft. ] I'm the one who'd prefer to pay upfront. Can't let unpaid favours hold me back now, can I?

[ he's taking one of the hands on his leg and bringing her fingers up to his mouth. for a fleeting moment—so brief it might not have even happened—her knuckles skim his lower lip. just as quickly—



—he's dropping that hand, too. ]

So, thanks but no thanks. I happen to be pretty popular around seniors myself. I'm sure they'll be willing to part with an animal or two if I put in the effort. I don't mind.

[ignoreher]

... Jeez, you're really doing your best not to have anything to do with me.

[ and yet he's still tugging at her hair, figuratively this time. malkuth straightens, resting on the post beside his seat as she rubs the phantom feeling from her hand. it isn't just her, she knows, which is why she follows up the amused comment with a more solemn one. ]

You shouldn't be scared of dying before you repay the favors others do for you, Elysium. There's always gonna be something holding you back, and... if you live what life you've got left like that, you'll end up having a different kind of regret.

[transmit]

You're the one who got close. [ ugh. ] It's not my heart that I'm worried about, you know.

[ He kicks his foot out, looks up to the sky. If she doesn't pull on his metaphorical pigtails, he won't tug on hers. It's that simple. Is it? ]

In which case, yeah, I would be scared of dying a premature death.

[ Arknights characters and supposedly getting threatened by Project Moon ladies… name a more iconic combo. ]

But just whose life are you projecting onto me now? Is it one of your past ones?

[ignoreher]

[ a soft huff. ]

Don't worry yourself over mine, either. I think I made it pretty clear the last time we talked you don't have a shot.

[ not as he is, anyway. but that's neither here nor there, and she clasps her hands in front of her with a wry smile. ]

You don't think my unsolicited advice can be genuine? I'm not projecting -- my first life had her regrets, but it wasn't out of caution. Just inaction. I think she knew words wouldn't have changed anything anyway. [ and... it would have been painful to say she liked him, only to be brushed off or ignored.

malkuth shakes her head. ] I'm just telling you off since there seems to be a handful of people who won't.

[transmit]

Did you now? For someone who protests so much, you sure react pretty favourably to the attention. It's the face, isn't it? [ neck still titled upward, a sidelong glance with the mischievous narrowing of his eyes. ] That makes you so weak.

[ smiling to himself, self-satisfied. he's back to facing forward. ]

It's funny that you think I don't already know. Maybe I haven't had the years and lives you've had to dwell on it, but living just this one has been enough for me. My life's already full of regrets, man! That's why now, I really am doing exactly what I want, even if those wants are something of contradictions.

[ girl needs to get in line when it comes to getting through his seven levels of compartmentalisation ]

You don't think I am?

[ignoreher]

[ people who know they're hot are soooooooooooo



she's not dignifying it with a comment. yes, the attention is nice. he's handsome and she's weak to physical contact. he plays into it well. but she does know there's nothing behind each gesture and tease, so in the end it's fun to see what might break that composure of his. even if she's got no poker face herself. ]

You're taking what you want and jetting, so not in my opinion. [ unkind words, but she doesn't say them accusingly. ] But it doesn't matter what I think as long as you're happy with it.

[ and that's that! ]

Why'd you ask me if I could get you a bird if you've got connections yourself? Lazybones.

[transmit]

[ that's that! truly. she'd be right about that. ]

… The less I have to talk to these villagers, the better. I just thought it was worth a shot, is all.

[ but then she'll catch him side questing just like the rest of them… as it goes. ]

Says the person who abandoned post. [ without turning to look at her, he's shoving at the side of her head with his palm. ] Aren't you the one shirking your work at the moment? And before you say anything, I'm currently a loafer. No one's expecting anything from me.

[ignoreher]

[ oh, he's getting his shoulder pushed back for that. fall for all she cares. ]

My job is to feed and keep an eye on these guys, so no. I'm multitasking. Talking to the town freeloader might as well be an act of charity.

[ not that the villagers seem to mind; they're guests, after all, in this cheerful little commune. are there even squabbles behind closed doors? or are elysium's and malkuth's jabs as close as it gets? ]

I bet you really are a grandma's favorite with how charming you can pretend to be. Avoiding their marriage offers?

[transmit]

[ oof, yeah. that's a full-on grimace, from the scrunch of his face to the chill running down his spine. he rebounds back from her shove only to grumble somewhat incomprehensibly under his breath; something about the outfit being a part of someone's attempts at making him a son-in-law, something about attending their next church session…

no thank you!!! ]

Like those shepherd boys wouldn't have offers of their own. I'm telling you now, it'll be more trouble than it's worth—especially any favor that comes from it.

[ignoreher]

[ it makes her laugh, loud and bright, before she settles again with a sigh, tucking some hair behind her ear. ]

Please, I might be charming, but I'm not that charming. Though I guess the fact I'm not from around here does probably add to what I've got... I won't get their hopes up, since we're supposed to be leaving once we're all done here.

[ as nice as it is here. it's probably suffocating for someone like elysium, or it would be eventually. ]

Ready to take flight?

[transmit]

[ … if it weren't for the village's fanaticism reminding him too much of the eponymous church of the deep, she might be surprised by how much he'd take to the village. but that's a bygone story for another time, another life. ]

Thinking about it.

[ incidentally, there's another reason for Elysium to snort—he taps her shoulder and gestures to the sky, where a hawk circles overhead. ]

Now that's a bird that needs your attention. Should probably do something about it before it makes a getaway with one of your charges, no?

[ignoreher]

[ malkuth gives the hawk a tired look, straightening as she pats her skirts clean. ]

Unfortunately. I've wondered if maybe letting it get close enough to take one might be worth the chance to down it completely, but even if then I'd have to disrupt the earth around me... and it'd cause one too many questions.

[ so, evidently, not her first dance with it as she places her hands on her hips, squinting upwards.

... well, whatever. he's probably distracted her too long anyway. a sigh, keeping her eyes on the foe above as she moves to be more in the middle of the flock. ]

Thanks for keeping me company. I don't really mind these chores or helping out, but they are nicer with a friend. I'll make sure the goats don't chew on your hair if you end up napping around the area.

[transmit]

[ … hmm… ]

How good are you at hitting a stationary target with a throwing knife?

For that— [ ensuring the integrity of his hair, of course ] —I might be able to do one thing for you before I leave.

[ as he sidesteps most of her sappiness. wow. ]

[ignoreher]

I've never thrown a knife before, but how hard could it be?

[ miss adventurous and go-getter as ever. ]

[transmit]

Throw it the wrong way and you might cause a freak accident. No big.

[ first test: he's tossing her a knife to see if she can even catch that properly. if she accidentally cuts herself, um…

they'll just abort right here and come up with an excuse as to how or why she's nursing a new injury. also no big. it shouldn't be anything too crazy considering he's literally just tossing it and not applying any strength behind it, so? so!! think fast, missy. ]

[ignoreher]

[ she



is hilariously clumsy but it's funnier if she catches it now with only the foreshadowing of fumble now and you'll see in a minute the punchline of this joke. ]

So you'll be teaching me how to do it, right? My hand is yours, Ely.

[transmit]

To be perfectly honest with you? I go entirely by feel. I don't make much of a habit of using them myself so you're on your own.

[ … ]

If you miss, you miss. [ glancing around them just to be safe. ] Worse case scenario you inflict some friendly fire, I guess.

[ kill an entire chicken, hurt herself, hurt him (??)

but yes, he does have to pull out his flag which he has conveniently perched right next to him. lazily, he points the tip of it towards the hawk. it doesn't look or feel like he's doing anything specifically, but it does slow it down significantly—enough so that it struggles to stay in flight. ]

Good luck! [ trial by fire, baby ]

[ignoreher]

[ YOU AREN'T EVEN TRAINED???????? ]

The confidence you inspire is second to none.

[ well, alright. malkuth's never given up before and she sure won't now -- adjusts her grip on the knife, trying to find a good way to throw it before flinging it up




and it's going to clip a feather on its way back down right between ely's feet. from the angle, if it'd been just a little further towards him... ]

Okay! I got it now.

[ let her grab that knife for a second shot she'll definitely hit it this time at least on the wing to bring it down or scare it off-- ]

1/2

[transmit]

[ bro we have people who fight with frying pans and giant pizza cutters do you think anyone in his company gives a shit. rule of cool. hence: throwing knives.

anyway

… ]

Yeah? Gonna get the last of your grievances out with the second try? Very funny.

[ except, the moment he releases his art— ]

[transmit]

[ the hawk makes its get away, knowing better than to stick around. so long, sucker. ]

Too bad. Looks like the score's staying zero for one. But——you're welcome. We still technically achieved our goal.