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

[boarbie]

[ please focus on the situation. ]

I don't know the names - but enough to be concerned. I'd say more than ten.

The villagers are claiming to know nothing.

[ he draws the curtains to give some privacy to sylvain who is now dressing in front of him - whatever. he's seen him in worse states and heard him do things to women's uteruses behind stone walls. ] The fog here reminds me of a dark mage's doing from the battlefield at home. No doubt we're about to meet this Lord of theirs.

[laidtocrest]

Goddess, I hope not. [Okay, and now he's decent and ready to face the world, what of it. They've known each other since forever. None of this is new.] I know you're probably right, but it would be nice if - for once - their Lord tripped and broke his neck and saved us a whole lot of trouble.

[boarbie]

Wouldn't that be a treat.

[ rather dryly said.

because there is nothing else to do in his bedroom, he watches sylvain change. they've known each other since forever. when sylvain slips on his shirt and buttons it like he's so used to rolling out of bed and looking presentable to go to - some meeting, some war council he's called to, dimitri sighs and steps over to reach by his neck. ]

- Collar.

[ fixes it down, and then moves past him. none of this is new. ] Let's find out all we can and figure out what to do from there. [ a pause, and then he adds, ] Horses would be useful.

[laidtocrest]

[It's nothing new. His fingers touch the collar, then, he follows his king.]

I doubt any of them would blink an eye if I asked to borrow a couple of horses - been fawning over them enough that it'll probably be nothing new. [For...not strategic purposes, but sometimes you don't do something strategic, things happen, and it circles the whole way back to strategic.]

I was starting to kinda like this place.

[boarbie]

It's a blunt reminder against being complacent, [ dimitri says, although grudgingly, he was also starting to enjoy his time here, despite the misgivings he'd had with the villagers and their lord - which turned out to be wise, anyway. he's just glad that sylvain isn't among the missing, a sentiment he's sure sylvain shares, because neither of them know how to not live without the other, apparently.

something he tries not to think about nowadays. nothing new on that front, either. strategic, if one wants to say so. ]

Nice of them to shove the danger in our faces so brazenly.

[ outside, the wind is cool, the fog heavy even as patches of it burn off in the sunrise, the mood frantic; desperate. they head to the barns. ]

[laidtocrest]

[It's what happens when your final duty and your last friend happen to be one and the same, everything he worked for embodied in a tall blond guy who's a king without a country and only one knight to his name. Later, he'll wonder what he'll do if he ever lost Dimitri, during restless hours where sleep lies just beyond his reach- but only a little, so his fingertips brush against it without grasping onto it. But that's later.

For now, they stomp to the barn and Sylvain flashes smiles at the villagers - nothing to see here, it's just two friends wanting to go for a ride, side by side.]

I'm not good at resting, anyway. Doesn't feel like we earned a reprieve.

There's a brown gelding I think you'd like. I'll sweet talk the locals - shouldn't take much - and you get to saddling, boss.

[boarbie]

Very well.

[ sylvain does his thing; dimitri gets the supplies they need for the horses. the brown gelding sylvain mentions is there, and it is as nice as he'd described. a mild-mannered thing, it responds well enough when dimitri provides it treats; easy enough for him to fit on it a saddle and reins.

he gets things ready for sylvain as well, for whichever horse he'd choose; there's a black one with a temper at the far end, and he thinks it reminds him too much of the dark knights back home, almost put the saddle to it because it's a gautier thing in spirit, but - no, he won't do that to his friend, so he'll just wait for sylvain to conduct business. ]

[laidtocrest]

[Anyway, forest nature ride story in place, he heads on back to meet Dimitri-]

Told you he's a good one. [Right? Not exactly King Blaiddyd's traditional style, but sometimes you need a sedate horse who gets the job done and won't flinch at anything.

Meanwhile, Sylvain grabs the things Dimitri set out, scans the stalls, brightens up-]

Ah.

[And immediately goes for the pissy black brute in back.]

This is probably such a bad idea. [He says, cheerfully getting the horse ready even as said black brute looks like it wants to murder someone or something. Ears pinned back. Apparently there's a truce, one which'll probably last long enough for them to get ouside.] But it's so much like home.

[boarbie]

... I had thought of getting you that one as well, but figured you'd prefer something else with a more temperate nature.

[ dimitri looks at him half in amusement, half in mild exasperation. ]

I should've known better.

If you fall off your mount, I am leaving you on the ground.

[ kidding. sylvain will probably tame it, as he always does to wild horses up north. maybe they need better hobbies, or something. ]

[laidtocrest]

No you won't.

[This is said half-amused, half-exasperated as he leads out Brute, whose tail is swishing. The horse senses an opportunity approaching, either to bite Sylvain, or to stomp on Dimitri or, perhaps, simply to run? But soon. Soon enough.]

We both know that if- if I get thrown, you'll let me on behind you. You're not the only one who's good at puppy dog eyes, Dimitri.

[boarbie]

[ dimitri makes a face. a scoff. it's light, but haughty. ]

I don't do such things.

[ he's going to move away from sylvain, just to make a point, but also because his brute keeps snapping at his horse, who is rather annoyed and worried about the fact that the other horse seems to be very high strung. dimitri pats the horse's mane on the side and keeps its focus on the roads.

the horses trot, and dimitri pulls back his hair and ties it, combing his bangs over his eyes - ] I think my hair needs a trim.

[laidtocrest]

[He is...

...going to let Dimitri put some space between them, just so he can flash Dimitri his best puppy dog eyes, look at those warm, soulful brown eyes just looking pleadingly at him, sad at this distance- okay, he can't keep that up. Sylvain laughs, and kicks the brute so they go a little bit faster.

Just a bit.]

You want to help you with it? I could always tie it up for you, at least until you can find someone who'll give you a trim.

[boarbie]

I think I'll be fine, [ dimitri says as he adjusts his ponytail fussily. ] I don't look too much like my father just yet.

I suppose I can also just learn how to trim my own hair somehow. It can't be that hard; I probably just need someone to make sure I'm cutting things correctly.

[ he glances at sylvain's mop of a hair as he matches his horse's pace -- ] I'm sure you haven't got any plans to have long hair.

[laidtocrest]

[He is...just going to run his fingers through his own hair, because now Dimitri mentions it, it's kind of mop-like, and, not only that, but the last person in his family who had mop-like hair didn't- well. Well. Well.

Sylvain makes a face. His brute snorts, and Sylvain thinks, you know what? Fair. The brute has a point.]

Absolutely not.

[Hair cuts when they get back!]

Maybe I'll grow out a beard instead. [His father didn't have a beard. His brother didn't have a beard. Maybe he'll defy the odds that way.] What do you think, boss?

[boarbie]

It's still looking rather neat, [ dimitri assures him, knowing the natural conclusion of his thoughts. ] Your hair isn't as unkempt as mine.

[ and people are probably more inclined to think of his hair as styled messily or something compared to the water-drenched, rat-logged couture dimitri sports on some terrible days.

more importantly, on the topic of beards, dimitri just frowns. ]

... can you? I've never seen anyone in your family with one. I don't think I'll recognize you if you did grow one.

[ especially since out of the three friends, sylvain's dad was the only one who truly adhered to that clean-shaven look with the close-crop military-style hair, but also, matthias gautier made up with the lack of a beard with his perpetually dour mood, which, as far as dimitri's concerned, aged him more than rodrigue. ]

[laidtocrest]

Hey, I wouldn't look that different, would I?

[The brute tries a little test buck. A tentative buck, testing the waters, and Sylvain absently pulls back his horse's head. His horse snorts.]

Don't you dare side with Dimitri, horse. Come on. [Would he look good with a beard, or would he look like some kind of wild animal with the texture of a fruit? Much to consider.] I didn't catch their names- we should give 'em names while we can.

[boarbie]

[ rather gently, but with the tone of trying to console his friend, ]

Not all of us can have Dedue's handsome face, as you know.

[ anyway. names - ] I don't know, I think - oh, I meant to tell you sooner, but I forgot. I learned how to milk cows.

There is a technique to it. [ dimitri demonstrates milking cow udders in the air. ] One has to be skilled with his hands in order to have the kind of firm but gentle touch that is required for the cow to easily give up her milk. It's kind of fascinating, actually.

[laidtocrest]

-don't do that when other people are around. [He's nudging the brute closer. The brute is trotting closer. A little bit closer.] People might get the wrong idea if they see you do, well.

[He gestures, mimicking milking cow udders in the air. Not quite as well as Dimitri did it. But close enough.] That.

[boarbie]

[ dimitri's horse gives a bit of a worried whinny. why is that brutish horse coming closer? the horse moves a little bit away, putting dimitri closer to the edge of the road. just a little bit.

all this while dimitri is explaining his newfound skills to sylvain. he does notice the horse was meandering a little bit, so he kind of steadies its rein to move forward a bit more instead of what seems to be to the side of the road. ]

... I'm just demonstrating how it is! Have you milked cows? I haven't, not even during our time in the monastery.

[laidtocrest]

I've- [He's about to say handled a tit and then thinks about it, and then thinks about it some more, and decides that no, he doesn't want to go into squeezing a boob and what that's like, and how it looks kind of similar to squeezing a hypothetical udder in midair if one asks him.]

That's besides the point, Dimitri.

[boarbie]

... you were going to talk about fondling a breast, weren't you?

[ looking at him in a very accusatory manner, because sylvain has that face, that face that says I've totally handled tits. dimitri narrows his eyes, and would cross his arms over his chest if he weren't steering his horse.

(what were they supposed to be doing again? nevermind, addressing this is more important.) ]

[laidtocrest]

I-

[Goddess damn him, he forgot about how Dimitri can be observant when he's not too busy being absolutely insane. Inconvenient, this is inconvenient, but sometimes you just gotta grab the wyvern by the tail and give it a good pull.]

Yeah, I was. This [cow-milking gesture] kinda looks like this [breast caressing gesture] and there's no way you can tell me I'm wrong.

[boarbie]

[ dimitri gives him a rather Displeased look. ]

... how do women even tolerate you? Comparing their breasts to udders? Sylvain, that's terrible.

[ of course, the answer is that cows fear him, women don't tolerate him, but dimitri is getting to know parts of sylvain the slow and steady way now that they've both literally unalived. pity for him. ]

[laidtocrest]

First, I'm not comparing a woman's tits to teats; I'm comparing how you milk udders to how you stroke a breast.

[This is normally when someone (Ingrid, probably, sometimes Felix) would cut in and rein him in, or Dedue would bring something to His Majesty's attention, or something would act as a distraction. No such luck. There's two guys, and two horses, riding into the mists. Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump.]

Second, I am pretty terrible, and you know that by now, boss. [Wink! Look! A distraction. Take the distraction.]

[boarbie]

... I wouldn't stroke a woman like that. [ he says, but then, doubtfully adds, ] I think. I hope not.

[ actually, he wouldn't know how he would touch a woman's tiddy. this has his majesty ruminating over his words just as sylvain says that he's terrible. yes. he knows this. also he is ruminating - no. he will not linger on it. ]

In any case, it was a new skill I learned and I wanted to tell you about it. [ so there. ]