synflux | TRAVEL LOG #5

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TRAVEL LOG #5

TRAVEL LOG #5

CONTENT WARNINGS: death, nightmares, gun violence, survival scenario

▶ 001. EYES WIDE OPEN.

"Angels of Lilith, report for duty in the DISPATCH."

The day starts off with alarms blaring and oculars shining bright lights in the Outsiders' heads, waking them up early for an emergency dispatch. Although the current Rift at Mt. Fuji needs to be explored and examined, the Rifts continue to appear in different parts of the world, and this Rift is no different. Captain Yamakawa continues,

"We have received a distress call from EGYPT. Much of the region fell during the first kaiju crisis. Now it is a desolate land that survives with the help of a generator called an ESSENCE which is currently malfunctioning. We assume the cause is Rift energy—according to our radar, there is a heavy amount of Rift energy coming from that area. We will move out immediately. Pack all the things you may need, but each Outsider will be supplied with a care package of their own containing essentials."

Even though it is 4:00 AM Tokyo time, LILITH hopes you all have slept well. It could be the very last good sleep in awhile. While the dataportal to Egypt is operational on Japan's end, because of the malfunctioning generator, Outsiders are unable to come out on the other side. The old method of using the flying cruiser will be used once again.

There will not be assigned seating for this other than by teams. Everlights will sit with Everlights, Brimstones with Brimstones, and so on. The Outsiders will be encouraged to rest on the flight, and a few hours before landing, an in-flight meal will be provided. The meal is surprisingly delicious and consists of chicken or pork katsu cutlet, but with the warning that all Outsiders will know about: it contains high amount of cyber caffeine. This sort of newly innovative caffeine can keep Outsiders awake for several days, but sometimes it may cause restlessness or hyperactivity, causing characters to have a jittery amount of energy but razor sharp focus. Other times, it simply keeps characters awake and they feel no different. The cutlet will be served with KAIJU™ Energy Drink. Any Outsiders that require a different diet will be provided with what they need, and the cyber caffeine will be added to it if they would like.

Yamakawa gives instructions again:

"We have received more information about the kaiju. Civilians have died in their sleep from horrible nightmares, and we are encouraging Outsiders to sleep together in pairs or groups, or disregard sleeping at all until we obtain more information. We are still receiving facts about this monster, but this meal will help with keeping everyone awake as a safety measure."

Those who do not want to have the highly caffeinated meal can have everyone's favorite: a ration bar that isn't spiked with any energy, but it doesn't taste good at all. Outsiders may be more likely to fall asleep and be in danger by choosing this meal. The balance of a dystopian society.

▶ 002. ARRIVAL IN EGYPT.

When they finally arrive, the air is temperate and dry in Alexandria. The Outsiders might have to check their clocks once more to make sure everything is right; everyone is expected to land in the late afternoon and every clock says it should be close to evening, but the city is already growing dark with the sun setting quite early. Because of the ESSENCE disruption, Alexandria is running on back up energy, which makes for spotty lighting and loss of basic power.

LILITH will be greeted by a small group of researchers at the airport and they will help take the Outsiders to their base: the Alexandria Institute which was once the University of Alexandria. They will give the Outsiders a quick run down of the situation and some background.

1. LILITH does not have a strong defense branch in the region any more. Instead, the branch here seems more focused on research, especially on the origin of kaiju and rifts.
2. This region is extremely prone to spontaneous Rifts. Many of them are small and pass quickly but this most recent one is unprecedented.
3. One evening, in the final week of March, the Alexandria Institute received a corrupt file from their fellow researchers in Greece. It shut down much of their research facility (including their warp portal) and all they have been able to recover so far are the words, "Do Not Go To Sleep."
4. The next morning, they awoke to find the sun rising later and setting earlier. It feels like the days are getting significantly shorter.
5. Many locals developed a fear of the dark and going to sleep. They would then die in their sleep within the next few days.
6. The autopsy of these victims have shown no cause of death, puzzling coroners.

Progress has been slow because the corrupt file shut down many of their facilities. They have not been able to track the source of the Rift or identify the kaiju responsible for it. They believe the answers may be within the corrupt file and will be happy to receive any help they can get from the Outsiders.

When they arrive at the Institute, Outsiders will be set up in the old student dormitories. Each room has 2-4 beds depending on the room, with a common shared area on each floor. Given the current threat, there is also a supply of energy drinks and bars boosted with cyber caffeine. Outsiders have two options:

1. OPTION ONE: Stay in Alexandria and help the researchers with the generators, while keeping themselves and teammates awake during the night by playing games.
2. OPTION TWO: Go out into the Egyptian desert on camel-back, spending time getting to know their camel before heading out.

OOC NOTE: While players may write prompts for both options, we ask that you submit for a clue only once per player (not per character, as we have a lot of characters in game now!)

▶ 003. LEARN & EXPLORE. (ALEXANDRIA RESEARCH.)

Times are hard in Alexandria right now with their generators malfunctioning and efforts being split. The researchers are trying to get the generators back up and uncorrupt the data they received from Greece. LILITH will instruct the Outsiders to help with the research but also warn that they cannot afford to just sit around and wait to crack codes. The researchers also agree. Sometimes the best way to get research data is to go out into the field, but they haven't been able to do it due to not having much protection. The desert is vast, and there have been sightings of other small kaiju lurking beneath the sand and in some smaller cities.

Outsiders can decide to stay in the city of Alexandria to help crack the codes, or they can opt to go out into the field. For the latter, they can choose to stay close to home and investigate within Alexandria.

Those who wish to help with the ESSENCE generators and researchers will stay in Alexandria, using any downtime when not investigating to try and stay awake, slumber-party style. Two Truths and a Lie? Maybe Spin The Bottle? Perhaps some games can keep Outsiders enticed so they don't doze off.

▶ 004. FEELING SANDY (DESERT EXPLORATION.)

For those who wish to explore the desert and smaller cities, Alexandria Institute will supply what they need, such as water, food, essential tools for digging, sleeping bags (no sleeping, but maybe for resting!) and anything else. To conserve energy, the researchers supply camels for the Outsiders to use. The camels are mostly tame, but have their own distinct personalities, so they may need a little more handling and can be coaxed to behave with treats like artificial carrots and bananas. Outsiders can spend time getting to know their camel if they are going to explore the desert or cities. A camel can seat two people on its back comfortably, but also carry any essentials that travelers need to bring along.

In the distant small cities and across the desert, Outsiders will come across Sand Crocodiles, one of the smaller kaiju that have been inhabiting the desert. These monsters are basically crocodiles but with a twist: they can spit fire if angered and they can camouflage in the sand. They hide strategically, and one wrong step will cause them to push their jaws out of the ground, harming a person or camel. The stubby quills along their backs or rounds of their horns aren't entirely covered while hiding, so watch carefully. Fortunately, Outsiders will be supplied with a shotgun. Aiming between the eyes or in the mouth will kill it, but also beating it with the back of the shotgun will also do the trick. And yes, they also taste like crocodile too, if anyone is hungry.

After exploring, Outsiders are requested to report their findings back in Alexandria.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our fourth travel log!

Welcome to the new and improved Travel Log! Below, you will see the link to the MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET post that has information about the kaiju below along with RIFT EFFECTS. Fill out the form for RNG Attacks and whether you would like to receive a RIFT EFFECT. This should give characters some ideas for the status of their character in the next log, which will have more action and monsters in it. Outsiders may use the CHAT to report and discuss any findings.

We thank you in advance for your patience as we try out this new format!

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

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. EYES WIDE OPEN: Outsiders travel to Egypt after receiving reports of their power generator, ESSENCE, being unstable and malfunctioning, leaving citizens in peril. They are instructed to "stay awake." They are supplied cyberpunk caffeine and told to try not to sleep or stay in pairs to be watchful of any danger.

2. ARRIVING IN EGYPT: Arriving in Alexandria, the Outsiders are confirmed that citizens have been dying in their sleep, with coroners unable to determine the cause. The days are mysteriously getting shorter and people are unable to stay awake.

3. LEARN & EXPLORE: Outsiders are given options to stay in Alexandria to help with the generator or find clues to assist the research team. Between researching, they are asked to continue to stay awake by any means possible. Those who will be exploring the desert and smaller cities for clues are given a camel for transportation. Outsiders are encouraged to get to know their camel before traveling.

4. FEELING SANDY: While looking for any clues out in the desert, Outsiders encounter smaller kaiju known as Sand Crocodiles. They hide in the sand and attack at the opportune time, snapping jaws and spitting fire. Shooting them between the eyes or in the mouth will K.O. them.

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pLACEHOLDER

Edited 2025-04-04 23:00 (UTC)

[ comment here to receive one if desired ]

[ leave a memeshare here for hunter to see! ]

[ a memory plays ]

[ for context, since this is hunter's memory --- you can tell that he is essentially having a mental breakdown, and that he's terrified he'll be killed and replaced if he returns empty-handed. he believes this very vehemently, which is why he's cutting out the middleman and just digging his own grave now. yay!! ]

Edited 2025-04-04 23:18 (UTC)

[ you are a scout under belos's command, a child, and you've failed a mission. well, more specifically, you're the only one to return alive. you're nervous about it, as you kneel in the throne room, but you explain what happened -- your forces were just so overwhelmed. they were all killed. ]

[ that's how you get your first scar, right across your face. an outburst he couldn't control because of his wild magic curse, he insists. you believe him. but, he says, the healing coven can't handle this. you will have to make do. you sew your own cheek shut in your room, blood pouring over your hands as they shake. it's okay. it'll make you stronger ]

[ the second time the curse makes him lash out, he catches you somewhere you're not supposed to be-- with the other scouts when you're not allowed to mingle with them. you didn't even have your mask on. ]

[ this time, it's your leg that's hit. he explains quietly, once again, it's the curse. you understand. it was your fault for disobeying orders. you sew that up too, and your hands are less shaky this time ]

[ the fifth, it's because you're reading about wild magic, and he sees it. you apologize, babble out excuses, saying you only wanted to help heal his curse, beg forgiveness -- it's the arm this time. it's the same deal. the curse. Hunter, it's too dangerous to look into it, he implores softly, and you understand he only has your best intentions at heart. Wild magic has taken away so many members of our family, Hunter.. ]

[ you can sew it up with one hand this time. your hand barely even shakes. ]

[ the most recent time, you've returned empty-handed after a mission, the first time in years. I want to help, you insist, And if you told me, how wild magic did this to you-- ]

[ you barely move in time, and his tendril, now knife-sharp, cuts a hair off of your head. ]

[ My apologies, you mumble, I spoke out of turn. ]

[ it's for your own good, you know. all of it is. he took you in. he took care of you. it's your fault. all of it is. ]

Edited 2025-04-05 00:01 (UTC)

[ continued cw: animal murder, general creepiness, whew i hope i covered everything ]

[ OWL HOUSE SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT ]

[ a memory plays, all of this ]

[ for context, since this is hunter's memory: you are in the emperor's (his "uncle"-- or so he believed) mindscape, trapped there with the human, luz. you know a lot about mindscapes, having read up on the subject. you know if you're killed in the mindscape you die, there is no coming back. you know there's an "inner belos" who is the guardian of the place. you think it's the monster that's been controlling him this whole time, causing his violent outbursts against you ]

[ luz, the human, is trying to convince you that the emperor is evil. you won't hear a word of it, even though you grow more and more terrified it's true, and that the man you've been serving all your life is evil. unfortunately, you flee into a memory between belos and the collector-- a child-like god figure. they call you "it" and imply that you aren't the first you. ]

[ this is further supplemented by the reveal of seeing broken golden guard masks everywhere, each depicting the death of a former golden guard. you realize you were tricked by the child, who is the inner belos. the "monster" was hundreds of palisman souls (like flapjack). you tearfully ask belos what happened to their "family", the other guards. he just says "What a shame... of all the grimwalkers, you looked the most like him." and drags you down into the depths of his mind ]

[ from there, you're surrounded by the skulls and masks of the your predecessors. only now, you're realizing, they're the former "you". you don't have a real identity. he calls you a grimwalker, says he'll have to make another one, and you hear about his plan to kill all life on the boiling isles. he says he'll do anything to save humanity from evil. luz insists he's evil. his response? to try to murder her ]

[ you're able to save her in the last moment with the strange magic she uses, and the two of you flee and escape the mind. right before, though, you lock eyes with belos. and he looks murderous. ]

[ you realize there's no going back. ]

Edited 2025-04-04 23:37 (UTC)

Edited 2025-04-04 23:19 (UTC)

Edited 2025-04-05 00:01 (UTC)

[Napping versus deep sleep. The kind which refreshes someone's spirit and strength. A kaiju hunts the latter, though it seems for now, the former's relatively safe. So long as someone else guards your sleep and is willing to smack your head the moment any strange movements, expressions, or noises start coming out. Guh, they're all gonna sleep for a damn week at the end of this.

If they don't stop sharing shitty memories and nightmares at the same time. Why the hell's it always shit memories too?! No one's got happy or stupid memories to share!

Bakugo glances up when the door opens, one of his Grenadier Bracers in his lap and 'broken' open in half. He's tinkering with his gear, and cleaning it.] Were you in the damn room until now?

[Rule is, don't sleep alone.]

Edited 2025-04-04 23:20 (UTC)

Edited 2025-04-05 00:01 (UTC)

[ hunter jumps upright when he's slapped, flinching ]

Huh? What?

[ -- despite it being friendly slap. roland may get the sense he is just a particularly jumpy person ]

I wasn't sleeping! And I don't need to play a game!

[ he huffs and puffs like he's overcompensating for something, but then..... ]

.... who starts.

[ okei hunter ]

[It's not the first time that something like this has happened for them, but it is the first time they've had to deal with it for awhile.

For a moment, they wonder if they should do or say anything. It may not be the most personal memory Dante has ever witnessed, but it is a memory, and one that, for all they know, Hunter didn't want anyone to see.

But it feels wrong to leave it there without saying anything either.

And so they search, lingering at the entrance to whatever room Hunter's in and rapping against the doorframe a few times with their knuckles to announce their presence.]

< Hey. >

[A series of thoughtful, steady ticks accompany their words]

< Just, uhm, thought I'd check in with you. If that's all right. >

[Roland has dealt with the likes of Hunter before, and isn't put off by his posturing. He simply draws an X in the middle, and passes the stone to Hunter with a smile. It's a tired one, but still genuine.]

Our turn to sleep will come soon enough. For now, we need to stay awake for everyone else's sake. So. You're up next!

[So many people have been on him about this. It's such a strange feeling, having so many people who care about you now, to be worried about you in such a way.]

I'm trying. I don't want anyone to have to worry about me. I'm sorry if I have.

Sometimes it's just easier to keep going. Just work. Stay busy.

[And not have to think.]

But I also understand that it could put others in danger. So I'm trying my best.

Edited 2025-04-05 00:26 (UTC)

No way that's a real thing

We're not gonna find out if someone doesn't go to sleep

[ But it's not like they can just ask someone to take one for the team and go to potentially-deadly sleep.... ]

That doesn't beat it, that just stops it from getting us

And leaves it to get all the people who live here

Yeah, one of them is mine

[ And, oddly, this conversation juxtaposes the primary thing that makes Shinn reluctant to wholeheartedly turn the mobile suits over to help with power generation, because... ]

But I can't hit things with it if it's plugged into a power station

Edited 2025-04-05 00:41 (UTC)

Fine, as long as we can unplug when we need to fight

And as long as he doesn't screw anything up

[ He would not include the last qualification if it were Kira.... ]

Is that a threat?

Damn right it is.

( For all that Aventurine understands that Ratio will not leave him, no matter what he sees in his memories that he hasn't already the last time they went through this bullshit, he still doesn't want him to see what lies in his past.

The memory is surprisingly bright, the setting well lit -- an arena comprised of seemingly incomprehensible sections. Comprised of mostly a maze, large open sections are littered within its walls. One holds a fake forest with heavy foliage that blocks the lights from above. Another empty with a dusty floor save for a few concrete slabs that offer little in the way of hiding but perhaps more in the way of protection if one can use them right. Aventurine is young, younger than Ratio has ever known or seen him to be -- younger than the one or two photos that were attached to the incident report before Jade had them scrubbed from the IPC's records completely. He's filthy, his hair unkempt and in mats in places, and any glimpse of his eyes reveals something wild.

And currently scurrying up the trunk of one of those fake trees, small hands easily finding handholds to pull himself up into the branches. He remains there, silent, until someone walks under the tree -- a woman not much older than him, before Aventurine drops from his perch and onto her, grabbing her head on the way down to bring her down to the ground to cushion his fall and break a rib or two. Not waiting for her to recover, Aventurine slams his hands down on either side of her head, the chain between his cuffs tight over her neck. He stays that way, using a knee to the fractured and broken ribs to keep her down on the ground as he strangles her -- the flight slowly going out of her until she goes still.

Aventurine waits even then, waiting until he doesn't see the rise and fall of her chest, the raspy sound of her breath. )

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Page 35 of 135

TRAVEL LOG #5

▶ 001. EYES WIDE OPEN.

▶ 002. ARRIVAL IN EGYPT.

▶ 003. LEARN & EXPLORE. (ALEXANDRIA RESEARCH.)

▶ 004. FEELING SANDY (DESERT EXPLORATION.)

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

silco

memshare

hunter's memshares

your character's memshares

taryon, cw: implied child abuse, mental breakdowns, implied death

donny, cw: child abuse, child mutilation

verg (OWL HOUSE SPOILERS) cw: child abuse, attempted child murder, genocide, being buried alive

cagalli, cw: implied child abuse, mental breakdowns, implied death

yuta, cw: child abuse, child mutilation

my sanity's been forfeit long ago~

dante, cw: implied child abuse, mental breakdowns, implied death

zelgadis, cw: child abuse, child mutilation

002

no subject

dearka (OWL HOUSE SPOILERS) cw: child abuse, attempted child murder, genocide, being buried alive

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

RATIO; tw: slavery, murder