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𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚏𝚕𝚞𝚡 𝙼𝚘𝚍𝚜 ([personal profile] synfluxmods) wrote in [community profile] synflux2025-04-01 10:56 pm

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.

photosympathies: (cxxx.)

[personal profile] photosympathies 2025-04-05 08:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh.

Huh.

Is that weird? It sounds weird.
thighhighs: (💎006)

[personal profile] thighhighs 2025-04-05 08:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ wat ]

there's nothing here to regret!!! we're hardly partners let alone what anyone else is thinking!

[ does she know... about the couch incident.....!? oh god ]
misclassed: GAME; SPRITE. (that aint normal)

[personal profile] misclassed 2025-04-05 08:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Wait, what exactly is going on between you and your boy?
thighhighs: (💎001)

[personal profile] thighhighs 2025-04-05 08:25 pm (UTC)(link)
HE'S NOT MY BOY
queenofkur: (kac 010)

[personal profile] queenofkur 2025-04-05 08:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Can you tell me with confidence,
That if you were to die right now,
You wouldn't regret anything in regard to him?
curingidiocy: (pic#17171051)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2025-04-05 08:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[ How is it that every time Ereshkigal intervenes the situation turns into comedy gold? Anyway, Ratio is most definitely linking this thread to his fiancé and popcorning the entertainment as he works. ]
thighhighs: (💎047)

[personal profile] thighhighs 2025-04-05 08:35 pm (UTC)(link)
!!!!!!!!!!!

[ she's not answering this goodbye ]
queenofkur: (kaw 028)

[personal profile] queenofkur 2025-04-05 08:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Sighs. Sniff. Better not push. Hopefully this'll come with time... ]
misclassed: MANGA; SHIMOSA. (☸ 071)

[personal profile] misclassed 2025-04-05 08:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Play nice, you. It's not her fault I look like this.
sanguivorous: (Frown -To keep the sun upon your face)

[personal profile] sanguivorous 2025-04-05 08:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Not according to my recollections. Though I am still uncertain if you thought a person or the closet itself would slit your throat.

Or was it the thought of kissing itself that inspired this fear?

I was left with such niggling questions.
harboredfeelings: (29)

3

[personal profile] harboredfeelings 2025-04-05 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Kaga's not exactly fond of the heat herself. She's making full usage of her style upgrade to keep herself wrapped in light weight light colored robes so the sun doesn't murder her. She'd rather be chilling in one of her aircraft but that would be admitting weakness... besides, there's people on the ground she has to keep an eye on. ]

Honestly? It's not the worst I've experienced here so fa-- h-hold on a minute!

[ Not using a camel and just flying along a few inches off the sand means Kaga's in a perfect position to intercept Fujino's almost fall. She heads over to the side of the contentious animal and puts a steadying hand on Fujino's shoulder, keeping her firmly on the saddle. ]

Don't fall asleep here of all places.
Edited 2025-04-05 21:00 (UTC)
harboredfeelings: (32)

croc time!

[personal profile] harboredfeelings 2025-04-05 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Kaga's been floating along with the group, literally floating a few feet off the ground, pretty much her entire form obscured by light white robes suitable for the desert. The sudden call to action though? That has her grinning as she turns to face the incoming enemy. ]

Kiko, wake up. It's time to kill.

[ A little white bundle that's been parked on the camel assigned to Kaga leaps off onto the sand. It's a little pure white fox with nine tails who uh, proceeds to grow until she's roughly the size of an SUV, her front paws becoming engulfed in blue fire. With a threatening growl the fox charge forward and leaps onto the back of one of the crocodiles, the pair of creatures rolling away as they struggle with one another.

Kaga meanwhile has landed to rush one of the crocs, pulling back her right sleeve to reveal a black metallic arm with visible doll-like joints. Sharpened claws extend from the finger tips that she quickly makes use of, sinking them into the back of a croc, and flinging the kaiju up into the air towards Johnny's direction. ]


Make yourself useful, shoot it!
harboredfeelings: (recon shows that's stupid)

01

[personal profile] harboredfeelings 2025-04-05 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Sitting nearby Kaga is actually glaring daggers at Sukuna. She has thrown at least one shikigami at the back of his head and yelled at him for smoking, so Silco in fact can't say shit about her dislike for people doing it on the plane. ]

Honestly, that scum is worse than you. At least you're honest about being an ass.

[ An annoyed sigh as she takes a sip from one of the numerous energy drinks that have been provided. ]

Anyway, Tokyo to Egypt's about seventeen hours by flight, Romania was only eleven. be grateful there's been no turbulence else this would take even longer.
intertwinedfates: talk smile (229)

[personal profile] intertwinedfates 2025-04-05 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh, Vash, you're always such a good guy. It's enough to make Yato laugh and smile.]

Probably something like fifty kryptos. It's a small amount. But it's just a saying! It means I usually come up short.
harboredfeelings: (21)

1

[personal profile] harboredfeelings 2025-04-05 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Like Gigan Kaga doesn't necessarily need sleep, she likes sleep, but she doesn't need it.

What she really doesn't need is a loud ass toy chicken being smacked against the back of her head by the damn robot chicken! She wheels around instantly, flexing the fingers of her prosthetic arm open and deploying the claws at the fingertips, glaring absolute fire at Gigan. ]


Gigan. [ Her tone is surprisingly level for someone clearly Unhappy. ] I like you, you're one of the only people in Brimstone I can stand. So don't make me rip your damn arm off and beat you to death with it, got it?
intertwinedfates: smile sad (163)

[personal profile] intertwinedfates 2025-04-05 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
maybe that's why we get along so well!
but yeah, I think my pantheon is unique in that way
it's kind of cool, really. it lets us gods have a family


[Ah, huh. Had he never mentioned that bit before? Whoops! Well, it's not really a secret so much as something he doesn't care to talk about.]

I forgot to mention that, huh?
but yeah
I
was kind of born to fight. it's what I did for over a millennia, before I decided to try changing my nature by picking up odd jobs instead
Japan entered a peaceful era, and I wanted to be part of that, not stuck in the past killing...
zerodissolver: happy skit heis (Sweet Pea)

[personal profile] zerodissolver 2025-04-05 09:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[That perks her up somewhat, getting her to smile.]

Yes, that's true. I've been enjoying learning about all the new technologies that this place has, though the coffee maker made me really jumpy after a few cups of it.

[Caffeine overload!]
queenofkur: (kab 011)

[personal profile] queenofkur 2025-04-05 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
What?
I am playing nice.
I owe her a lot.
And I do not want her to live a life of regrets.
misclassed: MANGA; SHIMOSA. (☸ 041)

[personal profile] misclassed 2025-04-05 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Me either. Especially not when it comes to dupes.

[ he wants her to not feel so hung up on grail wars and servants, specifically, but whatever. ]

Unless you're saying that you're the kind of person who needs to be pushed on a topic like this yourself? Tell me where to point ya, and I'll try giving you a shove too.
penaltypoints: (02)

@mr. viper

[personal profile] penaltypoints 2025-04-05 09:19 pm (UTC)(link)
We have discovered a recording that appears to corroborate your findings. The screaming was described as a trap, mimicking human sounds.
queenofkur: (dab 020)

[personal profile] queenofkur 2025-04-05 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Heh?
Why are you trying to make this about me?

But you're right.
I know I would need external help for those kind of things.
Someone to remind me that some things are too important to ignore.
Thankfully, right now I need no pointer.

Though perhaps I am not the one you should be talking to right now.
misclassed: FANART; <user name="no7star" site="twitter.com"> (☸ 092)

[personal profile] misclassed 2025-04-05 09:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Figured I should at least make sure this wise, magnanimous, uninvited guest casting a shadow on the doorstep gets some hospitality before I send her on her way.

[ You know, in some places, Susanoo is a god of love and marriage? But the requirements are steep, like slaying a giant serpent god, and rescuing a maiden. (He doesn't realize it, but now he's trying to step in and save Rin from having to deal with this on top of everything else. It's just something that seems natural to do.) ]

I'll figure out a good way to apologize for giving her a headache later, don't worry.

[ Girls like swords, right? Maybe he'll give her a sword. ]
rebelsamurai: (sunglasses - I'm thinking about it)

[personal profile] rebelsamurai 2025-04-05 09:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Pretty bad.

[He admits with a slight chuckle as he searches for his water flask. There’s enough water in there to last for a few days, so why not use some of it on his new choom?]

We can’t let you wander around with entrails and stuff on you. That might attract more crocs here.

[He offers them the flask without a second thought.]

Yeah, we gotta keep going. The last thing I want is to camp out in this hellhole again. I got sand in places that I didn’t even know existed.

[This whole journey been nothing short of a nightmare for Johnny. While he likes the sand at the local beach, he really isn’t digging the desert aesthetic here.]

Let’s roll out before we find ourselves overran with lizards—[He pauses momentarily as he stares at the blonde.]

Shit, I never caught your name.
Edited 2025-04-05 23:58 (UTC)
curingidiocy: (pic#17171032)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2025-04-05 09:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It helps, but only a little bit. The worst of it—the stink, the stickiness, and the utter filthiness he feels—remains, unfortunately, and doesn't improve his mood any. ]

There are plenty of people exploring the desert. My presence is not required.

[ The fatigue is preventing him from covering up his sulkiness, so Sophie will unfortunately be treated with more of his surly attitude. Whatever parts of his outfit that he can get rid of to remove the nasty smell of camel spit, he'll start taking off, though of course he has the sense not to fully strip in front of her. ]
curingidiocy: (pic#17171077)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2025-04-05 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
I am aware, but any more that we can get will be beneficial.

It appears that the primary contributor to the fatalities is stress and fatigue. From what I've been able to gather, it is possible to wake those who wind up suffering nightmares due to the unknown threat, but the nightmares are what significantly contribute to the mental deterioration of the victims.

If that is the case, we need to determine if the nightmares only manifest during naturally occurring REM sleep or if the unknown threat's influence can cause an individual to dream even outside that stage.