TRAVEL LOG #5

[synfluxmods]

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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Comments

[fursuit]

Well, would need a whole new calendar, technically. That’s where it gets tricky with those of you that are from totally different planets. Different Earths? No problem. Still rotates around the sun of the Milky Way. Outside of that? Yeah, would be totally different.

[ He’s not bothered by the humoring tone, since honestly, it’s a good question. Since he’d started seriously thinking about this, he’d considered that himself, but as fun as it might be to make another calendar for another planet, there’s too many unknowns with it. So. Earth-based calendar it is, or at least until he gets more caffeine in him (do not give him more). ]

—But, yeah, you got it. You might know maguey as agave instead, but that word’s even further from the lands than Spanish, so I’m not fond of it. It’s a useful plant though, and it’s why it’s important. Gives everything from needles to honey to booze, and it’s one of the two sacred plants alongside corn. The sacred gifts of food that we gave to the people.

[ He sits back, having found the secondary answer, but he’ll wait to give that after he’s finished this story. It has a punchline, after all. ]

Though, that was more their interpretation than reality, gotta admit. There’s some trial and error with the whole process, even for a god, since it ain’t like we’re using them. Making something good is guesswork.

[fursuit]

Well, technically, it’s not necessarily a fortune for the upcoming battle. It’d more a fortune for your fate as a whole, if you take it as the day of your birth, y’know? Wisdom for consideration in life, that kinda deal.

[ He traces his finger around the glyphs idly, and he does wish it was stone like it should be. The tactile portion is just nice, in a way, but alas. No stone to carve, even if his caffeine bender makes him feel like he probably could make one. (He could not.) ]

But even if I had my normal prescience, wouldn’t give ya any hints about the future. Besides being a no-no, cosmically speaking, defeats the point? Have to experience the twists and turns yourself.

[ He shrugs, but it’s with a little grin. ]

…But, anyways. If you’re interested in learning more about the gods of the Azteca, I encourage it, naturally. I’ll give you fair warning that it might not be what you’re expecting, though. We’re big on sacrifice, so it’s bloody.

[fursuit]

See? Then nothing to worry about. Since even here, it ain't that bad.

[ In his opinion, at least, but he's also a bit biased... Regardless, he stops turning the wheel, and after a moment's pause to consider it, he nods. From his expression, it seems like a good one.]

—Yeah, you've even got a good fortune for your birthday this year. It's 8-Cipactli in the first day of Ocelotl.

[ ...Which he knows won't mean anything to Athrun, so he continues with the interpretation. ]

"Cipactli is an auspicious day, signifying advancement and honor. It depicts energy and work, rewards and recognition. A good day for beginnings." And your trecena, well, don't love that, since it's with my brother, but. "Ocelotl is ruled by Quetzalcoatl. This trecena represents brilliance and clarity during a profound eclipse of the light. The principal influence of this time is the divine Whirlwind: to stand in its path calls down destruction; to stand in its eye calls down creation. These are good days to withdraw into the solitude of contemplation and self-discipline; bad days to traffic with those on another path. In the center of it all, the warrior strives to be the mirror rather than the reflection."

001-b

[egraegis]

[There's probably plenty of camels coming and going through the area, the steady clomp-clomp-clomp of hooves and the bustle of strangers and familiar faces alike growing acquainted with the beasts, which is a good excuse for him not noticing the approach of Athrun on his own camel. He's geared up, goggles on his head, and a bit of sand in his hair, and he'd been about to say something when he catches the little smile on Yzak's face.

...Huh.

He lingers quietly for a long moment, not wanting to shatter the peace of this very unusual scene, but Yzak will surely get annoyed at being watched if he's caught so finally he calls out,]

Hey. They really like apples.

[When Yzak turns his way, Athrun will toss an apple from his supply pack over.]

[zauneyete]

It doesn't.

[ He says. He hedges.

Describing what happened before is complicated. It feels like a betrayal, to Zaun, to everything he'd spent so long trying to work for. How did he even explain that? That there was something more important than even Zaun, and that it was her?

No, that's not something he thinks he can share. (he thinks. The fool.) ]

I supposed what changed for Set and I is that we understood one another. We both had something very important to protect. [ they'd both had children that they would burn the world for. ]

We made a promise. To protect them if something happened to either of us.

[blastedass]

[Relax. Shinsou's Brainwashing isn't as intense as you think it is, Vash.]

Uh-huh. He was determined to be a hero even if everyone else thought his Quirk was more suited to a villain.

[Bakugo can understand where Shinsou came from on that. His Quirk was also thought of as villainous, but unlike Shinsou, he was far more vocal about his intentions and never let anyone think otherwise about him!

More people think Bakugo's a villain due to his attitude and language than his Quirk...]

[fursuit]

[ me passing away at a character being that significantly younger than me, the player,,,

Not that Tezcatlipoca cares, of course. He just nods agreeably as he starts to turn the wheels. There are little markings that indicate how they would be interlocked if they were more substantial, but in paper form, it just helps Tezcatlipoca keep his place. As he turns it, he keeps up the conversation. ]

Wouldn’t call that boring. Like, LILITH definitely knows how to pick ‘em, so I’m going to guess you aren’t all that boring. You’ve probably got some kind of secret power, right?

[ Maybe he knows, but mostly… He just has a bit of genre awareness at this point. ]

[fursuit]

don't mind at all. wouldn't offer if I didn't mean it. I'm a god of my word.

...but more importantly of course I'm not squeamish! my primary sacrifice is hearts, still beating. you really think I'd have a thing about eyes?

[nutkick]

[ the room is still. a shared silence stretches between them, between bakugou contemplating over the past and denji's more on the edge over their future, this new threat, what it holds, and more importantly— how to keep bakugou safe? not only from experiencing his biggest traumas again, but not to see the half-devil's as well. that was another kind of distress he didn't need to bring on anyone, especially the boy he loves. in the middle of those thoughts, bakugou shifts a bit — and he could feel the light touch against his stomach. the kind that tries to console itself with some contact, some reassurance. a slow curl into the soft fabric of his shirt follows, vague yet intimate at the same time. denji doesn’t move away. doesn’t question it. just breathes, soft and steady, keeping his eyes on those red hues in a silent tenderness. he didn't expect bakugou to say anything about what they've seen, somewhat predicting he'd skip that part, and they end up discussing a plan moving ahead and how to handle this better in the future — only to be surprised with an honest confession.

as they lay facing each other, denji took it in, almost as if the words cost something to bring out, fragile things held too long in a clenched fist. he thinks over bakugou's words. in a way, he understands that feeling, yet he can't explain it either. ] I think you didn't have enough time to process your feelings. You were thinking more about others over yourself ...

[ the hero mentality is dangerous. bakugou would break himself apart if it meant saving someone else. denji is not sure how he feels about it. it might be admirable on paper- the unrealistic expectations civilizations put on their saviors. however, that's why his boyfriend trains so hard, right? he wants to be strong enough to protect and win. to live. to lead a normal life, the best way he can, while saving others. again, denji is struggling to find this — a good thing. there is an ugly, selfish desire to want him to stay away from such a path, not because he doubts bakugou's strength but because denji had so much loss in his life that he can't help but to see an early grave in his lover's future.

quietly, he reached out, and his fingers brushed bakugou's hair from his forehead, tucking some of it gently behind his ear. his hand lingered there, thumb grazing the smooth line of his jaw, before trailing down to rest at his waist. he then eased their bodies closer before his hand slid up the other's back, palm flattening between his shoulder blades. a subtle yearning in the way his arm wrapped around the young hero, not possessive but protective — as if holding him could keep everything else at bay. with a sigh, his knees bent, drawing bakugou's legs in toward his, until their bodies fit together in perfect harmony. ] And you did save them in the end ...

[curingidiocy]

[ Ratio frowns. If that is what he earnestly believes, then either far too much has been placed on his shoulders, or he has a fundamental misunderstanding about the ones raising him. Both are failures on the adults' part. ]

It isn't worth your life to please those who don't care for you.

[ That comes out as a murmur rather than a proper statement; it's not meant to be heard by the young boy. He may be too young to internalize that kind of advice. At this age, he should be receiving love and affection from his guardians, and rightfully, he craves it.

Ratio is about to ask if the young summoner-in-training would like his help when he feels the heavy presence from the far side of the lake. Like Raidou, his head turns towards the source and he squints, trying to spot anything unusual in the distance. ]

I presume this is the demon you're looking for.

[zauneyete]

I know you are.

[ And then, because he hadn't expected it, because he hadn't asked. ]

It's appreciated.

[ Wait, do something nasty.]

You never know what might make you squeamish. Have you ever eaten one? Am eye?

[curingidiocy]

[ Cursed energy... so this individual must share an origin with Yuji. ]

In what manner do you have difficulty falling asleep? Insomnia, or some other sleep disorder?

[curingidiocy]

[ That is interesting news. ]

Peculiar. Can you confirm if they have lights in the temple active at all times?

[ If it's not that, then perhaps the location has some special property, or some material used to build the temple repels the creature. He won't attribute it to the threat being cognizant of human religion just yet, but it's a distinct possibility too, that the threat associates the goddess with something that it must avoid. ]

all good 💜

[cosmarchy]

Got. I'll let you know when I'm on my way.

So I don't spook your camel too.

( ooc. oooh gotcha!! i figured this was close to wrapping up anyway so it's fine, but i'll keep that in mind for next time. )

[curingidiocy]

I am not the type to forgo sleep for productivity or leisurely activity. As such, I don't believe my tolerance for sleep deprivation will be very high.

Perhaps I may ask you to keep an eye on me when I do succumb to the need for sleep. Otherwise, assisting with my research is enough.

[curingidiocy]

Yes, which is why it is imperative that everyone is monitored when they go to sleep. We are fortunate to have amongst us individuals who do not require sleep, so it is likely we will come to rely upon them more and more as the days pass.

Surely there exists levels of moderation in between doing almost nothing and immediate violence.

[ Please Bakugo... what about shaking them or maybe slapping their cheeks? ]

I am aware. Nothing can substitute a full 8 hour sleep. But we must get what we can, where we can, in order to delay the deterioration of our mental faculties as best we can.

There may be external factors at play as well, but I have yet to gather information in that regard.

[sanguivorous]

Is that so? [He leans in, like someone looking for delicious gossip.] Do tell, what are they like from where you hail?

happens to the best of us

[the_fourteenth]

[Raidou nods with a bit of a frown, it indeed being one of those kinds.]

... It's have rather it been with you than-- Ratio-san.

[Things have been quite rocky between the two recently. Raidou has pretty much given up on getting along with any of the adults among the Outsiders at this point.]

I'd rather fight a dozen thousand-meter dragon kaiju than deal with another ones of these that mess with your mind. [An unusual bit of hyperbole from Raidou. Or is it?] You're here, so... my guess is that even if this villain got the jump on you, eventually the hero won the day.

[curingidiocy]

[ They only have theories about how they came to exist, hm? Similar to humanity—from his universe, at least. Their known history doesn't track as far back as even a single Cybertronian's lifespan, all of it having been lost to the machinations of the History Fictionologists, but what's known for certain is that humanity has existed for a long time.

Anyway, Ratio sends him some coordinates through the ocular implant. Notably, the set of coordinates lines up to a rather straightforward trail that takes them around the desert and back to the Institute. ]

I believe it should be possible to visit these towns today.

[ It's interesting to listen to Ratchet talk, if only in the sense that his voice booms from every direction, even better than most surround sound setups. Almost like it's omnipresent. ]

I see... so it is in essence a camouflage ability with limited transformation range. Meant for infiltration of foreign civilizations? Are Cybertronians nomadic, or perhaps have a history of invasion or conquest?

[the_fourteenth]

[Raidou's expression darkens a bit when he thinks on it. The way he left things, right before coming here, the secret might be out. The Yatagarsu Organization is good at covering things up, but... things were about to get very, very bad. And, as far as he knows, all thanks to his failures.

Something dawns on him though, and he goes to say something and stops. From what Yuji has told Raidou, he knows a bit of what's gone on in their world. But, he's not sure what time Yuta is here from. Even Yuji, since they arrived, has "glitched" and lived months and weeks back home in almost no time at all here. So, in what he desperately hopes is vague enough to confirm his suspicions, without arousing any if he isn't from around Yuji's time, Raidou offers a one-word question.]

... Shibuya?

[curingidiocy]

Indeed, there are many different calendars in use across the known cosmos, and the most ubiquitous of them measures eras by the strike of Qlipoth the Preservation's hammer, rather than by a standardized unit of time.

[ Perhaps that would tickle Tezcatlipoca, considering how interested he'd been to learn about the Aeons before. ]

I see. A vital source of materials and sustenance. You influenced its evolution?

[ Had he not been talking to the god himself, Ratio would have chalked it up to humanity placing religious importance upon the plant because of its usefulness, rather than it being actually influenced by the divine. But the universe works in mysterious ways, so perhaps he shouldn't be surprised that intelligent design is a fact in some corner of the universe instead of an already long debunked theory in evolutionary science. ]

[coordination]

[ Since Yzak isn't out on patrol and needs to cross check things with the generators, the Duel is at least crouched down, and they probably have some quickly set up rigging to work as a catwalk for where the mobile suits are when it's their their turn to stay at the base.

Yzak turns his gaze from checking one one of the screens to Ratchet when he pokes his head up. ]

Sure.

What did you repair on the Destiny?

[the_fourteenth]

Yeah. [Raidou spends a few moments looking out at that spot, obvious that he's weighing his options. His clan expected him to spend a couple of nights in the woods nearby to come home with a Jack Frost or a Pixie. Instead, he's been gone for four now, traveling further out where he wasn't supposed to, in order to find a bigger prize. Finally, one has shown itself. Heading over there means abandoning his campsite temporarily to the rain, but right now things are getting pretty soaked anyway, despite him trying.

Now's his chance. He flips his haori back on, scoops up his wooden sword and securing the hunting knife before looking to Ratio. He also grabs for something in his tent - a small, silver metal tube of some kind. There's some excitement and life back in those tired eyes now.]

I'm going.

[That's all he says before he takes off like a shot towards the other side of the lake. The kid has always been fast.

Emerging from the lake is a fish-like creature, who can also sense the little summoner coming. What luck, to pop out of the Dark Realm to find a summoner within a stone's throw. Should have scoped the area out a little better, but usually there aren't humans in this area at night.

This demon isn't the most powerful around, but it's no joke either. The azumi, though, sees the summoner it was concerned about a moment ago seems to be quite small. Is this a human child? Is it serious, coming at it with a wooden sword?]

Eh? What do you think you're gonna do with that thing, kid?

[Oh, the little one brought company. So this is serious. It doesn't have time for this, so maybe it can just scare them off. It casts an area of effect spell, doing a quick spin through the air as it hovers near the shore. Suddenly, there's a quick flash of light, then the two of them are hit with an ice attack, their skin frozen just long enough for it to sting pretty badly. Raidou slows for a moment, a quiet noise of surprise coming from him, but he doesn't stop his approach. Speed has always been his biggest asset, and he runs up to take a crack at the demon with his sword, bringing it down on its knee with surprising accuracy.]

[blastedass]

With the camel.

My camel's a lazy asshole.

[Camel personalities!]

[asafepairofhands]

Conquest. [Grimly.] Though our alt modes are more than that, it's hard to explain. I was born at the end of the Golden Age of expansion, when we thought we should rule the whole stupid galaxy instead of minding our own business. I bought into it at the time, but the results were, uh. Fairly spectacular, in the end. [That's one way to describe four million years of war.] We've only had our home planet back for a little while, now. It was dead for a long time, which was also our doing.

My species is kind of a mess, if you haven't got the picture already, but we're trying to fix our mistakes.