synflux | TRAVEL LOG #5

Entry tags:

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.

code

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He doesn't like it either, actually. Silco doesn't know what sunblock is (yet) but the sun on his face makes him feel like he's about to burn to a crisp, and it doesn't help that he can't blink away (all) of the sun's rays, so he's standing there in his crimelord coat, looking like he wants to die, shading his eyes from the sun as best he can.

The two of them probably look like they're drying out in the sun, honestly. They aren't made for these kinds of conditions, truly. ]

You know how to fly one of those things?

[ He knows they can't, but. Hope springs eternal. ]

Perhaps if we can steal one in the middle of the night...

[ jinx squints, shifting her braids so they fall over her shoulder instead of the back of her neck. ]

I could.

[ but she huffs. ]

But they won't let me, will they.

No, likely not. They might try to shoot us down from the air.

I don't fancy that far of a fall, do you?

[ He really doesn't like it either. He hates this too. ]

Eh. We could survive it. Probably.

[ she shrugs. who even cares about survival, really. ]

Probably? Hm.

[ I mean. He very much does. He's not exactly trying to get himself into a planecrash, jinx!! ]

Maybe we should suffer here, in exchange for living a touch longer. Besides, I've heard about this place from someone before. They're rather fond of it.

[ looking around though... }

There has to be something worth the fondness. It can't possibly be the weather.

[ hm. hm. hm.

deceptively casual, as she tucks some of her hair behind her ears. ]

One of your friends, right? They say anything else about it?

[ He tipped his head, and gave her a look. ]

You know I don't have friends.

[ Set had been something else entirely. It's hard to describe, that they'd bonded over the lost souls they so fiercely protected. Set had Anubis, and he'd had —— ]

You couldn't convince him to shut up about it. I know enough of the... religion. [ His nose curls slightly. ] And of the sand.

[ His toe kicked at it. Ugh it's already getting everywhere. ]

[ she rolls her eyes at that, but keeps pace with him, poking him in the shoulder. ]

So spill. What did he say?

Oh, let's see...

[ He looked around, considering. ]

Most of it was about their battles. He was the god of war, apparently.

[ He told him about his family. About his brother that betrayed him, something that they had both had in common. Osiris had done worse to Set than Vander had done to him, he knew that, but they still... understood each other, through that. ]

That this land had once been incredibly powerful. That he'd conquered anyone who stood in their path. About the sun, and the sky, and that they were supposed to be powerful matrons, but that they hardly cared at all about what the gods got up to. I wonder if this wasteland is because of them.

[ He could believe it, from his experience with... well. He doesn't elaborate. ]

[ maybe silco doesn't realize it. this is his blind spot after all. but the cadence of his voice when reciting a story, a legend long gone by reminds her of vander, sitting by their bedsides. telling them about the wind woman. her eyes flutter as she takes it in. ]

Sounds like you both shared a lot of stuff.

[ Shared a lot of stuff, she says. ]

Something like that, yes.

[ Secrets, their love for their children, and then there had been that nascent thing, that never came to be. He feels it more closely than ever, now. ]

We were like-minded, in a lot of ways. [ He swore to protect Jinx, if she ever arrived, and now... Now... ]

But like with everyone else, eventually, he left. [ They always leave. ]

Everyone leaves.

[ an echo of silco's memorable line. she remembers him spitting it out at the table. the last time. now, it feels more . . . mournful. as if silco is grappling with it. maybe — maybe silco has changed too.

she drifts closer, brushing her shoulder against his. ]

But it's okay. To miss them.

[ She brushes her shoulder against his. Familiar.

Set disappeared just after, he almost feels like it's a little bit of that divinity left, maybe the last little bit of him tugging on the strings of everything in the ether. There had been real power in that godhood. He'd felt it. He'd known it. He can't explain that to Jinx, not just their pacts and deals, but their promises, and even deeper... what that world had done to him. They would have been the same, in the end.

He can't admit how much he's changed. There. Here. Oh, Silco was still Silco, but the fissures were there. Fractures. ]

Hm. Maybe so. I think too few from his land would have. [ He'd heard, about who was favored. It had not been the god of war that was so beloved, but the traitorous brother who'd tried to do him in.

Is it really any surprise that they had found common ground to stand on? ]

One thing I've been forced to learn is how there are so many constants, no matter what world we come from.

[ she doesn't really understand and it shows with the way her eyebrows draw together. she can feel it though — the pulse of silco's other memories driving this conversation. so jinx keeps it casual. ]

What kind of constants?

Sometimes, there are people in these places [places, plural, ] that seem to follow the same pattern we have had.

Set was a god, with more power than we could hold to ever hold -- and yet he was betrayed too. By his brother.

[Silco doesn't know all the details -- he knows enough. ]

He had someone to look after as well, that drove many of his choices. [ he made a small gesture with his hands, fingers rubbing together, instinctively. ] We understood each other, because of those constants.

[ that's — that's so left field that jinx actually had to stop and stare at him. the same patterns. but the only person here who was still the same was silco. jinx is . . . nothing like him. and she's nothing like his friend, who has these tint of fondness in silco's voice.

she's just . . . a jinx. and there's no one like her.

but.

it isn't about her. this is about silco. so she doesn't wind that barbed wire of words around her heart. she lets it fall. lets herself listen about this friend that silco — that silco misses. ]

Kind of wild. But not . . . bad, right? To know that. Like . . . a rhythm in ourselves. That matches others.

[ she says ourselves, but she knows. she knows. ]

[ Silco, ignorant Silco, who doesn't know of the future, would point out that the story was so often the same. Betrayed? Wasn't that Jinx too? But Set was not like Jinx, but there had been others... not, they hadn't been quite the same. None of them had. Jinx was special, unique, perfect like nobody else was.

He rolled his shoulder 8in a little shrug when she stopped. She says something like that, and it's...

Hah. Well. ]

No, it's not bad. I've seen it where we are from, after all... [ A gentle nudge toward her. They were the same, they would always be the same. ] But to see it reflected in others is different.

I've met a few since... but Set was the first. We were the same. [ A scoff. ] We were also supposed to be enemies.

[ In the end, there would only have been one.

Up until they were tugged here, and the war was suddenly... gone. ]

So. What changed?

[ she's intrigued. all these new shades to her dad. they don't change what happened. they don't change what will happen. but she feels like he's stepped out out of the role he always perceived for himself. and it's . . . invigorating. like she's on a ride.

that being said, she also can't help but drop lightly. ]

And I thought this place doesn't really do enemies?

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.

[ oh. that wasn't subtle at all. jinx crosses her arms, hugging herself. ]

Me. You meant me.

[ He doesn't even lie about it, is the thing. ]

Yes. Of course I do.

[ It didn't matter that Silco hasn't experienced those dreadful, final day(s). He's already made that same choice, independent of the council's deal or anything else.

What else was there, in the end? ]

[ nothing has changed.

so jinx doesn't move. wasn't sure how. she can feel it pressing against her. silco's wish. his dream. the one she let slip through her fingers. and even so, he'd still pick her. her. jinx. when no one else would. and that's why she chose jinx in the end. she may have saved vi, but she knows what choice she made.

so. she's — she's not sure what to do. so she stands there. in place. ]

[ How could anything change? Silco was as intransigent as ever, the change happened so long ago that he'd not even realized it happened, that he would do anything for Jinx.

She stops. He only takes two steps, before he turns, and looks at her. His only mobile eyebrow drew down in thought. ]

What is it?

[ He reaches out for her, a hand on her shoulder. ]

[ she doesn't respond, looking down. ]

. . . Do you ever think you made a mistake?

With . . . me?

[ He sighed, and his hands drift, around her shoulders. ]

A mistake? I've made plenty of them.

[ Mistakes. He bears the weight of one of them on his face — was it the mistake of trust? Or the mistake of lashing out? It's a complicated thing. It's his mistake, it's Vander's rage, forcing him to pay for it. The mistake he'd made on the bridge, and there were plenty of others.

But Jinx? ]

Not you. You're perfect, you know that. How could you be a mistake?

[ He'd said it before, after all. Over, and over again. The delusions of a man who couldn't do more than wrap his daughter up in affirmations of her perfections, instill confidence — but did it work like that? Did it really work like that? ]

TRAVEL LOG #5

▶ 001. EYES WIDE OPEN.

▶ 002. ARRIVAL IN EGYPT.

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

▶ 004. FEELING SANDY (DESERT EXPLORATION.)

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

i refuse to give silco any easy info about his future so! II

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

end ;;