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

[byoukyu]

(Still rubbing at his neck,)

Oh, good.

(Joking but relieved, he's glad he doesn't have to explain. Seriously, how would he even begin to start? At least back home, he'd just have to explain one thing but here, it feels like he'd have to explain that and how his whole world worked.)

Then I can go ahead and forget aaaall about it.

(He can play it off. There's no reason to worry. That is, until the boy in front of him speaks again.)

...

(Eyes narrow, studying Yuta suspiciously, trying to understand exactly what he means from just one vague statement alone. Is it about having nightmares or had he said something more in his sleep? In the end, both options are cause for concern and Harumasa sits up, leaning forward to level his eyes with the boy. Because despite the shadows under his eyes, the responsibilities he'd mentioned taking at the convention, and being recruited by some wild organization to save the world... he's still a boy to Harumasa.)

How much rest have you gotten since we came here?

(Serious but concerned, different from how flippant and carefree he'd tried to act just a second ago.)

[copy]

[ He's starting to take note of the way Harumasa keeps rubbing his neck and both that and whatever disturbs his sleep are rather worrying. Before he can think of more reassurances to voice or a polite way to ask in a manner that's more subtle and not nosy, the abrupt scrutiny he suddenly comes under stops Yuta short. Did he say something wrong? He'd just been trying to commiserate as someone also plagued by nightmares. Ones that do often happen to involve being a monster too, as it happens, but he's not sure if that's something he should bring up when he isn't even sure if that's truly what haunts Harumasa from the little bit of sleep talking he caught. Especially not when Harumasa is sitting up and getting so serious.

Yuta's head cants to the side ever so slightly, questioning and a little nervous at the abrupt shift in attitude, until that question is posed and his eyes dart away promptly; telling all on its own. Perhaps if Yuta's whole demeanor didn't turn sheepish and distinctly caught, it could have been feigned as looking away in thought, but alas. ]

Uh, I- ...I'm not sure. A few hours, probably? [ Maybe. He hasn't been keeping track. ] But it's fine! I'm used to it.

[ Like that makes it better... It doesn't, and he only belatedly realizes how that sounds after the words have already left his mouth. Oops. Time to be the one to laugh it off and quickly try to change the subject, glancing back. ]

Does your neck hurt? I can help with that.

[byoukyu]

(He watches Yuta carefully, gold eyes studying him with thoughtful attention. It's hard not to recognize his behavior, there once was a time when he would have reacted the same. He's gotten better at playing things off as he'sg gotten older; brushing aside comments, redirecting conversations, and omitting just the right details to leave just enough of the truth to get people to leave him alone.

Maybe that's why he settles back, leaning against the chair. He even looks surprised when Yuta comments on his neck.)

Huh? (He pulls his hand away,) Oh, no. It's kind of a habit...

(One he has when he feels uncomfortable, pressured, and like he's been caught. He doesn't linger on it, though. In an instant, he's already moving the conversation along,)

We're supposed to stay awake as much as we can right now but if this keeps up, we won't be in any condition to fight. (It's serious talk but he keeps his tone light and airy, as if he's just making casual comments,) You should try to get some rest.

... Even if you're used to it, too.

[copy]

[ It's a relief when the scrutiny withdraws, but Yuta isn't entirely convinced by the response, especially when Harumasa is so quick to do the same thing he just did and move the conversation right along. He doesn't comment on it though, already deciding to go about offering his help from a different angle and the direction of the conversation is the perfect in. He nods with grave agreement — expecting them to fight like this is a big ask, it's going to be a struggle when no one is in optimal condition — before his expression lightens again at the kind concern. ]

I'm okay, honest.

[ Said with a smile of reassurance. ]

I actually have an ability that lets me cheat a little. [ Phrasing it that way because he thinks it will grab Harumasa's interest the most given the penchant for taking shortcuts that Yuta's gleaned from their very first conversation. ] I can use it on you too, if you like? It works better than the caffeine and it should tide you over for at least another day. It'll feel like you've gotten a full night's rest.

[ He could use it to surreptitiously suss out and heal whatever else might be plaguing Harumasa while he's at it. ]

[byoukyu]

(He doesn't buy it. He's a master at saying he's okay when he really isn't. Calling it out would make him a hypocrite though so he bites back his words and chooses not to comment on it for now. Yuta smiles and he smiles in turn, maybe a little too easily.

Yuta is right, though. When he phrases things like that, it does catch his attention for exactly the reasons he guessed but also for other reasons.)

Yeah...?

(He sounds unsure, speaking with cautious disbelief,)

Don't take this the wrong way... but I don't really buy miracle treatments, especially without more information. It's just that where I'm from? Stuff like that always comes at a price.

(And the weight of what he's had to pay and what he's lost because of it is still fresh in his memory.)

[copy]

[ Objectively, Yuta hasn't been okay from the moment he arrived here. It's just that in the wake of everything that's happened before and since his arrival, he's just been accepting his current state as his new baseline for 'okay' when he sees little chance for improvement. It could be worse; he's been worse. Ergo, he does not feel like he's lying when he says he's okay. Not entirely. (Convincing himself might still be a work in progress though.) ]

Not at all, it's good to be skeptical.

[ No offense taken whatsoever, his reassuring smile stays affixed in place as he goes on to explain with an understanding kind of patience. ]

I'm a jujutsu sorcerer. Back where I'm from, people have a type of spiritual energy called cursed energy and sorcerers like me can use it to perform various techniques. One of my techniques allows me to heal both myself and others. You're right that it comes at a cost, but that cost is just my cursed energy which I have plenty of. It won't cost you anything.

[ But seeing is believing, right? So... ]

I can use it on myself and show you first if that makes you feel more comfortable?

[byoukyu]

(To Harumasa, Yuta has the appearance of a boy who should still be maturing. It's a little off-putting how, instead, it feels like he's already matured. If he thinks about it, a lot of the younger Outsiders have that same vibe. They seem older and have the feeling of someone who has taken on more burdens than anyone should by their age.

(No matter what, he thinks, he shouldn't forget these kids are his juniors.)

"A jujutsu sorcerer," Yuta says and there's not a single flicker of recognition in Harumasa's eyes. It doesn't register at all to him and he only waits to listen for an explanation.)

Okay... (He holds up a hand, motioning for Yuta to give him a moment,) You're gonna... curse me so I get better?

(Yeah, he's confused.)

So, I guess it goes without saying, stuff like this isn't really a thing where I'm from. There's nothing wrong with that, by the way. You'd probably think a lot of stuff in my world doesn't make sense too.

(He's open minded, really, he just needs to get over this road block.)

Maybe it's different for you but for me, "curses" are usually a bad thing. You know... like,

(He clears his throat and begins to recite,)

"Once upon a time, there was a cursed cat with claws as big as a bear's and teeth as sharp as a shark's. It was reeeeeeal scary and no body liked it."

(Paraphrasing, of course.)

Is it different for you?

[copy]

[ The utter lack of recognition already prepares Yuta for the questions to come, especially when the blank confusion doesn't clear up even after his explanation. By Harumasa's expression alone, he can tell there's a chance his world does not have anything equivalent to a jujutsu sorcerer — whereas some of the other Outsiders' do, similar in the most uncanny ways — or he simply does not know. It's not strange either way and Yuta waits as he's been bid, patient, until Harumasa is finished speaking before he shakes his head. ]

No, you're not wrong and it isn't different for me. The technique is actually called reverse cursed technique. What I do is convert my own cursed energy to positive energy for healing.

[ Hence the 'reverse' in its name. ]

So, unless you're a curse or something solely made out of negative emotions like a curse would be, that's exactly what it'll do. It's anti-curse more than anything.

[ Throwing that tidbit of info out there just in case because there are plenty of non-humans around who look perfectly human and who Yuta can't suss out by the feeling of their energy alone. (A sense that is dulled for him thanks to Rika's constant presence anyway.) It could be that the monster Harumasa claimed not to be might be the more literal kind.

Also, that fairytale-esque story felt... sort of specific? He can't help being intrigued. ]

... Did they not like the cat just because it looked scary?

[byoukyu]

(As Yuta speaks, Harumasa's eyes flicker thoughtfully and he listens carefully, giving him his full attention. He's processing, understanding, questioning, making sense of what he can and letting the pieces fall. There are some ways where the explanation is sufficient. It's enough to clear up the bigger questions but it's only opened up even more.

In the end, most of those questions are just about details, right? Things that are unimportant and will become clear later? Or unnecessary information that would only muddle what is already an adequate explanation. In the end, Harumasa leans back and nods.

He'll accept it.)

I'm not a curse or anything like that. (That little caveat was in relation to his own sleepy admission, wasn't it? And he tosses his head back and smiles at Yuta,) Even if this body isn't perfect, it's still 100% human.

(Really. ^{(* For now.)})

... Huh?

(What he doesn't expect is for Yuta to actually be interested in some silly throwaway comment about a children's picture book. He raises a brow,)

You really wanna know? (He rubs his neck again but this time, he makes a point to stretch. It's nothing.) I guess... in the story, it doesn't really say. The cursed cat kind of just assumed everyone would hate it. It made sense, you know? Since it was real scary and different from the other cats.

It's not like the cat had friends or family to tell it otherwise.

[copy]

Then there will be no problem if you want to try it.

[ The smile is met with a reassuring one of his own before Yuta extends his hand, palm up, in offer; the flow of his cursed energy already coalescing and being redirected in preparation. Taking it will be all that's required for Yuta to start the process. Harumasa looks less skeptical now, but Yuta's not sure if his explanation is adequate enough to erase all doubt and misgivings — it's hard to gauge when things can be so vastly different between worlds — so he's letting Harumasa decide whether or not to accept with that simple gesture.

All the while he listens with interest after nodding to the question if he really wants to know, eyes not straying to the hand on Harumasa's neck even if the motion naturally tugs on his attention, yet taking note all the same. He's never heard any stories about cursed cats, the closest thing would be the legends of the bakeneko and that is not the same, so how can he not be intrigued?

It sounds rather sad so far. ]

That poor cat, it's not easy being cursed and alone. [ Spoken as though he can personally relate. (He can.) ] I do hope it was able to find friends who saw beyond its looks.

[byoukyu]

("No problem" still feels too good to be true. There are no easy cures and every miracle comes with a sacrifice. There's no reason to doubt Yuta is telling the truth but it's foreign and disconnected from his own logic.

He'd been joking when he brought up the picture book but right now, a specific page comes to mind.)

...

(Hesitantly, he reaches out and takes his hand.)

Do you want to know the whole story? I've read it enough times, I practically have the whole thing memorized.

(If Yuta is able to, he'll be able to sense or read that Harumasa is, indeed, tired. It's more than just the tiredness that comes from lack of sleep, though. There's something more. A weaker heart, sensitive lungs, an immune system that is strong in all of the right and wrong ways. An subpar natural limit, a less than perfect body that can be treated but never completely fixed.

He'd fainted at the convention, coughed up a lung, joked about skipping work, claimed life was too short to waste at work... He's sick. Even when he's good, he's still sick.)

[copy]

[ Yuta's smile widens a fraction and his fingers curl in a light grasp when his hand is taken, hold gentle and easy to escape, mindful of that cautious hesitance Harumasa's been displaying. Unseen and unfelt, his first pulse of energy is a quick sweep to take stock of Harumasa's condition as he replies with sincere curiosity. ]

Sure, if you don't mind reciting it. It sounds interesting.

[ What he senses is... concerning. It suddenly brings into stark clarity their first meeting at the convention and it has Yuta's heart plummeting. It is not something he thinks he can fix with reverse cursed technique. It works miracles when applied fast enough after receiving any kind of damage in battle, but this? It's beyond his scope and it leaves him feeling frustratingly helpless. It also makes him (even more) angry at LILITH. As much as he hates it with every fiber of his being, Yuta can understand why they brought the likes of Sukuna over. The King of Curses is impossibly strong. But for them to bring someone over who is sick and deserves better than to be forced to fight in such a condition? It's unacceptable.

He's careful not to let those emotions bleed through too much; the slight narrowing of his eyes and the tauter pull of his mouth easily mistaken for concentration as he sets to work channeling positive energy into Harumasa. He targets and heals his brain of the fatigue first, providing that promised energy boost and feeling of having had a good night's rest, rejuvenating and refreshing. Next he just pours the positive energy into easing whatever symptoms he can and if that means dipping into his cursed energy reserve a little more than intended, he considers it worth it. ]