𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚏𝚕𝚞𝚡 𝙼𝚘𝚍𝚜 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
synfluxmods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
synflux2025-07-30 01:11 am
synfluxmods) wrote in synflux2025-07-30 01:11 am
TRAVEL LOG #6
TRAVEL LOG #6
▶ 001. ¡Vamos!
As much as one might want to take things easy and continue to recover from an eventful summer, LILITH's objective continues. Early in August, an alarm blares and everyone will get a call through their implants to come for debriefing. Yamakawa will explain they have received a request from Mexico City for support. Unusual rift activity has been confirmed in the region and they are asking for support to prepare for imminent conflict. Who knows what could await here?
Fortunately, the request is from their LILITH branch and all facilities are operational. It will be easy to use a data portal for easy access. As with all data portals, the Outsiders will be warned of potential side effects that may come from traveling great distances. Side effects include nausea, headaches, dizziness, and occasional glitching with their cybertech. All effects should wear off within 24 to 48 hours. If symptoms last longer, they are urged to seek meditech assistance in Mexico City to receive stabilizers. Like before, Outsiders will be told that making physical contact with one another by any means during transportation can reduce the risk of feeling any side effects, whether it be an embrace or holding hands... or attempting to strangle someone if you're a hater (looking at you, Silco.)
Due to warping, they will be limited to taking only what they can carry. Those who wish to take larger items will have to wait a few days for them to be gradually transported by air or industrial warp portals. Yamakawa and the rest of the staff in Tokyo will tell everyone not to worry because Mexico City has excellent infrastructure to facilitate their transportation needs.
Everyone will be given 24 hours to pack and prepare for departure. Before they leave, Dr. Spim and Alex will inform them of a promising research opportunity under the guidance of a colleague, Dr. Flores. Dr. Spim will share a verification code with them to show to Dr. Flores if they are interested in assisting.
After 24 hours, everyone will be ordered to warp to Mexico City. In an instant, the Outsiders will find themselves at the LILITH base in Mexico City.
Fortunately, the request is from their LILITH branch and all facilities are operational. It will be easy to use a data portal for easy access. As with all data portals, the Outsiders will be warned of potential side effects that may come from traveling great distances. Side effects include nausea, headaches, dizziness, and occasional glitching with their cybertech. All effects should wear off within 24 to 48 hours. If symptoms last longer, they are urged to seek meditech assistance in Mexico City to receive stabilizers. Like before, Outsiders will be told that making physical contact with one another by any means during transportation can reduce the risk of feeling any side effects, whether it be an embrace or holding hands... or attempting to strangle someone if you're a hater (looking at you, Silco.)
Due to warping, they will be limited to taking only what they can carry. Those who wish to take larger items will have to wait a few days for them to be gradually transported by air or industrial warp portals. Yamakawa and the rest of the staff in Tokyo will tell everyone not to worry because Mexico City has excellent infrastructure to facilitate their transportation needs.
Everyone will be given 24 hours to pack and prepare for departure. Before they leave, Dr. Spim and Alex will inform them of a promising research opportunity under the guidance of a colleague, Dr. Flores. Dr. Spim will share a verification code with them to show to Dr. Flores if they are interested in assisting.
After 24 hours, everyone will be ordered to warp to Mexico City. In an instant, the Outsiders will find themselves at the LILITH base in Mexico City.
▶ 002. SKYSCRAPERS AND TREES.
An officer by the name of Morales will greet them and introduce herself as their point of contact. She'll give everyone a debrief file to download through their implants to instantly get them up to speed. Along with the unusual rift activity, the population has started to show symptoms that have given them cause for concern. Many people are falling ill, becoming lethargic, and demonstrating explosively angry, violent, and otherwise acting out. The longer it goes on, the more people are affected, and it’s starting to cause more trouble in the city itself as infrastructure fails.
When they leave the base, they will find themselves in the warm, humid, and very green metropolis of Mexico City. Over the years, the forests and jungles of the region have swallowed up many towns and cities, leaving the city completely surrounded by forest. The locals have embraced their environment over many years while modernizing, resulting in the city having a mix of cyber technology and nature. Mexico City and the rainforest around it almost seems to be one living, thriving being. The plants naturally shade the hot sidewalks, and people have created a large number of filtered reservoirs that the rainforest thrives from. The large canopies are half as high as the remaining skyscrapers, but most buildings are built underneath the treeline, leaving most thriving underneath the shady canopy.
Outsiders may see some "new" animals such as real hummingbirds, butterflies, macaws, and iguanas with unique traits like neon designs and unusual sizes. They say there are even more animals and variants in the jungle. Beware of certain birds and insects that make locals sick when they come in contact with their dropped pollen. In the same vein, some of the flowers and plant life seem to also show rift mutations, but for the most part, most locals seem unbothered by these, and if Outsiders ask, they’ll be informed that they’ve been like that for a long time, and were never of any concern.
Outsiders can also meet with Dr. Flores, a LILITH researcher who is studying the effects of Rift poisoning and how to counter them. He theorizes that some plants may have evolved to purify the air or treat Rift sickness. In fact, his team has been treating some of these new rift poisoning cases with a trial drug that has had promising results. However, supplies are very limited and he needs help collecting more plants from the forest. In addition, he needs help catching some of the animal carriers so he can understand the nature of the poison they are carrying. He will ask for help capturing butterflies, bees, beetles, and hummingbirds.
When they leave the base, they will find themselves in the warm, humid, and very green metropolis of Mexico City. Over the years, the forests and jungles of the region have swallowed up many towns and cities, leaving the city completely surrounded by forest. The locals have embraced their environment over many years while modernizing, resulting in the city having a mix of cyber technology and nature. Mexico City and the rainforest around it almost seems to be one living, thriving being. The plants naturally shade the hot sidewalks, and people have created a large number of filtered reservoirs that the rainforest thrives from. The large canopies are half as high as the remaining skyscrapers, but most buildings are built underneath the treeline, leaving most thriving underneath the shady canopy.
Outsiders may see some "new" animals such as real hummingbirds, butterflies, macaws, and iguanas with unique traits like neon designs and unusual sizes. They say there are even more animals and variants in the jungle. Beware of certain birds and insects that make locals sick when they come in contact with their dropped pollen. In the same vein, some of the flowers and plant life seem to also show rift mutations, but for the most part, most locals seem unbothered by these, and if Outsiders ask, they’ll be informed that they’ve been like that for a long time, and were never of any concern.
Outsiders can also meet with Dr. Flores, a LILITH researcher who is studying the effects of Rift poisoning and how to counter them. He theorizes that some plants may have evolved to purify the air or treat Rift sickness. In fact, his team has been treating some of these new rift poisoning cases with a trial drug that has had promising results. However, supplies are very limited and he needs help collecting more plants from the forest. In addition, he needs help catching some of the animal carriers so he can understand the nature of the poison they are carrying. He will ask for help capturing butterflies, bees, beetles, and hummingbirds.
▶ 003. THE FUTURE WILL BE GREEN.
The Outsiders will be given orders to visit areas that have unusual Rift readings. By now, anyone with large items from Tokyo should have them but for those who do not have vehicles, LILITH Mexico will supply them with jeeps to navigate the dense jungles. LILITH Japan will assist local agents who are exploring the south of the city. Outsiders will also be given an additional file to download that will give them a run-down of the area, including the plants, animals, known paths, and key landmarks.
The journey through the jungle is not easy. While there are access roads, they have suddenly become overgrown with plantlife, and it is increasingly hostile. They will have to get out and clear the path in some places. As they head deeper into the jungle, the plant life becomes more wild and shows signs of mutation. They will find vines that grow quickly in front of their eyes, blocking their paths as quickly as they had cleared them, and they are becoming increasingly dangerous with spined, poisonous vines, wild roving carnivores like jaguars, and large predatory birds that will divebomb outsiders as they progress deeper into the forests. Luckily, if they make it deep enough, the locals will help them find the easiest and safest routes to travel.
Some of these roads might lead them to former cities and towns. These towns have been completely overgrown by plantlife and are largely abandoned save for some stubborn families that refused to leave their homelands and some researchers. They are largely friendly and will help the Outsiders and agents who decide to rest on their journeys.
They may be able to scavenge for supplies like old emergency rations, blankets, and pieces of technology that were left behind decades ago. But be careful! Since these areas have been taken over by nature, they may run into common regional kaiju like mutated wild dogs, monkeys, and even jaguars.
The journey through the jungle is not easy. While there are access roads, they have suddenly become overgrown with plantlife, and it is increasingly hostile. They will have to get out and clear the path in some places. As they head deeper into the jungle, the plant life becomes more wild and shows signs of mutation. They will find vines that grow quickly in front of their eyes, blocking their paths as quickly as they had cleared them, and they are becoming increasingly dangerous with spined, poisonous vines, wild roving carnivores like jaguars, and large predatory birds that will divebomb outsiders as they progress deeper into the forests. Luckily, if they make it deep enough, the locals will help them find the easiest and safest routes to travel.
Some of these roads might lead them to former cities and towns. These towns have been completely overgrown by plantlife and are largely abandoned save for some stubborn families that refused to leave their homelands and some researchers. They are largely friendly and will help the Outsiders and agents who decide to rest on their journeys.
They may be able to scavenge for supplies like old emergency rations, blankets, and pieces of technology that were left behind decades ago. But be careful! Since these areas have been taken over by nature, they may run into common regional kaiju like mutated wild dogs, monkeys, and even jaguars.
▶ 004. NATURE FINDS A WAY.
The kaiju and mutated plants aren't the only thing they need to watch out for in the forest. While traveling, some outsiders might find a regular jaguar attacking a mutated macaw kaiju and winning. It seems that while some animals have mutated into kaiju to survive, other animals have simply evolved to compete with them. As outsiders progress into the forest, at first the local fauna will attack if anyone gets close to them, but the deeper outsiders go, the more the creatures give them a wider berth, and won’t attack. If you see a local, non-corrupted creature deep in the woods, chances are it will watch or flee, rather than attack.
Outsiders will be warned to be careful of poisonous frogs both regular and mutated. These frogs are often a sign that pitcher plants are nearby. These plants have evolved to be large enough to swallow a large animal or person if one gets too close. For the most part, these pitcher plants are stationary but some may use their leaves or nearby wild vines to trip unsuspecting prey into their flower.
These aren’t the only plants that outsiders can encounter as they venture deeper into the forest. The deeper they go, the more frequently rift-corrupted pollinators are found swarming some of the large, rift-corrupted flowers, and as soon as their legs or beaks are laden, they fly off, only to be replaced by more. They aren’t great carriers, so pollen drifts on the wind. Outsiders should keep their rift-protection up, because the pollen causes rift-corruption along with other side effects such as: violent tendencies, explosive anger, and insatiable appetites (of any kind). The pollinators will escape deeper into the forest. If an outsider follows, please let the mod team know!
Outsiders will be warned to be careful of poisonous frogs both regular and mutated. These frogs are often a sign that pitcher plants are nearby. These plants have evolved to be large enough to swallow a large animal or person if one gets too close. For the most part, these pitcher plants are stationary but some may use their leaves or nearby wild vines to trip unsuspecting prey into their flower.
These aren’t the only plants that outsiders can encounter as they venture deeper into the forest. The deeper they go, the more frequently rift-corrupted pollinators are found swarming some of the large, rift-corrupted flowers, and as soon as their legs or beaks are laden, they fly off, only to be replaced by more. They aren’t great carriers, so pollen drifts on the wind. Outsiders should keep their rift-protection up, because the pollen causes rift-corruption along with other side effects such as: violent tendencies, explosive anger, and insatiable appetites (of any kind). The pollinators will escape deeper into the forest. If an outsider follows, please let the mod team know!
▶ 005. THERE WERE ONCE CITIES.
As Outsiders travel further into the jungle where civilization has a harder and harder time taking root, they instead find remnants of those that came before. There are buildings in the lush jungles, but they’re truly ancient. Sometimes, the stonework stands out and is easy to find, but at other times, the buildings are completely overgrown with vines and flowers that will take extra effort to explore. Regardless of which kind they find, the carved, geometric artwork makes it clear that these are ruins from Aztec and Mayan cultures.
Exploring the ruins will reveal very little in the way of ancient treasures (or rolling boulder traps), since anything that could be taken was already looted long ago. They’ll make suitable shelter for the forest, at least, since curiously, the more dangerous elements don’t seem to enter. In fact, they very specifically stay away.
Each set of ruins also includes one building that stands above all others. Ascending the tall pyramids will lead to a central, round room at the apex that are all united in its details, even if they’re clearly done at different times. The ceiling is dotted as a starscape, and at the center is a painted, black circle. Underneath this lays what’s clearly an altar. The altar has a depression in its center and a channel that leads down its side, as if it’s expecting liquid.
Exploring the ruins will reveal very little in the way of ancient treasures (or rolling boulder traps), since anything that could be taken was already looted long ago. They’ll make suitable shelter for the forest, at least, since curiously, the more dangerous elements don’t seem to enter. In fact, they very specifically stay away.
Each set of ruins also includes one building that stands above all others. Ascending the tall pyramids will lead to a central, round room at the apex that are all united in its details, even if they’re clearly done at different times. The ceiling is dotted as a starscape, and at the center is a painted, black circle. Underneath this lays what’s clearly an altar. The altar has a depression in its center and a channel that leads down its side, as if it’s expecting liquid.
OFFERING: THE BLOOD OF OUTSIDERS AND HUMANS:
No matter the amount, characters immediately feel lightheaded, as if they’d given a large portion of blood (even if they’re not giving their own). Within 24 hours, an unusually patterned bruise will appear somewhere on their body. Characters who make this sacrifice will swap abilities with each other, but will notice that their newfound abilities are notably weaker than if the original owner still had them.
OFFERING: THE BLOOD OF ANIMALS:
Characters become more connected to the animals of the forest. They will take on one feature of a local animal, such as lightly poisonous skin, improved night vision, or ears/tail. They’ll also find they can talk to their related animal.
OFFERING: ... OTHER BODILY FLUIDS...?:
The altar is disappointed in you. There is no other effect.
OFFERING: WATER/PLANT SAP:
Characters become more connected to the forest. Skin takes on a greenish tint, and they’re able to minorly control plants. They’ll feel like they can commune with the forest, and will be able to telepathically talk with any others who make this offering.
OFFERING: ANYTHING ELSE (ANY OTHER MATERIALS):
There is no effect.
▶ 006. AFTERWORD.
Welcome to our sixth travel log!
Below, you will see the link to the MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET post that has information about the kaiju below along with OFFERING EFFECTS. Fill out the form for RNG Attacks and whether you would like to receive an OFFERING 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.
All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards August AC.
All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards August AC.
EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. VAMOS!: Outsiders travel to Mexico after receiving a request for support as there has been unusual rift activity in the area. A portal is avaliable to take Outsiders to the location, but are advisted to travel light.
2. SKYSCRAPERS AND TREES: LILITH officer Morales greets outsiders and explains the situation: civillians have begun to grow sick and strange animals have begun to appear. A LILITH researcher is theorising that plants have evolved to purify the air. He requests help catching creatures for research.
3. THE FUTURE WILL BE GREEN: Outsiders are tasked with visiting areas with odd Rift readings. They will be required to journey through the jungle, finding overgrown towns and cities, scavenge supplies, while being wary of native creatures.
4. NATURE FINDS A WAY: Regular animals are fighting against kaiju and winning; local fauna attacks anyone who gets close, and poisonous frogs attack. The deeper Outsiders go, the more dangerous it becomes.
5. THERE WERE ONCE CITIES: Deep in the jungle, an ancient ruin can be found. Outsiders are able to make "offerings" at an altar for various effects, depending on the offering.
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I should have mentioned that I already knew, but I kind of forgot.
[ There were more important things, like saving Megumi's life, and being corrupted, and trauma and stuff. ]
I deserved it, though, I think.
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yuji's scent envelops him, surrounds him; without meaning to, megumi closes his eyes and feels himself calm down. ]
...Did you know Geto-san and Sensei are close?
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... They are?
[ Oblivious as ever. ]
I know they call each other best friends and everything, so I guess there's that, but... Gojo-sensei always pulls faces when I talk about Geto-san.
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Geto-san was sleeping in Sensei's room. I'm sure he was, his shirt was wrinkled and had that faint sleep smell.
[ come to think of it— ] He smelled like Sensei a bit, too, so he must've been staying over for a while for Sensei's scent to rub off and stick onto his clothes.
[ oh. oh no, gross, this is a gross mental image. megumi makes a face. ]
He never talks about Geto-san, you know.
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[ Yuji has not yet had a mind project and come to consciousness on the notion of 'fuck buddies'. ]
I'm not gonna ask either of them.
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Hey, [ megumi calls out softly. ] They're probably just like us. Bonded by things only they understand. Doesn't mean they're actually together or anything. Not that there's anything wrong with it if they are, but— you know what I mean.
Just like how nobody else would understand what it's like to deal with Sukuna like we have, they probably went through some things only they'll understand.
Are you avoiding Sensei?
[ geto-san, megumi understands, especially considering the message geto-san had left him. but why not gojo-sensei too? ]
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[ He's not going to argue or complain about it, not when that's something that he can genuinely wrap his mind around.
Trying to explain to anyone else the way that he feels about Megumi, the bond between them, their shared circumstances... It feels impossible. It's no surprise that it might be the same for Gojo and Geto, right?
It's funny, to think that they're so similar. ]
... Sensei? No. I'm not trying to, but I'm sure he'd be upset with me if he knows what happened with Geto-san.
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[ maybe that's why geto-san had been so empathically firm with megumi too, when he'd confronted the older man. it leaves megumi with a lot to think about — about himself, his relationships with his elders, his relationship with yuji especially.
megumi rolls to his side and prods yuji's cheek with a finger. ]
He'll get over himself. Don't take it personally. He won't make the first move, though, so when you're ready, please talk to him too. I'll go with you if you want me to.
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[ It's not as if it would change anything for Yuji. So what if they're together? So what if they aren't? They're both still so important to him, they're both unique, and they have a place in his heart. Whatever they do, he'll support and cherish them.
The poke brings him out of his thoughts, and he tilts his head up to Megumi. ]
Mm... I'll leave it for now. There are more important things to focus on.
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[ yeah he's not letting this pass. megumi's the type to use up at least three days to get ready for a trip. he'll drag yuji into his habits kicking and screaming if he has to. ]
Are we allowed to bring souvenirs back? If they're safe, I mean.
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[ Yuji hums softly, settling down into the bed and letting his eyes close. ]
People have brought plants back before to try and grow them, so there's probably been other things, too.
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[ that does mean megumi could, in theory, collect small animals he could raise or train between missions. maybe he'll get a snake. he misses orochi; he's reminded of eishu.
megumi curls towards yuji, throwing one leg over yuji's own. ]
Have you ever brought anything back?
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[ Yuji's not sure about animals, since they're not technically allowed to have pets, but... They weren't meant to have sleepovers, either, and he's been getting away with that for months and months.
His smile twitches and he shakes his head. ]
Not really. I take a lot of photos, though.
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[ megumi's noticed the photos; hard not to, when some of the faces are so deeply familiar he feels a sharp melancholy in thinking they're somewhere too far away for him to reach. how is kugisaki doing? maki? yuji's built a nice life here.
what if yuji prefers it here? what if he wants to stay?
megumi elbows yuji's side in reflex. he doesn't want to pull on that thread of thinking just yet. ]
You should take pictures of me, too. Put them up next to everyone. Do you think the shikigami will show up in the photos here?
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Before he defeated Sukuna, he had wondered if he had any right to want to stay here, if he was allowed to wish for it and want it - but he had to swallow his own desires and focus on the mission in front of him. Now that he knows things at home are safer, that the people he loves are as alive as they can be....
Is it wrong to want to be here a little longer?
The nudge has one eye opening, his face twisting into a brief pout before he's distracted. ]
We can do that. I've got a bunch of other photos I didn't put up yet, so if you want any of the others you can take them, too.
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[ he's not particularly hopeful that he'll have his asks granted so easily, but megumi always believes in the power of effort and doing what one can to reach one's goals. it's likely part of why gojo judges him so harshly, in hindsight: they both know megumi is capable of greater things, but megumi chooses to not try.
maybe if he tried things differently. maybe if he did this or that or something else. it's all spilled milk now. ]
What if I asked for Playful Cloud? My weapons from back home, I mean. I have the flatblade sword I had in Shinjuku, but that's all. [ megumi places a hand the bed, palm near-flat save for a centimetre of space. it creates a small shadow on the sheets, but it's more than enough for him now. ] ...They still won't answer me. I can't reach them here, either the other shikigami or my weapons store.
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paper-yuji vs dumpling-gumi
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here but not here
at the door lingers a shadow, listening Intently to his little brother jumble and fumble Megumi a second fucking time, a big fist clenched in something that might be support.
you can do it, yuji. ]