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synflux2025-09-29 05:51 pm
synfluxmods) wrote in synflux2025-09-29 05:51 pm
Entry tags:
TRAVEL LOG #7
TRAVEL LOG #7
▶ 001. IT’S (NOT) LONDON, BABY.
As the last dregs of summer fade into the beginning of true Fall in Neo Tokyo, Outsiders wake up to the sound of sirens blaring, the call coming through their implants - there's no time for relaxation, not when the world still needs to be saved. As soon as everyone has gathered for the debriefing, Yamakawa explains their next destination: a request for aid has been sent by a civilian militia group in Windsor, England, and it's a desperate plea for support for an ongoing kaiju crisis.
While LILITH doesn't have a branch in the area, they're able to work with their contact to ensure that a data portal is set up for the easy transportation of Outsiders from the main base. Travelling feels a little bit easier compared to before, but the common side effects still remain - a little nausea, some headaches, dizziness and some minor glitching. It seems as if caffeine is a solution, and upon arrival, Outsiders are offered a cup of tea to get them settled.
Weirdly, unlike previous teleportation, physical touch seems to make the symptoms worse, rather than better. Anyone attempting the usual form of intimacy will find that being close to people, especially those they’re most comfortable with, will feel strangely awkward, leaving them with an uneasy sensation and the urge to take a step back.
As this is another warp rather than air travel, Outsiders will be asked to bring only what they deem necessary on this journey. Yamakawa reminds the Outsiders that, once they arrive, further supplies will be sent; both those that the outsiders request, and additional medical supplies for the militia in England to support them in their ongoing quest.
Everyone will be given the standard 24 hours to pack and prepare for departure. Once the time is up, Outsiders are transported to the arrival point... In Windsor Castle.
While LILITH doesn't have a branch in the area, they're able to work with their contact to ensure that a data portal is set up for the easy transportation of Outsiders from the main base. Travelling feels a little bit easier compared to before, but the common side effects still remain - a little nausea, some headaches, dizziness and some minor glitching. It seems as if caffeine is a solution, and upon arrival, Outsiders are offered a cup of tea to get them settled.
Weirdly, unlike previous teleportation, physical touch seems to make the symptoms worse, rather than better. Anyone attempting the usual form of intimacy will find that being close to people, especially those they’re most comfortable with, will feel strangely awkward, leaving them with an uneasy sensation and the urge to take a step back.
As this is another warp rather than air travel, Outsiders will be asked to bring only what they deem necessary on this journey. Yamakawa reminds the Outsiders that, once they arrive, further supplies will be sent; both those that the outsiders request, and additional medical supplies for the militia in England to support them in their ongoing quest.
Everyone will be given the standard 24 hours to pack and prepare for departure. Once the time is up, Outsiders are transported to the arrival point... In Windsor Castle.
▶ 002. AN OUTSIDER WALKS INTO A CASTLE.
Upon arriving in the bailey of the castle, a beautiful woman who introduces herself as Gwen approaches. She welcomes the Outsiders to her base of operations, promising to provide beds and food for everyone. She’s quick to give an overview of why they’ve been summoned to the castle and what the problem is: they’re a militia group who are fighting against a large kaiju that is threatening the remains of the civilian population of the United Kingdom. They need help from the Outsiders to put the kaiju (and the rebels that are supporting it) down so that peace can continue. With how few people they have capable of fighting, they turned to LILITH in desperation.
As the Outsiders are directed to one of the wings of the castle to settle in, some might notice something… Off. While all the Outsiders who had agreed to go to the mission are present and accounted for, some members of their group are acting a little odd. When spoken to, they behave the same in terms of personality, but some of the things they’re saying are strange, or don’t sound right…
Some Outsiders have come to believe that they have always lived in Neo Tokyo, and don’t remember any other life. They’re convinced that this is the truth, and any attempt to dissuade them is met with resistance, both of the Outsiders feeling nauseated, with the risk of migraines developing. It doesn’t seem as if anything works to break this strange sickness, no matter what is attempted.
That might be a problem to deal with later.
Once bunks have been agreed on (and they will need to share rooms), Outsiders are given free rein to explore Windsor Castle. Gwen - and her generals, a group of women who can often be found around her, peering over maps, reports and other paperwork, giving advice and arguing about the best course of action - tell Outsiders that it would be best to stay within the castle walls, due to the threats of smaller kaiju outside the base. They do ask that, if they have spare time, that they help the people around the castle as much as they can, as there’s a lot of upkeep to do, and they’re running low on people thanks to their failed missions.
The castle is large, and beautifully decorated with medieval tapestries that have clung to their existence despite the impact of time. There are various locations of interest that the Outsiders are welcome to nose their way around: a library, filled with hundreds of books; the stable, where various horses of different kinds can be found (and ridden!); the outskirts around the bailey, with various small dogs; the feasting hall, where meals are served (mostly farm grown foods, and very limited meats) and, finally, the garrison (which, at the moment, only the non-afflicted Outsiders are permitted into, for ‘the safety of the others), with medieval weaponry on the walls.
As the Outsiders are directed to one of the wings of the castle to settle in, some might notice something… Off. While all the Outsiders who had agreed to go to the mission are present and accounted for, some members of their group are acting a little odd. When spoken to, they behave the same in terms of personality, but some of the things they’re saying are strange, or don’t sound right…
Some Outsiders have come to believe that they have always lived in Neo Tokyo, and don’t remember any other life. They’re convinced that this is the truth, and any attempt to dissuade them is met with resistance, both of the Outsiders feeling nauseated, with the risk of migraines developing. It doesn’t seem as if anything works to break this strange sickness, no matter what is attempted.
That might be a problem to deal with later.
Once bunks have been agreed on (and they will need to share rooms), Outsiders are given free rein to explore Windsor Castle. Gwen - and her generals, a group of women who can often be found around her, peering over maps, reports and other paperwork, giving advice and arguing about the best course of action - tell Outsiders that it would be best to stay within the castle walls, due to the threats of smaller kaiju outside the base. They do ask that, if they have spare time, that they help the people around the castle as much as they can, as there’s a lot of upkeep to do, and they’re running low on people thanks to their failed missions.
The castle is large, and beautifully decorated with medieval tapestries that have clung to their existence despite the impact of time. There are various locations of interest that the Outsiders are welcome to nose their way around: a library, filled with hundreds of books; the stable, where various horses of different kinds can be found (and ridden!); the outskirts around the bailey, with various small dogs; the feasting hall, where meals are served (mostly farm grown foods, and very limited meats) and, finally, the garrison (which, at the moment, only the non-afflicted Outsiders are permitted into, for ‘the safety of the others), with medieval weaponry on the walls.
▶ 003. IT HAS A GREAT KNIGHT-LIFE.
As the Outsiders settle in, the influence of the strange memory manipulation becomes stronger. Outsiders who are convinced they’ve been in this world their entire lives may grow more determined about it, and find strength in talking about their strange new memories. Anyone attempting to convince them otherwise will likely find themselves ostracised and left to the generous mercy of the civilians around the castle. Either way, both sets of Outsiders are generally welcomed around the castle.
The accommodation is good, but there are a few minor issues. Some of the dishes the Outsiders are served taste a little off (perhaps the lack of spice?) and locals urge their guests to stay away from some areas of the castle. If they do decide to go there despite the warnings, there doesn’t seem to be anything amiss. Maybe it’s a British thing?
There are a huge amount of things that need doing around the castle, and the native population are more than happy to encourage the Outsiders to take part and help them with what little resources they have remaining. If Outsiders volunteer to help, they’re informed about the many odd jobs that need doing around the castle and how they can support the locals:
There are dozens of other odd jobs that need done, too, and Outsiders can find themselves tasked with almost any minor task that they can imagine - from novice carpentry, to cleaning, to taking care of the corgi population to even exercising the horses. There are no limits to how helpful the Outsiders can be to their temporary home.
Throughout this time, Gwen and her generals are preparing for the upcoming mission and sharing briefs with the Outsiders as they gear up: there’s been a trace of the beast somewhere near Egham, ironically called the “Enchanted Forest”. If the Outsiders attempt to probe Gwen or question her for specifics, she’ll shrug them off, for now; there simply isn’t enough time to answer everyone personally, and she’s incredibly busy.
The accommodation is good, but there are a few minor issues. Some of the dishes the Outsiders are served taste a little off (perhaps the lack of spice?) and locals urge their guests to stay away from some areas of the castle. If they do decide to go there despite the warnings, there doesn’t seem to be anything amiss. Maybe it’s a British thing?
There are a huge amount of things that need doing around the castle, and the native population are more than happy to encourage the Outsiders to take part and help them with what little resources they have remaining. If Outsiders volunteer to help, they’re informed about the many odd jobs that need doing around the castle and how they can support the locals:
OPERATION: CAN WE FIX IT?
Outsiders are tasked with helping to repair and, in some cases, reinforce the wall surrounding the castle and the bailey. It’s clearly been damaged from kaiju attacks, and some areas are more damaged than others. There are limited amounts of brick, so there may be a need to go out on a reconnaissance mission to gather more supplies. Outsiders will be rewarded with carved items from the civilians - dogs, horses, dragons, and lions.
OPERATION: WE’RE GOING ON A KAIJU HUNT.
Outsiders are asked to go out in small groups to deal with the small, minor kaiju that have been threatening the castle. The threat is a mixture of various wild kaiju, including vicious wild deer, boar, foxes and badgers. Some are more dangerous than others, and most attack on sight. Outsiders will be rewarded with small gifts from the civilians - gloves with sheep wool interiors, large cotton blankets and, if they bring back their kills, fresh kaiju meat meals.
OPERATION: CLAYSON’S FARM.
Outsiders are asked to help the castle farmers for the upcoming months, both the livestock and the crops themselves. The calves will need to be weaned (which might include chasing them around a field), wool from ewes clipped and harvesting the winter wheat, potato and sugar beet before planting the new crop. Outsiders will be rewarded with small gifts from the farmers - bouquets of dried flowers, their first choice of the harvested crops, bottles of homemade cider, and even naming some of the livestock after the most helpful.
OPERATION: THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT (AU’D CHARACTERS ONLY).
Outsiders are asked to tend to a graveyard deep in the back area of the castle, surrounded by forests. They will need to clean the graves, tidy up anything that has been left behind, check the records are accurate and pay their respects. Outsiders will be rewarded with a broach in a strange horse shape from Gwen herself, who says it will permit them into some of the closed off areas of the castle. This includes the ‘spa’ (where the water is always cold); the ballroom (where the curtains are too heavy to move, so it’s always dark) and a special dining hall (which none of the cooking staff seem to know exists).
OPERATION: A PROPER GANDER (NON-AU’D CHARACTERS ONLY).
Outsiders are asked to deal with the rebel propaganda that’s popped up around the castle. They will need to clean the graffiti, remove posters, try and track down where they’re getting in and ensure none remains. Outsiders will be rewarded with Turkish Delight candies (hand-delivered by Gwen, as it’s her own personal recipe), nightly offers of hot chocolate and their choice of art supplies so they can add their own murals to the castle (once approved by the generals, of course).
There are dozens of other odd jobs that need done, too, and Outsiders can find themselves tasked with almost any minor task that they can imagine - from novice carpentry, to cleaning, to taking care of the corgi population to even exercising the horses. There are no limits to how helpful the Outsiders can be to their temporary home.
Throughout this time, Gwen and her generals are preparing for the upcoming mission and sharing briefs with the Outsiders as they gear up: there’s been a trace of the beast somewhere near Egham, ironically called the “Enchanted Forest”. If the Outsiders attempt to probe Gwen or question her for specifics, she’ll shrug them off, for now; there simply isn’t enough time to answer everyone personally, and she’s incredibly busy.
▶ 004. HASTY PREPARATION.
Not long into the Outsiders’ stay at the castle, a scouting report comes back with alarming news: the kaiju is on the move and seems to have more humans under its control, preparing to launch a counterattack on the castle and the people within. The generals, Gwen leading the charge, are quick to gather their weapons and supplies and start to consider a way of fighting back before the worst happens: the castle is laid siege.
Everyone in the castle is suddenly part of a whirlwind of motion, all trying to plan the counterattack and how to deal with the kaiju before it’s too late. Gwen is more than willing to listen to what the Outsiders have to say as spokespeople for LILITH, and due to their experience in dealing with kaiju in the past; she’s keen to know what they’ve tried, what worked, and what didn’t work.
The next few days have the castle in preparation mode. Weapons are checked, books on tactics and histories are revised to see for any weaknesses that might have been missed, and Outsiders are encouraged to do whatever they can to help, just as they have been before.
It’s as hard to get Gwen and her generals alone as it was before, but there’s a general feeling of finality around the keep; this could be it. She does make an announcement a day before the march:
Killing this kaiju might be the only way to free the Outsiders from its influence.
This might be the final push to get rid of the kaiju forever.
Everyone in the castle is suddenly part of a whirlwind of motion, all trying to plan the counterattack and how to deal with the kaiju before it’s too late. Gwen is more than willing to listen to what the Outsiders have to say as spokespeople for LILITH, and due to their experience in dealing with kaiju in the past; she’s keen to know what they’ve tried, what worked, and what didn’t work.
The next few days have the castle in preparation mode. Weapons are checked, books on tactics and histories are revised to see for any weaknesses that might have been missed, and Outsiders are encouraged to do whatever they can to help, just as they have been before.
It’s as hard to get Gwen and her generals alone as it was before, but there’s a general feeling of finality around the keep; this could be it. She does make an announcement a day before the march:
"My men and I have discovered what may be causing the strange... Affliction your friends are suffering from, dear soldiers of LILITH. The kaiju seems to have the power to influence emotion, and memory along with it. A previous attack left a relic in the beast, which has healing properties: it is this that will cure your friends. We must defeat the monster and bring this relic home, with all swiftness."
Killing this kaiju might be the only way to free the Outsiders from its influence.
This might be the final push to get rid of the kaiju forever.
▶ AFTERWORD.
This Travel Log #7!
Due to the nature of the final prompt, the Kaiju RNG will be posted in a few days to allow for time for Outsiders to gather clues and plan a counterattack against the kaiju.
The clues Outsiders receive (both AU and non-AU options) will be vital for charting a course for tackling this kaiju, so please add your suggestions (and ICly +1 other people's) before the 10th at the latest. We strongly encourage players to coordinate their clues together ICly to come up with solutions!
The planned attack will be based on character suggestions using this comment.
All comments in this event count for 2 points towards October AC. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask them below.
Due to the nature of the final prompt, the Kaiju RNG will be posted in a few days to allow for time for Outsiders to gather clues and plan a counterattack against the kaiju.
The clues Outsiders receive (both AU and non-AU options) will be vital for charting a course for tackling this kaiju, so please add your suggestions (and ICly +1 other people's) before the 10th at the latest. We strongly encourage players to coordinate their clues together ICly to come up with solutions!
The planned attack will be based on character suggestions using this comment.
All comments in this event count for 2 points towards October AC. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask them below.
EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. IT’S (NOT) LONDON, BABY: Outsiders are awoken to the siren alerting them to a mission and are transported to England to help a militia group with a kaiju problem.
2. AN OUTSIDER WALKS INTO A CASTLE: Outsiders meet the leader of the group, Gwen, who urges them to get settled in. Some Outsiders begin to have strange issues with their memories, and side effects when challenged.
3. IT HAS A GREAT KNIGHT-LIFE: While they settle in, Outsiders are tasked with helping the organization out with various tasks with various rewards for their hard work.
4. HASTY PREPARATION: Gwen and her men prepare for a final counterattack against the kaiju with LILITH's support, and ask the Outsiders to suggest ways to track down and kill the threat to their people. They must retrieve a relic embedded in the kaiju to free their friends.
no subject
He can't resist a library, though, and it's so refreshing to see a place so full of real, actual books. He's just about to reach for something on the shelf when his friend zips by on the ladder.]
Don't crash that thing. I don't think our insurance covers it.
no subject
How about you not get your hand knocked off, summoner? Katsuki catches his foot on the bookshelf end, timing and spacing it perfectly to avoid putting undue pressure on the wood. Yes, he cleaned his boots first. Then scales the ladder to reach higher shelves.]
I don't crash anything! [Except faces and bad guys' dreams!]
no subject
He watches him climb, not approving but also knowing he's not going to be able to stop Katsuki either.]
... Anything good up there? I hadn't made it that high yet.
no subject
He's never told a soul, even now.]
Buncha crap about alchemy and history. Who the hell's got a tome of ballads?
no subject
Ah, history? Bring those down. I've been looking through them.
[He takes his books he has now and clears a spot on a nearby table for the two of them.]
You're looking for... ballads?
no subject
Katsuki drops from the ladder and lands on his feet before passing the two books to Raidou.]
Hell no! I'm putting all these back in category. No one in this place knows how to put shit back where they go it.
no subject
[He takes the books with a smile and a thankful nod, heading back ton the table to sit with them.]
I'm not sure exactly what it is I'm looking for, but... I'm hoping I'll know it when I find it. Have you found out anything interesting from the locals?
[Sometimes Raidou can't help himself, and detective mode takes over.]
no subject
[Happens all the damn time. Don't take a moment to put something back where it belongs and it's lost when you want it next. He counts other rows of books lined along the shelves, their numbers marching through his eyes as crimson irises slowly glide across his whites.]
Busy between trying to live a normal life and preparing for whatever the hell's coming.
[Asking the Outsiders for help, accepting what's offered.]
There's a colony of cats outside the castle walls.
no subject
[Outsiders similarly trying to live their lives around the constant threat of kaiju... and them also disappearing at any time.
Katsuki's said the magic word, and Raidou perks up.]
Ah? Really? I haven't had much time to look around the castle, let alone outside the walls yet...
[But now he's thinking about it.]
no subject
[With plenty of technology standing in to mitigate some of the natural hardship of life out in the country. Figures.
And there goes Raidou, perking up because he hit on one of his favorite animals.]
There were enough people crawling around inside. I checked the perimeter.
[Plus he could make it back to the castle a lot faster than others.]
They're well-fed for not being around people.
no subject
[Neo Tokyo is a little short on wildlife, but that doesn't mean this place isn't thriving better.]
If I have some time, I'd like to take a look in the immediate area around the walls. I know the locals say it's dangerous, but we should do some scouting. Is that what you were doing out there?
no subject
[Cats of that number would've taken down the vermin population a lot, even with the castle town being an attraction to rats and mice. They seem content to rest and lounge, suggesting they're also familiarized to human company to some degree.]
I didn't find any kaiju around the walls when I scouted. [Definitely patrolling the perimeter. He had the firepower and speed to make it less of a chore than others might find it.] I know you wanna go for the cats.
[Right, not gonna shut down Raidou's real reason for interest.]
no subject
[So he says with an impish smile.
Raidou will go check out the books he's collected, ready for a break anyway.]
Besides, I could use some fresh air. Have you felt, ah, odd after the teleportation here? I sure have. It's-- hard to say exactly what it is, but just... queasy. Clammy. Especially if anyone touches me.
[Even the thought of it gives him a little shudder, even if the side effects have abated a little since arrival.]
It's one of the reasons I headed in here. Some quiet and alone time.
no subject
I felt like shit when Denji got close to me the first day here, but it's gone now.
[Which really pissed him off, worried he wouldn't be able to stay close to his boyfriend during the trip. Thankfully the damn thing faded and they're rooming together as normal. (Hell, he roomed with him even when his body felt like crap. They slept on opposite sides of the room.) Bakugo heads to the door, rubbing at his shoulder.]
Are you feeling it now?
no subject
[He smiles weakly. Raidou's getting a bit exhausted by LILITH's effects. Just recently he went through getting his ass thoroughly kicked in a sim, only to be unable to heal it, and was pained and achy for days. Now this.]
... I think Yuji is more upset about it than I am.
[Yuji Itadori, the most affectionate boy in the world, isn't taking being unable to touch his boyfriend well.]
I think keeping busy helps. There's certainly a lot to do around here.
no subject
[They can't blame it on what ails London; it affected them as soon as they got through the portal and began fading after. Fucking machine's the problem, likely with the implants being similarly responsible.
Luckily Bakugo's abstinence from more implants means he generally gets away without feeling most negative affects. But he's not immune. Mentioning Yuji earns a brief scoff as he leaves the library behind.]
It'll pass soon. [Then Yuji's free to hug Raidou all he wants to make up for lost time.] Aa, everyone has something to do in this castle town.
no subject
[A little hands-on experience would be good, though his garden in Okinawa is hardly a farm.]
I'm also hoping that, this time, I can go back with seeds or something to plant. Couldn't bring anything home from Mexico City.
[At least he was able to keep his seeds and bulbs from Brasov. The only nice thing that came out of that hell.]
no subject
[It's heading into winter. Some crops can stay dormant underground during the cold, but others would sprout and die. Raidou's Okinawa efforts have plenty to show for themselves. At least in Katsuki's opinion.]
The last time we got anything was from Romania. [Brasov. Katsuki also came back with a lot of material. He essentially adopted the old woman's apothecary, plants, notes, seeds, and all.]
no subject
Mm. Exactly. I've planted most of what we've gotten from there already, too. I'd like to get around to planting flowers someday, but food and medicine comes first.
[That's more work for the future. Keeping what's already planted growing well is hard enough work.]
Though, I did get a few flowers growing... Some daises, a gift for Yato and Hiyori's wedding.
no subject
[Draft horses used for plowing rather than riding for leisure or hunting. Maybe Raidou will get to go for a horse-drawn plow for a truly archaic experience.]
Aa, most of what I brought is grown by now. [His medical herbs and "drug" plants propagate in the greenhouse and their patches at Okinawa. With the occasional trips out of city bounds for other saplings and seeds.]
Heh, plant those in Okinawa and you can use their blooms for umbrellas.
no subject
The first batch of daises weren't too big, but I can't say how future ones will go. Maybe once I get sunflowers in there, we'll get ones as big as trees.
[As they approach the castle gates, Raidou perks up a little with anticipation.]
So, which direction? Ah, wish I had thought to stop to grab some food...
[Feral kitties aren't as likely to approach without it, but he can admire from a distance.]
no subject
[If you could even fit one in your mouth. Bakugo lifts his hand and- KABOOM! -makes the castle gate guards jump out of their skins from their watchtowers above.]
We're going out!
[Might as well let them know since they're kind of guests here. And people are already on edge. That woman running the place liked to keep an eye on everything as best she can.]
We can get something from the surrounding marketplace.
[And heads through the gates.]
sorry for being slow lately, i've been stupidly busy at work
Sounds good. I'm guessing the cats aren't living too far out if they're being fed, hmm?
[The two of them are strong, but they probably shouldn't wander too far without better preparation and more people.]
I'm thinking of asking Kaga-san to take us on a quick air scouting mission later. To check out the area, but also... to see what happens when we get certain people out the the castle grounds.
[Hopefully Katsuki catches his drift about "certain people". Fun fact, they take this trip later and it could have gone better, really.]
it's all good, life happens, i've got family over this weekend, so slow too -_-
Aa. They're around the outer walls.
[No, he has no intention of vanishing into the forest far off or wandering himself stupidly into the barren wasteland patches.]
You think that bitch is gonna help out? [He and Kaga are... not friends, to put it lightly. She's reliable in missions, but Katsuki is against her materialistic warmonger mindset. She'll help by scouting with her units. By giving them rides? Fuck that.]
If a trip in the air could clear those idiots' heads, I'd've already blown them sky high.
no subject
[He's well aware of how many people don't jive with Kaga. She might be the only person alive who Yuji actively hates. Their civilian job at the shrine together probably helps, and Raidou's predisposition to non-human spirits, which he views Kaga as.]
Not the air. Proximity. One of the things I read was that mind-alerting effects go way back at this castle, and don't really seem to extend past it. We should do some scouting anyway, and this kills two birds with one stone.
(no subject)