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synflux2025-09-29 05:51 pm
synfluxmods) wrote in synflux2025-09-29 05:51 pm
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
[Still, she's not wrong about it being hardly anything to keep a cat out of the castle. Meat is meat, whether cooked or raw to a cat.]
My Quirk and gear are better than this whole room put together.
[Taking anything for himself is pointless.]
Others need it more.
no subject
I suppose there's no point in wishing you 'good luck'. But remember, if you get injured, find me, ok?
[She puts the training sword back on the rack and looks back at the flail. It's a pretty good one, but she'll stick to her mace from home for actual fights.]
no subject
Aa. What's your healing speed?
[If she's able to put a timer on it. A few seconds for a papercut, an hour for a broken leg, etc.]
no subject
[It isn't that more time spent = more healing, unless she casts multiple spells. She can do a minor healing work or a major one in the same amount of time when pressed; the second just takes significantly more of her energy.]
You, um, seem like you usually manage to keep your head on straight when fighting kaiju, right? [So far, two for two, Bakugo has held his own against the mental manipulation of their enemies.]
no subject
[His expression twists slightly in annoyance. Trade offs in healing are shit to have in the middle of a fight. Though he's aware it's an unfortunate reality. Can't set a broken bone properly if you're gonna wrap a splint and get back into the battle. Guess it's the same with magic or ethereal methods.]
Of course I do! What kind of idiot gets distracted during a fight! [Despite his battlelust and aggressive demeanor, he's one of the best and most efficient fighters the Outsiders have! And he'll back that claim up if anyone disagrees.
Well, she wasn't here when Ereshkigal got corrupted and Bakugo ended up getting brainwashed into being one of her gatekeepers. Like, the boss of a level in a video game sort of gatekeeper. Complete with his own stage and challenge.]
no subject
[Don't think she doesn't do a good job!] But when time is of the essence, I focus on the most pressing thing first, and then circle back around to cleansing the wound and relieving the pain later.
[When she's got more time for it, she can cast one spell after another to make sure she covers all her bases, but in battle, her allies get their wounds mended without the frills so they can finish the fight.]
...When I first got here, Yato could barely talk because someone had hurt his throat. That was you, right? If I ever get mind-controlled, I won't be able to cast if you stop my voice.
[It's information that could be used against her if Bakugo is the one who gets mind-whammied, but she wants to make sure somebody knows what to do if she gets brainwashed so she doesn't end up curing the kaiju instead of her team. Bakugo probably wouldn't hesitate to knock her out, so he's the one who she's trusting with this.]
no subject
[Muttered under his breath, but not sounding like he's disagreeing with her. Jessica has experience in tending to other warriors, being a healer. Some stubborn people (like himself) wouldn't even stop to get treated or healed, only continued to plow into the fray regardless of injuries.
At least it improves his view of her as a fellow Outsider. He'll see her the next time he's injured.]
I see.
[He doesn't need to confirm what she already knows. Yato had fought him to stop him when he was brainwashed. Denji was the one who finally took him down completely. He hated it, hurting a friend he cared about a lot, and hurting his boyfriend so badly. But they did what they had to so he didn't ruin even more lives.]
What kind of spells can you cast?
[Since she's preparing him for a potential fight.]
no subject
[The danger isn't in who she tries to hurt. It's in who she helps.]
So, if talking to the kaiju doesn't work out, and I get turned around during a fight and start chanting, it could mean I'm about to heal the kaiju and undo everything everyone fighting it just did. So... somebody should know how to stop that from happening. Just in case.
no subject
[He knew she didn't have spells which harmed, but there are a lot of spells in stories which don't harm offensively. Light flares, vertigo, illusions, confusion, any number of non-aggressive offense or sturdy defensive options exist.
Apparently not for Jessica.]
Your healing doesn't care about the size of your target? Only the severity of the wound.
[Healing a whale versus healing a cat.]
no subject
Well, I haven't tried healing monsters before. I've only done my spells on human-sized people. But I... think it would work the same? It's not like size matters to Althena.
[She shrugs.]
Maybe I'm worrying for nothing. But it's better to be prepared, right?
no subject
Test that. Try healing smaller animals.
[Note the speed of her success compared to humans. She'll probably get some sort of ratio in her experiments.]
Duh. Being reckless will only get you wrecked.
no subject
[She doesn't want to use the Goddess' gift frivolously, and she's definitely not going to hurt an animal just so she has something to heal. But with the amount of agriculture going on around the castle, she's sure someone will be in need of some free veterinary services.]
That's what I'm trying to avoid.
no subject
[She can kill two birds with one stone. Test her powers difference based on the size scale of her patient, and cure some ill-begotten livestock or pets at the same time. He's curious about her results, but isn't going to offer an escort or tag-along. There are things he needs to get done a well.]
If the kaiju can be reasoned with, it's strange they haven't done so in however many damn years this has gone on.
no subject
[But then again, she's a priestess, and having faith in the miraculous is a requirement of the job.]
But if this isn't the one, then you can blow it up, like usual.
no subject
[They wouldn't be looking for the right one to talk to, much less thinking there's even a way to talk to them. It's a fight for survival. Chatting during a life or death struggle is ridiculous.
Even if a few heroes certainly have done that...]
Hmph. You'll get your chance to talk to it.
[He'll give her that much.]
no subject
[Most people can only stomach getting burned so many times before they abandon that thought. It just means it's up to the Outsiders to keep exploring those other options.]
Thanks. I promise I won't get in anyone's way.
no subject
[His tone suggested he was personally familiar with such a harsh truth. As hopeful as heroes were in protecting and saving everyone, the sad truth is, not everyone wants to be saved or protected. Not every threat wants to be talked out of their actions. Some people... are simply far too gone to pull back from the inky pit they fell into long ago.
Jessica sounds like she at least understands that.]
Yeah, yeah. We've got another two weeks before anything happens.
no subject
[Maybe further down the line, she's lose some of this optimism, but it's still early days for her here on the front lines of the kaiju fight.]
If nothing else, the kaiju are punctual.
no subject
[She has her goals and she has her chance approaching. Bakugo intends to make sure she isn't taken out trying to accomplish it. Not mature enough to avoid going "told you so" if she's swatted out of the sky.
While Bakugo isn't a pessimist, he's pretty realistic and strives more towards ending the fight in one go than wasting time running his mouth.]
Aa. Every other month for almost two years.
no subject
And you've been here basically all that time?
[Poor Bakugo, all that fighting, and still no end in sight.]
no subject
Aa. I was part of the original group brought here.
[He's been in this place since the December before last. While improvements have been made, Jessica's right: there's no end in sight.]
no subject
Thanks for protecting this world all that time. And for watching out for the newbies.
[Because he has helped her out time and again, in his own gruff way.]
no subject
Hmph. I hate their way of doing it, but they want to protect their world. I'm a hero. I'm not gonna turn my back on them. [And even more so now that he's finished his "business" in his own world.]