▶ TEAM BUILDING EVENT #2

[synfluxmods]

TEAM BUILDING EVENT #2

CONTENT WARNINGS: forced scenarios, altered mood, illness, disaster aftermath, kidnapping, interrogation & torture, violence.

▶ 001. FLOWER VIEWING.

The Neo Tokyo Meteorological Agency is very excited to report that cherry blossom season has begun, and the cherry blossom (and plum blossom) trees are blooming right on schedule once again. It’s a rare time where the concrete jungle of Neo Tokyo blossoms in beautiful shades of pink and white, and due to past conservation efforts to protect the natural cherry blossom trees, there are natural trees in season all over the city. It’s a sight to behold, and the people are very excited about it, setting up picnic mats and enjoying the beauty of nature with their friends and family. Even with all the distractions of technology, even with the looming knowledge that the next Kaiju could advance at any second, Hanami continues to be a popular custom, still being practiced centuries after the world was first at siege.

Outsiders are free to do as they like during this period. Some of the city still needs to be rebuilt from the recent floods, but stall owners have organized themselves splendidly to capitalize on the season. Traditional foods and snacks to enjoy with your loved ones at Hanami include dango, cherry blossom cookies, sakura mochi, onigiri, and hanami bento sets including sushi rolls, kamaboko and tamagoyaki. Prepare your own, or grab one at the many stalls offering them on their menu. Lots of places are selling sake at half off.

For Outsiders who want to do more than sit at the picnic, they can break up fights between the locals over the best picnic spots (they are very intense about this), or help track when the trees are blooming throughout the city and report directly to the Neo Tokyo Meteorological Agency. They’re happy to pay. If Outsiders choose to report where trees are blooming, they will accept a small form on their ocular devices and encouraged to walk in a pair or group for accuracy when gathering information. The form will include date, location, the kinds of trees blooming and how well they are blooming. (Players are free to head canon any information about this.)

Those who stay too long amongst the flowers might find themselves coming down with an … interesting form of hay fever. Symptoms can include flu-like symptoms, or uncontrollable giggling and elation. Looks like the flood waters from before are affecting the trees in some way.

"Mrrow … The effects will wear off in a few days. I’m a busy cat. Drink water, get plenty of rest. Come back when there’s something to actually worry about. Now, Alex, where did you put my mousey – "

▶ 002. WHITE DAY.

Here in Neo Tokyo, LILITH wants all its Outsiders to be happy and bonded as a team. A team that cannot work together will crumble in the next Kaiju attack. While it’s a great sentiment, the organization is a little too fond of … coercive methods. Just as chocolate was provided last month for Valentine’s Day, Outsiders will be airdropped several boxes of chocolates on March 14th, also known as White Day. A brief is beamed to their implant:

█ █ █ MISSION OBJECTIVE:
✖ Return the chocolate previously handed out to you on Valentines’ Day.
✖ For new Outsiders and Outsiders with leftover boxes, hand them all out to other Outsiders by the end of the day.
✖ Failure to comply will be grounds for disciplinary action.

Just as before, a failure to comply with these requirements will result in Outsiders being saddled with cleaning duty of the cafeteria and communal showers for a week, or a house arrest of 24 hours in their rooms.

As a note, we are leaving it up to players to decide how many boxes they are saddled with and how much they need to do to avoid punishment.

▶ 003. BUDDY UP.

With new Outsiders arriving at the base, LILITH wants them to feel as welcome as possible. Older Outsiders will be tasked to take a newbie under their wing and buddy up with them for a number of days (to a few weeks). The newbie, meanwhile, will be ordered to shadow a more experienced Outsider throughout that whole time to learn as much as possible about life as a LILITH recruit. LILITH expects the oldbies to act as a true senpai, but will ultimately leave it up to them to decide how best to nurture the new arrivals. A Shutterstock image will appear in the implants along with suggestions. Some suggestions provided by the LILITH Outsider Management Committee include:

✖ Giving them a tour of the base and city.
✖ Training sessions in fighting, use of weaponry and use of technology.
✖ Welcome parties and dinners to make them feel included.
✖ Shadowing the older arrival throughout their daily routine.
✖ Heart to heart sharing sessions about their worries and anxieties.
✖ Physical and mental health check ins.
✖ Buddying up with them during upcoming missions, simulation training and even the Kaiju fight.

These team ups will be assigned by LILITH randomly, and one newbie can be buddied up with multiple older recruits (the system might glitch on occasion and pair older Outsiders together too). How long the pair ups last is up to player discretion. Non-compliance on the part of older or newer Outsiders will be punished with increased cleaning duties. LILITH hopes to foster a culture of mutual growth and support within its employees!

As for recruits who have not been getting along, old and new, LILITH has been hearing everything spoken between Outsiders. Some need exercises to get along. Outsiders will be asked one morning to meet in the Simulation Arena and line up in an orderly fashion. Captain Yamakawa will be going down the line, shuffling characters who need to get along together. She will place a small, metal device on their wrists.

With a push of a button, two characters will be linked together by the wrist by a pair of invisible handcuffs. They are asked to spend between 24 - 48 hours together and go about their day, encouraged to talk about their vulnerabilities or things they have in common. This is to encourage them to get along.

✖ Spend a day or two with someone you hate and find a common ground. Good luck!

▶ 004. AID & REBUILD.

LILITH is dedicated to protecting and flourishing the city of Neo Tokyo. That’s why it’s pulled in Outsiders with such a wide array of skill sets. Every Kaiju attack devastates the citizens in some way - whether it’s through physical hurt and pain, emotional grief and stress, or losing a home or livelihood. It doesn’t help that there was panic around animal hybrids being let loose in the city shortly after. That’s why Outsiders will receive a similar objective each time: Rebuild the city of Neo Tokyo. This general objective is broken down into many small missions that Outsiders will receive throughout the month.

█ █ █ ASSORTED MISSIONS:
✖ REBUILD THE CITY. Following the repeated flooding, many apartments and businesses have been destroyed. Outsiders are tasked with helping to rebuild homes and support the local businesses to recover. This can include aiding the construction work (particularly along the beach and near to the coast) and helping out at local shops. Many shops selling specialty Hanami treats are looking for help making their goods. Never made sakura mochi before? Today, you will learn. Outsiders are free to assume that their workplaces were affected and call out for help.
✖ AID THE PEOPLE. Outsiders with skill sets in healthcare or healing (or whoever wishes to help) will be tasked to support the clinics and hospitals manage their patient load. This can include cooking for hospital kitchens, changing linen and caring for the sick and wounded.
✖ CLEAN UP. Exactly as it says on the tin. Clean up any marine waste that’s been washed onto the shore or rubble that’s fallen in the wrong place. Hazmat suits in outrageous colours are provided on request.
✖ CAPTURE REMAINING HYBRIDS. Though most of LILITH’s specimens have been contained, Dr. Spim (who’s been saddled with inventory work) reports that there are some still missing - and this includes their most valuable specimen of all. Outsiders are tasked to go hunting for these hybrids and bringing them back to the base. They may need to scour the streets or look through social media to find them. They may also need to steal a beloved pet, if said pet looks more like a winged rabbit than a regular rabbit. (Outsiders who have smuggled hybrids for themselves should take care not to be found ❤)

▶ 005. LEVEL 000.

Later during the month, some Outsiders will be tasked with a very specific mission. Remember those auctioneers who were captured at The Sapphire Room? They’re currently in the custody of LILITH, and with most of LILITH’s staff focused on organizing and containing the hybrid specimens that have been captured as well, they are far too bogged down to conduct their usual interrogation processes. This is where the Outsiders come in. Some Outsiders will receive a special mission to interrogate the captives and retrieve information by any means necessary. It works out splendidly too, because it shows the organization just what their imported workforce is … morally capable of. Outsiders will be paired up and brought to LEVEL 000, a basement level within the main base that is restricted access only. Did we always have a basement level? Best not to think about it.

A guiding drone will lead them to the cell room and instruct them to keep their eyes forward. There’s no need to look at the other cells around you. There is no one of interest there. Within the cell is one of the captives from the raid, who’s bound to a chair by metal shackles.

█ █ █ MISSION OBJECTIVE:
✖ Extort information from the captive by any means necessary. LILITH requires information about the whereabouts of Dr. Tanaka Junichiro, the organization behind the kidnapping, how they managed to trip up LILITH’s systems, and information about the whereabouts of the remaining hybrids (including their most valuable specimen).
✖ Outsiders are permitted to use any method they see fit, including physical and psychological torture. Weapons of torture such as blades, pliers, tasers, whips and torches are available for use. Outsiders may not take any weapon with them when they leave the cell.

Following the interrogation, they will be escorted out of LEVEL 000 by the guiding drone, and they will not be able to access it again without special clearance. Successful extortion of information will be rewarded with 50,000 KRYPTO debited to their accounts.

NOTE: This mission will be shared with only certain Outsiders, so it is essentially opt-in. Players who want to receive interrogation clues about the Starlight X mini-plot can comment below and receive an RNG clue. We will leave it up to players to NPC their own captives. Most of them are small-time gang members looking to make an extra buck or mercenaries hired to guard the auction. For extra moral panic, there are one or two regular people down on their luck who ran into the wrong crowd. Please note that due to the limited number of captives and the information they may know, players may receive duplicate clues.

UPDATE 3/16: Players will have until the end of March to submit for interrogation clues.

▶ 006. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our second CR Building event! All prompts are highly encouraged but OOCly optional. Feel free to ask any event-related questions below!

As always, you are free to check out our main base and locations page and make up your own prompts!

Please note that all tags in this log will count for 2 reward points each. Have fun! The next log will feature the kaiju fight and will be posted on APRIL 1st in lieu of a TDM.

code

Comments

Raidou Kuzunoha XIV | Devil Summoner | Everlight

[the_fourteenth]

🌸 001. FLOWER VIEWING.
[Raidou has decided to take the Meteorological Agency up on their offer of cataloging trees, since it's a nice excuse to see more trees, visit more picnic sights and spend some more time outside walking around. Thanks to his style chip, he's dressed for the occasion as well.

Since they've been encouraged to go in groups or pairs, hopefully you've decided to join him in a little flower viewing disguised as research. Not that Raidou is normally chatty, but as the walk goes on, he seems quieter than normal, hand on his his forehead. Is this a fever coming on...? He's feeling a little strange. It's a long walk back to base, but maybe it's time to go.]

Ah, sorry... I think it might be time for me to head back?


🤍 002. WHITE DAY.
[Really, doing a holiday in such a way really sucks the meaning out of it, doesn't it? While this is still a new tradition to Raidou, he's learned all about it back on Valentine's Day. Seeing the boxes out again aren't any surprise, and he takes up his to hand out around the base without much fanfare.]

Here. If we don't give these out they'll lock us up, so please, enjoy.

[Blunt as ever.]


🤝 003. BUDDY UP.
[Raidou didn't need to be instructed by LILITH in order to step up for the newbies. He'd already been reaching out to new recruits, offering answers to questions or tours of the city to whoever might want one. Those who do are treated to very factual answers, and pragmatic location scouting as opposed to a light sightseeing tour. This kid seems like has a hard time turning off Business Mode.

Now is no different. The newbie assigned to him today can find him in Everlight #012, and he answers his dorm door with a bow in greeting. Business Formal Mode. at least you won't have to worry about getting handcuffed to this guy.]

Ah, hello. Come in, have a seat. We can go over some things before any tours.


⛩️ 004. AID & REBUILD
[Outside the nearby shrine, at the bottom of the stairs, Raidou and his fellow workers there are handing out meals to the civilians who need them. When you pass by, there is quite a line, and Raidou is behind some of the tables putting the meals together into boxes. Care to help?]

002

[eyescar]

[ It's White Day!

He had given Raidou a present on Valentine's Day, but it hadn't been special; it had been a friend style chocolate, like the ones he might have had from the girls in middle school. It didn't have that same meaning, and now a month later... Yuji wants to give him something a little bit different. Something that has some meaning to it, some message, especially since White Day is meant to be for the boys.

It's special, and it makes him want to put the effort in.

Hours after making the decision, Yuji had been forced to contend with the fact that he might not be that good at buying gifts for someone he really cares about, and had ended up attempting to make some homemade chocolates, despite his lack of experience later. A burned finger and a few disasters later, and he's wandering around trying to find Raidou, a little band aid on one finger and a small box in his hand.

When he spots the other boy, it's like the sun itself has exploded inside of him as he brightens, waving. ]

Hey! Johei!

[the_fourteenth]

[Even if its in his usual understated way, Raidou similarly brightens on seeing Yuji, going from his normal deadpan look as he hands out these chocolates, to a warm smile.]

Oh, there you are.

[He has something, too, but all he seems to be carrying are the LILITH-issued boxes of chocolates, which he sets down on a nearby hallway windowsill.]

Ah, I asked around about this holiday, and... [He looks away, rubbing the back of his neck, trailing off. Nanami said not to take the holiday too seriously, but he wanted to do a little something. He reaches into a pocket and takes out an omamori pouch, a blue one with a braided keychain attachment and little bell, embroidered with the characters for happiness on it. Maybe his fellow shrine workers tried to convince him into a romance one, but he was far too embarrassed for that - besides, he felt like this one was more appropriate.]

Here. You can keep this on you until next year, yeah?

[Besides, he's saving the chocolate for the party this weekend.]

[eyescar]

You were looking for me too?

[ That makes something bubble inside of him, a blossoming warmth. He also catches the softness of Raidou's smile, the sort of thing that he's keeping for himself, reaching out and holding the memory into his mind; something to give him happiness in those darker moments. Stepping closer, he nods his head.

When the gift is handed over, his fingers wrap around the omamori pouch and stroking his thumb against the embroidery. It might not seem like much to anyone else, but... It means a lot to him.

It's a gift from Raidou. ]

Am I allowed to keep it for longer than that?

[ It's not as if he's wanting to give it back, since it's such a nice gift... Lifting his head, he looks at Raidou shyly. ]

FLOWER VIEWING.

[blastedass]

[Flower viewing disguised as research. Is that what we're calling it now? Bakugo hadn't intended to do this kind of thing, considering it stupid on the Outsiders' part and lazy on LILITH's part, but... Raidou's Raidou and Bakugo could use a break from the work he was doing. Besides, Hanami is still a big part of Japanese tradition even in his hero society. It's nostalgic.

Even if the walk is sort of rubbing him the wrong way. He'd rather be blasting his way over the city and scouting out from above than walking around in his yukata to find the trees. After all, they can sweep the entire park and call it "done" rather than do each individual tree... right?

Bakugo just finishes ticking off another one when Raidou interrupts with that. He glances over at the summoner with a small (normal) frown.]

Oy. It's not hot enough for a heatstroke, Shashou.

[the_fourteenth]

[It definitely isn't, but he certainly feels hot. Tired, too. It's seemed to hit him so quickly. Who around here has time to get sick? Certainly not him.]

Ah, no, it's... I'll be alright, but maybe we'll head back to base. Just in case.

[Of course he's the kind to normally push through something like this, but he doesn't want to get anyone else sick either. He'd feel bad if he passed something on to Bakugo and the rest of the base.]

We can keep going this way and circle around. There are more trees we haven't gotten this way back.

[blastedass]

[Bakugo eyes him for a second or two longer, then turns his path so they can start veering back. He stays closer to Raidou upon seeing the guy's condition. The fact it hit him so fast is enough for the hero to get suspicious.]

Here.

[He passes over a simple black face mask, straps going behind the ears. Look, it's spring. Pollen season. Allergies. Some vendor was selling them and Bakugo bought a few just in case. (It's not like he's forgotten those toxic plants in the sewers.)

The suggestion to push forward is silently revoked as the blonde cuts their forward motion with the curve, aiming to "circle back" now.]

Focus on the trees later. You're going back.

002

[bowtography]

[ March looks vaguely alarmed as he offers a box, not because he's offering it, but because-- ]

Seriously?? Do I need to compliment you, too?!

[ WHY IS THE "LOCKED UP" PUNISHMENT SO APPARENTLY POPULAR, LILITH-- ]

[the_fourteenth]

[Raidou gives her a light nod.]

That's the way it went last time, so I'm assuming this is similar.

[He needs to do the same. How... how to compliment girl he is unfamiliar with. Unsure.

He hands over a box in her direction.]

Happy White Day. You, ah... have nice hair. [Smooooth as ever. But it's true. It's nice color.]

[bowtography]

Thanks! I... think I was born with it?

[ It's hard to say. Maybe March 7th With Memories was born with blue hair. She can't quite state it with full confidence, but she reaches for a box of her own because she very much doe not want to be grounded. ]

And here you go! You, uh...

...

Your posture's great!

[ Well, they're both doing wonderful at this. ]

002

[saudadist]

[ It's kind of funny how they're doing this again. She's been lucky enough to avoid getting a whole lot of them to deliver, but who knows how long that'll last.

But hey, in the spirit of White Day, why not be a bit less dour than usual? Especially since Raidou is one of the few she doesn't hate. ]

Well, can't have that. How would you kiss your boyfriend if you got locked up?

[ She just came out with a shotgun barrage huh ]

1/2 god

[the_fourteenth]

[Shots: fired. Target: stunned. Raidou treats her to a sight she's not seen before, which is him momentarily turning wide-eyed and red in the face.]

[the_fourteenth]

[How does anyone else know? Especially Kaede? Oh no, was it-- but that hallway was empty!

He'd really like to just melt through the floor right now.

Instead of saying any words, because he absolutely cannot think of what to say, he holds out a box at her indignantly. It might be more effective without the furious blushing.]

[saudadist]

[ Not helping matters at all is how she chuckles to herself even while taking the box. He can pout as much as he likes, stern face and all, but that blush tells her everything she needs to know. ]

Oh c'mon, don't make that face. You two are cute.

003

[icyspicy]

[ Very Serious Teen has found himself partnered with Man Who Never Looks Like He's Taking Anything Seriously, so this will probably be quite the interesting outing. Still, it's in Winter's best interest to get to know his fellow Outsiders, especially those on his team.

He makes the relatively short jaunt from Everlight #017 to Raidou's room, and when he's greeted so exceedingly formally, he quirks a brow — but steps inside all the same. ]

Goodness me. Things like what? Rules?

[ He seems the type. ]

[the_fourteenth]

Ah, well, not exactly.

[Though that is definitely a good conclusion to make about him.

The room itself is still pretty bare for a teenager who's been here for a few months. Little in the way of personal items or decorations, save for a couple of things. Besides a couple of chairs and the desk, there is a small table where a katana sits on a stand, along with its various care items. The desk has two things that stand out as they're rare items in this world and time - a few Polaroid photos hanging from a string on the wall above it, and a notebook and pencil sitting on it. Other than that, it's as stark as the boy who greeted the door. He waves a hand to the chair for Winter to sit.]

My name is Kuzunoha. I've been here since the first group arrived in December. I can't say I can answer all of your questions, but I will try my best. After that, we can move on to a tour or anything else you're interested in seeing. Does that sound alright?

[icyspicy]

[ Winter is something of a nosy bastard, used to reading people by any means necessary. It’s only natural that his eyes wander around the room, taking in the lack of personal touches. He hasn’t been here long enough to know if this is typical – if most Outsiders simply don’t have the time or means to personalize – but he will note that it fits with the rather business-like reception he was given.

When beckoned, he moves to the chair and sits, one very long leg crossed over the other. ]

Kuzunoha. I’m Winter, a pleasure. If we’re to start with a session of questions and answers, I’d like to know what you make of our situation and our illustrious hosts. You seem the type not to beat around the bush.

002

[kubricks]

Thank you, it's appreciated.

[Even if it's mandatory and all that. Still appreciated.]

I don't think we've had the opportunity to speak with each other yet. I'm Makima from Brimstone.

[A friendly enough introduction. After all, there's no reason to not be friendly.]

[the_fourteenth]

... Ah. [Well there is a familiar name. Duly noted.

Ever the polite one, though, Raidou gives a little introductory bow after a moment.]

I believe you're right. I'm Kuzunoha, from Everlight. A pleasure, LILITH's strange idea of holidays notwithstanding.

[kubricks]

Is it strange to you? We have this one where I'm from, so it's not that out of place to me.

[She'll clarify a little though.]

Aside from the forced participation, of course.

003

[leveling]

[ After receiving a notification from LILITH containing a request to head to Everlight #012 in order to meet a more experienced Outsider, Jinwoo heads out right away and knocks at Raidou's door no longer than ten minutes after receiving the message. ]

Hi, um... [ Ah, he's bowing. ] No need to do that, seriously. I'm Jinwoo Sung. Looking forward to working with you.

[ He steps in, feeling a little awkward after seeing a teenager bow to greet him. ]

If it's fine, I'd like to hear about the missions. Especially the missions that involve defeating monsters.

[the_fourteenth]

[Force of habit. He's getting better about not doing it with people he already knows, anyway. Consider him old-fashioned.]

Of course, have a seat.

[There's not much in this room despite the fact that he's a teenager who's been living here for months now. It's clean and orderly, the most noticeable thing being a sword that sits on its own small table on a stand, along with its cleaning and care items. His desk holds a few rare items in this time, including a notebook and pencil sitting on it, and a few printed photos - Polaroids to be exact - hanging on the wall above it.

There are a few chairs, too, Raidou anticipating needing to have people come visit a talk like this, and he gestures to them before taking a seat himself. He takes a moment to think about his answer. Anytime Raidou needs to say more than a sentence or two, he has to think about his words. He's not the world's best talker.]

So far, we've only fought one of the, ah, enormous kaiju, I suppose you can say. There have been some smaller monsters as well, most notably those that came along with the large one we fought a few weeks ago. She brought along her brood of children, whale-like monsters that could also walk on land. All things considered... I think that fight went as well as it could.

[leveling]

[ Jinwoo doesn't feel very comfortable stepping into someone's private space when they've just met, so he tries not to look around too much (even if he's curious). The sword catches his attention, though. His gaze lingers on the blade for a bit longer than it probably should before his eyes dart back to Raidou. ]

Is this why we have whale meat in the cafeteria?

[ Despite asking that question, Jinwoo isn't sure if he wants to actually learn the answer. ]

Anyway... good job on defeating the kaiju. Let's make sure that the upcoming fights will have a similar outcome. Um... I've got one more question, actually. [ Probably more than that. ] Are there any other monsters around?

001

[crisantemo]

Oh, are you not feeling well?

[ Since it's someone she knows, even if only barely, Lapis had very little issue in helping Raidou in the tree cataloguing... Along with some flower-viewing. Considering she's never really seen a sight like this before, she was excited for a chance to take it all in as much as possible.

But her concern for Raidou outweighs the desire to see more of the trees, and she frowns softly as she peers over at him. ]

I can walk back with you.

[the_fourteenth]

A-Ah, no, you can continue, if you like. I'd hate for anyone to miss the sights.

[Raidou attempts to give Lapis a slight bow in apology, but he's pretty dizzy suddenly, and stops it short with a hand to his forehead.]

I, um. Hmm.

[Indeed.]