synfluxmods: (Default)
𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚏𝚕𝚞𝚡 𝙼𝚘𝚍𝚜 ([personal profile] synfluxmods) wrote in [community profile] synflux2024-07-12 11:07 pm

DOWNTIME MINGLE #3

DOWNTIME MINGLE #3


CONTENT WARNINGS: natural disaster, forced scenarios.

▶ 001. A JOB WELL DONE.

As Outsiders head back from Okinawa (or, perhaps they are already back, characters were able to leave Okinawa through the dataportal whenever) with plenty of coconut crab and mutated fish, Outsiders can expect to have the cafeteria filled with crab and fish food for the next.. well, undetermined amount of time. The power outages have been restored on the LILITH base, and while Outsiders have been enjoying their change of pace in Okinawa, there has been some celebratory news across the Outsider's ocular implants. It looks like it is a message from the big guy himself! Whoever that is. Wasn't his name.. Eiji something? Elijah?


"I'm not going to waste my time with introductions, because we have more important matters to discuss. First of all, good work. Second, while we have been met with several successes, don't let it get to your head. Third, continue following the lead of Yamakawa. ... This is why I don't do celebratory speeches. CODENAMES MONEYBAGS, DUELWIELD, BUSTERMOVE, CHAINSAW MAN and CURSE... great work. You'll see the rewards of your hard work momentarily. Report to me for a payout."

The announcement won't leave an Outsider's implant until it has been read, but just as the voice said, Outsiders will find a Sampo themed pachinko machine installed by the cafeteria near the vending machines. It looks like it's ready to be played! Why not give it a go? Because who wouldn't want to see this charm willingly.

A lot of toy companies are also wanting their skin in this game and have introduced the set of several actions figures based off Yzak and Dearka's gundams, which can be seen distributed on base. The caveat, however, is that you will need to build them piece-by-piece. Alongside this, there will also be Denji-themed plushies, even if it looks like a cross between a dog and human.

Thanks to Choso, hair care on the base has also gotten a lot better. Due to sponsorships, Outsiders are readily able to access more shampoo and conditioner options. Though, maybe thanks to the pictures on the bottle— buns are now trending.

Maybe give the pachinko machine a spin? Or try Choso's brand of shampoo your team's wing communal shower?


▶ 002. TRADITIONAL TANABATA.

The sun is hot but summer is traditionally festival season in Neo Tokyo; these old traditions have managed to hold up in this gritty society in attempts to keep a positive morale, so some citizens and organizers try to keep the tradition going and lift spirits by celebrating local festivals. Many districts and neighborhoods have their own festivals as well. One day, you might stumble onto a shopping district’s wind chime festival and the next day, you might find flyers for a neighborhood’s morning glory festival.

The largest festival of the month is the Tanabata festival. Since the holiday falls in an odd weekday this year, the main celebration is held the next weekend. Civilians and Outsiders can find various shrines, shopping centers, and community buildings with bamboo branches on display with holographic slips of paper that alternate colors. Characters that pass by may submit their wishes on their implants; a new way to keep the old tradition.

On the weekend, some stalls have been set up for people to celebrate. Attendance is low because of the heat and due to a food shortage, the options are lacking. However, there are plenty of games such as a toy shooting range with laser guns and kaiju targets. There are also goldfish catching games where people can catch a cheap goldfish drone that can “swim” in the air and water and shoot bubbles. As a bonus, LILITH will provide Outsiders with an outfit upgrade to help lift spirits. The outfit consists of a traditional summer yukata or jinbei.

Fireworks have gone out of style due to attracting kaiju attention. However, at the festival’s end, there is a drone light show. Hundreds of customized hummingbird drones take to the sky and create elaborate illuminations and shapes in the sky while music plays.


▶ 003. DR. RATIO'S RENOVATIONS.

Festival season means LILITH also has to get in on the action, and while a certain Outsider named Dr. Ratio has raised concerns over the stated of the LILITH base Library, LILITH has actually listened to his desperate plea to renovate the library. What a perfect opportunity for LILITH to use the festival as a way of raising funds so they don't have to dip into their kaiju payout funds (and pizza party fund.) It's time for LILITH's annual SUMMER FESTA. Every year, LILITH comes together with local organizations like fire stations, police stations, clinics, and nonprofits to promote public safety and awareness. It's a one day festival where people can get information about what to do to stay safe not only during kaiju attacks but in their daily lives. The funds raised at the festival will go to training, supplies, research, and maintaining services.

As usual, LILITH is raising money for disaster relief supplies and renovation projects across Neo Tokyo. Per request, LILITH has agreed to set aside some funds to help renovate the facilities on base, including the library. However, they will task the Outsiders with raising the money.

It's a festival so how they raise the money is both up up to them or they may take the suggestions according to their team placement below. Either way, Outsiders are required to work with other people on their same team but they're encouraged to make it fun. Set up game stalls, sell food, do performances, and ask for donations to raise as much money as possible for their projects. The team that raises the most money is promised a prize while the losers will be punished. Here are the team suggestions below and some of them may have some new, modern twists:

Everlight: Kingyo-sukui, which is goldfish catching with a paper scoop. Managing the takoyaki stands.
Revelation: Yoyo-tsuri, fishing for water-filled balloons with a “fishing pole” with a paper string. Managing the mask stands.
Brimstone: Shateki, shooting at targets for prizes. Managing the sparklers stands.. sparklers shouldn't catch kaiju attention, right?
Redemption: Wanage, ring toss. Managing the onigiri stands.

Outsiders will be given a week to prepare for the festival and they only have a single day to raise funds. In the evening, the winning team is announced: Revelation. All team members will receive can badges and a pizza party. A special donation will also be made to the library on their behalf: A stack full of self help books, yes, REAL books and not holograms or digital books, such as "Overcoming Your Depression for Dummies" and "How to Make Friends 101." Thank you for your effort, Team Revelation!

As for the losers, they will be given options: Sign up or the final fundraising event of the night or help clean up at the end of the festival. The final fundraiser is a punishment game where volunteers from each organization are dunked in tubs of water or pied in the face. It seems like a certain person (Seok Dang) was supposed to be LILITH’s tribute but he is nowhere to be found… maybe one of the other losers will step up and take his place to be dunked in water or pied in the face? Characters may also sign up a loser character without their consent. Come on, be a good sport!

▶ 004. MONSOON SEASON.

Despite the celebrations and attempts to raise morale, the heatwave persists in Neo Tokyo and with it, the problems from the beginning of the month. Food continues to go bad quickly and while fundraising attempts have provided some relief, the city is huge and shelf stable supplies begin to run low again. The energy crisis improves slightly with blackouts occurring less frequently as emergency personnel attempt to intervene. Though the weather is dreary, the renovations must press on! Fortunately, most of the things to do around the Library consist of staying inside. Dr. Ratio has given the following orders which Outsiders may help with in the Library:
- Install better lighting.
- Organize and add more books.
- Set up and secure tables and chairs.
- Add couches to once section of the library to convert it into a lounging area.

Characters may work together to help, or maybe they prefer to laze around and give the newly renovated Library a test run!

After a few days, finally, the rain meteorologists have promised arrives. The skies darken and heavy rain falls on the city which brings much cooler temperatures. People stay inside more often as it becomes too inconvenient to go out when the rain and wind are so strong. The rainstorms grow stronger and eventually become fully fledged storms. The ground shakes from thunder and lightning strikes light up the sky.

Everyone’s ocular implants will frequently give warnings about the weather. LILITH will task Outsiders with assisting across the city. Help evacuate citizens to higher ground during flash floods. After the storms subside, help clear the streets of debris and trees. Some neighborhoods will lose power because of lightning strikes and need their generators restored. However, every time they finish their tasks, a new storm will occur a few days later and they’ll have to repeat.

At first, it seems like the typical summer storm season but meteorologists become concerned when more storms begin to happen without following clear weather patterns and even the locals remark the season seems very active this year… could it be another kaiju? The last time Neo Tokyo had floods, it was sea water, but this is caused by heavy rain. Like clockwork, LILITH's investigating team is on the lookout for energy from a rift or any leads to what could be causing all of the heavy rain. Outsiders are instructed to keep an eye out for any emergency messages.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our third downtime mingle! While we would typically have a texting prompt, we instead have player plots for this event! Thank you Abbel and Eski for the Tanabata and festival player prompt and Sky for the Library renovations plot! We appreciate Eski for spending 500 bonus points to provide everyone with something to wear for Tanabata. For the character-run stalls as part of the renovation prompt, players are not limited to the suggestions given by the mods and are free to come up with their own stall ideas. Additionally, for characters signing up other characters for the dunk tank, please make sure you get OOC permission from their players first.

Please note also we have added new rewards: the Poison Dagger, Cat Ear Visor, and the Elemental Swords now come in the models Ice and Lightning. Please see the REWARDS page for more information.

All tags on this log are worth 2 points.


EVENT BREAKDOWN (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. A JOB WELL DONE: The kaiju heavy hitters get recognition with.. a pachinko machine and shampoo sponsorship? Outsiders can react to their fellow colleagues about this development, or maybe even talk to the winners themselves around the base.

2. TRADITIONAL TANABATA: It's Tanabata season, even in a post-apocalyptic world! Put on some old, traditional attire with your friends and enjoy a drone show.

3. DR. RATIO'S RENOVATIONS: LILITH has teamed up with the local safety personnel to get in on the festival season. Characters are encouraged to fundraise for renovations at the LILITH base Library. Teams may also visit other teams events and stands to donate, partake in, and.. maybe deliver some competitive harassment.

4. MONSOON SEASON: With the weather being hot and renovations needing done, LILITH works together to improve the Library. A few days later, the weather gets suspiciously intense and Outsiders are instructed to help civilians with power outages, flash flooding, debris from heavy wind and rain.
wheft: (pic#16878721)

[personal profile] wheft 2024-07-18 06:27 am (UTC)(link)
Going back?

[ uhhhhhhh ]

Nothing much. One day you're just... back into your own body in wherever you left off. Then you catch up with the rest before your consciousness gets sent back here. And no time has passed at all.

[ a shrug. it's really no big deal. ]
wheft: (pic#16844174)

[personal profile] wheft 2024-07-18 06:40 am (UTC)(link)
[ rip his naked toesies...... u_u ]

I did some research beforehand. Apparently there are these star-crossed deities who can only meet once a year so long as the weather is clear. And I guess we're supposed to wish for that?

[ she holds up her hand to blot out the sun, though. ]

Guess this is more than effective.
wwtd: happy, calm (smile and he'll go away)

[personal profile] wwtd 2024-07-18 06:51 am (UTC)(link)
[ nobody ever really gets used to the microwave oven that is the sun. your skin will wither long before then. while she enjoys sunny days more than rain, this is too much. too hot. it reminds her of the worst and height of japan's summers - cicadas and the humidity.

she probably shouldn't have said "heatstroke" to a doctor, though. oop. hiyori is IMMEDIATELY concerned and on alert but keeps flapping her little fan at the poor girl's face and smiles in what she hopes belies her worry. ]


The weather makes it hard to enjoy the festival to its fullest, huh? That's probably why not many people are out and about except us crazy few. [ would it be weird to check her pulse? yeah, totally. don't do that, hiyori. ] You're not feeling faint or anything, are you?

[ there will be NO FIRST TIME ON HER WATCH ]
gundemn: (b991)

[personal profile] gundemn 2024-07-18 06:52 am (UTC)(link)
I want a mango shaved ice with red bean. [ Elan, maybe pull your weight before ordering. ] And those festival fish waffles!

[ He means taiyaki. Food is an acceptable bribe though and he sets down the fan to take up one of the guns. Sitting around has been kinda boring. He waves cheerfully to the festival-goer as he makes his away around to the other side of the booth to stand by them. ]

So are we competing to see how many we shoot down faster or...?
uncourteous: (pic#17299311)

[personal profile] uncourteous 2024-07-18 07:46 am (UTC)(link)
[ damn...

what happened to peace on earth. jk, neither of them probably come from a life that would indicate any real peace. as if contrast, he watches the end of his own sparkler for a moment. the intensity of the sparks drawing his eyes towards it.
]

That's a shame. We could have gotten some action tonight. [ except, a kaiju attack at this timing would have been devastating, huh? his own words aside, he does seem to ponder on her statement. "but i kind of like these."

after a moment of watching his sparkler, almost as if waiting for it to fizzle out—
] Hearing such affectionate words from you, [ as in using the word "like." ] perhaps they will grow on me yet.
wheft: (pic#17070389)

[personal profile] wheft 2024-07-18 07:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ oh, if only a mere doctor from 21st-century japan with a smile can fix whatever's wrong with her........ well, so long as hiyori keeps fanning her with her uchiwa, she absolutely can't complain. ]

I'm not, don't worry. Just a little weak, is all.

[ she tugs at the collar of her yukata, desperate to let more wind in. ]

I don't think that's the only reason why this festival isn't as crowded. It's suffered from a whole bunch of kaiju attacks during the past couple of months or so, you know. Anyone would be too wary to go out.
uncourteous: (pic#17299251)

[personal profile] uncourteous 2024-07-18 08:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ exactly, what is fair about this?

while other "employees" may have practiced a bit of caution in their words, or at the very least wouldn't have mad their displeasure so clear. ... callisto has no such pre-established convention wherein he believes he should ever hold his tongue. hence—
]

Do you not believe this is a scam? You are no different than a snake oil peddler.

[ but, despite saying this and definitely getting an eyebrow raised by the "customer," he is shooting on her command.

it's more of a marvel the customer can ignore his complaining. but, when callisto knocks down the first prize, he seems to gaze at her somewhat expectantly? where is his praise... where are the compliments? even if there are definitely more to go before he wins.
]
sensehispresence: (Default)

[personal profile] sensehispresence 2024-07-18 08:25 am (UTC)(link)
[ The last thing he had expected was for Silco to just drop it onto the ground. Though, seeing as this was a festival there were many things dropped on the ground. Just as he knows, to a degree, that someone would have to clean it up later. ]

Is that what this is meant to be?

[ His voice holds an inquisitive tone to it before looking toward the stall he was close to and then back to the man before him. ]

You do not wish to be here?

[ Why did he come if he didn't want to be there? ]
sensehispresence: (Default)

[personal profile] sensehispresence 2024-07-18 08:57 am (UTC)(link)
[ Kadaj wasn't one to stay idle for long. Which meant that he would probably be out there any time it flooded. Would make sure that things were in working order during the monsoon season.

Bakugo wouldn't be wrong in thinking that he wasn't completely human, even if he was meant to be. No, he was part of something bigger. He had what made him more than human, as it were.

Once they're both on the street they need to be on he takes note of what's around them. ]

Phase shifting might be a word for it.

[ It definitely wasn't teleportation. ]
wwtd: calm, worry (do you have a minute)

[personal profile] wwtd 2024-07-18 08:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ fanning will continue then! with her admitting she's weak, especially. hiyori sits there and swelters, perspiring in all the uncomfortable places one can think of but determined to make certain she does her job as a doctor: help people.

........ praying that ishmael's hair is up if she can manage it holy shit that's a lot of hair. more than bishamon?

anyway.

there's a small pause in hiyori's fanning before she continues. people are scared. it makes sense. it's not an ideal way to live but this might be how they've survived thus far. ]


They're drawn to large crowds and noise, aren't they...? [ she says aloud, mostly to herself, but that's how it goes. ] Seeing Tanabata still being celebrated made me happy, though. The people probably need this. It's just a shame it comes with such a risk.
uncourteous: (pic#16085817)

wildcard!!

[personal profile] uncourteous 2024-07-18 09:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ per their correspondence, callisto shows up to their designated meeting spot. as was customary, he also shows up in a yukata, one that was predominately white, with gold and red threaded accents to them. while he thought this initially, it's clear the other man was well-built, and he can't deny deliberating on what he did before all of this. either way, he quells his curiosity in the present if just to approach him rather boldly.

there's no hint of uncertainty despite being caught up temporarily in the crowds.
] Sir Zagreus, there you are. You were so difficult to find that I was beginning to doubt your loyalty. [ why are they still at this...

while callisto didn't come with any clear ideas of what to do, he was most curious to the food stalls.
]
transmit: (Default)

tanabata a

[personal profile] transmit 2024-07-18 10:20 am (UTC)(link)
[ There's only so much you can learn about the custom through cursory G**gle searches made on the day of. He could be digging deeper and pouring through texts, but that sounds better suited when there isn't a festival going on and demanding to be made the most of, not forgetting to mention that there's plenty to learn just by watching locals.

Hiyori, looking ever so much the expert, attracts Elysium's attention for that alone. He watches her curiously, lips pursed until she speaks aloud——and he gives her a few more moments of supposed privacy before he actually approaches, hands laced behind his back.
]

What kind of offerings were you thinking of? I'd like to lend a hand, if you don't mind.
transmit: (Default)

[personal profile] transmit 2024-07-18 10:42 am (UTC)(link)
[ Oh, world-specific vernacular… Elysium looks thoughtful as he turns some of the terms in his head, but ultimately doesn't try that hard to make sense of them when what matters is context. 'That's all.' Sounds a little complicated, much like his own relationship with it—so he's happy to move on to. ]

Right? I'd like to buy a few as souvenirs. They're a lot easier to carry around than, say, masks, and I think what you end up picking for someone can say a lot.

[ Talking practicality when they're dealing with sentiments, it be like that. At any rate, considering the stall hadn't been terribly far from their initial position, they reach it in due time. ]

What kind of charm were you thinking of? [ picks out and holds one out that just says 'luck' in vibrant golds and reds. ] Something like this?
gorb: (xxxii.)

[personal profile] gorb 2024-07-18 12:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Careful. ( Still mild, but there was a sudden blooming of good humour in Geto's tone, an amusement that flickers around the edges of his words. ) That kind of talk doesn't work well here. People have opinions. ( Not that he actually cares about all that, has bared his teeth at any attempt to cow him. It just feels like a good thing to impart, half sarcastic, half sincere. ) The majority of LILITH's detainees think helping these monkeys is the just and noble thing to do. Forget that they've found a way to force us into it, we also have to believe.

( He pulls a cigarette out of the packet with his teeth, holds it carefully to light up. Then dark eyes settle on Silco in the dim, curious. )

Not impressed with being an expendable commodity?

( That's what they are. Soldiers bought to fight a battle they have no stake in. Most of the people here at least have some power behind them but still. They can get hurt, and the help they receive is subpar. No weaponry, no medicine, huddled together like cattle. )
bemist: (You better run and hide)

[personal profile] bemist 2024-07-18 12:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[ "Even", huh...

Gebura has paused to look over the strip and it's still... well. Bizarre. The idea of writing down wishes to just hang up where anyone can see them, something you want to have happen, when people in the City don't really do that. ]


This feels more like something anyone else could make better use of.
bemist: (I thought it would be fun)

[personal profile] bemist 2024-07-18 12:31 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't enjoy fighting monsters. There's no real thrill to it and when civilians are getting caught up in it, it's even more of a pain.

[ She'd rather not have to deal with it. Has she dealt with it before? Far too many times, but it doesn't mean she welcomes it now, even if it's an off-hand comment of his.

"Affectionate", though? Really?

Gebura stares up at him flatly and it still rankles, the way he says things. ]


If you like them, it doesn't have to be because I do. That's just stupid.
bemist: (I'm trouble)

[personal profile] bemist 2024-07-18 12:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Gebura accepts it, gazing down at it. Novelties.

... What a weird thing to consider, given their home. "Home." Maybe it makes more sense here, where the people are just determined to find reasons to celebrate and find enjoyment, but it still sort of baffles her that they can. ]


Yeah, the last thing you'd want is another kaiju charging this place right now. Something this small wouldn't draw in more than some of our more enthusiastic pests.

[ You know. Like teammates. ]
bemist: (You can't take me for a ride)

job well done

[personal profile] bemist 2024-07-18 12:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She doesn't know this kid, beyond the bare basics (that he's a teammate). And she doesn't appreciate that he's grabbed her arm, but he is just a kid, so she doesn't attempt to flip him over her head or slam him against a wall for his ease of touch, but she does pull her arm free rather quickly. ]

I don't really recommend grabbing someone you don't know, especially if it's just to show off a... dog thing.

[ "Dog thing." ]
transmit: (pic#17211069)

[personal profile] transmit 2024-07-18 12:43 pm (UTC)(link)
It's a festival for everyone, Miss Gebura. [ He huffs, crossing his arms with the strip in hand. ] There's no one to make better use of it when there's enough to go around and then some.

[ Plenty of strips and tree real estate. It's likely whatever they put up will get drowned out and hidden like a needle in a haystack—but that's fine. ]

Rather than viewing it as a wish, perhaps reframing it as a resolution might be more effective? Hopes, wishes. They're all shades of the same colour.
bemist: (to the middle of my frustrated fears)

[personal profile] bemist 2024-07-18 12:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[ So much the better, honestly.

Talk of shades and colors makes her expression pinch a little; it's nothing bad but explaining it all to Siffrin has made her a little too aware of the concept. Being a Color Fixer knocks against the corners of her mind a little more insistently, even though that hardly matters here. ]


And "goals" along with it, then. I still don't really get why it's necessary, but whatever.

[ It's going to take more energy to argue about it than it will be to do it and it doesn't involve being stuck in a stupid outfit for once. ]
gorb: (lxvii.)

[personal profile] gorb 2024-07-18 01:49 pm (UTC)(link)
He doesn't know when to quit. Our van was filled with the things.

( It had been a wild few weeks in Vegas, Geto's still feeling the after-effects. But surprisingly the pair of them made it out alive, and Tao included. He doesn't necessarily want to repeat the process ever again, but it had been ... something.

But Itadori seems more than happy enough to go along with it, and Geto smiles again, the flicker of a sedate one as he surveys the hung prizes. He doesn't actually need one, but it would be a little funny, wouldn't it? In the end he points to one of the smaller plush toys, shaped like a little raining cloud. It shouldn't be hard to achieve, and it's cute. He can add it to his strange collection of things.
)

That one. Though if anyone asks I am still serious and mysterious, mm?
siffriend: (068)

[personal profile] siffriend 2024-07-18 01:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[ ... ]

That sounds tiring.

[ For them, at least, it's still the same old, same old with a new lead to freshen the script up. But the majority would still be identical to the last. ]

I think I'd have to take a nap after that. Even if no time passes, it sounds... like it could be a lot.
gorb: (cvii.)

[personal profile] gorb 2024-07-18 01:53 pm (UTC)(link)
I think that's meant to make it more enjoyable. It makes it fizzier, anyway. Here, I'll show you.

( There's a low decorative walled-in planter nearby, Geto takes a seat on the brick edge, pulls free his own drink. It's easy enough to remove the outer plastic and then he shows her both the pull and push tabs, sending the marble careening into his drink in a bubbling wave. )

Don't worry about it being in there. It's too big to come out all on it's own. Though some people break the bottle to keep the marble.
hitokiller: (pic#16873891)

[personal profile] hitokiller 2024-07-18 02:02 pm (UTC)(link)
( pausing in front of him like that... it'd almost be taunting if it weren't for the unperturbed expression splayed across the other man's face.

izou studies this "stranger" with a glance of his own, running tongue along teeth before responding to the question. )


About how you'd expect. Beaten beyond recognition.

( there's no real tension here outside of what izou might create on his own, the occasional drip of wet hair being what breaks the silence of his pause.

he tips the hilt of his blade towards silco, the smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth playful. there's no reason to get riled up just yet. )


What. You want a demonstration?
fursuit: (① chichipactic.)

[personal profile] fursuit 2024-07-18 02:41 pm (UTC)(link)
...Ah. Yeah, uh, that's a stupid outfit.

[ There's sympathy in his tone even if he doesn't directly say it. He's grateful to have gotten off with the yukata/jinbei option, because even if it took a little time to get used to it, they're still nice. Part of the blessings of being the god of beauty is that he (probably) looks good in everything, but this is much more his speed than a maid outfit. ]

But a librarian, huh?

[ He makes a noise that's approving and warm. That's good civilization, etc ]

Respectable profession, especially for language. Plenty of 'em get lost. Hell, mine isn't doing so hot nowadays. [ Ignoring the bleaching, anyways, since with that, they're pretty much all extinct... ] It's Nahuatl, if you're curious. "tezcatl" and "ipoca", literally "the smoking mirror".