DOWNTIME MINGLE #3

[synfluxmods]

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.

code

Comments

[redsoil]

I could accomplish it. Perhaps not immediately, due to LILITH's interference, but I take my duty seriously.

[ laios no.... ]

[vorous]

_{[ all hail set-sama, he's in ]}

What about... turning someone into a monster? To fight other monsters?

_{[ he's looking away when he says this... embarrassed.. ]}

That's.. a form of war, is it not?

[redsoil]

[ this has everything to do with laios's wish he just read on the tree wow ]

I could see a way for it to be done. [ MODS ]

It is a fine thing to think of, too. Your body now is fragile, but with some monstrous enhancements...........

[blastedass]

[Out of paper strips, and thus wishes, Bakugo folds his bare arms across his chest. One problem with yukata is they don't have any pockets, where his surly hands usually live while he's walking or standing. Despite the sordid history of their circumstances, the blunt truth is they are here to help people. Even if it's by coercion.]

You think people are gonna be pissed we're knocking off those monsters? [What an idiot. Whether they're battling the kaiju or dealing with the aftermath of the attacks, they're helping the people of this world survive and try to keep their lives on track. How the hell could that have slipped this god's mind?! Oh right. He's a Bakami.

Yato will get a better picture of that once he has his first battle, whether it's clashing with the kaiju or helping an old couple repair the wall of their house. He'll get his gratitude among the little people, even if society at large still has some reservations about the Outsiders.]

Tch. [He won't go further on beliefs or whether Neo Tokyo's world has gods or not. That's for Yato to figure out. Bakugo doesn't want any part in that. Though if the guy shows up all mopey and lonely... There are plenty of people here who are the "only ones" of their world.]

No. I don't pay attention to that stuff. [Some shrines are old. Some are new. Some are revered. Some only see attention during festivals. His friend works at one, but Bakugo doesn't know if it's to Bishamon or not.]

No shit. If a kaiju were living in here, LILITH would've already attacked it. [Just the same as larger wild animals don't usually live in the same location with humans. Even if they occasionally prey on said humans. Kaiju are still just big animals.]

[gundemn]

[ Elan gets the memo. Switching gears, he crosses his arms behind his head and relaxes in his seat. ]

Hard to say if I have a favorite! As long as it's not monster meat, I'll try anything. What about you?

extremely belated other thing,,,

[coordination]

[ Yzak runs into him during tanabata, accompanied by one of the little drone fishes making loops in the air around his head and leaving a trail of bubbles behind. He actually looks somewhat relaxed for a change and like he's actually enjoying the festivities.

He tips his head and raises an eyebrow at his request. ]

What is your name, then?

[zauneyete]

Do you? I do not meet too many who agree with me.

[ His tone is just as cheerful, a touch amused coupled with a splash of sarcasm. Silco is a foul little man, after all. He knows he is. Most are not so willing to accept the truths of the world, the hard ones that require cruelty and strength to survive. Perhaps Geto was the sort, or maybe he simply enjoyed the chaos. There were plenty of that type within Zaun, notwithstanding one of its more notorious residents. ]

I am Silco, and perhaps we'll have a chance to see these become reality, hm? At least make these people work for what they are given.

[wheft]

[ i really missed out a couple of words on that one, help ]

Attempting to kill your own teammates, I mean. That goes without saying of course, since we're supposed to work together towards a singular goal. But who really knows what'll happen if you gather a lot of people who have plenty of unique ways to kill in one room.

[ because ishmael does have a horrible temper, if instance - enough to attempt and kill her own coworkers in the past once pushed. and with their group containing some of the strongest people she knows... well, it's only a matter of time before one of them snaps for any reason. ]

A while back, someone ventured out of Tokyo to seek out another route to Kyoto, another major city. He was then recaptured twenty-four hours later by the Special-Ops team, and suspended his virtual wallet like I said. Basically, if you wander out too far from the city, they'll seek you out no matter where you manage to find yourself in.

[ it's giving surveillance city, right... not that ishmael isn't used to being watched by corporate entities. she then stops at a takoyaki stall and puts in two orders of the snack. and while she's waiting for them to cook: ]

Unless you have plans on making it out here on your own? [ just curious. ]

[wheft]

[ meat and potatoes are so fancy to have as rations, though... and she does blink at that awkward ass attempt at a joke. is that even a joke? because she's not laughing. in fact she just blinks at him owlishly as she mulls over that question and-- ]

...No, but Mermaids do count if you choose to look at them that way.

[ every now and then we go back to mermaid cannibalism, i fear ]

[yuwon]

[ somehow his words sound more like a set-up for a novel than it does reality. not that he could necessarily judge considering his own life, or even the one they all technically lived here. ]

You say that, but there are monsters there, too. I would say they're kind of their own headache. [ trials... dungeons... climbing the tower. but, he does seem to follow it up with: ] But, if it happened...

[ he plops down under the tree, and he reclines completely on his back. ]

Maybe I can show you around to one or two places.

[intertwinedfates]

[Turning his attention from the wish-laden streamers, Yato focuses entirely on Bakugo, if somewhat sheepishly. Okay, so maybe that was a rather silly question. He's just still so full of doubts without his shinki here to reassure him he's on the right path even if he can imagine fairly well what Yukine might say. He's always been someone who requires the encouragement and praise of others to fulfill his sense of self worth and that hasn't changed since arriving. If anything, it's a need that's only gotten stronger. Laughing quietly, he shakes his head.]

No, I suppose not. Not if they're smart. [Some might feel like he does, wondering if the kaiju are simply lost souls similar to the Outsiders, but the fact remains they're causing massive damage and loss of life. And that can't stand. Hopefully through enough encounters with the beasts they'll be able to find a way to seal the rifts if not send the kaiju back where they came from.

As for the answer to his question about Bishamon, he's not too surprised. Bakugo doesn't strike him as the most religious person around, for better or worse. Nodding in response, lets out a light hum. No big deal. Yato himself will just have to do a bit of exploring and poking around to see which of her shrines might have survived. It'll give him something to do during their next downtime, provided he doesn't end up injured. Here's to hoping that won't be the case.]

Also true. They don't seem like the sort of organization that'd let something like that slip their radar so easily. Even smaller kaiju would likely be captured rather than left to their own devices. [It makes him curious if there will ever be peaceful kaiju showing up or if they'll all prove hostile. He'd like to see one up close to get an idea of what he's dealing with, but that's something he can delve into back at base at least.]

[wwtd]

[ oh, it's serious-serious.

no wonder he learned to defend himself. too curious now and always too interested where she didn't need to put her nose, ]

That's a bit ominous. [ she smiles but it looks unsure. ] Was the warden strict? The security strong? The punishments severe?

[wwtd]

[ REASONABLE,,,

and sounding more and more familiar. she stares at vash, bewildered. a hundred yard stare before shaking herself out of it and narrowing her eyes. a little.

maybe not divine... but a human would DEFINITELY get sick over too many donuts. too much sugar. deep fried oils. delicious, sure, but better in moderation. as a treat. in the end, hiyori smiles gently and holds up three fingers. ] Okay. Three is better.

[ look she's just WATCHING OUT FOR HIS HEALTH. she's a doctor. ] Mine is... hmmm. [ does she have one?

melty cheese. soft bread. sitting on kofuku's porch at the end of a summer and listening to two familiar voices argue and bicker. finding it entertaining rather than worrying. ] There are these cheesy buns I used to get. They were seasonal so you could only buy them for a limited time. They started with two cheese, then three, then four. They stopped at six, I think. They were really bad for you, but so savory. The cheese pulls you could get with them would stretch on forever.

[wwtd]

[ it is at this moment that hiyori realizes she's walked into one of THOSE. a CHARMER. yes, she's heard about the charismatic, glib kind!! ]

Whichever might lead me to the truth. [ she shoots back quickly, not missing a beat. yet, she keeps her tone light for his keen eye.

can anybody blame her? suddenly being told she's going to be a part of an effort to save humanity. as if she can refuse. ]

Not complicated so much as - [ no, maybe it is complicated but admitting as much? ] Personal, I guess. I don't want to trouble you with something I'm trying to come to terms with, myself. I'm a tough girl, though! [ she raises an arm, grips her bicep in that universal 'CHECK OUT THESE GUNS' way. ]

[wwtd]

[ don't look at her GLANCING AWAY GUILTILY. not as much!! but like, if someone hasn't tried it yet?

it's all optimistic, if not delusional, thinking though. hiyori sighs, shoulders dropping as she looks to her knees.

wouldn't it be nice to live in a world where everyone only dies of old age and after happy, fulfilling lives but... reality isn't that utopia. you can't save every patient. some die young. too young. some live with demons of their own that no god can slay. nor human. ]

... I didn't. Live in a world where it worked. I lived here in Japan, hundreds of years ago, and ayakashi and twisted humans who lost their hope and wanted to watch the world burn and didn't care about others were the monsters then. [ the tone she uses is laced with emotion. anger and sadness. ] Fighting is bound to lead to casualties as you say, but not doing anything would be much worse.

[wwtd]

[ and not an immediate rejection! that's promising. if he needs her to prove herself and declare her credentials, that's fine. her shoulders go straight and she folds her hands in front of her. of course, he would need to know more.

she's more or less a stranger to him. this is research, too, in a way. researching HER. how diligent. ]

I have, yes. I focused on family medicine for my education. It's one of the most versatile specializations and useful in multiple areas. [ maybe... she should... return the favor. ]

If you'll forgive me for asking, I'm a bit curious myself but... do you happen to have experience with environmental sustainability and preserving ecosystems?

[frostfist]

[frostfist]

[ Anyway! Please ignore how the smile on his face looks way too polite and put together to be anything but a cover up. ]

I hear the warden is a pretty fair man. He may not be the most liked, but he gives everyone an equal chance to live their life how they want.

[ 🧍‍♂️ Very weird to talk about himself like this. ]

Are all doctors this interested in prison life?

[transmit]

Showing support towards your teammates goes a long way. Not everyone does things to be appreciated or to be proven, but there are few who truly dislike being noticed. People weren't meant to be solitary creatures.

[ yeah make him ]

If it's between you and me, is it fine?

LMFADLKGLKDSJ VAL I CHOKED

[wwtd]

[ HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM - yea ok sure. even if it's a far cry from the smile borne from his appreciative laugh. what a strange answer thoughhhhh. hrm. to ponder on later. ]

Huh? [ nice job redirecting her. ] A-ah, sorry. Was that prying? Maybe I got too comfortable. You're easy to talk to even if we just met. I am interested! But it's... I figure since we're all more or less working together now, I should get to know my colleagues and try to make friends. Feel free to ask me anything you want to know, too.

[photosympathies]

There's six kind of cheeses?!

( Hang on, hang on. He's had like ... maybe two. Hard wedges easily packed or gooey melted strands. Maybe it's just that No Man's Land doesn't have the same amount of animals as Earth, or maybe the newer kinds never trickled down to the smaller towns, but Vash feels envious immediately. ) That sounds real good. I also like mine melted. With pepperoni. And dough. ( Pizzaaaaaa. ) What season were they in? If they're not here I can keep my eyes peeled when it's the right time.

( Predictably all the talk of delicious food has Vash's stomach suddenly making itself known, a loud gurgle that he blinks steadily at. He's eaten since he came here, but not for simple joy. It leaves him a little embarrassed, laughing as he rubs the back of his neck. )

At least we're in the right place to be hungry, huh? There's so many stalls.

[bemist]

[ The look she gives him is a quietly baffled "why". ]

I don't need it. If you're saying it because you want to, then whatever. But it's not like I need anyone telling other people or myself that I'm all that great. Either way, I'd just keep doing what I was doing in the first place.

[transmit]

What a reminder of so many of our other conversations. [ talking about need vs. want ] But, I'll take that as your express permission going forward all the same.

[ thanks, he's just going to use it to keep calling her kind. ]

[gorb]

I'm sure you will.

( He seems a smart kid, he probably just needs the time to focus. ) Right, I promised something sweet, didn't I? Let's get something to eat and then I'll leave you be. I've taken up a lot of your time today.

( Also he has a finite resource for dealing with non-shamans. It might start wearing thin sooner than he'd like. )

[bemist]

... Don't you have anyone else you could go bother right now? Literally anyone else? They might even like talking to you.

[ She's surrounded by stubborn types. It's the worst. ]