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.

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Comments

[coordination]

I'd feel like you have no creativity whatsoever! If you can't think up an original name on your own.

[ Aside from the fish, he's also carrying around a small cardboard box of takoyaki, that he picks one up out of by the toothpick jammed into it and pops it into his mouth.

Once he's done chewing and swallowing that: ]

Because dropping a name makes it sound like you're looking to rebrand in some way. Cut away old ties and make something new yourself. Just copying someone else seems counter-productive to the idea.

[gundemn]

I think you ought to be less worried about my creativity and more worried about your reputation!

[ Implying the things he could get up to under Yzak's name... Though in reality he's not keen on taking on anyone else's identity again. Yzak's right on the money, Elan just doesn't want to admit it. ]

[coordination]

My reputation will always be fine!

[ Because he's had to save it from much worse. ]

How about you consider a new, less obnoxious personality along with a name?

[gundemn]

I'll change my personality the day you chill out.

[ Which he's sure is never. Case in point, Yzak right now. Though Elan prrrobably bears the culpability for ruining his good mood. ]

[busternaut]

[CRITICAL HIT!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's super effective!!!!!

...No seriously, Dearka's eyes bulge for a moment and then he makes a weird, wheezing laughing noise, shoulders slumping.]

You just had to go there, huh?

[wwtd]

[ literally only vash would say "it wasn't so bad" about being swallowed by a worm. hiyori would have nightmares. nevertheless, she's relieved to hear everyone got out okay.

she's lingering on the takeaway being the smell not being great in a worm's stomach while he stuffs his mouth with shaved ice. hearing he's hurt immediately snaps her attention, though. ]

Huh? What? It hurts...? Whe- [



oh.

oh gosh, that's ONE way to thaw the atmosphere. GET IT? don't laugh, don't laugh. ah, but it's cute? vash is like a KID. ]

Y-you got brainfreeze from eating it so fast. Press your tongue up against the roof of your mouth. That'll help. And eat a bit slower. [ now she gets why he might eat SIX DONUTS. ] It's not going any... ah, mine's melting.

[ because it IS HOT

instead of getting upset about it, hiyori laughs. ]

Aw, geez.

[photosympathies]

( Obediently and immediately he sticks his tongue to the roof of his mouth, eyes going wide as Hiyori realises hers is melting. There's sympathy there, and he instinctively goes to offer to buy her another but the words come out all muffled because of the aforementioned tongue thing.

A moment, two, pain receding. )

Shaved ice can betray me?

( Aghast. )

Wow, this is like the stomach ache I had from eating all that pizza but somehow more personal. Brain freeze. No fair.

[coordination]

Go where?

[ He knows where. Dearka knows where. Everyone knows where. Perhaps the hit isn't as critical as intended on Yzak's end, thanks to the dash of that same fondness that Dearka himself just had. And that reaction causes a small upward quirk of his mouth. He is SO proud of himself for this. He saw, he remembered, he struck when the moment was right. What an absolute cunning genius he is, damn.

That look of smug satisfaction remains, though it dulls some when he looks thoughtfully up at the branch, gears already turning. ]

You remember all of the ornaments and their meanings, yes?

[ Asked as he already begins to add some - the easiest ones - as little digital paper cranes in different colors appear, chaining to one another to hang from the bamboo. A couple of small pauses between their appearance, as Yzak tips his head and considers if there's anybody he's forgetting to account for. ]

It feels cheaper to do it this way, instead of folding something real ourselves. [ He shrugs a shoulder after saying that, because overall it's not that big of a deal, just a preference. ]

[coordination]

[ YEAH HE DOES!! ]

I already know how to chill out just fine when I'm not around bastards!

Which is another reason why you'd better think about a name - I doubt you want people to just go around saying 'hey you', or 'that idiot', or even 'the guy who used to go by Elan' because that's still using the name you don't want, inadvertently.

[wwtd]

[ hiyori would probably merely wave off his offer to get her another!! it's ok. donuts and boba will be their thing anyway. less melty. ]

B-betray is a bit dramatic.

[ through a small grin, like she's trying to stop herself.

less of one when he mentions a pizza stomach ache. bruh. ]

I get the feeling... that you're a biiig fan of junk food.

[photosympathies]

I like any food really!

( Food is complicated for him. Partly because if he were truly a normal plant he wouldn't even need to eat, but mostly because he knows to appreciate it amongst all the scarcity. He doesn't really want to bring the mood down explaining that though, nor his penchant for denying himself when he feels like he needs to be punished. Only good vibes. )

I promise though, I really am eating vegetables. The vitamins are surging!

( ... Does he also feel a little guilty about having vegetables? Sure! )

[gundemn]

[ Elan's already considered the possibility of being called names and decided people can call him whatever they want, he'll simply develop selective hearing. ]

If we're talking epithets, I'll take 'asshole' or 'smartass'! [ He'll own who he is. ] Why do you care so much? It's not like we're on first name basis.

[busternaut]

[Dearka pauses a moment, rummaging back through his memories and trying to dredge up what he knows about the different decorations.]

Yeah... I think I do.

[After a moment to consider paper patterns, he starts putting up a few cranes of his own. The very first one has some very specific colors integrated into it, but he doesn't comment on that.]

[coordination]

[ Nor does Yzak. Because of course, he similarly makes it obvious in the colors and patterns of his own papers he puts up there. Another perk of this being digital ... the customization is quick and easy versus needing to search around for something tangible that fits. Dearka is also lucky enough to be first, but perhaps that's due to the fact that he's right here so at the forefront of Yzak's mind, because don't forget that he's a giant mama's boy.

The kamigoromo come second to the cranes, number wise, but many of those overlap. And for as many names and faces that float into Yzak's mind as he thinks. Athrun and Representative Athha, Miss Lacus (uwu) ........... maybe Kira Yamato but only because that guy is like a child and he needs all of the protection he can get, it's not like Yzak's worried about him or anything! Members of his team, old and new; Shiho, Isaac, that one nameless guy from the Edge Desire manga. Hell, even Chairman Lament, after recent events. And so many for the allies and friends he's made here. Festivals like this show just how much Yzak actually considers and cares about the people around him despite all of his cranking and yelling about some of them. More generic ornaments because while he puts these wishes out to individuals, he likewise puts them out to things as a whole. To home, to his future, to all of their futures.

There are a couple of kinchakus, too, of course. He desires as much success in his public life as he can possibly reach.

The tanzaku cover what the others don't since they're for more personal, specific wishes. Success on this mission they're on. To return to his duties back home as soon as possible. A nice, real vacation sometime, as a treat.

...

A couple of private, folded ones. One of which he places while reflecting on the conversation he and Dearka just had. About romance, about his future, lingering like a towering mass ahead of him so large and imposing that Yzak can't tell if it's far away or right in front of him. He was honest, though, about his wanting something good out of it. If it exists. And if he can find it.

To find it. ]

[coordination]

Hah? [ He waves a takoyaki ball at his face. ] I use your name! Maybe not as much as bastard because you're constantly acting like one, but my point still stands!

[gundemn]

[ Elan will take that as an invite to try and pluck a ball of takoyaki for himself to eat. He's not Coordinator-fast but he's fast. ]

See? Why would I want my name in your mouth if you're only going to reprimand me with it?

[coordination]

[ He succeeds, because lmao. ]

I don't just do that unjusWHO SAID YOU COULD HAVE ONE OF THOSE!?

[gundemn]

How generous of you, thanks.

[ Ignoring the yelling, Elan pops the takoyaki into his mouth. ]

[coordination]

And then you question why you get reprimanded, you little shit!

[gundemn]

[ Yzak's spared a retort because Elan's mouth is full. He walks off (bails), raising a hand to wave goodbye. Have a good rest of the festival, commander! ]