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

aki hayakawa ( revelation )

[lifeprice]

 🚬🚬🚬 ▶ 001. TRADITIONAL TANABATA.

[ Dressed in a nice, simple kimono, Aki seems to be... Actually enjoying himself at the festival?

It will soon be obvious to anyone looking why he might be appearing a little more relaxed than he normally does. In his hand is a little plastic cup, and inside the little plastic cup is some decent quality sake. So, perhaps Aki has been indulging, and some of his quiet enjoyment might be because he is right on the edge of being tipsy. So what? After all the nightmares of the last mission, he feels as if he's earned the right to let lose just a little bit.

He's been told (reminded!) that he's allowed to be happy... So he's trying.

The savviest of people might notice one of the Denji plushies tucked into the belt of his kimono, and his hand absently resting on it sometimes. Don't worry about it.

Later on, during the quieter hours of the festival, Aki can be found sitting, cigarette in hand, considering it for a moment as if wondering if he should keep smoking. Eventually, he does, breathing the smoke in and letting it out with a soft noise. If anyone notices or looks at him, he raises an eyebrow. ]

What?

 👘👘👘  ▶ 002. DR. RATIO'S RENOVATIONS.

[ The idea of taking part in more work when it's supposed to be downtime doesn't exactly appeal to Aki, but he does respect the urge to improve the library, so he's content enough to offer his services to it in return for some decent books.

At his stand, he leans against the frame, watching people as they come by. If someone steps up and wants to play the game, he'll be 'enthusiastic' as much as he offers them a nod and passes them one of the fishing poles. Maybe he'd have a little more fun if he wasn't doing this alone... ]

You'll get a prize if you get one of the balloons.

[ Or you won't, but it doesn't really matter to him all that much.

He's here because he has to be, and as soon as he's freed he's slipping away, looking around - clearly looking for someone. ]

 ☔☔☔  ▶ 003. MONSOON SEASON.

[ Outside, Aki is standing in the doorway of the base with a cigarette in his hand, gazing out at the rain as it piles down on the world, and he tilts his had as he watches. His metal hand is poking out of his long sweater, and after a moment he reaches out to touch the raindrops, to see how it feels on his palm.

Still a little odd. He's accustomed to the metal, to the prosthetic, but it's still new, a handful of months compared to a lifetime of a flesh hand.

Later, when the flooding gets worse, he slips out with an umbrella and does what he can to start helping people to get out of the wet, lifting some refugees into his arms and guiding them to safety. He also slips into some of the basement rooms to try and tackle the electronics - not the first time he's had to go and deal with a fusebox.

He can be found in the evenings, hair down as he tries it, dressed in loungewear and looking tired. ]

I'll make some hot chocolate later, if you want some.

 🦊🦊🦊  ▶ 004. WILDCARD

[ Feel free to find Aki somewhere else, or hit me up on plurk/discord to do something in particular! ]

03

[fursuit]

[ Tezcatlipoca has the same idea, as it turns out. He turns the corner with his cigarettes and lighter in hand, and he makes a light noise as he sees that the doorway is taken. He catches Aki with his hand still extended, and he thinks that he’ll go find another spot until he sees the trail of cigarette smoke. ]

Looks like I found the smokers’ spot.

[ He comments casually, but it’s friendly. He gives more of a smile if Aki looks his way, then gives the hand holding the cigarettes and lighter a demonstrative shake. ]

Mind if I join ya? With all this rain, there ain’t many good places to light up.

[lifeprice]

[ Aki isn't used to being joined during his breaks - it doesn't seem like many people smoke here, but that just means there's a little more peace and quiet for himself. He's not particularly bothered about having someone join him, though, and he shakes his head. ]

I don't mind.

[ He motions to the spot near him. The weather still isn't great, and it makes him look at little more sour. ]

... Are you new?

[fursuit]

[ Tezcatlipoca gives him an appreciative little nod before stepping in beside him. He starts the process of lighting his cigarette, and as he reveals the carton, it’s notably a brand on the cheaper end. As much as he smokes, he needs to skimp out on quality, at least until he finds what he needs to start rolling his own. ]

Yep. Got here, what… Two weeks or so ago? Give or take a day or two.

[ He pauses as he cups a hand to actually light it and keep it safe from the wind and rain. It’s not too bad at the moment, at least, though this little alcove is definitely better than his previous attempts of leaning out of a window. Once lit, he nods, then tucks both back into a pocket of his jacket. ]

Name’s Tezcatlipoca.

[ He gives his name casually, but he does watch somewhat expectantly to see if there’s any reaction from Aki. He’s not bothered if there isn’t, but it’s always interesting when someone does recognize him. It’s not anything he lingers on, even so. ]

On team Brimstone, if that’s anything that matters. So far it’s at least seemed to grab some interest, but haven’t learned all the associations people got with the teams yet.

[lifeprice]

Hayakawa Aki.

[ No reaction from Aki, at least. No, he doesn't recognise him, but his world is a little bit different from others, so that shouldn't be too much of a surprise. Taking a long drag of his cigarette, he leans back and breathes out, trying to let himself relax just a little bit.

The quiet makes him feel a little better, even as he nods. ]

I'm Revelation, but it doesn't matter too much in the grand scheme of things. We get asked to do missions in teams, but we can work together however we want as long as we're working.

[ A shrug. ]

Are you used to fighting monsters?

[fursuit]

[ He nods in response to the name, then again with the clarification about the teams. Like, that’s what LILITH had said, sure, but is that how it actually panned out? That was what he was curious about. ]

Good to know. Last place that I was hangin’ wasn’t quite so egalitarian. But better to be workin’ together with dire circumstances and whatever.

[ He waves a hand dismissively, which might be answer enough to the question. But after taking a quick drag on the cigarette and pulling it away, he nods. ]

But, yeah, I am. Used to do it a hell of a lot more, but there just aren’t that many in my world anymore. [ But he chuckles, then adds: ] Well, unless you count intelligent dinosaurs, I guess. There’s plenty of them, and I went huntin’ for them not infrequently.

[ his canon is normal, ]

002

[frostfist]

[ Don't worry, Aki won't be alone any longer because his partner for this shift is heading over now, wiping sweat from his forehead after being out in the hot summertime sun. Clutched in one hand is a plastic bag, which he offers out to Aki. ]

Drinks?

[ Alas, they're non-alcoholic, but surely even a bottle of (somewhat cool) barley tea is better than nothing while they stand out here for the next hour. ]

[lifeprice]

[ The offer of a drink is better than not having one, even if Aki longs for the tang of some sake. He can get some later, at least, and he reaches to take the drink with a relieved little smile. ]

Thank you.

[ Rubbing his head, he pushes the sticky hair from his face with a sigh. ]

How long do we have left?

[frostfist]

[ He waits for Aki to fish out a bottle before grabbing one himself, leaving the rest of the bag and its contents to languish away on the ground. ]

Too long. [ Read: ] Another hour, if I'm not mistaken.

[ Which might be tolerable on a nice autumn day but in this heat? Those minutes are going to stretch into eternity. ]

Ever done something like this before? [ Man a stall in the name of charity and goodwill. ]

[lifeprice]

[ Aki feels like he's going to melt a little, closing his eyes and tilting his head back briefly, to try and find some kind of breeze... Nope. Nothing. ]

Another hour is fine. I can tolerate that.

[ Shaking his head, he takes another long drink before he leans forward, to try and find some customers to play. ]

No, I was too busy with my Public Safety work. I didn't like going to festivals alone, either.

[frostfist]

[ Wriothesley cracks open his bottle, taking a long drink and eyeing the scattered groups of people that pass by the stall...none of whom seem to be stepping up to the counter just yet. ]

What about your coworkers? [ Hadn't Makima said something about overseeing a group of people? ] You didn't have any interest in going with them?

[ Aki does seem like the quieter sort. Maybe they'd all been too loud and rowdy for him. ]

2

[yuwon]

[ it isn't often they meet up and are expected to work as a "team." but, it figures instead of anything rooted in their actual missions, it ends up being... something like this. while he comprehends the value of points, or in this case, KRYPTOS, it doesn't mean he necessarily has to enjoy working the booth.

whatever aki lacks in enthusiasm... so does yuwon.

guess that's everyone else's problem though. thankfully, not for long as it looks like it's almost break time. yet, here yuwon is, digging through his inventory for something to eat, before he turns to aki. ] You in a rush to go somewhere after?

[lifeprice]

[ If there's someone he's going to be forced to work with, Aki thinks, Yuwon is a good option. They get along well enough, and there's no expectation for him to be any kind of overinvested or particularly keen to act as if he actually wants to do this. The library is something he's vaguely invested in, though, so he'll tolerate it for now.

Lifting his head, he gives a little nod to his friend. ]

Anywhere but here. [ Hah. ] I want to enjoy the festival. Don't you?

[yuwon]

[ that's true. also considering how over zealous others are in their own booths, yuwon doubts they could compete in terms of raw enthusiasm. but, perhaps that ends up working out since it allows each individual attendee to enjoy and leisurely take a look at everything. ... and it's quiet now, which is a relief to how much hustle a bustle there is of foot traffic. who knew an event like this would be so popular. ]

Not especially. [ only half true. ] It would be a bit different if there was a martial arts tournament or something to see. [ but, it's just a stray thought. he knows better by now not to expect everything to operate as it had in the tower. ]

What are you going to enjoy first? [ teach him your festival ways, aki. ]

[lifeprice]

[ Do they need to put all their energy into this place when the customers are going to come no matter what? It's not as if they care who's running it, or who is giving them the tools they need to play. They just want a chance to take part of all the festivities, so his enthusiasm can be as limited as needed. ]

Maybe you can suggest it. I'm sure people would enjoy the chance to fight each other. [ It might be fun, but Aki isn't sure how well he'd do. He's not as durable or powerful as some of the people here, and he's painfully aware of it.

Glancing over, he hesitates briefly. ]

I'm going to walk around with Denji, and then find Tsurumaru.

[yuwon]

Would you participate? [ he recalls aki had received a reward at some point, and so he could only envision he held a decent amount of strength. it's more impressive if just because he had recalled it was soon after aki's ...

arm (and hand incident). ] Though as you know, I'm not much for suggestions or gathering people up. [ at least outside of his small number of personal objectives. he supposed it wasn't a bad thing to see everyone's abilities on full display. a thought he decides to pocket until a later time. ]

Oh, right. [ that made sense. ] Congratulations.

[ on denji also receiving a reward, he means. ]

01.

[photosympathies]

( He's sure being pulled in like a sailor to the siren call of someone smoking says something about him, but Vash isn't quite willing to approach that particular thought yet. He's been doing really good at keeping his mind blissfully blank since his arrival, unaffected by the things that have happened before ( mostly, if he ever sleeps the dreams come, so he's just decidedly not doing that ). He realises it's a little foolish anyway, when a person he doesn't recognise sees him loitering. Vash almost turns on his heel then and there to flee the scene, but his need to be friendly wins out. )

Ha, sorry. I wasn't paying attention. Wandered over by mistake, I thought you were -. ( A pause, a wave of his hand. ) Never mind. I like your little guy!

( He means the plushie. It's cute. )

You doing okay?

( Because in Vash's experience the brooding, smoking type never are. )

[lifeprice]

[ Aki isn't sure if he should be complimented by the fact he was mistaken for someone else or not, considering how distinctive some aspects of his appearance are, but... He turns his head, breathing out a hiss of smoke before he breathes out. ]

It's Denji. He was one of the big hitters in the last mission.

[ How is he being called out like this immediately? Trying not to scowl, he takes another drag of his cigarette. ]

I'm fine, I just don't like the heat. Are you new?

[photosympathies]

Oh! Corset guy.

( Absolutely zero context for that, but he does look the plush over again, a smile curving the corner of his lips. ) It's cute. I wish all my friends had plushie forms. I'd carry them around like that too.

( It would maybe make him a little less lonely too! )

It is pretty hot here, huh? And yeah, I am! The name's Vash! Got here a little while ago, still finding my feet, y'know?

[lifeprice]

What?

[ Corset...? What the heck are you even talking about, dude? The image of Denji in a corset is, frankly, a little alarming, but... ]

When was he in a...?

[ No, actually, maybe he doesn't want to know. ]

I understand. I'm Hayakawa Aki, from Revelation.

[photosympathies]

Oh, no. He wasn't! Don't worry. We just had a conversation about who should wear corsets or not. ( Just a friendly argument between guys, no big deal. ) Maybe he doesn't like them, which is fair! People are totally allowed to have their own opinions! And stylistic choices.

( Is he rambling, he might be rambling? )

Nice to meet you! I'm Everlight, though I don't think there's a rule about making friends between groups, is there? ( There better not be! He'll have to break it several times over. ) What's Redemption like? Apart from having the coolest name.

tanabata

[cranekin]

(Early in the night, when the sun has long since set and the moon is in the sky, Tsurumaru spots a familiar face in the crowd. He slips between people effortlessly and once he's close enough, he places an ice cream pack to the back of his neck.)

Surprise!

[lifeprice]

Ah -

[ Aki jumps a little, turning his head, immediately scowling. Even when he spots Tsurumaru, his expression still twitches and he reaches out to grab his wrist gently. ]

It's cold!

[cranekin]

(And he just smiles back, clearly pleased with himself! Letting out a laugh, he lets himself get tugged. Or well, Aki isn't really pulling him but he moves himself a little closer to be in his space,)

The night is still warm. You should remember to cool off.

[lifeprice]

[ Aki does start to tug him closer, despite how warm it is, his expression warm despite the touch of irritation. Leaning down, he taps their foreheads together. ]

Ah. You were taking care of me?