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

denji 》csm 》everlight

[nutkick]

➥ A JOB WELL DONE

[ he absolutely hates those notifications that plague his eyes without consent, always a pain in the ass, but for once— he didn't mind it this time. after all, his name is out there, loud and clear. 'chainsaw man'. did he fucking win something? for what? for getting possessed by that stupid worm? this is one mission that certainly didn't feel like a victory in any shape or form.

buuuuut, is he going to deny being rewarded? reject a generous payout and all the glory? hell no, he's claiming it; grabbing into it with his claws and teeth. he will get to that in a bit, right now he's distracted with far more important affairs. the plushies. whether it was a friend of his or an innocent stranger, denji didn't notice as he grabbed someone's arm, tugging them over so they could pay attention to whatever he was aggressively pointing at. ]

Look! It's me! Ha! It's- ....... kinda me?

[ wait. why is there a pair of dog ears glued to his head? ]


➥ TANABATA

[ no fireworks? well, that’s disappointing. what's the point of a festival without blinding people with colorful explosions and messing with their senses by the end of it? it's a thought that didn’t dwell too long in denji’s mind, and soon after the drones took over the sky, perking his interest. he stares, watching, and then— the neon lights illuminate the view above, creating all shades and designs, colors fusing in harmony and with the music blasting in the background; bringing life to what he initially deemed as a tedious end of a celebration. it was difficult to look away now, and denji stood there in awe, lips curling up in a smile – yeah, the lack of fireworks is forgiven.

it helps that the temperature has dropped, ridding him of the unbearable heat. he can finally enjoy a late snack (flavored shaved ice) while enjoying the show. he took a seat on an empty bench, far away from the loud chaos of the festival celebrations. one might notice he’s not entirely alone, there is ‘someone’ with him, tucked in carefully with the help of the obi belt of his yukata— it’s his plushie.

yeah, he’s taking this guy with him. they're best friends. no one is allowed to separate them. ]


(ooc; wild card! hit me up with anything or reach out if you want a specific starter! i'll be happy to write one for you!)

》closed to aki

[nutkick]

[ right, games. they need to play games and they need to get stupidly competitive, too. and what better way to encourage aki to match his freak is to introduce a tempting reward if he complies. it is something to consider as they walk towards the gaming area, pushing through the crowd as they explore the given prospects. the first game was the shooting range, and for a hot second, this seemed like a fun idea until he noticed the display of plastic guns in the back. yeah, no. that prompted denji into shoving his friend to pick up the pace a bit faster, guiding him away. a few steps more and then they found a less traumatic gaming option: catching goldfish. perfect.

now, the reward— what should it be? denji hums, thinking hard. ah. ]

So, recently you’ve been kinda annoying with your strict junk food rules ...

[ he is off to a good start. ]

[lifeprice]

It's not annoying, it's healthy.

[ Aki is a little too warm, feeling sticky as his hair presses to his face, and he gives Denji a little bit of a look. Maybe he has been a little overbearing, but he knows it's being balanced by the fact that Tsurumaru is giving him treats and taking care of him just as much. That just how it is.

Blinking at the guns, he winces immediately and lets himself be dragged away from those games. No, there's no need to drag up bad memories. ]

You can have some of the sweets here, though, as long as you don't go too far.

[nutkick]

[ he squints. ] I literally grow a new body after each fight. I'm super duper healthy! Fresh new organs, fresh new skin, and the healthiest heart ever.

[ but, wait, that's not why he brought it up. that's when denji nodded toward the game in front of them, smirking a bit. ]

If I win, we will kill that rule forever. I get to eat whatever I want, whenever I want. No limits! If you win .... well, you can decide the reward you want. Let's agree and shake on it before we start.

》closed to alma

[nutkick]

[ it's raining again. denji wonders if this will be their new normal and, well, he's not complaining. if he has to pick between the heatwave or a rainy season, it's an easy choice. what he doesn't appreciate is all the extra work that was shoved down his throat— it involves further babysitting the civilians and making sure no one gets caught in the drift and then the boring cleanup that follows. how long are they going to repeat this cycle? god knows.

there were no warnings of a flood tonight, and while it was raining heavily, it was not as intense, which might explain why he didn't bother to waste time seeking refuge and wait until it stopped pouring. nah, he's walking back to the base, unbothered to be soaking wet from head to toe. it's somehow soothing ...

at least he's not alone. then again— denji is still trying to figure out if that was a good thing or not, considering his company. ]

Hey. You're barely around in the base. What's up with that?

a job well done.

[yuwon]

[ the tug on his arm takes him slightly aback; not necessarily that he didn't feel someone slide up next to him, but that he didn't expect to see denji there. for a second, he wonders if there was some kind of trouble. he shuffles behind him in step, only the second when he sees the display of plushies, and then gradually hears his words filter through his ear drums, does he realize...

...

was he showing off? there's a second where he glances over to denji and then back to the plushie. ] "Kinda"?

[ he picks up one of the plushies and then holds it next to denji. ]

It's pretty exact.

[nutkick]

[ not really showing off— it's more of a childish glee; a pathetic display of experiencing self-worth and acceptance by society. it's a reflection of the 'unloved child' aura right here, and for once he didn't mind that it happened to be yuwon (and his beefy arm) that he was holding on to. denji is still super excited to see his own merch.

he only let's go when he gets indicted of looking like a pup, a bit offended but more confused. he then reached out to grab another plushie and held it close to yuwon's face, pointing at the ears to catch the other's attention. he even gives one of them a lil tug. ]

'Exact'? Look! I don't have dog ears or a tail. They added them for no reason. [ a pause, and then with a puzzled frown he muttered: ] ... maybe it's considered 'cute'.

[yuwon]

[ not them standing there holding denji's plushies within inches of one another's faces. from the outside looking in, perhaps, this could seem like a casual and fun exchange, in reality— ] It's probably because of your hair.

[ yuwon says these words matter-of-factly, not giving a single hint of a thought he has below the surface. once he feels he stuck his point in, he does give a small nod. ] Aren't most things like that? [ where people simply shift and alter things as they please for society? (it's not that deep)

while it doesn't actually make his point, his uses his other hand to ruffle the top of denji's hair. ]

a job well done

[wheft]

[ it's a little disconcerting, seeing a fellow coworker's face plastered all over town for a job well done. though apparently, denji doesn't mind it so much? especially when he'd just grabbed ishmael's arm when he spotted her at the shopping district just now. ]

You? Like--

[ hold on, she's going to give those ads a closer look. ]

...I don't remember you with dog ears before.

[nutkick]

I never had them. But-

[ he is conflicted between finding them insulting and endearing, unsure which side to pick for a reaction. yet, it's hard to mask that he was flattered by the gesture. oh, with a gentle 'sorry' - he released her arm; he really didn't mean to get all grabby and manhandle her.

he picks up a plushie, gently tugging on one of its ears. ]

But, it's cute ... right?

[wheft]

Yeah, it is. I can see why they added in the extra features anyway.

[ denji is just that dogcoded. she picks one up and just... squeezes it. cuteness aggression is too real... ]

That said, there's always room for improvement. Like adding voices.

job well done

[bemist]

[ 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." ]

[nutkick]

[ the arm yank is enough to sober him up fast. glancing at the stranger, denji could tell he was dealing with someone that didn't appreciate his little stunt, understandably so. with a tilt of his head, he's staring at her hair now. ah, another redhead with a threatening aura. maybe he should be wary of anyone who rocks those shades moving forward. ]

I just got excited because I have my own merch.

[ he picks up the plushie. ]

That's me! Uh, without the dog ears .... and tail.

[bemist]

[ And she glances down at the plushie and back at him. ]

... Yeah, I could see it. I'm not sure why they added dog ears, though. [ Maybe he's dog-coded? Maybe they thought it wouldn't be cute enough without it? It's hard to say. ]

But congrats, I guess? You were one of the ones who hit the hardest, yeah?

a job well done

[30storieshigh]

[ Who's going to be more surprised here, Godzilla at being tugged over to the display of soft huggable copies of a person or Denji when he realizes he's pulled a lizard over?

Regardless Godzilla does his best to humor Denji here. He's pretty sure they're in the same pack so he should try to be as amenable as possible. Lizardy eyes narrow in concentration as he looks at the plush toy, then Denji. Then the plush again. ]

The idol is close, but something is different. [ Looking back at Denji, squinting at his head. Then nodding as he confirms it. ] You lack the larger ears. Perhaps the image is to suggest you require keener hearing?

[ he's not trying to be mean this is an honest to goodness observation honest. ]

[nutkick]

[ you know what's more awkward? the fact denji was almost certain, for a few days, that a kaiju was living among them and he didn't understand why no one was questioning it. why was everyone so calm and vibing? can they not see it?! he was silently confused until one teammate clarified that, yes, godzilla is a friend and not an enemy. while he is familiar with odd creatures, devils mainly, it was still interesting to be around one who speaks with such fluent intelligence. will he get outsmarted by a lizard? ... probably.

why is he still holding his arm? with a subtle 'ah', he lets him go. he should apologize for grabbing him like that, but it was an innocent mistake. ]

... Or, they're calling me a dog.

[ why did he jump into extreme indictments? then again, denji didn't seem very - offended. he holds one up like his personal trophy, for all to see. ]

I should be offended ... but, it's cute.

[30storieshigh]

[ Godzilla doesn't really seem to notice or care about Denji's invasion of his personal space, he's too caught up in examining the little plush idol. Those lizardy eyes are still narrowed in concentration as he considers it. ]

It is visually pleasant, yes. I do not think offense was the intent.

[ There's a moment's pause where the wheel can almost be seen spinning in Godzilla's head. He really feels like he's missing something here, finally he has to just ask. ]

This "dog" you speak of, is that yet another form of this "slang" that others are so fond of using?

[ Yeah don't worry Denji the lizard might be able to outsmart you in some things but he is completely utterly clueless in a lot of ways himself. ]

tanabata & wildcard-ish

[cranekin]

(Some time before the show, Tsurumaru will spot Denji in his yukata. It's a nice yukata but isn't it a little disheveled now? This won't do. One's appearance is an important thing so he does the reasonable thing anyone would do in this situation...

And just drops an ice cube down the back of his yukata. Yeah. Enjoy that. )

[nutkick]

[ okay, but why ...

if he weren't as hungry, he would've sacrificed his treat, and dropped it to the ground so he could turn around and punch whoever thought this would be funny. however, it was delicious, too delicious, and there is a blessing in that because he wouldn't forgive himself if he touched tsurumaru with the intent to hurt him.

it didn't mean denji wasn't pissed. ]

What the hell?!!

[cranekin]

(Maybe he's oblivious to how he's made Denji feel but he just smiles back and pats him on the back,)

Surprise, Denji-kun. Did I get you? Eh?

(Wait... it's clicking for him maybe,)

You don't look good.

[seaurchin]

[ It doesn't surprise him at all that Denji would be named one of the heavy hitters. That boy was strong and very resilient. What did surprise him were the toys that were starting to show up around the city. Megumi had one in his hands and was looking at it in curiousity, the divine dog sitting behind him and sniffing the other wares in the store. It does look like Denji, but he can't decide if he finds this cute or not. The sound of Denji's voice draws his attention. ]

Looks like you're famous.

[nutkick]

Heh, yeah ...

[ look at that smug grin on his face, quick to forgive any subliminal effort to diss him with those dog ears. in the end of the day, they are well-made and look super cute, fitted for a merch. maybe the other outsiders will agree and take a little denji with them back home. with that thought, he takes one and hands it over to the other boy. ]

It's cute, right? [ a change of mind and then he decided to, gently, squish the plush's face against megumi's cheek. is it a kiss? a bite? aggressive behavior? who knows. ] Take one home. But, don't let your pup chew on it.

[seaurchin]

Hey. [ There is a plush Denji now squished against his cheek. Megumi doesn't stop him, but he does make a slightly annoyed grunt. Taking it in his hands, he takes a proper look at it.

And then at Denji.

He's not going to deny that the plush toy is cute, and it does look like Denji. Does that mean he finds Denji 'cute'? That remains a mystery. ]

... They did get your likeness. [ Dog ears aside. ]

give her all your plushes Denji

[saudadist]

[ Denji is thankfully on the very short list of people allowed to yank her arm without getting the mean anime girl scowl, as Lucy calms down as soon as she hears his voice. She follows his pointing and-

Oh. Oh no. They made him into a small, adorable, marketable plush toy? With doggy ears?!

She has a great and mighty need. One that she doesn't dare satisfy in public like this. The universal human response to something cute: to hug it and squeeze it in a fit of fierce cuteness aggression. She must have it!

But since she's not by herself, she just stares at it with her face turning redder and redder. ]

Is it...you if you were a puppy?

he will drop them all at her place later. she can use them as a bean bag

[nutkick]

[ hey, he has nothing against the mean anime girl scowl, it can be endearing in certain situations and deadly in others, but— he's glad he wasn't manhandling some stranger but instead a friendly face. they end up staring at the merch with two different reactions since denji seemed a bit, hmm, unsure of the hidden message behind this.

it felt like a subtle diss. he couldn't shake it off and he was hoping kaede would help clarify his doubts, but when she dropped that question he didn't know if it was shocking or fucking funny. the answer was easy, hence that warm scoff. ]

Depends. Do you like pupp-

[ ah, that's when he finally noticed. the horns ... they're missing? denji's eyes widened, staring for a bit before he asked. ]

Wait. What happened to your ... ears?