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

[the_fourteenth]

[He plucks a strip of paper from Katskui's hand, and looks it over, thinking up a wish.]

It's weird, isn't it? To win a doll of someone you know. They're getting quite popular. Wasn't expecting to see them outside the base.

[Should Outsiders really be getting famous? The whole idea does seem a little preposterous, and it makes him smile slightly.]

I'm glad that last time, all we got was personalized ramen. Not sure I could stand to see my face on a doll or pachinko machine.

[While he's thinking of a wish, he slides over the remaining takoyaki to Katsuki.]

Here. My eyes were bigger than my stomach, in this heat.

[blastedass]

[Katsuki pockets the other four as he looks up the stalk of the bamboo. It gets lost in the rest of the green shoots towering above them, a sea of waving leaves at so many different interlocking levels.]

The ramen three months ago went viral all over the city.

[Including his own themed pack. He has a Denji plush in his room as well. Not really sure how to feel about having a plush of someone you know. Guess it's really no different then getting an action figure of Deku, Red Riot, or Shoto, right?

Katsuki expects their exploits to lead them to fame. They were looked at with skepticism and distrust when they first arrived. But the thing is, after you've proven yourself trustworthy and save people many times, those people will start to look up to you. Such is the case with heroes. Which they're turning out to be.]

Tch! I want my own damn action figure or collector's model! [He takes the offered takoyaki without even looking, grunting a "thanks" out the corner of his mouth before shoving one of the balls between his teeth. NOM!! Aggressive chewing.] I'm gonna have a ton of merch when I become a Pro Hero.

[the_fourteenth]

But at least our faces weren't on it.

[Unsurprising that Raidou isn't one for the spotlight. He was raised with the opposite sort of thinking, that summoners put their own interests aside, and keep a low profile for the safety of others. The threats in his world were not as public as they were in a world like Katsuki's, not by a long shot.]

You really want things like that? [An earnest question, asked with a smile.] Riches and fame? I'm not sure how I would deal with it.

[Just your local, humble priest in training here, and not a hero in his eyes. Just doing what needs to be done.]

[blastedass]

[That gets a grumble out of him. Katsuki doesn't know if he's glad his face wasn't on his ramen or upset he didn't get more fame spread around the city. Maybe the former will win out in time. But a kickass action figure would've been amazing.]

Hell yeah! All Might, Endeavor, tons of Pro Heroes have merch like that. Posters, figure models, selected characters in video games. You get paid more too in royalties for stuff like that.

[Granted, while Katsuki's original ambition to be a hero was completely saturated in reveling in fame, money, and power, like a stuck up prima donna, his experience over the year and hard-won maturity made him reevaluate what it meant to be a hero. Far more than celebrity status and standing at the Number 1 spot.

Still, he's a teenager who still thinks heroics are cool, and that includes awesome merch in his likeness. Katsuki makes a small noise when Raidou punctures his ego (nicely) with that question about riches and fame.]

I don't need that crap. I'll be the greatest even without it. But it comes with being a hero in my world.

[He isn't going to straight up deny that reality.]

[the_fourteenth]

[It's such a different life than being a sorcerer, and it's fascinating to hear about. Would summoners and other mages be just as popular if people really knew about them?]

Being famous among the other summoners is more than enough for me. I can't even imagine that level.

[When practically everyone in your world is a hero in some way, it explains a lot to Raidou why Katsuki is the way he is. The level you'd have to rise to in order to be best, to be noticed...]

I'm sure you'll have no trouble getting that far.

[Also just as sincere. He has no doubt that if anyone could become an ultra famous hero, it would be Katsuki.]

[blastedass]

[Katsuki's asked that question about other worlds and their vocations. The ninja from Kakashi's world seemed to be more akin to heroes, but the sorcerers in Yuji and Raidou's world seem to be shadow operatives no one knew about, despite what they did for the people who knew nothing of them.]

You're gonna be at that level the more we help people in this world.

[Because they're becoming heroes to the public in Neo Tokyo. It'd be a real shit populace that witness what the Outsiders do for them every month and NOT grow to think of them in more positive light. Until finally, their status becomes amazing. Like heroes. But Raidou's right about Katsuki being a product of his society. In far more ways than just that.]

Thanks. [It's quiet, calm, and sincere, lacking the pomp and aggression Katsuki's usually spouting. Raidou's faith in him brings a good feeling to his chest. It's another reason he won't give up his own faith in Raidou surviving the back-stabbbing attack and saving his own world. He still believes that, even after he'd seen "the end" in his friend's memories.

Katsuki stretches one arm over his head, then pushes himself up to his feet.] You don't know how to surf, do you.

[the_fourteenth]

[He sighs quietly at the thought of that. It's good, at least, that they have things like code names and civilian cover. Raidou is far too shy for the spotlight. He'll leave that to the more outgoing Outsiders like Katsuki.

He finally decides to write something on his slip, and stands to hang it from the nearest tree. The question catches him off guard, and he turns to his friend, blinking.]

Ah... Surf? No, I don't. Do you? Did you get to do any at Okinawa?

[blastedass]

[Katsuki doesn't know how much those code names affect anything. Most of the Outsiders are known by their appearance, what with showing up on the news or wherever LILITH discusses them with people and other civilians. It's not like people don't know their work. Though the Vegas civilians were pretty wary of them... First time seeing the Outsiders, so that's expected.

He still thinks they're going to become celebrities of sorts. Especially if they get product placements. Raidou might not be able to run from potential growing fame for long.

Now if you'll excuse me for getting my threads mixed up, apparently surfing is the random topic. Which Katsuki may or may not have taught Raidou in the Okinawa thread. We shall ignore any resulting temporal paradoxes.]

Yeah. [To both.] Had to find a damn board first.

stumbles back in from convention land

[the_fourteenth]

[Hey, now that they have these travel portals, they can go back to Okinawa anytime. Though, perhaps they might have to do some crab clearing each time, but Raidou's not really against that.

But, the offer of learning any new sport or physical activity is always a good way to get Raidou's attention, and he perks up.]

Should I be looking for one too, then? I'd love to give it a try. It looks fun.

returns from family vacay and finally has net again

[blastedass]

[He'll be going back to teach surfing in that case. It's summer, a good time to learn, and if they have some leisure between their duties, it should be easier to get a few lessons in. Crabs also mean food, so... public service to collect. Just have to make sure not to over harvest.

Seeing Raidou perk up pings a small sense of pride and satisfaction in Katsuki's chest. He finally gets to repay some of those kendo lessons.]

I'll take you to the shop I found. You can pick one out.

wb!

[the_fourteenth]

[He smiles and nods, pretty enthused by the idea.]

I was hoping for a good excuse to go back to the beach. Sometimes it's hard to remember that we can just go back and forth almost instantly. Even though we've done it many times now.

We can go find a board when we go out shopping for more kitchen supplies. You, Yuji and I, hmm?

[Honestly, that sounds like a great day to him.]

[blastedass]

[Shit. A ghost of warmth floats through his chest without permission. That damn smile of his... There's always going to be something about it. Katsuki shoves the thoughts and feelings aside.]

Tch, you still need to have the time to do it.

[It wasn't like you can turn up for a quick teleport to Kyoto for 20 minutes. Generally there needs to be a good solid reason. Even if that reason's playing on the beach.]

Aa. Sounds good.

[Compared to the last time the three of them had spent some closeness together, all injured, sad, frustrated, and coping. It'll be nice to check that memory with something more positive.]

Provided they're not running out of food again.

[the_fourteenth]

True... Not something we have a lot of.

[His schedule is packed full on the daily, and he was sure Katsuki's was too. He was even part of Raidou's schedule, making sure there was plenty of time for training and sparring. He's been throwing himself a little harder into it lately, since returning from Vegas and Okinawa.]

Good. And if they are, then we have all the more excuse to ask LILITH to let us back to Okinawa for some fishing and crabbing, yes? The freezers are pretty full for now. But I bet it will all go fast.

[blastedass]

We can make the time.

[Shifting schedules, shortening things, at least their time spent here is variable and flexible. Katsuki keeps his schedule full as well, but he's left room in there to move obligations and such around for situations like these. Hell, if push comes to shove, they can trade a kendo lesson for a surfing lesson and neither of their schedules will budge an inch. For example.

Katsuki's been pleased to see Raidou training harder again, though he's still not ready to try and push him into the front lines yet. That's a personal issue for the other boy to handle. For now...]

So long as the damn crabs aren't even bigger the next time we go back. [Because who the hell knows with those things. Speaking of-] Someone said the rift caused the crabs and vegetation to mutate. Did you hear anything about that?

[the_fourteenth]

I have heard that, yes. It would make some sense, yes? My experience made me think a "rift" was an opening to another world. That could still be true. But whatever they are seem, they're definitely aiding in the mutations. At least this time, it was beneficial.

[Crab for days. Fruit the size of your head. Even some of the fish Raidou caught were pretty huge.]

Dr. Ratio would probably be a good person to talk to about it. I assume he's already well into researching it.

[As he seems to be with... well, everything. Raidou found him pretty admirable.]

[blastedass]

That changes the Outsiders' objectives from killing all the kaiju to finding a way to seal rifts. [And while they can certainly do the former, very few of them possess any ability to do the latter. However the fuck that's even done.] I thought those bastards came from some proverbial crack in the earth or got mutated by shit.

[A portal would definitely count as "shit" cause behind the mutation. Katuski had leaned more towards nuclear fallout, chemicals, science gone wrong, natural transformation out of whack, even ancient monsters showing up. But another dimension opens a far larger scope of problems. They're already dealing with the crap in THIS one!]

I already talked to him about the idea. [Katsuki found him walking around inside, uh, worm corpse goop. Gross.] It's possible.

[the_fourteenth]

Getting ahead of rifts before they cause kaiju in the first place.

[Raidou wonders if such a thing could even be possible. The world is a big place, who knows how many rifts have come and gone for years without them noticing yet.]

I had thought they had come from parallel worlds, like demons. They're not demons, though, or I would be able to exorcise them with my blade. This other theory is more sound.

[He nods, unsurprised that Ratio was on the case.] I figured if any Outsider had a clue, it would be him.

[blastedass]

Yeah. If that's what's causing them.

[In some ways, it'd be easier than trying to purge an already-present race of monstrous creatures. Just shut and seal the damn doorway. But in other ways, a lot harder. How the fuck do you stop rifts?! Raidou's right in his thoughts too; they don't know what's going on all over the world, past and present. It's not like LILITH is sending them to rifts that are on the verge of opening. They didn't even known the rift was going to open under Disney.]

They might come from their own world. Doesn't make them demons or aliens, just a bunch of monsters.

[Their definition of monsters at least.]

LILITH managed to make working teleportation portals, and they have technology that dragged us out of our own dimensions. If this bastards are coming through rifts as well, what's the difference?

[More thinking out loud than actually demanding an answer from Raidou. But it throws LILITH in a shady light.]

[the_fourteenth]

True. A rift could cause them to mutate once they cross through it. Humans who get pulled into the demon's dimension unwillingly are often disoriented and barely conscious. That's pretty mild comparatively.

It does seem similar. But we are able to be brought here and teleport where we need to, and not get mutated. [A beat.] So far. [A sobering thought.]

[blastedass]

The rift that opened under Disney mutated the workers near it, and affected others who got close.

[Not as bad as the worm's mind control, but enough to make Outsiders violent towards people around them. The idea of the rift affecting them even further is a disturbing one. Bakugo shoves the thought to the side. Preparing for something is fine; living in worry about it isn't.]

If rifts bring the kaiju here, then we're facing an unending battle until we find out how to close them.