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

[sensehispresence]

[ Kadaj wasn't one to stay idle for long. Which meant that he would probably be out there any time it flooded. Would make sure that things were in working order during the monsoon season.

Bakugo wouldn't be wrong in thinking that he wasn't completely human, even if he was meant to be. No, he was part of something bigger. He had what made him more than human, as it were.

Once they're both on the street they need to be on he takes note of what's around them. ]

Phase shifting might be a word for it.

[ It definitely wasn't teleportation. ]

[blastedass]

[If he wants to run around and start generators or deal with the power grid, Kadaj can go for it. That isn't Bakugo's area of expertise. He's better at rescue operations and clearing out debris, so that's where his focus lies.

Which he starts in on right away, blowing a tree trunk in half with one hard blast. But the next one gets a pause. That's not a tree trunk. That's a power pole. He scans it over, finding it's not snapped, but rather completely "melted" free from the ground, the floodwaters washing the dirt away down to the slab it's anchored in.

Phase shifting, huh... Someone's got more skills than he let on.]

Clear the sidewalk. We'll put the pole there.

[For when the electricians return to get it properly set back up.]

[sensehispresence]

[ There wasn't, honestly, one thing or another that Kadaj would consider himself good at in the moment. That doesn't mean he won't go and deal with the generators first. It will give Bakugo time to clear out debris. If they could get the generators started then they would be good, at least for a little bit.

Those blasts were loud to his ears but he's not too bothered by it. As for being more skilled than he let on... well, one shouldn't show all of their cards right away. There were still a few tricks up his sleeve, as the saying went. ]

Understood.

[ Clearing the sidewalk wouldn't be a problem. Of course, they'd need to get that pole where they wanted it. Then they could head on to whatever street they needed to next. Hopefully, they wouldn't run into too much trouble along the way. ]

[blastedass]

[Bakugo has zero doubts this guy's got more up his sleeve than he's showing. But there's no demand for him to show it all now, unless it'd help make this effort go faster or more efficient. Already there's the sound of vehicles moving into the cleared roads two streets over, a grateful honk blaring out as the service trucks get access to the highway again.

For now, they can focus on the sidewalk and salvaging the power pole. Normally they'd replace it, but in this world, strapped for safe resources, reusing what isn't technically broken is always preferable.

Bakugo finishes up some branches before slamming a shallow, ground level explosion into the pavement, less to destroy and more to blow light debris away. He approaches the pole and puts a foot on it.]

How much can those dogs lift?

[sensehispresence]

[ It was fine. Kadaj thought the same about Bakugo. There was more than met the eye he's sure. Was it that way for everyone? Quite possibly. The sound of the vehicles has him looking back toward the streets they cleared only moments before. It was good that they were able to head down them again. Even if he didn't care one way or another, or so he tells himself.

Things were different, changing. He'd given himself a different mission and planned to stick to it. So, after a moment those cat-like eyes look toward the other and watches that explosion. It was an interesting technique. He almost wondered if he had some kind materia that allowed him such a thing. ]

As much as I can if need be.

[ Even as he says it he summons the shadow creepers, the wolf-like creatures seemingly coming out of the ground. Now? They just needed direction on what to do. ]

[blastedass]

[Getting the highway accessible meant the emergency vehicles could circumnavigate some of the more damaged areas. Help and assistance moves around the debris while others work to clear more routes. Picking apart this tangle of weather-wrought wreckage one snare at a time... was fucking boring! It's no wonder Bakugo tearing through the debris in a rage. The rain doesn't help at all! Fuck, he wishes he could wipe out all the debris in one blast, but that would damage the buildings around it. Dammit.

He has to take this slowly, not something he's good at. By choice. Impatient. Red eyes narrow at the answer. As much as Kadaj can? That brings into question the other guy's strength. Before he can ask, more of that smokey film exudes from the ground until the lupine beings are there once again. Whatever. He can work with that.]

I'll take the top. You and the mutts make sure the bottom's stable.

[He approaches the hole in the ground where the pole had been ripped from. Not all of the concrete foundation came with it, but enough that it would stand up and weather more rain if they piled shit around it. More professional work would be needed later to repair it completely.]

When it tilts, get ready to angle it into the hole again.

[sensehispresence]

[ Deep down, honestly, there was a part of him that wondered why he even cared. This place wasn't Midgar. It wasn't his own world. He wasn't considered one of the good guys. Not that it was any fault of his own for that. It was not, however, something that he needed to think about. Wasn't something he needed to allow to run through his mind.

There's a nod when Bakugo mentions that he'd take the top and him along with the shadow creepers would make sure it was stable. ]

It going to stay standing?

[ It's asked even as he moves over toward the pole with the shadow creepers, taking a hold of it to make sure that it was stable. Bakugo would be able to take a hold of it and put it in place. If it didn't stay put then they could find a way to make it do just that. ]

[blastedass]

[It's not a matter of caring at first. It's a matter of doing something to get back. The more kaiju they kill (hopefully) the closer they get to returning to their own worlds. That was the mindset Bakugo had when he started his life here. Heroics eventually took over, as well as making friends (he'll deny it) and wanting to help the people here. But there's that core desire to return... and they can't do that until their job here is done.

Once Kadaj nods, Bakugo heads to the top of the pole. Honestly, he's not sure about the question. Will it stand? That massive chunk of concrete on the bottom suggests it'll fit back into the hole and crush itself into place once more, but... it certainly won't be as stable. And with the storms still coming in waves...]

If it goes in right, it will.

[They'll have to pile some shit on top of it once it's stable though. Bakugo gets to the top of the pole and braces his back against it, feet pressing to the ground as he hooks both arms through the strongest point of the metal. Sparks crackle and pop in his palms before twin explosions blast outward, firing almost as intently as rocket thrusters. Slowly the pole groans off the ground, lifting up on its base as the concrete grits against the sidewalk. Kadaj will have to make sure it tilts into the proper place...]

[sensehispresence]

[ Bakugo might want to get back but Kadaj, honestly, didn't. Even if he did return back home he'd still be dead. Still slipping through the lifestream. So there was no desire to return. Much less when his brothers were gone too. Loz and Yazoo were not there and he did not want to return to a world without them.

Those eyes watch the other rather intently. Bakugo had an interesting ability as far as he was concerned. ]

Good.

[ The moment he hears the explosions and the pole lifts up he moves into place, along with the shadow creepers in set points, and pushes the pole so that it tilted and would slot back into its proper place. Once it was there they could worry about adding whatever was needed to stabilize it for the time being. ]

[blastedass]

[Initially he angrily demanded everyone get sent back home to their worlds, no questions asked. You don't fucking kidnap people! But as he learned about the other Outsiders, Bakugo's opinion changed to returning being their choice. Whoever wanted to go could go. Those who wanted to stay, stayed. So long as it was their pick. Now coming back later... that's another topic.

With his back against the pole, the explosions propelling him backwards from the front, Bakugo uses his own body as the proverbial wedge. Shoving the pole up towards it rocky base, hoping the damn thing didn't snap in half (highly unlikely) along the way. Concrete grits and there's a growling sound as the entire broken slap rakes itself down the slope before falling into place. It's not a perfect fit, obviously, but the weight grinds it down into something that at least stabilizes, even though Bakugo has to quickly zip around to the other side and blast a rebound to avoid it falling over. One or two settling wobbles and the pole is back up amid a cloud of dust around its base.]

[sensehispresence]

[ Kidnapping is something that Kadaj has done before. After all, he'd turned the children against his own big brother. Not that Bakugo needed to know that. He didn't need to know about the manipulation and how the remnants had controlled those children. There had only been one child that hadn't been controlled during all of that.

The youngest of the remnants makes sure to keep the pole in position. To make sure that it stays put in its spot once Bakugo gets it down into the hole. Of course, him and the shadow creepers keep a firm hold of the bottom of the pole. It takes a lot for him not to make a face when the dust clouds around the base. ]

Get whatever we need to fill it or I can send them after it.

[ He didn't need the help of the shadow creepers to keep the pole in place, in case it did try to come back down before they packed the hole. ]

Unless we're leaving it as is.

[blastedass]

[Luckily there isn't as much dust as there could have been, what with the rain and saturated ground. Bakugo braces against the top of the pole again, one arm around it as the other keeps a steady explosion stream going to balance himself and the pillar he's supporting. Making sure it doesn't rock further as everything settles. It's not perfect, as expected, but it'll stand.

Filling the base would be more difficult...]

We'd need cement, but it won't harden before the next rain. If they can get sand, it should work to fill in the cracks. After that, we can pile slab on it.

[That's the best they can do with what they have. There's more work to be done so they can't spend a lot of time on this one temporary repair job.]

[sensehispresence]

[ The rain was a bit of a help where dust was concerned. At least it wasn't making him sense like an actual cat. He can feel when Bakugo braces against the top of the pole. There's a resistance there almost, if he was being honest.

Filling the base was something they could do, to the best of their ability. ]

Then let's do that and then head wherever else we're needed.

[ It wasn't perfect but the pole would stand a bit better. Once the sand and slab was in place. ]

[blastedass]

[With the pole stationed, Bakugo starts descending with slow bursts, other hand staying on the pole to test its stability without the brace at the top. Once he's back on the ground, he gives it a pat on the side for a final check. It's pretty sturdy, but without that extra material, the next storm will probably drop it without much issue. ]

You gonna send them? [He glances down at the wolf-like creatures, then back to Kadaj. That's what it sounded like to him.] We can gather debris to brace it in the meantime.

[sensehispresence]

[ The extra material shouldn't be too hard to come by. They could find some sand while the shadow creepers were sent out for the slab they'd need. ]

I am going to send them out.

[ Those cat-like eyes look toward the shadow creepers and it was almost like a silent communication between them. Once he gives the nod they run off to get the slab or possibly a few different slabs. ]

Let's get what we need. They won't take long to get back to us.

[blastedass]

[Bakugo watches the lupine shadows take off, then turns his gaze back to Kadaj. So this guy can control them not just in his sight, but enough to give orders and have them return. That'll be helpful during missions. There are a few Outsiders with the ability to summon monsters, creatures, spirits, and other such things. Summoners, as Bakugo calls them.]

Fine. They better bring back some quality. [With that, he blasts up to the rooftop nearby. Leaving the sand to the wolves, he focuses on the debris around they could use. Buildings need to be repaired, but some of the sloughed-off walls can be useful weights. Bakugo points to the east.] One street over, there's a building down. We can get material from that.

[sensehispresence]

[ Controlling the shadow creepers was not a hard feat. Him and his brothers could do it. Not that he truly thinks much of it. Why would he? They were a part of him and always had been. ]

Do not worry about them.

[ He hadn't quite sent them out for sand, but they would bring what was needed. Sand and whatever else they believed would be useful to them.

A nod at the mention of one street over and he heads off in that direction. ]

We'll grab a bit, to be safe.

[blastedass]

Who the fuck's worried?

[He's not worried! He wants to ensure they don't waste their time and energy on something not worth it! Bakugo takes off again with a harsh "boom!" sending him into the air. Crossing the building to the other street is an easy task and he lands on the pavement after a small explosion 'pops' him up just before the ground.

How those wolves are going to bring back sand would be odd, if they're going for it. Maybe he should've sent them for debris. Whatever. The bay is nearby if they need to bag some sand. Bakugo inspects the building, noting the collapsed walls and bared structures like a skeleton struck half off.

They should stick to the heavy things, like concrete slab.]

If you need help carrying a piece, tell me.

[sensehispresence]

[ Those cat-like eyes watch the other head into the air. The other's powers were interesting to him. However, he heads toward where Bakugo is without much hassle. Some of it with sheer speed and some by turning into black mist. Whichever gets him to his destination quicker.

As for the shadow creepers, he wasn't worried about how they'd gather sand. If it came down to it they'd find a way. Or bring back debris. A little of both if they were lucky.

The building would give them something good to use. ]

I won't need the help.

[ There was only one way he'd ever need help. This? It wasn't it. Nor was it time for help yet either. ]

[blastedass]

[Bakugo takes that assurance and grabs two chunks of concrete slab. He has to tuck them under his arm, muscles hardening to handle the load, but keeps his other arm free to launch an explosion beneath him for travel. Bounding over the building again and back to the pole. Definitely going to need a better way to do that... They don't have a cart but perhaps there's something around that could serve as a bag.

Poking around some of the other buildings soon uncovers a tarp and he starts using that as a makeshift bag to carry pieces of debris from one site to the next. They can't spend too much more time here. He's giving them ten minutes more at max.]

There's another street that needs clearing. The weather's supposed to get worse in half an hour.