synflux | DOWNTIME MINGLE #3

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DOWNTIME MINGLE #3

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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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He doesn't know when to quit. Our van was filled with the things.

( It had been a wild few weeks in Vegas, Geto's still feeling the after-effects. But surprisingly the pair of them made it out alive, and Tao included. He doesn't necessarily want to repeat the process ever again, but it had been ... something.

But Itadori seems more than happy enough to go along with it, and Geto smiles again, the flicker of a sedate one as he surveys the hung prizes. He doesn't actually need one, but it would be a little funny, wouldn't it? In the end he points to one of the smaller plush toys, shaped like a little raining cloud. It shouldn't be hard to achieve, and it's cute. He can add it to his strange collection of things. )

That one. Though if anyone asks I am still serious and mysterious, mm?

That's Gojo-sensei.

[ They'd won enough of the toys that they had one to give to all the people that mattered to the both of them, and Yuji is quietly suspicious about whether Geto got one or not. For all that Gojo-sensei might have asked him to stay away from Geto, there's definitely something going on there.

Following the gaze to the toy, Yuji brightens almost immediately. ]

Oh! That one's really cute, Geto-san! You have good taste.

[ Dubious.

Walking over, Yuji leans up and gets himself ready. ]

I'm gonna be amazing.

( DON'T PERCIEVE THEIR HOMOEROTIC ATTACHMENT, ITADORI. )

I do, don't I?

( Mostly he likes it because at his heart he's still a dumb idiot who thinks irony is funny. If he'd have seen something like that back home he might have tried winning it himself. )

And of course you will. These games are no match for you.

[ Too late, he is perceiving, because he has his own and he gets it! ]

Yeah.

[ Other than the cult stuff. And the murder. You know. ]

Okay. I'll take the challenge and I'll win you the prize. [ He steps up and makes his donation, getting passed one of the little guns with a wide grin. ] I've got this!

( If we do not look at the cult or the murder than it doesn't exist.

But Geto watches him carefully, almost amused, absolutely a little fond. The gun is not so bad to look at when it is in Itadori's hands, he can see then that it's more toy-like than the thing that haunts his nightmares, made of cheap mass-produced material rather than dark metal. It helps a little, Geto keeping an eye even though it's a game. )

Relax your shoulders, Itadori-kun.

( The unfulfilled sensei potential, it ever lurks. )

Oh, yeah.

[ Yuji shifts, getting into position. It's obvious that he's not exactly practised at using a weapon like this, but the thing about Yuji Itadori is that he's a naturally quick learner, and it's never taken him that long to get good at something he puts his mind at.

Lifting his arms, he aims, and the first shot misses the centre by just a little. ]

Aw...

That's all right, you can try again.

( The fondness persists! It's a slippery slope. Geto mentally rifles ( ha ) through what he remembers of old movies, trying to come up with something useful. In the end he just thinks about a real fight. )

Try evening out your breathing, deep breaths, as calm as you can. Hold it on the release, though probably not for too long.

Like trying to use Black Flash or something like that.

[ Yuji turns back to the game and focuses, breathing in and out like Geto told him to. After a few moments... He shoots again, and this time it hits the bullseye. ]

Well done.

( Gold star for Itadori Yuji. )

You're a fast learner, I'm not surprised.

Yeah, always have been.

[ Another shot, and another bullseye, and he grins. ]

I'm getting you that prize!

( A laugh, quick and sudden. )

I don't doubt it, Itadori-kun. And I'll be sure to treasure it.

You'd better. I'm working really hard.

[ Is it that hard, actually...

Yuji lifts and aims again, this one hitting just between the bullseye and the next ring. He tilts his head, frowning, before he leans up and checks the score sheet. ]

... I think I got it.

Try again.

( You can hit that bullseye, Geto-sensei believes in you. )

Show them what true skill is all about, mm?

I got it, I got this, Geto-san.

[ Nodding his head, Yuji makes another donation, shifting his weight. Then he pops off three shots in quick succession, bam, bam, bam, three right in the middle.

The delight on his face is obvious when he turns back to Geto. ]

I did it!

( Geto's own smile brightens a little, infinitely pleased with Itadori's delight. He comes a little closer, pats the boy on the shoulder warmly, watching as the person manning the booth congratulates him. )

I knew you could do it.

( It's kind, and it's a little amused, and it's probably all the things Geto should not be around Itadori but the walls are already crumbling. He cannot do much else about it. )

Maybe you'll rival Satoru next time he thinks about liberating an arcade of its prizes.

[ Yuji is over the moon as he points to the prize he wants and it’s passed over to his hands, and he gives it a squeeze to check before he offers it out to Geto with a smile. ]

Your prize, Geto-san. Take care of it well, okay?

[ And then a soft laugh follows as he rubs the back of his head. ]

I don’t think I’ll ever match Gojo-sensei, but it’s a nice thought.

( He takes the prize with another smile, tucking it into the curve of his arm. It might be a little silly, to be twenty-seven years old and making a teenager win him a toy, but Yuji's joy is infectious. For a moment it's like an invisible weight has been lifted from the boy's shoulders, and while he knows it's fleeting he'll take his victory. )

Ah, isn't it?

( From the very first who strived so hard to catch up to Gojo Satoru, he can understand. )

All right, now you deserve a reward. I wonder if they have kakigori.

[ It’s kind of cute, the way that Geto takes the prize and holds on to it. It’s not that it suits him, necessarily, but there’s a budding warmth in Yuji that makes him rock on his heels. He did something good, so not even Gojo-sensei could be mad at him for hanging out with Geto. ]

He’s the best teacher, and the strongest, right? So it’s fine if I don’t beat him. As long as I can fight, that’s what matters.

[ His eyes brighten. ]

Kakigori? Let’s look!

Tell me more about his teaching.

( It's casual, though a little less careful than usual, Geto moving away from the crowded booth to walk alongside Itadori, the stuffed toy tucked in his arm. ) I try to imagine it but I always fall short. I don't imagine he's too strict, at least not unless absolutely necessary, but the rest -? I know he inspires loyalty, but he did back when I knew him too. That isn't surprising. But you all seem to like him so much.

( Geto understands that part, he just thought both he and Shoko were rarer breeds than the rest of the world. )

Well, you saw a bit of it, huh?

[ The strange, dragging him off to watch him fight a curse and dropping him in the middle of it. ]

I had to watch movies to train my cursed energy, and he's been giving us tasks to do here, too.

He had us throw things at him when he was honing his own skills, so I'm not surprised.

( There's that errant strain of fondness again, Geto's mouth ticking up as they walk. He's relaxed, as he ever can be, but the wariness doesn't exactly fade, his gaze somehow still swivelling almost distrustfully. )

His movie collection was terrible then though, so you have my sympathy, Itadori-kun.

It would've been fine if he didn't keep spoiling the endings for me.

[ Yuji sighs, crossing his arms behind his head absently. ]

I would've had more time learning from Gojo-sensei if things didn't happen the way they did. I... You saw that part too. He was taken away, so I had to get stronger in other ways.

( Geto's laugh comes unbidden. )

Yeah, he's an asshole like that. He'd tell me the end to every anime we ever tried to watch.

( It sobers just as quickly, Geto glancing Itadori's way. ) He's proud of you, you know that? Satoru loves teaching, he loves his students, he cares about you all in a way I'd never seen him be. It solidifies him. He always felt so intangible. But he talks about you with pride.

[ Oh... It's kind of nice, to hear him laugh, and Yuji grins. ]

Yeah? I think he enjoys it too. He's always really good at supporting us, and helping us learn in the best way.

[ He sighs, closing his eyes. ]

I want to make him proud. Him, Nanamin... Both of them.

( He wonders what would have happened if he stayed. Would Satoru still have become a teacher? Would Geto? Would they both have survived long enough to see it, together? His grip tightens on the toy, childishly, a new wave of self-revulsion settling in.

Does it matter? Not really. All they can hope is for the sorcerers of the future. )

I'm sure you already have, Itadori-kun. Satoru's affection is hard won. He only gives it to the very deserving.

▶ 001. A JOB WELL DONE.

▶ 002. TRADITIONAL TANABATA.

▶ 003. DR. RATIO'S RENOVATIONS.

▶ 004. MONSOON SEASON.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

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