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

everlight delight (goldfish)

[cranekin]

(The child stares wide eyed at Bakugo because he didn't know he could actually get in trouble for trying to take one of the goldfish. All of his friends have run off without him the moment they sniffed trouble too, leaving him to take the brunt of it all. While he tries to put up a strong face and even tries to argue that how was he supposed to win when the game was clearly rigged (his friends told him so), he looks like he might crumble at any moment.

Tsurumaru is quick to swoop in, plucking the fish from the child and returning it to the water.)

Now, now, there's no reason to be upset.

(And he hands the kid another paper paddle to try,)

It's because the game is difficult, right? It must seem impossible. Bakkun, get me another scoop.

(He'll take care of things. Don't worry.)

[blastedass]

[How the hell could he not know he'd get in trouble?! Did his damn parents not teach him about stealing?! Bakugo doesn't do well with kids, especially ones that have trash behavior, and it's not any better when the boy tries to backtalk to him. "Tries" being the operative word, putting on a tough face when he's obviously cracking on the inside. Bakugo's on the verge of exploding when the brat dares to insinuate his game is "rigged" in the first place, one hand curling like he's ready to throttle the little shit.

But before he's able to rip this bratty ass apart, a rush of white and gold sweeps like a fucking heron and the fish is back in the water, with a familiar voice offering some chiding words.

Yeah, no.]

You better be talking to the brat!

[... which one? Bakugo's about to resist the offer of another paddle, but then scowls and lowers his hand when Tsurumaru takes over the decision. Tch! Fine. He crosses his arms over his chest, eyeing the kid like a hawk.]

Don't you dare coddle him. [But he gets the sword another scoop.]

[cranekin]

(The chid stands dumbfounded. It must be whiplash going from dealing with Bakugo on the verge of a fiery explosion to Tsurumaru who is more like water, just going with the flow. In response, Tsurumaru just slips the paddle into his hand and crouches down by the water, grabbing him by the wrist to bring him down to the same level,)

Of course not.~ (Stiffly, awkwardly, the boy holds his paddle out over the water. How can he play when all eyes are on him? It's hard to not feel self-conscious,) This isn't easy. It takes a lot of discipline.

(He holds a hand out, the extra scoop Bakugo gave him right over the water,)

You need a swift and steady hand. If you shake, the paper will tremble with you. If you're slow, the paper will break. Every moment must be careful but certain. And when the time is right...

(Swiftly, quickly, he slips his scoop under the water's surface just as the goldfish is within reach. It all happens quickly, within the blink of an eye: He lifts the scoop back up, the goldfish caught in the paper and he slides it off right into his free hand.)

... You strike.

(He made it look easy. The boy stares.)

Maybe it isn't rigged after all.

(And he'll chance a look up at Bakugo, grinning as proud as a peacock.)

[blastedass]

[Bakugo eyes the two of them for a second more, then moves off to assist another customer. He trusts Tsurumaru to handle the boy, though now has his eye out for the kid's friends who abandoned him as soon as the words flew. Cowards. It'll take a short bit for anyone in line to actually want to try their hand, considering the almost-explosion that just happened, but soon enough it's getting back to a normal swing of things. Bakugo's fine if he's not dealing with stupid brats.

It's kind of funny that he calls Tsurumaru "Jiji" despite his youthful appearance, and yet as he watches the sword spirit interact with the child, there's an unmistakable aura of "grandfather" hovering around his words. A quiet gentleness coupled with encouraging wisdom that's as much a guide as it is comfort. As well as the tone of a teacher, offering his lessons to a willing student. Bakugo's usual fire is tempered a little simply listening to Tsurumaru, curious about the way he's handling it. Meaning the next few customers he serves are give the scoops without any temper or flare.

That also means when Tsurumaru looks up at him with that peacock beam, Bakugo immediately catches silent flack for it and jerks his head to the side with a growl, wiping off the quieter expression that rested on his face a moment ago.]

Told you it's not rigged, precocious brat.

[cranekin]

Right, right! It's almost like those friends were all wrong.

(He speaks lightly and laughs easily but there's definitely something a little sharp to his words. It's the way he didn't have to bring back the friends that left the boy. It's the way he so plainly points they were wrong. It makes the boy fluster and he looks down at his scoop, almost too embarrassed to face Bakugou and Tsurumaru now.)

Well, you're young so there's plenty of time to learn better. Let's go. Give it a try.

(And he tries... only for the mechanical goldfish to break through another paper paddle. )

That was just practice. You'll definitely get it in another try or two.

(Looking up at Bakugou,)

Bakkun, come show how it's done.

(Demonstrate for them!!!!)

[blastedass]

[Damn, Tsurumaru can be a manipulative little sneak when he wants to be. Well, "manipulative" in this case is more correcting, but encouraging the kid to make that decision for himself, along with some guidance. Once again channeling that old man wisdom. Bakugo wonders if it's something to do with the sword spirit's nature, or if he learned that kind of thing by spending time with humans as their blade... Always listening, always watching, always there. Creepy but cool.

He finishes up with a few more customers, then returns to the water trough Tsurumaru and the boy are at. But before he can ask if they need another paddle, Tsusumaru's abruptly roping him into some damn "teachable moment" crap!]

Haa?! Why the hell do I have to show him?! You know how to do it! [His jaw sets against a slight grumpy noise when he notices the kid's face. Then growls and crouches down in front of the water, one hand swiping a paddle from the box.] It's not hard. Watch.

[There are a few steps, such as watching the fish to notice any patterns, then hovering the paddle over it to track movement. Once the fish is near a wall or corner, closer to the surface, Bakugo dips the edge of the paddle into the water first, akin to scooping a ladle into a pot of soup, and swiftly "cuts" under the fish back up to the surface in a crescent, preventing the paper from breaking against a flush drag of water and scooping the fish out atop the paddle's paper spread.]

The less time the paper's underwater, the stronger it'll be.

[cranekin]

Ah! Well done! That's twice already!

(Twice someone has been successful catching a fish in a short period of time. It's definitely possible with the right technique.

Handing the boy another scoop,)

When you're ready.

(There's no rush. In fact, Tsurumaru is going to focus his attention on the little mechanical fish Bakugo has caught,)

Eh?! You got a good one, Bakkun. You're surprisingly good at this... (He's usually so short temperated, he would have thought he'd be too aggressive with his technique, ) Well, your reactions are pretty quick...

(He's definitely teasing him. And while they talk, the boy takes advantage of their distraction and makes his move. He catches a fish and lets out a surprised gasp. In his shock, he holds the scoop up for too long in front of him, the fish flails and breaks through and the boy's expression drops. He'd had it... he just couldn't keep it.

It's enough to break Tsurumaru's attention and he looks over and sighs,)

So close...

[blastedass]

See that? Easy!

[He's going to succeed at anything he does! Simple as that. Of course, this isn't the first time Bakugo's played the goldfish scoop game, having encountered as a child at several festivals. Better hope that kid paid attention to his technique.

Bakugo eyes the boy from above, probably not helping those nerves at all, but hell if he cares about that. At least until Tsurumaru comments on the fish that he just won. He looks down at it, noticing the little grenade-shaped body. Tch...]

Don't act like you're surprised, dammit! [Sheesh! He should've expected Bakugo's victory! How long has Tsusumaru known him?! But his attention goes back to the kid when he tries at the game again. Ugh, this little bastard. He's still not getting it!

With a quick motion, he tosses his own caught fish to his shoulder, causing it to sync with his implant and start swimming around the explosive blonde's head as Bakugo stomps around the water-filled trough.]

Move! [To Tsurumaru.]

You have to be quick at this or you're gonna fail every time! [To the boy. Before he can scram away in fear, Bakugo crouches down behind him and reaches around his shoulders, effectively capturing the kid's arms between his own.] Baka... Pay attention.

[This time, he's actually going to guide the boy's hand with his own, fitting a paddle into it and then resting his hand on the outside of the kid's. Like a marionette, Bakugo mimes his motions from before, bringing the boy's arm and hand along for the ride. Hovering over the water, tracking the fish, and then utilizing the same quick slice and scoop cut to bring the fish up and out of the water.]

[cranekin]

(The boy gasps and in a flash, the scoop is in and out. A bright red and white fish flails and rests on the paper and the boy's eyes grow wide. Having learned from past mistakes and after seeing what Bakugo had done, he pulls the scoop back to toss the fish in the air which causes it to sync and swim in the air around him. He's speechless with surprise and joy and his eyes flit between Tsurumaru and Bakugo. Now what?)

Well done.

(And Tsurumaru claps lightly, like a parent praising a child.)

If you want to play again... you'll have to ask Bakkun.

(And for some reason no one could possibly understand, that seems to make the boy decide its time to peace out. He tosses the used scoop into the waste basket and runs off with his prize without a second glance back. Still, Tsurumaru waves,)

I wonder if he'll catch up with his friends.

(And he stretches,)

Well done Bakkun.

[blastedass]

[Hn, so the kid was paying attention after all. Didn't even have to tell him to secure the fish. Though that does make him wonder if all the people around the city have ocular implants as well. He's never really thought about it before, knowing all the Outsiders do, but normal people? Guess it's not that much of a surprise. Neo Tokyo is very high tech in a lot of regards.]

Scram.

[Yeah, that'll get the kid even more eager to try his hand again. He's made it this long without Bakugo blowing up at him. Again. The blonde pushes out of his crouch and rubs at his thighs before heading around the water again to open another box of paddles for people. They should be hitting a slow down as the place approaches lunchtime.]

If he does, he better kick their fucking asses for abandoning him.

[And point out the game's not rigged, because look at the reward he won!]