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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( That he hasn't thought about and it's clear. His expression turns thoughtful, pondering. )

I don't necessarily believe in wishing myself. If something is going to happen it will. If it doesn't then you haven't tried hard enough. ( Life lessons with Geto Suguru. ) But if I really had to wish for something that I desperately wanted? I suppose I'd ask to see my daughters again.

( They're the only thing he truly misses here, the only thing he has mourned with his death sincerely. His cause, and what became of it, has less of an impact. He was probably never going to win. But the girls? They're different. )

Oh, I didn't know you were a father.

[Never mind the fact that she doesn't actually know too much about him anyways. Still, she doesn't react too much to this revelation.]

I agree too, that if something you want doesn't happen, then you haven't done enough to make it happen. Though I also think that a little wishing couldn't hurt.

[That being said...]

Of course since we don't have any control over who shows up here, I think yours is a good one. And I hope you do get to see them again.

Ah, I won't put it. They'd only tease me for being sentimental.

( He doesn't mind telling people about the girls either way, but he also doesn't want anything to be solidly traced back to either him or them. Geto does not trust LILITH. He does not trust many people. So instead he just offers Makima a placcid smile, easy-going. )

You know what teenagers are like, anything from the heart is to be scorned.

That's true, I may not be a parent myself but I've met them, worked with them, I think I even was one for a time myself.

[Makima smiles a little there, amused by her own joke. She doesn't recall acting like that and usually isn't on the receiving end of it, but she's seen it here and there.]

Teenagers are the same it seems no matter what time or world. That said, if you do put it and they do show up, I won't tell. So they won't find out about it from me.

( He snorts at her joke, a flicker of real amusement. He already has the sense that most people here have suffered similar fates to Geto himself. He was a teenager, but even then he was so much older than he should have been. He had to. Maybe Makima is someone similar. )

Well, if you're sure. I don't really want to have to make a Binding Vow here. ( A flash of teeth, his own smile. It takes a little focus to figure out how the implant transfers the wish over, but within a few seconds the nearest tag has some writing.

That Mimiko Hasaba and Nanako Hasaba are happy and healthy. )

That will do. I'd rather I didn't have to worry about them fighting kaiju, I think.

[A little more of a smile after that comment.]

I don't know, given the ones we currently have, the more might make it worse for the kaiju.

[A little more humor since there always seems to be at least one of the teenagers in the awards after the kaiju's defeated. Not that she knows if his two are formidable fighters, of course.]

And I think that'll do fine. I'm sure there's more one could ask for, but it's a good wish.

Mm, I've met some of them. Though mostly the ones from my own world. They tend to be mouthy.

( Justifiable, if you're a renowned evil curse user he supposes. Though Kugisaki still makes him laugh. She's terrifying in a very oddly specific way. )

I was never that opinionated as a boy.

Oh, which ones are from yours?

[She's curious about that, they haven't done much if any talking about who's from where. And a few of the more...loud ones come to mind, but...]

There's one from my world here who I think that descriptor fits, so it's not just your group. Though he isn't too bad, you just have to look beneath all that.

The teenagers? Itadori Yuji, Kugisaki Nobara, Fushiguro Megumi. Though I've mostly only spoken to Itadori. They come from later than I do.

( Only a year, but that hardly matters. He isn't around to meet them. )

Though the loudest from my home would be Gojo Satoru. ( So, so mild, like they barely know each other. ) I'm sure he's well-renowned here.

Oh, I've spoken with a couple of them. Nothing that indicated they were as...opinionated as you say, but I imagine familiarity makes a difference there.

[There's a look of understanding there. Denji almost certainly doesn't act the same with others as he does with her. So she definitely understands the issue there, even if she doesn't quite understand the specifics of why.]

Ah, you might be right there.

( He's also a terrible person, so they might be more free to run their mouths at him. )

Do you have people from your world here?

Two currently. Hayakawa Aki and Denji. They're both former employees of mine.

[Since they don't really work for her here. Among other reasons.]

Denji is the one that I think could be described much the same as your teenagers. A bit rough around the edges, but he has a good heart.

[A smile there.]

If you haven't met him, you've still probably seen him. He modeled for those plush toys that have been all over the base.

I've seen the toys but not the boy. I do mostly keep myself to myself though, so that's not exactly unheard of.

( LILITH may have a hand in forcing him out of his room but he's not exactly been sociable here. He doesn't mind it. With so many non-shamans it made more sense to keep himself to himself. )

He must have done well. Although personally I would have wanted a different reward.

( Being a plushie?? No thanks. )

I'd want something different as well.

[She can't say she's interested in that type of reward either.]

That aside, yes, he does tend to do a very good job. Both him and Hayakawa-kun do. You could do worse with finding people to work with in the field.

Mm. LILITH does like team-building.

( His tone is dry, he thinks very little of that. )

Are you glad to be back in Neo Tokyo? Or did Las Vegas charm you in the end?

I prefer being here. The worm and desert aside, it was fun but I wouldn't want to live there.

[Not that she'd be opposed to a worm-free return visit at some point of course.]

There's been a lot of sand.

( Okinawa would have been better were it not for the fact that it held such bittersweet memories for Geto. As it is he prefers the Base. It's easier to hide away, but it also makes venturing out and about a little less dramatic. )

You've been here a little longer than I have, haven't you? Have these excursions often taken you from Neo Tokyo? Or is this new?

It's a recent development. The prior operations were all local. It was a big change, we all had to do a lot of paperwork.

[Or have others do it for them in some cases.]

Well, I'm certainly glad I missed that.

( Paperwork, eugh. )

Was there a reason for it? Or do you think Neo Tokyo has become reasonably safe since our arrival?

It seems stable, so I wonder if the focus is now on areas that are worse off.

[Seeming stable doesn't necessarily mean it is stable though. She's giving that some thought.]

I hope nothing happens if we're away again. Back home, there's no shortage of Devil Hunters if an attack happens, but here, I'm not sure they'd be able to handle it.

[There being no shortage of them back home doesn't mean they'd be able to handle it either, but there's just a better chance of it. Probably.]

Is that what you are then? A "Devil Hunter"?

( He sounds genuinely curious enough, though less pointed than usual. It's a subject he's interested in - LILITH's reasoning for the people they bring here. He has yet to meet someone incapable. )

Yes, though I mostly just supervise these days. Usually I only work in the field if things are particularly bad.

[Sort of a last resort, though Makima doesn't frame it that way.]

Here obviously, that isn't the case. I think I've seen more combat here than I have in quite some time back home.

( Geto hasn't, this is practically a holiday for him. But at least the kaiju aren't as personally awful as the curses, that might be part of it. )

Interesting. We're all so similar but we each have different names and titles for it.

Right, quite a few of us have more in common than it might seem. It makes working together easier, once we get past the terminology.

Well, it wouldn't make sense to bring any old person.

( LILITH has use for them after all. But Geto isn't here to speculate. Instead he hums, looking out at the milling crowd. )

Do you have many plans for the rest of your day?

(no subject)

kubricks - 2024-08-06 18:12 (UTC) - Expand

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