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

[photosympathies]

( He takes it with all the joy and enthusiasm of a little kid, squishing the plushie against his chest and then holding it out to look at it a little better. ) Wow, it's even cuter up close. I'm gonna have to name it something fitting.

( What's a good creature donut friend name? )

Would you mind? I don't want to put him down and lose him. But wait, is this a one-time-per-customer game? Because if not you should let me win you a prize too! Since you're manning the stall you probably can't have a go yourself? And I'm good at stuff like this.

[wwtd]

[ that's really cute...... he is like a kid and hiyori can't help but beam at him, happy that he's so pleased with the capybara donut plush. it's the little things, isn't it?

don't ask her about names she's so bad with NAMES. she'd pick like

sprinkles. ]

Don't mind at all! [ hiyori cheers, already reaching out for vash to hand it back to her. it'll get tucked safely away. as she stands back up again, she looks surprised at the offer. ]

I did see you were rather good at it. [ she says first around another smile and small laugh and looks to the prize line. there IS another donut capybara in there that she kinda wants. this one is pink. with a crown. ]

Well, I don't remember anything that said you couldn't play more than once...? [ grabbing a few more rings, she hands them over easily. ] Y-you don't have to win a prize for me, though.

[ LOOKS LONGINGLY AT PINK CAPYBARA ANYWAY ]

MATCHING CAPYBARA PLUSHIES

[photosympathies]

I don't have to, but I want to!

( It's a little like doing a good dead, a little like showing off. It's also a little like a distraction. All three of those combined and Vash is practically vibrating with the idea of it. Obediently he transfers the appropriate number of credits, eyeing up the rings again. )

Besides, my guy has to have a friend he can visit, right? Makes sense.

( The rings land easily, one after the other. On the very last Vash grins her way, offers up a wink and then turns around throwing it over his shoulder in a terribly showy manner. It still lands, because he's Vash the Stampede, but he almost trips over himself in his haste to spin back around and check. When he sees he's managed it he punches the air in avid delight. ) Nice!

YESSSSSS PROOF OF FRIENDSHIP

[wwtd]

[ well, how can she argue that? spoilers: she can't ]

Makes sense. [ hiyori echoes with another laugh and deigns to watch vash get max points again, one after the other. she claps where appropriate again, of course, and laughs a bit harder at how he shows off.

she thinks... she understands who everlight is made of. with the tripping, especially. hiyori puts her hands out to catch him if he needs, but she's grinning and amused through the whole thing. ]

Another perfect score!! Fantastic! [ knowing which plush he was aiming for, she plucks the pink one off the line and grabs both to set them next to each other. look, see, best friends. ]

Hehe, you really didn't have to but thank you. I'll have to think of a name, too. [ using her ocular, she checks the time. ] My break is soon if you want to try that onigiri. Or maybe we can find something with donuts or close to it. Have you had a funnel cake?

[photosympathies]

( He practically has heart eyes looking at the two capybara, beaming at the sight of them. It's definitely done a little to lift his spirits and so when Hiyori offers up onigiri again he doesn't think to say no. It has been a while since he ate, and surely having something nice should be allowed. So he nods at her, as eager as a puppy, ready to bask in the feeling of having done something successfully. )

Sure! Do you want me to hang out here or come back and fetch you? Ooh, but no I don't know what funnel cake is! Though if it has the word cake in it then I'm down.

( The sweet tooth, it gets him. )

[wwtd]

[ if it's lifted his spirits, that's all she can ask for. he did seem a little bereft. or maybe that his smile was a little plastered on until recently. who can blame him? but she's happy to see that capybara are capable of making not just gods really happy but all sorts of people, too.

rent boys, as it were. ]

Donuts and cakes. Sounds like a sweet tooth to me. [ booth will be fine without her, right? someone else is working it on the other side. ] The doctor in me should probably warn you against overindulging, but I think the kid in me enjoys sweets as much as you do.

[ since it won't be too long until someone swaps with her and business is slow, vash is welcome to hang out. ]

There are a lot of things to indulge in at a festival. Dango, taiyaki, shaved ice, chocolate-covered bananas with sprinkles...

[ gets a dreamy look in her eyes as she talks about food. ]

[photosympathies]

Oh, you're a doctor?

( Delighted, if only because he likes his friends to be successful. Hiyori is firmly in that category after two mere conversations either way, and he beams at her. ) Always handy. But don't worry, I won't eat too many. Maybe like ... six.

( That's a reasonable amount of donuts, right? But clearly she's a kindred spirit, and he beams at her as she lists the foods. ) Okay, a whole bunch of those I've never heard of. Maybe we should get tasters! Mini snacks. So we can try everything and stay within what is an appropriate amount of sugar.

( He'd eat it by the bag, probably, but he's decided to be on his best behaviour. )

[wwtd]

[ it makes her wonder if vash ever got that job as a bodyguard at a hospital. he was struggling to find something to do and she's been there. ] So I hear. [ hiyori jokes. especially in their organization fighting kaiju. someone is bound to get hurt...

it worries her. now she has vash to look out for, too. ]

Six?! [ HE LIKES DONUTS THAT MUCH HUH. is he a god too? with a bottomless stomach!? she stares at him. no, she doesn't sense anything divine? he does not look like he could take down six donuts but then again - ] Y-You're going to get cavities, if not a stomach ache, if you eat six. [ mini snacks and tasters sounds VERY reasonable. not six donuts. boye 👏 ]

At least I know what to get you if you ever need cheering up. [ though she had a FEELING since he first got excited about donut capybara. ]

[photosympathies]

Is six bad? ( Six sounded so reasonable! ) I have a really strong stomach, I can eat anything. ( Says the man who would whine to Meryl on the regular. But it couldn't have been an overabundance of sugar? Surely not! It would never betray him like that. ) But okay, okay ... three?

( Hopeful peeking. Watch him gorge and feel bad about it later. )

What's your favourite kind of comfort food then? Not donuts?

[wwtd]

[ REASONABLE,,,

and sounding more and more familiar. she stares at vash, bewildered. a hundred yard stare before shaking herself out of it and narrowing her eyes. a little.

maybe not divine... but a human would DEFINITELY get sick over too many donuts. too much sugar. deep fried oils. delicious, sure, but better in moderation. as a treat. in the end, hiyori smiles gently and holds up three fingers. ] Okay. Three is better.

[ look she's just WATCHING OUT FOR HIS HEALTH. she's a doctor. ] Mine is... hmmm. [ does she have one?

melty cheese. soft bread. sitting on kofuku's porch at the end of a summer and listening to two familiar voices argue and bicker. finding it entertaining rather than worrying. ] There are these cheesy buns I used to get. They were seasonal so you could only buy them for a limited time. They started with two cheese, then three, then four. They stopped at six, I think. They were really bad for you, but so savory. The cheese pulls you could get with them would stretch on forever.

[photosympathies]

There's six kind of cheeses?!

( Hang on, hang on. He's had like ... maybe two. Hard wedges easily packed or gooey melted strands. Maybe it's just that No Man's Land doesn't have the same amount of animals as Earth, or maybe the newer kinds never trickled down to the smaller towns, but Vash feels envious immediately. ) That sounds real good. I also like mine melted. With pepperoni. And dough. ( Pizzaaaaaa. ) What season were they in? If they're not here I can keep my eyes peeled when it's the right time.

( Predictably all the talk of delicious food has Vash's stomach suddenly making itself known, a loud gurgle that he blinks steadily at. He's eaten since he came here, but not for simple joy. It leaves him a little embarrassed, laughing as he rubs the back of his neck. )

At least we're in the right place to be hungry, huh? There's so many stalls.

[wwtd]

[ VASH YOU SWEET SUNSHINE CHILD. THERE ARE MUCH MORE THAN SIX. but putting them all on one melty cheesy bun is Excessive. like food challenges are. or mukbang.

PIZZA!!! pizza and donuts. what a chad. and a sweetheart. ] Usually the beginning of autumn, if I remember right - [ just as she finishes answering, yep, that sure is a stomach growl. a beast of one. hiyori tries not to chuckle and hides her smile behind her fist, but the laughter is still there in her eyes. ]

Way more than I have the appetite for. But I think I see my teammate heading this way! Hey! [ because i SAY SO. hiyori waves cheerfully, explains the donut and pink capybara before she is FREEEEE to explore as they please. she makes sure to grab her little uchiwa fan before she moves out from behind the booth and to vash's side easily. ]

I made sure the capybara would be safe. So! What do you want to try first? Funnel cakes, right? [ mr. sweet tooth ] Shaved ice would be really good in this weather, too.

CHAD VASH THE STAMPEDE

[photosympathies]

( He's making a mental note to try and find cheesy buns once the seasons change, just for her. ... Well, a little for himself too. He wants to try all the different cheeses. He waits patiently as she sorts out her escape, waving cheerfully to whoever's replacing her on the stall before he falls into step with her. It's very clear the prospect of so much choice has his brain a little frazzled, and he hums a long note as he things. )

Shaved ice sounds good. Cold, right? It is pretty hot.

( Not as hot as No Man's Land, but it's a different kind. Less dry. Strange. )

I'm easy! A lot of the stuff round here I've never had before, so it's all pretty new. Let me follow your lead. ( Big bambi eyes. ) What are you craving?

CHASH........ THE TYCOON

[wwtd]

[ WEH, VASH.

after the DEVASTATION of seoul, they'll both need a lot cheering up huh. time to look for cheese.

for now: nooo, not that bambi eyes. blue eyes are like?? a weakness?? they aren't the SPECIFIC blue that makes her weak in the knees but pretty close. close enough that if she wanted to follow his lead, it's gone now. he wins. ] A-ah, well. Okay. [ since she's not under the cover of the protective booth, the sun beats down warm on her skin. too warm. ]

Definitely... some shaved ice. If it hasn't all melted by now, anyway.

ashdjs oh my god.

[photosympathies]

( Shaved ice it is! Vash bounces a little on his feet, then makes sure to match his pace with hers ( he's had too many complaints from Meryl about his freakishly long legs by now, he knows to stop striding everywhere ). It's hot, but not too hot for the desert planet dweller, and as he walks his gaze swivels all over the place, part open curiosity with a smidgen of cautious wariness to it. You take the man out of the gunslinging no man's land but you can't take the gunslinging no man's land out of the man. )

Do you like being a doctor?

( Because getting to know new friends is the aim of the game! )

[wwtd]

[ with the reason they're HERE lingering at the back of their minds, it may pay to be a little wary.

despite not knowing vash for long either, she finds being in his company is easy. could be the similarities to someone she knows. could be vash's warm friendliness. just as easy is answering any questions or curiosities he may have about her. after all, didn't she do the same thing to others? karma huh. while they walk, she uses her hand to fan her face. ]

... I do. [ she aims her smile at the ground, reflecting on the faces that pass through the hospital. both back home and here. she only just finished her residency, too. ] It's not a profession you can do half-heartedly. It works for me. [ although she might've forgotten why she was motivated in the first place. ]

Ah! Which reminds me! [ RENT BOY. ] Did you ever find something you wanted to do? Or did someone find your flier and hire you?

[photosympathies]

I bet not, it takes a lot of guts to be someone people rely on! ( Earnest, like it's desperately important she knows someone out there thinks she's doing a good job. ) Especially in a place like this. I'm sure people really appreciate all that you do, Hiyori.

( And then, a skittering laugh, Vash lifting a hand to rub the back of his neck. )

Kind of? I'm mostly just doing shift work wherever I can find it. I want to see what suits me better? Then when I find something I like I can maybe try and make it more permanent. Honestly, I'm still kind of getting used to staying in the same place all the time. I usually move on by now, so that's wild in itself.

[wwtd]

[ there's a small widening to her eyes. more obvious is the faint pink color that paints her cheeks at his earnest words. ] Oh, um.

[ they do. often, patients leave the room with "thank you, doctor iki." she just smiled and waved. it's her job, she thought. she chose this, she chose to be relied on. to be there for those in need. to help others.

all the same, acknowledgment and being appreciated would move anybody. ]

... Thank you for saying that. [ she replies, as earnest as he. right after, her eyes brighten at his laugh and his bashfulness. she doesn't mean to be PUSHY. just curious. maybe concerned. he's too familiar for her NOT to be. even more so with him saying he's not used to staying in one place. ]

Is that because you like to travel? You said you like to help others, so I imagine you go to different places once you've done what you can in one? Like, mm, a traveling champion.

[photosympathies]

Mm, kinda?

( There's not really a nice way to say sometimes your terribly possessive brother tries to ruin your life, sometimes you get held accountable for crimes even when you're only trying to help, sometimes you have to run as far and as fast as you can because there's no alternative so he'll stick with the travelling story. Hiyori makes it easy for him, and he beams at her, eager to agree. )

A little like that, yeah. There's just a lot of planet to cover, you know? And people to meet and help out. I try anyway. It's not so bad, you get to learn a lot of new things, meet some interesting people, pick up some skills. People really like to pass on what they've learnt if you're nice and you listen. It's fun!

[wwtd]

[ which is kinda crazy because it's a story that sounds familiar. no judging here had he decided to tell her the truth.

traveling champion works for now. she hums, understanding. the world is big and yet so small at the same time. ]

For a guy who likes to help everyone and has a lot of skills to advertise himself as a Rent Boy who can do pretty much anything, it sounds perfect. [ gives him!! an elbow nudge. ]

As long as you're happy with it, of course.

[photosympathies]

( Ah, she's so nice. He likes her a lot! Very glad his rent boy escapades got him some good friends!!! )

Ha, I am! I like meeting people. Which, bonus points for being here I guess? There are so many different kinds here, and we all have a story to tell, and it's pretty neat we can, isn't it? I mean, I absolutely would have preferred a courtesy ask before I got kidnapped but this isn't the worst kind of abduction I've lived through ...

I mean. I meaaaan.

( No, he's got nothing. )

Hey look! That sign says shaved ice!

[wwtd]

[ it is pretty neat. they do all have stories to tell. she too would've liked a COURTESY ASK. AT LEAST. or maybe a warning, bare minimum.

...

...... wait. hiyori opens her mouth, looking alarmed and head whipping towards him, but she gets derailed so fast there is an audible screeching brake in her mind. ]

Wh-huh? [ sure enough. shaved ice. ] We should... head that way but not yet!! [ he obviously doesn't want to talk about it (like some other things) but you can't just THROW THAT OUT THERE. ]

Have you... been abducted like this before? Like, like taken to another world? To the future, in my case, I guess...

[photosympathies]

Oh.

No?

( Flapping his hands, don't worry, don't worry. ) Just abducted in general? A bunch of times? The usual, normal way. Hit over the head and bundled into a jeep kind of deal? They never have snacks in the vans, and they kinda stink, and they're a little rougher than LILITH.

( ???? )

I was born on a spaceship. I guess. So I have done the other world thing in that ... No Man's Land wasn't my first? But then, it was, because the ship isn't a world? Maybe?

[wwtd]

[ ???? no ???

this is not quelling any worries. there is NO USUAL AND NORMAL WAY TO ABDUCT PEOPLE, FOR THE RECORD. she would say as much but she's kind of speechless at how unconcerned he is treating his multiple abductions. being hit over the head and thrown into cars.

her horror stun-lock shifts into furrowed brows. born on a spaceship. he guesses. what, the spaceship part or the being born part???? ]

Please don't take this the wrong way, Vash. [ abductions. spaceships. ] Are you an alien? I mean, are you... are you not human?

[ not scared. not weirded out. nothing but curious. ]

[photosympathies]

( Oops.

He pauses, suddenly serious, looking Hiyori in the eye. ) Not ... exactly? Um. More human than not, I guess? But it's not like it's a secret here. LILITH already had it on my profile thing when I arrived. I'm a, um, I'm a plant? I guess some people would think that was an alien? But we all came from the same place. We all arrived on the same ship. And I look human.

( And then, suddenly almost desperate. )

Don't be frightened! ( He likes her, he doesn't want to lose her as a friend. At his side his hands twitch but he keeps them still, keeps them away. ) I'm not dangerous, or anything. I promise.

( Well, he is. But he's trying not to be. )