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

[bemist]

No.

[ There's a lot in that single word, the single syllable. She's tired. She's resigned. She's resolute. She's been through hell and it's changed her and twisted her until she had to be painstakingly untwisted to be able to take another step forward. ]

It's a long story and I didn't have a say in a lot of it. But at this point, it is what it is. All I can do now is continue as I have been.

[uncourteous]

[ so it was just her? that seemed like a fairly awful fate all things considered. even if the idea of rising from the dead in vengeance could be something he would consider in mere passing, actually living such a life seemed—

nevertheless, he supposed he wasn't there to cast judgment.

he doesn't seem to doubt her as much as he seems deep in thought. ]

I admit, I never envisioned speaking to someone who claims to be have been dead. [ ... ] You mentioned you had no opinion on the matter, but if that is the case, then who does...? [ did someone just arbitrarily bring her back?

it seemed like a ridiculous notion. though, maybe in ancient texts, similar instances could have been possible. ]

[bemist]

Someone I'd died protecting. In order to fulfill the goal of someone who had passed before I had, before the rest of us had, we were brought back in different forms without our memories.

[ Sometimes it still feels weird to look down at herself and see flesh instead of machinery. ]

I don't know the exact process. I wasn't entirely the same person, after that. But I still have those memories.

[uncourteous]

That sounds rather miserable.

[ he says this without placing much thought behind it. as if it was an idea he simply blurted out without any actual thought. yet, it's not without its own consideration. he can't envision your life being over simply to be brought back in order to fulfill another person's goal. ]

What of yourself now? [ if she wasn't the same person, who was she? how was she different? he wonders if all individuals changed after their death. does it provide for new epiphanies? are they fueled by bitter memories of what could have been? ] ... you didn't consider revenge?

[ on those that brought her back, or even on those who created the moment of her death? ]

[bemist]

[ Gebura lets out a noise that could almost be the start of a laugh, but maybe it's more of a scoff. "Rather miserable" is an understatement, and the question... ]

I did. More than considered, I attempted it, once my memories returned. I went on a rampage, tried to tear down the whole facility so I could finally bury myself and my rage along with the monsters and the rubble.

[ It was the only thing she could think of to do. It was all she had left, that fury, with no one to answer to it. ]

It didn't exactly work out as planned and the second part's an even longer story. All that really matters is that I've learned, time and time again... revenge isn't as fulfilling as people think it is.

[uncourteous]

[ there's a prick of something inside of him at her words. is it a touch of excitement? the beginning stages of a slight spark of adrenaline at the concept that she may have entertained the same thoughts as he had a million times over? laying complete waste to everything is an intrinsic want he could have likely related to more than anything else she could have said. his fingers twitch slightly as he looks back up to her, as if studying any diminutive shift in her features. he takes a moment to swallow, letting the silence linger on his lips, before giving his own scoff. ]

Yet, time and time again, we try. [ it's a lesson he hasn't learned yet, that's for sure, but he still keeps her perspective in mind. maybe this is what he's always felt. her capability of violence, and yet despite that, he feels like there's more to it.

at the very least, she hasn't used it on him yet, and he can tell by the way she looks at him that... if she really wanted him dead, he probably would have been just that. but, even that idea makes his lips quirk up in a smile that looks nothing short of devious. ] If revenge no longer suits you, have you thought about what you wanted to do from here? [ here, they were...

technically free? even if he probably tries not to think of this fact. ]

[bemist]

"What I wanted to do from here"...

[ It isn't the first time she's been asked that. It won't be the last, probably. This is technically the most freedom she's had in a very long time, and definitely the most she's had since her first life.

She's aware he's studying her, but she's also aware her own expression won't change much from what it already is. She's not consumed by that wrath anymore. It doesn't mean she doesn't remember exactly how it felt, though. ]

I haven't figured that out yet. Apparently, I'll have time for that. And what's got you filled to the brim with vengeful thoughts? I don't think you can claim the same reasons.

[ He'd been too surprised to hear she was dead, after all. And that wasn't solidarity when he'd asked her about it. ]

[uncourteous]

[ it's a fair response. if just because he'd echo a similar sentiment. being deposited here, being told he had to serve an entirely different purpose for the time being— it was a lot to accept at once. even now, he doesn't think he's truly adapted in any real sense of the word. in comparison to that, gebura speaks freely of her time to consider her future. he wonders if allowed time, he might feel the same way. either way, he decides not to consider it for now. in the present, all he really can do is... ]

I had mentioned it before, but I also had a point where I may have lost faith in others. While you may find it difficult to believe, I was once a rather naive and innocent boy. One who once excitedly picked out presents for my younger brother having no clue that he and his mother had simply wanted me dead. [ he flicks his wrist absently, letting the sparks sort of just get flung into the darkness. ]

Maybe instead of revenge, it can be thought of as simply expressing my gratitude for them turning me into who I am today. [ he gives a slightly chuckle, though it doesn't seem to have as much humor to it as it normally does. ]

[bemist]

[ Naive and innocent. It's not as difficult to believe as he says; Gebura can recall what she'd been like in her first life, as a kid. A little girl with bright red hair that stood out more than she wanted it to, crying in the midst of the Backstreets' bodies. Kids didn't always start out as terrors. Learning someone wants you dead either makes you hopeless or gives you the drive to give yourself a fighting chance. ]

Do you like who you are?

[ It's a rather direct question, but that's just how she is. ]

[uncourteous]

That is rather direct.

[ he notices the straightforward way in which she asks. he doesn't dislike it, either. it's been a long time since anyone had been so frank with him, outside of the duke's daughter. before this becomes misconstrued into him avoiding the question, he speaks just as frankly. ] Admittedly, I don't know. At the very least, I can't envision being anyone else. As an emperor to be, I simply had to be flawless. Nothing more, nothing less.

[ anything else would be a sign of weakness, a vulnerability for others to use.

does he like himself, or has he simply come to terms with the fact that he couldn't be anyone else? there's curiosity on his features as he also asks in turn— ] And you?

[bemist]

[ Flawless, huh. She's never had those kinds of expectations. Maybe someone living in the Nest would. But Gebura? Someone from the Backstreets who didn't even remember if Kali had been the name she'd been born with?

No. Her position had never demanded it. ]

I wouldn't say I like myself, no.

[ ... ]

I wasn't expected to be flawless or anything like that. But I can't say I don't have things I regret. Things I can't change.

But I accept how I am now. At the very least, I've changed for the better, even if it was a hell of a time getting there.

[uncourteous]

[ the admittance isn't exactly shocking in the context of her mentioning her prior "regrets." he supposed it depended how many regrets she had and how much of an impact these lingering decisions of her past had on her. somehow, he gets the feeling it's deeper than he can imagine. ]

Acceptance may be more valuable than simply liking yourself. [ aren't there those who could like themselves and yet not truly accept who they really are or their past wrongs? at the very least, callisto takes it that way. ]

Then... do you ever miss who you once were? [ since they both seem to have a past where they may have once believed in others. even callisto doesn't know if he misses that innocence. it's hard to when it would have meant his death. ]

[bemist]

[ From the way her eyebrows knit together, the answer's probably evident well before she verbally answers him. ]

No, not really. I was lucky, back then, but I didn't have the knowledge or the experience I do now and I wouldn't have changed past a certain point. I probably would have died a lot sooner than I did.

[ If she'd chosen to believe in her neighbors. If she hadn't decided to do whatever she needed to, to survive. To change things. Even her past self as the Red Mist wouldn't have kept growing if she hadn't gone through what she had as Gebura. ]

[uncourteous]

[ "lucky," is it? he isn't sure if such words could really be fitting for someone who had legitimately experienced actual death. it's both parts ironic, and also a bit... it isn't that he sympathizes exactly, or maybe it is exactly a bit of that.

but, considering she seems the sort who wouldn't necessarily appreciate such sentiments, he seems to temper his response. ] Then, perhaps, you can call that its own version of satisfaction. [ of being okay with the person she is. is this projection? maybe just a little, but more in a way of him not fully understanding what she found so ... disdainful about herself. ] I figure it is difficult to survive in the world without changing oneself to some degree.

While I do not much of your past, I do think it sounds like you have a lot to be proud for. [ it's clear at the very least she was a woman with a certain drive. who was probably a lot more resilient than he would ever know.

a pause, before: ] Ah, do not misunderstand me, my lady. Knowing you, I am sure you are simply thinking I find you amusing... [ he is being genuine. at the very least, he has no shame in admitting someone is impressive. ]

[bemist]

I'm not. [ She'll be honest, there. He gets a certain little smirk or a knowing look on his face when he thinks she's being entertaining and she's never thrilled to see it, but she at least knows what to look for. He seems to be sincere in this much, at the very least. ]

I'm just thinking there's very little I'm proud of. Even so, that doesn't mean I'm not determined to do better now. [ Here. Now that she can. Now that she's no long under someone's orders to fight people to the death. ]

My past isn't worth mentioning, anyway.

[uncourteous]

[ her statement surprises him. perhaps, she was looking at him more than he initially suspected? (no) he may have reveled in the idea if it wasn't for the fact that he was focused on their present line of conversation. instead, her believing in his sincerity seems to ... make him feel a bit lighter, somehow. ]

Perhaps, one day I will feel the same. Until then, I suppose I will have to figure what to do with these terribly bitter feelings of vengeance. [ since it's not like anything here could really bring the same satisfaction.

... why was he here? or so his expression seems to wonder. ] Whether it is worth mentioning or not, I hope to hear tales of it one day.

[bemist]

Good luck with that. [ She prefers not to talk about it unless she has to or she's in the unfortunate situation of having someone witness her memories. Which has thankfully only happened only once since she'd been brought here. But...

Her sparkler finally dies out, and Gebura just takes in the darkening space around them. ]

If you're unwilling to let those feelings go and you can't point them at who you need to, focus on sharpening them in the meantime. Figure out how you'll wield that vengeance in the future. Just make sure you don't cut yourself.

[uncourteous]

[ it's sound advice coming from someone who clearly has a distaste for him. who would have known? but, perhaps that's exactly what made it so valuable. unlike the words he was so accustomed to— words steeped in half-truths or trickery, her words were straightforward, direct, and real. while he knows his wellbeing held no bearing to her, he still thinks her words come from a place where even he can't exactly see or understand. ]

That isn't terrible advice. [ he eventually says, a bit more casually than how he typically speaks; as if shedding that layer temporarily. he doesn't mean it in mockery, but just in quiet acceptance, especially as their sparklers have now died and they are left in this dark. ]

Here, I was so sure you would be the first to cheer if I were to cut myself...

[bemist]

I'm not a sadist.

[ Yes, she knows how she comes across. But no. She almost sounds offended by the idea. Just because she isn't exactly enjoying Callisto's company ever doesn't mean she actively wants to see him crash and burn. ]

how did i lose this

[uncourteous]

I never said you were. You can enjoy someone's demise without that.

[ can you... ] But, wonderful to know since I am not one, either.

[ this won't age well, but shhh... ]

wow rude

[bemist]

You're also not that important for me to feel one way or another about it.

[ Wow.

She is so sweet. As sweet as he's not a sadist. ]

[uncourteous]

Relationships and feelings change, my lady.

[ ominous...

but, he supposes it was for better or worse... not that he says this. ]

[bemist]

Yeah, they can worsen. I wouldn't push your luck.

[ He's going to push his luck, probably. ]

[uncourteous]

For what reason does luck exist, except to be pushed?

[ that usual smile he wears comes right back up. ]

But, I will do my best to hold back for you. The lady does hate to be burdened.

[bemist]

The lady can handle herself.

[ And maybe snap his neck if she needs to. ]