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

[the_fourteenth]

[He's so happy, just like this, seeing Yuji this giddy. Anything to help combat those feelings Raidou knows he's hiding deep down. Anything to keep him smiling just like this. It makes Raidou's heart soar.

A hand strokes the back of Yuji's neck fondly.]

I'm certainly not going to stop you.

[eyescar]

You’d get embarrassed if it was all the time.

[ Grinning, he nuzzles their noses together gently, heart hammering. ]

But when we’re alone together like this? I’ll kiss you until it hurts.

[the_fourteenth]

[Well, Yuji was right about that. Who knows if Raidou will ever stop being so shy. But here, just the two of them, is very different.]

I'd like to see you try.

[He won't wait for him to, though. Raidou quickly pulls him in and kisses him strongly, as if to meet that challenge.]

[eyescar]

[ The kiss is good, they’re always good, and Yuji is pressing back into it immediately, arms wrapping around Raidou all the tighter to hold him close. He wasn’t kidding about wanting to kiss until it hurts, and if this is the start he’s been offered…

Yuji gives it his all, kissing back hard, fingers brushing absently against the back of Raidou’s neck and the warmth of his skin. They’re here, together, kissing like this, and nothing could be more perfect. ]

[the_fourteenth]

[A kiss like this is almost overwhelming, and Raidou's hand on Yuji's waist clutches tightly. They've kissed many, many times, but the immediate intensity of this is different. It's an intoxicating, almost overwhelming feeling, and he presses as close as he can to the other boy, wanting more.

He wanted to kiss until it hurt? Raidou wasn't going to tap out anytime soon. They've barely made it into their suite, their clothes still damp from the monsoon rain, but it didn't matter. All Raidou wants is here in his arms.]

[eyescar]

[ There’s no pause nor hesitation in Yuji, who was serious when he said he wanted to kiss Raidou all the time; arms hold him close, fingers lift to lift his hat away gently and place it down to rest on their things, barely disconnecting their mouths to do it. Then he can wrap his arms around his neck properly, scratch gentle fingers through his hair, nails gentle on his scalp.

Its perfect. Alone together in their private space, mouths pressed together, holding onto each other, Yuji makes a breathless noise against his mouth, caught between a laugh and something else. His cheeks are pink, dusted with it, and his eyes are dark, but happy. Content.

He’s still not sure he deserves this, but…

Leaning in, he kisses Raidou again, just as hard, teeth clacking on his lip just a little. ]

[the_fourteenth]

[Raidou looks much the same in that brief pause, catching his breath as he gazes at Yuji with heavy eyes. Those long nails running along his scalp, Yuji's weight pressed against him, the force of the kisses... Somehow it was all so much, and not yet enough.

The teeth against him cause a noise to slip from him, one of pleasant surprise, Yuji's enthusiasm making him smile between their lips. Slender fingers hold tight on the back of the other boy's neck to keep him close, to encourage him to keep going. To let Raidou kiss him as deeply as he could.

Raidou shifts his weight, pulling Yuji close with a hand on his lower back that's now made its way underneath his hoodie. Bringing him down against him slowly with him to the floor, never parting their lips for long. Unlike at the onsen, here they were alone and uninterrupted. Just the two of them, with the sound of the wind and rain outside the windows serving as the only reminder of the rest of the world.]

[eyescar]

[ It’s far, far too easy to sink down with Raidou, to settle his body on top of his partner’s and lean into the kisses, breathless and excited with how much he wants to keep kissing him. Yuji truly thinks he could do this for hours, could spend all those minutes worshipping Raidou’s mouth with his own, offering his heart in his shaky palms.

Maybe he’s getting a little carried away, with the isolation of the moment, the hand under his hoodie, the smell of rain in the air and the wind outside, but how is he meant not to when it feels so good? It feels so, so easy to cup Raidou’s cheeks with his hands, to kiss him harder, chasing the feeling.

This is what it is, liking someone, wanting to take care of them, to make them feel good, and Yuji burns with it, that want to please and show how much he cares. Their noses brush and he breathes out a soft sigh, leaving little kisses on Raidou’s mouth, tender and sweet, filled with want and affection. ]

Johei… My Johei, you’re wonderful.

[the_fourteenth]

[If Yuji is getting carried away, so is Raidou, but he doesn't think so for a second. This is perfect, this is what he wants. What they both want.

Back home, he could only ever dream of meeting someone like this. How did he ever get so lucky? Yuji isn't the only one who wonders about what he deserves. But having someone in your life who makes you feel like this, so warm and wanted - can it really be so wrong?

Raidou lets out a small, shaky breath at Yuji's declaration, another soft happy noise. A hand moves to cup his cheek fondly, the look on his own face somewhere between affection and desire.]

My Yuji... How am I not to kiss you all the time when you say such things?

[eyescar]

I’m just being honest! And I don’t mind if you kiss me all the time.

[ He means it, too, nuzzling into Raidou and stealing more and more kisses. It feels so easy, so natural, the two of them nuzzling into each other and seeking out the buzzing joy, and he breathes out sharply though his nose.

The warmth and the joy is there, the burning happiness, and Yuji kisses Raidou as hard as he can, careful with his teeth, nudging with his tongue, just kissing because he wants to. These are the kind of moments that he’d memorise, head tilting into his boyfriend’s touch, his heart feeling so full and warm.

Yuji truly adores him. He feels safe. He feels so happy. Despite everything he’s done, he’s somehow earned this. ]

[the_fourteenth]

[That adoration is mutual, and Yuji could probably feel it in the pounding of Raidou's heart underneath his own. Especially when when he goes back for another vigorous kiss, his grip tightening when Yuji's tongue meets his own, mouth opening to encourage him further.

To feel safe enough to have someone like this, to feel all that affection that Raidou had been missing out on in his life almost felt like too much. The boy who, just a few months ago, couldn't even look at Yuji as he took his hand to heal him. Amazing what one sweet, kind person in your life can do.

Another pause, but to quickly and breathlessly ask a question that comes with a timid bite of his own lip before speaking it.]

We could... move somewhere more comfortable. If you want?

[His face doesn't move far from Yuji's, lips brushing against his.]

Not that I'm not happy just like this.

[eyescar]

[ Yuji shakes his head, smiling a little as he leans close. ]

No. I want you to be comfortable. Let me…

[ Leaning back, he shifts, tugging Raidou’s legs up and around his waist before tugging him close and into his arms. It’s then weirdly easy for Yuji to stand up awkwardly, carrying his boyfriend against his body, hands dropping to hold onto him backside casually.

Yuji doesn’t pay a lot of attention to his casual strength most of the time, so he just leans up to kiss Raidou again, heedless as he leads them off to the side of the room, where a bed awaits them.

Breaking the kiss, flushed and hot, Yuji smiles. ]

Lie down or sit on me?

[the_fourteenth]

[There's a little gasp from Raidou as he's so easily picked up, and he blinks at Yuji for a brief moment of surprise until he kisses him again. Sometimes he forgets how strong his boyfriend is, too. It is, however, greatly appreciated, and he's quicky to wrap his arms around Yuji and clutch on to his back.

What an offer. Either is good, but Raidou isn't thinking much, and in this position it just seems easier to--]

-- Sit.

[That's all he can manage before he's back to kissing Yuji with that same vigor, trusting that those strong arms will set them both down easily.]

[eyescar]

[ The arms do move carefully and gently, Yuji blinking away from the kiss briefly to check where he’s sitting before he’s settling down, leaning back and drawing Raidou with him, comfortable and easy. It’s so easy, to fall together like this, to settle down and let his hands tug the other boy close, to tilt up and kiss him again.

It just feels right. It always has, the two of them together, understanding each other the way they do. ]

Tell me if you wanna stop, or do more, or something else, anything, I don’t mind -

[ Yuji cuts off his own battle with another kiss, one arm hooked around Raidou’s waist and the other on his leg, holding him in place even as he gives in to his own wants. ]

[the_fourteenth]

[Raidou slides close against him, one hand taking him gently by the side of his face to tilt his head up to meet his lips, the other around his back, making sure to keep them close.

He doesn't know how to answer that at first, words failing him as they often do. He wants to keep going. More. Something. Anything. Everything. He didn't know, except for one thing, and it's Yuji's asking that gives him the courage to voice it.

He nuzzles his face lightly against Yuji's neck, speaking quietly between the gentle kisses he places there.]

I-I want... [Two words that are always difficult for him to say, anytime he ever attempts to express his own wants or needs. The hand on his bag tugs at his shirt.] I just want you, Yuji.

[eyescar]

[ It’s almost funny, the way the two of them are so devoted to one another, the way they lean into each other and want to bring joy and happiness. Yuji presses into the kisses, harder, wanting that bruising feeling, to feel the soreness in his mouth later. Even when they’re cuddled up together in bed he wants to feel this, and it makes him burn a little.

Tilting into each touch, each kiss, he sighs softly, blissful, happy. It’s so easy to be like this Raidou, so happy to be with someone he cares about so much. Nuzzling into his neck as he pauses, kissing little pecks against his skin, Yuji laughs. ]

It’s funny. Both of us just want what the other wants, huh? You can say what you want, Johei. I’ll do anything for you.

[ Another kiss against his neck, nuzzling in, with a scrape of teeth. ]

I want to touch your - like, your chest? Your stomach, your back… You’re so warm.

[the_fourteenth]

[It's so hard for him to express things the things he wants. His will for others.
His wants are irrelevant.

It's different like this, this intimacy, with Yuji asking. It's okay. Yuji is as devoted as he is. He's allowed this. After all, he's not the Capital's summoner anymore. Here, in this room and in Yuji's embrace, he's simply Johei.

The teeth on his neck earn a shuddered breath, moves like that only making it tougher for him to articulate. So satisfyingly distracting.

I’ll do anything for you. Hearing that makes him warm all over, all over again.]

You can. I want you to. Anywhere.

[He's still able to feel shy and embarrassed, even like this. He hides his face against Yuji's head, muffled against his hair when he speaks up again.]

With your hands. You mouth. Both. Please.

[eyescar]

You don’t have to ask me twice.

[ Yuji is so desperate to make Raidou feel good, to make him happy, that the idea of not feels impossible.

His fingers slip lower, even as he nuzzles into his boyfriend’s neck, kissing, scraping his mouth over the skin, not wanting to leave any marks but also wondering what it might look like. At the same time, his hands are exploring, trying to get the irritating fabric out of the way so that he can touch bare skin, so that he can push it off and put his mouth there too.

Cheeks red and warm, hands needy, Yuji sighs softly, kissing Raidou’s jaw with all the tenderness he has. ]

I’ll take care of you. I promise.

[ He means it, too, one hand splayed over Raidou’s back and the other exploring his chest, touching the landscape of it carefully, tenderly. ]

perhaps we should move these lovebirds off main and into an inbox? lol

[the_fourteenth]

[Raidou helps shrug off his shirt, eager to get Yuji's hands on him. He does much the same to the back of Yuji's hoodie, quickly lifting his hoodie off over his head as well. A hand takes hold at his waist, but not before sliding down those abs of his. The other plays with that thick pink hair at the back of his head, nuzzling the side of his head as he does. Yuji would be able to hear the smile that's on Raidou's face from the warmth in his quiet voice.]

I know. I trust you.

[He's not afraid of that inhuman strength, or those clawed fingertips. He knows he's in good hands. The best. There's no one he trusts more in the world right now.]

[eyescar]

[ over here! ]