synflux | DOWNTIME MINGLE #4

DOWNTIME MINGLE #4

CONTENT WARNINGS: suggestive themes, egg hatching, parenthood.

▶ 001. WINNERS CIRCLE.

During this time period, the Outsiders would typically have been met with a makeshift party with poorly placed balloons and streamers. However, this time it’s just a bulletin board with the following message scrawled out on it:

GOOD JOB:
LOREMIPSUM (K.O.)
REDMIST (600)
NICE TOY (600)
RISK (599)

Even though the mission was a partial success, there are still sponsors who were impressed with the actions of the recognized Outsiders. They also believe those who have contributed are still able to provide relief to the people, and should not be criticized too harshly due to their efforts.

In light of this, the base will have an increase of various lab-made spices delivered by a certain sauce company that heard a certain Outsider has a preference for spicy food. Apparently, the spices pair perfectly with their lab-made chicken.

Maybe it’s a coincidence with a certain network name but the Nice Toy Company also endorses the base and creates a whole line of toy guns in the airsoft and BB variety which replicate antique guns that any collector would salivate over! These are distributed on base and can be seen sold at many stores in Neo Tokyo. There has also been an influx of people who are passionate about fitness and training, sparking a trend for those who work out in bunny outfits. Supposedly, it’s something they’ve seen in a prior battle with the kaiju and so the workout is full of intense cardio, and even bunny hops.

Makima’s face will be found on several brands of what appears to be packaged dog food, however it is unclear if it is really dog food or not. Either way, several hundreds of packages have been delivered to base and are stored as “emergency rations.” Everyone on base is free to grab a snack or two at any time!

For those Outsiders worrying about whether or not they'll be docked pay for only taking down one Imugi instead of both, worry no more! Everyone will wake up one morning with a notification that 300,000 KRYPTOS (~2100 USD) have been deposited into their account. It seems pulling double shifts at their civilian jobs won't be necesssary...

▶ 002. PROJECT EGG.

With the last mission ending in the retrieval of the Imugi eggs, the research teams have been left with one major question: what will they do with them? After some initial discussions, it has been decided that they would keep the eggs and attempt to raise them into maturity in order to see if they could garner more insight into not just the kaiju itself, but of their abilities. It is also their desire to see what the relationship between kaijus and the rifts are, and they believe this would be the best opportunity to do so.

The only caveat to this, however, is who would care for them in the meantime? From previously documented research, they found that kaiju eggs are not easy to raise, especially those who mirror lizard-like creatures. They need special attention that exceeds that of what people would typically expect from egg-rearing. Due to this, LILITH is asking for help from the Outsiders to temporarily tend to the eggs. The Outsiders will be working in shifts to watch the eggs, and are expected to care for them properly. It is noted that for kaiju who have been separated from their mothers, the chances of them hatching are very slim, and so they are not expecting each and every egg to hatch. They are, however, expecting Outsiders to put forth their best efforts in spite of that. At least, it’s one less thing to be blamed for.

Outsiders are expected to sign up for egg raising shifts and will get a single egg to care for. They are to be with the egg at all times during their shift, and negligence will not be tolerated. Occasionally, the staff will send drones to check in and also deliver food items and energy drinks in order to ensure that the eggs are being properly cared for. Eating or destroying the eggs is prohibited.

Coming up with names, however, is encouraged, and Seok Dang has even set up a small contest for it....

▶ 003. OPEN FORUM.

As soon as the order is delivered for them to take care of the eggs, a new download will be prompted on everyone’s oculars. It comes suddenly and without any real explanation. When it loads in, people will find that it appears to look like the “forums” of old. They have various topics already posted, including a bolded one that remains pinned at the top of everyone’s oculars labeled “PARENTING FOR DUMMIES.”

When anyone clicks on it, or even allows their eyes to linger on it for too long, it will automatically open. The explanation at the top is as follows:

I see what you all look up in your free time and I think you could use the help.

Who wrote this cryptic message? Their identity has been kept anonymous, but it seems clear that Outsiders are meant to utilize this to field any questions in regards to the eggs they have been ordered to care for. Some of the questions already include “do I keep them warm by sitting on them?” and “what can I do to provide further enrichment?”

While most of these topics pertain to parenting, if one exits the parenting tab, they will find the forum is entirely opened up for other topics as well, including a GENERAL chat, and a thread created by Seok Dang called “AITA.” Apparently, this was all the rage once upon a time.

[ Note: Feel free to use this not only to discuss parenting, but also to discuss any other topics Outsiders may want to engage in. You can use the code below, or do it without! ]

EVERLIGHT

<lj-raw><div style="width:60%;margin:0 auto;background:#fff;box-shadow:1px 1px 4px 1px rgba(0,0,0,0.15);border:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-radius:4px; overflow:hidden; line-height:1.7; font-family:tahoma,arial,sans-serif;font-size:8pt; padding: 10px; padding-right: 20px; padding-left: 20px;">
	<div style="display: flex; align-items: center;">
		
		<img src="IMG_HERE" style="border-radius: 50%; height: 50px; width: 50px;">

<div style="width: 10px;"></div>
	
		
		<div style="padding: 10px 5px; margin: 0 10px; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2;">
			<b style="color: #000;">r/subreddit_name_here</b>
			<div style="color: #999;">u/username_here • <img src="https://v.dreamwidth.org/16600326/4131337" style="border-radius: 50%; height: 10px; width: 10px;"> • 1d </div>
		</div>
	</div>

<br />

<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
		
		<div style="font-family:calibri,arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight: bold;">Post Title</div>

<br />

<div style="display: inline-block;padding: 5px 10px;border-radius: 15px;background-color: #f0f0f0;color: #333;font-size: 8pt;font-weight: bold;text-align: center;border: 1px solid #ccc;">Tag 1</div>
		<div style="display: inline-block;padding: 5px 10px;border-radius: 15px;background-color: #f0f0f0;color: #333;font-size: 8pt;font-weight: bold;text-align: center;border: 1px solid #ccc;">Tag 2</div>
		<div style="display: inline-block;padding: 5px 10px;border-radius: 15px;background-color: #f0f0f0;color: #333;font-size: 8pt;font-weight: bold;text-align: center;border: 1px solid #ccc;">Tag 3</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">
			TEXT_HERE
		</div>	
	</div><br />
</div></lj-raw>

REVELATION

<div style="width: 10px;"></div>
	
		
		<div style="padding: 10px 5px; margin: 0 10px; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2;">
			<b style="color: #000;">r/subreddit_name_here</b>
			<div style="color: #999;">u/username_here • <img src="https://v.dreamwidth.org/16600328/4131337" style="border-radius: 50%; height: 10px; width: 10px;"> • 1d </div>
		</div>
	</div>

<br />

<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
		
		<div style="font-family:calibri,arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight: bold;">Post Title</div>

<br />

<div style="text-align: justify;">
			TEXT_HERE
		</div>	
	</div><br />
</div></lj-raw>

BRIMSTONE

<div style="width: 10px;"></div>
	
		
		<div style="padding: 10px 5px; margin: 0 10px; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2;">
			<b style="color: #000;">r/subreddit_name_here</b>
			<div style="color: #999;">u/username_here • <img src="https://v.dreamwidth.org/16600325/4131337" style="border-radius: 50%; height: 10px; width: 10px;"> • 1d </div>
		</div>
	</div>

<br />

<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
		
		<div style="font-family:calibri,arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight: bold;">Post Title</div>

<br />

<div style="text-align: justify;">
			TEXT_HERE
		</div>	
	</div><br />
</div></lj-raw>

REDEMPTION

<div style="width: 10px;"></div>
	
		
		<div style="padding: 10px 5px; margin: 0 10px; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2;">
			<b style="color: #000;">r/subreddit_name_here</b>
			<div style="color: #999;">u/username_here • <img src="https://v.dreamwidth.org/16600329/4131337" style="border-radius: 50%; height: 10px; width: 10px;"> • 1d </div>
		</div>
	</div>

<br />

<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
		
		<div style="font-family:calibri,arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight: bold;">Post Title</div>

<br />

<div style="text-align: justify;">
			TEXT_HERE
		</div>	
	</div><br />
</div></lj-raw>

▶ 004. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our fourth downtime mingle! For the naming contest, we are limiting submissions to one name per character. This is entirely for fun and there is no obligation to participate.

We decided to keep the mingle lighter this time due to the number of player events ongoing. Please do check out the SPA UPGRADE and the ROYAL GALA also occurring this month. Big thanks to Sky and Bijou for organizing these! Additionally, the LOCATIONS page has been updated with both Kyoto and Okinawa. Characters may now visit those locations at any time.

All tags on this log are worth 2 points.

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. WINNER'S CIRCLE: The heavy hitters/KO winners of the last kaiju fight receive their sponsorships, including spices, BB guns, training videos, and fancy dog food.

2. PROJECT EGG: Outsiders are tasked with caring for and attempting to hatch the Imugi eggs salvaged from Seoul. They are encouraged to try a variety of methods in order to get the eggs to hatch, as no data currently exists. Not all eggs will survive.

3. OPEN FORUM: Outsiders are provided with an open parenting forum to ask for and exchange egg raising advice. However, a certain someone seems to have also included a general forum for Outsiders to discuss whatever they wish....

code

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I assumed we would be using them as a weapon or a tool? Who would get attached?

[ looks directly at fucking silco ]

That is an unfounded assumption. Have we verified the kaiju is capable of bonding with humans, or that LILITH has the capability to forcibly tame a kaiju if the former is impossible? Given how often their technology malfunctions, could we trust it to work at all times if the kaiju must be bound through it?

Note that LILITH has not stated that it intends to raise the kaiju into weapons. They are raising them in hopes of gaining insight into the kaiju's abilities.

[ The implied rolling of his eyes is already here. I'm sorry ratio. ]

I did also specify weapon OR tool. Is that not what a tool is?

Besides, if it is possible, you cannot deny that they would jump on it immediately. They have the nanomachines, do they not? Perhaps the attempt would be made to control them with them? Or use them for their internal resources. Mind, I am no scientist, I only can use my experience from working on them to make guesses.

But I don't think they are illogical ones.

[ It's fine, sometimes Ratio can interpret sentences too literally. ]

If possible, they would be fools not to. This planet needs every advantage it can get.

[ Even if it comes at the cost of a life, as much as he hates to admit it. It is a line he refuses to cross himself, but he recognizes this planet's desperation. He had not been so caring with the sand worm larvae, as he'd considered it a beast, but perhaps that had been unfair to the larvae.

This is something he will have to think about later. ]

However, as I said earlier, LILITH's technology is not reliable. I would be concerned that the kaiju would break out of LILITH's hold if such a method was employed.

In that we agree. On both accounts, really.

It's almost sad, actually. I knew a doctor who could ensure compliance well enough out of anything he needed, and he was working with junkyard scrap. I'm shocked that they cannot do better.

Then again, looking at how scatter-shot all their other attempts have been... that is probably not surprising.

[ Does he ever stop throwing shade?

No. ]

[ It's fine. Ratio agrees with Silco that LILITH is incompetent. They can both throw shade at the organization. ]

That is why they cannot be relied upon. They lack for talented individuals and they do not seem interested in utilizing what talent they manage to summon.

[ He means himself, of course. ]

I'm starting to believe they're not interested in saving their own planet, for all the idiotic blunders they've made.

I agree. Why else would they bring us instead of outfitting their own people with the implants they offer to those of us who need them?

[ Ah, the perspective of being without powers when one arrived. ]

They want us to invest in trash collection and egg keeping. They make us toil for basics like decent food.

Trust me, I have lived this life. It makes ineffective soldiers.

Most Outsiders boast powers that the native denizens of this planet are incapable of wielding, or otherwise have experience and expertise that their people lack. That would be the most reasonable presumption.

[ Ratio has no idea Silco has no powers. ]

I don't disagree. While I do not seek luxuries, their treatment of us as been beyond subpar. It does not even meet the bare minimum required to keep our morale steady. The spa they've offered is not much of compensation for their mistreatment.

Most. Not all. Should they not be held to the standard of the weakest amongst us?

Honestly, even a slight relaxation of rules should suffice. No alcohol on base? Please. What are we, Piltie school children who've never been allowed outside their parents' palatial estate?

[ To be fair, Silco's standard is: do whatever you want and that probably says a lot about how the guy approaches everything ]

Yes, if they intend to send individuals who do not boast any inherent abilities to the field, then they ought to volunteer their own. They cannot expect others to bail them out of trouble without putting in any effort of their own.

Surely you haven't been adhering to every rule they've listed in their code of conduct. They clearly exist only so LILITH can justify punishments for unwanted conduct that hasn't been covered by them.

[ Hello, this guy has been ignoring every single overly restrictive rule since day one. ]

[ IS RATIO TRYING TO GET HIM TO ADMIT SOMETHING HERE... ]

Of course I follow the rules. I am a model outsider.

[ No, he absolutely doesn't. But he's been a criminal for like forty years you don't survive just admitting it to everyone. ]

Now, as you have clearly agreed with my point, when are we going to teach them to work for themselves? As one of said powerless individuals, I am happy to volunteer to teach them how to advocate for themselves.

[ DO NOT LET HIM. ]

[ Sir, paranoid much? Well, Ratio can read between the lines well enough to see that Silco is lying through his teeth. ]

Well, I don't.

[ Just putting that statement out there so Silco can see that LILITH gives no shits about those pedantic rules, including obviously admitting in a monitored space that he's a rule breaker. ]

You are free to do so, but I've not the time to join your endeavour. Perhaps you should inquire with other Outsiders. Some may share the same opinion as you.

[ And that's how you end up on the naughty list instead of never admitting to Anything, Ratio.

ok, maybe he is actually paranoid, but he doesn't stop. ]

I don't really care if they do or don't. They can take upon their own efforts if they wish. I am rather choosy when it comes to whom I work with as it is. I am not one to... engage in a forum, if you will.

Too many dissenting voices. As you have seen. Why bother seeking so many opinions when I already know how to inspire the masses?

[ A certain kind of "masses". Given time, Silco will probably have plenty of inspiration to go around in the criminal elements, but not much else ]

[ Listen, what's living life if you don't end up on a naughty list a few times?? At least, after the kerfuffle with Godzilla, Ratio is definitely on LILITH's naughty list... ]

Fancy yourself a leader of sorts?

[ Not doubting, just curious. He knows next to nothing about Silco other than that he'd wanted to smoke on the plane and was quite disruptive about it. ]

[ oh don't worry
it won't take long if he has any say in it.

He just doesn't want it to be over liquor. Please. ]

Fancy myself one? Oh no. I am one. It is what happens when you have a vision, and the motivation to make it reality.

DOWNTIME MINGLE #4

▶ 001. WINNERS CIRCLE.

▶ 002. PROJECT EGG.

▶ 003. OPEN FORUM.

▶ 004. AFTERWORD.

u/BADDADDY

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject