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

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REVELATION

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BRIMSTONE

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REDEMPTION

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▶ 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

Having the past catch up is what I'm worried about. I've made a lot of friends here and I don't want them thinking any less of me for what I used to do, but at the same time I feel like I'm betraying them by keeping that information to myself. Yet I don't want them to be afraid or hate me for it.

It does make sense. Thanks. I can only hope everyone is as understanding as you.

Oh, I see. The question was actually about you.

[Well, he can't say he doesn't empathize.]

Hm...well. Would it not be safer for them to be armed with knowledge, so, if the past ever catches up, they will be safer knowing what was happening? I suppose it's situational. I...do regret not telling my friends certain things before everything all fell apart. Perhaps they might have known better how to protect themselves...

I cannot speak for them. But if they are your friends, I do feel like they will be more understanding than you think. Maybe it will take them some time. That's okay. They likely care for who you are now more than what you did back then.

I do not know who you are, but feel free to contact me any time about this. If you need someone to listen or...backup, to protect what matters. Sometimes a less involved party can be better, actually. I can help. Some things are better not faced alone.

Ah, yeah. It is.

[He sucks at pretending otherwise. It's his first time trying to be sneaky on a public forum.]

That's... a fair point I hadn't considered, though I suppose I should have given it's already happened before. I don't think my past is going to find its way here, but if it did, I guess arming my friends with that knowledge would make it easier to handle.

Makes sense. Not everybody can accept bad news right away without some period of adjustment to get used to it. I'd just hate to lose those I've come to treasure because of what's now history.

[Even if said history isn't as ancient as he'd like.]

Ah, thanks for that. I really appreciate the offer! You're the first person to offer to lend me a hand. That means a lot to me. I'll definitely keep it in mind when I decide to let everyone know, in case I could use the support. Everybody here really is kinder than I expected.

[He's doing a great job. Dan Heng has no idea who this is. Then again that may actually be making this easier for both of them.]

Exactly. It's something to consider. I imagine it's a difficult topic to broach but it could help. And if it's already caught up once...perhaps that can be your starting point, sometime.

It can be really difficult. Terrifying even. I...one of my friends wouldn't speak to me for days after everything. Thankfully...it got better. We worked through it. And I think we’re closer than ever now without the secrets.

I understand though. That's why I'm offering my help. It's no trouble at all.

[A very stoic looking dragon guy is smiling quietly to himself somewhere else.] Things are tough enough around here, I'm glad to offer my support in spite of it. We’re meant to work as a team, aren’t we?

[Sometimes anonymity can be a blessing. No judgements, just honest feelings and advice.]

I'm starting to realize that, yeah. I think the next time it comes up I won't be quite so nervous about discussing as I was before. And finding out what someone's reaction will be beats dreading it indefinitely.

I'm glad you and your friend were able to work through everything once you told them. There's no worse feeling than to know your actions have caused a rift between you and those you care about.

[It happened with his sister and they've still to make up over it...] Yeah, we are. It's not always easy to do, but that worth having is worth working for, right?

[It really is. Perks of fantasy Reddit!]

Exactly. I’m glad to hear it. It’s…better to face conflict on your terms than to wait for it to creep up and ambush you at the worst time. Believe me.

Thank you. I know it does not always work out [The homicidal maniac of a dead once-friend(?) on his trail is example enough…] but I’m grateful for their understanding all the same. Things…are more difficult to work out over a rift.

Indeed. In fact, that you worry so much about it shows how important it is to you. Best of luck. Contact me @ dragontales if you need anything.

DOWNTIME MINGLE #4

▶ 001. WINNERS CIRCLE.

▶ 002. PROJECT EGG.

▶ 003. OPEN FORUM.

▶ 004. AFTERWORD.

no subject

(losing my mind at how different the tone of this one is from their other thread???)

(ah, the joys of being anonymous haha)

(yea fr. also that Yato icon is so cute wah)

(it is! I love him heh)

Annnd another belated wrap up ehe