DOWNTIME MINGLE #4

[synfluxmods]

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;"> <!-- PFP --> <img src="IMG_HERE" style="border-radius: 50%; height: 50px; width: 50px;"> <!-- SPACER --> <div style="width: 10px;"></div> <!-- USER INFO --> <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;"> <!-- POST TITLE--> <div style="font-family:calibri,arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight: bold;">Post Title</div> <br /> <!-- POST TAGS --> <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> <br /><br /><br /> <!-- POST BODY --> <div style="text-align: justify;"> TEXT_HERE </div> </div><br /> </div></lj-raw>
REVELATION
<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;"> <!-- PFP --> <img src="IMG_HERE" style="border-radius: 50%; height: 50px; width: 50px;"> <!-- SPACER --> <div style="width: 10px;"></div> <!-- USER INFO --> <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;"> <!-- POST TITLE--> <div style="font-family:calibri,arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight: bold;">Post Title</div> <br /> <!-- POST TAGS --> <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> <br /><br /><br /> <!-- POST BODY --> <div style="text-align: justify;"> TEXT_HERE </div> </div><br /> </div></lj-raw>
BRIMSTONE
<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;"> <!-- PFP --> <img src="IMG_HERE" style="border-radius: 50%; height: 50px; width: 50px;"> <!-- SPACER --> <div style="width: 10px;"></div> <!-- USER INFO --> <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;"> <!-- POST TITLE--> <div style="font-family:calibri,arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight: bold;">Post Title</div> <br /> <!-- POST TAGS --> <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> <br /><br /><br /> <!-- POST BODY --> <div style="text-align: justify;"> TEXT_HERE </div> </div><br /> </div></lj-raw>
REDEMPTION
<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;"> <!-- PFP --> <img src="IMG_HERE" style="border-radius: 50%; height: 50px; width: 50px;"> <!-- SPACER --> <div style="width: 10px;"></div> <!-- USER INFO --> <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;"> <!-- POST TITLE--> <div style="font-family:calibri,arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight: bold;">Post Title</div> <br /> <!-- POST TAGS --> <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> <br /><br /><br /> <!-- POST BODY --> <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

Comments

II

[30storieshigh]

[ Yeah no that ash landed right on his head. He's not particularly bothered by it, brushing it out of his hair as he steps to the side and glances up. There's Gebura, one of his direct packmates and an individual he gets along with quite well in his opinion. So why is he staring at her almost disapprovingly? ]

Ah. Gebura. I believe the burning of the rolled dried leaves are consider unhealthy for young.

[ Of course that's what his concern is. Bless him. ]

[bemist]

I don't think the egg is going to have any lung damage at this point, Godzilla.

[ Hi. ]

[30storieshigh]

One would argue it is also unhealthy for the young one's guardian. Thought it is your choice to do so.

[ Hi he's been around enough to Learn things now why do you do this to yourself? watch him change his tune when he realizes some cigarettes can have radiation traces... ]

Regardless, it is good to have collision between us, I owe you an apology. My outburst distressed many of packmates, I did not intend to disturb your rest.

[ Bumped into each other. He still hasn't figured out idioms. ]

[bemist]

We didn't collide?

[ An eyebrow lifted, as she glances down at him. ]

... But it's fine. I'm used to loud noises. I figured you probably had a good reason for it. [ Wrecking someone's shit = a good reason, apparently. ]

[30storieshigh]

You have my appreciation.

[ He nods his head, scratches at a spot behind his ear, and lets out a sigh. Taking his own oft-quoted advice he's started to realize he should really own up to things. Which means admitting just in this one case that he was wrong. ]

Though I must confess my reason was not a sound one, there was little reason at all. My anger overtook me, it was the actions of a fledgling who knows no better.

[bemist]

So do you regret it? Following through on that anger?

[ She's no stranger to the consequences of that, for as calm as she sounds now. She wasn't always this chill (and she certainly isn't this chill when she is irritated. ]

[30storieshigh]

[ More scratching at the back of his head. People really keep pulling this confession out of him. In the long run it's probably going to be good for deflating his ego a bit but in the short term? Boy he doesn't like it.

The next sigh is more of a huff. If Godzilla understood the concept of spitting to punctuate something he'd probably do so. ]

After reflection, I do. I am Godzilla, I should be better, I will be better than this. My rage is mine to control and use, not the opposite state of being.

[bemist]

... You sound like me when I'm speaking to the assistant librarians.

[ She almost sounds amused. ]

Realizing that is good enough. You're more resolved not to lose to it again, aren't you?

[30storieshigh]

Librarians? I did not suspect you for one that worked in academia.

[ Although he shouldn't be surprised! He's a prime example himself of a scholarly inclined fighter ever since he was given the ability to read. ]

Though indeed, I shall not let it control me again. This is not the first time in my existence it has occurred, yet it is the last.

[bemist]

It's a long story. It wasn't entirely by choice.

[ Yeah. ]

But yeah, I'd be surprised if someone existed who wasn't controlled by their anger at least once in their lifetimes.

[30storieshigh]

Is any duty individuals like ourselves perform by choice?

[ Hey at least his normal good humor is coming back. He's chuckling, that's something. ]

I know of one. In all the years I shared with her my mate, Mothra, never let rage cloud her mind. For all others anger seems an unavoidable fact of being alive.

[bemist]

Really? Was she emotionally stable in all the other ways?

[ Tell her about your wife. Wives seem like powerful creatures. ]

[30storieshigh]

[ oh boy now she's done it. LET HIM TELL YOU ABOUT HIS WIFE, GEBURA! Just... don't mind the near manic grin too much, he loves his wife you see. He can't help it. ]

Hah! Stable? She is the very model of perfected mind, heart, and soul. She has guided humanity and titan alike with patient wisdom for as long as any of us can remember, if I am the balance to nature she is the balance to us.

[ A proud nod before he goes on. ]

She is kind, she is fair, and she is not to be trifled with. I have seen her battle foes many times her size just as easily as I have seen her use her power to heal and preserve life. Often the latter is followed by the former, many that have met the end of her stinger have then felt the touch of her mercy. Mothra is the only being I have met that truly embodies the terms human use when they say such things as "divine" and "goddess". All should aspire to follow in her example, let alone to seek a mate of such status.

[bemist]

[ ... Oh. He's worse than Roland. She even has to blink rapidly for a few seconds. ]

I think I'm good. [ On the mate front. As in, "no thanks." ] And I don't ever really want to be considered divine or a goddess, anyway. I'd settle for just being human.

[ Which is also not something she's technically been, in a hot second! ]

She sounds like one hell of a lady, though.

[30storieshigh]

There is no shame in that goal. Many of my favorite individuals are human.

[ A joke. He actually told a joke. He's chuckling at his own joke and nodding enthusiastically. ]

She is perfection, there are no other words that fit. If were able I would show you her glory, yet I can only find a species somewhat similar in the records of this world.

[ And that's when he sends Gebura an image of a moth. Because of course he does. ]

The coloration is similar to her form before her current, yet is still a pale shadow of Mothra's true beauty. However it shall suffice.

[bemist]

...

[ Uh.

Well.

Love is love? ]

So you're... more reptilian and she's a moth?

[30storieshigh]

Indeed. She is dazzling compared to my duller scales, I know, yet I do not mind. It simply enhances her presence to otherrs when we are beside one another.

[ Look at that SMILE. Mothra's sake does he love talking about... well, Mothra.

We are mates of the soul, species is not a barrier between us.

[bemist]

I'm happy for you. [ Said casually. Of course. ]

Though I guess that means it sucks for you that she isn't here.

[30storieshigh]

Ah, well. Indeed.

[ Sure did take the wind out of his sails there... He scratches the back of his head awkwardly. ]

It is not ideal for many reasons. Mothra often speaks reason when my rage overtakes me, she is my balance as I am the world's. Her presence would have seen current events occurring differently.

[bemist]

[ Sorry for being a killjoy! Truly! ]

There's no guarantee she won't show up, right? She just hasn't done it yet. And until then, I can call you an idiot when you overdo it.

[30storieshigh]

[ Kill joy maybe but she's managed to get him to chuckle, so there's that! ]

That is a form of assistance I would find much appreciated, she as well. Should she arrive she will likely wish to shake your hand for the trouble... once I explain the significance of the gesture to her.

[ A beat, a more relaxed sigh as he sticks his hands in his pockets and looks out into the distance. ]

I still owe unto you friendly combat, do I not? I am afraid I am unable to offer the challenge of my true power for some time. Yet perhaps you would be willing to indulge an old titan in blade work? I have been learning, I suspect I am reasonably competent.

[bemist]

[ Having a moth want to shake her hand... well, no. She'll probably have a human form, won't she? Huh! ]

I don't mind. I'm not about to turn down a fight and if you think you're reasonably competent with it, then there's no reason not to test that.

[ Surely! ]

[30storieshigh]

[ GRIN. Oh how she has made a not great day so much better! Just wait until she sees how much he's learned from Raidou.

and how much it catches people off guard when he just throws his sword away and tries to wrestle them. You can make the kaiju look like a guy but you can't take the kaiju out of the guy... ]

Excellent! You shall not be experiencing the bubble's bursting, I assure you. [ He won't burst your bubble which barely even fits this context or syntax but OKAY??? ] Provide for me a point on the calendar and clock that are suitable for you and I shall be there with the clattering of ringing brass cylinders.

[ Be there with bells on. PLEASE GET HIM A BOOK. ]

[bemist]

...

I only understood about half of what you just said, but whenever you want to, I'm fine with it? I'm not really the type to have plans outside of work.

[ Because it's otherwise just finding a place to smoke and chill, maybe return to her room and meditate, if Siffrin doesn't go looking for her to haul her one place or another. ]

[30storieshigh]

Hmm? One should always find endeavors to pursue outside of their occupation, Gebura. Living live while you possess it is of great import, yes?

[ Good lord he basically just told her to get a hobby. He's not allowed to talk to Ereshkigal any more. ]

The friendly crossing of swords shall serve as a step upon the moon's sand of progress. [ I don't even fucking know. ] Perhaps after I can repay your time with guidance in the arts. Poetry and philosophy are quite enjoyable.