synflux | DOWNTIME MINGLE #4

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

[ Instantly, relief washes over her. It's only a partial apology, but it's an apology nonetheless. It'll most likely take some time before she can expect anything like that for his menacing of Elan. ]

Thank you.

[ Kaede reaches over to stroke her hand over his scales. ]

I know you're really sore about El. I don't expect that to change anytime soon, but...I'd like to avoid any threats to his person too, please?

[ His scales while being near perfect armor are also pretty pleasant to touch. They're bumpy but not sharp, areas near his face and gills being slightly smother. Above all else, like the rest of him, they're very warm. The benefit of being literally nuclear powered, probably.

He's allowed others to initiate touch before of course,
he has shaken hands, danced in his human form, he's even let Laios hug him. This is something else though, if anyone else were to essentially "pet" him like this it'd be insulting. Coming from Kaede however it's a comfort.

A comfort that's sorely needed when her words cause his anger to threateningly tighten in his chest. She still seeks to protect the enemy. It's expected, they're courting, but that expectation doesn't stop the phrase "LILITH's attack dog" from bouncing around Godzilla's head. ]

I have made my intent known to that one. There shall be no more threats, this I can promise.

[ The fact that he still intends to act if need be is painfully obvious even though he doesn't say as such. Instead he lets out a heavy sigh as he leans lightly against the petting of his scales. ]

You are clever and strong, Friend Kaede. I am well aware you are capable of caring for yourself. Yet I can not free myself of an ill feeling. It is vexing. Very vexing.

Edited 2024-10-04 21:55 (UTC)

[ Lucy slowly shakes her head. No more threats, but she knows better than to expect that means no violence. ]

I still think you're overreacting. This all started because of what he said about Imugi, right?

[ Her fingernails scratch over a spot of his head that he pushes into her hand. ]

He was frustrated because those dipshit higher-ups treated him like a failure for making a shot but missing the second. Not that unusual for someone our age to make a comment like his, you know.

[ She turns her head a bit to watch his face with tired eyes. ]

It's the kind of thing I would've said too. Why do you condemn him but not me?

Edited 2024-10-04 22:35 (UTC)

[ He doesn't answer at first. Half because he's thinking how best to use his words and half because he's... well, he's basically purring. She's managed to hit a perfect spot with her scratching that sets him rumbling gently, it even has his tail twitching.

After a minute he speaks back up, meeting her tired gaze with his own. ]

I know what fledglings are like, Little Titan. I am old, yes, but my memory does not leave me like a human's may. I recall every triumph and every foolish mistake I experienced. Were this the simple foolishness of youth I would take it as such. Yet there is arrogance, cowardice, and dull guile in that one. These are dangerous put together, if it comes between the Green One's life and those of others it will gladly sacrifice the lives of allies.

[ He grumbles and closes his eyes. He doesn't move his head away from her but he doesn't lean to her touch either, he's sure Kaede will be displeased with his stance. There is little chance that they make peace over this. ]

You I trust. You have only given me kindness and respect, even when you thought me human. You have not met my every word with disdain and given insult upon insult back in return. I condemn the Green One as enemy because that pilot makes itself such. You do not.

[ So stubborn. She can't really damn him for it, though. She's just as stubborn. It's part of why they get along and yet also why they get so heated when they do clash. ]

I used to be so much worse. I used to kill humans without a thought, or hurt them without any remorse. You only know this side of me because I'm not that person anymore.

[ She lets that point sit for a moment. Can she truly say she's no longer that person, though? Doesn't she still hate humanity as a whole? She's still making exceptions while hating the rest. She's not killing them anymore, but that doesn't wash off the blood painting her hands red. She doubts it ever will. ]

El is the same way. You are the same way. If you've only shown each other aggression, how can you expect each other to see any other side?

[ She's the last person who should be giving this kind of talk to him and for reasons she just said too. ]

Indeed? Then in the past when your hatred held more sway you would have condemned myself alongside the humans? I would be LILITH's attack dog in your mind as well? I doubt this.

[ His eyes open again, fixing hers with a level stare. He suspected human blood was on her hands, given how many amongst the packs other than Everlight are he would have been surprised if she had never taken human life. It doesn't change how he views her, he knows some of her inner self, any hate she has must be well founded. Just as his own hatreds are.

There's more pressing matters on the old kaiju's mind. ]

Indulge me an inquiry, Little Titan. Presume you are wrong, presume this one is as treacherous as he appears. You claim you shall take responsibility for such a thing. There has been time since that pronouncement, have you given thought to what that would mean?

[ Surprisingly Godzilla's tone has gone soft, almost as soft as when he was speaking to the egg he watches over earlier. Those lizard eyes stare into Lucy's unrelentingly, unblinking, but there's no malice to the stare. If anything, if it's possible for reptilian eyes to look so, his look as tired as hers. ]

[ She doesn't speak, not at first. She doesn't want to actually say she would condemn him and his protective nature toward humanity. But she nods all the same, tears welling in her eyes. With guilt etched into her features, she nods and doesn't look at him out of shame. Remorse.

Those tears slowly slide down her cheeks despite his tone softening. The question stings. How can he think she hasn't thought about it? ]

It wouldn't be the first time I killed someone I loved.

[ She doesn't acknowledge her tears. She refuses to. She ignores them as they slide down her chin to her neck and vanish into her shirt collar. ]

Any time I get close to someone, my first thought is "what if I kill them too?" Or "what if I hurt them so much they hate me?" Ever since I was born...the people I love have suffered because of me. It wouldn't surprise me if I had to kill one more.

Edited 2024-10-05 07:12 (UTC)

[ Godzilla is not someone who is used to being proven wrong, despite often being such. Lucy's silent admittance that she would've disdained him for his nature is the most unsettling shock he's received in a long time. It doesn't make him think less of her, short of attacking him without reason he's unsure anything could, though it does leave him questioning just how well he understands others.

The fact that he's made her cry shakes him more than anything else. Here is a person he calls Friend, one whom he should trust and protect at every turn, and he's harmed her not in the body but in the heart. That's the cruelest thing one can do to another. He can practically hear the voice of Mothra calling him a stone-headed idiot... ]

Ah. You remind me too much of myself as a fledgling.

[ Godzilla stares unsure of what to do, until he decides to simply do what seems right. If she pushes him away he'll respect it, yet the drive to offer comfort is not one he'll ignore. Humans are awkward about physical affection, not titans.

His tail moves in closer around Lucy as he lays back down so their heads are mostly level. With gentle motions he lowers his head further, till his forehead presses against hers. One of the noises he was making towards the eggs issues from him, a soft thing halfway between a trill and a grumble, a sound his kind make to comfort one another and show affection. ]

I have presumed much and made the hoofed pack-beast of myself. [ Made an ass of himself. ] You do not owe me forgiveness for this, I shall not ask for it. All I can offer is understanding. Many whom I held dear in heart and soul have met their end as result of standing beside me. Mothra has met so many on my behalf that I have lost count.

[ There's a beat. There's much in his past that's been lost to time, things even Mothra herself doesn't know. From the bygone age when his kind roamed the world above and beneath in numbers, before the wars, before the parasites, before he was alone. ]

I know, Kaede, what it is to kill one you love. None should suffer through it.

Edited 2024-10-05 07:40 (UTC)

[ She doesn't cry more. She doesn't want to either, yet she can feel tears welling up in her eyes again. So, she keeps them closed. She takes the forehead nudging and sniffles hard. Tries to bury the ache making her chest feel so tight.

Why...why can he understand? Things would be so much easier if he didn't! Then she wouldn't feel so frail and vulnerable sharing this feeling. She could just bottle it up like always and let it fester. She can't do that anymore. The wound is open and raw and bleeding...the first stage of healing. ]

It never gets easier. Can't imagine what it must feel like...to live as long as you have and dealt with it.

[ It's been miserable enough just dealing with this for close to 20 years. She can't imagine how much he's had to face on his own. ]

I don't want to have to pick between two people I care about. I don't want to lose anyone...not again. Not through death or...hatred.

[ In his extremely long life Godzilla has experienced a lot of sensations. Pride, joy, anger, grief, envy, fear, hatred, but there's something new here. Or if not new something so rare he's forgotten what it felt like until now. A heaviness in his chest like sorrow, an itching agitation like anger... but anger directed inwards.

Shame. The way he has acted, the effects it has had on the first true Friend he made in uncountable years since the loss of his last one, the tears she sheds now. He's ashamed of it.

Unfortunately, frustratingly, he still feels the anger in his being as well. The rage wishes to push the blame onto the green furred human, rip him to shreds for bringing these events about in the first place. He won't be able to shake this overnight. He wishes he could for Kaede's sake, yet his nature isn't about to let go of a grudge so easily.

The soft trilling repeats itself as he gently nuzzles against Kaede's head. In a far more human showing of affection he lifts an arm up and places it around her, tugging her into a half hug rendered awkward by their sitting arrangement. ]

No. It does not get easier. You have discovered the secret behind why I spend many years sleeping, do not share it. It will ruin the mystique around my legacy.

[ A bad joke punctuated by a light chuckling in his throat before he continues. ]

I do not wish to be correct in my suspicions. I will not press the issue, nor unduly hunt the Green Furred One. However... [ A pause, a frustrated sigh. ] I can not relieve myself of them, no more than you can accept them.

[ And for some reason that has him chuckling again, though its an awkward one. ]

Millions of years, Little Titan, that is the time I have walked the world. In all that time now is the first moment I am uncertain of what I should do. I would not lose one who is as kin to my soul, yet I would not see you hurt by my indiscretions either.

[ Part of her is disappointed, sure, but it would just be too easy if her dear friend and her boyfriend got along that easily, right? Though she certainly can't talk about holding grudges. She can't shame him for keeping his, not when she's so slow to let go of her own. The important thing is that he's trying to compromise with her, and that's a good first step! Maybe one that will lead to the three of them being happier in the long run. ]

I understand.

[ It's shaky, but she does smile. Smile and lean in to the odd hug he provides. God knows it's a gesture she's sorely wished for throughout her life. ]

Thank you, though, for trying. For my sake.

[ Whatever tension may have been in Godzilla's muscles eases up from Lucy's words. He can tell she's not fully happy with this, why would she be when a person she's seeking closeness with has been put under threat by her Friend, but she's accepting it. No lectures, no insistence that he needs to act to human standards and get over it overnight. Kaede understands him, something he's sought from other beings for far too long. ]

This is incorrect. I should be the one giving thanks to you. Not many would grant me this patience in these matters.

[ He closes his eyes and rests his head on her shoulder, a purring noise starting up from him again that along with his gently twitching tail continues to give the impression of a large, scale covered cat. ]

I shall continue to try. I will succeed. In this and any other task you may ask of me. My every effort will be given always for your sake, Little Titan.

Edited 2024-10-10 04:28 (UTC)

[ For a time, she's quiet and tries to relax the best she can in the hug. It's nice to have moments like this. She doesn't have to say anything. They can just understand each other in silence. To her, the important thing is that he's trying, and he says he'll succeed. He's too honest to lie, so she allows herself to believe it.

She glances aside to the egg and leans back out of the hug to get a better look at it. Gingerly, she presses her hand against the side of it. ]

Do you think...me singing to the egg would make it more docile? Hearing a person's voice and all...

[ The term "uncomfortable silence" is one he's heard and read of here and there by now. The silent moment between him and Kaede as they embrace isn't that though, it's a comfortable silence. She doesn't need to tell him she believes his statement, he knows she does. He'd never lie to her, just like she'd never lie to him. Lying is a human habit, titans large or little are very much beyond that.

He carefully moves his arm as Lucy leans back to allow her free, laying it back down next to his chest like a cat at rest. He remains half sat up (Loaf position), head tilted to the side as he watches her interact with the egg. ]

Hearing any song other than my own would surely be a relief for the young one. [ A joke at his own expense, he even chuckles at it! That's the kind of humor he reserves for those he doesn't feel like he needs to impress. ] I think it would do them good to hear the voice of another in song, yes, let them know that many others are capable of such pleasantness. This aside... I would wish to hear your song as well.

[ His tail is even twitching at the prospect. It's been a very, very long time since people sang around him. He's listened to music since arriving, sure, but that's entirely different from live song with beating soul behind it. It is one of the things he misses most keenly from his time in his temple. ]

[ Lucy nods slowly before pausing again. A light blush stains her cheeks at the sudden thought of "oh, I have an audience." It's too late to backtrack, so she laughs the nervous thought away with a little chuckle instead.

She takes in a breath, hums to find the the right key, and slowly, softly, sings the only song she knows by heart. It's a language she doesn't fully understand without the translator, upright and cheery. Conversely packed with pain and memories that make her heart ache.

Yet, singing it makes her feel a bit better. Each note out of her mouth takes some of her fatigue with it, both mental and physical. ]

[ Her initial hesitation has Godzilla tiling his head. Her face is turning red, is she unwell? Perhaps he should insist the drones that keep seeing to his feeding bring water for her, or medicine, or both.

Concern melts away once she starts to sing. Kaede's voice, perhaps unsurprisingly, is powerful with song once she gets going. Goji can feel the mood change almost physically around them as she shares her song. Surely she feels it too, he can see it in her bearing, hear it as her voice gains confidence. It's as if the aches and pains of the past few weeks are simply melting away from song alone.

So at ease is he put that without permission or indication Godzilla proceeds to flop from his loafing position so that his head rests across Lucy's lap. He doesn't speak, he simply closes his eyes to focus on the sound of her voice. His tail twitches happily and more shocking than anything else is the rumble he starts making in his throat.

He's purring. For a pair that were near blows not too long ago over something stupid Godzilla doesn't think he's ever felt more at ease with another being as he does with her right now. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

DOWNTIME MINGLE #4

▶ 001. WINNERS CIRCLE.

▶ 002. PROJECT EGG.

▶ 003. OPEN FORUM.

▶ 004. AFTERWORD.

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

no subject

no subject