TEAM BUILDING EVENT #3

[synfluxmods]

TEAM BUILDING EVENT #3

CONTENT WARNINGS: medical content

▶ 001. WELL DESERVED REST.

With no sign of upcoming city-level threats, LILITH has made the decision to provide Outsiders with a well-deserved break: there will be no official missions for the month of December. Outsiders are free to roam the city, continue their usual civilian jobs or take a holiday to any of the locations available via data portal. During this period, LILITH leadership will also be taking time off and any attempts to contact them will be met with an ‘out of office’ return email unless it is an emergency. (Dr. Spim is still around, but … he is a cat and doesn’t answer anyway... unless he feels like it.)

That isn’t to say it’s going to be a completely quiet month, of course. Our players have kindly prepared several player plots that anyone is welcome to join. Please refer to the top level here for links to the relevant plots. An updated quest has also been listed here.

Additionally, the Outsiders Program has successfully finished its first year! LILITH will be giving all Outsiders old and new a thank you bonus of 500,000 KRYPTOS (approximately 3230 USD) to spend freely on their holiday. Try not to spend it all on pachinko!

▶ 002. LET IT SNOW.

Starting December 1st, the temperature in Neo Tokyo will take a dive as the country enters into winter. The first signs of snowfall will occur on December 1st, and as it continues, the city will be transformed into a winter wonderland. The shops and restaurants of Neo Tokyo are capitalizing on the approaching festivities, putting up Christmas lights, Christmas trees and decorations. Many stores are having sales on warm clothing and popular gifts. Isn’t it the perfect time to find some nice gifts for your friends?

While only a suggestion, it is encouraged to support the integration of the orphans from Transylvania by taking them out on a winter adventure.

Winter activities found in Neo Tokyo include:

- Christmas Winter Illuminations. Certain parts of the city will be lit up in Christmas lights and holographic, winter-themed illuminations. Stop by at the right time and there might even be a drone show to watch.
- Ice sculpture building. Artists have gathered in Yoyogi Park to showcase their latest ice sculpture creations. Outsiders may view the attraction or join in on the ice sculpture contest. Winners will get prize money.
- Ice-skating. The Yokohama Red Brick Ice Rink is open again and characters are free to go skating with their friends. As a part of its latest attraction, the ice has been fitted with microscopic nanobots that light up when touched, causing the ice to glow or showcase striking colors as people skate across it.
- Playing in the snow. Even under threat of kaiju, the people of Neo Tokyo take the time to have fun when they can. Through the streets, there are people making snow angels or pelting each other with snowballs.

Characters may visit Las Vegas, Kyoto or Okinawa using the data portals. Kyoto and Okinawa continue to be uninhabited, but they can camp there if they wish. They are free to book a hotel and enjoy their holiday in Las Vegas too, where the city will have its own brand of winter activities (winter illuminations, Christmas shows, ice-skating and holiday-themed Vegas shows). While the weather is still cold, it will be snowing in Kyoto but not in Okinawa or Las Vegas.

▶ 003. SNUGGLE UP.

All the lights and festivities happening in the city are putting some strain on the power grid, and this leads to occasional bouts of power failure during the month of December. These seem to be happening in the base and throughout the city of Neo Tokyo, and they last for a few hours each time. With hospital equipment running on back-up generators, it isn’t a huge cause for concern, but it certainly is an annoyance; especially with the weather so cold.

LILITH robots will be offering Outsiders on the base extra blankets (traditional and emergency foil blankets) along with heat packs to get through the cold. Starting a fire within the base will not be allowed since it is a hazard, so those who still need the extra warmth will need to find other creative ways to obtain it. A snuggle never hurt anyone, right? There is one operational fireplace in the Library, and Outsiders may notice an influx of small tables throughout the base with self-serve hot beverages on battery operated kettles, such as tea, hot cocoa & artificial coffee. As Outsiders congregate around the base, snuggled up in their new festive blankets, perhaps now would be a good time for some classic party games such as Never Have I Ever and Two Truths and a Lie.

▶ 004. TAKE YOUR MEDICINE.

Dr. Spim takes regular cat naps anyway, so he doesn’t see the need to take a holiday. As a result, he has continued to work tirelessly on finetuning the cure for the vampiric disease. Throughout the month, he will make several requests for volunteers (those with and without the vampiric disease) to participate in the ongoing clinical trials.

The serum he is testing will not cause harm to the body, but it might result in any of the following side effects:

- Dizziness, fatigue and difficulty coordinating movement.
- Fever, chills and a desperate need for warmth.
- Mood changes, which can present as euphoric or depressed or both.
- Hallucinations or delusions.
- Increased hunger, thirst or other physical needs (interpret as you wish.)
- A ravenous need for blood (for vampires.)

Certain volunteers may encounter no side effects at all, while some may experience all of them. Luck of the draw, really. The side effects are not permanent and last for a few hours. As always, Dr. Spim will explain the possible side effects and get consent before administering the medicine.

By the end of the month, a stable cure will be finalized and LILITH robots will deliver it to all those affected by the vampiric disease (if your character was already a vampire, don't worry about it). It is highly encouraged to take the medicine! Dr. Spim has no time to chase down the people refusing to take their medicine, so he might pay some of their friends to do it for him. He is a cat. He has better things to do (such as knock this beaker off the table….)

As an OOC note, please do not let your character remain a vampire unless they are already a vampiric character. The vampire event in Transylvania was meant to only have temporary effect.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our third team building event! All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards December AC.

We have a lot of player plots this month, and are using this log to encourage players to participate in the player plots since the event itself is light. As a reminder, the mod team will be taking a break during the month of December and will not be answering any questions at this time.

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. WELL DESERVED REST: Outsiders enjoy a quiet month with no kaiju attacks, but are provided plenty of things to do (via player plots) and they are welcome to use the data portal to travel to Okinawa and Las Vegas at this time.

2. LET IT SNOW: Heavy snowfall turns Neo Tokyo into a winter wonderland with many snow related activities to participate in such as ice skating, ice sculpture making, etc. LILITH encourages the Outsiders to allow the misplaced orphans to participate in some of these activities.

3. SNUGGLE UP: The power outages strike again, this time from too many festive lights that overheat the generators. LILITH provides Outsiders with emergency blankets and hot beverages during times of outages.

4. TAKE YOUR MEDICINE: Dr. Spim trial runs an antidote for the vampiric disease that struck Outsiders during their mission in Brasov. He takes volunteers who are both vampires and not. Finally, a cure is made, and all Outsiders are asked to take it (please do not let your character remain a vampire unless they are already a vampiric character.)

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Comments

1. you knew this was coming....

[harboredfeelings]

[ After getting done with her work at the shrine Kaga's decided to take a jaunt down to the park to appreciate the artistic talents on display. She looks almost respectable, wearing her miko robes that hide her prosthetic and not walking around with ears and a tail. You could almost mistake her for a kind hearted maiden!

She was surprised to see Yato working away! Pleasantly surprised by the artistry and care he's displaying! That shrine really is something else, and that sculpture of Hiyori! She's only seen the girl in indescretly posted photographs but my what a spitting image, tail's a little weird tho-... he did not seriously model his girlfriend's panties onto an ice sculpture. That he's displaying in public.

That kind hearted maiden thing...? Well, she's Kaga. She proceeds to march right up to Yato from behind and grab him firmly by the ear, expression stone faced, tone flat. At least she does him the favor of using her real hand and not the super-robot one, she wouldn't want to accidentally rip anything off.

Yet. ]

Honestly, Yato-chan. Can you even help yourself?

I would be disappointed if it didn't...

[intertwinedfates]

[There Yato is, hard at work, sculpting those beautifully curved lines into ice!Hiyori's... uh, bottom, when all of sudden there's something painful latching onto his ear, pulling him away from his work with a surprised yelp. He stumbles sideways a couple of paces, trying to get a view of who the hell has the gall to interrupt him--

Oh.

That explains it.

This is almost tame for Kaga, so he takes his lumps with sagging shoulders and a full-fledged pout that makes him look younger than he is. Like a kid who's been told he's been naughty for putting his hand in the cookie jar, although mostly just disappointed for getting caught.]

Uh. Hi, Kaga. How's it hanging...? You're looking nice today. [......] Can I have my ear back now?

<3

[harboredfeelings]

[ How's it hanging. How's it hanging?! She should've used the augmented arm and just flung him off into a snow drift, a lesson learned for another time.

The look Kaga gives him goes from flat to Dangerous. Her eyes literally flash with a spark of fire, subtle so only he sees it, and her lips pull back to revel her fangs. She's taking her medicine like a good fox of course, but it hasn't quite set in yet! ]

Hmm, maybe in a bit. I haven't decided if I'm going to eat you or not yet. [ Literal, Not Playful, No Subtext. She will drink you like a milkshake... ]

Let's hear it. Why on earth did you decide it was a good idea to carve underwear onto that thing?

[intertwinedfates]

[That might have gotten the message through his thick skull a bit more, it must be said.

Though certainly the glare she levels at him, complete with fangs, does a pretty good job instead. It makes him freeze up, what little bit of fidgeting he had been doing ceasing as he finds his footing. He promised Hiyori he wouldn't die, but this seems like a close call...]

Ah... H-Hehe... I don't think I'd taste very good, honestly... [It's a pathetic attempt to deter her, but it's worth a shot?]

B-Because that makes it accurate? .....and it's a fun little treat for anyone who thinks to look.

[In other words, for perverts like him.]

[harboredfeelings]

[ Yato really does bring out the full spectrum of emotion out of Kaga. She goes from glaring to pure exasperation the more he talks. How can one guy be this thick...? ]

And you want that sort of person looking up your girlfriend's skirt? You do realize how that seems?

[ It seems weird! And like the sort of thing you shouldn't be displaying to the public at large!!! Come on Yato, let that brain cell bump against something and have a reaction.

Maybe twisting his ear a little will help? She give that a try, it might not make his brain work but it sure does make her feel better.]

Not everyone likes their bodies turned into a commodity like you, Yato-chan.

[ Nope, never letting the selling himself thing go. ]

[intertwinedfates]

[Years and years of practice, honestly. Or rather, a complete and total lack of practice. He's still new to this whole "boyfriend" thing and tends to think with... well. Pretty much nothing some days.]

..........

[Silence. Like he's just seen the light, which in a way he has, especially when Kaga decides to try turning on his brain by twisting his ear some, making him yelp and lean towards her in the hope of easing some of the pain.]

I-I just wanted people to be able to appreciate Hiyori in all her gloryyy-- Owowowow~ That smarts...!

[But at least it seems to have kickstarted his brain a little bit? Because he begins to look more rueful the longer he glances at his (admittedly pervy) Hiyori sculpture.]

H..Hey, you sell what you've got, right?

[He's slowly coming to terms with her teasing him over that whole fiasco, to the point where he can admit that it was kinda funny in that 'whoopsie' sort of way.]

[harboredfeelings]

Hmm, is that so? If that's the case why don't I go take her out for a nice night, get that appreciation in hands on?

[ A very, very Akagi thing to threaten to do. Kaga's sister may have been a bad influence on her last month whoops. She doesn't mean it of course, she likes the couple too much to play homewrecker for real, but putting the thought into Yato's head now that the blood is rushing back there might help him out.

Finally, mercifully, she lets go of his ear. ]

For future reference, Yato-chan? A little over two kilograms of pressure will rip a human ear off. I'm not sure about gods, mind you, but... [ A shrug. ] Let's try to avoid finding out, shall we?

[intertwinedfates]

Huh? [That catches his attention, as she probably assumed it might. Or maybe he's just super dense...] I don't think Hiyori swings that way, to be honest. Not that I'm sure she wouldn't appreciate the thought...

[Idiot. Why is he so unbothered by the idea? Because he knows Hiyori isn't into girls? Or because he has faith that Kaga is just teasing the hell out of him. But if nothing else, he seems to be thinking again, slapping a hand to his sore ear with a faint hmph.]

Yeeeah, okay. I'll... keep that in mind? Because yeah, let's not find out what it'd take to rip a god's off, please. I think Hiyori likes my head being symmetrical. And I am kinda fond of my ears?

[harboredfeelings]

[ Watching in real time as her point flies so far over Yato's head it reaches orbit sure is something. Kaga just sighs and places her hands on his shoulders, shaking her head. ]

Yato-chan... are you the type of god that needs oxygen?

[ Wow that's a weird question to ask! What's weirder is she doesn't really wait for an answer? She just kinda grabs him by the neck, with her real hand thankfully, and starts shaking him. Hard. ]

She is your girlfriend! Other people shouldn't be looking at her and you sure as hell shouldn't take comments like that from someone lightly!

[ Kaga's actually kind of mad now! If her fox features were out her fur would be standing on end. ]

Take. This. Seriously. If you fuck up I really will burn off your balls!.

[intertwinedfates]

[That. That is an ominous question and a half and it makes him titter nervously in place as the weight of her hands land on his shoulders, bearing down heavily.]

I-- Sometimes? I can go a while without it, but it is kind of a necessity after a while...?

[He just barely gets that statement out before she's throttling him mercilessly, leading him to shaking back and forth with wide, mystified eyes as the world gets all wobbly and her fingers dig into his neck.]

Alright, alright, alright! I get the hint!! I'm being too flippant about the whole thing! I'm sorryyyyyyyyyy~

[Honestly, this is the kind of discipline he needs, the sort of tough love that's required to get through his thick skull.]

I-I--- I appreciate that you're rooting so hard for us...? But yes--! I won't mess up, I promise! I'll do better, honestly!!

[harboredfeelings]

[ Oh wow the way Yato worded that just kind of pierced right through some of Kaga's armor! The shaking stops slowly while her eyes glance off to the side. ]

Don't get the wrong idea. I'd just hate to see you break her heart because of your stupidity.

[ The throttling ceases entirely and Kaga proceeds to very helpfully smooth out Yato's ruffled clothing. She's still very much not making eye contact.

She may or may not know what it looks like when two people who are entirely meant for each other have a wedge driven between them for entirely stupid reasons. Plus she's seen plenty of misery over a few different lifetimes.

Making sure there's a happy couple at least somewhere seems almost like a weirdly cosmic sort of penance for some of the things that went down in her own world. ]

Honestly... I don't know what that girl sees in you.

[intertwinedfates]

[He's not sure what it is he's said that won her over, but he'll take it? Because he does appreciate her care for Hiyori - for them as a couple.]

...thanks, Kaga. I do appreciate you looking out for her. For us. I know I'm a bit of an idiot when it comes to love, so it helps to know there's someone who'll keep me in line.

[As she tidies him up, he can't help smiling warmly at her, grateful of her care and consideration. That she won't look at him says a lot, but he's not about to spoil things by pointing it out.

So many people here are rooting for them, he doesn't want to let them down, either. And he knows if something were to happen to drive a wedge between them, it'd be his fault. He's the idiot of the relationship, doing stupid stuff and not thinking when he should be putting more thought into his actions and words.

Sheepishly, he scratches at his head, shaking it lightly.]

I... I don't know, either. Maybe it's that she likes my optimism. I wouldn't have thought that I had much going for me, honestly, but she clearly gets something out of our being together. Happiness, I hope.

[harboredfeelings]

[ UGH why is he smiling so genuinely?! Why are they even friends?! Disgusting, she hates it.

No she doesn't. Yato's inner darkness aside him and Hiyori are a refreshingly optimistic pair of individuals in Kaga's life. She values Yato immensely, flaws and all, even the things that make her want to throttle him she appreciates. He's not him without them. ]

Mmm, wouldn't think too hard about it. Whatever it is she cares about you, that's more than enough.

[ Give her a moment to fix Yato's collar and then she's giving him a fond pat on the cheek. With her very much black metal robotic hand. That may or may not be a subtle threat, it's hard to tell when she's smiling.

Yeah no it's a subtle threat, she's giving the ice sculpture a side glance. ]

Do something about that though, would you? The girl doesn't need her panties on display for the entire city to see.

[intertwinedfates]

[Because he's honest and genuine, perhaps?? Or he's just that likeable!

It's probably his earnest nature that nets him some support, along with his sheer enthusiasm and drive to do better despite his screw-ups. Kind of like how he appreciates Kaga for her honesty and support even if sometimes she manhandles him (deservedly.)]

Yeah... Sometimes all you can ask for is to be loved. It's not worth fretting over trying to figure out the nitty gritty details.

[Despite what could be taken as something of a patronizing gesture, he smiles, albeit somewhat nervously. That metal hand would hurt if it smacked into him. So yeah. He's gonna behave from now on. Be less a lecherous if affable pervert. Stop showing off Hiyori in ways she wouldn't approve of just because it pleases him.

Laughing a bit sheepishly, he nods.]

Ah, true. Good point. She doesn't need to be know as the lady with striped panties throughout the city. [He's just... gonna pack some snow over said undies, in that case, hiding them from view. There. Now they're just a secret detail for them alone to know.]