synflux | TEAM BUILDING EVENT #3

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TEAM BUILDING EVENT #3

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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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh.

( She was absolutely right then, he thinks. Yato and Vash would understand each other. For his part, he gives his friend a taut little smile, sympathy written in the lines of his face. ) She didn't, she didn't really tell me anything that we haven't kind of worked our way around before. Just that if anyone would understand it would be you. Or me, I guess.

( He breathes out, exhale turning foggy with the cold. ) I think you're doing a real good job, you know? You and Hiyori, you're so good together, and it's not your fault. She really loves you, and she doesn't blame you at all. That's pretty obvious. But sometimes it's hard to remember that, right? ( He shoves his hands in his pocket, still holding onto the bag so it sticks out a little. ) I've been on the run for over a hundred years. Any time I think I might stop I remember how dangerous that is. It's hard to shake it off.

[It's a gesture Yato tries to return, but he finds it difficult when divulging this information about his "family" such as it is.] Heh... That figures. She's always so considerate. She probably felt it wasn't her place to say anything.

[Scrubbing at his face with a mittened hand, he lets out a long sigh, suddenly feeling tired. At least until Vash continues.] You think so...? I feel like I keep screwing up when it comes to her. I'm scared that one of these times I'll do something that'll drive her away for good... [He pauses to stop and look up at the sky and the snow still falling, a frown fixed on his face.] ...that's a hell of a long time to keep running. Especially when you shouldn't have to. You deserve somewhere where you can settle down and live the kind of peaceful life you want.

[After a moment he directs his gaze back to Vash, frowning harder now.] Have you ever thought about trying to stop him? Your brother.

I don't think that's going to happen. ( Yato driving Hiyori away, he means. They seem pretty solid to him. But then again, he is an outsider. Maybe there's something he doesn't know. ) She doesn't seem the type, and I think you're probably harder on yourself than you should be. As long as you have each other then you'll be fine, right? She's nice. But so are you.

( He hums, thoughtful, as they weave in and out of the crowds. ) I have. I think about it all the time. The things he's done, the people he's hurt - he's the reason Rem is dead, and she was like a mother to him too. In the beginning it's all I thought about. I guess it makes me cowardly. Everything that Millions Knives has commited, and maybe I could have stopped him. ( He pulls in a breath, lets it out. ) But I love him.

( He fidgets a little, the need to move, to run away rising. )

We fought, just before I came here. It was bad. I don't know if he made it. And I've been able to feel him every day of my life, and now I can't. I try not to think about it, because I don't know what I'd do if he were really dead.

I hope not, heh. [Sheepishly, he scratches at his head. It's nice to know that Vash has faith in him, at least.] You're definitely right on me being hard on myself... Hiyori says as much, too, so I guess it must be true if both you can see it.

[The sound of snow crunching under their shoes is a pleasant noise, one that makes him nostalgic.] ...a mother... [The mention of someone who's like a mother to them being gone strikes a chord within him, leading him to smile sadly at the ground.] I don't think it's cowardly at all. You were young - you still are, comparatively speaking. It shouldn't be a child's place to stop those from committing atrocities. [Lifting his head, he regards Vash with both admiration and curiosity.] You still do, huh?

[He wonders when he stopped loving his father. If he still holds any affection for the man. Reaching out a hand, he rests it on Vash's arm.]

I'm sure he's okay, in that case. He sounds like he's stubborn and resilient, like you. And maybe, just maybe, he'll have learned something from your fight that'll change his mind and make it so you two can reconcile. That's my hope for you, anyway.

He was a child too. I think sometimes I forget that.

( The Great Fall. It sounds so ominous. But they had been children when it happened. They'd caused it, but the humans were hiding something. That much is true. Who knows what might have happened if they hadn't discovered Tesla? Would they have met the same fate? Would it have been different? Would Rem have protected them. ) But it doesn't matter. I can't do anything about it here. Unless he shows up, and then that's a different problem entirely. I already warned Hiyori, but maybe I should do the same for you. ( He smiles a little forlornly, taps a finger beneath his mole. ) The other side. That's how you'll tell. That and the two hands. The general aura. But if you need to be quick about it then it's that.

( A hum, tuneless. )

But I do mean it, Yato. If anyone's gonna understand it's gonna be me, right? I mean if Hiyori thinks I might anyway. And we both trust her, huh? If you ever need anything, even if it's just an ear. I'm pretty good at that.

Children get hurt easily, so perhaps that's what happened...

[He doesn't know the full story, obviously, but he can easily imagine that something triggered his hatred. It seems strange that Vash would be born with a love of people while his brother was born with a hatred for them. As a god, he can't help but wish he'd been there to guide and protect them, honestly.] No, that's true. It's not worth fretting over until the time comes. That's no way to live. [Glancing at the mole, which he'd always just taken for a simple beauty mark, he nods slowly.] Gotcha. If I see anyone looking like you with it on the opposite side, I'll be on my guard. I'd like to think I could recognize you for being you though, y'know?

[He smiles slightly, nodding again.]

Yeah, I-- I'd like that. Maybe here in a bit, after we've gotten a drink, I can tell you a little more... About... Sakura. [His head falls slightly as he directs his gaze downward once more.] It's something I haven't even told Hiyori. I've never told anyone. But, like with your Rem, she was like a mother to me...

And I killed her.

I bet you could. I'm just being overcautious.

( He has a lot of friends here. More than he should have, truthfully. And before he'd managed simply by always moving on, never sticking too long in one place. It would be different here. He has put down roots. Nai could work with that. Which is why he thinks to warn those he's closest to.

It's not worth focusing on, not when Yato continues. Vash doesn't falter in his steps, but he does look over, a slight widening of his eyes behind his glasses. Immediately he wants to ask more, but there's very little judgement in his face. No fear, either. Yato is not that kind of person. ) Okay. Booze? I think a conversation like this would be better with some whiskey. And maybe somewhere quieter? I keep a bottle in my room if you want.

Better safe than sorry, as they say.

[Especially when it comes to murderous brothers. But in some ways, he hopes for Vash's sake that his brother never shows up, so at least he can live a peaceful life, even if it means having to fret over him for a time.

Hiyori was right. Vash is a good person to talk to about his past. He doesn't feel any sense of judgment or ridicule from his friend, merely curiosity. It makes Yato feel... accepted, able to disclose details that he might normally feel would drive away those who rely on and trust in him.] Sounds good to me on both accounts. Let's head back, in that case. Shouldn't take too long if we jog. You up for it?

[He manages to grin at Vash, head held a little higher.]

( He scoffs, but it turns into a more genuine laugh at the end, knees flexing like he's testing them. )

You know what I'd be the God of if I had to pick something? Running.

( It's all the warning his friend gets before Vash is moving, zipping through the crowd with a fluttering grin. He even turns on his heel at one point to jog backwards, waving at Yato even as he's still holding his purchase, head tilted slightly as if to say come on, then, voice lifting in a playful call. )

Last one there has to drink the weird flavoured vodka I found!

Something you'd be very good at, I bet.

[That gets him laughing as well as he picks up the pace and joins Vash in running ahead, grinning all the while, his eyes sparkling despite their previous conversation. Though he can't help his eyes widening slightly at the latter half of his statement.]

Wait, what kind of weird flavor are we talking about?!

Cinnamon, I think? It was on sale.

( He's mostly keeping his speed in check, just a little ahead of Yato. It wouldn't do to leave him behind, and he'd mostly been joking. He won't force the wonders of his discount booze on his friend at all. )

It's another thing I've never had, so I thought why not? Me and Sylvain went through a whole thing of testing cocktails last month and that was kind of fun, so I'm keeping the spirit going. Ha, spirit.

( Because booze. Get it? )

Oh, that does sound a bit strange. But kinda good, too?

[So really, he won't mind at least giving it a shot! Doesn't mean he isn't going to try beating Vash, though. Not that he's going full-speed ahead, either. It's hard to tell which of them might win, and he'd rather just keep chatting while they run.]

Heh, that does sound like fun! [He chuckles at the joke, catching up enough to lightly elbow Vash.] Maybe we can all get together for some drinking games sometime.

Maybe we'll both try it then, so if it's really gross it can bond us together!

( He sounds cheerful about it, really. He thinks maybe other things will be the reason they're brought together in the end, but they can tell people it's shitty flavoured alcohol if they want, and that sounds more fun. He does brighten up a little at the idea of them all going drinking though. ) Hey, that might not be a bad idea. You, me, Sylvain. Maybe we can invite Cedrick, though he might not join us in the terrible experimentation what with being royalty and all. ( He means Callisto, but it's a running gag now. ) A guys night! I've never done one of those but I've heard they're pretty fun.

( They jog round a corner, getting closer to base as they go. )

And then I'd have a whole group of real good buddies to protect me from the burger van lady who hates me.

Sounds like a good plan to me! And that way if it's really bad, it'll go twice as fast with both of us drinking it.

[There's certainly worse ways to spend an afternoon than with a good friend and something alcoholic. They can also blame the booze for their loose lips, should it come to that.] Hell yeah! Though I'm not sure I'm familiar with Cedrick.. [He doesn't really know Callisto either, but it's all good. What better way to meet somebody than on a party night?] Though I don't mind if you bring new folks! The more, the merrier!

[Just to be a bit silly, Yato surges on ahead, hoping to tag the base first.]

Burger van lady? What'd you do to earn her ire? You're usually so polite and considerate! [He's teasing. He figures it was a misunderstanding or something.]

It was either ordering the six burgers at three am or the breaking a table when a guy was getting too handsy with someone that did it. Either way she totally gives me the stink eye whenever I go by. Which is the worst because the burgers are really good.

( It is always either feast or famine with Vash, unfortunately. But he laughs a little when Yato picks up speed, doesn't entirely try to catch up either way. )

But I'll win her over, I'm sure of it.

Yeah, I think it's probably the table that did it, if I'm being honest... Though that sounds like it's hardly your fault when you were defending someone. But I guess that doesn't really matter if she has to replace the seating. Maybe you can woo her with your charm and compliments.

[Famine in this case, from the sound of it. Maybe they'll have to get together and repair the table so Vash can go back to eating there. The base is within sight now; not much further to go! He's gonna make a break for it, just because it's fun.]

C'mon, Vash! No fair lagging behind!

Who's lagging?

( He does put a little more pep in his step, catching up to Yato but not overtaking him. It means they make it at roughly the same time, and Vash laughs, bright and delighted. ) I guess we both have to try the gross sounding vodka, but hey. Bonding!

( He does skip ahead a get the door, humming thoughtfully as he does so. ) Kinda makes you wish we had all the same decorations, right? This place doesn't look half as nice as the rest of Neo Tokyo.

That's it! Keep up~!

[He teases lightly as they approach the building, tagging the structure just as Vash arrives there, too.] Hell yeah! The friends that suffer icky tastes together, stay together!

[As he hurries on inside, he shakes the snow from his jacket and head, nodding.] Maybe next year - if we're here - we can get some lights and ornaments to make this place more festive. If we all chip in early, it should be doable. Trees and lights and garland... The works!

[Taking off his gloves, he rubs both hands together while they head to the dorm area.] And it LILITH balks at it, we can hold a protest in the hallways, heh.

( Don't worry, he and Hiyori are officially On It in regards to base decorating. )

Man, they'd better not. The stuff they put us through, you'd think they'd be super ready to provide with a little cheer. ( Not that he knew what Christmas was a month ago but hey, if Neo Tokyo's so ready to decorate then clearly they're aware of it. ) The kids have been making decorations at the orphanage though, so maybe I can get them to donate some! That'd be cute, right?

( The snow is now melting on his glasses, so he has to take those off and wipe them with the hem of his compression shirt. ) Man, I didn't know winter was so wet.

[The Festive Squad is a-go!]

Right?? Otherwise at the rate things are going, everyone's going to burnout and then there won't be anyone fit to fight the kaiju... [Christmas may typically be for lovers in Japan, but he likes the international idea of it being a time for family and spreading joy.] Hey, that's a great idea! And maybe we can make some for them, kind of like a gift exchange but for decorations!

[Seeing as how Vash is already holding the toy drive to gather gifts for the kids.] Hehe, it sure is. Some areas don't get cold enough for snow, so it just rains most of the season. Talk about dreary.

Yeah, rain got real old real fast.

( Maybe if the cold didn't make the area around his prosthesis a little achey, then he wouldn't be so bothered. But unfortunately he does not like being wet. Not like a plant at all then.

But they're at his room, and the complaint gets abandoned as Vash opens the door, ushering Yato inside as he flicks on the light. Then he's abandoning his coat - arms bare, but his friend already saw him in the wedding dress so the scars are not quite as problematic - to immediately fish out two glasses, the bottles of booze he's squirreled away. They fill up his arms, and he gives Yato a toothy grin. ) Pull up a pew somewhere, buddy. You wanna try the gross one first or ease ourselves in?

Old and cold. Brr...

[Yato doesn't even have that kind of problem and he still prefers the snow over rain during the winter. It gets so gloomy and slushy when the temperature drops at night.

Though speaking of sopping wet... He slips out of his outer clothes and hangs them up, rubbing his hands together to start warding off the chill. Politely he keeps his gaze on Vash's face rather than his scars, even if he is curious about how his friend got some of the larger ones. If Vash feels like sharing that info, he will. Besides, it's drink time!!] Whichever sounds good to you. We could try the weird one and then rinse our mouths out with the good stuff.

[Taking up a chair, Yato seats himself backwards on it, arms draped over the back while he watches Vash.] Need me to take one of those glasses?

Yeah!

( He brings the glass over, piles the bottles on to the table top with a clunk. The offending bottle gets plucked back up and unscrewed, Vash sniffing it curiously before he pulls a face. ) I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing. Most booze doesn't smell good anyway.

( But he's pouring Yato a healthy amount either way, dragging the secondary chair closer so he can sit on it backwards, fill his own and then reach out to clink the glasses together. ) Bottoms up?

[Once they both have a suitable amount of alcohol in their glasses, he reaches out to tap them together, then follows suit by nervously sniffing the liquid inside. It smells... curious, to say the least. Cinnamon is nice, but he's not sure how well it's going to mix with the booze itself.

Well, only one way to find out.] It's all a matter of finding the kind that appeals to you, whether it's wine or spirits or beer.

[Steeling himself, he holds the glass in the air and grins, not without some trepidation.] Bottoms up, and hopefully everything stays down! [Down the hatch it goes!

......and he promptly coughs, covering his mouth with a fist as the liquid burns his throat. When he speaks, his voice comes out in a higher pitched wheeze.] Spicy.

( Oh, it burns. It burns so badly. Vash has to pound his metal fist against his chest, clearing his throat. )

I don't know if it's bad, but I don't think I'll be buying it again. ( Except he's knocking the entire glass back, letting it simmer all the way down. ) Yowch. Hoo-boy.

( A wild little laugh. )

Actually, it feels like it does the trick. Y'want more?

▶ 001. WELL DESERVED REST.

▶ 002. LET IT SNOW.

▶ 003. SNUGGLE UP.

▶ 004. TAKE YOUR MEDICINE.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

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