synflux | TEAM BUILDING EVENT #3

Entry tags:

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.)

code

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ i mean that's why she wenT INTO THE SHRINE YEAH

~to be alone~

he's not alone in having a wandering thought or two about heat versus cold. about being "a properly worshipping follower" and yatogami doing whatever he wants in his shrine.

but, there. thaaat's what she was expecting. ]

I knew it. [ capybara slippers. not his beloved capyper but pretty close. if they make him happy? ]

Okay. Lead the way!

[TRUE, TRUE.

Though there are some things that are best left for when they're totally alone, strictly speaking. More intimate moments and the like.

He laughs at her statement, rubbing at the back of his head. Yeah, he's predictable in a lot of ways. His love of those cute critters being one of them.]

C'mon, then!

[Getting them onto their feet and on the way, he twines their fingers together, squeezing her hand lovingly. Letting her know how much he appreciates her.

In short order, he's brought her to a small cafe where there's seating inside to stave off the chill of the day while they take a seat and place their orders.]

Did you want a nibble, too? I don't mind.

[ no let everyone watch (IM JUST KIDDING)

if hiyori cared just a little less, just a little, she'd be skipping them out of the contest area and onto the pedestrian walks to the nearest plaza. but twining their fingers is good, too. she squeezes back. a silent conversation between them saying so much.

hiyori is in the middle of pulling her earmuffs off when he asks. them sharing food is sort of the norm now. what with yato bringing her dinner and how they both share a bag of snacks when they're in each other's room...

not because they have to. they want to. or hiyori does, for sure. ]

Really? What you ordered did sound good, too. M-maybe I'll have a little nibble...

What about mine? I got the dark chocolate raspberry coffee cake.

[HE WOULD, DON'T TEMPT HIM OKAY

It's wonderful that they can convey so much between each other without having to so much as speak a word. He likes that part of their relationship, being so close and of one mind. It's much nicer than them butting heads over his missteps or foibles.

It's always more fun to share things between them, since it allows them to indulge twice as much by sampling things and discovering new treats they enjoy.]

Oooh that sounds delicious! Mine's the cinnamon apple spice muffin with nuts! If nothing else, we can split them and each have half, how's that?

[He rocks in his chair, head bobbing happily along with his words.]

Right?! After you mentioned raspberry earlier, I was craving something with it...

[ HEHEH.

much nicer, yeah. vastly preferable by a LANDSLIDE.

as if hiyori iki can say no to yato when he's acting like a kid on christmas. even if she's REALLY craving raspberry and wants most of it. she should share. ]

That... does sound fair, but... [ she is

POUTING. ]

I'm glad they had something featuring it, then. Otherwise we might've had to make our own at home.

[Home. What a strange thought sometimes, to think of the base as such. But it's where they live for now, and where Hiyori is, is home.

He notes her sudden reluctance, sheepishly holding up both hands in a defensive gesture as his grin turns apologetic. I-Is he overstepping again? It's so hard to tell...]

Or we can just trade a bite... ...or you can eat yours then kiss me.

[That would satisfy him, honestly. Raspberry kisses. Yummy~]

[ at home. much like him, she takes a moment to reflect. outsider base isn't home so much as yato eventually meandering into her room or visiting her at the hospital. it's hiyori sneaking into his room and crawling under the covers with him. it's the habits they've picked up since being here.

HE'S NOT OVERSTEPPING SHE IS JUST POUTY ]

... Pfff. [ okay, she can't be pouty anymore with that. ]

I'll give you a bite. Or two, if you really like it. And if you really, really like it, you can have the entire thing. But...

Your muffin is mine.

[ heh his muffin is hers ]

Edited 2024-12-08 01:42 (UTC)

[It's... good to have something, somewhere - someone - familiar to fall back on during these long nights in a world far away from home. This may be Japan, but it's not THEIR Japan. It's not where Yukine and Kofuku and Daikoku are. It's not where Hiyori's family is. So to have her here means everything to him.

BUT SHE'S POUTY FOR A REASON!!]

Yay~! [Wait] My muffin is yours?

[HIYORI IKI!! Is that a euphemism? 'cuz if it is, she can have his muffin all the time~]

I don't want to deprive you of yours, so just a bite is fine. Honestly, I won't mind. [And if he does, he'll order a second one!]

[ it's good. it's really good, even. she wishes everyone could have it, like they do. as insane as yato makes her, he keeps her sane just as much. if not more.

NO IT WASN'T ACTUALLY ONE THIS IS HIYORI

she's taking his literal muffin!!! ah, well, she takes his figurative too. ]

Mine. [ that KEIKAKU expression on her face doesn't last. ]

... How about... any time you want a bite, you ask for one. If I want a bite of your muffin, I'll ask.

[ HIS

MUFFIN ]

I'll give you as many bites as you want, Yato.

[One day, perhaps. He'll certainly do what he can to help those like Ereshkigal find partners so they too can enjoy the pleasure that comes with having a partner to love and cherish you.

INNOCENT HIYORI

He doesn't mind what muffin of his she has; everything that he is and possesses is hers to share.]

Haha... [He smiles sheepishly at her, head bobbing in agreement. He likes the idea of being able to share their treats. Of everything being theirs. Like they're m-m-m-arried...]

Sounds good to me! I promise I won't take too much of yours, though. I want you to enjoy what you've chosen.

[Meanwhile, if he wants a berry taste, he can kiss her, hehe.]

Don't forget your drink before it goes cold, though!

[ ereshkigal will find her way. they can be the hands at her back giving her little urging, though.

that really is married person talk, yato.....

after a beat, she waves her hand. ]

I will enjoy it. [ one way or another. it's fine, it's fine. ] Don't sweat it so much, Yato. [ SWEAT!!!

future kisses will be berry-flavored for the foreseeable future. cinnamon, too. ]

Ah - ! [ HER SEASONAL DELIGHT. sips. ] How did you find this place? Just exploring?

[There to catch her in case she falls or stumbles.

He's already married to her in his mind, at least he thinks. Little does he know what married life is really like, though. He can't wait to find out, however!

He nods, sipping at his own drink.]

That's the important thing. [It's all good so long as they're both happy.] I'll... try not to. [SWEATY GOD!!

Cinnamon berry... yummy. Maybe he'll have to try making this back at the base for them.]

Uh huh. I stumbled across it while looking for presents. [And jobs. Because he can never sit still when it comes to work.] Well worth it, isn't it?

[ WHAT'S IT LIKE can't be too different from how they're living now?? living with the SWEATY GOD, SWEATY PALMS AND PSALMS. ]

Yeah. It is. I wish I could bake things like this, but it seems difficult. Plus if I pick up another hobby, I don't know if I'll ever sleep...

Archery first. That's more useful.

[ yes. she nods to herself, looking determined. she needs to stop SANDBAGGING. ]

[PROBABLY NOT, HAHA... It just means that they become Official and he gets to sweat on her on the regular, with love.]

Yeah, gotta make sure you can protect yourself first. I'll make you treats to keep you going while you practice, yeah? I already know how to cook some.

[He'll reward her efforts with pastries and cakes and breads~ Stuff to keep her energized if not healthy.]

Did you want to practice some today? [Since she seems so determined??]

[ y-yay. sweat. (deadpan)

nono we love our clammy hand god. we stan.

hiyori isn't USUALLY one to be swayed by treats, buuuut he has her interest. purely because yato?? baking??? ]

Eh? [ she is determined, it's true. call her the determinator. she opens her mouth to take him up on his offer but hesitates and closes it.

yato's already been working hard all day on his sculptures. it's good to have drive, but it's just as important to take breaks. it's a lesson she forgets too often, but she can remind yato. ]

Tomorrow? [ she starts to look bashful, averting her eyes and drumming her fingers on her cup. ] Today, I, um. I wanted to... walk around and just... act like those couples I always see this time of year. [ "ACT". YOU ARE. ] A Christmas... couple.

[ you know. TAKING SELFIES by decorations they like. window shopping. sticking hands in each other's pockets. cute, fluffy, wholesome shit. ]

Edited 2024-12-14 04:34 (UTC)

[Sweat!! (Sweats;;)

We stan for clam hands?? 👏

At least his hands might be ideal for things like baking bread due to the temperature? Or they might not. All depends.]

Hmm? [He regards her fish impersonation with amusement and curiosity, wondering just what's going on in her head. She's always so busy mentally, he can hardly keep up. Hence him wanting to do something for her as a treat. His own exhaustion doesn't figure into it.]

Sounds good. [He answers readily, always eager to indulge her. Though her reasons drive some color into his cheeks, making him smile happily, if somewhat bashfully as well. He... likes that idea, too.] Whatever you desire, Hiyori. We can do that. We'll get hot chocolate and warm cookies and then maybe take a stroll to get everybody a few presents...

[Clearly he's seen some of those holiday movies, no surprise there! For now, though, he's content enough with simply taking hold of her hand and hanging onto it firmly if gently.] If there's anything you think of that you want to do, let me know, okay?

[ sweat

we stan for A GOD with calm hands yeah 👏👏 and WHAT?? BREAD???

in japan, Christmas is a holiday for friends. even more than THAT, it's a holiday meant for couples. hiyori has always spent it with family and friends. mostly with ami because she was largely in the same boat as she.

no boyfriend.

this is the first year she'll be able to do all those things she's seen couples do. just like yato suggest. just like THIS - sitting together at a small table enjoying warm drinks and seasonal treats.

so it's totally normal, too, to hold hands on this table. ]

Well, um, since we're talking about it? I might... have a list?

[HANDS OF CALMLAMITY 👏 HELPS KEEP THE BUTTER FROM MELTING!

It's a first (or rather second) for Yato, too, getting to celebrate the Christmas season romantically rather than platonically. Not that he ever really got the chance to celebrate much in the first place... He was always too poor and homeless and alone. So having Hiyori for his girlfriend during this Christmas makes it magical~

Even something as mundane as eating and drinking is made remarkable with the presence of someone he loves. Allowing him to wiggle his fingers happily in hers.]

Ooh alright! Let's hear it, then! I wanna know everything and then some!

[So he can make her holiday wonderful~ Santa!Yato, hehe.]

[ LKSJLKDJGLKDJ

speaking of, are his fingers sweaty as that grasp onto hers?? leave it to yato to want to hear everything she wants to do. and then some.

and then some?? hold on, yato. she's pulling a little notebook out of her pocket. SHE CAME PREPARED. ]

Okay, here. We've done this already. [ she had a pen in her pocket too apparently, putting a checkmark by

sit in a cafe with warm drinks and pastries together ]

It can be any one of these.

[ go ice skating
see the Christmas lights, the big tree in the plaza and take a picture in front of it
Christmas shopping together
kiss under the mistle--

she slaps a hand over that one. ]

Uh, wait. That one was for me.

[Gonna melt her butter, tho...

Not that sweaty, for once! The cold helps keep him from getting to worked up, and usually it's when he's fighting that it happens. Or nervous. And he's not nervous right now. Why should he be?? He's happy!

Especially to see that Hiyori came prepared for funtimes together. He's less organized and is merely going off of what he wants to do in the moment. Sipping his drink, he nods along as she reads it off.]

Good food and drinks have been obtained and cute cafe times achieved! Mission accomplished~!

[He murmurs "fun!" at the ice skating, makes oohing noises at the notion of taking their picture together in front of the Christmas tree, bobs his head at shopping together, and then gives a thumbs up at the mention of mistletoe, cheeks burning bright with glee.]

Hehe, gotcha~ Mine has some secret wishes on it, too. [Namely related to being intimate, but that's for when they're alone, not sitting in public.]

How about after this we either go ice skating or shopping? I think the picture would be prettiest at night.

[ lewd....

no complaints from hiyori, then. not that she would if they WERE sweaty. she'd just wipe her hands on her jacket afterward, as surreptitiously as possible... ]

Mission accomplished. [ hiyori repeats, with a widening smile.

all of yato's commentary as she reads off the stuff is totally unnecessary but very yato of him.

he has secret wishes? now she's curious. now she wants to help make them come true. more important, that yato isn't just going along with it and has some input of his own means the most to her. ]

Yeah. It would be. [ as embarrassing as it was back then, the picture of them during fireworks was one of the best they took at capyper land too. ]

Okay! I chooooose... ice skating!

[ after drinks and pastries. which!! there's arrive on Christmas plates. so festive. ]

[Haha she is the best girlfriend anyone could ask for, not sweating it over sweaty hands, hehe...]

Mmhmm! Yumminess for all!

[Hey, she wanted his thoughts on it all, right? ...or if she didn't, she should have at least expected it.

She should also expect him to be a bit cagey about his own wishes and desires. Rarely does he let those sip, either. But yeah, he's not one to just sit back and let things happen to him. He likes to take part in life, even if it's difficult. This however? Fun and easy!]

Alright then! How about we try the ice skating rink? I hear they have neat effects for it, with lights and everything!

[Big surprise, him loving something that is literally flashy, haha... Besides, he's been out skating on the pond, so now he wants to see what the rink is like. But ah-- Christmas plates! Everything is full of cheer this time of year. It makes him so buoyant and delighted.]

[ grabs the slipper

... okay, yeah. she DID want his thoughts on it. definitely should have expected it, though.

you know, that's true. while yato was not silent about how he was going to get a BIG GIANT SHRINE of his own, none of them had any idea what it would mean to him until he blurted out it was his dream. then, as hiyori does, she took things into her own hands. ]

Really? Yeah, okay! Let's go!

[ after this. sharing pastries. hiyori probably even cuts off a piece with her fork and offers it that way because she's gotten used to it. for how often they share dinners while she's at the hospital. ]

[Nuuu no slippering! He's being a good boy!

And hey, see?? Ask and ye shall receive!

And as it turned out, he didn't really want a big shrine (that much) but just one that was crafted with love and appreciation. A wish that Hiyori granted him so perfectly to the point it became his treasure. A symbol of her devotion and care for a pathetic, minor god that nobody knows.]

Hehe, sounds good to me! Have you ever been ice skating before?

[Because if he has to teach her, that's fine. Just like it's fine to share their food, which he gladly accepts and then returns the favor, smiling that dopey grin of his. Somebody is very pleased with today...]

[ BARELY GOOD......

if there are any other wishes she can grant, you know she's going to do those too. share your seekrits.

she first takes a bite of her coffee cake and hums around it, eyes drifting up toward the ceiling in thought. ]

I don't think so. I usually like to go skiing or sledding rather than ice skate if given the choice.

[ ..... yato probably has, though. he's done everything. she'll ask anyway. after leaning forward over their plates to take a bit of his cake. yum. ]

You must've tried to be a figure skater at some point, right?

▶ 001. WELL DESERVED REST.

▶ 002. LET IT SNOW.

▶ 003. SNUGGLE UP.

▶ 004. TAKE YOUR MEDICINE.

▶ 005. 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

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject