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𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚏𝚕𝚞𝚡 𝙼𝚘𝚍𝚜 ([personal profile] synfluxmods) wrote in [community profile] synflux2025-03-14 12:53 pm

DOWNTIME MINGLE #7

DOWNTIME MINGLE #7


CONTENT WARNINGS: suggestive topics

▶ 001. WINNER'S CIRCLE.

Although the base has been destroyed, not all hope is lost. Many still view the defeat of the recent kaiju as a significant win, especially knowing how much more powerful it became. Considering the ominous timing of the rift as well, it seems like LILITH predicts everyone is a bit on edge, and as a result, when they come into the main hall that day they will see that it is actually decorated quite nicely. While it’s not a professional venue by any means, it certainly does have its own charms. It’s a step up from the usual pizza party, at least.


There will be plenty of fresh food prepared for everyone, and not a single questionable meat in sight. It’s either they’ve upped their lab meat game, or they’ve managed some success in their endeavors on duplicating some of the food processes from Transylvania. The one thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the bulletin board in which they’ve posted—
GOOD JOB:
MACARONS (K.O.)
GOJIRA (K.O.)
RUBBER DUCKY & QUEENOFKUR (600)
POKER & BAD DADDY (678)

While no one can say where these trends and rumors begin, maybe it’s only natural that people’s eyes are drawn to those they consider strong. Or is it that everyone else is YOWAI weak in comparison? Whatever the catchphrases are, it seems the new thing on the streets of Neo Tokyo is the emerging trend of people either wearing sunglasses or blindfolds.

It seems to be some sort of fashion statement, but it may be doing more harm than good. The blindfolds are often tech visors that citizens wear to amplify the screens they see directly from their retinas, but it doesn’t mean that’s always the case. Some people even consider it a personal form of training for them to live and breathe with blindfolds on. Unsurprisingly, hoverboard accidents have increased by 24% and the city is looking for ways to address this new craze.

There’s a yearly event that’s rolled back into town and somehow they have their new mascot, MISTER ZILLA. It’s in the form of a certified cute and extra cuddly looking kaiju that is strikingly similar to one that people may see on base day-to-day. But that has to be a coincidence, right? Maybe it’s just one more thing that’s been released by a particularly loose-lipped researcher who's been pulling one too many all-nighters.

Maybe people in attendance will end up seeing him a lot more. He’s also given out in the form of a keychain to all attendees. Perhaps he will give GIBUBU a run for their money?

Speaking of kaiju and research, a very popular brand called CHALK-MATE has hit the shelves. Supposedly it’s a food shaped like a stick of chalk that once eaten increases one's overall ability to concentrate; it even claims to make people read a little faster. … Is that a myth? There’s only one way to find out what this little treat actually does.

The only thing is that it definitely tastes a bit like chalk, too. Oddly enough, the flavors come in just “DOCTOR” and “PHD.”

CHALK-MATE, however, seems like it’s especially popular amongst avid readers. Particularly of the romance genre, also known as NOVELTOK. The fans on these platforms have been especially into a new series based on a Goddess of Death who is in constant search of love, only to be met with horrible romanceable options that leaves every reader both salivating and scratching their head. Supposedly, it’s not a book appropriate for children…

A new alcoholic drink, GLITTER, has gotten popular in Neo Tokyo’s nightlife scene. The drink’s iridescent shades of purple, blue, and green have made it a hit despite its high price tag and the condition that needs to be met in order to request one: customers must first play a game of dice with the bartender. Should the customer roll a higher number than the bartender, they will take the order and make the drink; if they roll less than the bartender, they must forfeit the cost of the drink and pay the next seven rounds of drinks, even for people who aren’t in their party. High risks begets high rewards, as they say.


▶ 002. BASE-LESS EXPECTATIONS.

Fortunately, with the success of the last battle with the Imugi and Gigakame, many companies have come forth in support of a few rebuild projects. They state they are very interested in providing funding, granted, it’s not without placing their names down as part of the construction efforts. They’re especially interested in getting some sway down in Kyoto, as that would be a new place for them to not only pitch their businesses and potentially attract those pockets of civilization out there that they haven’t been able to connect with, but it’s a good cause as any in theory, right? We don’t talk about all that free real estate, either.

As such, Outsiders are being encouraged to submit their proposals on how to build up on the city of Kyoto and what attractions would lure the citizens to take on the city. While safety protocols are naturally being put into place, as with any new build, they are also open to any additional ideas to secure the perimeter, as well as to make this a more colorful and unique place amongst the wreckage that sweeps the abandoned areas outside the immediate cities.

The only thing is… bureaucracy strikes again. The forms must be filled out in a specific fashion, and Outsiders will be expected to go through a similar trial like when gaining clearance to travel. They will be required to sign documents, and even rushed to the temporary “city hall” in order to drop it off on the dot. They may even expect some people to warp back to Tokyo just to submit a page or two of a signed waiver.

With city plans still emerging, there are positions open for Outsiders to apply and run as local government. While the government of Neo Tokyo have already designated a mayor for the city, there are positions open for people to be in charge of other areas such as healthcare, food, energy, culture, justice, treasury, and infrastructure. LILITH is placing no restrictions on Outsiders who want to contribute their time and expertise to the new city as long as they continue to carry out their missions to defeat the kaiju. Those who wish to apply are free to do so at city hall, but they will need to rally votes and support from civilians and other Outsiders alike to be elected.

Speaking of trouble and real estate, while a lot of vacant land is available, Outsiders have been summoned to confirm all the plots of lands are free of kaiju before any real scoping can be done. Outsiders will be tasked to go out and survey the areas and stave off any large or mutated creatures that may exist in the expanse of wilderness that borders the area around Kyoto. For anyone interested in assisting with the scoping efforts, they will be encouraged to travel in pairs. The permanent rift that’s opened in Tokyo has been making many strange waves all across the country. Kaiju have been acting far more erratically, almost as if they can feel the pulses from this rift, regardless of the distance. Or perhaps, it’s all connected somehow? LILITH researchers think it’s better to remain on-guard because of this, especially when traveling through uncharted territory.

Outsiders are also welcome to explore the region. They will find several old temples that may appear dilapidated, but very much recognizable all the same. Such as the Todai-ji Daibutsuden in the neighboring Nara, or even closer sights like the string of tori that line the Fushimi Inari Shrine. There is even a setting in the oculars in which a general tour guide audio can be heard. However, Synthia is still on the fritz and there is no telling what she says is completely accurate. She also can’t control her language functions, volumes, or the fact that she may also be linking random people’s calls and text messages to one another.

There’s no way that negatively impacts any travel plans, right?

(Note: Please fill out the thread below and submit ideas for buildings and businesses in Kyoto! If players wish to have their characters take a role in managing the city, you are free to coordinate this with other players with the same goals for their characters (or handwave it if your character will be taking a smaller role). Mods will not be choosing any characters officially. )


▶ 003. KAIJUCON.

This is the yearly event everyone has been looking forward to— KAIJUCON is here. This event not only acts as a large research symposium for those who work in kaiju-related research fields, it’s also a place where the most enthusiastic members of the kaiju community come together to share their mutual fascination with the creatures. The event makes it clear that this is in no way meant in any support of the kaiju or the devastation that’s hit humanity, but of coming to be a better understanding of them. Or that was its original purpose.

Now it’s become a larger, more commercialized event where vendors from all over come to pitch their safety gear, offer classes in case of a city-wide emergency, and even have several large and popular exhibitions for kaiju. As much as people may fear kaiju, it seems that kaiju themselves as a concept have been popular for decades before even the first rift opened.

As a result, there are sections of KAIJUCON for the most… zealous kaiju researchers in which they can enter virtual reality scapes and pretend to be kaiju. This form of live action roleplaying has become wildly popular in the city, and has become a hobby to relieve stress for some.

On the flip side, it seems this also has opened up a whole group of people who come up with their own KAIJUSONAS and who attend the event dressed up as their idealized version of kaiju. Fortunately, as LILITH does have its fair share of research and information to trade, it’s the perfect opportunity to grab additional funds to fix up the areas of the base … and of course, how could they not ask the Outsiders to join in?

Instead of the usual team building exercises, they will be expected to help at various booths at KAIJUCON. Whether these are panels in which they teach and share all the intimate details of kaiju anatomy, or where they join in the highly coveted title of BEST KAIJUSONA.

As Outsiders within LILITH, all characters will be approached to speak at panels. Characters previously deemed as HEAVY HITTERS or characters who have dealt a K.O. to a kaiju will be particularly popular at the convention, with fans flocking to them with requests for pictures and autographs. While at panels, a Q&A session will often be held, and Outsiders may have to deal with questions ranging from sensible to ... uncomfortable.

Once their shift is over, they’re more than welcome to take a look around!

(Note: You are all free to presume everything you’d expect at a convention to be there! Including, but not limited to, merchandise, snack carts, panels, and more! Outsiders with inhuman forms do not need to wear their cloaking devices. As a note, Outsiders are public figures known by their alter egos/usernames. However, the fact that they are from a different dimension remains classified information to the public. )


▶ 004. CROSSED WIRES.

While rebuilding of both the Tokyo Base and Kyoto are coming along, certain other departments seem to be struggling. SYNTHIA in particular is still broken, and try as the LILITH engineers might, repairs are slow going.

While SYNTHIA is down, there are all sorts of communication errors:
- Messages being sent to the wrong recipient, or to the base at large
- Thoughts transcribing themselves as texts and being sent without approval
- Text messages glitching during the sending process and sending as illegible symbols and strings of letters
- Text messages never sending, or sending dozens of times repeatedly
- SYNTHIA generating inaccurate information about Outsiders and sending them during the numerous reboot processes (think Google AI summaries)
- Blocked users suddenly becoming unblocked, and best of friends suddenly blocking each other

If asked, researchers will apologize for the errors and suggest that Outsiders meet in person to discuss any important topics. There's no better way to grow relationships than to spend time in person after all, right? Towards the end of the month, the errors will slow until they are finally fixed.

(Note: Feel free to use this as a general text glitch event in either your top levels for this event or in inboxes and individual player logs! We've listed out some suggestions of what characters might experience but feel free to come up with your own fun ideas as long as they aren't gamebreaking.)


▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our fourth downtime mingle!

As stated in the prompt itself, players are welcome to suggest buildings and business to be found in Kyoto by replying to the header below. Please submit all suggestions by March 31.

The texting glitches will last to the end of the month, at which point SYNTHIA will be repaired and all systems will go back to normal.

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 cute plushies, stylish sunglasses and blindfolds, and edible chalk enhancements among other things.

2. BASE-LESS ACCUSATIONS: ICly, Outsiders are tasked with assisting in rebuilding projects across Kyoto, which include scoping out land, suggesting what new businesses and buildings to construct, and general exploration. OOCly, players are welcome to suggest new businesses and buildings to add to the Kyoto area.

3. KAIJUCON: The annual convention centered around kaiju-related research and inventions. Outsiders can find all sorts of kaiju-related merchandise and gear for sale, as well dress up and meet other kaiju enthusiasts.

4. CROSSED WIRES: With SYNTHIA still broken, communications within LILITH are breaking down. Outsiders will experience a string of troubles when trying to message others. This will be fixed by the end of the month.

lionize: <user name="ahandorsomething"> (Contrary)

[personal profile] lionize 2025-03-17 03:17 am (UTC)(link)
What makes you think I need to go anywhere? Tools or not, there's no way you're getting inside!

[Stupid turtle, stupid lack of security. Cagalli's already sending a message to the group via the ocular-- Come back and maybe not leave her alone with this?]

What do you even hope to get out of this?
soft_shelled: (217)

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-03-17 03:17 am (UTC)(link)
... It's fine.

[And it's not like he knows that about her, even after possibly looking at her public data file.]

Still... You don't know all my... Weirdness?

[All his weird neuroses, he means. As he finally gets to opening his soda.]
soft_shelled: (404)

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-03-17 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
[Now he's balanced on, whatever part he's gotten up to that he can balance on, like the one time his family did training on top of some trees... Seriously, he shouldn't be able to do it, but here we are. As he answers her question.]

I always wanted to build a giant robot of my own, so... Knowledge?
egraegis: (182)

@selfdestructive

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-03-17 03:23 am (UTC)(link)
What do people not know that's irritating you?

[who is this???]
kidobutai: (ごじゅういち)

002

[personal profile] kidobutai 2025-03-17 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
I'm sure there's a few that will at least consider it.

[Akagi hadn't given it much thought herself for various reasons. But she is more than certain a number of people here will likely go ahead and make their own power grab. Granted, she does wonder just who might run for an office, and for what office.

It is a little disconcerting, after meeting a few of the people present.]


Is it something you were considering?
soft_shelled: (223)

@Bootyyyshaker9000

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-03-17 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
Oh like the basic theological knowledge for how humanity made gods?

Or... Ugh, some things I have to fix for "work". You'd think with how advanced everything is people would be better with their tech.


[He may not know who dis, but he has no qualms about bitching.]
saudadist: (Thinking)

[personal profile] saudadist 2025-03-17 03:31 am (UTC)(link)
You don't know mine either.

[ She says it with a shrug and tosses her can over into a nearby trashcan. Nailed it in one shot. Nice.

The pinkette leans her head on her palm, elbow pressed to the table. ]


I don't have to know all your weirdness to know I didn't like seeing you all doubled over and freaking out like that.
soft_shelled: (047)

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-03-17 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
[Hopefully she got him a regular soda, as he takes a sip of it.]

... yeah well. I don't normally do that? I haven't had that happen in a long time.

[Mostly because he's always had his support network around.]
lionize: <user name="ahandorsomething"> (Bluster)

[personal profile] lionize 2025-03-17 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
Are you a complete dumbass?! That's not how any of that works!

[Uuugh why is this up to her? Her scowl deepens if at all possible, and she moves to a nearby table and picks up a metal stapler.]

Don't make me tell you again!

[Cagalli holds up the object to show him she means business.]
soft_shelled: (405)

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-03-17 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
You asked, I answered!

[And the grin is back at her threatening him.]

Ah, another cute and mean girl I see.

[Sorry Cagalli, it's also a Season for him so he's much more prone to saying stuff like that.]
egraegis: (139)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-03-17 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
I can't do much about the former, I've never been religious or theological.

What sort of tech do you work with?
soft_shelled: (103)

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-03-17 03:46 am (UTC)(link)
Me neither, it was just something I learned for fun once.

And just what is commercially available? I guess tech support is a simple way of putting it.


[His cover job is Cyberpunk Geek squad, after all.]
saudadist: (Are you high?)

sorta not here

[personal profile] saudadist 2025-03-17 03:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ From her guardian post near the mic, Lucy gives the fox a stare.

Why does everyone keep asking lewd questions?! ]
coordination: (no ex-wives that I'm aware of)

[personal profile] coordination 2025-03-17 03:53 am (UTC)(link)
[ Wow Yzak reasons are perfectly good reasons, thank you!!

(mostly)

Rocky, uneven terrain, hard to hit these things at a distance ... so the beam sabers it is.

He lets out an amused breath. ]


Not yet.

Harrison had a lot more to say about your ideas and you, after you were gone. He's trying to pretty up a suggestion to oppose the next proposal we've been back and forth about, and trying to sniff out who he can win over to get on his side.

He invited me to dinner.
egraegis: (172)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-03-17 04:02 am (UTC)(link)
I see.
The technology here is strange for me. Some of it is more simple, others more advanced. It makes it harder to understand this world's timeline.
soft_shelled: (207)

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-03-17 04:05 am (UTC)(link)
Oh it's most certainly beyond what exists back home for me, except!

I've dabbled in impossible future tech myself, so it wasn't too hard to adapt? And yeah, history here is a bit off, isn't it?
egraegis: (159)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-03-17 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
I've only just arrived, so I'm still learning this world's history. It's vastly different from what I know.

"Impossible future tech"?
saudadist: (mega concern)

[personal profile] saudadist 2025-03-17 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
[ Relax Donnie, it's the most inoffensive Coke can, because even in 2279, that company is still going as a giant. ]

It can sneak up on you when you least expect it. [ She understands that much. ] How're you feeling now? Is the open air better?

[ She can't exactly call it "fresh air" but the idea still applies. ]
egraegis: (176)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-03-17 04:17 am (UTC)(link)
[don't perceive him!!!]

Sort of like that hyena.

[You know the one.]
soft_shelled: (305)

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-03-17 04:21 am (UTC)(link)
I can imagine.

... Ah yeah, I made a bo staff that had multiple functions. Too many to list here.
soft_shelled: (241)

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-03-17 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
[LOOK. Japan has weird sodas, okay? Also he loves his flavorless juice.

He hums a little and has some more Coke.]


A little, and I'm glad it wasn't as bad as it can get.

[He used to go non-verbal when he was younger and overwhelmed.]
kubricks: (where exactly are we going... exactly?)

[personal profile] kubricks 2025-03-17 04:27 am (UTC)(link)
No, I don't think so.

[It's a quick enough answer, she doesn't have to give that one too much thought. Her mind was made up when she saw the application.]

My old bosses were elected officials, it didn't seem like the type of work I'd enjoy.

[Of course that was more at the national level than local, but Makima thinks that wouldn't make much difference to her.]
saudadist: (suspicious recollection)

[personal profile] saudadist 2025-03-17 04:28 am (UTC)(link)
[ Lucy's quiet while he talks. Her eyes follow the lights of the city around them, the cars, the obnoxious billboards all over. ]

Sounds like I got there in time, then. Good.
30storieshigh: (imma bite it)

TOTALLY FINE

[personal profile] 30storieshigh 2025-03-17 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
[ Godzilla has a few choice thoughts about how funny it is to argue that something like this is against humanity's will. Fond as he is of humans, he knows them, and he knows if the situations were reversed and they found a way into the Kaiju's original world first then it would be humanity waging a war of extermination to capture territory, or flee a dying world (One they probably killed), or simply to grow rich.

Godzilla's learned a lot in his time here though and one of those lessons is how to be somewhat diplomatic. He's been in the other position before, recently in fact, where anger and hatred were the guiding force in his actions and thoughts. What intelligent being hasn't been at least once in their lives? ]


Understandable, perhaps, reasonable to an extent one would say. Yet "justified"? Such absolutisms are a thing to be avoided. In any conflict it is not of import whom has begun it, what is of the greatest matter is the method of its ending, oft in your kind's history those whom have sought a "justified" ending have set into motion further suffering. Frankfurt in seventy-first year of the twentieth century comes to mind. Versailles, not even a complete fifty of your years later. Cycles within cycles.

[ He shakes his head. In a rare moment Godzilla's feeling a fraction of the age he actually is. These are the same cycles the early empires went through as well, cycles even some of the Titans became trapped in. ]

Violence breeds violence, yet in the end... perhaps it must be this way. There is every potential the Kaiju are not to be reasoned with, should that come to pass I shall do my duty and see this world defended no matter what I must do. However I shall hold hope, hope that at the least a peace can be reached which sees neither side reduced to a mere thing that only remember with enough passage of time. A reasonable enough stance to hold, yes?
soft_shelled: (406)

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-03-17 04:31 am (UTC)(link)
[And Donnie goes quiet as well, his free hand tapping a finger on the table top. Possibly a nervous habit, and thankfully one of his less self-destructive ones.]

Oh, I mean. I doubt I would have gotten that bad? I haven't gone non-verbal in years.

[Just said as if that is something totally normal to happen to someone.]