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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.

not_laurent: (063)

[personal profile] not_laurent 2025-03-17 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Gangway!

[Roland just barely scoots past Athrun, and start to turn to... come back around at him? He's steering alright, but there seems to be another problem.]

... How do I do that?
not_laurent: (063)

[personal profile] not_laurent 2025-03-17 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
I can't fathom this at all! I think happiness is unlimited. Unlike sadness, there's no such thing as being too happy. You can hit rock bottom, but the sky's the limit for happiness!
not_laurent: (002)

[personal profile] not_laurent 2025-03-17 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Because I am! Because I know it's true.

Just keep speaking to Him, and the answer will come.
likemybooks: Taryon looking over blueprints and grinning (excited)

[personal profile] likemybooks 2025-03-17 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I must make this before the start of Kaijucon. I simply must wear this during the event!

Do you know how to carve cardboard? Or use a three-dimensional printer? Blacksmithing? Sewing?
followyourstar: (27)

[personal profile] followyourstar 2025-03-17 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
< Um... The merchandise? >

[That probably sounds strange.]

< More because I wasn't expecting it than anything else. I'm not gonna buy anything, but I was expecting something more like the panels and research than that. >

[They can just imagine Don Quixote showing up and going through every inch of the place to see if there was anything with her on it. ...Although maybe that would embarrass her now? It's hard to say.]
egraegis: (131)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-03-17 11:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[Just about then there's a whirring sound of mechanics in motion; a huge claw emerges into Donatello's peripheral, trying to grab the scruff of his shirt and peel him off of the Buster.

Surprise, Athrun was right next door inside Z'Gok. He'd hoped to let Cagalli handle it (she's perfectly capable) but if he's going to be disrespectful...]


That's enough of that.
misclassed: GAME; SPRITE. (☸ 132)

01. its peepaw time.

[personal profile] misclassed 2025-03-18 12:00 am (UTC)(link)
[ Oh the vibes are BAD. He felt them even before he made it to the rendezvous point, and now, standing in front of the taller young man and his... companion(?), Muramasa feels them more acutely than ever.

Slowly, his gaze flicks to Rika for a long moment before jumping back to Yuta and his sword. No reaction, just a thoughtful examination. The combination of this boy's, earnest, weary karma and the battering of the curse's spiritual energy against his own is making an interesting picture to look at. Thankfully his Magic Resistance is helping to subdue the feeling of wrongness he feels from the spirit — not that something as minor as bad vibes alone would stop Muramasa from finishing a job once he's taken it on.

He'll just have to work around it.
]

Yep. You sure you need me?
lionize: <user name="ahandorsomething"> (Bombastic)

[personal profile] lionize 2025-03-18 12:08 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh. Well then. It's a nice attempt. If it's successful, Cagalli will put the stapler back on the table. If not, it remains firmly in her hand.

Either way, there's a slight scowl aimed at the Z'Gok.]


Were you really here the whole time? Coulda hopped in before I wasted that soda.
saudadist: (SKREEM)

[personal profile] saudadist 2025-03-18 12:11 am (UTC)(link)
[ The silence that stretches out between them doesn't bother her. At first. The longer the seconds draw on, the more she's compelled to do something. Something comforting. But what more can she really say? What can she do? He doesn't seem to like being touched all that much.

However...

One of the cybernetic tentacles she's been acclimating her self to slides out of the disc in her back and out to lightly pat his head. That's a benign enough gesture, right?

Except these tentacles are not like her vectors. They're heavier, and the fact that they have mass means she basically just whacks him on the back of the head. A sucker punch without a punch.

In an instant she's up, gasping deep and eyes wide. ]


GODDAMMIT!! I'm sorry!!
soft_shelled: (009)

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-03-18 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
[No clothing to grab, but there is that nice metal shell on his back that he can be scruffed by. Which isn't a foreign thing for Donnie, but he does hiss defensively when he is grabbed.

But he doesn't say anything either, just rolls his eyes and starts considering an exit strategy.]
egraegis: (182)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-03-18 12:19 am (UTC)(link)
[One of these days someone ought to put a real handle on the battle shell...

Athrun holds the turtle out and away from Z'Gok, sort of like how someone might carry a spider out of the house.]


I thought you had it well managed. [She's great at yelling at people and getting them to stop doing things she disapproves of, okay.] I'll buy you a new one.
lionize: bubblemilk @ lj (Impatient)

[personal profile] lionize 2025-03-18 12:27 am (UTC)(link)
I don't want to have to throw a stapler at a turtle! [At least she doesn't have to anymore. She sighs and looks at Donnie instead.]

Can you please leave the mobile suits alone? I'm sure we'd all love to go about things differently.
soft_shelled: (159)

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-03-18 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, you want impressive compression?

It could also become a tennis ball cannon, with tennis balls.
soft_shelled: (174)

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-03-18 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
It wouldn't have hurt anyway. [Said about the whole throwing a stapler at him, and at her request he does actually look thoughtful before answering.]

How about... No? [And he's going to press the release on the shoulder of his battle shell, a hiss of pressure being released is the only warning Cagalli and Athrun gets before Donnie is just.

Dropping out of his shell to the ground, no biggie.]
soft_shelled: (106)

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-03-18 01:05 am (UTC)(link)
[Donnie has kind of gone off in his own little mental world, thinking about various things. Nerd things. So he is completely taken off guard by the tentacle, not even noticing it.

Until it hits him upside the head. His head jerks forward, and he ends up tipping his soda over as well, spilling the drink on the table as Lucy apologizes. He slowly turns to look at her and sees the tentacle and anything angry he is about to say?]


... That's a tentacle, robotic yes?

[Gone, angry gone. Only nerd.]
coordination: (a poem for my bae "why bae")

[personal profile] coordination 2025-03-18 01:19 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not clueless! And I didn't say anything stupid!

[ He makes a noise of discontent, yanking one the end of some photo or paper that she's decided to park her ass on. ] Stop sitting on our things! We've only got so much.

Anyway, whether it's Repre— Cagalli or anybody else in the world, that doesn't change anything! Are you sure that you actually get how human relationships work?
egraegis: (193)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-03-18 01:36 am (UTC)(link)
[....

Did... did he just remove his shell? He's no expert on walking turtle-people biology (obviously, since this is the first he's ever met, kind of shocked it isn't a costume) but that seems like it would be super unhealthy.

And now he's holding an empty shell. Great. Since this guy's head is so durable, would it hurt to drop it on him...?]


If you try to climb one again I'll just pull you off. You might as well stop.
lostdestiny: (cranky - 101)

[personal profile] lostdestiny 2025-03-18 01:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ Godzilla isn't the only lunatic with a teleportation mod. Shinn disappears from the hangar and reappears in the cockpit, slamming the machine online. The colors shift from dull gray to reds and blues as the armor kicks online, and --

Destiny flips Godzilla off, too! ]
lionize: <user name="lionize"> (Petulant)

[personal profile] lionize 2025-03-18 01:54 am (UTC)(link)
Are you kidding me? What the hell was that!

[Cagalli's expression turns to one of distaste at his words and following actions. So much for civility.]

Stupid turtle!

[Nailed it.]
soft_shelled: (305)

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-03-18 02:01 am (UTC)(link)
[And at the reactions he laughs, because if either of them look at his back? There is a shell there, sure it's a soft shell, and a scarred up one at that.

And he's stepping forward so he's not right under his battle shell in case Athrun wants to drop it.]


It's called escaping? Also you may know me as Bootyyyshaker9000.

[Since he can't go by his civilian name, Shiki Hamato is human after all, and in case any congoers can hear them using his real name isn't a good idea either.]

Not stupid anything.
kubricks: (Do I look all rancid and clotted?)

[personal profile] kubricks 2025-03-18 02:06 am (UTC)(link)
A few. It was surprising.

How did you respond to yours?
saudadist: (oh damn)

[personal profile] saudadist 2025-03-18 02:15 am (UTC)(link)
[ At least he isn't mad??? Not that that does much to assuage her worry. She still clocked him pretty good with the damn thing. ]

Basically?

[ Lucy looks at the tentacle, which itself seems to be cringing with guilt before flopping into her arms like a limp noodle. ]

They said they're formed by nanobots.
soft_shelled: (032)

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-03-18 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
[Not caring about being mad, or his soda spilling on the table. Donnie just lights up.]

Of course, it makes sense, all things considered.

[And he is getting up, ignore the slight wobble there, and invading Lucy's personal space and touching the tentacle in her hands.]

I've tried to make something like this back home, but nanobots aren't really a viable thing? So I've just been able to do what I can with my battle shell!

[And as if on cue, a three fingered robotic hand (attached to an arm) is popping out of his back.]
kubricks: (where exactly are we going... exactly?)

003

[personal profile] kubricks 2025-03-18 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
Seems like you have a lot on your mind.

[That probably wasn't meant for her.]
saudadist: (what's this?)

[personal profile] saudadist 2025-03-18 02:26 am (UTC)(link)
[ Oh...

Oh, alright. Crisis averted? She's still not sure what to think, but he doesn't get any resistance from her or the tentacle as he pokes at it. ]


Yeah, I got this recently. My back still hurts a bit from where they put the thing in. [ And of course, the skin around the disc itches just a little bit under her clothes from just the mention. ] So...be careful. They're similar to what I'm used to but...also not.

[ The tentacle she holds in her palm twitches and sways almost like the tail of a cat. A touch apprehensive to fit her mood, but otherwise calm. It straightens out to match her widened eyes as she spots his own robo-arm. ]

You made that one?