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šš‚šš¢šš—šššš•ššžšš” š™¼šš˜ššššœ ([personal profile] synfluxmods) wrote in [community profile] synflux2025-03-14 12:53 pm

DOWNTIME MINGLE #7

DOWNTIME MINGLE #7


CONTENT WARNINGS: suggestive topics

ā–¶ 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 ā€œDOCTORā€ and ā€œPHD.ā€

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.


ā–¶ 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 ā€œcity hallā€ 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. )


ā–¶ 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. )


ā–¶ 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.)


ā–¶ 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.

stonehearts: 🦚 fanart → <user name="cs_ao3" site="twitter.com"> (pic#17677327)

[personal profile] stonehearts 2025-03-21 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
Cat got your tongue, dear doctor?
curingidiocy: (pic#17171049)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2025-03-21 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
[ The fans follow from a distance, but not all of them. Thankfully, the number of stragglers is slowly reducing as time passes. ]

I'm Dr. Ratio. I don't believe I've met you before.

[ He's read Donatello's profile but that's all he really knows. ]
curingidiocy: (frown)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2025-03-21 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
Stop wasting time.
soft_shelled: (353)

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-03-21 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
[The name rings a bell? Maybe, Donnie hasn't actually gone over every profile with a fine toothed comb just yet.]

Donatello, and I keep to myself mostly.

[Even in the Tokyo base he tended to either wait until most people weren't around, or he'd go cloaked.]
stonehearts: 🦚 fanart → <user name="cs_ao3" site="twitter.com"> (pic#17671454)

[personal profile] stonehearts 2025-03-21 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
Demanding! I'm into it, and I'm on my way
curingidiocy: (pic#17171037)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2025-03-21 05:59 am (UTC)(link)
Good.
penaltypoints: (05)

004 @mr. viper

[personal profile] penaltypoints 2025-03-21 08:57 am (UTC)(link)
If there are no risks, I would imagine that LILITH will welcome your suggestion. This is an unusual Rift, after all.
sanktawithashotgun: (Cheeb 1)

(Executor) Federico || Arknights || Revelation

[personal profile] sanktawithashotgun 2025-03-21 09:10 am (UTC)(link)

1.) Crossed Wires


Read more
Back in this world. I never did find suitable explosives for the required work. I could build some myself…but there is no originium here. How is the technology of this world powered?
I see…
I will need to visit the market for these components. Unless I can find some readily made.
Why do I feel pain seeing how tired Richele has gotten in my absence? I logically could not do anything to prevent that. .....perhaps that is the problem.


It is too loud.

What is a babygirl? It cannot be solely meaning age and gender. It’d make no sense for one to be honorary…
Too loud.
My head hurts. I’d assumed this would stop since I am no longer in proximity to Sunday.

It’s too loud.
Too loud

ţ̷͔̾oĢµĶĢ—Ķ‰o̦͇̓̈́ ̷̰͌̄͠lĢøĶŒĶ›Ķ‡Ģ—oĢ·Ģ”Ģ«ĢuĢ·ĶĢžd̶̢̪͆͛
[accompanied with audio of some truly awful feedback noise]
The Law is not here, why is this happening


I wonder if Vermeil would welcome a stuffed toy such as this. …she would likely prefer this knife.


2.) Base-less behavior: Kaiju Hunt (....kinda)

[There is a child crying in one of the abandoned temples near the rift. The sound echoes, which makes the direction difficult to pinpoint.

Eventually, however, if one looks, they will find a little girl, possibly around 7 or 8 years old, absolutely wailing as a man tries to bundle her up in a…blanket?
]

Please comply. The corrosion from the rift will harm you greatly without protection-

[Two things. One. There is a carcass of a kaiju nearby, one of those large boar ones. Very likely to have set the kid off. The other thing is that the man is absolutely covered in kaiju blood.

His face is quite stony as he attempts to put this blanket thing around the kid, but if you’re looking, you might catch the faint perplexed panic in his movements. Black, glass-like wings flare as the girl pushes against his hands again.

He notices you approaching or nearby, and blinks, straightening up not unlike a soldier at attention.
] Greetings. I’d responded to a request to retrieve an overly curious child. I have found her but…You- ah- [He has been kicked. He hooks his arm around the girl’s middle before she can run off.] -wouldn’t happen to know more effective procedures for this, would you?


3.) Kaiju Con!

[Despite himself, Federico does end up going to Kaiju Con. It seems like a good place to gather information on the threats they have been brought in to fight off, and how the public views and handles those threats already.

He was…not prepared for the costumes.

And he certainly was not prepared for a particularly rude costumed teen asking him how he got the halo and wings to stay afloat like that, and how they don’t bother waiting for an answer as they just grab his halo like a handle and pull on it.

If anyone wants to see a sankta practically bluescreen, that’s. Certainly a way to do it. If you have empathy powers at all, you may faintly feel something akin to a very disorienting burst of static as Federico’s eyes go wide. His hand twitches toward the shotgun at his hip, but he stops himself.
]

Excuse me.

[You could step in here. Eventually he does manage to disengage with very stilted protests and the like, maybe even pushing. The ā€œassailantā€ is a civilian after all, he cannot risk hurting them.

At no point does he insinuate this is a costume of his… but he can be found later in a somewhat quieter corner of the con, crouched down and just…holding his head. He grunts softly if you approach, and looks up at you, eyes pained.
]

A-Apologies. I will…participate appropriately soon. It’s just. [He winces at a screaming child running by in an inflatable lizard(?) costume.] Loud.

[You could also, if you so wish, find Federico at various other locations of the con, like:

B. Listening very intently at a panel. He’s got a little pad of paper in his lap where he’s sketching- quite well actually!- the creatures being discussed. As well as their weaknesses and little notes of strategies against them…
]

C. [A very serious man very seriously considering a bin of plush kaiju. He looks through, evaluating each one with a keen focus that seems beyond just…passing interest. He pulls up this thing.] I have…a ward, back where I am from. Do you think this is something a rather independent child might like? [The tonberry stares into your soul…]

D. [Federico ends up purchasing this monstrosity. He seems to be observing it with a discerning eye. Gumball eyes…? But the flavors sounded appealing. The form however…] I will admit…I have never seen ice cream come in such a. Creative form. [He takes a small bite. Then another. It must be pretty good if he’s continuing to eat it. Er. Hopefully.]
Edited 2025-03-21 09:17 (UTC)
misclassed: FANART; <user name="misuko_mm" site="twitter.com"> (☸ 097)

[personal profile] misclassed 2025-03-21 12:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[ and he won't put one on if he doesn't have to, either. ]
curingidiocy: (pic#17171032)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2025-03-21 02:30 pm (UTC)(link)
The question is whether we have the resources to spare. Nor does the use of energy barriers seem widespread on this planet. To date, I've only seen the technology used in the shields we can procure from LILITH.
followyourstar: (15)

[personal profile] followyourstar 2025-03-21 02:57 pm (UTC)(link)
< Huh? I don't think I said that. >

[Just that said "alleyway of artistic pursuit" was surprising. But they're already being pushed along down the hall and between their own lack of knowledge of the building's layout and the crowds they're sure to find in their way as they go, it's probably better to just go with the flow.]

< You sure you're not just interested in seeing if there's anything of you? >
misclassed: GAME; SPRITE. (that aint normal)

1. @xXdemonbladesXx (you knew it was coming)

[personal profile] misclassed 2025-03-21 02:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Eh? That's what you're worried about?
Edited 2025-03-21 14:59 (UTC)
curingidiocy: (talking)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2025-03-21 03:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ See, he was imagining typical space warfare which involved long distance weapons, but considering how these mobile suits moved, it would make sense that melee combat could be involved. That would have been his conclusion a moment later if Cagalli hadn't interrupted. ]

Yes, I can see its value in a variety of extreme environments. They would be quite useful for the exploration of unknown planets. But I do wonder why human pilots are required for their operation.

[ Rather than AIs, as would be custom back home. No point in risking a squishy organic creature when a mechanical lifeform could handle the task easily. ]
gorb: (ix.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-03-21 03:15 pm (UTC)(link)
It's the people more than anything. A significant collection

What team did they assign you? Let me guess, Everlight?


( Wrong, but maybe he'll figure out the remaining two teams thematic differences via Okkotsu's allocation. )
fursuit: (ā‘  poctemitia.)

[personal profile] fursuit 2025-03-21 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Ah. Right. He does need to figure that out… It’s not that he’s forgotten, exactly, but it’s more that demonstrating it will take some creative thinking since it’s not like either of them has the full breadth of their divinity. The reminder at least works for him to consider it as something to bug LILITH about, since he’s been pestering them about rebuilding lately.

But. That’s for later. For now? ]


Hell no. You think a cardboard box is less conspicuous?

[ They’re getting closer… Tezcatlipoca looks up to track their progress, then clicks his tongue as he starts to tuck some of the stray blonde locks into the hood. It looks ridiculous. ]

—We gotta get back to the feared and respected god status. Gets away from weird shit like this. Or your book series.
cranekin: (pic#15469499)

[personal profile] cranekin 2025-03-21 03:43 pm (UTC)(link)
(He would be flattered if he knew.)

It was a little more surprising. (He's as calm as ever. The attack was weeks ago by this point and he's alive and has mostly recovered. He isn't going to fuss too much over the injuries. ) I was caught in the blast.

(When it did whatever it did to become the Rift that currently looms on Neo Tokyo's horizon.)

Ah... really? You're not bad. I think the children especially liked it.

(It was fun, reactive, not the typical boring and standard fair. It was inspirational at the right moments and amusing at other points. He wouldn't be surprised if some of the children went out and tried to buy whatever sponsorship items are still around.)
cranekin: (pic#15469892)

[personal profile] cranekin 2025-03-21 03:47 pm (UTC)(link)
(He's happy for the company and he'll keep the conversation going,)

Original work, huh? I wonder how good they are. I doubt they actually know any of us...

(Unless someone has some secret inside sources or is watching them especially closely.)

Maybe that's why they're all so creative.
cranekin: (pic#15469511)

[personal profile] cranekin 2025-03-21 03:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Three months is nothing. It's not that much of a difference!

(Says the 1000+ year old spirit.)

But if you'd like, you can celebrate it again in three more months. I'll be sure to congratulate you then, too.

People usually celebrate birthdays with cakes, right?
I know a nice shop in Roppongi. I'll send you a slice.
cranekin: (pic#15469502)

[personal profile] cranekin 2025-03-21 03:56 pm (UTC)(link)
The tea is stronger but it isn't overpowering because the drink is also creamier and sweeter.
I think they use real milk to make it.


(And not some watered down cheaper version or a substitute like most businesses use. For someone that can't cook.... he has very fine taste.)

When it's warm, it's rich and has a very deep flavor.
But because of it's stronger taste, if you add ice too it, it doesn't taste like it was watered down.
It's really amazing!
cranekin: (pic#15469478)

[personal profile] cranekin 2025-03-21 03:58 pm (UTC)(link)
No thanks.
If I sat around and just waited all day, I would rust.
cranekin: (pic#15469478)

[personal profile] cranekin 2025-03-21 03:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Eh? That vampire disease? I took are of that last year.
This is different.
I'm all scratched up and the smudges won't go away.
It really makes me feel uncomfortable in this skin.
cranekin: (pic#15469499)

[personal profile] cranekin 2025-03-21 04:04 pm (UTC)(link)
You're the one worried about their reactions.

(You brought it up first!!)

I see... so you're a simple soul.
But you know, it's good to do something nice for your body once in awhile.
Just because something is "enough", that doesn't mean it's all you'll ever need.

I know.
I'll send you a gift and you can try for yourself.
cranekin: (pic#15474122)

[personal profile] cranekin 2025-03-21 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
(Ereshkigal, please. This might have been a lot easier if she'd just let him pick it up and see for himself. Instead, he can only let his imagination run wild.

He places one hand on hers and pats it.
)

Erechan, you know I wouldn't believe any lies about you. You're an honorable goddess.

(And he rests his hand right there for a moment,)

Let me pick it up. If we leave it, someone else may find it.
likemybooks: Taryon looking over his book (concerned)

@Goldilocks

[personal profile] likemybooks 2025-03-21 04:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Did you get the wrong person? I never bought the "haori" style shirt.

But I'm with you. If you're not going to show off how good you look, you need to rethink your impulse buys.
queenofkur: (fab 008)

[personal profile] queenofkur 2025-03-21 04:42 pm (UTC)(link)
I
I agree


[ She's super romantic too. Unfortunately, a certain Callisto completely ruined her romantic spirit and now she's just in full denial! That's what she gets for making chocolates for her little grape hoping she would miraculously show up on V-day... And she didn't. ]

I just am not made for it.
And it is too dangerous for me to try thinking I am.