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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.

curingidiocy: (pic#17171057)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2025-04-08 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
I wonder, on occasion, why I tolerate your shenanigans.

[ It's because he loves Aventurine and they both know it. ]
gilgamess: (smilleeee)

[personal profile] gilgamess 2025-04-09 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
So what, precisely, is your idiosyncrasy?

[ aside from having a texting style that suggests a very, very understated/flat affect. ]
blastedass: by blastedass @ dreamwidth (Default)

[personal profile] blastedass 2025-04-09 01:17 am (UTC)(link)
[not that bakugo takes the crap he's given very well most of the time. he takes it, but... though denji's also given him a lot of positives he's not about to go spewing to someone else. sheesh.

DOCTORS DON'T SAY CRAP LIKE "GOOD HEAD ON SHOULDERS" - WHAT THE HELL!?]


You'd have to spend all your life practicing.

[and even then, vash has some extras she'll never have, so... oh well. far outside her league.

OF COURSE HE'S OLD ENOUGH TO DRIVE!! he's been here a damn year plus.]


you'll see.

[ this kind.]
blastedass: by blastedass @ dreamwidth (💥 Shades.)

[personal profile] blastedass 2025-04-09 01:19 am (UTC)(link)
[He won't give Jinwoo too much shit over it. No one should have to be put in such a decision.]

So by attacking the beasts and using their power, the Rulers weakened the Monarchs and got stronger at the same time.
sanguivorous: (Smile -Kinda nice)

[personal profile] sanguivorous 2025-04-09 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
[Astarion tries very hard to hide his excitement, but it's evident in his eyes, wider and brighter than Taryon has witnessed from him, even when Astarion was mysteriously kind for a day.]

Do I--Do I need to do anything? How should I sit? Do I have a good side, or should it be my whole face?
30storieshigh: (you're being judged by a dinosaur)

[personal profile] 30storieshigh 2025-04-09 06:25 am (UTC)(link)
[ Thankfully for the mental health of everyone Godzilla is literally minded, not dirty minded.

Which is why he's scratching that spot again as he puzzles out that response. ]


Indeed. When one has within their mind a thing to speak it is best to speak it plain and direct, yes? Obfuscation with words draped in the veil or to speak the opposite of what is thought is a tendency of your own kind, one I believe that gives rise to many of your inner conflicts.

[ A sage, lizardy nod. It's amazing how this gecko can so thoroughly butcher language and then turn around and use words like "Obfuscation" correctly... ]
copy: (0 0 4)

[personal profile] copy 2025-04-09 08:46 am (UTC)(link)
It won't.

[ He agrees, grim and determined. He won't let it happen and with Geto on his side in this, seemingly caring about Yuji pretty deeply, he has double the chance of stopping his kouhai if it comes down to it.

He's nodding to Geto's summary and although he can't say he likes the idea of possibly having to lie to a fellow Outsider — one who sounds like a genuinely good person — if that's what it takes... well. Yuta's done far worse. But preferably they'll find someone else. ]


I think that's about it. I'll see if I can learn more about the teams and find a way to get into Brimstone so I can get closer to Sukuna too, but for now all we can do is observe and wait until the next mission.

[ He straightens where he's seated and breathes out a slow, quiet exhale that isn't quite a sigh, yet it holds a weariness befitting of the burden he's placed upon himself. At least it's shared now and that helps, just a tiny bit. It makes it easier to voice his gratitude and be genuine about it, even if it's to Geto. ]

Thank you for hearing me out and wanting to cooperate.
gorb: (cxlii.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-04-09 10:03 am (UTC)(link)
( He pulls a face at the gratitude, quick and sharp, a moue of dislike. Not at Yuta, not really, but at everything. The things he has done, the things he did not do, the things he just might -. It's there and then gone, the discomfort hidden away behind the impassive layers of his face. )

We're so few jujutsu sorcerers here. ( Five, it had felt so few when he was younger too. But there had been other schools to call upon, other people. Now there's just them. And while there are no curses, they're still very much in the line of fire. So Geto continues -. ) And despite what people may think, I really do care about what happens to our kind. If you find yourself in trouble - ( Breath behind his teeth, the long-suffering aura of a man not exactly well heeled but trying something. ) - well, it's not like I'm very busy, these days.

( Yuta should be able to turn to someone, especially if he's acting beyond the parameters other people might set for him. So why not the curse user? )

Also, you look like shit. You should really get some rest. Take it from someone who knows, push yourself too far - ( He lifts a hand to recall his sentry curse, grin fleeting. ) - and you just might snap.

( Cheerfully. )

We wouldn't want that.
copy: (1 1 5)

[personal profile] copy 2025-04-09 11:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's an interesting thing to witness that brief flicker of obvious aversion on Geto's face that's then juxtaposed by an implicit offer that's — kind. It's kind. There's traces there of the boy in his teacher's memories again, hints as to what might have inspired Miguel's and Larue's loving loyalty to him, and yet it feels at odds with the expression that preceded it. Yuta doesn't doubt his words, knows he cares about jujutsu sorcerers above all else, but there's something there he can't quite put a finger on. Perhaps it's mere dislike towards him personally, Yuta did nearly succeed in killing him (if only he had and spared Gojo the pain) and now he's come to lay a heavy burden at his feet. Distaste is probably to be expected. Still, for all the clear reluctance, the offer seems genuine enough.

Hard as it is to imagine turning to Geto even more than he's already doing, he can't discount the notion he might have to take him up on that offer down the line. No one else is going to understand the unique circumstances of being a Jujutsu sorcerer and when he's already hiding things from the others, there isn't really anyone else to turn to. Yuta doesn't give voice to his appreciation this time, instead opting to incline his head in both a nod of acknowledged assent and a bow of gratitude and leaving it at that.

He's standing up and grabbing his sword case, sliding the strap back around his shoulder in its usual place, before he's leveling Geto with a flat look in wake of his commentary. ]


... I always look like this. [ Sure, his eye bags are more prominent than ever, but they've been there long before they even met back home. So that's kind of rude to say, though Yuta isn't taking actual offense. He doesn't care enough to. ] But I'll try.

[ Rest does not come easy and what little sleep he gets is plagued with nightmares now imbued with all the fresh new horrors he's endured and inflicted alike recently. Trying is the best he can do. ]
cosmarchy: (pic#17634560)

[personal profile] cosmarchy 2025-04-09 09:03 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't really get it myself...

But you can blame both the Rulers and Monarchs for a lot of what happened back home.
blastedass: by blastedass @ dreamwidth (Default)

[personal profile] blastedass 2025-04-09 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Are you trying to take out both of them, or are you siding with one at the moment?
lionize: <user name="lionize"> (Memento)

[personal profile] lionize 2025-04-10 02:43 am (UTC)(link)
Then it doesn't need thanks. It was just clearing up a misunderstanding, don't worry about it.

[It's confusing to hear, Ereshkigal seems nice enough to her. She shrugs, deciding not to make a big deal out of it.]

Seems like their loss. How long have you been here, anyway?
cosmarchy: (pic#17634579)

[personal profile] cosmarchy 2025-04-10 06:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He should pay more attention, but then again... Maybe he can always ask Yuta. ]

That so? Then, I'll have Beru out with me too. Just look for a big humanoid ant.
cosmarchy: (pic#17634531)

[personal profile] cosmarchy 2025-04-10 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
... I'm siding with the Rulers.

They've been trying to make the world strong enough to withstand their war, so I'll believe in that unless they start causing serious problems.
blastedass: by bokunoicons @ tumblr (💥 Shot from the side!)

[personal profile] blastedass 2025-04-11 12:57 am (UTC)(link)
They're focusing on strengthening the battleground instead of winning and stopping the fucking war?
curingidiocy: (pic#17490183)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2025-04-11 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
Precisely my question. Alas, there is little we can do to force them to share their knowledge, so I've chosen to spend my energy towards more productive activities.

[ Like learning studying how to practice medicine, participate in Kyoto's town hall meetings, and all the other projects he has going on at the same time.

Workaholic.
]
soft_shelled: (123)

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-04-11 01:15 am (UTC)(link)
Good idea, better to pursue that what you can effect then waste time slamming your head against a wall.

[Raito has the bonus of being an adult too. A lot of what's going down Donnie probably couldn't get involved in due to his age, although politics he cares little for, aside from personal projects that is.]
likemybooks: speaking unconcerned (dismissive)

[personal profile] likemybooks 2025-04-11 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, if you're posing, going on ahead. I would suggested a full view of your front if you want it to look like a mirror. A mirror that doesn't reverse the image, but a mirror nonetheless.
sanguivorous: (Pensive -And we've been burned)

[personal profile] sanguivorous 2025-04-11 01:43 am (UTC)(link)
[He titters.] It would be more tempting to pose if we were in a more sumptuous location. Ah, to be lazing on a sea of pillows...

[He turns his chair to face Doty face on, as Taryon suggested. He sits straight-backed, but with his hands resting on his thighs.]

It may be best if I remain stoic, then.

[He lets his smile fade, and regards the robot. His resting facial expression can't help but to be a bit intriguing, alluring, head tilted down just slightly enough that he has to look through a half-curtain of lashes. He waits.]
curingidiocy: (closed eyes)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2025-04-11 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
[ Ratio narrows his eyes, searching for any tells in the man to give away what he's truly thinking. Where do his real talents lie, the man asks. What should already be obvious is that Ratio is a scholar, researcher and teacher. All of these, he has openly displayed on base and off it. Neither has he made it a secret that he is working at a hospital with his civilian identity and gaining the skills needed to practice medicine at an adequate level. Silco would already know this, if he bothered to do even a modicum of research on Ratio.

So then, he asks for what Ratio isn't showing to the world. The side of him that accompanies IPC members on all sorts of business trips, helping the megacorporation cut deals with planets and businesses looking for their investment, picking out those who may be attempting to pull one-over the IPC, and on some occasions, assisting with... shadier things.

But it has never been by his own hand that business is done. Always, he has been the support, the side character to the gambler's shows. And so, he should be the side character to Silco's conquest. What would a man need to destroy an underworld organization from someone like Ratio?
]

Knowledge, of course. You are perfectly aware that I am a scholar with a wide berth of knowledge. The subjects I have expertise in include medicine, physics, biology, mathematics, engineering and computer science... [ Here he trails off deliberately for a moment ] ...among others.

[ Now, computer science has absolutely nothing to with information security, but it's not out of the realm of his capability. Hacking, of course. ]

I am also quite well versed in dealing with bureaucracy, as unfortunate as it is to say. I've dealt with businessmen, politicians, and world leaders in my capacity as a consultant for the IPC. Most were idiots, but every once in a while, some would try to engage in elaborate schemes to gain an advantage over us.

[ The implication should be clear. He's dealt with seedy business and two-faced scheming, and would be able to handle whatever Silco threw at him. What he hasn't offered, though, is directly dealing with the underbelly of society, because of his reputation and current position. He's certain Silco would understand its value. ]
curingidiocy: (pic#17171073)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2025-04-11 07:23 am (UTC)(link)
[ Ratio can only hope that when he is sent home, Aventurine returns with him, or has already departed by then. Given his reaction the one time Ratio had been in the throes of his own emotions and neglected him, the scholar doesn't think his fiancé would handle his departure well.

But the chance that neither of them would remember anything that happened here... that's hard to bear, too.
]

I had expected those younglings to meet a cruel end, but not in that manner.

[ He should have predicted it, but even he didn't expect a mother to use her children like that. Just another way the kaiju differed from humanity. Perhaps he'd been wrong to think there was a slim chance they could learn to coexist.

He looks over the pictures Bakugo provides. They're similar to the ones he's seen, and given the teen's lack of caution against look-a-likes...
]

I presume there are no other plants that look similar to these three.
cosmarchy: (pic#17634520)

[personal profile] cosmarchy 2025-04-11 03:32 pm (UTC)(link)
They've actually tried, multiple times.

[ Time to share the more confusing stuff, Jinwoo supposes. ]


But the planet couldn't withstand the war between astral beings. They've done plenty of resets, but the end results were always the same. That's why they've been flooding the planet with mana, so we had a chance to survive.

But it's not a perfect solution. Not everyone awakened as Hunters.


[ So not everyone is probably going to survive. ]
kubricks: (more discipline than you might imagine)

[personal profile] kubricks 2025-04-11 07:49 pm (UTC)(link)
I have. Usually everyone is involved in combat operations.

[There's been some exceptions where that's not the case, but it's not like back home where she usually doesn't get involved.]

It's not my preference, but it can't be helped.
queenofkur: (gab 001)

[personal profile] queenofkur 2025-04-11 08:09 pm (UTC)(link)
... A-A year.

[ Okay, that makes it sound like in a year she hasn't changed at all. But she has, and there's a good reason why she's so slow: ]

My kind takes quite long to change their ways. But I've been slowly getting there.
egraegis: (71)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-04-11 08:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[Well... he's not going to say creepy, but...]

Isn't that a little... invasive?